A visit from former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush
Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush signed their books and met hundreds of fans, many of whom started lining up hours ahead of time in the early morning drizzle, today at the Buckhead Borders.
Here is a gallery of photos from the event.
Despite the weather the event started on time and went very smoothly. Security was very tight, and guests went through a metal detector and had their bags searched. (A K-9 detective sniffed over the press early on to make sure we were all OK).
Former President Bush signed his book, “Decision Points,” while Mrs. Bush signed “Spoken From the Heart.” Both chatted amiably with the people who had stood in line yesterday to purchase the books and again this morning to have them signed.
“Good morning! Happy holidays! Good to see you!” Mrs. Bush said as guests filed by to have their books signed.
One woman got choked up at the sight of the former president.
“Aw, come on,” President Bush said. “If you cry, I’ll cry.”
Lisa Craft spent some quality time with the former first couple this morning.
Lisa Craft, an HR consultant from Atlanta, declared as she approached the former first couple, “I’m going to kiss him!”
We found this inadvisable, given all the heat packing the room. But she did!
“Do you see? I kissed them both!” Craft said afterward. “He said, ‘you’re a sweet girl.’”
She didn’t get much face time with the former commander in chief, though.
“There’s so much I wanted to say. I wanted to tell him what a wonderful example he set as a God-fearing man who put the country first,” Craft said. Then inspiration struck. “Do you think they’d let me take a picture with him? I bet you if I asked the president he would say, sure.”
We said that also sounded inadvisable.
“Let’s just try. I tend to get away with a lot,” the crafty Craft said. But we persuaded her to take a photo with a stack of books instead.
Georgia State University marketing instructor Linda Willis said she didn’t mind the frosty wait today and yesterday. Only people who braved yesterday’s cold to buy the books in advance and receive a wristband got in today.
“They shook our hands and spoke. It was a pleasure to meet them,” said Willis, who unlike Craft kept her hands off the former prez and his wife. “Being able to see a president and first lady in person was a privilege. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
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151 comments Add your comment
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
4:02 pm
@ Art… what do you mean, just like the Obamas, Clintons, and Bushes?
Big Jim
December 16th, 2010
4:04 pm
Sorry for my disappearance. God Bless…,family values,morals,ethics,standing up for America,blah,blah,blah. All buzzwords for people who seem to BELIEVE that only a minority/liberal hating conservative would follow. Why have your parents raised you to BELIEVE you are better than other humans? Shame on conservative households for doing this. Shame on grown conservatives for paying blowhards ungodly sums of money to scare everyone. These people did the country a disservice during the Salem witch trials,slavery,Jim Crow,segregation,J. Edgar Hoover’s plan to DEMONIZE ALL MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT while allowing Supremacist groups to prosper,The Cold War(USSR was bound to fall,they were spending money simply trying to keep up with us). Not a party affiliation,but an ideal affiliation. If you’re easily frightened, you make an easy target for conservatism.
If you’re easily frightened,you’re an easy target for hate mongers.
Hate mongers don’t kkk robes anymore, they can wear suits. Look at Limbaugh/Hannity/Beck and all those who love them.
Frank, I agree with not demonizing a politician that you don’t agree with. Can we tell the Limbaugh/Hannity/Beck lovers that as well? Logically, making comments about liberal voices don’t hold water when you consider how much money is being thrown at kunservative blowhards.
No comparison. When call out ANY liberal voice, they don’t make the money that true hate mongers make.No comparison.
For the guy earlier who said “homeboy” wasn’t meant to be racist,that’s
why political correctness is still needed. DON’T REFER TO MINORITIES ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE. Conservatives, don’t feel free to demonize minorities. If you have an issue with minorities,and most of you do, then try counseling or a doctor to relieve the racial boil that’s growing on your backside!
If you are upset at the word LIBERAL, then you should seek help immediately.
Contractor
December 16th, 2010
4:07 pm
Bush was Amazing,
The childish behavior of the Libs is in black and white for everyone to see. It’s not just a creation within our minds of this stuff, it’s written in the news every single day. The Demmies just don’t want to own up to their failures, and that’s the basis of their entire party: Point the finger, divert any and all questions, spend spend spend, and take from hard workers and give to those who don’t want to help their selves. I’m 26 years old, and I don’t have a lot of money, so it’s not like I’m pulling for Republicans to save my fortune, it’s because they stand for American principles and are based on what this great country was founded on. This current government is an “extreme” case of modern day Robin Hood, without the demonic King hording all of the money, but successful Americans that have helped their selves, and supply jobs for the rest of us.
Brenda J.
December 16th, 2010
4:09 pm
Bush was Amazing – I am not a hypocrite. Frank appears to be able to see both sides of the coin. Bush is not all good and President Obama is not all bad. I genuinely think that both of these men want the best for this country. When you read the News and the blogs, everyone thinks that they have the answer. Sorry, but it is not that easy. What is easy is to sit back and be critical when we are not in the hot seat. Compromise is not always a bad word. It beats being stubborn like a donkey any day!
Contractor
December 16th, 2010
4:12 pm
Big Jim,
Even if it was a racist comment, I have the right to say whatever I feel. Political correctness is not something that can keep me from saying what I want. Just because you take offense to the possibility of a racist remark doesn’t make it wrong or right, it’s your opinion, but you can’t tell me what to say or what not to say, cause I’ll get in your face and say whatever I want. Typically I am not a person that will rant about the freedom of speech, but when someone uses it to pad their own agenda or opinion, I’ll state the freedoms this country allows me. So if you have a problem with my terms, tough nuggets, deal with it.
Truth
December 16th, 2010
4:12 pm
Big Jim
December 16th, 2010
4:04 pm
“…Frank, I agree with not demonizing a politician that you don’t agree with…..”
And this was in the middle of your diatribe of hate. Absolutely laughable. LMAO!!!!
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
4:16 pm
Brenda – since when did Frank say Mr. Obama and Bush was all good?
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
4:17 pm
All I ever said, time and time again did Mr. Obama prove that he is unfit for the job, not sure who to go with to decide on agendas, or to be able to control his staff members, whether Democrat or Republican.
Big Jim
December 16th, 2010
4:18 pm
Contractor
Conservatives stand for American principles? So that means liberals stand for Russian principles? Maybe, Martian principles? You’re a 26 year old republican, which means Limbaugh has let you know that HE has ALL the answers. HE has also made you aware of all the facts. HIS talent is on loan from GOD right? That explains why conservatives are
on their way to the top with an NRA bullet( something else conservatives have been bred to believe, ONLY they appreciate gun ownership). As far as the inbred belief that republicans stand for what our FOUNDING FATHERS were about. Seriously? Only when the interviews start. When republicans get the chance, they blow our money like everyone else.But, with Limbaugh saying that, you won’t BELIEVE what I’m saying. We’re treated like sheep, because we act like sheep.
Liberal, OUT!
Big Jim
December 16th, 2010
4:25 pm
Contractor
You do have right to say what you want,..in private What you really want to say will NEVER be said to my face. That’s why political correctness is needed, it keeps people like yourself above ground.
If you really thought about what you say BEFORE you say it, you wouldn’t be a conservative. To be a conservative is to let someone else
tell you what to think. Remember,political correctness makes a good conservative. It also keeps a foot from being broken off in orifices.
This isn’t the 1950’s. Never will be again.
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
4:26 pm
Politicians are all the same wherever you go, Big Jim- they all claim to be out there for your own good, and to help the main cause, but when they get into office and the issues come out, they all just do what their parties are doing, and they hope their own political career will go further based on their votes. Mr. Obama is unaware of all this, since he never really had a political career before he got into office. Which is he is so wishy washy when it comes to deciding on a important cause or issue.
He just goes a long with whatever party there is for his own political gain…
he is a novice to this, and doesn’t realize most senators do this playing game for years, before even thinking about running for office, which was he had to bring in the big guns, and not to mention to bring in his wife too for support.
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
4:29 pm
It’s funny- come to think of it- both parties are playing this game together, it seems- in order to show Mr. Obama how ignorant he really is on how to run a country.
First the Democrats in and ruin everything, and then the Republicans come in and try to patch things up and put its pieces back together. they were just using obama since they had no one else.
That way, at the end of Obama’s term- and one time presidency, they will still be able to claim that it was the Republicans who ruined everything.
Vic
December 16th, 2010
4:30 pm
Hey Warren, where did you go to school, City of Atlanta?
Big Jim
December 16th, 2010
4:33 pm
Bush was Amazing
In a long winded way, I was trying to say the same thing. While trampling Obama, who hasn’t been able to accomplish much, we’ve forgotten about GWB. He was in office for EIGHT YEARS. Fair is fair.
To reiterate my earlier point, I know a lot of republicans, and they have been given the same message about political correctness. If something as compassionate as not insulting me is a problem, then do what makes you happy!
OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EMMA
December 16th, 2010
4:35 pm
@ leep: I think I would have to agree with you! I may not have supported/voted for certain presidents, but I sure would enjoy meeting any of them!
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
4:35 pm
I wasn’t trying to insult you, Big Jim. I had nothing to say about Contractor’s remarks to you, I was merely trying to back your comment.
Big Jim
December 16th, 2010
4:36 pm
Bush was Amazing
No offense taken. I understood where you were coming from.
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
4:37 pm
No problem…
Big Jim
December 16th, 2010
4:39 pm
To OPEN MINDED people everywhere, I bid you good day!
ya think...
December 16th, 2010
4:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Vic. Where did you do time?
ya think...
December 16th, 2010
4:49 pm
Vic, where did you do time?
William
December 16th, 2010
4:53 pm
So much LOVE to read, so little time
Viva GwinneXico
December 16th, 2010
4:55 pm
I wanted to go see Bush but I probably would have thrown my shoes at him. It would have been a waste of time though since we all know he’s pretty damn good at ducking.
The one thing I like about Bush is that he began his path to hell in extreme silence, that’s about the only thing I will give him credit for.
godoggo
December 16th, 2010
5:14 pm
gm: I respect your beliefs, utopian, and incompetent views….but if we were ever in the trenches in War together, i know whose rear-end i’d have to be saving.
Below are a few facts that are a part of our history and sure….i wish No one had to die in War, but that is what happens….people die and you break things….i tell you what, if you firmly believe that peace can be found with tolerance and placating militants and terrorist…please offer yourself up for being the on-hand or face to face negotiator with someone that’s got C4 strapped to their chest and chants…”Ala is great”. Let’s see how that works for you ?
58,196 died in the Vietnam War
650,000 died in the Civil War
Hell, over 6000 died on the beaches Normandy in 1 day
If i would have been drafted, i’d gladly would have gone and defended my Country…if they would have taken me in 01′ i would have gone in a heartbeat….You know, France is looking for “a few good men just like you”……check out delta.com
Holler if ya hear me ~
Viva GwinneXico
December 16th, 2010
5:27 pm
“If i would have been drafted, i’d gladly would have gone and defended my Country…if they would have taken me in 01′ i would have gone in a heartbeat….”
I don’t think you really need to drafted. You can walk right into your local office and sign up, pretty sure they would take you. What you waiting for, time’s a wastin!!!
art
December 16th, 2010
5:39 pm
To Bush was Amazing: @ Art… what do you mean, just like the Obamas, Clintons, and Bushes?
What I mean is that every one of these presidents has taken the country a little farther down the road of socialism, GWB and Obama being the worst of the group, with GWB’s TARP and Obama’s healthcare reform. They are an affront to republican (littel “r”) capitalism, the greatest political-economic pairing ever to be conceived. For that, they and all elected officials of the last twenty years deserve the utmost disrespect.
godoggo
December 16th, 2010
5:40 pm
im 50 Bro, and had 2 surgeries that would have disqualifed me at 28….How bout you ?
Viva GwinneXico
December 16th, 2010
5:54 pm
Nope not me. I would never enlist to fight pointless wars. I was real close to enlisting straight out HS (1999) but a couple of wise friends talked me out of it, thank goodness that I listened.
godoggo
December 16th, 2010
6:04 pm
Viva GwinneXico: It would seem i’d have to defend your bed-wetting liberalism rear also in the trenches of War or in public……either here or in GwinneXico ?
It’s great to meet or have bantor with Liberals…..it reminds you how you never want to be………and how it takes a spine to “do the right thing” ….again that Website is delta.com…..i’ll even pay for your baggage one way.
Viva GwinneXico
December 16th, 2010
6:15 pm
godoggo:
First off, you already stated that you could not join due to your health issues. Why do you keep going on and on about defendig this, that, or the other? I tell you what, since you like labeling folks then I will label you as well. You are what liberals like to call a CHICKENHAWK.
Secondly, I love it how you NeoCon Nazis assume you’re so damn smart. What makes you think that I’m anything close to a liberal. I hate those damn socialists more than NeoCon Nazis.
cass
December 16th, 2010
6:49 pm
Obama is no better than BUSH
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
6:57 pm
Godogo -Thanks for that little history lesson there.
-wow, can’t we all just forget about bush & obama and politics and love each other and unite as americans who want the country to thrive and be rid of terrorists. Who cares Republicans or Democrats- the point is we are at war – a global war with terrorists who threaten to rip country after country apart. The thing was, Bush saw it, Obama doesn’t think its too big of a deal to deal with terrorists. The Democrats think this whole war on terror is a bogo story.
But, lets get the facts straight- whoever started it and when, it’s real out there, so folks – unless you want this country to be run by Islamic fascism, then step up to the plate, and start acting like real americans and forget the political facts!
godoggo
December 16th, 2010
6:58 pm
Actually, im glad you took the advice of your friends…..and remember, unlike many Countries that is one of the Great things about living in the US of A or “Merica” as one of your great defenders calls it…….we are allowed and have a choice of what we want to do, believe in, and say….and protected by a Constitution and Bill of Rights. It’s great to have banter with someone as yourself and induce and deduce what you believe in.
I respect and don’t care Who you, or anyone Worships, What you believe in, or Who you vote for…..as long as you don’t hurt woman and children. Sure, we aren’t perfect here in “Merica”, and we’ve made mistakes…..but We (US) are always there to clean up and protect everyone else’s mess, disaster, and protect them from terrorist activities of others on Planet Earth. If any of my friends slam Obama i stand up and defend him…..i may not agree with him all the time, but he is still MY President right now….he has given Americans a different view and perspective which we have to respect, but not necessarily believe in….again, that is what is one of the Great things about America ! We can agree to disagree on your beliefs, but some of your other comments in past post have leaned on “liberal idealism”…maybe your a “devil’s advocate”….dunno. I wish you luck
Im happy and proud knowing that i can travel to anywhere else in the World and carry a US Passport…..it’s like Willy Wonka card.
Rocco
December 16th, 2010
7:28 pm
Darn! It would have been a perfect time to arrest him for war crimes against humanity.
The man’s a war criminal and should be dragged in chains to the Hague to face trial. He is responsible for the deaths of 100,000 plus innocent Iraqis; as much blood on his hands as Saddam and look where he is. Someday soon, Satan will have special quarters just for him and Dick right next to Slobodan, Adolph, and the rest.
Gerard
December 16th, 2010
8:04 pm
Another “puke in your mouth” moment! This character destroyed our financial framework by pursuing illegal wars so that he could be better than “Daddy,” another loser. Now we got a totally unqualified jerk in to finish the job. May somebody’s God please save America.
Emerald
December 16th, 2010
8:06 pm
For the person who stated “too bad they did not make it to the suburbs where they would be more appreciated”, I am curious to know how suburbanites show more “appreciation”. The ignorance of some of the comments never ceases to amaze me. Most often, they can be ignored but this one really could not. Geez …
S
December 16th, 2010
8:10 pm
George Bush and Cheney should be brought up on War Crimes, Water Boarding and Plame, CIA outing. How soon we forget. George Bush/Cheney got us into two senseless Wars and thousands of our Soldiers have died because of it. I’m like an elephant, I will never forget these two Hypocrites…how sad our country is now because of these two so called MEN!
The housing bubble happened because of no regulation, created by Phil Graham a Republican, known as the Father of the deregulation bill and of course the bankers/Wall Street seeing as how corrupt they are, give them an inch, they will take a mile group, we were left with the housing mess. We will be years and years getting out of these messes this group of self serving thieving Politicians have created, BOTH PARTIES..
As an aside, Corporate America runs this Country now, since the Supremos gave them carte blanche. You ever watch Braveheart the movie, yep we are all serfs now, the Nobles are in charge…
Wake up don’t go into the voting booth deaf, dumb and blind and stop voting down party lines, that is how we got into this mess. Your intelligent vote matters, research and research again that politician, don’t let anyone tell you how to vote. Just remember most of them are fibbers, to put it politely…
Eva
December 16th, 2010
8:10 pm
Guy, I’m probably the only reader on today’s event who didn’t have a chance to buy Bush’ book and wristband ahead on Wednesday. I was caught off guard when I showed up in line this morning. Instead I borrowed a receipt and wristband set from a girl in front of me. She was holding two receipts. It was pretty cool to see W and shook hands with him. Regardless of the history of buffooning he has made, he is a guy with a human face, for sure. It’s an honor to see each other today, he told me so. What a nice and unassuming guy he is !
Bush was Amazing
December 16th, 2010
9:08 pm
@ S – how does that make him liable to war crimes? He kept our country safe. Thats that.
@ Eve- I didn’t hear until I saw it on the news- was there a long wait like they said it was?
mike drake
December 16th, 2010
9:08 pm
George W. Bush made this country the mess that it is. I’m ashamed of him even if he can’t be ashamed of himself.
melissa's mom
December 16th, 2010
9:29 pm
I stood in line outdoors in freezing temperatures for 3 hours yesterday and again today in the cold rain for 2 hours. It was worth every minute, just to shake hands with President Bush and First Lady Laura. As soon as the democrats took over everything, first with congress, the country fell apart! Thank God we have more conservatives in office again. Maybe we can patch things up again and get people back to work.
Eva
December 16th, 2010
10:24 pm
Yes, the time I spent there was from 9:30 till 12::00. Some 100 people were ahead of me in line
W is the Best
December 16th, 2010
11:18 pm
George W. Bush is the best President we have had in a long time. Quintessential American. Obama, and his supporters (idiots that voted for him), are the downfall of this Great Nation.Granted, the Constitution affords you the right to voice your opinion, but you all sound like idiots. Period. I’m open to discuss further if you disagree, but be prepared to be made to look like an idiot…bring it.
Bush was Amazing
December 17th, 2010
12:09 pm
http://www.thepostemail.com/2010/04/11/kenyan-parliament-claims-obama-born-in-kenya/
For Frank – I knew I was right to begin with. So there.
Hamad Meander
December 17th, 2010
1:56 pm
Bush was Amazing – elections have consequences as words have meaning. I stated that Bush had to deal with the first major attack in the continental US, which Hawai’i is not a part of.
Comedian White Shoes
December 18th, 2010
2:11 am
he looks like a lil marionette puppet and he made leadership decisions like one too
Pause
December 18th, 2010
2:56 am
The celebration of mediocrity is never an exciting event. Our country has become anesthetized and detached from reality. It’s less about democrat, republican, or whatever political affiliation one ascribes to, and really just a simple matter of right and wrong. Bad policy, low standards, and sacrificing the lives of so many who really did put country first for the sake of maintaining power and increasing Bush wealth. This is in sum our 43rd President.
Patrick
December 18th, 2010
11:09 am
You can judge how great a President is by how much the liberals dislike him. Liberals hated Reagan. 10 years from now Bush 43 will be considered one of the greats. Those who disagree haven’t read anything other than the blabber coming from the liberal media.
Autumn
December 19th, 2010
10:18 pm
you people r haters… stop hating on obama … Bush caused the problem in Iraq AND Afghanistan….you should hate him for that because now Obama has to untangle situation that BUSH made… Bush was a very stupid man.
Mark It Right
December 20th, 2010
10:48 am
Apparently, many of you are smoking from the same crack pipe that Bush smokes from. Is Obama perfect? No. As far as I know, we have never had a perfect president.
However, the guy has been in office 2 years. He can’t correct 8 years of crack pipe smoking in just 2 years. The number of military people that have died in wars that we SHOULD NOT be in is staggering. Now Obama has to figure a way to get us out of them, that won’t make all of the deaths and huge amount of money for nothing.