Posted on 12/17/2007 6:42:14 PM PST by snugs
Today the President spoke about the economy at a Rotary Club meeting in Virgina.
The First Lady met with UN Special Adviser on Burma Ibrahim Gambari.
Secretary of State Condeleza Rice is in Paris for an international donors conference.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Discusses Economy in Fredericksburg, Virginia Holiday Inn
North Fredericksburg, Virginia
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all. Please be seated. Ralph, thanks for the invitation. Thanks for the gift, it was planted by the first George W. (Laughter.) I'm glad to be here at the Rotary Club. I have spent some quality time at rotary clubs -- whether it was asking for votes or selling baseball tickets. (Laughter.) I could never get admitted to any of the clubs in Texas because my voice wasn't good enough. (Laughter.) But I'm proud to be with you; thanks for letting me come by and share some thoughts with you about our economy, what's happening in Washington and, if time permits, I'll be glad to answer some questions if you have any.
I also want to thank the Chamber for having me, as well. I appreciate what you're doing. People say, they're probably wondering why would -- old George W. has got something important to say, why would he bother to come to a place out in the country? And the answer is because this is where jobs are created; this is where dreams are lived; this is where values are upheld. And so I'm proud to be with you. It kind of reminds me of being in Texas, to come to a place where there's just down-to-earth people that are trying to do what's best for their families and their communities. And so I'm honored to be with you. I appreciate you letting me come by.
Ralph, thanks for the invitation. I also want to thank Bob Hagin. I'm proud to be here with Congressman Eric Cantor, from Richmond, Virginia, as well as newly elected Congressman Rob Wittman -- appreciate you being here; good luck, I'm looking forward to working with you. I want to thank the Speaker of the House -- of delegates, you call them delegates, right? Yes. Bill Howell, a good man. Good to see you, Mr. Speaker. Appreciate you being here. Senator-elect Richard Stuart, is that right? Yes, appreciate you, Richard. Thanks for coming, as well. James Lacy, past President of Rotary International has bothered to come over. Mr. Lacy, thank you for serving.
You know, I tell the people of our country, every time I can, that the great strength of America is not our military -- although I intend to keep it strong -- or the size of our wallets; but the great strength of America are the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens who take time out of their everyday lives to love a neighbor like they would like to be loved themselves. That's what rotaries mean to me.
People are saying, well, how can we best foster the well being of the community in which we live; what can we do as loving human beings to work with our youth, like you do at this -- here at this rotary club. And so I want to thank you for what you're doing. I thank you for adding to the great compassion of our country. Societies change one heart and one soul at a time. And I hope you have found what others have found, that if you're part of that helping somebody's live improve, it improves your own.
Laura sends her very best. She's doing just fine. She's a fabulous wife, great mother, and a wonderful First Lady. And she is -- she and I are having the great joy of welcoming people to the White House during the holiday season. It's a pretty spectacular place when you see the trees and all the great garlands. They do a fine job of decorating the White House. I just put on the lights on the trees. (Laughter.) But we're having a joyous time.
I want to talk a little bit about our economy and some of the challenges we face, and then answer some questions. First of all, I put forth what some would consider a controversial proposal -- that's in Washington, D.C., at least those in Washington consider it controversial, and that is cutting taxes on people helps the economy. There's quite an appetite for your money in Washington. People can figure out all kinds of ways to spend the taxpayers' money. My attitude was, particularly in the face of recession and after a terrorist attack, that the best way to help this economy recover was to let people keep more of their own money.
PHOTOS OF THE DAY
President George W. Bush delivers remarks on the economy during a visit Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, to Fredericksburg, Va., where he spoke to an audience of business and community leaders from the Rotary Club of Stafford, the Fredericksburg Rotary Club, the Rappahannock Rotary Club, and the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Marines from Quantico Marine Base Delta Company 1st Platoon look on as President George W. Bush boards Marine One before departing the White House for his trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. White House photo by Eric Draper
hi
First of all apologies for late posting - broadband went down so had to resort to dial up. Had trouble finding modem cable then the telephone extension lead would not work so had to find another one.
Finally though the dose is going up please wait for the all clear before posting any photos or graphics
Some days are like that! LOL!
Thanks for the ping snugs
President Bush gives a thumbs up as he leaves the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007,
The sun beams through the dark clouds as President Bush's helicopter lands on the South Lawn the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, to pick up the president for his trip to Fredericksburg, Va. to speak on the economy.
President George W. Bush departs in Marine One
Good evening!
Good evening, Ms quick-on-the-draw! LOL! #1 WOOOHOOO!!
Love that jaunty polka-dotted tie! :D
I had my finger on the button sts
A Secret Service agent stands guard as U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about the economy during a trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia December 17, 2007
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) for talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris December 17, 2007
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace after talks with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris December 17, 2007
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) speaks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the start of the international donors conference to raise funds for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority at Kleber international centre in Paris, December 17, 2007
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) talks to former British Prime minister Tony Blair at the start of an international donors' conference in Paris
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meet at a donor conference for the Palestinians, in Paris December 17, 2007 
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meet at a donor conference for the Palestinians in Paris Monday, Dec. 17, 2007.
From L, 1st row, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero Waldner attend the international donors conference in Paris to raise funds for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority at Kleber international centre. International donors pledged 7.4 billion dollars to the Palestinians Monday at a conference described by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as the "last hope" to save their government from bankruptcy
First lady Laura Bush, left, meets with UN Special Adviser on Burma Ibrahim Gambari in her East Wing office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007
Many blessings to you and your Dad!!!
ALL CLEAR PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST ANY PHOTOS OR GRAPHICS IN THE SPIRIT OF THIS THREAD,
Thanks for all your hard effort. The pic of the Marines and in particular the one Marine saluting the President made my day.
Great photos, thanks for posting them
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