She also stunt doubles for Pat Ireland.
Posted on 05/21/2003 6:57:05 AM PDT by dead
US President George W Bush hoped to visit Australia later this year, but no firm decision had yet been made on dates, a US embassy spokesman said today.
Mr Bush is reportedly set to visit Australia after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Thailand on October 20 and 21.
The long-expected visit, which would be the first by a US leader since President Bill Clinton toured in 1996, would allow President Bush to say thank you for Australia's support during the war in Iraq.
A US embassy spokesman said the tour was yet to be confirmed, although APEC did present an ideal opportunity, as Mr Bush would be in the region.
"Speculation was based on some hopeful remarks by some people in the White House that of course the president would like to visit Australia," he said.
"There is a possibility, but we certainly can't confirm yet that he's going to visit and nor can we confirm the dates."
He said Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, like Prime Minister John Howard, had extended invitations to Mr Bush.
"She invited him to come to The Philippines on her trip to Washington and he said he'd like to do that too," the spokesman said.
"So there would seem to be something of an ideal itinerary shaping up to those of us out here in the field."
Mr Howard reissued his invitation while staying with Mr Bush on his Crawford, Texas, ranch three weeks ago.
Asked about a visit then, Mr Bush said he would like to head to Australia as soon as possible.
An October stopover would also allow the rugby-mad president to attend a Rugby World Cup match, possibly Japan versus the US in Gosford on October 27, or France versus Scotland in Sydney on October 25.
Mr Howard shares a passion for rugby with Mr Bush, who played fullback for Yale University during his college days.
AAP
She also stunt doubles for Pat Ireland.
Oh, good. This should get the democrats foaming at the mouth, especially when the old pictures of President Bush in ruby shorts surface!! LOL!
Need more coffee.
President Bush shows up in Australia, goes to World cup, and gets to show ?How many millions? of people why the US supports him so solidly... Sounds like a plan to me...
My brother-in-law, who's from Ireland, asked me, "Would you like to go the a bar in the Bronx with me and my friends tomorrow morning at 6:30 and get drunk watching rugby?"
How do you say no to that? I was sleeping it off by 1:30 in the afternoon.
are going to be there. Who knows what kind of uproar could ensue against Bush if they were left out! :)
From what I saw in the Ireland/England rugby match, the reverse is also true. Most of them wouldn't last two minutes in an NFL game either. They're not used to a 6'5" 280 lb. defensive back (who runs a 4.4 40) in full equipment smashing into them.
And good lord, that British Rugby team had an excess of ugly on them. 8-)
Back in my more youthful years I took up rugby for a few months. Gave it up because my employer thought I was getting into bar brawls, since I worked in a sales/marketing capacity, this was not the image the company wanted to project to the customer. The american version of rugby is more like football without the benefit of protection ... the version played in most other countries is more refined, more passing and intricate team work.
Playing a collision sport without a face mask will do that. And you're right that the steady exertion and absorption of hits that a rugger goes through wouldn't work too well against 6'8" 300 lb. guys wrapped in carbonate armor plate, who can run 40 yards in under 5 seconds. Personally, I like both sports and know quite a few Aussies who are big fans of the NFL. Ruggers are fairly normal (like hockey players) but a lot of the guys in the NFL are built like thoroughbred hybrids.
That's not entirely true. I played rugby in the military and in college and law school, and american rugby is getting better all of the time. Check out www.usa-eagles.org to see our national team.
Almost every college has a club, and most cities have a number of clubs. It is a great team sport, as well as a great social event. I hope to join a men's club and start playing again soon. All you other ruggers out there need to get on this post!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.