A day in the life of President Bush & VP Cheney (7/1/06): photos & news

WhiteHouse.gov & Yahoo News ^ | 7/1/06

[Wolfstar]

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President Bush will spend the Fourth of July holiday with troops and their families at Fort Bragg in the state of North Carolina, where he says he will thank them for their service in what he calls freedom's cause.

The President's 60th birthday is coming up this Thursday. So the Associated Press published some GWB quips about his age:

"Security is strong at the airports. I hope they stop taking off the shoes of the elderly. I must confess, they haven't taken off my shoes lately at the airport." — Jan. 23, at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.

"I'm not running too well these days. I'm not running hardly at all. It's kind of like my knees are like tires, you know, and they're bald. I'm a mountain bike guy. And it's a fantastic experience." — also at Kansas State.

"I'm a bike guy and I like to plug in music on my iPod when I'm riding along to hopefully help me forget how old I am." — Feb. 2, in Maplewood, Minn.

"As a matter of fact, I turn 62 in 2008, which is a convenient year for me to be retiring. Old Judd is a baby boomer. I think he's seven months younger than I am." — Feb. 8, accompanied by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., in Manchester, N.H.

"We've been promised greater benefits than the previous generation, and we're living longer. I don't know about you all, I plan on just kind of stretching it out a little bit." — March 24, at a fundraiser for Rep. Mike Sodrel, R-Ind., in Indianapolis.

"I used to think 60 was old, didn't you? ... Now I think it's young, don't you?" — May 10, during a panel discussion on the Medicare prescription drug benefit in Orlando, Fla.

"Mr. Governor, thank you and Sally for coming. You're kind to take time out of your schedule to say hello to the old president. Getting older by the minute, by the way. I'm not supposed to talk about myself, but in a month, I'm turning 60. For you youngsters, I want to tell you something. When I was your age, I thought 60 was really old. It's all in your mind. It's not that old, it really isn't." — June 7, in Omaha, Neb.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Excerpts from the Presidential Radio Address, Saturday, July 1, 2006:

Good morning. Laura and I wish all Americans a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend. I'm looking forward to spending Independence Day with members of our Armed Forces and their families at Fort Bragg, N.C. These brave men and women risk their lives to defend the ideals of our founding generation, and I will have the honor of thanking many of them personally for their service in freedom's cause. In 1776, John Adams predicted to his wife, Abigail, that America's Independence Day would be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. He wrote that "this anniversary should be commemorated with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forever more."

On Independence Day, we recall the courage and high ideals of our nation's founders, who waged a desperate fight to overcome tyranny and live in freedom. Recent years have brought a renewed interest in the lives and achievements of our founders, and we have learned once again that they possessed extraordinary talents, as well as ordinary human failings, which only makes their accomplishments all the more remarkable.

For the brave men and women of our founding generation, victory was far from certain. They were certain only of the cause they served -- the belief that freedom is the gift of God and the right of all mankind. The strength of their convictions made possible the birth of the free nation in which we are blessed to live. Two-hundred-and-thirty years after America declared its independence, the spirit of '76 lives on. And our nation remains proud to carry freedom's torch. We still place our trust in the protections of divine providence. We still pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to freedom's defense. And we still believe in the promise of freedom for all.

My favorite GWB quote, from his first Inaugural Address, January 20, 2001, is most appropriate on this July 4th weekend:

After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: ``We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?''

Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity.

We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another.

Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.

This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.

THE WEEK AHEAD: From yesterday's press gaggle aboard Air Force One enroute to Memphis:

_ Monday, the President signs H.R. 5403, the Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act, at the White House.

_ Tuesday, the President participates in the Independence Day celebration in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, followed by a lunch with military personnel. He then returns to the White House for the Washington July 4th celebrations.

_ Wednesday, President Bush welcomes Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili to the White House.

_ Thursday, is the President's birthday. He will participate in a photo opportunity with the 2006 March of Dimes National Ambassador. President Bush welcomes Prime Minister Harper of Canada in the White House. They will have a joint press availability after their meetings. That evening, GWB heads to Chicago, where he will spend the night.

_ Friday, GWB will deliver remarks at Citizens For Judy Baar Topinka reception in Chicago.

EXTENDED SCHEDULE:

— July 10, President Bush hosts Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa at the White House.

_ July 13, At the invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Bush will travel to Germany in advance of the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. Chancellor Merkel will host the President in the towns of Stralsund and Trinwillershagen near the Baltic Sea coast in northeastern Germany. The towns are in the chancellor's electoral constituency.

_ Jul. 15 - 17, 2006: President Bush will attend the G-8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

[maine-iac7]

"Don't worry, New York Times...I know where your editor lives, too."

We need to do to them what they have to the Cheneys - publish their addresses, phone #'s, what entrances they usually use, where their security cameras are, where they shop and the routes they take.

AFter all, they have made themselves public figures, they are news, don't the "people have a right to know"?

Not as dangerous for them as the Cheneys, but I think they'd be a bit uncomfortable.

[altura]

The family next door has a Sheltie, their second. She's a sweet and obedient dog. They're not rare around here (Texas) at all. Some of them can be a little hyper.

[maine-iac7]

Is it true that the thing is so big that clouds have been known to form near the ceiling?

LOL

Yes, back in the early days - clouds formed and it rained!

They have fixed that little annoyance...

[maine-iac7]

Yep, it is obvious. His suit has gotten darker

Spayed coffee on my keyboard! Thanks a lot!

[iluvgeorgie]

We all age - especially a President who is NOT oblivious to everything around him as our last President was.

Agreed. Somehow sleeping around with trashy interns doesn't seem like the kind of "stress" that would cause too many white hairs. The biggest catastophe Willy faced was trying to hide it. That's nothing compared to what President Bush has dealt with the last five years.

I think Bush and Clinton are the same age, and look at this. Bush almost looks like a little boy next to him.

Perhaps this comparison would be more fair:

Even then it's a toss-up, and I think I picked a pretty darn flattering Clinton pic.

[altura]

A woman (can't remember which one) on the cooking channel did an entire Elvis meal a couple of months ago and I cooked the entire thing the next day. (I still haven't gotten that 5 pounds off).

It was Elvis meatloaf and sauce, Elvis new potatoes coated and baked and this cake you could not believe. I couldn't eat it, it was too sweet, but the DP loved it.

I had an Elvis cookbook but gave it to my daughter. The peanut butter and banana sandwiches are totally different from what I expected. I just always put peanut butter and sliced banana, but his bananas were mashed and the whole thing was just a fried up mess.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Clinton Caption: "It's not like I don't know anything about nailing, after all..."

[altura]

Rove is a very cool guy. A loveable little fuzz ball.

Speaking of which, did anyone hear Rush talking about Rove in connection with the 24 panel he moderated. It seems that Rove gave them all an off the cuff talk about Teddy Roosevelt and Rush was totally impressed with his knowledge and ability to expound with no notes, no hesitation or repitition. I'd love to hear him give a speech sometime.

I realized I've never heard the guy speak, just seen his cute little pictures.

[STARWISE]

I know .. it's so difficult to be restrained from righteous and bitter fury at their purposeful venom .. but nothing is achieved if it consumes us and turns us into them. We have our ways of getting out the truth, and you're right: prayer, lots of them.

[maine-iac7]

Sulzberger .. and the NYT. He's giving our avowed terrorists the location of Cheney's and Rumsfeld's weekend homes. "

WE need to return the favor.

What these Slimes have done is put out an invitation for a hit, pure and simple,

We need to publish the NYSlimes editor,publisher, and Sulzberger's addresses, color of houses, landmarks, where their security cameras are, where they shop and the routes the take ...the same information they printed on Cheney and Rummy.

They have made themselves "public figures" - the "people have a right know" if one follows their excuses.

They wouldn't be in the danger they have deliberately and with malice aforethought put Cheney and Rummy, but it would make them uncomfortable...a small idea of how it feels.

Can't it be done?

I'd like to see Sulzberger's photo, with "NY Slime" across the forehead, plastered all over the Internet

[STARWISE]

God forgive me, he has that porcine-Waxman look.

[onyx]

Oh, how I would have loved to!
Thanks for telling me.

[STARWISE]

See my post #101

[maine-iac7]

They showed the only road into the Cheney & Rumsfeld houses (here's where to plant your IED!); Rumsfeld's security camera (just duck behind this), and enough info for anyone to figure out where to launch a hand held missile from the water.

It's nothing but an invitation for a hit, pure and simple. There MUST be some breach of security here?

At the least we should reciprocate:

We need to publish the NYSlimes editor,publisher, and Sulzberger's addresses, color of houses, landmarks, where their security cameras are, where they shop and the routes the take ...the same information they printed on Cheney and Rummy.

They have made themselves "public figures" - the "people have a right know" if one follows their excuses.

They wouldn't be in the danger they have deliberately and with malice aforethought put Cheney and Rummy, but it would make them uncomfortable...a small idea of how it feels.

Can't it be done?

I'd like to see Sulzberger's photo, with "NY Slime" across the forehead, plastered all over the Internet

[iluvgeorgie]

Clinton Caption: "It's not like I don't know anything about nailing, after all..."

OOOHHHH! I should have seen that one coming. LOL.

He doesn't know anything about birds and bees that Dubya doesn't. The difference is our president's dignity. He has eyes only for his wife. Just like an honorable man should.

[STARWISE]

I hope some well-known blogger puts it up, or some conservative blog or PAC takes up a collection for a full page ad showing this as the face of sedition in time of war... even better if it was in the NYT.

[STARWISE]

I hope some well-known blogger puts it up, or some conservative blog or PAC takes up a collection for a full page ad showing this as the face of sedition in time of war... even better if it was in the NYT.

[maine-iac7]

I hope some well-known blogger puts it up, or some conservative blog or PAC takes up a collection for a full page ad showing this as the face of sedition in time of war... even better if it was in the NYT.

LOL

they'd probably print it. They need the money...and slimy socialists have no loyalty even to their own

[speekinout]

I wouldn't like to see anyone post anything that smacks of malice. But if the NYSlimes thinks it's ok to post detailed information about where Cheney and Rummy have their summer homes, then it must be ok for us all to know where their editors, owners, and reporters live.

[Fudd Fan]

Reminds me of the Elmer Fudd outfits they wore in 2004!!

HEY!