Posted on 10/30/2004 6:34:03 AM PDT by Phsstpok
To those who are worried and may have lost heart. To those who are frustrated and question why Bush isn't 'tougher' or 'sharper' in his confrontations with those who oppose him. To those who have forgotten, here is George W. Bush's first inaugural address, January 20th, 2000.
Particularly note the following phrases:
We have a place, all of us, in a long story--a story we continue, but whose end we will not see. It is the story of a new world that became a friend and liberator of the old, a story of a slave-holding society that became a servant of freedom, the story of a power that went into the world to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer.
He knew why he was standing there, accepting the burden of being our President. He knows now, because it is who he is and why is there.
America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American.
And maybe now his much maligned immigration policy can be understood a little. He actually believes this principle, these ideals. And he believes that these ideals are best served by applying them to all people that embraces those ideals, however they came to be here. He's been straight with us, from day one.
America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness.
This wasn't something he said for effect. He tries to live this way. He is a committed Christian and is living his life that way, regardless of what others may do or how satisfying it may be to abandon those truths. I too am frustrated when his enemies are allowed to get away with outrageous acts, grotesque lies and incredible hypocrisy, particularly when they blame him for their bad behavior. But I must understand that what President Bush is doing is the right thing to do.
People think it's hard to do the right thing. It's not hard to do the right thing. It's hard to know what the right thing is. But, once you know what is right, it is hard not to do it.
What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character.
This call to action has never been more necessary. The call was given during a time of assumed peace, but it wasn't really a time of peace. The call was given to bring the inherent power of our people to bear on the issues of community and humanity that appeared to loom so large in all of our minds, but the call echoes more true now, when we confront a threat to the very existence of our communities, of humanity itself. After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: ``We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?'' Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity. We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another. Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life. This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.
Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge.Source: George Washington's First Inaugural Address.In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage.
These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence.
Amen!
Be my guest. :-)
Done. Thanks!
You don't know how many times over these last four years that I thought of that phrase. It gladdens my heart to see that I'm not alone in that. I was in the midst of a family crisis on that day and I remember when he spoke that phrase it stilled my heart and gave me strength.
I am so glad that you posted this. I also said to myself there are probably angels perched on every building on Pennsylvania Avenue guarding this man, and I believe they guard him still. W and Laura are more beautiful people than when they took office. He is greyer but more handsome and Laura is so beautific she almost looks like an angel herself. I was watching their bio on earlier today and thought - they are beautiful - That Angel In The Whirlwind is bearing them up.
"America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens..."GWB's Inaugral Address, 1-20-00
WHAT A GUY! God bless you, President Bush, and may the angels continue to protect you, Sir.
Thank you for posting this. I will never forget that line either.
When the man comes around -- http://pages.sbcglobal.net/bommer/When_The_Man_Comes_Around.html -- Bommer's movie also speaks to this.
Nice post, TS (#25) -- belies your name :o)
Don't know if you all have seen this thread, or seen Bommer's movie -- http://pages.sbcglobal.net/bommer/When_The_Man_Comes_Around.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1262741/posts Check out this thread.
Thank you for posting this. Every time I think things are FUBAR this quote comes to mind.
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