[Pokey78]

Pinging Peggy's list.

[Torie]

A steady hand on the helm in high seas, a knowledge of where we must go and why, a resolve to achieve safe harbor. More and more this presidency is feeling like a gift.

Yep. I tried to say the same thing with my reactions yesterday, but well, the way I said it was more prosaic. What we need, and what we have, is calm and courageous resolve, that will not be deflected from steering the ship where it must go by the cacaphonous noise of those without the responsibility of steering any ship of consequence, or more typically, any ship at all.

[Paradox]

And this, from one of the great speechwriters of all time.

[MJY1288]

The part of his speech that made me appreciate what our President is doing is when he said this:

"There are days when our fellow citizens do not hear news about the war on terror. There's never a day when I do not learn of another threat, or receive reports of operations in progress, or give an order in this global war against a scattered network of killers. The war goes on, and we are winning."

He never goes in front of the camera's looking for credit, (unlike his predicessor). He seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders and never complains. No matter what policy differences we have with him, He is a good man and the right man for the times

[gbunch]

One incredible moment in that great speech, which I have not seen emphasized much, is when he spoke to the people of Iraq. He said that after we liberate your country, we will "bring to the Iraqi people food, and medicine, and supplies... and freedom." When he spoke the word "freedom," his face and voice changed, revealing the deep convictions, compassions, and sincerity he meant by that word. It seemed to me that the moment lasted an eternity, and I think a shiver ran down my spine at what I was seeing. It was a direct promise made by a great leader to those persecuted by a madman, and the message it conveyed was powerful beyond measure.

[FreedomPoster]

I've been meaning to ask this here:

Those of you who watched the SOTU FNC: What did you think of Juan William's response to the speech?

Brit Hume had his panel there, and went to Juan first for comment. I thought Juan was going to cry. It was like he had had an epiphany. He really saw that Bush *was* compassionate, really cared about "little people", and wanted them to have better lives.

It was really interesting to see. I hope this speech had that effect on others like Juan, who I would characterize as "the thinking Left" (there aren't many of them, based on what I see on TV and in print).

[Clink]

"This country has many challenges. We will not deny, we will not ignore, we will not pass along our problems to other Congresses, to other presidents, and other generations."


My favorite part. Probably not so for PIAPS. Oh, if only the camera had panned to her immediately after it was spoken.

[tear_down_this_wall]

Thanks, Pokey, for this "sleek and handsome ocean liner cutting through the sea."

[shezza]

This, truly, is a good man. And that is a rare thing.

Spot-on Peggy bump!

[shezza]

Peggy Ping

[FairWitness]

"The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world; it is God's gift to humanity."

Amen.

Each of us who worships God, by whatever name, might well reflect on whether our understanding of His Word includes an understanding that He, not the state, is the ultimate source of liberty.

[BibChr]

More and more this presidency is feeling like a gift

Yep. Like a rinse and a peppermint after a nasty session of chain-vomiting. And particularly a "gift" since the previous eight years were entirely our collective fault, a reflection of the self-inflicted collapse of American spirituality, morality, and character.

Dan

[MrConfettiMan]

I don't care what Peggy says, this is my #1 favorite line from the SOTU:

"The course of this nation does not depend on the decisions of others."

And this is my #2:

"The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world; it is God's gift to humanity."

:)

[nicmarlo]

This, truly, is a good man. And that is a rare thing. Agree with Mr. Bush's stands or disagree, there can be no doubting the depth of his seriousness and the degree to which he attempts to do what he is convinced is right, and to lead his country toward that vision of rightness.

This comes through, always. Another great article by Noonan.

[texasbluebell]

Say it again:

A steady hand on the helm in high seas, a knowledge of where we must go and why, a resolve to achieve safe harbor. More and more this presidency is feeling like a gift.

[William McKinley]

Peggy hits on something:

Mr. Bush's speech was a departure in this regard. It didn't have "good lines," it had thoughts. The thoughts were pithily, and sometimes memorably, expressed. They didn't seem artificially sprinkled in. They arose from the text, were woven into it, and organic to it. And so they didn't seem showy and insubstantial, they seemed like real thoughts that had a particular weight. This is oratory of the post-soundbite era, and it's a step forward.

The liberty line sounded not like a soundbite, but like something out of a speech by Adams, or Lincoln, or Taft, or Goldwater. It was a meaningful line, but not a soundbite.

[beachn4fun]

You know I heard a discussion on the radio this morning here in Washington, DC about Maryland trying to have a day of commeration for former President Reagan. Him being a one of the best Presidents. But, I think they need to hold off on that for now, because in my opinion this Bush in far exceeding him.

[Rightone]

All Freepers need to read this ping. Awesome.

[McGavin999]

The speech was unrelentingly serious, and assumed a seriousness in its audience. It assumed also a high degree of personal compassion and courage on the part of those watching.

This was a president who was addressing a people he has ABSOLUTE faith in. You could hear it in his words, see it in his faith. He believes in us and in our goodness and in our courage. That came across loud and clear and the people heard him.