Foreign fighters are travelling into Iraq to make it a front line in the war on terror. And I would rather defeat them there than face them in our own country. George W. Bush More Quotes by George W. Bush More Quotes From George W. Bush On 9-11, we discovered that we cannot escape from the world. To me personally, this was a life-changing experience, and I realized, as did all Americans, in a way that is impossible to describe, that we were not protected by the two oceans. It was necessary to eliminate threats before they showed up on our doorstep. I agree that we should not be getting caught up in far away wars. But I believe Iraq was central to our war on terrorism. George W. Bush ocean war believe No president ever puts American lives at risk without a terrible sense of responsibility. And no American ever hears or reads of a soldier’s death without saying a silent prayer for the dead hero or thinking of the grief of the family and friends. Every young man or woman who dies represents a life with its own dreams and plans, extinguished so suddenly. But all said and done, it is our responsibility to see that (1) we never put our troops in situations where they are subject to unnecessary risk, and (2) we give them all our support at all times. George W. Bush grief prayer dream I was able to adjust initially by plunging right into the book and the Bush Presidential Center at Southern Methodist University. And it turns out that there is a good way to make a living by giving speeches. George W. Bush presidential giving book I want to live out principles that became a part of my life in my 40s, 50s, and 60s. One principle is the universality of freedom. George W. Bush universality principles want I feel a sense of obligation to our troops and their families because of the decisions that I made. So I'm involved with veterans. George W. Bush veteran troops decision "Reinvention" is a word that doesn't fit into my vocabulary. George W. Bush reinvention fit vocabulary Reinvention means you're kind of re-creating somebody. Well, I'm the same person, in terms of values. My priorities - my faith, my family, my friends, the values of personal responsibility and universality of freedom, and "to whom much is given, much is required" - haven't changed [since presidency]. George W. Bush creating responsibility mean "Statesman" presumes I'm out there giving opinions all the time about things, and no, I'm not interested in opining on a lot of subjects. George W. Bush not-interested opinion giving I really think it's important for presidents to exit the stage gracefully. George W. Bush important president thinking "Statesman" gives the impression that every time a major issue comes up, I'll be popping off. And that's not what's going to happen. George W. Bush come-up issues giving I think by not participating in the current political debate, hopefully I'm sending a signal that will help set a tone. George W. Bush tone political thinking The problem is, there was plenty of trash talk during my presidency. A lot. George W. Bush trash-talk presidency problem A lot of the reason why the debate is acrimonious is because of the 24/7 news cycles, blogs, and people being able to just throw something out there in order to get attention. And I'm not going be out there doing the same thing, trying to trash my successor or call attention to myself. I hope that's a positive contribution to the dialogue. George W. Bush trying order people I feel blessed to have been raised a Texan. George W. Bush texan raised blessed I was very fortunate to have had a mother and father who loved me in spite of my failings. George W. Bush failing mother father In spite of the fact that at times I would challenge parents authority. They provided unconditional love. George W. Bush unconditional-love parent challenges I was also fortunate that I was raised in a part of the world, West Texas, where individualism is strong. George W. Bush texas strong world [I was raised in] West Texas where people can dream big dreams and achieve them. But where people also have a great sense of community. They cared about their neighbors. And those values, I think, have stood me well. George W. Bush texas dream thinking It's important to take risks. George W. Bush risk important I'm talking about living life to its fullest. George W. Bush live-life-to-its-fullest live-life talking