Books for Brains

            This month I read Decision Points by George W. Bush.

                   I would recommend Decision Points not only for Republicans, but also for those who doubted and disagreed with President Bush. It is a walk down memory lane, to recall the devastation that took place on September 11th 2001. It also really set the tone for how the next eight years would play out for our President and our country. Nearly half of the chapters in this book were dedicated to what is now known as the "war on terror" both in Afghanistan and Iraq. I was eager to read about President Bush's involvement with other seemingly dangerous countries. I read about the Bush Doctrine which was formed after 9/11 which included four key points: 1: Make no distinction between the terrorists and nations that harbor them. 2.  Take the fight to the enemy overseas before they can attack us at home again. 3. Confront threats before they fully materialize. 4. Advance liberty and hope as an alternative to the enemy's ideology of repression and fear. The last point is also known as the "freedom agenda." With no doubt in my mind our Country did the right thing by attempting to follow this doctrine. We helped mediate and negotiate between some of the most dangerous countries in the the world such as Iran and North Korea, and helped to deal with such conflicts as that between the Israelis and Palestinians. Overall, I would say that as an American citizen during a war, I felt and continue to feel safe on American soil.  I  know that those who fight for our country are on the offensive as they protect U.S. Citizens from overseas.

                   Other major decisions that I found very interesting to read about were ethical issues such as stem cell research and our duty to help other countries as we fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.One issue that topped the Presidents list that went unfinished was the issue of Social Security reform which is expected to be bankrupt by the year 2037, despite the Presidents efforts, reform did not take place and the issue is still pressing. The book was also able to touch on several natural disasters such as Hurricanes Ike and Katrina, both which were very costly and caused more damage then any other disaster in history. Last, but not least the final chapter in Decision Points was about the current financial crisis. My favorite fact was that by the summer of 2008 President Bush had publicly called for Government sponsored enterprise reform 17 times! Not until the 18th time did congress pass a reform bill for stronger regulator for the GSEs. (Like Fannie and Freddie)
     
                All in all, I really enjoyed George W Bush's Decision Points. From his recollection of the "day of fire" to his work in Africa to prevent the spread of AIDS and provide treatment to more then 57 million people who had benifited from PEPFAR, I believe our President did an honorable duty to the American people. He was not only a man of strength and perseverance but he is a man of faith. In every single chapter of this book he referenced passages from the bible that gave him confidence in himself and God to lead our country with dignity and honor. And like President Bush, I too believe we owe our freedom to the men and women of the military, who serve our country proud.