A Day in the Life of President Bush (12/31/05): New Year's Memories

White House ^ | 12/31/05

[Wolfstar]

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President Bush, the First Lady, the dogs and cat, and their family are spending the New Year's holiday at their Texas ranch.

On this New Year's Eve, 2005, although mindful of those who will not continue the journey with us into 2006, it seemed to me we should celebrate happy times. That is the theme of this last Dose thread of 2005.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, to all. May your 2006 be healthy, happy and full of love.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the first Inaugural Address of President George W. Bush, January 20, 2001.

Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.

After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: ``We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?''

Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity.

We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another.

Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.

This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.

[Wolfstar]

On another thread a couple of days ago with an article about President Bush's stoicism, I posted the great poem, IF. To me, it almost seems as though Kipling wrote IF for George W. Bush, so I post it here in tribute to the President we on the Dose admire so much.

IF, by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

[Wolfstar]

Pinging you to the last Dose thread of 2005. Happy New Year everyone. May the Lord's blessings be upon you and your families as we usher in 2006.

[Wolfstar]

PHOTO OF THE DAY: President Bush and Mrs. Bush view the U.S. Constitution with National Archivist John Carlin, left, and Senior Curator Stacy Bredhoff, while touring the National Archives in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005, the day before his 2nd Inaugural.

Although all other oaths of office for elected officials in the U.S., only the presidential Oath of Office is mandated by the Constitution:

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Whatever else can be said of GWB, this man most assuredly executes the Office of President of the United States faithfully.

[samiam1972]

Happy New Year!

[Wolfstar]

A sea of onlookers witness the second swearing-in ceremony of President George W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 20, 2005.

"From all of you, I have asked patience in the hard task of securing America, which you have granted in good measure," President Bush said in his 2nd Inaugural Address. "Our country has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill, and would be dishonorable to abandon. Yet because we have acted in the great liberating tradition of this nation, tens of millions have achieved their freedom."

[Wolfstar]

[Wolfstar]

President George W. Bush shakes hands with Vice President Dick Cheney during the 55th Presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005.

[Wolfstar]

GWB and his Laura lead the Inaugural Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue en route the White House, Jan. 20, 2005.

RBC and his Lynne walk with their family in the Inaugural Parade along Pennsylvania Avenue, Jan. 20, 2005.

[Wolfstar]

The Vice President and Mrs. Cheney participate in the Inaugural Day Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 20, 2005.

[Wolfstar]

GWB gives a thumbs-up to the crowd at one of the inaugural balls in Washington D.C., Jan. 20, 2001. (As I post this, I'm listening to a Christmas present -- one of three Willie Nelson albums I received. The song currently playing is "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.")

President Bush, Laura Bush, Vice President Cheney, and Lynne Cheney review the troops following the inauguration from the east steps of the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 20, 2001.

Presidents 41 and 43 at the 2001 inaugural parade.

[Wolfstar]

The then President-elect and Vice President-elect, and their wives, attend a pre-inaugral ball January 18, 2001.

[Wolfstar]

Vice President Dick Cheney introduces President George W. Bush at the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005.

Our beloved Dubya at the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball.

[Wolfstar]

George and Laura holding hands at the ball.

With his twin daughters Jenna and Barbara by his side, President Bush points out members of the audience to the First Lady during the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball, Jan. 19, 2005. Jenna gives the Longhorn salute to someone in the audience.

[ilovew]

hi

[Wolfstar]

Unbeknownst to the crowd and the vast worldwide TV audience, while wearing a bulletproof vest The Man throws out the first pitch during game three of the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Oct. 3, 2001. The pitch was a perfect strike.

[Wolfstar]

Jose Guillen and President Bush share a laugh as the President joins the Washington Nationals in their locker room prior to opening night at RFK Stadium Thursday, April 14, 2005.

The President shakes the hand of veteran player and Manager Frank Robinson, April 14, 2005, as members of the Washington Nationals, including left fielder Brad Wilkerson, right, applaud. The President tossed the ceremonial first pitch at the season opener that marked the return of baseball to the nation's capitol.

[Wolfstar]

All eyes and cameras are on President Bush as he greets players in the Arizona Diamondback's locker room, April 15, 2005. The Diamondbacks also played in the now storied 2001 World Series.

President Bush autographs baseballs Thursday night, April 14, 2005, prior to his appearance before an opening-night Washington Nationals crowd at RFK Stadium.

Baseballs autographed by the President are ready to be given as gifts.

[GretchenM]

Best wishes for health and happiness to all Dosers in 2006!

[Wolfstar]

President Bush and Washington Nationals catcher Brian Schneider shake hands after GWB threw the ceremonial first pitch to welcome baseball back to the nation's capitol, April 14, 2005. Schneider went 1 for 3 with an RBI in the Nationals' inaugural home 5-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

[Wolfstar]

President Bush stands for the playing of the national anthem in the St. Louis Cardinal’s dugout during their season opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday, April 5, 2004. As part of the opening ceremonies for the 2004 baseball season, President Bush threw out the first pitch.

President George W. Bush throws out the first pitch during the St. Louis Cardinals’ season opener against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo., April 5, 2004.