The Importance of Shaming

I have heard/read from more than a couple of pundits that the boos directed at Bush and Cheney at the inauguration yesterday were in poor taste. I couldn't disagree more. Though some (most of them former employees of the Bush admin) will deny it, the Bush years have been a disaster. Many of the problems that the new Obama administration face are ones that were either made much worse by Bush or were created by him and his administrations decisions. There seems to be common agreement that the TARP bailout was a failure, Iraq certainly was, the DOJ has been gutted, our standing in the world has been greatly diminished, environmental regulations no longer favor the environment and, well you probably get the point.

The problem is that there are no consequences for Bush. He will probably go on the speaking circut and make a ton of money. He might sit on a couple of boards and do nothing. He will no longer have to pretend to be a rancher and clear brush, but he will never be punished or suffer a moment of discomfort for the disaster that his presidency was. He just gets to ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after. It shouldn't be that way. People should have booed yesterday. Hell, I think they should have handed out rotten fruit for throwing.

As usual, Ezra says it better.

But he can be shamed.

And he should be. Forever. The self-delusion of his administration is startling. Last week, Chris Beam crashed the celebratory barbecue of the outgoing Bushies. It was hugs and kisses and high-fives all around. It was like watching Lehman's executives reminisce about the good times. Josh Bolten took the stage and emotionally toasted his colleagues. "If ever there was a group to leave government with their heads held high, this is it," he said. Yech. They can tell each other what they want. But they should have to hear from the country they harmed. Bush's awful, unpleasant, disrespectful post-presidency should serve as a warning to executives who would follow his path. Shaming him is not just appropriate. It's important.