Posted on 08/20/2005 4:14:06 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: Following is and excerpt from the AP story published just a few minutes ago on Yahoo about the President's bike ride with Lance Armstrong. (Click the link on the headline below to read the whole article.) The two Texans have been friends for years, although Armstrong's politics are Left of center.
Armstrong, Bush Ride 'Tour De Crawford'
By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
3 minutes agoWACO, Texas - It's no yellow jersey, but President Bush on Saturday presented Lance Armstrong with another shirt to show off his biking experiences — a red, white and blue T-shirt emblazoned "Tour de Crawford."
The leader of the free world and the world's biking master rode for 17 miles on Bush's ranch for about two hours at midmorning. Bush showed Armstrong the sites of the ranch that he calls "a little slice of heaven," including a stop at a waterfall midway through the ride.
They were accompanied by a small group of staff and Secret Service agents and a film crew from the Discovery Channel, Armstrong's Tour de France sponsor, which had exclusive media access for the ride. Footage was shot for a program on Armstrong to air next week.
At the end of the ride, Bush gave Armstrong and the rest of the riders the T-shirts, which said "Tour de Crawford" on the front in Western-style rope script and "Peloton One" -— a reference to the densely packed group of riders in a race -— on the back. Bush also gave them red, white and blue riding socks with the presidential seal on the inner ankle.
After the presentation, Duffy said, they posed for pictures and the president announced, "OK, let's go swimming." Armstrong and the rest of the group were invited to stay for lunch.
THE WEEK AHEAD:On Monday, August 22nd, the President will make remarks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention that's being held in Salt Lake City, Utah; open press. He will remain overnight in Donnelly, Idaho.
Tuesday, there are no public events. However, he will remain in Donnelly for some fishing.
Wednesday, August 24th, the President will make remarks on the war on terror in Nampa, Idaho. And then he'll return to the ranch that night.
DUMB MEDIA QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: From the press gaggle conducted by assistant WH press secretary Dana Perino on Thursday. Note how the print and broadcast media seem annoyed that they don't get to cover the bike ride. Of course, most of them haven't seen the sunny side of a bike ride since they were kids (if then), and would be unable to keep up with GWB and Lance Armstrong. And they all hate the Texas heat. But they're annoyed anyway.
Q What are the coverage plans for Lance Armstrong's visit on Saturday?
MS. PERINO: It is closed press. The White House will release a photograph. Discovery Channel has an exclusive to tapes and video.
Q So Discovery Channel is doing filming?
MS. PERINO: Yes.
Q I can't hear a thing. That was Lance Armstrong?
MS. PERINO: Lance Armstrong will be here on Saturday to --
Q That's closed press?
MS. PERINO: It is closed press.
Q No pool, nothing?
MS. PERINO: No pool.
Q They're going to be biking entirely within the confines of the ranch. Is that true?
MS. PERINO: That's my understanding, yes.
Q And Discovery Channel has an exclusive what? How are they doing that?
MS. PERINO: To shoot some video.
Q Can you repeat what -- I couldn't hear Dick. Your understanding is what about the biking?
MS. PERINO: He asked if they riding within the confines of the ranch boundaries, and I think that's true.
THEME -- SALUTING DICK AND LYNNE CHENEY: On September 11, 2001, a scene Hollywood has enjoyed portraying many, many times met real life in deadly earnest as a Vice President of the United States rose to face and help manage an immense national crisis.
In contrast to typical Hollywood characters, however, the real Vice President on that dark day was anything but the politically correct figure tinsel-town always chooses for it's fictional VP. Dick Cheney was -- horrors! -- a graying, balding, sixty-ish, overweight, white male Republican from deepest fly-over country. He was also a former heavy smoker with a history of heart trouble. As such, he was anathema to the Left.
Yet on 9/11, Dick Cheney was rock-steady, calm, and able to draw on one of the most impressive resumes ever brought to the vice presidency. It was as if his entire life had been forged -- indeed, spared several times -- to prepare him for his service to the nation that singular day. We should all humbly thank God for giving us this quiet, reserved, resolute, great man in our time of greatest need. He is one of the most historically significant vice presidents in our history other than those who went on to become presidents.
The vice presidency is a largely ceremonial office endowed under the Constitution with only two official duties, president of the Senate and replacement if the POTUS becomes incapacitated or dies in office. Thus, Vice President Cheney could have left Washington on that day, but he didn't. He could have gone to the secure bunker deep under the White House and stayed out of the decision-making loop, but he didn't. He could have worried more about his own political and personal future, and his own family, but he didn't. Instead, he stayed in the White House, manning the National Presidential Emergency Operations Center, working closely with the President, and coordinating the response in the nation's capitol. The Vice President on that day was incredibly brave, selfless and heroic. No matter what the moonbat Leftists say about him, Dick Cheney deserves every respect and honor our nation can bestow.
Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney was awarded our nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush. He may not be eligible to receive it again (don't know if they award it more than once). So, as the 4th anniversary of 9/11 rapidly approaches, the Dose takes this moment to thank Vice President Cheney and his wonderful wife, Lynne, for their long service to our great nation.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Excerpts from "The Wisdom of Choosing Dick Cheney," by Gerald R. Ford and Bob Dole, Op-Ed piece, The New York Time, Monday, July 31, 2000 (entire Op-Ed can be found at the Ford Library with this link: www.ford.utexas.edu/library
...we are delighted by the selection of Dick Cheney to help implement Mr. Bush's inclusive vision. Ironically, the shrill reaction of some Democrats to the Cheney nomination only confirms the timeliness of Governor Bush's pledge to restore civility to Washington.
Like Dick Cheney himself, most Americans evince a basic fairness. They know decency and character when they see it. They also recognize a manufactured controversy when it spills across their television screens. Political labels aside, such voters share a bipartisan disdain for the sterile name-calling that has crowded honest debate off the political stage. And debate, after all, is what a campaign should be all about. The honest airing of our differences, not the poisonous rhetoric that demeans even as it disillusions.
If experience counts for anything -- and it ought to -- the Bush-Cheney slate is one of the most abundantly qualified in memory. As the youngest ever White House chief of staff, Mr. Cheney displayed the qualities instinctively recognized by Governor Bush and most fair-minded voters: a towering intelligence and probity, razor-sharp judgment, and a seriousness of purpose that is the antithesis of modern political spin. Yet there is much more to Dick Cheney than his resume. We know him as a man of conviction, whose principles include respecting others with whom he differs. He has adversaries but no enemies.
Mr. Cheney also represents an unconventional choice, if only because of the transparent merit which motivated his selection. This alone makes him a refreshing alternative to the usual electoral calculations. He was selected less because he could help Governor Bush get elected than because he could help a president Bush govern. And to do so in a way that will help restore popular respect for tarnished institutions.
Oh, yes! The puppy pictures were wonderful. Is the bike ride really supposed to be on the Discovery Channel? I just got home from work--did any of the networks have bits of it during the day. Those two are awesome!
Thanks again for all the great pictures!
The VP showing he is still fairly agile during his visit to Afghanistan in December 2004
Another shot of inauguration this time his daughter Mary was the one to be more in evidence whereas it is normally the older sister Liz that you see more of but this time it was the younger sister Mary who held the bible for him at the swearing in ceremony 
One forgets how long he has serviced this country; giving lie to the libs' rants that he is just a Haliburton plant in the WH to look after their interests. Putting all that aside, it appears Mr. Cheney was quite attractive in his younger years. : )
I made a brief comment because I was trying to be first after the pictures, I see I missed by 1. Typical.
You're welcome. He's a great man. Perhaps the greatest VP ever who will, unfortunately, never become president.
ROFLMAO!!!
It was a wonderful day, and one when I made a new friend who lives in SD. :-)
I wish he could, too. But he'll be well into his mid 60's in 2008, with a history of multiple heart attacks. I'd be extremely surprised if he changed his mind about not running.
I love the photos you posted in #66, snugs. They all just seemed so happy that day.
#68 -- wonderful, snugs. Thank you so much for adding to the historical focus on his career.
The bonds of trust and respect between them are obvious and well earned by both. Thank you so much for all your hard work .. it is very special and IT IS A KEEPER!!
I'm amazed that this pic just barely looks like the VP .. he actually resembles Truman in this pic and looks much older than he was at the time.... very WWII vintage feel to it, as GM said.
Thank you too, snugs, for those great photo memories.
We have been truly blessed that God brought us these two decent and determined patriots to lead us through these times. I don't even want to think of 2008 .. it's too scary to really consider. I can't imagine how we could have a better team at the helm of the USA!
I think you're right, Pol.
Rack the photos OMG that Rummy as very young Rummy he must be in late 30s at that time
I be honest with you I dont' remember Cheney until Gulf war first gulf war I remember this guy when he used do briefing I was wonder who was that balding Hottie LOL!
One more time when the Good Lord kept Dick Cheney moving forward toward his vital role on 9/11/01 -- at least that's the way I look at it.
Thanks Wolf and BTW
The President will be in San Diego at the end of the month.
Thanks. I think you and Pol are right, and that is what plankhowner means. I wasn't sure.
They are such a loving family. Makes my heart smile.
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