Posted on 02/09/2006 4:58:39 PM PST by snugs
Today the President met Poland's President Lech Kaczynski in the Oval Office. He also made remarks on the global war on terror at the National Guard Memorial Building in Washington
Yesterday Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni at the State Department and she also held a news briefing to announce the release of the second annual report to Congress on the President's emergency plan for AIDS relief.
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld is in Italy for a two-day NATO meeting.
First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Barbara continued their visit to Italy today with a meeting with the Pope and then a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The First Lady also visited and participated in a discussion on breast cancer awareness at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Discusses Progress in War on Terror to National Guard
National Guard Building
Washington, D.C.
THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for that warm welcome. I'm delighted to be here with the men and women of the National Guard Association of the United States. For 128 years, the National Guard Association has been fighting for the citizen-soldiers who fight for America. I appreciate your service, and I appreciate you supporting those that America depends on in times of crisis. Our nation is safer because citizens are willing to put on the uniform and defend our freedom.
The first thing I want to tell you is America is grateful for the service of our Guardsmen and women, and I'm proud to be their Commander-in-Chief. (Applause.)
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast last year, more than 40,000 Guardsmen and women rushed to the impact zone -- it was the largest stateside deployment in National Guard history. They conducted search and rescue operations, distributed food and water, provided emergency medical care, protected communities from criminality, and worked around the clock to repair homes and restore power. Guard units from all 50 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia provided assistance -- and together, they saved lives and helped evacuate over 175,000 people stranded by the storm.
When the Pennsylvania National Guard came to repair the roof of a Louisiana woman, she said this to the soldiers: "That's a long way to come to help us. We're really grateful n you boys are going to heaven, I tell you." (Laughter.) When tragedy strikes, Americans know they can count on the men and women of the National Guard.
As you protect your neighbors from natural disasters, you're also protecting the American people from terrorist dangers. Since September the 11th, 2001, more than 260,000 members of the National Guard have been mobilized for various missions in the war on terror. At this moment, Guardsmen and women are training the Afghan National Army, standing watch over the world's most dangerous terrorists in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and taking the fight to the enemy in Iraq. Across the world, and on every front, the men and women of the Guard are serving with courage and determination -- and they're bringing us to victory in the global war on terror.
Your service is vital to the security of the country and the peace of the world -- and that service would not be possible without the support of the Guard families. Guard loved ones miss their husband and wife or son and daughter; they worry when our Guards people are deployed overseas. By standing behind our Guardsmen and women, the families of the Guard serve our country as well, and America appreciates their service. Our nation also depends on the commitment of the employers of the Guardsmen and women. In offices and schools and factories across America, organizations do without that talents of some really fine people that have been called upon to protect our nation. Businesses that are putting patriotism ahead of profit deserve the gratitude of all Americans.
The Army National Guard currently has about 330,000 soldiers -- and my 2007 budget funds the Guard at that level. As the Guard recruits above that level, we'll make certain that there is funding in place for every citizen who steps forward to wear the uniform. (Applause.) And to ensure that the Army and our Air National Guard are ready for any challenge, my budget more than doubles funding for equipment and modernization over the next five years. (Applause.) Any time we've got folks in harm's way, they deserve the best -- the best pay possible, the best training possible, and the best equipment possible. It's a commitment this administration has made since I've been the Commander-in-Chief, and it's a commitment we will keep. (Applause.)
We remain a nation at war. I wish I could report, you know, a different sentence to you. But my job as the President of the United States is to keep the American people fully informed of the world in which we live. In recent months, I've spoken extensively about our strategy for victory in Iraq. Today, I'm going to give you an update on the progress that we're making in the broader war on terror: The actions of our global coalition to break up terrorist networks across the world, plots we've disrupted that have saved American lives, and how the rise of freedom is leading millions to reject the dark ideology of the terrorists -- and laying the foundation of peace for generations to come.
On September the 11th, 2001, our nation saw that vast oceans and great distances could no longer keep us safe. I made a decision that day -- that America will not wait to be attacked again. (Applause.) And since that day, we've taken decisive action to protect our citizens against new dangers. We're hunting down the terrorists using every element of our national power -- military, intelligence, law enforcement, diplomatic, and financial. We're clarifying the choice facing every nation: In this struggle between freedom and terror, every nation has responsibilities -- and no one can remain neutral.
Since September the 11th, we've led a broad coalition to confront the terrorist threat. Four weeks after the attacks, America and our allies launched military operations to eliminate the terrorists' principal sanctuary in the nation of Afghanistan. I told the world that if you harbor a terrorist, you're equally as guilty as the terrorists. And when an American President says something, he better mean what he said. I meant what I said. (Applause.)
One of the great strengths of our military is that it's an all-volunteer army, and all-volunteer force. And since the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, nearly 1.5 million Americans has stepped forward to put on our nation's uniform -- including nearly 290,000 who have joined the National Guard. Nearly 1.3 million more American troops have made the courageous decision to re-enlist and stay in the fight -- including more than 350,000 members of the National Guard.
These brave Americans saw the future the terrorists intend for us, and they said, "Not on my watch." (Applause.) Four-and-a-half years into the fight, America's Armed Forces are determined, experienced and ready for any challenge -- and our nation is blessed to have such brave defenders. All of you are bringing honor to the uniform, and pride to our country, and security to the American people. America will always be grateful for your service in the cause of freedom.
Thank you for letting me come today. God bless you and your families, and may God continue to bless our country. (Applause.)
PHOTO OF THE DAY 
President George W. Bush admires a bust of himself presented in his honor Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006 at the National Guard Memorial Building in Washington, where President Bush talked about the global war on terror.
Good evening!
Hi.
Hi!
Dose going up please wait till the all clear is given to post or re-post photos and or graphics
Hi there snugs! thanks for the dose tongiht. been waiting !
Good evening
Hello
Hi
Greetings!
President George W. Bush welcomes Poland's President Lech Kaczynski to the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006
Hi everyone, thanks snugs for doing this :)
Sorry it is a bit late but there was so many photos to put up tonight
From left to right, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Sec. Of State Condoleezza Rice, and Polish Foreign Minister Stefan Meller wait in the Oval Office of the White House during President Bush's meeting with President of Poland Lech Kaczynski, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006
Polish President Lech Kaczynski speaks to the press following a meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, February 9, 2006
My pleasure
President Bush looks at a commemorative bronze bust of himself as he arrived to speak on the Global War on Terror at the National Guard Memorial Building, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006
President George W. Bush inspects a bronze bust commemorating his service in the Texas Air National Guard, in Washington, February 9, 2006. George W Bush is the nineteenth U.S. president to have served in the militiary or National Guard.
President George W. Bush (R) poses for pictures with the crowd after unveiling a bronze bust commemorating his service in the Texas Air National Guard, in Washington, February 9, 2006
President Bush, center, poses with a commemorative bronze bust of himself before speaking at the Global War on Terror at the National Guard Memorial Building, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006
Thanks, snugs! How are you doing?
President George W. Bush addresses his remarks on the global war on terror Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006 to an audience at the National Guard Memorial Building in Washington
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.