I think I must agree with you. ;)
Posted on 04/22/2006 2:26:40 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: For a change, a pleasant, even delightful and funny story from the Associated Press about President Bush. An AP reporter accompanied GWB on what the reporter described as a "lung-busting" mountain bike ride this morning in Northern California, and later filed this report (unfortunately no photos were up on Yahoo as of 1:00pm Pacific time):
Bush Takes Muddy Bike Ride on Earth Day
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press WriterLAS POSADAS STATE FOREST, Calif. - President Bush marked Earth Day with a lung-busting mountain bike ride high above Napa County wine country, dodging ruts that sent several of his riding partners crashing into the mud.
The president spent Saturday morning with a small pack of riders in a foggy redwood forest about 90 minutes north of San Francisco. He relished the swampy conditions on parts of the trail in this remote state-owned tract, leading his partners repeatedly through huge puddles and streams running high after weeks of heavy rain.
"I still ride the mountain bike primarily to help settle the soul and to burn off the excess energy one gets when you're living life to its fullest," Bush told an Associated Press reporter who accompanied him on the ride.
"We're able to enjoy the beauty without really disrupting the pristine nature of the place," the mud-splattered president said after the 65-minute ride. "It's a classic way for mankind to enjoy God's gift. Plus, we get some exercise."
The ride started at an elevation of about 1,700 feet above sea level and dropped steeply for several miles, prompting a bit of anxiety in the president. He is not accustomed to the sustained drops and climbs of California's mountains, having ridden mostly in the Washington, D.C., area and on his ranch near Crawford, Texas.
Bush settled into a steady rhythm on the way back up — an ascent he said pushed him to near his physical limits. His heart rate monitor-wristwatch reported he achieved a maximum heart rate of 176 beats per minute — just off his maximum, 183.
When a fellow rider spoke up from behind him, Bush said between grunts, "Can't you at least act like you're breathing hard?"
Asked at mid-climb whether he still lifts weights, Bush replied good-naturedly but pointedly, "Don't talk to me." A moment later, he answered in the affirmative.
"I don't spend a lot of time chitchatting," Bush said after the ride. "But I get great pleasure in riding with a group of people, and afterward we shoot the breeze and have fun and laugh and go about our way."
The president set the pace throughout the ride, with four Air Force men, a White House legislative aide and Secret Service agents tightly bunched behind him. Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif., began the ride with the president, but he quickly sensed he was not up for the rugged terrain and fast pace. He peeled off and pedaled solo.
"I'm used to riding in the flats," Lungren said later.
A long convoy of SUVs and off-road vehicles rumbled behind the group, carrying medics and security agents with machine guns.
One of the bicycle-borne agents had mapped out the route, and he was the only person who knew where to turn when the road forked. Bush, however, made plain he was in charge. "Drop back," the commander in chief ordered the agent, with a thumb over his shoulder.
The president explained later that he cherishes both the solitude and the social aspect of mountain biking.
"Generally when I ride it is the one time when I feel alone, even though I know people are behind me," he said. "I ask people a lot of times not to be in my line of vision because all I can see straight ahead is, you know, space."
Often, he said, when he is riding with his usual group near Washington he plugs headphones into his ears and cranks up his iPod, "and it's like I'm alone."
[WOLFSTAR's NOTES: (1) Rep. Dan Lungren is a former California Attorney General and candidate for governor. (2) President Bush is going to be 60 in July. (3) GWB's comments about his need to have some time to feel alone underscore something I've come to believe ever since Hurricane Katrina hit last year. I believe the President is understandably experiencing a bit of burnout with the job. Six years of the most ugly, intense, divisive politics, massive terrorist attacks, war and natural disaster will take their toll on anyone, no matter how strong. He needs the support of those of us who are loyal to him more than ever.]
THE WEEK AHEAD: From Press Secretary Scott McClellan's press gaggle aboard Air Force One on Friday.
Monday, President Bush will give a speech on his immigration reform proposal in Irvine, California. On his way back to Washington, the President will attend a congressional reception in Las Vegas for Jon Porter.Tuesday, the President will be making remarks on energy in Washington, then participate in the presentation of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the United States Naval Academy Football Team.
Wednesday, GWB will make remarks to the 2006 National and State Teachers of the Year at the White House. The First Lady usually attends this event, although she has been on the road a lot lately to campaign for Republican congressional candidates, as well as to continue promoting her youth initiatives.
Thursday, the President will travel to Louisiana and Mississippi. He'll be participating in a National Volunteer Service Week project in both states.
Friday, the President will meet with the President of Azerbaijan at the White House.
Saturday, GWB will attend the annual White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington.
UPCOMING EVENT: Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark will visit with the President at Camp David, Friday, June 9th. A statement released by the White House said, "Denmark is a close ally in the war on terror and a valued partner in advancing freedom around the world. The President looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Rasmussen to Camp David."
Right back atcha . . . I always feel among friends here, and hope you do too.
:-)
The challenge is to find creative ways to tell people they're stupid. ;)
I'm just glad they are all so strong, and I will learn from their strength and be a better person for it. I will thank them silently each day, for having stood firm; and showing me how it's done.
God Bless this Administration.
I think I must agree with you. ;)
School's okay. Very hectic. I have three take home essays (final exams), three major projects, and a breathing problem. I'll be much calmer in about a week and a half.
Re:your # 161 I sure do!:)
Just sad.
So true!!!
Hubby and I got a good chuckle out of your post...so true.
FINALLY, after some intense searching, I found some videoclips of the President's trip to CA (to date)-- and all on one website. [While I haven't had the time to view them yet, I'm sure they're replete with the obligatory JA references and protester exaggerations. IGNORE the junk and just focus on our Dubya!!!]
http://www.kxtv10.com/
PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES IRAQI LEADERSHIP ON NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060422-1.html
The final 3 paragraphs of this speech were particularly poignant:
The new Iraqi government will assume growing responsibility for their nation's security. And as more Iraqi forces stand up, American forces will stand down. I want to thank all the brave Americans, both in our military and the diplomatic corps, who have served the cause of freedom in Iraq over the past three years. I thank their families who have sacrificed time with loved ones serving far from home. I want to thank our wounded servicemen and women, who have given so much to make this moment possible. And our nation remembers the fallen heroes who gave their lives to bring liberty to Iraq and security to America. And we will honor their sacrifice by completing this mission.
There's going to be more tough fighting ahead in Iraq, and there will be more days of sacrifice and struggle. Yet the enemies of freedom have suffered a real blow today. And we've taken a great stride on the march to victory. The Iraqi people have defied the terrorist threats, Iraqi soldiers and police have fought with valor for the freedom of their country, and Iraqi leaders have laid the foundations for a democratic government of, by, and for the Iraqi people.
On behalf of all Americans, I congratulate the Iraqi people and their new leaders. The Iraqis are showing the world that democracy is worth the wait, that liberty is worth the sacrifice, and that freedom is the future of every man, woman and child on this earth.
MORE BIKING COMMENTARY (not included in the AP version):
. . . Bush was spending an uncharacteristically long weekend in California, blending policy speeches with decompression time like Saturday's ride. He stayed Friday night at a resort with tennis courts and New England-style cottages, and was headed Saturday evening for Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs, a region famed for its golf courses.
"It's a very full agenda," Bush said of the business side of his California swing, "but every day's a full agenda for the president. This happens to be so special because I'm able to balance policy with nature and exercise and friendship."
Indeed, striking that balance is one of the main reasons Bush said he is riding more intensely than ever, about two years after taking up the sport.
He said his mountain biking skill set is growing - as is the quality of his gear. His bike now sports the kind of powerful disc brakes found on cars; his pedals lock to his foot for maximum energy transfer.
"People learn to adjust and relax all different kinds of ways," he said. "For me, intense exercise, particularly on a mountain bike in a beautiful place, is a great way to keep perspective."
Bush's knees, battered by years of jogging, gave out earlier in his presidency, and he switched to mountain biking in his late 50s. Crashes are routine in this sport, and in 2004, a wreck left his face scabbed. A collision last year knocked a Scottish police officer off his feet.
The president's bike showed no scars on Saturday, but his body did. He displayed a line of ugly gashes on his lower calf where the teeth of his sprocket had bitten deeply into flesh months ago. "Kind of the tattoo of mountain biking," he said.
"It hasn't caused me to slow down, but it does cause one, particularly at the age of 59 heading toward 60, to maybe not take quite as much risk as I would have 20 years ago," he said. "On the other hand, I am pushing myself."
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/14246794p-15064581c.html
I tell ya... I sent aol a nasty email. I think it just made me more angry to think it won't do any good.
GREAT 'reading' you here again . . . I know you're very busy and lurk a lot, but we've still missed you!
How's the book going . . . has a publication date been set yet?!
I'll be back in 'abit . . . hubby wants me to accompany him to Home DePot -- we've got to purchase some more mulch and ground cover!
And this...
Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him. [Ecclesiasticus (ch. IX, v. 10)]
WONDERFUL!!! THANKS!!!
I know you're right about that. I KNOW it in my BONES!
"The fourth picture in my 'CUTE ONES' folder from FIVE years ago!"
Well that just knocks my socks off.
I like HGTV. I'd love for that Candice girl to re-decorate my entire house - she's gooood!
I love that show!!! HGTV is a great break from politics.
Well, I obviously had good taste, even as a youngster five years ago. ;)
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