History provides perspective on Bush

George W. Bush has suffered the scorn of liberals, intellectuals, and unpatriotic citizens galore.

Even with what was thought as an inspiring performance immediately after 9/11 and sending us off to war with most of the politicians' and country's approval and admiration, he has come to be regarded like a Don Quixote and a hated person by a great number of people.

"He was not a brilliant strategist or tactician, not a gifted orator, not an intellectual. At several crucial moments he had shown marked indecisiveness. He had made serious mistakes in judgment.

"But experience had been his greatest test. He learned steadily from experience. Above all, he never forgot what was at stake and he never gave up."

This aptly describes Bush, right? After strategic mistakes in Iraq, he finally formed the surge course of action which has won the war in Iraq in five years. What else would you expect of someone with credentials like these?

However, the quote above refers not to George Bush, but to a military man and politician from 1776.

The quote is from "1776" by David McCullough. The name? His picture is on every dollar bill you see. It took him two years longer than Bush to win his war.

Dave Souders

Arlington Heights