Posted on 11/26/2005 2:44:43 PM PST by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President Bush, sounding hoarse (as though he has a cold), delivered his weekly radio address from the ranch in Crawford today, as he and his family continued to enjoy the holiday together. Former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush spent Thanksgiving at the ranch along with their granddaughters, Jenna and Barbara.
Even on a holiday, President Bush had work to do. He has frozen the U.S. assets of 128 people and 33 entities deemed to be "hindering democratic reform in Zimbabwe," including President Robert Mugabe.
On Thanksgiving Day, President Bush said that he is thankful for troops serving in a time of war. He made Thanksgiving Day phone calls to 10 members of the U.S. military stationed around the world.
From his ranch, GWB called troops serving in the Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Army before sitting down to dinner with his family. The White House did not release the names of those the President called this year, but said at least one was serving in Afghanistan, one was in Iraq and one was on a ship at sea. The names were selected by the Defense Department. However, the family of one serviceman released his name:
From WPRI, Providence-New Bedford TV News website:(AP) -- President Bush made a Thanksgiving phone call to a Rhode Island soldier yesterday, thanking him for his service in Iraq. A White House spokeswoman says Sergeant James Stringfellow of the Rhode Island National Guard received a call because he's on his third overseas deployment.
Stringfellow's wife says GWB told her husband that he and other soldiers form the "backbone of the country." She says the President also inquired about Stringfellow's family in Warwick. Stringfellow is a member of the 43rd Military Police Bridgade and, in civilian life, a state corrections officer.
He is scheduled to return to Rhode Island in October after spending a year in Baghdad.
On the social scene:
PARIS (AFP) - A granddaughter of U.S. screen legend Steve McQueen, and one of President George W. Bush's nieces, are among 18 young ladies who will mark their "coming out" into high society at a Paris debutante's ball Saturday. The Paris ball, held at a top-notch hotel on the Place de la Concorde at the bottom of the famed Champs-Elysees, will be attended by "debutantes" aged between 16 and 19 and hailing from 10 countries.Ashley Bush, the 17-year-old niece of the U.S. leader, will be following the high-heeled steps of her sister Lauren, who appeared at a Paris deb's ball in 2000. She will be wearing a Ralph Lauren gown, according to the organisers.
Molly Flattery, the 18-year-old grand-daughter of McQueen, has opted for a Christan Dior outfit, and was to be accompanied by Greg Young, the son of the Canadian singer/songwriter Neil Young.
THE WEEK AHEAD: President Bush ends his Thanksgiving respite at his ranch in Crawford, Monday, with stops along the Mexican border in Texas and Arizona to highlight the politically sticky issues of security and immigration. He'll start his visit in Tucson, Arizona, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in the early afternoon. From there, he'll go to Phoenix to speak at a $1,000 per plate fund raising dinner for Republican Senator Jon Kyl. During his speeches, President Bush is expected to address border security issues and immigration.
On Wednesday the President will attend a fundraiser for Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele to benefit Steele's campaign for U.S. Senate. The event is being held at M&T Bank Stadium.
UPCOMING EVENTS: President George W. Bush will welcome Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel to Washington December 8 for talks on trans-Atlantic ties.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the President's Radio Address, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005:
We think especially this week of those military families who are mourning the loss of loved ones. Every person who dies in the line of duty commands the eternal gratitude of the American people. The military families who mourn the fallen can know that America will not forget their sacrifice, and they can know that we will honor that sacrifice by completing the noble mission for which their loved ones gave their lives.This week of Thanksgiving, we ask that God continue to bless our families and our nation. Laura and I wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend.
Pinging you to the Saturday Dose.
President Bush and a group of school children pet Marshmallow after the pardoning ceremony.
The Vice President, looking highly amused, can be seen in the background of this photo.
Checking in ... :)
Marshmallow was a serene Grand Marshall. In fact, the media complained because he didn't say much. There were no leaks -- at least none of the verbal variety. ;-)
A sign welcoming "George and Laura" to Mongolia adorns a building at Buyant-Ukhaa Airport in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as the President and First Lady arrived on the last stop of their Asia tour.
A Mongolian dancer smiles as she removes her mask.
A young boy delivers a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Bush Monday, Nov. 21, 2005, as she and President Bush joined Mongolia's President and First Lady in ceremonies in Ulaanbaatar.
President Bush next to Mongolian horseriders in traditional costume as Mongolian President Nambarii Enkhbayar looks on with their wives.
The President is applauded as he is introduced to speak by Mongolia's President Nambariin Enkhbayar at Government House in Ulan Bator.
President Bush, sounding hoarse (as though he has a cold), delivered his weekly radio address....
I picked up the same damn bug about 3 days ago.
Isn't it nice for people with colds to fly on public airlines?
The guy sitting next to me was wiping his nose the entire flight and I just knew I would end up getting sick.
The warrior and the agent: A Mongolian dressed as a warrior rides his horse past a U.S. Secret Service Agent standing next to a portable toilet during President Bush's visit to Ikh Tenger in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.
(Too bad a few American members of the press pool didn't get stuck in the portapotty.)
In a scene somewhat reminiscent of the famous photos of U.S. CIA agents riding horseback with members of the Afghan Northern Alliance in 2001, Mongolian horsemen run with the motocade carrying President and Mrs. Bush to a cultural event in Ikh Tenger, Mongolia.
A participant in the cultural event for President and Mrs. Bush unmasks for photos.
Hi, Pegita. Hope your Thanksgiving weekend has been wonderful.
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