we're officially through the looking glass at this point ![[roll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/roll.r191677.gif "roll [roll]")
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/george-w-bush-bigotry-seems-emboldened-in-us/ar-AAtJIE9
George W. Bush: 'Bigotry seems emboldened' in U.S.
The Hill
Rebecca Savransky4 hrs ago
Former President George W. Bush said Thursday that "bigotry seems emboldened" in the modern U.S. He also warned that America needs to accept "globalization" and reject "white supremacy."
He criticized the "governing class" without specifically mentioning President Trump, Congress or any other current politicians.
"Discontent deepened and sharpened partisan conflicts" in recent years, Bush observed during a speech for the George W. Bush Institute. "Bigotry seems emboldened. Our politics seem more vulnerable to conspiracy theories and outright fabrication."
Bush also said that public confidence in the country's institutions has declined in recent decades, and warned against "a new era of cyber threats" including Russia's attempt to influence the 2016 presidential election.
"Ultimately this assault won't succeed, but foreign aggressions including cyber attacks, disinformation, and financial influence should never be downplayed or tolerated," he said.
There are signs, Bush said, that the intensity of support for democracy itself has "waned."
"Especially among the young, who never experienced the galvanizing moral clarity of the Cold War or never focused on the ruin of entire nations by socialist central planning," he continued.
"Some have called this Democratic de-consolidation. Merely, it seems to be a combination of weariness, frayed tempers and forgetfulness," he said.
"Our governing class has often been paralyzed in the face of obvious and pressing needs. The American dream of upward mobility seems out of reach for some who feel left behind in a changing economy," he continued.
During his speech, Bush also warned that democracies face "new and serious threats" today.
Economic, political and national security challenges "proliferate," he said.
"And they're made worse by the tendency to turn inward," he said. "The health of the Democratic spirit itself is at issue and the renewal of that spirit is the urgent task at hand."
"We cannot wish globalization away," he continued later, urging society to "adapt" to economic and social and change.
He also specifically rejected "bigotry" and "white supremacy" as unacceptable.
"Bigotry or white supremacy in any form is blasphemy against the American creed," Bush said.
Trump earlier this year faced backlash after comments he made in the wake of the violent clashes in Charlottesville, Va. Last month, Trump signed a resolution condemning white supremacists.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/george-w-bush-bigotry-seems-emboldened-in-us/ar-AAtJIE9
George W. Bush: 'Bigotry seems emboldened' in U.S.
The Hill
Rebecca Savransky4 hrs ago
Former President George W. Bush said Thursday that "bigotry seems emboldened" in the modern U.S. He also warned that America needs to accept "globalization" and reject "white supremacy."
He criticized the "governing class" without specifically mentioning President Trump, Congress or any other current politicians.
"Discontent deepened and sharpened partisan conflicts" in recent years, Bush observed during a speech for the George W. Bush Institute. "Bigotry seems emboldened. Our politics seem more vulnerable to conspiracy theories and outright fabrication."
Bush also said that public confidence in the country's institutions has declined in recent decades, and warned against "a new era of cyber threats" including Russia's attempt to influence the 2016 presidential election.
"Ultimately this assault won't succeed, but foreign aggressions including cyber attacks, disinformation, and financial influence should never be downplayed or tolerated," he said.
There are signs, Bush said, that the intensity of support for democracy itself has "waned."
"Especially among the young, who never experienced the galvanizing moral clarity of the Cold War or never focused on the ruin of entire nations by socialist central planning," he continued.
"Some have called this Democratic de-consolidation. Merely, it seems to be a combination of weariness, frayed tempers and forgetfulness," he said.
"Our governing class has often been paralyzed in the face of obvious and pressing needs. The American dream of upward mobility seems out of reach for some who feel left behind in a changing economy," he continued.
During his speech, Bush also warned that democracies face "new and serious threats" today.
Economic, political and national security challenges "proliferate," he said.
"And they're made worse by the tendency to turn inward," he said. "The health of the Democratic spirit itself is at issue and the renewal of that spirit is the urgent task at hand."
"We cannot wish globalization away," he continued later, urging society to "adapt" to economic and social and change.
He also specifically rejected "bigotry" and "white supremacy" as unacceptable.
"Bigotry or white supremacy in any form is blasphemy against the American creed," Bush said.
Trump earlier this year faced backlash after comments he made in the wake of the violent clashes in Charlottesville, Va. Last month, Trump signed a resolution condemning white supremacists.
