I'll state openly that I am Republican and conservative by nature, but I am also open-minded--to give a basic background. I voted for Bush and support him, even though there are times I disagree. But I would just like to remind the readers of this site the magnitude and gravity of his job. During 9/11, two jumbo jets slammed into the WTC's; during this incident people were throwing themselves out windows from multiple stories up to keep from being burned alive. The man carries the weight of that event on his shoulders and that he takes his responsiblities for our safety and security seriously. That is the context which his presidency will most likely be defined. So as we sit in our comfortable AC moderated abodes and type our short opinions on the man, it would be fair to keep it in perspective what he has been charged to do.

Nothing's wrong. Nothing to see here. Please move along. Smile for the nice men in brown suits who want to take your picture...
Can we say "reality disconnect", folks? There. Knew ya could.
A typical sociological lesson often missed is *insert politician* playing (preying?) upon contemporary ideological bases to set up a (in particular)Good Christian Smokescreen wherein even the letter of this doctrine (Ten Commandments in this case) is flagrantly flouted for personal profit. Honestly, people never learn. As soon as "Gawd" and mentions of His agenda come spewing forth from the political orifice, and the public bites the hook, the rest is set in stone. Happy retirement, everyone. What? You didn't hear? We traded our future for "democracy in Iraq" (read that: coup to install CIA thug to further facilitate handing out our blood-and-sweat money *no-bid* to Carlyle subsidiaries while raping oil reserves and gouging public). Ever see "Repo Man" where Otto asks his brain dead teevee parents for money? Well, guess where Social Security went? Advice: Start burying those Mason jars...

This may be too much of a bitter pill for some, but those who sign up for active duty are usually mere numbers in a Ponzi scheme. Expendable commodities, dying so the rich can get richer (Great for the stock market, at least certain select portions of the tech sector)...is this how one would serve one's country? Sign here. please, and leave your soul with Dick Cheney. Trust me, you won't need it any more.

Do the Bushies think we've all turned into "Stepford Wives" drinking the Cheney kool-aid? I put my trust in the American people to see through this latest example of arrogance and disregard for the constitution and values of our country.

Do the Bushies think we've all turned into "Stepford Wives" drinking the Cheney kool-aid? I put my trust in the American people to see through this latest example of arrogance and disregard for the constitution and values of our country.

It is so cringe inducing to watch these stupid people laugh uproariously everytime Bush makes one of his lame jokes and then cackles and snorts at his own "humor." What a sad devolution from, say, JFK's easy and elegant wit to Bush's sophomoric corn.

When I taught school, I used to hear chanting in the schooyard when students were making a comment that reminds me of George W. It was - "Liar, liar, pants on fire." I expect him on the hot seat anytime.

Frankly, I am at a loss as to where Kelly wanted to go with this post? She leads us in with promises of "a few surprises", but where's the follow-up analysis and fill I have come to expect from the MSM - the story behind the story, if you will? Kelly - we need a bit more depth in your reporting, girl - more on Barney, W's exercise regimes, and Laura's love - you know, doing the job we expect from a Sr. White House Correspondent!

Excuse me! Liars are telling me that they are doing things illegaly just for my own good? No thanks!

I live in kansas and i do not listen to bush because i do not trust him ,nor do I believe he has our best interests in mind with what he has done and will do in the future

Why K-State? Why not Kansas (a liberal oasis in the red state)? I see little difference between speaking at K-State and speaking to a group of handpicked supporters. Now I remember why I got out of Dodge.

I am a student at K-State and attended the lecture today. In response to some of the earlier posts, the audience was not pre-selected. Tickets were distributed simply on a first-come, first-served basis. Secondly, Kansas does have a democratic governor, so perhaps we aren't as "red" as some of the earlier posts suggest. Lastly, I am somewhat disappointed in the way this has been covered in the media. They have all taken this as a PR move on the surveillance issues, but anyone who was at the speech today would not say that that was the topic, which is why, as the original blog says, he didn't talk about it until 40 minutes into the speech. The topic today was leadership, decision-making, and standing up for what you believe is right. That was what I learned from being there, not whether the NSA is right to listen to terrorists' phone calls (which, I incidentally, have no problem with). What I learned today was that President Bush is a man of great character who is not afraid to do what he thinks is best for our country, whether or not it is the most popular thing to do.

It seems the country has become afflicted with a possibly terminal case of apathy, Nobody even seems aware of the real issues that are reaching critical mass in allmost any area you look. Absolutely insane what we are letting these people do to this country, and the rest of the world, Benjemin Franklin I think said it best, we would inherit the type of government we deserve. Shame on us all.

It seems the country has become afflicted with a possibly terminal case of apathy, Nobody even seems aware of the real issues that are reaching critical mass in allmost any area you look. Absolutely insane what we are letting these people do to this country, and the rest of the world, Benjemin Franklin I think said it best, we would inherit the type of government we deserve. Shame on us all.

the president has one thing right: public apathy and the media's total deference to the administration will be looked upon poorly by future generations. If bill clinton only did one of the things this guy has done, he would have been crucified in front of the white house. where is edward r. murrow' succesor?

Does no one have anything positive to say? I, for one, am thrilled that this President has core convictions which he is committed to following in what he believes to be the best interests of the nation--regardless of which way the wind may be blowing at any given moment. At the same time, I applaud his recent efforts to interact with the public, put a human face on administration policies, and make more of a public case for what he believes to be the necessary direction of the country. Members of both the media and radical left are so convinced that President Bush is some frightening combination of misguided and malevolent, they apparently cannot grasp the simple fact that the vast majority of middle America stands solidly behind the President and believe wholeheartedly in the direction in which he is leading! So far as the left is concerned--Bush is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. How grateful I am that he will not allow such vitriol to dictate his policies and positions!

I had the same impression as Ms. O'Donnell in re Bush's stuttering about for an answer to the question from the Kansas rancher with the Wisconsin cap. (Go, Badgers!) I could just see the wheels spinning like a Ford Focus in a snowbank in his head as he started several possible answers and couldn't find a way out with any of them.

Poor, poor Harry, he actually had the gauls to say what most Americans think. Seems like everything I am reading here is saying the same thing, isn't it? Wow, I never though the press could be had.

More typical Bush. Here's my fear, if we survive three more years, if our country survives three more years of Bush, how will we ever come back from the damage? If we impeach him, look what we'll have then...

A red state,screened attendance,rehearsed questions. What a farce this event was. Just the same old stay the course spin. In my opinion this administration from the top down is an abject failure. .

Once again, rhetoric that fits a prescribed text. What has this country come to? We look to the president as a father, a father to us and a father to the nation. It is very difficult for many, to accept the fact that our parent is an idiot! So a lot of citizens go along, believing what he says in hopes that he'll return to the family. A lost cause, unfortunately......

President Bush has lost his sense of reality, he has the europeans mad about his policy no matter what it is, all he knows is Iraq, in the meantime New Orleans is going thru hell.
Latinoamerica is another mess, he has completely forgot our neighbors of the south, now they are to the left on their own initiative.

I thought it was great! He's doing exactly the right thing. He connects 9-11 with Iraq because ALL the countries in the region are connected in one way or another. Islamic Fundamentalism declared war on America with the hostages in Iran. 25 years later and they are still killing and attacking the US and our allies. He's doing exactly what he said he would do and that's why we elected him twice. Sorry Blue States!

Hand picked audiences are all this President can afford to appear before. He would be out of place before a group of citizens asking tough important questons.He would have a problem giving an intelligent answer

I really just can't believe a word Pres Bush says anymore. I think he speaks only when his handlers tell him to and these last ditch efforts of his to prove this false only seem that much more pathetic. He might have strong personal values, but his political values would make Jesus weep (and are making millions of others cry, as well). Bush has entered into a war which has made America appear weaker. Bush has ignored the poor and working class (I don't remember Jesus working with the rich). He has pillaged the middle class pocketbook, pushed fundametalism here, while fighting it abroad, and trod all over the Constitution, civil liberties, and States' Rights. And, what ever happened to fiscal discipline? Is it 2008 yet?

I agree with some of the other comments I have read here, however every time I see that bush has made another speech I look for the domestic policy comments and questions on what he has to say about what is going on right here in America. I do not see how the president of the country can wholey ignore problems going on at home in favor of international problems. One particular item that I cannot believe has been touched has been the falling apart of our nations top automobile industries. Our government was tripping over itself to help the airlines in the wake of 9/11 with loans and tax concessions but nothing for the auto industry. It seems that all bush cares for is talking about the war and how he is always "justified" for everything he does because there is a war on terror. A few months ago I read an article about the growing divide between the haves and have nots in this country that disturbed me because I can see it progressing more and more every day. Where is our response and leadership to this? Bush likens the economy as a runaway freight train that nothing can stop. I say he is wrong and the end of the tracks will be closer than anyone thinks if something is not done. If he would really wake up and fix some things that really mean something to americans then I think I could be more supportive but until then I'm counting the months till the next election. I only hope there is someone out there that has not lost site of what we strive to be.