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."
Altura, I'm so glad you said that about posting. I didn't want to sound like my own echo, so I was saying nothing. But, the other evening, I said that I'm trying whenever possible to get on a thread early if it's one that the Bush-haters are apt to pop up on. I suggest not posting to anyone in particular, saying your say, and then NOT reading any of the replies.
FR was established to spread the truth, and if we don't do that, what's the sense of having FR?
If you can get on a thread early, that's great since many people only read the first page. If you can't, then post anyway and then disappear.
It is HARD not to read the replies, but if you've made your statement you just have to rely on newcomers and visitors to know the truth from the hatred which is spewed so liberally on FR lately. Remember, most people don't like to spend time with hateful people.
Bush is so cool!
I'm glad he's able to go bike riding like this. He certainly deserves some alone time. God bless him always!!!
AGREED!
Good for you - and think how wonderful of a service you'll provide for new Moms! EXcellent!
The kids are great. Big changes coming for a couple of them.......well, three of them.
Only one coming home for the summer......the baby. :)
I have one week of class, then finals, and YES, I'm ready for it to be over. This class has taken MUCH prep time, and I'm ready for it to be done.
Summer will take us to Colorado.........TWICE. :)
How about you? Kids and Mr Homemom doing OK?
Good evening all
Never seen that first one of the 2 dogs in the limo.
Hi and bye, snugs!
Congratulations what would you like on your toaster?
Please ask another friend to take you to the dr! Breathing (or not being able to) is nothing to mess around with. Don't you have asthma, too?
Brandon looks older, is it the hair cut?
I was on a thread earlier this afternoon when one of those "I'm-so-conservative-that-no-one-will-ever-be-conservative-enough-for-me-so-I'm-superior-to-you" types posted what ultimately looked like a hit & run about everything being "Bush's fault." Called GWB the favorite MSM buzzwords (which I won't repeat, you know 'em). I was so angry I posted a reply ending with how sick to death I am of the bashing. I was ready to get flamed and had what I thought was a pretty good riposte, but I never needed to use it 'cause as far as I know it didn't return. Durn!
Hello, and how are you? Did you go visit the queen on her b-day?
......I bet you knew this already...lol
No, I've never had asthma. My mom kept trying to convince me it was allergies. But my throat doesn't even hurt. It's just hard to breathe.
This might sound like a wierd question, but are you very angry with someone or at something? There is a school of thought that when we get laryngitis or throat problems in general, it's due to being so angry we literally cannot speak. Normally I don't subscribe to that kind of stuff but ya never know!
Thanks for the pictures--what IS it about the glasses that's so appealing?
Sounds like you're ready for the less-strictly scheduled summer. We are too! Esp. when the weather is so nice.
So, big changes, huh? I'll FReep you with my suspicions. :-)
We're all doing well for the most part, and thanks for asking. Just when I was thinking it was all out of control, God showed me in an amazing way that HE is in charge--thank goodness--I can't imagine the mess I'd make of it--LOL!
FReepmail in a minute.. .
Yes....I took that pic after papa took him to the barber.....next week papa has plans to get him a *flat top*.....yikes!......little Thomas is turning out to be a little forkel....red hair and blue eyes, just like daddy....
I think you are right about posting to some of the threads altura. When our smartest people stay on the sidelines it is detrimental to FR. The quality of discussion goes down. My problem is not having enough time to spend checking out the threads. But I do at least post if I think what I have to say is worth while. As my tagline says, I never use the word "you" in a debate. It keeps the debate impersonal and is less likely to cause friction.
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