GW Bush landed on US Abraham Lincoln on 10/30/2003. The banner ‘mission accomplished’ hung from the control tower. That claim proved premature and the president underwent five years of slogging through negative press, sentiment, and politics before leaving the White House in a helicopter. His successor waved from the ground and since that day the ex-president has avoided most contact with the public, almost as if he knows that someone where out there someone wants to kill him or even worse arrest him for crimes against humanity.

At a recent breakfast with former staffers Mr. Bush admitted that he was content to fade back into the shadows.

“I have no desire to see myself on television. I don’t want to be on a panel of formers instructing the currents on what to do. I’m trying to regain a sense of anonymity.”

I understand his sentiment entirely. The ex-model from Paris phoned the other day. A long-time admirer had contacted her with unrequited love in his heart. She mentioned my name and her suitor warned that I was a dangerous drug addict capable of harm both financially and physically.

“Yes.” The ex-model from Paris had defended my reputation.

“Me?” We had lived together two years on the Ile St. Louis. I never so much as stole a centime. maybe a few long-distance phone calls which were paid by her husband. He thought I was gay. I think that she did too.

“it’s not like you’re harmless.”

I never said that.” I’m no saint. So I understand GW Bush’s desire to stay in the shadows. He’s gone but not forgotten at least for now, for you never lose the taste for fame.

“Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.” – Napoleon Bonaparte