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Home > All Opinion > Letter to George Bush

Letter to George Bush This piece has been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.

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By Kara C., Gadsden, AL
Dear Mr. Bush,

Much is being made of the inauguration of President Obama. But amidst all the celebration, I couldn’t help but think about how you must be feeling leaving office and transferring your position to another.

You served as commander in chief during one of our nation’s darkest hours. I was only 11 during the 2000 presidential election, but I was very interested. I saved newspaper articles during the recount process and kept them in a binder to show my
Photo credit: Colton D., Lubbock, TX
kids when I tell them about one of the closest elections in our history.

I was 12 on September 11, 2001. I was so scared that I pretended nothing was happening. I tried to avoid the media coverage, but I could hear it blaring everywhere I went. Living in a small town in Alabama, I was nowhere near the attacks, but that didn’t keep me from feeling them. My family was supposed to go to an Atlanta Braves baseball game the next day, but of course all major gatherings were cancelled. So were airline flights. I remember how weird it was not to see or hear any planes.

I never would have guessed that more than seven years later, we would not have experienced another attack on our soil. But I do recall that American flags were everywhere. Suddenly, people who before had been against mentioning God were calling to him for help. For a brief time, our nation really came together. We remembered that we are all Americans.

In 2007, my family spent a week in Washington, D.C., and we absolutely loved it. One day we visited the White House. As we were walking down the hall, a security guard told my dad to look out the window. A Marine helicopter had been sitting on the lawn and just then we saw the soldier next to it salute, and suddenly you came into view. We all started screaming, “There he is! That’s the president!” When you boarded the chopper, you turned to give a wave.

I turned 18 the summer of 2007, so when the primaries rolled around, I registered to vote and did my homework on the candidates. I felt so ­satisfied after I cast my ballot, and I couldn’t imagine why people would not take ­advantage of the opportunity to choose our leaders. As the general election approached, I pored over newspaper articles and watched the debates on TV. I even dressed like Sarah Palin for Halloween, which was a lot of fun. It was interesting to see people’s reactions – both positive and negative.

In closing, sir, I would like to thank you for serving our nation, and for holding the U.S. together ­during the worst attack on our soil, two wars, and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. It was no mistake that you were elected as our president, even though Al Gore actually won the popular vote. I think you were the man our country needed. And now, as we rally behind our new president and prepare to face whatever comes, I want to say, God bless you, George W. Bush. And God bless America.
This piece has been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.

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This article has 50 comments. Post your own!

conservative71196 said...
Nov. 4 at 7:27 pm:

Oh and I was wondering, did you actually send this to him?

 
Kara C. replied...
Nov. 4 at 7:58 pm :

No. I would really like to, but I didn;t write it until after he had already moved out of the White House so idk what address to send it to.

 
conservative71196 replied...
Nov. 4 at 9:11 pm :

Oh, too bad. ;(
I think he would have really liked it.

 
EricBlair replied...
yesterday at 10:27 am :

Wow... I am a Bush-hater. I do know the value of the opposing argument and in that sense this is extraordinary valuable to me. I did not question my hatred of him for a second, but I now understand how and why.
He united the nation through fear.
His wars established a sense of purpose in his followers.
That is what I observe. I would like to state that his election was no mistake because he is proven to have cheated, but I do actually think you should find a way of getting th... (more »)

 
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JoCoGirl said...
Oct. 8 at 10:08 pm:

Thank you so much for this article. Not only is it well written, but you told the complete truth that liberals and the media will deny to the end. I was six years old on 9-11 but I remember watching it on the news. My mother picked me up from school early and we went home to pray and cry. Our nation came together and came closer to God. Why do we only go to him when we are in trouble. We, as a nation, need to draw closer to Him, so that He will be with us even stronger during the dark moments of... (more »)

 
conservative71196 replied...
Nov. 4 at 7:16 pm :

I completely agree with everything in this article. When I first saw it, I assumed that it would be an angry, hateful letter, because so many people hate George W. Bush. But, as I read it, I realized that some people still do agree with him and stand up for their beliefs. I am truly grateful that you posted this letter on Teenink and that so many people voted on this article and that it is the number one top voted article on Teenink. Thank you, again.

 
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PaigeRebecca said...
Oct. 8 at 3:23 pm:

While I completely disagree with your views on George Bush, I absolutely loved your writing style. You are very talented :)

 
Kara C. replied...
Nov. 4 at 7:57 pm :

Thank you so much! :)

 
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GodisLove<3 said...
Aug. 6 at 2:12 am:

I absolutely love it, everything about it. I love seeing that some people in America actually respect him as a person, instead of walking around saying that he is a total *fill in the blank*. Thank you for writing that, and for publishing it on Teen Ink!

 
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amandapanda said...
Aug. 5 at 10:33 pm:

I really enjoyed this article. Although I am definitely a supporter of George W. Bush, I want to remind everyone that just because you don't agree with the author's point of view doesn't mean absolutely trash the writing. Be sure to look at how well written this is. Even if I am a Republican all the way, if I saw a piece written this well about Obama, I would definitely give it a great rating as well. Yes, that's a challenge. I think this is a fantastic piece of work.

 
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Madison17 said...
Aug. 5 at 6:53 pm:

This piece was very well written. And, while I disagree with your views on his presidency, I can appreciate the details you put in about your own life throughout the years of turmoil.

 
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Riverine14 said...
Aug. 5 at 6:25 pm:

I do not agree, at all, with your views on the so called "Great President Bush," although I will say that this is extremely well written. You have the right to your opinion and I have the right to disagree.

 
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Electricity said...
Aug. 4 at 9:00 pm:

I repeat what SANRA (very first comment) said. It was well written, and I don't really agree, but it's nice to see that Bush isn't totally hated by all USA. Besides, he's still human, and I actually kinda feel bad that so many people completely HATE him. I dislike his opinions and what he does, and I feel that he should have done differently, but that doesn't mean I don't like him as a human being! He still has freaking feelings!

 
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truth said...
Aug. 14 at 8:23 pm:

Although i strongly disagree with you views, I applaud you on this well-written article. Scanning over the comments i was very disturbed with "since it has been such a long time since the 9/11 attacks, people have forgotten that the threat is still strong and out there."(from The_Music_MAn) As a Muslim in the United States, I undergo religious discrimination frequently. Having to go to the airport and being scrutinized for one's religion and having been called a terrorist is not my idea of an... (more »)

 
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emmyphan27 said...
Aug. 2 at 7:25 pm:

Very well written. I agree with most of what you said. I am a supporter of Bush, and people seem to forget all the good he's done (helping the fight for democracy in countries that are under the control of a terrible dictator *nudge, nudge*, donating billions of dollars for AIDS relief in Africa and such, etc). Yes, he messed up once in a while (what person hasn't?), but so does Obama. Just look at terrible healthcare he's trying to implement, or the horrible Cap n' Trade bill that h... (more »)

 
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Pahndah said...
Jul. 23 at 4:29 am:

Very well written, and I totally agree with the viewpoint. I think people who rant about Bush simply because they buy into the media or whatever's coming out of their friends' mouths are extremely ignorant. What a beautiful change, to see someone with a well thought-out viewpoint.

 
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Stefanie E. said...
Jul. 22 at 7:51 pm:

This article is so very well written!!!! Great Job!!! And for the opinion that states that Bush killed millions of innocent people in Iraq: do you know why we captured Hussein?!?! He, Hussein himself, was the one killing and torturing innocent people, including some of his own relatives!!! Anyways that article was so wonderful and refreshing! Thank You and keep writing! I am looking forward to more of your work!

 
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tayecutebutt said...
Jul. 1 at 5:29 am:

well written. and I agree. :)

 
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Chrissy_L said...
Jun. 24 at 2:28 pm:

Well written, I appreciate your views but I must respectfully disagree.
He was not the man our country needed, many people died in a pointless war that he so veraciously supported. Yet, through all the mockery he endured, I was human enough to feel sorry for him. The mindset I had was if he didn't hate me, than I needn't hate him. But even that was wrong.
To be perfectly honest, I am an athiest. And I will say that nowhere else for fear of discrimination, and it is people like... (more »)

 
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Chris E. said...
Jun. 24 at 2:27 am:

I personally don't think bush was an amazing president, but do think this was well written. Great Job.

 
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crober95 said...
Jun. 23 at 3:45 pm:

"Thanks for holding the U.S. together"? Our country has been left in filthy ruins because of Bush's presidancy. New Orleans has taken years to recover and is no where near it's old glory. And those who say that Obama hasn't made an improvement in the economy, it is doing a good deal better than how Bush left it and the economy is not just going to magically heal itself. It needs time. We must all just wait to see the real amount of damage Bush has caused this country.

 
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Theresa said...
Jun. 8 at 3:42 pm:

This was a well-written piece and a refreshing point of view.

It seems like whenever someone of our generation talks about Bush they spew information they've seen on the Internet or heard from their friends, without really understanding what it means. I don't think Bush was a GREAT president, but I think the people who think Bush is evil and should be arrested for war crimes clearly don't understand government. He wasn't fantastic as a president, but 9/11 was not his fa... (more »)

 
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LaShae K. said...
Jun. 5 at 1:18 am:

im sorry but i disagree with this

 
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GuoXiang said...
May 29 at 10:58 pm:

Though I do not agree with your political views, this is very well written. ^^

 
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logan H. said...
May 27 at 1:20 am:

this is great because all you ever hear anymore is what he did wrong, not what he di right

 
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PEACE! said...
May 26 at 9:46 pm:

I totaly disagree with you. This guy is a crimnal.You say he did alot for our country, but look what he did in iraq,MORE then one million KILLED!.Do you actully think someone who kills inoccient people is a good president?.Don't belive what you here and get real!.FOX 5 doesn't tell you the whole truth.

 
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Cassidy R. said...
May 26 at 1:34 am:

I agree completely. A bunch of bozos think Bush caused the economic crisis, but he DIDN'T. They simply choose not to see that! The economic crisis has grown worse with each president. I have nothing against Obama, but I think his ideas are ridiciously bogus and ignorant... But I wish people would see how much Bush did for us.

 
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MissFuturePresident said...
May 25 at 8:18 pm:

Wow! living in an area where Bush is considered at best an imbecile, this is like a breath of fresh air! Thanks, I totally agree.

 
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ilovehorses said...
May 20 at 1:43 am:

thank you so much for writing this! i totally agree and people should be more open and see how much he actually did :)
thank you so much

 
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Writer4life said...
May 7 at 7:54 pm:

I live near N.Y soo... yeah prety scary

 
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sallysunshineahahahamynamesnotsally said...
May 5 at 12:36 am:

i agree
he wuznt da best prez but he rly did keep us together and hey look , we didnt have another attack afta tht so he did something right

 
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i believe in dreams' said...
May 3 at 12:27 pm:

I love this article! So many people critisize Bush for his mistakes and blame him for our bad economy. Everyone's acting like children. We need to stand a little taller and stop pointing fingers because that leads to a fighting nation, not a united nation. We need to get ourselves back on our feet and realize that just because Bush was the president, doesn't mean he can control EVERYTHING. Everyone has to pitch in and help as a NATION. We have a huge country and letting that go to waste is... (more »)

 
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HOPEMVP said...
Apr. 30 at 5:46 pm:

I liked Bush as President, though every president makes mistakes. How come the make a BIG DEAL ABOUT THEM as soon a Bush leaves, the day of? We are looking for a new future, a BRIGHT FUTURE! Obama isn't making that possible...yet!

 
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elfman said...
Apr. 29 at 2:44 pm:

i fully agree with you because bush was a great president and diservs way more credit than wat he gets... i also think that obama wont make much of a change even thogh people expected him to emediatly because of his skin color

 
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HOPEMVP said...
Apr. 27 at 4:45 pm:

I completely agree with article George Bush made a great president. This new one isn't making the economy ANY BETTER either.

 
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SciFi_Writer said...
Apr. 23 at 12:41 am:

Man what a breath of fresh, correct air! I get so tired of people criticizing Bush when all along he has protected us from the most terrifying of enemies. I feel that since it has been such a long time since the 9/11 attacks, people have forgotten that the threat is still strong and out there. I think our former president deserves a letter like this from all Americans

 
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Nicole G. said...
Apr. 21 at 3:18 am:

Great piece of writing! I like the way you made your point without coming on too strong. It's hard to write something without getting too much of your feelings and opinions in your work, so I give you props for that!

But, putting all politics aside, I think we can all agree that September 11th had an enormous impact on all of us, as it did you, which was another good thing: you put something in your letter that everyone could agree on no matter where they stand.

As ... (more »)

 
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Rebecca H. said...
Apr. 18 at 8:46 pm:

George Bush was not the best president in the world. yes our economy is horrible, we're in a war we wish we weren't in (or most), and our education system is at an ultimate low due to No Child Left Behind.
Hopefully things will turn around for this country.

 
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Taylor W. said...
Apr. 12 at 5:32 pm:

Wow. That was incredible. I agree with you one hundred percent, every word you wrote felt like it mirrored my thoughts. You are a brilliant writer and a true American patriot. Please keep writing.

 
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Jodi L. said...
Apr. 10 at 12:55 am:

That was a great letter because i think it makes people see things through your eyes. Your opinion is obviously the less popular one, but i dont think anyone could read this letter and not think "wow, she has a point."

 
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Jessica W. said...
Apr. 6 at 9:07 pm:

Ew.... George Bush was one of the worst presidents.

 
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CutiePie said...
Apr. 5 at 9:40 pm:

i disagree.Bush was not at all the best president. Because of his absent minded mistakes our economy is fallihg apart as we speak.

 
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majnativewriter said...
Mar. 21 at 7:47 pm:

I am on the same page as Murdamitten69. I am happy with what G.W. Bush did for us as our president, but until Obama holds views that are the same as mine, I cannot support him.
Great letter.

 
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Sunny said...
Mar. 21 at 7:38 pm:

I think Bush was an awful president, should get no thank-yous, and is lucky not to be in prison for corruption and war crimes, but I DID get to see your side without you sounding like a jerk, as many people do while talking politics.
good writing though I fully disagree

 
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jbradford96 said...
Mar. 17 at 12:49 am:

I agree with your piece, and admire that you have the gumption to speak what you think, rather than following popular opinion. By the way, I was also Sarah Pallin for Halloween! And also like you, I got both positive and negative feedback.

 
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brinamcg said...
Mar. 16 at 9:00 pm:

i personally believe that we all should admirer your writting because you show respect to G-dub i don't agree either but i'm respectful just the same

 
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murdamitten69 said...
Mar. 13 at 5:59 pm:

This is indeed a good-hearted letter. I have also been a fan of G-Dub throughout both of his terms and a staunch supporter of the war on terror. However, I cannot rally behind our new president. I cannot stand him or his ridiculous budget.

 
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BradP27 said...
Mar. 12 at 11:58 pm:

Of course I disagree entirely with everything you said, but this is really well-written and definitely opened my eyes to the other side of things a little more.

 
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Raeha said...
Mar. 8 at 7:52 am:

well!i admire this piece of work because of the respect u have showed to the presidential power and to a person who is otherwise one of the most criticised politician.moreover its the positivity that took my attention.

 
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sanra said...
Feb. 28 at 8:57 pm:

That was good, not i agree with all you say, but for the fact you didn't choose to blame him or whatever, ( like most people does) i respect that.

 
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