A "Shoe" Statement

      The " dog and pony " show that Bush undertook, in order to gain some good feeling in the dying days of his of his failed administration, will always be remembered for the scornful "shoe and dog "  statement by Iraqi journalist,Muntather al-Zeidi, " this is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog", he shouted as he launched the first shoe, which Bush alertly ducked. He then tossed a second shoe, before he was subdued and dragged away. 

      In 2003, when the statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled, the ordinary Iraqi people, showed their scorn and hatred, by taking their shoes and beating it. Shoes are seen as dirty and hitting someone with it and calling them dog is a great insult. The illegal war that has been waged in Iraq has taken a tremendous toll on all involved. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed, the government is barely functioning, the death rate continues to rise, the economy is in the pits, there is a lack of electricity, clean water, health care and security, over 4,000 Americans have been killed, over 40,000 have suffered debilitating injuries, over $600 billion have been wasted, and yet there is no end in sight. This is Bush's legacy to both the American people and the Iraqis. The hurled shoe is a fitting metaphor.

      Bush became president at a time when the U.S.A. was blooming from 8 years of economic growth and no war. He is leaving with the country greatly weakened, politically,economically and militarily. There are two unwinnable wars, an economy in shambles, and a tired, scared and scorned country. There are attempts by his loyal lackeys to brighten his remaining days, but this too will fail. It will focus attention however, on all the wrongs, that he has wrought on the nation. There is no victory here, only a sad litany of all that has gone wrong.

      There are three ( among the many ), lasting images that will define his administration....... Bush in that classroom, looking lost and confused at the news of 9/11,  a strutting Bush, with the banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished", and now, Bush ducking the Shoe.

      I do hope, he has few nightmares, for there are no halcyon days.