Posted on 12/03/2007 6:01:03 PM PST by snugs
The President and the First Lady spent the weekend in Washington attending St John's as usual on Sunday. Though he did not attend the Army v Navy Football game on Saturday there were several cardboard cut outs of the President there to cheer on the participants.
On Sunday evening both the President and Vice President attended the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Today the President spoke in the Rose Garden about what should be Congress's Legislative Priorities for the Remainder of the Year.
He also met with U.S.-Palestinian Public-Private Partnership group at the White House.
Today the President Bush and first lady Laura Bush watched a performance of "A Christmas Carol" during a holiday reception for children in the East Room of the White House.
Today the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met a delegation from Defenders of Freedom of Republic of Belarus at the State Department and also addressed the Aspen Institute in Washington.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is in Djibouti.
Pray for President Bush - Day - 2636
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Discusses Congress's Legislative Priorities for the Remainder of the Year
Rose Garden
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Congress returns from its two-week Thanksgiving break today. They have just two weeks to go before they leave town again. That's not really a lot of time to squeeze in nearly a year's worth of unfinished business.
In fairness, Congress was not entirely out over the past two weeks. In a political maneuver designed to block my ability to make recess appointments, congressional leaders arranged for a senator to come in every three days or so, bang a gavel, wait for about 30 seconds, bang a gavel again, and then leave. Under the Senate rules, this counts as a full day. If 30 seconds is a full day, no wonder Congress has got a lot of work to do.
Congress needs to start by passing a bill to fund our troops in combat. Beginning in February, I submitted detailed funding requests to Congress to fund these operations in the war on terror. Yet some in Congress are withholding this funding because they want to substitute their judgment for that of our military commanders. Instead of listening to the judgment of General Petraeus, they are threatening to withhold money he needs unless they can mandate an arbitrary date of withdrawal.
This month more of our troops will return home as a result of the success we're seeing in Iraq. People are coming home. For Congress to insist on setting an arbitrary date for withdrawal would put the gains General Petraeus and our troops have made in danger -- and that would threaten the security of our country. It's unconscionable to deny funds to our troops in harm's way because some in Congress want to force a self-defeating policy -- especially when we're seeing the benefits of success.
Secretary Gates and other senior Pentagon officials say the delay in our funding will means this for our military: Unless Congress acts, the Defense Department will soon be required to begin giving layoff notices to about 100,000 civilian employees. Unless Congress acts, the military task force developing ways to better detect and protect our troops from roadside bombs will run out of money by early next year. Unless Congress acts, the Army will run out of operations and maintenance money in February. Unless Congress acts, the Marine Corps will run out of similar funds in March.
Earlier this year, Congressional leaders were trying to impose conditions on funds because they said our strategy in Iraq was not working. We changed our strategy, and now even many of those who initially opposed the surge acknowledge that it is achieving results. It is time for members of Congress to meet their responsibility to our men and women in uniform. And they should stay in session until they pass these emergency funds for our troops.
Second, Congress needs to make sure our intelligence professionals can continue to monitor terrorist communications. In August, Congress passed legislation to help modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. That bill closed critical intelligence gaps, allowing us to collect important foreign intelligence information about terrorist plots. The problem is, the new law expires on February 1st -- while the threat from the terrorists does not expire.
The Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell, has warned that unless the FISA reforms in the Act are made permanent, our national security professionals will lose critical tools they need to protect our country. Instead of listening to the judgment of Director McConnell, some in Congress now want to restrict the intelligence tools that help keep the American people safe. They are blocking efforts to provide meaningful liability protection to those companies now facing multi-billion dollar lawsuits only because they are believed to have assisted in efforts to defend our nation following the September the 11th attacks. Congress must stop this obstruction, and make certain our national security professionals do not lose a critical tool for keeping our country safe.
Third, Congress needs to act immediately to prevent the Alternative Minimum Tax from hitting more Americans this year. The AMT was enacted in 1969 to ensure that a few hundred wealthy individuals paid their fair share of taxes. But when Congress passed the AMT, it was not indexed for inflation. As a result, the AMT's higher tax burden is being imposed on more and more middle-class families.
Last month, Treasury Secretary Paulson wrote a letter to members of Congress warning them about this: that if they put off an AMT fix, it could delay the delivery of about $75 billion worth of tax refund checks. Yet instead of listening to Secretary Paulson's warning, Congress continues to delay action. The longer Congress delays action, the longer Americans will wait -- likely wait to get their tax refund checks next year.
If Congress fails to act, as many as 25 million Americans would be subject to the AMT. On average, these taxpayers -- many of them middle class families -- would have to send an extra $2,000 to the IRS next April. At a time when many Americans are struggling with home mortgages and healthcare costs, the last thing they need is for Congress to stick them with an additional tax increase.
Finally, Congress has important work to do on the federal budget. One of Congress's most basic duties is to fund the day-to-day operations of the federal government. Yet only one of the 12 spending bills has made it into law. Congressional leaders are now talking about piling the remaining bills into one monster piece of legislation, which they will load up with billions of dollars in earmarks and wasteful spending. Now is not the time to burden our economy with wasteful Washington spending that will lead to higher taxes. Congressional leaders need to do their job, and pass the remaining spending bills in a fiscally responsible way. If they send me an irresponsible spending bill, I will veto it.
The end of 2007 is approaching fast, and the new Congress has little to show for it. I call on members to use the time left to support our troops, and to protect our citizens, prevent harmful tax increases, and responsibly fund our government. Thank you.
PHOTOS OF THE DAY
President Bush, right, pats seven-year-old Malik Lawson, center, on the head as they, along with first lady Laura Bush, watch the Children's Holiday Reception and Performance in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. Malik's mother Air Force Sgt. Sherry Martins is on duty in Iraq.
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush share a moment with Malik Lawson during the Children's Holiday Performance Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the White House. The 7-year-old is the son of Sgt. Sherry Martin, currently serving in Iraq. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Celebrating the 2007 holiday season, President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush pose in front of the Christmas Tree in the Blue Room of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper
Dose going up please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics
Hi.
A group of Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy hold a cardboard cut-out of U.S. President George W. Bush before the start of the 108th Army versus Navy football game in Baltimore, Maryland December 1, 2007
Army cadet Andrew Batule from Honolulu, Hawaii, standing next to a cardboard cutout of President George W. Bush, reacts after Army quarterback Carson Williams (not shown) threw an incomplete pass in the end zone during the first quarter of Army's game against Navy in Baltimore, Maryland December 1, 2007.
Army Cadets Jonathan Morgan and Andrew Batule from Honolulu, Hawaii cheer while holding a cutout of President Bush during the first and second half of Army's football game against Navy, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, in Baltimore.
*
Hi!
I love that dress color. They look wonderful.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush, arrive for church service, at St. John's Church, Sunday, Dec.2, 2007, in Washington.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush leave St. John's Church after attending a church services, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Washington.
President George W. Bush (2nd R) and First Lady Laura Bush (3rd R) attend the Kennedy Center Honors along with Vice President Dick Cheney (R) at the Kennedy Center in Washington December 2, 2007. Receiving the annual honors for contributions to American culture are (L-R), pianist Leon Fleisher, 79; singer songwriter Brian Wilson, 65; singer Diana Ross, 63; flim-maker Martin Scorsese, 65 and comedian, actor and novelist Steve Martin, 62.
President Bush, right and first lady, Laura Bush, center, stand with Kennedy Center Honoree, Steve Martin at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007.
President Bush, right, first lady Laura Bush, center, and Kennedy Center Honors recipoent, entertainer Steve Martin, applaud at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007
Kennedy Center honorees film-maker Martin Scorsese (L), 65, and actor and novelist Steve Martin, 62, applaud during the Kennedy Center honors gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington December 2, 2007. The gala was attended by U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush along with fellow honorees pianist Leon Fleisher, 79; singer Diana Ross, 63 and singer songwriter Brian Wilson, 65
Thanks for the ping! Excellent photos of the day
President Bush walks to the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, to make a statement to reporters.
President Bush makes a statement on legislative priorities, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.
President George W. Bush delivers a statement on the budget Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper
Thanks, snugs .. ;)
I LOVE Laura’s gown ... yummy.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch a performance of "A Christmas Carol" during a holiday reception for children in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.
President and first lady Laura Bush along with seven-year-old Malik Lawson whose mother is serving in Iraq watch the Children's Holiday Reception and Performance in the East Room the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.
President Bush, right, first lady Laura Bush, left, along with seven-year-old Malik Lawson, center, watch an actor playing Scrooge, left, as they attend the Children's Holiday Reception and Performance in the East Room the White House, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007
President and Mrs. Bush Host Children's Holiday Reception and Performance East Room
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the White House. I've got two jobs. One is to introduce you to my wife, Laura, and two is to tell you how much we admire your moms and dads; how much we appreciate their service to our country.
I know it's hard when you have a loved one, somebody you love a lot, not going to be around for the Christmas season. And one way we hope to help you through the moment is to invite you here to the White House for what's going to be a pretty special moment.
So I want to thank you. When you talk to your mom or dad or email your mom or dad, you make sure you tell them that President and Mrs. Bush are sure proud of their contributions to our country.
President Bush, center, seated between Palestinian Minister of Youth and Sports Tahani Abu Daqqa, right, and businessman Walter Isaacson, left, makes a statement to reporters after a meeting regarding the U.S.-Palestinian Public-Private Partnership,Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington.
President Bush, second from right, makes a statement to reporters after a meeting regarding the U.S.-Palestinian Public-Private Partnership, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. From left to right are: Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson; Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley; Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes; White House Communications Director Kevin Sullivan; former Citigroup Chief Executive Officer Sandy Weill; businessman Walter Isaacson; the president; and Palestinian Minister for Youth and Sports Tahani Abu Daqqa.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets a delegation from Defenders of Freedom of Republic of Belarus, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the State Department in Washington.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addresses the Aspen Institute in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. The event is part of day-long first session of a U.S.-Palestinian public-private partnership to support educational, economic opportunities for the Palestinian people.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates greets U.S. military officials as he arrives in Djibouti, December 3, 2007.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, is greeted by Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Presidental Palace in Djibouti, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates smiles during his meeting with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, not shown, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the Presidential Palace in Djibouti.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, stands with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh following their meeting at the Presidental Palace in Djibouti, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007
Defense Secretary Robert Gates walks to his motorcade following his meeting with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the Presidental Palace in Djibouti.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, and Navy Rear Adm. James M. Hart, commander, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, speaks with members of the Department of Defense press pool, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates smiles while speaking with members of the Department of Defense press pool, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, and Navy Rear Adm. James M. Hart, commander, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, meet with members of the Department of Defense press pool, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti
Awwwwwww...those Photos of the Day are adorable.
You can just see the love on the President’s face in
that second picture. He just relates to kids...think he
is a bit of one himself at times. (I mean that in the best
way, of course!)
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