A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos): 1-7-09

WhiteHouse.gov & other sources ^ | 1-7-09

[silent_jonny]

Today President Bush welcomed former President George H. W. Bush to the Oval Office. A disbarred lawyer, a failed peanut-farmer and a former ACORN employee were also in attendance. (Transcript)

President Bush: All of us who have served in this office understand that the office transcends the individual.

Translation: Playing “president-elect” is a lot different than actually being president, Barry.

First Lady Laura Bush unveiled the official George W. Bush State china plates this afternoon during a press availablity in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House. (Transcript) The 320 plate service was designed by Mrs. Bush and Nancy Clark, the White House’s chief florist, and is only the fourth such china set large enough to be used for state dinners at the White House (the other three sets are named after Presidents Johnson, Reagan and Clinton).

The First Lady was also asked about her plans after January 20th.

Q Mrs. Bush, what will you do on the night of January 20th? You'll fly back to Texas?

Mrs Bush: That's right. We'll fly back to Texas, and we'll end up at our ranch with a number of friends who will be going with us, who will be there with us that night to spend the first night at home there. So that will be fun.

And then a few days after that, whenever it's -- the painters have finished, we'll move -- I'll move -- the moving vans at our Dallas house and move in there.

More information from White House Press Secretary Dana Perino (Transcript)

Dana: [On Inauguration Day] President Bush will depart from Andrews Air Force Base and head to Midland, Texas, where he will participate in a welcome home event in Centennial Plaza, which is the town square. And you'll recall that Midland is where the send-off event for President-Elect and Mrs. Bush took place in January of 2001.

Following the event, the President will fly to Waco, Texas, and then will spend the night at his ranch in Crawford. And as we get more details on that I'll be happy to provide them for you.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attended a meeting at the United Nations today.

And this afternoon, President Bush and former President GHWB hosted a Reception in Honor of the Points of Light Institute in the East Room of the White House. (Transcript)

Dana: [The] program is in honor of President George H.W. Bush's contributions to the Points of Light Institute, which focuses on redefining volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century by putting citizens at the center of community problem-solving.

Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

[silent_jonny]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walks through the Security Council Chambers at the United Nations Headquarters in New York January 7, 2009.

The Security Council meets at the United Nations headquarters to discuss the Middle East Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice extended a visit to New York to participate in talks at the United Nations on an Egyptian-French proposal for a truce to end fighting in the Gaza Strip.

[SevenofNine]

BOy also I mention does Barek Osmara look Will Smith with that baseball cap call it is Fresh Zero from chicago

[silent_jonny]

Former President George H. W. Bush, left, walks with his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, followed by their son, President George W. Bush, and his wife first lady Laura Bush, to a reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in the East Room at the White House in Washington.

President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush arrive to the East Room of the White House for the reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute January 7, 2009 in Washington, DC. U.S. President George W. Bush and Former President George H. W. Bush are expected to speak at the reception.

[4integrity]

‘Dana Perino...you are such a gem! I love your brain!!!’

Nord, I agree. I think Dana Perino is terrific. She doesn’t take any guff from the low life pressers but she’s always professional and calm. I wrote to thank President Bush but I’ve been thinking of writing to Dana too....she worked so well with Tony Snow and has done a terrific job since assuming her very demanding position.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush speaks at the reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute at the East Room of the White House January 7, 2009 in Washington, DC.

President Bush: Thank you all. Mr. President. (Laughter.) Yes? No -- (laughter.) Thank you all for coming. I'm told there are seven speakers. So there's now about to be six. I thank you -- I welcome you to the White House. I hope you take advantage of the reception that we have after these seven short speeches. And I want to thank you for your compassion.

The strength of America is not our military, it's not our wallet; it is -- lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens, those who hear the universal call to love a neighbor just like they'd like to be loved themselves.

And so, for those of you who are rallying the armies of compassion, and encouraging the armies of compassion, we thank you.

And now it is my honor to introduce my brother -- Neil M. Bush. (Applause.)

[silent_jonny]

Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush speaks during the reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute at the East Room of the White House January 7, 2009 in Washington, DC. U.S. President George W. Bush is also expected to speak at the reception.

GHWB: I particularly want to thank the President and the First Lady for opening up the White House, and for keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive and well. Service to others, he believes and I believe, we all believe -- and I have to be the most biased person in this room, but I think this President and this First Lady have done an extraordinary job in taking this concept forward …

I know the idea behind this event was to honor what our administration started, but speaking for my team, the honor was all ours. And that's the way it is when you engage in community service. The satisfaction of knowing that you've made a difference is indeed the greatest reward.

Of course, there's still so much to do. So let me simply close by encouraging our new leadership, all on the team, to get out there and keep fighting away. I may not be able to suit up again and get out on the field with you like I would want to, but the Lord knows I'll be there with you in spirit every step of the way.

And thank you all for being here. Thank you all for your support for this concept of volunteerism, helping others. It's a great thing.

And so now I have another honor, and that is to introduce a Point of Light, himself -- a musical Point of Light -- Larry Gatlin. Where is he? (Applause.)

[DrDeb]

silent_jonny: You have out done yourself!! The feature photo is AWESOME, the selection of quotes is stellar, and the Three Stooges’ edit is INSPIRED!!
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Hugh Hewitt also out did himself with the following commentary:

THE LEGACY OF GEORGE W BUSH
By Hugh Hewitt

. . . Bush’s great legacy is the peaceful transition of power in an age of terror, a legacy made possible by his courage and his resolve to take the battle to our enemies, confront and defeat them wherever they could be found, contain them when they could not be attacked, and demand of the world a seriousness about the threat that remains real and deadly in its intentions. He has modeled how to act as president in this new media age of virulent venom at home and of fanatical violence and hatred abroad — with detachment toward the former and courage toward the latter.

Count me among the 30 percent, which will soon be 40 percent — and then more than 50 percent much sooner than most of the chattering class can conceive. Bush is deeply loved and respected in places as diverse as remote villages in Africa and booming tech centers in India and, despite the noise from a left still trying to diminish his character, among tens of millions of Americans grateful for the care he has taken to protect them and their families.

But his greatest admirers will be Americans, and perhaps Afghans, Iraqis, Israelis, Indians and Africans a century or more from now who read about his record and resolve in so many efforts will marvel at his restraint and credit his faith and his family for a remarkable service to freedom.

You can read the entire commentary here:
http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=A7E56153-18FE-70B2-A8158E15A2E8FBD7
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GEORGE W BUSH COMES TO MIDLAND ON INAUGURATION DAY
Watch the video announcement from Don Evans and Mayor Wes Perry here:
http://www.mywtxchatter.com/video/george-w-bush-comes-to-midland

Read some great ‘welcome home’ comments from the folks at lucianne.com (a refreshing contrast from what often passes as commentary at FR — NOT the DOSE of course):
http://lucianne.com/threads2.asp?artnum=444219
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TEXAS DOSErs:
I hope MANY of you are planning to attend this welcome home party for our beloved President and First Lady!

I was going to fly in from Ohio but my hubby will be busy with a trial and my sister was just asked to attend a board meeting on the same day — she’s the lead counsel (and just as bummed as I am at the moment)! HOWEVER, I’m hoping we can all enjoy this event vicariously through our Texas DOSErs. We need you to provide us with a FULL REPORT (and photos)!! . . . yes, I’m talking about you LUV W!!

Here’s an AP article about the same event; I enjoyed the video link from CBS 11 Dallas:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090107/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_back_home;_ylt=Ag4WSlFpNga1YFB8NGHJGh0EtbAF

[unkus]

They must have put makeup on Clinton's nose. It's usually red as a ripe tomato.

[silent_jonny]

Larry Gatlin performs at the reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute at the East Room of the White House January 7, 2009 in Washington, DC. U.S. President George W. Bush and Former President George H. W. Bush attend the reception.

[SunkenCiv]

thanks silent_jonny, and g’night all.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2160651/posts?page=14#14

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2160332/posts

[SevenofNine]

Yeah you are so right I thought my imagination that they put makeup on Bill nose

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and former President George H.W. Bush sit together during a reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute at the White House in Washington January 7, 2009. At left are former first lady Barbara Bush and first lady Laura Bush.

[sybilll]

Not sure why this hit me so hard just now. Maybe seeing all the former President’s together. Knowing the country’s past, and what America has elected, knowing I am sending my almost adult daughter into this mayhem in just a couple of years. I wept. Openly.
I hope I make it on the Freeper meltdown on DU for this. Because I mean every word, but, they have no concept of National, civic, nor family pride.
And, for the love of Pete, someone please Photoshop the china our gracious Laura left to Michelle.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush are joined by his parents, former President George H. W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush, during a reception in the East Room at the White House Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2008, in honor of the Points of Light Institute. President Bush's brother Neil is seen at far-left. White House photo by Eric Draper

[4integrity]

oh, jonny, thank you, so much for posting the close up pics of the China.....it’s beautiful and classy.....just like our fantastic First Lady, Laura.

[silent_jonny]

Former President George H. W. Bush, greets guests during a reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in the East Room at the White House in Washington.

President George W. Bush, greets guests during a reception in honor of the Points of Light Institute, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in the East Room at the White House in Washington.

[silent_jonny]

ALL CLEAR!

Feel free to post or repost any photos that are related to this thread.

[mupcat]

I probably should know this, but wonder if President Bush will be giving a farewell speech to the nation?

[Dinah Lord]

Well done, silent_jonny.

I’m already missing W.

[SnarlinCubBear]

Such a RICH thread Jonny - thank you so much! I loved your opening commentary, and the china, and the photoshopping...so DELICIOUS!

At least Zero will get a warm welcome to the WH, unlike GWBush, who must have felt like a trespasser - remember, the Clintons just would NOT leave!!

Class act, our President!