A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT BUSH (PHOTOS): 1.21.04

Yahoo, whitehouse.gov ^ | January 21, 2004 | GretchenEE

[GretchenEE]

The economy was today's hot topic, as the President spoke with participants during a discussion on job training and the economy at Owens Community College in Perrysburg Township, Ohio.

He traveled on to Phoenix to attend a discussion on job training and the economy at Mesa Community College, the day after announcing in his State of the Union address a $250 million proposal for new job-training grants channeled through community colleges.

The White House hosted its second "Radio Day" on Wednesday as an opportunity for local and national radio hosts to interview White House officials and Cabinet members. Full story.

Tomorrow, the President's Economic Advisor Greg Mankiw will discuss the economy on Ask the White House tomorrow at 1:30pm. Submit questions here.

Karen Hughes was today's guest on Ask the White House.

Laura Bush spoke to reporters at Discovery Middle School after visiting a seventh-grade Learning Strategies class in Orlando, Florida. She also took part in a roundtable discussion of research-based education methods for literacy challenged students.

Enjoy your daily dose of W, and welcome back to Sanity Island.

[hoosiermama]

Was born a red head, but then it turn white and gradually got darker till turning white again.
AM down below 170, but very muscular. Dr. says let's lose 15-20 more and then reevaluate. (My comment "what's with the 'Let's') Can't do a complete Atkins, need more carbs, but have been eating healthy and without any other efforts have already lost over 15 (two years).
Have added walking 3-5 mile/wk. to see if it will tone up waist-knees.

[WVNan]

He really IS a good boy, isn't he?

The best sweetie, the best.

[DrDeb]

"Hi Deb! Long time since I've crossed paths with you. Is all well with you?"

I'm doing GREAT -- as long as I avoid the HATERS here at FR (which I plan to do from this point forward!).

Any way, we all need to 'get together' again -- this time I'll be on time!!

[hoosiermama]

Are you going to surprise him with the jewel in the navel too?

[4integrity]

...kissed by the President..

Wow. Ohio, no wonder he kissed you, what a wonderful thing to say to him. Thanks for sharing.

[mike1sg]

Nose Ring? Your starting to scare me. Good morning ladies, today I have electricity.

[WVNan]

Sounds like you're getting there. For the hair (excuse us a moment gang), go for a light red or strawberry blonde. You don't want anything very dark red, but I think the lighter shades of red make us "older" ladies look more cheerful and less blah. A few people laughed when I first went back to red, but I just laughed along with them and joked about my "pink" hair. I don't care what anybody thinks, it makes me feel less depressed. Hey, keep up the walking. It will strengthen your knees as well as your heart.

[mystery-ak]

...now you did it, I was saving that for a surprise!

[mystery-ak]

What's going on in Balad today...did you get my packages yet?

[hoosiermama]

Good Advice thanks.

[kitkat]

I wish we could surround you with so much love that it would take away the pain. Mama, one thing I know for sure is that the pain DOES lessen in time. I know you can't believe it now, but it does. Prayers still up for you.

[WVNan]

LOL! I don't know when we can get together. I told dutchess that it's too cold to think about it right now. I'm so dad-burned busy lately I can't even get time to go to Columbus for my shots. I simply have gotten involved in too many things.

[hoosiermama]

Electricity. That's good news! How do you make coffe without it?

[WVNan]

Mike, this is sooooooo cool! Just think, you're on the other side of the world! This is definitely not your father's war.

[4integrity]

Joan Rivers supports 'W'

Saw that too, Deb and I was surprised too. She's nuts and funny.

[homemom]

I just don't know what to say but I'm so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers for God's peace.

[WVNan]

Continued prayers for you MamaB, from a mom who also lost a child too soon.

[mike1sg]

Busy day yesterday, with the generator meltdown across the street, we are back on smaller generators till that is fixed. Starting the meet the new bosses here from the Mississippi Army Guard, the 12th bde is really busy trying to start getting out of here. Lets se what else, washed all clothes yesterday and hung outside to dry, got a haircut, sent all my shirts to the alteration shop to have new patches put on. And, we think we found a way to get some more people out on leave, gonna work on that some more today.

[DrDeb]

Loved the following commentary from Taranto today (Best of the Web)
http://opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110004584

The al Qaeda Cheering Section

The most telling moment in last night's speech came after the president noted that "key provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire next year." In response, notes the New York Times, "some critics in Congress applauded enthusiastically." If Osama bin Laden watched the speech, one imagines him applauding too.

Perhaps the applauders were hoping to embarrass President Bush by provoking a Howard Dean-like outburst ("You sit down!"). Instead, the president let them clap, then turned toward the Democratic side of the chamber and addressed them directly when he read the next line of his speech: "The terrorist threat will not expire on that schedule."

The president also had what appears to be an answer to John Kerry, the haughty, French-looking Democratic front-runner who by the way served in Vietnam. In an October debate, Kerry declared: "This war on terror is far less of a military operation and far more of an intelligence-gathering, law-enforcement operation"--in other words, that he wishes to go back to the Sept. 10 approach to terror.

The president disagrees: "After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States, and war is what they got." Once the Dems have settled on a nominee, we look forward to the debate over this point.


. . . more EXCELLENT 'READS':

John Podhoretz
http://nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/16304.htm

Pete DuPont
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pdupont/?id=110004581

Make sure you visit the following FR post:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1061806/posts

NYPOST EDITORIAL ABOUT SOTU SPEECH
AMERICA THE STRONG

January 21, 2004 -- President Bush stood before Congress and the nation last night and reported the state of the union to be "confident and strong."
He said the War on Terror and homeland-security efforts are protecting America, making it "more secure."

And he said the "American economy is growing stronger" - that "tax relief [Congress] passed is working."

But Bush made it clear that America has reached a crossroads - both on the all-important national-security issues, and on the economic front.

"We have faced serious challenges together," Bush said, "and now we face a choice: We can go forward with confidence and resolve. Or we can turn back to the dangerous illusion that . . . outlaw regimes are no threat to us.

"We can press on with economic growth . . . or we can turn back to the old policies and old divisions."

He explained the stakes: "It is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us," Bush said. "That hope is understandable, comforting - and false.

"The terrorists continue to plot against America and the civilized world," he said. "And by our will and courage, this danger will be defeated."

What Bush didn't say - but was nonetheless as clear as the noonday sun - was that Democrats, particularly those seeking to replace him in November, have so far failed utterly to recognize the threat, and what is needed to combat it.

The president noted, rightly, that the tools provided by the Patriot Act (already used "to catch embezzlers and drug traffickers") were "even more important for hunting terrorists."

Yet key provisions of that law, he warned, are set to expire next year.

How did Democrats in the chamber react?

By applauding the looming expiration.

Bush also defended his administration's efforts in Iraq.

"The work of building a new Iraq is hard," he said, "and it is right."

But, he warned, "as democracy takes hold in Iraq, the enemies of freedom will do all in their power to spread violence and fear."

He said terrorists are "trying to shake the will of our country and our friends."

Will America cut and run - as some of the Democrats might want?

Not a chance.

"The United States of America," Bush decreed, "will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins."

As for calls to "internationalize" America's defense, Bush cited limits.

"America," he said, "will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people."

On the domestic front, too, Bush drew sharp distinctions with the Democrats.

He noted the success of his tax cuts - and warned that unless Congress acts, Americans will face a tax hike.

And he itemized other areas of difference, too - such as the importance of marriage as an American institution.

Clearly, however, the coming election will turn on national-security issues.

And in launching his own bid for re-election, Bush last night challenged Americans to consider their choices in that regard carefully.

We couldn't agree more.

http://nypost.com/postopinion/editorial/16299.htm

[homemom]

***I'm waiting for Howard Dean's new video to come out!!
"Dean's Gone Wild"***

LOL!!!!

Someone on the news said this morning that when George HW was running, he reminded ladies of "a first husband." I don't get that--can anyone explain???

Then they said that Howard Dean would remind women of their first husband--who they had to take out a restraining order on! (Don't know if it's quite as funny in print but it was funny on the news).