BENTON HARBOR, Michigan (CNN) – Former President George W. Bush on Thursday repeated Dick Cheney's assertion that their enhanced interrogation program was legal and garnered valuable information that prevented future terrorist attacks.
In his largest domestic speech since leaving the White House in January, Bush told an audience in southwestern Michigan that after the September 11 attacks, "I vowed to take whatever steps that were necessary to protect you."
Although he did not specifically allude to the high-profile debate over President Obama's decision to halt the use harsh interrogation techniques, and without referencing Cheney by name, Bush spoke in broad strokes about how he proceeded after the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in March 2003.
"The first thing you do is ask, what's legal?" he said. "What do the lawyers say is possible? I made the decision, within the law, to get information so I can say to myself, 'I've done what it takes to do my duty to protect the American people.' I can tell you that the information we got saved lives."
But Bush avoided the sharp tone favored by his former vice president in recent weeks, and went out of his way to stress that he does not want to disparage the new president.
"Nothing I am saying is meant to criticize my successor," Bush said. "There are plenty of people who have weighed in. Trust me, having seen it firsthand. I didn't like it when a former president criticized me, so therefore I am not going to criticize my successor. I wish him all the best."
The former president was speaking to nearly 2,500 members the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan. The format of the speech was changed at the last minute when Bush decided to answer questions directly from the audience members, instead of responding to pre-submitted questions provided to a moderator.
Bush repeated his disclaimer about not passing judgment Obama later in the speech when asked about North Korea's test of a nuclear weapon. Before answering, the 43rd president said that he is "in no way trying to shape my successor's decisions or criticize them."
"I know there are news people here, and they love conflict," he said.
On the topic of how to respond to North Korea, Bush said diplomacy is impossible without leverage.
"A lot of times people want to give out the carrots," he said. "My attitude is, you give out the carrots when the behavior changes."
After his opening remarks, Bush engaged in a nearly hour-long back-and-forth with audience members that touched on nearly all aspects of his presidency, from the September 11 attacks to his ban on embryonic stem cell research to his consultations with advisers as the economic crisis hit last year.
He strongly defended his Troubled Asset Relief Program as crucial to preventing capital markets from freezing up, which he said would have led to another Great Depression. He noted that he remains "a free market guy."
Bush was asked what he thinks about conservative pundits who claim the Obama administration's fiscal policies are opening the door to socialism.
"I've heard talk about that," he said. "I think the verdict is out. I think people are waiting to see what all this means."
The former president earned a noisy standing ovation when asked what he wants his legacy to be.
"Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to compromise his soul for the sake of popularity," he said.
Bush also revealed the topic of the first chapter in his forthcoming book, which he said will be about "the stories of my administration as I saw them." That first chapter, he said, will be answer the question: "Why did I run for president?"
An aide to the former president did not disclose how much he was paid for the speaking appearance, which was booked through the Washington Speakers Bureau. After the event, Bush flew to Toronto, where he will appear tomorrow at a forum with his White House predecessor, Bill Clinton.
From CNN Politics
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I would have to see documents to believe this. Bush and the Republicans lied for eight years and I will never believe them again.
The whole point of this controversy is that the question of what was legal should have been a secondary consideration to what was moral.
You did a GREAT job, President Bush. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
good ole governor bush still trying to justify his lawbreaking ha!
Ohhhh gosh. Hasn't this man done enough damage to this country? CNN please don't report on this man. He is the main reason why so many of my fellow Americans are suffering right now!!! P.S. He did NOT keep safe on 9/11 despite intelligence!!!
Worst...President...EVER! No matter how you 'feel' about it George.
You did a GREAT job, President Bush. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
yes...you and cheney's...there are move soldiers and civilians dead than people who died in the terrorists attack all together...Make Zero sense you two idiots.....What you need to write about Mr Bush is how Cheney turned you into a puppet so Harliburton can make money....Make the cover of your book have a picture of you string up like a puppet and Cheney and Rumsfeld playing with you.....Here is a Title for you
"How Dick made a Dick out of Me"
and that's that , I really can't believe this is an issue I have to think this is totally political I mean really 3 people were water boarded, 3!!! c mon people are you kidding me.... say what you want about the guy but he is most definitely patriotic and he most definitely kept us safe after 9 11 end of story...
President Bush, I have so much respect for you. I know you were president during many difficult issues, and although I did not agree with your course of action with Iraq, I am impressed with how you are handling this situation. It's so easy to criticize others, but to reserve comment takes much more strength and integrity. Thank you for what you have added to our country and how big of a person you have become through your tenure. I wish you had more control of others in your party, but no one can really control what others say and do.
Oh no, don't let Bush start trying to put a sentence together again. He talk about making love to his gynecologist again.
Unfortunately, not the lives we anticipated, sorry...isn't it amazing what one tragic mishap can lead to? Is all in the books, I didn't write it, things were different back then, they changed. I hate to say it but they wanna speak records, well...that's all I gotta say. Personally, I don't think conservatives know what they want or wish, they hope but even they too make it complicated for themselves and the funny things is, they bring it and they wanna use records, I don't mind bringing up theirs...
Water boarding is illegel I don't care what Bush and Chency have to say. They are only saying this to keep President Obama Administration from going after them becasue it would look like reveng.
Is he talking about the information about WMD in Iraq? Or the information obtained through waterboarding falsely linking Al Qaeda to Iraq? How much was Bush paid for saying this? Waterboarding has been considered illegal torture by the U.S. for centuries.
I dont care what anyone says about this guy...he is 100% CLASS. As a person, he's pretty amazing.
We may not have all liked Bush, but at least what he said could be simply interpreted... When Obama speaks you interpret it then you see he has said nothing of substance. Its like trying to put your finger on mercury, always a moving target.
Sorry Bush, we need someone outside of your admin to confirm that statement. You have a vested interest in claiming this.
A very average mind, and even that's probably being generous. But as they say, he's probably a 'pretty good old boy'. Why is it that Repubs always elect someone they can manipulate? They don't want anyone of any substance.
Mr. President the country owes you an apology.
Rhetoric is easy but governing and keep America safe is not.
The hypocrisy we see from Democrats and Obama confirms how Democrats used our national security to score political points.
I never felt more insecure about my future and my safety as I am today.
Thank you President Bush.
We dont torture period, we are a civilized society.
"I vowed to take whatever steps that were necessary to protect you."--------And I, my family, and millions of Americans thank you for this.
"unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity". Spoken by a President that deeply loves his country and cares for the American people.
CLASS ACT!!!!! something the democrats lack and don't understand! history will view bush through lens not blackened by liberal media bias and he knows it! god bless a man with character, honesty, morals and decency – what a rare thing in washington – especially now!
At least Bush gets one thing right; he is comporting himself with a lot more class than some of our other former presidents.
He doesn't criticise a current president, because he knows how that feels. Perhaps he ought to have seen what being water boarded felt like before he decided it was okey-dokey.
Bush and Chency trying to rewrite history.
Obama and his people could learn alot about civilty and class from the Bushes.
George W. Bush is a man of integrity. Those who think otherwise, don't know him; they only know the false portrayal that certain media outlets generate for their own agendas.
The fact that he is willing to take questions that have not been pre-submitted is evidence that he will speak the truth to direct questions and not dodge them, like so many other politicians.
He did nothing illegal while performing his duty to protect the citizens of this country, and I say Bravo for him and all the other brave heroes who continue to protect this country and the values it has stood for over the years but, sadly, are now being whittled away. Do any of you really think Obama, aka "citizen of the world", would put your interests first?
The Siamese Bobsy Twins - Bush and Cheney!! One speaks just like the other! Joined at the hip FOREVER!
He didn't "do what he needed to do to protect lives". He was on the golf course instead of investigating a memo that said that the terrorists were "determined to strike on American soil...using planes". He failed at protecting Americans in order to strip us of our rights under the auspices of helping prevent another attack. Shameful rhetoric from a shameful President.
The information American citizens got during the 2008 election cycle has saved, is saving, and will save lives. That's why we elected the folks we did. I think there was a typo in Bush's comment: "The 'information' we got (via torture) saved LIES."
It's seems like Bush is living a somewhat secluded life since he left office. This is very rare for a former president,
The republicans losing in 2008 is what really saved lives.
Too bad over 5,000 of our children had to die before they
( Bush/Cheney flunkies) got kicked out.
He's still an idiot.
Should have listened to Clinton and 911 would have never happened. No Bush you didn't save lives. You invaded Iraq with no WMD and over 100,000 innocent Iraqies died. You intentionally invaded Iraq for personal gain for Cheney and his cronies Who do you think you are kidding.Your Administration was a total failure but the Republicans got fat.
Is this an effort to avoid possibly being tried for war crimes or at the least a formal investigation? It seems to me that both Mr. Bush and Cheney seem very nervous.
Ha. What should one expect. Who wrote this one?
If only he had been so classy and considerate while in office.
Thank the lord for George Bush! God blees him and the USA!
Bush, you tried to finish up your Daddy's war – you failed miserably, you lied about every aspect of it, you left the military unprepared, you killed our soldiers – and most of them don't like your sorry "rear end" – I know because I'm one of them. Go back to your ranch; you've done enough damage and America is still cleaning up your mess. Your village is missing their idiot – go home.
Bush continues to be in denial. Why doesn't he come clean about 9/11? 9/11 was self Induced as a provocation to proceed with the Iraq Invasion ! So as to protect Whom from Whom ? Lives lost will haunt Him into his own miserable future. The Twin Towers will never be replaced; They were insured by AIG. Enough of this sick bastard !
Why in God's name didn't this doofus answer questions from the public with newspeople around when he was in office? What a total ... oh, never mind. He needs to stay in hibernation. How much you think he got paid for this? And he wouldn't answer questions when the taxpayers were paying for it ...
Well said Mr. President! You served the office with dignity. Thank you for always standing firm for what you believed in. History will redeem you. God bless you and your family!
He is still playing Cheney's dog. "Fetch, Bushie."
What an idiot. He is so dumb you almost feel sorry for the poor fool. He should be in prison.
well, it would have been nice to say i wont criticize our president, or the president, and not my successor... just have been a nice humbe honor... but i have enjoyed this man's character from afar... im a democrat with some republican leanings and to say the least the Bush administration was one for the history books - as Beyonce would say, "Flaws and All"
As usual, President Bush exhibited grace and class with his responses to questions. While I'm happy the former President is enjoying life, I miss him. I no longer feel safe, and have zero trust in the government.
This man did SO much damage to our country and its place in the world, it truly is tragic. I fear President Obama won't have enough time in even 8 years in office to undo all that damage. I laugh when the Right bounces up and down at the Obama 100-day mark, exulting that everything from now on is Obama's doing...... Yeah, right!
I'm about to turn 45. I hope and pray that I LIVE to see the day that the effects of the Bush presidency have successfully been put behind us!
Can't this man just go away to some undisclosed location?
He should have given it from a Federal Prison. What an Idiot.
Stories like "Top Republicans, call Limbaugh, Gingrich comments 'terrible" show your extreme bias, and transparent attempt to shape the news to fit an agenda. CNN is useless for real investigative reporting.
The issue is not whether information was gained, the issue is how it may have been gained. Torture is against the law, and those who continue to support torture are war criminals and should be prosecuted as such.
I can finally start respecting Bush, a horrible president, but he has the right attitude here, as did Bill Clinton when Bush was president.
George W. Bush: Get the hell out of the public's view. I'm tired of you and your views. Be happy not to be in jail for what you have done in this country.
Your information also killed people!
90,000 Iraqi civilians, for starters ....
Does anyone proof what is posted here for grammatical errors? It's kililng me. Just sayin.
The man has class and honor, and I truly respect him. History will eventually be kind to him. The truth will come out and all eyes will be opened. There are those that will NEVER say I was wrong...BUT....Time is on his side. God Bless you my President. I am glad to have had you for this country.
In many ways, Bush is a class act. One who, I think, made several key mistakes, but who never deserved the evil sorts of labels he acquired. I truly think he acted in all cases in the interests of the people who so harshly criticized him. History will rembember him well.
Time to turn him over to the Hague. He's now an admitted war criminal. He should spend the rest of his life in prison.
Talk is cheap, especially from one who lied about torture. Produce some hard evidence to back up your assertions or just keep quiet.
You may not have sold your soul for popularity but you did sell it to help your buddies make money while breaking the U.S. economy. You are what you have always been, a failure.
I like Bush' attitude about not criticizing Obama...and we all know he could take lots of shots if he wanted to, whether you like 'em or not.
Will the Obama administration begin to return the favor–and respect–by any means, and quit blaming everything under the sun on Bush? Or will they just continue in campaign mode and the "blame it on the other guy" attitude? Probably the latter.
Thank you for your service President Bush and keeping us safe for over 7 1/2 years... History will be a very fair judge of the way you governed this country.... Hope your brother runs...
Boy do I miss him. He hasn't attacked Ovomit like he has been attacked by him. He is a gentleman and a TRUE AMERICAN.
GOD BLESS THE USA AND GEORGE BUSH!
I think President is a good fellow and has taken a lot o f critsizem
over his policies so much of life depends of fate and for him the attack on the worlD trade center started his presidency to wobble out of control also his advisers were lousy don rumphelt and others were just not smart enough in judment circels to advise him properly, fighting two wars should not have been done one at a time is all most nations can bear and so from a spiritual stand piont he tried to do good his response to katrin was muffed but i can imagine his reaction when so many things go wrong it somes effects good judment and he got a little stubborn and arrogant so he is a man and he ,made mistakles but his love for God will not be forgotten by me. his stance on not challengeing Obama is very classy.
Oh good, now we've heard from both Laurel AND Hardy. Great.
Good Night now.
Bush again shows class. No political posturing at all and what a relief from the current crop whose decisions depend on the polls – all day every day. When the foundations and definition of great leadership are confused by a relativistic world view, a nation can do nothing but fail. Good bye once great America, Good bye to the last great president !
Thank you for not being Cheney and trashing Obama; but then, he was running things, wasn't he?
The former president earned a noisy standing ovation when asked what he wants his legacy to be.
"Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity," he said
AMEN!!! Thank you Mr. Bush for all you did for this country.
The imbecile-in-chief proves he hasn't gained any brain cells since leaving office. Knowing that this man was President of the United States makes me physically ill.
Say what you want. Bush has always been and will always be a class act.
I really don't know why Bush got such a bad rap the final year in office. His approval ratings were so high until the election came around. I think if you take a honest hard impartial look you will find Bush was really a pretty good president.
Excuse us, Mr. President, if many citizens are unable to rely on your credibility and accept your assertion. Can you provide examples without disclosing sensitive intelligence?
The former president earned a noisy standing ovation when asked what he wants his legacy to be.
"Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity," he said.
Easy when you have no soul...
You made laws written by attorneys to fulfill your needs and wants without having to justify or address these issues here. Further more you made laws you broke! And I quote NIXON never again.... said "When the President dose it, Its not illegal." WRONG! He just did not arrest everyone who stood in his way or slammed him. He just recorded it and because of a sloppy CIA job his tapes have blank space vs. a missing section of the tape. And he was consider a brilliant man with great knowledge but a trader because he help to cover up what the previous GOP has complete said NO to review of the tapes or other docs like the missing emails. I did not like the circus fiasco which occurred under your watch while you oppressed and distract us with issues that have squander our Dollar. Signers of the bill of right would be very disappointed in the direction our country has been abandon too deal with.… I know my kids will be born into this country owing some GM CEO kids 30 to 40,000. That is not fair even to any immigrant’s children being born here….
The problem with "I can tell you that the information we got saved lives." as a defense iis that it's negative logic - it can't be proven. it's along the same lines as pre-emptive war. It's also vague (how many lives?) and Machiavelian (ends justify means).
In other words, it's a trump card to play against any argument for any behavior (torture) that is morally objectionable. This kind of smoke screen is what drives people to the fringes of an argument and keeps us from dealing with the issues head on (as uncomfortable as that is).
Respectful and Professional Mr President. While you bear the brunt of the current economic situation let us not forget how fellow americans reaped the benefits of easy credit, extravagent spending and bountiful employment for many many years. The government did not make this choice, americans did as evidenced by their signatures on countless credit card applications, mortgages, auto leases and on and on. On the conflicts abroad I worked in the World Trade Center and on that day most Americans wanted miltary action, how quickly they forget. You did what you thought was right. Let he who has committed no sin cast the first stone. Thank you
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Ronald Reagan accept $1 million from Japan to give a speech in Tokyo after he left office, knowing that they bought half of Washington, D.C. and half of the state of Hawaii on his watch?
all is fair
the proof is in the pudding
look at this mess we are in
POINT MADE
He may have made some wrong decisions (what president hasn't), but he has handled the transition to the new presidency with humility and grace... something that can't be said for a new administration that spends all of its time blaming him for it. Yes, he left some stuff to clean up, so did Clinton before him, and Bush Sr. before him. I think it is time for this administration to stop pointing fingers and do something. Forget pointing back at the bad and looking at history. It's time to make some new history!
As always, a Christian and a gentleman. In eight years, Bush never spoke ill of his detractors, even when leading Dems (Reid, Pelosi, Kennedy, and many others called him a traitor, a coward, a murderer, etc.). You would think some Americans who did not vote for him would at least acknowledge his decency. He will be vindicated by history as an excellent president–who really did stand by his convictions.
I can remember the reporters at the Ranch asking President Bush why he wasn't at the White House. And he explained he had all he needed at the Ranch to work as President.
Then September 11th came and life changed for him. Maybe it was to much mentally? I fear this with our President Obama...to much in to little time.
Either way it was nice to take some of the pressure off President Obama.
Some things that Bush did I completely disagree with. Sometimes I didn't feel his administration did the best job. But overall I have always felt he is a good man. He's a man of character who had to make difficult choices. The decisions were not black and white but rather shades of grey. He kept us safe after 9/11. He truely wanted Iraq and Afghanistan to become peaceful, stable democracies (and they still might). The treatment he received from the media and still receives is unfair. We are a better country because of his presidency. I wish him all of the best in his retirement.
Too bad alot of those lives were loony liberals.
Bush and Cheney are using the same speechwriter to try to sway public opinion in their favor.
It will never happen because we had two imbeciles running this country for eight years.
I so much wish President Bush and his wife Laura all the best in Texas. He had a lot of hard decisions to make in regards to 9-11, and many others during his administration.
It is so easy for the inexperienced new administration to set judgement on what went on with out the right information for political gains.
Remember the Golden Rule? This new administration should think of the blunders that are ahead of them, nobody is perfect.
In our attempt to not become a footnote in the history books, we forget about change, which happens very fast and brings an unbalanced and cantankerous future.
President Bush is respectful Man .....Unlike Cheney, Rove Newt And Fat boy Limbaugh
No matter what you say against him, President Bush remains a classy guy.
So Cheney got to him again!
Bush is one classy fellow. I had the privilege of meeting him in his final months as president. Very nice, decent man!
President Bush didn't make all the best decisions in the world, but there is no doubt he had America's best interests in his heart. Wish I could say the same for Obama.
I've never doubted Bush' sincerity & good intention. But I'd never respect any man (or woman) who doesn't admit mistakes (e.g. WMDs)! Other justifications (e.g. spreading democracy, no terrorist attack since 9/11) for invading Iraq are simply B.S./ a failed attempt to hide the true blunder!
Hmmm... and this guy "was" our president!
I voted for Reagan but not the Bush/Cheney gangster.
We wouldn't have needed to save any lives it Bush hadn't sent American soldiers to Iraq in the first place for no apparent reason.
* Cheney and Rummy were long time PENTAGON and Washington insiders that new the score, they weren't born on Jan 20, 2001. Heck Bush I was the CIA head at one point.
* Clinton gave briefings to Republican led Congress
* Clinton gave Bush numerous documents on Bin Ladin.
If these guys are so much better than Dems at security they should have taken this info and blew up Afghanistan. They didn't crack a book because they didn't give a shat. All they cared about was their idealogy and 9/11 helped them with their agenda. Pure and simple. Oh Mr. Bush, where's the WMD that led to our was w/ iraq? Did that save our miltary member's lives?
Let me give you 2 more concrete examples of how Bush DID NOT KEEP US SAFER:
* N Korea didn't invent their bomb starting on Jan 20, 2009
* Iran didn't invent their rocket starting on Jan 20, 2009
Thanks for all your good work, Brownie, I mean Bush.
These actions may or may not have saved lives, no one knows for sure. After all, tourturing people who have no reservations about blowing themselves up and taking others with them, will say what they have been trained to say if caught. What we do know is that this torturing people did not help us secure Bin Laden. Why? Was this not one of the torture questions? And if not why not.? And as for saving lives, Bin laden still on the loose,
Well it was refreshing to see that Former President W didn't tread on the hateful ways of Cheney! But still, too fresh for the former President to be at any function with the word Economics in it.
North Korea establised a nuclear program during Bush's presidency, and all he could do was to call them part of the "axes of evil." Now that is an example of his tough cowboy mentality.
Spoken from a "true" southern gentlemen with CLASS!!!!!! Time will tell..............
The decider thinks torture works even though it has cost us over 4000 of our finest in his personal ill-advised war in Iraq.
bull....! his legacy....... he ruined this country! he was a moron, and he stole the election from gore, what a different world this would have been today, if gore was the president THANK GOD FOR OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you blame Allen Greenspan for our economic decision for the greater part of a decade? If you new the economy was bad when Clinton left office and their mortgage numbers look to good to calculate for the loss of jobs why did you not drive out country for a more positive direction then the war without showing the people results on your mass spending. I know if I pay 500 million for 1 tank I would want to see the business end work. WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL DEBT IN GENERAL. 1 uninsured Persons kidney replacement on SSI OR fix income cost more then that person would make in their life time plus continued treatment. which the states and cities pay for. But who has added those dollars up. How big is that balloon of deception?
Seeing Bush on the news is like adding salt to the injury I am already nursing. I feel right now I have lost my life, the time spent in school Bachelors, Masters degree, a shart nice starting career, all just came to an abrubt end because of Mr. Bush inability to have a foresight.
You can Imagine on my unemployment bed, feeling so useless and trying so hard to check my mail every second only to get that mail that will say congratulations, all i see is Bush: 'The information we got saved lives'.
Please save me my life by not showing this healines.
"I vowed to take whatever steps that were necessary to protect you"
You have got to be kidding. Everything the Bush administration did put us in more danger and made the rest of the world angry at us and therefore less safe. George W must be wanting to sell copies of his book so we are going to have to listen to him and Cheney justify what they did. In reality, they probably both can;t sleep nights because of the way they screwed up this country. Thank God we have a president now who is beginning to pick up the pieces of the Bush mess and get this country straightened out. Anyone who buys a copy of Bush's book needs professional help. He has nothing to say that he couldn't have said to us when he was President. The best thing he can do now is leave us alone. he's caused enough damage.
I didn't like him as president, but he's been nothing but gracious. I wish Cheney had half the decorum and class.
In my personal opinion i think Bush was OK. He did keep us safe at home. I also want to thank him and his administration for helping Kosovo gain indipendence. GOD BLESS USA
Okay, he's done. He's ruined the party. He made massive mistakes. He would be idiotic to say he and his cabinet did things that were illegal and immoral. Of course he and his big boy Cheney justify what they've done.
Noisy standing ovation? That's a joke, right? I'm sure people were just clapping while trying to get rid of mosquitos or something.
Bush seems like a real nice guy. He has some humility, and although I am a democrat and did not agree with many of the things his administration did, I think he did what he thought was best for the country. Unfortunately I do not feel that many of the people in his admin had the same good nature, like cheney. I wish the best for the former president, but I am very glad he is the former president.
The difference between Bush and Cheney is that Bush really doesn't know better... He was gullible enough to be thoroughly manipulated by Cheney who lied to him and to us. I just don't think Bush has the intellectual capacity to have made any of the big decisions without someone spelling it out for him in big block letters, which Cheney did.
What a class! President Bush has a class. He did not criticize his successor, while his successor has been criticizing Bush all the time. He shows the true leadership.
If killing them saved lives would you do that too? what you did was against international law and against US law. period.
I miss Bush. He was a good President.
any Bushism out of this speech?
YOU MEAN SOMEONE PAID HIM FOR GIVING A SPEECH??????????
unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the populace??? but not unwilling to sell it to the highest bidder. Two thing the bush 8 years gave us , debt and a loss on integrity.
Why is this printed? Is he like your hero now? Did you expect him to say cuff me boys and take me in? We know his position so this is a nonstory.
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME,WHERE HAS W BEEN THE PAST 8 YEARS!!!!!!!
Can somebody tells this fools that the end doesn't justify the mean.
Torture is against the law and who ever does it regardless of the results it produced need to be punished.
So according to his logic as long as i can justify that I robbed the bank because I need to help homeless on the street i did not break the law.
Does that even sound right for him to say that?
What a waist of oxigen to listen to this HITLER type leader. Let's not forget he was railed in to back Cheney into killing many Americans and Canadians on 9/11.
So let's stop this idiot and jail his ass as well as Cheney and Rumstead, Limbaugh, and the reast of the Communists who work at FOX News.
Personally I think the USA has done everything right thus far regarding North Korea.
I realize now that negotiations won't work with North Korea.
Obama will have some sleepless nights trying to figure this issue out.
Force could trigger World War III, and I'm sure that is what the USA is trying to avoid.
This touchy matter could get ugly, .. "I'm talking REAL UGLY !"
Good Luck on this one, President Obama, fore I'd hate to be in your shoes trying to figure all this out regarding North Korea.
Thank You
Mr. Prez.
You have to give the guy credit. He is handling post Presidency in a very dignified manner. Most former Presidents have been quick to slam their predecessors.
Another planet heard from.
This ought to get interesting now.
Maybe he's not such the idiot you say he is?
He's a great man who had some tough choices to make.
I won't say Obama isn't a great man.
I'll save that decision till after I see the outcome of this North Korea confrontation.
Mr. George W. Bush, you are a class act. You were a class act in the White House as well and I sure miss you. You put the American people first and, because of YOU AND OUR OUTSTANDING MILITARY, we haven't been hit again. Mr. Obama is NO WHERE NEAR your calibur, no matter what he does.
I wish you the best sir, and, THANK YOU for the added dignity you ALWAYS showed wherever you were and wherever you go. You ALWAYS SHOWED the love you have for this GREAT COUNTRY of ours and I REALLY miss that. I miss you in the White House. For one thing, the class went with you. It's gone now. Thank you for the honor of being our President. Continue to hold your beliefs and to hold your head high.
Bush was a raw, honest man that America loves to see in the movies but not to live it. Bush was what we wanted to be while Obama is what we really are, appeasers not different than Chamberlain who came back to England after visiting Hitler and produced a paper of peace, a seal from an intruder and asked the free world to sleep free. And we slept for a few months only to pay the dear price of World War II later.
What a bunch of garbage. Bush and Cheney stopped all harsh interrogations after Abu Graib became public, so to now say it's what kept us safe is just smoke and mirrors. And if by Obama stopping torture we are no longer safe. Then how does Bush justify no torture for the last four years of his administration?
Never ceases to amaze me the astonishing rationale this man (and his henchman, Cheney) uses in attempts to cover their butts.
The most astonishing rationale of which is the premptive invasion of another country that had nothing what so ever to do with 9/11!
That is just for starters and says nothing about the thousand upon thousands of needless deaths of our young men and women as well as the lives of all those displaced or killed as a result of the Bush / Cheney administration.
HE KEPT US SAFE!????... THE ONLY THING BUSH DID WAS INCITE, INFLAME, AND FURTHER DESTABLIZE THE MIDDLE EAST AND IN THE PROCESS CREATE AN EVEN LARGER MOVEMENT AGAINST THE U.S.
this guy really ruined the country
I am proud to have called you my President, Mr George W Bush. I know you did not enjoy a popular rating, from the media and some consitutents, but history will show how much you sacrificed to save our lives! Sad to say that this cannot be said of our current president.
"I made the decision, within the law,..." The decision to condone torture? Show us any law in any reasonable society or culture that says torture is legal. Bush perverted US and UN law(s) and tradition and morals and culture. Period. And now he almost boasts about it. He brought shame to America and will be so judged by a higher power some day. Some sins never fade away.
Bush: 'The information we got saved lives'
The end justifies the means, eh?
Every sociopath believes some variant of that.
prove it...talk is cheap. I want you to prove this statement.
How do citizens of this country disagree with a "man who stands behind his principles "sacrificing popularity? We were safer and it is obvious from the actions of the Clinton administration. My son graduated from college and served this country for 8 years, wounded severely for it at the hands of terrorists. Those who question interrogation need to go overseas and see what the real world is all about.
It's as though he thinks the ends justify the means....
The former president earned a noisy standing ovation when asked what he wants his legacy to be.
"Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity," he said
--
Much like the last honest Democrat President Harry Truman.
Spent too much on social programs and needed another 200k Troops on the Borders of Iraq – but overall a good prez – thanks for your service.
"The information we got saved lives"
Saddam could have said that about his torturing too!
"Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity," he said.
He may not have sacrificed his soul, but he did sacrifice the U.S. Constitution that he had taken an oath to upheld.
I heard him say in MIchigan that he misses talking to the servicemen–well, he can go to Area 60, Arlington National Cemetary and ask the servicemen and women that are there for an eternity for forgiveness.
Always the Fall Guy!
What would Thomas Jefferson have done?
He would have hanged George Bush by the neck until dead.
So the necessary steps to protect me meant torturing people. I release you of that vow.
this si simply a skin saving tactics of bush, and nothing else. if bush is treated with waterboarding, i am sure he will confess in five minuites that cheny orchestrated the attack on twin tower, pentagon and pensylvinia to create a sense of fear in the minds of american people. he will also confess that he ordered the iraq war at the instigation of cheney to provide uncontested business contract to helliburton, blackwater, kellogs and the gang.
the fact is bush administration failed to protect america from 911 tragedy in spite of the fact that there were prior intelligence in this regard. they translated their failure of 911 into credit by escalating the war at the cost of the interest of american people financially, and also in terms of image.
Was a principal of yours to protect the Constitution? Evidently not.
You and you sycophants have trashed the law of the land. Why ask what the lawyers say is possible? They'll tell you exactly what you want to hear – that's why you chose them.
The royal class gets to play by a different set of rules, don't they Mr. Bush?
Saved Lives?...prove it George.
Don't you get it...the country turned you and your friends out in record numbers because they got tired of your lies.
If you've got evidence of this claim..show it...if not...shut up and go away...and take Cheney, Gingrich and Rush with you...
oh please shut up ofcourse bush is going to defend his policies we are in this mess because of him shut up and stay at home and i why this is news with cnn
That Dummy Should Shut Up period!!
Please re-read this article. Sometimes it helps to read it out loud. Take some pride in your job. Or did Bush actually write this article too?
"Bush repeated his disclaimer about not passing judgment Obama "
"That first chapter, he said, will be answer the question: "Why did I run for president?"
"Although he did not specifically allude to the high-profile debate over President Obama's decision to halt the use harsh interrogation techniques"
Always a class act – Thank you President Bush.
Geeeh – W's nose is really red – possibly the effect of a WMD?
rare post presidency speech...
apparently not rare enough
how do you calculate this? how many lives were supposedly saved subtract our ideals, subtract our international obligations, subtract our human rights record, subtract the thousands of innocent people that were swept off the streets, tortured for years, and then released for lack of charges, minus...
wow, american lives are worth way more than any other lives it would seem.
Liar. War criminal.
Did anyone really expect him to say anything different? Did we think that he wouldn't back his old buddy up? Bush would die, as would Cheney, before they would admit that what they did was wrong! As much as they want history to be kind to them, they'd better get used to the reality of what they did to us for eight years and just live with themselves.
The first thing I ask is "what is the right thing to do?" Lawyers ask "what's legal?" Maybe the real problem is that George was answering the question instead of asking it.
An hours long back and forth with the audience and no telepronpter?
Gee, thats not what they said about W is it?
Well I have seen GWB spar with the news corps for an hour or so and hold his own.
Miss you George, more than I hate to amit.
Nice lie. They started torture before Bush's lawyers ever rendered an opinion on what was legal. Just because Bush and Cheney keep saying it. Doesn't make it true or right.
Funny, the CIA Inspector General, the FBI, the people who reverse engineered the torture program, and the actual interrogators–who were getting actionable intelligence by proven methods– say otherwise. Bush-still trying to justify the unjustifiable, and defend war crimes.
Say what ever you want. The man is a class act. Mistakes, sure but his were all transparent. Not calculated deception behind closed doors while saying "transparent, transparent, transparent" from a podium. It is time reporters start digging in and stop slobbering over Obama. Anyone think the economy is really in recovery? National health care, energy policy, and the stimulus plan is going to tax EVERYONE who earns a wage or owns a business into poverty .
He just forgot to add, that it killed 10 times more than it saved.
Well done Mr. President! He does not ride on accusations. What he believed good, he did for the people at the cost of his popularity.
Why isn't this guy in prison?
he needs to go away , he makes me sick whenever i look at him, when i hear him talk i have very bad thoughts
In the future, those of you who bashed Bush and took great pleasure in doing so will see that he was not the terrible President you made him out to be. I did not agree with some of his policies or decisions, but I do believe he is a good man with a big heart. It is sad that CNN and other media outlets have roasted him the past couple of year and blamed him for everything bad that has happend to us.
Yeah; like that "really good" intel you got that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, or that Al-Qaeda was teaming up with Saddam. Did you have to torture to get that? No doubt. We've lost about 3000 American lives in Iraq because of that "really good" intel. Not to mention the tens of thousands of Americans who were wounded in the Battle of Iraq.
And let's not forget the stuff you missed. Like the warning of your own Terrorism Expert before 9-11. Over 2000 lives were lost there, and our nation suffered the worst security breach in our history.
I don't accept for one minute that you are responsible for saving American lives, much less that you needed to torture to do it.
B.S. George!
President Bush is a true American. He is the only presiden with the exception Og President Regan who stood by his principles. I salute him. I felt safe with him as President. I do not with the president. The North Korea situation will test our new president
I respect the guy for his measured tone.
I summarize the difference between Hussein and Bush
Obama the stage man, looking for popularity and votes
Bush the statesman, looking for principles and live with a free conscience
May God help this country with Hussein and Acorn at the helm
Maybe the information did save lives. How many young men and women are dead, how many more have to live the rest of their lives disabled? How many innocent Iraqs are dead and how many are also maimed for the rest of their lives. I think it is time for Mr. Bush to get down on his knees along with Mr. Cheney and beg for forgiveness from the GOOD LORD for the mess they created. I only hope the Congress or the World Court prosecute both men. Eight years under the rule of both men(?) have been disasteruos for the world. I think it is time somebody pays.
Sure Bush is not going to say anything about the new president,,, This is how he ran his administration,,,He let Cheney and all the others run their mouth saying the things he wanted them to..
Torture is a war crime and Bush , Cheney , Rumsfeld , Rove and Obama know d... well it is...
If Obama try to stop the prosecution of anyone involved in the war crimes not matter if they are a republican or a democrat then he is guilty of driving the get a way car from a crime..
Seems as if Emanuel is running this administration..
President Bush- Please go away already.
Why would I believe you, Mr. Bush? You lied to us. You told us that our country did not torture. And you lied.
You are a monster.
So, "W" tells us that the lawyers said that waterboarding was legal, huh? I guess he was referring to the toadies who told him what he wanted to hear, just as Alberto , his towering legal toadie okayed all the executions in Texas of people who were "represented" by incompetents and drunks.
I'd like to see our hero, who hid in the Texas Guard to protect us during Vietnam, undergo waterboarding. He'd probably wet his diaper!
"The first thing you do is ask, what's legal?" he said...
Huh? How about what is the best way to interrogate this guy to get reliable good and useful info... How about ask the guys who've done this sort of thing for a 100 years... oh, while still acting smart, legal and human about it!
So, "W" tells us that the lawyers said that waterboarding was legal, huh? I guess he was referring to the toadies who told him what he wanted to hear, just as Alberto , his towering legal toadie okayed all the executions in Texas of people who were "represented" by incompetents and drunks.
I'd like to see our hero, who hid in the Texas Guard to protect us during Vietnam, undergo waterboarding. He'd probably wet his diaper!
what happened with the information this idiot got before 9/11? his sheer stupidity and the incompetence of his administration led to the deaths of 3000 people in the towers. it would be best for bush to keep his yap shut – unlike his idiot v.p. cheney
I wish our current president could be as patriotic and as gracious as our previous president. His (Obama) previous administration "bashing" is getting old and it makes him appear ignorant and purposefully stupid.
Here we go, watch the Bush bashing begin again.
I voted for Obama, but this Bush-hating thing is getting pretty old, don't you think? He's not our President anymore, so let's move on.
The scum Bush should be entering a torture chamber for his turn on the board.
For all his public displays of idiocy, his brutish criminality, and exasperating incompetence, kudos to the former president for his continuing gracious refusal to criticize his successor. I never voted for the man and could myself frame the charges for his death penalty trial, but I mean it when I say that he has conducted himself well in that (sole) regard.
"I vowed to take whatever steps that were necessary to protect you."
I love my puppy very much. I worry about him getting run over by a car, or falling down the stairs, or eating something that might make him sick, and even though I work hard to protect him from these potential threats, they still are possible. I guess I ~could~ completely protect him from these risks by locking him in a small crate and keeping him there 24/7. No dangerous cars or stairs or bad things to eat in there. But what kind of life would that be? It is no different when talking about what Former President Bush did. Stripping away any semblence of Civil Rights ~might~ make us "safe" but it sure doesn't make us free.
Bush we want you back. Obama is ruining the Country every day. God help us.
You keep carrying that cross, Mr. Bush.
Carry it right into obscurity.
The typical tyrant's excuses, he runs the nation into the ground on a drunken orgy with his buddies and then when he leaves us holding the wreckage of his tenure he places a dandelion in front of his genitals and blames the scorn on the uncompromising integrity of his virginal soul. The real question to ask is not what the Bush Administration lost due to its so-called 'integrity,' but what the Bush Administration didn't get of what it sought. Bush took what he wanted, and when it conflicted with existing laws, he simply rewrote the laws to accommodate his worldview. Hitler, too, was cursing the perceived disloyalty of others to his grave, all the while exonerating himself from any blame, and this self-absolving hogwash from Bush is hardly any different. Bush is a classic tyrant.
Oh, Bush, where do I even start? You got a bunch of hack, yes-men lawyers to write memos that Cheney wanted, then the tortures used exceeded even what those faulty memos authorized. You and Cheney are war criminals and the biggest stain Obama will wear is his failure to prosecute all who were involved in torture (Republican or Democrat). Let's hope Obama is just buying some time.
War criminal says "what."
George has been lying for 8 years ...
Today is no different
Go back to the ranch George
We don't want your worthless opinion ...
The set of principles Bush is referring to are Satan's Principles for Torturing, Misleading and Destroying the World. Bush = The Great Destroyer
The fact that Bush and Cheney feel they have to defend the torture program so aggressively tells you that they know they broke the law.
At least he is taking the high road and not trashing the current administration. While the current times will be harsh, I expect history to be very kind to former President George W. Bush when we all have the chance to look back and put this era into perspective.
Losing to FoxNews are you, CNN?
I know that is true cause I am one of those who left CNN after all that totally Obamamaniac driven coverage of the primaries and the election of last November. Untrustworthy, one-sided, coverage of news is a total shame to the world of journalism ...
Yes, I am one of the Hillary fans who left and will NEVER return – not to CNN, not to ABC and definitely not to MSNBC ...
Will not read New York Times, will not sbuscribe to Time. Pretty sad state of affairs ..
And again I repeat: FoxNews have to thank CNN for sending to them all their viewers ... All we have is FoxNews to tell us the REAL news ...
GOODNIGHT and GOOD RIDDENS
If only a Democrat had anywhere approaching the same level of class former Pres. Bush has, the U.S. would be a much better place.
This is crap. It's just another divisive topic to divide the nation on a petty issue. Obama will continue torturing just like Bush did, he's covering his butt already by not releasing the photos of Abu Gharib where kids and women were raped and men were sodomized on orders of none other than Mr. post election resigner, Donny Rumsfield.
Get off the right left paradigm, they're both on the same team! They're both AGAINST the people.
Apparently he had been putting Cheney up to defending him, but he just couldn't keep quiet either.
I enjoyed Robin William's comments on what was W going to do when he went out of office. Said he can't go on a speaking tour!
Ole G Dubb may be out of office which is good but I still feels like the next comment out of his mouth is going be something stupid,can I get a witness?
Ok.... he was not willing to sacrifice his principles for the sake of popularity... but if his principles are War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and Crimes Against the Peace, then he should be prosecuted. At court, before sentencing, he can reiterate his belief in his principles, and be justly punished for sticking to them
I am sorry, but I am not really interested in Bush's opinions. He was an awful President. I don't dislike him, but I was so very glad to see him leave.
I'm about as left winged as they come, and I admit that Bush is an honorable man when out of office. He took a much higher road than Cheney after he left office, and I'm sure in my childrens' and grandchlildrens' history books he will be regarded with respect for this.
As usual, Uncurious George is a day late, and a dollar short.
Well, like the former president said, "I think the verdict is out."
No, George. The first thing you ask is "what is the most effective way of getting information?" The answer would not have been torture. There were better ways.
Even if the answer had been torture, the response should have been "Americans do not do that. We have higher standards. We stand for bigger and better than that."
Asking "What is legal?" and "How do we make torture seem legal?" are the ways of smaller men.
I am sorry you had such a small vision of America, Mr. Bush. Enjoy your retirement.
Wait...Mr. Bush is writing a book? Lol, I won't buy it but I might look around in it for some classic Bush-isms. I'm actually surprised he's not "out there" as much as you'd think a former president should be. Oh well.
Here comes another lie!! Just prove it, rather to say it. Eight years of lies is enough from the most corrupted administration in history.
Hate to say it. Don't want to go through another Watergate but he is beinning to look like Alfred E. Neuman again. He and Cheney know they are guilty, there m ay be consequences, and they are running for cover. Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick tock.
He came to office letting 9-11 happen on his watch 9 months after his adminstration came in. He committed a war of choice in Iraq after OIL, and his principals include torture..Worst president in history. 4487 brave American miltary killed in Iraq on his watch..He left a mes!!
What does Bush think about the vital Limbaugh vs Powell issue thats currently the most important issue to every Republican in the country?
I understand President Bush's wish to defend his time in office. I appreciate, that in contrast with many others, he is taking a respectful and cautious stance on his predecessor.
And we executed Japanese soldiers after WWII because they did NOT get good information? Ridiculous.
it's the truth, no moderation !!
I voted Obama but I just love this man, Bush. As a republican, I could not trust McCain/Palin enough. And although I have my reservations about Dick Cheney, I completely felt that if I were to do it again, I would vote for President George W Bush twice. He may be wrong sometimes but he is a man of convictions...a real leader. God bless you W.
May be Canada will arrest him
"Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity," he said.
Huh?
More like:
"Well, I hope it is this: The man showed up with a set of principles, and left with a set of steak knives," he said.
The man has class.
Oh no, he's back and more inarticulate than ever. We knew his sllence was too good to be true.
Bush no doubt pushed the bounds of executive power. But unfortunately for his critics, he stayed within the limits of Article II and the law as it stands.
You don't work for us anymore(you never really did). Go away.
Re-write this article. The errors are numerous and embarassing. It's like you let G-W write it himself!
Former president Bush is 100% correct and the bottom line is he saved American lives not our enemies lives.
All those who want to give our enemies rights and a fair trial must ask themselves a simple but easy to answer question.
And to quote president Bush: you are either with us or your with the terrorists.
VIVA BUSH!!
Guess ol' Uncle Dick called and told the kid to defend the party line.
It was nice, while it lasted, to have some presidential silence.
I'm glad to know that the end justifies the means. But wait, whose philosophy is that? The Nazis, and the communists!
WE MISS YOU!! Thanks for you and your family's service to America! My children will be taught about how you stayed true to your promise even under extreme pressure...good days to you, President Bush!
Bush spoke in Calgary, Alberta, Canada back in March.
Thank you for keeping us safe, Mr. President. Again, Thank you!
Bush also revealed the topic of the first chapter in his forthcoming book, which he said will be about "the stories of my administration as I saw them." That first chapter, he said, will be answer the question: "Why did I run for president?"
Book will include pop-ups of naked muslim pyramids and Cheney hunting attorneys at a quail farm.
Not a Bush fan, but it was gracious and genuine.
Listening to Bush speak is like watching two dogs screw. Not worth the time.
Does anyone care?
Thank you, Mr. President! Even though I disagreed with some of your policies, the man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity. THAT is very rare for a politician whether democrat, republican, or independent.
I saw the speech and the president nailed it.One of the best talks ever at the Econ Club
Typical below the radar liberal bias. I'm speaking of the picture they used of Bush. Sure when a Democrat or someone CNN is fond of they show a decent picture.When a Republican or someone who doesn't pander to the left in the topic they show a bad picture. Most people don't realize it.
I learned about this when I completely wasted four years as a Communications major. Actually I really knew nothing about media bias until I started in Communications. It sickened me and I wish I had studied something else.
Unless you want to be forced to write a certain way, Newspapers and media in general is not where you want to be. I just hope one person reads this at CNN.
it is clear both cheney and bush are only out to defend themselves; torture works is the wrong argument – even if it too has now been debunked as untrue, untrustworthy and inefficient. it is against the laws of our country's history and founding father, regardless of what some political appointees told them, and our international agreements,
as to keeping us safer, this too has been debunked and has been shown to have made us less safe by creating more terrorist to do us harm and making our allies less willing to work with us.
unfortunately, "he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity," as edmund burke said all that is needed for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing," or in the case of ex-president bush, to think he was showing his principles.
I cannot even comment on this jerk. The worst President ever.
I'm shocked that not one LEO in the country has yet had the guts to arrest this guy.
Yes they should be talking to their attorney not the media. It is time they are investigated so we can find out just what really happen and fix it. Octave Long Beacch, CA
What can the man say? If he were to say anything different he would immediately be pilloried by those who are convinced that he and Dick Cheney are saints. They can do no wrong whatever they do.
I would have been shocked, I mean totally, incredibly, out of this world shocked if Bush had even come close to admitting that what he authorized was criminal. He might have been incredibly naive in terms of International Law and the affects of what he/they did, but he is not stupid.
I have been saying since 2001 that this is what happens when both the president and vice-president are not attorneys and totally ignorant of the consequences of illegal activity and the abrogation of treaties.
Bush needs to crawl back underneath the rock he came from. Please, just go away!
Well done, GWB! I deeply appreciate your becoming a seemingly wise statesman in your post-presidency. Our hope is that your new public persona will help heal the wounds that the eight years of your presidency had inflicted upon us as a society and a nation. Thanks for your expression of kindness to our new president and for recognizing that silence is often golden!
Shocking.
An egomaniac defending their decisions.
George, please return to your normal life of lacking intellectual curiosity, not reading anything, getting "thinkaches" when people offered dissenting opinions, and accpet that fact that not only were you a complete failure, you will continue to be a failure over time.
Mr, Cheney told you what to do for 8 years. so now that you're aping his slanderous BS, is merely the status quo.
God Bless You Mr. Bush
A TRUE commander in chief.
They are all guilty as charged. All of them should face the music for their acts, lying and murders of innocent Iraqis as well as killed and maimed U.S. servicemen and women.
Now why can't Cheney have the good sense to extend the same courtesy to our new president as his former boss has. How refreshing would that be! If he thinks this is the only way to preserve his legacy he couldn't be more wrong.
Mr. Cheney it's time for you to retire and leave the world's problems to President Obama. You had 8 years to solve them.......and you FAILED.......enough is enough.
You repeatedly lied to the American people in order to justify your decision to get us into an idiotic war that did not get us any closer to dismantling Al Qaeda. You're a pathological liar, and I don't believe you.
I am certainly not a W fan, but I think this really shows some class. Even while he was in office he never judged past Presidents. It would be nice if Obama would take a page and stop talking so much trash every time someone mentions a problem. He did ask for the job.
Every despot, in every age, has always claimed he did it for the people.
Torture, no matter how many lawyers write memos, is a war crime.
And Mr. Bush is now an admitted war criminal along with Mr. Cheney.
I believe the ball is in Mr. Holder's court.
It is good to see President Bush out in public discourse. I truly feel that he truly stands for America and loves her ideals and democracy. I pray that America will survive all the changes and threats she is being subjected to. Hopefully, as our youth mature they will appreciate the value of our freedoms and independence. It is like the old bible story : feed a man a fish and he is full for one day (democrats) vs. teach a man to fish and he will never be hungry (republicans). We need to act not just in terms of the immediate but more importantly, the future. God Bless you, President Bush!
Bush is wasting his time talking.
i'm sure.....but that doesnt mean torture is legal
Why don't these people go away?!! Bush and Cheney have done enough. Out to pasture with them both.
Lier,Murderer, and wae criminal. this is bush.
Bushie's gained more respect from me since he's not goin for the throat like his ex-puppetmaster.
Why does Bush Jr. keep coming to Canada to make speeches? He snubbed Canada for most of his Presidency...maybe it's those "French 'Freedom Fries" he loves so much!
"Why did I run for president?"
That's as rhetorical a question as I've ever seen. Why did you run dubya?
Honestly, I'm more afraid of Obama than I ever was of Bush. It's absolutely pathetic when Americans are scared of their own government.
I really like GW Bush more and more as I look back upon what he did and stood. Classy man.
So foolish and backward. Maybe evil. I wish that he wasn't religious. That may mean that someday he may come to realize how wrong he is and how much harm he has done to this country and so many families and people around the world. Must be nice to feel like g*d is on your side when there is no way to even know that. ignorance is bliss. thank goodness for him there's no such thing as hell.
bush cheney era glory days for white supremacists groups ho god!!!
thnks is over,please go away!!!
A planned terrorist attack in NYC was just thwarted without torturing anybody to get the information.
Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney, your reasoning is wrong.
ok...good for you George...Bye now
Excellence – on behalf of genealogy
Price
Eaton
Duke of Sutherland
Murray
Specer Roche Bush
Diana – Churchill
Mr. Obama and Mandela are frauds out to cut your head off
International security of canada Borders to another threatened 9-11 by AlQuaida
Did he mention that thousand of lives he ended with the false information that sent us into war. You have BLOOD on your hand Bush.
Go home. We don't want torturers and murderers in Canada,
You are persona non grata.
I was there tonight and I must say that although I disagree with a lot of the former presidents policies I saw almost a different person tonight. He seemed more human and the crawd appeared to appreciate his honesty regarding his zest to protect the country. In addition, it was refreshing to see the former president go out of his way several times to stress the fact that he did and would not critisized president Obama and I respect him for that. Rush & Chayney should learn a bit of from Bush.
Bush is a jerk
Bush, a class act.
God bless Bush
I have to hand it to this man no matter who puts him down he does not waiver in his convictions.
The only problem I have with him is he was not a true conservative. I also blame the media for our economy tanking more then even congress. As president Bush said they do enjoy conflict and bad news even when they have to make it up!
I like the fact history will prove he did a lot more good then bad and our country was better for the amount of time he was our president.
At this point Obama would be lucky for just half that!
If any one believes Bush was a bad president then get ready for one that is worst because Obama is going down that same Jimmy Carter path!
Thank you Mr. Bush for doing your job. Now we have a weak man in the white house.
So there is still someone giving him cue cards.
Have a Coke and a smile, Mr. President. Please.
He is correct after 911 he had to take solid action to save America from further attacks & American lives on American soil. With information availabe acted in a determined way to carry terrorists intiative in their homeland of Afganistan. Investigative techniques had to be used to extract the information of the network of Al Qaeda which is a disabling & distorted methodology but less than those used in WW II for treatment of POW & other captured civilians for the same purpose. Moreover for lawful ends all is lawful within reasonable means. Similarly Police has to disable the capacity of the suspect to avoid further embroil which is done with fisting & boxing by all available as one Cop will not be able to handle & control the suspect who may be resting to restart or run away.There is very delicate line of what is human & what is not If anything done in legal or self defence is legal & legitimate so is the coercive methods to recover information for saving large number of human lives. 911 was not legal & human.
to all u bush haters he is a man with integerty how love's his country
Obama and his minions dishonesty is just shameful, especially after President Bush worked so hard to ensure a smooth transition and President Bush has declined to criticize Obama. What a shame his gracious professionalism isnt returned by the current occupant of the Oval Office. His ultimate legacy hasnt been written. But the only one thing can be said without reservations is that President Bush has kept the country safe since 9/11 attacks. Dems might find the truth about this to be inconvenient indeed. Can anyone tell me how we are safer under under Obama?
Bush also revealed the topic of the first chapter in his forthcoming book, which he said will be about "the stories of my administration as I saw them." That first chapter, he said, will be answer the question: "Why did I run for president?"
But, will it answer the burning question of our times, "Is our children learning?"
Say whatever you want about Bush, but at least he has class, something his imbecile VP could learn a little something about.
The big question is...Does Bush think torture is legal? I guess he does. In the same token N. korea, Iran and the so called rogue nations have a right to go ahead and develop the Nuclear bombs coz they believe they are protecting their people. The Crazy "beheaders" can as well go ahead and do their thing coz they believe they are protecting their own!!!!!! Mr. Bush what may seem legal to you is actually illegal. You erode the moral authority of our nation to fight the war that is necessary to keep us safe. If my neighbour attcks my dog, I should waterboard his friend to try and get information about him,...right mr. Former president???? I guess this is the price we pay for electing someone stupid to the highest office in the land
Did Peter Hamby graduate from college? The amount of typos in this article are astounding. It's kind of embarrassing. Please fix the typos. And please post my comment.
No one likes you. GO AWAY!
Values, morals, principles, ethics, trust, honesty, go ahead and slam President Bush but in battle I would want him in my fox hole.
Please just go away idiot! Take your old friend Dick with you. You're making a fool out of yourself now. Don't you see, it's over. We don't want to see your ugly mug anymore!
For a man who claims to be a Christian, the first thing you ask yourself is not what the lawyers say you can get away with as Mr. Bush claims. You decide what is moral and ethical in the long traditional integrity of what America is all about. We are not Nazis, or at least our heritage isn't. We are not North Vietnamese or Japanese. We are Americans. We arrested Lt. Calley for the murders he ordered at MyLai village in Vietnam. Now, our military does the same as a matter of routine. I would not want to be Mr. Bush on judgement day. Many have come forward who have been involved directly with the torture of prisoners and have testified that we did not get useful information that we couldn't get by other means. The truth is being told now, Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney and you can't stop it. You should go to prison for what you've done. True, your friends are now billionaires thanks to your actions while in office and no doubt they promised to reward you both. We'll see.
More lies from Bush. We liked it better when he was silent. If he keeps talking like this, then it's clear we do need a truth commission to investigate the war crimes he, Cheney and their fellow thugs committed. It will be shameful if we decent Americans allow the criminal Bush gang to go unpunished.
For the first time in approx. 9 years he finally answered unscripted questions, I wonder if any of them REAL questions, or if they were just more softballs from his loving Reich Wing.
Boy the Bush Administration Gang is getting very very uncomfortable and it shows big time. I have never heard W be humble in any way, shape, or form. This is obviously a well rehearsed speech and it is obvious that the questions were plants to make him sound much more thought out than we know he is capable of.
He doesn't fool me for a minute. He's scared, and like all criminals before him learn... just getting cleaned up and dialing down the egocentric talk doesn't fool all the judges all the time.
As we sit in our shed, we think about this question, "How is it possible a man like g.bush can compleatly distroy several countrys, includeing his own, then,travel around the world trying to convince people he didnt really mean no harm. Shucks. I can not waite a minute longerin antisaption of his book. Yet sader is the fact lots of those books will be sold. Americans are that way. I love America and and ashamed of her end Lawrence Richard Anderson California
With reports that both men and women in US captivity at Abu Graihb were raped by US "interrogators", Bush and company had better have saved a lot of lives.
Bush compromised our morals and this country. The Iraq invasion never should have been. All the reasons Bush gave for invading were false. We have destroyed a country, killed its citizens, and tortured its citizens.
What George W. Bush did was despicable. He stained this country. And as far as anything else of importance to this country, he did nothing. Eight years of nothing instead of addressing the problems that were allowed to fester and get worse.
As expected! What do most criminals do? Deny they committed any crimes!!
So the wars were because he wanted to save his soul, rather than be popular with the people he had promised to serve. Mr Bush is a selfish bastard and if there is a hell, it's too good for him.
Funny..sorta.
Thank You President Bush! The American People are grateful for your courage and determination in protecting them and their Country from savage bargarians who would kill us and our children.
"Yes I drove the country to bankruptcy by allowing greed to bypass laws under the light of the burning Constitution." would be a little more truthful. And Cheney is still doing the hatchet job.
Saved lives?
Where, when, how?
These guys still think that we should trust them.
When the more we learn, the more it appears they were willing to lie and to slant the truth to us whenever they felt it would aid their cause.
No matter how noble he tries to paint his actions, George W. Bush was the most pathetic excuse for a president we could ever have.
He was arrogant, reckless, incompetent and just plain stupid. He felt he didn't have to answer to anyone, that he was "the decider." He had absolutely no regard for the rule of law. And he had neither the maturity nor the intellectual capacity to understand, let alone appreciate, a checks and balances system of government.
He caused so many people to die that did not need to die. And the blind party loyalty of Republicans who supported and made excuses for him is what enabled him. Republicans showed more loyalty to their party than they did our country. And as a result, our country paid a horrible price; our troops paid a horrendous price.
Bush needs to just go away and stay away. Republicans should be shamed of themselves.
Bush will regain his respect, but Cheney will not
Why doesn't CNN.com hone its reporting skills and call Bush's so-called "enhanced interrogation" program what it is: Torture.
I dare you.
Wouldn't pay a wooden nickel to hear this sputtering fool utter another syllable. What exactly were the set of principles he showed up with? I fail to see the preponderance of any evidence that he has any principles at all.
Oh well, better his approach than the other grumpy old fella's who loves to come on the screen to sneer and scare us all away..
Liar, lair, pants on fire. This pinhead and all the other little pinheads he surrounded himself with only heard what they wanted to hear. If they didn't hear what they were hoping to hear, they ignored the smart people and found other pinheads to make up facts to support their position.
I must now command, "Silence!" from this infidel. Shame on you, George. It pains me to think of all that wasted education you smoked pot and tooted cocaine through.
A class act.
Funny how this report is filled with quotations to point out his less-than-carismatic speech, as in "look audience, how this guy talks!". Lame CNN.
George Dubya Bush, aiming to destroy America since 2001.
"I can tell you that the information we got saved lives."
Well, I wasn't sure until now. But if Bush says, then it has to be true. The guy never lies, and he never makes mistakes.
Jesus Christ! Why is he still talking? Why?
This man was unsuited for governor of Texas and totally wrong for POTUS. I have also reed that his questions for these events are pre-screened. He allowed torture because he was and is a coward.
Not to worry, George. You were right; history will vindicate you. Barry has already adopted your domestic economic policies, his timetable for "prompt" withdrawl from Iraq has slipped under the rubric of "responsible" withdrawal, he's surging troops in Afghanistan, he can't figure out exactly how to follow through on closing Gitmo, he realized he shouldn't release the prisoner "abuse' photos after all - and if there's another 9/11 on his watch, he will be waterboarding suspects faster than you can say, "welcome to the real world." Now that's continuity you can believe in.
A good man, possibly the last "free" president we will have, with the darn communists in power now. He did what he could when it came to national defense, and Im proud to have served under him.
insofar as i can see, he's still lying on the matter
Bush is a sad man whose big ego let him be used and abused by those he trusted. Cheney is a hateful and evil man who is now trying to save his own backside.
The information you got cost lives. Bush started with a rich country, when he left he and his buddies were rich and the country is now bankrupt, is that the leverage he was referring to. As for 911, his brother was in charge of security at the airport the planes took off from... not to mention what his dady was up to that day. Lol
My belief is Bush/Cheney kept us SAFE that was his number 1 job. Whatever happen if something happen in that prison all had been APPROVED BY CONGRESS. ALL WAS CONGRESS. I believe all this is a DISTRACTION, SINCE THE BO administration blocks the photos BO/PELOS needs to apologize to BUSH/CHENEY and the world since they accuse with no proof that they did whatever ILLEGALLY WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF CONGRESS. WHERE'S THE BEEF?
Get back under the rock you torturer!
You are an embarrassment to this wonderful country.
Get back to the ranch and do what you do best::
Dig holes for fence posts.
I particularly like this line "I didn't like it when a former president criticized me, so therefore I am not going to criticize my successor."
No matter how controversial his policies are, President Bush is an respectful man.
Uh oh.
Karl is sending junior on a CYA tour.
Do you think they're getting nervous bexause they may have to answer for torture?
Not worth commenting
and destroyed lives , george killed th gop
George Bush, Thank You! Some of us really do appreciate your efforts and integrity.
All he said is lied.....he just want to promot his brother only. The interrogation techniques not aprove yet why he used it.
Mr. President Bush is a highly principled person. He will never criticize any President, past present or future.
He kept us safe and he kept the economy moving.
The financial crisis was not his doing but that of Barney Frank and Chris Dodd and the freddie mac and fannie Mae. Both were supported by the culprits Dodd and Frank.
They would not budge although the Pres wanted them to reign in the Freddie Mac and Fannie mae.
I wish the President well.. And as for Pres Barack-I don't like his policies one bit and they will destroy this country.
You might not like his policies, but the man has principle, character and integrity. He takes the high road about Obama – that is character. He doesn't repeat the criticisms of former Presidents – that is integrity. He never gave ground on what he believed in – that is principle. GWB was and is and honorable President.
"The first thing you do is ask, what's legal?" he said. "What do the lawyers say is possible?"
Don't you think the first question should have been, "What works? What do the experts say?" I found that kin of telling.
When Bush asked what was legal and was told that torture was not, his next question was, "How can we re-name it so we can do it while telling ourselves we're staying within the law?"
And so the label "enemy combatant" was born.
It's still torture, it's still illegal, it's still immoral. With my apologies to Shakespeare, a criminal act by any other name would smell as rotten and abhorrent.
what a monster, Im glad he's no longer president!
At least the former president appears to be showing some respect towards president Obama by staying his distance.
I never thought I would say it - and I would still punch GWB in the face if I ever got the chance - but compared to Cheney he's showing a little class.
It's our military superiority that kept the Al Quaeda terrorists at bay - not WMDs or torturing. McCain even acknowledged that torturing doesn't work and you are no John McCain!
Soon or later, Obama should expose everything about Gitmo and the torturing practices that we carried out under your watch!
Well I for one admired President Bush for what he done for us as a country while he was President...If he had the chance to run again for President he would get my vote....The one thing that stands out in my mind about him the most is his dedication to always put God first in his own life and showing America that he trusted in God first and then man...Thankyou President Bush...God Bless you....
Really, who cares what he thinks? He had his chance to make America better and safer and he messed up both. (Remind me again who was president – and vice president – when 9/11 happened?)
So please, just go away. We have work to do.
You have got to be kidding me!
This man belongs behind bars for the rest of his life.
How do we know that any good intelligence was obtained by torture? Because something didn't happen? That's impossible to prove, because there is no direct cause-and-effect. What has been proven is that torture is an extremely unreliable (not to mention illegal and immoral) method of gaining good intelligence.
I've made my bed every morning since 9/11 – should I claim that my actions have prevented another terrorist attack on American soil? Makes just about as much sense ...
"The man showed up with a set of principles, and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity." Noble men uphold their principles at all cost but not all principles are noble.
Bush is an honest man who will be remembered well by history!
Former president Bush said: ' I can tell you that the information we got saved lives."
The terrorists killed 3000 Americans on 9/11. Bush saved lives with the death of 4000 American soldiers and hundreds of thousands of innocent people and the terrorists are still growing and everywhere. I don’t think it was a good saving.
I want to know how much he was paid - not just for this performance, but for his Presidency.
I am always amazed by our "Christian" past-president. His first question is "What is legal?" A true Christian would ask "What is moral?". The end justifies the means argument that he and Cheney are proffering leads to the same line of reasoning that has people fly airplanes into buildings, although I am by no means equating the two.
George W Bush is a great man.