Wow. What are you smoking, Nick?
Europeans have been largely opposed to Bush policies. Those “sturdy” economic ties mean that Europe will suffer severe fallout from our current financial crisis. Russia has been on the move in Georgia and Iran while choking natural gas supplies to their neighbors. US-Europe relations were damaged, though not beyond repair. Bush will be remembered for rendition and torture.
Latin Americans also are largely opposed to Bush. We have attempted to continue colonialism by other means, using military aid in the “drug war” to help repressive governments put down resistance. Iran-Contra comes to mind. Your mention of an “axis” is an awful echo – in truth, the socialist revolutions in these countries are popular and likely to be enduring if they can continue to improve conditions. Bush will be remembered for funding political violence.
Asians can see that we pander to the Chinese and the Indians because we respect their economic might. Our nuclear dalliance with India only further inflames our strained relations with fragile Pakistan, which is also a nuclear power. Our codependent relationship with China is a large drain on us and on them, and a source of building tension. Bush will be remembered for collapsing the world economy.
Most of the world did not want the things Bush offered. They are glad to see him go. You can argue all day long that the “damage was limited”. The fact is that the damage was significant and widespread, and has not yet been fully revealed. The GWB legacy will take time to be sorted out, but mostly that’s because so much was kept officially secret that uncovering the truth will be an ongoing process. Sure, we can imagine ways that Bush could have done worse. If that is our standard, however, I don’t want to play.
Peace.
DS
