Follow Up

[patgund]

Kudos to George W. Bush for doing the right thing here.

Bush calls Wiccan widow in Nevada

"President Bush called a Fernley military widow on Thursday and apologized for her not being invited to a private meeting earlier this week in Reno, when he met briefly with the families of fallen Nevada soldiers.

The president's phone call to Roberta Stewart came a day after White House and military officials said her exclusion from Tuesday's meeting was an oversight and not an intentional snub because of her Wiccan faith.

"I am happy that I was able to speak with him and hope that now I can truly move forward and close this chapter," Stewart told the Lahontan Valley News.

In a written statement issued by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Stewart said Bush "apologized for the exclusion and the error that was made. He said he admired me for my spirit and thanked me for accepting his apology and said that he hoped he would have the opportunity to someday meet me.

With regards to her faith, Bush told her he "would not discriminate against someone because of their religion," Stewart said."

Also:

Bush Apologizes to Wiccan Soldier's Widow for Meeting Slip-Up

Americans United Commends President Bush For Apologizing To Wiccan War Widow

I'll admit, I'm NOT convinced it was a "slip-up". I think someone, either in DoD or the White House, removed her name from that list, and I do NOT believe it was by accident.

But that being said, as much as I dislike Bush, I will commend him for making amends and calling Ms. Stewart.

Comments

[jkusters]

Yeah, he can occasionally be persuaded to do the right (PR) thing.

JOhn.

[henglaar.livejournal.com]

I'm impressed. He hasn't acknowledged most of his mistakes, let alone apologized for them, but at least once, he did. That makes him a slightly better man than I'd previously dreamed of him.