Day In The Life of President George W. Bush (with photos) - 3-15-08

White House website, Misc. ^ | 3-15-08 | Starwise

[STARWISE]

Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Bush Family Photo - President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former First Lady Barbara Bush, and former President George H. W. Bush sit surrounded by family in the Red Room, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. Friends and family joined former President Bush and Mrs. Bush in celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary during a dinner held at the White House. ((check the boots ;))

QUOTE(s) OF THE DAY

President's Radio Address ~ March 15, 2008

Good morning. On Friday, I traveled to New York City to talk about the state of our economy. This is a topic that has been a source of concern for families across America. In the long run, we can be confident that our economy will continue to grow, but in the short run, it is clear that growth has slowed.

Fortunately, we recognized this slowdown early, and took action to give our economy a shot in the arm. My Administration worked with Congress to pass a bipartisan economic growth package that includes tax relief for families and incentives for business investment. I signed this package into law last month -- and its provisions are just starting to kick in. My economic team, along with many outside experts, expects this stimulus package to have a positive effect on our economy in the second quarter. And they expect it to have even a stronger effect in the third quarter, when the full effects of the $152 billion in tax cuts are felt.

A root cause of the economic slowdown has been the downturn in the housing market. I believe the government can take sensible, focused action to help responsible homeowners weather this rough patch. But we must do so with clear purpose and great care, because government actions often have far-reaching and unintended consequences. If we were to pursue some of the sweeping government solutions that we hear about in Washington, we would make a complicated problem even worse -- and end up hurting far more homeowners than we help.

For example, one proposal would give bankruptcy courts the authority to reduce mortgage debts by judicial decree. This would make it harder to afford a home in the future, because banks would charge higher interest rates to cover this risk.

Some in Washington say the government should take action to artificially prop up home prices. It's important to understand that this would hurt millions of Americans. For example, many young couples trying to buy their first home have been priced out of the market because of inflated prices. The market now is in the process of correcting itself, and delaying that correction would only prolong the problem.

My Administration opposes these proposals. Instead, we are focused on helping a targeted group of homeowners -- those who have made responsible buying decisions and could avoid foreclosure with a little help. We've taken three key steps to help these homeowners.

First, we launched a new program that gives the Federal Housing Administration greater flexibility to offer refinancing for struggling homeowners with otherwise good credit histories. Second, we helped bring together the Hope Now Alliance, which is streamlining the process for refinancing and modifying many mortgages. Third, the Federal Government is taking regulatory steps to make the housing market more transparent and fair in the long run.

And now Congress must build on these efforts. Members need to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, modernize the Federal Housing Administration, and allow state housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages.

Congress also needs to take other steps to help our economy through this period of uncertainty. Members need to make the tax relief we passed permanent, reduce wasteful spending, and open new markets for American goods, services, and investment.

By taking these steps and avoiding bad policy decisions, we will see our economy strengthen as the year progresses. As we take decisive action, we will keep this in mind: When you are steering a car in a rough patch, one of the worst things you can do is overcorrect. That often results in losing control and can end up with the car in a ditch. Steering through a rough patch requires a steady hand on the wheel and your eyes up on the horizon. And that's exactly what we're going to do.TThank you for listening.

If you want to hear Pres. Bush's radio address from today, just click on this picture

on THE LEFT SIDE OF THIS PAGE

and you'll engage the taped message.

President George W. Bush delivers remarks on the economy to the Economic Club of New York Friday, March 14, 2008, in New York City, New York.

March 12, 2008 - President Bush Jokes About Jenna's Wedding

President George W. Bush has had to face tough economic and diplomatic issues during his two terms in office, but his daughter Jenna's upcoming wedding has presented its own challenges, he joked Wednesday.

"I had to face some very difficult spending decisions and I've had to conduct sensitive diplomacy. That's called planning for a wedding," Bush said Wednesday eliciting some laughs from the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Jenna is set to wed Henry Hager at her parents' ranch in Crawford, Texas, on May 10. The couple's engagement was announced in August.

Please Pray for President Bush ~~ Day 2739

[STARWISE]

Cheney Mideast Agenda: Stability and Oil

..... Vice President Dick Cheney's trip to the Mideast, which is to begin on Sunday, is just the latest in a series of official U.S. visits to pressure Israel and the Palestinians to make good on their promises to forge a peace deal — and do it before President Bush leaves office.

Iraq, Iran's rising influence in the region and soaring U.S. gas prices also will be key topics in his private talks with leaders in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Turkey. The vice president, with his deep, personal relationships with officials in the Mideast, adds gravitas to the Bush administration's policy objectives in all the nations.

His trip to the region also coincides with the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which has created anti-U.S. sentiment throughout the Mideast and changed historic ethnic and political balances in the region.

"The agenda, I expect, will be a very rich one," John Hannah, Cheney's top national security adviser, said Friday in previewing the trip. "Clearly our ongoing efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan will be discussed at just about all the stops, Middle East peace, Iran, the situation with Syria and Lebanon, violence in Gaza, energy — it's a very long list."

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (right) shares a laugh with Danish Defense Minister Soren Gade (left) in the Pentagon on March 13, 2008. Gates and Gade will be discussing a broad range of security issues, both bilateral and in the context of their NATO commitments. Also taking part in the talks is Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Michael Coulter (2nd from right).

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Chile's Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley smile before a news conference in Santiago, Friday, March 14, 2008.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) and Chile's President Michelle Bachelet shake hands as Chancellor Alejandro Foxley (L) looks on at the Presidential Palace in Santiago March 14, 2008.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) and Chile's President Michelle Bachelet shake hands accompanied by Chancellor Alejandro Foxley (3rd R) at the Presidential Palace Santiago March 14, 2008.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza, left, shakes hands with Chile's Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley prior to a press conference in Santiago, Friday, March 14, 2008. Rice is on a two-day trip to Latin American countries to engage leaders who the Bush administration says 'have been helpful to the United States' economic and anti-terrorism efforts.

For those who can't comprehend "A Day In The Life of President Bush," we who gather here admire, respect and support our President. This is OUR "Sanity Island," so, please remember that .. and maybe think 3 times before you jump in with any junk or offensive comments. The Mods are on patrol, and will toss out an offender in a heartbeat. Thank you.

Please wait for the ALL CLEAR for posting or re-posting photos or appropriate graphics in keeping with the spirit of this thread.

[shiva]

HOLA!

[STARWISE]

DOSE ... P*I*N*G !

[STARWISE]

Toaster winner !

[nwrep]

Go back to your trailer park.

[KJC1]

For those who can't comprehend "A Day In The Life of President Bush," we who gather here admire, respect and support our President. This is OUR "Sanity Island," so, please remember that .. and maybe think 3 times before you jump in with any junk or offensive comments. The Mods are on patrol, and will toss out an offender in a heartbeat. Thank you.

What's sad is that you have to put that in there. I support and love President Bush, and I am not going to be cow-towed or bullied out of that. I had a guy at the gas station the other day who saw my Bush-Cheney '04 sticker still on my car say, "So, are you really gonna be sad to seem him go?" I looked him square in the eyes and said, "Yes. Yes I will." We conversed, politely, and it turned out the guy who asked me has never voted, but I think he was surprised to hear such strong support for President Bush especially here in CA. I honestly believe he walked away thinking maybe he was the dummie who'd bought a bunch of garbage in forming his opinion, lol.

[nwrep]

Didn’t you hear me the first time?

[dmd25]

My goodness, Starwise! What a lot of work you put into this Dose! Thank you!!

I love the Bush family photo--I hadn't seen that before. I will have to come back when I have more time and study it more.

I love that sketch of s_j's of GWB--I think that is my favorite one--I hope he gives a copy of that one to the President (and any others, of course, but that is the one I like best). :)

Thanks again!

[mathluv]

I have said this on other threads, and will repeat it here.

The 'downturn' in the economy started with the dim congress. The assurance of the end of tax cuts, and the increase in spending will be the result.

After 9/11, the President asked us to go on with our lives. We did. And many have forgotten that we were attacked. Unfortunately, it may take a suicide bomber in a mall, or an IED during rush hour to get the attention of some.

[kitkat]

Mirkwood has been banned or suspended. Good!

[mojo114]

Hi so happy every time there is a Dose. What a wonderful Bush family photo all so very sweet. I love the Bush family and the Cheney family. As we learn more about who could take their place I just shutter. Have Jena’s wedding date marked on my calendar like it was family!
Thank you for your work on this thread.

[Kaslin]

I have said this on other threads, and will repeat it here.

The 'downturn' in the economy started with the dim congress. The assurance of the end of tax cuts, and the increase in spending will be the result.

That is exactly true and it will get worse if the Rats get the majority in the Senate and gain even more seats in hte House. That is why it is important to vote in November

After 9/11, the President asked us to go on with our lives. We did. And many have forgotten that we were attacked. Unfortunately, it may take a suicide bomber in a mall, or an IED during rush hour to get the attention of some.

tThe left is still living in a pre 9/11 world and it will take another 9/11 to wake them up.

[STARWISE]

An Inconvenient Truth: A Tale of Two Houses

House #1

A 20 room mansion (not including 8 bathrooms) heated by natural gas. Add on a pool (and a pool house) and a separate guest house, all heated by gas. In one month this residence consumes more energy than the average American household does in a year.

The average bill for electricity and natural gas runs over $2,400. In natural gas alone, this property consumes more than 20 times the national average for an American home. This house is not situated in a Northern or Midwestern "snow belt" area. It's in the South.

House #2 - ((Note: the link mistakenly shows the original home, NOT the new home above that's described below)).

Designed by an architecture professor at a leading national university. This house incorporates every "green" feature current home construction can provide. The house is 4,000 square feet (4 bedrooms) and is nestled on a high prairie in the American Southwest.

A central closet in the house holds geothermal heat-pumps drawing ground water through pipes sunk 300 feet into the ground. The water (usually 67 degrees F.) heats the house in the winter and cools it in the summer. The system uses no fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas and it consumes one-quarter electricity required for a conventional heating/cooling system.

Rainwater from the roof is collected and funneled into a 25,000 gallon underground cistern. Wastewater from showers, sinks and toilets goes into underground purifying tanks and then into the cistern. The collected water then irrigates the land surrounding the house. Surrounding flowers and shrubs native to the area enable the property to blend into the surrounding rural landscape.

* * *

HOUSE #1 is outside of Nashville, Tennessee; it is the abode of the "environmentalist," Al Gore.

HOUSE #2 is on a ranch near Crawford, Texas; it is the residence the of the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

An "inconvenient truth."

From Snopes - Urban Legends

Claim: Email compares George W. Bush's eco-friendly ranch with Al Gore's energy-expending mansion.

Status: TRUE.

The "Cathedral" at the ranch

ALL CLEAR for posting or re-posting photos or appropriate graphics in keeping with the spirit of this thread.

[STARWISE]

I know ... some pretty pathetic people out there. Would you FRmail me what was posted, please? I missed it. Thank you ...

And, thank you SO much, wonderful MODS! MUCH appreciating your quick patrolling.. ;)

[mathluv]

I DID vote in the TX primary. I voted R - so I can attend our county convention, and possibly our state convention. I did not vote for mccain, but I did vote for Senator Cornyn (who did vote for the moratorim on earmarks). I am concerned that many of the corss-over voters may hurt in the Nov election.

[STARWISE]

Yay! Our Mods are the greatest!

[STARWISE]

It’s my pleasure.

Deb! I’m SO SO SO happy for your exciting meeting in a couple of weeks!! OMG .. whattathrill. I know you’ll be practicing your conversation .. I know I would be. I’m planning on FRmailing you my message of support.. it’s so wonderful of you to offer that kindness. Oh, how I envy you, but I’m SO happy for YOU. I’m trying to imagine what that would be like .. I know I’d cry.

Dear jonny .... are your incredible drawings going with Deb?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ... they’ll be signed .. a treasure for your heartfelt artistry. Post here >>> (right here ;)

[STARWISE]

I meant to thank you for your
statement in that encounter,
and I MEAN it .. ;) LOVE your
attitude.