President to Address Nation from Oval Office This Afternoon, Condolences to Israel PM

CBS News ^ | February 1, 2003 | John Roberts at the Whitehouse

[ewing]

President Bush will address the nation from the Oval Office on the Columbia tragedy, after calling the Prime Minister of Israel to give his condolences.

There have already been mid level diplomatic exchanges of sorrow between the two nations.

[3D-JOY]

OOPS! Guess South is relative!

Today's news made me think of just the Space Coast.

[sweetliberty]

Your attitude and remarks are really inappropriate. Does nothing command your respect?

[nicmarlo]

it's the strength, faith and unity of our country that gets us through these times

Very true, catspaw; I can only image our President, when told, had tears; his stomach must be in knots.....what with all he has to lead us through......what a responsibility his Presidency has been....I'm sure much more than he or any of us could have ever imagined......I remember when the Challenger exploded.....this is just as shocking and tragic....

[RightWhale]

how many more tragedies must President Bush and our country endure?

Space travel is inherently dangerous. This isn't a tragedy.

Safety is a chimera. That applies to space launches, commuting to work, smoking, eating at McDonalds, war, taking an ocean cruise, you name it.

[sweetliberty]

"I hope I don't seem intrusive here, but I decided, after years of lurking, to join today, and I couldn't think of a better time."

You are so right. I know of no better place for Americans to gather together to draw strength from one another in the face of trial and tragedy of which we have had so much in recent years. Welcome to Free Republic and I look forward to sharing better times as well.

[nicmarlo]

Space travel is inherently dangerous. This isn't a tragedy.

Of course, space travel is inherently dangerous....as is flying in airplanes.....or, probably, driving a vehicle on the autobahn (sp?).....or police work, firefighting, etc. But where there's loss of life, even though the risks are well-established, it is still, IMHO, a tragic event.

[Moose4]

Oh PLEASE, grow up. The Israeli astronaut was a foreign national and a guest of our space program; it's proper courtesy for W to call Israel and give condolences to PM Sharon on behalf of the people of the United States.

If the astronaut had been, oh, I don't know, PALESTINIAN, would you still be griping if President Bush called Arafat and gave condolences?

}:-)4

[sweetliberty]

"I can only image our President, when told, had tears; his stomach must be in knots.....what with all he has to lead us through......what a responsibility his Presidency has been...."

We all have a breaking point and I think I will reach mine with the first person who dares to criticize our president right now. He has indeed been handed burdens of responsibility that most of us could never even imagine. Whether we agree with him on matters of policy or not, there are times that every American needs to stand behind the president and to challenge head on those who do not.

[nicmarlo]

We all have a breaking point and I think I will reach mine with the first person who dares to criticize our president right now. He has indeed been handed burdens of responsibility that most of us could never even imagine

Mega Dittos, to that, sweetliberty!!

[Catspaw]

Welcome to FreeRepublic on such a tragic day.

[ladyinred]

Well said, and my sentiments exactly.

[Wait4Truth]

The President will speak at 2:00 EST

[rs79bm]

bttt. President to address nation in 5 mins.

[tallhappy]

Space travel is inherently dangerous.

Praise these heros. They knew the job was dangerous when they took it. It's a great and dangerous responsibility to hold our aspirations and mankind's future course on one's shoulder's.

This isn't a tragedy.

It is still quite a tragedy and this latter remark is callous.

I think you mean to say they did not die in vain, and indeed that is correct. Sadly, in death, in this great tragedy, their mission may be more important than if it had been another routine mission.

[bigeggo]

I thought it 'per ardua ad astra', 'through hardship to the stars' - motto of the RAF.

[nicmarlo]

President to address nation in 5 mins

Thanks for your post, rs79bm

[Rockitz]

Break away to RAT strategy session........

How can we tactfully blame Bush for this?

---

I'm guessing our beloved Bill Clinton will pull the trigger with a faux tear in his eye. I'm sure he's leading the strategy session too!

[Catspaw]

Thanks. I've got the tube on and kleenex at hand.

[areafiftyone]

You too? Sniff Sniff!

[MeekOneGOP]

He will be addressing the nation any minute now !