Bush legacy tour kicks into gear

George Bush kicked his post-Presidential career of pretending not to know what happened to the country over the past eight years into full swing today with his final press conference. Of note was the fact that he actually gave a press conference. No shoes were thrown. Those of you who are too young to remember might have heard stories of a time when our elected betters would stand in front of a podium made out of the bones of their defeated enemies to subdue the screeching attacks of the pampered ink stained elite. These ceremonies have fallen into disfavor over the past eight years as our chief ape was not able to deflect the insightful howling of the writing baboons in a competent manner. Thus the ritual was left to become legend. But it's back and George is still trying to flog what his brain perceives as minor snafus.

In a nostalgic farewell news conference, Bush recalled the start of his own presidency, called Obama "a smart, engaging person" and said he wishes his successor all the best.

As for his own presidency, Bush defended his decisions on the Iraq war, the issue that will define his presidency like no other. There have been over 4,000 U.S. deaths since the invasion and toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

He said that "not finding weapons of mass destruction was a significant disappointment." The accusation that Saddam had and was pursuing weapons of mass destruction was Bush's main initial justification for going to war.

Bush admitted another miscalculation: Eager to report quick progress after U.S. troops ousted Saddam Hussein, Bush five years ago made a victory speech in front of a "Mission Accomplished" banner, a sign that turned out to be wildly optimistic.

Ah yes, that damn banner. It all would have gone right if not for that damn banner. And the no WMD's. And starting that war. But other then that: aces. Bush then took time to pontificate on Katrina, actually trying to use criticism of the speed of the Federal response as an attack on the integrity and decency of helicopter pilots who were pulling people off of rooftops. Classic Bush, we're going to miss that unmitigated gall and the implication that any criticism of you is criticism of some other group of honorable citizens. Bush also took time out of his busy schedule to demand the rest of the $350 billion in bank bailout cash. Apparently Paulson really is jonesing to hand out billions again and if he doesn't get his fix he might do something crazy. I' m sure Congress will get right on it.

Bush then more or less indirectly pointed out that everything he did will have to be fixed and addressed by future Presidents, lest they suck us down into some swirling maelstrom of destruction. That's a fitting coda, it will take possibly the next two or three Presidents to undo Bush II. I guess that's a legacy...of a sort.