A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT BUSH (PHOTOS): 2.11.04

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov ^ | February 11, 2004 | GretchenEE

[GretchenEE]

A serious photo for a serious subject, weapons of mass destruction

QUOTE OF THE DAY: The greatest threat before humanity today is the possibility of secret and sudden attack with chemical or biological or radiological or nuclear weapons. ...

In the past, enemies of America required massed armies, and great navies, powerful air forces to put our nation, our people, our friends and allies at risk. In the Cold War, Americans lived under the threat of weapons of mass destruction, but believed that deterrents made those weapons a last resort. What has changed in the 21st century is that, in the hands of terrorists, weapons of mass destruction would be a first resort. ...

America, and the entire civilized world, will face this threat for decades to come. We must confront the danger with open eyes, and unbending purpose. I have made clear to all the policy of this nation: America will not permit terrorists and dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most deadly weapons.

America faces the possibility of catastrophic attack from ballistic missiles armed with weapons of mass destruction. So that is why we are developing and deploying missile defenses to guard our people. The best intelligence is necessary to win the war on terror and to stop proliferation. So that is why I have established a commission that will examine our intelligence capabilities and recommend ways to improve and adapt them to detect new and emerging threats.

We're determined to confront those threats at the source. We will stop these weapons from being acquired or built. We'll block them from being transferred. We'll prevent them from ever being used.

[He addressed Iran and North Korea's truculence on the subject, and our efforts to overcome it; also, the black market operatives in WMD technology / sales, honoring the British intelligence service and other governments that worked with our own, for success against the likes of A.Q. Khan of Pakistan. He further outlined some intercepts of threatening materials, such as the BBC China, a German-owned ship transporting centrifuge parts, stopped by German and Italian authorities.]

Breaking this network is one major success in a broad-based effort to stop the spread of terrible weapons. We're adjusting our strategies to the threats of a new era. America and the nations of Australia, France and Germany, Italy and Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom have launched the Proliferation Security Initiative to interdict lethal materials in transit.

Our nations are sharing intelligence information, tracking suspect international cargo, conducting joint military exercises. We're prepared to search planes and ships, to seize weapons and missiles and equipment that raise proliferation concerns ... Three more governments -- Canada and Singapore and Norway -- will be participating in this initiative. We'll continue to expand the core group of PSI countries.

Today, I announce seven proposals to strengthen the world's efforts to stop the spread of deadly weapons. (See link for specifics: Bush Proposes New Measures To Counter Terrorism.

We will proceed as if the lives of our citizens depend on our vigilance, because they do. Terrorists and terror states are in a race for weapons of mass murder, a race they must lose. Terrorists are resourceful; we're more resourceful. They're determined; we must be more determined. We will never lose focus or resolve. We'll be unrelenting in the defense of free nations, and rise to the hard demands of dangerous times.

[lawgirl]

Howdy!

[GretchenEE]

1. Dose going up.

2. Please wait to posto photos till the "all clear" is sounded. Thanks!

3. We're doing an update to the ping list for this daily thread.

If you would like to be ON or OFF this list, please send me (GretchenEE) a FREEPMAIL rather than posting this to the thread.

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[kitkat]

Thanks, Gretchen.

[GretchenEE]

Howdy back!!!! Good to see you!

[2Jedismom]

Woohoooo! Kinda early today!

[Fawnn]

Here!!! (Thanks, GretchenEE.)

[GretchenEE]

Finally, a[n intriguing] smile

[Samwise]

I'm just about ready to turn off the TV, radio, and PC until after the election. The nonstop bashing of a truly decent human being and a fine leader are bad for my blood pressure and my stomach.

Thanks for the warm, comfortable room where the conversation is pleasant.

[Texagirl4W]

Early today, thanks. I love the blue background.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

Thanks for keeping on the ping list. I look forward to A Day in the Life.

[pax_et_bonum]

I love that man!

[GretchenEE]

[Miss Marple]

Thanks, Gretchen! The speech today was excellent, with lots of detail on the intelligence we used to stop the shipment to Libya.

[GretchenEE]

Ask the White House with Gordon Johndroe, Laura Bush's Press Secretary has taken your questions; read transcript here

Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Jim Wilkinson, Deputy National Security Advisor for Communications, discusses the President's new policy initiatives to combat weapons of mass destruction.

[McLynnan]

Love the "intriguing" smile! Thanks for the early Dose, and the speech summation, as I missed it. Hi, all. I haven't had time to look at the Dose for about a week and I sure do miss and need it. Poor W has been the Dems punching bag the past week. It's so undeserved, and they are SO stupid!

[GretchenEE]

Returning to White House with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, and National Security Council weapons expert Bob Joseph

[4everontheRight]

That Smile! What a great photo...of a great man!

[GretchenEE]

This doesn't like like 'im to me, but the Yahoo! caption says, "This undated file photo shows President George W. Bush as a Texas Air National Guard fighter pilot."

[My2Cents]

From the speech --

"America and the nations of Australia, France and Germany, Italy and Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom have launched the Proliferation Security Initiative to interdict lethal materials in transit...."

More evidence of unilateralism. When will it end?