Posted on 09/10/2008 5:27:33 PM PDT by silent_jonny
On the eve of the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President Bush met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in the Oval Office of the White House. (Transcript)
President Talabani: I think it's clear that we are in Iraq looking to you as a hero of liberation of Iraq from worst kind of dictatorship … we will never forget what you have done for our people.
The President’s daughter Barbara Bush attended the Oscar de la Renta fashion show in New York City today.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and JCOS Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen testified before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
Quote of the Day:
President Bush: Mr. President … thank you very much for bringing me up to date on your perspective about life inside of Iraq. It's -- things have changed a lot since we've known each other.President Talabani: Of course.
President Bush: And attitudes are completely different now that people realize the security situation has changed and mothers can raise their children in a more normal life. It's still difficult, but there's no doubt that the surge has been effective, which has enabled us to take out troops. Iraqis want there to be fewer U.S. troops, the United States wants there to be fewer U.S. troops, but both of us want to realize that vision based upon success.
Photos of the Day:
President George W. Bush hosts a meeting with Iraq's President Jalal Talabani in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 10, 2008.
Supporters cheer as Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin take the stage, at a campaign event at Van Dyke Park in Fairfax, Virginia on September 10, 2008.
“Lipstick wearers unite!”
LMAO! That is awesome!
President Bush: Mr. President, welcome. First of all, I am so pleased to see that you're looking good. The President's health is strong, and that's going to be very important for the people of Iraq. After all, there's been no stronger defender of a free Iraq than President Talabani. I've known him for a long time. He cares deeply about the Iraqi people, and he has been a strong defender of human liberty.Mr. President, thanks for the good conversation we had about the election laws, about the need to get a strategic framework agreement signed. And thank you very much for bringing me up to date on your perspective about life inside of Iraq. It's -- things have changed a lot since we've known each other.
Hi, curses slow FR tonite!
I know, FR has been frustratingly slow lately.
Thank you!
Love it! LOL
President Talabani: Well, Mr. President, thank you very much for giving me the honor of meeting you again. I think it's clear that we are in Iraq looking to you as a hero of liberation of Iraq from worst kind of dictatorship. And now we are working with your -- with you, Mr. President, for finalizing the strategic framework agreement between United States and Iraq.And also, we are always getting benefit from your views about how to secure Iraq. I think you know very well that you and we in Iraq achieved very good successes on terrorism. Now I can say all parts of Iraq liberated from terrorist control and activities. It's true that some groups remain hiding themselves from here or there, but there's no place, no inch of Iraqi land under the control of terrorist activities. There are some terrorist -- still groups working -- hiding themself, and thanks to you and sacrifice of your brave army and to Iraqi people, now we can live in peace and security.
Not only we liberated our country from terrorist activities, but also from militias, outlawed militias who are also making troubles and danger for Iraqi people.
And as you have heard, the Basra city, Sadr City, Ninawa, Baqubah -- all these cities are now liberated. So we are thankful to you and to your people, your army.
Really?? I wasn’t even trying. This is my first one ever!
Dana: Tomorrow is obviously a very sober anniversary for Americans. Many of you were probably here that day seven years ago. And the President thinks about 9/11 every single day. When he wakes up and before he goes to bed this is what he's concerned about. He's always been concerned about another attack on our country. Thankfully, we haven't had one. But there are terrorists out there, extremists out there who are plotting and planning to attack Americans. And that is why we have continued operations in Afghanistan and in working with our allies across the world, especially in Europe, to disrupt plots like we did with the airliner plot.But we know that every single day is a day that we are blessed not to have had another terrorist attack. We work very hard to prevent one, but the terrorists are very determined and they have to be right only once and we have to be right every single time. …
Q And lastly, is there concern that this 9/11 is weighed down more by the issues of the war in Iraq, that had nothing to do with 9/11? Many people, detractors, Democrats, critics are saying, as we look at this anniversary, there's more of a heaviness dealing with the war in Iraq and troop withdrawal there, and not dealing with fighting the war against Osama bin Laden.
Dana: I could not disagree with you more, April, and I think that you should go back and look at the President's speech yesterday, and go back over this past seven years. You've covered this President long enough to know that the global war on terror is something that he takes seriously every single day, and that there are men and women -- thousands of them -- men and women across our government who are working to try to prevent attacks from happening. And also we fundamentally changed our posture, which is we went on the offense and we took the fight to the enemy. And that's why we've been able to help prevent attacks here in our country and in other countries.
Good evening and thanks for the ping
Socialite Maggie Betts, Barbara Bush and Derek Blasberg attend the Max Azria Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Tent, Bryant Park on September 9, 2008 in New York City.
Laura Bush and Aerin Laude (R) attend the Oscar De La Renta Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on September 10, 2008 in New York City.
Good evening my friend. :)
W’s lookin’ great these days.
Do you reckon he’s looking forward to not being our beloved POTUS? and getting in some real relaxation?
He certainly deserves some peace & quiet for a change!
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