Posted on 06/29/2006 2:29:45 PM PDT by GretchenM
President Bush and Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a press conference (text and video here) at the White House to discuss the war on terror, defending freedom and democracy, promoting regional security and prosperity in Asia (including North Korea), and enhancing closer cooperation on global economic issues (including Japan now agreeing to open its markets to US beef). This is Koizumi's farewell visit, as he steps down from his position as Prime Minister in September.
President and Mrs. Bush will host an official dinner tonight for the Prime Minister.
Secretary of State Rice continues her G8 Foreign Minister Summit visit in Moscow, before a July 15-17 summit of G8 leaders, to be held in St. Petersburg and hosted for the first time by Russian President Putin.
The US Supreme Court issued its ruling on the use of Guantanamo Bay. Bush told reporters Thursday that he would like to work with Congress to determine whether passing legislation setting up military tribunals is a valid option. Bush said, "The American people need to know this ruling, as I understand it, won't cause killers to be put out on the street. I was told this was not going to be the case … one thing I'm not going to do is jeopardize the safety of the American people."
Twins' News WaPo gossip column: Jenna Bush is reportedly going to take a teaching job in Latin America, potentially leaving around the end of summer. (Barbara recently moved to Manhattan, where she has a job in education programming at Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.)
You and yours have my prayers.
That was beautiful
I absolutely LOVE the skirt on that dress!!! And NO bow!!
A likely story :)
It's been great visiting with you, good friend Gretchen. Take care and God bless.
OMG .. that cracked me up .. I miss her show so bad.
I was an executive secretary at the time, and my boss would buzz me to come in for dictation. So, I would assume the pose as I pranced in, and the rest of the office would just howl.
Pledge Of Allegiance was all I thought of and meant too!
Then they explained where they "went" with it.
I'll let them explain their thought procees.
:)
Way to show restraint!
:)
Oh no mr. bill...
he makes me ill!
Whew!
my pet bunny is safe!
:)
No doggie here...
Really no bunny either at the moment...
There will be again someday though.
At least I'm "hoppin'" so!
:)
Re: your 346
LOL back atcha!
Funny post.
Re: you're # 328 I'ma skeered!...Not.
LOL!
I dig your S O H...
:)
& I mean sense of humor!
:)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: Mr. President, Mrs. Bush, distinguished guests. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for hosting such a wonderful dinner tonight.
Actually, I believe -- I'm sorry, I made a mistake. Mr. President, it was exactly five years ago, June 30, 2001, when I first met with you. After our talks, the President and I played catch in the woods of Camp David. Since then, based our heartfelt friendship, we have nurtured this vital bilateral relationship and have joined together as close allies to talk about a diverse set of challenges.
Actually, I believe it was thanks to that game of catch with the President, I was able to feel confident when I stood on the pitcher's mound and threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium in September 2004. (Laughter and applause.) USA Today reported that it was -- and I quote -- "A near perfect strike." (Laughter.)
The President often mentions in public that Japan and the United States went from being enemies during World War II to become the closest of allies and leading members of the community of free and democratic nations.
In the new year of 1946, only several months after the end of war, then-Emperor Showa composed a Japanese traditional poem, which reads: "Courageous pine, and during the snow that is piling up, color unchanging, little people be like this." I can imagine the emperor gazing at the pine tree in his palace and reading out this poem at a time when our land was a (inaudible) and our people were depressed by Japan's defeat.
"The snow is heavily piling up, and almost all the tree's leaves are either gone or have changed colors. However, this pine stands firm, without losing its needles or changing its color."
I think the emperor wished our people to be like the pine when he wrote this poem for encouraging the people in the most difficult of times.
Since then, the people of Japan are striving to fulfill this poem's spirit by hard work and the discipline. At the same time, Japan will never forget that it was also the generous support provided by the United States after the war that contributed heavily to Japan's remarkable post-war development.
During the war, people in Japan were taught to fear and hate the Americans, as if they were monsters. But the Americans were right in front of us -- in fact, came with warm and generous hearts. The Japanese people are still impressed with, they are grateful for the generosity of the United States and the American people. I believe it was this American spirit that lifted the hearts of Japan's people, made Japan's reconstruction possible and built a foundation for the solid friendship between our two nations.
It is such an impressive thing that our two nations, who once fought against each other now share common values and together, as close friends and allies, are tackling of a wide variety of challenges around the world.
Nine-eleven was an attack not solely against your country; it was a challenge against all of us, the entire human race and all those who respect human dignity and freedom. Terrorism and the proliferation of WMDs threaten the basic fundamentals of our lives. I would like to pay my sincerest respect to President Bush, who has been so steadfast and determined in protecting freedom and democracy.
I sometimes see the image of the United States as Gary Cooper in my favorite movie, "High Noon." (Laughter.)
Marshal Cooper stood up alone with courage and justice against four outlaw men. However, there is one huge difference between that Marshal and the United States: The United States is not alone when facing the evils that exist today. The United States is always with its eyes on friends, and Japan stands by the United States of America. (Applause.)
The President and I both recognize the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance as we, at the same time, cooperate with many other nations around the world, as well as with the United Nations.
Japan is determined to further develop this cooperation with the United States on a wide variety of issues, ranging from the fight against terrorism to democratization, the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq, to alleviation of poverty, to natural disaster itself -- disaster relief.
Tomorrow the President and Mrs. Bush and I are going to visit Memphis, Tennessee, home to Elvis Presley. When I was young, my exposure to America was Presley -- which is a vivid memory of my youth.
The first English song I ever learned by heart was Presley's "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You." (Laughter.) Mr. President, Mrs. Bush, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to propose a toast to the further enhancement of Japan-U.S. relations.
In the words of Elvis, "I want you, I need you, I love you." As those lyrics suggest, I hope that our two nations, sharing fundamental values and interests will continue to be essential to each other, will cooperate for world peace and prosperity, and will further enrich our bilateral relationship.
(A toast was offered.) (Applause.)
I am uploading right now.
Singing or dancing. I'm not sure which is scarier. Although I'm sure the effort would be quite entertaining.
At least we know he's good at the guy stuff.
"Did I not tell you, PMM?"
Noper!
:)
Can you tell I'm answering my pings in reverse?
LOL!
What an absolutely wonderful toast. Gracious, warm, funny and profound. Not easy to hit all of those notes and still come across as real and sincere. The Prime Minister did, and I am very moved.
"Koizumi gave the sports-loving president a bike and an enlarged version of the Japanese postage stamp that features Babe Ruth. The Bushes gave the Elvis-loving prime minister a refurbished 1954 jukebox that includes 25 songs by his favorite singer.
"Prime Minister Koizumi searched the keys and found `I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,'" first lady Laura Bush said. "He and the president sang a duet."
In the evening, the Bushes hosted a formal dinner, the eighth of their White House tenure, in honor of Koizumi, who leaves office in September after five years in office.
The divorced Koizumi did not have a date. He made his entrance between the president and Mrs. Bush, who wore a taupe dress by Bill Blass with cherry blossoms hand-painted on the Chantilly lace bodice.
The guest list included Olympic athletes Apolo Anton Ohno, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rena Inoue and John Baldwin, astronaut Soichi Noguchi and baseball great Hank Aaron.
On Friday, the U.S. and Japanese leaders had their sights set on Graceland, Presley's mansion in Memphis, Tenn. Their tour guides: Elvis' former wife, Priscilla, and his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.
Really sweet speech!
Thanks much for the ping.
Ever notice that when someone explains something like that, you find your own mind in the gutter? The scary thing is I probably would have thought of it if it had been a picture of Dubya instead of Laura.
Four United States Presidents got caught up in a tornado ... and off they whirled to the land of OZ.
They finally made it to the Emerald City and went to find the Great Wizard.
"What brings the 4 of you before the great Wizard of Oz?"
Jimmy Carter stepped forward timidly and said:
"I've ... come ... for some ... courage."
"No Problem! said the Wizard. Who's next?"
Richard Nixon stepped forward,
"Well, I think I need a heart."
"Done! says the Wizard. Who comes next before the Great and Powerful Oz?"
Up stepped Dubya and said,
"I'm told by the American people that I need a brain."
"No problem! said the Wizard. Consider it done."
Then there is a great silence in the hall.
Bill Clinton is just standing there, looking around,
But he doesn't say a word.
Irritated, the Wizard finally asks,
"Well, what do you want?"
"IS DOROTHY HERE?"
Me too .. it was so sincere .. and it's obvious how much affection he feels for Pres. Bush. I suspect this friendship will continue the rest of their lives. And just think of where our 2 countries were 50 yrs. ago .. that's why I never can lose hope over anything but the death of a loved one. There IS an angel in the whirlwind who directs this storm, thank you God.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.