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East Coast Pirate

(775 posts) Mon Jul 15, 2013, 04:13 PM Jul 2013

Obama toasts Bush: 'We are surely a kinder and gentler nation because of you' [View all]

Source: NBC News

In a rare and warm appearance, former President George H.W. Bush returned to the White House on Monday. The 89-year-old was there to hand out the 5,000th award from his "Points of Light" Foundation, but the celebration also recognized the 41st president’s legacy of charity and altruism.

In brief remarks, Bush, who suffered from a protracted hospital stay late last year and was confined to a wheelchair, thanked Obama for his hospitality: "It's like coming home for Barbara and me."

President Barack Obama credited the 89-year-old Bush with sparking a "national movement" to advance volunteerism and community service as the 41st president of the United States, joined Obama onstage.

"You've described for us those thousand points of light -- all the people and organizations spread out all across the country who are like stars brightening the lives of those around them," Obama said at the White House. "But given the humility that's defined your life, I suspect it's harder for you to see something that's clear to everybody else around you, and that's how bright a light you shine."

"On behalf of all of us, let me just say that we are surely a kinder and gentler nation because of you, and we can't thank you enough," Obama added.

Read more: http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/15/19487988-obama-toasts-bush-we-are-surely-a-kinder-and-gentler-nation-because-of-you

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Obama toasts Bush: 'We are surely a kinder and gentler nation because of you' [View all] East Coast Pirate Jul 2013 OP

I haven't gotten enough sleep to be reading that. Scootaloo Jul 2013 #1

INSIDE OBAMA'S HEAD: I can't believe I have to say this sh!t in exchange for immigration reform blm Jul 2013 #2

And unless we really do something it will be Jeb Bush President #3 warrant46 Jul 2013 #44

Jeb Bush 2016 BehindTheCurtain76 Jul 2013 #61

Name one Dem president who hasn't. blm Jul 2013 #66

Clinton Sell Out Bush Ally BehindTheCurtain76 Jul 2013 #68

In December 1992, Bush Sr. was already on his way out Art_from_Ark Jul 2013 #72

Bush HAD to lose in 92, and WANTED to lose BECAUSE that BCCI report was set to come out blm Jul 2013 #86

Granted, GHWB ran the worst Republican campaign since Hoover 1932 Art_from_Ark Jul 2013 #92

GOP's dog and pony show on Whitewater 'investigation' was to get into Rose Law Firm. blm Jul 2013 #93

I guess I should have been paying more attention Art_from_Ark Jul 2013 #97

Eloquent post. ronnie624 Jul 2013 #69

I like to imagine Obama using air quotes. n/t Orsino Jul 2013 #82

I understand his need to be civil Skittles Jul 2013 #3

nearly word for word!!! what I just said to someone Divine Discontent Jul 2013 #8

As Neil Young said... riqster Jul 2013 #4

the thousand points of light crap always put the hair on my neck up......asshole #1 will we get #3? lunasun Jul 2013 #55

I always said that the thousand points of light Jackpine Radical Jul 2013 #58

Meh. Obama is a politician. Maedhros Jul 2013 #5

This was not needed...by anyone. And he won't get the desired response, anyway. Demeter Jul 2013 #12

Yikes... think Jul 2013 #6

I wonder if President Obama believes it. tblue Jul 2013 #7

let's go with sad. Divine Discontent Jul 2013 #9

it's really one speechwriter toasting another Enrique Jul 2013 #10

Are you saying Obama just reads the teleprompter like that San Francisco newscaster? Divernan Jul 2013 #19

Mmmkay Fearless Jul 2013 #91

"thousand points of light"---that one always makes me choke wordpix Jul 2013 #38

Desert Storm was so kind and gentle. nt valerief Jul 2013 #11

yep ConcernedCanuk Jul 2013 #62

It's not about the oil. It's about the money. Any way the bastards can get it. nt valerief Jul 2013 #81

Bull shit on a stick. The Bush crime family has damaged Lint Head Jul 2013 #13

+1. roody Jul 2013 #15

hear hear... :( Divine Discontent Jul 2013 #16

Just when I thought I couldn't get more depressed from this week's events PlanetBev Jul 2013 #14

Gag me with a Spoon bahrbearian Jul 2013 #17

Way to give Jeb Bush, via his father, a boost in his planned run for the presidency! Divernan Jul 2013 #18

Greasing the wheels for jeb in 2016? Spirochete Jul 2013 #20

Just thinking how much better off we would be if Dukakis had won. nt Deep13 Jul 2013 #21

Worked on that Campaign---It was tragic warrant46 Jul 2013 #45

This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Jul 2013 #22

nauseating RussBLib Jul 2013 #23

was it read with a question mark at the end?- is there a sound bite of it spoken? tomm2thumbs Jul 2013 #24

Obama has no issues with old school Republicans. Brewinblue Jul 2013 #25

Looks more like that every day warrant46 Jul 2013 #88

And then she fwoowed up. n/t searchingforlight Jul 2013 #26

Too bad this isn't an Onion article. LuvNewcastle Jul 2013 #27

O. seemed to 'credit him' and speak kindly about only the old Bushes "Points of Light" Foundation. Sunlei Jul 2013 #28

I heard this. Was yelling at my teevee. TDale313 Jul 2013 #29

You aren't speaking for me Mr. President. nt ladjf Jul 2013 #30

The following action is occuring with great thrust and gusto... L0oniX Jul 2013 #31

I wasnt sure if I wanted to rec this thread. Poppy is in good part responsible for the horrendous rhett o rick Jul 2013 #32

Maybe goes back Theyletmeeatcake2 Jul 2013 #33

I didnt have that many fingers. nm rhett o rick Jul 2013 #35

Ol bush Theyletmeeatcake2 Jul 2013 #76

*twitch* sakabatou Jul 2013 #34

Obama is speaking Lies, Lies and Damn Lies. avaistheone1 Jul 2013 #36

Where is the kinder? Where is the gentler? Courtesy Flush Jul 2013 #37

very good point! Divine Discontent Jul 2013 #46

A toast almost comical in its over the top obsequiousness. forestpath Jul 2013 #39

All I can say is.... formercia Jul 2013 #40

I think he had his fingers crossed behind his back. DCBob Jul 2013 #41

Obama can now officially be declared a lair and a patsy? olddad56 Jul 2013 #42

Obama has a job to do. zeemike Jul 2013 #43

LOL warrant46 Jul 2013 #47

It will be a "Drone Craft Carrier"...since they just sucessfully landed KoKo Jul 2013 #87

What a effing sell out lie! on point Jul 2013 #48

Presidents always watch out for each other The Great Dadda Jul 2013 #49

Yes it is normal and expected. Scurrilous Jul 2013 #65

Of course. ronnie624 Jul 2013 #71

Exactly. DeSwiss Jul 2013 #74

None us can see inside Obama's mind. The thing that concerns me most is this: GliderGuider Jul 2013 #50

I Rest My Case About Obama cantbeserious Jul 2013 #51

We'll see how the jury decides, then. Pterodactyl Jul 2013 #63

... I'm speechless wundermaus Jul 2013 #52

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OnyxCollie Jul 2013 #53

One Republican fellating another Republican. blkmusclmachine Jul 2013 #54

"Kinder and gentler", yeah that's what pops into my mind when I think of the Bushes........... Beacool Jul 2013 #56

In some ways Obama is worse than Romney. We knew what we would get with Romney. What firenewt Jul 2013 #57

Tho' kinder and gentler the nation might be, the verdict in Sanford, FL this weekend suggests indepat Jul 2013 #59

Can't think of many "good" things GHW Bush did...maybe this one: FailureToCommunicate Jul 2013 #60

I can think of one good thing he did. roamer65 Jul 2013 #90

WTF? blackspade Jul 2013 #64

Just read every comment here RobertEarl Jul 2013 #67

Legacy. FAIL. nt adirondacker Jul 2013 #70

'We are surely a kinder and gentler nation because of you' DeSwiss Jul 2013 #73

I'm not happy with a lot of stuff Obama has done, but this is just standard DC BS yurbud Jul 2013 #75

On behalf of myself let me say I am going to vomit after reading those words. idwiyo Jul 2013 #77

Oh, to be sure. What a prince George H. W. is, after all. Judi Lynn Jul 2013 #78

Its over folks. Just go on home. panzerfaust Jul 2013 #79

The universal problem with being in politics Turbineguy Jul 2013 #80

And we aren't. Orsino Jul 2013 #83

Snicker. Solly Mack Jul 2013 #84

That's called politics Dyedinthewoolliberal Jul 2013 #85

Nixon on Babs Bush. roamer65 Jul 2013 #89

That should be on her tombstone. nt adirondacker Jul 2013 #94

a blatant and terrible lie Steerpike Jul 2013 #95

i imagine he'll be getting some hopemountain Jul 2013 #96