By GEORGE W. BUSH May 03, 2020
CRAWFORD, TX – This is a challenging and solemn time in the life of our nation and world. A remorseless, invisible enemy threatens the elderly and vulnerable among us; a disease that can quickly take breath and life. I speak, of course, of COVID-19, not the cultural or economic disease of the ever-widening gaps in education, healthcare, opportunity, and wealth that already make day-to-day living a neverending game of Russian Roulette for many Americans. Medical professionals are risking their own health for the health of others, and we’re deeply grateful. Officials at every level are setting out the requirements of public health that protect us all, and we all need to do our part.
The disease also threatens broader damage – harm to our sense of safety, security, and community, and it threatens to severely impact the polling numbers of Republican and conservative congressional candidates. The larger challenge we share is to confront an outbreak of fear and loneliness, and it is frustrating that many of the normal tools of compassion – a hug, a touch – can bring the opposite of the opposite of the good we intend. In this case, we serve our neighbor by separating from them. We cannot allow physical separation to become emotional isolation. This requires us to be not only compassionate, but creative in our outreach, and people across the nation are using the tools of technology in the cause of solidarity. And believe me, I know a thing or two about compassion. As Governor of Texas I ignored 155 death row appeals and executed 112 prisoners in just five years. But let’s not forget that I also commuted one death sentence – that of one Henry Lee Lucas. Yes, the Henry Lee Lucas who murdered – oh, who knows – anywhere from a dozen to thirty people. That man certainly didn’t deserve the death sentence. Compassion.
In this time of testing, we need to remember a few things. And, to be clear, by testing I mean of a spiritual nature; not a medical nature. We can only afford so many tests in this country and Mike Pence is going to need most of them. First, let us remember we have faced times of testing, before. Following 9/11 I saw a great nation rise as one to honor the brave, to grieve with the grieving, and to embrace unavoidable new duties, and I have no doubt – none at all – that the spirit of service and sacrifice is alive and well in America. The spirit that my administration wholeheartedly exploited to fraudulently start a war – in defiance of the global intelligence community and international law, let’s not forget – that cost hundreds of thousands of lives, established the United States as a country that tortures and imprisons without due process, destabilized an already unstable Middle East, ineptly laid the groundwork for the rise of ISIS, and the fallout of which is still echoing throughout the world, even today.
Second, let us remember that empathy and simple kindness are essential, powerful tools of national recovery, like the kindness I showed to Henry Lee Lucas, not like the kindness I showed to all those victims of Katrina. Remember Katrina? No? Oh, thank God for that. Even at an appropriate social distance, we can find ways to be present in the lives of others – to ease their anxiety and share their burdens. Third, let’s remember that the suffering we experience as a nation does not fall evenly. I suppose I shouldn’t have mentioned Katrina just then. Man, that was a mistake. Anyways, in the days to come it will be especially important to care in practical ways for the elderly, the ill, and the unemployed. And if anyone knows a thing or two about unemployment, it’s me. Remember what we did to the economy while I was in office? No? Okay, keep not remembering that.
Finally, let’s remember how small our differences are in the face of this shared threat. In the final analysis, we are not partisan combatants, so definitely, definitely don’t think about how Republican policies have provided the framework for our current economic turmoil and utter lack of a social safety net. That’s just cruel. It’ll hurt people’s feelings. We’re human beings, equally vulnerable – although, let’s be honest, major population centers and minorities sure seem to be getting hit a lot harder than good, white, rural Americans – and equally wonderful in the sight of God. We rise or fall together, and we are determined to rise, especially those of us who are already financially-positioned to weather this storm.
God bless you all, and try to forget about all the horrible things that I did to this country and world and just think about how great I am for taking ten minutes out of my day to say all this. If that’s not enough for you, think about how much Ellen likes me, and how I hang out with Michelle Obama. Man, remember that raincoat thing at inauguration? I’m just such a klutz, aren’t I?
Anyhow, Ellen likes me. And now you do, too.
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