National and World News EXTRA
National and World News EXTRAAs
astronaut Mike Massimino zoomed to rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope
Tuesday, he managed to reach out to thousands of people who are following his
Twitter feed. He sent an email to Johnson
Space Center, which then posted this message to his Twitter:
"From orbit: Launch was awesome!! I am feeling great, working hard, & enjoying
the magnificent views, the adventure of a lifetime has begun!"
Massimino began 'tweeting' in early April about his training for the STS-125
shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. By Wednesday morning, more
than 247,000 people were following his Twitter feed.
Massimino and his six crew mates launched Monday on an 11-day mission that
includes five spacewalks. Massimino has said he will do his best to post updates
to Twitter, if at all possible, during the challenging mission.
Aboard the shuttle, astronauts have one or two opportunities each day to send an
email, but do not have access to the Internet.
Another astronaut, Mark Polansky, commander for the next shuttle flight, also is
'tweeting.' He's
posting updates as he
and his crew finish preparing for their STS-127 mission to the International
Space Station in June.
NASA also provides updates on the shuttle missions and its other endeavors.
Check out
NASA's Twitter feed.
President Bush Delivers Farewell Address to the Nation
THE PRESIDENT: Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence -- a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation.
Five
days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a
tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor
chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be
a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment
of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering
best wishes to President-Elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful
girls.
Tonight I am filled with gratitude -- to Vice President Cheney and members of my administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.
This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house -- September the 11th, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon, and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son's police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.
As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.
Over the past seven years, a new Department of Homeland Security has been created. The military, the intelligence community, and the FBI have been transformed. Our nation is equipped with new tools to monitor the terrorists' movements, freeze their finances, and break up their plots. And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the fight to the terrorists and those who support them. Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al Qaeda and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school. Iraq has gone from a brutal dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America to an Arab democracy at the heart of the Middle East and a friend of the United States.
There
is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little
debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another
terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil night and day
to keep us safe -- law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland
security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States
Armed Forces.
Our nation is blessed to have citizens who volunteer to defend us in this time of danger. I have cherished meeting these selfless patriots and their families. And America owes you a debt of gratitude. And to all our men and women in uniform listening tonight: There has been no higher honor than serving as your Commander-in-Chief.
The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women to subservience, and marks unbelievers for murder. The other system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of Almighty God, and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.
This is the belief that gave birth to our nation. And in the long run, advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our citizens. When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights, and human dignity. We're standing with dissidents and young democracies, providing AIDS medicine to dying patients -- to bring dying patients back to life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age when freedom belongs to all nations.
For eight years, we've also strived to expand opportunity and hope here at home. Across our country, students are rising to meet higher standards in public schools. A new Medicare prescription drug benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes. The addicted and suffering are finding new hope through faith-based programs. Vulnerable human life is better protected. Funding for our veterans has nearly doubled. America's air and water and lands are measurably cleaner. And the federal bench includes wise new members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.
When
challenges to our prosperity emerged, we rose to meet them. Facing the prospect
of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy.
These are very tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far
worse if we had not acted. All Americans are in this together. And together,
with determination and hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of
growth. We will show the world once again the resilience of America's free
enterprise system.
Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I've always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.
The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course.
While our nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.
At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.
As we address these challenges -- and others we cannot foresee tonight -- America must maintain our moral clarity. I've often spoken to you about good and evil, and this has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two of them there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right. This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act in their defense -- and to advance the cause of peace.
President
Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "I like the dreams of the future better than the
history of the past." As I leave the house he occupied two centuries ago, I
share that optimism. America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly
growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to
the broad horizon ahead.
I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people. This is a nation that inspires immigrants to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a nation where citizens show calm in times of danger, and compassion in the face of suffering. We see examples of America's character all around us. And Laura and I have invited some of them to join us in the White House this evening.
We see America's character in Dr. Tony Recasner, a principal who opened a new charter school from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. We see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program to help prisoners returning to society. We've seen it in Staff Sergeant Aubrey McDade, who charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued three of his fellow Marines.
We see America's character in Bill Krissoff -- a surgeon from California. His son, Nathan -- a Marine -- gave his life in Iraq. When I met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he delivered some surprising news: He told me he wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in honor of his son. This good man was 60 years old -- 18 years above the age limit. But his petition for a waiver was granted, and for the past year he has trained in battlefield medicine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff could not be here tonight, because he will soon deploy to Iraq, where he will help save America's wounded warriors -- and uphold the legacy of his fallen son.
In citizens like these, we see the best of our country - resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there's more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.
It
has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your President. There have been
good days and tough days. But every day I have been inspired by the greatness of
our country, and uplifted by the goodness of our people. I have been blessed to
represent this nation we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title
that means more to me than any other - citizen of the United States of America.
And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next President. And may God bless you and our wonderful country. Thank you. (Applause.)
President Bush Discusses World AIDS Day
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today is World AIDS Day, a day we reaffirm our commitment to fight HIV/AIDS at home and abroad. Thirty-three million people around the world are living with HIV, including more than one million Americans. Once again this year, to observe World AIDS Day, there is a red ribbon on the North Portico of the White House. The ribbon is a symbol of our resolve to confront HIV/AIDS and to affirm the matchless value of every life.
One of the most important initiatives of my administration has been the
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR. It's the largest international
health initiative dedicated to a single disease. When we launched PEPFAR, our
goal was to support treatment for two million people in five years. Today, I'm
pleased to announce that we have exceeded that goal -- early.
The American people, through PEPFAR, are supporting lifesaving treatment for more than two million people around the world. And when PEPFAR began, only 50,000 people living with HIV in all of sub-Sahara Africa were receiving antiretroviral treatment.
Around the world, we've also supported care for more than 10 million people affected by HIV, including more than four million orphans and vulnerable children. More than 237,000 babies have been born HIV-free, thanks to the support of the American people for programs to prevent mothers from passing the virus on to their children.
PEPFAR is bringing hope and healing to people around the world. On our trips to Africa, Laura and I have witnessed firsthand the gratitude of the African people.
We look forward to discussing our efforts to combat global HIV/AIDS with Rick Warren at the Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health this morning. In the meantime, we thank our fellow citizens for being so compassionate and so caring and so decent. God bless.
Your Excellencies: Welcome to the United States. Welcome to the White House. And welcome to the Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy.
I do want to begin my remarks by extending our heartfelt sympathies and prayers to Prime Minister Balkenende. He landed today and called me on the phone to inform me that his father had passed away. He returned back to his country to be with his family, and we wish them all the very best.
In the State Dining Room tonight are representatives of major industrialized economies, some of the largest developing economies, and key international financial institutions. We are here because we share a concern about the impact of the global financial crisis on the people of our nations. We share a determination to fix the problems that led to this turmoil. We share a conviction that by working together, we can restore the global economy to the path of long-term prosperity.
When we sit down at the summit table tomorrow, we bring clear priorities. Tomorrow's discussion will be the first in a series of meetings. It will focus on key [sic] five objectives: understanding the causes of the global crisis, reviewing the effectiveness of our responses thus far, identifying principles for reforming our financial and regulatory systems, launching a specific action plan to implement those principles, and reaffirming our conviction that free market principles offer the surest path to lasting prosperity.
As we pursue these objectives, we can build on what we have achieved together so far. Since the outbreak of the crisis, the world's leading nations have coordinated our actions more closely than ever before. Thanks in large part to these decisive measures, global credit markets are beginning to thaw. Businesses around the world are regaining access to essential short-term financing. And stability is beginning to return to the international financial system. This problem did not develop overnight, and it will not be solved overnight. But with continued cooperation and determination, it will be solved.
There is more work to do beyond the immediate crisis, and the stakes are indeed high. Billions of hardworking people are counting on us to strengthen our financial systems for the long term. Families need credit to buy homes and to fund education. Businesses need capital to expand their operations so they can hire new employees. Older workers are counting on pensions and retirement funds to support them in their retirement years. Developing nations need the assistance they have been promised -- as well as additional foreign investment -- to continue their journey from poverty to promise. All over the world, people understand that their livelihoods depend upon a healthy and growing global economy.
The surest path to that growth is to continue policies of free and open
markets. Free market capitalism has been an engine of prosperity, progress, and
social mobility in economies all over the globe. Trade and investment have been
-- have linked our economies together -- creating new customers for businesses
and workers, and greater choices and lower prices for consumers. All our nations
must reject calls for protectionism, collectivism, and defeatism in the face of
our current challenge.
I thank you all for coming tonight, and for your commitment to this urgent work. And with confidence in the success of our efforts, I offer a toast: to all of you, to the principles we share, and to the people we serve.
I am honored to be with you all. Thank you very much for hosting this meeting here, and the good folks from Alexandria and Pineville, Louisiana.
I have come to talk about the economic situation in the country. A lot of the people down here and other parts of the country are wondering why a free market-oriented President made the decisions to -- necessary to get the government buying stocks in banks, for example. Why would you do that?
The answer is because I was deeply concerned about a financial crisis becoming
so profound and so acute that it hurt the people and small business owners here
in Alexandria and Pineville, that's why. If I felt that the crisis could be
contained in Wall Street, then I'd have taken a different course of action. But
the crisis that is gripping this country, and still has a grip on this country,
affects the people around this table. And that's why I made the decision I made.
Part of that decision is to make sure that the people who end up with hardworking taxpayers' money don't enrich themselves as a result of that kind of money. I was talking to Rodney Alexander -- he's a fine congressman from this part of the world -- he said, one thing people want to make sure of, Mr. President, is that when you invest that they're not able to take that government investment and use it to their own advantage, personally -- in other words, golden parachutes, or something like that.
Secondly, I believe -- and I can say this with confidence to the people out here -- that I think we're going to get -- be able to get most of your money back. And the reason I say that is because the government is really making investments, and obviously making investments in a difficult period for our economy. And we're big enough and patient enough to be able to hold these investments. Plus the investments are structured to encourage, for example, big banks, when they get back on their feet and get doing better to buy back the shares or get somebody else to buy back the shares.
One of the things that I have heard around the table -- and I'm not surprised -- is that the regional banks and the community banks, which provide such an important part of many communities -- are such an important part of many communities, and provide such stability for the country's financial system, they're worried about being labeled with the same brush as some of the big banks that have had economic difficulties. And I think the people in Alexandria need to know that community banks are strong, and they got good capital ratios, and they're healthy. And that's good. It's going to be very important for the small business sector.
I am deeply concerned about the small business sector. Seventy percent of new jobs in America are created by small business owners, and we've got small business owners with us today. One of the problems facing small business owners is that they were very worried that their non-interest-bearing accounts in banks were not insured. And so the FDIC took action to insure those accounts so that small business owners can be comfortable that the money they got in place for inventories are in good shape.
And then the question I've asked here is, what are the attitudes like? And I
have heard that people's attitudes are beginning to change, from a period of
intense concerns -- and I would call it near panic -- to being more relaxed and
beginning to see the effects of changes and the liquidity that is being pumped
in the system, that we got a long way to go. As I said Friday, this thaw -- took
a while to thaw, it's going to take a while to unthaw. But it's -- but the
attitude here is a little different than it might have been a week ago.
And so I want to thank you all very much for giving me a chance to come visit with you. I'm very fond of this part of the country. It's not that far away from my home state. And so, appreciate your time. Appreciate the good folks in this part of the world. I do want to thank all those who have said prayers for me and Laura during our presidency. It's meant an awful lot. Thank you all.
PRESIDENT BUSH: President, welcome. I'm pleased to be joined by President Karzai and members of his government, as we've just had a discussion with our fellow citizens, represented here on the screen. We had a real-time SVTS with PRT members in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces in Afghanistan -- plus the governors, the Afghan governors.
My reaction to our conversation is, one, there was promise and progress. No
question it's difficult. But if you listen to the people who are actually on the
ground working with the citizens of Afghanistan on matters such as agriculture,
or education, or infrastructure, you'll understand why I said that there is
progress and promise -- and hope.
And so I want to thank my fellow citizens, Mr. President, in your presence, for their sacrifice and service. Three of the PRT members are here -- provincial reconstruction teams. This is a central part of the counterinsurgency strategy, which combines economic development, education, infrastructure with security, all aiming to help this young democracy not only survive, but to thrive, so that it never becomes a safe haven for those would do us harm again.
I've had a grand experience in dealing with President Karzai. He and I have known each other for a long time. We -- I can remember when I was informed that our special forces rescued President Karzai during the liberation of Afghanistan. He was stuck out there wondering whether he was going to make it --
PRESIDENT KARZAI: Top of the mountain.
PRESIDENT BUSH: We sent some good troops in and pulled him out. And he has served his country then, and he's served his country now as the President. And I admire your leadership and your determination to succeed. And I want to welcome you here. I want to let you know that the United States is committed to the people of Afghanistan. We will stand by your side, and do the hard work necessary to achieve our objective. And our objective is for you to become a thriving democracy, and to deny al Qaeda and other extremists a safe haven or a base from which to launch their murderous attacks.
Welcome.
PRESIDENT KARZAI: Thank you, President. Mr. President, thank you very much for seeing me and my delegation once again so graciously, and tremendous hospitality, as always, in the White House.
Mr. President, my trip this time to Washington, as I insisted to be here with you, is for one reason alone, and that is to thank you and, through you, the American people for all that you have done for Afghanistan. You can't imagine here in Washington, especially at the White House, how much difference you have made to the lives of the Afghan people by your personal commitment to Afghanistan, by your commitment for the betterment of Afghan life, for the security of the Afghan people, the democracy of the Afghan people, for education and health, and all that we discussed earlier with the PRTs and the Afghan governors.
At times in this, the span of seven years, we have come across issues that gives
us a feeling as if things were slowing down. That is not the impression that we
have in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has made progress that we would have not been
able to make in 50 years or 60 years -- what you have done in the past six or
seven years. We have rebuilt in four years more than 3,000 parsecs of our roads.
We have millions of children. We have more than 85,000 of our babies, infants,
and children now saved each year. Infant mortality is down. Health care from 9
percent to 85 percent. National reserves -- from $180 million to $3.5 billion
today -- over $3 billion today.
Life is better. Of course we have challenges, and the challenges will continue to face us as we move ahead. The success is already there, the picture will be completed. You will be leaving office, Mr. President, together with the Vice President, in a few months from today, but I would like you to remember as you leave office that Afghanistan will remember you tremendously, in a nice way, with affection, and you are there in our memory, in a golden place. Come and visit us so we can show it to you in a manner that we do traditionally in Afghanistan.
It's an honor to have associated with you, to have had your friendship, and to have had your support, and to have had your patience with me -- (laughter.) Very, very nice of you. I've yelled at times, I've been angry at times, but you've always been smiling and generous, and just so nice.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir.
PRESIDENT KARZAI: Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, all.
Mr. President, welcome. First of all, I am so pleased to see that you're looking good. The President's health is strong, and that's going to be very important for the people of Iraq. After all, there's been no stronger defender of a free Iraq than President Talabani. I've known him for a long time. He cares deeply about the Iraqi people, and he has been a strong defender of human liberty.
Mr. President, thanks for the good conversation we had about the election laws,
about the need to get a strategic framework agreement signed. And thank you very
much for bringing me up to date on your perspective about life inside of Iraq.
It's -- things have changed a lot since we've known each other.
PRESIDENT TALABANI: Of course.
PRESIDENT BUSH: And attitudes are completely different now that people realize the security situation has changed and mothers can raise their children in a more normal life. It's still difficult, but there's no doubt that the surge has been effective, which has enabled us to take out troops. Iraqis want there to be fewer U.S. troops, the United States wants there to be fewer U.S. troops, but both of us want to realize that vision based upon success.
And so, Mr. President, welcome back. I'm glad you're feeling good. And thank you for the visit.
PRESIDENT TALABANI: Well, Mr. President, thank you very much for giving me the honor of meeting you again. I think it's clear that we are in Iraq looking to you as a hero of liberation of Iraq from worst kind of dictatorship. And now we are working with your -- with you, Mr. President, for finalizing the strategic framework agreement between United States and Iraq.
And also, we are always getting benefit from your views about how to secure Iraq. I think you know very well that you and we in Iraq achieved very good successes on terrorism. Now I can say all parts of Iraq liberated from terrorist control and activities. It's true that some groups remain hiding themselves from here or there, but there's no place, no inch of Iraqi land under the control of terrorist activities. There are some terrorist -- still groups working -- hiding themself, and thanks to you and sacrifice of your brave army and to Iraqi people, now we can live in peace and security.
And Iraq government started to spend the money which we have for serving the Iraqi people and rebuilding the country, reconstructing the country. Not only we liberated our country from terrorist activities, but also from militias, outlawed militias who are also making troubles and danger for Iraqi people.
And as you have heard, the Basra city, Sadr City, (inaudible), Ninawa, Baqubah -- all these cities are now liberated. So we are thankful to you and to your people, your army. We hope that the agreement about this strategy formation will be signed soon.
And as usual, we are working, our parliament is working now for finalizing the draft of a new law for election provinces, and I hope that, as I heard the news yesterday, I hope that today it will be finalized, because the groups -- head of groups of parliament are now gathering in parliament to reach -- to finalize this.
In our country, we are now busy to reconstruct our country and to rebuild our country. And I am glad to tell you, Mr. President, that our position with our neighbors is improved very well -- with Turkey, with Syria, with Iran, with the Arab countries. The relation is notable now and we have no problem with any of these countries. In contrary, many, many new ambassadors are coming --
PRESIDENT BUSH: That's right.
PRESIDENT TALABANI: -- to our country from Arab countries. And our visit of Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Tayyip Recep Erdogan, and of the -- His Majesty, the King of Jordan, to Baghdad were very successful, and was encouraging to Iraqi people to understand that they have friends outside Iraq.
So I hope that friendship and relation between your great people and the Iraqi people will continue and will be strengthened. And we will never forget what you have done for our people.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, President.
Atlanta, GA 9/04/2008 02:39 PM GMT (TransWorldNews - Top Story)
Sarah Palin slammed Barack Obama during her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday.
Palin began quickly as she accepted the VP nomination for the Republican Party early into her RNC speech.
Palin, the governor of Alaska, said that Obama was a good speaker, but was very inexperienced. "But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate," said Palin.
"But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed, when the roar of the crowd fades away, when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent's plan?" asked Palin.
Palin spoke to the RNC about her time as mayor of her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. She addressed the naysayers who say that she lacks experience, comparing hers to Obama's. "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities," said Palin.
"I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening," said Palin.
Palin, a self-titled hockey mom, also showed her sense of humor and toughness during her speech. As she addressed several supporters with signs that said "Hockey Moms for McCain" and "Hockey Moms for Palin", she asked them what was the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull.
"Lipstick," replied Palin to the cheers of the RNC audience.
For the video of Sarah Palin's RNC acceptance speech, please go to YourFindit Videos. Click here for full transcript of Sarah Palin's RNC acceptance speech.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm going to make a quick statement. Then I want to come around and say thank you in person to you.
First of all, Governor, thanks for having me down here. Phase one of the response to Gustav went very well. A lot of it had to do with the people in this room. We're much better coordinated this time than we were with Katrina. State government, the local government, and the federal government were able to work effectively together.
There is still more work to be done. One of the key things that needs to happen
is they got to get electricity up here in Louisiana, get moving as fast as
possible. The Governor understands it's a problem, his team understands it's a
problem, and I understand it's a problem.
There's a lot of folks from this state that are working hard to re-string the lines. There are people from out of state coming into Louisiana to help, as well, and, of course, all the citizens of this state want to thank the people from other states that are moving in here to help get the electricity up as soon as possible. And I would ask that if utilities in neighboring states have extra manpower, please coordinate with the state and send the folks in. Part of this recovery is going to require the electricity coming back as quickly as possible.
We talked about the need to make sure that in parts of Louisiana that are getting flooded now, rural Louisiana, that MREs and water and ice get delivered to those communities as quickly as possible.
As a governor of a neighboring state, I remember often how people would say, all they care about is the big cities. And I understand there's a lot of focus on New Orleans, and there should be focus on New Orleans. But in the briefings today, it is clear that this state is focused, as well, as on people who live in rural Louisiana and in the smaller towns of Louisiana. And so the efforts will be aimed at helping people there.
Bobby talked about the need for -- to release energy or oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Last night we got a request from a company doing business here in Louisiana and we met that request. And if -- so oil was released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. And we will continue to do that upon requests by companies.
All in all, the response has been excellent. But the people here understand that there is more work to be done. And that's why I came down here with members of the federal government to listen and to figure out how to help.
I can't thank you all enough for working as hard as you are. Looking around, I can see that some people may not have had much sleep recently. (Laughter.) The people of your state care a lot about the fact that you are working as hard as you are. And if this helps you keep going, I want to thank you, and I want to thank all the volunteers and the faith-based community that always rises up in a challenge like this. They listen to that universal call to love a neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself. And that's happening here in Louisiana again. And I know the people that are -- whose lives have been affected appreciate a total stranger coming in to help.
And finally, the people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there's a lot of prayer -- prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I'm one of them. It's good to come down here. Governor, I can't thank you enough for your leadership and your team's leadership, and we stand ready to help.
And now I'm going to come around and thank every one of you for working. God bless. (Applause.)
Alaskan Gov.
Sarah Palin has been named as the vice presidential candidate for Republican
presidential nominee John McCain, setting the stage for history in the 2008
presidential election that now promises either a black president in Democratic
nominee Barack Obama or the first woman vice president in Palin.
McCain’s
decision to put Palin on the ticket could attract several disgruntled Hillary
Clinton Democrats who have refused to back Obama.
A lifelong
Republican, Palin became Alaska’s first female governor as well as its youngest
when she won the election in 2006. The 44-year-old mother of five has lived in
Alaska most of her life, leaving only to attend the University of Idaho where
she studied journalism and political science.
With McCain’s selection Palin becomes the first woman to become a vice presidential candidate on a Republican ticket.
Atlanta, Ga. 8/22/2008 07:56 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)
A draft
security agreement detailing a possible exit of U.S. troops from Iraq is now in
the hands of the country’s parliament and presidency.
Under the deal
U.S. combat troops could be out of Iraq by 2011. The agreement would also pull
U.S. forces out of urban areas in Iraq by June 2009.
While the
United States could withdraw combat troops by 2011 they may leave troops behind
to train Iraqi security forces.
The White
House has remained silent on any proposed deal to exit Iraq, saying there were
still details that needed to be worked out but President George Bush has been
speaking with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
As part of the
27-point agreement there is a plan to grant U.S. soldiers some degree of
immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law.
Click here for
more
World News
President Bush Attends Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention, Discusses Global War on Terror
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Thank you for the warm welcome. And I am proud to address the Veterans of Foreign Wars. (Applause.) I spoke to you when I was a presidential candidate. And this is the fifth time that I have spoken to your national convention as your President. And every time I've been honored to meet with members of the VFW, I come away from these meetings with my -- inspired by your love of country, by your devotion for duty, and for the example you set for those who wear the uniform today.
I also appreciate the fact that you're here in spite of the weather. (Laughter.)
Tropical Storm Fay set a challenge for this convention, but your members were
wise enough to hang around. I do want to thank the citizens -- the officials of
the state of Florida for working hard to make sure that people were ready to
address the storm. We watched this very carefully, and I must say that the
people of this state worked hard to make sure that this convention and other
lives were saved. We appreciate the work of the local officials. And of course,
we'll continue to monitor the storm as it moves through, through the area.
I do want to thank my friend, George Lisicki, for his leadership as your National Commander. He's done a fine job on behalf of the VFW. I know firsthand; I've had him to the Oval Office. He's not afraid to speak his mind. I listen. and I know you're proud of the job he has done. (Applause.) And I want to thank his wife, Gloria, for putting up with him. (Laughter and applause.)
I do want to thank Bob Wallace, the Executive Director of the VFW. He has worked very hard to represent you, and he's done so in fine fashion.
I'm proud to be here with Glen Gardner, Incoming National Commander-in-Chief of the VFW, and his wife, Jean. I've known Glen for a long time; I admire him. I told him I'm fixing to retire, so I'm not going to be around to work with him. But no doubt in my mind he'll do a fine job on behalf of the VFW.
I want to thank Virginia Carman, National President of the Ladies Auxiliary. (Applause.) Dixie Hild is the Incoming National President of the Ladies Auxiliary. (Applause.) I want to thank the rest of the leadership for letting me come by to visit with you.
I met an interesting person here today, a woman named Keela Carr. When I go to a city I like to herald people who are volunteering on behalf of the country. Keela has walked from California to Washington, D.C., to thank the veterans for their service to the United States of America. And I'm proud to have met Keela Carr. And I want to thank you for doing what you're doing, Keela. (Applause.)
And I want to thank the members of the Armed Forces that are here today. There is no greater honor than being the Commander-in-Chief of the United States military, and I'm proud to be in your presence. (Applause.)
America owes the men and women of the VFW a debt that can really never be
repaid. You fought for our freedoms, and then when you came home, you
volunteered to continue to serve this nation. Together with your Ladies and
Men's Auxiliaries, members of this organization donate 13 million hours of
community service every year. You mentor youth groups. You sponsor blood drives.
You send packages to the military units deployed overseas. You provide vital
services to your fellow veterans at home. In the VFW, we see the best of the
American spirit -- and American -- America honors your service in and out of
uniform. (Applause.)
When the history of the last eight years is finally written, it will show how closely and effectively my administration and the VFW have worked together on behalf of Americans' veterans. My budget includes nearly $94 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs -- which means we have nearly doubled the funding for veterans since I took office. (Applause.)
We've worked together to modernize and expand VA facilities -- and got $5.5 billion of taxpayers monies in the budget to do so. The VFW and my administration have worked hard to expand grants to help homeless veterans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, because we strongly believe no veteran who served in distant lands should have to live without shelter in the land they fought to defend. (Applause.)
We believe that combat-injured and severely disabled veterans deserve to receive both their military retired pay and their VA disability compensation. I was the first President in more than 100 years to sign concurrent receipt legislation. (Applause.)
We have worked effectively and diligently to provide for those returning home from the front lines today: My administration implemented recommendations from Senator Dole and Secretary Shalala to help our wounded warriors build lives of hope and promise and dignity. We're investing hundreds of millions of dollars to develop new treatments for conditions like traumatic brain injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Earlier this year, I was pleased to sign a piece of legislation that the VFW has long championed -- a GI Bill for the 21st century. (Applause.)
We also owe something to your brothers-in-arms who never returned home. We will always cherish the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never stop searching until we can account for every missing soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guardsmen, and Marine. (Applause.)
Over the past seven and a half years, I have seen the VFW's devotion to our men
and women in uniform. I have been impressed, I have been inspired by your
support of the military. You understand that our men and women in uniform
deserve our full support because they are defending America in our nation's
first war in the 21st century. That war reached our shores on September the
11th, 2001, a day that you have not forgotten, and neither have I. On that day,
19 men armed with box cutters brought killing and carnage to our homeland. We're
at war against determined enemies, and we must not rest until that war is won.
(Applause.)
This war cannot be won, however, if we treat terrorism primarily as a matter of law enforcement. Law enforcement is an essential part of our strategy -- but our strategy cannot be limited to law enforcement alone. After the first World Trade Center attack in 1993, our law enforcement community succeeded in tracking down several of the killers, prosecuting them and putting them into jail. But eight years later, al Qaeda terrorists came back to finish the job. The lesson is this: In order to do our duty, our solemn duty, which is to protect the homeland from further harm, we must keep the pressure on the enemy, we must keep the extremists on the run. In order to do so, we must use all assets of national power, including the United States military. (Applause.)
So when this war, with your strong support, we are taking the fight to the enemy. Over the past seven years, America and our allies have captured or killed hundreds of al Qaeda leaders and operatives in more than two dozen countries. We'll continue to battle the terrorists overseas so we do not have to face them here at home.
We're on several fronts in this war on terror. A major front is Afghanistan, where we removed a dangerous regime that harbored the terrorists who plotted the September the 11th attacks. Because we acted, the Afghan people have been liberated. A nation that was once a training ground for terrorists has become an ally in the war on terror. We built a strong coalition of nations including every member of the NATO Alliance to help the Afghan people defend their young democracy. And we will ensure that that country never becomes a safe haven again for terrorists who seek to launch attacks on America or our allies. (Applause.)
Another front in the same war against the extremists is Iraq. We removed a brutal dictator who murdered his own people, who paid the families of suiciders, who invaded his neighbors, who was an enemy of the United States, who repeatedly defied the United Nations. Because we acted, the dictator is gone and 25 million Iraqis are free. Removing Saddam Hussein was right then -- and it is right today. (Applause.)
In 2006, as you well know, the situation in Iraq was deteriorating. Some back in Washington said the war was lost. They were willing to give up on the mission. They were willing to leave a struggling democracy to its own fate. But failure in Iraq could have spread chaos across the region, emboldened Iran, emboldened the terrorists, and given them a new base from which to launch operations against America and allies. I believe this would have been a disaster for America -- and so do the men and women of the VFW. (Applause.)
Early last year, after consultations with our commanders -- and the Commander-in-Chief must always listen to the commanders and not the latest opinion poll -- (applause) -- I ordered a surge of forces into Iraq. I remember briefing the leaders of the VFW on my decision. Since the surge began, violence in Iraq has dropped; civilian deaths and sectarian killings are down. Slowly but steadily, political and economic progress is taking place. Iraq is a rising democracy. Iraq is an ally against these extremists. And our troops have become home -- begun to come home under our policy of return on success. We all look forward to the day when even more of our troops come home. And the VFW understands that the only way to bring them home is with victory. (Applause.)
To ensure that we have the capabilities to prevail in Iraq and Afghanistan, or wherever the terrorists make their stand, we've transformed the United States military. Our branches of the military are working together better than ever. We've more than doubled funding for our Special Operations Command so our forces can hunt the terrorists no matter where they hide. We've increased the number of unmanned aerial vehicles in our arsenal. We're moving American forces from Cold War garrisons in Europe and Asia so they can deploy rapidly anywhere in the world. We're going to increase the size of our ground forces. We'll make our troops more lethal and more agile so they can remain on the offense against the enemy. America's future leaders must remember that the war on terror will be won on the offense -- and that's where our military must stay. (Applause.)
We're keeping the pressure on the enemy. As we've done so, we've defended this homeland. Nearly seven years have passed without another attack on our soil. This is not for the lack of trying by the terrorists. Our intelligence and law enforcement professionals have worked with our allies to stop major al Qaeda attacks, including a plot to blow up transatlantic flights from London, and a plan to strike the tallest skyscraper in Los Angeles. We owe these fine professionals our thanks. And we owe them something more -- the tools necessary to be able to do their job.
Since 9/11, we've given American defenders what they need. We formed a new Department of Homeland Security. We overhauled the nation's intelligence community. We shifted the FBI's focus from investigating terrorist attacks to preventing terrorist attacks. We passed the Patriot Act, which tore down the wall that once prevented law enforcement and intelligence officers from sharing vital information. We created a new National Counter-Terrorism Center. We established a program at the CIA to interrogate key terrorist leaders captured in the war on terror. We worked with Congress to pass legislation that allows our intelligence professionals to quickly and effectively monitor terrorist communications. (Applause.)
We have used all these tools to stop new attacks. And I'm pleased to report to the American people that these tools will be available for future administrations to protect the American people for years to come. (Applause.)
And in this war, we're countering the terrorists' dark and hateful ideology by offering a more hopeful vision -- and that's one based on freedom. On September the 11th, we saw how the terrorists exploit hopelessness and despair to recruit young men for their evil plots against America. We learned that our nation's security depends on combating the conditions that give rise to terror by aiding the rise of free societies. We're engaged in the great ideological struggle of our time -- between the forces of freedom and the forces of tyranny. So we -- America and our allies will support young democracies. We're standing with brave democratic reformers.
Over the past seven years, we've seen liberty on the march, seen citizens in Afghanistan and Iraq establish representative governments after decades of tyranny. We've seen the people of Lebanon take to the streets and demand their independence. We've seen citizens of the former Soviet republic -- republics stand up for their right for free and fair elections.
One of the most inspiring chapters of history was written by the Georgian people during the Rose Revolution of 2003. In the years that followed, the Georgian people have held free elections. They've established a democratic form of government. Georgia has also sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq to help others realize the blessings of liberty. Georgia has stood for freedom around the world -- now the world must stand for freedom in Georgia. (Applause.)
For nearly two weeks, the world has watched Georgia's young democracy come under siege. Russian forces invaded the country in a disproportionate response to a long-simmering conflict in Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The world has come together to condemn this assault. Yesterday Secretary Rice met with members of the NATO Alliance to discuss the ongoing situation. Our countries agreed that Russia must honor its commitment to withdraw its troops from Georgia and to return to the status quo before the hostilities began on August the 6th.
The Alliance is considering seriously the implications of Russia's actions for the NATO-Russia relationship. The Alliance determined that business as usual cannot continue with Russia. And the Alliance agreed to help Georgia by sending NATO teams to assess the country's needs, and by forming a new NATO-Georgia Commission.
The United States of America will continue to support Georgia's democracy. Our military will continue to provide needed humanitarian aid to the Georgian people. South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia. And the United States will work with our allies to ensure Georgia's independence and territorial integrity. (Applause.)
The people in this room understand the benefits of liberty because you fought to defend it and bring it to others. As young men, many of you battled the forces of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan on the battlefields of World War II. In those days, it would have been hard for you to imagine that the enemies you were fighting would become some of America's closest allies. Six decades later, Germany and Japan are strong democracies. They are two of our closest allies.
In your own lifetimes, you have seen firsthand the power of liberty to transform societies and yield the peace we all want. (Applause.) I believe that people in this hall believe that the power of freedom is unstoppable. I believe it because I believe in an Almighty that has given every man, woman and child on the face of the Earth freedom. (Applause.) And I know freedom yields the peace we want. If America maintains our confidence in our ideals, is willing to take the lead, freedom will once again prevail. And we'll be able to look at a generation of Americans coming up and say, we did our duty; we defended America and laid the foundation of peace for generations to come. (Applause.)
We can also be confident in every generation freedom has found brave defenders in the men and women of our Armed Forces. You know, through the years I've received a lot of heartfelt letters from our military families. One of them was from a woman in Texas named Sue Stoner. Sue's husband is a decorated Air Force veteran of Vietnam and the Gulf War. Last year during a trip to Fort Hood, the couple witnessed their six-year-old granddaughter Mikayla do something that every American should do, as well. The little girl bounded over to a wounded stranger in Army fatigues, and said, "I just wanted to say thank you for serving our country." As Mikayla's proud grandmother tells it, the soldier leaned forward on his walker, and said, "Sweetheart, I did it for you." (Applause.)
Every one of you put on the uniform for the same reason. You risked your life, you sacrificed so Americans like Mikayla could grow up in freedom. We will always honor your service. We will never forget your sacrifice. (Applause.)
This is the last time I will address a veterans convention as the Commander-in-Chief. Over the past seven, eight years -- seven and a half years, I've been honored to get to know many of your members. I've relied on your counsel. I have benefitted from your wisdom. I have been extremely grateful for your prayers.
I know you share with me a deep love for America and an awesome pride in those who defend her. When I meet with our troops, they always inspire me with their sense of duty and honor. They are America's finest citizens. (Applause.) I am confident that our troops will always be able to count on the fellowship and the support and the love of the men and women of the VFW. May God bless you, and may God bless America. (Applause.)
President Bush Discusses Situation in Georgia, Urges Russia to Cease Military Operations
Good morning. I've just met with my national security team to discuss the crisis in Georgia. I've spoken with President Saakashvili of Georgia, and President Sarkozy of France this morning. The United States strongly supports France's efforts, as President of the European Union, to broker an agreement that will end this conflict.
The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government
of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia
be respected.
Russia has stated that changing the government of Georgia is not its goal. The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment. Russia has also stated that it has halted military operations and agreed to a provisional cease-fire. Unfortunately, we're receiving reports of Russian actions that are inconsistent with these statements. We're concerned about reports that Russian units have taken up positions on the east side of the city of Gori, which allows them to block the East-West Highway, divide the country, and threaten the capital of Tbilisi.
We're concerned about reports that Russian forces have entered and taken positions in the port city of Poti, that Russian armored vehicles are blocking access to that port, and that Russia is blowing up Georgian vessels. We're concerned about reports that Georgian citizens of all ethnic origins are not being protected. All forces, including Russian forces, have an obligation to protect innocent civilians from attack.
With these concerns in mind, I have directed a series of steps to demonstrate our solidarity with the Georgian people and bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I'm sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to France, where she will confer with President Sarkozy. She will then travel to Tbilisi, where she will personally convey America's unwavering support for Georgia's democratic government. On this trip she will continue our efforts to rally the free world in the defense of a free Georgia.
I've also directed Secretary of Defense Bob Gates to begin a humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia, headed by the United States military. This mission will be vigorous and ongoing. A U.S. C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the days ahead we will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.
We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit. We expect Russia to meet its commitment to cease all military activities in Georgia. And we expect all Russian forces that entered Georgia in recent days to withdraw from that country.
As I have made clear, Russia's ongoing action raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions. To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis.
President Bush Attends Dedication of United States Embassy Beijing
Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, Ambassador. Mr. President, all you distinguished guests, including the man that was responsible for my coming out here in 1974 -- Henry Kissinger, here. Delighted to see him. (Applause.) And of course, many friends -- lao peng you -- from China, so pleased to see you all here. Thank you for coming.
Let me start by noting that this week has a homecoming feel to it. Barbara and I
always welcome the chance we have to come back to China. In fact, I think this
is my 19th or 20th visit since I left the presidency, since leaving the White
House. But to be here at this special time, special time in China's history, to
be back in the embassy where I was proud to have served, and to be here with the
members of Bush family who share our love for China and its people, is
particularly gratifying, particularly moving for me.
In the 34 years since I first came to China, change has been one of the constants. Peking is now Beijing. The bicycles that used to dominate the roads have given way to more cars. And then when you come to this magnificent "Bird's Nest," the National Stadium, and the other architectural features that now dominate the landscape here, there can be no question that China has achieved something truly special in readying itself to host these Games. It is just simply remarkable.
Of course, I feel the same sense of awe standing here to behold the transformation that our beloved embassy complex has undergone here. I was feeling sentimental when I told Barbara, my wife, that my old office would be occupied by the talented translators who work in the Public Affairs Office. (Laughter.) But as usual, she snapped out -- "You mean they got someone in your office who can speak the language?" (Laughter.)
Barbara and I studied an hour a day, five days a week, but to be honest, one of the great challenges were these Chinese lessons that she and I took together. She simply refused to follow the very sacred "no laughing rule" as I spoke. (Laughter.) I was soon hoping that she would transfer out of my class. (Laughter.)
But as special as any visit to China is for us, as historic as it is to be here for the start of 2008 Summer Olympics and this new embassy opening, it means the most to us to be here with our family. That includes our daughter Doro, who was baptized here; and that includes certainly our President and First Lady; includes our son, Marvin, who is here with us today, and his wife Margaret; and everyone here. The President and the First Lady have served with such honor, served with courage and class during a historically challenging time for our nation and the world. And I am so very proud of him. (Applause.)
And so, with no further ado, the President of the United States. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. (Laughter.) It is quite an honor to be introduced by your dad. This has got to be a historic moment: father and son, two Presidents, opening up an embassy. (Applause.) I suspect it's the first, although I must confess I haven't done a lot of research into the itinerary of the Adams boys. (Laughter.)
My dad was a fabulous President. (Applause.) And I tell people one reason why
was not only did he know what he was doing, he was a fabulous father.
(Applause.)
Mr. Ambassador, honored guests, Laura and I, and my brother and my sister, are proud to be here with our dad as we open and dedicate this new embassy.
No doubt this is an impressive complex. To me it speaks of the importance of our relations with China. It reflects the solid foundation underpinning our relations. It is a commitment to strengthen that foundation for years to come.
I thank all those who designed and built the embassy, and all those who work here to advance the interests and values of our great nation. Dad and I are honored that Counselor Dai has joined us; and Minister Xie; Ambassador Zhou -- who, by the way, opened a new Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., designed by I.M. Pei a couple weeks ago.
We appreciate our friend Anne Johnson being here, Director of the Art in Embassies Program. Dr. Kissinger, thanks for coming. (Applause.)
It takes a special band to open the embassy -- out of West Texas -- Odessa, Texas, for that matter, the Gatlin boys are with us today. (Applause.) I thank the Red Poppies -- (applause) -- thank you for your talent. (Applause.) And finally, I want to pay tribute to Sandy Randt, who has done a fabulous job as our Ambassador to China. Sandy, thank you and
-- (applause.)
We're proud to be here with those citizens of ours who work at the embassy, and we say thanks to the Chinese nationals who make our embassy go, as well.
I'm honored to represent the United States at the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games here in Beijing. And I'm looking forward to cheering our athletes on. (Applause.) Mr. Ambassador, I'm not making any predictions about medal counts -- (laughter) -- but I can tell you the U.S. athletes are ready to come and compete, in the spirit of friendship.
You know, during my last visit here I had the opportunity to break in the mountain biking course. I was so proud of my efforts, I told Laura I was thinking about entering the competition myself. (Laughter.) She reminded me they don't give any medals for last place. (Laughter.)
Tonight the Olympic torch will light the home of an ancient civilization with a grand history. Thousands of years ago, the Chinese people developed a common language and unified a great nation. China became the center for art and literature, commerce and philosophy. China advanced the frontiers of knowledge in medicine, astronomy, navigation, engineering, and many other fields. And the Chinese are even said to have invented the parachute -- something for which the 41st President is very grateful. (Laughter and applause.)
We share a long history. The first American ship arrived in China just after the
year we won our independence. World War II, Americans and Chinese fought side by
side to liberate this land from Imperial Japan. We all remember very clearly,
Dr. K, when President Nixon came to Beijing to begin a new era of dialogue
between our nations. You might remember that yourself. (Laughter.)
Today the United States and China have built a strong relationship, rooted in common interests. China has opened its economy and begun to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. America will continue to support China on the path toward a free economy.
We're also cooperating to fight pandemic diseases and respond to natural disasters. And through the six-party talks, we're working together to ensure that the Korean Peninsula is free of nuclear weapons.
The relationship between our nations is constructive and cooperative and candid. We'll continue to be candid about our mutual global responsibilities. We must work together to protect the environment and help people in the developing world; continue to be candid about our belief that all people should have the freedom to say what they think and worship as they choose. We strongly believe societies which allow the free expression of ideas tend to be the most prosperous and the most peaceful.
Candor is the most effective -- is most effective where nations have built a relationship of respect and trust. I've worked hard to build that respect and trust. I appreciate the Chinese leadership that have worked hard to build that respect and trust. And I thank all those here at the embassy who are doing the same thing. The people here who work made sacrifices to serve our country. Serving America is noble. And I hope you found it to be rewarding.
I'm honored to be with you. I appreciate the honor of dedicating this new
embassy. And I'm looking forward to going to the Games. (Laughter.) God bless.
(Applause.)
President Bush Meets with Prime Minister Samak of Thailand
PRIME MINISTER SAMAK: We are pleased to welcome President Bush visit to Thailand on the auspicious occasion of the celebration of 175th anniversary of Thai-U.S. relations. As Thailand has now assumed the ASEAN chairmanship, we will use the opportunity to strengthen our engagement and cooperation with the U.S. both bilaterally and through ASEAN.
President Bush and I had just a very good discussion on several issues of common
interest. We discussed the strengthening of the close military and the security
cooperation which benefit both countries and the region. A case in point is our
military close partnership during the tsunami and post-Cyclone Nargis to
facilitate access of American relief and assistance to the effected countries.
We will continue our discussion on the other regional issues over the dinner this evening. President Bush expressed his appreciation for Thailand's humanitarian role in sheltering displaced persons from neighboring countries for over 30 years. I also thanked the President for the United States' understanding on the Preah Vihear issue.
We agreed to enhance the Thai-U.S. relation by focusing on education, public health, sciences, security and law enforcement cooperation. Our two countries share a long and special connection. President Bush -- former President Bush Senior and Mrs. Barbara Bush came to Thailand to pay tribute to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of accession to the throne in December 2006.
Looking towards the future we agreed that our alliance and friendship will remain firm and close as in the past 174 years, we need to continue working closely together to further strengthen our relationship and goodwill for the benefit of our two countries and the region.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Sawtdee Khrab. (Laughter.) Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for welcoming Laura and me, and our daughter, Barbara, to your beautiful country. I want to thank you very much for welcoming us on behalf of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. We appreciate the opportunity to come back, and we honor the friendship that has been in existence for 175 years.
I want to thank you very much for being such a strong ally in the war against terror. Our nations are strengthening our security and defense cooperation. Thailand continues to host Cobra Gold, which is one of the largest annual multilateral training exercises in Southeast Asia.
Thailand's troops have helped the people of Iraq and Afghanistan as they battle extremists and strengthen their democracy, and I want to thank you for those contributions, Mr. Prime Minister. America and Thailand are coordinating our law enforcement, counterterrorism and counter-proliferation activities so we can do a better job of protecting our citizens from danger.
The United States and Thailand are working to expand freedom with good governance. I want to thank you very much and congratulate the people of Thailand for restoring its democracy. Through the Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership, our nations are working together to strengthen democratic values and institutions throughout the region. As the Chair of ASEAN, we support your efforts to reduce trade barriers, and to expand economic opportunity, and help Southeast Asia grow in hope.
The United States and Thailand work together to fight disease. I don't think our
citizens understand this, Mr. Prime Minister, but we've dedicated $35 million to
help prevent and treat HIV/AIDS here in Thailand, and we're happy to do so.
Looking forward to going tomorrow to the clinic where we get to see the efforts
of the initiative, it's called the Mercy Center -- and I appreciate you
arranging that for me to go see, Mr. Prime Minister.
We're also working on avian flu. I think it's very important for our nations to prepare for the worst. Obviously, we're hoping for the best. And so we've got a good, strong initiative on avian flu.
We're working together to help the people of Burma. We responded very quickly when Burma was struck by the terrible cyclone, and I want to thank you very much for your leadership on that issue. After all, yours was the place where much of the world aid came to be distributed to the poor people there that were deeply affected by the storm.
We want to see prosperity and freedom restored to Burma. Tomorrow, Laura is going to the Thai-Burmese border to visit a resettlement camp where Burmese refugees are receiving health care and humanitarian aid. She's looking forward to the trip, and I'm looking forward to hearing her report from the trip.
So Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you very much for your hospitality. I want to thank you for feeding my delegation. (Laughter.) We're looking forward to eating some good Thai food -- which is very famous throughout the world. Please give my very best regards to His Majesty and Her Majesty.
PRIME MINISTER SAMAK: I will.
PRESIDENT BUSH: And thank you very much for being so gracious.
PRIME MINISTER SAMAK: All right. Thank you.
Click here to view high-resolution version
(2.85MB) Image Acquired: June 30, 2008 |
Skies in the north were mostly cloudy when NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over California on June 30, 2008, but the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor was able to get this cloud-free shot of Southern California showing fires burning south of Monterey. Places where the sensor detected actively burning fires are outlined in red. Smoke spreads north up the coast. The two fires pictured are among the largest of scores of fires burning in the state. According to the July 1 report from the National Interagency Fire Center, the Indians Fire was 81,378 acres and 95 percent contained; the Basin Complex Fire was 39,906 acres and 3 percent contained.
The high-resolution image provided above is at MODIS’ maximum spatial resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response Team provides twice-daily images of Northern and Southern California in additional resolutions and formats, including an infrared-enhanced version that highlights the presence of burned ground.
NASA image provided by the MODIS Rapid Response Team. Caption by Rebecca Lindsey.
President Bush Meets with Economic Team
THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank the members of my economic team for assembling here at the Department of Energy. Secretary Bodman, thank you for hosting us. First of all, Secretary Paulson came by this morning to brief me on the financial markets. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are very important institutions. You spent a fair amount of time discussing these institutions. He assured me that he and Ben Bernanke will be working this issue very hard.
Secondly, he did inform us that 112 million stimulus payments have gone out, and
I congratulate you and your department for doing your job. We've so far spent
about $91 billion in tax relief, which has had a positive effect on retail
sales. The problem, of course, is that gasoline prices are up, which has
affected the people here in our country. And one of the main reasons why
gasoline prices are up is because crude oil prices are up. And one reason crude
oil prices are up is because demand is outstripping supply.
And therefore, what can we do about it? And that ought to be the question the United States Congress asks. And one way to deal with supply problems is to increase supply here in America. And one of the things we just went through was a briefing from Secretary Bodman and Secretary Kempthorne about the vast potential of crude oil reserves on offshore lands, as well as in Alaska, as well as in the oil shale in the western part of our country. And yet the Democratic leaders of Congress have consistently blocked opening up these lands for exploration.
The other part of our briefing was how we could explore in environmentally friendly ways. Technology has changed dramatically to enable the exploitation of oil in a way that protects the environment. You know, these members of Congress, particularly the Democratic leadership, must address this issue before they go home for this upcoming August break. They have a responsibility to explain to their constituents why we should not be drilling for more oil here in America to take the pressure off of gasoline prices.
I want to thank you all very much for your briefing. These are tough economic times for the American citizens. There is a way forward to help relieve some of the pressure on their pocketbooks. And I'm looking forward to seeing -- watching this Congress respond in a positive way.
President Bush Attends Ceremonial Groundbreaking of National Military Medical Center
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much, Deputy Secretary England, for that generous introduction. I am so honored to be here at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center. This is often called the "President's Hospital." The reason why is this is where the President gets medical care. But I'm relieved today not to be on the treadmill, weighing in and getting a blood test. (Laughter.) I also will tell you that the care that the President gets here is extraordinary.
I am so excited to be here for what is a grand occasion. This is a big deal, the
breaking ground of a new joint medical facility for the men and women of our
Armed Forces. Thank you all for joining us.
In a few years the current campus at Walter Reed will close, and many of its services will be relocated to the new complex here on the grounds at Bethesda. The two hospitals will be merged into one central campus, which will be called the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. At this new center, wounds will be healed, medical knowledge will be advanced, lives will be rebuilt. And those who wear our nation's uniform will be reminded that they have the enduring gratitude of the American people. I thank all who serve Walter Reed and Bethesda. I love being with the healers and caregivers, and incredibly compassionate people who makes our current facility successful and will make this new center a great success.
Congressman, thank you very much for joining us. I know you are proud that this new facility is in your congressional district. Thank you for working hard to see vision become a reality.
Lieutenant Governor, proud to be with you. This man wear [sic] the uniform of the United States military, and I'm proud to be with this veteran, and now public servant for the state of Maryland.
Members of the administration who are here, thank you all for coming. Chaplain York, thanks for the blessings. And all those who wear the uniform, thanks for sacrificing for the country.
This morning, we gather in a place that was chosen by another President to be the site of a world-class naval hospital. When President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated Bethesda in the early years of World War II, he placed this facility on the front lines of what he called the "battle against disease, disability and death." The military "surgeons and nurses, scientists and technicians," he said, "are anonymous heroes of this war."
More than six decades later, our nation is engaged in a very different battle for our freedom. Yet our success still relies on these "anonymous heroes" -- the healers who care for the troops, those troops who keep the American people safe. In this new war, giving our troops the care they deserve requires cutting-edge medical facilities. And that is what this new medical center will provide.
When the construction is complete, this facility will encompass 345 beds and 6.7 million square feet. It will join the resources of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and make it easier for medical professionals in all three services to collaborate and care for the patients. Our troops and their families will no longer have to travel between Bethesda and Walter Reed to see multiple specialists. The new complex will also benefit from the good work of the Dole-Shalala Wounded Warriors Commission, which has issued recommendations for modernizing and improving our military health care system. Those recommendations will provide a strong foundation for effective, accountable care here at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
This new medical center will be a place of healing. Every day, our military doctors and nurses and medical staff demonstrate their immense skill and their caring hearts. You soothe the pain and fear of patients. You console families who keep constant vigil over their loved ones. You share the joy of a neurology patient's first recovered words, and an amputee's first steps. When required, you can show tough love -- but you also like to remind patients that laughter is the best medicine. And we look forward to the day when the joy of recovery echoes through the halls of the new medical facility that will be built here.
This new medical center will be a place of innovation. Major Walter Reed was the Army doctor who found that Yellow Fever is transmitted by mosquitoes -- a discovery that has saved countless lives. The new institution bearing his name will continue his legacy of lifesaving research. Today, our nation's military doctors are revolutionizing how we approach traumatic brain injuries, Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder, and amputee care. In many fields, you are far ahead of civilian medicine. And when Bethesda and Walter Reed merge into one campus across from the National Institutes of Health, this will be the site of many more promising breakthroughs that will benefit not only our troops, but all mankind.
This new medical center will be a place of compassion. At Bethesda and Walter Reed, volunteers organize holiday celebration, poker nights and field trips. They distribute care packages from thousands of Americans who want to show their gratitude for our troops. Recently, schoolchildren from New York made pillows for soldiers at Walter Reed, and sent letters along with the gifts. The children wrote: "[You are] everyone's hero." "Thank you for fighting for our freedom." At this new center, the Americans who fight for our freedom will get the compassion and support they deserve.
This new medical center will be a place of courage. Our wounded warriors show that while the human body is fragile, the human spirit is strong. Anybody who has met the wounded at Walter Reed and Bethesda cannot help but be incredibly impressed by the courage and sacrifice of our troops.
Recently, I saw this strength in a young Air Force Staff Sergeant named Scott Lilley. Scott was serving in Iraq when an IED left him with a severe brain injury. I think it was last 4th of July that you came to the White House. Yes, I was one who felt like this guy had no chance. And yet, he -- the doctors here used state-of-the-art technology and aggressive treatment to get Scott better. Their perseverance paid off. And so has his. I welcomed he and his mom and dad to the Oval Office the other day. He was more eloquent than I was, which isn't all that hard. (Laughter.) He drives a car, he goes to baseball games, he loves to joke.
His doctor calls Scott's recovery "miraculous." And thanks to the extraordinary care he received at Bethesda, as well his own extraordinary resolve, he is now back on active duty in the Air Force. And we are glad you're here. (Applause.)
The greatest privilege of serving as President is to be the Commander-in-Chief of such an extraordinary group of men and women who wear our nation's uniform. And I'm pleased to help start construction on the new hospital that will continue to provide the excellent care our troops deserve. It is fitting that this new facility be built in a place called Bethesda, which draws its name from the Biblical pool of healing. It is there that a lame man was made to walk, and was dispatched with the words: "Behold, thou art made whole."
I pray that this will be the site of many miracles of healing -- where the lame will walk again, where broken bodies will be made whole, and where you'll always know that you're in our prayers and in the hearts of the American people.
May God bless you, and may God continue to bless our country. (Applause.)
President Bush Meets with President Talabani of Iraq
PRESIDENT BUSH: It's been my honor to welcome a friend, President Talabani, back to the Oval Office. He is the President of a free Iraq. He is a man who's been on the front lines of helping to unify Iraq and to help Iraq recover from a brutal regime -- that of Saddam Hussein.
I complimented the President on the progress that the government has made. I complimented the President on the fact that as security has improved, he and his fellow officials are reaching out to all aspects of society to help people realize the blessings of a free life.
There's still a lot of work to be done, we recognize that. We talked of a
variety of subjects. We talked about a strategic framework agreement that suits
the Iraq government. We talked about elections and different laws that have been
passed. I did compliment the President on working hard to see to it that the
legislative session this year has been very successful. We talked about the fact
that the economy is improving, and that the attitude of the people there has
improved immeasurably over the years.
And so I welcome you here. I'm proud of what you've done, and I thank you for the tough decisions, so that the people of a free Iraq can realize hopes and dreams. Welcome.
PRESIDENT TALABANI: Well, I am proud to have the honor of meeting President George Bush, whom we consider the liberator of Iraq from the worst kind of dictatorship, as a great friend of the Iraqi people. I'm grateful for what he said about me, but I agree with him that we are going to work together for having this agreement -- security agreement between the United States and Iraq, and also to continue our cooperation in our struggle against terrorism, for promotion of democracy in Iraq and Middle East.
We are proud to have such a good friend here in this great country, and I think we can -- I can say that we can pass this year two important laws, oil and election. And we are now going to reunite our government by bringing -- (inaudible) -- to the United Assembly representatives, to the Iraqi National Unity government headed by our Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki.
I also briefed our good friend about the achievements which Iraq had done in struggle against terrorism and, again, militias, who were making troubles for Iraq and threatening civil war. Now I can say that Iraq -- big part of Iraq is stable and is secure and liberated from the danger of terrorism and militia.
Yes, some places still there are some groups that remain here and there, but I think big achievement we have done this year with the support of the United States Army and government, and with the friendly advices from President Bush. I can say that we are proud to achieved good successes in Iraq, and our economy is growing.
We have also -- big steps forward for national reconciliation. We improved our relation with our neighbors -- with Turkey, with Egypt, with Jordan, with Kuwait. We normalized our relation with Iran and with Syria, also. So Iraqi government is now going to play its role in the Arab world as one -- a founder of the Arab League. And there is no -- I think no more, any kind of isolation of our government.
We are doing our best for this agreement -- this agreement with the United States of America. I think we have -- we were able to go the steps towards reaching to finalize this agreement. And we continue our struggle to -- our efforts to reach -- Inshallah -- very soon this agreement.
And again to thank -- here I am again to thank here our great friends, President Bush and American people, for their sacrifice and their support for the Iraqi people. Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.
Good morning. I want to thank Secretary Kempthorne and Secretary Bodman for joining me. For many Americans, there is no more pressing concern than the price of gasoline. Truckers and farmers and small business owners have been hit especially hard. Every American who drives to work, purchases food, or ships a product has felt the effect. And families across our country are looking to Washington for a response.
High oil prices are at the root of high gasoline prices. And behind those prices
is the basic law of supply and demand. In recent years, the world's demand for
oil has grown dramatically. Meanwhile, the supply of oil has grown much more
slowly. As a result, oil prices have risen sharply, and that increase has been
reflected at American gasoline pumps. Now much of the oil consumed in America
comes from abroad -- that's what's changed dramatically over the last couple of
decades. Some of that energy comes from unstable regions and unfriendly regimes.
This makes us more vulnerable to supply shocks and price spikes beyond our
control -- and that puts both our economy and our security at risk.
In the long run, the solution is to reduce demand for oil by promoting alternative energy technologies. My administration has worked with Congress to invest in gas-saving technologies like advanced batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. We've mandated a large expansion in the use of alternative fuels. We've raised fuel efficiency standards to ambitious new levels. With all these steps, we are bringing America closer to the day when we can end our addiction to oil, which will allow us to become better stewards of the environment.
In the short run, the American economy will continue to rely largely on oil. And that means we need to increase supply, especially here at home. So my administration has repeatedly called on Congress to expand domestic oil production. Unfortunately, Democrats on Capitol Hill have rejected virtually every proposal -- and now Americans are paying the price at the pump for this obstruction. Congress must face a hard reality: Unless Members are willing to accept gas prices at today's painful levels -- or even higher -- our nation must produce more oil. And we must start now. So this morning, I ask Democratic Congressional leaders to move forward with four steps to expand American oil and gasoline production.
First, we should expand American oil production by increasing access to the Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. Experts believe that the OCS could produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That would be enough to match America's current oil production for almost ten years. The problem is that Congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS since the early 1980s. Since then, advances in technology have made it possible to conduct oil exploration in the OCS that is out of sight, protects coral reefs and habitats, and protects against oil spills. With these advances -- and a dramatic increase in oil prices -- congressional restrictions on OCS exploration have become outdated and counterproductive.
Republicans in Congress have proposed several promising bills that would lift the legislative ban on oil exploration in the OCS. I call on the House and the Senate to pass good legislation as soon as possible. This legislation should give the states the option of opening up OCS resources off their shores, provide a way for the federal government and states to share new leasing revenues, and ensure that our environment is protected. There's also an executive prohibition on exploration in the OCS. When Congress lifts the legislative ban, I will lift the executive prohibition.
Second, we should expand oil production by tapping into the extraordinary potential of oil shale. Oil shale is a type of rock that can produce oil when exposed to heat or other process[es]. In one major deposit -- the Green River Basin of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming -- there lies the equivalent of about 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil. That's more than three times larger than the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. And it can be fully recovered -- and if it can be fully recovered it would be equal to more than a century's worth of currently projected oil imports.
For many years, the high cost of extracting oil from shale exceeded the benefit. But today the calculus is changing. Companies have invested in technology to make oil shale production more affordable and efficient. And while the cost of extracting oil from shale is still more than the cost of traditional production, it is also less than the current market price of oil. This makes oil shale a highly promising resource.
Unfortunately, Democrats in Congress are standing in the way of further development. In last year's omnibus spending bill, Democratic leaders inserted a provision blocking oil shale leasing on federal lands. That provision can be taken out as easily as it was slipped in -- and Congress should do so immediately.
Third, we should expand American oil production by permitting exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR. When ANWR was created in 1980, Congress specifically reserved a portion for energy development. In 1995, Congress passed legislation allowing oil production in this small fraction of ANWR's 19 million acres. With a drilling footprint of less than 2,000 acres -- less than one-tenth of 1 percent of this distant Alaskan terrain -- America could produce an estimated 10 billion barrels of oil. That is roughly the equivalent of two decades of imported oil from Saudi Arabia. Yet my predecessor vetoed this bill.
In the years since, the price of oil has increased seven-fold, and the price of American gasoline has more than tripled. Meanwhile, scientists have developed innovative techniques to reach ANWR's oil with virtually no impact on the land or local wildlife. I urge members of Congress to allow this remote region to bring enormous benefits to the American people.
And finally, we need to expand and enhance our refining capacity. Refineries are the critical link between crude oil and the gasoline and diesel fuel that drivers put in their tanks. With recent changes in the makeup of our fuel supply, upgrades in our refining capacity are urgently needed. Yet it has been nearly 30 years since our nation built a new refinery, and lawsuits and red tape have made it extremely costly to expand or modify existing refineries. The result is that America now imports millions of barrels of fully-refined gasoline from abroad. This imposes needless costs on American consumers. It deprives American workers of good jobs. And it needs to change.
So today I'm proposing measures to expedite the refinery permitting process. Under the reformed process that I propose, challenges to refineries and other energy project permits must be brought before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals within 60 days of the issuance of a permit decision. Congress should also empower the Secretary of Energy to establish binding deadlines for permit decisions, and to ensure that the various levels of approval required in the refinery permitting process are handled in a timely way.
With these four steps, we will take pressure off gas prices over time by expanding the amount of American-made oil and gasoline. We will strengthen our national security by reducing our reliance on foreign oil. We will benefit American workers by keeping our nation competitive in the global economy -- and by creating good jobs in construction, and engineering, and refining, maintenance, and many other areas.
The proposals I've outlined will take years to have their full impact. There is no excuse for delay -- as a matter of fact, it's a reason to move swiftly. I know the Democratic leaders have opposed some of these policies in the past. Now that their opposition has helped drive gas prices to record levels, I ask them to reconsider their positions. If congressional leaders leave for the 4th of July recess without taking action, they will need to explain why $4-a-gallon gasoline is not enough incentive for them to act. And Americans will rightly ask how high oil -- how high gas prices have to rise before the Democratic-controlled Congress will do something about it.
I know this is a trying time for our families, but our country has faced similar strains before and we've overcome them together -- and we can do that again. With faith in the innovative spirit of our people and a commitment to results in Washington, we will meet the energy challenges we face -- and keep our economy the strongest, most vibrant, and most hopeful in the world.
Thank you for your time.
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: (As translated.) Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I see that there are quite a number of you who have made the trouble to come here today. I would like to welcome you very warmly. Let me say that I'm delighted to be able to have this press conference together with the American President after our talks here today. Yesterday we had very intensive talks over dinner. We had intensive talks this morning. We're going to continue them over lunch later on. Let me say that I'm very, very pleased to have the President of the United States here as our honored guest in this guest house of the government.
We debated on the issues that are of global importance. First, the world trade round, Doha. I'm very glad to note that we have a common interest in seeing this Doha Round to come to a successful conclusion. Free trade, particularly looking at the problems that developing countries have, as regards food, for example, food supplies, food prices, I think this trade round is absolutely essential for a balanced situation in the world at large. We have every chance to come to a successful outcome. We will see to it, we will pool all our efforts in order to bring this about, and also in the period leading up to the G8, we will hopefully be able to activate all our efforts.
This G8 meeting in Japan will deal with very important issues -- for example, with climate change. During the G8 meeting there will be also a so-called meeting of the major emitters. We do hope that all of the issues that we started to talk about in Heiligendamm can be brought forward, in the sense that it is made clear we need a global agreement under the roof of the United Nations, but each and everyone has to take his or her share of that particular issue, and developing countries obviously will be in on this, too.
The Heiligendamm process will also be continued. That is to say, the O5 will be in on this, and what will be in the foreground here are food prices, energy prices. We also discussed this here, in our meeting. There are basically two things that I think we need to do. On the one hand, there are a lot of speculations that are possible because -- as regards energy prices -- because the consumption and the demand is not yet sort of safely predictable. So we need to tell those countries how they intend to make to make themselves independent of gas and oil supplies, to these emerging economies; how can we actually further develop technology; what could we as industrialized country provide these emerging economies as regards technology, modern technology.
We in the European Union have initiated a number of activities; particularly Germany has held a very intensive discussion also on what renewables and new technology means in this respect. We talked about the transatlantic dialogue, about projects that are also quite difficult. Yesterday there was the EU-U.S. summit, or rather two days ago, and a lot of these issues were also on the agenda there.
Then on international issues, Afghanistan was discussed; progress in the Middle East; Iran, the offers we put on the table to Iran, but also the fact that if Iran does not meet its commitments, then further sanctions will simply have to follow. We again said we want to give room for diplomatic solutions. We want to give diplomacy a chance, but we also have to stay on that particular issue. These were constructive, very intensive talks -- talks that were characterized by a friendship between us. And I think this can lend a contribution towards solving a number of issues that are outstanding in the world at large, and we show at the same time transatlantic cooperation between Germany and the United States is working very well. Thank you again, Mr. President, for coming, and a very warm welcome.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam Chancellor, thank you for the invitation to this beautiful place, a modest little cottage by the lake, it is -- I'm really glad you thought of this location. Laura and I loved our dinner last night. For those in the German press who thought I didn't like asparagus, you're wrong. (Laughter.) The German asparagus are fabulous.
But anyways, it's a great place for -- to relax and have a good discussion. Our relationship is strong and our relationship is active. And I assured the Chancellor that when I say I'm going to sprint to the finish, that's what I mean. And that we had a lot of -- we've got a lot of issues that we can talk about.
I first want to thank the German people for their contributions to helping the people of Afghanistan realize the blessings of a free society. I know this is a controversial subject here, but I hope when the Afghanistan debates go forward, I hope people here think of young girls who couldn't go to school in the past but now can; or think of mothers who bring their babies to health clinics for the first time; think about farmers who now have got access to markets to help deal with food shortages. This is hard work, I understand that, to help a young democracy grow after years of tyranny. But I believe it's necessary work. And Madam Chancellor, I appreciate your leadership on this issue.
I also want to thank you for the contributions you're making to the young
democracy in Iraq, as well. This has obviously been a contentious issue between
our countries in the past, but what shouldn't be contentious is the mutual
desire to help advance freedom in the Middle East as the great alternative to
the ideology of the haters and the murderers; those who espouse violent
extremism to advance their agenda.
We talked about, you know, progress in the Holy Land for the establishment of a Palestinian state. I'm still optimistic that we can get a state defined, clearly understood by both parties before the end of my presidency.
We talked about Iran, of course. I told the Chancellor my first choice, of course, is to solve this diplomatically. All options are on the table and that -- but the first choice is to solve this problem by working closely together, by sending a dual message, which has been the consistent policy of this administration, that if you verifiably suspend your enrichment programs you'll end your isolation, and there's a way forward for you.
The Iranian regime has made a choice so far, and it's a bad choice for the Iranian people. The Iranian people deserve better than being isolated from the world. They deserve better from having, you know, their government held up as, you know, unsafe and not trustworthy. And so the message from the EU Foreign Minister Solana will be: There's a better choice for you. And we'll see what choice they make.
We talked about Lebanon and the need for that young democracy to survive.
We did talk about global climate change, of course. The Chancellor started a very good process here in Germany nearly a year ago. As a result of her leadership, the United States is working very closely with, you know, other major economies to develop a common goal. Step one of solving a problem is for nations who actually emit carbon dioxide to agree to a goal. And that's just not European nations; that's the United States along with China and India. Once that goal is agreed to, then develop long-term and interim strategies that are binding strategies to meet those goals.
So that's the process we're going forward. It turns out the major economies meeting is working concurrently with the G8 -- meeting at the same time as the G8. And the objective is to be able to announce a long-term binding goal at the G8, as well as the major economies meeting, Madam Chancellor, on a process that you started.
We talked about Doha. You know, it's -- I'm a free trader. The Chancellor is a
free trader. The question is, you know, is there a commitment to free trade in
the face of protectionism? A lot of protectionism in the American political
scene these days. I'm sure there's some protectionism here in Germany. I happen
to think it would be, you know, disastrous for the world economy and disastrous
for poor nations if we didn't trade freely and fairly.
One way to make that commitment is for the Doha Round to succeed. I assured the Chancellor that we're committed to the Doha Round. We will work hard to achieve it. The Transatlantic Economic Council is a very important council that we started together as a way to resolve our differences, to make sure that trade is fair and free.
All in all, relations with Germany are strong, as I told you. And that's good and that's important. And Madam Chancellor, I want to thank you for your friendship, as well.
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Well, we now have the possibility to take questions. Maybe we ought to start with a German correspondent.
Q (As translated.) Mr. President, Madam Chancellor, you spoke about Iran at some length. In Israel the press writes that Israel might well contemplate action against this threat that Iran poses to them. What would be your -- what are you saying, Mr. President, to the Israeli government? And you said, Chancellor, give diplomacy a chance. Madam Chancellor, Mr. President, how long would you say diplomacy has to be given a chance? Can we exclude that during your term in office military action will be taken -- will take place against Iran, Mr. President?
And you, Chancellor, how do you assess the era of George Bush? In your party, one of your leading party members said that you will not miss George Bush. Will you miss him?
And a question directed to both of you -- why do you, Mr. President -- I think -- don't ask for too long, but why do you -- why are you seen as so unpopular, Mr. President, in Germany?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I just told you that all options are on the table, and my first choice is to solve this diplomatically. And the best way to solve it diplomatically is to work with our partners and that's exactly what we're doing. And the message to the Iranian government is very clear: that there's a better way forward than isolation, and that is for you to verifiably suspend your enrichment program. And the choice is theirs to make. Obviously we want to solve this issue peacefully and so we'll give diplomacy a chance to work. And I want to thank the message that came out of the EU meeting yesterday, which is that if they choose to be -- continue to be obstinate, there will be additional sanctions.
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: We talked just now at some length about this. I very clearly pin my hopes on diplomatic efforts and I believe that diplomatic pressure actually already has taken effect. If you look at the situation in Iran on the ground, you see that quite clearly. These efforts can have a success, but this presupposes, obviously, that the global community is sort of unified. Both in the European Union and in the world [sic] Security Council we have to continue this common approach. We cannot exclude either that there may well be a further round of sanctions, and those need to be negotiated in the Security Council of the United Nations.
What's important now is to see to it that this last round of the sanctions is actually implemented and can take effect, because the effectiveness of sanctions is actually been proved only once they are taken seriously. And we are under certain -- quite a considerable pressure to act together and in concert. And we in the European Union will do everything to see to it that this actually happens.
As regards our relationship, you know that this is a relationship characterized by friendship. It's a direct and candid relationship when there are differences of opinion. Whenever they were differences of opinions, we actually called a spade a spade. It's actually nice about the President, that you can actually call a spade a spade with him. And when, for example, I had -- as regards to the climate change discussion last year, this year, when we -- ever we had differences of opinion, there was a way forward, there was a constructive way forward.
And I think that this initiative on climate by the European Union is a very important initiative. The President himself took actually forward action on this, apart from military action that we do together -- for example, in Afghanistan, in the general international negotiating processes.
We also need on other areas between the European Union and the United States -- not only Germany and the United States -- a lot of close cooperation in many areas, and there was always greater -- great openness here between us. This cooperation is fun, I must say, and as the President said, it is going to be a sprint to the last day of his office. And I trust -- often trust that we shall have other similar meetings of this kind -- candid and open and constructive.
I'm looking forward to the G8 summit in Japan. I hope that we can make further progress on climate protection, which -- talking about targets now -- that is to say, some kind of binding targets -- I think is already great success.
Q Mr. President, back on Iran, can you talk a little bit about -- well, Iran has signaled that it seems likely to reject Mr. Solana's offer, presenting on behalf of you and the EU. What have you and your European counterparts agreed upon in terms of new measures against Iran, if that is indeed the case?
And to Chancellor Merkel, what is Germany willing to do specifically whether in implementing the sanctions already in place, or taking further measures beyond those?
PRESIDENT BUSH: That's exactly what we discussed: How do you implement sanctions that are already in place, and should we levy additional sanctions? Our position is, is that we ought to enforce the sanctions that are in place, and we ought to work with our allies to levy additional sanctions if they choose -- if the Iranians choose to continue to ignore the demands of the free world.
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: I personally have always come out very strongly in favor of seeing to it that sanctions are decided at the level of the United Nations Security Council, too, because including China and Russia obviously makes for much greater effectiveness of such sanctions. But that doesn't exclude that within the European Union, too, we may discuss, for example: Are further possibilities open, for example, in the banking sectors? But these further possibilities, these further measures, must not lead to a situation where at the greater -- the bigger stage, so to speak, we then relent, because the more countries are in on this, the more the effect -- the more effective the impact will be on Iran, for example.
We always think that quite often, on the one hand, people like to reject certain measures to be taken, but let us think of the people in Iran. This is what is essential. I think these people deserve a much more -- sort of a better outlook also as regards their economic prospects. And we would hope for the leadership in Iran to finally see reason. I mean, just look at the reports of the IAEA. They -- it says clearly -- the report states clearly that certain violations of agreements that were entered into have taken place, and we -- it means that we need to react to this, even if it -- with further sanctions, if that's necessary.
Q Mr. President, on the way to Europe, you gave a very interesting interview for The Times newspaper in which you basically said that you regret your war rhetoric. Now I'm wondering, do you actually just regret your war rhetoric, or do you regret having gone to war with Iraq?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I don't regret it at all. Removing Saddam Hussein made the world a safer place. And yes, I told the guy -- the guy said, now what could you do over? First of all, you don't get to do things over in my line of work. But I could have used better rhetoric to indicate that one, we tried to exhaust the diplomacy in Iraq; two, that I don't like war. But, no, the decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision.
Myers. Tell me -- no, no, Eggen, Eggen, excuse me. I called you yesterday, Myers. What's the difference? (Laughter.)
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, sir.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, no problem. (Laughter.)
Q Speaking of Iraq, there are increasing controversy in Iraq over the security agreement that's being negotiated. Some top Iraqi officials are calling for a dramatic reduction in the U.S. presence. Does this concern you that the direction of those negotiations are going in?
And Madam Chancellor, does this have any impact on your approach towards Iraq?
PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, I think we'll end up with a strategic agreement with Iraq. You know, it's all kinds of noise in their system and our system. What eventually will win out is the truth. For example, you read stories perhaps in your newspaper that the U.S. is planning all kinds of permanent bases in Iraq. That's an erroneous story. The Iraqis know -- will learn it's erroneous, too. We're there at the invitation of the sovereign government of Iraq.
And I strongly support the agreement because I think it helps send a clear message to the people of Iraq that, you know, that security you're now seeing will continue. And one of the lessons of Iraq is, is that in order for a democracy to develop or in order for an economy to develop, there has to be a measure of security, which is now happening. So I think we'll get the agreement done.
And as I said clearly in past speeches, this will not involve permanent bases, nor will it bind any future President to troop levels. You know, as to -- look, Eggen, you can find any voice you want in the Iraqi political scene and quote them, which is interesting, isn't it, because in the past you could only find one voice, and now you can find a myriad of voices. It's a vibrant democracy; people are debating. There's all kinds of press in the Iraqi scene, of course to the benefit of the Iraqi society.
And I deal with Prime Minister Maliki. He appreciates our presence there, and he understands that we're returning on success; as the situation merits, and the situation improves, we're bringing our troops home. And I'm pleased with the progress. I don't know whether or not it's -- the progress has made it here to Germany or not yet, but the progress in Iraq is substantial, and it's going to help change the Middle East for the better. And I love the idea of having -- giving people a chance to live in a free society. The blessings of freedom are -- shouldn't be just a regional blessing; I believe freedom is universal and I believe freedom yields peace.
Madam Chancellor.
CHANCELLOR MERKEL: Well, obviously, from the German side, too, and the European side, for that matter, we have every interest, indeed, a vital interest in seeing Iraq taking a turn for sort of a good kind of development. I invited the Iraqi Prime Minister here to Germany, and I think he will pay us the honor of a visit. We have been trying to have economic relations. We've also, outside of Iraq, also trained security personnel, and we're ready to continue that.
So everything we can do beyond a sort of military presence, everything we can do as regards civilian building up of the country, assisting them is something that we're continuing to doing. And I would like to very much look forward to the visit of the Prime Minister. We're glad to see progress happening there on the ground, because it's in our vital interest to see to it that this region takes a turn for the better, and it's in the interest of the region, too.
STS-124 Begins First Full Day in Space
Now circling the Earth
aboard space shuttle Discovery, the STS-124 crew members begin their
first full day in space. The astronauts will spend their workday
inspecting the orbiter’s heat shield and preparing for their arrival at
the International Space Station on Monday.
Crew members will use the shuttle’s robotic arm to perform a limited
inspection of Discovery and the leading edges of its wings. The purpose
of this inspection is to ensure that, during the vehicle’s climb to
orbit, no damage occurred to the tiles that protect Discovery from the
heat of re-entry.
If required, the usual detailed inspection of the heat shield will be
performed later in the mission after the Orbiter Boom Sensor System
(OBSS) has been returned to Discovery. The OBSS is needed to perform a
complete scan but was stowed on the station during STS-123 to make room
for the Kibo laboratory’s Japanese Pressurized Module in Discovery’s
payload bay. Discovery’s crew members will extend the Orbiter Docking
System Ring and check out rendezvous tools in preparation for their
arrival at the station. In addition, the STS-124 astronauts are
slated to check out spacesuits they will use during the mission’s three
scheduled spacewalks at the station and will participate in media
interviews with radio and television stations in Minneapolis, Minn., and
Bryan, Texas.
President Bush Attends Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, thank you for the kind introduction. Members of my Cabinet, members of the administration, Admiral Mullen, members of the United States Congress, Senator Warner and Congressman Skelton, members of the military, our veterans, honored guests, families of the fallen: Laura and I are honored to be with you on Memorial Day and thank you for coming.
A few moments ago, I placed a wreath upon the tomb of three brave
American[s] who gave their lives in service to our nation. The names of
these honored are known only to the Creator who delivered them home from
the anguish of war -- but their valor is known to us all. It's the same
valor that endured the stinging cold of Valley Forge. It is the same
valor that planted the proud colors of a great nation on a mountaintop
on Iwo Jima. It is the same valor that charged fearlessly through the
assault of enemy fire from the mountains of Afghanistan to the deserts
of Iraq. It is the valor that has defined the armed forces of the United
States of America throughout our history.
Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life. The men and women we honor here served for liberty. They sacrificed for liberty. And in countless acts of courage, they died for liberty. From faraway lands, they were returned to cemeteries like this one, where broken hearts received their broken bodies -- they found peace beneath the white headstones in the land they fought to defend.
It is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom that the number of
headstones in a place such as this grows with every new Memorial Day. In
a world where freedom is constantly under attack and in a world where
our security is challenged, the joys of liberty are often purchased by
the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than themselves. Today
we mourn and remember all who have given their lives in the line of
duty. Today we lift up our hearts especially those who've fallen in the
past
year.
We remember Army Specialist Ronald Tucker of Fountain, Colorado. As a young man, Ronnie was known for having an infectious smile and a prankster's sense of humor. And then he joined the United States Army, which brought out a more mature side in him. Ronnie transformed from a lighthearted teenager into a devoted soldier and a dutiful son who called his mother every day from his post in Iraq. In his final act of duty, less than a month ago, he worked with other members of his unit to build a soccer field for Iraqi children. As he drove back to his base, an enemy bomb robbed him of his life. And today our nation grieves for the loss of Ronnie Tucker.
We remember two Navy SEALS -- Nathan Hardy of Durham, New Hampshire, and Michael Koch of State College, Pennsylvania. Nate and Mike were partners in the field and they were close friends in the barracks. Through several missions together, they had developed the unique bond of brotherhood that comes from trusting another with your life. They even shared a battlefield tradition: They would often head into battle with American flags clutched to their chests underneath their uniform. Nate and Mike performed this ritual for the last time on February the 4th -- they both laid down their lives in Iraq after being ambushed by terrorists. These two friends spent their last few moments on earth together, doing what they loved most -- defending the United States of America. Today, Nathan Hardy and Mike Koch lay at rest next to each other right here on the grounds of Arlington.
The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of
heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory
in the devastation of war. They also do not flinch from combat when
liberty and justice are embattled. Ronald Tucker, Nathan Hardy and Mike
Koch make clear, they do not waver -- even in the face of danger.
And so today, here in Washington and across our country, we pay tribute to all who have fallen -- a tribute never equal to the debt they are owed. We will forever honor their memories. We will forever search for their comrades, the POWs and MIAs. And we pledge -- we offer a solemn pledge to persevere and to provide the security for our citizens and secure the peace for which they fought.
The soil of Arlington and other sites is filled with liberty's defenders. It is nourished by their heroism. It is watered by the silent tears of the mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives, and sons and daughters they left behind. Today we pray for God's blessing on all who grieve and ask the Almighty to strengthen and comfort them today and everyday.
On this Memorial Day, I stand before you as the Commander-in-Chief and try to tell you how proud I am at the sacrifice and service of the men and women who wear our uniform. They're an awesome bunch of people and the United States is blessed to have such citizens. (Applause.)
I am humbled by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that allow a free civilization to endure and flourish. It only remains for us, the heirs of their legacy, to have the courage and the character to follow their lead -- and to preserve America as the greatest nation on earth and the last best hope for mankind.
May God bless you and may God bless America. (Applause.)
Senate Democrats Sneak Amnesty Provisions and Steep Immigration Increases Into the Iraq War Funding Bill
Amnesty proponents continue in their determined efforts to override the will of the American people by legalizing approximately 3 million illegal aliens before Congress fulfills its responsibility to secure the border. Less than a year after the resounding defeat of the Senate immigration bill, Democrat Senators are trying to capitalize on a bill that provides necessary funds for our soldiers in Iraq by hiding 110 pages of controversial immigration provisions inside its pages. Specifically, the provisions legalize 3 million illegal immigrants and increase low-skilled foreign workers by approximately 300,000 a year at a time when Americans are losing jobs.
Description of the amendments Democrats offered in Committee on 5/15/08: * “AgJOBS Lite” – Offered by Senator Feinstein.
* 101 pages.
* Approved 17-12.
This 101 page amendment grants 3 million illegal aliens (1.35 million workers + an approximate 1.62 million family members) a 5 year amnesty visa to live and work in the U.S. For almost all legal purposes, the amendment requires that amnestied illegal aliens be treated as “lawful permanent residents” (aka, green card holders) [P. 9, line 22 of the amdt].
Illegal aliens that qualify for the 5 year amnesty are those that have “performed agricultural employment” for “863 hours or 150 work days” or “earned $7,000 from agricultural employment” over the course of a 4 year period (anytime from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2007). [See P. 3, line 14 of the amdt]. There is no requirement in the amendment that the illegal alien prove they paid their taxes for the days they worked illegally or on the wages they earned illegally.
Examples of who will qualify for the 5-year amnesty visa include:
– Illegal aliens that arrived as at the end of 2007 and earned $7,000 in agriculture that year will qualify.
– Illegal aliens that arrived as recently as July 2007, and worked 150 days in agriculture before 2008 will qualify.
– Illegal aliens that arrived years ago and earned a mere $1,750 a year for four years (2004 - 2007) in agricultural employment will qualify.
– Illegal aliens that arrived years ago and worked a mere 37.5 in agriculture a year for four years (2004 - 2007) will qualify. It will not matter that for the other 327.5 days a year they were not working at all, or that they were illegally competing with Americans working in construction, food processing, or in services industries.
Spouses and children will also receive 5 year amnesty visas allowing them to live and work in the United States. Illegal aliens whose spouse and children are not already illegally present in the U.S. will be encouraged by this amendment to bring them to the U.S. illegally. Because the application period does not start for 7 months after enactment [P. 25, line 15 in the amdt.], spouses and children that are in the U.S. by the time the illegal alien applies for and receives amnesty, will also qualify. Astonishingly, if the spouse or child is caught crossing the border illegally, the bill actually prohibits them from being deported as long as they make a claim that they are eligible for the amnesty. [See P. 22, line 17 – P. 23, line 11 of the amdt]. Spouses will be given permission to work in the U.S. in any job (even if they were not previously working). [See P. 11 and 12 of the amdt.]
The amendments flaws are not cured by the fact that the amnesty visas sunset in 5 years. We can only assume that, 5 years from now, Congress will extend their legal status and create a pathway to citizenship for them. Democrat Appropriations Chairman Robert Byrd was correct when he stated (5/15/07) in committee markup, “this amounts to amnesty.”
Though the amendment stopped short of giving all illegal aliens that get the 5 year amnesty visa an automatic pathway to citizenship, it specifically creates a pathway to citizenship for sheepherders, goatherders, and dairyworkers. [See p. 75-76] They get a 3 year visa, which converts to a green card, and then the ability to apply for U.S. citizenship.
* H-2B returning worker – Offered by Senator Mikulski.
* 2 pages.
* Approved 23-6.
The amendment allows any person that has worked in the United States as an H-2B worker (a low-skilled, non-agricultural, foreign worker) in the past three years (FY05, FY06, or FY07) to return for another year without counting against the 66,000 annual numerical cap. The exemption would last through FY2011. The result could easily be a very large increase in the number of low-skilled workers that enter the U.S. over the next 3 years.
Under current law, a total of 198,000 foreign workers will enter the U.S. on H2B visas over the next 3 years. If this amendment becomes law, the number of low-skilled foreign workers invited into the U.S. will soar – up to 300,000 H2B workers will enter the U.S. in FY 2009 alone, up to 366,000 workers will enter the U.S. in FY 2010, and up to 432,000 workers will enter the U.S. in FY 2011.[1] These workers will fill jobs in the service, construction, food production, and manufacturing industries, just to name a few, in a time when we have a softening economy and job market.
* EB recapture for high tech – Offered by Senator Murray.
* 5 pages. * Approved by voice vote.
This amendment increases the number of employment based immigrant visas (green cards) that will be issued in future years by 218,000. The amendment does this by adding up the number of employment based visas that were not used from 1994 to 2006 – a total of 218,000 – and “recapturing” them so that they can be distributed in the years to come to one of the following categories of individuals:
a. People with extraordinary ability
b. Outstanding professors and researchers for universities
c. CEOs and other top managers of multinational corporations
d. People holding advanced degrees or people with exceptional ability
e. Skilled workers, professionals and other workers
f. A spouse or child of any of above.
A fee of $1,500 will be paid by the sponsoring employer for each “recaptured” immigrant visa which will offset the cost of processing these green card applications.
* EB-5 reauthorization – Offered by Senator Leahy.
* 1 paragraph.
* Approved by voice vote.
This amendment extends the EB-5 regional center pilot program that recruits foreign investors to the United States for an additional 5 years (the program is currently set to sunset on September 30, 2008). To receive a green card, each foreign investor must contribute $500,000 - $1,000,000 dollars, and prove that their investment created 10 jobs.
In just the past two years, the program has attracted over $200 million in new foreign investments and thousands of jobs for U.S. workers. The following States currently have active regional centers that will be negatively affected if the program is not extended: Alabama, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
President Bush Meets with President Karzai of Afghanistan
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, good to see you, thanks. President Karzai and I have had a lot of meetings together, and this was a very upbeat meeting, and I want to thank you for coming. I appreciate your courage. Appreciate you taking on a very tough assignment -- which is helping your young democracy survive amidst the threats from the radicals and extremists.
I really appreciate the briefing you gave me on how you're going to
approach the Paris donor's meeting. This is a great opportunity for the
world to help Afghanistan grow and prosper. His strategy is a smart
strategy. And part of his strategy is to -- is for the world to help
Afghanistan's agricultural community grow and prosper, so that they can
not only become self sufficient in food but become net exporters of
crops that people need in order to be able to eat and survive.
And so I thought it was a smart approach. I hope the world rallies to your behalf. We'll certainly help. I appreciate you being here.
PRESIDENT KARZAI: Well, Mr. President, thank you very much for this very good meeting once again. We have always had very good meetings with you in the past. This one was one more of such meetings. And thank you very much once again, Mr. President, for the help that you have given us in the past six years, six-and-a-half years in Afghanistan.
I told you about a story earlier, that we for the first time, after 30 years, were able to give diplomas to the graduates of Afghanistan's universities, the medical colleges, economics, law and all that. That would have not been possible without your help and the help of the rest of the world. And thank you very much for the support on Paris. We'll be going to Paris to ask for more help for Afghanistan's agriculture, so that Afghanistan can become self-sufficient in agriculture, and also be an exporter to the rest of the world. And we'll be asking for help on energy resources in Afghanistan, and better irrigation and (inaudible) projects.
Afghanistan once again thanks the people of the United States. Mr. President, thank you very much, and please convey that gratitude to the American people. And please do visit us very, very soon. The Afghan people want to be there to greet you and to express the gratitude for your leadership and help.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir. I'll take two questions. Terry.
Q Mr. President, Egypt's state-owned media says that you have tilted too far toward Israel. One of them, the newspaper, says that you aim to do nothing but appeasing Israel. Did you encounter that attitude today, and what do you say to this?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Actually, in my meeting with the President of Egypt, he wanted to make sure that my approach toward the Middle Eastern peace is firm, and that we work hard to get the Palestinian state defined. And in my speech tomorrow, I'll make it clear that I believe we can get a state defined by the end of my presidency, and we'll work hard to achieve that objective. I had conversations with Prime Minister Olmert and others in his government to that effect; I'll have conversations with President Abbas and people in his government tonight.
Every one of these meetings helps advance the process. Every one of these meetings helps us inch toward the goal of getting a state defined with borders and the refugee issue, as well as security concerns defined by the end of my presidency. And I believe we can do that, and I know it's going to be important for the peace in the Middle East.
John, yes.
Q Mr. President, can you talk a little bit more about your meetings with officials in Saudi Arabia? And are you satisfied with the response that they gave you on oil?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Look, my -- His Majesty is -- he kindly called in the Energy Minister, who I think was in Korea, and the man flew back to talk with us. I said very plainly, I said you've got to be concerned about the effects of high oil prices on some of the biggest customers in the world. And not only that, of course, high energy prices is going to cause countries like mine to accelerate our move toward alternative energy.
And as the minister said yesterday, that Saudi Arabia this year has increased the number of barrels of oil per day by 300,000 a day, and they're increasing refining capacity, which is not enough -- it's something, but it doesn't solve our problem. Our problem in America gets solved when we aggressively go for domestic exploration. Our problem in America gets solved if we expand our refining capacity, promote nuclear energy, and continue our strategy for the advancement of alternative energies, as well as conservation.
And one of the interesting things about American politics these days is those who are screaming the loudest for increased production from Saudi Arabia are the very same people who are fighting the fiercest against domestic exploration, against the development of nuclear power, and against expanding refining capacity. And so I was pleased that they had increased production by 300,000 [barrels], but I'm also realistic to say to the American people, we've got to do more at home. And we need a Congress who will be responsive to those requests.
Thank you all very much for your interest.
President's Daughter's Wedding
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today is my daughter Jenna's wedding
day. This is a joyous occasion for our family, as we celebrate the happy
life ahead of her and her husband Henry. It's also a special time for
Laura, who this Mother's Day weekend will watch a young woman we raised
together walk down the aisle.
Mother's Day is a special time for mothers all across America. On this holiday, we pause to celebrate the love and compassion of the women who have raised us, and to thank them for the many years of patience and selflessness. Throughout our lives, mothers are there with an encouraging word, a sympathetic ear, and a tender heart. They set our direction in life, and from time to time they have been known to correct our course.
Like many of you, my life has been blessed by a mother who is a source of unconditional love. Those of us who have been so fortunate are forever in debt to these caring women. So on this holiday weekend, we celebrate all those mothers who help make our country a better place.On this Mother's Day weekend, we think of the mothers who are celebrating this holiday for the very first time. Few blessings can compare to starting a new family. And few bonds are stronger than those between a mother and her newborn baby. This is also a special time for new adoptive mothers, who have welcomed their children into their homes with open arms and an open heart. We wish all these new parents many happy Mother's Days to come.
On this Mother's Day weekend, we think of the many mothers who raised
the brave men and w
omen
serving our country in uniform. And to those mothers, I offer the thanks
of a grateful Nation. Your sons and daughters are defending our freedom
with dignity and honor. And America appreciates the sacrifices that your
families make in the name of duty.
On this Mother's Day weekend, we remember the mothers grieving a son or daughter lost in the service to their country, as well as the children who have lost a mother in uniform. We share their pride in these wonderful Americans who have given everything to protect our people from harm. Nothing we say can ever make up for their loss. But on this special day, we hold them in our hearts and we lift them in our prayers.
I wish every mother listening this morning a blessed Mother's Day, including my own. And I have a message for every son and daughter listening this morning: Remember to tell mom the first thing tomorrow how much you love her.
Thank you for listening.
President Bush Discusses Economy, Trade
World Wide Systems, Inc. Maryland Heights, Missouri
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all. Thank you very much. Please be seated. Thank you. What he said was, it's about time you made it. (Laughter.) Dave was right: I was scheduled here at World Wide, and then the fires hit in California and I went out there to help the people try to recover from the natural disaster. And I told him at the Christmas party there at the White House, I said, I'm coming back. I've always felt like if you're a politician and you make a promise, you better keep it. (Laughter.)
And so I have, and the reason why I wanted to come then and wanted to
come back is, I think it's very important for the President to recognize
success, and for the President to herald entrepreneurship. And so in
meeting with Dave and Jim and the employees of this company, really what
I'm saying is that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here at
World Wide. (Applause.)
You heard the man say that over the past seven years revenues have tripled, and they've expanded the job base by 500 people. And what's relevant for America is that it's the small business sector -- I don't know if you call yourself "small" anymore; you're probably a medium-sized business sector -- (laughter) -- that creates jobs. Seventy percent of new jobs in America are created by small- and medium-sized businesses. And if you're worried about the economy like I'm worried about the economy, then it makes sense to put policy in place that encourages investment and growth with the job creators.
And that's what I want to spend a little time talking to you about. But before I do so, I do want to thank the World Wide Technology employees. The truth of the matter is -- (applause) -- this company is doing well because you've got imaginative leadership, but you've also got great employees who are well-motivated, taken care of, inspired. And it's been my honor to meet some of your employees, and I look forward to answering some of your questions here in a minute.
I do want to thank the Governor of the state of Missouri for joining us. Governor Blunt, I'm proud you're here; thank you for taking time out of your schedule. The Governor and I discussed the recent storms that have hit parts of Missouri. I assured him that we will stay in touch with his office and the emergency teams to make sure that if there needs to be a federal response, we will be ready to give one. And obviously for those who've lost their property today, we send our heartfelt condolences, and just want you to know that when natural disaster strikes, if the disaster merits it, there will be a ample and robust government response. So thanks for coming, Governor.
I'm also proud to be here with the United States Senator Kit Bond from Missouri. (Applause.) Needless to say, he used his time on Air Force One to make sure I understood the issues that were facing the state of Missouri. We spent a little time talking about the Missouri River. (Laughter.) And Todd Akin is with us, too. Congressman, I'm proud you're here; thanks for coming.
So we're getting economic news. There's a lot of data beginning to move.
On Wednesday the -- they talked about the fact that the economy in the
first quarter grew at 0.6 percent; that's the same as it grew in the
fourth quarter of last year. That's not good enough for America. It's
positive growth, but we can do better than that. Today there was another
report out that showed that we lost 20,000 jobs last month, even though
the unemployment rate dropped to 5 percent. In other words, the
unemployment rate went down. And again, that's a sign that this economy
is not as robust as any of us would like it.
The good news is, is that we anticipated this. Last fall we started to get indications that the economy was going to slow down. And so, believe it or not, you can actually work with Congress sometimes -- with people on both sides of the aisle, which is what we did; these two members were incredibly constructive -- to pass a stimulus package, pro-growth package.
There's two aspects to that package I want to spend some time talking about; one of them is, is that you're going to get some money. It turns out it's your money, but you're going to get it back. (Laughter and applause.) Six hundred dollars per person, $1,200 per couple, $300 per child; a family of four will be getting a $1,800 check. And the reason why -- and by the way, it's going to affect 130 million families. And the reason why that is good policy, first of all, it's a temporary tax relief, recognizing that we're going to recover, and this is to help stimulate that recovery. Secondly, we wanted to make sure that people were encouraged to be consumers. We wanted there to be consumption in our society, and no better way to stimulate consumption than to let you have some of your own money back.
Thirdly, it turns out that this money is going to be very helpful in helping people deal with high energy prices and food price. I'm going to spend a little time on energy here in a minute. And fourthly, it's big enough -- in other words, we didn't want to make a political statement, we wanted to make a statement that will affect this economy. When you're affecting 130 million households, with over $150 billion, a pro-growth package, it's going to affect us positively. The experts say that beginning -- toward the end of this quarter and the beginning of next quarter, we should see some positive signs as a result of the pro-growth economic package.
Now, some of you are saying, you think I'm ever going to see my money?
We've heard "the check is in the mail" deal before. Well, it's coming.
They started hitting last Monday, and Secretary of the Treasury Paulson
is on top of this, and so you'll start seeing -- if you're not -- if you
didn't get your money electronically, you're going to start seeing it
come in the check form.
And for those people in Missouri, and around the nation, that do not file income taxes, you need to contact the local IRS office because you're likely to be eligible. And therefore, you got to make sure you sign up for the program in order to get the money. We want you to get the money. And so if you're involved in a church group that's worried about helping people, then make sure that parishioners, or make sure people in the community centers understand that if you're not a filer you're still eligible to get a check.
Now, the other aspect of the program was to stimulate investment for companies like World Wide. In other words, there's a -- you can effect the tax code that provides incentives for the CEOs to say, I think we need -- we ought to buy some equipment. And that's important for a couple of reasons. One, it makes you more productive, it makes you more competitive, it gives the employees a better chance to keep this company on a cutting edge.
Secondly, somebody has to make that which you purchase. So if the tax code says it's in your interest to buy a piece of equipment, or to buy software, or to buy something to make this company a better company, then somewhere in the economy somebody is going to make it for you. And that also creates jobs. There's a ripple effect for using the tax code to stimulate investment.
I was talking to Dave and Jim, and they were telling me that the incentives built in the pro-growth plan for businesses are causing them to make new investments for you that they may have put off for later years. And the effects of this aspect of the pro-growth plan are beginning to kick in, as well. In other words, it's just starting. We passed the deal in February.
The point I'm trying to tell you is, is that we worked well with Congress and that the effects of a robust attempt to inject life hasn't really kicked in yet. And I'm -- if you believe these economists, if they had three hands they'd say, on the one hand, on the other hand, and then on the third hand. (Laughter.) But we've got some smart folks around that are analyzing what this means, and they feel confident about it.
I've been -- since I've been your President, I want to remind you we
have been through a recession, we have been through a terrorist attack,
we have been at war, we have had corporate scandals, we have had major
natural disasters, and yet this economy always recovers. We're a
resilient economy because we've got good, capable, smart, hardworking
people in America. And I know it's tough times, and I know you're having
to pay more at the fuel pump than you want, but this economy is going to
come on. I'm confident it will. And I want to thank the folks at World
Wide for being a part of the leading edge of optimism here in America; a
leading edge in making sure that people can find good, hard -- paying
jobs.
Let me talk about energy very quickly. I'm fully aware that people are paying dearly at the pump. The other day at a press conference I said it's like a tax; it's a tax on you. The more that gasoline goes up, the more you're paying -- the more you're paying for the pump, the less money you have in your pocket to spend for your family. I will tell you it's taken us a while to get in this fix, and therefore it's going to take us a while to get out of the fix. But I want to remind you that an energy policy that basically prohibits America from finding oil in our own land is an energy policy that has led to high gasoline prices.
When I first got to the Congress, I suggested that we have a comprehensive energy policy: one that recognizes the short-term effects of being reliant upon foreign oil; one that says we can use new technologies that will enable us to power our automobiles in different kinds of ways, using ethanol, for example, or battery technology; and one, ultimately, that will allow hydrogen to power the car.
So we worked well with Congress on the interim step. As you know, ethanol is beginning to take off, and I'm convinced we're going to be able to make ethanol out of something other than corn here relatively quickly, like wood chips, or grasses grown in the desert, which will be very exciting for the American people. Hydrogen -- we're doing a lot of research on your behalf to have hydrogen-powered automobiles, which means you're running on hydrogen, the waste product of which is water.
But in the meantime, in the short run, we didn't allow exploration for oil and gas in places like Alaska, our outer-continental shelf. And guess what happened? World demand exceeded supply, and now you're paying for it. If Congress truly is interested in helping relieve the price of gasoline, they would do two things: They would recognize that we can drill for oil and gas in environmentally friendly ways here in the United States, where there is good reserves; and they would build refineries. They would encourage the construction of refineries. Do you know that there hadn't been a new refinery built in America since 1976? No wonder there's constricted supplies. If you want more of something, in this case you got to build the additional manufacturing capability. And so our gasoline supplies are restricted, as well.
My attitude is, I understand the pain, but I also understand if we don't allow us to explore in environmentally friendly ways for oil and gas reserves in the United States of America, we'll remain dependent in the short-term on foreign oil. And that's not good for us.
I want to talk about housing very quickly. The key to the housing market is for the market to adjust -- you know, built too many houses. We just got to work through the system. But there's things government should and can do that is responsible -- mainly, is to help credit-worthy people stay in their home. That's the best thing we can do, is to help somebody who is capable of paying the mortgage, and if they just need a little help to be able to stay in the home, is to help provide that help.
And here's the dilemma: If you got a -- bought yourself a mortgage, in the old days the originator of your mortgage, like a savings and loan, was somebody that you could go and talk in the office, say, listen, man, I got a little bit of a problem, I'm in a bind, I need a little help on my interest payment; or, can you extend my note out a little bit. The originator of the mortgage, the guy who loaned you the money, still owned the paper. In this day and age the person that loaned you the money for the mortgage may not own the mortgage anymore.
And so we came together -- the Treasury Department and groups that help people understand the mortgage market and refinancing experts -- and put together what's called the HOPE NOW Alliance, which enables people to go and renegotiate loans. That's what we want to do: We want to help people stay in their homes. The market is going to correct. And what we want to do is to say, here's a way for you to stay in your home. They go to these lenders, big lenders and say, look, just help them out a little bit -- delay interest or renegotiate the interest rates or extend the payments. We've helped about 1,400,000 homeowners stay in their homes.
I know there's all kinds of proposals coming out of Congress. One such proposal was, why don't you use your money to buy empty houses. Well, that doesn't help the person who's no longer in the house. That may help the lender. That may help the speculator. I'm interested in helping the homeowner. So we'll work with Congress on legislation, but in my judgment the best kind of legislation focuses on the person that actually owns the home.
Now, look, some people were in there speculating. I don't think government ought to help speculators. And government -- you know, the truth of the matter is some folks probably shouldn't have tried to buy a home in the first place. But there's a lot of good, creditworthy people -- they just need a little relief to stay in the home.
The other thing I'm worried about is these reset mortgages. What I'm very concerned about is somebody went out and got them a mortgage, and the person that sold them the mortgage said, boy, this is a good, low interest rate for you. They forgot to tell them the second half: that in a couple of years, it's going to bump up. These resets, as you know, you buy a low interest rate and you get on the paper, and then by a couple of years later, all of a sudden the interest rate booms up.
And what I'm really concerned about is fraudulent tactics that didn't tell people that didn't really quite understand what was going on the full story. And it's a federal responsibility to make sure if that stuff goes on, people are held to account. We don't want people being cheated in America.
The other thing that the government can do is to reform what's called these GSEs. These are big government-backed lending institutions. And we can reform them and get them focused on their core mission, which is to help the mortgage industry move forward, help people in homes.
And finally another interesting idea is to let the states' housing authorities issue tax-free bonds, which will then provide more money for refinancing.
Finally, I do want to talk about trade. It's an interesting subject here in America. A lot of people who say, trade is bad for our country. We shouldn't be a nation that opens up markets -- that's what they're saying. Unless of course, you're a Missouri farmer who's selling your product into foreign markets. Unless, of course, you're World Wide Technology, which is expanding in a robust way and is looking for new markets. By the way, it's in your interests if you're working for World Wide that markets be open. If you're good at what you're doing -- and you are, obviously; otherwise you wouldn't be successful -- then trade policy ought to make it easier for you to enter foreign markets.
All I want is for America to be treated the way we treat other nations. I think that's a reasonable thing to ask. And so let me talk about the Colombia free trade agreement. You might have been reading about that lately. It's one of these issues that has created consternation -- at least in Washington. Most goods from Colombia come into the United States duty-free. That's a result of longstanding congressional policy. Most of our goods and services are taxed going into Colombia. Most goods coming here come in duty-free; most goods produced in the United States, or services like yours, pay a tariff. That means a tax; it's more expensive. It's harder to get into the market because what you charge is upped by tax.
I think it makes sense to have Congress say, we want Colombia to treat us just the way we treat Colombia. It turns out 9,000 businesses export into Colombia in the United States, 8,000 of which are small and mid-sized businesses. Isn't that interesting? Many of the people benefitting, people working for companies that export into Colombia work for small businesses and medium-sized businesses.
But Congress doesn't see it that way right now. A lot of members of Congress do, but they have absolutely shut down the vote on the Colombia free trade agreement. And I think it's irresponsible. If you're worried about the state of the economy, we ought to be opening up markets, not shutting down markets. We ought to be insisting we're treated fairly.
And I'll tell you another problem. In not moving the Colombia free trade agreement, we are turning our back on a very strong ally of the United States of America. There's a President of Colombia named Uribe, and he's got a tough situation down there because he's dealing with what's called FARC, which is an extremist group that uses drug dollars to perpetuate violence and to move their products -- mainly to here. And here's a man who says, I'm going to deal with them, I'm going to be tough with them. And then all of a sudden the United States Congress turns its back on him. What kind of message is that?
And so I strongly urge the Congress to understand that opening up markets is good for our economy. But I also strongly urge the Congress to understand -- whether it would be Colombia or Panama or Korea -- that we can't be turning our backs on our allies. This is good economics and it's good national security.
Those are some of the things on my mind. I've got a lot on my mind, by the way. (Laughter.) Getting ready to march down the aisle. (Laughter and applause.)
What I thought I'd do is answer some questions, any question, any topic. I've been around long enough to dodge them if I can't figure out the answer. (Laughter.) I can ask myself one.
Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman -- oh, Mr. President. (Laughter.)
Q As Dave mentioned, we're doing very well as a company. Had a very good first quarter, best first quarter ever. Last year, the last three years, we've grown about 29 percent. One of the challenges that we have is managing the cost of health care. So with all of our employees here, can you give some of your thoughts in regards to how do we manage the continuing increased cost of health care?
THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely. In essence, there's two paths. One is for the government to basically make most of the decisions. In other words, say, we're going to make sure you have health care, and we'll make sure it's available for you. And the problem with that system is they basically make decisions for you.
I happen to believe in private medicine. I think it is by far the best route to go because private medicine has made American health care the best in the world. I don't care what people tell you, America's health care is on the leading edge of change, and our American people get really good health care.
Now the question is, who pays for it? The question is, is it available and is it affordable? So the approach I've taken is to, one, remember the most important element in any system is the buyer, is the consumer, is the customer. That would be you, if you're a patient. And therefore, the policies that I've articulated have been all aimed at empowering you to have more decision-making in the health care system, so as to help deal with costs. If there's no decision-making in the system -- there's no shopping, there's no consumerism -- price goes up. It's an economic fact.
So I'm a strong believer in health savings accounts. I don't know if you have them here, but they are very empowering instruments. They let you make the decisions. They let you save when you don't spend money; they let you roll the money over tax-free; they let you pull it out tax-free for medical care. It's your money -- and it grows.
The other thing is, is that it's portable. When you go from one job to the next it follows you. So I think it's a very important aspect in a society in which, if you're under 30 years old, you're likely to have worked for seven or eight jobs. This is a very highly mobile workplace we have now.
Secondly, if you're a small business, you ought to be allowed to pool risk, just like big companies can do. But you ought to be able to do it across jurisdictional boundaries. That's fancy words for, if you're a restaurant in Missouri, you ought to be able to put your employees in a risk pool with a restaurant in Texas. The larger the risk pool -- in other words, the more people involved in the insurance -- the less price goes up, the easier it is for somebody to find affordable product. But now it's against the law to do that. So small businesses ought to be allowed to pool risk. That's what big companies do. And I believe we ought to treat World Wide just like -- give World Wide the same advantages in the marketplace that big companies get to do. Those are called association health plans.
The tax code is discriminatory. It says that if you work for a company, you get tax benefits. If you don't, you don't get tax benefits. If you're a very small company trying to provide health care, the tax code discriminates against your employees. We ought to change the tax code. We ought to treat everybody the same in the tax code -- all aiming to drive the establishment of an individual market so that people can better afford health care.
Now, look, we spend a lot of money, by the way, on people who need help. My view of America is that we're rich enough to take care of people who can't help themselves, and we do. We got a robust Medicare system -- which, by the way, my administration reformed for the first time since Lyndon Johnson, substantially reformed it since Lyndon Johnson was the President. And now you get a prescription drug benefit. So for all you guys my age, get yourself a prescription drug benefit pretty soon. (Laughter.)
We take care of the -- through Medicaid -- community health centers all throughout the country, and we're expanding them so that people can get primary care in a place other than an emergency room.
Thirdly, there needs to be transparency in pricing. How many of you ever asked a doctor how much something costs? Have you ever shopped? The answer is no, you likely haven't. It's because the system -- somebody else pays your bill in a third-party payer system. And so when somebody else pays the bill there is no incentive to worry about cost -- "What do I care? Somebody else is paying the bill," you think, until your benefit structure starts to change because of inflation in the health care system.
And so the whole purpose is to have transparency in the system. One of the things we're doing -- you know, we're a big purchaser of health care, thanks to you -- like, veterans, Medicare, Medicaid. And so we're now saying that if you participate with the government, post price. Let people see what the different prices are. Post quality ratings. It's nice to know if you're a consumer, isn't it, whether or not you got a -- whether or not somebody you're thinking about paying has got a good record.
The other thing is, is that one of the real cost-drivers -- or two other cost-drivers I want to discuss -- so in other words, consumerism helps deal with cost. Transparency helps deal with cost. This is a system in which there's been no cost consciousness whatsoever.
Thirdly, information technology -- the best way to describe this in health care is that people are still taking handwritten files, putting them under their arms and delivering it from one office to the next. And that means oftentimes there's medical errors because the files get lost. Doctors can't write very clearly anyway. And so you -- something gets illegible.
Most industries -- your industry is using high-tech to modernize. There's a lot of cost efficiencies that can be wrung out of the system by the advent of information technology. The dream is that someday you've got a medical record, your own medical record -- by the way, tamper-proof; in other words, protected -- that you can use from one office to the next. It's a sign that efficiencies in the system have taken hold.
I'll tell you an interesting story about that. The Veterans Administration in New Orleans was clobbered during Katrina. And so you had a lot of veterans leaving the New Orleans area -- many of them going to Houston, for example -- but they had electronic medical records. It turns out the Veterans Affairs is generally ahead of the rest of the field. And all they did was take their chip and they plugged it into the computers in Houston, and the whole medical records was available. That's -- not only it's good for the customer, the patient, but what I'm telling you is it'll help wring out the inefficiencies in the system. Health care is an inefficient system right now.
And finally -- it's a long answer, sorry -- (laughter) -- I've thought a lot about it. (Laughter.) I've analyzed what's best on how to deal with this. It's a very -- it's a tough issue for you and it's a tough issue for small businesses. It's a tough issue. But one of the cost-drivers, just so you know, is lawsuits. And if you're an attorney, I don't mean to be stepping on your toe; everybody needs a good attorney, you know -- particularly me, since I'm getting sued all the time. But it's a -- (laughter) -- I think I am.
If you're a doctor and you're afraid you're going to get sued, you practice additional medicine. It's called "defensive medicine." You prescribe tests and procedures and perhaps medications that really may not be necessary, but are necessary if you're getting sued, and the suit could drive you out of business. And therefore, I'm a big believer in medical liability reform. If you've got an egregious suit, you should be able to take it to the courthouse.
But it's these junk lawsuits that are doing two things around America. They're running good doctors out of practice. People say, I can't afford liability insurance -- and when they can, they're going to pass it on to you in higher bills, but since you're not paying the bills, somebody else is, it's okay by you. The problem is it's part of a cost-driver. It's making medicine more expensive than it should be.
I really think, at the core of this issue, America has got to be very careful about what kind of health care system to embrace. It's essential that we not undermine private medicine. If you really think about the health care advances in America relative to the rest of the world, they've been phenomenal. And to me it's that entrepreneurial spirit that's important to maintain on the kind of forefront here in America, and at the same time make sure we've got a rational approach to health care. There's a long answer to a short question.
Any other questions?
Yes, sir. Everybody gets nervous. I used to hate to ask questions in class. (Laughter.) Then they'd call on me. (Laughter.)
Q I have a statement and a question.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay.
Q First of all, I want to thank you for encouraging World Wide to sell more CISCO equipment. (Laughter.) As an employee at CISCO, we greatly appreciate it. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: There's a marketing genius. (Laughter.) The guy has got the national TV cameras on him -- (applause) -- and he's going to leave here on his cell-phone and say, hey, boss, did you see me on C-SPAN? (Laughter.)
Q And the question is, outside of the economy, what do you see as your single biggest domestic challenge through the end of your term?
THE PRESIDENT: The biggest domestic challenge is to protect America from attack. That's the biggest domestic challenge. (Applause.)
I wish I didn't have to say that. You know, it's -- but that's reality. The President doesn't have the luxury of dealing with the world the way he wished it was. My job is to do everything I can to rally forces to protect you. And I never thought I would be a war President; never wanted to be a war President. Didn't campaign in 2000 saying, I'm going to be a war President. The interesting thing about life is that sometimes you get dealt a hand you didn't expect -- oftentimes you do. And the question isn't whether you get dealt a hand, the question is, how do you play it? And here's how I'm playing it.
First, I expect the Congress to give our professionals all the tools they need to protect you -- let me just start -- let me just take a step back. There must be some in the country who don't believe that the enemy is a threat. I just completely disagree with you. And I would remind people, since September the 11th, a day which affected me deeply, there have been a lot of attacks on innocent people by extremists who use murder as a tool to advance their ideology.
The government -- and this is -- the reason I say it's the biggest domestic challenge is because it's our most important responsibility. There's a lot of important issues, but protecting the people is by far the most important thing. It's the thing I think about the most. This is a different kind of war, and it's hard for some Americans to get their hands around it.
This is a war where we're dealing with non-state actors. World War II, there was Germany and Japan and Italy. The Cold War, a big standoff between the Soviet and the United States. There's no nation involved in this war. These are people who, however, share an ideology. Just think about what life was like in Afghanistan under the Taliban, with al Qaeda driving the agenda. This is where girls have no rights. You can't worship freely. This is a very dark, grim vision that they believe they must spread far and wide. That's what they think.
And one way they achieve their objectives, of course, is to intimidate by death. There's no rules with these people. There's just -- so America has got to understand that in order to find them we've got to get in their heads. If you're facing a nation, you can find the nation. If you're facing people that burry [sic] in failed states you've got to understand how to find them.
One of the interesting debates in Washington, D.C. is whether or not we ought to be using modern technologies to understand how this enemy thinks, and to get in and figure out what they're planning. And a lot of times that comes over communications companies. The way I put it, just so people can understand in plain English: If al Qaeda is making a phone call into the United States of America, we better know why; if you're interested in protecting an attack, and there's a dirty number being called, the government of the United States better understand the intentions and why that phone call is being made. And so -- and we had that bill passed, thanks to Senator Bond -- (applause) -- and yet, curiously enough, the Congress decided to allow the bill to expire. It's called the Protect America Act. And now the Protect America Act is expired, as if the enemy has gone away.
So one huge issue for us is to make sure that the American people understand the facts. You see, what's happened is, is that these phone companies which have allegedly helped the United States monitor conversations are now being sued for billions of dollars of lawsuits. Isn't that interesting? All I'm asking for is the Congress to provide liability protection for patriotic companies that are serving to help you. And yet we can't get them to do it. They're not going to let it vote. They passed it out of the Senate -- Kit did a really good job of working with his Democrat counterpart -- and they buried that bill in the House of Representatives.
And this is bad for America. I'm telling you, if you expect me to do my job, you better make sure Congress gives our professionals the tools. And we can do this, by the way, in a way that I promise you guarantees your civil liberties. We just shouldn't be extending the same liberties to you, to a bunch of thugs that want to murder the American people. (Applause.)
This is another long answer. (Laughter.) But it's very important for you to understand my thinking. I spend a lot of time on this issue, as you can imagine. Second aspect -- so in other words, give our professionals tools. We got a lot of really good people working. We meet all the time; governments meeting constantly, ferreting out any information.
And by the way, just so you know, we're picking up people on the battlefield, and the battlefield is varied. I mean, we're finding al Qaeda in Iraq. They're trying to kill people in Iraq to drive us out. We're finding them in remote regions of Afghanistan. And a lot of times they're carrying computers. So you say, where do you get numbers? We're getting them off the computers of the people we're capturing or bringing to justice. And if there's a phone number on one of those computers of one of these thugs and it links to a phone number somewhere in America, I really think it's in our interest to find out why.
The other thing is just to keep the pressure on them. It's hard to plot and plan if you're moving, if there's enormous pressure -- which really is important that we deny safe haven. You hear a lot of discussion about safe haven. Well, safe haven means that these non-state actors are able to find breathing space to be able to plot. And they're sophisticated -- you know, 19 kids on three airplanes -- it's a sophisticated operation -- four airplanes, excuse me. Sophisticated operation. And they're good communicators. These people are -- they're a tough enemy.
And so we're pressuring all the time. You probably read your newspaper today -- I can understand if you didn't, but you probably -- (laughter) -- well, anyway, there was a strike in Somalia, and the headline says "al Qaeda operative." We're constantly trying to find these people before they hurt you; pressuring all the time.
Finally -- and by the way, Afghanistan was denial of the safe haven, and -- as well as I saw an existential threat, as did most of Congress, in Saddam Hussein. I understand there's a lot of looking back, but getting rid of Saddam Hussein was the right thing. (Applause.)
Now the question is, will we help the 50 million people in Afghanistan and in Iraq that we liberated realize the blessings of freedom? I'm telling you, it's essential that we do so. This is an ideological war. The people we face have an ideology. Those that came and killed nearly 3,000 citizens on our soil in the largest attack in American history on U.S. soil believe something -- and so do we.
We believe in human rights and human dignity. We believe in the right to a person to worship or not worship, and be equally American. We say loud and clear -- it doesn't matter whether you're Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, don't believe in anything -- you're equally American. They say, we'll kill you if you don't worship the way we tell you to. And so it's the advance of liberty and freedom which will ultimately achieve the peace we want for our children.
Someday an American President is going to be saying this is not that big an issue anymore. But it's going to take an ideology to spread. And so when you see hopelessness as an American President, you got to understand that the only way these thugs can recruit is when they find hopeless people. I mean, who wants to be a suicide bomber except a hopeless person. You notice none of the leaders ever become suicide bombers, by the way.
And so it's -- so what you're watching is you're watching democracy unfold. And some say it's not worth it; who cares how they live? I'm telling you that we better care how people live. That's why, for example, the HIV/AIDS initiative in Africa is a cornerstone of Bush foreign policy; or helping moms whose little babies are needlessly dying because of mosquito bites is a cornerstone of Bush foreign policy; just like helping Afghan citizens and Iraqi citizens realize the blessings of a free society is a cornerstone of my policy -- because in all cases, we're helping people deal with hopelessness. And it's worth it. And it's necessary.
And I operate on this principle -- it's a cornerstone principle: I believe in an Almighty, and I believe a gift of that Almighty to every man, woman and child -- every man, woman and child -- is freedom. That's what I believe. (Applause.) And if you believe that, and you happen to be the President of the most influential nation, shouldn't you use the influence to help people realize the blessings of freedom? And that's what you're watching happen. It's going to happen -- unless, of course, America grows tired and weary. Unless we say it's not worth it and we become isolationist and protectionist.
And so, to answer your question -- I thank you for giving me a chance to share that with you -- it's a big issue for the American people. It's a -- what you just asked about is a really important thing for our people to understand. We've been in ideological struggles before.
Let me end -- finish this really long answer with -- I want to tell you something interesting about my presidency. One of my best buddies in this war against extremists was the Prime Minister of Japan -- Prime Minister Koizumi. You might remember he's the guy that Laura and I took to Elvis's shop, Elvis's place in Memphis. People go, so what? So what's the big deal? Other Presidents have had relations with the Japanese Prime Minister. Yes, but other Presidents haven't necessarily been in this kind of struggle before.
And my dad fought the Japanese. That's what's interesting. Just like many of your relatives did. They were the sworn enemy of the United States of America. If you think back to 1940 -- '40s, mid-'40s, if you'd have thought an American President would stand up and say, my close buddy in dealing with the threats to our countries would be the Prime Minister of Japan, they'd say, man, you're nuts, hopelessly idealistic. Except the truth is, 60 years after 19-year-old Navy fighter pilot George H. W. Bush took off on a mission serving his country, his son sits down with Prime Minister Koizumi to talk about how we can spread freedom as the great alternative to these jihadists that kill. And I have found that to be one of the ironic twists of history.
What happened between 41 -- that's what they call the old man, 41; I'm the 43rd President, 43 -- something happened. Democracy took hold. What I'm telling you is liberty is transformative. Freedom is powerful. And if you believe in the universality of freedom, then it makes sense to encourage others to realize the blessings of freedom, for the sake of peace. (Applause.)
Any other questions? Look, you can tell, I can talk all day long. (Laughter.)
Yes, sir. Name? (Laughter.) In case I'm a talk show host afterwards, you know? (Laughter and applause.)
Q If anybody asks you, I'm Japanese.
THE PRESIDENT: And American?
Q Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, then you're American first.
Q That's right. Good point. (Applause.) And I ask this partly because I'm hungry, but your thoughts on rising food prices?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, thank you. (Laughter.) By the way, that's a polite way of saying, hey, man, how about cutting it short. (Laughter.) You know, it's a very interesting debate that's taking place. There's two aspects of rising food prices; one, how it affects our own citizens. And again, we're spending billions of dollars on people who can't afford food, and that's good. We don't have a scarcity issue in America, interestingly enough; we got a price issue. Our shelves aren't going empty, it's just costing more money. And it's why, for example, we've expanded Women and Infants with Children Program, to make sure we help the poor.
Secondly, there is scarcity in the world, and I happen to believe, when we find people who can't find food, we ought to help them find it. I just told you why: There's nothing more hopeless than to be a mom wondering whether or not their child is going to get food the next day. And so I announced a major initiative.
By the way, just so you know, America is by far the most generous nation when it comes to helping the hungry. No contest. We're an unbelievably compassionate nation. And so I asked Congress to put some more money out. It will be over -- it's about $5 billion, over a two-year period of time, of food. Keep in mind, we're spending about $19 billion here at home.
Secondly, I think we ought to change our food policy in Africa and other developing countries. I think we ought to be buying food directly from farmers, as opposed to giving people food. I think we ought to be saying, why don't we help you be able to deal with scarcity by encouraging your farmers to grow and be efficient growers. Otherwise we're going to be in this cycle forever.
Now let me talk about price. As you know, I'm a ethanol person. I believe, as I told you, the interim step to getting away from oil and gas is to go to ethanol and battery technologies for your automobiles. I think it makes sense for America to be growing energy. I'd much rather be paying our farmers when we go to the gas pump than paying some nation that may not like us.
And so -- but most of ethanol now -- or nearly all of ethanol now -- is produced as a result of corn. And the price of corn is real high now. And so people say, well, it's your renewable fuels policy that is causing the price of food to go up. I've looked at this issue a lot. Actually, the reason why food prices are high now is because, one, energy costs are high. And if you're a farmer, you're going to pass on your cost of energy in the product you sell; otherwise you go broke. And when you're paying more for your diesel, paying more for your fertilizer because it's got a lot of natural gas in it -- in other words, when your basic costs are going up, so does the cost of food.
Worldwide there is increasing demand. There turns out to be prosperity in developing world, which is good. It's going to be good for you because you'll be selling products into countries -- big countries perhaps -- and it's hard to sell products into countries that aren't prosperous. In other words, the more prosperous the world is, the more opportunity there is.
It also, however, increases demand. So, for example, just as an interesting thought for you, there are 350 million people in India who are classified as middle class. That's bigger than America. Their middle class is larger than our entire population. And when you start getting wealth, you start demanding better nutrition and better food. And so demand is high, and that causes the price to go up.
And finally, there's been weather-related problems. Some of the major producers of food have had drought. That's what happens. Weather patterns change. And so there's a lot of reasons why the price of food is high. And no question that ethanol has had a part of it, but I simply do not subscribe to the notion that it is the main cost-driver for your food going up.
Anyway, good question. You don't look hungry. (Laughter.)
Yes.
Q First off, I would like to thank you for (inaudible). (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q Secondly, maybe on a more lighter note, what are your plans after you (inaudible)?
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Yes. I'm heading home. (Laughter.) I tell people that, first of all, it's been a huge honor to serve the country, and I'm really glad I did. I thank the American people for giving me a chance to serve. As you can imagine, it's been a remarkable experience.
A couple of points on that. What's probably counterintuitive to you is that this has been a great experience for our family. I've lived in the White House now for seven and a half years, and the furniture is interesting -- (laughter) -- but it's like a museum. (Laughter.) And there's love in that White House, thanks to a good wife. She's great. Laura is a -- (applause) -- which is one of the reasons this has been a fabulous experience.
You know, obviously, there's some good days and some bad days. I feel so strongly about my principles and my values and I'm an optimistic guy; that what may appear to be really difficult to deal with -- like my buddies from Midland, Texas -- that for me it's just part of the job. Interestingly enough, it is a lot harder to have been the son of the President than to be the President. (Laughter.)
And so it's been a joyous experience. You know, one of the great, really fun things we do is we welcome our pals from West Texas to the White House, and they come to the Oval Office, they're walking around; they say, man, I can't believe I'm here. And then they take a look at me -- (laughter.)
So the first thing is I'm heading home. I came from Texas with a set of values, and I'm going to go home with the same set of values. In order to be making consistent decisions in this complex world, you can't be shifting your principles in order to be the popular guy. (Applause.) I guess I'll go home and mow the lawn. (Laughter.)
I'm interested in promoting the whole -- what I talked to you about -- the whole philosophy behind the freedom agenda. I think it's going to be very important to be kept in the forefront of American philosophical thought. And I'm going to build a presidential library at SMU -- it's where Laura went to university, there in Dallas. And I'd like to have a think tank. This isn't a political precinct, this will be a place where we get the thinkers from around the world to come and write about and articulate the transformative power of freedom, abroad and at home.
One of the initiatives that I'm very proud of is the interface between government and faith-based and community groups. I believe that government ought to empower people who have been called to serve for reasons other than just government law. And there are thousands, by the way, of social entrepreneurs all throughout the country -- little healers and helpers that just can make a difference in somebody's lives. And I think it's in our interest to empower groups through the use of your taxpayers' money, without using your money to proselytize. And let me give you an example.
If you're a drug addict, or heavy boozer, sometimes it requires more than a psychological counseling session to convince you to quit. As a matter of fact, a lot of people have turned to a higher power, which is not part of a government program. So I strongly support taxpayers' money going to an individual that seeks help, and allowing that person, if he or she so chooses, to seek the redemptive power of a higher being, as part of a government program. (Applause.)
And so I'd like to -- and that's something else I'd like to foster. But other than that, that's as far as I've -- I got a lot to do. I mean, I really do have a lot to do -- which makes the job exciting.
Now that you didn't ask, I'll tell you something interesting about -- so if you walk in the Oval Office, I hope you'd be struck by a beautiful rug that's there. And so I was getting ready to be sworn in as President. And we're at the Blair House, which is right across the street from the White House. And as you can imagine, it was a slightly nerve-wracking moment -- (Laughter) -- when I was preparing the inaugural address to be sworn in as your President. And the guy calls and says, like, you're supposed to pick the rug. I said, huh? (Laughter.) He said, so you're supposed to pick the color rug you want in the Oval Office. And the first lesson there is, when you're short on a subject -- and I'm short on rugs -- delegate. (Laughter.)
And I think it's going to be very important, as you pay attention to the presidential race, to try to come up with not only who you agree with, obviously, but whether that person knows how to delegate; knows how to set up a structure so that good information can make it into the Oval Office in a way that enables good decision-making. The temptation, of course, is to walk in the Oval Office and say, oh, man, you're looking beautiful. And the President doesn't need somebody -- because generally he's not looking beautiful. The President needs somebody to walk in and say, here's what I think.
So when you think about good, solid advisors -- at least in my case -- think about somebody like Condoleezza Rice, or Hank Paulson who used to run Goldman Sachs, or Bob Gates. These are strong, capable people. And my job is to make sure that the environment is such that they can walk in and say, Mr. President, here's what I'm thinking, here's my advice. And their job, by the way, once the President makes up his mind, is say, "Yes, sir, Mr. President." (Laughter.) And so in this case, I delegated to Laura. (Laughter.) And by the way, it's not "Yes, sir, Mr. President," it's -- (laughter) -- "Yes, ma'am, First Lady." (Laughter.)
Here's an interesting lesson about the presidency and life in general, if you're delegating. I said to Laura -- I said, I want the rug to say "optimistic person comes to work." I didn't say, here are the colors. In other words, I left the tactics to her, and the strategic thought was mine. The strategic thought is, behind that, is that you can't possibly lead unless you're optimistic that tomorrow is going to be better. And just so you know, I hope at least one thing you come away from this is, I am absolutely optimistic, in my very soul and very core, that in the defense of America, we're laying the foundation for peace.
And so the rug looks like the sun. And you walk in, man, I'm telling you, it is optimistic. (Laughter.) It's a fabulous rug. (Applause.)
Yes.
Q I just want to start by saying that my mom prays for you every day. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
Q I'm Dan Buck. I'm with St. Patrick's Center, and we help end homelessness for thousands of folks in St. Louis.
THE PRESIDENT: There you go. (Applause.)
Q But your faith-based and community initiative has truly broken down walls between government and faith-based organizations.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, appreciate that.
Q We have grown from 4 million to 12 million. We serve more people more effectively because of that partnership. How do we grow it after your administration? Will this continue, and is there plans in place that the FBCI will continue?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you for asking and thanks for your kind words. It's going to be very important for organizations that understand the power and the leverage that can be gained by the use of money that could be going elsewhere to stay in the program. It's going to require governors to open up faith-based offices, as well, and just get it in the grain in the system. And then your elected officials have to understand how powerful this has been. It's -- again it -- there's some great federal programs, some state programs, but there's a lot of programs that are really effective that can be helped by empowering individuals to have a script or money that they can redeem at their services.
And so thanks for saying -- are you Catholic? Yes. So here's one of the great moments of the presidency: the Holy Father coming to the South Lawn. I'm telling you, it was a magnificent moment. (Applause.) It's the largest crowd we've ever had on the South Lawn. And it was really interesting from this Methodist's perspective, was to watch the reaction for our fellow citizens to His Holy Father. And it was a magnificent moment. The day -- it was a beautiful day, and the Army choir sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." It was just great. Anyway, we had a wonderful trip, and it was such an honor.
And you get to do some fabulous things as President. You asked about -- and one of them is welcoming the Holy Father to the south ground of the White House. You know, Laura and I went out to Andrews Air Force Base to see him, and then his first public event was there, and then he went on from there for the rest of his trip.
You know, representing our country has been a fabulous -- I want to conclude by one story, and then I got to -- I'm heading out of here -- and this guy is hungry. (Laughter.) So am I. (Laughter.)
I'm going to tell you an interesting story about this experience in -- so I was going to Bucharest, Romania. Romania had just been admitted into NATO. And the big deal there for the Romanian citizens that had come under -- come out from underneath the clutch of a brutal dictator named Ceausescu was, if you're a member of NATO, there's a clause that says, "An attack on one is an attack on all." In essence, if there's -- they have the United States of America, the great United States of America, as somebody to help them, as an ally. And that's really important for a lot of countries. And they had just been accepted into NATO, and the President asked me and Laura to go, and there was 225,000 people, more or less, in the town square to see the American President. And it was raining.
Now, the interesting thing from my perspective was that I was here, and there was a balcony lit in the town square, and I was told this was where the tyrant Ceausescu and his wife had made their last public appearance. And the story has it that he -- somebody started chanting, "Liar," and he realized his power was slipping away, and then he tried to get out of there, and anyway, he was done in by the people. They were tired of him; he was a brutal guy.
And so that was my line of sight. And the President introduced me, and just as I got up to speak, a full rainbow appeared. And it was a startling moment. And I turned back -- Laura was like -- I went, look, baby, look up there. And so when I pointed up, 225,000 heads flipped around to look at the rainbow. I then ad-libbed, "God is smiling on Bucharest." And the reason I did is because the rainbow ended right behind the balcony where the tyrant had given his last speech. Liberty is transformative, and it will yield the peace we want.
Thanks for coming by. God bless. (Applause.)