CONTRAST AND COMPARE, BUSH AND OBAMA IN THEIR OWN WORDS

I was sent a document containing the following presidential quotes. These words tell a powerful story that I wanted to share with you. Both of these speeches have been recorded for historical purposes and will likely show up in an American History curriculum. Two men - two American presidents - two vastly different opinions of their own importance.

GEORGE W. BUSH SPEECH AFTER CAPTURE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN:

"The success of yesterday's mission is a tribute to our men and women now serving in Iraq . The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found the dictator's footprints in a vast country. The operation was carried out with skill and precision by a brave fighting force. Our servicemen and women and our coalition allies have faced many dangers in the hunt for members of the fallen regime, and in their effort to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate 'them."


BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA SPEECH, SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2011, AFTER CAPTURE OF USAMA BIN LADEN:

"And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as I continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network. Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by my intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I determined that I had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan."

Hubris ( /ˈhjuːbrɪs/), also hybris, means extreme haughtiness, pride or arrogance. Hubris often indicates a loss of contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence or capabilities, especially when the person exhibiting it is in a position of power.

Narcissism - self love, excessive interest in one's self; undue dwelling on one's own self or attainments.

MEMORIAL DAY - WHAT IT MEANS TO ME

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day began shortly after the Civil War and commemorates U.S. men and women who died in military service. With the celebration of the recent success in capturing Bin Laden and our continuing War on Terror, it is easy to forget the price many heroes have paid to secure our freedom. But we must always honor those who have died to keep us free. Their sacrifice is the greatest of all.

No group of Americans better demonstrates what sacrifice means than those fighting and dying across the world for man's freedom. Regardless of your political viewpoint, you must support and respect the Americans engaged in wars and conflicts in the defense not only of our free country, but also in support of oppressed people across the globe. With instability and uprisings worldwide there's no more important time to stand for freedom. Men and women in the U. S. armed forces live on The Freedom Train every day.

I am strengthened by each and every soldier, veteran, and military family sacrificing for this great country, and I grieve for every fallen soldier who returns in a wooden box. I pray for the day when military conflicts worldwide are a thing of the past and all countries live in harmony alongside each other.

But until that time, our military makes sacrifices many of us would not make. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.