George W Bush, on his recent visit/aid work (in this particlar case, in Zambia):
“I hope you don’t see much of it because I don’t want to be in the news. In other words, I believe that quiet service is the best kind of service,” he said.
We will now pause while somebody bitches and moans about Bush nominating John Roberts as Chief Justice. I figure that I might as well preemptively bring it up, particularly since having to wade through all of said bitching and moaning was probably the triggering mechanism for this mini-vacation in the first place*. Anyway: via Althouse.
Moe Lane
*And I was going to be more delicate about putting it that way, until I remembered that it wouldn’t make a darn bit of differnce HOW delicately I put it. Some folks just don’t like being told that there’s a pragmatic limit to carping, and other folks will simply not accept any criticism at all along those lines**. Simple as that.
**Oh, I’m completely intolerant of criticism. Unless it’s right, or coming from my wife.
““I hope you don’t see much of it because I don’t want to be in the news. In other words, I believe that quiet service is the best kind of service,” he said….”
It’s very easy to understand why a large number of media-oriented conservatives (a very expansive definition, I might add.) would take this as a kick in the gut. After all the hurt and pain that came from having to speak for him, only to be told THIS….
That’s fine, though. We should all take the time to relearn such a lesson about “quiet service.”
Bush’s political disadvantage (I do not say “flaw”) was that he took seriously Ronald Reagan’s adage that “It’s easier to get things done as long as you don’t care who gets the credit.” (This also might have something to do with Bush actually trying to live up to his Christian principles, including the bit from Matthew 6:5-8.) President Bush did many good things that the media will never give him credit for. He still does.
Alas, a certain current President — without naming any names — does not subscribe to this philosophy.
Sorry about any contribution on my part towards your need for a vacation. I am more than a little lacking in the social graces.
LEM: it’s cool, and I ain’t pointing fingers. I probably should take more time off, frankly.