Posted on 01/20/2009 5:55:43 PM PST by rintense
Today, we witness the end of an era. While that cliche recalls a bit of nostalgia and even a bit of sorrowful histrionics, we nonetheless realize the impact the past eight years have had on us as Americans and as individuals.
Eight years ago we welcomed a straight-talking, steel backboned cowboy as the 43rd President of the United States. Detractors already had him labeled as the spoiled rich kid. Yet, there was something about him that reached to everyday Americans. He wasn't the typical polished politician. He didn't get caught up in the hyperbole of oration. He laughed at himself before others could laugh at him. And he even admitted to loving cheetos and peanut butter 'sammiches'.
Who knew eight years ago that an everyday kinda guy named George Walker Bush would have turned the Washington DC elite on their backs by being every bit the cowboy his home state of Texas is so well known for.
We did.
We knew his capability for greatness.
Dubya, a simple nickname for a man far more complex than given credit for, gave us a glimpse of that greatness during his first international crisis with the Chinese in the early days of his administration. We witnessed that greatness on September 11th, 2001 as Dubya united Americans for a common goal and against a radical enemy. He spoke for every single one of us as he addressed the workers at Ground Zero and said, 'I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.'
Plan spoken greatness straight from the heart of an American.
Arguably, the months following September 11th were his best. We saw his vulnerability with each tear he shed, only to be outdone by the sheer resolute conviction that 'we will not falter, we will not fail.' It was in these months, that George W. Bush cemented his place in US history as well as our hearts.
He wasn't perfect. Far from it. He made decisions that angered those on both sides of the political spectrum. But there can be no doubt whatever he decided, it wasn't done to placate the national media or to somehow get into the good graces of those who battered him with criticism on a daily basis. In fact, the famous photo of Dubya walking with a copy of 'Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News' was pretty much a one fingered Texas salute to the media. Again, he personified what so many of us were already knew.
By most accounts, George Bush the man was one that even the staunchest of detractors admitted to liking. Quite often, many marry policy and ideal to the individual and liability. But even the most ardent partisan succumbed to the man and realized there is a true and distinct difference between what you see and what you get. After all, who doesn't get a quick smile when Dubya tells Ozzie Osborn that 'mom likes your stuff.'
With every President, we hear the phrase 'history will be the judge of a President's true success.' Those of us who have been supporters of George Walker Bush for the past eight years know what it takes to be make history. And we know, years from now, the man with a spine of steel who wears his heart on his sleeve, will truly be historic.
The angel will still ride in the whirlwind... with a few layovers in Midland, Texas.
God bless you, George Walker Bush. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.
LOL! I will too. It's comforting to click on the link and see OUR President sitting behind his desk like always.
I'm so relieved that his WH site will be preserved. When I saw what "that one" had done to it I thought it was all gone.
Wonderful to learn that, snugs. Thank you. I was sure ticked off when I saw that all archives had been deleted from the gov site. grrr.
So, you just made my day.
How’s your father?
Thanks for this information and link, snugs, and for the ping to it, Jonny. There's much I want to get access to and was horrified to find that ALL GWB material had been removed from the WH.gov site.
Thanks to the link provided by Star, today I watched George and Laura's homecoming to Midland. It was wonderful that 30,000 people were on hand to welcome them. His speech was nostalgic, funny, a little sad, and thoroughly enjoyable. Most of all, I was absolutely DELIGHTED that GWB is going to write a book. (I hope he writes more than one.) Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!!!!! I have so hoped for this to happen.
Snugs, do you know if Dick Cheney plans to write a book? I sure hope so. Do you know where he and Lynn went after the left office yesterday? I'm certain all of his personal vice presidential papers and effects will be donated to the University of Wyoming, or another comparable institute in Wyoming. I'm not sure about the official material, though, because it belongs to the National Archives.
I am so glad that I am not alone in feeling comforted by seeing that picture of GWB on the site. I felt a little funny that I was so pleased to see him behind the desk. :)
You know, it would have been nice for 'that one's' people to let us know that all was not lost as far as the website went, but I know that was too much to ask. I am so mad about the dig they take at GWB re: Katrina on the site. I may write a letter to them.
I don't think most people have a clue what has transpired for our country in the last 36 hours.
This is great. I’ve saved a lot of photos in the last few days before the inauguration of the 0 and there are so many more I wanted to get
I just went to the library site and the alumni site linked to it. I feel so much better now that we have a way of participating in spreading President Bush’s legacy. I’m still heartsick about the events of the last 48 hours, but this is a bright spot at least. I felt like losing it so many times today and I had to be working with the public for 13 hours today (airline agent). One of my first customers was an idiot with an “Obama” stocking hat on.
I wrote them about the Katrina dig. It wasn’t a very nice letter, I’m afraid.
THANK YOU so very much, rintense!!
If no one starts a new thread (weekly maybe) on A Day in the Afterlife of George and Laura Bush, then I’ll just drop by this thread and see if anyone is still posting on it.
http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2009/photographing_bush/
New pics...and commentary!
(have you all see this yet?)
GodSpeed President and Mrs. Bush.
My husband and I love GWB, too.
Could you post here or FReepmail me with a link to the full text of his first Inaugural.
We were expecting all hell to break loose during his term (in fact we believed NYC, DC and maybe LA would be bombed), so I took his Inaugural address as a deja vue moment when the words would take on added meaning as history unfolded. Mostly I didn’t know whether GWB would survive, and readily joined other in prayers for his safety.
So, while others are sad he is no longer President, I am absolutely jubilant that he and Laura survived. Thanking our Heavenly Father for this wonder. The joy of having him these last 8 years as our President and the joy of having them alive in Texas now.
Remembering the fun we had together back when...
Fondly,
Patty
September 18, 2007 I had the distinct honor and pleasure of having breakfast with the President on the South Lawn, along with a couple hundred OIF/OEF Vets, troop supporters, Blue and Gold Star families..
President Bush gave a short talk and upon completion he was swarmed. He was scheduled to spend an hour and a half with his guests, but he remained on the South Lawn until every single person that wanted to speak to him had the opportunity to do so -- about 3 hours, IIRC.
Throughout all this, his military detail were having cows. They kept trying to get people into some sort of lines so they could better observe the crowd…they finally gave up. President Bush was oblivious and continued to meet and spend as much time with each of us as he saw fit. A recent young war widow, who was very composed as we were waiting our turn, ended up in the President’s arms with her head on his shoulder as they shed tears together and spoke quietly for several minutes.
I delivered a message from “my guys” at Walter Reed as he listened intently and squeezed my hand. When I finished he gave me a second hug and whispering in my ear said; “Thank you for taking care of our wounded. It means a lot to me.”
Inside the White House I spent most of my time visiting with one of his aids. He told me the President had his staff in fits as they had to reschedule the rest of his day. LOL!
The personal stories “my guys” have told me over the past 3+ years would fill up this thread and bring many of you to tears. I have told a few of them on the Dose thread over the years and I think I posted a few pics they have e-mailed me. They adore him, which is enough for me!
May God richly bless and keep President George W. Bush and his lovely family.
Thank you for the report. I’m so thrilled for you being able to be a part of his historic return home. ;*)
I'm not ashamed to say I genuinely love this great man.
My sentiments exactly.
THANK YOU!!! I agree completely and actually began keeping a list of the, "I haven't always agreed with him on everything"comments. Frequently, I ask them to name one person they have agreed with 100% of the time. So far, no one has ever provided so much as one name, albeit the one you gave, Jesus Christ. One thing is for sure, our President Bush has never compared himself to our Lord.
Thank you Dubya!
Those dogs have made one ugly site .. and I understand they’re brazenly dissing Pres. Bush in some sections.
Total lowlifes.
Thank God for these new sites, but moreso for our good
man and his unparalleled VP.
Sign up ... I’m in!
http://www.georgewbushlibrary.com/involved/subscribe
Dick Cheney’s Wyoming homecoming met with standing ovation, invitation to ‘fish and write’
By MATT JOYCE and BEN NEARY | Associated Press Writers
9:30 PM EST, January 21, 2009
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Former Vice President Dick Cheney has returned to the state that helped launch his political career more than 40 years ago.
Cheney and his wife, Lynne, received a standing ovation Wednesday at the state Capitol where he began his political career as a legislative intern. Cheney, who recently strained his back moving boxes, sat in a wheelchair and carried a cane in his lap.
Rest here
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-cheney-wyoming,0,2311580.story
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