Posted on 09/29/2006 5:08:37 PM PDT by silent_jonny
Today, President Bush spoke to the Reserve Officers Association at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. Click here for the complete transcript.
First Lady Laura Bush attended a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the National Garden in Washington, D.C.
Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and other members of the cabinet joined President Bush in welcoming Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev to the White House.
And Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld continued his meeting with NATO defense ministers in Portoroz, Slovenia
Enjoy your Friday visit to Sanity Island
Quote of the Day:
President Bush: “Recently, parts of a classified document called the National Intelligence Estimate was leaked to the press. As I said yesterday in Alabama, it's an indication that we're getting close to an election. (Laughter.)“The NIE is a document that analyzes the threat we face from terrorists and extremists -- and its unauthorized disclosure has set off a heated debate here in the United States, particularly in Washington.
“Some have selectively quoted from this document to make the case that by fighting the terrorists, by fighting them in Iraq we are making our people less secure here at home. This argument buys into the enemy's propaganda that the terrorists attack us because we're provoking them. I want to remind the American citizens that we were not in Iraq on September the 11th, 2001. (Applause.)
…
“Iraq is not the reason the terrorists are at war against us. They are at war against us because they hate everything America stands for -- and we stand for freedom.
“I think of two Navy SEALs named Matthew Axelson and Danny Deetz. In June of 2005, they were part of a SEAL team operating deep in the mountains of Afghanistan on a mission to kill or capture a Taliban leader. They were discovered, and they were soon surrounded in a mountain ravine by 30 to 40 Taliban fighters. During the firefight that ensued, Axelson urged an injured teammate to escape, and he provided cover before suffering a mortal wound. Fighting nearby, his partner Deetz was also mortally wounded, but he too stood his ground and kept firing until finally, he finally died.
“Because of the courage of Petty Officers Axelson and Deetz, their wounded teammate made it out alive. For their heroism, these two Petty Officers were awarded the Navy Cross. But I want you to hear what Petty Officer Deetz's wife said about her husband and his comrades in arms. She said, "Danny and his brothers went toward evil and ran forward and gave their last breath."
“We live in freedom because of the courage of men like Matthew and Danny. And we will honor their sacrifice by completing the mission. (Applause.) From Afghanistan and Iraq to Africa and Southeast Asia, we are engaged in a struggle against violent extremists -- a struggle which will help determine the destiny of the civilized world. We've borne these responsibilities before, and we have seen our faith in freedom vindicated by history. In this young century, a new generation of Americans is being called to defend liberty -- and once again the cause of liberty and peace will prevail.”
Photo of the Day:
Great picture of a truly great man.
Whoo hoo! for 1 of the 1st times - I'm in the top 10 :-)
top 10
Jonny, I hate to think where the Sanity Island Gubernatorial Board would be without you. Thanks a ton!
Totally agree! Congratulations on being #1 Bah!
Wonderful first photo
Congratulations on the toaster this evening - what would you like?
Freepmail to you
I always love the photos of him in front of our flag.
Thanks, SC. Wasn't even trying. Just loved the picture.
Fantastic picture!!!!!
I'm glad he's going out and saying this because it NEEDS to be said!
Hello great to see you hope you will be around on Sunday talk show thread
Love the third photo in this post
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