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President Bush recognizes Chief Wiggles!!!!!
Chief Wiggles blog, Pres. Bush's Speech: 52nd Annual National Prayer Breakfast ^ | Feb. 5, 2004 | Plunge

Posted on 02/05/2004 1:47:58 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl

Thursday, 5 February 2004
 
President Bush recognizes Chief Wiggles!!!!!

At this mornings National Prayer Breakfast, President Bush recognized the work of Chief Wiggles.

We are currently awaiting the transcript and, unfortunately, CSPAN2 did not broadcast it as per schedule. I phoned CSPAN and they said they had technical difficulties.

Any help finding these materials would be greatly appreciated.

This has been one of the hardest secrets to keep, having spoken with one of the President's speech writers about this a couple of days ago. They asked that it not be advertised ahead of time and we respected this.

CONGRATS TO THE CHIEF!

UPDATE: Chuck Simmons saw it live on Fox & Friends. *sigh* last time I rely on CSPAN.

UPDATE II: Quote from the President's speech, "Our people in uniform understand the high calling they have answered because they see the nation and the lives they are changing. A guardsman from Utah named Paul Holton has described seeing an Iraqi girl crying and decided then and there to help that child and others like her. By enlisting aid through the Internet, Chief Warrant Officer Holton had arranged the shipment of more than 1,600 aid packages from overseas. Here's how this man defines his own mission: "It is part of our heritage that the benefits of being free, enjoyed by all Americans, were set up by God, intended for all people. Bondage is not of God, and it is not right that any man should be in bondage at any time, in any way." Everyone one in this room can say amen to that. (Applause.) "

The entire speech can be read here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040205-1.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

President Delivers Remarks at 52nd Annual National Prayer Breakfast
Remarks by the President at the National Prayer Breakfast
Washington Hilton Hotel
Washington, D.C.

7:50 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. (Applause.) Please be seated. Thank you. (Applause.) Good morning. Thank you. (Applause.) Go ahead and be seated. Thank you and good morning.

Laura and I are honored to join you once again for this annual prayer breakfast. This event brings us together for fellowship, and it's a good chance to see who gets up early in Washington. (Laughter.)

President George W. Bush attends the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004. White House photo by Eric Draper I appreciate the warm welcome. I appreciate the friendship and the kindred spirit. All of us believe in the power of prayer. And for a lot of people here in Washington, a prayer has been answered with three words: Coach Joe Gibbs. (Laughter and applause.) Joe is admired for a great career, and even more, he is respected for his convictions and his character. Joe, we're glad to see you back on the job. (Applause.) I'm all in favor of second terms. (Laughter and applause.)

This event is also a chance to hear beautiful songs of praise. Shortly, we'll hear the wonderful voice of Twila Paris. And Laura and I were delighted once again to hear the Watoto chorus from Uganda. This is our third time to hear these beautiful voices. I hope to hear them a lot more. These boys and girls have known great sadness and loss, yet their voices carry a message of hope and joy. And we're so glad -- so glad -- they could be with us here this morning.

I appreciate being in the presence of John Abizaid, our general. He is a decent and honorable man. I want to thank Senators Inhofe and Nelson for taking time out of their busy days to organize this important prayer breakfast. I appreciate your leadership. I appreciate being in the presence of -- (applause) -- a little slow to catch on there.

I see the Majority Leader, Frist, is here, and a lot of members of the Senate, and a lot of members of the House. Thank you all for coming. Members of my Cabinet who are here; members of the Joint Chiefs, I see -- distinguished citizens, when we come together every year, we leave aside the debates of the working day. We recognize our dependence on God and pray with one voice for His blessings on our country. We're in the capital of the most powerful nation on Earth, yet we recognize the limits of all earthly power. God serves His own purposes and does not owe us an explanation.

In prayer, we ask for wisdom and guidance. And the answers seldom come in blinding revelations. Yet prayer can bring good things: grace for the moment, and faith in the future. Americans are a prayerful people, and this past year we've offered many prayers. We have prayed for the safety of our nation and for those who defend us. We've prayed for the families of men and women killed or wounded in conflict, that in grief and trouble, God may be their refuge and their strength. We've prayed for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, that they may live in safety and in freedom. Many Americans have prayed every day and every week for those in authority, and I thank them for that wonderful gift. And I know you do, as well.

President George W. Bush prays during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004. White House photo by Eric Draper. Many prayers also express our gratitude. And Americans in a time of danger have found much to be grateful for. We are thankful for the goodness and character of our fellow citizens, revealed on the morning of September the 11th, and present every day in the life of this country.

We are thankful that we live in a free nation, with the strength to defend our freedom. We are thankful for the brave and decent men and women of the United States military who volunteer to defend us all. America's Armed Forces have shown great skill in battle, perseverance under extremely difficult conditions. They've also shown the best of our country in other ways, as well. The world has seen the kind of people America sends forth, from our towns and neighborhoods, who serve in freedom's cause. They are the sort of people, who when the fighting is done, are kind and compassionate toward innocent citizens. And their compassion, as much as their courage, has made this country proud.

As General Abizaid can attest, the people under our command in Iraq have been caring and generous toward the people they have liberated. Seeing great need, our servicemen and women have rebuilt hospitals, repaired schools, and organized the donation of books and clothing and toys for Iraqi children. Others have helped to build clinics and lay out soccer fields.

One member of the Army National Guard, Specialist Glenn Carlson, spent his time on leave in New York, collecting children's clothing to take back to Iraq. Here's what he says: "I think that in the end, it will be the simple acts of kindness that make the difference." Specialist Carlson and many others are helping to build a free Iraq, not only by using force against the violent, but by extending the friendship and compassion of the American people.

Our people in uniform understand the high calling they have answered because they see the nation and the lives they are changing. A guardsman from Utah named Paul Holton has described seeing an Iraqi girl crying and decided then and there to help that child and others like her. By enlisting aid through the Internet, Chief Warrant Officer Holton had arranged the shipment of more than 1,600 aid packages from overseas. Here's how this man defines his own mission: "It is part of our heritage that the benefits of being free, enjoyed by all Americans, were set up by God, intended for all people. Bondage is not of God, and it is not right that any man should be in bondage at any time, in any way." Everyone one in this room can say amen to that. (Applause.)

There's another part our heritage we are showing in Iraq, and that is the great American tradition of religious tolerance. the Iraqi people are mostly Muslims, and we respect the faith they practice. Our troops in Iraq have helped to refurbish mosques, have treated Muslim clerics with deference, and are mindful of Islam's holy days. Some of our troops are Muslims themselves, because America welcomes people of every faith. Christians and Jews and Muslims have too often been divided by old suspicions, but we are called to act as what we are -- the sons and daughters of Abraham.

Our work in a troubled part of the world goes on, and what we have begun, we will finish. In the years of challenge, our country will remain strong, and strong of heart. And as we meet whatever test might come, let us never be too proud to acknowledge our dependence on Providence and to take our cares to God. (Applause.)

I want to thank you for continuing this fine annual tradition, and for your hospitality. May God bless you, and may He always watch over our country. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 8:00 A.M. EST

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040205-1.html



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Utah; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: bush43; chiefwiggles; cwopaulholton; faith; freedom; gnfi; goodguy; iraq; natlprayerbreakfast
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FoxNews ran the President's entire 8 minute speech.
1 posted on 02/05/2004 1:48:00 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Pardon my ignorance, who is "Chief Wiggles"?
2 posted on 02/05/2004 1:51:22 PM PST by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitor)
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To: Blueflag
http://chiefwiggles.blog-city.com/

This will make it all clear...
3 posted on 02/05/2004 1:53:07 PM PST by GraniteStateConservative ("You can dip a pecan in gold, but it's still a pecan"-- Deep Thoughts by JC Watts)
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To: MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ...

 

Congratulations to CWO Paul Holton, aka our faithful interrogator,
and friend to children, "Chief Wiggles" !

jandtwelcome.gifjandtwelcome.gif

4 posted on 02/05/2004 1:53:48 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("What we have begun, we will finish." ~ President Bush, 2/05/04)
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To: Blueflag
OK, he has a blog and is ..."an interrogator/debriefer here at a palace in Baghdad, Iraq. "

5 posted on 02/05/2004 1:54:23 PM PST by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitor)
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To: GraniteStateConservative
Thanks. I thought the headline referred to these guys:


6 posted on 02/05/2004 1:55:16 PM PST by Constitution Day
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To: Blueflag
oops - omitted the thanks for the link.

I figgered he was the guy in the article, but did not know what he was doing in IRAQ, and how we knew about it here on FR.

thx.
7 posted on 02/05/2004 1:56:06 PM PST by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitor)
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To: Blueflag
And the man who started Operation Give

http://www.operationgive.org
8 posted on 02/05/2004 1:57:00 PM PST by So Cal Rocket
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To: Blueflag
Using the Wayback Machine:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?s=wiggles&ok=Search&q=quick&m=any&o=time&SX=4022bc544b6a4b0ae3f1c3bf2b9241906c0495af
9 posted on 02/05/2004 1:59:56 PM PST by So Cal Rocket
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Bump
10 posted on 02/05/2004 2:00:00 PM PST by Fiddlstix (Tag Lines Repaired While You Wait! Reasonable Prices! Fast Service!)
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To: Blueflag; Plunge
The President recognized not only CWO Holton's work with the children of Iraq, which gained 'Chief' international recognition, and taught the world about the suffering of these people under Saddam Hussein that our press usually refuses to acknowledge, but the President also recognized Chief for his faith, unapologetically proclaimed in his daily blog from Iraq.

"Chief's" blog was a lifeline, alternative "news" ~ primary source from Iraq very early on in the war when our press was being most deceitful and destructive...CWO Holton's blog, and other blogs from Iraq, as well as e-mail from the troops, validated the CENTCOM/DoD reports and debunked much of the daily press 'quagmire' peddling...and heartened those of us fighting the culture war.

The bloggers are a very valuable resource.

The President mentioned blogs, too.

We are bypassing the powerful mainstream press, and getting the successes of our troops, the unreported daily good news, to the people.

11 posted on 02/05/2004 2:03:47 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("What we have begun, we will finish." ~ President Bush, 2/05/04)
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To: tsmith130; bert
Ping!
12 posted on 02/05/2004 2:06:28 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("What we have begun, we will finish." ~ President Bush, 2/05/04)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl; Guenevere; Miss Marple
I just received my C-SPAN schedule Alert, and none of the channels is playing the P. breakfast tonite!!!! PHOEEY!!
13 posted on 02/05/2004 2:18:00 PM PST by Molly Pitcher
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
CSPAN schedule

Sometimes they do make last minute changes, tho....

14 posted on 02/05/2004 2:20:04 PM PST by Molly Pitcher
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To: Blueflag
He's a reservist from Utah. I think he borrowed the name from another Utahan, a WWII pilot who used to drop candy to the children in Berlin during the airlift, and would wiggle the aircraft wings to signal that he was going to drop. The kids called him "Uncle Wiggly Wings."
15 posted on 02/05/2004 2:33:15 PM PST by lady lawyer
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
"Chief Wiggles" ~ Bump!
16 posted on 02/05/2004 2:33:26 PM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
SNIFF! Okay, that was beautiful!

Congrats to Chief Wiggles. :)
17 posted on 02/05/2004 3:01:15 PM PST by Pan_Yans Wife (Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.'--- Kahlil Gibran)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl

For a second there I thought....

18 posted on 02/05/2004 3:07:59 PM PST by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Good news bump!
19 posted on 02/05/2004 3:14:21 PM PST by Liberty Valance (In Honor and memory of Pfc Cody Orr, Kerrville Texas)
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To: Blueflag
Chief Wiggles is probably one of the finest examples of the American spirit. He has spent all of his off time taking toys to the children of Iraq who have been forgotten. He visits them in hospitals (handing out toys) and in orphanages (handing out toys) and in poor sections of the country (handing out toys). He asked for donations several months ago and it grew to astounding proportions. Americans opened their hearts and wallets and the toys started pouring in.

Chief Wiggles is one of God's better angels here on earth.

20 posted on 02/05/2004 5:26:59 PM PST by McGavin999 (Evil thrives when good men do nothing!)
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