Next Friday I’ll be in Abilene to help select a scholarship winner in honor of my late buddy Micah, who had his favorite verse Micah 6:8 tattooed on his arm, and that verse happens to be the web address for the scholarship. Yesterday that verse was read at the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, and I heard the verse used by both my pastor on Sunday and on Adam Hamilton’s online sermon. I really liked that Adam Hamilton sermon by the way.
When I saw this photo of Gene Jones (wife of Jerry) at the George W. Bush Presidential Center opening, I seriously thought it was an old photo of Annette Funicello.
It’s a shame Nancy Reagan couldn’t have made the trip, though understandable. Seeing six first ladies all together would have been a neat treat.
I’m still disappointed the presidents didn’t take a picture on the grassy knoll or looking out of the sixth floor corner window of the Texas Schoolbook Depository.
I watched all of the ceremony on KTVT and was surprised that the mic was left open, you got to hear a lot of side conversations of the presidents, though nothing meaty.
It’s interesting that both George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter are the same age, one looks much healthier than the other.
The military band on top of the roof was a cool touch for the presidential introductions.
I thought it was a bit odd for Gov Jan Brewer and Gov Chris Christie to be in the crowd. I should have started a rumor on Twitter that Christie took a trip to Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, home of the best chicken friend steak in the universe. I think Babe’s is a great place to take an out of state guest.
I have a feeling out next president was in the crowd since Hillary, Jeb Bush, and Chris Christie were all in attendance. Off hand, I think I could be comfortable with any of those three.
I’m disappointed that all five presidents didn’t take time for a photo op in Dealey Plaza.
It must have been an exhausting day for our local media covering the opening of the Bush Library and the ceremony in West. For the most part, I thought they did an excellent job, and they even covered the protesters. It seemed a lot of them were upset at not getting close enough to the event to be seen or heard, but come on, you got to respect private property rights. And I have to give it to the former president for giving a slight mention to opposing opinions and it’s something that must be had in order to have a democracy.
Phil Donahue was actually part of that protest.
The community of West, Waco, and Baylor sure know how to put on a memorial service, I only intended to catch a piece of it but had to watch it til its entirety.
I wonder if some folks are upset that President Obama didn’t take the time to land and see the damage of West as opposed to flying over it, somewhat similar to what President Bush did with New Orleans. While both are tragedies, those are some apples and oranges and I never thought what Bush did was wrong.
I breathed a sigh of relief that nothing went wrong in our area yesterday, so bravo to DPD, the Secret Service, and all those involved. Oh, and the weather was fantastic. I remember it rained cats and dogs at Clinton’s library opening.
I also wondered how President Obama was going to be treated at both events, but I shouldn’t have doubted our southern hospitality and Texas friendliness.
I’m not a supporter of Texas secession, but this image did make me chuckle.
I'm being overly politically correct here but I cringed when Clinton told a story about how he had worked so closely with the Bush '41 that some people thought he was a member of the Bush family. He described himself as a "black sheep" member of the Bush family. As Clinton said it he was looking directly at Barbara Bush, who was laughing. Sitting next to her was the president and his wife. I wondered if the Obamas enjoyed hearing the old metaphor that equates the problem kid in any family to being a "black sheep".
I know it's safe but I get really nervous when I hear the President is traveling any long distance in a heliocopter. They may be safe but it seems there are far more military crashes involving heliocopters than there are involving four engine jet transports
That Texas secession link reminded me of how much pride Texans have of their state, always claiming the "bigness" factor and having a seemingly all self-important view of themselves among the other 49. My sister lives in Alaska, and I've spent several months there. I remember hearing one Alaskan say something like, "Texas is not the biggest state. Even if Texas were TWICE its size, it would still not be the biggest state." Kinda funny. Also true.
Us Texans kindly acknowledge the size of Alaska, but we also realize as beautiful as it is, it's got a bunch of nothing and isn't really a leader in the nation in regards to GDP, population, and other stuff. An you got to remember that "Everything is bigger in Texas" has been grandfathered down over generations and that Alaska has only been a state since 1959 – old habits and pride are hard to change. That's not to say that Texas ranks at the bottom of some things, but we are proud bunch.
I do remember the first time we met at your apartment in NYC and you made a joke at Texas. I'm not sure if my reaction showed, but I was really perplexed because it was the first time I heard a joke about Texas other than we all ride a horse to work type. Yup, I need to get out more.
If given the choice between living in TX versus living in AK, I would choose AK, 100 times out of 100. Unless of course I could live next to Geedingmanor. Then it would be TX.
I'm not sure if there is any friend I have a higher regard for than you, and I've always found you to be highly respectful, intelligent, thoughtful, and well rounded, but 100/100 just has me in bewilderment. I know you have family in Alaska and actually been in both states, but I'm guessing you either really love Alaska or you have a really bad opinion or perception of Texas. Granted I'm partial and have a lot of state pride, but despite a few bad apples we aren't called the Friendly State for nothing, and we've got a little of everything in terms of geography and weather, top notch colleges, a low cost of living, and governor with great hear (though nothing between his ears), and I could go on and on. Texas really is a great place to live, and I hope if it's a negative perception you have of the Lone Star State, we can do what we can to turn you around.
Now that you mention the good hair of your governor, I might have to reconsider…. 🙂
Seriously though. It's not so much that I have a purely negative image of Texas. My image of Texas is mixed. But honestly I wouldn't want to live anywhere as hot as Texas. Coming from Michigan, my blood prefers the cold.
My time in Alaska was awesome. The majesty of nature plus the tiny amount of humans really puts a person in touch with The Creator. It's one of the most startlingly beautiful places I've been. And the people are entirely authentic. There is no pretense. There are also plenty of crazy people! But every state has those…
Had any of the former presidents (or current) even hinted that they would have been any closer to Dealey Plaza than they were (at downtown hotels), it would have been WAY awkward.
I'm being overly politically correct here but I cringed when Clinton told a story about how he had worked so closely with the Bush '41 that some people thought he was a member of the Bush family. He described himself as a "black sheep" member of the Bush family. As Clinton said it he was looking directly at Barbara Bush, who was laughing. Sitting next to her was the president and his wife. I wondered if the Obamas enjoyed hearing the old metaphor that equates the problem kid in any family to being a "black sheep".
I know it's safe but I get really nervous when I hear the President is traveling any long distance in a heliocopter. They may be safe but it seems there are far more military crashes involving heliocopters than there are involving four engine jet transports
That Texas secession link reminded me of how much pride Texans have of their state, always claiming the "bigness" factor and having a seemingly all self-important view of themselves among the other 49. My sister lives in Alaska, and I've spent several months there. I remember hearing one Alaskan say something like, "Texas is not the biggest state. Even if Texas were TWICE its size, it would still not be the biggest state." Kinda funny. Also true.
Or another way it was said, "If you cut Alaska in half, each half would be bigger than Texas."
Us Texans kindly acknowledge the size of Alaska, but we also realize as beautiful as it is, it's got a bunch of nothing and isn't really a leader in the nation in regards to GDP, population, and other stuff. An you got to remember that "Everything is bigger in Texas" has been grandfathered down over generations and that Alaska has only been a state since 1959 – old habits and pride are hard to change. That's not to say that Texas ranks at the bottom of some things, but we are proud bunch.
I do remember the first time we met at your apartment in NYC and you made a joke at Texas. I'm not sure if my reaction showed, but I was really perplexed because it was the first time I heard a joke about Texas other than we all ride a horse to work type. Yup, I need to get out more.
Wow. That's all I can say! 🙂
If given the choice between living in TX versus living in AK, I would choose AK, 100 times out of 100. Unless of course I could live next to Geedingmanor. Then it would be TX.
I'm not sure if there is any friend I have a higher regard for than you, and I've always found you to be highly respectful, intelligent, thoughtful, and well rounded, but 100/100 just has me in bewilderment. I know you have family in Alaska and actually been in both states, but I'm guessing you either really love Alaska or you have a really bad opinion or perception of Texas. Granted I'm partial and have a lot of state pride, but despite a few bad apples we aren't called the Friendly State for nothing, and we've got a little of everything in terms of geography and weather, top notch colleges, a low cost of living, and governor with great hear (though nothing between his ears), and I could go on and on. Texas really is a great place to live, and I hope if it's a negative perception you have of the Lone Star State, we can do what we can to turn you around.
Now that you mention the good hair of your governor, I might have to reconsider…. 🙂
Seriously though. It's not so much that I have a purely negative image of Texas. My image of Texas is mixed. But honestly I wouldn't want to live anywhere as hot as Texas. Coming from Michigan, my blood prefers the cold.
My time in Alaska was awesome. The majesty of nature plus the tiny amount of humans really puts a person in touch with The Creator. It's one of the most startlingly beautiful places I've been. And the people are entirely authentic. There is no pretense. There are also plenty of crazy people! But every state has those…
NOTHING personal about Texas, brother.
I've always liked, "If you cut Alaska in half Texas would be the 3rd largest state."
Had any of the former presidents (or current) even hinted that they would have been any closer to Dealey Plaza than they were (at downtown hotels), it would have been WAY awkward.
wave in putnam on the way…
I always love passing through Putnam and seeing those old buildings, it makes me wonder what the West was really like.