A day in the life of President Bush (photos) 12-9-08

White House and other Sources ^ | December 9, 2008

[Kaslin]

We've expanded America's special operations forces. With more forces -- more of these forces on the battlefield, we can respond more quickly to actionable intelligence on the terrorists who are in hiding. Over the past eight years, we have more than doubled funding for special operators. We created the first-ever special operations command within the Marines. We have given the Special Operations Command the lead role in the global war against the terrorists.

In addition to these upgrades in our counterterrorism capabilities, we have placed a new focus on counterinsurgency. The Army has published a new counterinsurgency manual written by a distinguished graduate of this academy: General David Petraeus. The central objectives of this counterinsurgency strategy are to secure the population, and gain support of the people, and train local forces to take the responsibility on their own.

One of the reasons we're meeting these objectives in Iraq is the ability to rapidly deploy brigade combat teams. These teams can join the battle on short notice as organized and cohesive units. With these teams in the fight, our Army is better able to carry out its counterinsurgency objectives -- and better equipped to defeat the enemies we'll face as the 21st century unfolds.

Our counterinsurgency strategy also stresses the importance of following up security gains with real benefits in people's daily lives. To better meet that objective, we created Provincial Reconstruction Teams, or PRTs. These teams pair with military personnel civilian experts in areas like economics, and agriculture, and law enforcement, and education. In both Iraq and Afghanistan, these teams are helping local communities create jobs, and deliver basic services, and keep the terrorists from coming back. PRTs bring diplomats, aid workers, and other experts from across the government into the fight -- and we must expand them in the years to come.

[Kaslin]

President George W. Bush addresses cadets in Eisenhower Hall at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008

To better institutionalize all the changes we've made in recent years, we have transformed the education and training our troops receive. We're taking the lessons we've learned in Afghanistan and Iraq, and teaching them at military academies and training centers across our country. For example, every branch of the military now receives the counterinsurgency training that was once reserved for special operations forces. Here at West Point, you've created a new Combating Terrorism Center that allows you to gain insights from the battles of today and apply them as you lead our military into the future.

In addition to making these changes to help our troops prevail in the war on terror, we've been transforming our military since early 2001 to confront other challenges that may emerge in the decades ahead. For example, we have begun the most sweeping transformation of America's global force posture since the end of World War II. We're shifting troops from Cold War garrisons in Europe and Asia so they can surge more rapidly to troubled spots around the world. We've established new military commands to meet challenges unique to Africa and to support our homeland.

We've invested more than a half a trillion dollars in research and development, so we can build even more advanced capabilities to protect America from the dangers of a new century. We're making our forces more joint and interoperable, so they can cooperate seamlessly across different services and with foreign partners. And to confront an emerging threat to our economy, our defense systems, and individual citizens, the federal government is cooperating closely with the private sector to improve security in cyberspace.

[Kaslin]

Cadets listen as U.S. President George W. Bush makes remarks on defense transformation during his visit to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, December 9, 2008.

[Kaslin]

One of the most serious dangers facing our people is the threat of a rogue regime armed with ballistic missiles. In 2001, I announced withdrawal from the ABM Treaty. I did so because it constrained our ability to develop the technologies needed to defend ourselves against the threat of blackmail by rogue states. With these constraints removed, we have developed and deployed new defenses capable of protecting American cities from ballistic missile attack.

This system can now defend America against limited missile attacks from Northeast Asia. Concluded agreements with Poland and the Czech Republic to establish missile defense sites on their territories to help protect against ballistic missile attacks from the Middle East. Because we acted, America now has an initial capability to protect our people from a ballistic missile attack.

As we built new defenses against a missile attack, we also worked with Russia to make historic reductions in offensive nuclear weapons. When these reductions are complete, the total U.S. nuclear stockpile will be at its lowest level since the Eisenhower administration. These reductions are part of a new approach to strategic deterrence that relies on both nuclear and conventional strike forces, as well as strong defenses. We're investing in new technologies that will ensure the long-term safety and security and reliability and effectiveness of our nuclear deterrent. This approach sends a clear message to the world: We'll reduce our reliance on nuclear weapons while keeping America's strategic deterrent unchallenged.

[Kaslin]

President George W. Bush waves after delivering remarks on defense transformation, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

President George W. Bush waves after speaking to cadets, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at Eisenhower Hall at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y

U.S. President George W. Bush greets cadets after speaking during his visit to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, December 9, 2008

U.S. President George W. Bush greets cadets after speaking during his visit to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, December 9, 2008.

[Kaslin]

President George W. Bush waves prior to boarding Air Force One at Stewart Air National Guard Base, in Newburgh N.Y., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, after his trip to West Point Military Academy.

[Kaslin]

From the White House

President George W. Bush addresses his remarks to West Point cadets Tuesday, Dec, 9, 2008, at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush waves to cadets as he concludes his remarks Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush is cheered and applauded by cadets Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, as he is introduced on stage at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush poses for photos with cadets Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush pauses to greet Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick Paul Pittman Jr., left, and Lance Cpl. Marc E. Olson, both wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom, as he arrived on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, after spending the day at West Point. The Marines were on hand to greet the President upon his return. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

[Kaslin]

U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush pose for their 2008 holiday portrait in the Blue Room of the White House, in this picture taken on December 7, 2008 and released December 9, 2008. Picture taken December 7

In this image released by C-SPAN, first lady Laura Bush gives Brian Lamb a tour of the White House in Washington as part of a C-SPAN documentary, 'White House Tours by Presidents and First Ladies,' airing Monday, Dec. 15 at 9:00p.m. EDT on C-SPAN.

[Kaslin]

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

[Kaslin]

[Kaslin]

Hello! You just missed it by one second

[Kaslin]

We on the Dose are all going to miss President Bush

[4Speed]

Thank you Presdent Bush for you Courage and Leadership and winning the War on Terror.
Special Hooraahhh for the Troops and their untold Sacrifices for America and Victory over our enemies.
We Salute the best Military in the World, bar none.
We honor their Victory.

[kitkat]

PHEW! You had a lot of work! And you did it beautifully.

[Kaslin]

Thank you.

I thought too the speech was good

[Majie Purple]

Thanks!
I saved the CHRISTmas photo!
& How sweet also, to see the cheering Cadets!

I’m gonna go back and save that one as well.
:)

[freedumb2003]

We on the Dose are all going to miss President Bush

America will miss President Bush. Right now, their collective stupidity is blinding them.

When the new fuhrer's handlers start removing the BOR and the USC step by step, they will realize how they abused the man that may go down as the last champion of freedom.

And all too late.

[freedumb2003]

Wow — I was just posting from the heart.

Just like the 1MM post — just some guy that was posting a great post (actually fantastically great) about President Bush.

[nmh]

Yes, I didn’t always agree with him but he kept us SAFE.

I still struggle with the idea of the Obomination in his place.

[unkus]

President Bush —

You have had the most difficult administration of all time — starting with 9/11 and constantly hounded by those who were too stupid to see your point and too hateful to see your goodness.

I have not always agreed with you, but I have always believed you said what you meant, meant what you said and stood up for the best needs of the USA.

>>Sadly, your presumed successor is the exact opposite.

You have every right to ride off into the sunset and tell everyone to go to Hell. But you have too much class for that.

God bless you Mr. President.

God bless you.<<

---

Thank you freedumb2003. Well said.