Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Sioux Nation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: cosmicforce who wrote (7997)	2/22/2005 12:49:42 PM
From: SiouxPal	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 361250

Bush Acknowledges Low Popularity Ratings By Terence Hunt / Associated Press BRUSSELS, Belgium - Fully aware that many Europeans have disagreed with him on Iraq and other issues, President Bush was quick on Monday to acknowledge his low popularity ratings. "You know, on this journey to Europe, I follow in some large footsteps," Bush said at the beginning of his speech that addressed hotspots around the world. "More than two centuries ago, Benjamin Franklin arrived on this continent to great acclaim." Bush quoted an observer at the time who said, "There was scarcely a peasant or citizen who did not consider him as a friend to humankind." "I've been hoping for a similar reception," Bush said, drawing laughter from the audience. "But Secretary (of State Condoleezza) Rice told me I should be a realist." ___ Belgium's Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt once said that politicians could learn a thing or two from cyclists. President Bush, who takes frequent mountain bike rides on weekends, put that to a test on Monday, using the sport to bridge his differences with the European ally who opposed the war in Iraq. "He's a great biker," Bush said and he walked with Verhofstadt across a courtyard here to the prime minister's office. "I need a little training." Back in July 2004, Verhofstadt said that in politics, one can learn some things from cycling — like how to have "character and courage." "Sometimes in politics there isn't enough of those things." ___ If Bush's aim was to bring new warmth to trans-Atlantic relations, he could not have picked a worse day to open his European tour. It was frigid in Belgium on Monday. Snow, sleet and hail pounded the capital, dusting it white as the president visited Belgian King Albert II, Verhofstadt and French President Jacques Chirac. A few thousand protesters braved the cold outside the U.S. embassy while Bush and Chirac dined on a hot meal of lobster risotto and filet of beef. At one of their last meals together during the Group of Eight summit in June, Bush and Chirac had cheeseburgers. Chirac, who spent part of his youth working at a diner in the United States, says the all-American meal suited him just fine. "It was excellent," he said.