God Bless Our President

“...and guide him through this dark moment!

During his campaign, our president (sorta) admitted that he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. He did, however, point out that he has a knack for getting people to join around the table - he used his governorship as an example of that.

Last night's address showed his promise to be true. I was deeply moved by his speech, although I know that it wasn't he that wrote it.

I have confidence that our leader has amassed a great group of advisors and cabinet members, and that they will do our nation proud.”

“I was actually impressed by his speech last night.”

“I like his speech. It was not quite as moving as FDR's or Churchill's decades ago but stirring none the less. I did expect to hear alittle more about the economy and market and our individual effort needed to keep it aloft.”

“I would be careful where you place your trust. This is how dictators gain a following. People are out there looking for someone to make everything better. This is prime time for corruption that won't be uncovered for years to come. We will all look back and wonder how we didn't see it, but the smoke screen is our own fear and the promise of safety.”

“W...a...Dictator...here....with a Nation full of gun totin Bubba's ....... I think not!!!! The man is from Texas.... ya'll.”

“It was by far the most stirring speech given by his somewhat inept ability to present himself.

I loved it. God help us all in the days ahead as we enter into perhaps a 20-30yr conflict.”

“Amen gojo! Yes, George is not a genius but he has surrounded himself with a very good cabinet. Tarpy, I believe that if we trust in the American ideas we can be confident that we are putting our trust in something righteous. If George?s actions line up with these ideas I will trust him. If his actions waver from those ideas then I will not trust in him.

May G-d bless us all at this time and show each of us how best to support each other and our country whatever form that support takes.

[OK, go ahead and blast away Spock?]”

“What Did You Think Of President Bush's Address To Congress? Send a message!

Vote.com”

“So far, so good.”

“I vascillate between Tarpy's pessism and the optimism that the rest of you show.

I agree with Tilt, "so far so good" but worry about how this will all play out. US policy in the Middle East and in the Islamic world has often been inept, brutal and tone deaf.
I am not anti-war in principle. The US has a right to defend itself and it has a right to counter attack. It makes sense to counter attack when feasible and to dismantle terrorist networks where feasible. Nonetheless, it will take a lot of wisdom to pick a course through all of this that does more good than harm.

I will wait, watch, hope, worry, pray and wonder.”

“Recently I had the occasion to study some famous speeches from various leaders, including speeches from Shakespearean characters like Julius Caesar and Henry V. Included were Lincoln's first and second inaugural addresses and the Gettysburg address, King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and several Douglas MacArthur speeches. Throw in there some famous remarks from Kennedy, Churchhill and Reagan.

IMHO, GW's speech reflected many aspects of those speeches. His speech writers did their homework and GW delivered it with enough genuineness to be effective. I suspect this will go down as one of the most famous presidential speeches of all time.

Could this turn into a power grab? Possibly. It is up to us to make sure it doesn't.

God help us all in the years to come.

(BTW. Our church was packed to overflowing last Sunday and our offering was up significantly. We took a special offering to send to New York and collected $36,000 just for that without any advance notice. Another church near us reported having 2000 more people there on Sunday than normal.)”

“Firstly, the speach was hardly his. It was written by much more clever people who get paid to write such things. Secondly, I thought it was a bit bullish. "If you're not with us you're against us". Puleeeeese! What's he going to do, bomb France? This is not the type of thing you want to hear from the leader of the free world. Lastly, why should God bless Geaorge Bush? He's not going to be risking his life on the front lines.”

“Firstly, the speach was hardly his. It was written by much more clever people who get paid to write such things. Secondly, I thought it was a bit bullish. "If you're not with us you're against us". Puleeeeese! What's he going to do, bomb France? This is not the type of thing you want to hear from the leader of the free world. Lastly, why should God bless Geaorge Bush? He's not going to be risking his life on the front lines.”

“"What's he going to do, bomb France?"

Nope, something more sinister, like dropping bars of soap on them.”

“Naw, I disagree, GS. I hear what you are saying, but the human race cannot tolerate terrorism as a viable respectable method of warfare. There 'ARE' rules of engagement. Human beings do not rape, pillage and put in harm's way innocent men, women and children.

Would we bomb France? Of course not. France has no intention of saying to the world that they respect the tenets of hate crimes and terrorism more than they respect the basic freedoms that all of us should enjoy.”

“Right-O Ped, Phil. I suppose the best way to describe my state of mind at the moment is 'guarded optimism'.
"Hope for the best, but plan for the worst"... something like that.

I'm soooo glad he didn't smirk. There wasn't even a trace.”

“I heard Chris Matthews on Imus this morning. He was a speech writer for one of our Pres's, but I can't remember which one. He likened the speech writer/speaker's relationship as the speech writer trying to write the speakers feelings and thoughts as if the speaker were perfectly able to articulate them. The speech writer does not create the ideas, but helps to convey them. No he didn't write the speech, but the ideas are his and the Cabinet's, and he had the responsibility of delivery. Now he has the burden of delivering on his Plan of Action.”

“I didn't vote for W; my Republican friends (of which there are many - I live in Utah) see me as someone who has been critical of our new President. With that said, I was totally floored by the wording of his speech last night and the manner with which he delivered it. Many of the things he said last night were EXACTLY what I wanted to hear, and he said them with confidence and conviction. It reawakened my trust in our nation's ability to respond to the challenges facing us. It also made me thank yet once again the framers of our Constitution for building such a resilient system. I believe that W will grow through this tragedy, mainly because the Constitution will allow him to do so.”

“It was a well written speech.

Unfortunately, he is about as telegenic as a limp dishrag. His facial expressions and body language looked too rehearsed. He had a bad makeup job too.

I have seen him speak in person. He is better live than on TV.

Still, it was a better speech than his inaugural.”

“Don't forget he lost the popular vote.”

“Thank goodness he is in office no matter by popular or electoral vote. I don't say that as a Bush-vs-Gore/Republican-vs-Democrat thing, I say that because of who he has with him. I can't think of any way we could have as strong an administration as we do now (for the situation the country now finds itself) if Gore were in office. Bush is a leader plain and clear. He is not a good public speaker, far from polished, and in some situations, IMO, that adds credibility.”

“It's speech WRITERS! Pray for Dubya, yeah!”

“If it was Gore he would have taken all our rights away and made an apology to Afghanistan.

Either way we are screwed. Either way someone will die. Us or them, I'm not sure which I think is worse.”

“He's a good guy with a very good team of advisors. I believe he does write a lot of his own stuff but not all the things last night, too pro. BTW on the popular vote thing-- that's why we don't use it. 85% of the country's population is in the 8 largest cities. I do not want these people picking who represents me.”

“I always thought I'd make a pretty good speech writer. I'm articulate and know how to push the appropriate buttons to empathize and get a call to action. Plus, I write!

Anyone need a speech? One time I applied to a place in the Twin Cities, but they wanted someone with speech writing experience. So I was out.

I would loved to have written a speech like was given last night. Glowing behind the scenes, unknown, but having real power!!”

“I will give him credit for listing diplomacy as the first course of action. Of course, the demands made of the Taliban will not be met. I just hope that a ground war is not part of the scenario and it is calculated hits and extractions that are used to remove the Taliban from power. He was right to emphasize the need to accept Muslims and not heap hatred on them as a whole. The Taliban are extremists but at the same time, they must have people living in fear under their regime. Should we penalize them as well? I think the clear answer is no. I'm a glad to see the US has not jumped into action already.”

“By the way - LINCOLN lost the popular vote against Douglas in his first run for the office. Honest Abe was pretty much hated by most of the conservative North, who didn't want slavery in THEIR states, but couldn't see dying over what OTHER states did with people from Africa.”

“Rosey - I think it's a moot point whether or not we are at war - September 11th established that we are MOST DEFINITELY at war. Now, if 12 % of those in our country refuse to accept this fact, so be it. This is a republic, thankfully, and the vast majority of our society understands the need to support our President at this time. Thus, he will have the support he needs, 12 % notwithstanding. And this war will involve "ground troops," otherwise known as the US Army and the US Marine Corps. It's what was needed to defeat Nazi Germany and Imperialist Japan, and it will be needed to defeat Terrorist Islam. You may not agree with me now, but perhaps you will after the terrorists strike again in our own country...

Tarp Rat - I don't think the US will "die" in this war; in fact, we will be stronger after it's over. However, if -I- am to die in this conflict, I pray that I will choose to go down FIGHTING, like those brave Americans that gave their lives in the skies of Pennsylvania, and defeated the plans of their attackers in doing so.”

“Forrest:

When you are sucking on the dust of a nuclear explosion, you may be rethinking you ideology.

The latest number I have heard indicated Bush's approval rating slipping to 75%. Still the majority, but still declining. Yet to come out is the proof. You can listen to the popular media and the political talking heads in the Capitol but I have not read one shread of proof indicating who is responsible. Make that information public. I am not denying what happened was a horrendous act and should be dealt with. I'm just not sure the starting what could become WWIII is the way to do it. I want facts before action.”

“LIZS: the power behind the throne.

*G*”

“"And I will carry this. It is the police shield of a man named George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others.

It was given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud memorial to her son. It is my reminder of lives that ended and a task that does not end."

Who else thought he was about to cry at this point?”

“Rosie -
Every conflict since 1945 could be considered - at the onset - to be the possible start of WWIII. So what's your point?

Slut -
We need a clearer picture of who's hot and who's not. I feel that the president's statement of "you're either with us or you're not" is a step in the clarification direction. Don't expect a kind, gentle approach from our government - this is war.

Thousands of Americans soilders, sailors, and airmen will likely die before this is all over, but we MUST reach a point to where it WILL be over. We must because we can. Who else will do it - France?”

“And did you see Mrs. Beamer's grim look of determination immediately after he said that? Her husband was one of those making cell calls from the plane that went down in PA, one who was planning to do something.”

“Yeah--he looked like he was about to cry there. I did not, would not vote for the man. He was certainly our president for the first time last night. The wording of that speech (I watched it twice and I usually change channels when he comes on) was well thought out. It occurred to me that a couple of his latest public gaffes like "dead or alive" and "crusade" might have made his speech writers very careful. It was a really good speech.”

“I didn't vote for him either and have differences with his policies in many areas but I think he behaved like a gentleman during the campaign, has said some things before this crisis that lead me to believe that he is a good man and I think he has emerged as a statesman since.

Oh, and by the way, the 'dead or alive' poster wasn't really an original idea.”

“I was wondering why some shows are still showing the buildings get hit by the plane instead of the rescurers for a more positive step forward.

Now I think I understand. It's like the Holocaust where the Jews want to keep it alive so no one forgets. Maybe it is better to keep it this attack alive. If Bush's rating are falling, and now people are not feeling we should go to war, people are already forgetting already what happened.

Did anyone hear that some middle eastern men were boarded a plane, and the other people on the plane said they didn't feel comfortable on the plane with them, so the men were moved to another plane? It seems the airlines can remove a passenger that upsets the other passengers.”

“Pardon my above post, I should have reread it for typos. It's my worst post ever.”

“Rosey: you state: "When you are sucking on the dust of a nuclear explosion, you may be rethinking your ideology."

That's funny, because that was essentially what -I- meant to imply when I said, "you may not agree with me now, but perhaps you will after the terrorists strike again in our own country...," although I wouldn't go so far as to expect (or want) such an event to change your IDEOLOGY (which Merriam-Webster defines as "a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture").

I don't want you to change your RELIGION over this, just your resolve in joining with us who feel that we have no other choice but to meet this challenge head on.

Just so there's no confusion here, let me state that I believe a second attack on our soil would only INCREASE the resolve of the American people to eradicate terrorist regimes once and for all, using whatever means are necessary to do so.

But that's just what -I- believe, along with 88 % of our fellow Americans - NOT 75 % as you suggest. (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/21/gen.america.under.attack/). I don't expect to sway your opinion, just as I suppose that you realize you won't change mine. And please believe me that I respect your right to disagree with me - that's what democracies and republics are all about.

We will have only time to tell us which of us was right and which was wrong. But I REFUSE to consider any solution that doesn't include at least the ATTEMPT to remove the perpetrators of this, and similar acts, from the global scene. There's been too much display of wanton disrespect for life and liberty to go unanswered, but I don't think it will be answered without cost.”

“In the nineteenth century, the U.S. and Britain undertook a task of unbelieveble proportions:
to rid the Seven Seas of piracy.

Can you imagine THAT?
Countless thousands of square miles of open waters, and almost as many thousands of uncharted islands in which pirates' vessels could seek refuge.

But guess what?
It was done.

Just as we will rid the world of terrorists in this modern era...”

“Forrest:

We agree that the perpetrators must be dealt with. But who exactly those perpetrators are, I think, must be more clearly defined. I think Bush did that to a degree last night by identifying the Taliban. But who is the Taliban? Is it the entire nation of Afghanistan? Does it also include the people who live under the Taliban but are in fear of what the Taliban will do to them if they don't abide by its rules? My comment about nuclear destruction was made with regards to Pakistan. They are a nuclear power. As is China, who, to my knowledge, hasn't issued a clear position on the issue. I'm just not sure involving ourselves in a ground offensive that the Soviet military couldn't accomplish in 10 years a good indicator of the road to justice that we all want. Why can't we get UN support on this? Can it not happen? At least then I think it would encourage other Islamic radicals that the world is behind the U.S. Why can't a hit squad eliminate the Taliban leaders if they are indeed the perpetrators?”

“Very good, gojo.”

“Sorry I must of missed something. What is the connection between the President's speach and people's current poor descriminatory behavior on airlines?”

“Baume, I agree with your last post. And you make some great points gojo.

I think some people who posted on this thread (Gear Slut), are having a hard time listening to a president who is sincere and doesn't lie to the public to boost his "ratings". I think that's the jist of GW. Those who loved Clinton will never like or accept Bush. It's too bad, you probably could learn what REAL leadership is from GW, and not politics for personal gain.

Did anyone notice our good senator from NY, Hillary. Hey lacidaisical (sp) attitude and rolling of her eyes was pretty embarrassing. Did anybody else notice that?”

“Gear Slut, it's obvious you are talking about me. You might as well direct your question to me. I posted the news about the airplane passengers, because I did not know where to post it, and did not want to create a whole thread over it.”

“As Usual BB is wrong. I don't think GW is a liar (just not the brightest bulb in Vegas). Some of GW's advisors are great and some really suck (like Baker). I was not a Clinton fan, I am still a Senator McCain fan, and I was a big supporter of GW's Daddy.

I promise I wont start any I told you so threads when the first horrific pictures of what has happened to our ground troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan come back. The memories of what happened to Russian soldiers there are still vivid as are what happened to our troops in Somalia.

I had hoped we had learned from our mistakes in Vietnam. Apparently not.”

“Regarding GW's speech delivery, I actually think that his lack of polish works for him. He seems sincere. Among other things, he did a good job of displaying the "team" that was behind him and the breadth of support that was assembling.

BB - I noticed Hillary's lack of enthusiasm also. Hillary's demeanor was mentioned by others in two different meetings I was in this morning. I was watching on FOX and couldn't figure out while they kept showing Hillary so much...must have been a dozen times. To quote someone I was with this morning, "...she looked like she had eaten too many prunes that morning."”

“I thought that was how Hillary always looked. She always had the stuck up and aloof look about her.”

“Gear Slut: I think we actually have learned a lot from Viet Nam, like the fact that the North Vietnamese won their war by fighting HERE, on our streets and in our campuses, NOT in the jungles of Viet Nam. If the US had maintained the carpet bombing of Hanoi, the North Vietnamese would've crumbled, but the reaction of Americans back here in the homeland forced the ending of such offenses before they could be successful.

You will see no such protests here, except maybe in wacked places like Berkeley. But even then, I think those Americans who protest the defense of their own country will simply marginalize themselves from the rest of society in dong so. They will not impact the resolve of the majority of Americans who see the sense of what the President said last night.

As for losses and their affect on the American resolve, remember that the US lost 300,000 soldiers in WWII without losing the will to achieve its goals. In fact, contemporary writers have observed that Americans weren't -completely- behind the war effort until they saw just how serious the Axis Powers were, as evidenced by the scores of American dead racked up in the first months following December 7th, 1941.”

“Looks like there are still a few of us here who are still clue'd out as to what the mistakes that we made in Vietnam were. I guess that's why we're doomed to repeat them.

Here's your first few clues,

You don't use war to attempt to fix problems created by bad foreign policy...you change your policy.

You don't fight a war with the CIA in charge.

Berkeley sounds like pretty powerful place.

I just hope that those who are howling for war the most, are on the front lines.”

“If we change our SHIRTS because someone can scare us into it, then we're DONE as a nation. You don't negotiate with terrorists EVER, or you open the door for MORE of the same. Now, once this is all over, I'm all in favor of re-evaluating what our role should be in the Middle East, but for now, we have no choice but to root out the evil before it takes over the garden.

I guess I just can't understand how someone can know and SEE what happened last week and think that this will be solved through diplomacy. To me at least, this sort of thinking was best summed by Neville Chamberlain:

"I believe it is peace for our time..." (spoken in September, 1938, right before WWII broke out).”