Attended President Bush's Speech at Okaloosa-Walton College

[intercede007]

Fantasic speech!!

For all the horribly flat appearances I've seen him make, this one was full of passion and heart.

John McCain spoke first. I didn't realize he was along on the tour. His first remark was "..I have a lot of fond memories of the panhandle..fortunatly the statute of limitations has expired!". That got the crowd pretty relaxed and told me that what I was expecting from this was NOT what I was going to get. That's a good thing :)

I was also at his appearence on Feburary 2nd, 2002 at Eglin Air Force Base. It was a troop pep talk but not much more.

The Presidents opening remarks were about his wife. She's campaigning up north, and he said "I could give you a hundred reasons why I want to be re-elected, but I guess the biggest one is so my wife can be the first lady 4 more years". The ladies in the crowd loved it!

He started talking about being in the White House and what a powerful place the oval office is. He said "You know, it's the one place where my mom is so overwhelmed she can't tell me what to do!" Classic :)

He moved on from the small talk shortly thereafter. At one point in his speech he remarked "My opponent has said he voted for the (86 billion dollar supplimental) bill before he voted against it...that's not how they talk here in the panhandle of Florida!!". I tend to agree :)

Later he went on to say.. "We also believe this: That freedom is not America's gift to the world, freedom is the Almighty God's gift to each man and woman in this world."

He fielded questions for about an hour after the speech was done. Every time somebody asked a question he didn't turn it into a mini-speech. He looked the person in the eye and addressed them as if they were the only other person in the room. He shook hands with the crowd then left.

The coolest thing was when I got to shake his hand. It wasn't the shake of a man with better places to be. It wasn't that limp, wet fish shake some buisness men seem to like to give. I got a strong, firm, confident handshake that one man gives to another that shows respect.

Bush/Cheney 2004 :)

[retsam]

very cool !!!! i need to find out when hes coming to my state ..... hes not much of a speaker but...when he has his stuff toghter he really can wow the crowd ..

[DiscipleDOC]

He's coming to Alabama for a breakfast in a few weeks...

[sytaylor]

I've seen some clips of his speeches on newsnight here in the UK and I have to say, to be fair he comes across far better than he ever does making a sombre international statement. The world never see's this GWB and so finds it easy to make judgements about him based on the culmination of common ignorance (something I must rant about at some point because its starting to boil my blood).

Does he have to bring religion into everything though? Being secular is inclusive, refariming belief in one faith is exclusive which is unfitting for a world leader imo. TB is extremley religous apperentley, and is very happy to talk about it when approached but does not in any way relate his decisions back to his religion in public. It strikes me as a dirty tactic to affirm the support of people he probably already had.

I mean perhaps he does think that and just says it, but its not very inclusive to a free nation full of alternative religions is it?

[vampireuk]

He said god, not a christian god.

[sytaylor]

The Almighty God, is not something that exists in Bhuddism, Spirtitualism, Paganism.. and the much hated atheism. I still think the statement could have been made more wisley.

[majortom]

i dont think ill be allowed to attend a bush/cheney speech, because i have a problem with being forced to sign a contract pledging my allegiance to them before i can attend.

[vampireuk]

Well if a Bhuddist objects they can always decide to run as president ;)

[sytaylor]

Oh indeed, but that doesn't validate the insensitivity of the statement either. Its one of Dubya's rough edges that is very easy to clear up, but yet he seems to make little or no attempt to do so.

[vampireuk]

I don't believe he should have to change the way he talks to appease non religous people. People already know he is a very religous man so simply not refering to god in his speeches will not change their view of him.

[sytaylor]

See, that would make sense if everyone had enough sense to see through how someone speaks to what they are saying. The sad fact is however, that most people are swung by charachter and not ability. Tony Blair (at least pre Iraq) demonstrated brilliantly how you can talk out of your backside and make people like you. He has a true talent for saying a lot without ever actually saying anything. In fact in rescent years he's become more likley to shoot from the hip on TV interviews and appears a bit more rash and less in control.

Whether or not Bush changes the way he makes these speeches is not for me to force, but I am certain that if he did he could quite easily open himself up to more votes without actually changing any core beliefs. In an election year with one as close as this its those little things I'd see as somewhat crucial.

[saturnotaku]

Whether or not Bush changes the way he makes these speeches is not for me to force, but I am certain that if he did he could quite easily open himself up to more votes without actually changing any core beliefs. In an election year with one as close as this its those little things I'd see as somewhat crucial.

Then we may as well call Bush - John "I'm a Catholic but don't subscribe to their core logic because I wanna win over the atheist hippie crowd" Kerry.

I respect Bush a lot for sticking to his religious convictions in matters like this.

[sytaylor]

Indeed, and I agree it does speak to the core values of a lot of Americans. I just feel it isolates others, maybe I'm just used to Europes more secular ways? Who knows.

[Riptide]

I don't have a problem with him bringing his beliefs up. If you don't like for him or his convictions then don't vote for him. :)

Sure, perhaps he could get a few more votes by keeping his trap shut. But there's something to be said for being who you are even if it costs you a few votes.

[Rob_0126]

I don't have a problem with him bringing his beliefs up. If you don't like for him or his convictions then don't vote for him. :)

Sure, perhaps he could get a few more votes by keeping his trap shut. But there's something to be said for being who you are even if it costs you a few votes.

I agree. And no matter what people say, this country was founded by people who believed in the creator God.

[UDawg]

I've seen some clips of his speeches on newsnight here in the UK and I have to say, to be fair he comes across far better than he ever does making a sombre international statement. The world never see's this GWB and so finds it easy to make judgements about him based on the culmination of common ignorance (something I must rant about at some point because its starting to boil my blood).

Does he have to bring religion into everything though? Being secular is inclusive, refariming belief in one faith is exclusive which is unfitting for a world leader imo. TB is extremley religous apperentley, and is very happy to talk about it when approached but does not in any way relate his decisions back to his religion in public. It strikes me as a dirty tactic to affirm the support of people he probably already had.

I mean perhaps he does think that and just says it, but its not very inclusive to a free nation full of alternative religions is it?

With all do respect why do you even care? He is a Christian and has expressed that. If the American public doesn't like that then they won't vote for him. Still for you to contanly to worry about this is just mind blowingly narrow minded on your part. Most of the US call them selves Christian. We are a Christian country whether the left likes it or not.

It sseo me it is the secularists that want to get rid of the CHristians. Every time we wasy the word God you secularists get upset and say we are getting in your face. Hotwash! It is you secularists who are out right trying to get rid of Christians.

[intercede007]

Dang...

I was just posting an experience I had meeting my President and the man I plan on voting for. My intention wasn't to start a religious debate. Kinda crazy how that worked out... :|

[saturnotaku]

I agree. And no matter what people say, this country was founded by people who believed in the creator God.

Cha-ching! Cookie for Rob. :)

[Sazar]

I agree. And no matter what people say, this country was founded by people who believed in the creator God.

they also happened to be slave owners :cool:

[sytaylor]

With all do respect why do you even care? He is a Christian and has expressed that. If the American public doesn't like that then they won't vote for him. Still for you to contanly to worry about this is just mind blowingly narrow minded on your part. Most of the US call them selves Christian. We are a Christian country whether the left likes it or not.

It sseo me it is the secularists that want to get rid of the CHristians. Every time we wasy the word God you secularists get upset and say we are getting in your face. Hotwash! It is you secularists who are out right trying to get rid of Christians.

Easy there Udawg before you re-write everything I said lets address what I didn't say shall we?

I did not say I wish to wipe out christianity
I did not say The US is not a predomenantly christian country
I did not say This would make or break the election

I wonder if you meant the all due respect, because it is hardly narrowminded to percieve a change in tact on Bush's part as being a vote winner. I just plain dislike the idea of State/Religion mixing in any way beyond how they affect individuals in their own lives (which includes their values). Religion should not ever be used as propaganda imo, not only is it doomed to create arguments between enthnic groups, but relying on it as a source of guidance for government will lead us directly back into the dark ages. History has prooven it, unless that religion wasn't really a "religion" in the first place.

So with all due respect (and I mean that), stop being paranoid about people attacking religion. Religion itself is not the problem, religion is in fact on many levels good for society. For me however a world leader, the most powerful world leader should not speak with language that divides him from the rest of the world, but with language that unites. The USA being powerful doesn't mean it should stick its finger up to everyone whenever it feels like it.

To reiterrate what I have already said, Bush has every right to speak how he wants, and that will win the religous/conservative vote to some degree. I just feel as a head of state he has a responsibility to all peoples within his nation, not just one.

[UDawg]

For the record I didn't say you personally want to wipe out Christians. I said secularists in general cry about Christians being in their face all the while trying to shut the Christians up.

[sytaylor]

Fair enough, still I stand by why I think he could be more open to other cultures :)

[vampireuk]

I just feel as a head of state he has a responsibility to all peoples within his nation, not just one.

I can't understand why you essentially think he doesn't care about non christians, the fact that he is religous is having no bearing on how he runs the country. Until he starts favouring one group of people over another there is nothing to be concerned about whatsoever.

[sytaylor]

Oh I agree its not a concern, more a suggestion of tact. What and how you say things cna influence people just as much as what intend to do, and what you do. I think he does care, but he doesn't show it ever

[|JuiceZ|]

Back to topic :D

Bush came here not too long ago, a $1000 per plate lunch is a bit outta my budget though. Must of been some darn good eatin' :p