Posted on 05/13/2007 5:41:45 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush spent most of the weekend in Washington. However, they did travel to Jamestown, Virigina, today to attend the ceremonies marking the 400th Anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement. Here is the AP story as published on the FOX News website:
President Bush Celebrates Jamestown's 400th Anniversary
JAMESTOWN, Virginia, May 13, 2007(AP) Fond of promoting the endurance of freedom, President George W. Bush on Sunday hailed America's humble beginnings as a reminder that new democracies require huge sacrifice.
"From our own history, we know the path to democracy is long and it's hard," Bush said in a ceremony honoring the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, America's first permanent English colony.
"There are many challenges, and there are setbacks along the way," Bush said. "Yet we can have confidence in the outcome because we've seen freedom's power to transform societies."
The President also did something that possibly may be a first for a U.S. president when he conducted the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Apparently, he did a pretty good job at it, too. So President Bush has a musical side. Who knew. :)
Bush playfully conducts orchestra in Va.
By SONJA BARISIC, Associated Press Writer
Sun May 13, 3:20 PM ETJAMESTOWN, Va. - JoAnn Falletta was doing what a conductor should — concentrating on the orchestra in front of her. No wonder it took her a few seconds on Sunday to realize someone behind her was motioning for a try.
"Smiling at me kind of devilishly," Falletta said.
She gave him her baton and stepped aside.
Gesturing exuberantly, the president led the orchestra during part of its performance of "Stars and Stripes Forever."
"We didn't expect him to know the score so well," Falletta said afterward. "He was not shy about conducting at all. He conducted with a great deal of panache."
That was the music played for Bush's exit after his speech at a ceremony commemorating the founding 400 years ago of Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement.
Just before the music ended, Bush turned to Falletta, who stood on a step below him, kissed the top of her head and left without saying a word.
The 400-strong orchestra was made up of about 50 members of the Virginia Symphony, plus musicians from youth orchestras around the country. The switch in conductors was impromptu, said Falletta, the symphony's music director.
"I think he may have just been seized by the desire to conduct the orchestra," she said.
Falletta did not spot Bush until alerted by a musician.
"I'm embarrassed now that I didn't notice him, but I was just thinking of the music," she said.
Bush stepped onto the podium and took over.
The musicians were impressed by how musical Bush was, Falletta said. "He was cueing the brass, he was cueing the percussion, he kept the tempo going," she said.
Bill Fearnside, a violinist with the Virginia Symphony, put down his instrument and picked up a camera to record the moment.
"It was a little shocking, but it was fun," Fearnside said.
THE WEEK AHEAD:
— Monday, the President has no public events scheduled. First Lady Laura Bush participates in a roundtable discussion on women and heart disease at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC— Tuesday, the President meets with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in the Oval Office. He also delivers remarks at the Annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in the Capitol.
— Wednesday, President Bus welcomes his friend, British Prime Minister Tony Blair to White House. (I believe this may be their last meeting in the White House before Mr. Blair retires from office.)
— Thursday, GWB meets with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Oval Office. Later, the two leaders will participate in a joint media availability in the Rose Garden.
— Friday, the first couple will be at their Prairie Chappel Ranch in Crawford, Texas.
EXTENDED SCHEDULE:
— May 20-21, 2007: President Bush hosts NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at his ranch in Crawford, TX.— May 23, 2007: President Bush delivers the commencement address to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.
That’s awesome about him conducting the orchestra!
Oh My....prayers indeed....I need knee surgery and I am afraid to go back to the doc....had my right knee repaired several years ago and I hated being laid up for several weeks...it’s hell getting old..lol
Praying that your knee surgery will go smoothly, and that your recovery is just as smooth.
’ Talk about a Renaissance man! LOL!’
Yes! Wish the Fox news people would say that about W....calling W a Renaissance man would drive the rest of the media crazy....love it!! He’s OUR Renaissance man!
They grow up so fast...Tommy is 15mos old now!
star,, best of luck with the knee replacement. For about 15 years I am on 24/7 anti-inflamatories OTC for my knees. My cousin the ortho surgeon ecommended this (NOT the prescription type). He said to put off surgery if possible
Let us know where your son will be? I am in Cleveland Akron area.
nice report on your mother’s day /surprises.
{{{starwise}}}
“MR. LUV!”
LOL! Your hubby sounds like a cool, fun guy!
Thanks!
He is. He keeps me smilin’!
Tommy is 15 months......wow, time truly passes quickly.
It sure is ... darn joints ..!
Did you have knee replacement?
Y’all .. if anyone finds a video of W conducting, please let me know. I’d just love to see that .. can’t stay up till 1am to catch it on cspan.
Thank you ... I’m a big anxiety-prone chicken.
I love your picture up thread with all the Doxies!
“He keeps me smilin’!”
I think that is so important. Me and mine have been married 36 years and he still makes me laugh. Laughter is good for the soul.
I looked at the reply trail for the last photo @ 17 for that photo is my fave this day...
& lo and behold I see from the replies to trail that is the very one You knew I’d like!
At first I went to the very last photo before the all clear...w/o doing the replies trail...
& thought nope she must mean another last photo per posted series.
I was right!
& You are right!
For I do love that rainbow ‘round the face one, of Pres. B.!
Congratulations for your very successful marriage.
We’ve been married for a long time, too. He is quite a
giggler and loves to tease me....in a nice way, though.
It took him a while to get used to my being a FReeper, but
I have met and traveled with a group and so he’s become
more interested.
# 17’s final photo (rainbow framed face of Pres. B.) is my fave photo tonight...Eleanor/Snugs it’s fun & amazing that You always guess my fave shots correctly!
Dr. Deb thanks as always for the links & info pings.
Wolf* if You are a Mom...Happy Mother’s Day! & Also a catch all Mother’s Day greeting to All Mom’s here @ The Dose!
There's also a lot of pictures of the President and First Lady at Jamestown in the same Dailypress gallery. You can skip #11 & #17 if you have a weak stomach.
Thanks. And, congrats to you too!
It’s great that your husband is also interested in FR.
All the nastiness against our President by the Dims and lib media have made me SO intense (yell at the TV, constantly email and calling rotten Senators) that I have turned my hubby off of politics. He’ll listen to Fox news but to a degree.....where I’m a Fox news (and FR) junkie.
I would love for Dosers to someday have a big gathering in D.C.....would love to actually meet all the wonderful people who share a love of this great President.
Well, time to turn in. Nite.
Nighty-night!
I hope we can get together some time, too. It would be
a blast!
I have become very close to the group that I have traveled
with. They are all GOOD people.
Keep up your passion. We are going to need it in ‘08!
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