Can I Get Up On A Soapbox For A Moment?

[Guest]

You have still not mentioned what Clinton did for 8 years! I am waiting. Pretty sad when you have no other argument but to question someone sitting there in front of a classroom of kids for 7 minutes. KEY WORDS: CLASSROOM FULL OF KIDS!

BS...I have admitted that Clinton made mistakes...Stop diverting the argument.

Attack the argument...It is not that hard.

Say you disagree with me.

How tough is that?

How am I tap dancing?




Sounds like I struck a nerve? Point is you are tap dancing.

[Guest]

You have still not mentioned what Clinton did for 8 years! I am waiting. Pretty sad when you have no other argument but to question someone sitting there in front of a classroom of kids for 7 minutes. KEY WORDS: CLASSROOM FULL OF KIDS!

BS...I have admitted that Clinton made mistakes...Stop diverting the argument.

Attack the argument...It is not that hard.

Say you disagree with me.

How tough is that?

I guess when you have no argument, you change the subject.

typical.


Sounds like I struck a nerve? Point is you are tap dancing.

[southerngale]

I can't believe we are arguing about how the President reacted within a 5-7 minute time frame, in a classroom full of children.

Me either...nearly 3 hours ago I said this was a silly argument anyway.

[Skywatch_NC]

"Children, I'm sorry, I have to leave to tend to an important matter"

In hindsight...that would have worked, assuming that the clueless mush minded children didn't already have a sense of panic developing...

I can't believe we are arguing about how the President reacted within a 5-7 minute time frame, in a classroom full of children.

You're not the only one, Bro!

Just a little FYI, not all people from opposing viewpoints disagree with this assessment. I am having a hard time trying to determine what Bush could have done so drastically different that makes it is soooo important that he get up and leave right away rather than sit there. It isn't like he was campaigning and continued to campaign after he received word.

zwtys, what is the point you are trying to make?

Garrett, w/ all due respect...I never said that all peeps from opposing viewpoints disagree w/ this assessment.

[azskyman]

A President that projects calm, not overreaction, is doing the right thing. Also, you can bet he was using those few minutes to, in his own mind, consider what his next actions would be. Those critical times are when people count on the individual, not a collective of minds, to set the tone.

We've all found ourselves in situations where we were looked upon for leadership, and the tone we set determines how everyone else responds.

No way can we judge ANY individual's immediate response to such an unexpected moment...except as to whether they assured others, exited others, or scared others. I think he assured them.

[Skywatch_NC]

A President that projects calm, not overreaction, is doing the right thing. Also, you can bet he was using those few minutes to, in his own mind, consider what his next actions would be. Those critical times are when people count on the individual, not a collective of minds, to set the tone.

We've all found ourselves in situations where we were looked upon for leadership, and the tone we set determines how everyone else responds.

No way can we judge ANY individual's immediate response to such an unexpected moment...except as to whether they assured others, exited others, or scared others. I think he assured them.

Very well said, Steve.

[Guest]

A President that projects calm, not overreaction, is doing the right thing. Also, you can bet he was using those few minutes to, in his own mind, consider what his next actions would be. Those critical times are when people count on the individual, not a collective of minds, to set the tone.

We've all found ourselves in situations where we were looked upon for leadership, and the tone we set determines how everyone else responds.

No way can we judge ANY individual's immediate response to such an unexpected moment...except as to whether they assured others, exited others, or scared others. I think he assured them.

Good post. I disagree, but respect your opinion. Man, that was easy.

[Stephanie]

A President that projects calm, not overreaction, is doing the right thing. Also, you can bet he was using those few minutes to, in his own mind, consider what his next actions would be. Those critical times are when people count on the individual, not a collective of minds, to set the tone.

We've all found ourselves in situations where we were looked upon for leadership, and the tone we set determines how everyone else responds.

No way can we judge ANY individual's immediate response to such an unexpected moment...except as to whether they assured others, exited others, or scared others. I think he assured them.

I couldn't agree with you more Steve! I'm sure the President's thoughts for the first few moments were shock, disbelief, anger, etc., but he very well couldn't have showed that infront of school children or the press. I have no problem with the way the situation was handled.

[streetsoldier]

As always, Poppysky, a voice of reason in the midst of the maelstrom.

[Kiko]

Southergale, here's a timeline for you in case you're still interested:

BUSH ON 9/11 TIMELINE
http://billstclair.com/911timeline/main/bushon911.html

(I have no idea which wing it comes from, I googled it.)

So then, it can be said that President Bush has tremendous composure under pressure as demonstrated by his demeanor during the 9/11 attacks.

For me this is quite an accomplishment considering there were over 150 people in that classroom, only 16 of which were students. The rest were teachers, school administrators, state education officials, and press. Whole lotta pagers and cell phone distractions going off too, while the WTC was under attack.



What are the other reasons to vote for him? Any "substantive policy reasons", as wx247 asked?

[streetsoldier]

He may not have "better hair", but what he does have is HIS.

[Kiko]

And very nice hair it is too.

[azskyman]

To digress JUST a little. I remember in the spring of 1979, after record winter snows, our town (which has a normally tranquil river flowing through it) was hearing predictions by the Army Corps of Engineers that "record floods of 100-year proportions" were imminent. Residents along the shoreline would certainly be washed away. Even city hall was in danger.

As then brand new Director of ESDA for our county, I went to what I thought was going to be a presentation by the Army Corps of Engineers to the officials and citizens who were going to be affected.

The room was jammed with people...all concerned about ice jams and record floods. As I stood in the back, the city attorney approached me (I was just 32 years old then!) and said, "I think everyone is here. You can start the meeting now!"

"Gulp!!!"

He stepped to the podium in front of all those folks who had all kinds of emotion running through them about the threat of record floods....and he introduced me to make the presentation.

With all the calmness I could muster, and with virtually every ear and eye tuned to that microphone and my words, I began by thanking them for being there (and making me shake in my boots) and reassuring them that with their help, the help of all our local emergency resources, and the resources of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, we would see our way through the next 72 hours in a way that would tell others what kind of people make up our town.

I remember saying, "Whatever else might happen along the riverbanks is not nearly so important as how we are all going to pull together the next 3 days!"

We did. They did. Hundreds and hundreds of cubic yards of fill was hauled in...day and night, as the Corps of Engineers fought the clock and built a new, higher dike to protect those at risk.

And, lo and behold, the ice jam, and the rising waters, stayed within the banks.

The point of this recollection is to remind you that we each, every one of you, and our President included, have opportunities in our lives that show up on our doorstep. How we react in a time of crisis, and before the eyes and ears of others, sets the tone for what will happen next.

I often imagine what we might NOT have accomplished if I had melted in front of all those people...and instead tried to run from my responsibilities.

The President did not run from his either.

By the way...even 25 years later, my two sons ride by that river bank and say, "Hey, dad, your dikes are still holding!"