A day in the life of President Bush & pics of the VP at Daytona (7/2/06): news & photos

WhiteHouse.gov & Yahoo News ^ | 7/2/06

[Wolfstar]

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: After an eventful week capped by their visit to Graceland, the President and First Lady spend a quiet Saturday at Camp David. They returned to the White House earlier today.

During her press preview last Thursday of the Official Dinner for the Japanese Prime Minister, Mrs. Bush had some interesting and fun things to say. Here's an excerpt. Go here to read the entire transcript.

Q Mrs. Bush, could talk about the decision to have a state dinner tonight? This has become rare in this administration.

MRS. BUSH: Well, I wouldn't say it's really rare. We've hosted nine or 10 state leaders at Camp David. We've hosted at least 10 state leaders, including Prime Minister Koizumi, at the ranch. Those have been opportunities to get to know world leaders in a more relaxed and private setting, especially at the ranch, where it's our own home and they can see what our life is like. We have had a number of state dinners, but this one is not actually a state dinner, because the head of state, of course, would be the Emperor of Japan. But this is an official dinner, just like a state dinner, for a Prime Minister.

And we're thrilled to have the opportunity to host Prime Minister Koizumi. We actually had scheduled a state dinner earlier for him. I don't know if we'd announced it, but we'd scheduled it before he called for the last elections, his last elections.

So anyway, now we're glad to get to have him. And as it turned out, the weather was perfect. We were afraid it would be really too hot for the arrival ceremony in June in Washington, but it was just right.

Q Mrs. Bush, could you talk a little bit about the jukebox that the President presented to the Prime Minister, and his reaction?

MRS. BUSH: Well, we have -- we found a really great jukebox from the '50s -- refurbished, obviously, and filled with 45 songs, including 25 of Elvis Presley's. So it was in the Red Room when we came in from the arrival ceremony this morning. And Prime Minister Koizumi searched the keys and found, "I want you, need you, and love you," and played that first. (Laughter.) So he and the President sang a duet. (Laughter.)

[Wolfstar]

For the benefit of Dosers: Ever wonder how it sometimes seems a horde of anti-GWB types get on many threads very early and whip up hostilities almost immediately? Some of these people are legitimate and sincerely hold the beliefs they post. Others may be individuals who are voluntary or paid disrupters (paid by Dims, yes, but also by "third party" types). Others are just trolls.

But some may well be engaged in an insidious practice to which all web forums are subject: A single individual who signs on with multiple screen names, and holds a conversation with himself in order to pretend several people agree with his (or her) point of view -- usually one at odds with most of the people who post on the forum. Sometimes the single individual might have one or two accomplices. Together, they can make it seem as though the legitimate posters are the ones out of step with prevailing opinion on the forum being targeted by the disruptors.

I learned about this practice some time ago on another forum, and mentioned it to Peach recently. She and I discussed how one person can log on with two or more screen names at the same time. She then did further research on her own and obtained the following information from another FReeper:

As far methods, yes, there are lot's of ways to appear with 'multiple personalities', like some of the ways you mentioned.

You could use two different browsers such as Microsoft IE and FireFox which keep their cookies (where/how your Freeper ID is stored locally) in different places. So, you would not have to log in each time. In this method, the IP address would be the same though.

You could use anonymous redirecting servers to appear to be coming from different computers with IP addresses. Pre-911, there were several networks/companies where a computer savvy type could choose a route where it looked like he was coming from Hong Kong, London, Ghana, India, Kansas, whereever. These were shut down quietly after 9-11, and I would bet the reason is so the powers that be could track the bad guys easier.

You could also just disconnect from your ISP and then pick up the next random/available IP address and post. Although with this method, a savvy operator like Jimbo would see you always coming from the same ISP and city.

Now understand that if you are coming from a local LAN, with all computers going through one router, the world (such as the FR website) will see all of the local LAN PC's as coming from the router WAN IP address.

Peach and I discussed the fact that publishing this information on the Dose can help all of us better understand that at least some segment of the "hostiles" we've seen all over FR the last couple of years may, in fact, be lone individuals talking to themselves.

Some of the methods used to do this are easily detected by the web site's management. Some are undetectable. This is just something to keep in mind if you find yourself seemingly surrounded by "hostiles" on any given thread. The possibility exists that they are all really one tech savvy person, or at most a handful.

[Wolfstar]

Peach pinging you specifically to my #1 today. Re one person signing on with multiple ID's as we discussed awhile back.

[Wolfstar]

Pinging you to the Sunday afternoon Dose.

[MamaB]

Hi.

[Wolfstar]

PHOTO OF THE DAY: President Bush hugs well-wishers and poses for pictures as he returns to the White House today following a visit to Camp David.

[Wolfstar]

The President and First Lady on their return from Camp David today.

[MamaB]

Looks like the President has a little sunburn.

[Wolfstar]

The President waves to White House staff and reporters.

[Wolfstar]

I like this photo. Some time ago, the President said he needs reading glasses. Looks like he didn't have them handy, LOL!

President Bush reads the inscription on a copy of 'Life as a Vapor,' a book by John Piper, after it was presented to him by Andrew Benecke, left, and his parents Jim and Barbara, June 28, 2006 at Lambert Field in St. Louis. GWB presented Andrew with the Presidential Scholarship Medal.

[MamaB]

Yes, we sure have had some doozies recently.

[Wolfstar]

Rep. Mike Sodrel, R-Ind., back to camera, turns photographer to snap this photo of Mrs. Bush with a guest following a fund raising event at Huber Orchard & Winery in Starlight, Ind., Friday. Sodrel is being challenged by former congressman Baron Hill for the Indiana 9th District seat.

[Wolfstar]

Vice President Dick Cheney poses for photos with the U.S. Army NASCAR auto racing team, including driver Joe Nemechek, left, during the VP's visit to the Pepsi 400 auto race in Daytona Beach, Florida yesterday.

[Wolfstar]

The VP poses for photographs with Greg Biffle, left, driver of the National Guard Ford, and the National Guard team. Car owner Jack Roush is the man in the straw hat (his trademark).

[Wolfstar]

Three-time Winston Cup Champion Darrell Waltrip, right, talks with Vice President Cheney and the VP's granddaughter, Kate Perry, before the 2006 Pepsi 400. Former championship crew chief and current NASCAR sports commentator, Jeff Hammond, is on the far right. [Waltrip, a Republican and friend of the President's, will talk anyone's ear off in a hurry. ;-) ]

[Wolfstar]

Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Hammond discuss the mechanics of the NASCAR "Car of Tomorrow." It's a concept that will introduce common manufacturing templates to all teams, regardless of the brand of car they drive. NASCAR's goal is to further improve safety and lower costs.

[Majie Purple]

Looks like The forgot His glasses in # 9!

[Wolfstar]

Former NASCAR champion and current FOX Sports race announcer, Darrell Waltrip, describes the NASCAR "Car of Tomorrow." The one shown to the VP is sponsored by the National Guard.

The wing on the back of the "Car of Tomorrow" will replace the spoiler NASCAR fans are familiar with, although a wing is not new to NASCAR racing. Seven-time champion, Richard Petty, used one on his Dodges in the 1970's.

Waltrip shows the VP one of the new helmets that will be mandatory for drivers to wear when the "Car of Tomorrow" begins racing next year.

[SnarlinCubBear]

yo mamma

[prairiebreeze]

Good afternoon Wolfstar and Dosers!

[Wolfstar]

The Vice President addresses the drivers' meeting before the start of the race. For those unfamiliar with NASCAR, a drivers' meeting is held before every race by NASCAR officials. Attendance by the drivers is mandatory. Crew chiefs usually also attend, as do owners, some sponsors, and others. The meetings are held to discuss the rules of the day's race, maximum pit road speed, and similar matters. Occasionally, a VIP guest will be invited to speak at the meeting.

[snugs]

I had wondered that sometimes especially when almost immediately the same set of people arrive on a thread without any noticeable ping unless it was done in Freepmail.

[snugs]

Thanks for the dose by the way :0)

[Wolfstar]

Vice President Cheney addresses the crowd with all 43 NASCAR drivers behind him prior to the start of the Pepsi 400.

Four-time champion Jeff Gordon stands to the VP's right in the front row, and the drivers for the Air Force (Ken Schraeder) and Army (Joe Nemecheck) cars are to the VP's left.

[Majie Purple]

Approachable and a helping hand always, as seen in # 11!
Even taking Phots for others!
Class personified!

[Wolfstar]

The Vice President and the drivers stand at attention during the National Anthem. Ken Schrader, driver of the Air Force car, stands at the VP's right, and Joe Nemecheck, driver of the Army car, stands to the VP's left. Joe is accompanied by his young son. Driver Sterling Marlin stands in the second row between Schrader and the VP. Casey Mears is in the back row between Marlin and the VP. Jeff Burton is in the back row with his hand over his heart, and Mike Wallace is in second row at the far right. I don't recognize the other drivers in this shot.

[Majie Purple]

Congrats you Toaster winner you!

[Wolfstar]

Waving goodbye after he visited the teams sponsored by the U.S. military.

[snugs]

toaster winner - what would you like on it.

[Wolfstar]

ALL CLEAR!

[Wolfstar]

Hi MamaB. How are you doing during this rough time?

[Wolfstar]

Looks like the President has a little sunburn.

Could be. Maybe he relaxed in the sun at Camp David yesterday.

[snugs]

I love that last photo of the VP with Kate - I have already put it on my profile page.

[prairiebreeze]

Very interesting hypothesis about the tech savvy multiple personalities, Wolfstar. I've often thought some of the disruptors participate in tag-teaming, but multiple personalities (multi-ID's) hadn't really occured to me.

I'm not tech savvy, so that probably 'splains it.

:^)

[Wolfstar]

Yes, we sure have had some doozies recently.

We sure as heck have! Peach and I thought the above info might help legitimate FReepers understand at least one element of what might be going on.

[Wolfstar]

Looks like The forgot His glasses in # 9!

Yes, LOL! The man is not afraid to reveal that he is a mere mortal, a quality I love about him. :)

[Wolfstar]

Good afternoon, prairiebreeze. :)

[Wolfstar]

I had wondered that sometimes especially when almost immediately the same set of people arrive on a thread without any noticeable ping unless it was done in Freepmail.

Hi snugs. Yes, they could organize themselves that way, too. But I'm convinced at least some unknown -- and unknowable -- segment are lone individuals, maybe occasionally acting with one or two buddies.

[Majie Purple]

Oh I thought that was "Dubya in 11.
Should read captions !st LOL!
But The still would and has done
that for others before.
It's all good!

[Wolfstar]

You're welcome, snugs. I enjoyed the photos of the VP and Kate at Daytona. :)

[snugs]

It only occurred to me that it might be the same person because of the conversations and back slapping that appears to be going on.

Somehow does not seem right for an Internet forum too familiar in a strange sort of way.

[MamaB]

I am doing ok. I know that God is in control of everything. I just found out Thursday night that a choir friend has a daughter with terminal liver and pancreatic cancer. She lives in TX. Hubby is not doing well at all. He has not been able to eat very much or drink much liquid for about 10 days.

I was in the bookstore the other day and saw the cutest Beanie dog and I bought it for my choir friend. His name is Nuzzles.

[Wolfstar]

I love that last photo of the VP with Kate - I have already put it on my profile page.

If Kate likes sports and is aware of NASCAR, perhaps meeting Waltrip and Hammond was a thrill for her. On the other hand, if I were a young girl her age, I'd rather meet some of the hunky young drivers. ;-)

[snugs]

I am sure you are right it would be interesting to analysis their posts.

I am sure some analyzing software would reveal similarities that are too much of a coincidence to be different people.

[prairiebreeze]

That dynamic sort of reminds me of the Delphi technique of opinion shaping and dissention squashing.

Two Delphi articles are in my files:

Freepers Beware of the Non-Meeting Meeting (Vanity)

The DELPHI Technique -- (Let's us Freepers Dominate Liberal Planning Groups)

[Wolfstar]

Very interesting hypothesis about the tech savvy multiple personalities, Wolfstar.

Although it might be a hypothesis for what may be occurring on FR, it's actually a very real problem for most forums. Do a simple Google search using these terms:
+forums +"multiple screen names"

You'll see a lot of hits come up. You can try searching with different terms, but this will give you at least a sense of the problem.

[Majie Purple]

"Yes, LOL! The man is not afraid to reveal that he is a mere mortal, a quality I love about him. :)"

Me too! He is a mere mortal...Some folks forget that but not Him...Nor You...nor I!
:)

Christians must always put and keep things in proper perspective.

[Wolfstar]

Oh I thought that was "Dubya in 11.

That's OK. It's any easy misunderstanding because you're right, the President will do that from time to time.

[Wolfstar]

It only occurred to me that it might be the same person because of the conversations and back slapping that appears to be going on.

The smart ones are very difficult, if not impossible to detect. But snugs, you're right. Sometimes such a person gives himself away by being a little too cute.

[Wolfstar]

I was in the bookstore the other day and saw the cutest Beanie dog and I bought it for my choir friend. His name is Nuzzles.

Awwwww...sometimes the smallest things bring the greatest comfort. :)

[Wolfstar]

I am sure some analyzing software would reveal similarities that are too much of a coincidence to be different people.

I think you're right, although I wonder if such software is very expensive. But individuals do tend to use the same speech and writing patterns, so I see no reason why they wouldn't do the same when typing.