Posted on 03/02/2005 5:09:11 PM PST by GretchenM
President Bush had some strong words to Syria to get out of Lebanon, noted here.
He and Vice President Cheney welcomed and congratulated the World Series Cham-peens, the Boston Red Sox, who ended a drought of Biblical proportions with their first World Series win in 86 years. With Speaker Hastert and Senator Stevens, he presented the Congressional Gold Medal to Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson, in the name of her husband.
In Arnold, Maryland, the president participated in a job training and education dialogue, linked here.
Secretary of State Condi Rice attended a one-day London meeting, info here, to discuss Iran's nuclear life, the Palestinians, etc. She put off a planned trip to Canada next month, a move seen as a rebuff over Canada's rebuff of the North American missile shield.
Senator Kerry positioned himself obscenely close to the president at Bush's remarks honoring Jackie Robinson.
Other than that crude interruption, enjoy today's visit to Sanity Island.
Please educate an ignorant English girl what did this mean?
I know I was feeling the "heat"! Brought on another "hot flash" he he
It's an ice dancing show basically--my dad used to take me because he thought I would like it...I didn't have the nerve to tell him I didn't want to go, because he was being nice...so we both suffered!
FASCINATING READ:
BY JAMES TARANTO
Wednesday, March 2, 2005 10:53 a.m. EST
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110006362
'But as an American . . .'
We hardly ever watch Comedy Central's "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," but our TV happened to be tuned to it last night when erstwhile Clinton aide Nancy Soderberg, author of "The Superpower Myth: The Use and Misuse of American Might" (foreword by Bill Clinton, blurb by Madeleine Albright) came on. We're not sure what possessed us to turn on the sound and watch, but we're glad we did, for it was a fascinating interview. Here's a TiVo-assisted transcript of most of it:
Stewart: This book--it talks about the superpower myth of the United States. There is this idea, the United States is the sole superpower, and I guess the premise of the book is we cannot misuse that power--have to use it wisely, and not just punitively. Is that--
Soderberg: That's right. What I argue is that the Bush administration fell hostage to the superpower myth, believing that because we're the most powerful nation on earth, we were all-powerful, could bend the world to our will and not have to worry about the rest of the world. I think what they're finding in the second term is, it's a little bit harder than that, and reality has an annoying way of intruding.
Stewart: But what do you make of--here's my dilemma, if you will. I don't care for the way these guys conduct themselves--and this is just you and I talking, no cameras here [audience laughter]. But boy, when you see the Lebanese take to the streets and all that, and you go, "Oh my God, this is working," and I begin to wonder, is it--is the way that they handled it really--it's sort of like, "Uh, OK, my daddy hits me, but look how tough I'm getting." You know what I mean? Like, you don't like the method, but maybe--wrong analogy, is that, uh--?
Soderberg: Well, I think, you know, as a Democrat, you don't want anything nice to happen to the Republicans, and you don't want them to have progress. But as an American, you hope good things would happen. I think the way to look at it is, they can't credit for every good thing that happens, but they need to be able to manage it. I think what's happening in Lebanon is great, but it's not necessarily directly related to the fact that we went into Iraq militarily.
Stewart: Do you think that the people of Lebanon would have had, sort of, the courage of their conviction, having not seen--not only the invasion but the election which followed? It's almost as though that the Iraqi election has emboldened this crazy--something's going on over there. I'm smelling something.
Soderberg: I think partly what's going on is the country next door, Syria, has been controlling them for decades, and they [the Syrians] were dumb enough to blow up the former prime minister of Lebanon in Beirut, and they're--people are sort of sick of that, and saying, "Wait a minute, that's a stretch too far." So part of what's going on is they're just protesting that. But I think there is a wave of change going on, and if we can help ride it though the second term of the Bush administration, more power to them.
Stewart: Do you think they're the guys to--do they understand what they've unleashed? Because at a certain point, I almost feel like, if they had just come out at the very beginning and said, "Here's my plan: I'm going to invade Iraq. We'll get rid of a bad guy because that will drain the swamp"--if they hadn't done the whole "nuclear cloud," you know, if they hadn't scared the pants off of everybody, and just said straight up, honestly, what was going on, I think I'd almost--I'd have no cognitive dissonance, no mixed feelings.
Soderberg: The truth always helps in these things, I have to say. But I think that there is also going on in the Middle East peace process--they may well have a chance to do a historic deal with the Palestinians and the Israelis. These guys could really pull off a whole--
Stewart: This could be unbelievable!
Soderberg:---series of Nobel Peace Prizes here, which--it may well work. I think that, um, it's--
Stewart: [buries head in hands] Oh my God! [audience laughter] He's got, you know, here's--
Soderberg: It's scary for Democrats, I have to say.
Stewart: He's gonna be a great--pretty soon, Republicans are gonna be like, "Reagan was nothing compared to this guy." Like, my kid's gonna go to a high school named after him, I just know it.
Nice pictures! (Too bad we had to have Nancy P. and JFK in them, too.)
I'm not a Sox fan, but them are some good lookin' players!
___________________________
No joke. I can kind of see a reason for jfk to be there, but what in the world was Pelosi doing sticking her big nose in?
You are not KIDDING about some good-looking men in that group. There are some real easy on the eyes types in that crowd.
I don't think the VP usually shows up for these sorts of events. I think he may really be a baseball fan though.
Evening everyone.
I've got a puzzler that I've been saving up for you, Jonny. And mystery_ak, who's also good at them (at least while hubby's on board ;-) ) is also on the thread. So I'll post it shortly.
Well after that touching photo, I need a new box of tissues!
If he was snuggling up to W, you should post them for the laugh effect. We could all make fun of him doing it that way.
FR was nonexistent for a while there this evening. I thought maybe they were under attack.
Hubby's asleep..so Im on my own...bring it on!
Very thoughtful of you, snugs, to include the fan with that pic. Not powerful enough, however.
I still say W looks like Mel G in that pic.
~ Gogranny ..... grandson Jarrett, deployed
~ Inspectorette ..... son Eric
~ LBGA ..... son is deployed
~ Slip18 ..... nephew is aboard ship - active duty USN
~ mrs tiggywinkle ….. nephew Michael is in the Navy
~ milagro ….. son is deployed in the Mid-East
~ Jewels1091 ….. friend of daughter … Chris (Navy)
~ from hoosiermama …
…..… Shanty & Josh (husband & wife just deployed separately)
…..… Bill and Bill (both military academy grads)
…..(when you teach, they're all your kids)
~ WomanofStandard ….. a dear friend's sons, Troy (Air Force) in Italy and Tyler (Army) at Ft. Bragg, NC
~ Warriormom ….. CIA agents whose plane crashed and may have been kidnapped in Colombia
~ Freeper Per-Ling ….. active duty in the Navy ….. has a wife and 2-year-old
~ leenie312 ….. son Nicholas is in the Marines
~ rintense .…. friend's brother, Brian Z.
…..… friend, Matt (who is a Freeper), deployed to the Mid-East
~ AF_Blue ….. active-duty AF
~ JulieRNR21 ….. a friend's grandson, Wesley in the USAF
~ bigeasy ….. friend’s husband is deployed ….. he asks for prayer for justice, wisdom, swift return home
~ fc2tomschermuly (Navy) … he is a FReeper, as is his sister (mjaneangels@aolcom) and their father is a lurker
~ EuroFrog ….. husband, SSG Mike, deployed to Kuwait
….. SSG Kris, friend of SSG Mike in Kuwait
~ whoever ….. son Adam, on a Navy ship in a “hot zone” … he’s a single father (a widower) with a 10 y/o daughter
~ annyokie ….. son, Ian (Navy)
~ IncPen ….. Sarah (who was IncPen’s maid of honor at her wedding), Air Force flight nurse, just landed in Kuwait
….. friend’s son Matt is in Kuwait
….. brother in law Paul is awaiting deployment
~ TruthNtegrity ….. cousin's son, Andy, is a Midshipman at the US Navy Academy, studying Astronautical Physics; wants to be a pilot
~ RoseofTexas ….. the son of a friend, Leo, an MP in Kuwait
~ goodnesswins ….. neighbor’s husband, Bruce, flying C-17's from Germany to Iraq
~ azGOPgal’s friend’s friend, Jeremy who is in the 10th Mountain Division
~ FresnoArmyBrat ….. a cousin
~ Jim Robinson ….. two nephews
~ Marysecretary ….. grand-nephew, Paul, who is in Iraq
~ tinacart ….. best friend's son, Cody - 4th Infantry
~ DallasDeb ….. niece in Army, posted to Kuwait, may be repairing comm equipment in Iraq
~ hoosiermama ….. Callie, in Iraq; Dawn's brother ??? and George in a tank somewhere
….. … one of our teachers Dan, working stateside to help "process" military and supplies
~ bigghurtt ….. 5 years in the Army, soon-to-be Special Forces
~ JulieRNR21 ..... friend Betty's grandson, Matt, in US Army
~ Scott Speicher from Desert Storm
~ McLynnan ….. Seth, closest friend’s son-in-law, deploying to Iraq
~ PhiKapMom’s daughter, Jennifer, U. S. Navy
~ Cate ….. son David, in Iraq since June with the 4th ID
~ ladyinred ….. Josh, newly deployed to Iraq
….. Also, Josh's sister Pamela
….. their mother now has 2 children over there and one who has just returned home
~ JulieRNR21 ….. J.C., now serving in US Army in Iraq
~ ntnychik ….. the members of the 10th Mountain Division (which will be in Iraq for the long haul) and their families
~ Pan_Yan & Pan_Yans Wife ….. friend, Mike, stateside now but expects to go back to Iraq in late winter
~ Jewels1091 ….. Nick (friend of youngest daughter) going to Iraq for 18 months
~ MS.BEHAVIN ….. friend's son-in-law, Scott, has been deployed to Iraq
~ hoosier_RW_conspirator ….. son Jake
~ Happy2BMe ….. son Aaron has just left for a year in Iraq
~ Jaguar Girl ….. nephew Jimmy is serving in the Air Force
~ hoosierpearl ….. friend Robert, deployed to Afghanistan in March. He has three small children and a wife at home and has a particularly dangerous job
~ Lunatic Fringe ….. brother deployed with the 2/7 Cavalry
~ Lunatic Fringe ….. best friend from high school, deployed with the 1/7 Field Artillery
~ ODC-GIRL ... part of her unit is in Iraq
~ Jaguar Girl ….. her cousin, Peter (Marines), has just been deployed to Iraq
~ Keith Matthew Maupin, the soldier who has been taken hostage. Prayers for his well-being and for his safe release and for strength and courage for his family.
~ alaska-sgt ….. asks for prayers for himself, his brother, and his brother-in-law, all members of the US Air Force
~ Kewlhand Tek, a FReeper, is currently serving in Iraq
~ bethelgrad, a FReeper, who is leaving for Rhode Island to train this summer as a Navy Chaplain. He especially asks for prayers for his wife and 2 young sons while he is gone.
~ notpoliticallycorewrecked ….. CD (Marines) has returned to (light) active duty while his wounds continue to heal. Prayers for his continued recuperation!
~ St.Mark ….. nephew, somewhere between Syria and Fallujha (Marines); and son, in Twentynine Palms CA in training (Marines)
~ savagesusie ….. son Cory is in Afghanistan
~ redhead ….. granddaughter & husband (Stephanie and Josh) serving in Iraq
~ stand 4 something ….. son Cade has joined the Air Guard and is in training.
~ Freeper firstiamaussoldier classified assignment, stateside
….. ….. Sister-in-law, Deanna, USAF active duty HAFB
….. ….. Ex-husband, Benton, 161st Air refueling FT ANG Sky Harbor … (All second to fourth generation military.)
~ Texagirl4W ….. nephew, Jesse (Navy)
~ Militiaman7 ..... son, Jonathan, who is a FReeper, is in Afghanistan with the Virginia Army National Guard.
~ jonsie ….. son Ryan has been in Iraq as a medic with 1st Cav since Sept. 2003, he is now guarding the green zone
~ elder5 ….. brother-in-law W0-2 Brian F., Army Reserve Chopper pilot, on his 2nd tour in Iraq
~ firstiamaussoldier ….. son has been sworn in as a Marine Reserve in the delayed entry program as he finishes up high school
~ Don'tMessWithTexas ….. 2 brothers-in-law in the service
….. … a Lt.Cmdr in US Navy deployed in Guam
….. … a Major in US Army deployed in the Sunni Triangle outside Baghdad.
~ notpoliticallycorewrecked ….. scoutmaster of our BSA troop, Rick (Army National Guard). His unit will be leaving for training in Sept. and shipping over to Iraq before the end of the year though he will not be going with them.
~ reformed_dem ….. Luke (Marine), the son of a good friend, who is shipping out to Iraq in early Sept.
~ Texas Princess ….. nephew Roland, (Air Force), currently stationed in Korea
~ Himyar ..... son, Robert, is deployed to the Mideast
~ W04Man ….. Jared, the son of a high school friend, is in Iraq with the Louisiana National Guard
~ an anonymous FReeper ….. son, Stephen (Army), in Baghdad
~ spotbust1 ….. husband CW2 Frank (LAARNG), serving in Iraq
~ Ladysmith ….. nephew, Elliott, starts bootcamp on 10/19/04 for the Army Reserves
~ LUV W ….. son David is a Captain in the Air Force, stationed right now in Florida.
~ CyberAnt ….. nephew Jody (USMC) … is home from Japan but will be redeployed elsewhere in January.
~ Kentucky ….. has a request for prayer from a Marine Mom whose son, Ramsey, is in Iraq
~ W04Man ….. wife’s niece's son, Brooks, is in Iraq
~ Trust but Verify ….. friend’s husband, Donald, infantry scout with the 1st ID
~ snowtigger ….. Peter, 1/24 INF (he drives a Stryker armored vehicle) ….. just shipped out to Mosul
~ marylina ….. friend’s son, Brandon (Navy) – stationed on a destroyer that will be deployed to the MidEast in December
~ Reagan79 ….. brother, Chris, a Marine Reservist from MS, will be leaving Jan 5th for Iraq
~ homemom ….. Kelsey, a young lady now serving in Iraq
~ Sea2ShiningSea ….. cousin’s son, James, is in Iraq
….. … Chad, her “adopted” soldier
~ TruthNtegrity ….. friend from church heading to Iraq for 3 months as a Civilian Analyst. In addition to praying for her safety, please pray for her husband, a retired Navy pilot who is very jittery about his wife going into harm's way.
~ mamaduck ….. cousin, Carl, is a Sargeant Major stationed in FL right now and will deployed to Iraq after the new year
~ Pippin ….. niece’s husband, Sung, (Air Force and brand new American citizen) is deployed to S. Korea
…..niece, Melissa, is in the AirForce, currently stationed in GA
~ Blue Scourge ….. a Freeper (Air Force), leaving for basic training
~ Collier ….. friend, Jim, father of 3 girls....Iowa National Guard, currently in Afghanistan
~ repubmom ….. son Brian has enlisted as a Special Forces recruit - he leaves for Basic right after Christmas
~ GOP-Pat ….. cousin's husband Tommy, retired from sheriff's department in July to volunteer to go to Iraq to train the Iraqi troops.
~ SE Mom ….. son Tommy, 101st AB, home now in Florida undergoing chemotherapy
~ pGfwabf ….. son Tom is in Bagdad; son Mark is at boot camp in San Diego (Marines). He should graduate Feb. 11, do his advanced training and then ship to Iraq.
~ Severa ….. husband, Jason (FR screen name Hostel), USN P-3 Aircraft Mechanic
….. ….. brother Wes, USAF First Lieutenant
….. ….. Jason's cousin David, 101st Airborne
~ BonnieJ ….. cousin Doug (Army) has returned from an extended tour in Iraq and a minor injury and is now scheduled to go to Afghanistan early in the new year.
~ FReeper MikeinIraq
~ OldSarge ….. a FReeper, Kentucky National Guard, leaving for Iraq in July (18 month deployment) after several months training in MS
~ WVNan ….. friend and lurker Kathey's son, Brian (U.S. Army), deploying to Iraq in February
~ reformed_dem ….. brother Drew has shipped out for Kuwait on his way to a year in Iraq
~ Ladysmith ….. brother's fiance's son, Shane, is stationed in Germany and will eventually head to Iraq
~ arbee4bush ….. daughter Kristen (FReeper KB4W) has left for Air Force basic
~ patriciaruth …..
…..* In Mosul, Ron, Mac and Sean
…..* In Baghdad, Rusty, Jonathan, Tim and Marwin
…..* In Kirkuk, Armando and Antonio
…..* In Balad, Paula, Claire, Jon, and Bobbie
…..* Somewhere in Iraq, Michael, Eric, Jon
…..* In Bagram, Mark
…..* Somewhere in Afghanistan, Jerry, Dennis, Mark
…..* Released from Walter Reed, now undergoing outpatient rehab, DJ
…..* Charles, Nicole and Sean are safely home from Kirkuk
* ~ ntnychik ….. friend's son, Erik, an Army Ranger, who just got back from Iraq, re-upped, and is going back
* ~ gatorbait ….. brother-in-law (Army) and nephew (Marine) in the mid-East and a nephew-in-law who has returned home safely.
* ~ nelibeli ….. nephew Tres (Army), is serving his 2nd deployment to Iraq (he volunteered to go back!)
* ~ Pippin ….. niece in the Air Force …. nephew in the Army and his daughter, Jazmine … back in the states now.
* ~ Pippin ….. nephew's wife is back home from the Far East. (USArmy)
* ~ TejasRose ….. Candice (U.S. Army), daughter of a close friend, has just returned home after 14 months in Iraq
* denotes change to the list (an addition or sometimes, thankfully, someone who has come home safely)
I think you're correct, snugs. Since 9/11 they have avoided being the same place the great majority of the time except where security is very tight (like the White House). Maybe that's being relaxed a little bit, I hope so.
It was great to see the VP get to enjoy that today.
I went back and read the transcript of the president's meeting at the job training and education dialogue.
If I wasn't in awe of this man, I am now. He spoke to 3 people, asked about their work and schooling, where they were from, etc. No biggie, maybe. But this man does this day in, day out, across the country. How many people does he get prepped on and have to remember information about? He doesn't just seem interested, his interest in these people and their stories comes across even in a flat printed transcript.
No wonder people gravitate to him.
When you read these people's stories you realize again what a great country this is and how many chances for success we all have, if you only seize the opportunities.
He was just spending a lot of time making sure he was in the photographers' range so that if W were photographed, so would kerry be. There were some of W shaking his bony hand, etc. I always get creeped out looking at those because I get the impression old kerry is salivating and licking his wounds over the "if only," and "what if's" of it, and that he goes to these WH and other events to be close to the power so he can imagine himself being the center of attention, the one being quoted and photographed, etc.
I've got a puzzler that I've been saving up for you, Jonny
Thanks!
Allright, you had to reveal my moment of weakness didn't you, LOL! Actually, more than a moment. Oooh, that picture is just too much.
I think the Icecapades remarks were from their raised arms facing different directions looking choreographed, like an ice skating routine.
Did you watch AI?
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