QUOTE OF THE DAY: (only because the entire transcript isn't ready yet) We have removed an ally of Al Qaeda, and cut off a source of terrorist funding. And this much is certain: No terrorist network will gain weapons of mass destruction from the Iraqi regime, because that regime is no more.
His feet may have landed on the deck of a carrier, but judging from the jubilancy and joy aboard that platform Thursday, Bush's spirit soared higher than that Navy Viking jet that brought him there as he greeted, proudly saluted and posed for pictures with the dauntless men and women of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, en route to San Diego, completing a venturesome and arduous 9-month tour of duty.Indeed, both crew and Commander-In-Chief were scaling the heights atop Cloud 9, their spirits boosted after one of history's swiftest battlefield sweeps, the President's historic landing on board that carrier the perfect metaphor as he boldly marks the end of major combat operations only 6 weeks after the first bombs fell over Baghdad.
The beaming faces, the glad-handing, the warm hugs and countless kisses were real and honest-to-goodness as George W. Bush himself, and spoke of that special bond of solidarity, that unique rapport this President forged with Americans of every stripe post-9/11 -- a special relationship transcending petty partisanship, deeper than the Pacific bearing the homebound Lincoln yesterday.
The President, addressing the nation from the deck of that carrier, buoyed the hearts of his countrymen tonight, delivering a speech at once invigorating but clear-eyed, uplifting yet sober -- mindful not to raise expectations unduly, yet evincing that infectious, uncompromising optimism so quintessentially Bush's.
"In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world," thundered the President, adding that "Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment, yet it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it."
"Men and women in every culture need liberty like they need food, and water, and air. Everywhere that freedom arrives, humanity rejoices. And everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear."
Small wonder that, for most Americans, this President stands as a beacon of freedom and heroism, embodying America's strengths, her idealism, her confidence, her fighting spirit, her can-do defiance, her unflinching resolve, her unyielding resistance -- an adamant devotion to liberty but iron-willed determination that will never -- EVER-- surrender to evil, however daunting the challenges.
On the "terrible morning [of September 11, 2001], 19 evil men, the shock troops of a hateful ideology, gave America and the civilized world a glimpse of their ambitions," Bush recalls.
"They imagined, in the words of one terrorist," he added, "that September 11th would be the 'beginning of the end of America.' By seeking to turn our cities into killing fields, terrorists and their allies believed they could destroy this Nation's resolve, and force our retreat from the world. They have failed."
Atop the rubble of Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, 3 days after 9/11, Bush vowed defiantly that "the people who knocked down these buildings will hear all of us soon."
In Afghanistan, and now in Iraq, Bush delivered on that promise; our enemies -- trounced, thrashed, pounded, defeated -- heard us loud and clear.
On that, tonight, the President left no ambiguity: "We are pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held to account for their crimes. We have begun the search for hidden chemical and biological weapons and already know of hundreds of sites that will be investigated."
"The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on terror that began on September 11th, 2001, and still goes on," Bush added.
Two years and three months into Bush's tenure, America stands at the zenith of power, a juggernaut of unchallenged supremacy, the sovereign master of her destiny.
And her leader, George W. Bush, aims to keep it that way.
And he will.
Anyway, that's...
My two cents...
"JohnHuang2"
Just came on line. Can't wait to catch up and see if Lawgirl is still conscious! Whooo-eee!!
I love this man.
I never saw this! I bet it wasn't on TV--the CIC dressing up and getting down and dirty with the crew. I think he just cemented himself 5500 votes today.......
Watching him fly onto that carrier was about the most exciting thing I have seen in a long time. My heart was about failing and I was cheering like I was at the Final Four. AND HE FLEW THE PLANE!! Just when I think it's possible to admire him more....... Then he got out and kept shaking hands and shaking hands and taking pictures and shaking hands and hugging and patting them on the back and more pictures..... I was amazed. I shouldn't have been, but I was- he was taking all the time he wanted to talk to the crew. It was wonderful. And the f-f-f-f-f-f-fli--fli---flight suit.........................don't even get me started.....
Then tonight's speech. Did anyone else feel like it was a little more of the "old" W??? Know what I mean? Lately he's had to be so stern and making sure the world (read=France) knows we are going to do what we say we will. Tonight was a much softer- it had a little bit of triumph in it, but also we got to see W's heart a little bit at the beginning and end when he was talking about those that died I wanted to cry right along with him. It's been awhile since he's let us peek inside and see his tender heart. Makes me love him all over again. ;-D Thank you, God.
In honor of our great president:George W. Bush
HONOR AT SEA
Today, a day in history
our leader took to air
the President of our country
like none before would dare
to welcome home returning troops
upon the deck he slam
with military honors on
the bosom of Abraham
Our troops swarmed all around him
like sailors drunk on grog
the great ships Captain wrote with pride
into the Lincoln's log
"Today our ship was honored
all men will mark this day
when our beloved President
on this first day of May
"landed on our flight deck
where heros come and go
to thank us for our service
and let the world know
"what freedom means to Americans
what bloodshed and what tears
and what he said to us today
we will honor through the years"
"Though great men,rare,do come and go
as fate would us allow
we thank our Lord above for this
great man who leads us now"
by Fish Hawk
