Posted on 12/04/2005 3:52:08 PM PST by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush returned from Camp David ahead of schedule due to inclement weather. Around lunchtime, while the President and First Lady were inside the White House, a man identified as Shawn A. Cox, 29, of Arkansas was taken into custody by officers of the Secret Service Uniformed Division outside the Northwest Gate facing Pennsylvania Avenue. Cox, whom the Secret Service said was unarmed, successfully scaled the fence surrounding the Executive Mansion before being caught and arrested.
Although the President and First Lady are spending a quiet day at home in the White House, it was an eventful day for the Secret Service. Not only did they have the scare when Cox made it over the fence, but vehicles in the President's motorcade were involved in a minor traffic accident.
Instead of taking Marine One, the first couple were driven back to Washington from Camp David due to the weather. The accident occurred a few blocks from the White House. The motorcade's lead vehicles slowed down, but the ambulance did not stop in time and rear-ended a Chevy Suburban carrying high-tech communications equipment, damaging the back bumper and doors. The Suburban in turn hit a support van in front of it.
Secret Service spokesman Jonathan Cherry said no one was injured and the motorcade did not stop before arriving at the White House. Cherry said all three vehicles had minor damage.
The presidential limousine, which travels near the front of the motorcade of more than a dozen vehicles, was not involved, and no one was hurt.
THE WEEK AHEAD: Although there was no announcement during the Friday White House news briefing, some information has been reported about the President's schedule next week.
President Bush will visit Kernersville, North Carolina, Monday to talk about the economy and tax relief. He will visit the Deere-Hitachi plant, where he will speak to about 100 employees and invited guests. Deere-Hitachi builds earth-moving equipment at its Kernersville factory.
On Wednesday in Washington, GWB will give his second in a series of speeches about Iraq. It will focus on efforts to build Iraq's economy, shattered after years wars with Iran, Kuwait, the Gulf War coalition, followed by a decade of UN sanctions leading to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: With the Christmas holiday season in full swing, today's quote is unusual. It's from an "Ask the White House" session with Lea Berman, Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary, December 2, 2005:
Cliff, from Brimfield, Ohio writes: How long does it take to decorate the White House for Christmas? Do you have volunteers that help with all the details? I saw the First Lady showing some of the stuff on TV. It looks like a real challenge to get it all done. Does the First Lady or the President pick the theme? Thank You (PS: Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)
Lea Berman: Happy Christmas to you, Cliff. It takes three days of intensive effort to decorate the White House. A small army of volunteers converge under the direction of White House florist Nancy Clarke, many of them skilled professional florists, to transform the White House for the holidays. Mrs. Bush selects the theme each Christmas. This year the theme is "All Things Bright and Beautiful," which is a line from a hymn by Cecil Alexander. She is an avid gardener, so it is appropriate that she would choose a theme that highlights the beauty to be found in nature. Our decorations this year are made of fresh flowers, fruits and greens to reflect [that] natural beauty.
Pinging you to the Sunday Dose.
hi
I have won myself a toaster LOL
Hi snugs. Here come the photos. Will get back to you shortly.
Hello
What do you want on your toaster? :)
And playfully swinging his arms in the cold while smiling at the photographer. You can almost hear the crunch of leaves under his feet.
The First Lady and this year's White House gingerbread house. This year’s gingerbread house is unusual because it features the North Portico of the White House, rather than the South Portico, which is what has traditionally been depicted. Barney and Beezie are depicted playing in the snow.
Hi, Wolfstar :)
This photo was taken Friday as GWB was walking through the colonnade from the Oval Office just before he walked down the steps into the Rose Garden.
Of course, the best background is always the American flag.
Good job, Snugs, congratulations to you!
Hello, everybody!
I am thankful no one was hurt in the motorcade accident.
Had not seen anything about the guy scaling the wall at the WH either!?
Laura turned to the performers in the rear as Dubya actually continued to sing a litte bit. GWB has always downplayed his own -- er -- talents in the song and dance department. ;-)
President Bush greets Santa Claus.
Shawn A. Cox, 29, of Arkansas
Arkansas, eh ... ?
...which looks awesome and spectacular. The perspective of this photo doesn't do its huge size justice.
This photo taken before the lighting ceremony gives a better idea of its size.
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