A day in the life of President Bush (photos) 12/14/04

Yahoo News Photos & WhiteHouse.gov ^ | 12/14/04

[Wolfstar]

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: GWB awarded the nation's highest civilian honor -- the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- Ambassador L. Paul "Jerry" Bremer, former CIA Director George Tenet, and retired U.S. Army General Tommy Franks.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: General Tommy Franks was raised in Midland, Texas -- nothing wrong with that. (Laughter.) I didn't know him then, but Laura and he went to the same high school. In those days, some people in Midland wondered about Tommy's future. It sounds familiar. (Laughter.) At a recent high school reunion, Tommy's old principal told the General, "You weren't the brightest bulb in the socket," to which the General replied, "Ain't this a great country?" (Laughter.) -- President George W. Bush, Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony, 12/14/04

Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island.

[Wolfstar]

Let me know if you want to see some more of Bremer. I'll go out and post them. I picked the photos that seemed to be the best to me, but there are more from the ceremony today.

The President cracked a joked about how Bremer started a fashion trend -- suit, tie and desert combat boots.

[Wolfstar]

General Franks is a big, big man in lots of ways.

Yes, that he is. It was cute to see him crunch down a bit so the President could reach to put the medal on him.

[snugs]

Never mind thanks for looking.

[ilovew]

True. But, of course, that doesn't mean you should have to keep from forming any opinion because we don't know everything. Then we'd never have any opinions on anything.

[Wolfstar]

CajunLady, and all who take a moment to say thanks -- much appreciated, but the pleasure truly is all mine.

[ilovew]

I thought it was nice to see our two Midland hometown boys together :)

[Wolfstar]

I'll keep my mouth shut about Tenet...

I know what you mean. Let's just say I like the other two honorees a whole lot more and leave it at that. ;-)

[Wolfstar]

That is a super picture.

I'm glad you agree. I love the way Franks is scrunching down, and I especially love the President's expression.

[Miss Marple]

No snow, yet. We had flurries yesterday. Current forecast says snow on Sunday.

[EmilyGeiger]

My littlest one is 3. She was so excited about getting the tree and couldn't wait for her sisters to come home from school to show them. children are fun, they take the bah-humbug right out of you.

[EmilyGeiger]

What is boxing day?

[kayak]

I do know that after the major part of the war in Afghanistan, I saw an interview with the President. He said that on the Saturday after 9/11, when the War Council was gathered at Camp David, it was George Tenet who insisted that we could combine our modern warfare technology and the almost medieval methods of the Afghan fighters to wage a very effective war, while minimizing harm to our troops.

I think there is a great deal we do not know ... and we have to keep in mind that what we do know has been filtered through the MSM for the most part.

[Wolfstar]

Graciousness is what it means to me.

I think a lot of us feel the same way. And I think you're right to trust the President's judgement on this one. After all, in those horrible days immediately after 9/11/01, the President saw the strengths and weakness of his people up close in a way only about two or three presidents ever have in our history. He must have seen something in Tenet's performance to accord the man this honor.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Answering my own question, the ceremony is replaying now. Talking about George Tenet. Told a few jokes about him....missed posting them. Now GEneral Tommy Franks. Laura and he went to the same High School. People in those days wondered about what he would become - sounds familiar. Somebody said then, Tommy wasn't the brightest bulb in the tree, Tommy said - Aint this a great country!

[CAluvdubya]

Great pictures, Wolfstar. Hey, I actually made the top 100! he he. Every time I hear of stories about Bush's wild youth, it makes me smile as my son neglected some of his studies as well. Now he's working for a CAL. state senator, starts Thur. (proud mama brag off)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Tommy Franks led the forces that fought and won two wars that helped liberate more than 50 million peeople. The General likes to say no plan survives the first contact with the enemy, but with Tommy Franks, the plan he made did.

[altura]

That suit and combat boots look was sooo...attractive.

However, I deeply respect Mike and Mystery's opinion so perhaps he's not as great as he is cute.

(still wouldn't mind a pic or two --I'm cheap)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

General Franks - what is your family's take on him?

[prairiebreeze]

Going to be very cold here tonight!

Here too. Mr. Prairie just realized he hadn't turned off and drained the outside water faucets so he's outdoors getting it done. It hasn't been that cold up until now and it slipped his mind.

Thanks for the pix Wolfstar, good evening all.

Prairie