Posted on 07/01/2006 5:25:29 PM PDT by 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.
Q Are they both excited about meeting Elvis when they get to Graceland and having a chance to talk to the King for a while?MR. SNOW (wearing plastic Elvis-style sunglasses): Well, I think they are going to view the alleged grave site. (Laughter.)
Q Is the President wearing anything Elvis-y?
MR. SNOW: No. Neither of them is wearing Elvis-y regalia. That has been only staffers who have been reduced to wearing bad sunglasses.
Q Is it true we're going to have peanut butter and banana sandwiches?
MR. SNOW: We'll have peanut butter and banana sandwiches which, apparently, have 36 grams of fat.
Pinging you to a Saturday evening Dose. Waited for pics of the VP at Daytona.
PHOTO OF THE DAY President Bush rides his mountain bike on the Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course in Beijing, China, in this Nov. 20, 2005 file photo. Yahoo published this and a few other file photos in advance of the President's 60th birthday, which is Thursday, July 6.
Top ten?
President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi gaze at the awards that decorate the Racquetball Room in Graceland.
The two leaders share a laugh in the Jungle Room.
WOO-HOO!
This photo is sure to be an auto-lover's classic: The Presidential Cadillac carrying President Bush and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan passes the "King's" legendary pink Cadillac, which was brought out to the Graceland driveway for the occasion. This is 50 years of luxury, custom, one-of-a-kind Cadillac design on display.
From the Franklin Mint's description of their collector's model:
It's the ultimate symbol of Elvis Presley and the age of Rock and Roll...an incredible die-cast replica of the shiny new 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Elvis chose as a special gift for his beloved Mama...painted custom pink just for her. This sensational vehicle symbolizes the freewheeling spirit of the '50s like no other car of its time.
Franklin Mint Precision Models: 1955 Elvis Presley Pink Cadillac
hi-dee!
The Prime Minister does his Elvis impression. He sang a few bars of several Presley songs, and even did a bit of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." What a thoroughly delightful man. :)
You're FIRST!
CONGRATULATIONS!
WOO-HOO!
Here the PM examines Elvis' wallet, which is maintained in the exact condition it was on the day he died.
Thanks for the ping
He looks pretty good to me.
Tuesday the 4th at Ft. Bragg.
WONDERFUL!
Lisa-Marie seemed quite touched by the love the PM has for her dad.
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