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.

[STARWISE]

They can go .... a n y where they want .. LOL

Snugs - rowhouses in Baltimore

Many streets of row houses in Chicago .. my son has one like the 1st one .. called graystones. Row houses can run from plain to quite opulent

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks, snugs. I love my toaster and have put it on my homepage.

[bray]

Nice find Star, great job!

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[STARWISE]

;)

[STARWISE]

Thanks for the wacky toaster .. LOL

[Right_in_Virginia]

Thank you SO much for the “dose” and the ping.

We’re going to miss this President’s leadership more than words can say.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Just a post to say “hi” to my “old” friend.

Good to hear from you, “Snugs”.

[daisyscarlett]

SUNDAY DOSE PING

[STARWISE]

^*^

[daisyscarlett]

President George Bush speaks to his wife, first lady Laura Bush as the two head toward Air Force One, Sunday, April 13, 2008, in Waco, Texas after spending the weekend at their ranch.

President Bush waves to people that turned out to see him as he exits Marine One, Sunday, April 13, 2008, in Waco, Texas, after spending the weekend at his ranch in Crawford, as he heads back to Washington.

U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave from the steps of Air Force One at Waco TSTC Airport, April 13, 2008.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush wave after arriving aboard Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Sunday, April. 13, 2008, returning from their ranch in Crawford, Texas.

[daisyscarlett]

President Bush waves as he and first lady Laura Bush walk down the stairs from Air Force Once after arriving at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Sunday, April. 13, 2008,

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush walk down the stairs from Air Force One after their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Sunday, April. 13, 2008, returning from their ranch in Crawford.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush board Marine One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Sunday, April. 13, 2008, returning from their ranch in Crawford, Texas.

[STARWISE]

Thanks, daisy. That 2nd shot with
his cockeyed wave is cute. Looks windy
there like it is here.

[daisyscarlett]

With the Jefferson Memorial in the background, the Marine One helicopter carrying President Bush and first Lady Laura Bush, left, flies in formation with two other helicopters as they approach the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, April 13, 2008, in Washington.

A Secret Service officer holds onto his hat in the wind as the Marine One helicopter returns US President George W. Bush to the White House in Washington, April 13, 2008.

Visitors to the White House brace themselves while waving and taking pictures as the Marine One helicopter carrying President Bush and first lady Laura Bush lands on the South Lawn of the White House,

US President George W. Bush (R) and his wife Laura (2nd R) wave as they arrive home from a visit at his Texas ranch to the White House in Washington, April 13, 2008.

President Bush arrives on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, April 13, 2008, in Washington.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush arrive on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, April 13, 2008.

[daisyscarlett]

ALL CLEAR

[Earthdweller]

Hey Daisy! Thanks for the dose! Love seeing photos of the old buildings!

[daisyscarlett]

This is very cool. I won a toaster yesterday when you posted the Dose and you won today when I posted.

[daisyscarlett]

It's windy everywhere today, it seems. It is windy here on the left coast, windy in Augusta, windy in d.c. and windy where you are. Hope it is a beautiful day on Weds when the Pope arrives in D.C.

What a day it will be in D.C. The Pope is going to be met by W at the airport, he will be greeted on the WH lawn by thousands, he is going to ride the Popemobile and at night there is a formal dinner for him.

[daisyscarlett]

You are welcome but it was Starwise who found the old buildings in Baltimore where Jenna and Henry will live.

[DrDeb]

MUST READ . . .

A CATHOLIC WIND IN THE WHITE HOUSE
By Daniel Burke
Sunday, April 13, 2008; Page B02

Shortly after Pope Benedict XVI’s election in 2005, President Bush met with a small circle of advisers in the Oval Office. As some mentioned their own religious backgrounds, the president remarked that he had read one of the new pontiff’s books about faith and culture in Western Europe.

Save for one other soul, Bush was the only non-Catholic in the room. But his interest in the pope’s writings was no surprise to those around him. As the White House prepares to welcome Benedict on Tuesday, many in Bush’s inner circle expect the pontiff to find a kindred spirit in the president. Because if Bill Clinton can be called America’s first black president, some say, then George W. Bush could well be the nation’s first Catholic president.

You can read the entire article here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03327.html
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ANOTHER ‘KEEPER’ FROM THE ANCHORESS:
“Teenage” America says “yeah, whatever.”
http://theanchoressonline.com/2008/04/1 ... /#comments
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DEAR ABBY
Ken Fisher 04.21.08, 12:00 AM ET

I’m getting a lot of hate e-mail these days. This onslaught is not entirely a bad thing. It reassures me that my bet against the crowd is a wise one. I’m bullish and have been steadily since the July 8, 2002 issue. In my Jan. 28 column I reiterated the upbeat outlook and reminded you that the fourth year of a presidency only rarely delivers losses to stockholders. Now, with stocks globally (as measured by the Morgan Stanley All-Country World Index) down 8.6% so far this year, people are telling me I’m an idiot. Someone posted to FORBES Web site, “Hi Ken. It’s been an absolute pleasure watching you vie for the 2008 Henry Blodget Award. Keep up the good work!”

Gloat for now, but please note that 2008 isn’t over. I still think the year will end in the plus column. And I’m never happier than when I’m alone.

My critics call me a perma-bull. They forget I called the last three full-fledged bear markets right here in FORBES—reasonably well and better than most—and mostly alone (June 15, 1987; Nov. 27, 1989; Feb. 19, 2001). I know I may be wrong now. But I see what’s happened since Jan. 1 as just a major correction, very comparable to 1998, with a few things flip-flopped, as described in my Feb. 25 column.

You can read the entire article here:
http://www.forbes.com/columnists/forbes ... 1/242.html
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MUST VIEW . . .

From December 2007: Jenna Bush (and “Daddy”) on the Ellen Show [Just because . . .!]:
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/01/ell ... ll_the.php

[DrDeb]

THE ANCHORESS: Corrected link . . .
http://theanchoressonline.com/2008/04/10/teenage-america-says-yeah-whatever/#comments