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.
Ironically, I found FR on election night 2000 because I was so angry about Al Gore trying to steal the election.
Don’t know how you captured so many special moments some days but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this man in action. He’s so deserving of R & R and I am glad he is safe in Texas. He kept us safe! God bless President Bush, Laura and their family.
Rintense! Get one more photo for us.... the day W and Laura see their first grandchild.
I’m so tired of the “yeah, buts” about
Pres. Bush, as if any human being
has perfection written in his DNA,
except my merciful Jesus Christ.
Just 20% of the breadth, constancy and
intensity of the extraordinary stresses
and pressures this dear man faced would
cripple or render chemically addicted 99%
of his keyboard commando and other critics.
Just listening to the daily threat briefing
for over 7 years, and analyzing, strategizing
and successfully achieving the goal of keeping
our country free from further terror attacks,
when they were absolutely expected, IS perfection
in my eyes.
The gratitude I have for him is immeasurable
and forever.
God bless Pres. Bush richly the rest of
his days. He will always have my deepest
love, respect, and honor.
That will be a lovely event for them for sure!
Thanks for the inspiration to start this thread those several years ago, and for all of the hope, joy, and reassurance it has given to us throughout the years.
There were certain regulars on the thread, but I can assure you that countless thousands knew that if on any particular day they needed a boost, they could visit the Daily Dose and get the comfort, encouragement, and resolve they needed to continue the fight.
Well done.
For those who are interested, I have quite a few DitL threads bookmarked, particularly right after 9-11.
I love your tagline Wolfstar. That is one of my favorite songs and I have quite a few renditions of it by various artists, but I think Rascal Flatts did the best job with it.
HI Rin! I just thought I’d stop by to say hi and thanks for doing this thread for all these years. What a sad day this is for me in so many ways. Gosh I can’t believe it’s been almost 8 years since this thread started!!!!! Where did all the time go?
It’s been wonderful having this man as our leader. I will very much miss him in the White House.
Thank you so much for this thread. Our President leaving hit me harder that I thought and I KNEW it would be hard.
I miss them already....I couldn’t hold back the tears when I saw their plane becoming smaller and smaller in the camera. I missed the activities in Midland. Is there anywhere I could get to see a re-run of that.
Its been a great 8 years and I loved every minute the Bush’s were in the White House.
Thanks again, rintense, maybe I can pull out of this soon!
Hey stranger!!! Wow, you were certainly here from day one!!!! Those were the days, huh...
Thanks Merlinator. I love the song, too. It has a lot of personal meaning for me, but I suppose it does for many other people. Just wonderful lyrics and a lovely melody.
I'm interested and would be very grateful if you could send me a few of the URL's.
You can find them in the links section on my profile page. Unfortunately the pictures are gone, but the comments are still there.
Thanks. It's OK that the photos are gone. I have many from that period. It's the comments I want to save.
Thank You Rintense, you are all Taste and Class.....
The day the daily dose of Dubya went to hell in a hand basket
Thank you, rintense, for starting the Dose. I’m so very meloncholy this evening. I’ll truly miss our W. A Patriot, a President who said what he meant, and stuck to it. We knew what he meant, and didn’t need any pundit to interpret his words.
May God continue to bless him and Laura, and all his family.
And to George Walker Bush: I’m a 9/11 Mom. You kept my family safe. For that alone, you are my hero President.
By virtue of my son-in-law, we are a military (Navy) family. You, President Bush, respected and loved these families, and never took their service for granted. They trusted you, because they knew you would never put them in harms way for any purpose that wasn’t in the best interest of our country.
I honor you, I respect you, and I love you, for your great service to our blessed country. Listening to your remarks this evening upon returning to Texas, I can say that you never did tire, you didn’t falter, and you didn’t fail.You did, indeed, keep us safe.
Thank you for your steadfast devotion to our country. May you, and Laura, and all your family, retire in the knowledge that you certainly did do your best to honor your oath to “preserve and protect the constitution of the United States of America, so help you God”.
I remember when you first started these threads. The media refused to do pictures of Dubya and you had to hunt all over for them. It’s been a fast 8 years rintense.
Thanks for posting this rintense. A lot of the success of this thread is because of you.
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