Bush's Faith-based Initiative You Didn't Hear About

NEWS MAX ^

[Dbdaily]

Bush's Faith-based Initiative You Didn't Hear About

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004

Emerging post-holidays from the pile of stories virtually ignored by America’s media, comes the Bush version of Dickens.

It seems George and Laura don’t just ask others to help faith-based groups, they pitch in themselves, as kids who’d gathered for Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program found out on a Monday afternoon in Alexandria, Va., this past December.

Prison Fellowship was founded by Chuck Colson, and its Angel Tree program makes sure children of prisoners receive presents during the holidays.

The program has many volunteers, but they aren’t usually accompanied by a crowd of more than 40 reporters, as the president and first lady were when they arrived at the Shiloh Baptist Church.

Colson, a former member of the Nixon administration who spent some time in the hoosegow himself before becoming a Christian, said: "I remember from my days with President Nixon what photo opportunities are: Get the picture and leave. So I thought the Bushes would shortly depart, but they didn’t. They stayed long after the cameras were gone."

After the press popped their flashbulbs, scribbled their notes and left, Mr. and Mrs. Bush greeted each child individually, handing out the 40 presents they’d brought with them and speaking to Hispanic children in Spanish – another tidbit not mentioned in the few places the story got reported.

"This is a program in which people who love you a lot want you to have a merry Christmas," Bush told the kids. "Our attitude is ... that we change America one heart and one soul at a time; that everybody matters, everybody counts; that every child has got a hopeful and bright future; and each of us has a responsibility of loving that child with all our heart and all our soul.

"And it's important that all of us during this ... joyous time, this holiday, recognize that probably the greatest gift you can possibly give is to love a neighbor just like you'd like to be loved yourself."

Shiloh's pastor, Lee Earl, was honored by the first President Bush as one of 10,000 Points of Light.

Colson offered his own explanation as to why the 40-some members of the press virtually refused to report the event: "The president is a Christian who really cares for ‘the least of these,’ who does this not for photo ops, but because he’s genuine. That is something that his detractors in the media simply can’t handle. Conservatives caring for the poor? Never. It dashes the stereotypes."

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for posting this article that the mainstream press didn't deem worthy to report.

All --

You will not find a better example of why a lot of us have been supporting Pres Bush for years then you will with this article.

Will spend every moment I have to help insure that this Christian man is reelected President of the United States. I trust his beliefs, his instincts on what is right for America, and his ability to get the job done.

We are very fortunate in this Country to have a man with integrity, honesty, and a deep abiding faith as our President. Pres Bush and his wife, Laura, are wonderful role models for the youth of this Country. We are truly blessed to have them as our President and First Lady!

[Aeronaut]

Thanks for the ping PKM.

[ArGee]

You will not find a better example of why a lot of us have been supporting Pres Bush for years then you will with this article.

This confirms a theory I have been developing over why the President is doing some things that make principled conservatives mad. My theory is, he does these things because he believes they are the right thing to do, and he doesn't let lables or political opportunism stand in his way.

I won't claim to always agree with him, but I admire that in him. It's good to have a President who will do what he believes in his heart is the right thing to do no matter what the personal cost.

Shalom.

[Salvation]

**After the press popped their flashbulbs, scribbled their notes and left, Mr. and Mrs. Bush greeted each child individually, handing out the 40 presents they’d brought with them and speaking to Hispanic children in Spanish – another tidbit not mentioned in the few places the story got reported.**

Take that -- Kerry, Sharpton, Dean, Lieberman, Kuccinich, Edwards and Clark! And you all said he didn't have heart!

[alwaysconservative]

Thanks so much for the ping, PhiKapMom! What a great story!

[PhiKapMom]

You run, I might support you too. I also volunteer a lot.

I was talking about his not wanting photo ops (compared to the last guy) and the fact that it isn't just something he has to do, he has been doing this for years. All that is going on in the world and the President takes time to make some kids happy. I think it is a neat story and one reason I do support him is because he does what he feels in his heart is best not by putting his finger in the wind and seeing what way it is blowing.

[PhiKapMom]

I won't claim to always agree with him, but I admire that in him. It's good to have a President who will do what he believes in his heart is the right thing to do no matter what the personal cost.

Agree with your comments 100%!

[Miss Marple]

Amen, PhiKapMom! Apparently somepeople forget having those people in office who wouldn't let themselves be photographed with sick children!!!!

President Bush is a good and decent man, and while he isn't perfect, he tries his best to do the right thing. I am proud to support him and am not going to be bullied into backing down!!

[hchutch]

Agreed.

Now, if he could just reverse the ephedra ban and remove the AUC off the State Department's crap list...

[My2Cents]

Good post. It also didn't get trumpted because Bush isn't the kind of politician who grandstands for the cameras. To him, it was more important to mingle with the ministry's workers and encourage them, then to make a few cheap political points. How refreshing.

One of the reasons I'm a strong supporter of President Bush is that his faith in God is genuine. Did you see the article from the American Spectator about the involvement of the Christian community in Crawford, TX, mediating a peace effort in the Sudan? These people are all friends of W and Laura's. The article mentioned that during the major military push in Iraq, Pres. Bush frequently prayed and fasted for the success of the operation, and for the safety of our troops. Now, that is the kind of President this nation needs -- one who genuinely believes in the power of prayer and fasting! Many of us did the same thing. We are humbled to know that our President joined us in such acts of submission to God.

Spiritual faith has largely been run out of American life by the securlarists (both on the left and on the right). Yet it is faith, more than political philosophy, which forms the character of a people. Faith needs to be brought back into public life -- not religious platitudes, but real, authentic faith. Bush is doing this. And it is probably one of the four or five big reasons I support this President so strongly.

[My2Cents]

My theory is, he does these things because he believes they are the right thing to do, and he doesn't let lables or political opportunism stand in his way.

Precisely. Why did he put forward the immigration proposal that he did? I think it's because he thought it was the correct thing to do. He is motivated by concern for people, and he realizes that (contrary to what the rabid anti-immigration people imply) 99.999999% of those who are here illegally are not terrorists, are not criminals, and are here only to try to find a better life and to support their families back in Mexico (since the Mexican economy and social bigotry does not provide real opportunity for these people). Bush is trying to find a way to bring them into some kind of legal recognition, without destroying their own aspirations.

We can disagree with some of President Bush's policies, but we know he is motivated by something higher than hard, cold political ideology. He allows a human factor to enter into his considerations, and I greatly respect that.

[MeekOneGOP]

[windchime]

This is such a wonderful story and I knew I'd seen it somewhere  Finally found it. Apparently someone questioned the veracity of the little coverage it did get and 'Snopes' confirmed it.  Guess some believe this President to be too good to be true.

In 2003, President & Mrs. Bush Give Christmas Presents To Children of Inmates (No Urban Legend)

[PhiKapMom]

So people thought it was an urban legend? Unbelieveable!

Looks to me like the media doesn't want a story like this out in public because it makes the President look good and Dem candidates look bad once again. I can guarantee if the Dems had done this, it would be on the front page.

[Bigg Red]

We are very fortunate in this Country to have a man with integrity, honesty, and a deep abiding faith as our President.

&&
Amen! Amen! Thank you for the flag, my friend.

[PhiKapMom]

Am not going to be bullied either. The gloves are off because am tired of all the whiners and naysayers on here about Pres Bush.

[windchime]

Evidently someone prompted 'Snopes' to look into it. Dem origin would be my guess. We can learn more about what they're up to by listening to accusations they make against others. Guess it's part of that 'everybody does it' thinking.

An unstaged, untrumpeted, heartfelt gesture on the part of the President and First Lady is beyond their comprehension.

[blackie]

GWB Is The Man!