Item: CNN will air tonight a "documentary" on the life of George H.W. Bush entitled "41 on 41," in honor of the former president's 90th birthday.
A bit more detail:
This is two hours of hagiography paid for by the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation. One of its two producers, Mary Kate Cary, is a former speechwriter for Bush when he was in the White House.
The film is called "41ON41" and it's filled with family members, friends and colleagues of Bush saying things like, "You can't be around George Bush and not come away a better person." (Bush was the 41st president and there are apparently 41 people saying such things about him. I stopped counting after I was told that a verse about being "true" and "pure" shaped Bush's life.)
Among the 41 are: James A. Baker III, Marlin Fitzwater, Roger Ailes, Jeb Bush, Jeb Bush Jr., George W. Bush, Dan Quayle and John Sununu.
Somewhat torn here. I know it's not polite to use the occasion of such milestones to poke at someone's less-appealing history. However, there are a few people whose effect on the world is so unfortunate that honest persons must stand up and say no to the whitewashers and mythmakers.
Still, in the spirit of courtesy, I will not speak ill of the ex-president, but merely offer a few links.
George H.W. Bush, Reader's Digest Condensed Version
"Operation Zapata"
de Mohrenschildt, see also Crichton
White-washing BCCI
"Watergated"
"Terror Anniversary Goes Unmarked"
"Spooks for Bush"
"Surprise!"
Hasenfus
"SADdam"
Pineapple Upside-Down
I could go on, but why? Others have covered the same ground and more. Besides, these sorts of things aren't discussed in polite company at a time like this, when famous men speak kindly and former foes fawn.
So I'll give him what I got. He likes dogs. And baseball. Has a really long Christmas card list.
Happy birthday, Mr. President. The world will never see your like again.
God willing.