Posted on 08/02/2008 3:22:01 PM PDT by daisyscarlett
President Bush arrived in Kennebunkport on Thursay evening. He will remain there until Sunday. Today, he will attend a wedding of one of his cousin’s son on the grounds of the Bush home on Walker point. Love at White House; Bush staffers to wed in Kennebunkport
President Bush chastised Democrats on Saturday for refusing to allow a vote on whether to lift the federal ban on offshore oil drilling.
In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "I know that high energy prices are making this a difficult time for many of our citizens, but it is important to remember that these high prices were not inevitable. They are partially the result of policy choices that have been made over the years by the United States Congress. Now Congress has an opportunity to begin reversing that damage. By opening up new resources at home we can help bring energy costs down. And that will help ensure that our economy remains the strongest, most vibrant, and most hopeful in the world."
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend marks the beginning of August, the month when many Americans take their summer vacation. This year, however, the high price of gas is taking a toll on summer travelers. Congress is now taking a month-long recess of its own. Unfortunately, Democratic leaders are leaving town without taking any action to ease the burden of high gas prices on families across America.
The fundamental source of high gas prices is the fact that supply is not keeping pace with demand. To reduce pressure on prices, we need to increase the supply of oil, especially oil produced here at home. So in June, I called on Congress to lift the legislative ban that prevents offshore exploration of parts of the Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. But the leaders of the Democratic Congress have refused to allow a vote.
Lifting the ban on this offshore exploration would benefit our economy in two important ways.
First, lifting the ban would allow our Nation to take advantage of a large and reliable source of domestic oil. Experts believe that these restricted areas could eventually produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That's almost 10 years worth of America's current oil production.
Second, lifting the ban would create new opportunities for American workers and businesses. On Tuesday, I visited the Lincoln Electric Company in Cleveland, Ohio, a business that produces welding products used for offshore exploration. If Congress were to permit this exploration, it would mean new jobs at businesses like Lincoln Electric. American drivers are counting on Congress to lift the ban on offshore exploration, and so are American workers.
Bringing these resources online will take time, and that means that the need for congressional action is urgent. I've lifted the executive restrictions on offshore exploration. This means that the only thing now standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is the United States Congress. The sooner Congress lifts the ban, the sooner we can get this oil from beneath the ocean floor to your gas tank.
We also need to take other essential steps to strengthen domestic oil production. Congress needs to pass legislation that allows us to tap the extraordinary potential of oil shale, permits exploration in currently restricted areas of northern Alaska, and enables the expansion of America's domestic refining capacity.
It appears that the leaders of the Democratically-controlled Congress will let the entire summer pass without voting on any of these vital steps to help reduce pressure on gas prices. This failure to act is unacceptable to me and unacceptable to the American people. So when they return from their summer break, Democratic leaders should show that they've heard the frustration of the American people by allowing a vote on offshore exploration. If Congress does not act, they will owe families across America an explanation for why they're ignoring their concerns.
I know that high energy prices are making this a difficult time for many of our citizens, but it is important to remember that these high prices were not inevitable. They are partially the result of policy choices that have been made over the years by the United States Congress. Now Congress has an opportunity to begin reversing that damage. By opening up new resources at home we can help bring energy costs down. And that will help ensure that our economy remains the strongest, most vibrant, and most hopeful in the world.
Thank you for listening.
THANK YOU FOR WAITING FOR THE "ALL CLEAR" BEFORE POSTING ANY PHOTOS
President Bush, left, waves during a weekend visit to Walkers Point in in Kennebunkport, Maine, Saturday Aug. 2, 2008
Monday, Aug. 4
Departs for South Korea, Thailand and China, through Aug. 11. En route to Seoul, South Korea, stops at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, to speak to troops.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
Arrives in Seoul, South Korea.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
Meets with the South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak; the two hold a news conference. Makes remarks at the U.S. Army's Yongsan Garrison. Travels to Thailand to meet with the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, in Bangkok, with a joint statement following, and then dinner together.
Thursday, Aug. 7
Gives a speech on U.S. policy in East Asia; visits a center that helps children with HIV/AIDS; receives a briefing on disaster relief efforts in Myanmar; participates in lunch with activists from Myanmar; participates in an interview with radio reporters on Myanmar.
Friday, Aug. 8
Helps dedicate the U.S. Embassy in Beijing; meets with the International Olympic Committee president, Jacques Rogge; greets the U.S. Olympic team; attends the opening ceremony of the Summer Games.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Attends a reception at the U.S. ambassador's residence with chief executives of sponsors of the U.S. Olympic team; expected to attend Olympic events.
Sunday, Aug. 10
Attends church; meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping; attends the U.S. men's basketball game against China.
Monday, Aug. 11
Returns to Washington, with events beforehand to be determined.
Only one presidential photo as yet today.
But I did find some photos of lobster fishermen off the coast of Walker Point.
I will share them along with some facts about Maine lobster dinners. I am sure W has enjoyed fresh Maine lobster at least once this weekend.
Maine Lobsters come in all sizes:
* Chix are the youngest and weigh one pound.
* Quarters weigh at least a pound and a quarter.
* Selects weigh a whopping pound and a half or more.
MAINE LOBSTER DINNER
Served with french fries, coleslaw, drawn butter and lemon
LOBSTER FEAST
Your choice of lobster with steamers, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and fries. Served with drawn butter and lemon
Commercial fisherman Chris Welch loads herring fish into a mesh bag to be used as bait in lobster traps in Kennebunkport, Maine, August 1, 2008.
Nate Brooks (L) helps his friend commercial fisherman Chris Welch prepare lobster traps in Kennebunkport, Mainee, August 1, 2008.
Herring are tied up in a mesh bag to be used as bait in commercial fisherman Chris Welch's lobster traps in Kennebunkport, Maine, August 1, 2008.
Commercial fisherman Chris Welch uses herring fish as bait as he prepares a lobster trap in Kennebunkport, Maine, August 1, 2008.
Commercial fisherman Chris Welch (L) and his friend Nate Brooks collect lobsters caught in traps in Kennebunkport, Maine, August 1, 2008.
Commercial fishermanChris Welch measures a lobster to ensure it meets size requirements in Kennebunkport, Maine, August 1, 2008.
Commercial fisherman Chris Welch throws an undersized lobster back into the water in Kennebunkport, Maine August 1, 2008
That was quick :-D
O2
Woohoo! The prez looking rested for a change.
Glad he’s had a few days off!
Thanks for Sanity Island!
If you get a chance, maybe you can repost the photos you took of Walker Point last year??
Walker's Point, August, 2008
The former president's boat is on the right.
Thanks. I just love those photos. And I am sure they made your trip very memorable.
That....and a wonderful lobstah dinnah like you posted...were
the absolute highlights of the trip. Plus being with wonderful
FReeper FRiends whom I have grown to love a lot!
P.S....I can’t take credit for the close-up of Barbara Bush.
It was a coup that was captured by a FRiend. He was SO excited!
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