Where Wings Take Dream

An Inspirational Speech to the Nation By George W. Bush
Compiled entirely out of actual Bush quotes, by InnocentEnglish.com

My Fellow Americans,

During these holiday seasons, we thank our blessings.1

I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist, for joining us today. … He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me.2

Thank you for reminding me about the importance of being a good mom and a great volunteer as well.3

I’m so pleased to be able to say hello to Bill Scranton. He’s one of the great Pennsylvania political families.4

I’m looking forward to working with him in the United Nations Senate.5

To protect the United Nations Constitution.6
I was raised in the West. The west of Texas. It’s pretty close to California. In more ways than Washington, D.C., is close to California.7

I talked to my little brother, Jeb—I haven’t told this to many people. But he’s the governor of—I shouldn’t call him my little brother–my brother, Jeb, the great governor of Texas!8

Actually, I—this may sound a little West Texan to you, but I like it. When I’m talking about—when I’m talking about myself, and when he’s talking about myself, all of us are talking about me.9

I was raised in West Texas, in the middle of the desert, a long way away from anywhere, hardly. There’s a certain set of values you learn in that experience.10

I’m a proud man to be the nation based upon such wonderful values!11

I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe—I believe what I believe is right!12

I think if you know what you believe, it makes it a lot easier to answer questions. I can’t answer your question.13

I haven’t had a chance to ask the questioners the question they’ve been questioning.14

The important question is, how many hands have I shaked?15

I hope we get to the bottom of the answer. It’s what I’m interested to know.16

I suspect that had my dad not been president, he’d be asking the same questions:… How did you feel when you stood up in front of the people for the State of the Union Address—state of the budget address, whatever you call it.17

In my State of the—my State of the Union—or state—my speech to the nation, whatever you want to call it, speech to the nation—I asked Americans to give 4,000 years—4,000 hours over the next—the rest of your life—of service to America. That’s what I asked—4,000 hours.18

I want to thank leaders of the—in the faith—faith-based and community-based community for being here.19

Our priorities is our faith.20

That is called, “A Charge To Keep” based upon a religious hymn. The hymn talks about serving God. The president’s job is never to promote a religion.21

I think the American people—I hope the American–I don’t think, let me—I hope the American people trust me.22

I think if you say you’re going to do something and don’t do it, that’s trustworthiness.23

There’s an old saying in Tennessee—I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can’t get fooled again.24

It’s a myth to think I don’t know what’s going on.25

I mean, I read the newspaper. I mean, I can tell you what the headlines are:26

-This Thursday, ticket counters and airplanes will fly out of Ronald Reagan Airport.27

-Too many OB/GYN’s aren’t able to practice their love with women all across the country.28

-Over 75 percent of white Americans own their home, and less than 50 percent of Hispanos and African Americans don’t own their home.29

I glance at the headlines just to kind of get a flavor for what’s moving. I rarely read the stories, and get briefed by people who are probably read the news themselves.30

I’m also not very analytical. You know I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things.31

I’m the commander. See, I don’t need to explain– I do not need to explain why I say things. That’s the interesting thing about being president.32

That’s George Washington, the first president, of course. The interesting thing about him is that I read three– three or four books about him last year. Isn’t that interesting?33

In this job you’ve got a lot on your plate on a regular basis; you don’t have much time to sit around and wander, lonely, in the Oval Office, kind of asking different portraits, “How do you think my standing will be?”34

There’s no such thing as legacies. At least, there is a legacy, but I’ll never see it.35

You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you’re gone.36

I would say the best moment of all was when I caught a 7.5 pound largemouth bass in my lake.37

That’s a chapter, the last chapter of the 20th, 20th, the 21st century that most of us would rather forget.38

I think we agree, the past is over.39

There may be some tough times here in America. But this country has gone through tough times before, and we’re going to do it again.40

It’s important for us to explain to our nation that life is important. It’s not only life of babies, but it’s life of children living in, you know, the dark dungeons of the Internet.41

One of the things I’ve used on the Google is to pull up maps. 42

Wow, Brazil is big!43

By the way, we rank 10th amongst the industrialized world in broadband technology and its availability. That’s not good enough for America. Tenth is 10 spots too low as far as I’m concerned.44

We expect the states to show us whether or not we’re achieving simple objectives—like literacy, literacy in math, the ability to read and write.45

You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test!46

Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning? 47

The illiteracy level of our children are appalling!48

Having an education system that’s responsive to the child and to the parents will make America what we want it to be—a literate country and a hopefuller country.49

I aim to be a competitive nation.50

It’s very important for folks to understand that when there’s more trade, there’s more commerce.51

We thought we were protected forever from trade policy or terrorist attacks because oceans protected us.52

I based a lot of my foreign policy decisions on some things that I think are true:53

-We’ve got 250 million years of coal.54

-Those who enter the country illegally violate the law.55

-Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease.56

-For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times.57

-It’s important to think beyond the old days of when we had the concept that if we blew each other up, the world would be safe.58

-I think war is a dangerous place.59

-The only way we can win is if we leave before the job is done.60

You know, when I campaigned here in 2000, I said I want to be a war President. No President wants to be a war President, but I am one.61

I hear there’s rumors on the Internets that we’re going to have a draft.62

After standing on the stage, after the debates, I made it very plain, we will not have an all-volunteer army. And yet, this week—we will have an all-volunteer army!63

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we!64

It’s in our country’s interests to find those who would do harm to us and get them out of harm’s way.65

There’s no doubt in my mind that we should allow the world worst leaders to hold America hostage, to threaten our peace, to threaten our friends and allies with the world’s worst weapons.66

The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice!67

One year ago today, the time for excuse-making has come to an end!68

We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostile or hold our allies hostile!69

You disarm. Or we will!70

My administration has been calling upon all the leaders in the Middle East to do everything they can to stop the violence, to tell the different parties involved that peace will never happen.71

I am an optimistic person. I guess if you want to try to find something to be pessimistic about, you can find it, no matter how hard you look, you know.72

See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don’t attack each other. Free nations don’t develop weapons of mass destruction.73

My views are one that speaks to freedom.74

There’s nothing more deep than recognizing Israel’s right to exist. That’s the most deep thought of all. … I can’t think of anything more deep than that right.75

I’ve reminded the Prime Minister — the American people, Mr. Prime Minister, over the past months that it was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship.76

I think — tide turning — see, as I remember — I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of — it’s easy to see a tide turn — did I say those words?77

It’ll take time to restore chaos and order.78

Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott’s house—he’s lost his entire house—there’s going to be a fantastic house. And I’m looking forward to sitting on the porch.79

I can’t wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbors back into neighborhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs.80

We want anybody who can find work to be able to find work.81

I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family!82

We ought to make the pie higher!83

The best way to relieve families from time is to let them keep some of their own money.84

It’s your money. You paid for it.85

In other words, I don’t think people ought to be compelled to make the decision which they think is best for their family.86

Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream!87

I hope the ambitious realize that they are more likely to succeed with success as opposed to failure.88

If you don’t have any ambitions, the minimum-wage job isn’t going to get you to where you want to get, for example. In other words, what is your ambitions? And oh, by the way, if that is your ambition, here’s what it’s going to take to achieve it:89

You work three jobs?… Uniquely American, isn’t it? I mean, that is fantastic that you’re doing that!90

This is what I’m good at. I like meeting people, my fellow citizens, I like interfacing with them.91

Let me make it very clear, poor people aren’t necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn’t mean you’re willing to kill.92

Not to dis my friend, Vice President Dick Cheney.93

Just remember it’s the birds that’s supposed to suffer, not the hunter.94

I’m glad my Vice President is not running for President. Not that he would make a great President.95

But here’s the thing:96

I think the president has to be smart.97

A leadership is someone who brings people together!98

The goals for this country are peace in the world. And the goals for this country are a compassionate American for every single citizen!99

We must all hear the universal call to like your neighbor just like you like to be liked yourself!100

But in closing, the way I see it is I am a boon to the English language. I’ve coined new words, like, “misunderstanding” and “Hispanically”.101

Anybody who is in a position to serve this country ought to understand the consequences of words.102

I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep on the soil of a friend.103

Thank you, and God bless America.

Where wings take dream!

Where Wings Take Dream:
An Inspirational Address to the Nation, by George W. Bush.
(Compiled entirely from Bush Quotes, by InnocentEnglish.com)

REFERENCES:

(A word from each quote is in parenthesis for easier tracking)

1 (Holiday) Fort Belvoir, Va., Dec. 10, 2004
2 (Frist) Nashville, Tenn., May 27, 2004
3 (good mom) St. Louis, Jan. 5, 2004
4 (Bill Scranton) Drexel Hill, Penn., Sept. 15, 2003
5 (UN senate) Aberdeen, S.D., Oct. 31, 2002
6 (UN Constitution) Aberdeen, S.D., Oct. 31, 2002
7 (raised) Los Angeles, as quoted in the Los Angeles Times, April 8, 2000
8 (brother Jeb) The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer, April 27, 2000
9 (sound west Texan) Hardball, MSNBC, May 31, 2000
10 (middle of desert) Washington, D.C., May 5, 2006
11 (proud man) Washington, D.C., July 2, 2001
12 (know what I believe) Rome, July 22, 2001
13 (can’t answer) Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Oct. 4, 2000
14 (ask questioners) Austin, Texas, Jan. 8, 2001
15 (hand shaked) the New York Times, Oct. 23, 1999
16 (answer bottom) as quoted by the Associated Press, April 26, 2000
17 (I suspect) Interview with the Washington Post, March 9, 2001
18 (in my state) Bridgeport, Conn., April 9, 2002
19 (faith based) Washington, D.C., Sept. 6, 2005
20 (priorities) Greensboro, N.C., Oct. 10, 2000
21 (charge to keep) During an interview with German newspaper reporter Kai Diekmann in the Oval Office, May 5, 2006
22 (people trust) Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2002
23 (trustworthiness) CNN online chat, Aug. 30, 2000
24 (Tennessee) Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
25 (myth) Philadelphia, Dec. 12, 2005
26 (newspaper) Philadelphia, Dec. 12, 2005
27 (airport) Reagon National Airport, Oct 2, 2001
28 (OB/GYN) Sept. 6, 2004, Poplar Bluff, Mo
29 (own home) Cleveland, Ohio, July 1, 2002
30 (glance) Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2003
31 (analytical) Air Force One, June 4, 2003
32 (Commander) as quoted in Bob Woodward’s “Bush at War”
33 (George Washington) During an interview with German newspaper reporter Kai Diekmann in the Oval Office, May 5, 2006
34 (in this job) Washington, D.C., March 16, 2005
35 (legacies) Washington, D.C., Jan. 31, 2001
36 (never know) Washington, D.C., May 5, 2006
37 (best moment) on his best moment in office, interview with the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, May 7, 2006
38 (chapter) Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 24, 2000
39 (past over) Dallas Morning News, May 10, 2000
40 (tough times) Waco, Texas, Aug. 13, 2002
41 (important) Arlington Heights, Ill., Oct. 24, 2000
42 (the google) interview with CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo, Oct. 24, 2006
43 (Wow) when shown a map of Brazil by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 6, 2005
44 (rank) Minneapolis, Minn., April 26, 2004
45 (state requirements) Washington, D.C., April 28, 2005
46 (teach child) Townsend, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2001
47 (learning) Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000
48 (illiteracy) Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004
49 (hopefuller) Washington, D.C., Jan. 11, 2001
50 (competitive) San Jose, Calif., April 21, 2006
51 (commerce) Quebec City, Canada, April 21, 2001
52(protected) Santiago, Chile, Nov. 20, 2004
53 (based policy) Irvine, California, Apr. 24, 2006
54 (coal) Washington, D.C., June 8, 2005
55 (violate) Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 28, 2005
56 (Africa nation) Gothenburg, Sweden, June 14, 2001
57 (alliances) Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 18, 2002
58 (blow up) Washington, D.C., May 1, 2001
59 (dangerous) Washington, D.C., May 7, 2003
60 (win) Nov. 3, 2006, Colorado.
61 (war president) Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 26, 2006
62 (draft) St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004
63 (volunteer) Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 16, 2004
64 (enemies) Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
65 (harm) Washington, D.C., April 28, 2005
66 (no doubt) South Bend, Ind., Sept. 5, 2002
67 (vast) Washington, D.C., Oct. 27, 2003
68 (year ago) Washington, D.C., Jan. 8, 2003
69 (hostile) Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 21, 2000
70 (disarm) Manchester, N.H., Oct. 5,
71 (administration) Crawford, Texas, Aug, 13, 2001
72 (optimistic) Washington, D.C., June 15, 2004
73 (free nations) Milwaukee, Wis., Oct 3, 2003.
74 (views) Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004
75 (Israel) Washington, D.C., March 13, 2002
76 (Prime Minister) Washington, D.C., June 29, 2006
77 (tide turning) Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006
78 (chaos) Washington, D.C., April 13, 2003
79 (Trent) Mobile, Ala., Sept. 2, 2005
80 (jobs) Poplarville, Miss., Sept. 5, 2005
81 (work) 60 Minutes II, Dec. 5, 2000
82 (family) Greater Nashua, N.H., Jan. 27, 2000
83 (pie) South Carolina Republican Debate, Feb. 15, 2000
84 (keep money) Westminster, Calif., Sept. 13, 2000
85 (your money) LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000
86 (decision) Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2002
87 (wings) LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000
88 (success) Interview with the Associated Press, Jan. 18, 2001
89 (ambitions) Speech to students in Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 29, 2002
90 (fantastic) to a divorced mother of three, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb.4 2005
91(interfacing) Pittsburgh, Sept. 8, 2000
92 (killers) Washington, D.C., May 19, 2003
93 (dis) Stralsund, Germany, July 13, 2006
94 (hunting) Roswell, N.M., Jan. 22, 2004
95 (I’m glad) http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060410-1.html
96 (here’s) Larry King Live, Dec. 30, 2000
97 (smart) Larry King Live, Dec. 30, 2000
98 (leadership) Bartlett, Tenn., Aug. 18, 2000
99 (goals) Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2002
100 (call) South Carolina, as quoted in the Financial Times, Jan. 14, 2000
101 (coined) Radio-Television Correspondents Assoc. dinner, Washington, D.C., March 29, 2001
102 (words) interview with Rush Limbaugh, Nov. 1, 2006
103 (soil) Washington D.C., June 29, 2005
104 (wings) LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000

Page Topic: Funny Bush Quotes