A day ago some news person was saying that George W. Bush is trusting to history to vindicate his presidency and compared himself to Harry Truman, whose popularity numbers were very low when he left office. This was, no doubt, because he fired General MacArthur (read on) and because he dropped the bomb that ended the war and saved countless American lives.

Truman was Franklin Roosevelt’s vice president and took over when Roosevelt died of a stroke in April 1945, one month before VE Day. Roosevelt was an Eastern liberal, wealthy (a traitor to his class), handsome, charismatic, a powerful leader whose “fireside chats” on radio inspired Americans, gave them comfort, and strength during the war years. (I interrupt myself to say I am writing this without research because I was there).

Truman was a grayish looking guy in a store-bought suit, homespun in affect, and his charisma worked in rural areas but not in the big cities. What did come through, though, as time wore on, was his integrity, and his guts. MacArthur, ever the elitist, ever full of a grandiose self image, defied him and was ordered home in disgrace.

On April 11, 1951 MacArthur was removed from command by President Harry S. Truman for publicly disagreeing with Truman's Korean War Policy. “Truman Sacks Mac” screamed headlines. Truman had fired his most popular general. He was commander in chief, and no one should forget who pulls these strings. The public outcry was not favorable. Our general!!! Our Hero!!! Sniffle, snuffle. Truman ignored all that.

So Bush, who made a mess of every private enterprise he engaged in before running for office, and a far greater mess during his presidency, has the self-aggrandizing gall to compare himself to Truman. Truman’s legacy as a great leader is now secure. History will deal with Bush as he deserves and it won’t be pretty.

xx, Teal