I love the President.
Over on RWN there are four stories about what kind of man President Bush is. I know some people in the blogosphere are reluctant Bush supporters; I however genuinely like the man. I don't agree with him on everything -- religion plays a much bigger role in his life and his politics than in mine, and I disagree with some of his stances on issues (marriage amendment, stem-cell research, etc) -- but I truly like him as a person and as a President despite our personal differences.
When I read about how he reacted to a child whose mother died in the WTC and a woman who whispered that she prays for him, I can't help but think of what a good man he is. He cares. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders -- he has ordered our servicemembers to go to Afghanistan and Iraq and die for their country, while the rest of the world hates him with every breath they take -- and yet he stops to comfort someone else who needs it.
Can you imagine for a moment what it must be like to be President Bush? Knowing that everyone around the world hates you, that they burn you in effigy and carry posters that liken you to Adolf Hitler? Knowing that everyone thinks you're too stupid to be President, too incompetent to be trusted, and too big of a liar to listen to? Knowing that servicemembers are dying because you are trying to do what was right for our country, and all anyone can focus on is WMDs and imminent threats? Den Beste complains that his readers won't see the forest for the trees; how must President Bush feel knowing that he's trying to make the world a safer place in the future while so many people are harping on the details?
And of course with my love for the military I'm especially touched by the two stories about President Bush and soldiers. The first shows him jogging with a SSG who lost a leg in Afghanistan; the second finds him saluting a wounded LTC in the hospital.
I cry nearly every time I read a story about a servicemember's death; I can only imagine how much it affects the man who made the decision to send them all to the war in the first place. I sometimes can't sleep at night if I'm worrying about being a good teacher; I can't even believe President Bush gets any sleep at all. I really feel for him: he has the hardest job in the world.
I love him. He's my President.
Posted by Sarah at May 7, 2004 11:16 AMThanks for saying that so well, Sarah. It is exactly the way I feel. I saw the photo of him holding the girl so tenderly, you can see the pain he feels for her is real. Just imagine the,and I know you can because of the wonderful way you write it, the pain he must feel with each one who is wounded or killed.
All the haters who think he did this for personal profit are so blinded it seems surreal to me when I listen to C-span I think where are these people getting all the vitriol? Thanks for your blog, I hope it is helping get through this terrible time.
This post exemplifies part of why I admire you so much. You are one of the most sincere people I have ever known. I just hope that you never feel betrayed by Bush.
And of course I don't view sincerity as a be-all end-all. Too many use 'But he meant well' as an excuse for evil. Your sincerity is integrated with the other principles of yours that I admire. Without that framework, sincerity can be downright dangerous.
Posted by: Amritas at May 7, 2004 07:27 PMHe is real. I think he epitomizes the word "Texan." He was raised well. Barbara Bush is the quintessential American Mom, and I can't imagine any of her brood wandering from the straight and narrow for long.
I have never understood why anyone would want the job he has.
Posted by: Mike at May 7, 2004 09:47 PMHave you noticed how much he has aged in the last two years? I think it is due to the amount of stress in his job.
Posted by: Amy at May 8, 2004 03:46 AMNot *everyone* hates him. I love the guy. Didn't at first, but do now. Were he still a drinking man, I'd love to set with him for a pint or two. And I don't think he loses any sleep over what those who hate him think.
Posted by: Seppo at June 29, 2004 04:57 PM