I always assumed that the Bush Library would be here at SMU just because we're in Texas and Laura Bush went to school here. But I did not realize that it was not official until just a few days ago when President Turner made the announcement. I think it is really exciting because not only will it add on to the much accomplished campus we have already with The Meadows Museum and all, but I also believe that it will bring a lot of “good” attention to the school at a time when most of the publicity has been about the various alcohol/drug-related student deaths that have occurred in the past few years. I heard that it was to be finished by sometime in 2009. Being a first-year who will graduate in 2011, I find this very exciting because not only will we be the centennial class, but we will also have the attraction of this new library that will benefit the school as well as the city of Dallas and I’m sure Fort Worth.
I have a friend that works part-time in the admissions building and he mentioned how eventually the school plans to have the main entrance to the school be moved over to University Blvd./Street where the library will sit on the corner along with North Central. Though it will be years I’m sure until this happens, I found it very interesting because the entrance to the school right now is already so beautiful. The Bush Library will obviously out way that beauty in terms of importance though.
One last comment that I wish I could speak more about but cannot just because I lack knowledge on the subject…As I was walking by A Daily Campus newsstand today, the details of the Bush Library were located on the front page. In the bottom right corner I noticed an article discussing how a certain group of Methodists were attempting to go to court to not have the library either at that location or not at all, something along those lines. I did not have time to read the article so I would be very interested to see if any of y’all know what that is about just because I think its very odd.
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Here's the problem with the Methodists: Many bishops in the national United Methodist Church oppose the library on moral grounds, arguing that the Bush administration deceived the American public into agreeing to the war by falsely stating that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and was somehow behind the attacks of 9/11, which it was not. They also feel that the US mission in Iraq has involved excessive deaths among the Iraqi civilian population and torture of prisoners of war. So their objection is on religious grounds--that the Bush administration has not been honest and not been humane--in other words, not in harmony with Methodist principles and therefore the library should not be associated with SMU, which got its original land from the Methodist Church. I see your point about all the good things the library will bring to SMU, but I am concerned about Bush's secrecy act of 2001, wherein he has attempted to keep many of his papers sealed, even after he leaves office and even after he dies. That act is now being reviewed in Congress. If the Bush administration can pick and choose what it puts in the library, it would deprive the American people of an unbiased record of history. So I think unsealing the papers, especially the record of how the war in Iraq got started and why, will make the library credible Otherwise, it is more like a monument to Bush than a center for scholarship. What do you all think about this and about the policy institute, or think tank, that will come with the library?
Agreed, wow though agree with Bush or not, the honor of having a Presidential Library is not one many people have. This will bring scholars to our schoo, both conservative and liberals. It will be great and hopefully will put a little emphasis on our diplomas, it will surely attract many more great students, and for those arguing that SMU needs to change their image, here is our chance.
I have doubts about the library enhancing SMU's reputation. Bush has been one of the least liked presidents in American history for his mistakes and perceived stupidity. When he gives speeches, he creates new words, becomes lost often, and sometimes incoherent. Even after the 9-11 attack was reported to him he failed to take immediate action or even think to address the public. After no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, He ordered the continual "destruction" of iraq. As if to not back down in fear of losing his pride. Now with American in trillions of dollars in debt after we were only attacked once, I do not see what glamour can come from his presidency. As far as his attempt to conceal the reason we went to Iraq is the icing on the cake to why we shouldn't have the bush library. He could turn out to be a present day Nixon. Whose secret would destroy him. What would SMU be perceived as if this hypothetical information was released upon the completion of the library? A school of lies? Deception? I guess it would be okay, considering the fact that we were caught paying our players in order to win football years ago..
This is a really good post, that I think you should include in your paper. It is written well and it is a subject that will catch the attention of fellow bloggers. Because you talked about the Bush Library, which is a popular topic of conversation between both students and teachers, a lot of people will be interested in what you have to say about it. Obviously you attracted a lot of people because you have three comments on this post. This post is well written and very topical so I think you should definitely include it in your paper!
I really enjoyed this post. I am just as excited as you are about the library coming here! I think that SMU is on the rise as a great university, not that it isn't already. But I think that the library will up our national recognition. I also think that SMU is the perfect place for it.
However, I think that you could have proofread it a little bit more.
Also, is the last paragraph necessary? While it shows that you're staying informed on the issues, you don't need to add in another issue. I think that the last paragraph could be a blog of it's own.
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