[Kaslin]

Quote Of the Month

THE PRESIDENT: On this Day of Prayer and Remembrance, our nation remains in the shadow of a storm that departed two weeks ago. We're humbled by the vast and indifferent might of nature, and feel small beside its power. We commend the departed to God. We mourn with those who mourn, and we ask for strength in the work ahead.

The destruction is immense, covering a city, a coastline, a region. Yet the hurt always comes down to one life, one family. We've seen the panic of loved ones separated from each other, the lonely pain of people whose earthly possessions were swept away, and the uncertainty of men and women and children driven away from the lives they knew. Many did not survive the fury of the storm. Many who did ask, why -- and wonder, what comes next.

In this hour of suffering, we're prayerful. In a wounded region, so many placed their faith in a God who hears and helps. And so many are bringing their grief to a Savior acquainted with grief. Our nation joins with them to pray for comfort and sorrow, for the reunion of separated families, and a holy rest for the ones who died.

Through prayer we look for ways to understand the arbitrary harm left by this storm, and the mystery of undeserved suffering. And in our search we're reminded that God's purposes are sometimes impossible to know here on Earth. Yet even as we're humbled by forces we cannot explain, we take comfort in the knowledge that no one is ever stranded beyond God's care. The Creator of wind and water is also the source of even a greater power -- a love that can redeem the worst tragedy, a love that is stronger than death.

In this hour of suffering, our nation is thankful. We have been inspired by acts of courage and goodness: Coast Guardsmen and military personnel reaching out of helicopters and lifting victims from rooftops; firefighters wading through mud and debris to search for victims and survivors; doctors and nurses defying danger so their patients might live. Many of those who saved others lost their own homes and were separated from their own families. And many stories of heroism and rescue will never be told because they are known to God alone.

We're thankful for a spirit seen across the Gulf Coast that faces the worst and chooses to hope. We're thankful, as well, for the many ordinary citizens who heard the cries of neighbors and answered them. Across the country, Americans saw the hungry and gave them something to eat; saw the thirsty and gave them something to drink; saw strangers and invited them in. One man who was rescued and given shelter after the storm said, "I didn't think there was so much love in the world."

In this hour of suffering, our nation is also mindful of the work ahead. Through this tragedy great duties have come to our nation. The destruction of this hurricane was beyond any human power to control, but the restoration of broken communities and disrupted lives now rests in our hands. And we accept this responsibility not as a burden or a chore, but as an opportunity to serve our fellow Americans, as they would do for us.

This task will measure our unity as a people. Americans of every race and religion were touched by this storm; yet some of the greatest hardship fell upon citizens already facing lives of struggle -- the elderly, the vulnerable, and the poor. And this poverty has roots in generations of segregation and discrimination that closed many doors of opportunity. As we clear away the debris of a hurricane, let us also clear away the legacy of inequality. Let us deliver new hope to communities that were suffering before the storm. As we rebuild homes and businesses, we will renew our promise as a land of equality and decency. And one day, Americans will look back at the response to Hurricane Katrina and say that our country grew not only in prosperity, but in character and justice.

On this National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, we pledge ourselves to the demanding work of revival, and renew the faith and hope that will carry that work to completion. In the worst of storms, and in the rush of flood waters, even the strongest faith can be tested. Yet the Scriptures assure us, "many waters cannot quench love; neither can the floods drown it."

So now we go forward, confident in the good heart of America, and trusting that even among the ruins, the love of God remains at work.

May God bless and keep the souls of the lost. May His love touch all those in need, and may He always watch over the United States of America. God bless.

Photos of the month

President George W. Bush embraces one of the hundreds of family and friends who gathered on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, during the 9/11 Heroes Medal of Valor Award Ceremony, in honor of the courage and commitment of emergency services personnel who died on Sept. 11, 2001. White House photo by Paul Morse

Laura Bush is greeted by three youngsters upon her arrival Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, to "Operation Compassion" at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. White House photo by Krisanne Johnson

A warning to trolls, inruptors and other idiots:

“ If you value your posting privileges, don’t let me
catch you on a Dose thread again. Got it?” ~ Lead Moderator

[Kaslin]

Please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics

[madison10]

The make-me-cry-post-of-the-day. :) Thanks.

[RWGinger]

Thank you
This made me cry.
God bless President George W. Bush and thank you for all you did for our country.

Great thread

[RWGinger]

Thank you
This made me cry.
God bless President George W. Bush and thank you for all you did for our country.

Great thread

[SevenofNine]

Hey Kaslin guess what I reading Tony Blair book even Blair was very impressed with W

[kromike]

It'll take a LOT more than merely Photoshop to picture The First T*rd in this same situation.

The irony is that he will leave the American Black twisting in the wind while he vacations somewhere far away from us 'bitter-clingers' and yet they will approve & approve & approve of his job performance, simply because Race is Thicker than Sanity.

[sodpoodle]

George Bush is improving his image by just being himself; quiet and decent.

We should never demand one man or one woman fill up the big empty space of all our expectations.

A president leads by example - not perfection.

[oldteen]

Thank you so much, Kaslin. Have been waiting patiently for a Dose of some Sanity in these crazy times and it has finally arrived!! I am truly grateful :).

[upsdriver]

I’ve always appreciated the job Pres GW did for our nation but as time goes on I am coming to see him as great as Reagan. If you compare both presidencies, a case can even be made that Bush was more conservative.

I just finished Rove’s book and am looking forward to reading Bush’s this Nov.

[ScoopAmma]

I got home late today after a wonderful day with family. While it may have taken me a while “catching up” to get to this, it was so worth the wait and the surprise just highlighted my day. You do a wonderful service to all of us with these spectacular reminders. Thank you so very much.

[dmd25]

You are amazing. Thank you so much for your work. I know many of us get teary looking at the photos and reading GWB's words.

However, it is also encouraging to remember the good that can be accomplished in our country--to remember what it is like to have an honorable president, a true leader, a man of integrity at the helm of our country. It hurts, but it is good and valuable to look back.

Thank you.

[Patsygirl]

Thank You so much for these wonderful pictures. I cried all the way thru them. At some point the song “Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind” got stuck inside my head in the process. While I thought so much of President Reagan, it didn’t come close to the way I felt about President Bush and Laura. I came to LOVE them as if they were Family! Never in my life have I seen a President with such a kind and loving Heart(and I’ve been around since FDR.) President Bush truly Cared—some things one just can’t Fake. May God Bless him. Again, Thank you.....

[DrDeb]

Thank you so much for posting this awesome September DOSE — your quote and photos of the month speak volumes about our President and his beautiful First Lady!

[melancholy]

It’s wonderful to see and listen to a real President on all the channels and his pictures plastered everywhere!

A great break from 0h0m0’s news spam!

I miss ya W, what a great American!

[wardaddy]

even though he certainly aggravated me his second term in particular I have enjoyed seeing him around and plan to buy his book for the narrative

he was inspirational for his war management record

[dawgfan31635]

Just thought I would let you guys know of a You Tube video showing a split screen of the groundbreaking ceremony. It involves the “pinkie” moment where Laura touches George’s hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYkd9LH2EAg

[dawgfan31635]

Bush, Staubach, Aikman among guests at Kids Bowl Bash in Dallas

http://www.wfaa.com/news/entertainment/Bush-Staubach-Aikman-among-guests-at-Kids-Bowl-Bash-in-Dallas-113355944.html

[Krodg]

I LOVE the warning!

[nutmeg]

bookmark

[left that other site]

Oh man, do I miss that First Family!

I did not agree with all of President Bush’s policies or decisions, but I always got back a relevant letter when I wrote to him, he was unabashed in his Faith, and put in the policies that resulted in the recent killing of the evil bin laden. AND he loved America and cared about our military.

Thank you, Kaslin, for this thread.