Showing posts with label MONTANA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MONTANA. Show all posts

Fw: Montana

Subject: Fw: Montana





Fwd: FW: From Randy: ABSOLUTELY THE BEST DOG JOKE



date:Tue, May 26, 2015 at 11:33 AM
subject:Fwd: FW: From Randy: ABSOLUTELY THE BEST DOG JOKE


Subject: FW: From Randy: ABSOLUTELY THE BEST DOG JOKE
"Great Nancy, but how?" asked Harry.

"We'll get some cheesy clothes and shoes, like most Middle Class Americans wear, then stop at the pound and pick up a Labrador Retriever. Then, we'll go to a nice old country bar in Montana and show them how much admiration and respect we have for the hard working people living there." So they did, and found just the place they were looking for in Hamilton, Montana. With the dog in tow, they walked inside and stepped up to the bar.

The bartender took a step back and said, "Hey! Aren't you Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi?"

"Yes we are!" said Nancy, "And what a lovely town you have here. We were passing through and Harry suggested we stop and take in some local color."

They ordered a round of bourbon for the whole bar, and started chatting up a storm with anyone who would listen. A few minutes later, a grizzled old rancher came in, walked up to the Labrador, lifted up its tail, looked underneath, shrugged his shoulders and walked out.

A few moments later, in came another old rancher. He walked up to the dog, lifted up its tail, looked underneath, scratched his head and left the bar.

For the next hour, another dozen ranchers came in, lifted the dog's tail, and left shaking their heads.

Finally, Nancy asked, "Why did all those old ranchers come in and look under the dog's tail? Is it some sort of custom?:

"Lord no," said the bartender. "Someone's out there running around town claiming there's a Labrador Retriever in here with two assholes!"

Fwd: FW: Hunting Buddy

Subject: FW: Fw: Hunting Buddy


LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
In the news this week:
A Southern California man was put under 72-hour psychiatric observation when it was found he owned 100 guns and had (by rough estimate) 1 million rounds of ammunition stored in his home. The house also has a secret escape tunnel.
The television reporter said: "Wow! He has about a million machine gun bullets!" and the headline referred to it as a "massive weapons cache".
By California standards someone owning even 100,000 rounds would be called" mentally unstable".
If he lived elsewhere, such as Arizona, he'd be called "an avid gun collector."
In Oklahoma, he'd be called "a novice gun collector".
In Utah, he'd be called "moderately well prepared", but they'd probably reserve judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food.
In Montana, he'd be called "the neighborhood 'Go-To' guy".
In Idaho, he'd be called "a likely gubernatorial candidate".
In Wyoming, he'd be called "an eligible bachelor".
AND...... in Texas, he'd be called "a hunting buddy".

FW: Pace Car


 
Subject: FW: Pace Car
 



Subject: Pace Car


 

It took some money to purchase this, paint it & haul it from Montana to Alabama ...
This was seen on I-65 in Birmingham AL a couple of weeks ago. The truck has Montana license tag and they pulled alongside of it and gave the driver a big thumbs up. 
He acknowledged with a thumbs up. Loved it!

Fwd: At A Bar In Montana

Subject: Fwd: At A Bar In Montana


A man is sitting in a bar in Montana and far from home when Barack Obama comes on TV. 

The man looks at the TV and says, "Obama is a horse's ass."  Out of nowhere, a local jumps up and punches him in the face, knocking the guy off his bar stool, then stomps out. 


He gets back up, rubbing his cheek and orders another beer.  Shortly after, Michelle Obama appears on the TV.  He looks at the TV and says, "She is a horse's ass too!" 


Out of nowhere, another local punches him in the other side of the face, knocking him off his bar stool again.   

  
He gets back up and looks at the bartender, "I  take it this is Obama  country?"

"Nope." replies the bartender. "Horse country."

FW: American Security

Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 12:47 AM
To:
Subject: American Security


Didn't know if you have seen this or not,


----- Original Message -----
Subject: American Security

ABSOLUTE MUST READ FOR EVERY AMERICAN!

Juval Aviv was the Israeli Agent upon whom the movie, ' Munich ' was based..
He was Golda Meir's bodyguard - she appointed him to track down and bring to
justice the Palestinian terrorists who took the Israeli athletes hostage and
killed them during the Munich Olympic Games.

In a lecture in New York City a few weeks ago, he shared information that
EVERY American needs to know -- but that our government has not yet shared
with us.

He predicted the London subway bombing on the Bill O'Reilly show on Fox
News stating publicly that it would happen within a week. At the time,
O'Reilly laughed and mocked him saying that in a week he wanted him back on
the show. But, unfortunately, within a week the terrorist attack had
occurred.

Juval Aviv gave intelligence (via what he had gathered in Israel and the
Middle East ) to the Bush Administration about 9/11 a month before it
occurred. His report specifically said they would use planes as bombs and
target high profile buildings and monuments. Congress has since hired him
as a security consultant.

Now for his future predictions. He predicts the next terrorist attack on
the U.S. Will occur within the next few months.

Forget hijacking airplanes, because he says terrorists will NEVER try and
hijack a plane again as they know the people onboard will never go down
quietly again. Aviv believes our airport security is a joke -- that we have
been reactionary rather than proactive in developing strategies that are
truly effective.


For example:

1) Our airport technology is outdated. We look for metal, and the new
explosives are made of plastic.


2) He talked about how some idiot tried to light his shoe on fire. Because
of that, now everyone has to take off their shoes. A group of idiots tried
to bring aboard liquid explosives. Now we can't bring liquids on board.
He says he's waiting for some suicidal maniac to pour liquid explosive on
his underwear; at which point, security will have us all traveling naked!
Every strategy we have is reactionary.



3) We only focus on security when people are heading to the gates. Aviv
says that if a terrorist attack targets airports in the future, they will
target busy times on the front end of the airport when/where people are
checking in. It would be easy for someone to take two suitcases of
explosives, walk up to a busy check-in line, ask a person next to them to
watch their bags for a minute while they run to the restroom or get a drink
and then detonate the bags BEFORE security even gets involved. In Israel ,
security checks bags BEFORE people can even ENTER the airport.


Aviv says the next terrorist attack here in America is imminent and will
involve suicide bombers and non-suicide bombers in places where large groups
of people congregate. (I. E., Disneyland, Las Vegas casinos, big cities New
York , San Francisco , Chicago , etc.) and that it will also include shopping
malls, subways in rush hour, train stations, etc., as well as rural America
this time ( Wyoming , Montana , etc.).


The attack will be characterized by simultaneous detonations around the
country (terrorists like big impact), involving at least 5-8 cities,
including rural areas.


Aviv says terrorists won't need to use suicide bombers in many of the
larger cities, because at places like the MGM Grand in Las Vegas , they can
simply valet park a car loaded with explosives and walk away.



Aviv says all of the above is well known in intelligence circles, but that
our U. S. Government does not want to 'alarm American citizens' with the
facts. The world is quickly going to become 'a different place', and issues
like 'global warming' and political correctness will become totally
irrelevant.



On an encouraging note, he says that Americans don't have to be concerned
about being nuked. Aviv says the terrorists who want to destroy America
will not use sophisticated weapons. They like to use suicide as a
front-line approach. It's cheap, it's easy, it's effective; and they have
an infinite abundance of young militants more than willing to 'meet their
destiny'.



He also says the next level of terrorists, over which America should be
most concerned, will not be coming from abroad. But will be, instead,
'homegrown' - having attended and been educated in our own schools and
universities right here in the U. S. He says to look for 'students' who
frequently travel back and forth to the Middle East . These young
terrorists will be most dangerous because they will know our language and
will fully understand the habits of Americans; but that we Americans won't
know/understand a thing about them.



Aviv says that, as a people, Americans are unaware and uneducated about the
terrorist threats we will, inevitably, face. America still has only a
handful of Arabic and Farsi speaking people in our intelligence networks and
Aviv says it is critical that we change that fact SOON.



So, what can America do to protect itself? >From an intelligence
perspective, Aviv says the U.S. needs to stop relying on satellites and
technology for intelligence. We need to, instead, follow Israel 's, Ireland
's and England 's hands-on examples of human intelligence, both from an
infiltration perspective as well as to trust 'aware' citizens to help. We
need to engage and educate ourselves as citizens; however, our U. S.
government continues to treat us, its citizens, 'like babies'. Our
government thinks we 'can't handle the truth' and are concerned that we'll
panic if we understand the realities of terrorism. Aviv says this is a
deadly mistake.



Aviv recently created/executed a security test for our Congress, by placing
an empty briefcase in five well-traveled spots in five major cities. The
results? Not one person called 911 or sought a policeman to check it
out...in fact, in Chicago , someone tried to steal the briefcase!



In comparison, Aviv says that citizens of Israel are so well 'trained' that
an unattended bag or package would be reported in seconds by citizen(s) who
know to publicly shout, 'Unattended Bag!' The area would be quickly &
calmly cleared by the citizens themselves. But, unfortunately, America
hasn't been yet 'hurt enough' by terrorism for their government to fully
understand the need to educate its citizens or for the government to
understand that it's their citizens who are, inevitably, the best first-line
of defense against terrorism.



Aviv also was concerned about the high number of children here in America
who were in preschool and kindergarten after 9/11, who were 'lost' without
parents being able to pick them up, and about our schools that had no plan
in place to best care for the students until parents could get there. (In
New York City , this was days, in some cases!)



He stresses the importance of having a plan, that's agreed upon within your
family, to respond to in the event of a terrorist emergency. He urges
parents to contact their children's schools and demand that the schools,
too, develop plans of actions, as they do in Israel .



Does your family know what to do if you can't contact one another by
phone? Where would you gather in an emergency? He says we should all have
a plan that is easy enough for even our youngest children to remember and
follow.



Aviv says that the U. S. government has in force a plan that, in the event
of another terrorist attack, will immediately cut-off EVERYONE's ability to
use cell phones, blackberries, etc., as this is the preferred communication
source used by terrorists and is often the way that their bombs are
detonated.



How will you communicate with your loved ones in the event you cannot
speak? You need to have a plan.



If you believe what you have just read, then you must feel compelled to
send to every concerned parent or guardian, grandparents, uncles, aunts,
whatever and whomever. Nothing will happen if you choose not to do so, but
in the event it does happen, this particular email will haunt you..."I
should have sent this to...", but I didn't believe it and just deleted it as
so much trash!!!

FW: The Real Story

Subject: The Real Story






Subj: The REAL Story




By now you have probably heard that President Obama came to Montana last Friday. However, there are many things that the major news has not covered. I feel that since Bill and I live here and we were at the airport on Friday I should share some facts with you. Whatever you decide to do with the information is up to you. If you chose to share this email with others I do ask that you DELETE my email address before you forward this on.

On Wednesday, August 5th it was announced locally that the President would be coming here. There are many groups here that are against his healthcare and huge spending so those groups began talking and deciding on what they were going to do. The White House would not release ANY details other than the date.

On about Tuesday Bill found out that they would be holding the "Town Hall" at the airport. (This is only because Bill knows EVERYONE at the airport) Our airport is actually located outside of Belgrade (tiny town) in a very remote location. Nothing is around there. They chose to use a hangar that is the most remotely located hangar. You could not pick a more remote location, and you can not get to it easily. It is totally secluded from the public.

FYI: We have many areas in Belgrade and Bozeman which could have held a large amount of folks with sufficient parking. (gymnasiums/auditoriums). All of which have chairs and tables, and would not have to be SHIPPED IN!! $$$$$
During the week, cargo by the TONS was being shipped in constantly. Airport employees could not believe how it just kept coming. Though it was our President coming several expressed how excessive it was, especially during a recession. $$$$$

Late Tuesday/early Wednesday the 12th, they said that tickets would be handed out on Thursday 9am at two locations and the president would be arriving around 12:30 Friday.

Thursday morning about 600 tickets were passed out. However, 1500 were printed at a Local printing shop per White House request. Hmmmm......900 tickets just DISAPPEARED.

This same morning someone called into the radio from the local UPS branch and said that THOUSANDS of Dollars of Lobster were shipped in for Obama. Montana has some of the best beef in the nation!!! And it would have been really wonderful to help out the local economy. Anyone heard of the Recession?? Just think...with all of the traveling the White House is doing. $$$$$ One can only imagine what else we are paying for.

On Friday Bill and I got out to the airport about 10:45am. The groups that wanted to protest Obama's spending and healthcare had gotten a permit to protest and that area was roped off. But that was not to be. A large bus carrying SEIU (Service Employees International Union) members drove up onto the area (illegal)and unloaded right there. It was quite a commotion and there were specifically 2 SEIU men trying to make trouble and start a fight. Police did get involved and arrested the one man but they said they did not have the manpower to remove the SEIU crowd.

The SEIU crowd was very organized and young. About 99% were under the age of 30 and they were not locals! They had bullhorns and PROFESSIONALLY made signs. Some even wore preprinted T-shirts. Oh, and Planned Parenthood folks were with them.....professing abortion rights with their T-shirts and preprinted signs. (BTW, all these folks did have a permit to protest in ANOTHER area)

Those against healthcare/spending moved away from the SEIU crowd to avoid confrontation. They were orderly and respectful. Even though SEIU kept coming over and walking through, continuing to be very intimidating and aggressive at the direction of the one SEIU man.

So we had Montana folks from ALL OVER the state with their homemade signs and their DOGS with homemade signs. We had cowboys, nurses, doctors you name it. There was even a guy from Texas who had been driving through. He found out about the occasion, went to the store, made a sign, and came to protest.

If you are wondering about the press.....Well, all of the major networks were over by that remote hangar I mentioned. They were conveniently parked on the other side of the buildings FAR away. None of these crowds were even visible to them. I have my doubts that they knew anything about the crowds.
We did have some local news media around us from this state and Idaho. Speaking of the local media...they were invited. However, all questions were to be turned into the White House in advance of the event. Wouldn't want anyone to have to think off the top of their head.

It was very obvious that it was meant to be totally controlled by the White House. Everything was orchestrated down to the last detail to make it appear that Montana is just crazy for Obama and government healthcare. Even those people that talked about their insurance woes........the White House called our local HRDC (Human Resource and Development Committee) and asked for names. Then the White House asked those folks to come. Smoke and mirrors...EVERYTHING was staged!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very dismayed about what I learned about our current White House. The amount of control and manipulation was unbelievable. I felt I was not living in the United States of America, more like the USSR!! I was physically nauseous. Bill and I have been around when Presidents or Heads of State visit. It has NEVER been like this. I am truly very frightened for our country. America needs your prayers and your voices. If you care about our country please get involved. Know the issues. And let Congress hear your voices again and again!! If they are willing to put forth so much effort to BULLY a small town one can only imagine what is going on in Washington DC. Scary!!

Fw: Dinner in Montana

Subject: Fwd: Dinner in Montana



This may have may the rounds before....


Montana Restaurant:

This is a great story! The radio station America FM was doing one of its
'Is Anyone Listening?' bits this morning. The first question was, 'Ever
have a celebrity come up with the 'Do you know who I am?' routine?'

A woman called in and said that a few years a go, while visiting her
cattle rancher uncle in Billings, MT, she had occasion to go to dinner at
a restaurant that does not take reservations. The wait was about 45
minutes; many ranchers and their wives were waiting.

Ted Turner and his ex-wife Jane Fonda came in the restaurant and wanted a
table. The hostess informed them that they'd have to wait 45 minutes.
Jane Fonda asked the hostess, 'Do you know who I am?' The hostess
answered, 'Yes, but you'll have to wait 45 minutes.' Then Jane asked if
the manager was in. When the manager came out, he asked, 'May I help
you?' 'Do you know who we are?' both Ted and Jane asked. 'Yes, but these
folks have been waiting, and I can't put you ahead of them.'
Then Ted asked to speak to the owner. The owner came out, and Jane again
asked, 'Do you know who I am?' The owner answered, 'Yes, I do. Do you
know who I am? I am the owner of this restaurant and I am a Vietnam
Veteran. Not only will you not get a table ahead of my friends and
neighbors who have been waiting here, but you also will not be eating in
my restaurant tonight or any other night. Good bye..'

Only in America , is this a great country, or what?

To all who received this, this is a true story and the name of the steak
house is:

Sir Scott's Oasis Steakhouse, 204 W. Main, Manhattan , MT 59741, (406)
284-6929

If you ever get there, give this fellow a sharp salute, buy a steak, and
tip the waitress. Keep passing this on. We should never forget our
national traitor!
And let's not forget what 'our gal' Hillary said to the troops in Iraq ,
'This war has no support from the American public.'

Fwd: SHOOTING IN BUTTE, MONTANA : Hay Bill, Micah your son is writting Bullshit to people who write me so I gress I'll stop writting him. Ithough the shooting was ALRIGHT

"Hilarious exchange via email. Earlier this week both my right-wing dad and my right-wing uncle sent me the same right-wing forward. As is typical, I googled a single 5-word stretch and discovered it was long ago debunked at snopes. I wrote a short retort, and by accident I hit 'reply all' instead of 'reply' -- and then got a vicious right-wing hate-mail from one of my uncle's pals who was accidentally cc:ed on my debunking. CRAZY! The guy goes OFF on snopes and brings up gay sex no fewer than 5 times, then sent it back out to my uncle, who passed it along to my right-wing dad, who then sent it to my sisters & brother.
It's a weird circle of right-wing craziness!"
 

"Start at the bottom."
-Micah

------------Begin forwarded message---------------------

> From: bill
> Date: November 18, 2008 15:01:07 PST
> To: eric , melissa , micah , stephanie
> Subject: FW: SHOOTING IN BUTTE, MONTANA : Hay Bill, Micah your son is writting Bullshit to people who write me so I gress I'll stop writting him. Ithough the shooting was ALRIGHT
>
> Guess someone got fed up with Micah's bullshit left wing liberalism!!!!!!
>
> dad
>
>
>
> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:55:08 -0800
> From: #####@yahoo.com
> Subject: Fw: SHOOTING IN BUTTE, MONTANA : Hay Bill, Micah your son is writting Bullshit to people who write me so I gress I'll stop writting him. Ithough the shooting was ALRIGHT
> To: #####@live.com
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: Ops. Center
> To: micah
> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:14:57 PM
> Subject: RE: SHOOTING IN BUTTE, MONTANA
>
> Listen, you Liberal Punk .......
>
> The entire Snopes Gag was developed long before you were born, in 1961 ....... It was a Gag then and morphed into what it purports to be today by the very same Liberals and Faggots that use it, to further blind the already stupid public and keep them from hearing the truth .......
>
> You can spew that homosexual High Dugeon out there on the Left Coast, but it doesn't wash among intelligent, educated people with a decent sense of values or real Talent ... I've got Family in the business out there and you are known to be a lousy writer, so maybe you should take a course at Al Bundy Tech and learn to sell Shoes .......
>
> Next time you invade my space by sending me Liberal Faggot Democrat Bullshit, I'm going to send you a Worm that will smoke your entire System and ruin the wiring in that cheesey Apartment you live in ... and if you ever dare come back to Houston, I will be glad to meet with you and pound your Gay ass into the pavement ...
>
> You Liberal Turdpackers make me sick, and have a nice day .......
>
>
> Z
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> CC: 11111111@yahoo.com; 222222222@yahoo.com; 333333333@hotmail.com; 4444444444@juno.com;55555555@yahoo.com; 666666666@yahoo.com;77777777777@yahoo.com; 8888888@yahoo.com; 999999999@hotmail.com;1010101010@hotmail.com; 11 11 11 11@yahoo.com; 12121212@yahoo.com; 13131313@valornet.com; 14141414@gmail.com; 15151515@att.net;16161616@juno.com; 1717171717@yahoo.com; 181818181818@sbcglobal.net; 191919191919@yahoo.com
> From: micah@micahwright.com
> To: ###@yahoo.com
> Subject: Re: SHOOTING IN BUTTE, MONTANA
> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:18:16 -0800
>
> We evil liberals won't report it, because it's pure b.s.
> http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/homeinvasion.asp
>
> More hate-mongering lies designed to make nervous old white people cling to their guns & hate.
>
> Power to the Google!
>
> -Micah
>
> On Nov 18, 2008, at 05:35, howard wright wrote:
>
>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: bill
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 4:10:56 AM
> Subject: FW: SHOOTING IN BUTTE, MONTANA
>
> Normally, this e-mail would say "don't mess with Texas", but in this case it says "don't mess with Montana 11 year old girls". The liberal press will never report this kinda story.
>
> bill
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:03:41 -0600
> From: %%%%%@gmail.com
> To: &&&&@live.com
> Subject: Fwd: Fw: SHOOTING IN BUTTE, MONTANA
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> Shooting in Butte, Montana
>
> Shotgun preteen vs. illegal alien Home Invaders
>
> Butte, Montana November 5, 2006
>
> Two illegal aliens, Ralphel Resindez, 23, and Enrico Garza, 26, probably believed they would easily
> overpower home-alone 11 year old Patricia Harrington after her father had left their two-story home.
>
> It seems the two crooks never learned two things: they were in Montana and Patricia had been a clay
> shooting champion since she was nine.
>
> Patricia was in her upstairs room when the two men broke through the front door of the house. She
> quickly ran to her father's room and grabbed his 12 gauge Mossberg 500 shotgun.
>
> Resindez was the first to get up to the second floor only to be the first to catch a near point blank blast
> of buckshot from the 11-year-old's knee crouch aim. He suffered fatal wounds to his abdomen and genitals.
>
> When Garza ran to the foot of the stairs, he took a blast to the left shoulder and staggered out into the
> street where he bled to death before medical help could arrive.
>
> It was found out later that Resindez was armed with a stolen 45 caliber handgun he took from another
> home invasion robbery. That victim, 50-year-old David Burien, was not so lucky. He died from stab
> wounds to the chest.
>
> Patricia staved off a robbery, potential rape, and probably her own death because her parents taught
> her how to use a gun. Her parents just didn't hide a gun in the house and not educate her on the power
> that a firearm provides. Ignorance can be deadly, but fortunately for this Montana family, knowledge was power.
>
> Two illegals that were sent back............. in a box
>
> -----------
>
> Ever wonder why good stuff never makes NBC, CBS, PBS, & MSNBC, CNN, or ABC news........an 11 year
> old girl, properly trained, defended her home, and herself......against two murderous, illegal aliens ......and
> she won, she is still alive.
>
> Now that's Gun Control !
>
> Thought for the day:
>
> Calling an illegal alien an 'undocumented immigrant' is like calling a drug dealer an 'unlicensed pharmacist
'

Disturbing Wildlife Trends



The photo below captures a disturbing trend that is beginning to affect wildlife in the US .


Animals that were formerly self-sufficient are now showing signs of belonging to the Democratic Party... as they have apparently learned to just sit and wait for the government to step in and provide for their care and sustenance. This photo is of a Democrat black bear in Montana nicknamed 'Bearack Obama'!

FW: A President Bush We Never See!!!!

Lisa was kind enough to send this in, sharing the secret warm embrace of our great president, G D'ubs. I must say this real true tale of a man penetrating another with his eyes to be, well, moving. Another favorite!

----begin forward message----

A President Bush we never see

WHAT AN AWESOME TRIBUTE TO GEORGE W BUSH!

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE STORY NO MATTER WHAT YOUR PERCEPTION IS OF HIM. YOU WON'T REGRET IT...

Story by: Bruce Vincent

For those of us who sometimes find ourselves having doubts about our President, here is an excellent piece -- worth every minute it takes to read it. This story is from Bruce Vincent of Libby , Montana who had gone to the White House with others to receive an award from the President.

He writes: I've written the following narrative to chronicle the day of the award ceremony in DC. I'm still working on a press release but the White House press corps has yet to provide a photo to go with it. When the photo comes I 'll ship it out. When you get done reading this you'll understand the dilemma I face in telling this story beyond my circle of close friends.

Stepping into the Oval Office, each of us was introduced to the President and Mrs. Bush. We shook hands and participated in small talk. When the President was told that we were from Libby , Montana , I reminded him that Marc Racicot is our native son and the President offered his warm thoughts about Governor Racicot.

I have to tell you, I was blown away by two things upon entering the office. First, the Oval Office sense of 'place' is unreal. The President later shared a story of Russian President Putin entering the room prepared to tackle the President in a tough negotiation and upon entering, the atheist muttered his first words to the President and they were "Oh, my God."

I concurred. I could feel the history in my bones. Second, the man that inhabits the office engaged me with a firm handshake and a look that can only be described as penetrating. Warm, alive, fully engaged, disarmingly penetrating. I was admittedly concerned about meeting the man. I think all of us have an inner hope that the most powerful man in our country is worthy of the responsibility and authority that we bestow upon them through our vote.

I admit that part of me was afraid that I would be let down by the moment -- that the person and the place could not meet the lofty expectations of my fantasy world. This says nothing about my esteem for President Bush but just my practical realization that reality may not match my 'dream.'

Once inside the office, President Bush got right down to business and, standing in front of his desk, handed out the awards one at a time while posing for photos with the winners and Mrs. Bush. With the mission accomplished, the President and Mrs. Bush relaxed and initiated a lengthy, informal conversation about a number of things with our entire small group. He and the First Lady talked about such things as the rug in the office. It is traditionally designed by the First Lady to make a statement about the President, and Mrs. Bush chose a brilliant yellow sunburst pattern to reflect 'hope.' President Bush talked about the absolute need to believe that with hard work and faith in God there is every reason to start each day in the Oval Office with hope. He and the First Lady were asked about the impact of the Presidency on their marriage and, with an arm casually wrapped around Laura, he said that he thought the place may be hard on weak marr iages but that it had the ability to make strong marriages even stronger and that he was blessed with a strong one.

After about 30 or 35 minutes, it was time to go. By then we were all relaxed and I felt as if I had just had an excellent visit with a friend. The President and First Lady made one more pass down the line of awardees, shaking hands and offering congratulations. When the President shook my hand I said, "Thank you Mr. President and God bless you and your family." He was already in motion to the next person in line, but he stopped abruptly turned fully back to me, gave me a piercing look, renewed the vigor of his handshake and said, "Thank you -- and God bless you and yours as well."

On our way out of the office we were to leave by the glass doors on the west side of the office. I was the last person in the exit line. As I shook his hand one final time, President Bush said, "I'll be sure to tell Marc hello and give him your regards."

I then did something that surprised even me. I said to him, "Mr. President, I know you are a busy man and your time is precious. I also know you to be a man of strong faith and I have a favor to ask of you."

As he shook my hand he looked me in the eye and said, "Just name it." I told him that my step-Mom was at that moment in a hospital in Kalispell , Montana , having a tumor removed from her skull and it would mean a great deal to me if he would consider adding her to his prayers that day. He grabbed me by the arm and took me back toward his desk as he said, "So that's it. I could tell that something is weighing heavy on your heart today. I could see it in your eyes. This explains it."


From the top drawer of his desk he retrieved a pen and a note card with his seal on it and asked, "How do you spell her name?" He then jotted a note to her while discussing the importance of family and the strength of prayer. When he handed me the card, he asked about the surgery and the prognosis. I told him we were hoping that it is not a recurrence of an earlier cancer and that, if it is, they can get it all with this surgery.

He said, "If it's okay with you, we'll take care of the prayer right now. Would you pray with me?" I told him yes and he turned to the staff that remained in the office and hand motioned the folks to step back or leave. He said, "Bruce and I would like some private time for a prayer."

As they left he turned back to me and took my hands in his. I was prepared to do a traditional prayer stance -- standing with each other with heads bowed. Instead, he reached for my head with his right hand and pulling gently forward, he placed my head on his shoulder. With his left arm on my mid-back, he pulled me to him in a prayerful embrace.

He started to pray softly. I started to cry. He continued his prayer for Loretta and for God's perfect will to be done. I cried some more. My body shook a bit as I cried and he just held tighter. He closed by asking God's blessing on Loretta and the family during the coming months. I stepped away from our embrace, wiped my eyes, swiped at the tears I'd left on his shoulder, and looked into the eyes of our president. I thanked him as best I could and told him that me and my family would continue praying for him and his.

As I write this account down and reflect upon what it means, I have to t ell you that all I really know is that his simple act left me humbled and believing. I so hoped that the man I thought him to be was the man that he is. I know that our nation needs a man such as this in the Oval Office. George W. Bush is the real deal. I've read Internet stories about the President praying with troops in hospitals and other such uplifting accounts. Each time I read them I hoped them to be true and not an Internet perpetuated myth. This one, I know to be true. I was there. He is real. He has a pile of incredible stuff on his plate each day -- and yet he is tuned in so well to the here and now that he 'sensed' something heavy on my heart. He took time out of his life to care, to share, and to seek God's blessing for my family in a simple man-to-man, father-to-father, son-to-son, husband-to-husband, Christian- to-Christian prayerful embrace. He's not what I had hoped he would be. He is, in fact, so very, very much more.


 
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