[snugs]

QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Addresses Small Business Week Conference
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Washington, D.C

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. (Applause.) Thanks for coming. So I see Eric behind the stage. I said, congratulations on being the Small Business Owner of the Year. And he said, "You know, if I thought part of the prize was having to stand in front of those cameras and introduce you, I might not have accepted it." (Laughter.) But I appreciate your introduction, Eric. Thanks

I want to thank you all for allowing me to come by to celebrate the Small Business Week with you. You know, I'm an MBA, but I got to tell you, the most instructive part of my understanding about how the economy works -- when I was trying to meet a payroll. The entrepreneurs of this country not only create and run their own businesses, they work hard, but I've learned that it's a calling to run your own business. I mean, there's something special about somebody who stands up and says, I got a dream, I got a hope.

The great thing about the entrepreneur in the small business sector of our economy is that you provide great steam and strength to the growth of our economy. And today I want to talk to you about why the small business owner is at the cornerstone of our pro-growth economic policies, and what we intend to do to make sure that the environment for taking risk is strong and viable here in this country.

This economy of ours is good. It's strong. It's a good time to be a small business owner in America. After all, we grew at a healthy rate of 3.5 percent last year. That's the fastest rate of any major industrialized economy. We've now had 17 straight quarters of economic expansion. Real after-tax income has grown by more than 8 percent since 2001. After-tax means money in your pocket, that's what that means. That means, on average, Americans have an income that is $2,100 higher this year than it was at the beginning of 2001 -- that's after adjusting for inflation.

I appreciate being with people who are the entrepreneurs of this country. The entrepreneurial spirit of America is strong, and I intend to keep it strong. Look, I can't make you take risk, I can't make you dream; it's up to you. But I can keep your taxes low to make it easier for you to realize your dream. We can do something about health care costs, so that you can realize the dream of making sure your employees have got health care coverage. We can open up markets for you. We can make sure the environment is strong, so people continue to realize their dreams.

I love a society in which people are able to pursue their dreams, no matter who they are or where they're from. I think this really speaks to the greatness of the United States of America -- a place where a person can start with nothing and end up with something; a place where a small business owner can grow to be a big business owner, if that's what he or she desires. A society in which people are able to accomplish their dreams is a whole society and a complete society.

Ours is a remarkable country because of the entrepreneurial spirit of America. And I want to thank you for being a part of this great land of ours. Thanks for what you do; thanks for expanding the job base. May God bless you and may God continue to bless your families. (Applause.)

PHOTO OF THE DAY

President Bush waves with outgoing Chief Of Staff Andy Card shorty before departing the South Lawn of the White House in Washington Thursday, April 13, 2006. The President will spend the Easter weekend at Camp David. Today was Andy Card's last day with the President

[ThePythonicCow]

Moo

[snugs]

Dose going up please wait for all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics

[snugs]

From last night

President Bush, left, and first lady Laura Bush, right, welcome retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor and her husband John J. OConnor to the White House Wednesday evening, April 12, 2006, for a retirement dinner in honor of Justice OConnor

[snugs]

Today

Delivering remarks to the Small Business Week Conference in Washington
Listening whilst being introduced

President George W. Bush (L) congratulates 2006 National Small Business Person of the year, Eric Hoover, as Bush prepares to speak at the Small Business Week conference in Washington, April 13, 2006

[snugs]

Speaking

[snugs]

[snugs]

[snugs]

[snugs]

[snugs]

[Kate of Spice Island]

Howdy!

I am just going to miss Andy Card so terribly.

I am sort of moved into the bigger apartment and have DSL again and ready to rock and roll.

How are you?

[Screamname]

Here`s my favorite Bush photo (which is also a poster you can download from a website in hi - definition...Don`t ask me which website though, I got it right after 911 4 years ago)...As a Brooklyn Jew who remembers his Grandmother placing her hand over her forearm in embarrassment, this poster reminds me to thank God everyday that we have this great man as our President. He never falters in that promise he made despite all those who do everything in their power to see he does.

[luvie]

Well, se'll miss Andy Card...but I'll bet he's glad to get out of the rat race.

Good evening, Snugs. Great bunch of pictures! Thanks

[Fudd Fan]

Hi snugs... thanks for tonight's Dose.

I'm here late, but I AM here!

[Peter Libra]

On the handsome photographs which lead me, to the gentle art of digressing, from the actual subject at hand. Herewith digression.

One of the most decisive battles of the world, that established Western Civilization, was the Battle of the Marathon 490 BC. Greece was threatened by the forces of King Darius, the Persian King. It was said that the arrows of his armies could "darken the sun". Sir Edward Creasy quoth: "not merely the fate of two armies,but the whole future progress of human civilization".

A small force of Athenians gathered to repel his invasion. The hard men of Sparta declined- because of religious reasons. A small force of Plataeans marched to support them.

The rest is history. Darius fled for his life. Today, President George W. Bush, might well be THE leader,that understands the nature of what faces us today.

If this man loses,it could fulfill what was said in 1914. "The lights are going out and we may not see them lit again in our lifetime".

Iran is the new name for Persia.

[rodeocowboy]

Has anybody noticed that finally, AND I REPEAT FINALLY, his press secretary and cabinet, and he-himself is finally getting ruthless and rude to the press? That's the Bush I can finally stand behind!