The 9/11 Bullhorn Speech from President George W. Bush

A president who had barely taken office was faced with the worst attack ever on American soil, and he rose to the occasion. It can never be said enough … we cannot forget the terrorism attacks of 9/11 and the 3,000 innocent souls who perished that day. I hope those who were too young to be impacted by the events of that day will listen to those who were there.

Spontaneous chants roared from the crowd of rescue workers on September 14, 2001, three days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, as President George W. Bush stood at Ground Zero and, with bullhorn in hand, said the words that were heard around the world:

President Bush: Thank you all. I want you all to know — it can’t go any louder (referring to the bullhorn) — I want you all to know that America today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens.

Rescue Worker: I can’t hear you!

President Bush: I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people — and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.

Rescue Workers: (Roar from the crowd) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

President Bush: The nation sends its love and compassion …

Rescue Worker: God bless America!

President Bush: … to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for making the nation proud, and may God bless America.

Rescue Workers: (Chanting) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

It was a moment that uplifted the nation and brought American solidarity. May we never forget.

2005 Boy Scout Jamboree: President George W. Bush Knew How To Address Scouts

When President George W. Bush arrived at Virginia’s Fort A.P. Hill for the 2005 National Boy Scout Jamboree, a couple of incidents had already happened that he mentioned in his remarks.

First, vicious storms had swept through the area earlier in the week after intense triple-digit July heat, forcing a postponement in his visit, and he thanked the gathering for their “rain check.”

<a href=”http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/27/us/questions-remain-as-scouts-try-to-deal-with-four-deaths.html”>Second, and most tragic, </a>was that four Scout leaders from Alaska had been electrocuted just five days earlier at the beginning of the event. As the men worked to erect a canvas tent, a tall metal pole touched a live electrical wire, killing them instantly in front of Scouts helping set up the tent, an incident the president addressed while expressing condolences at the loss.

But looking back now one day after Donald Trump’s narcissistic, politically-laced, rambling, and discourteous speech at the 2017 Jamboree, something that stands out is that the subject of President Bush’s remarks was scouting. Not politics. Not his campaign. Not bashing his predecessor. His remarks were respectful and appropriate for 30,000 boys ages 11-17, delivered with the dignity of a United States President.

At one point in typical Dubya style he quipped, “When I was a Cub Scout, my mother was our den mother. It’s about the time her hair turned white,” to laughter from the crowd.

Often with chants of “USA! USA! USA!” in the background, the president thanked Scouts for 1.5 million hours of volunteering in their communities, sprinkled in some light-hearted jokes, hailed volunteer Scout leaders, noted former Scouts who were currently serving in his administration, was grateful to Scouts who go on to serve in the military, and expressed his optimism for the years ahead as he stood in front of America’s future leaders.

Three video clips capture President Bush’s entire remarks. This is what a leader sounds like addressing the Boy Scouts of America. I hope we never lose sight of that.

 

Remarks by President George W. Bush
National Boy Scout Jamboree — July 31, 2005
Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia

Mother’s Day with Barbara and George W. Bush: Then and Now

Happy Mother’s Day to America’s former First Lady.

Barbara Bush with her first-born son, George W. Bush.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush (#Bush41) with son former President George W. Bush (#Bush43).

George W. Bush To Attend Ed Gillespie Fundraiser

Ed Gillespie will have help on his gubernatorial campaign when a fundraiser to be held this weekend in Texas will be attended by his old boss, former President George W. Bush.

Gillespie, who was the state chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia in 2006, left to serve as the president’s top aide toward the end of the Bush administration. Gillespie also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

CNN reported:

“Ed will travel to Dallas this week to raise money for his campaign. He’s proud to have the support of President Bush and conservative leaders from across the commonwealth and the country,” said Abbi Sigler, a Gillespie spokeswoman. “This is a crucial campaign for Virginia Republicans, and Ed will work tirelessly to ensure we have the resources necessary to defeat Ralph Northam or Tom Perriello in November, and bring conservative leadership back to Richmond.”

The latest polls show Gillespie 25 points ahead of his nearest competitor, and ahead of both Democratic candidates in a hypothetical head-to-head contest.

Here are the numbers:

Head to Head Match ups:

• Gillespie 40, Northam 39
• Gillespie 39, Perriello 39
• Northam 41, Stewart 33
• Perriello 40, Stewart 34
• Northam 40, Wagner 34
• Perriello 38, Wagner 35

Among Independents:

• Gillespie 40, Northam 30
• Gillespie 40, Perriello 30

The Republican Primary is June 13 when Gillespie will be on the ballot with Corey Stewart and Frank Wagner. The winner will go on to compete in the general election against either Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam, or former Congressman Tom Perriello.

George W. Bush Addresses Media, Travel Ban, Russia on ‘Today Show’

In 2006, after 10 minutes of hilarious self-deprecating humor, President George W. Bush ended his remarks at the White House Correspondents Dinner by thanking his side-kick, comedian Steve Bridges, and the dinner attendees with these words: “I want to thank Steve for being part of this fun evening. As most of my predecessors have known, it’s really important to be able to laugh in this job, and I thank you for giving us the chance to laugh with you tonight.”

“It’s kind of hard to tell others to have an independent free press when we’re not willing to have one ourselves.” -President George W. Bush (February 27, 2017)

Former President George W. Bush sat down with Matt Lauer on the “Today Show” on Monday, and answered some tough questions head-on. For a president who stays in the background and refuses to be critical of current or past presidents, this time he was frankly honest as he responded to issues currently plaguing the Donald Trump administration.

Even as Trump’s war on the media continues and even ramps up, the video above reminds of the self-deprecating humor of George W. Bush during his years in the White House. As he noted in the video, “As most of my predecessors have known, it’s really important to be able to laugh in this job, and I thank you for giving us the chance to laugh with you tonight.” This was after he had been excoriated by the press and Democrats for six years; yet, he did not stay away from the correspondents’ annual dinner or stand them up. He played along, and was hilarious while doing so.

Here, in a nut shell, are the subjects touched on with Matt Lauer, as compiled by my journalist sister.

On the questions of RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE in the presidential election last year and Trump team contacts:
“I think we all need answers … I’m not sure the right avenue to take. I am sure, though, that that question needs to be answered.”

On the TRAVEL BAN:
“I think it’s very important for all of us to recognize one of our great strengths is for people to be able to worship the way they want to or to not worship at all. A bedrock of our freedom is the right to worship freely.

“I understood right off the bat that this was an ideological conflict and people who murder the innocent are not religious people — they want to advance an ideology and we have faced those kinds of ideologues in the past.

“I am for an immigration policy that’s welcoming and upholds the law.”

On Trump attacks on the FREE PRESS:
“I consider the media to be indispensable to democracy. We need an independent media to hold people like me to account… Power can be very addictive and it can be corrosive and it’s important for the media to call to account people who abuse power, whether it be here or elsewhere… It’s kind of hard to tell others to have an independent free press when we’re not willing to have one ourselves.”

Jenna Bush Hager Tweets Her Dad’s 2001 ‘Islam Is Peace’ Remarks

In remarks that lasted a total of seven minutes, President George W. Bush calmed an uneasy nation and the world just six days after the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11. It was September 17, 2001, and he was at the Islamic Center in Washington, D.C.

In the days following the worst attacks the U.S. had ever experienced on American soil, as the nation mourned the deaths of 3,000 innocent victims, the president knew he had to prevent wide-spread panic. Not far from the White House, he delivered his message, reaching out to the Muslim population as well as America and the global community, with a message of tolerance.

“The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam,” he told those in attendance. “That’s not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don’t represent peace. They represent evil and war.”

He continued, “America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country.  Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads.  And they need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect.”

A look back: Democrat Bob Beckel picks George W. Bush as one of two favorite presidents

Originally published on February 22, 2012.

“The Five” celebrated Presidents Day by choosing their favorite presidents. (See video.) This Fox News Channel show, made up of five rotating panelists, has them sitting around a table discussing the day’s events or top issues. I’ve actually found it to be very interesting at that 5:00 hour of the afternoon.

On Monday, Bob Beckel took the reins to ask each of his fellow “Five” members who was their favorite American president. George W. Bush was chosen by former Bush staffer Dana Perino. Ronald Reagan was chosen by Eric Bolling and Greg Gutfeld. Kimberly Guilfoyle chose Thomas Jefferson.

But the big surprise of the day was Democrat Bob Beckel. After noting that he had two choices because they never receive recognition, he went on to say that Israel was our closest ally in the Middle East and Jimmy Carter was responsible for the Camp David Accords.

His second choice, Beckel went on, was George W. Bush for the good work and help provided for Africa to fight AIDs. Beckel noted that history will probably recognize this down the road because it is believed Bush helped save millions of lives, something he never receives recognition for. Beckel said, “He’s going to be recognized by this Democrat.”

Bravo.

Trump Tweets Petty New Year’s Eve Message

For all to read, a New Year’s Eve message was tweeted on December 31, 2016, by Donald Trump who will take over the reins as president of the United States in three weeks:

Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do. Love!

His message, which could have been positive and uplifting as he prepares to enter the White House, is instead a mockery of his opponents.

Then there’s the optimism of President George W. Bush’s New Year’s Eve message on December 31, 2002, less than four months after the 9/11 terrorism attacks on America:

The past year has been a time of achievement, progress, and renewed hope for the American people. As our citizens continue to demonstrate a spirit of resolve and unity, we are building a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility that strengthens our country and offers hope to those in need. To counter new threats, we are enhancing security at home, and we are part of the global coalition against terrorism that has made significant progress in opposing the forces of tyranny and oppression.

We will continue our efforts to secure America, win the war on terrorism, focus on education, promote compassion, create new jobs, and ensure the economic security of all our citizens. As we move forward into the New Year, I encourage all Americans to give thanks to the Almighty for His many blessings, and to join with me in reaffirming our commitment to helping people around the world achieve peace and freedom.

At the dawn of this New Year, America is a land of justice, liberty, and tolerance. We will work together to build on our successes and embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a Happy New Year. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States.

GEORGE W. BUSH

The President offered optimism, gave thanks to God for his blessings, and sent best wishes for the New Year while asking God to continue to bless America. That’s leadership. That’s what would be nice to see in the New Year.

George W. Bush, 9/11, and First Pitch at 2001 World Series

George W. Bush said nothing to the crowd the night he took the mound at Yankee Stadium, only a few miles from where he had shouted through a bullhorn to people digging through the wreckage of the World Trade Center less than two months earlier.

Wearing a bulletproof vest, the president flashed a thumbs-up to the crowd, then threw a perfect strike before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was a signal to the country that the healing could begin.

“It was so moving, so powerful, that it lifted our nation,” sportscaster Jim Gray said Sunday night at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. “What President Bush told us without uttering a single word, was that we could once again attempt to carry on our lives. … What an amazing symbol it was.”

Watch the four-minute video from Game 3 of the World Series on October 30, 2001. The crowd roared and waved American flags and patriotic signs. It will make your heart swell with pride for America.

The 9/11 Bullhorn Speech From President George W. Bush

A president who had barely taken office was faced with the worst attack ever on American soil, and he rose to the occasion. It can never be said enough … we cannot forget the terrorism attacks of 9/11 and the 3,000 innocent souls who perished that day. I hope those who were too young to be impacted by the events of that day will listen to those who were there.

Spontaneous chants roared from the crowd of rescue workers on September 14, 2001, three days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, as President George W. Bush stood at Ground Zero and, with bullhorn in hand, said the words that were heard around the world:

President Bush: Thank you all. I want you all to know — it can’t go any louder (referring to the bullhorn) — I want you all to know that America today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens.

Rescue Worker: I can’t hear you!

President Bush: I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people — and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.

Rescue Workers: (Roar from the crowd) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

President Bush: The nation sends its love and compassion …

Rescue Worker: God bless America!

President Bush: … to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for making the nation proud, and may God bless America.

Rescue Workers: (Chanting) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

It was a moment that uplifted the nation and brought American solidarity. May we never forget.

David French Believes It’s Time for Republicans to Honor George W. Bush

President George W. Bush on Air Force One. September 11, 2001.

So let’s go ahead and have a conversation about this white elephant in the room that David French at National Review brought to light on Thursday when he wrote (see The Republican Party Needs to Honor GWB):

Watching the adulation heaped on Barack Obama last night, I was reminded of the shameful way the GOP — and the conservative movement more broadly — has treated George W. Bush. The last Republican to win a national election has become an object of scorn and mockery in many quarters of the Republican world.

Watching the Democratic convention this week, something interesting jumped out at me. Democrats had embraced 9/11 and emphasized how it drew Americans together in 2001. Thursday evening New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose state witnessed so many deaths on that fateful day, recalled the terrorist attacks and noted that we did not see ourselves as black, brown, or white that day, but rather we were red, white, and blue. We cried together, he said, mourned together, and then we rebuilt together. We were Americans.

Republican President George W. Bush led that effort, calming a fearful nation and pulling together a coalition of nations to fight the war over there, not here on the homeland. During this campaign, however, he was blamed for 9/11 by the 2016 Republican presidential candidate.

French continued:

It’s almost comical to watch many of the same people who derided Bush as a “big-government Republican” wrap both their arms around a bigger-government populist. It’s sad to see critics who attacked Bush’s anti-terror strategy fail to recognize that it did, indeed, keep us safe after 9/11. His strategy — taking the fight straight to the enemy — rocked terrorists on their heels so much that only three Americans lost their lives to domestic terror attacks during the rest of Bush’s two terms. If you’d told virtually anyone in the days after 9/11 that the next seven-plus years would be almost entirely peaceful here at home, they would have laughed at your optimism. We felt that the next blow would land at literally any moment.

… By the time he left office, al Qaeda was a shell of its former self, and the Iraq war was largely won. By the time he left office, he’d taken all the necessary measures to prevent true financial catastrophe. And, by the way, he not only had a better record at judicial nominations than either his father or President Reagan, he handled an enormous amount of incoming hate and vitriol with class and dignity. Is he not worth respecting? Is he not worth honoring? I sincerely hope that the GOP of 2020 is a more decent organization than it is today, and it gives Bush the kind of moment the Democrats gave Obama. He deserves our applause.

Indeed. It’s been 16 years since the tragedy of 9/11. It’s time to properly honor President George W. Bush for his leadership.

“Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.”
–George W. Bush (address to the nation, September 11, 2001)

Dallas police slayings: The eloquence and empathy of George W. Bush

In the morning hours after the tragic Dallas Police Department shootings on Thursday night when five police officers were killed and seven others were injured, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush released a statement that was profane in its grief, honest in its feelings, and horrified at what had occurred in the Texas city.

The president wrote on his Facebook page:

“Laura W. Bush and I are heartbroken by the heinous acts of violence in our city last night. Murdering the innocent is always evil, never more so than when the… lives taken belong to those who protect our families and communities.

“Laura and I have seen firsthand the dedication, professionalism, and courage of the Dallas Police Department. Their commitment to safety and justice makes us proud to call Dallas home. Our hearts go out to the families of the fallen. We pray for the wounded officers to recover fully and quickly. We commend Mayor Rawlings, Chief Brown, and all our city’s leaders and public servants who continue to organize an effective response to this tragedy. And we join our fellow citizens in saluting the fine law enforcement officers in Dallas and across the country who put their own lives on the line to keep all lives safe.”

Succinct. Heart-felt. Achingly honest. This, my friends, is leadership.

Former President George H.W. Bush celebrates 92nd birthday

Happy 92nd birthday to former President George H. W. Bush! World War II hero, congressman, U.S. Ambassador to U.N., RNC Chairman, U.S. Ambassador to China, Director of the CIA, Vice President of U.S., POTUS. Husband to Barbara. Dad of President George W. Bush and Governor Jeb Bush. Gentleman.

“If you can’t say anything nice …”

We all heard it while growing up: “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”

The news Wednesday that former President George H.W. Bush and his son, former President George W. Bush, would not endorse in the 2016 presidential election nor be actively involved is their choice. Endorsements are earned:

For the first time since his own presidency, George H.W. Bush is planning to stay silent in the race for the Oval Office — and the younger former president Bush plans to stay silent as well.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush entered the 2016 presidential race in December 2015 with $100 million dollars to run for the Republican nomination. Dynamics eventually saw him leave the race but not before he was verbally bashed at every opportunity by an unpresidential-acting Donald Trump. Staunts like that are not forgotten.

So if you can’t say something nice … hard to do sometimes … but #41 and #43 have chosen to stay out of the mix and not participate in the national convention in Cleveland. With a link to the article, I opined on Facebook, “Hands down my favorite national convention was 2000 in Philly when George W was nominated — my mom and sisters were there, too — followed by 2008 (McCain) in Minneapolis-St. Paul when daughter Katy was with me. Like W, I’m happy to stay out of the fray this year.”

Buckle your seatbelts … it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Historic Kennebunkport … summer home of Bush family

Walker’s Point houses the Bush Compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. Photo by Kurt Michael. March 14, 2016.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Walker’s Point is a place that has entertained presidents and world leaders, and served as the summer White House for an American president. To see the wind-swept rocky shoreline and homes is to see history in this tiny coastal town in southern Maine, a history that began long before the piece of land became part of the Bush and Walker family life stories.

The Bush Compound, one of the most famous family summer homes in America that is in use from mid-May until mid-October each year, takes in the scenic Atlantic Ocean that surrounds the peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean at Kennebunkport. It is named after President George H.W. Bush’s grandfather, David Davis Walker, and his son George H. Walker who erected the first homes in 1902. Ownership since then has never left the possession of the Walker-Bush families, and it is currently owned by George H.W. Bush who shares it with members of his family tree.

The most prominent home in the compound that stands out in photos is the main, multi-story, New England shingle style house that includes nine bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, office, den, four sitting rooms, and is surrounded by decks and patios that take in the ocean views. There is also a four-car garage, pool, tennis court, boat house, and dock, as well as a guest house and “bungalows” belonging to family members.

The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust erected this anchor memorial near Walker’s Point in honor of President George H.W. Bush: “For our Friend and 41st President George H.W. Bush. An ‘Anchor to Windward.’ As he was for our nation and world during four years of tumultuous and historic change, so, too, has Kennebunkport served, in the words of St. Paul, ‘as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast’ to him. Presented by those who love him as much as he loves this special place.”

Walker’s Point has not only been the scene of summer vacations and special events for the Bush family but has also been the location for entertaining many notable guests over the years. While serving as the “summer White House,” President George H.W. Bush hosted British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev, president of the Soviet Union.

Other guests have included British Prime Minister John Major, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, former President Bill Clinton, Dr. Billy Graham and his wife Ruth, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as well as other well-known names.

The citizens of the town of Kennebunkport have embraced the Bush family, and the Bush family has embraced the town for more than 150 years as summer residents and patriotic Americans living and playing at the historic Walker’s Point.

Photos by Kurt Michael
March 14, 2016