A day in the life of President Bush (photos): 4/4/02

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov

[rintense]

Today, President Bush issued his strongest statement to date regarding the crisis in the Middle East. In a speech that won praise from both Israeli and Palestinian officials, Bush also announced that Secretary of State Colin Powell will be headed to the region next week. Later in the day, Bush urged the Senate to Pass Trade Promotion Authority. The President and First Lady Laura departed this afternoon for a weekend visit to their ranch in Crawford, Texas, where they will be hosting Prime Minister Tony Blair. Enjoy your daily dose of Dubya!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Glad to read your report on Mason - Prayers continuing!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Prime Minister Blair is getting pressure not just from his ultra-liberal anti-American cohorts in Britain - but also from their anti-American cousins in this country - such as Couric Begs Blair to Blast Bush

Wonderful thread - as usual. And, yes, we need to pray earnestly for our President - AND for Prime Minister Blair - to remain steadfast and strong - his help HAS meant so much to our President and to our war to locate and bring justice to the terrorists. Thank you, Great Britain, for standing with America! (with your excellent troops, especially, but in other ways as well).

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Just wanted all to be sure you saw this post by JohnHuang2 of the NY Post article (and JH2's commentary):

Israel Hails Bush Speech

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Oops - sorry - Kattracks did the post....but John Huang 2's commentary is in post #3 to it. Enjoy.

[Republic]

God Bless this fine little man. What an ordeal and what a blessing the brother's marrow is a perfect match. I will be praying, patriciaruth. God Bless the entire family. Isn't it absolutely wonderful what modern medicine can accomplish and isn't it absolutely FABULOUS that God is always right there to oversee things with such love? We are all so blessed.

[rintense]

I have watched there become a cabal of sorts that has grown up, on FR and elsewhere. A "cult of personality" devoted to a mere man. I will not attempt to hypothesize why this has happened, apart from the suspicion that some, lacking a foundation for their own identity, attempt to make the fame of another their identity entire. And if the identity of that host is weak of character or lacking in sound judgment, then there is little to stop that person from gaining power over those dependent upon him. Or her.

So what are you saying?

First of all, let me say if you have a problem with a specific individual, address them by name rather than to play the pronoun game and hide behind the collective 'some', 'they', 'all' game.

Now, if you don't like this thread or the 'cult' that you say is so insidious, then why do you continue to haunt these threads? To make us see the light? To make us think more like you? It won't work because the people who post faithfully on this thread have a mind of their own. And if you have paid any attention whatsoever to the regulars here, the majority have made their opinions known all over FR. Some have even disagreed with the President.

Instead, you choose to jump into a thread that you not only espouse to loathe, but make a beleaguered attempt at hiding behind hit and run 'latin' phrases as well as deceptively disguised but somewhat thin intellect. You have chosen to subject yourself to this so-called 'cult'. So maybe, quite possibly, if various threads, personalities, etc. on Free Republic have become something you so dislike, perhaps you have only yourself to blame.

[rintense]

I'm going to echo what GretchenEE has said. I also have admired your posts, but I simply can not understand why you see this thread as 'idolatry'. Many have disagreed with the President and made their concerns well known. But I have yet to see anyone on this thread bow down and worship the President in such a way that you claim. Their is only One entity to worship, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ (and his Father). To say that we worship the President in the same way lessens the Faith that many of us have in the Lord. And I know you certainly don't think that.

[Republic]

I love this thread.

I love the understanding we all have of the deep love our President has for our Father in heaven and the weight he carrys on his shoulders. I love that so many of us feel moved to pray for this good man and our nation. I don't remember ever knowing of so many who pray so frequently and with such fervor for the safety and wisdom and discernment of a national leader.

I felt a heavy push to pray for our President yesterday, and I still feel it strongly upon my conscience today. I believe our President needs us right now. So here I am on a thread I love, asking ya all to pray extra mightily for a man who not only seeks to bring peace to the world and rid it of terrorism, but who must stand up to critics who have, when all is said and done, bread and butter to earn and the easy task of criticizing without needed to offer up solutions. Big difference.

And as for the comments about President Bush's speech yesterday-I agree. I was astounded at the gravitas and power found within his words. This is a man who speaks from his heart and it resounds thunderously across the world. Because he is not afraid to say what needs to be said, and in a clear and direct manner which requires NO PARSING AFTERWARDS (Thank you Father for the courage of this man) and NO POLL TAKING BEFOREHAND, all of us are able to understand just where our President stands and make personal decisions accordingly regarding his stance. I like that clarity. And I know that clarity involves risk and gets the critics flailing, big time. I like this plain speak in a President. Direct speech is the mark of an intelligent man. It is never about fancy words and ambiguous waffling, it always about strength, honor, conviction and courage. I really like those traits in a President. Big time. :^)

Rintense-this thread connects me to my President. I will never forget these days (and I hope there will be thousands more of them....as in seven more years..hehe) and the wondrous opportunity it provides for us to keep updated on our President and his activities. I just cannot thank you enough.

Gretch-your response to Darth was a fine example of diplomacy in action. Kudos.

[Quilla]

Although I don't post to your threads often, I check them daily and am in awe of the volume of pictures you manage to find. Occasionally, a characteristic of President Bush will remind me of my father, another honorable man, who passed away five years ago. This memory only adds to the pleasure I garner from your efforts and I can't thank you enough.

During the campaign finance brouhaha, I read posts that alluded to a 'Bush love-fest thread' (the posters of course said they'd never vote for Bush again) and I suspected they were referring to the 'Day in the life' threads. After eight very long years of the Clinton regime, I am proud to join you in your tribute to the man who has brought honor, dignity, pride, and patriotism back to America. Again, thank you.

[jgdiamond]

Prime Minister Blair is getting pressure not just from his ultra-liberal anti-American cohorts in Britain - but also from their anti-American cousins in this country - such as Couric Begs Blair to Blast Bush

I can not stand Katie Couric. And now I dislike her even more (didn't think that was possible). For the life of me I don't know why she is America's darling. I hear her show is losing viewers to GMA, and both shows are losing viewers to Fox and Friends.

[ohioWfan]

Darth, I do not have a history of knowing, as Gretchen does, that you normally make thoughtful comments, and had no idea why you did nothing more than post a single Latin phrase, except that it was obviously meant to criticize us for our admiration of the President.

I don't know how often you come here, but if you knew most of us as individuals, you would know that we are fiercely independent thinkers, most of whom are dedicated Christians who worship a Holy and Almighty God, and are overwhelmingly thankful that in His Sovereignty, he placed George W. Bush in authority over us.

While I understand the danger of idolatry as a believer, it is my responsibility before God to be in prayer that my intense admiration not turn into idolatry (and believe me, I am). And I do not appreciate (that's putting it mildly) some complete stranger, who knows nothing about me, or my walk with the Lord, accusing me of idolatry, cult worship, kool-aid drinking, or the other things I have been accused of (some obscene).

For one thing, I assume you are male. And I would guess you have interpreted harmless comments about the President's appearance as being more significant than they are. We have a whole lot of fun on this thread. We admire the President. We like the way he looks, the way his wife looks, the way they love each other, the President's quick wit, the way he acts around kids and animals...... but there is a significant difference between us and a 'cult of personality.'

Because we are thinking, principled people here, the appreciation of those things is a by-product of our respect for the man, and what he stands for. We may disagree with him. We may not understand what he is doing, but we respect him, and that respect will not go away unless he does something to cause it to happen.

There is not one person here who does not understand that he is just a man. That, sir, is why many of us pray for him daily. But he is a man being used by God to do great things because he, himself is yielded to God, and as long as that is true, and, as I said earlier, the GLORY is given to GOD, you needn't worry about him......or us.

[ohioWfan]

Amen! Prayers today will intensify. God is at work here, with a huge crisis in the Middle East while a servant of Jesus Christ is in the White House. But because of that, Satan is surely working overtime.

OUR PRESIDENT NEEDS OUR PRAYERS!!!!! Let us be on bended knee in support of him!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

"I hear her show is losing viewers to GMA, and both shows are losing viewers to Fox and Friends."

Yes it is. She really is pathetic, isn't she?

Hatred just spews from her mouth. She needs a "soul check". (I think people have sympathized with her because of the loss of her husband). But long before that she was anti-American.

I have no doubt that Hillary Clinton's apparatchnik's consult with Katie daily on what she can do for them each day. It is quite obvious.

[Soaring Feather]

The key word here is Respect. Respect for President Bush, for the Oval Office. President Bush has restored these precious values. This is not a cult, but support and admiration for a human chosen to lead it's citizens in a free republic. Sure some will argue and disagree, it's my humble opinion, that's all.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

AMEN, ohioWfan.

I am a friend - I hope - to Darth and Gretchen. But, hope you both will please read ohioWfan's comments and understand every word of them. I totally agree with what she said. While I also understand there is always a danger in admiring an individual too much and that holding anyone up on a pedestal is not a healthy thing to do.

But, as ohioWfan has said - well she said everything exactly correctly. (Thanks, Ohiowfan).

By the way - listening to Dr. David Jeremiah today on my way to work - he is beginning a series on the book of Proverbs - and his whole lesson today was about having INTEGRITY in our leaders, and he quoted several Proverbs that make clear how important that quality is in our leaders. He talked about how moral conduct and honesty are vital to "rulers" - and quoted Thomas Jefferson who said the same thing - about government's most important quality being honesty.

I didn't get to hear the entire lesson - but thought about the Day in the Life Thread and also about Darth and Gretchen's comments (which I had read before leaving for work).

But this sent me to Proverbs - and here are a few gems from there about leaders / Presidents (Kings back then).

A few gems - from Proverbs 20: "Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure."

"When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes."

From Proverbs 21: "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord ; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."

From Proverbs 28: "When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; [THIS IS US, GRETCHEN AND DARTH] but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding. [AND WE WILL IF HITLERY CLINTON EVER COMES TO POWER]

From Proverbs 29: "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

"By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down."

There are many many more.

Put me down and the Day in the Life threads down as part of our "REJOICING"!

[Marysecretary]

Doesn't "Colon" ever smile????

[Marysecretary]

We need to pray that he heeds Godly wisdom, not man's. I'm not sure of some of his advisors' advice! God bless President Bush and God Bless America!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello - Republic - wonderful post #148. Thank you. My sentiments and thoughts exactly. Have had a heavy burden to pray for President Bush and our country for the past week or so. Since Israel moved into the terrorist territories (Arafat's headquarters) that burden decreased significantly. But, yes, the burden it still there. We must pray for President Bush - AND FOR HIS ADVISORS - and others in his administration - and for our troops - and for their leaders - and for our country's security forces - and for (even) the leaders in Congress. But, especially, for the President (and for his family).

[ohioWfan]

"Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure."

WOW, what a great Proverb, FWI, as are the rest you quoted.

You are exactly right. What is going on here is elation and rejoicing because of righteousness after 8 years of evil........and I am constantly amazed that my feeling of absolute euphoria last January has not faded. God is FAITHFUL!

And thank you so much for your kind words.

[Wphile]

Great replies, all, to Darth's comments. I had just completed my response and my computer cut out on me and I lost it all. I shall try to reiterate, albeit in condensed form.

The Dose for me, is a number of things. First it is a place in which I can actually find out what the President's day has been. I don't watch much TV during the day, or at night for that matter, and I often don't know his schedule. I read a great deal on FR and frankly, sometimes, it is so negative that one would think that Bush's presidency is flailing and that he is weak. The Dose provides a perfect antidote for both the lack of knowledge of his day and the negative aura which permeates FR (and the mainstream press as well).

As a political junkie, I indeed take great pleasure in being able to view my President through a lens of respect rather than disgust. I take great pride and pleasure knowing I can watch the TV and not hit the mute button when the president comes on or worse, actually leave the room. Furthermore, I am grateful that my sons (ages 12 and 10) can watch the TV and see a man worthy of admiration and respect. A man who respects his country and in particular, the office he holds. And for this, I do, indeed, REJOICE!

It is indeed true that we all pray for this President. We pray so that God provides him with wisdom, clarity of thought, patience, moral rectitude and resolve. We further pray for his safety and that of his family. His enemies are many and they are dangerous so we pray that God provides a shield to protect him. His burdens are immense and our prayers are meant as a means of support to carry him through these dangerous times. And he feels this as he has said so on many occasions.

Finally, this is a place to have FUN. The president is a very good-looking man and well, we would hardly be women, if we didn't NOTICE THAT! You know the saying - girls just want to have fun!

So, long live THE DOSE!