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.
Thank you, Wolfstar, and a Happy Mother’s Day back atcha whether you qualify or not!
And I know you are Mom to some doggies.
He claimed (on Laura I’s show) that he is not that thin, but that his clothes are just too big.
I am so NOT hungry. DP took me out to dinner for Mothers Day. Bad day to go out. An hour waiting for a table (we did that at the bar..DP would have been happy with his drink if he could have smoked, but no smoking ordinances have popped up all over this area).
An hour waiting for food and an hour to eat and finally get the check.
It was good though.
Great links as always. Thanks.
Plus, if you ever read the obituary of a conductor, they are all like 97 or something.
It must be a relaxing thing to do.
Nice pics, especially from Jamestown. Thanks.
Thanks for that information!!!!
Yes, she is at point she doesn’t get many cards, calls at all anymore & to have one from the WHITE HOUSE.. well that would be wonderful
Try holding your arms straight out in front of you for an hour, and then think about having to move them around at the same time.
It's healthy. ;)
Let me know if you were able to find the site and link.
Here’s a bit more information about Dubya’s “leadership” debut with the Jamestown Virginia Symphony Orchestra:
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=124626&ran=122832&tref=po
Lady in the portrait has no veil
HEADS UP . . .
At 5:15 PM EST, C-SPAN2 will re-broadcast the President’s ‘graduation’ speech at St. Vincent College:
http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/schedule.csp
That portrait caught my eye also. It has a strange quality to it, yet is quite beautiful. And I agree with your observation. It is surprising to see such an alluring painting of a woman prominently displayed in a Muslim government building. But it’s also my impression that the Egyptians are more secular than other Muslim states.
Thank you, dmd25!
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