Posted on 12/18/2001 1:24:55 PM PST by butter pecan fan
A lot has changed since George W. Bush became president -executive orders that support a "culture of life," judicial appointees who respect the constitution, and members of the Cabinet who are unapologetic about their Christian faith.
But perhaps nothing more clearly represents the new leadership we enjoy as a country than that place Mr. Bush now calls his temporary home - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
The president is quick to point out that it is not his house but the American people's house. And, as such, he treats it and the people who work there with respect. From the Secret Service to the grounds crew, the folks who work at the White House rave about the First Family.
The president and first lady prefer to entertain family friends in the their private quarters rather than ask the stewards and waiters to negotiate difficult formal dining rooms.
Harkening back to the days of Ronald Reagan, Bush will not allow any man to attend a meeting in the Oval Office without a jacket and tie. Gone are the days of blue jeans and pizza boxes.
One of the clearest ways to show respect for someone is to respect the their time. Everyone who works with and around the president has noted his punctuality. Meetings begin and end on time. This stands in stark contrast to the previous occupant of the White House, who was notorious for keeping visitors and the media waiting.
And speaking of the former president, in his administration more than 500 staffers had access to the White House kitchen. One presidential aide said they turned it into a fast-food restaurant. These days, only 150 senior staff members have meal privileges.
Of course the Clinton years were known for worse things than that.
US News & World Report reported recently that it was common for President Clinton to have violent and sex-laden R-rated film s playing on Air Force One. Even seasoned reporters would blush at the images being played out before their eyes while trying to question the president on some issue of national importance.
A Marine who worked at Camp David publicly stated that pornography was littered all over the retreat.
In contrast, President Bush has said that even some of the new major motion-picture releases, which are routinely sent to the White House for viewing by the First Family, are too vulgar for him.
I've visited the White House twice since President Bush moved in. As anyone might be, I was awed by the history of the place. Oil portraits of past occupants reminded me that some presidents have understood the honor of living there and others have wantonly dishonored it.
My visits with President Bush at the White House were an opportunity to witness first hand how much this man respects the office to which he was elected. He arrived at our meetings promptly and took the time to greet every person in attendance.
He was warm and polite to each of us. His manner conveyed the message that he knew he was only a temporary resident and his job is to leave this august home in better shape than he found it.
In one of my meetings, I made a point of speaking to a young man who is part of the military service assigned to the White House. His job is to escort guests and to help people find their way through the large hallways. His uniform was covered with ribbons and his shoes were perfectly polished. His face was emotionless and he drew no attention to himself, but for some reason he caught my eye.
"Thank you," I said, "for the work you do. You really represent us all in your service here. It must be wonderful work."
He paused and then allowed a big smile to cross his face. "Oh, yes, Madam. It truly is."
Yes, things certainly are different in Washington.
Best comment on FR tonight. Thank You!
The Chief Steward has always been one of my favorite people. Quiet, efficient, dedicated, never getting any attention but one of the most imporant positions at the Whitehouse. It must have been such a relief for him to see the Bush family walk through that door.
Again.
He had to know what it was going to be like -- I'll bet he was EXCITED!
The decorations that Mrs. Bush chose are just gorgeous and they must be more breathtaking in person!
Isn't it nice to finallly have a president who is not a lying communist, baby killing, adulterer, murderer, red neck, trailer trash?!!
I would add to that - and an obscene knuckle dragging monster.
Leni
Me neither, mtngrl! Me neither!!
Thanks for the ping!
I had a long day today ... about 10 1/2 hours of driving ..... got home right at 9:00 tonight .... and rested up by watching Mrs. Bush on LKL ... :-)
As contradictory as it seems, I believe that Larry is friends with the Bushes ... and also very close friends with Ted Olson. How he could have the love affair he has with x42 and the witch when he knows people of such class and dignity is beyond my comprehension. I guess it's because he is such a shallow person.
Really? Who is he going to try to sell it to? Does he have Bubba Clinton's permission to do this?
Right. If you overlook the little things like creating a Office of Reich Security,calling for and getting the "Patriot Act" as a law,blocking investigations into ANY wrongdoing by the previous administration and refusing to order Janet Ashcroft to do any. You know,stuff like treason,selling official access,voting violations,graft,selling pardons,and a couple of hundred other "minor" things. Other than all this,Bubba Bush is as honorable as they come.
Jeeze,it's enough to make me wonder if any of you have ever heard the term "lowered expectations",and are happy to only have one eye poked out instead of both of them.
I suppose you'd prefer suitcase nukes going off in 3 or 4 major cities, weaponized anthrax distributed through the ventilation systems of our skyscrapers, and a few more Oklahoma City-style bombings. Or maybe just a few dozen pizza-mingled-with-body-parts incidents like the one at Sbarro's in Israel?
...blocking investigations into ANY wrongdoing by the previous administration and refusing to order Janet Ashcroft to do any. You know,stuff like treason,selling official access,voting violations,graft,selling pardons,and a couple of hundred other "minor" things.
Bush is a pragmatist, and he's interested in moving the country forward in time, not sticking us in a 1998 time warp.
You may want to revisit all of Bubba's numerous sins, but as far as I can tell, 99% of the country just wants the son of a b**** to go away, and trust God to sort him out.
You must really like him if you honestly want the next 4 years to be about Bubba.
It was very kind of you, by the way, to come here and pee on this thread.
Other than all this, (insulting name) Bush is as honorable as they come.
President Bush to you.
Most Americans wouldn't agree with your assessment that:
"Bush's principles are no different from Clinton's. The only difference is style."
"President Bush (whose attorney general just point-blank refused the liberals' demands to make illegal surveillance use of firearms registration information) is more of a threat to our liberties than Clinton could have ever been."
Are Bubba Bush's approaching police state does NOTHING to prevent this. Why can't you Bush cultists get it through your thick heads that the FBI,NSA,CIA,and other alphabet agencies ALREADY had all the authority and power they need to deal with foreign AND domestic terrorists?
Bush is a pragmatist, and he's interested in moving the country forward in time, not sticking us in a 1998 time warp.
How SPECIAL! And I suppose you think Bubba-1 was being a pragmatist and interested in moving the country forward when he lied under oath? How about when he sold/gave nuke missle secrets to the Chinese? All this stuff is just peachy-keen with you,as long as it is Bubba Bush doing the ignoring and coverups? Obviously,it is.
You may want to revisit all of Bubba's numerous sins, but as far as I can tell, 99% of the country just wants the son of a b**** to go away, and trust God to sort him out.
In other words,"There is nothing to see here folks,it's all about sex. Move on!" I'm sure James Carville and Sid Viscious are thrilled to know that Americans like you still exist. You make their success possible.
You must really like him if you honestly want the next 4 years to be about Bubba.
You and Bubba Bush are the ones who like him,or you wouldn't be tapdancing in place so fast to cover up for him.
It was very kind of you, by the way, to come here and pee on this thread.
Somebody has to try and deprogram you cultists.
President Bush to you.
Bubba Bush,and he won't be any problem after 2004 because he is going to be a one-termer,just like that old SOB he calls "daddy".
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