White House Gets Nipped and Tucked While President is Away

FoxNews.com ^ | 21 August 2002 | Associated Press

[Darlin']

With President Bush away for a month, a noisy horde of sweaty construction workers and heavy machinery has descended to give the executive mansion a facelift -- about 270 projects ranging from replacing the odd door knob to ripping up and repaving an entire driveway.

[Darlin']

Hi, nice to see you today. :) Did you notice additional activity in the skies over your part of Texas today ?

[Darlin']

It wasn't very clear, was it ? I did get the feeling it is being renovated. Since the Secret Service recently closed E Street that probably makes the track more secure for the president to use in these dangerous times. Obviously, he can't run on DC streets and it would certainly save time if he could run on the White House grounds instead of taking a motorcade over to Ft McNair four times a week.

[Darlin']

I see a little red X LOL.

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Wonderful thread! Thanks for the ping, Kayak!

[Darlin']

Found this photo of the work being done on a White House driveway.

Workmen remove the worn surface of West Executive Avenue at the White House, preparing it for a new layer of asphalt, Friday, August 16, 2002. Now that President Bush is spending a few weeks away at his Texas ranch, the executive grounds have been overtaken by construction workers and noisy machinery providing needed repairs to the White House. (AP Photo/J.Scott Applewhite)

[Revelation 911]

LOL - whos yer daddy !

[lonestar]

I understand what you're saying and agree with your point. However, we're talking about the highest office in the land. The floors are beautiful and the stain applied against the grain is probably an eyesore.

My question is, what is somebody who doesn't do better work doing working in the Oval Office?

[Darlin']

"My question is, what is somebody who doesn't do better work doing working in the Oval Office?"

I think the answer to that question is: Civil Service employee. You know, like the status Daschle and Gephardt want all airport security workers to have ?

[SuziQ]

I was contrasting the "vanity" of the repairs with "joe blue collar" - average guy -

I don't think the average "joe blue collar" would begrudge the work done on keeping the White House up to snuff. I'm sure he'd think of the maintenance needed on his OWN home, then realize the HUGE requirements of the White House. The Bushes are not gold plating the faucets, they're just trying to make the place look its best. After all, it is the most important residence in this country, and one of the most recognized public places in the world!

If he noticed that the floors hadn't been done properly, he SHOULD have pointed it out. He knows the home doesn't belong to him and Laura, so he's trying to be a good steward to this remarkable piece of public property.

[SuziQ]

Thanks for the ping, mtngrl! I'd never seen a picture of the wood floor in the Oval Office without the carpet. What a stunning design! I could see how a stain against the grain could ruin the looks of that floor!

[ThePythonicCow]

Thanks for the ping ... I guess. Following it led me to a picture of x42. I won't put his appearance down, as I look much more like x42 than I do 43. But sure ain't a pretty sight.

(Yes, I know you couldn't predict what would be posted right after your ping -- just kidding ...).

[Mo1]

Yeah, x42 I believe rarely used that after the first few times. That was a real waste of money. You can see what a lot of good his jogging does him. What a doofus.

If I recall he use to go jogging around DC at 4/5 AM .. Gee I wonder why .. I guess when they put in that track it messed up his plans ..

And he looks like he's gonna have a heart attack in that picture

[Darlin']

"... the average "joe blue collar" ...."

I don't think they'd mind or consider it a vanity either. I'd think they be happy that a national treasure and a worldwide symbol of America is being restored and well maintained. Moreover, I expect most of the workman involved in this project are "joe blue collar" workers and take pride in their work. After all it is their house, too.

[Darlin']

Hehehe. Poor texasbluebell has taken some teasing about that picture and tried to make amends. :)

[Darlin']

"If I recall he use to go jogging around DC at 4/5 AM "

I think they call what x42 used to do at that hour trollin' not jogging. FOFL

[Pagey]

Yes, I remember that, too. I also remember how the press hammered Nancy Reagan for all her efforts to restore and refurbish the public and private areas.

Those DemoncRATS only hated Republicans by the way.These are the same people who have had to endure the book called "Reagan:In His Own Hand" too.Even the N.Y. Times was forced to write a half decent review of it.And the general populous still thinks Repubs. are evil.If only Libs could've disagreed on the merits of a particular problem instead of bad-mouthing people and their wives.Nothings changed.They publicly made fun of Nancy for having a psychic, but it was O.K. for Shrillary to 'Channel' Eleanor Roosevelt.Amazing isn't it?

[Darlin']

For weeks the press make a big fuss about the president's "month long" vacation. Mow it seems clearer than ever the reason for their tantrum was not the duration but the location. Surely even the press understand it would be imposible to work at the White House this month since even the press briefing rooms are being repaired, too.
One picture is worth a thousand words in the press

Workmen remove worn material from the roof of the press briefing room at the White House, Friday, August 16, 2002. Now that President Bush is spending a few weeks away at his Texas ranch, the executive grounds have been overtaken by construction workers and noisy machinery providing needed repairs to the White House compound. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

[Darlin']

Democrats wrote the press manual about how to report on "double standards"

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Hey you know its our government when a "Temporary structure" is gussied up for its 100th Anniversary.And with all the reporters sweating it out in Crawford, and Congress on vacation.IT probably is quiet and peaceful and will look marvelous when done.

[McLynnan]

Nice to see you too! Yes, the sky was pretty noisy today. We're not used to air traffic. The F-16's (or whatever they are) are finally becoming a dull background noise to me. When W first arrived at the ranch, I'd have to fight the urge to run out back and look up at the sky every 5 minutes when I heard them. They fly around in circles up there regular as clockwork 24/7. Last night and today we had helicopters too. I must sound like I just fell off the turnip truck, lol.