Posted on 01/07/2009 5:59:15 PM PST by silent_jonny
Today President Bush welcomed former President George H. W. Bush to the Oval Office. A disbarred lawyer, a failed peanut-farmer and a former ACORN employee were also in attendance. (Transcript)
President Bush: All of us who have served in this office understand that the office transcends the individual.
Translation: Playing “president-elect” is a lot different than actually being president, Barry.
First Lady Laura Bush unveiled the official George W. Bush State china plates this afternoon during a press availablity in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House. (Transcript) The 320 plate service was designed by Mrs. Bush and Nancy Clark, the White House’s chief florist, and is only the fourth such china set large enough to be used for state dinners at the White House (the other three sets are named after Presidents Johnson, Reagan and Clinton).
The First Lady was also asked about her plans after January 20th.
Q Mrs. Bush, what will you do on the night of January 20th? You'll fly back to Texas?Mrs Bush: That's right. We'll fly back to Texas, and we'll end up at our ranch with a number of friends who will be going with us, who will be there with us that night to spend the first night at home there. So that will be fun.
And then a few days after that, whenever it's -- the painters have finished, we'll move -- I'll move -- the moving vans at our Dallas house and move in there.
More information from White House Press Secretary Dana Perino (Transcript)
Dana: [On Inauguration Day] President Bush will depart from Andrews Air Force Base and head to Midland, Texas, where he will participate in a welcome home event in Centennial Plaza, which is the town square. And you'll recall that Midland is where the send-off event for President-Elect and Mrs. Bush took place in January of 2001.Following the event, the President will fly to Waco, Texas, and then will spend the night at his ranch in Crawford. And as we get more details on that I'll be happy to provide them for you.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attended a meeting at the United Nations today.
And this afternoon, President Bush and former President GHWB hosted a Reception in Honor of the Points of Light Institute in the East Room of the White House. (Transcript)
Dana: [The] program is in honor of President George H.W. Bush's contributions to the Points of Light Institute, which focuses on redefining volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century by putting citizens at the center of community problem-solving.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
‘...I wept.....’
I understand just how you feel... I did this while watching yesterday’s Armed Forces Farewell to the President. And, I suspect most of us will be doing this on Jan 20th.......although I plan to watch no TV that day. I could not bear to watch ‘that one’ and his classless wife take the helm of our country.
I saw your post about Sanjaya. It's fitting that his book and CD (I'm reserving my copies now, LOL) are being released the same day that President Sanjaya is taking office :o
I feel the same way.
Yeah, it does look like Carter's standing there by himself. I'm guessing everyone knows he's a miserable, bitter old anti-semite and nobody wants to be around him, even if they're a democrat.
No problem :) Happy to have you on board.
Awesome Photo of the Day! He always enjoys time with his
family....and that is how we can all know that he is going
to do just fine when he gets back home to Texas. He doesn’t
need the limelight and highrollers to define his life. He needs
his family! And he has that support...always!
What a lovely and loving relationship this father and son have.
God bless them!
I know, it's ridiculous. What are they getting all worked-up about? Their messiah is going to be eating off that china, not President & Mrs. Bush.
Thank you :)
Less than two weeks to go now...
You are
LOL ... thank you, thank you, for sparing us as much as humanly possible (I can't imagine how long that took .. ;)
"Today President Bush welcomed former President George H. W. Bush to the Oval Office. A disbarred lawyer, a failed peanut-farmer and a former ACORN employee were also in attendance."
You're a treasure ... priceless! God bless you!
The china is just exquisite .. I would expect no less from the heart and creative spirit of the eternally classy Laura Bush. I just don't want to think of who'll be using it. Dangit.
Luvvie .. you better be in Midland on Jan. 20th!! Counting on ya .... ;)
One last thing for today .. a MUST read for the full appreciation of ALL Pres. Bush has accomplished.
C*L*I*C*K >>>>
One section:
President Bush Discusses National Security, Homeland Security and the Freedom Agenda at U.S. Army War College ~~~ U.S. Army War College Carlisle, Pennsylvania- December 17, 2008
*snip*
We will leave behind a strong coalition of more than 90 nations -- composing almost half the world -- who have committed to combating terror, and sharing intelligence, and keeping our citizens safe.
This coalition includes Saudi Arabia, the nation that produced 15 of the 9/11 hijackers and now serves as a staunch ally in the war on terror. This coalition includes Pakistan, a country that was a supporter of the Taliban before September the 11th and today is a strong partner of the United States.
This coalition includes two of America's newest and most courageous friends, the free nations of Afghanistan and Iraq.
This coalition includes members of the new Proliferation Security Initiative and the new Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, who are working to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
We will leave behind new programs to help change the conditions of suffering and hopelessness that give rise to extremism and terror.
In Afghanistan and Iraq, new provincial reconstruction teams are helping rebuild war-torn communities, and revive local economies, and restore basic government services.
On the continent of Africa, millions are receiving lifesaving treatment, thanks to America's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. And around the world, countries that govern wisely, and open up their economy, and invest in the health and education of their people are receiving strong support from Millennium Challenge grants.
And finally, we leave behind an unprecedented commitment to extending the reach of liberty and democracy. Key organizations devoted to supporting freedom enjoy stronger government support than ever before.
Official U.S. policy now requires our diplomats to seek out and support dissidents and democratic reformers in unfree nations. And it is now the stated policy of the United States to seek the end of tyranny in all nations, for all time.
Until that day comes, the United States will not rest in our fight against oppression and terror.
As President, I've had no higher responsibility than waging this struggle for the security and liberty of our people. After 9/11, I vowed that I would never forget the wounds from that day -- and I'm not.
That day defined my presidency, and that day changed the course of history. And while we cannot know the path ahead, we can be confident in the destination -- a world where the American people are safe, and children around the world grow up with hope and peace. (Applause.)
We can be confident because freedom is universal. I strongly believe there's an Almighty, and a gift of that Almighty to every man, woman and child on the face of the Earth is freedom.
We can be confident because we're blessed with men and women who willingly put the welfare of their nation before themselves. As long as we have defenders of such character and courage, our nation will always be in good hands and the future will always be bright.
So I thank you for inviting me today. I thank you for having given me the honor of a lifetime to serve as your Commander-in-Chief. God bless. (Applause.)
~~~
God bless and keep you, Pres. Bush.
I just couldn't bring myself to post the un-cropped versions :)
LOL! Thank you, Miss Marple :) Good to see you
He's so COOOOOL!
Thank you so much :)
Lovely china! Laura has exquisite taste!
Fantastic thread today. Thank you!
Hi! Here I am two hours behind you—just like old times :)
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