Posted on 07/09/2005 2:00:57 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: While the First Lady and daughter Jenna are on an African trip, there was no public word about where President Bush and the dogs are spending the weekend. However, it's safe to say he's spending at least part of the time reviewing material on potential Supreme Court nominees. It has been a momentous week just past, and next week promises to be hectic. Here's a few notes from today's top stories...
President George W. Bush, who kept something of a low profile at the G8 summit that closed Friday at Gleneagles, Scotland, appears nonetheless to have got what he wanted on climate change and aid to Africa issues.
Thursday's transport system bombings in London as Group of Eight -- Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Britain and Russia -- work groups got underway, allowed Bush to set the fight against terrorism firmly back on the agenda.
"The war on terror goes on," said Bush, as he condemned the bombings of three underground trains and a bus which have killed at least 50 people, and injured around 700.
President Bush reviewed potential candidates for the Supreme Court with White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card as he flew home Friday on Air Force One from the terrorism-interrupted summit of world leaders in Scotland. The President had pored over court material on his flight to Europe on Tuesday. The White House did not reveal who was on the list to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Immediately upon landing, Bush flew by helicopter to downtown Washington and stopped at the British ambassador's residence to sign a condolence book for victims of Thursday's deadly subway and bus bombings in London.
THE WEEK AHEAD: President Bush travels to Quantico, Virginia, on Monday to deliver a speech on the war against terror and the strategy for winning it to men and women in the FBI Academy there. Although the speech was scheduled prior to his European trip, the London bombings give his remarks more urgency and significance.
On Tuesday, the President meets at the White House with Senate leaders, Democrats as well as Republicans, to discuss the Supreme Court vacancy. The group is to include Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Judiciary Committee ranking member Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
On Thursday, the President travels to Indianapolis to speak at the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. It will be his first trip to Indianapolis since 2003.
El Salvadorian President Antonio Saca visits on Friday. This will be his second trip to the White House in two months as GWB and Central American leaders push Congress to allow liberalized trade between their countries. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) was passed the Senate last week, but the House has yet to vote.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Excerpts from the Presidential Radio Address, Saturday, July 9, 2005:
Thursday morning, terrorists struck at the heart of one of the world's great cities in a series of bombings that hit London's subway and bus system as thousands of commuters headed to work. We in America know the sense of loss that our British friends feel at this moment. We extend our sympathies to those who suffered terrible injuries, and we pray for the families mourning the loss of loved ones. In this dark hour, the people of Great Britain can know that the American people stand with them.
We experienced this evil in our own country on a clear September morning in 2001. Since that day, terrorists have continued to kill and maim -- in Bali, and Casablanca, Riyadh, Jakarta, Istanbul, Madrid, Baghdad, London, and elsewhere. The terrorists believe that free societies are essentially corrupt and decadent. They believe that with a few hard blows, and the televised repetition of horrific images of violence, they can force us to retreat. They are mistaken.
We are now waging a global war on terror -- from the mountains of Afghanistan to the border regions of Pakistan, to the Horn of Africa, to the islands of the Philippines, to the plains of Iraq. We will stay on the offense, fighting the terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them at home. We will continue to deny the terrorists safe haven and the support of rogue states. And at the same time, we will spread the universal values of hope and freedom that will overwhelm their ideology of tyranny and hate. The free world did not seek this conflict, yet we will win it.
This week, there is great suffering in the city of London. Yet the British people are resilient, and they have faced brutal enemies before. The nation that survived the Nazi Blitz will not be intimidated by terrorists. And just as America and Great Britain stood together to defeat the murderous ideologies of the 20th century, we again stand together to defeat the hateful ideologies of the 21st century.
The terrorists cannot shake our will. America and its allies will act decisively, because we know that the future of civilization is at stake in this struggle, and we know that the cause of freedom will prevail.
May God bless the people of Great Britain, and may He continue to bless America.
Here!
Pinging you to the Saturday Dose. Lots of photos today, so please hold off posting other photos/images until the all clear is given. Thanks.
I hope snugs shows up.
For the mass transit portion of the transportation sector which includes only regional and inter-city passenger rail, subways and metropolitan bus systems. Last update: July 7, 2005
President Bush and guests applaud Michael Chertoff after he was sworn in as the second Secretary of Homeland Security, Thursday, Mar. 3, 2005.
The "America Supports You" website spotlights what Americans are doing in support of our military, encourages others to thank the troops, and allows all to tell their stories by giving voice and visibility to their efforts.
Click the "America Supports You" banner above to send a message to our troops. Over 112,588 messages have been sent to date, but in a nation of nearly 300 million, that's not even remotely enough. I urge everyone on the Dose ping list, and every FReeper, to use this link to send a message of support to our troops. It takes only minutes, and its the least we can do.
Unbreakable friendship...
Determination...
Defiance...
Condolences...
Sorrow...
In case anybody missed this good news:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1439804/posts
LOL. Lots of them are from me. Help me out here, folks. They've got to be getting bored with Bahbah.
Present and accounted for. Thanks Wolfie!
Prayers for snugs and all our British freepers.
The City of Birmingham, the second largest in all of England, is being partially evacuated because of intelligence received by police there.
After handing the pen to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, President Bush tells him what to do with it.
Leaving Gleneagles...
This is how you fill up that hole in Jacques' head.
Amen, Wolfstar! We had better start praying right now for that successor to be as strong, as resolute, as honest, and as loving of the troops as this President or we are in BIG trouble!
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