Posted on 04/02/2005 1:32:59 PM PST by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: The President and First Lady are spending the weekend in Washington. They had no public appearances planned, but did come out together to make a statement about the passing of Pope John Paul II.
THE WEEK AHEAD: On Monday, GWB welcomes Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to the White House. President Yushchenko also will address the Congress next week. WH Press Secretary Scott McClellan said, "The President looks forward to welcoming President Yushchenko to the White House. His election was a landmark event in the history of liberty. And the Orange Revolution was inspiring to all who yearn to be free. So the President looks forward to talking with President Yushchenko about a range of issues. Ukraine is a strategic partner of the United States, in our view. And, yes, I suspect that they'll talk about the importance of supporting the advance of freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe and the broader Middle East region. And I expect they'll talk about our cooperative efforts on counter proliferation, as well."
The rest of the President's schedule next week may be subject to change due to the upcoming funeral of Pope John Paul II.
QUOTES OF THE DAY: At yesterday's White House Press Briefing, Press Secretary McClellan was asked several questions, not about the President and his activities, but about the First Lady. I thought "Dosers" might enjoy Scott's answers to the media's typically rude questions:
Q Thank you. The President joined Mrs. Bush this morning in an event. So far, can you see any impact on Mrs. Bush's campaign to curb gang violence? And how are you going to go about it, especially since most gangs are formed of illegal immigrants --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Mrs. Bush's effort is much broader than just gang violence. Her effort is aimed at promoting positive youth development. It is aimed at helping America's at-risk youth. And this is an important priority for the President, it's one of Mrs. Bush's top issues, and it's something that we will continue to work to address. She has been speaking around the country and we have a number of different programs. The President talked about a number of those initiatives earlier today. The mentoring children of prisoners is one of the initiatives that is important to this effort. And addressing gang violence is also one part of helping America's youth and really changing our culture.
And there are a number of parts to this initiative, but Mrs. Bush really is committed to reaching out particularly young boys who often lack the kind of adult supervision and mentoring that is so needed. And she will continue to speak out about the importance of positive youth development.
Q What's behind the increasing involvement of the First Lady in political affairs -- her trip to Afghanistan, this effort the President gave her in his State of the Union address. Has she come to him and said she wants to be more involved? Has he decided that she's a resource he needs to use more in his second term?
MR. McCLELLAN: She has a great passion for the issues that you brought up. She is someone who comes from a background in education, having been a teacher and a librarian. She cares deeply about the education and development of young people. She has made education a top priority throughout her life and her career. This is something that she personally has a deep passion for.
And in terms of Afghanistan, this is an effort to help advance the rights of women in Afghanistan and to help build an education system that will provide opportunity for all the people in Afghanistan, for men and women. And that's why she is focused so strongly on those areas.
Q You're going to completely ignore the basis of the question, though, that she is certainly more active in the second term than she was in the first?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think -- I think she was very active in the first term, Wendell. She is someone who has made these issues a priority throughout her life. And I think the way you characterized your question, I would take some exception to that, because these are not new issues to Mrs. Bush. These are issues that she has cared about throughout her life. And we welcome her involvement in all those areas.
Q I was not suggesting that she was not active in the first. We are seeing, however, a much higher profile First Lady in the second term, it seems.
MR. McCLELLAN: She's a tremendous asset, and the President knows that. And he appreciates all that she is doing to help our young people and to improve education in America.
None of us really know how it works, but I pray every day that I could see my dear loved ones again, in some form or in some way.
But it's an Undiscovered Country as Shakespeare so aptly put it, and there's not much use in our worrying about exactly how it works.
We just have to live as best we can while we're here; trust in the Lord and hope for the best.
Speaking of Free Republic, I can't help but notice the pledge drive is going far more slowly than usual.
I think there's still a lot of bitterness around here.
Maybe the grace the Pope showed in his passing will help to erase some of it.
I'm trying to remember to pray for this site as it's been so good for conservatives.
I do think the recent unpleasantness was allowed to get too far out of hand, but when you have a free forum like this, there are choices to be made.
They decided to let it go. We'll see what happens.
I do NOT remember this much bitterness about Elian--a few people disagreed but I think we were pretty much on the same page about that.
Now no one could accuse Lynne Cheney of being a shrinking violet but she is epitome of a true feminist and a strong and successful independent women but one who has not lost her femininity in the process.
A nice photo to end my evening with. God Bless you all and God Bless your wonderful President how touching I felt it was when he said the Pope had been called home. God Bless you all and God Bless America
Good night love Eleanor
Somebody needs to take Gregory out behind the barn.
Way out where no one could hear him scream.
That's an old saying of my Daddy's... I can almost hear him saying it, and grinning.
Permit me, as I begin to say a word about a great man, Pope John Paul II. (Applause.) The Pope is obviously very ill, and he's in the thoughts of all of us. Just last year, Lynne and I had the honor of meeting His Holiness at the Vatican. And we're thankful to have had that opportunity. This priest from Poland who was once forced into slave labor by the Nazis became a lifelong foe of tyranny and a fearless champion of human freedom and a culture of life.
Throughout his papacy, John Paul II has been a voice of salvation for the lost, compassion for the weak, and respect for life in all its seasons. In times of strength and in this time of suffering, the Pope has been a man of unfailing courage and grace, an extraordinary moral leader, an example to all humanity. We're all praying for the Pope's comfort during these difficult hours. And our hearts are filled with gratitude for his good life.
I noticed that too. I did make a contribution. I hope that things settle down soon. I have to admit there a few posters whose posts I will never read and whose stupid (in my judgment) opinions I will never pay attention to again. But I sure wouldn't want to lose this site!
Lovely words and now thinking upon nice thoughts and words and photos I am really off to bed. Good night all God Bless
Thank-you kitkat!
The great thing about my paid nagging stint is that everyone actually does what I ask them to do, without complaining.....unlike my teenagers.
This is the perfect place to say what I always say to them...
NAGGERS ARE CREATED.
If you clean up your messes and do things the way you're supposed to, you won't hear a peep out of your loving mother. Am I right here? Can I hear an amen?
Wow, thanks for posting that. I hadn't read the VP's comments. What lovely, gracious words.
Thanks again.
LOL
Thanks snugs....you're a sweetie.
This job is a gift from God to me.
He is the greatest.
LOL!
Sounds like something my dad would say!
This coming from the man who was cleaning his shotgun when my prom date showed up...
I don't know if you've heard this but I heard that late last night,hugh numbers of young people were singing and praying in St Peter's square. Pope John Paul 11 was told about this.His response was(paraphrasing report):"I've been looking for you and now, you've come to me." It nearly brings tears to my eyes when I think of that.
Gonna check out the dose!
GWB arrives for church services at St. John's this morning. Note that the cherry blossom trees are in bloom.
President and Mrs. Bush leaving church this morning. I'm always struck by the relationship GWB and Rev. Leon have forged. The President always seems to have a smile on his face as he leaves St. John's after Sunday services.
President George H. W. Bush shakes hands with Pope John II during a private audience at the Vatican, Oct. 4, 2001, less than a month after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Awesome pictures, Wolfie!!! I will be snagging a few of these for sure! Especially the one with the cherry blossoms!
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