As the federal government steadfastly rectifies the carnage wrought by Hurricane Katrina, one can’t help but recognize that George W. Bush is standing strong during a defining moment of his presidency. After a complete failure of local and state governments in the Delta region - a bureaucratic collapse that was immediately followed by FEMA falling flat on its face - Bush grabbed the bull by the horns and successfully deployed military might upon the ruins. Upon satisfying these short-term needs, he and his dedicated administration have already started the wheels in motion for cleaning up and rebuilding New Orleans and the many other cities and towns wiped off the map by the hurricane and associated floods.

For nearly any president, the Hurricane Katrina situation would be the only defining moment of his reign. This is not the case with Bush. His presidency has been filled with many defining moments and key historical accomplishments, all of which he has met with resiliency and success. That being said, it is time for folks to sit back and reflect upon just how great Bush’s presidency truly is so we can appreciate it as it happens, savoring his many victories.

The United States has, over the course of its life, been a nation possessive of enough good luck that only a handful of truly devastating moments have occurred upon our soil. Two of these – the September 11^th attack and Hurricane Katrina – have occurred under Bush’s watch. There is no man better fit to lead our nation through such trying times. As these events transpired Bush exuded an uncommon compassion and deep understanding for all Americans and the heartbreaking situations dealt them. Those affected, and those not, by these sad circumstances have accepted such tough love with the utmost respect as they realize his patriotism and compassion are not a front. He is a successful leader because he is real. Bush’s homespun Texan demeanor has made him a leader who legitimately appeals to the Common Man.

To truly succeed, though, during and after such devastation requires more than just well-wishes and hugs. Bush did take it to the next level and very well at that. He and his administration created a vast and very successful anti-terror network and tactical operation that has since stopped any acts of terror on our soil. Our citizens move about freely, taking their safety for granted, just as they did before the attacks. Bush looks to attack the hurricane aftermath with such vigor, calling for billions in relief to the area and initiating a rebuilding scheme that will ultimately make the affected area better than it ever was or would have been had this destruction not occurred.

Bush’s many defining moments have extended well beyond our borders, too. At his direction our military has dethroned two anti-West dictators including the sadistic Saddam Hussein. Bush’s guiding hand has also weakened yet another dictator in Libya. Even more important than this flexing of military muscle is Bush’s deployment of Democracy. The Bush-led US has initiated democratic elections in the troubled lands of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Palestinian territories. Millions of formerly oppressed people now have rights and the world will become a better place because of that. Once the seeds of freedom take root in those nations, democracy will undoubtedly spread to the rest of the Middle East, and in a scant few decades, this breeding ground of contention and violence will transform into a peaceful, welcome and integral part of global politics. When this all comes to fruition historians everywhere will cite Bush as the most efficient peacemaking president since the esteemed and Nobel-Prize-winning Teddy Roosevelt.

Bush has accomplished plenty and he’s not done yet. Don’t take Bush for granted. Appreciate his strength, resolve, and place in history. This nation and the entire world will miss him when his term expires because leaders like him just don’t come around too often. Make it a point to savor his presidency over the next three years as you definitely are watching History in the making. Bush has been and will continue to be one of the greatest presidents, if not one of the greatest world leaders, of all time.