Peggy Noonan: Way Too Much God

Wall Street Journal ^ | January 21, 2005 | Peggy Noonan

[RWR8189]

Was the president's speech a case of "mission inebriation"?

It was an interesting Inauguration Day. Washington had warmed up, the swift storm of the previous day had passed, the sky was overcast but the air wasn't painful in a wind-chill way, and the capital was full of men in cowboy hats and women in long furs. In fact, the night of the inaugural balls became known this year as The Night of the Long Furs.

Laura Bush's beauty has grown more obvious; she was chic in shades of white, and smiled warmly. The Bush daughters looked exactly as they are, beautiful and young. A well-behaved city was on its best behavior, everyone from cops to doormen to journalists eager to help visitors in any way.

For me there was some unexpected merriness. In my hotel the night before the inauguration, all the guests were evacuated at 1:45 in the morning. There were fire alarms and flashing lights on each floor, and a public address system instructed us to take the stairs, not the elevators. Hundreds of people wound up outside in the slush, eventually gathering inside the lobby, waiting to find out what next.

The staff--kindly, clucking--tried to figure out if the fire existed and, if so, where it was. Hundreds of inaugural revelers wound up observing each other. Over there on the couch was Warren Buffet in bright blue pajamas and a white hotel robe. James Baker was in trench coat and throat scarf. I remembered my keys and eyeglasses but walked out without my shoes. After a while the "all clear" came,

[Miss Marple]

Well, Laura Ingraham is not particularly relevant, either. She is probably a pal of Peggy's and is trying to help her out.

[Miss Marple]

Prayer service at National Cathedral on now!!! Check C-SPAN or Fox.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Precisely. I think that Peggy's going to need alot of help today. But my grandpa told me once when you step in poop the best thing to do is take off your boots.

[pepperdog]

Me too! But then I ain't got no learnin'. I guess you and I are just too simple minded for these dart throwing intellectuals who are criticizing every aspect of the inaugural ceremonies. But not to worry, soon something else will claim their short attention spans.

[LibertarianInExile]

You know, it would be fun to think that this was a forum where other people were allowed to have opinions. Instead, you sheep form your opinions and any comment that doesn't meet with your vision of blind allegiance to the President is suppressed, with comments about Noonan being some sort of crappy conservative or lousy jealous speechwriter rampant on this thread.

I don't care if you think Peggy was wrong or not. But as usual, you blind follower types can't actually say what makes his speech great. You have to sling attacks at Noonan and others who disagree because you think any criticism of the President is tantamount to treason.

Churchill was a great speaker, for the passion he engendered in his words and imbued in his audience. JFK had some great speeches but was not a great speaker. Reagan was a great speaker--period.

George Bush is not. And no matter who made that speech, it would not have been a great one. It is full of political hedging instead of passion, dripping with focus-grouped phraseology instead of personal beliefs.

I like the man. He's a fair President, though not my ideal. I voted for him. I advocated his election on this board to people who agree with me that he's not the perfect President and who were leaning toward the LP or CP, simply because this is a man I trust and respect to be honest and do what is right for the country. I've spoken up for him in countries where being a Bush fan can get you physically attacked. I've been an advocate for the man's election where not a single American expat would agree with me for fear of retribution. I'd do it again, too.

But having said that, and done that, if you think I'm going to just agree that speech was the Sermon on the Mount, and George Bush is the Second Coming on the podium, you can go straight to hell.

[dagnabit]

She is definitely all wrong. Maybe the WSJ should publish a correction. From what I observed yesterday, there were many in attendance with heads bowed during the speech-just soaking it in-it was truly insiring and surprisingly provacative. Bush will never back down or water down his beliefs. Bush loves God and will base decisions for our common future on his relationship with the Lord.

[ohioWfan]

This is what I figure. Nobody in the middle or to the left gives a rip what Peggy thinks.

The only people who have any respect for her (or did, anyway) are conservatives, and WE all know this column is garbage.

GREAT speech.......God-drenched is a GOOD thing.

Watching the National Prayer Service now. After "How Great Thou Art" was sung, Laura said, "Thank You, God!"

Prayers continuing for this Godly couple residing in the White House for the next four years....

[cyncooper]

What a joke.

You are "allowed" your opinion. You are the one who posted the offensive image you chose yet you cry like a baby when spoken back to.

It appears you are the one who wishes to speak uncontradicted, not I.

[cyncooper]

And btw, you missed by ten miles any correct perception of what I've had to say on this subject, yet you proceed to expound incorrectly in that vein for paragraphs on end.

What a fool.

[ohioWfan]

Too bad there's not a live thread on it, Miss Marple.

So far it's been a magnificent service!

[Just mythoughts]

I think President Bush's speech was to the world, the era of Clintonism = "EQUALIZE ALL NATIONS" using nuclear to gain respect, is OVER!

[pepperdog]

Alan Colmes is such a strange looking person. Do you think he's really an earthling?

[silent_jonny]

and 3) neocons.

Peggy's a NeoCon? Funny, she doesn't look Jewish.

[LaBradford22]

God probably thinks that there is way too much Peggy Noonan.

[pepperdog]

I hope that I can define my thoughts as well as you when I grow up :-) Great assessment.

[LibertarianInExile]

Sure, I'm "allowed my opinion"--until I express it and it's remotely critical of your messiah. Then you must according to the rules of your holy order accuse me of not being a conservative and being jealous, or some such other b.s.

Go join a nunnery. They could use your devotion.

[silent_jonny]

God.."Way too much Noonan"

LOL!

[LibertarianInExile]

I'm a fool. And an idiot.

Yet for some reason your comments are posted nonetheless. The objective can thus hardly be to sway me. No, your objective here is to simply suppress any criticism of your dear leader.

You should seriously consider counseling for that Bush fixation, dear.

[LibertarianInExile]

ROFLMAO.

[ohioWfan]

Question....... Why are those who disagree with Peggy "sheep," "blind-followers", etc. and you, who apparently agree with her, an independent thinker?

Methinks your perception is a bit self-centered. Perhaps it is you who are blindly following some ideology.

Your name-calling flows freely, as you whine that you do not have the freedom to voice your opinion.

A bit of consistency and objectivity might do you some good.