Posted on 08/06/2008 6:01:56 PM PDT by silent_jonny
On his second day in South Korea, President Bush met with President Lee Myung-Bak (Transcript). The two leaders later participated in a joint press conference at Blue House, the presidential residence in Seoul. (Transcript)
President Lee: Once again, along with the Korean people, let me extend to you, Mr. President, and to your family our warmest welcome from the bottom of our hearts. Also, I look forward to you and Mrs. Bush to come and visit Korea freely when you have more time, Mr. President. I will always be ready to welcome my real friend whenever you come by. I will always be ready with open arms.President Bush: I think you're referring to my retirement. (Laughter.) It's great to be back, and I can't thank you and Mrs. Kim enough for your gracious hospitality.
The President, First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Barbara Bush joined President Lee and his wife for lunch at Blue House.
Afterwards, President Bush visited US troops stationed at the Yongsan Garrison in Seoul. (Transcript)
President Bush: I am so honored to be here at "Freedom's Frontier." Thanks for coming out to say hello. I always look forward to the chance to say "Hooah!"Audience: HOOAH!
Mrs. Bush and Barbara toured the National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul.
From there the First Family boarded Air Force One and departed for Thailand.
Arriving in Bangkok, President Bush met with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and held a press conference at the Government House. (Transcript)
Prime Minister Samak: We are pleased to welcome President Bush visit to Thailand on the auspicious occasion of the celebration of 175th anniversary of Thai-U.S. relations.President Bush: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Sawtdee Khrab. (Laughter.) Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for welcoming Laura and me, and our daughter, Barbara, to your beautiful country. I want to thank you very much for welcoming us on behalf of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. We appreciate the opportunity to come back, and we honor the friendship that has been in existence for 175 years.
The First Family will stay overnight in Thailand.
A certain congressman has been displaying symptoms of BDS—not to mention his own ignorance--by implying that President Bush's trip to Asia is a vacation.
Dear Congressman,
The President is going to Asia so he can promote individual and religious freedoms--especially those oppressed in China.
He is going so he can meet with US troops stationed overseas and to thank them for their service.
He is going so he can meet with pro-democracy activists from Burma and encourage their fight against tyranny.
He is going so he can put pressure on the Democrat controlled congress to vote on trade legislation for our allies like South Korea.
And he is going so he can support our athletes as they compete in the Olympic games.
Congressman, maybe you need to GROW A PAIR and fight the battle you volunteered to fight instead of whining about the president doing his job.
Grateful I don't live in your district,
Silent_Jonny
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Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island 
Quote of the Day:
Q: To President Bush, China's crackdown on human rights is drawing intense scrutiny. People are being harassed and jailed just for speaking their mind -- trying to speak their mind. I know you say that you speak candidly with President Hu about this, but with all eyes on Beijing and the world watching, I'd like to ask you directly, what do you think of how China treats its people?President Bush: I've been meeting with Chinese leaders now for seven and a half years; my message has been the same: You should not fear religious people in your society -- as a matter of fact, religious people will make your society a better place -- that you ought to welcome people being able to express their minds. And to the extent that people aren't able to do that and people aren't able to worship freely is a mistake. And I explained it to him every single time.
Photos of the Day:
President George W. Bush pauses to greet school children Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, during arrival ceremonies at the Blue House, the residence of President Myung-bak Lee of the Republic of Korea, in Seoul. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush shakes hands with one of the many personnel he met following his remarks at the U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Wednesday, August 6, 2008, in Seoul, South Korea. White House photo by Eric Draper
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Hi
Ceremonial dancers perform Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, during arrival ceremonies in Seoul for President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
An honor guard stands at attention in the Grand Garden of the Blue House, the residence of President Myung-bak Lee of the Republic of Korea, during arrival ceremonies Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, in Seoul for President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
We sure did.
Yay I am getting a birthday toaster today. :)
President George W. Bush, joined by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, reviews an honor guard Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at the Blue House presidential residence in Seoul. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Children wave American and South Korean flags during the visit of President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush Wednesday, August 6, 2008, to Seoul. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush pauses to greet school children Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, during arrival ceremonies at the Blue House, the residence of President Myung-bak Lee of the Republic of Korea, in Seoul. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W Bush and his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak (R) talk during their meeting at the Presidential House in Seoul on August 6, 2008.
Thank you, jonny :)
President Lee: Mr. President, Mrs. Bush, as well as your lovely daughter, Barbara Bush, I would like to welcome you from the bottom of our hearts. Yes, well, Mr. President, the majority of the Korean people have been eagerly waiting for your visit to Korea this time, and as you saw yesterday, there were many people who gathered together to welcome your visit to Korea.President Bush: Thank you.
President Lee: And also, Mr. President, yesterday, in the lawn in front of the Seoul City Hall, there were many people gathered there, thousands of people gathered, who came together to pray, not only for your visit, but also for the future of the Korea-U.S. relationship, as well …
President Bush: Thank you, Mr. President. Laura and I are delighted to be with you and Mrs. Kim again. Ours is a vital relationship. And our three meetings will only strengthen the relationship. I admire your forthrightness, your integrity, and your deep love for the people of Korea.
And I enjoy coming to a free society, where people are able to express their opinions. And your country is a free society. So thank you. I'm looking forward to our conversations. Thank you, sir.
Yes, thanks Jonny.
Mrs. Laura Bush meets with Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok, wife of the President of the Republic of Korea, during a coffee in Seoul on August 6, 2008. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
By the way, I hope that the President brings a supplied air unit with him to Beijing!!!!———Mark
I am sure he did
Is the Thailand! posting craze truly over?
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