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
THAT STUNK!!!
It was the lamest, unfunniest "comedy" I've ever seen.
Was it any better or worse before the video? (I'm guessing worse)
Just terrible.
It pains me to know there are socialist professors in private schools. I also went to a private college and there were the libs, but they weren't as vocal (or obnoxious) as they are nowadays.
Darn, I can't type tonight. That was supposed to be they tend to be liberal when they're young.
Colbert stunk but W was hysterical - did you catch him and the W impersonator?
LOL, I knew what you meant.
Well, they're not bad professors. I just wish they'd leave their politics out of it. It's aggravating.
You MUST watch the replay - it is so funny. The W impersonator with the real W side by side. It was one of the funniest things I've seen in ages. Everything before and after is boring.
Will CSPAN show it again?
I think they're gonna show it tomorrow.
Sunday:
05:30 AM EDT
1:00 (est.) Statement
White House Correspondents Dinner
White House Correspondents Association
George W. Bush , United States
http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/cspan.csp?command=dschedule
I still can't get over how bad that was ... After the video, the president and Mrs. Bush seemed put out. I don't blame them.
Thank you :)
I wouldn't blame them either.
Time for me to go to bed. I got to see Dubya in his tux twice so I can go to bed with nice dreams :) See y'all tomorrow!
Night :)
I was a Music major some 30 years ago and wasn't the least bit interested in politics then. I'm so kicking myself now.
My absolute dream job would be to work as a legislative aide for a politician, or at the very least as a researcher. Talk about esoteric career aspirations!
This is my first post on this thread.
I watched the WHC dinner twice.
I didn't have access to my computer earlier.
I've just finished reading the comments about Colbert.
Frankly, I was shocked that there was very little outrage expressed here. The man's entire routine was intended to embarrass President and Mrs. Bush...while they were forced to sit there, just feet away from this Liberal miscreant and in front of that mostly Liberal audience.
He was using the opportunity of this public forum, with President Bush right there, to unload his own personal biased, hateful, extreme rant with only a thin veneer of pretend "humor" thrown in for "cover".
I was furious listening to it. I don't know that there was anything that the President and First Lady could have done (except the very hasty exit.)
If the Bushes do not attend this dinner next year it will be with good reason.
Like I said, I was beyond angry, I was furious that they were forced to sit through that.
Have you ever seen "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central? Have you ever seen him before tonight?
Thanks for your help. I'll put you on my list.
I am so glad you gave your opinion. I too saw the dinner and watched part of the replay. I couldn't stand to watch Colbert again. I have been reading the thread off and on too and am surprised more were not as angry as I feel.
The disrespect shown to President and Mrs. Bush tonight goes beyond anything I have ever seen. I felt sick inside during some of the remarks. President Bush was trying to be a gentleman and I felt like Tony Snow or someone up there should have told Colbert to get off.
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