The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is a very different experience than LBJ’s. As turbulent as the times may have been for those of us who lived through George W’s presidency, it was nothing compared to all that was happening at home and around the world in the 60’s. The main focus in George W.’s Library is remembering 9/11 and all that came after it, and understanding his guiding principles. Unlike in LBJ’s Library, visitors to George W.’s can enter the replica of the Oval Office, and sit at his desk.
They also have a cool hands-on area called the Decision Points Theater. Visitors sit at personal kiosks and vote on one of several presidential decision-making scenarios George W. actually faced. Majority rules. The scenario is explained and you have the opportunity to receive briefings from the Secretary of Defense, the military, etc. to help you decide what course of action you think the President should take. You have less than five minutes to make a decision, and you keep getting interrupted with breaking news. It’s a great demonstration of what it’s like to be in that kind of pressure cooker situation with no crystal ball to tell you which decision is the correct one.
Throughout the library there are original letters the President received on any number of topics. The most touching for Pam were those addressing US engagement in Iraq. There were letters in support of and opposition to our involvement, including letters from service members themselves and Gold Star parents. It’s pretty cool to know that ordinary citizens like you and me can write to the person who holdest what many view as the most powerful office in the world and he/she may actually read our letter!
Another really poignant letter to President Bush came from his daughter, Jenna. We’ve included it here for our more sentimental friends.
And for those of you who may be wondering what ol’ George is up to these days, the last picture shares information about the Institute he has created. He lives just down the road from the Library and Museum and we’re told he’s very involved with the Institute.
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