You're damned right I miss him

Surely there were times he infuriated me and yes, I questioned during those times who he really was... but given who's been sitting in the Oval Office since he departed, and given stories like this one, yes, I miss him... and if you don't, then it would be dishonest of me to not question the state of your soul:

Former President George W. Bush has kept a relatively low profile in the United States since leaving office.  But in Africa this week he is publicly promoting his institute's initiative to prevent and treat cervical cancer. While Bush is following a familiar post-presidential path in supporting humanitarian causes, he would prefer to focus on quiet service, to lead through example and hard work. 

He worked alongside other volunteers in Kabwe - Zambia's second-largest city - to renovate a health clinic which specializes in the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

“You're always the former president but I wanted to come here as a laborer...I do want to say that on this particular trip that myself and friends have left behind a clinic and hope to inspire others to come and refurbish clinics as well,” Bush said.

Bush is helping lead the fight against cervical cancer in his post-presidential years and has so far helped raise more than $85 million.  But he is a reluctant public spokesman for the cause and says he would prefer to contribute outside the media spotlight.

“I hope you don't see much of it because I don't want to be in the news.  In other words, I believe that quiet service is the best kind of service,” he said.

In Zambia, Bush and his wife Laura also visited an orphanage where many of the children were born with HIV.  The children are alive today because of President Bush's 2003 AIDS initiative in Africa that provided billions of dollars for retroviral drugs and treatment.  It is an emotional tour full of hugs and picture taking.

“I believe freedom is important for peace and I believe one aspect of freedom is people to be free from disease.  And so Laura and I are very much involved in this initiative,” Bush said.

Class act.

And it makes me wonder what it is that will occupy Obama's time once he leaves.

Let's hope we all find out about this time next year.

Comments

[RandomThoughts]

I would bet every dime I own that the current POTUS will never be doing hands-on humanitarian work like this. I would pay every dime I own if it would ensure that the current POTUS has the opportunity to prove me wrong in January of 2013.

Either way, there's no way Obama will ever make this statement:

“I hope you don't see much of it because I don't want to be in the news. In other words, I believe that quiet service is the best kind of service,” [Bush] said.

The evidence of a man's character is found in what he does when nobody's looking.