Day of Mourning: George Herbert Walker Bush

Today is the official day of mourning for George Herbert Walker Bush, 41^st President of the United States of America. 

Since word of his passing this weekend, there have been many glowing tributes and accolades to this man. I would say nearly all are deserved.

I say “nearly” because there holes one can poke through the legacy of George H. W. Bush.  His life was one of constant service towards others but he was a man capable of acting for his own self interests.

"Acting for his own self interests" is not, to my line of thinking, necessarily a bad thing. If "acting for his own self interests" was the mantra of his life, well, such a person would be a selfish bastard. But even for a person who seeks to serve others, to help others, if one does not at least on occasion "act for his own self interests", that person may lack the power and influence to be an effective advocate for those that person wishes to serve and to help. 

For example, Bush pulled back from his positions on economics and abortion to accept being Vice President on the ticket with Ronald Reagan in 1980. His campaign stooped to base appeals to racism and nationalism to undermine his Democratic opponent for President in 1988.  

Are these the actions of a good man? Arguably, no. Sacrificing principle for self interest is not the hallmark of one might think of as a good man.  

But do these actions and others over Bush's political career make him a bad man? They certainly paint him as an imperfect man.  

No, George H. W. Bush did not live a perfect life. But I think despite any missteps or misgivings, on balance, he lived a good life.

His dedication to public service was evident when he was a young man, serving as a Navy pilot in World War II. He was shot down in the Pacific, nearly sacrificing his life in service to his country.

Bush knew sacrifice and tragedy first hand, witnessing the death of a 3year old daughter from leukemia.

Bush was loyal and dedicated to his wife Barbara as well as to their children. 

As President, he worked with Democrats on clean-air legislation as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

While President, Bush was frequently mocked on Saturday Night Live by Dana Carvey. Bush responded with a gracious sense of humor, once appearing in a taped segment on SNL and even inviting Carvey to visit him at the White House. 

On the left, Dana Carvey as "George Bush"
On the right, Carvey & Bush goofing around a bit

After his time in office, Bush dedicated considerable time and resources towards disaster relief, often working in tandem with Bill Clinton, a former rival who defeated Bush in 1992. 

A copy of the letter George Bush left for Bill Clinton.  

There are historians who regard Bush’s time in office as Vice President and later as President as a series of miss opportunities to rise above personal political ambition. And perhaps there is validity to that assessment.

But in every person’s life, we say and do things that are good and not so good. There is no mortal human who ever strode upon this Earth with no marks on the bad side of our scorecard. But who are we on balance? Do the bad things out number the good?

Bush made his mistakes but also did good things in life. He enjoyed the benefits of a man of wealth and privilege but he gave over his life to public service and he knew sacrifice and he knew loss.  

I think over the course of his life, on balance, George Herbert Walker Bush was a good man.

May God rest his soul. 

If I had functioning tear ducts, this would make me cry.