[silent_jonny]

Quote of the Day:

President Bush: The freedom of belief is a yearning of the human spirit, a blessing offered to the world, and a cherished value of our nation. It's the very first protection offered in the American Bill of Rights. It inspired many of the leaders that this rotunda honors in portraits and in marble. And it still defines our way of life.

… I congratulate His Holiness on this recognition. I'm so honored to be here with you, sir. Laura and I join all Americans in offering the people of Tibet our fervent prayer that they may find days of prosperity and peace.

Photo of the Day:

President George W. Bush and The Dalai Lama share a laugh Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, during the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to The Dalai Lama.

[no more apples]

Hello! Glad to be here tonight. Hope all is well with you.

[silent_jonny]

Update from Daisyscarlett

For those that don’t know, her husband had a serious heart-attack over the weekend, then had to undergo a long surgery. He’s currently recovering at the hospital. Daisyscarlett asks for our continued prayers: “the prayers are working...each post op day he survives his chances are better”

G. is still on respirator...they may or may not try to take him off of it again today...tried yesterday but he was not strong enough to breathe on his own...kidneys were not working and they almost started hemodialysis yesterday but at the last minute he put out some urine so they decided to wait till today to make a decision on that...obviously, they do not want to invade his body again at this stage unless really necessary... we are expecting the best...must think positively....heading out to hospital now...thanks for your prayers and concerns.

~Daisyscarlett

[Kaslin]

Good evening

[silent_jonny]

Dose Ping!

Please Pray for President Bush

Please wait for the "All Clear" before posting or reposting pictures and graphics.

[NordP]

GREAT photo of the day, s_j!

[silent_jonny]

President Bush walks into the press briefing room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, for a press conference.

Note the empty seat in the front row--no Helen Thomas :)

[silent_jonny]

President Bush speaks during a press conference, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the press briefing room as the White House in Washington.

President Bush: Good morning. We're now more than halfway through October, and the new leaders in Congress have had more than nine months to get things done for the American people. Unfortunately, they haven't managed to pass many important bills. Now the clock is winding down and in some key areas Congress is just getting started.

…Congress has work to do on health care.

...Congress has work to do to keep our people safe.

…Congress has work to do on the budget.

…Congress has work to do on education.

…Congress has work to do on housing.

…Congress has work to do on trade.

…Congress has work to do for our military veterans.

…Congress also needs to complete the Veterans Affairs appropriations bill that funds veterans' benefits and other ongoing programs.

…Congress has work to do for law enforcement and the judiciary…

With all these pressing responsibilities, one thing Congress should not be doing is sorting out the historical record of the Ottoman Empire.

AMEN!

[silent_jonny]

President Bush: It's little time left in the year, and Congress has little to show for all the time that has gone by. Now is the time for them to act. And I look forward to working with members of both parties on important goals that I've outlined this morning.

And I now I look forward to taking some of your questions -- believe it or not. (Laughter.)

President Bush looks at reporters raised hands during his press conference, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the press room of the White House in Washington.

Let’s see … You--bloated liberal gasbag in the back.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush holds a news conference in the media briefing room of the White House in Washington October 17, 2007.

I think he’s trying not to laugh at some of these stupid questions.

[silent_jonny]

President Bush laughs during a press conference, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the press briefing room of the White House in Washington.

[sazerac]

The president looked about 5 years younger today than the last time I saw him on tv. He looked very healthy and rested.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush holds a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.

A funny exchange between the president and (I think) David Gregory.

President Bush: David. Welcome back.

...

Q There's a report today from Israel Army Radio indicating that the Syrians have confirmed that the Israelis struck a nuclear site in their country. You wouldn't comment on that before, and I'm wondering if now, on the general question, you think it's appropriate for Israel to take such action if it feels that there is mortal danger being posed to the state?

President Bush: David, my position hadn't changed. You can ask me another question.

Q Can I ask you whether -- did you support Israel's strike in 1981 on the Iraqi reactor outside Baghdad?

President Bush: You know, Dave, I don't remember what I was doing in 1980 -- let's see, I was living in Midland, Texas; I don't remember my reaction that far back.

Q Well, but as you look at it as President now --

President Bush: -- private citizen back there in 1981 in Midland, Texas, trying to make a living for my family and --

Q But you're a careful -- someone who studies history --

President Bush: Student of history? I do, yes. No, I don't remember my reaction, to be frank with you.

Q But I'm asking you now, as you look back at it, do you think it was the right action for Israel to take?

President Bush: David, I'm not going to comment on the subject that you're trying to get me to comment on.

Q Why won't you? But isn't it a fair question to say, is it -- given all the talk about Iran and the potential threat, whether it would be appropriate for Israel to act --

President Bush: Hey, Dave -- Dave --

Q -- in self-defense --

President Bush: I understand --

Q -- if Iran were to --

President Bush: -- I understand where you're trying to take --

Q -- develop nuclear weapons?

President Bush: I understand where you're trying to take. It's a clever ruse to get me to comment on it, but I'm not going to. Thank you.

Q Well, I'm just wondering why you think it's not appropriate to make that judgment, when it's a -- it is a real-world scenario, as we know, since they apparently took this action against Syria --

President Bush: (To a different David) Dave. Welcome back. (Laughter.)

[silent_jonny]

President Bush gestures during a press conference, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington.

[silent_jonny]

President Bush listens to a question during his press conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.

[DollyCali]

Thank you for the great Dose tonight jonny... and such funny commentaries you are offering. Love them.

I like the Dali Lama also. Did anyone else see the movie 7 years in Tibet (Brad Pitt) a few years ago? true story & involved the DL...

Hope all Dosers have a nice evening tonight. I will be back to catch up on comments & further pix & comments for our dear silent one..

The press are such a sorry lot. How the president has the patience he does, is beyond me.. He deserves a purple heart every time he walks into the room

later..

[silent_jonny]

President Bush gestures during a press conference, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the press briefing room as the White House in Washington.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush holds a news conference in the media briefing room of the White House in Washington October 17, 2007.

Q Let's stay with the nuclear -- here. When North Korea tested a nuclear device, you said that any proliferation would be a grave threat to the U.S., and North Korea would be responsible for the consequences. Are you denying that North Korea has any role in the suspected nuclear --

President Bush: See, you're trying to pull a Gregory.

Q Yes, I am.

[silent_jonny]

President Bush gestures during a press conference, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the press briefing room of the White House in Washington.

Q But you definitively believe Iran wants to build a nuclear weapon?

President Bush: … yeah, I believe they want to have the capacity, the knowledge, in order to make a nuclear weapon. And I know it's in the world's interest to prevent them from doing so. I believe that the Iranian -- if Iran had a nuclear weapon, it would be a dangerous threat to world peace.

But this -- we got a leader in Iran who has announced that he wants to destroy Israel. So I've told people that if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon. I take the threat of Iran with a nuclear weapon very seriously.

[silent_jonny]

WARNING

The next batch of photos contain images that may disturb some Dosers--namely images of Nancy Pelosi and Robert Byrd.

Apologies in advance :o

[silent_jonny]

Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is escorted by President Bush as they arrive at ceremonies to award the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 17, 2007.

President George W. Bush, joined by U.S. Senator Robert Byrd and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, presents the Congressional Gold Medal to The Dalai Lama at a ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.