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.
I'd assume it's just quick, country way of saying creatures, kinda like 'vittles' is the country way of saying victuals( food).
Ohio, I saw my dr. last week and we talked about the flu (and bird flu, too). He didn't tell me to get the shot (I wouldn't have anyway) so I suppose he's conservative like your dr, snugs. I'm glad you're improving! It took me awhile to get over mine, too.
RE: Your tagline--you've had another wedding? CONGRATS!
snugs, in your position as caregiver to your dad, and visiting your mum, you are very wise to get the flu shot. I hope you don't get sick! The flu can be very dangerous to elderly people.
I'm with you two RE: Actors/actresses . . . if they are very liberal and speak against the Pres., I cannot bring myself to watch their movies/shows. Same with singers. OTOH, it's nice to know SOME Hollywood people ARE for the "right" things.
I've been trying to get a good look at Laura's wedding ring for a long time, especially after hillary clinton picked up Laura's left hand at some function a few years ago, looked at her ring and gave her a snarky comment about how simple it is.
On the RNC calendar for December, there is a good picture of it. It has a large center diamond with two smaller, but still large, diamonds flanking it. Knowing that W gave Laura this ring in the later years of their marriage, I thought, It looks as though he selected that one large diamond to symbolize Laura and his love for her, and added one smaller diamond on either side to represent each of their twins.
So if this is the case, every time Laura sees that ring, it is a reminder of how valuable her life and love are to her husband, and how their combined love gave them two precious jewels in Barbara and Jenna.
To hillary, it's just a way to get in a dig at Laura.
To Laura, it's an ever-present reminder of giving love and being loved.
Laura, you are more precious even than gold and anyone with a heart knows it!
Aww what you said was so beautiful! I've always wanted to see her ring up close, but I wont be getting an rnc calendar...oh well.
I didn't know Hillary gave Laura a snarky comment on how simple it is when she looked at it. I've seen pictures of her looking at Laura's ring, but I figured she was actually saying how big and pretty it is. She's just jealous that she doesn't have a wonderful husband like George to love her like he loves Laura. But, from what I can tell, Laura's ring his huge.
I'll scan the RNC calendar photo that displays her ring and post it on the Dose -- by Wednesday when I do Sanity Island, if not sooner. Will ping you.
Us young kids don't need them, but you, on the other hand................
hehehe.........
I had to go to our bedroom to look at the calendar and notice the ring (btw, I LOVE December's picture! I may cut and paste January - December next year on top of December's calendar and leave this tender, loving picture up).
You are so right and perceptive, Gretchen. It is a perfect illustration of their relationship, and their character. Not ostentatious.....no show, just for show.......but great beauty and meaning, and a very real and genuine picture of what Laura means to her beloved.
You may be right about the two outer stones representing the twins, too. The human result of their love for each other represented on this beautiful ring........nice thought, and right in character, I'd say.....
snugs.......as a caregiver, you're one of the folks who needs to get a flu shot. I'm glad you got one. If I were caring for my parents, I'd get one too.
Yeah, that's what I was (unsuccessfully) trying to get at. It's not that I think either of them are good people. I just think amoral is a little much.
They haven't already shown it. It's on Wednesday at 8 pm.
December 2006 RNC Calendar - Laura's wedding ring
Such a beautiful couple!
Such a cute couple! Thank you for the close up...her ring is gorgeous and huge. Lucky woman! When did he give her, her engagement ring? Wasn't it recent?
WooHoo!! Thanks so much. And I don't have to be anywhere this Wednesday, so I'm putting it on my calendar right now!
I'm a HUGH early music fan. Most of my Christmas music is either a cappela Gregorian chant, Medieval, Renaissance, or Baroque. I also like Celtic and sorta folky/New Age-y instrumental Christmas music. Of course, every now and then I like listening to a little of "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree", or "Santa Claus is Back in Town". I guess you could call that eclectic. ;o)
Goobers! Well, they'll get their wish, won't they? LOL!
My memory isn't the best but I do believe it's been in the last several years -- maybe while he was governor of Texas or since becoming president?
THANKS, first of all, for the great picture of our First Couple!
The engagement ring was a gift the Christmas before the first inauguration. That was also the Christmas Jenna had her appendix out!
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