Subject: White House Now.
WHITE HOUSE NOW.
It doesn't matter to me whether you are a
Republican, Democrat or an Independent, I thought you would
enjoy reading this!!
Christina
WHITE HOUSE NOW. A lot has changed since George W. Bush
became president-- executive orders that support a "culture
of life," judicial appointees who respect the constitution
and members of the Cabinet who are unapologetic about their
faith. But perhaps nothing more clearly represents the new
leadership we enjoy as a country than that place Mr. Bush
now calls his temporary home,
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The president is quick to point out that it is not his
house, but the American people's house. And, as such, he
treats it and the people who work there with respect. >From
the Secret Service to the grounds crew, the folks who work
at the White House rave about the First Family.
The President and First Lady prefer to entertain family
friends in their private quarters rather than ask the
stewards and waiters to negotiate difficult formal dining
rooms.
Harkening back to the days of Ronald Reagan, Bush will not
allow any man to attend a meeting in the Oval Office
without a jacket and tie. Gone are the days of blue jeans
and pizza boxes.
One of the clearest ways to show respect for someone is to
respect their time. Everyone who works with and around the
President has noted his punctuality. Meetings begin and end
on time. This stands in stark contrast to the previous
occupant of the White House, who was notorious for keeping
visitors and the media waiting.
And speaking of the former President, in his administration
more than 500 staffers had access to the White House
kitchen. One presidential aide said they turned it into a
fast-food restaurant. These days, only 150 senior staff
members have meal privileges.
Of course the Clinton years were known for worse things
than that. US News & World Report reported recently that it
was common for President Clinton to have violent and
sex-laden R-rated films playing on Air Force One. Even
seasoned reporters would blush at the images being played
out before their eyes while trying to question the
President on some issue of national importance. A Marine
who worked at Camp David publicly stated that pornography
was littered all over the retreat. In contrast, President
Bush has said that even some of the new major motion
picture releases, which are routinely sent to the White
House for viewing by the First Family, are too vulgar for
him.
I've visited the White House twice since President Bush
moved in. As anyone might be, I was awed by the history of
the place. Oil portraits of past occupants reminded me that
some presidents have understood the honor of living there
and others have wantonly dishonored it. My visits with
President Bush at the White House were an opportunity to
witness firsthand how much this man respects the office to
which he was elected. He arrived at our meetings promptly
and took the time to greet every person in attendance.
He was warm and polite to each of us. His manner conveyed
the message that he knew he was only a temporary resident
and his job is to leave this august home in better shape
than he found it.
In one of my meetings, I made a point of speaking to a
young man who is part of the military service assigned to
the White House. His job is to escort guests and to help
people find their way through the large hallways. His
uniform was covered with ribbons and his shoes were
perfectly polished. His face was emotionless and he drew no
attention to himself, but for some reason he caught my eye.
"Thank you," I said, "for the work you do. You really
represent us all in your service here. It must be wonderful
work."
He paused and then allowed a big smile to cross his face.
"Oh, yes, sir, it truly is."
Yes, things certainly are different in Washington.
Courtesy of: Rear Admiral Steve Brachet, USN (Ret) &
Brigadier General Bob Clements, USAF
(Ret)
WHITE HOUSE NOW.
It doesn't matter to me whether you are a
Republican, Democrat or an Independent, I thought you would
enjoy reading this!!
Christina
WHITE HOUSE NOW. A lot has changed since George W. Bush
became president-- executive orders that support a "culture
of life," judicial appointees who respect the constitution
and members of the Cabinet who are unapologetic about their
faith. But perhaps nothing more clearly represents the new
leadership we enjoy as a country than that place Mr. Bush
now calls his temporary home,
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The president is quick to point out that it is not his
house, but the American people's house. And, as such, he
treats it and the people who work there with respect. >From
the Secret Service to the grounds crew, the folks who work
at the White House rave about the First Family.
The President and First Lady prefer to entertain family
friends in their private quarters rather than ask the
stewards and waiters to negotiate difficult formal dining
rooms.
Harkening back to the days of Ronald Reagan, Bush will not
allow any man to attend a meeting in the Oval Office
without a jacket and tie. Gone are the days of blue jeans
and pizza boxes.
One of the clearest ways to show respect for someone is to
respect their time. Everyone who works with and around the
President has noted his punctuality. Meetings begin and end
on time. This stands in stark contrast to the previous
occupant of the White House, who was notorious for keeping
visitors and the media waiting.
And speaking of the former President, in his administration
more than 500 staffers had access to the White House
kitchen. One presidential aide said they turned it into a
fast-food restaurant. These days, only 150 senior staff
members have meal privileges.
Of course the Clinton years were known for worse things
than that. US News & World Report reported recently that it
was common for President Clinton to have violent and
sex-laden R-rated films playing on Air Force One. Even
seasoned reporters would blush at the images being played
out before their eyes while trying to question the
President on some issue of national importance. A Marine
who worked at Camp David publicly stated that pornography
was littered all over the retreat. In contrast, President
Bush has said that even some of the new major motion
picture releases, which are routinely sent to the White
House for viewing by the First Family, are too vulgar for
him.
I've visited the White House twice since President Bush
moved in. As anyone might be, I was awed by the history of
the place. Oil portraits of past occupants reminded me that
some presidents have understood the honor of living there
and others have wantonly dishonored it. My visits with
President Bush at the White House were an opportunity to
witness firsthand how much this man respects the office to
which he was elected. He arrived at our meetings promptly
and took the time to greet every person in attendance.
He was warm and polite to each of us. His manner conveyed
the message that he knew he was only a temporary resident
and his job is to leave this august home in better shape
than he found it.
In one of my meetings, I made a point of speaking to a
young man who is part of the military service assigned to
the White House. His job is to escort guests and to help
people find their way through the large hallways. His
uniform was covered with ribbons and his shoes were
perfectly polished. His face was emotionless and he drew no
attention to himself, but for some reason he caught my eye.
"Thank you," I said, "for the work you do. You really
represent us all in your service here. It must be wonderful
work."
He paused and then allowed a big smile to cross his face.
"Oh, yes, sir, it truly is."
Yes, things certainly are different in Washington.
Courtesy of: Rear Admiral Steve Brachet, USN (Ret) &
Brigadier General Bob Clements, USAF
(Ret)
