Free Republic

"A shining city on a hill..." President Ronald Reagan's last address from the Oval Office, January 11th, 1989 _________________________________________________________________ "I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the...

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is leaving office just as he came in -- with a party paid for by outside interest groups. Schwarzenegger's spokesman, Aaron McLear, said the governor plans to attend .. but is not involved in the planning. The California Chamber of Commerce and the NAACP, both Schwarzenegger supporters, are among those seeking contributions for the Dec. 16 event at the Sacramento Convention Center. The Sacramento Bee reported that one appeal is seeking tax-deductible donations of $25,000 "for this memorable evening."

In 1982, operatives from the USSR’s Committee for State Security– known internationally as the KGB– celebrated the procurement of a very elusive bit of Western technology. The Soviets were developing a highly lucrative pipeline to carry natural gas across the expanse of Siberia, but they lacked the software to manage the complex array of pumps, valves, turbines, and storage facilities that the system would require. The United States possessed such software, but the US government had predictably turned down their Cold War opponent’s request to purchase the product. Never ones to allow the limitations of the law to dictate their...

CAMP TAJI – Culminating a year-long partnership that built a lasting friendship, leaders from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, joined their Iraqi Air Force counterparts here to bid each other farewell, April 4. "I feel that you are becoming a part of Iraq," said IqAF Brig. Gen. Nazim Liftah al-Agwadi, commander of Taji Air Field. "We have a saying in Arabic that when you've spent 40 days with the guys, you learn their habits – you become one of them. "You have just spent one year [in Iraq.] I feel that you are like Iraq, like the...

SNIPPET: "Jack Bauer may be the first fictional character in history who has been accused of inciting war crimes. During the shooting of Season 6, a group of real-life interrogators from the FBI, CIA, and the Army paid a visit to the set to make their case that the depiction of torture on "24" was not only unrealistic, but was also inspiring cadets at West Point and soldiers in the field to ape Bauer's methods of extracting information. The professionals pointed out that in their experience, torture never works, and that the "ticking bomb scenario" itself is a fantasy that...

WASHINGTON - Paul Kirk said a poignant goodbye yesterday to the Senate, invoking the memory of the man he briefly replaced, Edward M. Kennedy, as he implored his colleagues to adopt Kennedy’s bipartisan spirit and get to work on fixing the nation’s problems. But the Senate Kirk holds dearly in his memories no longer exists, the Massachusetts Democrat lamented as he completed his last day in office. And the audience for his farewell Senate address provided a brutal punctuation for his remarks: not a single Republican, senator nor staff worker, showed up.

Interim U.S. Sen. Paul G. Kirk Jr. announced tonight he will give his final address to the Senate tomorrow afternoon clearing the way for Sen.-elect Scott Brown to take his seat. Kirk’s staff announced the senator will “deliver his final speech on the floor of the United States Senate” at 3:45 p.m.

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2009 – Five months ago, the Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, arrived in Nawa district here to the sounds of gunfire, rockets and mortars. Marine Corps Lt. Col. William F. McCollough approaches the Nawa district administrator's home in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, where nearly 45 Marines and local Afghan leaders gathered for a celebration in his honor, Dec. 8, 2009. McCollough, known throughout Nawa as “Colonel Bill,” showed his respect to his hosts by wearing traditional Afghan clothes and a headdress. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian Tuthill  (Click photo for screen-resolution...

CAMP BUCCA — The 586th Air Expeditionary Group's 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron ended operations during a deactivation ceremony here, Dec. 3. The furling of the squadron’s colors marked the end of the its three-year partnership with the Army providing counterinsurgency, detainee operations and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. The 887th ESFS was activated in May 2007. Since that time, the squadron endured 40 improvised explosive device detonations, cleared another 16 IEDs, and withstood multiple small arms attacks. As a result of their accomplishments, they've been awarded more than 1,000 medals, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Meritorious Service...

One of Americas Greatest Speeches General Douglas Macarthur's "Farewell to the Corps" Delivered12 May 1962, at West Point, NY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ General Westmoreland, General Grove, distinguished guests, and gentlemen of the Corps!As I was leaving the hotel this morning, a doorman asked me, "Where are you bound for, General?" And when I replied, "West Point," he remarked, "Beautiful place. Have you ever been there before?"No human being could fail to be deeply moved by such a tribute as this [Thayer Award]. Coming from a profession I have served so long, and a people I have loved so well, it fills...

Tonight Fox will run the series finale of King of the Hill, the saga of Hank Hill and his gang of associates living in their exurb paradise of Arlen, Texas.... The beauty of King is that while it pokes fun at Hank’s myriad foibles, it understands the creepy nature of those who dedicate their lives to interfering in the lives of others, always claiming the moral high ground yet inevitably maximizing their own personal power and advantage. From snooty school guidance counselors to pompous college professors to lazy municipal clerks, Hank is constantly beset by nimrods trying to force him...

A FINAL FAREWELL LETTER FROM THE GUNNY TO HIS AUDIENCE Gang: Yes, this is the end of an era. But it also the beginning of a new one. It is hard to know where to start, but I figure I had first better thank you for making the Gunny Bob Show the top-rated evening news-talk program in the Denver Metro region. Without you, my show's ratings would never have been strong enough over all these years to always be the #1 show in that slot, even handily beating the fat cat syndicated hosts with ease. I owe all that to...

  It is my honor to speak to all Alaskans – our Alaskan family – this final time as your governor, and it is always great to be in Fairbanks! These rugged and hearty folk – some of the most patriotic people you’ll ever meet – live here. If there is one thing you are known for it your steadfast support for our military community up here. Thank you for that and a thank you to the U.S. military for protecting the greatest nation on earth. Together we stand! Getting here can be described as the best road trip in...

Gov. Sarah Palin R-Alaska Farewell Address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0u5mOXzCKA

Number 7: "Todd, I've always wanted to know -- what is it you do exactly?"

When Sarah Palin abruptly announced that she was planning to leave office, it was clear whom she blamed for her early exit. ... Blasting her adversaries for paralyzing the Alaska governor's office with charges of "frivolous ethics violations," Palin and her representatives accused these unnamed "Outside interests" of harming her ability to govern after returning from the presidential campaign. ... There's no doubt that Alaska's state government has been paralyzed since Palin's return, with anger and frustration emanating from both the governor's office and the state legislature. All of Palin's major bills failed to pass this year's first 90-day session....

I'm sure that the Democrats, Leftist Liberals, and Move On .Org'ers are all laughing , toasting and smiling with glee on the eve of Sara Palin's resignation address. I hope they enjoy themselves because it will be back to work on Monday. Then they will find themselves scurrying like mice to chase down every rumor, news leak, or wire report concerning her whereabouts, personal dealings and career moves. The only plausible explanation for this? They are afraid of her and the threat she poses to bringing down their newly acquired base of power. Romeny and Huckabee together don't receive in...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sarah Palin passes the state's top job to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell on Sunday in Fairbanks, and Channel 2 News and KTUU.com will air the ceremony live. TV coverage will be limited, but a live Web stream of the entire event will be available at KTUU.com starting at 2:45 p.m. Make sure your computer's software is up to date so you can watch the live stream of Gov. Sarah Palin's farewell address and Sean Parnell's swearing-in ceremony, as well as remarks from several prominent Alaskans. Click here for more information on downloading Silverlight, a video-streaming software...

Jay Leno Bids Farewell to "Tonight Show" By REUTERS May 29, 2009 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jay Leno bid farewell to "The Tonight Show" on Friday, ending his 17-year run as host with a finale that stayed true to the style that made him the top-rated performer on U.S. late-night television. The main difference was a long ovation that Leno struggled to quiet as he took the stage for an opening monologue that poked fun, as usual, at politicians, celebrities and current events. He thanked the likes of pop star Michael Jackson and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, whose...

See video at source. Though in Spanish, it indicates that these videos/pictures are shown in both the U.S. and Venezuelan TV of the last meeting between the two "leaders" after the final events of the recent meetings. After the meeting, Obama says to Chavez, "goodbye, my friend."

Dear Congressman Hunter, Welcome back to the private sector. Having had the opportunity to talk to you a number of times, I know that you are looking forward to doing some "real" work for a few years before you retire. I wish you well in the construction business. But I want to thank you for your service to the country. Frankly, the vast majority of politicians in DC provide nothing but disservice to our nation, including most republicans. But you, on the other hand, have been a national treasure. A true Reaganite from the beginning, you never wavered from your...

“As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. I never did.” President George W Bush farewell address 1/15/09 Today marks the end of the two-term presidency of George W Bush. It is a sad day in many ways, but also a proud day. President Bush ran in 2000 to restore the honor and the dignity to office of president. He has done that. He also aimed to lead the nation in a great purpose, or prosperity with a purpose as he called it. As it turned out he did,...

Rev. Peterson Bids Farewell To President George W. Bush; Says Americans Are Less Safe With Barack Hussein Obama Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, Founder and President of BOND Action Inc., issued the following statement bidding farewell to President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. Rev. Peterson also said that the nation is less safe today with the 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama in office. The following are Rev. Peterson’s remarks: “Thank you, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush for your dedication and service to our nation. The Bush family was a good model of the traditional...

COMPLETELY OUT OF CHARACTER: For generations to come Americans will benefit from our footing in the War on Terror, citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan will enjoy the opportunity to live in freedom, and millions of Africans will live without disease because of President Bush. He will be remembered as one who did whatever was necessary to defend your country from terrorism, staying the course even in the face of insurmountable opposition and hateful criticism, doing the right thing, not the popular thing.

Today, we witness the end of an era. While that cliche recalls a bit of nostalgia and even a bit of sorrowful histrionics, we nonetheless realize the impact the past eight years have had on us as Americans and as individuals. Eight years ago we welcomed a straight-talking, steel backboned cowboy as the 43rd President of the United States. Detractors already had him labeled as the spoiled rich kid. Yet, there was something about him that reached to everyday Americans. He wasn't the typical polished politician. He didn't get caught up in the hyperbole of oration. He laughed at himself...

I got the idea in November after 0bama won the election to post this today. Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

Here is Bush's speech after stepping down from being President. The speech is ongoing at the time of posting

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md., Jan. 20, 2009 – The U.S. military bid farewell today to the outgoing commander in chief during a stirring and emotional departure ceremony in which he called leading men and women in uniform the highlight of his presidency. Former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush give a final wave to the crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., prior to their final departure aboard Air Force One, Jan. 20, 2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Craig Clapper  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available....

FUSHE-KRUJE, Albania (Reuters) - At the "George W. Bush" cafe in this little Albanian town, owner Festim Cela gives a solemn reply when asked if it will change its name when the U.S. President leaves office Tuesday. Many beyond U.S. shores may welcome the end of Bush's presidency, but in zealously pro-American Albania, he is feted as a hero. "As long as this building stands, its name will be George W. Bush," Cela said as he watched television pictures of Bush's farewell speech the week before Barack Obama succeeds him. Below the TV is a table where Bush sat to...

Bush making calls to world leaders WASHINGTON (AP) — With just hours left in his presidency, President George W. Bush on Monday made a round of phone calls to more than a dozen leaders around the globe. The White House said Bush chatted with: President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia; President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia; President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea; Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark; Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy; former President Vicente Fox of Mexico; Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan; and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain; President Shimon Peres...

The three network morning shows on Friday almost totally skipped any coverage of President Bush's farewell address to the country on Thursday. Despite having a combined eight hours of air time, NBC's "Today," CBS's "Early Show" and ABC's "Good Morning America" devoted only 55 seconds total to reporting on Bush's speech. Instead, important topics such as "Obama thongs" and cheddar biscuits were highlighted. Over a period of two hours, "The Early Show" ignored the speech entirely. "Good Morning America," which has a similar running time, allowed a mere 17 seconds. The "Today" show, which now encompasses four hours of broadcast...

Clinton bids colleagues farewellBy AMIE PARNES | 1/14/09 9:31 PM EST At an emotional private party just off the Senate floor, soon-to-be Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told her Senate colleagues Wednesday night that serving in the Senate “has been the greatest experience of my life” and that leaving them was “like leaving family.” Clinton, whose eyes welled up as she worked the elegant LBJ room in the Capitol, hugged and kissed colleagues, posed for pictures and thanked them one by one as she reminded them she would be “just around the corner.” Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) nearly...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2008 – President Bush paid a surprise visit to Iraq yesterday, where he praised lawmakers in Baghdad for passing the status of forces agreement with the United States and offered a farewell message of thanks to U.S. troops serving there. “I am just so grateful that I had a chance to come back to Iraq before my presidency ended,” Bush told reporters in Baghdad during a news conference with Iraqi President Jalal Talibani. Bush said one of the reasons for his trip was to herald the passage of the Strategic Framework Agreement and the Status of...

A farewell of sorts that includes some very funny and poignant pictures of GWB taken throughout his administration.

IT is the final tribute to George W. Bush. In his America, allegedly awash with racism, militarism and bitter religion, the white war hero with the evangelical running mate got creamed and the black man of letters got the presidency. The greatest immediate international consequence of Barack Obama's election as president must be a reconsideration of the reflex anti-Americanism that forms the staple diet of intellectual life in many opinion-making corners of the world... ...President Obama will also have fellow Democrats in control of Congress. This could be triumph, or tragedy, for the Democrats and for the US... It has...

Our first president warned us specifically of the cult politics that threaten to take over our nation. About half way through his address he addresses this dangerous issue: "I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under...

REDMOND, Wash. (Reuters) - Bill Gates said a teary goodbye on Friday to Microsoft Corp, the software maker he built into the world's most valuable technology company based on the ambitious goal of placing a computer on every desk and in every home. He leaves Microsoft, which he co-founded with childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975, to focus on his philanthropic organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest charity, funded in part by his vast fortune. At an employee event at Microsoft's scenic headquarters campus here, Gates joined Chief Executive Steve Ballmer on stage to deliver a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The crews of the space shuttle and station said a teary farewell, then sealed the hatches between them Sunday after more than a week of working tirelessly together to build a bigger and better scientific outpost in orbit. Atlantis was scheduled to undock early Monday, its load considerably lighter than when it arrived Feb. 9 with Europe's premiere space laboratory, Columbus. Astronaut Daniel Tani was especially emotional as he left the international space station, his home for the past four months. Before floating into Atlantis for his long-overdue ride home, Tani paid tribute to his mother,...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2007 – Engineers from the Republic of Korea’s First Vertical Construction Company will be redeploying to their country, having completed their mission here. A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates the completion of the Direct Support Maintenance Facility at Forward Operating Base Sharana, in Afghanistan, and also the end of a five-year mission in Afghanistan for South Korean soldiers. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The company, commanded by Korean Capt. Bo Geol Choi from Seoul, completed its mission of constructing five K-Spans, which are hanger-like buildings, during a 20-week-long period. The...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2007 – Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked servicemembers for their dedication and sacrifice in a farewell message released today. "As my time as chairman comes to an end, I am filled with pride in the accomplishments of the incredible men and women of our armed forces, and humility in having had the opportunity to serve with each of you,"� Pace, who is retiring Sept. 30, wrote. For the past six years, Pace has served as vice chairman and chairman of the Joint Chiefs. During this time and his...

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Karl Rove was nearly overcome with emotion Friday as colleagues privately paid tribute to the political adviser as he leaves the White House, senior officials say. At the closed-door senior staff meeting at 7:30 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room, Rove was surprised with a slide show of photos chronicling his nearly seven years at President Bush's side, through good times and bad. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow told CNN that Rove was so touched by the tribute that he didn't have any final words for his colleagues. "He was pretty choked up," Snow said. Although he...

What? Karl Rove leaving the George Bush White House? I read the words; I can't digest them. Going home to Texas to write a book and, not only that, leaving politics altogether? So he announces. We'll see. One thing we'll see soon enough is what object of derogation the Democrats fix on in the future to explain (to themselves as much as to the voters) their inability these past six years to control the political agenda. Dick Cheney, Alberto Gonzales, Don Rumsfeld, Bush himself, of course - Always Rove was the No. 1 bad guy; the puppet master sitting in...

Majestic America Line Announces Farewell Celebration Throughout 2008 for the Legendary Delta Queen. Congress has decided not to enact legislation to grant the historic ship a statutory exemption; Ship will continue sailings through November 2008. Click on link above for full press release.

On June 27, Tony Blair left office after having been Britain’s prime minister for 10 years. His next job will be that of envoy for the so-called “Quartet” of Mideast negotiators: the United States, the U.N., the European Union and Russia. Let’s hope that his new employers appreciate him more than his old ones. Blair leaves 10 Downing Street with the dubious distinction of having been the “most unpopular Labour Prime Minister of modern times.” Last November, his approval rating sank to 26 percent. In other words, Blair is less popular than the Labour leaders who presided over Britain’s economic...

Quantum mechanics just got even stranger.There's only one way to describe the experiment performed by physicist Anton Zeilinger and his colleagues: it's unreal, dude. Measuring the quantum properties of pairs of light particles (photons) pumped out by a laser has convinced Zeilinger that "we have to give up the idea of realism to a far greater extent than most physicists believe today." By realism, he means the idea that objects have specific features and properties —that a ball is red, that a book contains the works of Shakespeare, or that an electron has a particular spin. For everyday objects, such...

A central factor in how Ronald Reagan won the Cold War, and did so with greater support along the way than the current president, was his ability to find means to undermine the enemy without losing thousands of American lives. An intriguing example, one that has eluded history, is the Farewell Dossier. This top-secret effort was part of the devastating strategy of economic warfare pursued by Reagan and a handful of intimate advisers—a strategy so sensitive that those involved publicly denied that a campaign was underway. A central architect of that effort, National Security Adviser Bill Clark, was confronted on...

ROADS leading to Sydney Airport were cleared as US Vice-President Dick Cheney wrapped up his visit to Australia. Mr Cheney left about 9am (AEDT) today after a four-day visit marred by violent protests, arrests and traffic chaos in Sydney. He also faced intensive media questioning about Australian terror suspect David Hicks, Australia's continued military role in Iraq and a possible US-led invasion of Iran. The near perfect weather during the visit turned to rain today as the 20-vehicle vice presidential entourage travelled to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport and entered Gate 12A near the domestic terminal. Airforce 2, a Boeing 757,...

I have spent a lot of time trying to think of what I would say to each of you in this, my last, Monday Morning Memorandum. God, and some gonzo lawyer, has put an end to this phase of my political career, and I personally don’t have the hardware or the training to send this out each week to the 30 or so thousand of you that receive this memo. So, I have to end this commentary, for the moment. If I can, I will resume it, but for the moment, this is the last of my comments to you....

The war on terror will not be won unless people stop blaming UK foreign policy for causing it, Prime Minister Tony Blair told Labour delegates.In his last conference speech to the party, he argued that to retreat from Iraq and Afghanistan now would "put our future security in the deepest peril". "This terrorism isn't our fault. We didn't cause it," he said. He pledged to dedicate his last few months in power seeking to help the Middle East peace process. 'Propaganda of the enemy'Speaking to the party faithful for the last time as their leader, Mr Blair said he believed...

A MEMORIAL service to celebrate the remarkable life and times of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin will take place at 10am next Wednesday at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondal. Steve Irwin's close friend and manager John Stainton announced details of the event at a media conference held on Brisbane's Sunshine Coast at 11am t(AEST) this morning Mr Stainton has said the event will be as much a celebration as a tribute to Steve Irwin's remarkable life. Mr Stainton said Tuesday had been ruled out because it clashed with the Victorian state funeral of motor racing icon Peter Brock. The mountain...