[ohioWfan]

Quote of the Day: THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. We've just finished our third Cabinet meeting of this year. I want to thank my Cabinet members for joining us. We talked about the war on terror. We talked about a war on terror that requires all of us involved in government to respond and to protect America and help spread freedom.

My Cabinet officials obviously have got many responsibilities in their agencies, but we talked about their need to assume additional responsibilities, to make sure that we're using every element of national power to win the war on terror and to secure the peace.

This morning we had briefings from General Abizaid, Ambassador Khalilzad, and General Casey. We heard from the Ambassador about work toward a -- work toward a unity government. I'm pleased to hear from Zal that the Iraqis are now back at the table discussing the formation of a government, the process by which they will conduct a government once a unity government is formed, as well as, obviously, beginning to continue to -- or continuing to discuss who will fill the key slots in the government.

We also heard from General Abizaid, as well as General Casey, who reported on the ongoing efforts to win this war on terror, to defeat the enemy all around General Abizaid's theater of responsibility, as well as defeat the enemy in the central front in the war on terror, which is Iraq.

I appreciate very much General Pace joining us today, as well. These leaders, folks on the ground who know the condition on the ground, recognize this is hard work, but they also report on steady progress that we're making toward meeting our important goals -- important goal is to make sure Iraq is a democracy that can sustain herself, defend herself, and is not a safe haven for the terrorists.

Tomorrow I'm going to deliver a third in a series of speeches about the situation in Iraq. During Saddam Hussein's brutal rule he exploited the ethnic and religious diversity of Iraq by setting communities against one another. And now the terrorists and former regime elements are doing the same -- they're trying to set off a civil war through acts of sectarian violence. But the United States and our Iraqi forces cannot be defeated militarily. The only thing the Iraqi insurgents, as well as the terrorists, can possibly do is to cause us to lose our nerve and retreat, to withdraw.

I'm going to discuss how the Iraqi people and our coalition continue to work together to build a stable and free and prosperous Iraq. I'll remind the people we're not going to lose our nerve. The stakes are high; we will complete this mission. Our strategy for rebuilding Iraq is comprehensive, and it includes a commitment from all parts of the federal government.

Secretary Rice encouraged our Cabinet members to build relationships with their counterparts in Iraq once the new Iraqi government is formed. And I expect them to follow through on that -- on their commitments. See, by making a broad commitment from the federal government, we'll help the Iraqis establish a democracy, we'll help them build the institutions necessary for a stable society, and we'll help defeat the terrorists.

[ohioWfan]

DOSE PING!!!!! Please refrain from posting or reposting photos until the ALL CLEAR!

[silent_jonny]

Early Dose! Bless you :)

[jan in Colorado]

Thank you for the wonderful post!

[snugs]

Good evening thanks for the dose

[Peach]

And since I brought up poll numbers:

Lyndon Johnson, 35%
Richard Nixon, 24%
Gerald Ford, 37%
Jimmy Carter, 28%
Ronald Reagan, 35%
George H. Bush, 29%
Bill Clinton, 37%.


http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-10-17-bushapproval_x.htm

[altura]

Checking in... and will be back later.

It's dog walkies time.

[DrDeb]

WELCOME BACK OHIO . . . Did you enjoy your trip? (I know, stupid questions)!


I found Andy Card's comments this morning particularly poignant and insightful:


SECRETARY CARD: Mr. President, Ecclesiastes reminds us that there are different seasons, and there is a new season. Working in the White House is a tremendous privilege. It's almost beyond description, the great privilege it is to work at the White House. But it is even a greater honor to serve as the President's Chief of Staff, especially to you, Mr. President.

I have watched as you have kept your oath to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution, and I know that there are a lot of people who help you do that, and it starts with the White House staff, goes through everybody who serves in the executive branch of government, and most especially those young men and women who wear uniforms and help defend us.

I've watched your leadership guide them during troubled times. I'm watched you comfort Americans, rally the world to meet real needs. I've watched as you've guided us from a recession to economic recovery. BUT MOST OF ALL, I'VE WATCHED YOU AS A PERSON. AND YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, MR. PRESIDENT, AND YOU DO GREAT THINGS.

I'm grateful for the friendship that you've shown me. I'm grateful for the love that Laura has shared with Kathi and with me. I'm grateful for the White House staff that has served you so well and helped me do a better job.

But it is a different season, and Josh Bolten is the right person for that season. I'm excited about the leadership that he will bring to the White House staff and to all of your government, and I'm grateful to the Cabinet that has helped to serve you, as well.

Mr. President, as a Chief of Staff, I know I was a staffer, and now I look forward to being your friend. Thank you, Mr. President.

END 8:37 A.M. EST
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060328.html

[DollyCali]

Wonderful dose ohio.. I learned who Andy Card was on 911.. the white house "man" who whispered the terrible news to the president in the schoolhouse on 911.

Just got in a bit ago. DSL & power problems here .. awk.. I have to finish a thread for tomorrow but for now will protect my machine & turn it off until things settle down. We have not foul weather that I am aware of to account for the problems..

[GOP-Pat]

Good evening everyone. I have not had much time to be on FR lately, due to being an accountant and it's tax season, plus my little Neiko has been giving me some trying times in the past three weeks. He'll be 15 in June and seems to have forgotten all of his puppy training. It's been a 24/7 job looking after him lately. Yesterday, I took him to the vet and all of his vital parts are functioning and she said his heart, liver, kidneys, etc., were that of a 4 year old, which was great news, but she did say he was anemic and he has to get B12 shots every three weeks for that, but the saddest part to me was they said he has something like Alzheimers.

Along with Neiko taking up so much time by constantly having to go outside with him and even though we're outside about every two hours, day and night, (can't just open the door and let him go out anymore, because he began eating his feces about 3 weeks ago, so have to go out with him, walk behind him and clean up--keeping constant watch over him) I'm still having to clean up a mess and with a busy tax season---I haven't been keeping up with the news like I usually do.

I've found out earlier about the bomb killing and hurting lots of people in Mosul. My friend Chip (who's on our prayer list) is in Mosul and I haven't been able to talk with his wife so don't know if he's okay or not.

Please remember Chip and Lisa in your prayers and that Chip wasn't injured in this horrible event and pray for me to have the patience it takes to look after my little Neiko. I'm getting 15 or 20 minute naps, between going outside or cleaning up from accidents that happens during those short naps.

I just can't put him in a crate now that he's confused, can't hear good and almost blind. He's always had the run of the house and I'm trying not to change his surroundings too much, in order to allow him to be less confused.

Three dear friends, plus my brother-in-law, along with other people who were friends, (although not as close as these four)have died since November, so I'm on overload, to say the least so please remember Chip, Neiko and me in your prayers!!! I'm trying to remember that tomorrow will be a better day and that Joy Comes In The Morning.

[confederacy of dunces]

Wow!

This was some thread. Just popping into say "Hi!"

Jonny, you are a very talented artist. I'm beyond awed.

[Pragmatic Warrior]

Even when I'm having a bad day, the minute I see President Bush, I smile and instantly feel better.

I'm a BushBot and I unapologetically adore him!!