Click the graphic for the video and transcript.
Posted on 12/12/2007 5:59:24 PM PST by silent_jonny
This morning President Bush called newly elected Republican congressmen Rob Wittman of Virginia and Bob Latta of Ohio to congratulate them on their strong victories in yesterday’s special elections.
This afternoon, the president awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Honor to three police officers and a firefighter in the Oval Office.
“They will tell you they were just doing their job; I'm telling you they did their job with extraordinary courage” (Transcript)
And signed the "Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007" into law. (Transcript)
Later, the president attended a farewell ceremony for Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes at the State Department.
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice gave an interview to the Associated Press at the State Department.
And the new “Barney Cam” video has been posted at the White House website.
Click the graphic for the video and transcript.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island 
Quote of the Day:
More information on the video from today’s Press Briefing with Dana Perino:
Dana: Barney Cam, you may have noticed, is now available at White House.gov. The theme of this year's video is "Holiday in the National Parks," and it features the President, Mrs. Bush, the twins, and some other very special guests, including Prime Minister Tony Blair -- former Prime Minister Tony Blair -- and country singer Alan Jackson. The entire production team did a fantastic job, and I'm sure everyone will have a lot of fun with it.… You might remember, the whole reason we started Barney Cam was because there was a lot of interest in 2001 for people to be able to see the decorations at the White House. And in that year, if you'll recall, after the September 11th attacks, the tours were closed, and so this was an idea that we came up with. And actually, now we've decided to keep going because there's so many Americans who would love to see the White House at Christmastime and can't make it.
Photo of the Day:
First Lady Laura Bush sits with Barney and Miss Beazley during the taping of “Barney Cam IV: Holiday In Our National Parks”, November 30, 2007.
Hi.
I love the Christmas pictures. Do you know when the WH Christmas program will be on?
Tonight, I think. Not sure of the time.
President Bush: You know, one of the wonderful experiences of being a President is to welcome citizens who have served their communities with valor and compassion. And General and I are surrounded by four such gentlemen who have been heroic in their duties. They will tell you they were just doing their job; I'm telling you they did their job with extraordinary courage. And so it's been an honor to award them this precious medal. And I want to thank you all very much for joining us. Proud to call you fellow citizens.
Good evening jonny
President Bush is seen in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, while meeting with the recipients of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor
Hi, made it home from the movies just in time for all the fun. Thanks for the ping. And thanks for posting the link.
Thanks for the ping. Fox and Friends showed some clips of the Barney cam this morning I believe. I watched it later
President Bush: Today I signed into law the "Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007," a bill to reauthorize Head Start.… I am pleased that this bill addresses several longstanding Administration priorities, such as increased competition among Head Start providers, improved coordination of early childhood delivery systems, and stronger educational performance standards …
I am, however, deeply disappointed that the bill ends the National Reporting System, our only tool to examine consistently how Head Start children are performing in programs across the nation … I am also disappointed that the bill fails to include my proposal to protect faith-based organizations' religious hiring autonomy.
I thank Members of both parties in Congress who worked on this legislation. I will continue to work with Congress to ensure that our neediest children are prepared for success in school and a lifetime of achievement.
President Bush shakes hands with lawmakers after signing the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. is at left, Rep. Michael Castle, R-Del. is at right.
I just checked too. It will be on HGTV Sunday night at 8:30. It is dedicated to our National Parks.
TNT will show Christmas in the White House tomorrow at 9 pm central
I have a lot of issues with the local Head Start program. Some work is done with the kids, but there’s more babysitting going on than giving the kids a head start. Not enough early childhood learning seems to happen. I wish, like our President, that accountability reporting was part of the program.
President Bush pats outgoing Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes, left, on the back during a reception for her departure., Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at the State Department in Washington.
I’m gonna miss that face.
You are correct it is tonight. I don’t know why I thought it was tomorrow
President Bush: Hey Barney. I love the outdoors, and there is nothing greater than our national parks.Did you know that the White House grounds are a national park?
Hello Jonny.....reminder to all that Christmas in Washington is on TNT at 10pm est
President Bush: Sure, Barney. You and Miss Beazley could be Junior Park Rangers if you want to, but you're sure going to have to learn about the national parks if you want to be a Junior Park Ranger. And Barney, if I'm not mistaken, you've already got a pretty big job to do right here at the White House with the Christmas decorations.(Barney hurries off to see about the Christmas decorations. Barney plays with ornaments with The President's Own United States Marine Band. Barney and Miss Beazley run round around the White House and watch the decorations go up…)
Barney and Miss Beazley take a close look at the 2007 white chocolate gingerbread White House in the East Room, with a likeness of themselves on the roof.
Look at that sourpuss face on the swimmer in the first two photos
Hi mystery!
Thanks for the dose and link to the Barney Cam which is great as usual lovely clip of the first daughters with the doggies.
Jenna Bush: I'm so proud of you two. The Christmas decorations are coming along beautifully and you're way ahead of where you were last year.Barbara Bush: Hey Barney, did I hear that you and Miss Beazley are trying to become Junior Park Rangers?
Jenna Bush: That's great. We love the national parks. Remember, I got engaged in one.
I only have eyes for GW!
10 eastern I believe
We seem to be sharing information about two different specials:
CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON
TNT will broadcast its Chrismas in Washington special tonight at 10 PM EDT:
http://www.tnt.tv/title_special/?oid=661856
-
HGTV’S WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS 2007
HGTV will broadcast its White House Christmas special as follows:
• December 16, 2007 8:30 PM ET/PT
• December 17, 2007 12:30 AM ET/PT
• December 25, 2007 1:00 PM ET/PT
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/spcl_prsntn/episode/0,1806,HGTV_3909_53930,00.html
Mrs. Bush: Barney and Miss Beazley, look at all the exciting things that Park Rangers do. Park Rangers are scientists and historians — they do everything - from law enforcement, to fire management, to search and rescue. Our national parks are so important.(Barney starts daydreaming about becoming a Junior Park Ranger with Miss Beazley.)…
(Applause erupts in the background. The daydream continues with country music star Alan Jackson and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair congratulating them.)
Alan Jackson: Junior Park Ranger? Okay Barney, now you've gone country.
Tony Blair: Congratulations Barney and Miss Beazley on becoming Junior Park Rangers. Well done.As someone born in Edinburgh, Scotland, it's always good to see the Scots doing well.
“I only have eyes for GW!”
You and me both!
We’ll never have a better looking president!
(not even if we elect Romney)
Hi hope you are feeling a bit more cheerful today the Barney cam will brighten your spirits.
Mrs. Bush: Barney and Beazley, I'm so proud that you all wanted to become National Park Junior Rangers. Our national parks are so important. And in fact, the lawn where you play is part of our national parks.President Bush and I wish everyone a very happy holiday.
LOL - a person’s character is often reflected in their face.
That is what I thought. I know the one about the WH decorations is on HGTV each year.
LOL....I watched it earlier...it is so cute....to think we will have only one more Barney cam....sigh
And how is everything on the home front? How has the weather been in your area? I’ve only seen Nebraska on the news today.
I was getting confused as well at to which one was on first though a bit irrelevent to me as I cannot watch either as they do not show it on any cable station in Britain that I can see anyway.
Thanks for your offer of recording it for me :o)
We have had ice storms....and now snow tonight.....I am already sick of winter..lol
I hope they release them on a DVD maybe something to sell in the Bush libary I bet they would sell like hot cakes, maybe we ought to start emailing/writing in with that suggestion.
Hi DrDeb! Glad to get the chance to say hello. I check out your posts quite often and don’t get the chance to say thank you. It takes time to gather all that info and put the links in for us to follow. You are a treasure!
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