Posted on 07/03/2007 3:24:25 PM PDT by Kaslin
Today President Bush visited with Wounded Military Personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Following is the transcript
Washington, D.C.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. General, thank you very much for your hospitality. It's a true honor to come to Walter Reed to be able to see the docs and nurses, the physical therapists who are working with our wounded soldiers. The care here is remarkable. There has been some bureaucratic red-tape issues in the past that the military is working hard to cure. But when it comes time to healing broken bodies, this is a fabulous place.
I am constantly amazed at the character and courage of those who wear our uniform. And that's no more vividly displayed than here in this place of healing. I want to thank our soldiers, sailors and Marines, airmen, Coast Guardsmen and women for their service to the country, and I thank their families. As we head into the 4th of July, we're a fortunate nation to have people who are willing to volunteer in the face of danger to help secure this country in the long run.
I'll be glad to answer two questions from you.
Q Mr. President, are you willing to rule out that you will eventually pardon Scooter Libby?
THE PRESIDENT: First of all, I had to make a very difficult decision. I weighed this decision carefully. I thought that the jury verdict should stand. I felt the punishment was severe, so I made a decision that would commute his sentence, but leave in place a serious fine and probation. As to the future, I rule nothing in or nothing out.
Q Mr. President, federal sentencing guidelines call for jail time in these kinds of cases of perjury and obstruction of justice. Why do you feel otherwise, and are you worried that this decision sends a signal that you won't go to jail if you lie to the FBI?
THE PRESIDENT: I took this decision very seriously on Mr. Libby. I considered his background, his service to the country, as well as the jury verdict. I felt like the jury verdict ought to stand, and I felt like some of the punishments that the judge determined were adequate should stand. But I felt like the 30-month sentencing was severe; made a judgment, a considered judgment that I believe is the right decision to make in this case, and I stand by it.
Thank you all.
END 12:11 P.M. EDT
Also President Bush signed S. 1352 into law.
S. 1352, which designates a facility of the United States Postal Service as the Dr. Francis Townsend Post Office Building.
He also signed S. 1704 into law, what is the "First Higher Education Extension Act of 2007," which extends programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 through July 31, 2007.
Oops, I meant Bette Midler not Joe Crocker...Crocker did The World is Up Where We Belong which I also like...
Good for Ben Stein ;o)
You’re welcome. It is very beautiful and never fails to make me cry. I don’t think I’ve heard Joe Cockers...I must look for it.
There was no doubt in my mind that President Bush would not see Libby going to jail. I am very pleased that he made the commutation just before Independence Day. He also leaves Libby free to pursue a legal challenge in the Court of Appeals, and perhaps have his conviction overturned, which is superior to a pardon.
OH OUTSTANDING!!!! THANK YOU - IT’S JUST SOOOO GOOD.
“GOD DONE SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE”
You’re very welcome. Just enjoy!
Happy 4th!
Thank you Kas, great pictures and a great port in the storm.
Pray for W and Our Troops
The WH press corpse thinks this is Watergate II. They are about to find out nobody cares.
Pray for W and Our Troops
You are quite welcome
From A Distance
From a distance the world looks blue and green,
and the snow-capped mountains white.
From a distance the ocean meets the stream,
and the eagle takes to flight.
From a distance, there is harmony,
and it echoes through the land.
It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace,
it's the voice of every man.
From a distance we all have enough,
and no one is in need.
And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease,
no hungry mouths to feed.
From a distance we are instruments
marching in a common band. Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace.
They're the songs of every man.
God is watching us. God is watching us.
God is watching us from a distance.
From a distance you look like my friend,
even though we are at war.
From a distance I just cannot comprehend
what all this fighting is for.
From a distance there is harmony,
And it's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves,
it's the heart of every man.
It's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves.
This is the song of every man.
And God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance.
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching.
God is watching us from a distance.
It was and is my most favorite song by Bette Midler
Let Freedom ring indeed. God bless our troops, and God bless President Bush
Ben Stein “gets” it! (understands)
Awesome! T Y!
I think the thread must have gone up late. Anyway, I went off to bed soon after.
For my toaster, I’d love to have one of the Bush twins fishing. We are not leaving for vacation until one of my daughters has had her baby. False labor again last night, although my wife was sure it was the real thing! So I’m feeling nostalgic for the Maine coast.
Thanks, Albion Wilde.
Weather is not good for the neighborhood fireworks...maybe they will be saved for the weekend.
I hope your day of celebration is fine, so far.
I wish Tony would have said “asked and answered”, next...’
..Ari Fleischer used to say that to the disgraceful, hateful reporters.
I called the White House to thank you the President for commuting Libby’s sentence....wished he had granted a full pardon....but, grateful for the commuted sentence.
You know when the left is having a hissy fit; which they are having, the president did something right
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.
