Posted on 01/16/2009 6:20:28 PM PST by silent_jonny
More lasts today …
This morning President & Mrs. Bush departed the White House for Camp David, Maryland, where they will spend their last weekend as the First Couple before Tuesday’s inauguration.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave her final press conference today at the State Department in Washington. She also met with Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Dr. Rice’s last official act as Secretary of State was signing a memorandum with Foreign Minister Livni that will help prevent arms smuggling to terrorists in Gaza.
And today Press Secretary Dana Perino delivered the Administration’s final press briefing (Transcript). Dana took time to pay tribute to her predecessor Tony Snow and to all the members of the White House press staff. But one name was conspicuously absent from her remarks.
Q Dana, you mentioned Ari and Tony, but I don't think I heard you mention Scott. Was that a slight or was that -- was anything deliberate --Dana: No harm meant, I just didn't mention him.
What did you think of his comments [on MSNBC] last night?
Dana: I didn't bother watching them.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
What a good and gracious man we have been privileged to have lead us for the last 8 years. May God bless him and give him a joyful life in Texas!
I am on a church retreat this weekend, but I will check whatever shows up on The Dose when I get back Sunday evening.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this thread over the years. It's been a privilege to know all who posted here (with the exception of a few trolls early on...ha!).
President George W. Bush with painter Andrew Wyeth after Wyeth received the 2007 National Medal of Arts in the East Room of the White House in Washington, in this file image from November 15, 2007. Wyeth died on January 16, 2009 at the age of 91. Picture taken November 15, 2007.
Laura and I deeply mourn the death of American painter, Andrew Wyeth.Mr. Wyeth captured America in his paintings of his native Pennsylvania and Maine.
Mr. Wyeth was no stranger to White House recognitions. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963. President Nixon sponsored an exhibition of Andrew Wyeth's paintings at the White House. In 1990, my father presented Mr. Wyeth the Congressional Gold Medal. And in 2007, I awarded Mr. Wyeth the National Medal of Arts in recognition of his lifetime achievement and contribution to American arts and culture.
Laura and I are fortunate to have known Andrew Wyeth and to have had the pleasure of enjoying his work. In 2005, Andrew and his wife, Betsy, presented to the White House his painting, "Jupiter," which is displayed in the Family Sitting Room in the Residence.
On behalf of the American people, Laura and I offer our sincere condolences to Betsy and the Wyeth family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
(Source)
Andrew Wyeth’s “Jupiter”
Thank you for tonight’s dose. I appreciate all of your hard work with these threads!!
I don’t know how I will cope without the daily dose!
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino makes remarks during her final briefing January 16, 2009 at the White House in Washington, DC.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino is seen at her last press briefing in the briefing room at the White House January 16, 2009.
Dana: Welcome, everyone, to the last press briefing of the Bush administration. It's hard to believe that this is my 145th and final press briefing behind this podium. Over 1,000 briefings have been given by press secretaries and deputy press secretaries, at this podium, since the beginning of the administration -- starting, of course, with our very good friend, Ari Fleischer.I've been honored to have been able to speak on President Bush's behalf and it's been a privilege to take your questions.
We've prepared a tribute to you today, but before we get to that, let me first thank my amazing press staff. They've seen me at my worst -- usually at 6:30 a.m. -- but they always help me to present my best. I think you'll all agree that this is the most professional, experienced and fun press staff that we've ever had. Thank you all.
Thank you again for all of your hard work and dedication to these threads, SJ.
tears...
We are planning to do this the final details are not worked out yet
Prettiest press secretary ever! :)
[The laughter coincides with the images on display on either side of the podium—Dana and the President having a little fun with the haughty press corp.]
Dana: I have a lot of respect for the White House press corps -- don't look so surprised. (Laughter.) It's true I respect you, because you never once complained about your work space. (Laughter.) Even though sometimes it could be a little cramped. I respect you because you are always at the top of your game, you never miss a beat. (Laughter.) Even when on some days you felt like lying down on the job. (Laughter.)I respect you because no matter the distraction, you always reported on the most critical news facing the nation. (Laughter.) And I hope that that respect is mutual, because I believe this administration has done our best to cater to the press corps' every need. (Laughter.)
People always ask me, what is one myth you wish you could clear up about the President? I think it's that he doesn't appreciate the role of the press. Well, I am here to tell you that he really does. As he said in his press conference earlier this week, he wishes you all nothing but the very best. (Laughter.)
His son, Jamie, is a renowned painter.
Dana: We all have difficult jobs; we all work long and tough hours. And it's been an exciting challenge. I know I had some big shoes to fill when I got here, and I still only wear a size 6. And I just want to say a few words about our friend, Tony Snow.Tony was a man who loved his job. Tony loved President Bush. He lived life to the fullest. And when Tony lost his valiant battle against cancer last summer, we all lost a world champion.
Some wonderful photos = great dose Jonny
silent_jonny: THANK YOU for tonight’s DOSE — your featured photos and quotes are beyond touching!
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MUST READ . . .
WE HAVE NOT TIRED, WE HAVE NOT FALTERED...
By Rich Galen
Last night President George W. Bush gave his final scheduled speech as President of the United States. At noon next Tuesday, a new President will take the oath of office and the peaceful transfer of power from one American to another will take place as it has 44 times before.
President Bush had been in office for less than eight months when the terrorists struck on September 11, 2001. Ten days later, a relatively untested President said of terrorism, we will “Stop it. Eliminate it. And destroy it where it grows.”
The President threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the world saying, “You have a decision to make: You are with us, or you are with the terrorists.”
And in that speech President Bush said, “Whether we bring them to justice or bring justice to them; Justice will be done.”
In the seven years which have gone by since the goals of the new Administration of George W. Bush were refocused forever, American has been safe from attack. That may not be the case forever; probably will not be the case forever, but unless we are attacked in the next four days it will not have happened on George W. Bush’s watch.
You can read the entire commentary here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/01/we_have_not_tired_we_have_not.html
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MY TRIP TO MIDLAND, TX FOR THE PRESIDENT’S ‘WELCOME HOME’ CELEBRATION!
Hubby and I leave tomorrow morning for Midland, TX . . . We’re going to do our ‘hot monogamy’(a term used by ohiowfan to describe our First Couple’s relationship) version of a ‘Thelma & Louise’ roadtrip . . . We’ll arrive in Midland on Monday (1/19); the celebration is on Tuesday (1/20) . . . This will give us a day and a half to see all the sites including the President’s childhood home!. . . Hubby has his portable PC ready to go so that I’ll be able to provide you with ‘on the scene’/’behind the scene’ reporting and photos . . . I’m psyched!
Awww... hugs, & same here.
Awww... hugs, & same here.
Dana: Through these turbulent years, I've been honored to be a part of your lives. I want to thank the President, and his senior staff, for the confidence and the support that they've given me.I want to thank my husband, Peter, who made all of this possible. I think he's here somewhere. Back in the back -- there he is.
And as we move on, I want you to know that I think America needs more reporters, not fewer. So let's hope someone figures out a business model that will keep you in your seats for a long time to come.
I wish my successor, Robert Gibbs, all the very best. Please go easy on him -- for a week. (Laughter.)
And before I say goodbye, I will take your questions one last time. (Laughter and applause.)
See ya then!
There is also a “childhood home” here in my town. Look on
my homepage for a picture of it. It’s the first home they
owned when they moved to West Texas from the East Coast.
It’s at the Presidential Museum, which you might enjoy
visiting!
Happy for You!! Wish I was able to be There!!
:)
Oh no! I will miss this man and his family.
And Condi Rice's outfits...
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