Entering History on the Wrong Shoe (Haaretz, ISRAEL)

During the final days of his presidency, George W. Bush could definitely sign on to the famous statement by retired Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

"You can condemn me as much as you wish. It does not matter, history will absolve me."

The problem is that even while he awaits the judgment of history, Bush seems to be making every possible mistake. For example, instead of sitting and waiting for the world to sober up, the president of the United States is embarking on a lightning trip to the Middle East whose results are leading to the conclusion that a lame duck is apparently better off staying at home.

When one chooses to rely on history, there is no need for last-minute attempts to repair one's image. The combination of the drama of the hero whose own generation did not know how to appreciate his activity and the desire to reap the unripe fruits of the campaign in Iraq has given rise to a farce. And an embarrassing illustration has been added to the Bush chronicles, in the guise of the president who was forced to avoid a shoe that was thrown at him in Baghdad.

FULL ARTICLE