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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.
I love it also, and in the back of my mind I thought the same thing you did. There is sure to be some narrow, sour, shriveled soul out there who will try to turn that into a "Rome burns" analogy.
It is a very chilling thought
Good looking group of troops....but, the BEST looking is Jon!!
Thanks for posting that, mystery!!
Some of the musicians said they were surprised that he knew the musical score and did a pretty fair job with the baton. Of all the remarkable photos we've all shared during these last 6+ years, GWB conducting the orchestra are some of my favorites in a way. He continues to surprise us even after all this time. :)
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LOL....he is turning into a fine yound man.
Hi Mo1. They are fun pics. I was just thinking that I'm going to have a hard time deciding my top 10 favorite photos of GWB when he retires. I know my top three, but after that, it's going to be hard.
My top three are the ones of him standing on that burned out firetruck at Ground Zero, his pitch at Yankee Stadium that October, and the flight suit.
I’m so glad your dad is home. Yummy to the cake and desert. I haven’t had dinner yet. Makes me hungry. :)
Here are a couple of others: 
Snugs -
With all the recent pictures of the Queen dressed up in her ‘Sunday-go-to meeting’ clothes as we say here, do the people in England ever see her in informal clothes?
Does she ever wear pants or a pants suit? Do you think she hangs around the palace dressed in a silk blouse and wool skirt all the time? : )
Great photo. I love them all. Scary about the rocket and mortar attacks, but I love their sense of humor. Thinking of our troops, my prayers go out to the ones taken by the Al Qaeda scum.
Hi Meg. Wow! That basket of flowers is gorgeous.
I think that is partly why we like these conducting photos so much--we are seeing a new side of GWB! These photos are delightful. It is so wonderful to see him so clearly enjoy himself.
I just hope the Good Lord lets Tony live a full life. His kids are still young. I hope Tony is around to see his own grandkids someday. :)
Great picture, mystery..Jonathon looks wonderful!!
Great sense of humor indeed!
Very much so. It picks me up when I see him happy. :)
President Bush’s speech was EXCELLENT and the part where he played conductor afterward was really fun!
Snugs, how old are the Queen and Prince Philip now?
The Queen is 81 and Prince Philip I believe is about 86
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