Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2005
Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO)
Copyright: 2005 The Springfield News-Leader
Contact:  http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/bush.htm (Bush, George)

IT'S WHAT BUSH LEARNED FROM MISTAKES THAT MATTERS THE MOST

Former Springfield resident Doug Wead has made national and international 
headlines by releasing secret tapes he made of President Bush from 1998-2000.

It's surprising a friend would tape phone conversations, but Bush's views 
and revelations are consistent with what's already known about him. The 
tapes may be scandalous but they don't provide any new insight into Bush's 
character.

One of the most interesting parts of the tapes that were released are the 
parts where Bush talks about his youth and rumors of drug use.

Bush's comments are concerned with avoiding uncomfortable questions while 
at the same time being a good role model.

At one point, Bush told Wead his youthful partying involved nothing more 
than "just, you know, wild behavior."

In another portion of the dialogue, he said, "I don't want any kid doing 
what I tried to do 30 years ago."

All people make mistakes and grow more mature as they get older. People 
shouldn't be judged on what they did in their youth. American life is full 
of second chances and people who started over.

The question for people running for public office -- and for each 
individual also -- is not whether they've made mistakes. The question is 
how have they learned from those missteps.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom