Let Bush Build His Library
I didn't vote for President Bush; I don't care for most of his policies; and I have little confidence in his leadership. But I can't support the effort by some of my fellow United Methodists to keep Southern Methodist University from hosting the George W. Bush Presidential Library.
The Bushes are United Methodists and Laura is an SMU grad. I understand that the Bush administration has not always acted in accordance with the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, but I'm not about to say that the President isn't a "real United Methodist" or that a church-affiliated university should shun him. Bush will be responsible for raising money to build the library, and the Office of Presidential Libraries of the National Archives and Records Administration will be reponsible for maintaining the facility. SMU's investment in the project will be relatively small, considering that the university will have easy access to the embattled president's papers and will have the honor of being the only religiously affiliated school to host a presidential library. Three state universities are home to presidential libraries (University of Texas—Johnson; University of Michigan—Ford; Texas A&M—Bush I). Since the Presidential Libraries Act passed in 1955, building a library has become a perk of being elected to the nation's top office.
The Bushes are United Methodists and Laura is an SMU grad. I understand that the Bush administration has not always acted in accordance with the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, but I'm not about to say that the President isn't a "real United Methodist" or that a church-affiliated university should shun him. Bush will be responsible for raising money to build the library, and the Office of Presidential Libraries of the National Archives and Records Administration will be reponsible for maintaining the facility. SMU's investment in the project will be relatively small, considering that the university will have easy access to the embattled president's papers and will have the honor of being the only religiously affiliated school to host a presidential library. Three state universities are home to presidential libraries (University of Texas—Johnson; University of Michigan—Ford; Texas A&M—Bush I). Since the Presidential Libraries Act passed in 1955, building a library has become a perk of being elected to the nation's top office.
posted by Tinley | 9:36 AM
2 Comments:
I agree. I understand the reluctance of some to be seen as condoning Bush's policies. But presidential libraries transcend politics and this would be great honor for SMU.
As a alumni and supporter of the library, I'm actually happy that various people spoke out in opposition. The school has a reputation for being generally apathetic, in addition to being extremely conservative (in terms of politics, not necessarily religion). The reality is though that SMU (and more specifically, Dallas) would never let this opportunity slip away. In the meantime, it is good to see that people care enough about the school make their opinions known on a national level.
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