Posted on 05/07/2008 5:14:40 PM PDT by Kaslin
President Bush met with House Republican Conference in the North Portico Transcript
President Bush attended the Council of the Americas at the State Department Transcript
Statement by the Press Secretary
On Wednesday, May 07, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 3532, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Private Johnathon Millican Lula Post Office,
H.R. 3720, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Army PFC Juan Alonso Covarrubias Post Office Building,
H.R. 3936, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Sgt. Jason Harkins Post Office Building,
H.R. 3988, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Master Sergeant Kenneth N. Mack Post Office Building,
H.R. 4203, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Specialist Jamaal RaShard Addison Post Office Building,
H.R. 4454, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Military Heroes of Louisville Memorial Post Office Building,
H.R. 5135, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Sergeant Jamie O. Maugans Post Office Building,
H.R. 5220, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Major Arthur Chin Post Office Building,
H.R. 5400, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office Building,
Several other facilities not listed here were also designated Source
Enoy your visit to Sanity Island
Quote of the day
About 17 months ago, the United States signed a free trade agreement with Colombia. Ever since, my administration has worked closely with Congress to seek a bipartisan path for considering this agreement. I understand trade votes are hard. And that's why we continually reached out with -- to Congress. We've had more than 400 consultations, meetings and calls. We've led trips to Colombia for more than 50 members of Congress. We worked closely with congressional leaders from both parties. We responded to concerns over labor and environmental standards by including some of the most rigorous protections of any trade agreement in the history of the United States. We have bent over backwards to work with members from both parties on the Hill.
And despite this, Congress has refused to act. One month ago I sent the bill -- I sent the bill to implement the agreement to the Congress. Yet the Speaker chose to block it instead of giving it an up or down vote that the Congress had committed to. Her action is unprecedented. It is extremely unfortunate. I hope the Speaker is going to change her mind. I hope you help her to change her mind. If she doesn't, the agreement is dead, and this will be bad for our workers, our businesses, and it will be bad for America's national security.
Approving the agreement would strengthen our economy. Today almost all of Colombia's exports enter the United States duty-free. Yet American products exported to Colombia face tariffs of up to 35 percent for non-agricultural goods, and much higher for many agricultural products. Think about that. They export into the United States duty-free, and we don't have the same advantage. I would call that a one-sided economic agreement.
Failure to pass the free trade agreement, therefore, is making it much harder to sell our products into Colombia. To try to put this in perspective for you, this weekend we reached an unfortunate milestone when the tariffs imposed on U.S exports to Colombia reached an estimated $1 billion since the free trade agreement was signed. There's a -- that's one billion good reasons why the United States Congress ought to pass this bill. Passing the agreement we could create the -- (applause).
Members of Congress need to think about this. Once implemented, the Colombia free trade agreement would immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 80 percent of American exports of industrial and consumer goods. Many American exports of agriculture and construction equipment, aircraft and auto parts, and medical and scientific equipment would immediately enter Colombia duty-free. So would farm exports like high-quality beef, and cotton, and wheat, and soybeans, and fruit. And eventually, the agreement would eliminate all tariffs on U.S. goods and services.
Opening markets is especially important during this time of economic uncertainty. Last year, exports accounted for more than 40 percent of America's total economic growth. Forty percent of the growth was as a result of goods and services being sold from the United States into foreign markets. With our economy slowing, it seems like to me that we should be doing everything possible to open up new markets for U.S. goods and services. More than 9,000 American companies, including 8,000 small and mid-sized firms, export to Colombia. And approving this agreement, opening up markets for their goods and services, would help them increase sales, would help them grow their businesses, and would help them pay good-paying jobs.
If you're interested in work in America, if you're interested in economic vitality, you ought to be doing everything you can to make it easier for U.S. companies to be selling overseas.
And finally, approving this agreement is a urgent national security priority. Colombia is one of our strongest allies in the Western Hemisphere. I admire President Uribe a lot. He is courageous. He shares our values. He is a strong, capable partner in fighting drugs and crime and terror. The Colombia government reports, since 2002 kidnappings in Colombia have dropped 83 percent, terrorist attacks are down 76 percent, murders have dropped by 40 percent. He's got a strong record of doing what he said he was going to do.
And despite the progress, Colombia remains under intense pressure in the region. It faces a continuing assault from the terrorist group known as FARC, which seizes hostages and murder innocent civilians. Colombia faces a hostile and anti-American neighbor in Venezuela, where the regime has forged an alliance with Cuba, collaborated with FARC terrorists, and provided sanctuary to FARC units.
President Uribe has stood strong. He has done so with the assurance of American support. Congress's failure to pass the Colombia free trade agreement has called this support into question. President Uribe told members of Congress that approving this agreement is one of the most important ways that America can show our unwavering commitment to Colombia. Congressional leaders need to send a message that we support this brave and courageous leader, and that we will not turn our back on one of our most steadfast allies. (Applause.)
Photo of the day
U.S. President George W. Bush (2nd L) walks out of the North Portico with the House Republican leadership at the White House in Washington May 7, 2008. Bush is joined by Representatives Roy Blunt (R-MO)(L), Adam Putnam (R-FL)(2nd R) and John Boehner
Hi.
President Bush walks out to make a statement with House Republican leaders on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Bush criticized the Congressional Democrats' approach in dealing with the U.S. housing crisis and soaring energy prices. Left to right are Reps. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Kay Granger, R-Texas, Adam Putnam, R-Fla. and John Boehner, R-Ohio
U.S. President George W. Bush (3rd L) walks out of the North Portico to speak about his meeting with House Republican leadership at the White House in Washington, May 7, 2008. Bush is joined by Representatives Roy Blunt (R-MO) (L) and John Boehner (R-OH)
U.S. President George W. Bush (2nd L) walks out of the North Portico with the House Republican leadership at the White House in Washington May 7, 2008. Bush is joined by Representatives Roy Blunt (R-MO)(L), Adam Putnam (R-FL)(2nd R) and John Boehner
U.S. President George W. Bush (3rd R) speaks about his meeting with House Republican leadership at the White House in Washington, May 7, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush (3rd R) speaks about his meeting with House Republican leadership at the White House in Washington, May 7, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about his meeting with House Republican leadership at the White House in Washington May 7, 2008.
THanks for posting the statement with the photos, Kaslin. Otherwise, I would not have known anything about it, and I have listened to many hours of radio today.
U.S. President George W. Bush (L) delivers comments on a meeting with the House Republican leadership as Minority leader John Boehner (R-OH) looks on at the White House in Washington May 7, 2008.
President Bush arrives to deliver remarks at the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Bush said Wednesday that Cuba's post-Fidel Castro leadership has made only 'empty gestures at reform' and rejected calls for easing of U.S. restrictions on the communist island.
U.S. President George W. Bush arrives to deliver remarks to the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington May 7, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush makes remarks to the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington May 7, 2008.
President Bush delivers remarks to the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Bush said that Cuba's post-Fidel Castro leadership has made only 'empty gestures at reform' and rejected calls for easing of U.S. restrictions on the communist island.>
U.S. President George W. Bush makes remarks to the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington May 7, 2008.
Nice photos Kaslin. :)
President Bush delivers remarks to the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Bush said that Cuba's post-Fidel Castro leadership has made only 'empty gestures at reform' and rejected calls for easing of U.S. restrictions on the communist island
U.S. President George W. Bush makes remarks to the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington May 7, 2008.
President Bush makes remarks to the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Bush said Wednesday that Cuba's post-Fidel Castro leadership has made only 'empty gestures at reform' and rejected calls for easing of U.S. restrictions on the communist island.
U.S. President George W. Bush makes remarks to the Council of the Americas at the State Department in Washington May 7, 2008.
Woo Hoo!
Was looking for the dose because I found something funny I wanted to share. Was following links and found this. Someone was asking President Bush about after he leaves office and this is part of the transcript:
[”Interestingly enough, it is a lot harder to have been the son of the President than to be the President. (Laughter.) ... You know, one of the great, really fun things we do is we welcome our pals from West Texas to the White House, and they come to the Oval Office, they’re walking around; they say, man, I can’t believe I’m here. And then they take a look at me — (laughter.) So the first thing is I’m heading home. ... I guess I’ll go home and mow the lawn. (Laughter.)]
We’re really going to miss him.
President George W. Bush delivers a statement Wednesday, May 7, 2008, on the North Portico of the White House after meeting with the House Republican Conference. Of the issues discussed, the President said, "It's a positive agenda... an agenda that recognizes that we can find the wisdom of the American people in their souls, in their hearts. We listen carefully to what they think, and we respond in a way that meets their needs." White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush delivers remarks to the Council of the Americas Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush delivers remarks to the Council of the Americas Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. President Bush highlighted his policies in the Western Hemisphere, emphasizing the importance of congressional approval of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. President Bush said, "Once implemented, the Colombia Free Trade Agreement would immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 80 percent of American exports of industrial and consumer goods." White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush signs H.R. 5715 into law Wednesday, May 7, 2008, during a ceremony in the Oval Office. The bill, "Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008," is designed to provide continued availability of access to the Federal student loan program for students and families. Looking on are, from left: Senator Ted Kennedy, (D-MA); Congressman Ruben Hinojosa of Texas; Congressman George Miller of California; Congressman Buck McKeon of California; Senator Mike Enzi, (R-WY); Secretary of Treasury Hank Paulson; Congressman Ric Keller of Florida, and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appears with the President of Panama Martin Torrijos Espino at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, listens after signing a Declaration of Strategic Partnership and Cooperation with Minister of Foreign Affairs for Macedonia, Antonio Milososki, at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, signs a Declaration of Strategic Partnership and Cooperation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia Antonio Milososki, at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes remarks to the Council of the Americas 38th annual meeting at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, May 7, 2008.
You’re very welcome.
Thanks.:)
Many of us will miss him, including I. But those who bash him will even miss him more
kaslin: THANK YOU for posting the DOSE tonight — love the photos of our President LEADING the GOPers to the microphone!
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A PATRON SAINT FOR GEORGE W.
By Wesley Pruden
May 6, 2008
Davy Crockett
. . . “If the polls are right, more than half of you don’t regard yourselves as ‘my fellow Americans,” so I’ll cut right to the chase. I’m getting out of Dodge. Before anyone gets in a lather about me quitting to avoid impeachment, let me assure you that no laws were broken, the Constitution is intact. I’m quitting because I’m fed up with you people. You have no interest in what’s actually going on in the world. Most of you are too lazy to do your homework and figure it out.
“Let’s start local. The politicians and pundits have persuaded you that the economy is in the tank. That’s despite record numbers of homeowners, including record numbers of minority homeowners. Minority business ownership is at record levels, too. Our unemployment rate is as low as it ever was during the Clinton administration. The stock market has rebounded to record levels and more Americans than ever own stocks. But all you can do is whine about gasoline prices, and most of you are too dumb to realize that the price of gasoline is high because the Chinese and the Indians are driving cars now, and because Al Gore and a handful of wacko greenheads are more worried about polar bears and their beachfront property than they are about you.
You can read the entire commentary here:
http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/NATION01/25856805
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BEYOND THE FAMILY RANCH, TEXAS TOWN MAKES BUSH WEDDING PLANS
By Angela K. Brown
Associated Press Writer
CRAWFORD, Texas — So you didn’t get your invitation to Jenna Bush’s wedding this weekend? No worries.
You can still celebrate the big day with cake and punch at a souvenir shop. You might even pick up a coffee mug or a mouse pad featuring a photo of the happy couple. Or get your picture made in front of the 18-foot angel statue that overlooks the main intersection — which will be wearing a veil and holding a bouquet come Saturday.
You can read the entire article here:
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/gen/ap/Bush_Wedding_Crawford.html
I couldn’t agree more! . . . We will miss more than we can now know the vision, courage, integrity and humor of President George W Bush — we will not see his like again soon!
Great commentary by Wesley Pruden, thanks for posting
And many of those who always find faults with him, will even miss him more
How about my favorite all time picture of President Bush on my toaster. Did I mention I love cowboys?
I think the moonbats really believe he is running again
Tomorrow VE Day is also my dad's 81st birthday I can hardly believe it is a year since he came home after breaking his hip and wrist.
Thanks for the dose tonight and thanks Daisy for yesterday’s sorry I was not around yesterday but my friend Phil came round to sort the blind out for my bedroom. By the time he had gone it was late and I had not had my nap so I went to bed.
Thanks for the Dose, kas.
I echo your sentiments .. the
bashers and haters will one day
long to have him again as their
President.
Absolutely Star how true it is that most people do not recognise what they have until after it has gone.
IMHO, her mind has gone a bit soft since moving to the State Department. But I’ll tell you what...
That’s one hot Secretary of State!
You're SUCH a wonderful daughter! ;)
I bet your house is looking pretty fabulous. Lots of work, but sounds like you had a plan and it's all working out. Good for you.
tHANK YOU KASLIN!!!
Great pix.. I was out last night.. & am playing a little catch up this AM..
off shortly
appreciate all you do!
Good morning Dolly! You are very welcome
Thanks for the Dose. Been away a few days on business in Las Vegas and will check the last few days of the Dose.
Snugs your cake looks so beautiful I am sure Dad was happy. Happy Birthday to Dad.
Dr. Deb would you post the website again for all the lovely talk about the wedding now that we are only two days away. I can’t wait!
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