Earlier today I put on my list to say something about the passing of G.H.W. Bush, but before I did that I was reminded of his pardon of Casper Weinberger and the whole Iran - Contra Affair.
But after some thought, and not to speak ill of the dead, I'm back to making a personal note about Mr. Bush.
In 1991 I was a student at one of America's finer Universities, the University of Pittsburgh and if I give the impression that I am embroiled in politics now, you should of avoided me in 1991.
At that time I was coming to terms with the fact that my teenage hero, Donald Trump was nothing more than a con man, and I was also campaigning locally and in other states for the GOP primary opponent of Bush, one Patrick J. Buchanan.
While then I did not have too elevated an impression of Bush, today I consider him the most underrated President of my life, if not in our history of a nation.
His steady hand at the end of the cold war, and his determination to expel Iraq from Kuwait are remarkable historical accomplishments.
I've come to learn since those early 1990's that Mr. Bush and his wife were exceptionally decent people of power.
I can't attest that personally, but it rings true from all my readings.
I had the ironic pleasure of shaking his hand, his wife's, and his chief of staff John Sununu in Nashua New Hampshire as they made their way through a sportmen convention prior to that state's Primary which ended with Mr. Buchanan stunningly polling in the 30%s.
It was a heady time for me, but also a reminder to never set your opinions of famous people in stone. During that same weekend visit to New Hampshire I was part of a group of students who spoke with Pat Buchanan on a street corner for a short time, but as fate would have it, by the early 2000's I had come to realize what a con Buchanan was too.
Now Trump and Buchanan are in the same camp, and Bush is dead. Rest in peace Mr. Bush, although I contributed in some small measure to your defeat, I must admit you were better than I gave you credit for.
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