So this past weekend (Sunday to be exact) was the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement. President Bush was there to commemorate the event. While sifting through my blogs this morning I came across part of his speech at the event and was kind of left silent. In just a few sentences I think our President said some of his smartest words to date. Let me share:

"America is proud to promote the expansion of democracy, and we must continue to stand with all those struggling to claim their freedom. The advance of freedom is the great story of our time, and new chapters are being written every day, from Georgia and Ukraine, to Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon, to Afghanistan and Iraq. From our own history, we know the path to democracy is long, and it's hard. There are many challenges, and there are setbacks along the way. Yet we can have confidence in the outcome, because we've seen freedom's power to transform societies before."

I know, there’s nothing really special about how it is said, and there isn’t any real unique qualities about the topic being stated, but there is something, a mindset that grabs my attention. Much of the press who emphasize our war in Middle East with negative tone leave a taste in our mouths of big bad America, trying to make the rest of the world just like them… America does it right, and if anyone doesn’t do it like America they are just wrong… black and white. This short excerpt from President Bush’s speech takes a different mindset. Think of our early days… we fought for our freedom. Our world is rather different now than it was then, but so much the same as well. Countries in the Middle East are fighting a war, a different war nonetheless, but still a war for their freedom. I’ve utterly confused my emotions on this war completely now, President Bush succeeded.

As for the whole of his speech, which was just over 12 minutes, I found myself chuckling, smiling, and even admiring the voice of our President, something that I haven’t done for a long time. I have always respected him; you must respect your elected officials. But let me share a little about his speech. Probably about a dozen times, little interjections about the current day fight for democracy were stated, which got to be annoying, but we know what this administration is all about. Other than the silly 2 minutes of thank you’s (Does anyone care about hearing thank you’s other than the persons name being said?), the President’s speech was informative, funny, and had personality… it was good.

"Six of the leading colonists held the first presidential election in American history, and you might be surprised to hear that the winner wasn't name George. As matter of fact his name was Edward Wingfield... I call him Eddie W."

President Bush concentrated on two rightful points for this event. Where have we been and where are we now. Below I will post a link to the speech for those interested. Kudos President Bush for doing your job.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070513.pod.a.mp3

Later!