[snugs]

Amen to that and God Bless the Ford and the Cheney, Rumsfeld families and all who intimately knew and loved and the 38th President of the United States - Gerald Rudolf Ford.

God Bless America.

[bannie]

Snugs, I share your opinions there. Of all of our options for a next president, Cheney would be ideal...if only his health would allow it. He is, I believe, as great a gentleman as was Ford; and his wife is as wise and gracious as is Betty Ford. We've been very fortunate in this nation to have had these great men as leaders--and to have had leaders with such wonderful wives beside them.

(You Brits have had a wonderful leader in Margaret Thatcher. I think of her in the same vein as our own noble leaders.)

[La Enchiladita]

God Bless America.

I just had to tell you, snugs, I got the goose bumps when I read that from you. Thank you so much.

Your observations of our leaders are acute and profound. I so appreciate the respect you show to these incomparable public servants. I admire them for their character, fortitude and so much more. As an American, I do feel blessed, especially at a time of pomp and circumstance such as this.

And I am grateful for your unique and heartfelt friendship from across the pond.