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To: BibChr
(Fun for the president, at least--I'm sure the sailors were hot to get to port).
Haven't read further yet, but I'd put money down that he's dead wrong about this.

I would wager that, to the "sailors" not overwhelmed with the faux-jaded cynicism so fashionable today, this was one of the high points of their lives, and they'll be telling their grandchildren about it. Having a President suit up, fly, land with them at sea to thank them — wow. I bet it is cool beyond words.

I have to comment here about the stark dichotomy that exist between the present administration and the last under slick-willy. I agree with your comments, I'm sure the sailors were thrilled and will tell the story the rest of their lives. I'm sure they had to clean the hell out of everything on this ship, all get haircuts, and all the typical crap you have to do leading up to a VIP dog and pony show. But you get over that.

Contrast this to my experiences as a company commander in Bosnia between 95' and 97'. We were told that then president clinton would be visiting our base to meet and greet the troops, give a pep-talk etc. He also wanted to give out a few medals and promote some soldiers. % of my soldiers were picked out along with about a dozen more from the rest of the battalion to get promoted by the president. All of my soldiers came to me privately saying they didn't want to be promoted by clinton. They didn't want to shake his hand. So put yourself in my position - I had to give my soldiera a direct order to participate in the event and show respect to the CINC. I was disgusted, but I had to do it. I was dreading the fact that I would have to meet clinton and shake his hand and salute him. Contrast this to the reception that Bush got yesterday.

As it turns out, we were lucky back in 97. The weather was shitty (like it always was) so the president got diverted and we never had to meet him. Thanks god.

I'm still bitter that my 8 years of active duty as a UH-60 pilot were the same 8 years clinton was president. Any wonder why I left the military?
29 posted on 05/02/2003 8:10:56 AM PDT by strider44
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To: strider44
From my heart, THANK YOU for your service.

As much as a civilian can, I feel for you, I really do. I thought often and long about what a misery it must be to (A) be in the Nameless One's military, and (B) not be able to utter a syllable about it. And your situation was heightened pain and anguish.

You do answer some questions, confirm some suspicions, for me. I couldn't think most soldiers were happy with their CiC.

That is one of the things that, to use the corny phrase, just makes my heart swell with pride over President Bush. Sure, I'm to the right of him; sure I imagine I'd've done this and that differently than he has. But it is CLEAR BEYOND DOUBT that he respects and loves the military, and I think they know it. And what he does, he does from the heart, not as a calculation.

As a civilian, I think and say often, what a relief it is to have a President who doesn't make me cringe every time he appears or opens his mouth. More than that, this one actually makes me proud. He's REAL.

And what genius is that? President Bush — unlike the Nameless One — has not gone on and on about how terrible his predecessor was, and what a mess he left, and how he's had to clean up so much and repair so much. He just DID it. Actions, not mere words.

But those actions speak volumes, don't they?

Try not to be too bitter, if I may say so. The nation needed defending, and all the more with the Presient it had. You rose to the task. You're to be thanked.

And God (note caps, for personal pronoun) is to be thanked for the President we have.

Dan
30 posted on 05/02/2003 8:24:31 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: strider44
You should have stuck it out, like my hubby did... although he swore he'd retire if algore was elected...LOL
51 posted on 05/04/2003 1:17:35 PM PDT by mystery-ak (The War is not over for me until my hubby's boots hit U.S. soil)
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To: strider44
I'm still bitter that my 8 years of active duty as a UH-60 pilot were the same 8 years clinton was president.

Please don't be bitter. I commend you FOR serving under that person. Your job was harder, and still, you did your job. I thank you deeply for your service in keeping our country safe in SPITE of whitepastynamelessonecicwannabe!

52 posted on 05/04/2003 2:11:37 PM PDT by Brad’s Gramma
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To: strider44
So glad to read the happy ending of your presidential visit story. Many people were praying for our service men and women during those 8 years. You all were subjected to insult after insult from i42, crowned by the plans to discount the votes of the military in 2002.

We must never forget what they did and what they tried to do.
53 posted on 05/04/2003 2:42:28 PM PDT by maica (Home of the FREE because of the BRAVE)
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To: strider44
Dude, you are a stud, and God Bless you for your thoughts about how you and your men felt about chief shitball Clinton!
55 posted on 05/04/2003 7:19:14 PM PDT by Husker8877
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