Posted on 06/22/2006 4:18:22 PM PDT by snugs
The President and First Lady and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are in Hungary commorating the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising.
Vice President Dick Cheney addressed the 31st Anniversary Leadership Summit of the US-India Business Council in Washington
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) and Army General George Casey held a joint news conference at the Pentagon in Washington
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President's Remarks to the People of Hungary
Gellert Hill
Budapest, Hungary
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Yo napote kivanok. (Applause.) Thank you for your warm welcome. I first want to thank the President for his gracious hospitality and the chance to visit Sandor Palace. It's a beautiful site, and I know you're proud of it. I also want to thank your Prime Minister for his hospitality and the chance to go to the Parliament Building. Laura and I particularly liked to see the Holy Crown of St. Stephen. It was beautiful. It's a grand reminder of the great history of Hungary.
thank the Hungarian people for their gracious reception. Laura and I are honored to visit your great nation. Hungary sits at the heart of Europe. Hungary represents the triumph of liberty over tyranny, and America is proud to call Hungary a friend.
I appreciate the opportunity to stand here on Gellert Hill, which offers a striking view of your beautiful city. Fifty years ago, you could watch history being written from this hill. In 1956, the Hungarian people suffered under a communist dictatorship and domination by a foreign power. That fall, the Hungarian people had decided they had had enough and demanded change. From this spot you could see tens of thousands of students and workers and other Hungarians marching through the streets. They called for an end to dictatorship, to censorship, and to the secret police. They called for free elections, a free press, and the release of political prisoners. These Hungarian patriots tore down the statue of Josef Stalin, and defied an empire to proclaim their liberty.
Twelve days after the Hungarian people stood up for their liberty, the communists in Moscow responded with great brutality. Soon the streets of Budapest were filled with Soviet tanks. The Red Army killed many who resisted, including women and children. The Soviets threw many more into prison. They crushed the Hungarian uprising, but not the Hungarian people's thirst for freedom.
Some 200,000 Hungarians fled into exile in search of liberty. Many found refuge in the United States. These immigrants have contributed to my country in countless ways, and America will always be glad that we opened our doors to Hungarians that were seeking freedom. Fifty years later, the sacrifice of the Hungarian people inspires all who love liberty. Some of those who faced those tanks are here today. I had the honor of meeting three such gentlemen at lunch. I was proud to be in their presence. America honors your courage. We've learned from your example, and we resolve that when people stand up for their freedom, America will stand with them.
In 1989, a new generation of Hungarians returned to the streets to demand their liberty, and boldly helped others secure their freedom, as well. By giving shelter to those fleeing tyranny and opening your border to the West, you helped bring down the Iron Curtain, and gave the hope of freedom to millions in Central and Eastern Europe. Because you had the courage to lead, Hungary became the first communist nation in Europe to make the transition to democracy.
You believe that free nations have an obligation to help others realize the benefits of freedom. So last year, you launched the International Center for Democratic Transition here in Budapest. You set that center up to help others learn from your country's experiences. Hungary was also an early contributor to the United Nations Democracy Fund, which supports emerging democracies with legal and technical and financial assistance. And together, America and Hungary helped launch the Foundation for the Future, which supports democratic reformers, independent journalists, women's groups, and human rights advocates throughout the Middle East. Hungary is making a difference in our world, and I thank you for your leadership in freedom's cause.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
President George W. Bush speaks from Gellert Hill in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, June 22, 2006. "Fifty years ago, you could watch history being written from this hill. In 1956, the Hungarian people suffered under a communist dictatorship and domination by a foreign power," said President Bush. "That fall, the Hungarian people had decided they had had enough and demanded change." White House photo by Paul Morse
Dose going up - please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting photos or graphics
cool
Hi, Snugs! Looking forward to some great pics today. Thanks for doing this.
Fantastic photo.
Air Force One with U.S. President George W. Bush aboard is ready for take off to Budapest at Vienna's Schwechat airport, on Wednesday, June 21, 2006
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive at Ferihegy airport Budapest on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 
Hi!
Rats -- one second off.
Thanks, in anticipation of another excellent Dose!
I literally got queasy as I scrolled up to the first picture -- felt like I was falling over the edge of a building LOL.
President George W. Bush's motorcade rolls into the central Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, June 21, 2006
President George W. Bush 's bulletproof limousine rolls to the Meridian Hotel in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Hungarian soldiers wait for U.S. President George W. Bush in Budapest June 22, 2006
President George W. Bush and Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom, review the honor guard at Sandor Palace in Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, June 22, 2006 where the President was welcomed with full military honours 
My pleasure great photos today
Gretchen, since you missed by 1 second i want you to choose the toaster picture for me. :)
I like the First Lady's outfit, she looks great!
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