Bush's Speech at the National Cathedral

9/14/01 | George W. Bush

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks for posting Bush's words. They are perfect.

[kevkrom]

I proposed the smae thing yesterday. BTW, that is also the letter "U" in American Sign Language. "USA"? "United (in our resolve)"? "Unrelenting (in retribution)"?

[tellw]

I just listened to the 3:30pm news headlines on WTOP, the all news radio station in Washington DC. They did not cover a SINGLE WORD of Bush's address. They only quoted Billy Graham and then remarks by Tom Daschle. OUTRAGEOUS!

[Mr. Silverback]

I watched the ceremony, mgist. Bush's speech was perfect AMEN! I watched and listened with a tear in my eye. He's one fine Preseident, and might not make a preacher either!

I heard it on the radio. The folks in the advertising dept. at my paper were planning on participating in the national moment of silence at noon. I went in to the ed dept. to shut the radio off and the President was just then walking to the podium. I turned it up. We all listened intently, and agreed that it was a great speech. God Bless our President and our nation.

The only low point of the serive, other than BHC, was the preacherette who gave the benediction urging that we not avenge evil with evil. I fear she will be disappointed in days to come.

Could you elaborate on the wording? Could she perhaps have been referencing these stupid attacks on Arabs living in the States or to the calls to forget about collateral damage when we attack? If she was saying we shouldn't strike back, she should read her Bible better- God gave every nation the power of the sword with which to protect it's citizens. Not to mention that the war against terrorism passes Augustine's Just War test with flying colors. With unyielding anger and steel resolve...

[old3030]

You are right. I was thinking about this the other day. In 1990, Clayton Williams, a Republican, would have beaten Anne Richards for the Texas governorship had he not made one bonehead remark after another. Bush would not have run against Williams in 1994. Had that not happened, W. would not be President today.

Never, never, never doubt that God is in control.

God Bless America

[Lion's Cub]

I strongly suggest that anyone who didn't see this service and President Bush's speech make a special effort to catch it on CSPAN. Yes, the fakes were there. But so were the real leaders, and it was comforting to see that they aren't making decisions lightly and that they really are sincere about their responsibilities to the nation and to God.

Whether President Bush had help writing the words or not, it was clear that the speech reflected his heart.

The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" was the perfect final hymn for a nation embarking on a major war.

To sum it up, what you will see is real leadership. You may want to tape it because it will fortify you for the days ahead when the doubts, and fear, try to creep back in.

[Interloper]

Here's a link to the video in case no one's posted it.

[usconservative]

This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others; it will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing.

Thanks for this post Bommer. I didn't get to see the speech here @ work today, I sure hope it gets re-run tonight when I get home.

God bless and keep the families of those who lost their lives Tuesday, and God bless America.

[TheRightGuy]

Could you elaborate on the wording?

I wish I had taped it, but as I recall, "avenge eveil with evil" seems pretty close to a direct quuote. She (in a short benediction) did not frame it in any particular context. But it seemed to me she was speaking about military retaliation as opposed to domestic violence against Arabs is U.S. Then again, I might just be a little hypersensitive right now ;^)

[mgist]

(You are right. I was thinking about this the other day. In 1990, Clayton Williams, a Republican, would have beaten Anne Richards for the Texas governorship had he not made one bonehead remark after another. Bush would not have run against Williams in 1994. Had that not happened, W. would not be President today. Never, never, never doubt that God is in control. )

Had Elain Gonzalez not happened, Bush would not be President.

The Cuban's in Miami insisted he was a special child from God. He is in control.

[Coop]

Maybe it's just that he looks like a saint when compared to the impeached rapist...

No argument there!

[WIladyconservative]

. . . .the commitment of our fathers is now the calling of our time.
This phrase is a stroke of genius - absolutely perfect.

I listened to the speech on the radio while taking my son to the doctor's office - we were both quite choked up at the end of it.

[eureka!]

Re#79 Yep. The 'Toon will go back to big $$ for speeches at Prune Juice conventions and W will steer this country back to its roots....

[Dems_R_Losers]

You may want to tape it because it will fortify you for the days ahead when the doubts, and fear, try to creep back in.

That is a good idea. Although I was inspired and comforted by the service today, I am filled with dread of what is to come. I fear that when we look back a few years from now, this day will have been a high point before the rain of death and destruction that followed. I am praying as I have never prayed before in my life. I believe that what Pat Robertson said last night is true -- God has allowed his curtain of protection of this nation to fall this week because we have abandoned Him. We must, as a nation, return to God if we have any hope of regaining His protection and prevailing in the coming war against evil. I am hoping with all my might that this day of prayer will be the turning point.

[bray]

They just can't stop underestimating GW! PravdABC BS cannot understand a President who is not a good actor or liar?? If Bill the Clown was memorilizing it would be full of him and phoney tears rolling down on command (for the chicks). GW wears his heart on his sleave and has the looks a bit like Paul Newman yet he has the steely eyed presence of Clint Eastwood in A Fistfull of Dollars or Hang em High! Our prayers will be answered as we, walk through the shadow of death, yet fear no evil for God is with us.

Now is the time to make a choice for salvation or eternal damnation. Satan is real and has shown his face in a clear way. Our brothers and sisters in the towers made decisions to ask forgiveness with little or no time and are in heaven with our Lord. Jesus is the answer to all of our questions and worries. Thank God for the mercies he has shown our land.

Pray for GW and NY!

[GretchenEE]

I watched the entire service and was deeply moved by the reverence and maturity with which it all was handled. Bush did an excellent job, struck the perfect note. Barbara Bush did her part for the National Good by being placed at blubba's right hand hehe. She looked like she coulda handled that boy in his youth, and she was at her station to keep him in line at the memorial. God bless Bar!

Rev. Graham really nailed it when he thanked W for calling for a national day of prayer and "remembrance" (mourning), and saying, "We needed it." Amen!

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

[Azzurri]

This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others; it will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing.

My favorite part of the speech.

[white rose]

i have thanked God everyday since this tragedy that clinton and his playmates are not "leading" the nation right now. by the way, on the radio they mentioned that mr. gary condit was present at the service. did he get any airtime on television?

Oh, brother, did he ever. You have to catch a replay of it, if you can. The camera was following him in a tight close-up as he walked down the aisle to his seat, and he had that same frozen Norman Bates grin that he's had ever since the Chandra business started. The difference is--and I'd like to know if anyone else who saw him noticed this--I caught a certain gleeful twinkle in his eyes, as if he was thinking, "I'm home free, who cares about ME anymore?!" It was very weird and very creepy.

Aside from the presence of Condit and the Clinton rabble, it was a very good ceremony, I was a bit surprised by how moving I found it. And Bush was terrific, frankly, I thought he was the best speaker there. It's interesting how, as awkward as he can seem in front of cameras, he always seems to pull it off when it really matters.

[N00dleN0gg1n]

I hope the people who have ridiculed his speaking abilities are feeling pretty stupid right now.

I don't give a ^&*# how well or badly he speaks. I want to see how he fights.