Dat In The Life Of President Bush - with photos (4-12-08)

White House website, Yahoo news, Misc ^ | 4-12-08 | Starwise

[STARWISE]

Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

PHOTO(s) OF THE DAY

Older photo of Pres. Bush in silouette at his ranch in Crawford, TX.

Older photo of Pres. Bush with reporters at his ranch in Crawford, TX.

QUOTE(s) OF THE DAY

President's Radio Address ~ April 12, 2008

Good morning. Fifteen months ago this week, I announced the surge. And this week, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker gave Congress a detailed report on the results.

Since the surge began, American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress. While there's more to be done, sectarian violence, civilian deaths, and military deaths are down. Improvements in security have helped clear the way for political and economic progress. The Iraqi government has passed a budget and three major "benchmark" laws. And many economic indicators are now pointed in the right direction.

Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq. Yet with the surge, a major strategic shift has occurred. Fifteen months ago, extremists were sowing sectarian violence; today, many mainstream Sunni and Shia are actively confronting the extremists.

Fifteen months ago, al Qaeda was using bases in Iraq to kill our troops and terrorize Iraqis; today, we have put al Qaeda on the defensive in Iraq, and now we are working to deliver a crippling blow. Fifteen months ago, Americans were worried about the prospect of failure in Iraq; today, thanks to the surge, we've revived the prospect of success in Iraq.

This week, General Petraeus reported that security conditions have improved enough to withdraw all five surge brigades. By July 31, the number of U.S. combat brigades in Iraq will be down 25 percent from the year before.

Beyond that, General Petraeus says he will need time to assess how this reduced American presence will affect conditions on the ground before making recommendations on further reductions. I've told him he'll have time he needs to make his assessment.

Our job in the period ahead is to stand with the Iraqi government as it makes the transition to responsibility for its own security and its own destiny. So what would this transition look like? On the security front, we will stay on the offense, continue to support the Iraqi security forces, continue to transfer security responsibilities to them, and move over time into an overwatch role.

On the economic front, Iraq's economy is growing. Iraq is assuming responsibility for almost all the funding of large-scale reconstruction projects, and our share of security costs is dropping as well. On the political front, Iraq is planning to hold elections that will provide a way for Iraqis to settle disputes through the political process instead of through violence.

Our efforts are aimed at a clear goal: a free Iraq that can protect its people, support itself economically, and take charge of its own political affairs. And no one wants to achieve that goal more than the Iraqis themselves.

The turnaround that our men and women in uniform have made possible in Iraq is a brilliant achievement. And we expect that, as conditions on the ground continue to improve, they will permit us to continue the policy of return on success.

I'm confident in our success because I know the valor of the young Americans who defend us.

This week, I commemorated the sacrifice of Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who gave his life in Iraq, and became the fourth Medal of Honor recipient in the war on terror.

On September 29, 2006, Mike and two teammates had taken a position on a rooftop when an insurgent grenade landed on the roof. Mike threw himself onto the grenade. One of the survivors put it this way: "Mikey looked death in the face that day and said, 'You cannot take my brothers. I will go in their stead.'"

It is heroism like Michael Monsoor's that pays the cost of human freedom.

Our prayers remain with Michael's family and with all the men and women who continue his noble fight. We look forward to the day when they return home in victory.

Thank you for listening.

Please Pray for President Bush ~~ Day 2767

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.

[snugs]

Thanks for the dose and in particular that interesting article on the house that Jenna and her husband to be have bought.

I love the American term row house living in an area where there are a lot of what we Brits call terrace houses. Technically my house is not a terraced house because the houses in our section of the street are in blocks of 2 so are semi detached. Fortunately the local council classes them as terraced so we do not pay semi detached council taxes.

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for the Dose and the info on the newlyweds to be. How exciting, a honeymoon in Europe then a nice townhouse is a fun part of town. And when they need a break, they can always visit the folks in Dallas or Crawford.

[kitkat]

***I can’t wait to see what both Jenna and Laura will wear!***

I’m also eager to see what twin sister Barbara will wear.

[snugs]

Nice touch of the VP regarding the children

[kitkat]

Oh, and I wonder how many bridesmaids there will be.

[DrDeb]

STARWISE: THANK YOU for posting so many AWESOME articles this evening!!!

Here are two more:

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ABCs MARTHA RADDATZ INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT BUSH
ABC’s White House Correspondent Sat Down with the President in Crawford, TX
Apr. 11, 2008

Favorite excerpt:

RADDATZ: And that was the surge. Who would you credit with the surge?

BUSH: Well, if it’s a failure, people will credit me. If it’s a success, people will credit all kinds of people, I guess. I don’t know. I mean, I think it was a good team effort.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=4634219&page=1
-

IRAN’S BUSTED IRAQ BID
BASRA ‘RISING’ WAS TEHRAN’S OP

April 10, 2008 — A GAMBLE that proved too costly.

That’s how analysts in Tehran describe events last month in Basra. Iran’s state-run media have de facto confirmed that this was no spontaneous “uprising.” Rather, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) tried to seize control of Iraq’s second-largest city using local Shiite militias as a Trojan horse.

You can read the entire analysis here:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04102008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/irans_busted_iraq_bid_105852.htm?page=1

[snugs]

If you look carefully at the reflection it is very similar to another photo in the same section you can even see the boat if you look carefully.

[mojo114]

Thank you for the ping what a wonderful Dose. What foolishness the so called news has become when they spend hours on whether Vice President Cheney has a naked woman image in his sunglasses. This what 24 hours of news has become and it is ridiculous, however, it does incrementally destroy the MSM credibility which is fine.

[snugs]

No problem

[kitkat]

I’ve seen the row houses in Baltimore and was thrilled to see the houses we had been taught about. The early settlers there were Dutch, and they scrubbed, on hands and knees, those white steps every day. They were renowned for it.

But, they’re sure going to have to build over that front store window if they want privacy.

[snugs]

I can remember as a child people scrubbing front steps or staining them red.

Nowadays an infrequent brush seems all that people do.

[snugs]

Toaster update - congratulations to the winners - if I have missed anyone or missed a choice of toaster or photo please freep and I will change it.

[snugs]

Toaster update - congratulations to the winners - if I have missed anyone or missed a choice of toaster or photo please freep and I will change it.

[snugs]

Some more again if not correct toaster or photo please freep me - congratulations.

[snugs]

And some more congratulations freep me if wrong toaster or photo

[swmobuffalo]

Thanks snugs! I’d like one of the “GQ” photos of the President for today’s win please!

[snugs]

And some more - congratulations freep me if wrong photo or toaster.

[Earthdweller]

Perfect Snugs! Thanks!

[snugs]

Congratulations

[Jewels1091]

for later