[ohioWfan]

Thank you. I believe that he will return safely.

One small point, though........if it were a 'performance' by the President I would not have been comforted by it. The last 'president' performed. This one speaks from his heart.

[faithincowboys]

Don't misunderstand--my contempt for Clinton dramatics is deeper than you can imagine.

Performance connotes guile, but I think it doesn't always have to be the case. Performance that is genuine is the most effective.

I think Dubya gets an A for authenticy (which is essential) but he is not doing so hot in emotion. Limbaugh often talks about the arousal gap, I think in this case, an emotional and stirring speech would have been wonderful!

In times such as these, it is a leader's job to rally a nation. Young men, like your son, are in harm's way and might have to make the ultimate sacrifice. It is important that those men know they are loved. It would have been a great opportunity for Dubya to mention specific people who have fallen in this just war.

A loved one feels better, I would imagine, if they think their dead loved one is not an anonymous statistic. Dubya should have told us these stories and formally introduced the nation to its' heroes.

I want to hear about the kid from East Los Angeles who left his gang, joined the marines, became a better person and gave his life for America. The kid from Cedar Key, Florida who died in Nasseriah for us. These are young men that deserved more today, IMHO!