A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT BUSH...08-23-08 and 08-24-08

In his radio address today, President Bush sharpened his attacks on the Democratic-controlled Congress, blaming it of being partially responsible for high gas prices and urging lawmakers to facilitate new oil exploration.

The president and Mrs. Bush are in Crawford this weekend. (I wonder if he called 41 and said "Dad, it looks like your choice of Qualye will ne longer be viewed as the worst VP pick in recent history.")

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:

(Note how W looks everyone right in the eyes-I love that about him which is why I chose these photos)

President George W. Bush meets with construction workers on his tour Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008 of the historic Jackson Barracks of New Orleans, headquarters of the Louisiana National Guard. The barracks were seriously damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. White House photo by Eric Draper

US President George W. Bush is greeted by George Lisicki (L), Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-in-Chief, to speak about the War on Terror at the VFW National Convention at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida August 20, 2008.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "This Congress has been one of the most unproductive on record. They've failed to address the challenge of high gas prices. Members still have time to take action on this vital priority for the American people. They need to send me a bill next month that I can sign -- so we can bring relief to drivers, small business owners, farmers and ranchers, and every American affected by high prices at the pump."

In Focus: Energy

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Before they left Washington for their August recess, Congress failed to take action on an issue that is currently of great concern to Americans: high prices at the gas pump.

The fundamental reason for high gasoline prices is that the supply of oil 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 open up more of America's domestic oil resources for exploration -- including offshore exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf. The American people overwhelmingly support this proposal. But throughout the summer, the leaders of the Democratic Congress have refused to allow it to come to a vote.

Now that the pressure to take action has become overwhelming, Democratic leaders in Congress have changed their strategy. Rather than attempting to block expanded drilling by preventing a vote, they are now attempting to block it by bringing up a bill that is designed to fail.

News reports indicate that Democratic leaders in Congress may plan to hold a vote on a bill that would make us more dependent on foreign oil and would likely make energy costs go up, not down. This bill would raise taxes on energy companies -- which would reduce domestic production. This bill would make the Nation more vulnerable to supply shocks by tapping into our emergency supply of oil -- the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. And it would impose a rigid national mandate that would increase electricity costs in states where there are few renewable resources.

Democratic leaders know that these counterproductive proposals will not become law. Yet they seem ready to push this legislation as a way to block offshore drilling while appearing to be in favor of it. They need to stop standing in the way of expanding domestic production and take meaningful steps now to address the pain caused by high energy prices.

I proposed a comprehensive approach to our energy problems that would permit a range of new drilling options and encourage the development of alternative resources. If Democratic leaders will not approve this comprehensive approach, the very least they should do when they return in September is to take action on three common-sense energy solutions that enjoy bipartisan support.

First, Congress should open the way for environmentally responsible offshore exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf. Experts believe that these areas could eventually produce nearly 10 years' worth of America's current annual oil production. This exploration is now banned by a provision included in the annual interior appropriations bill. When Congress returns they should remove this restriction -- so we can get these vast oil resources from the ocean floor to your gas tank.

Second, Congress should expand access to oil shale -- a resource right here in America that could produce the equivalent of more than a century's worth of imports at current levels. Last year, however, Democratic leaders pushed through legislation blocking oil shale leasing on Federal lands. They should lift that ban as soon as they return.

Third, Congress should extend renewable power tax credits to spur the development of alternative sources of energy like wind and solar. They should make these credits long term and expand them to cover all forms of low-emission power generation -- including nuclear power. Increasing production of low-carbon electricity will help us reduce our addiction to oil by allowing us to power a new generation of plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

There is bipartisan support in Congress for all three of these measures. So instead of spending the next month deadlocked on matters where Republicans and Democrats disagree, members of Congress should come together to pass legislation in these areas, where there is agreement.

This Congress has been one of the most unproductive on record. They've failed to address the challenge of high gas prices. Members still have time to take action on this vital priority for the American people. They need to send me a bill next month that I can sign -- so we can bring relief to drivers, small business owners, farmers and ranchers, and every American affected by high prices at the pump.

Thank you for listening.

END

TOTTEN IN TBILISI
Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 8:49:30 pm PST

Michael Totten has filed a Report from Tbilisi at City Journal.

Senator John McCain may have overstated things a bit when, shortly after the war started, he said, “We are all Georgians now.” But apparently even rank-and-file Russian soldiers view the Georgians and Americans as allies. Likewise, these simple Georgian country women seem to understand who their friends and enemies are. “I am very thankful to the West,” Maya said as her eyes welled up with tears. “They support us so much. We thought we were alone. I am so thankful for the support we have from the United States and from the West. The support is very important for us.” She tried hard to maintain her dignity and not cry in front of me, a foreign reporter in fresh clothes and carrying an expensive camera. “The West saved the capital. They were moving to Tbilisi. There was one night that was very dangerous. The Russian tanks were very close to the capital. I don’t know what happened, but they moved the tanks back.” And my translator, whose husband works for Georgia’s ministry of foreign affairs, made a similar guess that the West helped save the capital. “The night they came close to Tbilisi,” she said, “BUSH and McCain made their strongest speeches yet. The Russians seemed to back down. BUSH and McCain have been very good for us.”

[For additional perspective and information (to be shared with Freepers who don’t think the President is doing enough), I strongly encourage you to read the comments section!]
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/31009_Totten_in_Tbilisi/comments/#ctop

Today, from Crawford, President Bush named four Fla. counties disaster areas from Fay

MIAMI - President Bush declared Sunday that four Florida counties hit hardest by Tropical Storm Fay are major disaster areas, making them eligible for federal aid. ..... in Brevard, Monroe, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.

...... damage from the weeklong storm that caused at least 11 deaths in Florida and one each in Georgia and Alabama. More counties could be added.

"I'm pleased about the declaration and grateful to President Bush," Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said before touring flood damage at the St. Mark's River in north Florida.

Fay was downgraded to a tropical depression on Saturday night after making a record fourth landfall in Florida. Its remnants were forecast to dump several inches of rain across Alabama, Mississippi, eastern Louisiana and Tennessee on Sunday and Monday.

CRAWFORD SEZ, If you are ever in the area, Y’all come.

Crawford is located in Central Texas and is easily accessible from I-35.

From Interstate -35 just south of Waco, take the Hwy 6 exit west to Hwy 84. Take Hwy 84 to McGregor (George W Bush Parkway) At McGregor, take Hwy 317 to Crawford. It is about 18 miles west of Waco to the business district.

Crawford sits at the crossroads of State Hwy 317 and Farm Road 185 and is in western McLennan County, Texas.

The closest airport is the McGregor Executive Airport for those flying in with their own planes. Be sure to file your flight plan and watch the 'no-fly zone' so no F-16's come to chase you down! For those who must purchase seats, the Waco Regional Airport is for you.

The closest Hotel is in McGregor: Weston Inn Suites & RV Park Highway 84 West, McGregor (just west of Hwy 317 and less than a block from The Coffee Shop on our map) (254) 840-0444 www.westoninnandsuites.com

RV hook-ups are available at Tonkawa Park. For more information, call the Crawford City Hall at (254) 486-2125. If they are full, try Quail Crossing RV Park, another nice RV Park that is close by http://www.quailcrossingrvpark.com/

AmTrak has a depot and stops just up the road in McGregor for a fun alternative trip.

For those of you wishing to send mail to the ranch...

Due to security reasons, all mail sent to the ranch is forwarded to Washington, DC to go through extensive screening before reaching the White House mailroom. For that reason, your best bet is just to go ahead and send it to the White House. Here is that address:

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500

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