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I first want to say what a privilege it is to be able to be in the company of such kindred spirits each and every day on this thread. Your sincerity and drive, your determination and compassion, your merciless wit and generous fellowship all make A Day in the Life a welcome respite from the cynical venom and bitterness that so otherwise dominates the national debate. And when tragedy strikes, whether national or personal, we all know that this is a place that we can come to seek and find solace and comfort. What a marvelous gift.

To Rintense: Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Secondly, I thought I'd offer a few words about the president. Nothing original. You've all said it before in one way or another. From the elegant prose of MJY to lawgirl's thud, we've pretty much demonstrated how we feel about our Dubya.

But now, the sentiment that we feel toward our president is beginning to spread into the hearts and minds of people who once had been ambiguous about and uninspired by the notion of leadership. The tough sells, that is.

I bring this up because I have a close family member who was just one of those tough sells. He was always quite knowledgable about foreign and domestic affairs, frequently teaching me a thing or two about the subjects; very well-learned in world and American political history; well-traveled (in fact, he just came back from overseas and assured me that we aren't the only ones who hate France); and ideologically conservative, to boot.

But he was so dissolusioned by the three ring circus of debauchery and scandal that was the Clinton Administration that he couldn't bring himself to participate in the political process. He felt as though the man embodied lies and corruption, and that his halo of dirt was not only typical of politicians, but a standard feature of their character--regardless of outward appearances. He turned his back on the whole show and let the 2000 election come and go without casting a vote of confidence to a single candidate. It was a double loss, that his vote had gone uncast and that someone so smart, so prepared to participate in the system had given up on it so early in life.

What a difference two years makes. I just got off the phone with him yesterday and he was commenting on how remarkably touching and profound the president's words had been, particularly the line The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names...

The praise came forth like water from a spring. He said he's never before felt so much respect for a leader as a man, he's never before felt so confident in a leader's sincerity and conviction, that it's been such a long time since he could trust someone to this extent, that it's been so long since a public figure has demonstrated such personal integrity. I swear he went on for a half hour. And then...

"I will proudly vote for him in 2004. And I wish I could vote him into a third term after that."

This may not seem remarkable to us, given that we are generally of the same opinion. But it is. It is so very remarkable. George W. Bush is speaking to the people without saying a word, and his humanity, his strength of character and of faith is resonating far beyond the political arena, into the hearts and minds of people who either didn't know or couldn't believe that real leaders do, indeed, still exist.

George W. Bush is a leader in every sense of the word. I sometimes worry, as you do, when events just seem to pile on and wear on him like a lead blanket, but then I remember. He believes in God.

And God believes in him.

There is no trial, no stress, no decision that can ever overcome that kind of strength. Ever.

The love and respect and trust and desire to pray for and support this good man goes way beyond party affiliation-it goes-as you so eloquently stated in that PERFECT post-to the heart. What a conversation that must have been. I loved reading about it...

But now, the sentiment that we feel toward our president is beginning to spread into the hearts and minds of people who once had been ambiguous about and uninspired by the notion of leadership. The tough sells, that is.

You post brought tears to my eyes because I know it's true. And I believe it's happening because the people are beginning to thaw from the numbness that the deceit, treachery, betrayal, and the thievery that has gone on for so very long is slowly being lifted.....like a heavy fog becoming a mist....it's becoming more clear now for them. And the clarity frees their minds and allows them to feel, to hope again. And this is a very good thing. I think very good. It will be a long, long time (I hope and I pray) before they will ever allow themselves to be so deceived or numbed again.

Many of my patients say they did not vote for GW but would vote for him in 2004. They have been impressed with him. It is amazing how he always has a bible verse to fit the occasion. What a man! He must be prayed for daily for God's guidance.