Posted on 04/29/2006 3:20:36 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: The President and First Lady have spent a quiet day in the White House today prior to attending the annual correspondents dinner this evening.
President Bush joins the reporters who cover him tonight at their annual Washington banquet, the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.Bush has attended every correspondents' dinner since he took office, and he says he's looking forward to this one. The White House isn't saying what the Bushes are planning for this year in the way of Washington humor. Last year, the first lady interrupted the president's after-dinner speech with one of her own, lampooning her husband's cowboy pretentions.
The president's after-dinner speech is traditionally the evening highlight. Comedy Central's pretend pundit Stephen Colbert serves as this year's host.
In a comparatively quiet news day, the follow items are getting the most play on Yahoo News:
Bush backs English-only anthem
BY KEN HERMAN
Cox News ServiceWASHINGTON — President Bush, adept in Spanish and the host of next week's annual Cinco de Mayo event at the White House, took a firm no-Spanish stance on Friday when it comes to "The Star-Spangled Banner.''
"I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English," Bush told reporters, "and I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English."
Bush Speaks Out Against Boycott Over Immigration ReformPresident Bush has spoken out against a planned economic boycott next week protesting proposed immigration reforms for millions of illegal immigrants.
Many businesses across the nation are expected to close as a demonstration of support.
Bush says he supports "comprehensive immigration" reforms but he is “not a supporter of boycotts.” The President said "most Americans agree that we've got to enforce our border."
Meanwhile, fears of deportation raids are spreading across the nation, keeping many illegal immigrants away from work.
Thousands of illegal immigrants stayed home this week amid rumors of immigration roundups that federal officials say were unfounded, leaving some industries scrambling for workers.
Construction and agriculture were among the industries most affected.
Katie A. Edwards, executive director of Florida's Dade County Farm Bureau, said nearly a third of farm workers did not come to the fields this week.
In lighter news, the President's father addressed the annual Acadian Ambulance luncheon Friday in Louisiana.
Former President Bush Visits Lafayette
by Marcelle FontenotFormer President George H.W. Bush captivated the audience at the annual Acadian Ambulance luncheon Friday afternoon. The former president praised the people of this area for their response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. President Bush also said through the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, $125 million was raised for hurricane recovery.
"It was a deeply rewarding task for me..." Bush says. "We were motivated in large [part] by the dedication during in the aftermath. A lot of people were surprised to see [us] working together...in fact Barbara still calls us the odd couple." President 41, as he is commonly called, says he is extemely proud of his work...but admits he is most proud of seeing his son as President of the United States.
"People ask me what's harder, you being criticized or your son. By far it's is my son. You know how it is when your son is called out at home plate when he's actually safe, it just makes you mad."
Former President Bush says he's served his country and has stepped away from the political arena, and says the titles he holds now matter most.
"That's father, grandfather and husband."
THE WEEK AHEAD: Just as an aside, I'll be interested to see how incoming White House Press Secretary Tony Snow handles announcements of the President's week ahead schedule.
— May 3: The President welcomes German chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House
— May 4: President Bush meets with the President Vazquez of Uruguay
— May 4: Vice President Dick Cheney travels to Lithuania, Kazakhstan, and Croatia
— May 6: President Bush delivers the commencement address at Oklahoma State University
ALSO UPCOMING:
— May 11: President Bush delivers the commencement address at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, MS
— May 21: Former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush are the commencement speakers at the George Washington University in Washington, DC
Yeah I know. The DUmmies are saying the guests were too "scared by the Bushevik Empire". They are so full of crappy excuses.
Oh please... I have an odd sense of humor, and I think the guy's hysterical! And for that, now I'm a MOLE in your book? After 8 years here, you're gonna judge me based on my sense of HUMOR?
That is beyond pathetic why not admit he bombed he is not the first comedian to have done so and will not be the last.
:-)
Learn something new everyday. Over here, the Monty Python stuff is pretty highly regarded.
The audience laughed more at the Bush impersonator making fun of Hillary rolling her eyes than Colbert. I bet that made them mad.
So it is in Britain just not my cup of tea.
Good night, snugs :)
Democrats have a hard time with self-deprecating humor because they think of themselves as perfect and always right.
Good night :0)
Watching it again.....sooooo funny....will skip Colbert.
Ditto!
yeah, I'm skipping Colbert too
Agreed. Going to watch the Nero Wolfe & Columbo rerun on the Biography Channel
I'm watching Larry the Cable Guy on CMT. He's WAY funnier.
Thanks for the heads up - just turned to CMT.
I used to watch the Daily Show religiously, until Jon started getting so OBVIOUSLY biased, so I'm familiar with both Colbert and Steve Carrell...and I think they're both hysterical. I really think the press corps is lacking in the humor department, which certainly didn't help Colbert tonight.
He's great, isn't he? I have both of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour movies.
I'm a fan of Colbert's show too. And, The Office is one of the best shows ever. Carell is fabulous.
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