Bush shoots quail, eats beef at lunch

Houston Chronicle ^ | January 2, 2004 | JOHN C. HENRY

[Cincinatus' Wife]

CRAWFORD -- President Bush opened the new year by shooting quail in South Texas and reassuring consumers that federal officials are taking the right steps to prevent the spread of mad cow disease.

The president, who bagged five of the birds and apparently missed others during an outing with his father, said he had beef at lunch and suggested other Americans should do the same.

Bush said the Agriculture Department rules outlined early this week were designed "to make sure the food supply is safe" after an infected cow was found in Washington state several days before Christmas.

Two dozen countries have banned U.S. beef since the discovery, pushing down cattle prices by nearly 20 percent.

"I ate beef today, and I'll continue to eat beef," the president said before flying back to his ranch in Crawford.

Bush spent the morning hunting quail with his father, former President Bush, members of his staff and Nancy Brown Negley, the daughter and heir of George S. Brown, the founder of the Brown & Root Construction Co.

Bush said he, his father and Negley "knocked down some birds" while walking her El Tule Ranch near Falfurrias.

"I think I shot five," well within in the daily 15-bird limit, Bush said.

Bush lauded the Iranian government for allowing U.S. humanitarian workers to aid victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Dec. 26, killing more than 30,000 in Bam, Iran.

At the same time, the aid missions do not signal a thaw in relations with the Iranian government, Bush said.

Bush offered no opinion on Attorney General John Ashcroft's decision this week to step aside from an investigation into the leak of a CIA agent's name.

Joining the president and his entourage for lunch was James A. Baker III, who has spent the past few weeks lobbying European and Asian nations to reduce Iraq's massive foreign debts.

[CWOJackson]

"President Bush opened the new year by shooting quail..."

He does have a way of shooting lots of things down.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[Jeff Chandler]

Poor Dan!

[Jeff Chandler]

The president, who bagged five of the birds

Entirely different meaning three years ago.

[Fledermaus]

Only an IDIOT (or Democrat) would believe that mad cow can be in our food supply. Especially from ONE infected cow.

How can we continue to have rational discussion with people that FREAK OUT over 5 SARS deaths, 1 mad cow, or 3 people dying of an anthrax mailing while 46,000 die each year on our highways, 16,000 die from homicide, 500,000 or more from cancer, etc?

[Conservative_Nationalist]

"Bush shoots quail, eats beef at lunch"

Why didn't he eat the Quail instead???

[Jagdgewehr]

Ah...yes...in these days of inane reasoning and political correctness, a man...a regular guy...our president, shot a gun, killed some game and ate beef. Tomorrow looks a little better.

[okie01]

"How can we continue to have rational discussion with people that FREAK OUT over 5 SARS deaths, 1 mad cow, or 3 people dying of an anthrax mailing while 46,000 die each year on our highways, 16,000 die from homicide, 500,000 or more from cancer, etc?"

The same people freaking out over SARS and mad cow are also freaking out over killer SUVs on the highways, handgun ownership and the "AIDS epidemic".

Not to mention "arsenic in the water supply".

Freaking out is their calling in life. Some liberals practice yoga...others do hysteria.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I had a steak last night. Yummmmm.

The brain and the spine contain any disease. You're right, the response to this is contrived.....more anti-U.S. bs and '04 Bush bashing.

[SevenofNine]

Gee it is nice that we had US Prez unlike previuos occupant who went to bed early get his rest
Go walking and shooting qualis

Unlike previous prez dubya is normal

We all know Clinton be downloaded porno on New Year eve that no brainer

Sound like to me he took Barney along with him when he went hunting with his father Bush 41

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I'm surprised it didn't read. "Bush drives SUV, shoots quail, eats beef at lunch."

[Fledermaus]

ROFL..."killer SUV's". They act like they are robots and have minds of their own!

All the reporting on SUV accidents never refer to the "driver"...only the SUV. "SUV kills three people", "SUV drives off road, killing four", etc.

[Syncro]

Why didn't he eat the Quail instead?

He ate the quail for dinner. Under Glass. Oops, no that is Pleasent.

When I lived in a tree house (don't ask) I had a nice little garden.

And the quail would come and start to eat it, so I would get out the .22 rifle and shoot them in the head or neck so I wouldn't have to pick lead out of them and pick a few things from the garden and have quail stew.

The quail was part of my garden after all...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

dubya is normal

That was my reaction to this story.

[lonevoice]

Some liberals practice yoga...others do hysteria.

ROFL! That would make a good tag line.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Not to mention "arsenic in the water supply".

Great column: Arsenic and old time politics - Key facts lost in debating environment***Without fail, the debate occurs in high pitch, with some activist characterizing utility, business or government officials as morally and ethically corrupt working intentionally for dirtier air, fouler water and sicker babies. The accusation always lacks context and enough specifics for readers or listeners to make rational decisions for themselves about risk level. It's bumper-sticker politics, a flash-by image intended to leave an impression. By the time the facts catch up, the story's gone.***

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Nothing like good beef cooked over the BBQ grill!

[B4Ranch]

I wish our President would walk our Southern border with his shotgun!

[sneakers]

I've always wanted to try quail. I had duck for the first time on Christmas eve - very tasty, but nothing beats a really tender juicy steak!