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This is a video of the contrast of how the troops welcomed their two leaders. Press for video

ARLINGTON -- Former President George W. Bush received a strong standing ovation from Rangers fans as he walked to the mound on Monday afternoon at the Ballpark in Arlington to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day. Bush was joined at the mound by Texas Gov. Rick Perry and three military heroes: Gen. Jeffery Hammond of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, 1st. Sgt. David McNerney of Houston -- winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor in Vietnam -- and Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell, winner of the Navy Cross for heroism in Afghanistan. Bush threw a strike...

Bush throws first pitch at Rangers home opener The ball easily makes it over the plate and to Josh Hamilton's mitt April. 6, 2009 ARLINGTON, Texas - Former President George W. Bush wound up his right arm with two windmill whirls, then fired a high strike to help the Texas Rangers start the season Monday. In his first big appearance locally since moving to Dallas from the White House, Bush received a standing ovation and overwhelming cheers from a crowd of about 40,000 after the public address announcer said, "We welcome home the 43rd president." Bush, the team's managing general...

Politico's Mike Allen notes with approval a pledge made by former president George W. Bush at a speech in Calgary this week:Getting two standing ovations at his first speech since leaving office, former President George W. Bush said that if President Obama wants help, “he can pick up the phone and call.” Otherwise, Bush said: “He deserves my silence.” “There's plenty of critics in the arena,” Bush told a crowd in Calgary, Canada. “I think it's time for the ex-president to tap dance off the stage and let the current president have a go at solving the world's problems. If...

A big women's basketball game between No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 4 Baylor just gained added prestige. Former President George W. Bush and wife Laura attended Wednesday's game. The two entered several minutes before the opening tip, flanking Lady Bears coach Kim Mulkey, and received a prolonged standing ovation from the fans at the Ferrell Center. The group was engulfed by photographers and camera crews at the Oklahoma bench. Another round of applause followed during the initial TV timeout at 15:57 of the first half, when the 43rd president was introduced again.

The old White Hose website is now available online. Daily dosers like me rejoice! (clik on source link)

Collection of photos of Pres. Bush with narration by Time photographers Brooks Kraft And Christopher Morris. Runs about 5 mins. It's good.

This second installment in a two-part series of the Bush administration makes note of the accomplishments that were either underreported or not reported at all. http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2009/01/21/news/nation/doc4975a8c541128307363024.txt

During his terms in office President George W. Bush rarely received positive media. Studies, such as those done by Robert Lichter in 2005, indicated that he received more negative coverage than his predecessors. (Mr. Lichter found that nearly 70 percent of the media reports during his first 100 days in office in each of his two terms was negative. This was more than Clinton). The Bush administration’s accomplishments were either underreported or not reported at all. A review of these years reveals achievements few know. http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2009/01/21/news/nation/doc4975ab326a2ed935393637.txt

Midland threw a Welcome Home party for President and Mrs. Bush Tuesday and 30,000 people showed up By Bob Campbell Staff Writer Published: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:28 PM CST Midland threw a “Welcome Home” party for President and Mrs. Bush Tuesday and 30,000 people showed up. The briskly paced program on the north side of Centennial Plaza was unforgettably highlighted with a 4:41 p.m. flyover by the beautiful silver, blue and white jetliner usually called Air Force One. Master of ceremonies Eddie Clements of Austin had announced at 4:25 that the president “wants to see the crowd,” which seemingly...

Today, we witness the end of an era. While that cliche recalls a bit of nostalgia and even a bit of sorrowful histrionics, we nonetheless realize the impact the past eight years have had on us as Americans and as individuals. Eight years ago we welcomed a straight-talking, steel backboned cowboy as the 43rd President of the United States. Detractors already had him labeled as the spoiled rich kid. Yet, there was something about him that reached to everyday Americans. He wasn't the typical polished politician. He didn't get caught up in the hyperbole of oration. He laughed at himself...

There will be live internet streaming of President Bush's arrival in Midland, welcoming comments and his address to the crowd. Local TV coverage starts at 4 p.m. Central time, internet coverage starts at 5:15 p.m. Central time. http://www.kwes.com/

And no, I'm not referring to the coming inauguration of the chosen one, but rather the last day of gratuitous Bush bashing. It's been a long time coming. What started before the man was even sworn in, with the debacle in Florida in 2000, is now finally---yes finally---over. Or at least it will be when today's final editions hit the newsstands. Feel free to go to any newspaper website today to witness all the editorial writers getting the vitriol out of their systems. I'm not going to link them here, but they're fairly predictable in what they have to say:...

More lasts today … This morning President & Mrs. Bush departed the White House for Camp David, Maryland, where they will spend their last weekend as the First Couple before Tuesday’s inauguration. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave her final press conference today at the State Department in Washington. She also met with Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Dr. Rice’s last official act as Secretary of State was signing a memorandum with Foreign Minister Livni that will help prevent arms smuggling to terrorists in Gaza. And today Press Secretary Dana Perino delivered the Administration’s final press briefing (Transcript). Dana took...

Friends, Americans, conservatives; lend me your ears. I come to praise George W. Bush, not to bury him; I'll leave that to our famously unbiased media. *snip* We can also be pretty certain that his departure will not feature the ransacking of the Oval Office and Air Force One, or the sophomoric removal of the "O's" from White House keyboards. If, as has been the case for his entire presidency, he is true to his word, he will be as magnanimous to his successor as he was to his predecessor; notwithstanding the disrespect he received at the hands of both.

This is the third part of the 2008 review and as was true for parts one and two the following photos may not necessarily be the best photos or the most important but they are chosen because they appeal to me and hopefully to you as well. It maybe because of the content, the expression on the face(s) or just an unusual photo. As I explained there are so many photos I have split this thread into 4 the first one being January - March, the second April - June and this one the the third one July - September,...

President George W. Bush will address the nation from the East Room of the White House at 8 p.m. EST.The White House released excerpts of the speech to the media: Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose story reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole Nation. And I join all...

Tickets to be made available beginning 10 a.m. today at city hall, the Midland chamber, the George W. Bush Childhood home and Kent Kwik locations. ### Midland city officials are working feverishly with White House officials to schedule what Mayor Wes Perry is calling “one of the most incredible events Midland has ever had.” That event, a “Welcome Home Rally for President and Mrs. George W. Bush,” is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, in Centennial Plaza, downtown Midland. Free tickets can be obtained beginning 10 a.m. today at Midland City Hall, 300 N. Loraine; the Midland Chamber of Commerce, 109...

Modern American presidencies do not end well. Recent presidents have resigned in disgrace (Nixon), departed in unpopularity without seeking re-election (LBJ), been defeated seeking re-election (Ford, Carter, and Bush), or witnessed their party lose the White House after their own troubled second term (Eisenhower in 1960 and the impeached Clinton in 2000). Most tragically, John F. Kennedy was assassinated, becoming the eighth U.S. president to die in office overall. Since the election of Harry S. Truman in 1948, then, 60 years ago, only Ronald Reagan was successfully elected and re-elected (1980 and ’84) and then succeeded by a nominee of...

The following photos may not necessarily be the best photos or the most important but they are chosen because they appeal to me and hopefully to you as well. It maybe because of the content, the expression on the face(s) or just an unusual photo. As there are so many photos I have split this thread into 4 the first one will be January - March, the second April - June, the third July - September and the fourth October - December 2008. I am posting this first part on the first of January 2009 and am aiming to put...