Posted on 09/14/2007 5:51:55 PM PDT by silent_jonny
Following last night’s address to the nation, President Bush and Vice President Cheney each met with troops and Marines today, thanking them for their service and for their continued efforts in the War on Terror.
President Bush had lunch with Marines at Quantico, Virginia, and made a brief statement afterwards, in which he reminded Congress to “support our men and women in uniform, and their families, and those who have worn the uniform. “ (Transcript)
Vice President Cheney traveled to the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he spoke about the war in Iraq (Transcript). He then flew to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida and addressed the troops of CENTCOM, SOCOM and the Sixth Air Mobility Wing. “The nation depends on you, and we're in your debt.” (Transcript)
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and General Peter Pace held a news conference at the Pentagon, where General David Petraeus gave a separate interview today.
There was a farewell ceremony for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales at the Department of Justice Building in Washington. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in attendance.
And arriving back at the White House, President Bush walked with Tony Snow at the end of his last day as press secretary.
President & Mrs. Bush will be spending the weekend at Camp David.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
Thanks—I stole it from Dolly :)
Yea I’m fine...You’ll see what I did there soon enough...LOL!
Thanks for asking though...awww!
:)
Thanks for the ping. Dick Cheney is still the best looking man I’ve ever seen. Go Lynn.
Okay there’s the rest of your post—LOL, the “h...” had me worried :-D
Thanks for a comprehensive dose tongight
That lone h was my try for a T is all...
Teeheehee!
President Bush: It's my honor to come to Quantico to speak to our general officers and our officers and sergeants who train young lieutenants. I had the chance to speak to some of the lieutenants. First of all, my first impression is, it's amazing country where people volunteer in the face of danger. These lieutenants -- Marine lieutenants fully understand the nature of the world in which we live, and they're willing to serve; willing to serve to protect and defend this country, and they're willing to serve to help shape the conditions so that the world is more peaceful.I told them about my speech last night. I told them that I'd listened very carefully to the recommendations of the military, in particular General Petraeus, and that the plan I announced was that we're making enough -- based upon the fact we're making enough success in Iraq that we can begin bringing some troops home; that I told the American people last night we've got what's called return on success. I also told them that our commanders will have the flexibility and the troops needed to achieve the mission, which is an ally in this war on terror, and a stable country that can self govern, a democracy in the heart of the Middle East.
I made it clear that the sacrifices that they and their families were going to make were necessary for the short-term and long-term security of the country; that we'd rather defeat the enemy overseas than have to face them here; that we fully understand, or I fully understand that if we were to be driven out of Iraq that the Middle East could be in chaos, and chaos would embolden Sunni extremists like al Qaeda, and chaos would embolden Iran; and that it's in our interests that we help Iraq succeed -- not only in our interests, but it's also in the Iraqis' interests.
I made it clear to them that there's a lot of courage in Iraq. These Iraqis are in the fight. But I also made it clear to them that we expect the Iraqi government to enhance national reconciliation through the passage of law. I told them that I was able to give the speech because of the progress being made. I hope the American people listened very carefully to what our commanders and Ambassador Crocker had to say. They're there, they understand the progress that's being made.
I also made it clear that now's the chance for us to come together as a nation; that some of us who believe security was paramount were on opposite sides of the debate, where people said we just simply need to bring our troops home. Well, now we've got security in the right direction, and we are bringing our troops home. And I call upon the United States Congress to listen very carefully to what General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker reported, and support the troop levels that these two men think are necessary to achieve our objective. I also expect the Congress to support our men and women in uniform, and their families, and those who have worn the uniform.
And so it's a great honor to be out here to speak with an incredible group of men and women. It's my honor to be their Commander-in-Chief.
Thank you for your time.
Hi, Snugs :)
Oh I see ;)
Some lovely photos tonight
((((Touching pic of Pres. B. & Tony!!
HUGS for You Jonny & Them as well...3 real;real brave;Christian men!!!))))
Vice President Cheney: In Beirut in 1983, terrorists killed 241 of our servicemen. Thereafter, the U.S. withdrew from Beirut. In Mogadishu in 1993, terrorists killed 19 Americans; thereafter, the U.S. withdrew from Somalia. This emboldened them still further, confirming their belief that they could strike America without paying any price. Indeed they did strike, and indeed they did not pay the price.We had the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York in 1993; an attack on U.S. facilities in Riyadh in 1995; the murder of U.S. servicemen at Khobar Towers in 1996; the attack on our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998; the attack on the USS Cole in 2000. Ultimately, of course, they attacked the homeland on 9/11 and took the lives of 3,000 people aboard passenger jets, and at the World Trade Center, and at the Pentagon.
The terrorists have been at war with the United States for a long time. And after 9/11 we made a decision: We're at war with them. This is a long term commitment, not a passing phase. There will be no running, or relenting, until the problem has been dealt with -- decisively, systematically, and permanently.
Oh snugs...I was first and I can’t believe it still. I never thought I’d be trying to imagine what kind of toaster I’d like. With my dialup and all it seemed hopeless. I think Jonny just caught most Dosers off guard. I would love a photo of the President in Iraq standing with General Petraeus, on an orange toaster if possible, because orange is the Univ. of Texas color and it was my high school team color. Please.
Great pics tonight Jonny,,,you know I love it when the President visits the troops.
His trips to be among the Troops are always extra special to see!
Hi, Buddy! Great to see you.
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