A day in the life of President Bush (photos): 4/4/02

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov

[rintense]

Today, President Bush issued his strongest statement to date regarding the crisis in the Middle East. In a speech that won praise from both Israeli and Palestinian officials, Bush also announced that Secretary of State Colin Powell will be headed to the region next week. Later in the day, Bush urged the Senate to Pass Trade Promotion Authority. The President and First Lady Laura departed this afternoon for a weekend visit to their ranch in Crawford, Texas, where they will be hosting Prime Minister Tony Blair. Enjoy your daily dose of Dubya!

[kitkat]

I keep hearing on radio that both Palestine and the Israelis have agreed to Dubya's peace plan. But I find no mention of it on FR. Am I imagining things? Shouldn't we all be celebrating? Isn't he amazing? Our local show host, Rush, and a whole lot of other people said it couldn't work.

rintense, thank you for this beautiful home away from the fray. I wish I could pull up a chair and spend the whole day right here.

[Soaring Feather]

We don't know any of us what is down the road. I am one who believes, President Bush, is exactly where he is supposed to be. The President tells us he prays, therefore, he knows whose hand is on the helm. I also believe, our president, our nation, all our leaders need to be remembered in our prayers.

[Kath]

That came to me in my mailbox as a news flash from the Associated Press. That is probably where the radio press is getting it.

[kitkat]

I agree completely that Powell would not be going if there were not some agreement already worked out. Bush is doing his one-up-man-ship thing again, and I'll bet it's driving his enemies crazy.

[KansasConservative]

I agree completely, bentfeather. I know that all of us pray for the President and it does help him.
Thanks for the photos rintense. Our First Lady is pure class!

[admiralsn]

Semper fidelis!

[kitkat]

I had a different reaction when I saw tonight's pictures of President Bush. I heard his speech on radio today and I suspect he looks angry and determined. And that's exactly how a leader should look today. Go Dubya!

[kitkat]

Thank you. I was beginning to think that the voices in my head were making sense. LOL!

[looney tune]

Ugh! Anyone been to Drudge lately? Those poopy heads in london are calling GWB a hypocrite! They make me sick!

[Darlin']

Yes, I couldn't agree with you more on all points.

[admiralsn]

It's that d@mn Mirror! Of course, they haven't had an admirable leader since Lady Thatcher, and they haven't had one they (the press) respected in ages!

[Kath]

Who cares what they think???? These are the same morons that have been screaming that Bush should take a bigger role in leading a peace settlement. He does it and they still scream. This is what I said earlier.....being slammed by the same idiots that demand our help. Dial 911 from anywhere in the world and I bet you will get the United States on the line.

[jgdiamond]

What I have never been able to understand is why the entire world thinks that President Bush and the United States should settle this problem

I think it's because no one else in the world can solve this problem. Unfortunately it's not clear that Bush can solve it either, though not through his fault.

[mtngrl@vrwc]

I heard his speech on radio today and I suspect he looks angry and determined. And that's exactly how a leader should look today. Go Dubya!

My (very liberal) mother-in-law watched GWB's speech this morning and was she ever impressed! It is just an awesome thing, watching her come around to appreciating this wonderful president of ours!

[Soaring Feather]

I don't disagree with you, however, he is human and humans can get weary from the day to day grind. When this man speaks the world is listening. He is determined and strong no doubt about that. A weekend on the ranch will help him shed some of the stress that has built up over these last few wonderful/terrible days.

[Kath]

Just once it wold be nice to say the hell with the rest of the world and watch their reaction.

[ZDaphne]

Boy would I love to be a fly on the wall at Bush's ranch this weekend when he meets with Tony Blair!

The president looks very stressed in these pictures.

[jgdiamond]

You are right, I was thinking the same thing. He's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders right now and it's starting to show.

Agreed. My heart was heavy all day for him.

[Kath]

You'd be stress too if the entire world expected you to solve their problems!!!!

[patriciaruth]

Sorry to get this report on 3 year old Mason's bone marrow transplant out so late, and to ask for immediate prayers on such short notice, but I myself have been unable to reach my sister this past week to find out what was happening.

She called today to say that they did the transplant today and so far so good. We need prayers that the transplant will take.

I thought the chemotherapy to kill off Mason's own marrow cells was going to start today, but they started last week. He's had a central line getting anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial antibiotics as he is now wide open vulnerable to every sort of infection.

His brother, 7 year old Christian, was a perfect match. They put him to sleep before sticking any IV lines and then took marrow out of both hips, checked with the lab that they got enough of the type cell they needed, and he is back playing nerf ball at home already, and should regenerate the marrow he donated in a couple weeks.

When they hung the bag of blood on Mason's central line, he remarked, "Oh, that's Christian's blood." Little Mason has been so wonderful, taking medicine by mouth that most little kids would have refused. And he has been chipper and playing in the isolation room he will be confined to for another three weeks or so now, with visitors having to go through protective isolation procedures.

As he was in isolation for Easter, American Airlines sent him and his brother Easter baskets and a local sorority did so as well. Toys R Us sent a fifty dollar gift certificate. He's got lots of toys, some given by a local high school charity group. And the parents have lots of physicial help as there are several sets of grandparents all assembled to divide up chores and help out and who have been given cheap housing on the UMC premises to stay during this isolation phase.

What we need are prayers. Please pray for the bone marrow to take hold and for this dear child's life to be spared. It is all or nothing, life or death now. There is no middle ground. Thank you all for your prayers so far. My sister, Mason's grandmother, says they have worked powerfully well so far and thanks you all deeply and asks for more.