A day in the life of President Bush (12/17/05): photos & transcript of today's address

White House & Yahoo News Photos ^ | 12/17/05

[Wolfstar]

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: The President is in Washington preparing for his address to the nation tomorrow evening.

Remember the following the next time some congress-critter or senator whines about not being briefed by the White House about something:

At yesterday's press briefing, Press Secretary Scott McClellan said that General Casey and Iraqi Ambassador Khalilzad briefed members of Congress on the elections and the political progress, as well as on the security progress in Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad talked about how we would work with the new Iraqi government and assist them as they work to put a permanent government in place.

General Casey gave an update on the security situation, and another sign of progress was that the violence was down yesterday. McClellan said we know that the terrorists and Saddam loyalists want to continue to carry out their attacks. And we expect that violence will continue. That's why we've got to continue to work to train and equip the Iraqi security forces going forward. We are making important progress. There are still challenges ahead. At this point, though, we congratulate the Iraqi people for a great day yesterday.

And now for a little fun -- it is Christmas time, after all...

President Bush discloses iPod playlist

President George Bush yesterday discussed the contents of his iPod in greater detail with Sky News, noting various artists as he toyed with Apple's "high tech stuff." The Commander In-Chief perused his selections, listing among the The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, The Archies, Aretha Franklin, and "Dan" McLean as favored artists, among others on his playlist. One bystander quickly corrected the president, reminding him that Don, not Dan, was the artist who sang "American Pie." Bush remarked that "Bono came in and dropped his new iPod on me," comparing his older device to the lead singer of U2's iPod nano. "This is a clunker compared to the newer version," Bush said. The President failed to mention whether Bono's singing with U2 is among his selections. The music-fan-in-chief also took time to mention that his iPod "can shuffle the shuffle."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: This is the entire transcript of today's Presidential Radio Address, without question the most important such address since World War II. I have emphasized portions with bold type.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning.

As President, I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and I have no greater responsibility than to protect our people, our freedom, and our way of life. On September the 11th, 2001, our freedom and way of life came under attack by brutal enemies who killed nearly 3,000 innocent Americans. We're fighting these enemies across the world. Yet in this first war of the 21st century, one of the most critical battlefronts is the home front. And since September the 11th, we've been on the offensive against the terrorists plotting within our borders.

One of the first actions we took to protect America after our nation was attacked was to ask Congress to pass the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act tore down the legal and bureaucratic wall that kept law enforcement and intelligence authorities from sharing vital information about terrorist threats. And the Patriot Act allowed federal investigators to pursue terrorists with tools they already used against other criminals. Congress passed this law with a large, bipartisan majority, including a vote of 98-1 in the United States Senate.

Since then, America's law enforcement personnel have used this critical law to prosecute terrorist operatives and supporters, and to break up terrorist cells in New York, Oregon, Virginia, California, Texas and Ohio. The Patriot Act has accomplished exactly what it was designed to do: it has protected American liberty and saved American lives.

Yet key provisions of this law are set to expire in two weeks. The terrorist threat to our country will not expire in two weeks. The terrorists want to attack America again, and inflict even greater damage than they did on September the 11th. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that law enforcement and intelligence officials have the tools they need to protect the American people.

The House of Representatives passed reauthorization of the Patriot Act. Yet a minority of senators filibustered to block the renewal of the Patriot Act when it came up for a vote yesterday. That decision is irresponsible, and it endangers the lives of our citizens. The senators who are filibustering must stop their delaying tactics, and the Senate must vote to reauthorize the Patriot Act. In the war on terror, we cannot afford to be without this law for a single moment.

To fight the war on terror, I am using authority vested in me by Congress, including the Joint Authorization for Use of Military Force, which passed overwhelmingly in the first week after September the 11th. I'm also using constitutional authority vested in me as Commander-in-Chief.

In the weeks following the terrorist attacks on our nation, I authorized the National Security Agency, consistent with U.S. law and the Constitution, to intercept the international communications of people with known links to al Qaeda and related terrorist organizations. Before we intercept these communications, the government must have information that establishes a clear link to these terrorist networks.

This is a highly classified program that is crucial to our national security. Its purpose is to detect and prevent terrorist attacks against the United States, our friends and allies. Yesterday the existence of this secret program was revealed in media reports, after being improperly provided to news organizations. As a result, our enemies have learned information they should not have, and the unauthorized disclosure of this effort damages our national security and puts our citizens at risk. Revealing classified information is illegal, alerts our enemies, and endangers our country.

As the 9/11 Commission pointed out, it was clear that terrorists inside the United States were communicating with terrorists abroad before the September the 11th attacks, and the commission criticized our nation's inability to uncover links between terrorists here at home and terrorists abroad. Two of the terrorist hijackers who flew a jet into the Pentagon, Nawaf al Hamzi and Khalid al Mihdhar, communicated while they were in the United States to other members of al Qaeda who were overseas. But we didn't know they were here, until it was too late.

The authorization I gave the National Security Agency after September the 11th helped address that problem in a way that is fully consistent with my constitutional responsibilities and authorities. The activities I have authorized make it more likely that killers like these 9/11 hijackers will be identified and located in time. And the activities conducted under this authorization have helped detect and prevent possible terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad.

The activities I authorized are reviewed approximately every 45 days. Each review is based on a fresh intelligence assessment of terrorist threats to the continuity of our government and the threat of catastrophic damage to our homeland. During each assessment, previous activities under the authorization are reviewed. The review includes approval by our nation's top legal officials, including the Attorney General and the Counsel to the President. I have reauthorized this program more than 30 times since the September the 11th attacks, and I intend to do so for as long as our nation faces a continuing threat from al Qaeda and related groups.

The NSA's activities under this authorization are thoroughly reviewed by the Justice Department and NSA's top legal officials, including NSA's general counsel and inspector general.Leaders in Congress have been briefed more than a dozen times on this authorization and the activities conducted under it. Intelligence officials involved in this activity also receive extensive training to ensure they perform their duties consistent with the letter and intent of the authorization.

This authorization is a vital tool in our war against the terrorists. It is critical to saving American lives. The American people expect me to do everything in my power under our laws and Constitution to protect them and their civil liberties. And that is exactly what I will continue to do, so long as I'm the President of the United States.

Thank you.

[baseballmom]

The fact that there are Americans -- including elected leaders -- who do not wish him well in this endeavor in a post-9/11 world is mind-boggling.

Mind boggling, indeed, Wolfstar.

Thanks for the post, and the whole statement by our courageous President. May God continue to guide his decisions as he deals with our enemies - within and without.

[Kitty Mittens]

My sister, I So Love All your Prayers, Comments, and Pictures! And Thank you for the Lovely Pictures you Posted of our Lord Recently; I Loved them! (And I Saw your Pictures in Post #151, and they are Wonderful!)

Integro love of His Majesty Majesty of Majesty of Israel is unlimited; infore go follow him in love etro you will be in peace.”

Amen, and Praises Be to our Great Lord and Savior!

(((((((Sara)))))))

[kayak]

Please join in prayer for one on our list who has been injured by an IED, the son of SoldiersPrayingMom, Greg, who is himself FReeper jmpmstr4u2. Initial notification to his wife is that he has all his limbs intact but has injuries to his back and left arm.

Prayers needed NOW! Freeper Jmpmstr4u2 injured in IED explosion!!!!

Please remember the following members of the military and their families/friends in prayer:

~ WomanofStandard ….. a dear friend's sons, Troy (Air Force) in Italy and Tyler (Army) at Ft. Bragg, NC
~ leenie312 ….. son Nicholas is in the Marines
~ rintense .…. friend's brother, Brian Z.
…..… friend, Matt (who is a Freeper), deployed to the Mid-East
~ AF_Blue ….. active-duty AF
~ fc2tomschermuly (Navy) … he is a FReeper, as is his sister (mjaneangels@aolcom) and their father is a lurker
~ EuroFrog ….. husband, SSG Mike, deployed to Kuwait
….. SSG Kris, friend of SSG Mike in Kuwait
~ annyokie ….. son, Ian (Navy)
~ azGOPgal’s friend’s friend, Jeremy who is in the 10th Mountain Division
~ FresnoArmyBrat ….. a cousin
~ Jim Robinson ….. two nephews
~ tinacart ….. best friend's son, Cody - 4th Infantry
~ bigghurtt ….. 5 years in the Army, soon-to-be Special Forces
~ JulieRNR21 ..... friend Betty's grandson, Matt, in US Army
~ ladyinred ….. Josh, newly deployed to Iraq
….. Also, Josh's sister Pamela
….. their mother now has 2 children over there and one who has just returned home
~ ntnychik ….. the members of the 10th Mountain Division (which will be in Iraq for the long haul) and their families
~ Pan_Yan & Pan_Yans Wife ….. friend, Mike, stateside now but expects to go back to Iraq in late winter
~ hoosier_RW_conspirator ….. son Jake
~ Jaguar Girl ….. nephew Jimmy is serving in the Air Force
~ Kewlhand Tek, a FReeper, is currently serving in Iraq
~ St.Mark ….. nephew, somewhere between Syria and Fallujha (Marines); and son, in Twentynine Palms CA in training (Marines)
~ savagesusie ….. son Cory is in Afghanistan
~ Militiaman7 ..... son, Jonathan, who is a FReeper, is in Afghanistan with the Virginia Army National Guard.
~ jonsie ….. son Ryan has been in Iraq as a medic with 1st Cav since Sept. 2003, he is now guarding the green zone
~ elder5 ….. brother-in-law W0-2 Brian F., Army Reserve Chopper pilot, on his 2nd tour in Iraq
~ Kate of Spice Island ….. son has been sworn in as a Marine Reserve in the delayed entry program as he finishes up high school
~ Don'tMessWithTexas ….. 2 brothers-in-law in the service
….. … a Lt.Cmdr in US Navy deployed in Guam
….. … a Major in US Army deployed in the Sunni Triangle outside Baghdad.
~ notpoliticallycorewrecked ….. scoutmaster of our BSA troop, Rick (Army National Guard). His unit will be leaving for training in Sept. and shipping over to Iraq before the end of the year though he will not be going with them.
~ Texas Princess ….. nephew Roland, (Air Force), currently stationed in Korea
~ an anonymous FReeper ….. son, Stephen (Army), in Baghdad
~ Kentucky ….. has a request for prayer from a Marine Mom whose son, Ramsey, is in Iraq
~ snowtigger ….. Peter, 1/24 INF (he drives a Stryker armored vehicle) ….. just shipped out to Mosul
~ homemom ….. Kelsey, a young lady now serving in Iraq
~ mamaduck ….. cousin, Carl, is a Sargeant Major stationed in FL right now and will deployed to Iraq after the new year
~ Pippin ….. niece’s husband, Sung, (Air Force and brand new American citizen) is deployed to S. Korea
…..niece, Melissa, is in the AirForce, currently stationed in GA
~ Blue Scourge ….. a Freeper (Air Force), leaving for basic training
~ Collier ….. friend, Jim, father of 3 girls....Iowa National Guard, currently in Afghanistan
~ GOP-Pat ….. cousin's husband Tommy, retired from sheriff's department in July to volunteer to go to Iraq to train the Iraqi troops.
~ SE Mom ….. son Tommy, 101st AB, home now in Florida undergoing chemotherapy
~ Severa ….. husband, Jason (FR screen name Hostel), USN P-3 Aircraft Mechanic
….. ….. brother Wes, USAF First Lieutenant
….. ….. Jason's cousin David, 101st Airborne
~ MontanaCowgirlCop ….. brother Ted, who is an 18-year-old Marine medic overseas right now
~ FReeper MikeinIraq
~ reformed_dem ….. brother Drew is in Iraq
~ gatorbait ….. brother-in-law John (Army) and nephew Andrew (Marine) in the mid-East
~ nelibeli ….. nephew Tres (Army), is serving his 2nd deployment to Iraq (he volunteered to go back!)
~ pGfwabf ….. son Mark (Marines) has been assigned state-side duty after graduating from boot camp.
~ It's_me_K.E.T. ….. son, Brian (U.S. Army), deployed March 6 to Iraq for 13 months.
~ FreedomHasACost ….. brother Ted (Marines) is in the Middle East
~ arbee4bush ….. daughter Kristen (Freeper KB4W) training for loadmaster C-17 US Air Force.
~ hoosier_RW_conspirator ….. son, Jake (Army) deployed to Afghanistan
~ hoosier_RW_conspirator ….. friend's son, Danny (Army) awaiting deployment for 2nd tour in Iraq
~ jch10 ….. son, Maury, US Army, who is in Qatar, soon to be in South Korea before returning home
~ GVgirl ….. son Nathan, active duty, California National Guard
~ herewego ….. brother-in-law Robert has just left for Iraq
~ FReeper stompk has re-enlisted, this time in the Army Reserves after serving active duty in the past in the Navy, and hopes to be serving in the War on Terror soon as a medic
~ jtill ….. Vic, Youth Minister at her church, will be leaving for Iraq for one year
~ BUSHdude2000 ….. brother currently stationed at Fort Drum, NY, will be going to Iraq in August
~ TruthNtegrity ….. Friend from church has returned from the mid-East. Retired Navy pilot hubby trying to get his wife to retire but she is committed to helping the military in her field of expertise and wants 2 more years to support the WoT.
~ Prophet in the wilderness ….. nephew (Marines) has returned home from Iraq but has shipped out elsewhere.
~ LUV W ….. son David is a Captain in the Air Force, currently on deployment in the mid-East
~ ntnychik ….. friend's son, Erik, an Army Ranger, on second tour in Iraq
~ from hoosiermama …
….. … George, in Iraq
….. … Bill was home but is heading back to Iraq
….. … Dan, our teacher, is still working stateside and his son has been accepted to one of the Military academies (West Point I think).
….. … Brad is doing his second tour in Iraq
….. … Tre, from work, has reinlisted and is currently working stateside.
~ PhiKapMom’s daughter, Jennifer, U. S. Navy; Jennifer’s husband, Tyler, U.S. Navy – both currently deployed
~ Happy2BMe ….. son Aaron has returned safely from Iraq (having been awarded a Bronze Star), though quite a few from his Arkansas National Guard unit made the ultimate sacrifice. Prayers for their families.
~ CyberAnt ….. nephew Jody (USMC) … awaiting deployment orders
~ Jet Jaguar (U. S. Air Force) - Republic of Korea
~ Sea2ShiningSea … Chad, her “adopted” soldier
~ Marysecretary ….. Jerry, a dear friend's only son, is going to Iraq
~ RoseofTexas ….. Richard from Texas left for Iraq this past Feb.
~ Reagan79 ….. brother, Chris, a Marine Reservist from MS, is in Iraq
~ JulieRNR21 ….. a friend's grandson, Wesley in the USAF, is in Iraq
~ Slip18 ….. nephew, Allen (USMC), is expecting to soon be deployed for his fourth tour of duty in the mid-East
~ Himyar ..... son, Robert (Air Guard), is home from the mid-East but volunteered for more active duty in the states
~ repubmom ….. son Brian has finished basic, Airborne training and is now in Selections for Special Forces
~ TruthNtegrity ….. cousin's son, Andy, is a Firstie (senior) at the US Navy Academy, and passed Phase 1 of qualifying for pilot training.
~ BonnieJ ….. cousin Doug (Army) will be returning to Baghdad by December
~ BonnieJ ….. cousin Josh will be going to Afghanistan with the Green Berets by the end of summer
~ OldSarge ….. a FReeper, Kentucky National Guard, is deployed to the mid-East
~ SuziQ ….. nephew, Alexander, an Apache Longbow pilot in Afghanistan
~ SuziQ ….. cousin Johnny serving with the MS Natl. Guard in Iraq
~ SuziQ ….. Chrissy, a West Point graduate and the daughter of friends, serving in Army Intelligence in Iraq
~ Marine_Uncle…..nephew LCpl Steven (USMC) currently in Iraq, second tour
~ StarFan….. son's friend Scott (USMC) just ended basic and will be deployed to Mid-East soon
~ Warriormom…..requesting prayers for the family of the Navy Seal in Afghanistan whose death has been confirmed
~ Warriormom….. updates prayer requests for Thomas Howes, Marc Gonsalves and Keith Stansell, CIA agents whose plane crashed in Columbia two years ago and are being held captive by the FARC according to a State Dept. briefing on June 27, 2005.
~ Kate of Spice Island ….. cousin, Kenneth, US Navy in California
~ Keith Matthew Maupin, the soldier who was taken hostage and whose whereabouts are unknown. Prayers for his well-being and for his safe release and for strength and courage for his family.
~ Scott Speicher from Desert Storm
~ shezza ….. husband in Afghanistan, brother in Germany (med-evac crew bringing wounded troops to Walter Reed), sister-in-law in Afghanistan
~ N8VTXNinWV ….. brother-in-law in Afghanistan, brother in Germany (med-evac crew bringing wounded troops to Walter Reed), sister-in-law in Afghanistan.
~ notpoliticallycorewrecked ….. Kenny (Marines) is going to Iraq in August. Please remember his mother, also … she is having a very difficult time with this.
~ pGfwabf ….. nephew Sam (Marines) leaving for Iraq in September
~ jtill ….. Bob, who is the son of her friend Bess
~ hoosierkitties ….. brother Philip is currently at Groton, CT, training for submarine duty
~ Jewels1091 ….. Ross, friend of daughter, is about to deploy to Iraq for a year (his third deployment in the War on Terror and he’s only 23!)
~ marylina ….. friend’s son, Brandon (Navy), has returned from the Middle East and is now in San Diego, awaiting Navy Seals school
~ Jen's Mom ….. daughter SPC Jennifer is in Ramadi where she is a medic
~ mtngrl@vrwc ….. son Sean deployed to Iraq
~ TexKat ….. son, SS Khevin (US Army), is currently in Iraq
~ Gosh I love this neighborhood ….. grandson is in Germany after a year in Iraq and his Dad (National Guard) is being sent to Kosovo.
~ Ladysmith ….. brother's fiance's son, Shane, is in Iraq
~ JFC ….. nephew Micah who is a Marine fighting now in Iraq.
~ saberpride ….. son's friend's dad, Don and his Michigan National Guard unit, currently in Iraq.
~ Kate of Spice Island ….. Sister-in-law, Deanna, USAF stationed in Alaska
* ~ MozartLover ….. son Ev and his National Guard unit have deployed to the Mid-east
* ~ mrs tiggywinkle ….. nephew Michael is being honorably discharged from the Navy after serving 4 years in service to our country.
* ~ mrs tiggywinkle ….. cousin, Jason (Army National Guard), has deployed to Iraq for a year
* ~ DebWisconsin ….. nephew has graduated from his specialty training and now is in South Korea for one year.
* ~ reaganite ….. gr nephew, Scott (Marine), just arrived in Iraq
* ~ patriciaruth …..
….. In Tal Afar – James
….. In Mosul – *Steve, Tommy
….. In Kirkuk – *Timothy
….. In Baghdad – Keith, Karl, Phillip, Terry, Barry, Michelle, Michael, Sheila, Lysandwr, and Rebecca
….. In Bagram, Afghanistan – *Sam, Erica
….. In Irbil – *Dave
….. In Kosovo – *Stuart
* ~ SoldiersPrayingMom ….. son Greg (FReeper jmpmstr4u2), has been injured in Iraq (back and left arm) in an IED explosion

* denotes change to the list (an addition or sometimes, thankfully, someone who has come home safely)

(Please FReepmail me with changes to the list because I may miss pings.

Also, please let me know if you would like to be on or off of the ping list for this scripture and prayer post ... it is different from, and much smaller than, the Dose Ping List. Thanks.)

[El Gato]

I have reauthorized this program more than 30 times since the September the 11th attacks, and I intend to do so for as long as our nation faces a continuing threat from al Qaeda and related groups.

IOW. GWB to MSM:

UP YOURS!

[MEG33]

Amen

[snugs]

Thanks for the information on jmpmstr4u2, I have just looked at his recent posts and it seems he was due home very shortly.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1537562/posts

Prayers for him and his family at this uncertain time.

[El Gato]

Former first lady Barbara Bush receives an honorary doctorate in letters from Texas A&M

Gig 'Em Barbara!

And I'll bet she knows just who needs gigging. Sic the Aggies on 'em she might.

[Just A Nobody]

All Americans should, however, have the same reverential respect for this great, visionary man.

Yes! It would be nice if the word PRESIDENT was used in front of his name. (sorry-something happened yesterday regarding this that I'm still fuming about)

[Just A Nobody]

Excellent tagline you have there!

[Just A Nobody]

That is where I have seen that look on our President's face before. The same look he had when he delivered his address yesterday (Saturday) is on his face in that memorial link of 9-11.

[McGavin999]

Thank you. That tag line expresses my exact feelings. I've stood up for our intelligence community for a long time, always thinking there were some incompetents but mostly supporting them.

If they can't catch these people who are leaking vital information, there is no way to have any faith in them at all.

[Just A Nobody]

Thank you for sharing this powerful video.

[STARWISE]

Isn't it great?? Makes me weepy.

[Just A Nobody]

I agree wholeheartedly!

[Just A Nobody]

I was interupted by a phone call so started over!

25 minutes and counting for our awesome PRESIDENT!

[STARWISE]

YAY!!