The Papal visit to the White House

[Guest]

Watched with great intent the event on the South Lawn.

FYI, here is a link to the speeches by President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080416.html

The remarks of both men did us all proud.

[Guest]

I just have to comment on our current but, ahhhhh at last, outgoing President. When he shook the Pope's hand after the Pope spoke, Bush said "Awesome speech." TO THE POPE!
I'm surprised he didn't say "Awesome Dude!" If it weren't for all the dead left in his wake, I sometimes think I will miss the utter stupidity of the last 8 years. At times, it did bring a good laugh.

[Guest]

Thanx Chelsea. I kinda figure every time you make comments similar to the above, it's just another vote for the GOP. Keep it up.

[Guest]

Why Muncle? That's what he said. Is it a secret? What's wrong with my comment? Please 'splain yourself dahling? ;)

[Guest]

At least he heard what was said and acknowledged it, and didn't spend twenty years before a pulpit and never heard a word......

[Guest]

I just have to comment on our current but, ahhhhh at last, outgoing President. When he shook the Pope's hand after the Pope spoke, Bush said "Awesome speech." TO THE POPE!
I'm surprised he didn't say "Awesome Dude!" If it weren't for all the dead left in his wake, I sometimes think I will miss the utter stupidity of the last 8 years. At times, it did bring a good laugh.


I recall hearing that "Awesome speech" comment on the Jay Leno show, but did not hear it during the White House Welcome nor did I find it in the transcript.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080416.html

[Guest]

I recall hearing that "Awesome speech" comment on the Jay Leno show, but did hear it during the White House Welcome nor did I find it in the transcript.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080416.html




I was home that day and watched the proceedings on EWTN (the President's and the Pope's speeches) twice. I didn't hear the comment claimed to be made by the President, but can't confirm it wasn't said. I did read the Jay Leno bit, but to take it as a true quote is a stretch, as Mr. Leno makes many such remarks in the course of his comic dialogue.

[Guest]

I was home that day and watched the proceedings on EWTN (the President's and the Pope's speeches) twice. I didn't hear the comment claimed to be made by the President, but can't confirm it wasn't said. I did read the Jay Leno bit, but to take it as a true quote is a stretch, as Mr. Leno makes many such remarks in the course of his comic dialogue.

Steve: Exactly what I was trying to point out. To post what was said on Leno, Letterman, Colbert or Stewart Shows as actual quotes is a real stretch. Maybe she misspoke.

[Guest]

From the link that Hancle cited, about the 26 minute mark when the Pope finishes, GW shook his hand and said "Thank you, your Holiness. Awesome speech." As he leads him back to his chair, he added something about sitting back down for one more song.

All that aside, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the comment. It was totally in character with their apparent rapport. Just because the word awesome has taken on a slang reputation does not denigrate its usefulness as a powerful adjective.

One snag for President Bush, however. Obama's attorney has notified the White House of their intent to sue over copyright infringement. It seems Barrack had used the same comment so often following sermons by Rev Wright that he had it copyrighted.

[Guest]

1rnfl Good one Muncle! Now that's the humor from you I know and love! :-*

[Guest]

I guess a well spoken, say it the way one thinks everyone wants to hear it, to be popular is better than REAL?

The tone of today is to take what was said by whom ever yesterday and analyze and judge it all the next day....just like Obama/Clinton....this way we don't have time for the real issues at hand.

Unfortunately the prognosis is for it to only get worse....

BTK

[Guest]

In my opinion this is the biggest political problem this country has. No one is talking about the real issues we face. Both parties are to blame. I want change, I want resolution to the housing /mortgage crisis, rising gas prices, etc,etc. Unfortunately NO ONE , republican or democrat, is giving me specific answers with their solutions for these problems.
You got it right BK:
The tone of today is to take what was said by whom ever yesterday and analyze and judge it all the next day....just like Obama/Clinton....this way we don't have time for the real issues at hand.

[Guest]

:agree: :agree: :agree:

[Guest]

In my opinion this is the biggest political problem this country has. No one is talking about the real issues we face. Both parties are to blame. I want change, I want resolution to the housing /mortgage crisis, rising gas prices, etc,etc. Unfortunately NO ONE , republican or democrat, is giving me specific answers with their solutions for these problems.



You want change. Everybody wants change. No one is perfectly happy with the status quo. The problem is that their concepts of change may well differ, maybe a little, maybe a lot. One person looks at increased support as the logical role government in society. Another sees it as forsaking personal responsibility and increasing government control.

You specifically address the "housing/mortgage crisis" and rising gasoline prices as areas where you want "resolution." Okay, here's a solution for each. For the housing situation, let the market rule. Remember, 90% of American homeowners are paying those mortgages just fine. For those who bought above their means, let them lose the houses. For speculator who bought solely to make a killing in the housing market, let them lose their shirts. For those financial institutions that made risky loans, let them fail. A bit draconian, but it is a resolution and it is a change.

For gasoline prices, allow oil exploration on US properties like Alaska and off the Gulf Coast. No, it won't help today or tomorrow but it would have done so had the oil industry been allowed to start when it was first proposed and shot down by the anti-oil activist. Also, allow some nuke facilities to be built. And let some new refineries be built. Oh, and let them put the wind farms on Cape Cod. In the interim, let the prices soar. We cannot control world demand, so let it go. Industry will compete with more efficient users of power --- better cars, better insulation and furnaces and air conditioners, better light bulbs. It will be incumbent upon the people to choose those more efficient items.

Or, the government could demand that the financial industry forgive outstanding loans, reduce the balance of the loans, and/or offer a below market interest rates on the balances --- for those loans in trouble or maybe for all mortgages or who knows. Or the government could demand that the auto industry create cars that get 50+ mpg, forcing the American public into a fleet of Yugos. The government could control when the public is allowed to use heat or air conditioning. The government could limit the size of your toilet or maybe outlaw the use of incandescent lights.

All these "resolutions" to your problems are a bit drastic, probably beyond the dreams and fears of even the most fanatic. (Oops, I guess they already did the toilet and incandescent light thing.) But the point is that these as well as virtually all significant issues are very complex. They do not lend themselves to easy answers. When a politician claims to have the specific answers to these questions, they are lying, or to be more generous, very naive. Case in point is the candidate who resolved to not raise taxes on anyone making over $200K. He next proposed to raise taxes on all Capital Gains from 15 to 28%, evidently forgetting that over 50% of Americans invest in stocks. And then admitted wanting to raise the payroll taxes for those earning over $97K.

There are no easy answers to any of our complex issues. They cannot be solved by campaign promises or position papers. No major issue, be it mortgage, gas prices, energy independence, education, quality and availability of health care, terrorism, crime, family stability, tax fairness, social security and medicare solvency, global warming, none of them can be solved with a single government law. For this reason, I find it most important to look at the character of the candidate. In general, does this person believe the same way I do? Where we disagree, do I trust the person is acting honestly, honorably, with no ulterior motives? Do I think the candidate is capable of making things happen? To make these judgements, I need to get to know these folks, especially those with little or no record. So I listen to what they say, and by extension, what their supporters say. Words have meaning.