A day in the life of President Bush (1/22/05), many photos

WhiteHouse.gov; various news sources ^ | 1/22/05

[Wolfstar]

The President, First Lady and their parents relaxed at the White House today. Former President GHW Bush visited the press corps on duty in the WH press briefing room.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: This week, Washington has been marked by pomp and circumstance. In a free nation, these ceremonies are more than pageantry. They underscore that public office is a public trust. America's elected leaders derive their authority from the consent of the American people, whom we serve. This is a high privilege, and that privilege carries a serious responsibility: to confront problems now, instead of passing them on to future generations.

As long as I hold this office, I promise that I will serve all Americans and will work to promote the unity of our great nation. And working together, we will secure the blessings of liberty, not only for ourselves, but for generations of Americans to come.

President George W. Bush, Presidential Radio Address, Jan. 22, 2005.

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you

[EdJay]

"I hate that the liberals thought that just because we're conservatives we would hate Mary Cheney because she's gay."

Of course it was appropriate for Mary Cheney to be at the inauguration of her dad. I honor the love she and her dad share for each other. I'm sure her parents are sad that she is gay, but love her anyway.

But I do think it wasn't appropriate for her to HOLD THE HOLY BIBLE as the Vice President was sworn in.

It certainly sends the wrong message -- it tends to convey the idea that homosexuality and Biblical Christianity are not inconsistent, and we know that they ARE. The Bible clearly condemns homosexuality. No matter how nice a woman Mary Cheney is, or how smart and attractive, etc., etc., she is a sinner in the eyes of the Lord and until she repents of her sin & ceases to be involved in the homosexual lifestyle she cannot be saved.

It is not a matter of hating Mary Cheney -- it is a matter of HATING HER SIN.
Love the sinner, hate the sin, is the only correct Biblical attitude. I'm not sure the Cheneys quite understand that. I noticed that at the RNC they allowed not only Mary on the dais, which was fine (she is their daughter) but Mary's lesbian partner (Heather something, I believe). Heather stayed discreetly in the Cheney box earlier in the convention but the two women were allowed to parade their relationship in full view of everyone during the post-acceptance speech celebration.

Cheney's little granddaughters were also on the dais during this part of the convention. What kind of impression did that leave on those young impressionable mind when their lesbian aunt and her lesbian partner were accepted as a "couple" in public, by the highest in the land?

[EdJay]

GREAT PICS EVERYONE.

LOVED LAURA AND THE TWINS IN THEIR SLINKY DRESSES.

Still hoping for a glimpse of Condoleeza!!!!!!

[EdJay]

PS ... What's with Condoleeza anyway?

That lady is so smart, and so beautiful. A REAL FOX.

But I know she has never married, and I have never read anything about a boyfriend. What a major waste!!!!

I know she is a very busy lady, and preoccupied with things of great significance, but I'd like to think she also has a rewarding private life. What's the matter with the men of America that none seem to have stepped up to the challenge of winning the heart of this lovely lady?

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you

[GretchenM]

the ensemble singing was superb, and IMO, the staging of "Masquerade" was almost up to 1930's MGM standards

I haven't seen the 1930's MGM version but I loved both of the things you listed above.

I'm delighted you went to see it. I also loved the "Prima Dona" number. It made me laugh as soon as Callow and Hinds made their entrance, singing. What did you think of that one?

[an italian]

great pics today! thank you.

[snugs]

Sounds a fairly good bio.

It is the Yale thing that interests me I know that somehow he managed to get into Yale how I am not certain. I had read that he was not happy at Yale and that was where he started to mix with the wrong crowd was not working like he should and grades suffered. I believe this went on over about 18 month to 2 year period semi dropping out them somehow returning to Yale how this was possible I do not know maybe the programme shed more light on that.

I wonder if anyone else has any other details of his time at Yale I would imagine it is a very fascinating story as he himself jokes about the fact that he dropped out failed there but the President graduated.

I would imagine what you said would be very true that he felt out of place at Yale, missed Wyoming and Lynne.

I had heard the bit about him living a bit of a wild life even upon returning to WY he has referred to it albeit of recent times obliquely and of course this is when he got his 2 drink driving convictions. I think the lineman (fixing power lines) job in a way he is proud of it and certainly is good for his political speeches showing that he has an appreciation of how ordinary people make a living and how they think etc he of course used this extensively in the recent election campaign.

I have always taken the comment regarding Lynne issuing an ultimatum with a pinch of salt he does not strike me as a man who takes kindly to that sort of threat. IMHO he does and probably has back to his teens thought the world of Lynne and would do anything for her but I would think that it would have to come from him not because he was given an ultimatum. I would think more likely what he has said in interviews is more the case he realised his life was going nowhere unless he did something positive he was going down the wrong road with no way back and of course not said publicly be he would realise that entailed either taking Lynne down that path or loosing her and I would think neither of which he wanted to happen so was a major if not the sole reason he sorted himself out.

I have often wondered why he went to Yale in the first place it strikes me that he would never have fitted in their I have wondered though if it was to do with funds. I believe that his background whilst not poor and some would say comfortable was not privileged and certainly for those times not an automatic background to get a University education maybe he could get scholarship or sponsorship to go to Yale but not to a more local and not so well known University I assume from what you said that was what the CNN bio was hinting.

Thankfully for the US and IMHO the rest of the world he did find his niche in politics and despite his dip into the commercial world that is where his heart is.

Stress relating to his heart condiition I have always felt contributed very slightly during the most stressful periods of his life he apparently seems free of health issues; the Gulf war, 9/11 etc which to me indicates he thrives on stress. IMHO diet which I think is something he will always struggle with and more importantly genetics is the major factor not helped by smoking, one only hopes that he does not get tempted by that habit anymore but knowing a smoker very well I fully realise that not everyone finds it possible to completely give up especially in certain social situations.

The VP and the President lived real lives where unfortunately one does get tempted but the real test and shows your strength of character is to step away from what you doing and change and this is what these 2 great men did - God Bless them and keep them safe and well.

[snugs]

I fully agree with you that it was appropriate for Mary Cheney to be at the inauguration of her dad. They are a close and loving family but I do not necessarily share your view that her parents are sad that she is gay more likely they are happy that she is happy and not living a lie.

I have to agree with you though I also do think it was probably not appropriate for her to HOLD THE HOLY BIBLE as the Vice President was sworn in, play a prominent role yes stand next to him but possibly not be holding the Bible it does possibly hurt the very people that strongly supported the President and VP during election campaign. (I suspect I will come in for some criticism for this comment). Whilst I said in previous posts I hoped there would not be flack for this I did not 100% agree with it, it was said more from a personal and political perspective rather than what I personally believed.

As you say to the unbeliever I would have to agree it does send the wrong message and possibly does convey that homosexuality and Biblical Christianity are not inconsistent which of course as you say are.

I understand where you are coming from and I agree it is not a matter of hating Mary Cheney -- it is a matter of hating her sin in other words love the sinner but hate the sin.

Regarding your comment about the Cheney's not appreciating this because they allowed Mary on the platform with Heather at the RNC incidentally she and Heather were on the platform at the Victory Rally at the Reagan Center along with the President and his family so are you saying by this the President does not understand and condones her lifestyle - I think not. The Cheney's accept it the President accepts it it may not be what they believe themselves but that is Mary's choice and she is free to live her life as she wishes as long as she does not hurt others. This should not preclude her from these events but like you I have reservations about any religious connotations involved and certainly not happy about the bible incident. I would presume this was the VP choice as she does seem to be his favourite I believe she shares a lot of his outdoor pursuits, fishing, skiing etc.

Regarding the Cheney grandchildren what is better allowing them to see the truth of the relationship between Mary and Heather or hide it. It does not mean you promote or infer it is the norm but you do not lie about it, they obviously love their aunt and probably Heather as well as I believe she has been in Mary's life since they were born. Again this is not a sense of condoning but this is the facts and unless Mary changes this is what her lifestyle is.

The Cheney's love Mary and I am sure Heather in the same way they love Liz and Philip Perry but this does not mean they are sending messages that this is the norm.

IMHO they believe it is an alternative lifestyle one that some may disagree with but not something to be hidden. Contrary to public perception though the VP is a private man he is not a secretive hide issues that maybe uncomfortable type. When he was nominated for Sec of Defence he was the one that wanted to bring his drink drive convictions out there and then but was told not important issue to publicly confess he has never tried to hide this and does not hide Mary' sexual orientation either, whether they agree with it is neither here or there and surely the American public and certainly the Evangelical Christians are mature and adult enough to understand this. Please feel free to disagree with me.

[homemom]

Thanks for the list of books about the SS. I'll be checking them out!

[mystery-ak]

I forgot` to tell you that Mike got his check for 5 days of jury duty..$34.50....LOL

[snugs]

Good morning to you

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**I'm always amazed whenever I see Jeb and Columba together. She's so tiny, and he's so tall.**

My husband is 6'6" and I'm 5'2". God brought us together like any other loving couple. :o) I'm amazed why people are amazed....perhaps I'm not reading you right.

[ohioWfan]

I guess what I said was confusing. There was no '30's version of Phantom (just '27? and '42), neither MGM, nor a musical (other than the singing in the Operas in '42).

It's just that the MGM Musical set such a high standard in singing and choreography, that none have been even close since, IMO. So for me, that was a really high compliment.

The Prima Dona number was great! Minnie Driver was a very interesting choice for Carlotta, especially since she can't sing (opera, anyway). I guess they picked her for comedy, but it was still an interesting choice.

[blackie]

"Thank you, blackie. I'm humbled by your kindness. As I said at the top of the thread, we have a bumpy week coming up, so I figure we need to savor this moment as long as possible."

You're welcome Wolfstar, it's important to enjoy the moment!

[blackie]

[blackie]

More great pictures, thanks anonymoussierra!

Condoleezza Rice was being escorted by Gene Washington, he's the NFL Director of Football Operations, he also attended Stanford University before playing professional football for the 49ers and the Lions.

[bushfamfan]

What is going on with Jeb's daughter Noelle? The way you two are talking she apparently is having drug problems again? I noticed she wasn't at the 2000 inauguration also as well as her not being at this one.

[ride the whirlwind]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all of the great pictures!

[snugs]

I think the speculation has arisen because she was not at her grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary either. So 2 events that would be considered a not miss for Bush family Members she has been absent.

It maybe that she is working abroad or that indeed she does have problems again but from what I understand it is all speculation and it was just that people wondered where she was and if there was a problem not that there definitely was.