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Politics : GOPwinger Lies/Distortions/Omissions/Perversions of Truth -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Steve Dietrich who wrote (151628)	1/11/2009 9:39:43 PM
From: SeachRE	Respond to of 173976

LOL

To: Steve Dietrich who wrote (151628)	1/11/2009 9:39:58 PM
From: SeachRE	6 Recommendations Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 173976

JLA is an underachiever...but proud of it.

To: Steve Dietrich who wrote (151628)	1/11/2009 9:40:40 PM
From: jlallen	3 Recommendations Respond to of 173976

LOL!! You're a legend (in your own mind).....what a weeine.....

To: Steve Dietrich who wrote (151628)	1/12/2009 12:13:25 PM
From: one_less	Respond to of 173976

Bush looks back during final press WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- President Bush defended his record and named what he thought were some of the achievements and mistakes of his years in office during his final press conference Monday, taking a look back over eight years of an administration marked by the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, a recession and the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. In a wide-ranging session with the White House press corps, Bush also said he'd be willing to ask Congress for the remaining $350 billion of the financial bailout package if President-elect Barack Obama asks him for it. The White House said following Bush's press conference that Obama did request that Congress grant him access to the money. In an interview late Monday morning on CNBC, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said he would ask Congress for the $350 billion. Bush repeatedly wished Obama well during the press conference. Looking back over his own presidency, Bush defended his decisions about the Iraq war, tax cuts and federal bailouts. "I readily concede I chunked aside some of my free-market principles when I was told by chief economic advisers that the situation we were facing could be worse than the Great Depression," Bush said. He added there are signs that the credit markets are beginning to thaw. The outgoing president was also asked about what he thought were mistakes he'd made. He said not finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was "a significant disappointment" and called the Abu Ghraib prison scandal "a huge disappointment." Moreover, floating the idea of partially privatizing Social Security immediately following the 2004 election was a mistake, Bush said. "I ... should have argued for immigration reform," he said. The president also vehemently denied that the U.S.'s "moral standing" has been damaged. "It may be damaged amongst some of the elite. But people still understand America stands for freedom; that America is a country that provides such great hope," Bush said. Bush also underscored the challenges he said are facing Obama, who will be inaugurated as the 44th president on Jan. 20. "The most urgent threat that he'll have to deal, with and other presidents after him will have to deal with, is an attack on our homeland," Bush said. "I wish I could report that's not the case, but there's still an enemy out there that would like to inflict damage on America," he said. Bush also warned against protectionism in international trade and said he was disappointed that Congress failed to pass bills liberalizing trade with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. "It would be a huge mistake if we become a protectionist nation," he said. Bush said he didn't know what to expect immediately after he leaves office but suggested he will be busy. "I just can't envision myself, you know, the big straw hat and a Hawaiian shirt sitting on some beach," he said.

To: Steve Dietrich who wrote (151628)	1/12/2009 1:59:47 PM
From: one_less	Respond to of 173976

Gay NH bishop to offer prayer at inaugural event AP CONCORD, N.H. – The first openly gay Episcopal bishop will offer a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial at an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama. The selection of New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson for Sunday's event follows weeks of criticism from gay-rights groups over Obama's decision to have the Rev. Rick Warren give the invocation at his Jan. 20 inauguration. Warren backed the ban on same-sex marriage that passed in his home state of California on the November ballot. Robinson said last month the choice of Warren was like a slap in the face. In an interview with the Concord Monitor, he said he doesn't believe Obama invited him in response to the Warren criticism but said his inclusion won't go unnoticed by the gay and lesbian community. "It's important for any minority to see themselves represented in some way," Robinson told the newspaper for a story in Monday's editions. "Whether it be a racial minority, an ethnic minority, or in our case, a sexual minority. Just seeing someone like you up front matters." Clark Stevens, a spokesman for the inaugural committee, said Robinson was invited because he had offered his advice to Obama during the campaign and because of his church work. When asked whether Robinson was included to calm the Warren complaints, he said Robinson is "an important figure in the religious community. We are excited that he will be involved." Robinson, 61, said both Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will attend the event, and Obama is expected to speak. As for himself, Robinson said he doesn't yet know what he'll say, but he knows he won't use a Bible. "While that is a holy and sacred text to me, it is not for many Americans," Robinson said. "I will be careful not to be especially Christian in my prayer. This is a prayer for the whole nation." Robinson said his prayer will be reflective of the times. "I think these are sober and difficult times that we are facing," he said. "It won't be a happy, clappy prayer." Robinson's 2003 consecration has divided the church in the United States and abroad. Last month, theological conservatives upset by liberal views of U.S. Episcopalians and Canadian Anglicans formed a rival North American province.