Now that the movie "W" has opened in theaters and George W. Bush has one foot out the door, it's time to write his legacy. I'll go first, then you try your hand at it. Are you ready? George W. Bush, conservative Republican: deficit-financed tax cuts for the wealthy, two deficit-financed wars, and the deficit-financed nationalization of the banking system after a near collapse of the economy. (Oh, and did I mention that Osama bin Ladin is still free?)

Valleé Ross is the Salutorian for the Class of 2008 at Lamar Consolidated High School.

She is the daughter of Marie Maltbie of Sugar Land. Valleé graduated with a grade point average of 110.440 and plans to attend the University of Texas in Austin.

While at Lamar she earned academic honors in Human Geography, World History, U.S. History, Economics, Biology, English and Spanish. Valleé is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors and earned the National Honor Society Shining Star Award.

Not long ago, if the local Republican Party or any of the local clubs needed some funds, they would call a few highrollers and schedule a banquet at a swanky hotel. Everyone would dress up, Jeeves would bring around the car, and then Mr. and Mrs. Republican would enjoy a night of carping and sniping at fellow Republicans while pretending to like them. In the process, they would all open their checkbooks and, like honey from the rock, the money would flow to the local Republican Party. That was then, this is now. My, how times have changed.

"The only issues they agree on are education, immigration, Iraq, abortion, Supreme Court judges, Social Security, tax breaks for the wealthy, wiretapping, trade, healthcare, the Middle East, same sex marriage and Medicare." Stephen Colbert http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/06/19/the-word-the-lexicon-artist/

We are conditioned early and often not to accuse another person of being a "liar". Culturally, it is one of the harshest insults that one can hurl. Factually, it can be difficult to prove. That is why lawyers rarely accuse witnesses of being "liars". They will show that the witness has "changed his story" or is "mistaken on the facts" or any one of a number of euphemisms for lying.

Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.

President Bush, on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, May 1, 2003

America sent you on a mission to remove a grave threat and to liberate an oppressed people, and that mission has been accomplished.

President Bush speaking to troops in Qatar, June 3, 2003

The President never said "mission accomplished."

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, May 1, 2007

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed two more toll road advocates to the state Transportation Commission. So, for those who are wondering who is going to stop the Trans-Texas Corridor and the privatization of our roadways with "public/private partnerships", the answer is NOT Rick Perry. Dozens of public hearings have allowed Texans the opportunity to speak out against this project, and it continues unabated. So, now it's up to us. Speak to your state legislators. Write to your local newspaper. Most importantly, campaign for and support candidates in the November election who believe that mobility and transportation are public assets, not private profit opportunities.