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I know that VERTICAL DAY will be great for HuckPAC as it is only two hours away, and I wish I could say I’m going “vertical” as well—as in flying out of Rwanda.
Late last night, we were rolling down the runway for take-off from Kiglali when we lost the right engine and had to abort the take-off. Fortunately, our ground speed was only 60 mph and the pilots acted professionally and immediately shut down the take off and stopped the plane before we attempted to go wheels up. The reason I know that is because I was in the cockpit with the crew when it happened. Of all the times to be invited to sit up front for the take off in a 767, it would be last night! As we rolled, it first sounded like we had blown a tire, but passengers on the right side of the plane saw flames coming out of the engine. There was an apparent air pressure problem in the engine and we lost the engine within seconds of the critical “point of no return”. We were taken off the plane and brought back to the hotel, getting to sleep around 2am, looking for flights to get us home. The latest for me is a very long journey that will go from Rwanda to Nairobi to Paris to Atlanta and eventually to Little Rock IF—and I stress IF—all goes according to plan. I have to cancel some speeches and events, but in light of what might have been, it’s not that bad.
If you saw the movie “Hotel Rwanda,” you know Don Cheadle’s character took care of the unexpected guests for over 100 days during the Genocide. Kigali is now a very safe and orderly city, but if Don Cheadle could get me a flight out of here straightway, I would be ever so grateful!
The trip has been truly remarkable in being able to see a nation reborn and experiencing spiritual and economic revival. There’s still a long way to go, but yesterday we met with President Kagame for almost 4 hours and came away with real admiration for a determined leader who does not want his country to become dependent, but independent. He turns away relief efforts that do not create capacity for growth and empowerment of his own people. His refreshing view is that to simply dump money into the hands of needy people is wrong and counter-productive. He is about creating real jobs and insisting that people work and earn what they receive. I will offer updates when and if I can---often dependent on a VERY unstable internet capacity here.
Even though I am not able to participate the way I had planned, I hope you will still join me in promoting the candidates that will be posting on Huck PAC throughout the day. We have asked the candidates and supporters of Huck PAC to blog about their ideas and solutions to the problems we face. Many will also discuss their feelings and beliefs about marriage and life I hope you will visit us starting at noon today and check back in frequently throughout the day.
I also ask, and this is critical, that you promote what you read by sending posts about the candidates to friends and family. Their is a "send to a friend link" in the upper right corner of each blog post. We will track the number of friends these blogs are being sent to. We think it is a great way to show how committed we are to these candidates. Also share these blog posts with bloggers you know and encourage them to blog about what they read.
We have a chance to do something special for the candidates today, if and only if, we work together.
From Kigali (still),
Mike Huckabee
Comments 1-18 of 18
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Rayborn, Linda
07/23/2008 10:19 PM
Wow!! Sounds like a scary day!! Congressman Ron Paul's plane had problems and so did Obama's!! What a strange set of coincidences!! I'm so thankful all of you are ok. Thank you for keeping us informed during your trip and for all you do!! It is amazing the way you sacrifice of your time for this country. Keep safe, we are expecting you to be the 45th president of the US!!!
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Downing, Dan
07/23/2008 07:55 PM
Governor -
Thank God you and those on your flight are safe.
My wife's aunt and uncle were doing missionary work in Rwanda during the Genocide. Their accounts of those days is truly frightening. We pray that your trip to Kigali will serve as an inspiration to those you met as they rebuild and renew their nation. Thank you for sharing your positive observations from your meeting with President Kagame.
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JULIEE 4 HUCKABEE, CA
07/23/2008 05:55 PM
DEAR GOVERNOR HUCKABEE,
WE ARE VERY THANKFUL THAT YOU AND THOSE ON YOUR FLIGHT ARE SAFE! GOD IS GOOD!
IT IS TOO BAD YOU ARE NOT HERE FOR VERTICAL DAY; BUT GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR EVERYTHING. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOU RETURN TO AMERICA SAFELY!
I WILL BE PRAYING FOR GOD'S CONTINUED PEACE AND PROTECTION AS YOU TRAVEL HOME!
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Coffee, Kathy
07/23/2008 03:44 PM
I have prayed for your safety on this trip. I know my prayers have been answered!!!
I'm so thankful that everyone is ok.
May God use this "down time" in a very special way!! -
Briggs, Daniel
07/23/2008 03:20 PM
Gov. Huckabee, thank the Lord everyone is safe! My goodness! The guardian angels must have been working overtime!
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Holt, Suzan
07/23/2008 02:43 PM
Thanking the Lord for the safe outcome in Kigali. This delay can serve many purposes. Trusting that these purposes will be beneficial to Governor Huckabee and to the rest of those whose plans were altered.
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Captain Obvious
07/23/2008 02:02 PM
Giving thanks and praise to God for His protective care over His servants...and may He keep you in the center of His will.
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SharonNC
07/23/2008 01:06 PM
Praying for your safe return.
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O'Brien, Margaret
07/23/2008 12:46 PM
Mike! What an experience! Thank Almighty God that you are safe and the crew and passengers as well. WE look so forward to your emails- your updates -- you keep us informed in a most remarkable and personal way and for that we are very grateful.
Thank you for setting up this vertical day -- allowing candidates to blog -- and allowing others to comment.....this type of grassroots is vital and appreciated. WE love you - the O'Briens from Wisconsin -
All-in-for-Mike
07/23/2008 12:44 PM
Dick Morris, astute political observer, has written an article on RealClearPoltics in which he compares Mitt Romney to dog food. LOL
Please post positive comments for Mike at this article:
http://comments.realclearpolitics.com/read/1/127882/128111.html#msg-128111
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SSC - Hardcore Texan
07/23/2008 12:28 PM
Gov., I am praising the Lord that you and the others on the flight are okay and guardian angels were watching over you in that cockpit. May God use this delay and long trip home to bring your vertical message to others you meet along the way and give you new contacts and support.
Also, I pray for each candidate appearing on this site today and although our participation volume may be down due to summer distractions and vacations, may their message reach many people via the Internet.
Your HuckPAK supporters are grateful for your blogs and keeping us in the loop on your experiences and activities. God Speed!
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Braley, Don & Nova
07/23/2008 12:16 PM
Thank God for your protection.
My comment to John McCain, you, and other Republicans is to counter LOUDLY to the media that Obamas claim that he was against going into Iraq (as a State Senator), means he would have ignored any advice from all the security people (Security Council, UN, Britian, CIA, NATO, etc.) and relied on his own feelings. That is dangerous for a US Comander-in-Chief. -
Strauss, Mariel and Irv
07/23/2008 12:03 PM
You keep doing the right thing. Your Rawanda trip is the right thing. We need you as ever. Keep on keeping on. I am still writing in your name on the presidential ballot.
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All-in-for-Mike
07/23/2008 11:46 AM
SO glad everyone is OK. Sounds like major answered prayer to me!
Is Cindy McCain also stranded there? If so, I hope you will have plenty of chances to continue showing why you are the best for VP.
"The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps....."
Some day I'd like to hear more about the spiritual renewal in Rwanda that you mentioned.
Still praying!
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Tyger
07/23/2008 11:45 AM
Having you alive and unhurt is more than enough of a trade-off for your not being able to blog from home for Vertical Day.
Thank God the pilots were able to salvage the situation, even though your plans for today got upended.
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Summers, Harriett
07/23/2008 11:40 AM
Thank you, dear Father God , for travel mercies!
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Jack_Somers81
07/23/2008 11:33 AM
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Jill 4 America
07/23/2008 11:27 AM
Dear Gov. Huckabee,
So glad you and others are safe! Praise God! Those must have been some intense moments.
I will continue to pray for the rest of your trip home.
