Thank you for this post. My view is this: I live just outside the beltway. In the year 2001, wrapping up 30 years in the Army, and 8 f'n years of Clinton's cadre, I felt the fresh wind blow, and saw the grownups take charge. Lost folks on 9/11 at the Pentagon. Saw the greatest President one could hope to see in a lifetime. Then saw the relentless drumbeat of folks tearing him down, undermining us, before, during and after our War effort. Every day. Now Murtha (a friend to my OPs for >20 years). Now your hunting buddy. Hell with it all, I say. I've retired, God Save my Grandkids. But the grownups are still in charge.
Like yourself, I lost a good friend on 9/11. He burned to death in the basement of the Pentagon.
I agree with your assessment that "Then saw the relentless drumbeat of folks tearing him down, undermining us, before, during and after our War effort. " It has been unlike anything i have seen, even during the reign of His Slickness.
Bush has been ignoring his base, however. Rove has not served him well in that regard. W oughta pay attention to the old line "you gotta dance with the one that brung you."