'The Days of Miracle and Wonder' (Peggy Noonan)

Opinion Journal ^ | 02-01-03 | Peggy Noonan

[veronica]

The Columbia's loss is a searing reminder of American heroism.

"The Columbia is lost. There are no survivors." Blunt words spoken softly by President Bush this afternoon. He spoke of how easy it is for all of us to "overlook the dangers of travel by rocket. . . . These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly." He spoke of why "mankind is led into the darkness," and he promised that "our journey into space will go on."

[keats5]

Peggy Noonan writes well, because she thinks well.

[Timesink]

Say what you may about John Denver's politics...

It's not John Denver's politics that song makes me think of.

[lainie]

*gasp*

[walrus954]

I was just about to post this, it is so beautiful. I think tonight I will email Mrs. Noonan and thank her.

Andrew

[bonfire]

I love her too.

[bonfire]

I love her speaking voice also. Always so calm and well thought out and non-reactive.

[Gorzaloon]

I was saying earlier that President Bush has endured more pain as President in 2 years than most get in 2 terms. But what is fortunate is that he has the strength to endure the pain and be a voice of comfort to everyone.

But "W" is a person of Faith, so it is not "his" strength..Though there is an infinite amount he can borrow. Given the choice of doing the right thing and perhaps being a one-termer, or doing the profane but expediant thing, I doubt he would hesitate a second.

He is a good person. When the former administration left, it was more an excorcism than an election.

[MadIvan]

He is a good person. When the former administration left, it was more an excorcism than an election.

I have to confess I was nervous right up until the moment President Bush took the oath of office - I thought Clinton might find some way to maintain his oily grasp on the Presidency. But when he took the oath, and the responsibility passed onto him - I felt a relief that is difficult to describe, rather like I had been holding my breath. Perhaps just the idea of Clinton being the "leader" of the Free World was suffocating.

Regards, Ivan

[Timmy]

Y'know. I was listening to the radio when Bush spoke about the shuttle Columbia. Nice, I thought. However, a little while ago I saw the same statement on television. I was taken aback by the pain on his face, and touched to the point of tears. Thank goodness he is there, if you know what I mean.

[MadIvan]

Y'know. I was listening to the radio when Bush spoke about the shuttle Columbia. Nice, I thought. However, a little while ago I saw the same statement on television. I was taken aback by the pain on his face, and touched to the point of tears. Thank goodness he is there, if you know what I mean.

Indeed. A "President Gore" would have had a nervous breakdown by now.

Regards, Ivan

[unspun]

"We are on the verge of war in the Mideast, a war springing in its modern origins from the tensions of the Arab-Israeli conflict; our president, a Texan, believes we must move on Iraq. The space shuttle that broke up today carried, for the first time ever, a Mideastern astronaut, an Israeli who won fame when he led a daring raid on a nuclear reactor in Iraq, 20 years ago. The shuttle broke up over the president's home state, Texas. The center of the debris field appears to be a little town called Palestine."

Notice she wrote that the Arab-Israeli conflict forms the "modern" origin of the war we see before us.

It seems that the Jew who made a sacrificial statement once for all, would point out that the strife we face in the former lands of Babylon and the Chaldes is for purposes that include His, the Lion of the Tribe of Juda's. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, the apple of His eye on earth.

How the Lord has used this latest Israeli warrior's life and death will also be remembered forever.

[unspun]

Ilan Ramon tribute:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/834043/posts

[ventana]

Peggy, you always get me right here (insert heart visual). V's wife.

[alfa6]

Much obliged for the ping MI

Deepest Regards

alfa6 ;>{

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Thanks for posting the Denver song....I never even knew he wrote one after the Challenger disaster.

I saw John Denver in concert at Oakdale in Connecticut, twice in the 1990s.

Both times this song brought tears to my eyes.

He was a great performer!

[JohnBovenmyer]

Remember how John Denver died. The small plane (an ultralight I believe) he was piloting crashed. He was living the dream.

[Valin]

Peggy Noonan, is she good or what!

[Pokey78]

Absolutely! Thanks!

Ping!

[Mudbug]

...President Bush has endured more pain as President in 2 years than most get in 2 terms.

Yes, he "endures pain" (more than most in 2 terms), but it's his response that motivates. Clinton said he "felt" our pain. GWB offers comfort.