Posted on 08/08/2008 5:16:12 PM PDT by silent_jonny
Today President & Mrs. Bush attended the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Before the ceremonies, the President met personally with all the US Olympic Athletes and encouraged them to “go for it, give it all you've got” and reminded them that the American people will be cheering for them back home. (Transcript)
I wasn't exactly sure what to say to you, except to start with, God, I love our country and I love what we stand for. (Applause.) And I love being with you.
Earlier today President Bush was joined by his father, former President George H. W. Bush, for the dedication of the new US embassy in Beijing. [GHWB served as the Envoy to China during the Ford administration. He and his wife Barbara lived in the country for 14 months between 1975 and 1976.] (Transcript)
President GHWB: I was feeling sentimental when I told Barbara, my wife, that my old office would be occupied by the talented translators who work in the Public Affairs Office. (Laughter.) But as usual, she snapped out -- "You mean they got someone in your office who can speak the language?" (Laughter.)Barbara and I studied an hour a day, five days a week, but to be honest, one of the great challenges were these Chinese lessons that she and I took together. She simply refused to follow the very sacred "no laughing rule" as I spoke. (Laughter.) I was soon hoping that she would transfer out of my class. (Laughter.)
President & Mrs. Bush attended a banquet for visiting world leaders and Olympic officials in the Great Hall of People in Beijing.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island 
Marvelous pictures!! Thank you for them. This is such a historical moment with a former president introducing a current president. The pride that family must be feeling.
Cool!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all the folks that have taken the time to present the pictures each day.
Thank you for today’s pictures.......what wonderful pictures of our President and the first lady and the USA team.
Our country has been blessed to have the Bush family. They will be missed.
Extraordinary pictures! Thank you so much for posting them.
How neat that both President Bushes wore navy blue blazers for the ceremonies to honor the Olympic athletes uniforms - which were fantastic!
“...maybe it is my British wariness of anything French”
***
My husband remembers as a small child being cared for by his grandmother and great aunt, while his mother worked in a munitions factory during World War II. The old ladies used to tell him that they couldn’t understand the war, because the Royal family was German, and France had always been England’s enemy.
As a young woman, his great aunt had worked in St James Palace way back at the beginning of the Twentieth Century.
For the toaster there are quite a few nice choices.
I also particularly like this photo of the day from October 17, 2007:
May God Bless President Bush, the American Olympic team, and supporters of Freedom worldwide!
He got a previous wife to act as consort even though they were separated and probably had every intention to continue with divorce proceedings. When that did not work out probably partly due to him continuing his philandering ways and probably affair with the now current wife. I always remember the snubbing of the President's family in New England last year well this makes more sense now (well to me it does), I know some will still say it was just that she did not care for President Bush and his policies but I suspect it was more likely how Sarkowsy (sp) was behaving with the girlfriend back home and she has enough of exposing herself and her son to what she was probably feeling was just a charade and public humiliation even taking into consideration that it is acceptable for French politicians to have mistresses who they often seen in public with.
He got a previous wife to act as consort even though they were separated and probably had every intention to continue with divorce proceedings. When that did not work out probably partly due to him continuing his philandering ways and probably affair with the now current wife. I always remember the snubbing of the President's family in New England last year well this makes more sense now (well to me it does), I know some will still say it was just that she did not care for President Bush and his policies but I suspect it was more likely how Sarkowsy (sp) was behaving with the girlfriend back home and she has enough of exposing herself and her son to what she was probably feeling was just a charade and public humiliation even taking into consideration that it is acceptable for French politicians to have mistresses who they often seen in public with.
Sorry about double post but I was checking the spell and acidently clicked on post.
Sorry I didn't respond to you last night, but I wanted you to know I saw and appreciated all of your posts.
Have a great Saturday!
Jonny
The latest VANITY FAIR has Carla Bruni on the cover with the words: “the new Jackie O” and more details of her sexual history. How Special!!! A very long article about her is the mag, plus a Top !0 Best Dressed in the World!!! which includes Michelle Obama. I am not kidding! Prince William’s girlfriend is also on the list.
Thank you for these wonderful pictures, I love all of them.
President plays volleyball:
And super gallery shots ('W's Big Day'. SO happy to see him smiling and having a great time, tho we know worries are never far from his mind today.
This one's titled, 'Pranking the President'
And this gallery entitled, 'Offering Some Presidential Advice.'
The gallery shots are REALLY SUPER!
****
President Bush Enjoys Time With U.S. Athletes
~~~
The Opening Ceremonies were jaw dropping!! Amazing mass of humans, technology, color, logistics, acrobatics ... truly a feast for the eyes. I urge all who missed it to catch segments on youtube and other sites online. Really breathtaking extravaganza.
WOO HOO..Thank you!
Love it..Thank you!
I love it that he is having a good time.
Me, too !!!!! He deserves this little patch of frolic and smiles ... the world comes in all too soon.
AWESOME PHOTOS of our ATHLETE-IN-CHIEF and ‘his’ Olympians!
Yah, and it REEEEeeeally looks like they can't stand him too..../sarc!!!!
God Bless you President Bush - have a wonderful time ....but.... BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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