Posted on 05/22/2006 6:09:21 PM PDT by snugs
The President and first lady spent the weekend in Washington attending church on Sunday as usual.
The First Lady delivered the keynote commencement speech during graduation ceremonies at Roger Williams University on Saturday and the President and former Chief of Staff Andy Card went for a bike ride on Sunday
The President spoke on Sunday about the formation of an Iraqi government
The President's parents spent the weekend at the White House and also spoke to the 2006 graduating class of George Washington University during commencement ceremonies on the National Mall on Sunday.
Today the Vice President is in Sacramento for fund raising events.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appeared on FNS and Meet the Press yesterday and today attended commencement ceremonies at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Today British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Iraq
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Discusses Border Security and Immigration Reform in Arizona
Yuma Sector Border Patrol Headquarters
Yuma, Arizona
I've come down here to first of all thank the men and women of the Border Patrol for doing a fine job on behalf of the American people. A lot of time you don't get the credit you deserve, but there's a lot of folks who understand how hard you work. And we really appreciate it. So on behalf of a grateful nation, thanks for doing an important job. (Applause.)
I'm down here to talk about the immigration issue. And this is an important issue. It really is. It's an important debate our country is having. We need to have -- we need to secure our border, and we need fair and effective immigration laws. The other night I spoke to the country about the way I see it, and I'm looking forward to working with the United States Congress to get something done.
There's a lot of politics in Washington, D.C. And it's time to get rid of all the politics and do what's right for the United States of America and help you do your job. And that's why I've come to this part of the world. I wanted to hear firsthand from David and Ronald Colburn what they need to get the job done, and where we're making progress and where we aren't making progress.
Since I became the President we've increased funding for our border security by 66 percent. That's helped upgrade equipment, infrastructure. Border Patrol agents have gone from 9,000 -- about 9,000 to nearly 12,000, a significant increase of Border Patrol agents so that we can have more people in the front lines of doing our duty.
Here we've added about -- more than 100 Border Patrol agents in the Yuma sector in the last year. In other words, people are beginning to see, those on the front line of protecting the border are beginning to see additional agents coming on board. That's about an increase of 20 percent to more than 660 agents. This border -- this sector was overwhelmed at one time from people coming across illegally. I understand that. And one way to help deal with that problem is to increase the number of agents on the front line, which is what the leadership of the Border Patrol has done.
We saw some new fencing taking place. It makes sense to use fencing along the border in key locations in order to do our job. We saw lighting. I just saw the cameras in place where we're beginning to install -- modernize the border is what I'm telling you. We're in the process of making our border the most technologically advanced border in the world.
Interestingly enough, I don't think enough Americans know this, but over the past five years, federal agents, like our Border Patrol agents, have apprehended and sent home about 6 million people -- 6 million people since 2001 have come into this country illegally. I mean, we've got some people working hard.
So not only has the current immigration system caused a whole smuggling industry to come up, but there's also a document forgery industry. We want our employers to be able to be confident about who they're hiring. That's why we need a tamper-proof ID card, based upon modern biometrics.
We have a duty in Washington, D.C. to conduct this debate with dignity and honor. Immigration is an emotional issue. Sometimes people get carried away on the issue, and they -- in doing so, they forget the greatness of our country, that we are a land of immigrants; that we've always been a haven for better opportunity; that we welcome people who are willing to abide by our laws and work hard and raise their family and trust in the Almighty. America's greatness has been and always will be the fact that we are one nation under God.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
President George W. Bush reacts while taking questions from the audience Monday, May 22, 2006, following his remarks on the War on Terror to the National Restaurant Association gathering at Chicago's McCormick Place.
Yippee!
hi!
Dose going up please wait for the all clear before posting photos and graphics
Sorry it is late tonight but had problems with Yahoo.
Welcome to new members of the ping list.
applauds during graduation ceremonies
President George W. Bush (C) and first lady Laura Bush stand with Rev. Luis Leon (R) as they depart after a Sunday morning church service at St. John's Church in Washington May 21, 2006.
Good evening.
HOW did I get in before the ping?! (8-0
Hi snugs...no worries about the time...I suspect a lot of the Dosers may be watching the 2 hour season finale of "24".
President George W. Bush, with Mrs. Laura Bush by his side, comments on the formation of the new govenment in Iraq, Sunday, May 21, 2006 in the Diplomatic Reception Room of The White House
President Bush walks down the Collonade with Chief of Staff Michael Bolton prior to departing the South Lawn of the White House in Washington Monday, May 22, 2006
Awesome photo...he sure does love being with people.
Marine One arrives at the White House to pick up U.S. President George W. Bush before he departs for Chicago, May 22, 2006
Hi, Snugs!
Actually, Dick Cheney is in San Diego tonight.
President Bush, right, is welcomed by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, left, at O'Hare International Airport, Monday, May 22, 2006 in Chicago
President Bush ,third from right, is greeted my Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley as he arrives at O'Hare International Airport, Monday, May 22, 2006
Hi PR! I haven't seen you in ages, it seems. How are you?
Marine One, with President George W. Bush aboard, arrives in Chicago Monday, May 22, 2006
President George W. Bush (C) is applauded by U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Dennis Hastert (L) (R-IL) as he takes the stage to speak at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago May 22, 2006
President Bush, right, shakes hands with Speaker of the House Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., before delivering his speech on the War in Iraq at the Arie Crown Theatre in McCormick Place, Monday, May 22, 2006
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