[Kaslin]

President George W. Bush's Inaugural Address

January 20, 2001

President Clinton, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens, the peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country. With a simple oath, we affirm old traditions and make new beginnings.

As I begin, I thank President Clinton for his service to our nation.

And I thank Vice President Gore for a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace.

I am honored and humbled to stand here, where so many of America's leaders have come before me, and so many will follow.

We have a place, all of us, in a long story--a story we continue, but whose end we will not see. It is the story of a new world that became a friend and liberator of the old, a story of a slave-holding society that became a servant of freedom, the story of a power that went into the world to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer.

It is the American story--a story of flawed and fallible people, united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals.

The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born.

Americans are called to enact this promise in our lives and in our laws. And though our nation has sometimes halted, and sometimes delayed, we must follow no other course.

Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations.

Our democratic faith is more than the creed of our country, it is the inborn hope of our humanity, an ideal we carry but do not own, a trust we bear and pass along. And even after nearly 225 years, we have a long way yet to travel.

[Kaslin]

Special Ping

please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics related to this thread – thanks

Please keep praying for President Bush and our great Country

[Earthdweller]

Good idea Kaslin.

[AmericanMade1776]

Yet America's purpose is never found only in statues or history. America's purpose always stands before us. Our generation must show courage in a time of blessing, as our nation has always shown in times of crisis. And our courage, issue by issue, can gather to greatness, and serve our country.

This is the privilege, and responsibility, we share. And if we work together, we can prove that public service is noble.

We all came here for a reason. We all have things we want to accomplish, and promises to keep. "Juntos podemos": together we can. We can make Americans proud of their government. Together, we can share in the credit of making our country more prosperous and generous and just ? and earn from our conscience and from our fellow citizens, the highest possible praise: well done, good and faithful servants. President Bush's Inauguration speech, 2000.

Your Mission is accomplished President Bush, I will always be proud you were my President for the last eight years.

[Texagirl4W]

How refreshing to see these pictures again. Thank you ever so much for this post. This Texan is glad to see President and Mrs. Bush return to Texas. I will continue to pray for them and wish them the very best in the future. Can’t wait to see his library as it will be just about 20 miles from me. God bless America.

[Beloved Levinite]

Thanks for you good work, Kaslin.

I will *always* be grateful for President Bush keeping us safe, post-9/11. That was truly a remarkable task! Obama has alot to live up to in that regard.

God Bless the Bush family as the return to their home in Texas...and God Bless America, this *still* great nation!

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Thank you Kaslin, for this outstanding thread!

And thank you, President Bush, for continuing to keep our country safe.
Well done, good and faithful servent.

[lewisglad]

Wonderful job all of these years, congrats!

[jmcenanly]

I’ll miss this thread

[anotherdownundergwbfan]

Thanks for the reminder of happier days. I let myself watch some TV coverage... it was nice to get here instead and see the lovely pictures you have chosen for us and be reminded...

[Just A Nobody]

Kaslin, thank you so much for the beautiful thread today. It is very much appreciated. I was able to see a portion of the President's speech at his Texas Welcome Home party, until FNC decided to cut it off. *sigh*

Thank you all for your faithfulness to the President and this thread, and all those that preceded you the past eight years. It was THIS thread that brought me to FR.

[rintense]

Um...

[I_be_tc]

Thank you for always including me in your pings. And I appreciate the chance to send GWB a note of gratitude also.

TC

[Swede Girl]

Thank you for posting this touch of sanity. It is needed now more than ever! I just hope that George and Laura are able to drink their coffee in bed in the morning, relax, and feel content that they have done a superlative job over the last 8 years. They were and are a class act.