1 george W bush was an american president.

im stephen hawking.

2 A good President. A better man.

3 Can you imagine this same scene involving the current president?

To be fair, W doesn't have his brutal golf/ice cream run/celebrity cocktail party schedule.

4 what was W. putting in his hand before shaking the hand of the soldier in front of him? Class act all the way around.

5 Can you imagine this same scene involving the current president? Yes, I can. If it were for the good of the nation, George W Bush would be on hand to graciously welcome Obama back from vacation.

6 I miss him like crazy. I'll say it.

7 You know, I really really really liked the "soft bigotry of low expectations" approach and had hope for President Bush's social agenda. I am a social liberal and fiscal conservative. Sometimes I still think there is a healthy blend. At any rate, notwithstanding his approval of our legislators being a bit too, shit what's a word here..., blindly optimistic (?) and spendy (?),  "W" had class and was a great Commander in Chief.

8 Whatever his flaws, there's no getting around the fact that GWB was just a damned good decent man, a man of honor, and a man who appreciates what other have done for this country. 

History is going to be very, very kind to him. 

9 You can't fake the kind of care and respect Bush has for our servicemen and this country.  Obama fakes it and it's embarrassingly and shamefully transparent.

10 Yes. I miss him. I miss him a helluva lot. Average politician, great American. And Mrs. Bush is one of the best First Ladies, possibly ever.

11 Posted by: redrube at August 20, 2010 09:24 PM (0xDTu) My thoughts exactly, "Class Act"

12 george W bush helped cause 9/11. he sent us to two wars for oil, and lets face it, he spent the hell out of the economy. if you support bush, chances are your address is 666 death st. USA.


im stephen hawking.

13 Class act, all around... yeah, he wasn't perfect, but holy crap, he could walk on water compared to The One we have now...

14

What a classy & wonderful thing to do for our troops. GWB is a good, decent, honourable man who loves his country.

I miss him.

15 Hooray for our troops and yes I miss W but not all the tongue twisting sound bites he generated . Letterman made a career out of them . But he was and judging from the video here still is a stand up guy.

16 And that's a hell of a challenge coin he is handing out. What trumps that? Medal of Honor recipient maybe?

17 12


Your a sad, sad person

18 I'd like to play golf with that guy. Meanwhile, BO is too busy avoiding swimming in shit for all he's worth. Er, treading water in shit? Whatever. No comparison!

19 Lord I miss this guy at the helm.

20 what was W. putting in his hand before shaking the hand of the soldier in front of him? Class act all the way around.

Posted by: redrube at August 20, 2010 09:24 PM (0xDTu)

He was giving each of them a presidential coin.  Notice he's very fatherly with all the female soldiers....special hug.  Yeah...I miss him.

21
Your a sad, sad person"


no, im not sad at all. you dont know what emotion im feeling at this moment you bastard.

im stephen hawking.

22

I wasn't too fond of him toward the end of his second term, but I'm eternally grateful that I retired from the Corps in time to get his sig on my certificate. 

I even smile when I see one of his rare appearances these days.

_{And why does Laura look like The Joker in that screencap?}

23 Laura Bush is a beautiful person. And I have a soft spot for Barbara Bush the elder as well.

24 To be fair, W doesn't have his brutal golf/ice cream run/celebrity cocktail party schedule.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at August 20, 2010 09:24 PM (9PzaA)

I've said this before but, in fairness, The Messiah is happy to welcome our troops home. 

As long as they are willing to land in the 8th fairway at Pebble Beach and stay off the greens.

Oh, and after breakfast, so he can finish his waffle.

25 a pathetic little man, impersonating somebody smarter, wiser, and  whole lot better person. Sockpuppetting as salve for the pathetic small person you are. Nice

26

20 He was giving each of them a presidential coin.  Notice he's very fatherly with all the female soldiers....special hug.  Yeah...I miss him.

What is the significance of the presidential coin? Each time they've been mentioned is when a president has been visiting troops. Also, what do they look like? 

27 what was W. putting in his hand before shaking the hand of the soldier in front of him? Class act all the way around. Posted by: redrube at August 20, 2010 09:24 PM (0xDTu) He was giving each of them a presidential coin. Notice he's very fatherly with all the female soldiers....special hug. Yeah...I miss him. Posted by: Tami at August 20, 2010 09:33 PM (VuLos) Origins of the challenge coin in USA Like many aspects of military tradition, the origins of the challenge coin are a matter of much debate with little supporting evidence. While many organizations and services claim to have been the originators of the challenge coin, the most commonly held view is that the tradition began in the United States Army Air Service (a forerunner of the current United States Air Force). Air warfare was a new phenomenon during World War I. When the Army created flying squadrons they were manned with volunteer pilots from every walk of civilian life. While some of the early pilots came from working class or rural backgrounds, many were wealthy college students who withdrew from classes in the middle of the year, drawn by the adventure and romance of the new form of warfare. As the legend goes,[1][2] one such student, a wealthy lieutenant, ordered small, solid-bronze medallions (or coins) struck, which he then presented to the other pilots in his squadron as mementos of their service together. The coin was gold-plated, bore the squadronÂ’s insignia, and was quite valuable. One of the pilots in the squadron, who had never owned anything like the coin, placed it in a leather pouch he wore around his neck for safekeeping. A short while later, this pilotÂ’s aircraft was heavily damaged by ground fire (other sources claim it was an aerial dogfight), forcing him to land behind enemy lines and allowing him to be captured by the Germans. The Germans confiscated the personal belongings from his pockets, but they didnÂ’t catch the leather pouch around his neck. On his way to a permanent prisoner of war facility, he was held overnight in a small German-held French village near the front. During the night, the town was bombarded by the British, creating enough confusion to allow the pilot to escape. The pilot avoided German patrols by donning civilian attire, but all of his identification had been confiscated so he had no way to prove his identity. With great difficulty, he crept across no-manÂ’s land and made contact with a French patrol. Unfortunately for him, the French had been on the lookout for German saboteurs dressed as civilians. The French mistook the American pilot for a German saboteur and immediately prepared to execute him. Desperate to prove his allegiance and without any identification, the pilot pulled out the coin from his leather pouch and showed it to his French captors. One of the Frenchmen recognized the unit insignia on the coin and delayed the execution long enough to confirm the pilot's identity. Once the pilot safely returned to his squadron, it became a tradition for all members to carry their coin at all times. To ensure compliance, the pilots would challenge each other to produce the coin. If the challenged couldnÂ’t produce the coin, he was required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger; if the challenged could produce the coin, the challenger would purchase the drink. Another tradition dates to US military personnel assigned to occupy post-World War II Germany. With the exchange rate, the West German one Pfennig coin was worth only a fraction of a U.S. cent, and they were thus generally considered not having enough value to be worth keeping - unless one was broke. At any place where servicemen would gather for a beer, if a soldier called out "Pfennig Check" everyone had to empty their pockets to show if they were saving any Pfennigs. If a soldier could produce a Pfennig, it meant that he was nearly broke. Likewise, if a soldier could not produce a Pfennig (meaning he had enough money to not bother saving them), he had to buy the next round. One version of this story dates from the Vietnam war: The tradition of the coin giving dates back to Vietnam actually when soldiers would tote along a piece of "lucky" ordnance that had helped them or narrowly missed them. At first it was small arms ammunition, but this practice grew to much bigger and more dangerous ordnance as time wound on. It became then actually a dangerous practice because of the size and power of the ordnance being carried, so commanders banned it, and instead gave away metal coins emblazoned with the unit crest or something similar. The main purpose of the ordnance had been when going into a bar, you had to have your lucky piece or you had to buy drinks for all who did have it. The coins worked far better in this regard as they were smaller and not as lethal! So, if you go to a military bar, whip out a challenge coin and slam it down on the bar, those who lack one buy drinks! Obviously you have to be careful about this tradition... However, Commanders and units give out coins for this and as mementos for services rendered or special occasions.[3] This tradition spread to other military units in all branches of service and even to non military organizations. Today, challenge coins are given to members upon joining an organization, as an award to improve morale, and sold to commemorate special occasions or as fundraisers. Every Airman receives the Airman's coin upon graduation from Basic Military Training for the United States Air Force.[4] In 2008, Leatherneck Magazine gave a 90th anniversary Leatherneck challenge coin to a select few readers who sent in letters to their Sound Off section which the editors particularly liked.[5] There is another story about an American soldier scheduled to rendezvous with Philippine guerrillas during WWII and with him he carried a Philippine solid silver coin stamped with the unit insignia on one side and the coin verified to the guerrillas that he was their valid contact for the mission against the Japanese.[6]

28 "a pathetic little man, impersonating somebody smarter, wiser, and  whole lot better person. Sockpuppetting as salve for the pathetic small person you are. Nice"


doesnt seem like youre too smart to say who the fuck youre referring to, others might not be as so smart to keep up with the thread you little shit.

im smarter than you, im stpehen *breaks chair over desk* goddamn hawking.

29 If he could, Obama would be there (if his vacation schedule allowed) handing out three dollar bills.

30 President Bush taught me that you cannot cross the aisle. Give an inch they'll steal a mile. I still live by "don't tread on me", I'm just not foolish enough to vote for it anymore. Thanks and helluva a try, Sir!

31 20 He was giving each of them a presidential coin. Notice he's very fatherly with all the female soldiers....special hug. Yeah...I miss him. What is the significance of the presidential coin? Each time they've been mentioned is when a president has been visiting troops. Also, what do they look like? Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at August 20, 2010 09:37 PM (Yq+qN) Challenge coins are very common in the US Military. Every rank, base, ship, boat, specialty, ect has one. The Presidential one must say Office of the President of the United States. Or maybe Commander in Chief?

32 4 what was W. putting in his hand before shaking the hand of the soldier in front of him? Class act all the way around.

Posted by: redrube at August 20, 2010 09:24 PM (0xDTu)

Probably a "Challenge Coin". It's a commemorative medal specific to the leader presenting it. The tradition is that soldiers will compare coins (for things such as drinks) and the "winner" (having the higher ranking coin) is entitled to (drinks ) on the losing challenger. A President's coin would be the ultimate trump card.

33 you dont know what emotion im feeling at this moment you bastard.

And that's a good thing. Exploding heads are always so messy.

34 what was W. putting in his hand before shaking the hand of the soldier in front of him? Class act all the way around. Posted by: redrube
---

Challenge coins? How cool would it be to have one from W!

35 Challenge coins? How cool would it be to have one from W!

Posted by: Retread at August 20, 2010 09:43 PM (Nm+UQ)

Please let it say somewhere on it, "miss me yet?"

36

31 20 Challenge coins are very common in the US Military. Every rank, base, ship, boat, specialty, ect has one. The Presidential one must say Office of the President of the United States. Or maybe Commander in Chief?

So it's the presidential challenge coin.

I've heard he used to give them out at Walter Reed & at the other military hospitals, & to other troops elsewhere. Sounds like a great honour to receive one.

_{/Sadly, the only other time I've seen one was on a TV show, & only for a moment.}

37 A President's coin would be the ultimate trump card. Posted by: Have Blue at August 20, 2010 09:42 PM (mV+es) I am not sure but I got a hunch "Medal Of Honor" Challenge Coin might trump that. After all even the President of the United States has to Salute a Medal Of Honor Recipient.

38

36 31 "Sadly" meaning you'd think they'd discuss them more often. 1st time I ever heard of one was either from Bill Sammon or Blackfive.

39

Can you imagine this same scene involving the current president?

I didn't agree with a lot of what W was doing, but at least I knew he loved our troops and the country. And, Laura wouldn't growl at the troops.

40

What is the significance of the presidential coin? Each time they've been mentioned is when a president has been visiting troops. Also, what do they look like? 

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at August 20, 2010 09:37 PM (Yq+qN)

They started minting them in 2007 and there are 4 presidential coins released each year.  They're gold with the president's image on them and the dates they served.  I think they're given to the troops as a sort of a presidential 'thank you' and souvenir.

41 I am not sure but I got a hunch "Medal Of Honor" Challenge Coin might trump that. After all even the President of the United States has to Salute a Medal Of Honor Recipient.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 20, 2010 09:46 PM

Even one that LIES about receiving the MOH?

42 Alternate Headline: Teachable Moment!

43 So it's the presidential challenge coin. I've heard he used to give them out at Walter Reed & at the other military hospitals, & to other troops elsewhere. Sounds like a great honour to receive one. /Sadly, the only other time I've seen one was on a TV show, & only for a moment. Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at August 20, 2010 09:45 PM (Yq+qN Yeah that would be cool. I have my little collection from all the Places I served and a Few of my Rank and Corps.

44 Even one that LIES about receiving the MOH? Posted by: HornetSting at August 20, 2010 09:48 PM (8F9TW) Well according to the Ninth Circuit maybe? Pretty despicable ha?

45 Nevergiveup at 37 - Touche. I would take Bud Day's coin over even W's.

46 Is there a version of it without the cloying muzak? God, why can't people leave images and natural sound alone?

47 Well according to the Ninth Circuit maybe? Pretty despicable ha?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 20, 2010 09:50 PM

Criminal.

48 W?  A decent pro-American class act, along with Laura. Our current POTUS? An embarrassment top to bottom. I can Imagine Obama there, handing out DVDs of his campaign speeches, for Euro-code DVD players

49 And, Laura wouldn't growl at the troops.
Posted by: HornetSting at August 20, 2010 09:47 PM

She also wouldn't consider them a bunch of mental misfits. Every time Michelle says "support for our military," she means psychiatric counseling for all the blood-crazed, traumatized future postal workers.

50

One of the best parts of the video (IMO) is when he gently kisses the one female solider. She just looks so incredibly, I don't want to say happy, but I'm not sure of the appropriate word.

51 a former president welcoming home the final troops in a heart-warming video. & the msm will run this...when? [up-tone on the "when".]

52 If they made a quarter with his own giant noggin on it instead of Washington's, I'm sure Obama would have an assistant- Hillary, perhaps- reward their service richly.

53 the msm will run this...when?

If there were no casualties or alleged atrocities, we're not in the least bit interested.

54 im crying like a freakin baby watching this, :Salute: Pres.Bush

55 It appeared to me like some of the soldiers wanted to salute the ex-president.  I guess that would be a breach of protocol and I wonder if they were instructed not to do so.

56

51 a former president welcoming home the final troops in a heart-warming video. & the msm will run this...when? [up-tone on the "when".]

I saw it on some MFM websites for about a day, perhaps less. It received much more press from the USO & the DFW papers & press.

57 30 or 20 years ago you might have seen an up beat 30 second or 1 minute human interest segment on abc or nbc or cbs: "former president bush welcomed home the last combat troops from iraq today" [smile, commercial break]. but the hatred from the left & demonization of bush for 8 years by the media makes this well nigh impossible to even imagine. what a humble & good guy.

58 im smarter than you, im stpehen *breaks chair over desk* goddamn hawking.

Posted by: stephen hawking, man of science at August 20, 2010 09:38 PM (icVev)

That's right, Steve-o.  Don't let 'em give you any shit.

59 I miss GW.   I liked the guy.  He will be vindicated.  He has taken alot of abuse and has never fought back.  Class act.   Loved Laura.

How many times has Clinton done that since he slithered out of the White House with the furnishings? uhhhh..... NONE.

Barky showed up for the photo op with a coffin... ..

60 Some quotes about the event from The Forth Worth Star Telegram

61
What's Obama doing?  Oh yeah - he's on another vacation.
I guess we shouldn't complain. Obama's at his best when he's not signing horrid crap 2000+ page bills into law. 

W. rocks.  I miss him.

62 To have gone through the savage, brutal slander that the left meted out for 8 full years, and never answer back. Now the man is retired and he still has more class and humanity. He wasn't always right, but by g-d he loved this country and it showed. Obama! not so much.

63

I've heard he used to give them out at Walter Reed & at the other military hospitals, & to other troops elsewhere. Sounds like a great honour to receive one.

_{/Sadly, the only other time I've seen one was on a TV show, & only for a moment.}

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby
--
Soldiers Angels had their own made and gave them out to supporters above a certain level) of their Project Valor campaigns.

64 Hey, Obama would have been there too -- but he had to run by the market and get a couple of fruit platters for his Iftar dinner.

Priorities, people.

65

I teared up a tad ..... I don't mind saying

I can't imagine Jug Ears doing this..if he were forced to be there..he'd hold out his hand expecting them to kiss his ring

I couldn't imagine Bubba doing it..he would probably ignore the men...and try to cop a feel and jam his tongue down the throats of the females

 

66 I couldn't imagine Bubba doing it..he would probably ignore the men...and try to cop a feel and jam his tongue down the throats of the females Posted by: beedubya at August 20, 2010 10:07 PM (Q3TFM) I wouldn't do that to some of the Females i know in the Military. There was this one Female DI down in Parris Island......

67 I miss him.  Very much.

68

Surpringly good from CNN:

But waiting with the crowd at the international arrivals section were the smiling former president and first lady. "We didn't tell them at all what was going on," said the leader of the welcoming group, Lt. Col. Patrick McAfee. "It was shock and awe when they walked in the double doors."

 

69 59 I miss GW.   I liked the guy.  He will be vindicated.

Amen.  I disagreed with him at times, but he's an honest, classy, dignified man.  His critics condescend to mock him for his struggles with alcohol, but a wise man learns from, and is humbled by, the mistakes he makes in life.  Contrast Obama, who has been told from the time he could walk that he could do no wrong.  Hence the arrogance, and vacationing with the swells in Martha's Vineyard, leaving his predecessor to greet the troops

70
How many times has Clinton done that since he slithered out of the White House with the furnishings? uhhhh..... NONE.

The Clintons would love to slighter back into the White House.  I think they must be loving Obama's crash and burn. 

71 The Clintons would love to slighter back into the White House.  I think they must be loving Obama's crash and burn. 

Posted by: Lemon Kitten at August 20, 2010 10:13 PM

What do you suppose the Clintons are up to? Gotta be something.

72

The Clintons would love to slighter back into the White House.  I think they must be loving Obama's crash and burn. 

Oh, you can bet on that.

73
Theocracy!  Bush is gonna take over the werld.

74
What do you suppose the Clintons are up to? Gotta be something.
Posted by: arhooley

Popping champagne corks, biding their time. 

75 What do you suppose the Clintons are up to? Gotta be something. Posted by: arhooley at August 20, 2010 10:16 PM (8sASd) Yup I don't trust them one bit

76 I can haz ONT?

77 that's an awesome video

78 tnx, miss '80s for the cnn link. so that's how they run it.. so the photo implies he's shrinking from the challenge that he's a heartless racist by a suffering, sacrificing black guy. and the article questions his motives. that's about par.

79 Miss him yet?  Yep.

Oh and I love that bumper sticker from the headlines section under "is this something".

80
What do you suppose the Clintons are up to? Gotta be something.

Smiling for the camera. 

81 ... for the coverage a simple, warm humane story and experience.

82 One of the best parts of the video (IMO) is when he gently kisses the one female solider. She just looks so incredibly, I don't want to say happy, but I'm not sure of the appropriate word.

That's because you're not decadent enough. 

The music sucks, but what an extraordinary video.  And what an extraordinary man.  And what an extraordinary group of men and women.  Welcome home, soldiers.

83 Cool, Steve Hawkwing gave me a new address!

84 I'm tearing up here, because I remeber how I felt when my son, Sgt. Matt the Marine came back from Afghanistan.

85 70
How many times has Clinton done that since he slithered out of the White House with the furnishings? uhhhh..... NONE.

The Clintons would love to slighter back into the White House.  I think they must be loving Obama's crash and burn.

Somehow "slither" seems to fit the Clintons only too well.

I can't think of a former Dem president (in my lifetime) who wasn't a terrible ex-president.  Though I think Obama should give it a shot.

86 geeze. these guys. boy. bastards.

87

OT But I didn't get a chance to post anything today, and I know how empty and meaningless your lives are when you don't hear from me:

If everybody would clean after himself, we would have milions of unemployed "Cleaning Industry" workers.  And if they go out to the streets to strike, what then?

The mind boggles

88 What do you suppose the Clintons are up to? Gotta be something.

Posted by: arhooley at August 20, 2010 10:16 PM (8sASd)

easy answer: they're up to no good.

89 These days special coins are manufactured with advanced CNC and designed with ZBrush.  I wish I had that job, I'd be good at it.

90 79 Miss him yet?  Yep.

Can the comparison between the two be more jarring?

91

75 What do you suppose the Clintons are up to? Gotta be something.
Posted by: arhooley at August 20, 2010 10:16 PM 

You mean, right at this very moment. Well, Hill is away, so Bill's probably dipping his wick in peanut butter and pinching his nipples. OH, you mean, what are their plans? Yeah, slithering back into the WH.

92 ... it's the f'ing politicization of everything and the media's hell bent involvement by choice. and i blame the clintons and the fecklessness of a compliant media in prosperous society. it gives them "purpose"... bastards.

93 I never paid much attention to politics until 9/11.  The day after when Bush was talking to american people and he teared up and I knew, just knew in my heart this country was never going to be the same and he was almost like a father figure for me and I was looking to him to do the right thing (which he did).  He always seems like such a down to earth guy.  I think if he could have, he would have spent his entire presidency with the troops, he has that much affection for them.

94

78 I must have missed their snark this time. Read it mainly for the quotes from the man in-charge of the program. Wish I could find the one with quotes from the soldiers.

Honestly love the video & wish there was more. It would also be lovely if more airports had welcoming committees. I know many of them do, but that would be such a great present, to see those vets, the people you love, & people who love you welcome you home.

95 Miss him yet?  Hell, I missed him on the 21st of January, 2009.

96

Well, Hill is away, so Bill's probably dipping his wick in peanut butter and pinching his nipples

Okay, that seriously made me laugh.

97 I'm tearing up here, because I remeber how I felt when my son, Sgt. Matt the Marine came back from Afghanistan.

Posted by: Lazarus Long at August 20, 2010 10:23 PM (8edQv)

I know.  My Marine cousin came home for our grandmothers funeral.  Nobody could take their eyes off him.  We are so proud of him.  My grandmother was especially.  God bless our troops.  God bless GW.

98 tearing up here, because I remeber how I felt when my son, Sgt. Matt the Marine came back from Afghanistan.

Posted by: Lazarus Long at August 20, 2010 10:23 PM (8edQv)

I know.  My Marine cousin came home for our grandmothers funeral.  Nobody could take their eyes off him.  We are so proud of him.  My grandmother was especially.  God bless our troops.  God bless GW.

God Bless them.  My daughters friend just got home from Iraq.  We haven't had a chance to see him yet.  He's a great kid.

99 Almost every time my son came home on leave, or after a tour of duty, there would be nice grandma-ladies at the airport handing out cookies and gum and little goodies to the soldiers as they came through.  He like that a lot.

What a special treat it must be for these troops to have a real  CiC there to greet them.

100 G.W. is the real deal. And would still be if he was simply the guy managing your local hardware store. Good man all the way through, I think. 

101 I read that on the day of the Ft.Hood shooting, W & Laura drove to the hospital and they were visitong and comforting the injured. They stayed until a call came from the White House asking them to leave. There was no fanfare, nothing. They just drove up to the gate and requested to visit. Classy couple compared to the Clampetts in the White House now.

102

Please don't pollute the comments with turds, just acknowlege The Man

W

103 Classy couple compared to the Clampetts in the White House now.

Posted by: red131 at August 20, 2010 10:43 PM

The Clampetts called, they want you to take that shit back.

On a more serious note, yes, saw this video a few days ago. It made me tear up and I was proud that OUR president W, though we didn't always agree with him, was there to meet our men and women in uniform. A class act.

The wet fart in the WH now only greets the coffins of our brave men, for a photo op. He wouldn't DARE greet our troops...they haven't been properly vetted, they aren't SEIU, and they aren't slobbering leeches looking for a handout from King Barry.

 

104 What do you suppose the Clintons are up to? Gotta be something.
Posted by: arhooley

Bill about 3 interns a day, Hilary about 2 bridesmaids a day.

105

I would love to have a coin from President Bush. Knowing my luck i would end up with a tarnished Soetero token....

But I do have one from the Chaiman of the Joint Chiefs......That should stand up to a challenge.....

106 Barry will greet all of the troops returning home to Martha's Vineyard. Unless he has a golf game or he's eating waffles or he's at a fund raiser or it's looks a little cloudy outside

107

Once again

Thank You Mr President

108 Can anyone imagine the troops reacting to Obama like this? Seriously. These troopers love Wand Laura! Can you imagine the reaction to Moochell and Barak?
It would NOT be like this!!! But then, Berry and Moochell are 'on vacation' and not available to our returning soldiers...

GOD bless W and Laura! How noble of them!
Could you see how proud those troops were to get a picture with W?
Can you imagine the same expression with Barry?
I think NOT!

109 It has to be a simply awesome feeling to get off that plane and know that you're home and that your loved ones are on the other side of that door.

And then, to see Pres. and Mrs. Bush there among your family has to be simply overwhelming. To take home a picture and a Presidential Challenge Coin from him would be icing on the cake.

True story: My son-in-law graduated from the AF Academy in '08 and Pres. Bush spoke at the Commencement. After he swore in all the new Lieutenants, they all lined up by squadron to shake his hand. Bush was absolutely gregarious. He didn't have to do it, but he stayed there (in the drizzling rain) and hammed it up with each of them. Lots of hi-fives, lo-fives, cell-phone-hellos-to-Mom-and-Dad-in-the-stands. I'll never forget it: One Lt. asked for the American flag lapel pin off his lapel ( I can't imagine the balls it took to ask that) and get this--Bush gave it to him! Can you imagine such a treasure?

I had my share of differences with his policies, and I'm not going to say what they were because those differences aren't important now. But right from the moment he stood at Ground Zero and spoke to us through that bullhorn, there has never been a question in my mind that he loved our military with everything he had. From his Thanksgiving trip to Baghdad to his anonymous trip to Ft. Hood to this event at DFW...the man loves the troops.

Bush's silence in the face of the carping that Zero does daily speaks to his class. I miss him too.

110 They stayed until a call came from the White House asking them to leave. There was no fanfare, nothing. They just drove up to the gate and requested to visit. Classy couple compared to the Clampetts in the White House now.

Posted by: red131 at August 20, 2010 10:43 PM (8hQWZ)

I never heard that before but it doesn't surprise me from that spoiled brat in the White House. W cares about our troops. Barry couldn't care less

111 thanks for the challenge coin education. I still recall watching W get choked up when he was addressing the troops on one of his covert Iraq drop-ins. That was some big brassy balls swagger......having the AF drive a 747 into a warzone so the CinC can serve thanksgiving dinner to his troops.......don't forget to vote in November. it's the second most important vote we'll ever cast. The most important ballot we will ever cast will be in 2012.  These republicans that are riding the wave this year serve only one purpose in 2010. We are hurling them into the breach.  They are being tasked with holding that breach until 2012, when we will send an overwhelming wave to smash the progressives into a fringe minority. If they shirk this duty, we will rid ourselves of these squishes and replace them with those that will gladly throw themselves into the breach in 2012. Plug it, hold it, and wait for us. We are coming in 2012.

112 Damn! I didn't want to click. Knew I'd tear up. Sure enough. Miss him? Oh, my.

113 redrube at August 21, 2010
...having the AF drive a 747 into a warzone so the CinC can serve thanksgiving dinner to his troops...

Its been a while and I may be wrong, but I don't think it was the 747. I think they snuck him in on a C-17. Here's a little something to dust off the cobwebs about that Thanksgiving trip.

114

110 They stayed until a call came from the White House asking them to leave. There was no fanfare, nothing. They just drove up to the gate and requested to visit. Classy couple compared to the Clampetts   shitbirds in the White House now.

Next to the First Fuckups, the Clampetts are High Society.

115 I was just about to go to bed and saw this.  Watched it.  Tears, running down my face.  From a very non-weepy woman.  W looks good, he really does.  And whatever he may have done wrong, I sure do miss having a decent, God-fearing, patriotic American in the White House. 

116 At least us ingrates have one true American president unafraid to do/finish his duty. As if it needs saying: God blesses.

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118 101 I read that on the day of the Ft.Hood shooting, W & Laura drove to the hospital and they were visitong and comforting the injured. They stayed until a call came from the White House asking them to leave.

Posted by: red131 at August 20, 2010 10:43 PM (8hQWZ)

I Did Not Know That. I need to look into that, because if it does turn out that Obama or a flunkie asked GW to leave and stop comforting the wounded from Ft. Hood, I will have to make sure to live long enough to piss on their graves.

108 Can anyone imagine the troops reacting to Obama like this?

Posted by: ChrisP at August 20, 2010 11:51 PM (ZDRIO)

Don't imagine we'll get a chance to find out.

119 Nobody seems to verify the "they were ordered to leave" thing, looks like I have to fall back to the usual reasons to want to desecrate Obama's grave - damned red-diaper baby.

120 Honor. Dignity. American exceptionalism. Three things you will never find in B.Hussein Obama, and George W. Bush has flowing out of his every movement at all times.

121 I cried a little.

Mostly because I endorsed (and still do) the policies that sent them there. They shed tears, so shall I.

Welcome back Heroes. Welcome Back

122 American Exceptionalism.

At least I saw it. FUBO

123 Oh, what a terrible thing, to send young folks into war.

I have no doubt that his heart leapt with pride and joy and relief to see each and every individual (so young!) face coming off that plane.

It must have been a thrill and a half to be a soldier and get that kind of reception at the end of a long journey!

124 He was there to see them back because it was his job to send them, and his job wasn't over until they came back, no matter what his address is now.

Some people cannot get that.

Normally I'd probably complain about repost this and that, but today sucked ass, this helped.

125 If it had been Obama, the camera would have been more professionally handled and on the other side, so you could see him, with the troops passing in his background; human props on the stage of The One.

126
#131: Thread winner!

127 Love him or hate him, he's a class act. Something the last two dem presidents will never be able to do.

128 I didn't read all the comments above, but a friend of mine pointed out that the guy in the white shirt behind Laura Bush is none other than Daryl "Moose" Johnston!

129 I'd take him back in a minute (minus the spending & illegal alien amnesty).

A true class act and patriot for our troops.

The jug eared wonder from Harvard could not shake hands without a teleprompter.

130 That was just amazing to watch.  I saw 101st airborne, 1st infantry, 3rd infantry, 4th infantry, 1st cavalry , just amazing. King barry couldn't lick these dude's boots.

131 Once upon a time, America had a President...

132 What do you suppose the Clintons are up to? Gotta be something.

Scheming.

133 here is a clip from the nat. geo. documentary that covered the suprise 2003 Iraq mission. i can't find any video of the W with the troops at the 2003 dinner though. that would be awesome to see.

134

fixed

135

dri, thanks.  I watched all of this, and it just made me kinda proud of them again.  I was reminded of their trip down here to Ft. Hood, and mostly that their concern and affection for the troops is sincere.

 

There are many accounts, you know?  President Bush meeting with the families of those who lost the most precious thing in their lives.

 

How hard the must have been, I cannot even imagine.  And good it was of him to take that on, because he knew it was his to shoulder.

136

There are some on both sides of the aisle that do not appreciate or like President Bush. They say he did "bad things" while in office. Yeah, sure, there were some things he did that I didn't agree with, but that happens. No matter what anyone thinks of President Bush, there is no denying one thing - he is truly a decent man. He didn't have to go greet those men and women returning from the war zone, but he did. And for that, I say -

Thank you, Mr. President!

 

137

That's my favorite Dude!

Yup, I miss him.

138 Disagreed with the man on a few big things. But not the biggest one. And he was indeed a class act. Spelling that out for our lefty brethren: Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama - for 3 of these guys, it was never about them or their lofty egos or their places in history. They served truly and they did it with grace. Damned shame Republicans have cornered the market on that.

139 I have had the priviledge of coming back from Iraq twice and being met by these wonderful people.  It brought a tear to my eye to see W. out there supporting those troops.

140 I never got to meet Bush when I was at Walter Reed.  He came twice while I was there but I was in surgery one time and home on convalescent leave the other.  I do have a coin from Paul Wolfowitz and one from Donald Rumsfeld though.  I keep them just for their value in causing leftys' heads to explode.  Boy, do they hate those two (those who know who Wolfowitz is, anyway).

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