When the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum opens to the public on May 1st, you, visitor, will be able to step into Dubya’s shoes—or, rather, his cowboy boots—and become your very own “Decider-in-Chief.” The new building will include the “Decisions Points Theater”—which has the same name as Bush’s 2010 memoir—where visitors can participate in an interactive exhibit called “If You Were 43.”
According to the New York Times, “As many as 24 visitors at a time are presented with one of four situations — the invasion of Iraq, the troop buildup in 2007, Hurricane Katrina or the financial crisis. Visitors have four minutes to pull up videos of actors playing White House aides, generals, lawmakers and others giving advice, then they pick one of three options.”
Then, it’s up to you, local 4th-grade class on a field trip, what should we do? Do we invade Iraq? Does New Orleans need more federal help? How do we stop this economic free-fall? And remember, as in all crises, you only have four minutes to make up your mind and must answer “A,” “B,” or “C.”
How did you do? Glad you asked. Please direct your attention to the digital display where Andy Card, John Bolton and the man himself will help you sift through all of these complicated politics. Suddenly, the decision to invade Iraq kind of seems to make sense, doesn’t it?
No? It still seems like an absolute disaster?
OK, well, please go entertain yourself at the gift shop.