A Day in the Life of President Bush 02-14-08 (news and photos)

www.yahoo.com/news www.whitehouse.gov/news ^ | 14th November 2008 | Snugs

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QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Discusses Protect America Act
South Lawn

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. This Saturday at midnight, legislation authorizing intelligence professionals to quickly and effectively monitor terrorist communications will expire. If Congress does not act by that time, our ability to find out who the terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and what they are planning will be compromised. It would be a mistake if the Congress were to allow this to happen.

Members of Congress knew all along that this deadline was approaching. They said it themselves. They've had more than six months to discuss and deliberate. And now they must act, and pass legislation that will ensure our intelligence professionals have the tools they need to keep us safe.

Earlier this week the Senate did act, and passed a strong bill, and did so with a bipartisan majority. The Senate bill will ensure that we can effectively monitor those seeking to harm our people. The Senate bill will provide fair and just liability protection for companies that assisted in the efforts to protect America after the attacks of September the 11th. Without this protection, without this liability shield, we may not be able to secure the private sector's cooperation with our intelligence efforts. And that, of course, would put the American people at risk.

Now it's the House's turn to act. It is clear that the Senate bill would pass the House with bipartisan support. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate can put partisanship aside, and pass a good bill. There's no reason why the House cannot do the same, and pass the Senate bill immediately.

Our government has no greater responsibility than getting this work done, and there really is no excuse for letting this critical legislation expire. I urge congressional leaders to let the will of the House and the American people prevail, and vote on the Senate bill before adjourning for their recess. Failure to act would harm our ability to monitor new terrorist activities, and could reopen dangerous gaps in our intelligence. Failure to act would also make the private sector less willing to help us protect the country, and this is unacceptable. The House should not leave Washington without passing the Senate bill.

I am scheduled to leave tomorrow for a long-planned trip to five African nations. Moments ago, my staff informed the House leadership that I'm prepared to delay my departure, and stay in Washington with them, if it will help them complete their work on this critical bill.

The lives of countless Americans depend on our ability to monitor terrorist communications. Our intelligence professionals are working day and night to keep us safe, and they're waiting to see whether Congress will give them the tools they need to succeed or tie their hands by failing to act. The American people are watching this debate, as well. They expect Congress to meet its responsibilities before they leave town on a recess.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

President George W. Bush gestures as he as he delivers his remarks Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008 at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, on his upcoming trip to Africa. Speaking in praise of the continent President Bush said, "Africa in the 21st century is a continent of potential. It's a place where democracy is advancing, where economies are growing, and leaders are meeting challenges with purpose and determination." White House photo by Chris Greenberg

Click here for transcript

[shiva]

HOLA!

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Dose going up please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics

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President Bush speaks at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Thursday Feb. 14, 2008, in Washington.

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President Bush gestures as he speaks at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Thursday Feb. 14, 2008, in Washington.

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With a member of the US Secret Service (R) standing guard near a display case, US President George W. Bush (L) speaks on US policy in Africa at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC. He said he plans to send US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Kenya to support efforts to end violence and help political reconciliation.

Mrs. Laura Bush addresses guests as she prepares to introduce President George W. Bush Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008 at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., prior to an address about their upcoming trip to Africa. Mrs. Bush outlined the many United States initiatives in cooperation with Africa nations that help improve education, reduce poverty and fight pandemic diseases. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President Bush looks on as first lady Laura Bush speaks at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Thursday Feb. 14, 2008, in Washington.

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President Bush walks from the Oval Office to the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, to make a statement regarding the "Protect America Act".

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President Bush speaks on the "Protect America Act", Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.

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President Bush walks back to the Oval Office from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, after speaking on the "Protect America Act". Bush said he will delay his five-nation trip to Africa if necessary to help members of the House pass a bill governing U.S. eavesdropping on phone calls and e-mails of suspected terrorists

President George W. Bush talks with reporters Thursday, Feb. 14. 2008 on the South Lawn of the White House, urging members of Congress to pass the Protect America Act before legislation authorizing the monitoring of terrorist communications expires Saturday at midnight. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President George W. Bush talks with reporters Thursday, Feb. 14. 2008 on the South Lawn of the White House, urging members of Congress to pass the Protect America Act before legislation authorizing the monitoring of terrorist communications expires Saturday at midnight. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President Bush pauses as he speaks on the "Protect America Act", Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.

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Miniature pictures of President George W. Bush's family sit on a table, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in a replica of the Oval Office that is part of a 45-foot-long by 20-foot-wide scale White House replica on display starting Saturday at the Clinton Presidential Center, in Little Rock, Ark., and will be on display through July 13

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) (C) leads Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives in a walkout and news conference in protest over the way their Democratic counterparts are handling surveillance legislation and a move to hold Bush administration officials in contempt, at the Capitol in Washington February 14, 2008.

Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives hold a walkout and news conference in protest over the way their Democratic counterparts are handling surveillance legislation and a move to hold Bush administration officials in contempt, at the Capitol in Washington February 14, 2008.

House Republicans stage a walkout on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, as Democrats considered a resolution that would hold some of President Bush's former aides in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions before the House Judiciary Committee.

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Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, right, speaks during the memorial service for Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Seated, from left are, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.

Annette Lantos, widow of Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., speaks during the memorial service for her husband, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Seated, from left are, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md.

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U2 lead singer Bono (C) leads a chorus of "All You Need is Love" during a memorial service for US Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) at the US Capitol in Washington, February 14, 2008. Lantos, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and the only survivor of the Holocaust elected to the U.S. Congress died on Monday after recently being diagnosed with cancer. Also pictured behind him are (L-R) U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) and U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT).

Charity Tillemann-Dick sings during a memorial service for her grandfather, late US Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), at the US Capitol in Washington, February 14, 2008. Lantos, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and the only survivor of the Holocaust elected to the U.S. Congress died on Monday after recently being diagnosed with cancer. Also pictured are Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel (L), U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (2nd L) and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R).

U2 lead singer Bono (3rd R) addresses a memorial service for late US Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) at the US Capitol in Washington, February 14, 2008.Lantos, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and the only survivor of the Holocaust elected to the U.S. Congress died on Monday after recently being diagnosed with cancer. Also pictured behind him are (L-R) Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

[Kaslin]

Good evening and thanks for the ping

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Bono speaks during a memorial service for Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Seated behind him, from left are, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wipes away a tear during a memorial service for Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Cailf., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington.

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Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel (L) and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attend a memorial service for US Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) at the US Capitol in Washington, February 14, 2008. Lantos, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and the only survivor of the Holocaust elected to the U.S. Congress died on Monday after recently being diagnosed with cancer.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks at a memorial service US Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) at the US Capitol in Washington, February 14, 2008. Lantos, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and the only survivor of the Holocaust elected to the U.S. Congress died on Monday after recently being diagnosed with cancer.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, center, hugs Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., as Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., looks on after a memorial service for Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington.

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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, meets with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at the State Department in Washington

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, meets with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at the State Department in Washington

[Kaslin]

You did it again. Congratulations

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From left, First Lady Laura Bush, U.S. Chief of Protocol Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker, and Whilhelmina Cole Holladay, founder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, watch a fashion show presented by Escada, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at the museum in Washington. Brinker hosted the event for the diplomatic corps to raise awareness about heart disease as Mrs. Bush signed a Proclamation declaring February American Heart Month.

First Lady Laura Bush, left, U.S. Chief of Protocol Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker, center, and Whilhelmina Cole Holladay, founder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, attend a fashion show presented by Escada, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at the museum in Washington. Brinker hosted the event for the diplomatic corps to raise awareness about heart disease as Mrs. Bush signed a Proclamation declaring February American Heart Month.

First Lady Laura Bush speaks at a fashion show presented by Escada, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington. U.S. Chief of Protocol Ambassador Nancy Goodman Brinker hosted the event for the diplomatic corps to raise awareness about heart disease as Mrs. Bush signed a Proclamation declaring February American Heart Month.

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These photos are from yesterday of Secretary Gates showing his arm in a sling after a fall the previous day.

In this photo provided by the Defense Department, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, left, attends a strategic planning meeting in his office at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 in Washington. Gates fractured his right arm in a fall on an icy step at his home Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. Others shown are unidentified

In this photo provided by the Defense Department, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, left at table, attends a strategic planning meeting in his office at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 in Washington. Gates fractured his right arm in a fall on an icy step at his home Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. Others shown are unidentified.