It was interesting listening to all the commendations of former President George H.W. Bush, who died on Nov. 30: That he was a genuinely nice man, a good man, very qualified to be president by his long service in various federal positions including Ronald Reagan's vice president. That he enlisted at a very young age to serve in World War II, no waiting to be drafted, no using family privilege to avoid it.
He served with distinction as a Navy fighter pilot, was shot down over the ocean and very well could have gone missing in action. That he was self-deprecating, modest, gracious, not one to grandstand or gloat over some win or label political opponents as enemies. That on occasion he was willing to support political compromise for the good of the country, such as going back on his "no new taxes" pledge. That he promoted a "kinder, gentler America" and apparently meant it.
How quaint.
I even heard the word "statesman" used to describe him. That by all indications, he and wife Barbara were devoted to each other, decade after decade until her death in April. No serial cheating, divorces, taking up with a new hot babe and then cheating on her too.
It seemed that lots of people, including me, were experiencing the same lamentable contrast with our current so-called president, to whom none of the above applies.
Carole McWilliams
Bayfield
