Posted on 06/09/2004 12:56:49 PM PDT by areafiftyone
SEA ISLAND, Ga. June 9, 2004 — He zipped around a corner, passenger Tony Blair's arm hanging out the window. But this was no pickup truck down at the ranch. President Bush's vehicle of choice at this tiny island summit looked like a high-tech, souped-up, electric-powered golf cart.
With most event sites just a few blocks apart, Bush drove Blair to the opening business session of the Group of Eight economic summit on Wednesday in one emblazoned with the red, white and blue colors of the American flag.
The day before, German Chancellor Gehard Schroeder powered himself to a meeting with Bush, waving at a cluster of reporters as he glided past.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi made sharp zigs and zags on his cart before bringing it to an abrupt stop.
The snazzy vehicles, capable of reaching a speed of about 30 mph, are decorated with each country's official colors.
The cars, manufactured by a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, can be purchased absent the flag colors. Bush's four-seater lists for $8,995.
So popular are the vehicles with heads of state and their top aides that sometimes they're in short supply.
"I had to walk over here. I couldn't find mine," Bush's communications director, Dan Bartlett, told reporters at a press center.
The summit has nettled some fishermen.
The economic meeting is hurting fishing because the Coast Guard has closed off a 120-square-mile security zone used by many crabbers and shrimpers.
"It just hurts all us little people who have to work for a living," said Tina Hill, who works at Two-Way Fish Camp in Brunswick. "The crabbers couldn't go check the traps. They wouldn't let them in."
While saltwater fishing has been cut off, freshwater fishing has picked up, said Randy Cooper at Cooper's Bait and Tackle.
"We have a lot of people coming through who would like to go saltwater fishing, but can't because those waters are closed," he said. "Our business has actually been good."
Bush, who is famous for wanting meetings to start on time, showed that eagerness at the opening G-8 session Wednesday morning. After draping his jacket over the back of his chair, he sat down and shouted out "welcome" to the leaders at the appointed starting time only to realize that he needed to pause for a moment until the horde of photographers could be ushered from the room.
Befitting the resort setting, Bush set a casual tone with his blue knit shirt. Others wore dress shirts without ties, but French President Jacques Chirac shunned the resort-casual approach altogether. He wore a dark business suit and tie.
Earth Girls and US TAxpayers...are easy
I want one!! I live on 27 acres and could really use it.
Actually, I'm surprised that this article even got inked; such a non-story.
Define "anal retentiveness"--see Jackie Chirac.
Bush's Fault
"The economic meeting is hurting fishing because the Coast Guard has closed off a 120-square-mile security zone used by many crabbers and shrimpers.
"It just hurts all us little people who have to work for a living," said Tina Hill, who works at Two-Way Fish Camp in Brunswick. "The crabbers couldn't go check the traps. They wouldn't let them in."
~ OK, so the journo got a shot in that the little people are being hurt, nay devastated, by this meeting that lasts....umm. till the weekend? ~
Because,
"The cars, manufactured by a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, can be purchased absent the flag colors. Bush's four-seater lists for $8,995."
The fishermen can't afford the golfcarts. And besides this is a just a vacation for the President..
"Befitting the resort setting, Bush set a casual tone with his blue knit shirt. Others wore dress shirts without ties, but French President Jacques Chirac shunned the resort-casual approach altogether. He wore a dark business suit and tie."
Who the heck wrote this? Eric Zorn? Shouldn't he still be salivating over Princess Di's wardrobe?
Crosslink:
G-8 latest:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1140331/posts?page=83#83
FWIW, grew up on Saint Simons.
One of the local Chrysler dealerships has had those things parked out front for a while now. I've always wondered why the heck a car dealer had weird-looking golf carts sitting right out by the road in a prominent place, but now it makes sense--since a DC subsidiary makes the buggies.
Doesn't look like there's enough room to drop a 5.7L Hemi in there, though, so it's off my list...
}:-)4
...i've got one for sale, slightly used and much cheaper than the $8400 they list as msrp. freepmail me if you're serious...
I think they're cool! :-)
It was called 'Be On' made by some company named Lieger, I think. The sucker was fun to drive! It got up to at least 60mph (that's what we took it up to) and got great gas millage. I swear I've seen these same cars in SF. Funny thing was another tourist, a Texan, went nuts over the car and asked us to bring him to where he rented it so he could get info about it. He wanted to buy one right then and there!
I don't think he was looking at the car
I took a look at the Sea Island website ... very beautiful. Owned and managed by one family since the 20s!
Pooty Poot.
Actually, I believe the real reason is that they count towards electric vehicle quotas.
Not exactly dispelling the Italian driver stereotype, is he. 8^)
You've got mail.....
Equivalent to 10 miles by 12 miles. No wonder they can't find any fish.
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