So wow. Where to start. First of all, I guess I should have known the press would be all over this, because (horrors!) the Vice President is using this opportunity to make a political statement!

Come on, that's nothing new, Sen. Reid. ("...the vice president was "playing politics like he's in the middle of a presidential campaign. I would urge the members of the Bush administration to stop trying to resurrect their political standing by lashing out at their critics," he said. "Instead, they need to focus on the job at hand, giving our troops a strategy for success in Iraq.") Spoken like a true politician. Way to deflect, Senator Reid.

I'm so naive. After Cheney's speech I leaned over to hubby, "That was great! I hope there's a transcript of this!" I remembered to check Michelle Malkin's page.

We were sitting pretty far back, as you can see... ... but it was pretty exciting, to be in the company of one whom I respect so much. Vice President Cheney was absolutely "presidential" up there. Alas, he should have been our president somewhere along the way...
Other notables in attendance were Kathryn Harris and Sandra Day O'Connor. There were some other congressmen there, but I didn't recognize the names.

Funny, the people you run into. Someone I saw at my 20th high school reunion from a few years ago was there and we chatted a bit. Also, someone who used to work at my company until a few years ago.

Senator Malcolm Wallop (Ret.), the recipient of this year's Ronald Reagan Award by the organization that he founded, Frontiers of Freedom, gave a lengthy but riveting speech, appearing Reaganesque himself. I understand now why he is so revered.
If only there were more like him and Zell Miller in Congress today.
They are not "career politicians" by any stretch, and it's clear that they have the country's (not their own) best interests at heart.

Kerri Houston, VP of Policy for Frontiers of Freedom (an easy search on the Internet will turn up all manner of intelligently written op-ed pieces; she was on an episode of "Politically Incorrect" along with Michael Moore, the poor lady) gave a beautiful invocation:
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Tonight we ask you to bless this gathering before you.
We join together in this room with no titles, no ranks, no affiliations, no racial groups and no ethnic differences.
We come before you simply as your children, equal in every respect and made in your image.
We are bound to each other by our defense of one of your most precious gifts-- the liberty of the human soul.
We believe that this liberty was endowed by you, our Creator, and articulated on our behalf for all eternity by our founders as they set our nation under God and with liberty and justice for all.
We thank you for your gifts and majesty.
As we ask for your abundant grace, the unmerited favor that comes only from you, so that we can go forward and fulfill our earthly commitments in a manner ordained by You,
We pray that as individuals and as a Godly nation, we may be a beacon of hope and liberty for all people in all of your lands, so they too may be free to worship you as they choose in peace and in safety, and to revel in the beauty of the world that you created for us.
We pray especially for our men and women in uniform all over the world and for our brothers and sisters in Iraq--the people of the purple finger--that they may also be a shining example of the beauty that is human freedom.
We ask that you bless our gathering tonight, this meal, this Fellowship.
And that you continue to bless our abundant prosperity and friendships, our Congress, and other government officials who strive to keep our nation safe and secure, and in particular, we thank you for giving us the leadership of George Bush and Dick Cheney as they turn to you for strength and guidance in a time of such heavy responsibility.
We ask that you help us become more prudent and appreciative stewards of your many gifts.
Thank you Heavenly Father for bringing us here tonight.
And all God's children say together...
Amen"

There's more, but it's late, and I don't want to tarnish Kerri The Good One™'s beautiful prayer. It will be a separate post, tomorrow (uh.. I guess that's "today" actually. Damn. 2:00?!?)

(One last... here's a pic of my mate and me. Just so I have my "alibi", ya know ;)