As Drudge headlines: “He’s back!” Former U.S. President George W. Bush – or Bush 43 as those closest to him preferred to call him – has decided to copy Sarah Palin’s outreach model, by using FaceBook to interact with supporters and to inform them about his whereabouts. He created a fan page more than a year ago already, but used it only sparingly until today. He has now started to use it to share links, his thoughtson current events, and even videos.

Although it’s certainly interesting to read Bush’s status updates, the by far most popular item at his page is his, as he calls it, “inaugural address” video. In it, as The Hill explains, ‘Bush briefly laid out his personal and charitable work post-presidency, as well as progress in building his presidential library and namesake think tank.’

“Thanks for tuning into my inaugural address on Facebook,” Bush said. “I am pleased to report that Laura and I are happy, healthy, and home here in the great state of Texas — or, as I call it, ‘The Promised Land.’”

He continued: “Serving as president was the honor of a lifetime, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to represent the nation I love.” Having said that, “retirement isn’t so bad, either.” One can only imagine: although Bush is a political animal, it must have been difficult for him to deal with the never-ending pressure, criticism, personal attacks and even downright hatred he was exposed at for eight years.

Bush especially promoted his think tank, the George W. Bush Institute (which is part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas). This institute, it is explained on its website, “is committed to serious, independent research aimed at generating practical solutions to important public policy problems.” It will “attract world-class scholars and provide an important voice in policy discussion and development. It will draw upon the resources of Southern Methodist University, the wealth of research material catalogued in the archives, and the unique ability of a former President and First Lady to convene, spotlight and inspire. Often working with partners from non-profit private institutions, businesses and government agencies, the Institute will transform ideas into action.”

The institute will initially focus on subjects dear to Bush’s heart: education, global health, human freedom and, last but not least, economic growth. Former First Lady Laura Bush is in charge of the Institute’s Women’s Initiative, which “advances social and economic opportunities for women and children around the world.”

Even those who aren’t or weren’t big fans of Bush during his presidency – I was a critic of his spending habits myself, for instance – have to admit that he’s doing great work with his Institute. Let’s hope that he’ll be successful in his new endeavors and that he’ll reach and influence a lot of (world) citizens. The more people come into contact with a message of hope, of freedom, and of opportunities (rather than handouts), the better.

If Bush learns to use FaceBook as effectively as that other conservative titan, Sarah Palin, does, I don’t quite see how he can fail. Welcome to the Internets Mr. President, glad to have you aboard.

As an aside, although I agree with Bush’s conservative critics that he wasn’t ideological “pure” and that his embrace of a bigger government than conservatives are usually willing to accept were a bad influence on the conservative movement as a whole, and on its ability to win elections, I get a little bit tired of those who pretend that he was all bad. He wasn’t. He did a lot of good things. He tried to spread democracy; he hung in there (Iraq) when everybody else was willing to give up, and time has proved him right; he counterattacked Al Qaeda, pushing Osama Bin Laden’s organization on the defensive; he dethroned the extremist Taliban who had pillaged, oppressed and terrorized Afghanistan for years; he stood by Israel; he made the world, especially America’s (and the West’s) enemies, understand that America could not be pushed around; he provided global leadership; he had the courage to expose the United Nations for what it is (a mostly useless debating club); he did more than any other president before him to help Africa; the list goes on and on.