When we got to the Shaw Convention Center - we were greeted by 150 or so protesters. However, they were outnumbered by the two thousand people that lined up to see the President speak.
They chanted and booed at us. One guy even had a camcorder and was filming the people in line as if to shame us into going home. The police looked alert but bored.
They chanted and booed at us. One guy even had a camcorder and was filming the people in line as if to shame us into going home. The police looked alert but bored.
We got through the line and through airport style security and into the auditorium. We sat down and lights went down. After a few introductions from the evenings sponsors, the President walked on stage. Russ and I stood with the rest of the audience and enthusatically gave the President a standing ovation.
Retirement looks good on him. He was relaxed and passionate about what he was saying. Even though I knew that he gave this same speech many times, the way he delivered it felt as if was giving it for the first time to us.
He spoke on many topics - Iraq, Afghanistan, September 11th, the First Lady, the recession, the USA's relationship with Canada, life in retirement, his dog Barney and many other topics. He said he wanted to be The Education President and ended being The War President.
He had kind words for Canada. He said Canadians may feel that the United States sometimes takes our relationship for granted. He said that is not the case. He again thanked Canadians for all their help in hosting people stranded on September 11th. He also thanked Canada for what he described as our "disproportionate" committment in Afghanistan.
He spoke most passionately about the cause of freedom. He said that terror groups are able to find recruits in nations where there is no hope and no freedom. He spoke about his program to provide hundreds of millions of dollars to fight AIDS in Africa. He asked what hope in the world does a child have in Africa when both their parents have died of AIDS?
Russ described him as "older distinguished gentleman who was modest and proud to serve his country for eight years." Well said Russ.
History selected President Bush to make some of the toughest decisions a President has ever had to make. Whether you agree with the decisions of President Bush or not, you walked away knowing why he made the decisions he did.
A great night!
He spoke most passionately about the cause of freedom. He said that terror groups are able to find recruits in nations where there is no hope and no freedom. He spoke about his program to provide hundreds of millions of dollars to fight AIDS in Africa. He asked what hope in the world does a child have in Africa when both their parents have died of AIDS?
Russ described him as "older distinguished gentleman who was modest and proud to serve his country for eight years." Well said Russ.
History selected President Bush to make some of the toughest decisions a President has ever had to make. Whether you agree with the decisions of President Bush or not, you walked away knowing why he made the decisions he did.
A great night!
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