A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos) 12-15-06

http://www.defenselink.mil/;http://www.whitehouse.gov/ ^ | 12-15-06 | onyx

[onyx]

Welcome to Sanity Island. It's been a busy and memorable day.

Today, President Bush led the Pentegon's Farewell to Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld.

Full story here.

President Bush, right, congratulates outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, second from left, during a farewell ceremony in his honor at the Pentagon, Friday, Dec. 15, 2006. Vice President Dick Cheney, left, and Joint Chiefs Chairman, Gen. Peter Pace, second from right. applaud. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

President Bush also Honored Medal of Freedom Recipients in the East Room.

Fellow recipients of the 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom applaud as President George W. Bush bestows the honor on David McCullough during ceremonies Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, at the White House. Said the President, "This chronicler of other times is one of the eminent Americans of our time. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to a fine author and a fine man." White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Photo of the Day: (but all are wonderful)

Quotes of the Day

"The record of Don Rumsfeld's tenure is clear; … there has been more profound change at the Department of Defense over the past six years than at any time since the department's creation in the late 1940s.”

“On his watch, NATO sent its forces to defend a young democracy in Afghanistan more than 3,000 miles from Europe, the first time NATO has deployed outside the North Atlantic area in the history of the alliance."

“Most importantly, he worked to establish a culture in the Pentagon that rewards innovation and intelligent risk-taking and encourages our military and civilian leaders to challenge established ways of thinking."

"These changes were not easy to make, but Rumsfeld’s determination and leadership led to the best equipped, best trained and most experienced military in the world. “This man knows how to lead, and he did, and the country is better off for it.”

[STARWISE]

Dear Lord ... that's priceless .. weepy, too. It speaks volumes. How many men do you see actually touch the hand of another man, and W has no compunction about his expressing his affection ... with women or men. I bet Rummy was saying he hoped he didn't break down. God bless them both.

[onyx]

I like them as a treat too -- with cream cheese.

[snugs]

In a way I prefer breakfat for tea or dinner whatever you want to call the evening meal

[DrDeb]

I should have known that you would have posted the EXACT photo of Rummy and the President that I was going to ask onyx to post -- my personal favorite from today!!

[Are we actually clones and just don't know it?!]

[n-tres-ted]

Donald Rumsfeld is a great American. We all owe him much for his many years of outstanding service to our country.

Your words are very true. My wife and I have prayed for him every evening, right along with the president and the vice president for quite a long time now.

[onyx]

Thanks for your kind words, Dr, Deb, and thank you for tnight's reading assignment.

[snugs]

It is sad about Kayak she is such a faithful prayer warrior I pray that she may progress well and we hear from her soon.

[DrDeb]

"On the lighter note I found this today about the President and Laura, the guy who interviewed them for People mag wrote this about them:

"I couldn't help but notice how well matched the Bushes are. Their mood was serious and restrained, and our interview covered what a tough year it was for them the Democrats sweep of the House and Senate, the escalating criticism of the war in Iraq. Clearly, the events of the year weighed heavily on the President, but when it came time to join his wife for photos, he brightened up. " You've got beautiful blue eyes," he told her with a smile, as photographer Robert Trachtenberg asked them to look at each other."



Thank you for sharing this touching anecdote about our loving and lovely First Couple!!

BTW: Is this issue of People magazine already on the news stands or is it scheduled to 'come out' next week?

[Bahbah]

Thank you, STARWISE. You gave me a case of blurry screen.

I just wish they knew how much what they do is appreciated.

[snugs]

It is a 3 course meal at a local hotel part of the Holiday Inn Chain. As we do not have enough people in our company to have separate party we join in with out local companies in the same room for meal and then a disco afterwards.

I had for the meal

Soup
Roast beef, gravy, roast potatoes, sprouts and carrots
Christmas pudding and custard
Coffee and afterdinner chocolate mint
Half bottle of wine served with the meal

I will post a couple of photos in a few minutes

[onyx]

YUM! I eagerly await the pics!

[snugs]

Wow there are some beautiful ones

[snugs]

Star found one above are there any on the DoD site? Have you checked yet?

[onyx]

I posted from the DoD, but maybe you will find others.

[Pylon]

I'm working on them, hpefully by Monday I will have the time to start posting them. :-)

[snugs]

No no no - not cream cheese what is this about Americans and cream cheese.

Loads of butter and a little jam but not cheese unless it is a cheese muffin and then not cream cheese.

IMHO cream cheese is for cheese cakes and what is our equivalent of Graham crackers though not quite the same digestive biscuits with a little jam on top like blackcurrant or cherry - mock cheese cake.

If I have cream cheese I will eat Philadelphia what is your favourite?

[DrDeb]

I found the link to People Magazine's interview with the President and Laura Bush!

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20004374,00.html

[DrDeb]

Night all . . . I'm off to watch my video tape of today's Farewell Ceremony!

[onyx]

Oh WOW --- thank you!!!!

[snugs]

Me in my party frock

One of our design engineers Mark having fun with the pary hats

Our Financial controller Sam (Samantha) on the left, Donna the receptionist in the middle and a CNC operator Steve on the right.