Montage of images from George Bush's Calgary speech

In his maiden speech since leaving office, George W. Bush was greeted by crowds of protesters while more than 1500 people paid $400 a ticket to listen to Bush in Calgary, Canada.  As the Canadian Associated Press reported, “George W. Bush wooed a packed crowd at a private luncheon in Calgary with his trademark folksy charm, while hundreds of protesters outside hurled insults and shoes at the former U.S. president’s image.”

It is understandable that Bush would choose Calgary as his first choice for what will be the beginning of his speaking tour.  Calgary, Canada’s oil capital, is located in the province of Alberta which is the equivalent of the United States’ deepest red state.  Even though, signs held outside the hall where Bush spoke ranged from “No to U.S. Crimes Against Humanity“,  “Indict Bush For War Crimes” and “Shoe Him The Door” to a scattering of pro-Bush slogans, “The World Is Safer Because of George W. Bush.”

In a scathing article in the Globe and Mail, journalist Jeffrey Simpson had this to say about George Bush’s visit.

“We had thought, mercifully for all concerned, that we would not have Mr. Bush to kick around any more, that he would retire quietly to Texas to cut trees, clear land, tend to his presidential papers and otherwise not bother his fellow citizens, let alone foreigners such as Canadians, with his persona and “reflections” on his eight years in office.”

“The miserable results of those eight years are all around us, and him. You’d think a self-respecting man with such a doleful legacy would lie low for a while. You would have hoped that a self-respecting city such as Calgary would have understood that an invitation to him would hurt the city’s image – not for hospitality, of course, but for rational politics.”

“But no, there Mr. Bush was yesterday, defending the indefensible in perhaps the only city in Canada where even a quarter of the population thought well of him as president.”

I believe that Mr. Bush’s greeting in Calgary will be viewed as mild in comparison to future stops on the Bush speaking tour.  I can’t imagine anywhere in the world where George W. Bush is viewed as anything more than a dismal failure.

The Calgary speech was closed to the press but attendees did note that Bush said that he was planning a book on the 12 toughest decisions he had to make as president.  He is quoted as saying, “I’m going to put people in my place, so when the history of this administration is written at least there’s an authoritarian voice saying exactly what happened.”

Ah…what more can one say of George W. Bush which has not already been said a thousand times?  His actions and policies of the last 8 years speak for themselves.  That said, I will give him credit for showing support for President Obama; something which former vice-president was unable to do.

“I love my country a lot more than I love politics.  I think it is essential that he be helped in office.”