Former President Bush, contrasting Trump approach, says protesters should be heard

[webfact]

Former President Bush, contrasting Trump approach, says protesters should be heard

By Peter Szekely

 

FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President George W. Bush speaks during the Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Former President George W. Bush said on Tuesday the killing of George Floyd reflected a "shocking failure" concerning racism in the country, and urged that protesters be heard, in sharp contrast to fellow Republican Donald Trump's get-tough approach.

 

Without mentioning the president by name, Bush suggested it was out of step with the country's values to have driven protesters from Lafayette Square across from the White House on Monday just before Trump walked through for a photo opportunity.

 

"The only way to see ourselves in a true light is to listen to the voices of so many who are hurting and grieving,” Bush said in a statement. “Those who set out to silence those voices do not understand the meaning of America — or how it becomes a better place.”

 

Trump later issued a Twitter post lauding authorities for using "overwhelming force" and "domination" in Washington. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that the order to remove the protesters came from Attorney General William Barr.

 

With demonstrations, sometimes marred by violence, erupting across the country since Floyd died on a Minneapolis street on May 25 with a police officer's knee on his neck, Bush said he and his wife, Laura, were anguished by "the brutal suffocation."

 

The latest incident of an unarmed black man dying at the hands of a white police officer raises troubling questions that need to be confronted, he said.

 

“It is time for America to examine our tragic failures – and as we do, we will also see some of our redeeming strengths,” said the 43rd U.S. president, who served from 2001 to 2009.

 

“It remains a shocking failure that many African Americans, especially young African American men, are harassed and threatened in their own country,” he said.

 

“This tragedy — in a long series of similar tragedies — raises a long overdue question: How do we end systemic racism in our society?”

 

(Reporting by Peter Szekely in New York; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-03

 

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[OneMoreFarang]

This is a strange world. I never thought I would think America would have such a bad president that George W. Bush looks like a statesman in comparison.

Most of us thought Bush was bad. And now we look at Trump and think how good Bush was in comparison. Strange times.

[GalaxyMan]

Scum calling out scum. ????

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

I go back in time to 2002 to talk to myself back then:

"Hey man, I'm from 2020."

"Wow, what happened?"

"Still no flying cars."

"Still no Moon or Mars colony. America actually took a long break from space, and we just barely went back."

"Those powerful, pocket computers always connected to high speed Internet, that will make everyone smarter and improve their lives? Yeah, we got em. But they did the opposite."

"George W. Bush would've been a better president than the one currently."

[twocatsmac]

Without mentioning the president by name, Bush suggested it was out of step with the country's values to have driven protesters from Lafayette Square across from the White House on Monday just before Trump walked through for a photo opportunity.

 

”The countrys values” as he puts it we’re inherited from the likes of him and Hussein Obama ie;   the looters tried to burn the freakin church down. 

 

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

This is a strange world. I never thought I would think America would have such a bad president that George W. Bush looks like a statesman in comparison.

Most of us thought Bush was bad. And now we look at Trump and think how good Bush was in comparison. Strange times.

Nixon. Bush. Trump! Please don't forget Nixon!

[ezzra]

So what's now? is it trump fault that unruly mobs are burning, shooting and looting everything in sight? hurting people who has nothing to do with issue at hand? in what country or constitution this is ok, just cause or not...

[Sujo]

3 minutes ago, ezzra said:

So what's now? is it trump fault that unruly mobs are burning, shooting and looting everything in sight? hurting people who has nothing to do with issue at hand? in what country or constitution this is ok, just cause or not...

Yes its pretty much trumps fault. Divisive and inciting.

[stevenl]

3 minutes ago, ezzra said:

So what's now? is it trump fault that unruly mobs are burning, shooting and looting everything in sight? hurting people who has nothing to do with issue at hand? in what country or constitution this is ok, just cause or not...

That is nowhere ok. Problem is Trump has fanned the fuel now, in the past by his attacks on media and divisional politics, and has no policy to get out of this.

He is still, again, not uniting but dividing.

[JohnOFphon]

Bush was seen on his knees yesterday, signing camp fire songs with Biden.

Now if the Chinese and Russian leaders will do the same,,,,the world will be a better place...  ????

[TopDeadSenter]

40 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Yes its pretty much trumps fault. Divisive and inciting.

Yep. A democrat run state, with a democrat run police force, having one of their officers cause the death of a career criminal(and likely democrat voter) and this is all the fault of Donald Trump who had nothing whatsoever to do with the situation?

 Such disconnect from reality is "divisive and inciting".

[stevenl]

7 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Yep. A democrat run state, with a democrat run police force, having one of their officers cause the death of a career criminal(and likely democrat voter) and this is all the fault of Donald Trump who had nothing whatsoever to do with the situation?

 Such disconnect from reality is "divisive and inciting".

How anyone can see this, with the nationwide protests, as a local incident is beyond me.

[Tie Dye Samurai]

39 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Yep. A democrat run state, with a democrat run police force, having one of their officers cause the death of a career criminal(and likely democrat voter) and this is all the fault of Donald Trump who had nothing whatsoever to do with the situation?

 Such disconnect from reality is "divisive and inciting".

I noticed...in your "analysis" you assigned a political affiliation to everything except the officer (or officers) that "caused the death" of George Floyd...care to speculate on what party he defines himself with? Something tells me you will just try and say "but what about" and not actually render your analysis on that...

[Bluespunk]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Former President George W. Bush said on Tuesday the killing of George Floyd reflected a "shocking failure" concerning racism in the country, and urged that protesters be heard, in sharp contrast to fellow Republican Donald Trump's get-tough approach.

 

Without mentioning the president by name, Bush suggested it was out of step with the country's values to have driven protesters from Lafayette Square across from the White House on Monday just before Trump walked through for a photo opportunity.

 

"The only way to see ourselves in a true light is to listen to the voices of so many who are hurting and grieving,” Bush said in a statement. “Those who set out to silence those voices do not understand the meaning of America — or how it becomes a better place.”

 

George W Bush comes across as being more articulate, thoughtful, intelligent and erudite than trump ever does...never thought I'd say that about another US president when GW Bush was in charge, but that is how low trump is dragging the office.

[darksidedog]

An off topic troll post and replies have been removed.

Discuss the topic please and no more trying to deflect away from that.

[OneMoreFarang]

4 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Nixon. Bush. Trump! Please don't forget Nixon!

And Trump is a fan of Nixon...

I have to admit I read about him but I was too young to know or care at that time.

[Tagged]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

This is a strange world. I never thought I would think America would have such a bad president that George W. Bush looks like a statesman in comparison.

Most of us thought Bush was bad. And now we look at Trump and think how good Bush was in comparison. Strange times.

Some people evolve with grace when grow older, George W. Bush is one of them ???? Especially touching seeing Michelle Obama caring so much for him when they meet. 

[blazes]

What hypocrisy!!!  From the man who lied to the nation about Weapons of Mass Destruction that were ....what? threatening the American homeland??

 

This picture of a seemingly demented Bush actually manages to make Joe Biden look like a handsome elder version of JFK....

[Thomas J]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Former President Bush, contrasting Trump approach, says protesters should be heard

As a former Republican delegate, I can say that I resigned from my position, and ripped the Republican sticker off my car during the Bush years.  Like his father, George HW Bush, they were really moderate Democrats disguising themselves as Republican.   Which of the below venues should we invite Mr. Bush to attend so he can conduct a "discussion" with the protesters. 

 

 

 

Edited June 3, 2020 by Thomas J

[Rimmer]

off topic also troll post removed

[spidermike007]

I was never a fan of Bush Jr. nor his fake and incredibly destructive and corrosive wars, but he is sounding like a dignified, elegant and wise man, compared to Trump, at this state, who remains defiantly, and astoundingly tone deaf, to the needs of Americans outside of his base of support. It appears as if he wants to declare war on younger, activist Americans, who are for the most part peacefully demonstrating, in the streets of cities, both small and large, across the nation. What is actually going on, and who actually started all of this rioting, which plays right into Trump's self imagined strongman image. 

 

There are alot of alternative views, from the ones promoted by the feds, who I, and millions of level headed Americans distrust to a stunning extent. Talk about political bias. As if they do not have one? Look at who they report to. This is just one possible scenario. We just do not know. But, to take the federal government at face value is a dangerous thing to do, at this point in time. They have very little credibility. Sure the media was quick to catch some black looters, running out of the stores. But, what started the looting? Once it starts, young, poor and frustrated people are more than likely to just say "what the hell, this looks like fun".

 

The demographics of a largely white, young, and destructive group fit more with a movement known as accelerationists than Black Lives Matter. The accelerationists, if you have never heard the term, are an extreme subset of white nationalism whose goal is to bring about chaos and destruction. The basic tenet of accelerationism argues that since Western governments are inherently corrupt, the best (and only) thing supremacists can do is to accelerate the end of society by sowing chaos and aggravating political tensions. “Accelerationist ideas have been cited in mass shooters’ manifestos — explicitly, in the case of the New Zealand killer — and are frequently referenced in white supremacist web forums and chat rooms,” Zack Beauchamp explained.

 

https://www.justsecurity.org/70497/far-right-infiltrators-and-agitators-in-george-floyd-protests-indicators-of-white-supremacists/

[Tug]

Bush for all his faults and mistakes imo was sincere in his desire to make the world a better place(imagine if Iraq had a thriving democracy)I know it’s naive lol but that’s what he wanted compared to trump who sows hatred and division world wide not just domestically I might add so he can profit off the chaos it’s easy to see bush as the better man are we tired of winning yet?come on November enough of the chaos 

[natway09]

Just reading some of your posts,,,,there is no middle road here is there.

More reason for "the goose" to stop tweeting & go back to school & try & learn something,

I think he is a danger to the whole world

[wwest5829]

10 hours ago, ezzra said:

So what's now? is it trump fault that unruly mobs are burning, shooting and looting everything in sight? hurting people who has nothing to do with issue at hand? in what country or constitution this is ok, just cause or not...

In a country founded in revolution?

[Tropposurfer]

Read the whole release by George. Great job mate ! It's well known that the Bush family have no lost love for Trump and have distanced themselves from him from the very beginning of the Presidential race due to Trumps mad racist utterances. 

[Mick501]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I was never a fan of Bush Jr. nor his fake and incredibly destructive and corrosive wars, but he is sounding like a dignified, elegant and wise man, compared to Trump, at this state, who remains defiantly, and astoundingly tone deaf, to the needs of Americans outside of his base of support. It appears as if he wants to declare war on younger, activist Americans, who are for the most part peacefully demonstrating, in the streets of cities, both small and large, across the nation. What is actually going on, and who actually started all of this rioting, which plays right into Trump's self imagined strongman image. 

 

There are alot of alternative views, from the ones promoted by the feds, who I, and millions of level headed Americans distrust to a stunning extent. Talk about political bias. As if they do not have one? Look at who they report to. This is just one possible scenario. We just do not know. But, to take the federal government at face value is a dangerous thing to do, at this point in time. They have very little credibility. Sure the media was quick to catch some black looters, running out of the stores. But, what started the looting? Once it starts, young, poor and frustrated people are more than likely to just say "what the hell, this looks like fun".

 

The demographics of a largely white, young, and destructive group fit more with a movement known as accelerationists than Black Lives Matter. The accelerationists, if you have never heard the term, are an extreme subset of white nationalism whose goal is to bring about chaos and destruction. The basic tenet of accelerationism argues that since Western governments are inherently corrupt, the best (and only) thing supremacists can do is to accelerate the end of society by sowing chaos and aggravating political tensions. “Accelerationist ideas have been cited in mass shooters’ manifestos — explicitly, in the case of the New Zealand killer — and are frequently referenced in white supremacist web forums and chat rooms,” Zack Beauchamp explained.

 

https://www.justsecurity.org/70497/far-right-infiltrators-and-agitators-in-george-floyd-protests-indicators-of-white-supremacists/

So in your rational level headed opinion, white supremacists have put aside their hatred to hang out with black folk and go looting.   Guess in your level headed opinion this must be a good thing for race relations to have that bonding experience.  

[Maybole]

Et Tu, Brute ?

[impulse]

14 hours ago, GalaxyMan said:

Scum calling out scum. 

 

W was an principled (and flawed, but aren't we all?) man who was ill served by the hawkish remnants of his father's administration, men who harbored an evil agenda.  Because of that, I agree that his administration was tragic in its failures.  And obviously, the buck stops with him.

 

But to call him scum isn't very accurate.  Nor is comparing him with The Donald.

 

Edited June 3, 2020 by impulse

[mr mr]

16 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

This is a strange world. I never thought I would think America would have such a bad president that George W. Bush looks like a statesman in comparison.

Most of us thought Bush was bad. And now we look at Trump and think how good Bush was in comparison. Strange times.

wasn't bush sorta responsible for the death of about 1 million people from iraq ? based on a lie none the less. not comparing the situation of today to that but to say bush was better than trump(and no i don't support the orange man either) is a little off. 

 

now watch me hit this drive.

[MaxYakov]

Bush has gone senile. It's a good match for Biden. They should <deleted> and work on their non-political bucket lists. They've already done enough damage to America and the world at large. Or have we forgotten about the invasion of Iraq already?