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.
The burden of proof is on you concerning these statements, if you want anybody to believe them, since they are obviously ridiculous.
Here, I'll make it easier by enumerating your ridiculous assertions:
1) President Bush is building a police state (presumably one which will substantially dismantle the ordinary freedoms that are an essential part of America).
2) The additional authorities recently granted to the Justice Department in order to deal with the terrorist threat have no bearing whatsoever, and no usefulness whatsoever, in preventing terrorist attacks in our country.
2) I (butter pecan fan) am a "Bush cultist."
3) The FBI,NSA,CIA,and other alphabet agencies ALREADY had all the authority and power they need to deal with both foreign AND domestic terrorists. Put another way, there was no way in which they were legally restricted from dealing with terrorists in such a way as to keep them from effectively preventing terrorist attacks. (A logical conclusion here of this assertion is that there will be no more major terrorist attacks in America.)
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'll hear no words of kindness from me concerning Clintoon. But if you think the resources and attention of the federal government are better spent in yet another (most likely fruitless) effort to put Bubba in jail than putting al-Qaeda in jail and actually spending time and resources FIXING the damage Clintoon caused in virtually every arena of American society, well, you can stay in 1998 if you want, but personally I'd rather be in 2002 kicking al Qaeda's a$$ and repairing America.
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.
There's plenty to see, but a wise man knows what battles are worth fighting.
[Concerning your coming here and peeing on this thread]: Somebody has to try and deprogram you cultists.
So it appears you would admit that your sole purpose here is to lobby against and insult the President of the United States.
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".
Just so long as we're clear that you hate all Republicans.
Thank God!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.