Why the Bush Era Matters And Should be Scrutinzed

Hello Everyone!

I'd like to talk a bit today about why the Bush era should be investigated and not simply put in the past.

Of course, during the end of the Bush years we were all sick of hearing about him, our minds were on the election, it seemed that all he could do was make the stock market tank when he tried to reassure everyone that the economy wasn't that bad. But most of all Americans from those of us who dislked him from day one, to those who was supported and even liked him, simply wanted to be rid of the man. Those who were calling him "The Shrub" even before the 2000 primaries got going, feel that eight years (or even over eight years) was way to long to have him in the public eye on a daily basis. But those who supported the man and even felt he was "the guy they'd like to have a beer with", may feel disillusioned and less than eager to be reminded of it. Indeed Molly Ivins, the woman who coined the term "The Shrub" didn't live to see the end of the Bush years

When Obama was called declared President Elect, most of us (myself included) were simply eager to wait out Lame Duck Season and hope for the best during the new administration. Most people were afraid of economic mayham, hoping for the fastest reversal of the damages, and just plain sick of the whole era.

And indeed Obama himself has largely come down in favor of focusing on the future rather than digging up the past.

However, history tells us that it might not be that easy. Although at first members of the Bush administration were laying low and keeping quiet, Cheney has become more outspoken in the past few months. Even Bush has broken his silence recently by expressing doubts about closing Gunatanamo, and is also writing a book about the most important decisions of his life.

If the Bush era isn't investigated in depth, there's a risk that people they mentor will come back into power in the future. Also many societies in the past have found that it was hard to close the door on a certain era, without full disclose.

For example in South Africa the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has made it possible solve a lot of mysteries about the fates of certain people, and bring a lot of the smaller crimes committed under Apartheid out of the closet.

By the same token has the truth of everything done during the Bush era, been revealed to the public? We know about Bagram, Guantanamo, and Abu Ghraib, but are there not other stories that perhaps the administration kept the public and media in the dark about? I'd say there's a good chance that there are.

What are they? And what might the consequences be if the truth is not brought to light?

Say Goodnight Readers!