Posted on 12/10/2008 6:29:04 PM PST by silent_jonny
Today President Bush welcomed Darfur Human Rights Activist Dr. Halima Bashir to the Oval Office. (Transcript) Dr. Bashir has been tortured my militant Muslims throughout her life, most horrifically after she dared to speak out about the abuse of women and young girls in her native Sudan. She tells her story in her book “Tears In The Desert”.
President Bush: This good soul brings firsthand accounts to what life is like in Darfur. She has witnessed violence, deprivation, and she carries a message of a lot of people who want our help.
First Lady Laura Bush spoke about women’s rights today at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. (Transcript)
Mrs. Bush: I have met thousands of women from many nations. And I have seen that women everywhere have the same dreams. They want to be educated, they want to raise their children in peace, they want to enjoy good health, to be prosperous, and to be heard.
This afternoon at the White House, President Bush awarded 24 Americans with the Presidential Citizens Medal for outstanding service to the nation. (Transcript)
It is one of the highest honors the President can confer upon a civilian, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Among the recipients were Christian author Charles Colson and actor (and staunch supporter of our troops!) Gary Sinise.
Gary Sinise will return to the White House this Friday to host “Ask the White House”, the online question & answer forum. You can submit questions to Mr. Sinise now by clicking the banner below.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attended a one-day commerce summit in Panama City, Panama today.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island 
Quote of the Day:
President Bush: I also made it clear that I am frustrated with the pace of activities [in Darfur]; that the United Nations must expedite sending troops, peacekeepers, to provide security for the people -- that's what they want, they want to be able to have a secure life -- and that we'll help …And finally, it's very important for President Bashir of Sudan to know that he cannot escape accountability; that if he so choose, he could change people's lives, the condition of people's lives very quickly.
Dr. Bashir: Thank you very much for the President to invite me to the White House … I'm very happy because now Darfur victims' voices is heard in the White House and to the American people and to the world.
Photos of the Day:
Darfur human rights activist Dr. Halima Bashir meets with President George W. Bush, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
Mrs. Laura Bush discusses the serious global situation for women Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. Mrs. Bush's visit was to highlight Human Rights Day and to deliver an opening statement on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human rights and discussed human rights of women. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Actor Gary Sinise shows his Presidential Citizens Medal outside the White House in Washington, DC after receiving the medal from US President George W. Bush for his work supporting American soldiers on December 10, 2008.
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Hi
Thanks and also for the ping. Great photos of the day. :)
Doing a drive-by hi!
President George W. Bush (R) meets with Darfur Human Rights Activist Dr. Halima Bashir in the Oval Office at the White House December 10, 2008 Washington, D.C. Bush expressed his frustration with the pace of the efforts by the UN to stem the violence in Darfur. Bashir, who is reportedly covered for her protection, was tortured and raped after speaking out about the rape of young girls in Darfur.
(It's okay, I understand)
Thanks :)
I can stay for a little while. :-)
Bashir, who is reportedly covered for her protection, was tortured and raped after speaking out about the rape of young girls in Darfur.
What they did to her was absolutely repulsive and depraved and it's even more disgusting that they can't leave her be.
President Bush: I have just had the distinct pleasure and honor of visiting with Dr. Halima Bashir, who wrote a book called "Tears of the Desert." This good soul brings firsthand accounts to what life is like in Darfur. She has witnessed violence, deprivation, and she carries a message of a lot of people who want our help …I also made it clear that I am frustrated with the pace of activities; that the United Nations must expedite sending troops, peacekeepers, to provide security for the people -- that's what they want, they want to be able to have a secure life -- and that we'll help.
President Bush: The United States continues to stand at the ready to provide airlift. The pace of action out of the United Nations is too slow. We support the mediation process by the A.U.-U.N. mediator. In other words, we recognize in order for there to be peace in Darfur that parties must come to the table in good faith and solve the problems.And finally, it's very important for President Bashir of Sudan to know that he cannot escape accountability; that if he so choose, he could change people's lives, the condition of people's lives very quickly.
I've appointed a special envoy to Sudan to help put pressure on the government. The United States must continue to rally the international community to put pressure on the government, as well. The urgency of the situation is never more apparent than when I had the honor of visiting with this brave soul.
President George W. Bush meets with Darfur human rights activist Dr. Halima Bashir, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
Dr. Bashir: Yes, of course. Thank you very much for the President to invite me to the White House. I think this is -- I'm very happy because now Darfur victims' voices is heard in the White House and to the American people and to the world. And I think the President, the message I send to him is going to -- to do more work in Darfur to handle the situation, and to (inaudible) troops and the ICC ruling and just to stop the genocide and the crisis in Darfur, because now more than five years and we do not need to wait anymore. We need real action.I thank you very much.
President Bush: Thank you very much. Thank you all.
Mrs. Bush: Today, as we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we know that this document proclaims the rights that belong to every human being of every religion, race, class, or gender. I have met thousands of women from many nations. And I have seen that women everywhere have the same dreams. They want to be educated, they want to raise their children in peace, they want to enjoy good health, to be prosperous, and to be heard.
Mrs. Laura Bush is welcomed Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, to a question and answer session at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City by moderator Kathryn "Kitty" Pilgrim, right, of CNN.
Moderator: In the coming months and years, will you continue to speak out? Will you write a book, will you write, will you -- I have to get that in. (Laughter.) Will you continue to speak out in the media?Mrs. Bush: I will continue to -- I'm going to pay, really, a lot of attention to these two issues, the international issues that I've worked on the most, both Afghanistan and Burma, through the President's Freedom Institute that he's going to build with his presidential library. And it'll start before the library is actually built, because it'll take, you know, a while to raise the funds and design and build the actual building.
But we want to start the institute right away, and to talk about both freedom from tyranny but also freedom from disease, freedom from hunger, freedom from illiteracy, the other things that President Bush has worked on, particularly in Africa -- PEPFAR and President's Malaria Initiative and all of those. But I will continue to be able to use that, I think, the Freedom Institute, as a vehicle for -- to continue to work with women in Afghanistan and Burma.
Background on the Medal:
The Presidential Citizens Medal was established in November 13, 1969, to recognize U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for the nation. It is one of the highest honors the President can confer upon a civilian, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Today, the President presented twenty-three individuals with the Presidential Citizens Medal and one award posthumously.
President George W. Bush stands with Father John P. Foley, S.J., after presenting him with the 2008 Presidential Citizens Medal Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Father John Foley has successfully reached some of our Nation’s most vulnerable youth and instilled in them a love of learning. Through his spiritual leadership of a faith-based education system that partners with the community, he has provided opportunities for young people to achieve their dreams. The United States honors Father John Foley for his commitment to helping his fellow citizens lead lives of integrity and achievement.
President George W. Bush stands with Kathy Downing after presenting her with the 2008 Presidential Citizens Medal Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, on behalf of her husband Gen. Wayne A. Downing, in the Oval Office of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
General Wayne Downing was an American hero who stepped forward to help defend our Nation and uphold the ideals of our founding. He answered history’s call with honor, decency, and resolve, and he earned the respect and admiration of a grateful Nation. The United States honors Wayne Downing for his selfless service that continues to inspire us as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world.
President George W. Bush stands with Jeff Miller and Earl Morse after presenting them with the 2008 Presidential Citizens Medal Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Erwin Morse and Jeff Miller exemplify the spirit of citizenship that has helped define our Nation. By providing our deserving veterans the opportunity to visit the World War II Memorial, they have shown the compassion and gratitude of our Nation. The United States honors Erwin Morse and Jeff Miller for their work to honor our Nation’s veterans.
I'm definitely going to pick up her book. There is a book that I recommend to everyone about the genocide in Rwanda called, "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust" by Immaculee Ilibagiza. She and 7 other women lived for 91 days hiding in a bathroom. She describes the horrors, but also how it brought her closer to God and deeper into her faith. It's a truly amazing story.
It make me again realize how fortunate we are to live in the US. Even on my worst day my problems are nothing compared to what others have seen and experienced.
Father Timothy Scully has committed his life to strengthening communities through faith-based education that prepares individuals for a lifetime of achievement, service, and compassion. Through his leadership at the University of Notre Dame, he has developed innovative ways to support under-resourced schools. The United States honors Father Timothy Scully for demonstrating that every human being has boundless potential.
President George W. Bush stands with Chuck Colson after presenting him with the 2008 Presidential Citizens Medal Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
For more than three decades, Chuck Colson has dedicated his life to sharing the message of God’s boundless love and mercy with prisoners, former prisoners, and their families. Through his strong faith and leadership, he has helped courageous men and women from around the world make successful transitions back into society. The United States honors Chuck Colson for his good heart and his compassionate efforts to renew a spirit of purpose in the lives of countless individuals.
With wisdom and integrity, Dr. Robby George has brought forceful analytic clarity to the study of America’s ideals and institutions. He has helped strengthen our Nation’s system of ordered liberty by exploring enduring questions of American constitutional law and Western political theory. The United States honors Robby George for his many contributions to our civic life.
As a lawyer, public servant, and philanthropist, Samuel Heyman has acted on his steadfast devotion to our Nation. By encouraging young leaders to answer the call of public service, he has helped promote a vibrant Federal workforce. The United States honors Samuel Heyman for his dedication to improving the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of the Federal Government.
President George W. Bush stands with Dr. Don Landry after presenting him with the 2008 Presidential Citizens Medal Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
As a physician, organic chemist, and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Columbia University, Dr. Donald Landry has applied his passion for discovery to expanding human knowledge and improving patient treatment. A man of science and a man of faith, he has demonstrated that there are responsible and ethical ways to advance stem cell research. The United States honors Donald Landry for his diverse and pioneering research and his efforts to improve the well-being of his fellow man.
Since it seems to be my "thing" lately... I'm happy to see President Bush wore his polka dot tie today. A while back, I theorized that since his Mom loves polka dot prints and pearls so much, he wears this tie when he knows he will be meeting or spending time with woman/women to show respect.
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