A day in the life of President Bush (live): 3/19/03

AP, live, netescape.com, whitehouse.gov, Fox News Channel

[rintense]

President Bush will speak to the nation this evening at 10:15pm and will announce that Operation Iraqi Freedom has begun. AP has received an official notice froom the White House that simply said, 'The liberation of Iraq has begun.' Follow the speech here as pictures (only a few) will follow. Enjoy your daily dose of Dubya! And God bless our President, our troops and God bless America.

[rintense]

I heard KKK Byrd's rant on Hannity. It was sickening. He needs to hook up with Helen Thomas.

[rintense]

FNC reporting 5 Iraqi leaders HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!! Saddam is denying it. Now how can a dead man deny it?

[nana4bush]

Ew-w-w. What a thought. Who is the most senile?

[MJY1288]

Here is the link to the announcement by Dubya

Address to the Nation

[rintense]

Geraldo is with the soldiers going after Osama- 1st brigade of the 82nd Airbourne!!!!

[ODC-GIRL]

Hey now, you either take care of the house, the spouse or kids, don't ya? (one or all of the above) That is the toughest job in the world. It's easier to be at work :-)

[MJY1288]

Here is the Transcript

On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign. More than 35 countries are giving crucial support -- from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense.

To all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. That trust is well placed.

The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honorable and decent spirit of the American military. In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality. Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military -- a final atrocity against his people.

I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. A campaign on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment.

We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great civilization and for the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people.

I know that the families of our military are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon. Millions of Americans are praying with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the innocent. For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude and respect of the American people. And you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done.

Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly -- yet, our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder. We will meet that threat now, with our Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of fire fighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities.

Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures, and we will accept no outcome but victory.

My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail.

May God bless our country and all who defend her.

[ODC-GIRL]

Glad to hear the 'puter is cooperatin' tonight. An historic night.

[MJY1288]

I'm watching now :-)

[ODC-GIRL]

Thought this might be appropriate, I'm sure it's been posted before but...

Words from the Navy Hymn

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair;
Oh, hear us when we lift our prayer,
For those in peril in the air!

Eternal Father, grant, we pray,
To all Marines, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, thy law fulfill;
Be thou the shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps.

Eternal Father, Lord of hosts,
Watch o'er the men who guard our coasts.
Protect them from the raging seas
And give them light and life and peace.
Grant them from thy great throne above
The shield and shelter of thy love.

Lord God, our power evermore,
Whose arm doth reach the ocean floor,
Dive with our men beneath the sea;
Traverse the depths protectively.
O hear us when we pray, and keep
Them safe from peril in the deep.

God, Who dost still the restless foam,
Protect the ones we love at home.
Provide that they should always be
By Thine own grace both safe and free.
O Father, hear us when we pray
For those we love so far away.

And when at length her course is run,
Her work for home and country done,
Of all the souls that in her sailed
Let not one life in Thee have failed;
But hear from heaven our sailor’s cry,
And grant eternal life on high!

[TruthNtegrity]

I haven't caught up yet, just got to your post where you asked when they turn the head of the eagle toward the arrows. They don't. That is an urban legend. The eagle's head is always toward the wheat.

Don't know where the fallacy that the flag is changed - but can you imagine the number of flags, the oval office carpet - the incredible number of items that would have to be changed? Nope. It isn't done.

Just thought you'd want to know. And now, I'm going back to reading, trying to catch up before everyone has gone to bed.

[nana4bush]

I'm so glad you posted this so I could read something uplifting while listening to that vile Saddam (or his double) blather on!

[ODC-GIRL]

Don't you just love the mute button? Ho hum! I first heard that song on Titanic and then we sang it for the first time in church after 9-11. It has really come to mean a lot to me.

[MJY1288]

That was a tape, NOT a live broadcast. Saddam never spoke a word that would confirm it was a post attack response. I pray Saddam is swimming with the Fishes

[goodnesswins]

NOPE....that was NOT saddam.....I said that to my husband at first sight of him....

[MJY1288]

I think it was Saddam, But I think it was a taped response, before the airstrikes

[goodnesswins]

Did he look like the guy on the left?

[CyberAnt]

Yes, it is the toughest job of all - and the most unappreciated and disrespected by the media.

Taking care of my 90 yr old mom is very similar to your job. It's only now that I truly appreciate all she did for me as I was growing up. I remember all the beautiful dresses she made (some of them stunning formals for dances; my senior prom dress took 3 patterns); all the special lunches she packed; all the special things she did to help me when I missed the mark at school.

I hope I have done as good a job instilling respect into my children - so far only one of my 2 of sons have been successful in life - still praying for the 3rd one.

[CyberAnt]

I saw that and then the guy that reports from the Pentagon said he thought the speech by Saddam was a film - because he could see streaks on the screen while he was watching it, and he suspected it was a film ...?? Could be very good clue.

[ODC-GIRL]

Part of the food chain... :-)