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Honestly, I am not a fan of GWB as a President. Nor was I a fan of his father (though I was younger). But I am a geek by nature and wanted to see his Library. Having never been to a Presidential Library-I had no idea what to expect but for fans and non fans alike-I recommend his.
I think overall it was well put together. The parking was not an issue for me, as I went on a weekday and I went earlier. Departing the parking lot was another story and I clearly saw frustration on people coming into the parking lot. I am not sure if they expect a little less traffic after the excitement of the opening but the line was backed up. This is not to say the GWB Library was packed but just not enough parking in the designated parking area (they had more elsewhere).
Entering the building, you have to go thru security (I would imagine and hope that is the case for all Presidential Libraries?). You can either purchase your ticket online or in-line. You may also pick up an audio tour for no extra fee. I did this but I really
did not use it all that much.
Some highlights...9/11. First I do not agree with invading Iraq under the false pretense that they supposedly had WMD. However, I understand that he felt the need to make the world terrorist free and I am hoping this is truly why he decided to do it and not just saying it after the fact to try to right a wrong. Even if this was the case, yes our country is great but who are "we" to dictate on how another country is run? In an asinine thought process this reasoning could give another leader, in another country, the right to come and dethrone whoever is in the White House. No one is better than anyone else since we are all human! As someone (me) that preaches "make the world a better place"- I "get it" but we also know that people are just...well not nice... and life will never turn out that way regardless.
"No Child Left Behind"-there needs to be a overhaul of the educational system in America. I, having gone to public schools in an inner city myself, understand. Unfortunately, this program continues to leave kids behind, if not
probably moreso then before. Not to mention sets schools and teachers up for failure. Maybe I can look at it as if it is a "stepping stone"? Many people do not like the "Obamacare" that is coming out but everyone also knows and understands that our healthcare system needs an overhaul too. Is either program perfect? No. It could be a start as something has to change. So I will give him credit for trying to change it (both President Obama and President Bush).
My favorite part of the Library was towards the end. His two girls described some fond memories. This displayed him in a different light. We may not like the person in the Oval Office but I truly believe and feel that whoever is sitting there is trying to do what is best for our country. It is clear that everyone wants to get to that common end place (end terrorism, utilize funds for better education, healthcare, retirement, etc)-the issue is clearly how we are going to get there. I believe President Obama's stay in the WH is more effective then what President Bush's was. Remember those that are running the country at the end of
the day, they are human. Flawed. Not perfect. Loving. Struggles. Success. Fails. And at the end of the day, whoever is sitting in the Oval Office-tries their best to do what they think is right for the country.
I still have no regrets NOT voting for President Bush and I also have NO regrets voting for President Obama x2. I believe President Obama's way is more in the directional change that I prefer. Take for example-doubling interest rates for student loans...we can bail out the rich banks but want to continue to set up America's future for failure. Case in point, for an example...$13,000 student loan = $180/month. Many students have far more then $13,000 in student loans and therefore are paying far more then $180/month. Double that...many people with Bachelors or Masters cannot get access to a job that is going to pay adequately for the loans prior to the doubling rate. And we wonder why many do not want to go to college? And we wonder why Americans are very low on the list of testing standards compared to other countries in the world?
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