The following are editorial opinions from newspapers from around the world which may be of interest to Royal Gazette readers.

The Paducah Sun, Kentucky,

on the presidency of George W. Bush

The cloud of controversy hovered over George W. Bush's head even before his first inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2001. He thanked his opponent, Vice President Al Gore, "for a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace."

Bush was well aware that many Gore supporters were convinced the veep had won. Controversy surrounded the results of the decisive vote in Florida, which Bush carried by the thinnest of margins. ...

But that didn't change the widespread perception that Bush had "stolen" the election. And even if he didn't, it was irrefutable that Gore won the popular vote nationwide. Bush won the electoral college.

The cloud never left the president. The attacks were relentless. Even now, as Bush relinquishes the reins of power to Barack Obama, pundits are getting in a few last punches. ...

Bush inherited a faltering economy, but otherwise the country appeared to be in good shape in 2001. ...

As he leaves office, the president's approval ratings are at a dismal 34 percent, according to two new polls, one by USA Today/Gallup, the other by Fox News. ...

In his farewell address, the president admitted mistakes. "You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made," he said. "But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions."

Indeed. George Bush was a "good person" — compassionate, courageous and honourable. And that's why we believe history will be kinder to him than the polls.

The Tennessean, Nashville, Tennessee, on the presidency of George W. Bush

... In Mr. Bush's farewell speech to the nation on Jan. 15, he struck much the same tone as if it were his first inaugural address in January 2001, even though the America he addressed is nearly unrecognisable to the one that preceded the attacks of Sept. 11, or the Iraq war, or Hurricane Katrina.

But that consistency — some would say obstinacy — is the trademark of the man. There is more to it, though, than stubbornness. ...

The media, Congress and the general public were largely silent as the Bush administration put the hunt for Osama bin Laden on the back burner to pursue a needless war in Iraq, made torture a part of US practice, and put the US in extreme financial debt to China. We even went so far as to re-elect Mr. Bush in 2004. Only after a litany of executive blunders and malfeasance did we begin to press for answers.

Consider this, as you look ahead with great optimism to the Obama years. We did not know just how far the Bush administration would go but we harboured illusions that no one could handle things this badly. Now, the country is in very dire straits, indeed, because we didn't challenge our leaders enough. ...

Let that be the legacy of President George W. Bush: a warning to present and future generations that what we have in America must never be taken for granted.