Posted on 05/21/2005 2:18:17 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: While his wife was traveling in the Middle East, President Bush addressed the 2005 commencement at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., today. Bush gave his first graduation speech of the year addressing the Christian liberal arts college.
PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE: White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan gave the commencement speech at the University of Texas, his alma mater, on Friday. So no week-ahead schedule was announced. (If I find anything while scanning the WH website tomorrow, I'll post it on the Sunday thread.)
The President will welcome German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to the White House for a meeting and working lunch on June 27, 2005.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the President's commencement speech at Calvin College today.
The immigrants who founded Calvin College came to America for the freedom to worship, and they built this great school on the sturdy ground of liberty. They saw in the American "experiment" the world's best hope for freedom -- and they weren't the only ones excited by what they saw. In 1835, a young civil servant and aristocrat from France, named Alexis de Tocqueville, would publish a book about America that still resonates today.
The book is called "Democracy in America," and in it this young Frenchman said that the secret to America's success was our talent for bringing people together for the common good. De Tocqueville wrote that tyrants maintained their power by "isolating" their citizens -- and that Americans guaranteed their freedom by their remarkable ability to band together without any direction from government. The America he described offered the world something it had never seen before: a working model of a thriving democracy where opportunity was unbounded, where virtue was strong, and where citizens took responsibility for their neighbors.
Tocqueville's account is not just the observations of one man -- it is the story of our founding. It is not just a description of America at a point in time -- it is an agenda for our time. Our Founders rejected both a radical individualism that makes no room for others, and the dreary collectivism that crushes the individual. They gave us instead a society where individual freedom is anchored in communities. And in this hopeful new century, we have a great goal: to renew this spirit of community and thereby renew the character and compassion of our nation.
Alex is very cute. My husband missed the race (had to work today) and he couldn't believe the way I described it. This horse has PERSONALITY!
Isnt Our Beautiful First Lady a Wonderful American Icon? We are very Proud for her to represent us on Her First Lady Tour. God Bless You Laura Bush. Please arrive home safely to us.
The body of the speech was about service to the community and country. I thought the crowd was quiet and respectful (I expected some rude remarks because I knew some of the profs were against having the president speak), and applauded and vocalized when appropriate.
I thought it was well received. Maybe the Yahoo (AP?) reporter sat next to a disgruntled prof. The applause at the end was substantial and the president stood on the stage for a few moments, waving to the crowd. Not what I'd call a 'mixed reaction' at all.
I looked at the college's website. Considering this is a Christian school which encourages volunteerism and community action, I really don't see where anyone could have had a complaint against anything GWB said.
I think the media was hoping that the students would have the same political leanings as the professors. Students seem to be leaning away from professor's positions lately.
A purple toaster AND Miss Beazley at the same time! Too cute for words!
Yea, thats the best toaster yet!!! Beazley likes Purple. :O)
This thing won't let me post pictures with short URLs so here is the picture the old way;
you can really see his determination after he almost fell in this picture.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/050521/ids_photos_sp/r1280316589.jpg
here is an even better one
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/050521/ids_photos_sp/r2490258515.jpg
I don't mind how you post the photos, Lemondrop... I have trouble with the graphics too. Even when they preview ok, I get the dreaded red "x"
Yea, with me the shorter URLs dont want to post!!! I wonder why that is?
Its something I have noticed with Yahoo recently when your copy the URL delete up to to jpg and put > and it should now post OK
eeeuuuw
#####
Eggzackly!
The President is in the house!!! [I love it when he flashes that gorgeous 'full' smile of his . . . he's having a good time already!]
http://www.c-span.org/
Its not playing!!! AAACCGGGG!!!
Oh cool!!! thanks!!
And when Harry Reid spots you glaring at him, please give him a message from me:
Phfffphfthfft!!!
Tinfoil firmly in place, ready to receive.
It exhausts me to think of President Bush's schedule--this morning he flies to another state to give a commencement speech---comes back and attends a formal dinner event...
All I did was buy groceries, and I am pooped!!! LOL
Scarborough talking now, I used to like him, but he goes all lefty when he is with his pals on MSNBC...
Fudd Fan---Presdident Bush looks REALLY NICE tonight!
Oh--goody--pictures of our President!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.