Items of Interest

AP: UK survivor of WWI trenches given French honor---

LONDON – The last British survivor of World War I's grinding trench warfare was made an officer of the French Legion of Honor on Monday.

French Ambassador Maurice Gourdault-Montagne awarded 110-year-old Harry Patch the medal at a ceremony in Patch's nursing home in Wells, 120 miles (190 kilometers) west of London, Britain's Ministry of Defense said in a statement. Patch, who served as a machine-gunner in the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele, told Gourdault-Montagne he was proud of the honor.

"Ambassador, I greatly appreciate the way your people respect the memory of those who fell, irrespective of the uniform they wore," he said in a raspy, deliberate voice. "I will wear this medal with great pride and when I eventually rejoin my mates it will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France."

Patch is one of only two surviving British veterans of World War I, according to the Ministry of Defense. The second, 112-year-old Henry Allingham, served as an airman.

AP: Did a Bard contemporary brush up on Shakespeare?---

LONDON – The Bard, or not the Bard? That is the question posed by Monday's unveiling of a centuries-old portrait of a dark-eyed, handsome man in Elizabethan finery.

Experts say it is the only portrait of William Shakespeare painted during his lifetime — in effect, the sole source of our knowledge of what the great man looked like.

But they can't be certain. In the shifting sands of Shakespeare scholarship, where even the authorship of the plays is sometimes disputed, nothing is written in stone.

And also of interest in that article:

In separate discoveries that are solving other Shakespeare-related mysteries, Museum of London archaeologists said they had uncovered the foundations of the long-buried theater where Shakespeare wrote and performed as an actor.

Museum officials said the rudimentary playhouse, simply called The Theatre, was built in 1576 by actor and theater promoter James Burbage. The site, where Shakespeare performed from 1594 to 1597, now houses an abandoned warehouse.

Experts believe "Romeo and Juliet" was performed there.

The playhouse remains were found on the site of an unused warehouse in Hackney on the eastern outskirts of London. Scholars say the theater there was dismantled and moved to the site of the more famous Globe Theater after a dispute between Burbage and the landlord in 1597.

Searchers even found pottery shards decorated with the image of a man who resembled Shakespeare, but experts said this was only a passing coincidence, not an indication that the show business merchandising craze had already begun.

And an addition from 10 March 2009:

AP: Collector: Lincoln photo uncovered in Grant album---

WASHINGTON – A collector believes a photograph from a private album of Civil War Gen. Ulysses S. Grant shows President Abraham Lincoln in front of the White House and could be the last image taken of him before he was assassinated in 1865.

If it is indeed Lincoln, it would be the only known photo of the 16th president in front of the executive mansion and a rare find, as only about 130 photos of him are known to exist. A copy of the image was provided to The Associated Press.

Grant's 38-year-old great-great-grandson, Ulysses S. Grant VI, had seen the picture before, but didn't examine it closely until late January. A tall figure in the distance caught his eye, although the man's facial features are obscured.

He called Keya Morgan, a New York-based photography collector and Lincoln aficionado, who helped identify it as Lincoln.

And more:

AP: Museum reveals engraving hidden in Lincoln watch

Wednesday Hero

Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody
55 years old from Fort Belvoir, Virginia


Call it breaking the brass ceiling. Ann E. Dunwoody, after 33 years in the Army, ascended Friday to a peak never before reached by a woman in the U.S. military: four-star general.

At an emotional promotion ceremony, Dunwoody looked back on her years in uniform, said it was a credit to the Army—and a great surprise to her—that she would make history in a male-dominated military.

"Thirty-three years after I took the oath as a second lieutenant, I have to tell you this is not exactly how I envisioned my life unfolding," she told a standing-room-only auditorium. "Even as a young kid, all I ever wanted to do was teach physical education and raise a family.

"It was clear to me that my Army experience was just going to be a two-year detour en route to my fitness profession," she added. "So when asked, `Ann, did you ever think you were going to be a general officer, to say nothing about a four-star?' I say, `Not in my wildest dreams.'

"There is no one more surprised than I—except, of course, my husband. You know what they say, `Behind every successful woman there is an astonished man.'"

You can read the rest of Gen. Dunwoody's story here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Pull out of Iraq?

This is from an e-mail that has made the rounds.

Pull out of Iraq?

Perhaps the U.S. should pull out of Chicago?

Body Count In the last six months:
292 Americans killed (murdered) in Chicago;
221 Americans killed in Iraq .


Who Runs Chicago?
Senators: Barack Obama & Dick Durbin
Rep: Jesse Jackson Jr.
Illinois Gov: Rod Blogojevich,
Illinois House leader: Mike Madigan,
Illinois Atty. Gen: Lisa Madigan (daughter of Mike),
Chicago Mayor: Richard M. Daley (son of Mayor Richard J.Daley)
....our leadership in Illinois .....all Democrats!!

Can't blame Republicans; because there aren't any!!!

State pension fund $44 Billion in debt, worst in country.

Although, Cook County (Chicago) sales tax is 10.25% (highest in country).
(Look it up if you want)

Chicago school system is rated one of the worst in the country.

Summary:
This is the political culture that Obama comes from in Illinois .

And he's gonna 'fix' Washington politics for us?

Wake Up America!

The Case Against Obama

Extremely comprehensive argument against Barack Obama over at Hot Air. Includes video clips, links, and more. I highly recommend reading this and passing it on.

Trafalgar Day!

Today, 21 October 2008, is the 203rd anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, where the British Fleet, under Admiral Lord Nelson, defeated the combined French-Spanish Fleet off Cape Trafalgar. It was a very important victory in the war against Napoleon. Admiral Nelson perished in the fight, aboard his flag ship HMS Victory.

I have a great passion for British history and British naval history, so I like to celebrate this day (It also happens to be my half-birthday, a coincidence which makes me very happy!).

England expects that every man will do his duty.

• Nelson's signal to his fleet,
  at Cape Trafalgar,
  21 October 1805

You will find more on Trafalgar, Nelson, and the British Navy here.

May the Great God, whom I worship, grant to my Country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious Victory; and may no misconduct in any one tarnish it; and may humanity after Victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet. For myself, individually, I commit my life to Him who made me, and may his blessing light upon my endeavours for serving my Country faithfully. To Him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen.

• Nelson's Prayer, written in his diary before the Battle of Trafalgar commenced

And in related news, from the BBC, Hero's medal marks Trafalgar Day---

A rare medal awarded to a Royal Marine who lay wounded alongside Lord Nelson at Trafalgar has gone on display marking Trafalgar Day.

The Naval General Service Medal was awarded to Lt Lewis Buckle Reeve, who was on board the Admiral Nelson's HMS Victory in the battle in October 1805.

Lt Reeve, treated by Nelson's surgeon, survived to fight again, retiring in 1817. He died in 1861, aged 75.

Do read the rest!

To celebrate I'm having Roast Beef with Potatoes, Carrots, and Yorkshire Puddings I'm making myself. I'll round it out with a lovely cup or two of "English Evening" Tea and a viewing of one of my favorite Horatio Hornblower films.

"I am doing my part in fighting a very real enemy of the United States"

Wow. I just read this over at Michelle Malkin's blog and it needs to be shared with absolutely everyone. So, pass it on.

From the Boston Globe:

The following is a blog entry written on Aug. 30, 2008, by Army Specialist Stephen Fortunato, who was killed Tuesday in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was riding in was blown up by an improvised explosive device. This entry was forwarded to the Globe by his mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Crawford.

If I may …

I'd like to say something....Just to get it out there so it is clear.
To all the pampered and protected Americans who feel it is their duty to inform me that I am not fighting for their freedom, and that i am a pawn in Bush's agenda of greed and oil acquisition: Noted, and [expletive deleted] You.

I am not a robot. i am not blind or ignorant to the state of the world or the implications of the "war on terrorism." i know that our leaders have made mistakes in the handling of a very sensitive situation, but do not for one second think that you can make me lose faith in what we, meaning America's sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers in uniform are doing.

I am doing my part in fighting a very real enemy of the United States, i.e. Taliban, Al Qaida, and various other radical sects of Islam that have declared war on our way of life. Unless you believe the events of 9/11 were the result of a government conspiracy, which by the way would make you a MORON, there is no reasonable argument you can make against there being a true and dangerous threat that needs to be dealt with. i don't care if there are corporations leaching off the war effort to make money, and i don't care if you don't think our freedom within America's borders is actually at stake. i just want to kill those who would harm my family and friends. it is that simple. Even if this is just a war for profit or to assert America's power, so what? Someone has to be on top and I want it to be us. There's nothing wrong with wishing prosperity for your side.

I am a proud American. i believe that my country allows me to live my life more or less however i want to, and believe me, i have seen what the alternative of that looks like. i also believe that our big scary government does way more than it has to to help complete [expletive deleted]-ups get back on their feet, a stark comparison to places where leaders just line their own pockets with gold while allowing the people who gave them their power and privilage to starve. I have chosen my corner. I back my country, and am proud to defend it against aggressors. Also, if you dare accuse us of being inhumane, or overly aggressive because we have rolled into someone else's country and blown some [expletive deleted] up and shot some people, let me remind you of just how inhumane we COULD be in defending ourselves. Let me remind you that we have a warhead that drops multiple bomblets from the stratosphere which upon impact, would turn all the sand in Iraq to glass, and reduce every living thing there to dust. Do we use it? No. Instead we use the most humane weapon ever devised: the American soldier. We send our bravest (and perhaps admitably craziest) men and women into enemy territory, into harms way, to root out those whom we are after and do our best to leave innocent lives unscathed.

...One last thing...a proposal. i know it has been stated time and time again but i just think it is worthy of reiteration. If you find yourself completely disgusted with the way America is being ran, and how we handle things on the global stage, you can leave. Isn't that amazing? No one will stop you! If you are an anarchist, there are places you can go where there is no government to tell you anything. That's right...you are left solely to your own devices and you can handle the men who show up at your door with AKs in any way that you see fit. Just don't try good old American debate tactics on them because you will most likely end up bound and blind-folded, to have your head chopped off on the internet so your parents can see it. However if you insist on staying here and taking advantage of privilages such as free speach and WIC, keep the counter-productive [expletive deleted] to a minimum while the grown ups figure out how to handle this god-awful mess in the middle east.

God bless you, Army Specialist Stephen Fortunato, and may He give rest to your soul. You've done your duty and we will be forever grateful for it. Thank you.

Liveblogging the 2nd Debate

I've never really liveblogged before because I didn't have the ability, but tonight I have borrowed my dad's laptop and decided it would be fun to do a bit of it. So, here it is. :)But if you want top analysis, I would visit The Corner at NRO.

Go McCain!

7:00pm-Obama is such an idiot. Ie love how he just mentioned Delaware as a state that is a bad example. Does he forget his running mate JOE BIDEN is a senator from Delaware? Hmmmm.

7:03pm So, we should have stopped the Holocaust if we could, but Obama doesn't recognize we stopped a similar tyrant in Iraq? Idiot. What the hell were we supposed to do? If Obama had been around during WWII, he would have advocated leaving the war to the Germans and English. Idiot.

7:06pm I'm so proud of Senator McCain for reminding Obama, Brokaw, and the rest of the stupid Libs what our troops do for us, how we should be so proud of them, support them, and realize that they are the most important thing we have. We need to remember that our troops have saved millions upon millions of lives, have saved countries, and deserve our love, prayers, and encouragement. I'm sick of the Dems forgetting the importance of FREEDOM. And freedom isn't free. Freedom doesn't come through talking. It comes through doing, which is what our troops do. Obama and his cronies talk, talk, talk.

Now Obama's talking about not coddling people? And only minutes ago he was essentially saying we should have talked to Saddam and coddle him, rather than acting. And now he's saying we should kill bin Laden? How? What do you think we're doing?

7:10pm Yes, let's announce when we're going to attack, Obama! In fact, why don't we just give our battle plans to the enemy, borrow a white flag from the French, and leave all our weapons & tanks on the field, while we come home and cower in our basements? Excellent plan! Why didn't Wellington think of that? Why didn't Patton think of that? Why didn't Schwarzkopf think of that? Why didn't Franks think of that? Ahhhhh!!! Idiot!!!

7:16pm Now Obama is saying the Afghani people should have what they want? How about the American people? We were screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO about the bailout and did our dictators elected "representatives" listen to us? No. Why are they there? To do what they want or do what we want? My grandpa thinks we should just fire them all and I think I agree.

7:21pm "More safe"??? Obama just said something made us "more safe"???? He's a moron. Oh, now he's going to minimize what the Great Ronald Reagan did for us, versus the EVIL EMPIRE that was (and is becoming again) Russia?

7:24pm Good question from Terry Shirey, citizen, about whether we should wait for UN approval if someone nuked our important ally Israel. Hell no. I'm hoping McCain says just that.

Tom Brokaw has been super annoying tonight. Shouldn't he, as the moderator, moderate and not just whine that the answers are going too long?

Good answer about how Obama hasn said he would meet with the Iranian president without preconditions. Obama has said that, but in the last few days has said he never did!

No, we cannot allow a second Holocaust to take place. Obama: Allowing Iran to get a nuke would be a game changer. Wow. What a stupid statement. And he wouldn't take military options off the table, which is essentially what you do when you ask the UN if you can go fight for someone's freedom. The idiots at the UN don't care about freedom or saving lives. Ask the people in the countries where the UN peacekeepers have been stationed and have raped the women and done horrible things. Blah. Blah. Blah. Obama keeps talking about talking. And putting a little pressure on Iran. Good luck. Not going to work, moron.

7:28pm OMJ, President Bush has so much more power than I EVER realized! Obama just said that the President refused to talk with Iran and Iran went from zero centrifuges to a bunch! Geez!!!

7:30pm Obama just said he learns most things from Michelle. Scary thought!

And now he's telling us how he's a product of the American dream----scrimping, saving, scholarships, hard work---but he seems to always say that the American Dream is over and not a possibility. Which is it?

7:32pm McCain does know what it is like. He has the experience needed to be President. Obama has nothing. And he really has no character, just like lots of great actors.

McCain has always put his country first!

7:36pm Michelle Obama always looks like she's been sucking on lemons. Yuck. Who wants that from a first lady? And I don't buy any of Obama's "America Love" rhetoric. He and his wife hate this country. They want to be citizens of the world! Wooooh!!!

It was super annoying the way Tom Brokaw kept interjecting his own questions. I thought the point of this townhall debate was to allow the citizens to ask questions. Why were they all about the same things? Nothing interesting or something someone outside the Beltway would ask. Boring!

7:41pm It was really sort of a boring debate. I don't know why I bothered to watch it. Obama's not a good debater; he's a liar and rambles. I think he's a good actor, which is why many gullible people (read: Democrats and stupid moderates) don't bother to look into what he actually says. They just think he sounds confident and knowledgable and that's enough for them. Idiots.

Great Blog Alert!

We Love Gov. Sarah Barracuda Palin!

I LOVE this blog! I just came across it today while looking at pictures Sarah's rally in Carson, California (wow, it was HUGE). If you scroll down you'll see a great post with pictures of Sarah's various pairs of shoes (and the question is why the MSM feels the need to always take pictures of them, but I won't complain). I LOVE red high heels! Go Sarah!!!!

Largest Re-enlistment EVER

I saw this over at Ann Coulter's website, in her "Quotations from Chairman Ann" (LOL, she's so funny) and had to repost it. Pass it on:

From an e-mail being sent around:

I'm sure you already know about this. It was shown over and over on TV, right? OK, so maybe it wasn't shown over and over, but surely it was shown on TV at least ONE time, wasn't it ? Yep, on Fox news!

This was the largest re-enlistment ceremony ever held in military history. The ceremony was held on the 4th of July, 2008 at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad, Iraq . General David Petraeus officiated. This amazing story was ignored by the 'mainstream' media.

For those who have been in the Al Faw Palace, you'll have a better appreciation of the number of people crammed around the rotunda supporting the re-enlisting soldiers.

Over 1200 American men and women volunteering to stay longer in Iraq, so that when we leave, the new democracy will have a chance of surviving, is the exact opposite of what the media wants you to think about Iraq. If a bomb had killed 5 civilians in a marketplace - that's the kind of news the media is eager to tell you about.

A pizzeria in Chicago donated 2000 pizzas that were made and shipped to Baghdad, and were delivered on the 4th of July. The media did report that 2000 pizzas were sent to Iraq on July 4th... The only part they left out of the report was the event for which the pizzas were sent.

I can't help but wonder...

What would the opinion of Americans be if they weren't getting such obviously biased 'news?'

Pass this on and we will do the work for the Media.

Sarah Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so I borrowed this post title from Michelle Malkin. Go read it because she says all I want to say about Sarah Palin's debate with Joe Biden tonight.

And more reaction:

Mark Levin

Kathryn Lopez

Andy McCarthy

Peggy Noonan


Sarah rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obama's Support for Infanticide

I'm just going to post this video of Gianna Jesson, who SURVIVED AN ABORTION 31 years ago. Lots more information on Obama's support of what is INFANTICIDE at Hot Air.


I do not understand how anyone, anyone could support the heinous and horrible practice of abortion, but to support partial birth abortion and deny babies born after botched abortions any treatment OR LIFE takes an special sort of evil. We elect people to government to protect our lives. Without life, then there is nothing else (but God). What sort of person votes against protecting life? Against helping someone who is hurt and needs medical treatment? If anyone dares suggest that illegal aliens should not be given endless medical treatment when they aren't paying for it, that person is called a racist, a classist, and screeched at for denying people their rights. And yet, those same people calling names and screeching don't see any problem with brutally murdering babies and then euthanizing those who survive the torture. God save their souls.

Further, I don't know how anyone who claims to love children could support someone who supports killing babies.

9/11 Links

Here are some links I have come across today, while I have been remembering September 11, 2001, all our fellow Americans who were murdered that day, those who gave their lives for others, and everything else I WILL NEVER FORGET.

The President today at the Pentagon. Beautiful remarks.

Items from over the years that are worth reading again:

Barbara Olson was one of my absolute favorite political analysts. I remember coming home from school on 9/11/01 and learning from my parents that Barbara was on the plane that hit the Pentagon. I hadn't thought my heart could hurt anymore than it already did that day, but Barbara's death . . .

Here are some links about Barbara:
Lucianne Goldberg-13 September 2001: “What Do I Tell the Pilot?”
Fr. Macafee-17 September 2001: 'We Are People of Life' A sermon for Barbara Olson--and for America.
Ted Olson, Solicitor General of the United States at the time, on his wife, Barbara-November 2001: Ted on Barbara
My Remembrance of Barbara Olson from 9/11/05

As a way to remember all 2,996 people who were murdered on 9/11/01, in 2006 the 2,996 Project was launched. Bloggers volunteered to write memorials honoring victims of the attacks and post them on 9/11. I was blessed to write about Betty Ann Ong, who was a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11. My memorial to Betty's memory is here.

Pope Benedict spoke at Ground Zero 20 April 2008 and said this beautiful prayer:

O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.

We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here—
the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.

We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who, because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.

We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.

God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.

Debra Burlingame, whose brother Chic Burlingame was the pilot of Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11, wrote this last 11 September 2007, reminding us that 9/11 WAS AN ACT OF WAR UPON THE UNITED STATES, not merely a tragic accident: We must always remember. Read it. Remember.

Some 9/11 Resources here.

A Liberal Woman Finds Sarah Appealing

Via Hot Air:

Great column in the Telegraph (UK) by a Liberal woman who finds Sarah Palin appealing.

Rebecca Johnson: 'I am a liberal, but I'm blown away by Sarah Palin'

Matt Damon's an IDIOT

I came across this over at Hot Air:



What an elitist jerk. He fails to understand that the people who spend all that money on his silly little films are just like Sarah Palin: hardworking, honest, middle-class Americans who like to hunt, live in small towns, and do their best. Arrogant ass. And to belittle her intelligence, her abilities, and her origins . . . not very tolerant and open-minded, is he? (But that's liberals for you.)

I've never understood why anyone thinks Matt Damon is a good actor. He's nothing (not even a pretty face, honestly). And he doesn't do a very good job in this little hit piece.

Why exactly should anyone care what he thinks about the Vice-Presidential candidate for GOP? What are his qualifications? Has he ever been in charge of anything?

I am so sick of Hollywood idiots thinking they know everything and we peons just need to follow their directions.

As Katharine Hepburn said, "Acting is the most minor of gifts and not a very high-class way to earn a living. After all, Shirley Temple could do it at the age of four."

I AM SARAH PALIN

I am a Conservative Woman.



And I will participate in politics.

I am SO excited!

John McCain just picked Pro-Life, NRA-Member Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential Candidate! News here.

I like WHO she is, as opposed to the fact that she is a woman. I am looking forward to hearing more from her, watching her debate Joe Biden, and joining her in taking on the Left.

Plus, which is really stupid, but I want to mention it, I really like how she does her hair! lol

More importantly: She is Pro-Life. Her newest child was born with Down's Syndrome, something we don't often see these days. Women would rather kill such babies than allow such loveable people to survive, which is tragic. She's pro-military. Her oldest son joined the Army 11 September 2007 and this coming 11 September will be deployed to Iraq. She's a patriot. She's a Christian. She's a mother. She's a hunter. She's smart. She's talented. She's a Conservative.

I watched her speech earlier today and thought she came across as intelligent, confident (but not bitchy, as Hillary comes across) and strong, tough, and genuine, but at the same time warm and friendly. She's just what we need.

I had not decided what I was going to do on 4 November, if I was going to vote for John McCain (very reluctantly) or if I was just not going to vote for President.

McCain's pick of Sarah Palin has convinced me he is willing to listen to those of us who are Conservatives. I will be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin on 4 November!

"The Child ventured forth"

This column by Gerard Baker at the Times (UK) is absolutely hilarious, especially if you have happened to hear the nauseating speech Barack Obama gave in Berlin yesterday. All that self-love and faux-liberty makes me want to cast up my accounts, preferably on Obama.

But this column cracked me up. Read it and share it!

RIP Tony Snow

Tony Snow's funeral was today at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C. Fox News coverage here.


President Bush and Mrs. Bush attended and the President gave a beautiful address:

THE PRESIDENT: Archbishop Wuerl, Father O'Connell, Mr. Vice President, members of the Cabinet and my administration, members of Congress, distinguished guests; most importantly, the Snow family, Jill, Robbie, Kendall, Kristi and Jim, and other family members; former colleagues of Tony. Laura and I are privileged to join you today to pay our final respects to a cherished friend.

Tony Snow was a man of uncommon decency and compassion. He was a devoted husband, a proud and loving father, an adoring son, a beloved colleague, and a wonderful role model and friend.

In a life that was far too brief, he amassed a rare record of accomplishment. He applied his gifted mind to many fields: as a columnist, newspaper editor, TV anchor, radio host, and musician. He had the sometimes challenging distinction of working for two Presidents named Bush. As a speechwriter in my Dad's administration, Tony tried to translate the President's policies into English. (Laughter.) As a spokesman in my administration, Tony tried to translate my English into English. (Laughter.)

Tony always gave me good and candid advice. He was a man of profound substance who loved ideas, held strong beliefs, and reveled in defending them. He took very seriously his duty to inform the public about what its government was doing during historic times for our nation.

In the White House briefing room, Tony worked to build a relationship of candor and trust with the press corps. On his first day at the podium, he told the gathered reporters this: "One of the reasons I took this job is not only because I believe in the President, but because, believe it or not, I want to work with you." Tony was the first working journalist to serve as the White House Press Secretary for nearly 30 years. He knew the job of a reporter was rigorous. He admired the profession -- and always treated it with respect. And the presence of so many members of the Fourth Estate here today attests to the admiration and respect that he earned.

Of course, Tony's adjustment from commentator to spokesman was not seamless. Ann Compton of ABC recently recalled that when you asked Tony a question, he would sometimes get going, and she would have to stop him and say: "Tony, wait, I asked what the President thought." (Laughter.)

Tony brought a fierce and challenging intellect to his duties. And he displayed an engaging wit. When a reporter asked a rather labored question about Congress, Tony did not answer it. The persistent reporter pressed him: "Are you going to just evade that question?" With a smile, Tony quipped: "No, I'm going to laugh at it." (Laughter.)

I believe the reason Tony was so good at his job is that he looked at the world in a joyful way. He was a proud patriot who believed in America's goodness, and an optimist who knew America's possibilities. He believed strongly in the wisdom of the American people. And throughout his career, he took a special pride in being a vigorous and unapologetic defender of our men and women in uniform. He supported their missions, saw honor in their achievements, and found every possible opportunity to highlight their character and courage.

Tony Snow, the professional, is a hard act to follow. Tony Snow, the man, is simply irreplaceable. Everyone who worked with him quickly grew to love him. We will always remember his wry sense of humor and abundant goodness. We'll also remember he was just a lot of fun. After all, he played six different musical instruments and was a proud member of a band called Beats Working. He may be one of the few people in history to have jammed on the South Lawn of the White House and with Jethro Tull. (Laughter.)

We remember Tony's thoughtfulness. No matter how busy he was, this was a man who put others first. He would go out of his way to ask about people's families. He would check in with friends whenever he heard they were ill. He'd reach out to others, sometimes strangers, who were struggling with cancer. Even when he was going through difficult chemotherapy sessions, he sent inspirational e-mails to a friend whose son was suffering from a serious illness.

We remember Tony's resilient spirit. When he received a second diagnosis of cancer, he did not turn to despair. He saw it as another challenge to tackle. He found comfort in the prayers he received from millions of Americans. As he told the graduates here at Catholic University last year, "Never underestimate the power of other people's love and prayer. They have incredible power. It's as if I've been carried on the shoulders of an entire army. And they made me weightless."

Most of all, we remember Tony's love of his family. There was no doubt for Tony Snow that his family was first. When Jill reached a milestone birthday, Tony had a huge celebration. He later said that he and Jill danced that night as if they were teenagers. He said he was the most fortunate man in the world to have shared love like that. So, today, Jill, our hearts are with you, and we thank you for giving Tony such a special life.

For Robbie, Kendall, and Kristi, you are in our thoughts and prayers, as well. We thank you for sharing your dad with us. He talked about you all the time. He wanted nothing more than your happiness and success. You know, I used to call Tony on the weekends to get his advice. And invariably, I found him with you on the soccer field, or at a swim meet, or helping with your homework. He loved you a lot. Today I hope you know that we loved him a lot, too.

I know it's hard to make sense of today. It is impossible to fully comprehend why such a good and vital man was taken from us so soon. But these are the great mysteries of life -- and Tony knew as well as anyone that they're not ours to unveil.

The day Tony was born was also the day that many of his fellow Catholics pay tribute to Saint Justin. Justin was also a gifted thinker and writer, and a powerful witness for the Christian faith. Because of his beliefs, he suffered many times of trial, and in the year 165 A.D. he was arrested. Before he received a sentence of death, he was asked: "If you are killed, do you suppose you will go to heaven?" Justin replied: "I do not suppose it, but I know and am fully persuaded of it."

Tony Snow knew that, as well. That brought him great peace. When talking about the struggle he waged so admirably, he said that no matter how bad times may sometimes seem, "God doesn't promise tomorrow, he does promise eternity."

And so today we send this man of faith and character and joy on his final journey. Tony Snow has left the City of Washington for the City of God. May he find eternal rest in the arms of his Savior. And may the Author of all creation watch over his family and all those who loved him, admired him, and will always cherish his memory.

Beautiful.

God Grant You Peace, Tony Snow

I was quite shocked this morning to hear of the death of one of my absolute favorites, Tony Snow. I'm devastated. Tony has always been one of my favorite conservatives and the world is dimmer without him. I was going to hear him speak back in April, but his talk was canceled. I'm so sad I never will get to meet his gracious and honorable gentleman. He was a good Catholic. A good man. He will be missed terribly. I know he is with God, where he will know no more pain or suffering, only joy and Love.

I will miss those gorgeous blue eyes, that confident and comforting voice, that sharp wit and brilliance. God bless you, Tony Snow!

My prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues.


In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen:

R. Subveníte, Sancti Dei, occúrrite, Angeli Dómini, Suscipiéntes ániman ejus, Offeréntes eam in conspéctu Altíssimi. Suscípiat te Christus, qui vocávit te, et in sinum Abrahae Angeli dedúcant te. Suscipiéntes ánimam ejus, Offeréntes eam in conspéctu Altíssimi.
R. Come to his assistance, all you Saints of God: meet him, all you Angels of God: receiving him soul, offering it in the sight of the Most High. May Christ receive you, who hath called you, and may the Angels conduct you to Abraham's bosom. Receiving his soul and offering it in the sight of the Most High.

V. Réquiem aetérnam dona ei, Dómine, et lux perpétua lúceat ei. Offeréntes eam in conspéctu Altìssimi.
V. Eternal rest give to him, Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon him. Offering it in the sight of the Most High.

Kýrie eléison.
Christe eléison.
Kýrie eléison.
[Pater noster (silently)]... Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
[Our Father (silently)].....

V. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem. V. ...and lead us not into temptation.
R. Sed libera nos a malo. R. But deliver us from evil.
V. Réquiem aetérnam dona ei, Dómine. V. Eternal rest give to him, Lord.
R. Et lux perpétua lúceat ei. R. And let perpetual light shine upon him.
V. A porta ìnferi. V. From the gates of Hell.
R. Erue, Dómine, ánimam ejus. R. Deliver him soul, Lord.
V. Réquiescat in pace. V. May he rest in peace.
R. Amen. R. Amen.
V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam. V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat. R. And let my cry come to Thee.
V. Dóminus vobiscum. V. The Lord be with you.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit.
Orémus. Tibi Dómine, commendámus ánimam fámuli tui (fámulae tuae) N.____, ut defúnctus (defúncta) saéculo tibi vivat: et quae per fragilitátem humánae conversatiónis peccáta commìsit, tu vénia misericordìssime pietátis abstérge. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Let us pray. To Thee, Lord, we commend the soul of your servant Tony Snow, that being dead to this world he may live to Thee: and whatever sins he has committed in this life through human frailty, do Thou in Thy most merciful goodness forgive. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen. R. Amen.

You can read the President's statement here.

Send letters of condolence to the Snow Family here.

And an article Tony wrote last summer on his Faith and his cancer.

Tim Russert has died!

I'm absolutely shocked at the news that NBC's Tim Russert has died of a heart attack at the age of 58! Apparently he was just back from a vacation with his family in Italy, celebrating his son's college graduation, and was at work at NBC's Washington Bureau. I'm just shocked.

God bless his soul and his family. They and his colleagues are in my prayers.

More coverage here and here and here and here.

NBC Coverage here.