Posted on 05/15/2005 5:48:21 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: After spending about 24 hours at Camp David, the President and Mrs. Bush returned to the White House early to attend the annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service on Capitol Hill. He was joined by Attorney General Al Gonzales, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, and Secretary of Homeland Security Mike Chertoff, as well as FBI Director Bob Mueller and the Director of ATF, Carl Truscott. The Congress was represented by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Senator Pat Leahy and Congressman Dave Reichert, from the state of Washington, among many others. Reichert served as a law enforcement officer for over 30 years, and received the 2004 National Sheriffs Association Sheriff of the Year Award. Singer Darryl Worley performed "I Miss My Friend."
In other administration news, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice made a surprise visit to Iraq. On a lightning visit, she urged Iraqis to be patient, saying the insurgency can be beaten with the help of a strong political alternative. "The insurgency is very violent, but you defeat insurgencies not just militarily," Rice said after meeting with officials in Baghdad and the northern Kurdish region. "The Iraqis...are now going to have to intensify their efforts to demonstrate that in fact the political process is the answer for the Iraqi people."
QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the President's address at the memorial service today.
We're a nation built on the rule of law, and the men and women who enforce those laws uphold America's role as a beacon for fairness and peace. And, today, we honor 415 new names added to the memorial wall.
Among them are Detroit police officers Matthew Bowens and Jennifer Fettig. The officers were making a routine traffic stop when the suspect opened fire. Though Officer Bowens had already been shot several times, himself, his first concern was for his injured partner. Both officers gave their lives in protecting each other and their fellow citizens, and this nation of ours will always honor them.
Danger to law enforcement can come from the outskirts of a community, as it did to Bradford County Pennsylvania Deputy Chris Burgert. He and his partner, Deputy Mike Van Kuren, were shot last March while trying to serve a bench warrant on a known criminal. Chris had been leading a drug investigation that often brought him face to face with danger on rural back roads. And his bravery had brought a string of successes against a dangerous and volatile set of criminals. His acts took unusual courage, and our nation will be always grateful for his sacrifice.
Danger can come even in what one thinks is routine investigation. Last May, Arizona police officer Don Schultz was diving for evidence in a murder case when he lost his life. Officer Schultz had been on the force for 19 years and was one of the department's master divers. He died in an act of devotion to duty that was common to him, and will always remain extraordinary to us. These are just the examples of the brave we honor today.
Every generation of Americans has produced men and women willing to stand watch over the rest of us. Every generation has lived under the protection of law enforcement. We must never take for granted the police officers of America.
For each friend or family member here today, the engraving on the wall will always glow brightly around one name. We cannot soothe your grief or repay your loved one's sacrifice -- but their names are inscribed permanently on this memorial. We acknowledge the lasting debt we owe them, and offer the solemn thanks of a grateful nation.
I start a new job tomorrow, so I've been unusually busy this weekend. I normally try to get the threads up much earlier, as you know.
No problem though. Life's to worry about such minor glitches.
Hi Snugs,
Your toaster on the other thread is the best Dose toaster I've ever seen. Should be the official Dose toaster LOL
Never mind I think we are all gradually getting here now.
Hi folks! Thanks for the pictures here and the pictures to come, Wolfstar.
These ones of the Pres. are very touching. I admire him so much.
Hubby and I took a walk along the beach. Very relaxing
Thanks, I guess go ahead and re-ping everyone
Isn't it great? Love the pics of President Bush in the flightsuit, and especially since it drives the libs totally craZy!
And I get to keep it, even with the double doses today and the other post being pulled!
I dont see another dose anywhere
I had it pulled
Congratulations on your new job! Does this mean you have eliminated worries of downsizing from other job?
Its been pulled as a duplicate
Thanks for the Dose, Wolfstar! Seeing the President having to comfort so many grieving families has taken its toll on me too--and I am sure everyone here on this forum! It just breaks my heart--but if I had to go through something like that, he is the one I would want comforting me--'cause I know that he means it!
Here's the rest of the photos I had planned to put up:
President walks through an honor guard of police officers at the Capitol.
Oh ok. :O)
Escorted by armed guards, Secretary of State Rice arrives for a meeting with Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani (R) in the northern city of Salahuddin, just north of Arbil. Rice made her first visit to Iraq as Secretary of State to show support for a fledgling government struggling to tame communal rivalries and battle a raging insurgency.
The Secretary wears earmuffs as she sits in the cockpit of a C-17 U.S. military plane which flew in from Qatar to the northern Iraqi Kurdish city of Arbil.
Handshake. It almost seems as though Condi has traveled more in these past four months than Colin Powell traveled in the first four years of this administration.
At the press conference in Baghdad.
Judging from TV coverage, Condi received a hero's welcome in Iraq.
Right---we can't "overDOSE" on pictures of Bush, can we?
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