President Bush, all class.....

[rubberneck]

I am glad that this story is finally being told even if the President isn't comfortable with it. It is a pretty impressive undertaking to write the families of every Soldier, Sailor, Marine and Airman killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention meeting with 500 families and 950 wounded service members. Most of it has been done very quietly even when his political opponents were trying to portray him as being out of touch and insensitive about what was going on overseas. He could have used it to his own political advantage but didn't because he wasn't doing it for that reason. History will judge this President and find him wanting in some areas but will be much kinder to him than his fellow countrymen have been over the past eight years.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008...ops-privately/

[echoes]

Originally Posted by rubberneck

I am glad that this story is finally being told even if the President isn't comfortable with it. It is a pretty impressive undertaking to write the families of every soldier, sailor, marine and airman killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention meeting with 500 families and 950 wounded service members. Most of it has been done very quietly even when his political opponents were trying to portray him as being out of touch and insensitive about what was going on overseas. He could have used it to his own political advantage but didn't because he wasn't doing it for that reason. History will judge this President and find him wanting in some areas but will be much kinder to him than his fellow countrymen have been over the past eight years.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008...ops-privately/

Hope I am not alone in thanking you, Rubberneck, for posting this!

I listened to a close family member today talk, at times in tears, aboubt GWB and His interview last night on C-SPAN. It was evidently very personal. Am hoping to find it on video, so that I may semd it as a gift.

Holly

[JJ_BPK]

Fox has some coverage,,

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008...llen-soldiers/

W did good in my book...

I wish him peace & tranquility in his retirement,, he deserves it..

[stickey]

I looked too, but if you find a link to the video, please post.


W, imo, seems like the guy that you could hang out with too. This news does him good.

[Phantasos]

Originally Posted by rubberneck

History will judge this President and find him wanting in some areas but will be much kinder to him than his fellow countrymen have been over the past eight years.

It really is sad how disrespectful people have been to the commander-in-chief....movies, shows and God knows the all the articles tearing him apart every chance they get. Don't get me wrong, I don't think things have went perfectly, but I sure as hell would have not wanted Gore or Kerry as POTUS after 9/11- and even before. I think this article shows how sincere President Bush is to caring about our service men/women.

IMHO(and this is just from speculation) , I think eventually when things are revealed years down the road about things that went on during this administration- people might realize how fortunate we were to have someone that was for the troops and that wouldn't hesitate to do whats necessary(once again from limited knowledge) to protect our nation....

What I do know- is that we have not had another attack our nation since 9/11, and I am so grateful for that.

Phantasos

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by Phantasos

It really is sad how disrespectful people have been to the commander-in-chief....movies, shows and God knows the all the articles tearing him apart every chance they get.

Can you just imagine the outrage if anyone tried to do that to a dem POTUS....Obama even? Perish the thought!

President George W. Bush was not perfect, but he damn sure stuck to his guns and did his best to lead and protect this country. I for one will miss him greatly, and truly hope that history will be much kinder to him than many of my fellow citizens.

[AngelsSix]

I would have taken a bullet for the man I called my CIC. I may not have agreed with all of his cabinet's policies, but he was good to the troops and much as can be expected. I got a letter from him framed on my wall. The only other thing on that wall is my CCH instructor certificate. I worked two of his visits to Ft. Bragg. One of those I was pulled in on my day off, which didn't bother me a bit. The last one he just had I was in school. I would have like to have been there, but hopefully he will come to Bragg again after he leaves the WH.

[nmap]

Not only did he take the time to meet with the soldiers and their families, but he did it while avoiding publicity. Truly, a class act.

Thank you, Rubberneck.

[morolen]

as a policy maker,i find him questionable, but as a person, exceptional.

[echoes]

Here is the link to the C-Span interview...

http://www.c-span.org/

Pres. Bush on his Presidency

"In his last weeks as Commander-in-Chief, Pres. Bush reflects on his tenure in office. First, at the Army War College he speaks about homeland security and the war on terror. Next, Mr. Bush discusses domestic policy at AEI. Finally, the President talks to C-SPAN about his eight years in office and looks forward to his time as a private citizen."

[SF_BHT]

The CIC is a good man and just think what would have happened if Gore was CIC on 9/11. What would he go and invent then.

I will miss our current CIC and his wife no matter what any one says. No one is perfect but he has had to make some really hard decisions and we are for the better because of those decisions.

[echoes]

From President George W. Bush, today at 09:11, in his last Presidential Radio Address:

"Freeing people from oppression, is eternally right."

Will miss President Bush.
A large Thank You for your service to Our Nation.

Holly

[Saoirse]

Originally Posted by echoes

From President George W. Bush, today at 09:11, in his last Presidential Radio Address:

"Freeing people from oppression, is eternally right."

Will miss President Bush.
A large Thank You for your service to Our Nation.

Holly

Me too, Holly.
I watched his "farewell" the other night and I was sad. He's a good egg, that one! President Bush, thank you for you service, sir!

[NBR0218]

No matter what historians attempt to write or what kind of picture the media attempts to paint I have and will always have a devout respect for our 43rd President. The media tried everything they could to portray him in a negative light. He made decisions and stuck by them and he persevered when others would not. I admire the man and his family immensely.

A quick anecdote about the real George Bush...
Everyone knows that if you win a NCAA national championship then you visit the White House. Well I was tasked to escort the U.S. Military Academy Rifle Team on their visit in 2006. My assignment was to assist them with a brief tour of the White House and set them in place for their photograph with the President. Everything went fine and after giving them their nickel tour I had them in formation near the residence stairs in the main entrance hall. The national champion ski team from Colorado was set up on the entrance steps with their backs to us. The President appeared from the cross hall and quickly gave the awe struck cadets a finger across his lips and a shhhhhhh to keep silent. He then slowly approached the Colorado Ski team from behind. I could only imagine their state of mind when the back row, nervous and awestruck, realized that the leader of the free world was swinging playfully from their shoulders. He took a minute to laugh with them and take the ceremonial photograph before returning to the cadets. When he approached his mood changed. There was a gravity of understanding in the Presidents voice and a moistening of his eye as he spoke to them. He thanked them for their sacrifice and acknowledged that because of his decisions and the needs of their country many of them would soon be in harms way. His time with them was sincere and I was awestruck myself by the dynamic of one mans character. The humanity of George W Bush and the sincerity of his heart was something the American media, in my honest opinion, neglected to show the people of this country. Later in the official ceremony during his official speech to all the Champions he again thanked them and jokingly added that during their stay, should they bump into his VP, he would appreciate it if they could give him some pointers (on target acquisition).

My .02 about a great man. I can only hope that history will rewrite his approval ratings and steer a nations jeer to that of many thanks…then again that’s not what was important to him.

[echoes]

Since Today is "President's Day," just wanted to bump up this thread, as President George W. Bush will always be a favorite of mine.

Text of President George W. Bush's Farewell Address:

"Tonight I am filled with gratitude – And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for ...the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.

This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house – September 11, 2001.

That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock.

I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son’s police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.

As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before Nine-Eleven. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our Nation. And I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/wash...9/01/post.html