I am Laura Bush, Hear Me Roar!

Laura Bush, where were you the past eight years?

The former first lady, who was a bit of a wallflower during the two terms her family occupied the White House, has gotten noticeably chattier in the months since her husband left office. And not just chatty -- ballsy!

On Monday, Mrs. Bush sat down with CNN and admitted she thinks President Obama is doing an impressive job. Oh, and you know the "controversial" speech he is giving schoolchildren today, the one so many conservatives are protesting? Well, she's all for it.

"I think there is a place for the president... to talk to schoolchildren and encourage" them, she told CNN while in Paris to promote global literacy at a United Nations meeting. She added that parents should use the president's personal story to "encourage their own children to stay in school and to study hard and to try to achieve the dream that they have."

Regarding the speech, she added that it's "really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States." (Hmm, we can't imagine there's a double meaning there.)

Speech aside, Mrs. Bush also heaped praise on both Obamas for adapting well during their first few months on the job. When CNN asked her to rate the new president's job performance she said, "I think he is [doing a good job]. I think he has got a lot on his plate, and he has tackled a lot to start with, and that has probably made it more difficult." She added that Michelle Obama is "doing great" and admired the way she's made the White House into a cozy home.

The former first lady also demonstrated that she's not going to take criticism of her husband lying down. When asked what she would say to critics who believe George W. Bush had a destructive influence on the world she couldn't disagree more forcefully. "I would say that that's absolutely not right. I don't think they have either the right view of him or what his responsibilities are and were as president of the United States."

True, we might not agree with everything the former first lady has to say, but it's cool to hear her speaking her mind -- finally.

Photo courtesy of Krisanna Johnson via Wikimedia.