Skippy of the Day: George W. Bush

For today's post, we should first look back at the second "Skippy" post I ever did on July 21, 2004:

"After four years more in this office I want people to look back and say, 'The world is a more peaceful place,"' Bush told supporters at a community college in Iowa. "Four more years and America will be safe and the world will be at peace."

Even those of us not in the "cynical and jaded" category knows that most campaign promises are BS. Still, it's astounding to see how high Dubya can shovel it. He didn't say the exact phrase, but the words are close enough together: World Peace. So, how did this happen? Did all of the Miss America contestants say their wishes simultaneously on stage, God heard them, and then told Dubya to get on the stick with this thing?

He sees World Peace in four years? One of the themes of his campaign commercials is that the difference between himself and Kerry is the difference of optimism vs. pessimism. Well, I'm all for optimism, but I think that Dubya's finally gone off his nut if he thinks he can achieve World Peace in his second four years after seeing the "progress" made in the first four. Hell, he'll be damn lucky to see Iraq at peace in four years time much less the entire world. George, a little pragmatism is not a bad thing.

Well, it's four years later and there's no World Peace that I can see. And despite the eagerness of some Conservatives to pronounce it so, there isn't peace in Iraq, either.

Of course, he made this statement in July of 2004, which means he still has six months to go in achieving his goal. Surely that's not too short a time for a man that his die-hard supporters consider the Second Coming.

Back then, it was a promise made during a contentious political campaign, which means it was worth its weight in helium. Bush is now in a very different time: The lame duck conclusion to his presidency. But this duck doesn't want to appear to be quacking, so he's set some damned lofty goals for his final year that tie in to his pronouncements four years ago:

"In order for there to be lasting peace, President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert have to come together and make tough choices," Bush said. "And I'm convinced they will. And I believe it's possible — not only possible, I believe it's going to happen — that there be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office."

Granted, a lower bar than World Peace, but an impressive goal none the less. One, I'm sure, he's hoping will salvage his tarnished legacy. But it, like himself, is doomed for failure. You said it yourself, George: You are a "War President". It's a lot easier for a man to make war than peace. And given your limited abilities, you're clearly meant to take the easy path in your Presidency.

Fortunately, for all of us, that path has only one blessed year to go.