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.
Brava!
T Y!
Thank you President Bush. God bless you. You are ‘my’ president.
Mrs. Bush, may God bless you.
Words just can’t express the pride we have for you.
I knew on 9-11 that my son would go to war. Knowing that a good, decent man would be his Commander in Chief was reassuring. He is proud to have served under you, sir.
Thank you President and Mrs. Bush for all you have done for our country. I do not doubt that there is much we will never know. May God bless and keep you safe always.
Homemom, the refererence is to a letter John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1776. Perhaps Page was referencing a biblical passage. I don't know. Anyway, here's the passage from our Dubya's first Inaugural Address, January 20, 2001 (7 months and 22 days before the terrorist attacks):
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.
No passage from any presidential inauguration speech ever touched me like this particular one. I can still hear GWB's voice in my mind's ear as he spoke these lines eight years ago.
All: I have saved links to and passages from all of President Bush's key speeches. If anyone wants the links or passages, just FReemail me.
BTW, after eight turbulent years, I'm not ashamed to say I genuinely love this great man.
((((Let me clarify my reply a bit...Brava to You for starting this wonderfilled Thread.
& while I’m at it Bravo & T Y(Thank You) going out to Pres.B. & A Brava for 1st Lady Laura!!!))))
Thanks . . . it still gives me goosebumps to read that. It’s eerily premonitional (is that a word? If not I just make it up, LOL!), isn’t it??
I am sad today because for the first time I really realize that what this president does will affect my children . . . and it worries me greatly. GW wasn’t perfect, by any means, but he was willing to make the very difficult calls (many we probably don’t, and never will, know about) to keep our country safe. I don’t have that confidence now.
But on to bigger and better things . . . I heard Laura signed a book contract and did someone say GW mentioned writing a book in his speech today? I look forward to both and will splurge on purchasing them in hardback as soon as they come out. Does anyone know when that might be?
Thank you, rin, for starting this great
corner of FR.
I’ll always be grateful that Pres. Bush
was at 1600 Pennsylvania these 8 years.
He and Laura totally restored honor and
dignity to our White House.
I love him and will be eternally grateful
to him for the peaceful sleep I’ve had all
these years, trusting in his intrepid pursuit
of our safety.
He’s in my heart and prayers forever. God
help and protect us all in days to come.
Dear Wolf* include Yourself in prior Host(s)/Hostesses Thanks prior,m’kay.You are not just an All to me. HUGS
:)
I forgot to put Your name on there...The THANK YOU bears on Jonny’s final Dose, piggyback Thread, day...
Wonderfully written lead-off post.
rintense, I THANK YOU for starting this wonderful thread. It has been a source of comfort, knowledge, inspiration and friendship. I’ve been honored to ‘meet’ so many patriotic, wonderful people. It was good to know we could come here and share our support and feelings for President and Mrs. Bush. And, the terrific pictures( MANY of which I saved) and links truly helped us to ‘live’ a day in the life of President Bush.
I will be eternally grateful to you, rintense, and to all the other dedicated people who worked hard to bring the Daily Dose to the rest of us. Each and every one of you have a special place in my heart.......just like President Bush.
‘...he was surrounded by a throng of kids, with their arms all around him. It was a wonderful sight.’
I, too, LOVED that picture. Kids know when people are genuine.....and they loved our wonderful W.
Hi Wolfstar! So good to ‘see’ you! It’s a day of mixed emotions....can’t bear thinking that W is no longer President and CIC but, I’m happy that President and Mrs. Bush can now return to a calmer life surrounded by people who love them.
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.
‘...I genuinely love this great man.’
my sentiments exactly.
It was indeed. I call it prophetic.
Not to be disrespectful to you in any way, but a lot of people have been saying things like, "GW wasn't perfect, but..." Thing is, no mortal human being is perfect, yet phrasing such as that seems to imply that many people expected perfection from him. Or, if not that, then it's kind of a way of reflecting that one should be embarrassed to praise President Bush.
Our Dubya did the very best he possibly could with an impossibly complex and inordinately difficult job. He was dealt a bad hand right from the start with Gore's piggish attempts to steal the election, having his transition cut in half, then Jeffords' disgraceful jump to tilt the senate to the Dims, then the Chinese shooting down our Navy plane, then the terror attacks and virtually simultaneous anthrax attacks.
I don't believe any president other than Lincoln has had a more turbulent first year.
Me too. He deserves a long and happy retirement, hopefully filled with grandchildren he and Laura can spoil. BTW, I'll also miss seeing the Scotties. It was such a treat watching them grow up in the WH.
My comment about him not being perfect echos that sentiment. Obviously there were things even I disagreed with him about. And that’s the point- anyone expecting perfection will be absolutely devastated. I think O supporters fall into this category.
It is so hard to see this day. I was so glad to find these threads so many years ago. As my life has gotten busier, I have had less time to look and post, but have always appreciated being able to check in when I could.
Rintense, Thank you for starting this and carrying on for so long. To all the others who took so much time to dig up pictures and post this thread, thank you, too. I will miss the thread almost as much as I will miss the President.
Love you, W!
I believe you're right. There is already some grumbling from the far left.
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