Posted on 06/25/2006 4:55:11 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush attended St. John's Episcopal Church this morning, then spent a quite day at the White House. Tonight they will attend a Gala at Ford's Theater in Washington.
On Friday, President Bush issued an Executive Order to protect the property rights of Americans in transactions involving the federal government. On the breaking news thread about this FRiday, a number of people posted knee-jerk negative comments, which has become all too typical on FR over the last few years. A common complaint is that eminent domain issues are usually local, so therefore this EO is only "for show." What people who express that viewpoint fail to consider is that the federal government is the single largest property owner in the country. Between government buildings (court houses, congressional district offices, coast guard and military reservations, national parks, national monuments, and other holdings, the federal government's property holdings are vast. And, like any other government entity, the federal government exercise eminent domain if it has designs on a piece of property.
So this EO not only takes the federal government out of the business of exercising eminent domain for commercial purposes, but it sets an example for all government entities at the state and local level as well. Here's the transcript of this important Executive Order.
Executive Order: Protecting the Property Rights of the American PeopleBy the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to strengthen the rights of the American people against the taking of their private property, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to protect the rights of Americans to their private property, including by limiting the taking of private property by the Federal Government to situations in which the taking is for public use, with just compensation, and for the purpose of benefiting the general public and not merely for the purpose of advancing the economic interest of private parties to be given ownership or use of the property taken.
Sec. 2. Implementation. (a) The Attorney General shall:
(i) issue instructions to the heads of departments and agencies to implement the policy set forth in section 1 of this order; and
(ii) monitor takings by departments and agencies for compliance with the policy set forth in section 1 of this order.
(b) Heads of departments and agencies shall, to the extent permitted by law:
(i) comply with instructions issued under subsection (a)(i); and
(ii) provide to the Attorney General such information as the Attorney General determines necessary to carry out subsection (a)(ii).
Sec. 3. Specific Exclusions. Nothing in this order shall be construed to prohibit a taking of private property by the Federal Government, that otherwise complies with applicable law, for the purpose of:
(a) public ownership or exclusive use of the property by the public, such as for a public medical facility, roadway, park, forest, governmental office building, or military reservation;
(b) projects designated for public, common carrier, public transportation, or public utility use, including those for which a fee is assessed, that serve the general public and are subject to regulation by a governmental entity;
c) conveying the property to a nongovernmental entity, such as a telecommunications or transportation common carrier, that makes the property available for use by the general public as of right;
(d) preventing or mitigating a harmful use of land that constitutes a threat to public health, safety, or the environment;
(e) acquiring abandoned property;
(f) quieting title to real property;
(g) acquiring ownership or use by a public utility;
(h) facilitating the disposal or exchange of Federal property; or
(i) meeting military, law enforcement, public safety, public transportation, or public health emergencies.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) authority granted by law to a department or agency or the head thereof; or
(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(c) This order shall be implemented in a manner consistent with Executive Order 12630 of March 15, 1988.
(d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity against the United States, its departments, agencies, entities, officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 23, 2006
THE WEEK AHEAD: From the press briefing by Press Secretary Tony Snow last Friday.
_ Monday, the President meets with organizations that support the U.S. military -- Americasupportsyou.com, and Americasupportsyou.mil. The President also will have a photo opportunity with the 2006 Presidential Scholars. He will attend a Republican National Committee finance luncheon that is closed press. And he will make remarks at the celebration of Black Music Month, on the South Lawn at the White House._ Tuesday, the President will make remarks on the line-item veto at the JW Marriott Hotel, and meets with National Endowment for Democracy award recipients. He is also going to meet with Staff Sergeant Christian Bagge, who will jog with the President.
_ Wednesday, the President will be traveling to St. Louis where he will attend a Jim Talent for Senate reception at the Ritz-Carlton.
_ Thursday, the President and Mrs. Bush are going to participate in the South Lawn arrival ceremony for the Prime Minister of Japan. The President will also have a meeting with the Prime Minister in the Oval Office, and they will have a joint press availability. That evening, the President and Mrs. Bush will host an official dinner in the State Dining Room. There will also be entertainment afterward.
_ Friday, GWB and the First Lady are going to participate in a tour of Graceland with the Prime Minister of Japan. They'll have lunch with the Prime Minister. Later that evening, GWB will attend a Mike DeWine for U.S. Senate reception.
An American Celebration at Ford's Theatre: The July 4th Special Tuesday, July 4 at 10e/9cTom Selleck hosts a dazzling array of stars who entertain the country's leaders and celebrate the nation's birthday in "An American Celebration at Ford's Theatre: The July 4th Special," airing TUESDAY, JULY 4 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The program will be taped in Washington, DC on June 25, before a live audience that will include many Washington dignitaries. President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush have been invited to attend.
This year the annual gala benefiting the historic theatre features a lineup that includes (in alphabetical order): Host Tom Selleck, trumpeter Chris Botti, comedian and presidential impersonator Steve Bridges, Heather Headley ("Aida"), Country group Lonestar, comedian Kevin Nealon, Renee Olstead -- a 16-year-old singing sensation and actress -- and Country solo artist Josh Turner.
Mrs. Laura Bush serves as the honorary chair of the gala celebration, Catherine B. Reynolds serves as gala chair, and general chairs are Karyn Frist, Landra Reid, Abigail Blunt and Debbie Dingell. Senator Bill Frist, Senator Harry Reid, Congressman Roy Blunt and Congressman John Dingell join a distinguished audience of political and corporate leaders to share this special evening of entertainment in America's most historic theatre.
This year marks the 26th televised gala at Ford's Theatre since its reopening in 1968. For 103 years following President Lincoln's assassination, this national treasure remained dark as a symbol of national mourning. On January 30, 1968, a restored Ford's Theatre opened, dedicated as a memorial to Lincoln's love of the performing arts. In 1975 President Ford became the first president to attend a gala at the Theatre since its closure in 1865.
Pinging you to the Sunday evening Dose.
hi
But was pouring hard when they left.
#4?
This is my personal favorite from the Iraq trip, and one of my all-time favorite photos of our Dubya. The Commander-in-Chief rides in the cockpit of Air Force One on the final approach before landing in Baghdad Tuesday, June 13, 2006.
President George W. Bush boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base Monday night, June 12, 2006, en route to Iraq.
And they responded warmly to him.
Hi all
While viewing the President via satellite in Baghdad.
The two leaders stroll the grounds of the U.S. Embassy, which formerly was one of Saddam Hussein's palaces. What a moment it must have been for GWB to step foot in that palace. Oh, I sure do hope he writes a memoir some day.
From Baghdad, President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq, wave to Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Camp David.
Tony said he loves this shot and asked the AP for an enlargement of it to frame. (At the Friday press briefing, Tony also said he can't wait for the Graceland visit.)
The media putting on their protective gear while still aboard Air Force One.
The Graceland visit on Friday should be a Dose classic. :)
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