Because Sarah is easier on the eyes than Bush or Obama!
Nothing really earth shattering about the following article, but I do find it pretty weird. For the life of me I do NOT understand why Dubya is doing this. Has he NOT been paying attention?
Well, you read the piece below and give me your take on it cause I’m at a complete loss.
Gio-
Hundreds expected to demonstrate Friday at A&M during presidential forum
A&M official: “We expect our students will treat the president with respect.”
By Nathan Adkisson
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Texas A&M University officials expect demonstrators to come from across the state, both in support and in protest of President Obama, who will appear at Texas A&M Friday to speak on the necessity of community service.
The president was invited by former President George H.W. Bush to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his “Thousand Points of Light” speech, which compared the nation’s diverse social, religious and political groups to “a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.” It will be Obama’s first trip to Texas as president.
Officials say about 20 organizations have reserved space to demonstrate on campus, including several Tea Party groups, the College Democrats and the College Republicans. While Texas A&M has not prohibited any groups from protesting, university officials said they expect demonstrators to honor the Aggies’ well-known code of conduct.
“We value the marketplace of ideas just like any other part of the country,” said A&M spokesman Jason Cook. “Here at Texas A&M we have a set of core values. One is selfless service, and the second is respect.
“Friday is a day where we can set aside personal differences and observe selfless service, which is also the central focus of the Thousand Points of Light. We expect our students will treat the president with respect,” Cook said. “There will be people there who are not from the university, but I hope that everyone affiliated with the university will put aside their differences to observe our core values.”
A&M, with deep military roots and a conservative bent, has a tradition of respect for authority, especially for the commander in chief. Founded as an all-male institution with required participation in the Corps of Cadets, the school provided more personnel to the military during World War II than any other institution. Its Corps of Cadets, through affiliations with ROTC programs, commissions more officers into the armed forces than any other campus aside from the service academies. The A&M Corps has produced more than 250 flag officers — generals and admirals.
When President George W. Bush gave a commencement speech at A&M in December, he was greeted with a series of standing ovations. Even students who disagreed with his policies said it was a treat to have him as the speaker, and not a single voice of protest rose during his remarks at Reed Arena.
At a campus rally leading up to the November 2008 election, the A&M chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas encouraged students to throw eggs at a poster of Obama’s face. The carnival received protests from hundreds of students, Young Conservatives chairman Justin Pulliam said. The next day, a poster of Obama’s policies replaced the one of his face.
This year, their protest will be much simpler, Pulliam said. He expects about 200 A&M students and 100 Young Conservatives from other schools to participate.
“We will have flyers, posters and people dressed up as Uncle Sam and Dr. Obama” in protest of the president’s proposed health plan, he said. “We will have petitions opposing being forced into buying health insurance or a government single-payer system.”
In a letter that appeared Wednesday in the Bryan-College Station Eagle and the Texas A&M Battalion, former President George H.W. Bush asked those planning to attend the event to keep its spirit in mind.
“This is not about politics,” Bush wrote. “This is about the importance of service to our communities and our country. \u2026 I cannot wait for President Obama to experience the open, decent and welcoming Aggie spirit for himself.”
Pulliam said it is that Aggie spirit that is motivating his group to protest. “Barack Obama does not represent some of the core values of the university,” he said. “Our catch phrase is ‘An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do.’ We view government taxation and redistribution as stealing.”
University officials have designated Spence Park , the university’s traditional open forum, for demonstrators. The university does not require any form of prior approval or registration to protest, but A&M student groups may apply in advance to reserve space in the park as a staging area for protests. Bush and Obama will speak in the Rudder Conference and Events Center, out of sight of Spence Park, which is across a road and behind a parking garage.
“That strategically places a huge parking garage between where Obama will be speaking and where protesters should be,” Pulliam said. “We are going to try to get closer.”
While the YCT expressed wishes not to partner with non-student groups, Maggie Charleton , chairwoman of the Brazos County Democrats, said her group plans to demonstrate during the event with the A&M Aggie Democrats. “The message for this is positive, happy and kind,” she said. “We’re not protesting (the Young Conservatives’) protest.”
In an e-mail Charleton sent others in her group, she said, “There may be a hoard (sic) of Tea Party people. Please keep a smile on your face even though you may want to smack them. I do not want to have to bail anyone out of jail. Thank them. Bless them. Wish them peace. Tell them you will pray to have their heart softened.”
Michelle Nunn , CEO of the Washington -based Points of Light Institute, said she hopes the message of the event will cross partisan lines.
“What we’re focused on is the coming together of these two presidents and marking the service of the last twenty years,” she said. “We have enormous needs across the country. \u2026 We think it’s timely to celebrate the commonality that exists across the nation and across party divides.”
nadkisson@statesman.com; 445-3972
Additional material by staff writer Ralph K.M. Haurwitz.
Giovanni's World 
It’s not difficult to understand the “Aggies” affection for George H.W. Bush. “Through 1944, he flew 58 combat missions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to San Jacinto.” (Wikipedia) Bailing out of a burning plane did not hurt his reputation either. That coupled with his success as a Texas oil man and resident of the state further enhanced his stature. He is a man of genuine accomplishment.
The man who appears on the stage with him should–but won’t–be cowed to be in the presence of such a man. His entire legacy is “bet on the come.” With little in the line of actual credentials in any department but electoral his only avenue for solace will be his trusty teleprompter. Texas A&M is a no-nonsense institution whose alumni fill the honor roles of any list of true American heroes. Their current student body should be proud to point out those who do not fulfill the roles made sacred by their predecessors.
Cecil,
G.H.W.Bush I understand, him wanting Obama there I do not.
Gio-
Gio,
It is possible that Bush understands how badly “Onothing” will look to that crowd. The “1000 Points of Light” thing was his baby and it serves to show that it is not a new idea. I could be wrong but I don’t see the side-by-side comparison showing Obama in the favorable light he craves. In the mind of the Aggie, no man will ever come off as superior to their heroes. If it were an Ivy League hell hole, I would question it. In College Station, not so much.
Gio,
You say you don’t understand why Dubya is doing this, but I think it’s Dubya’s daddy, H.W. Regardless, politicians consider themselves above us little people. Look at Orrin Hatch and his man-crush on Ted Kennedy. There is no issue so big as maintaining their collegiality with the other privileged Americans.
But if you or I were on fire, none of them (regardless of party) would cross the street to pee on us.
I’m with you on this, Winglet. The political elites of both parties have more in common with each other than with us plebians.
Gio, have you forgotten how chummy Bush Sr. was with Bill Clinton when Bush Jr. asked the two ex-presidents to help out with the Indonesia tsunami relief effort and later the Katrina disaster? Reportedly, the two “bonded” and became fast friends.
I also believe that Bush Jr.’s inarticulate “everyman” persona masked his elitism. George W. was and is never “one of us.”
WD,
Yeah, I screwed-up on the names but it still seems odd that ANY of the Bushs’ would invite Obama. Doesn’t anyone in that family pay attention to what’s going on in this country?
Politicians… yuch!
Gio-
It’s the elitism that drives politicians and Washington in general. Politicians ceased being public servants decades ago and are now public enemies for the most part. They have agendas that go against the will of the people, the good of the country and the American Dream.
BUSH = RINO
‘nough said.
Dave,
I think it goes deeper than that, but I simply don’t know what it could be.
Gio-