Thanksgiving 2003, Iraq
Posted on 01/14/2009 2:16:25 PM PST by STARWISE
Thanks ... ;)
He never lost his dignity or convictions.
In my lights, that's a MAN.
When one thinks on it... he had SOOO much to deal with. Unlike when Democrats are in charge and have to deal with dramas THEY create.
Have you thought about sending this portrait to him? The original? Were I he, I'd be beyond honored. It is *that* good.
Some may think this is corny, but I think it really applies to President Bush. He made some mistakes, in my opinion, but he always tried to protect our nation, he respected and loved those who serve, and he always chose to do what he thought was right even if it wasn’t popular.
God bless him and his family.
If, by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And - which is more - you’ll be a Man my son!
Thanksgiving 2003, Iraq
You have been a trusted and loyal friend to our 43 President, always there to post these wonderful tributes to him and Laura...I miss them so!
Oh, what a great and teary day that was.
No better friend to the troops .. NONE!
Following are the closing paragraphs from President George W. Bush's first Inaugural Address, January 20, 2001, a mere 7 months and 22 days before the horrific events of September 11, 2001:
Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: ``We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?''
Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity.
We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another.
Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.
This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.
I think you are correct... Sadly there are not enough of US that can fit in the “IF” category.
Kipling wrote “If” precisely with a man like GWB in mind.
That was truly memorable, poetic and prescient.
You know I use that last line all the time. I
believe it with all my heart.
A Grade of W (GWB Presidency)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2164683/posts
~~~
A ringing excerpt:
“True, Bush was never universally beloved. Urban, liberal opinion of George W. Bush (as too Texan, too Christian, too anti-intellectual) has been fixed since the controversial 2000 national election. He did win a strong re-election in 2004, yet received merciless left-of-center criticism ever since.”
...by taking a shot at his critics. Holster your gun.
Well done, Star. Great photo to illustrate the point.
I believe President Bush was true to his beliefs as he saw them. They may not have been what many would have preferred but in the long run one has to live with his life’s work and be judged by a power much higher than the lowly earthlings.
Thanks for the thread.
I can't remember many others speeches that stuck with me as that one has.
You’re welcome.
Wolfstar, that was a wonderful post, and so much speaks for me. Thank you.
Hi Miss Marple. Good to "see" you. You're very welcome. :)
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