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A White House death
Here’s the official announcement from first lady Laura Bush’s office, via Sally McDonough, her press secretary.
“The president, Mrs. Bush, Barbara, and Jenna are deeply saddened by the passing of their cat India (“Willie”). The 18 year-old female black American shorthair died Sunday, January 4, 2009 at home at the White House.”
“When Barbara was nine years old, she named India after the former Texas Ranger baseball player, Ruben Sierra, who was called “El Indio.” When Barbara and Jenna moved away to college, India, affectionately called “Kitty” by the family, stayed at the White House with the president and Mrs. Bush.”
“India was a beloved member of the Bush family for almost two decades. She will be greatly missed.”
No word on funeral arrangements or survivors. Or if the deceased was confused by having three names.
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Chanukah typo
The big sign on the big National Chanukah Menorah, right near the National Christmas Tree just south of the White House, includes a misspelling of the name of the late rabbi to whom the menorah is dedicated.
It should be Menachem M. Schneerson, not Menachem M. Scheerson, as shown above.
A spokeswoman for the American Friends of Lubavitch, which sponsors the national menorah, said she was unaware of the error and did not know how it happened.
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Bush names longtime aides to federal posts
The clock’s running out on the Bush administration but he is still announcing appointments of folks who will remain in place long after he heads to the ranch.
There are a few familiar names on today’s list of 24 people named to various and sundry boards and agencies.
Israel Hernandez, a deputy commerce secretary who began as Bush’s personal aide in the 1994 gubernatorial campaign, and former Deputy Transportation Secretary and ex-Bush campaign honcho Maria Cino were named to four-year terms on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and White House political director Barry Jackson were given six-year terms on the board of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, an accomplished pianist, got a six-year term on the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
And Anita McBride, Laura Bush’s chief of staff, was named to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for a term ending in September 2011.
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A Camp David Christmas: One last time
It’s the 12th Camp David Christmas for President Bush and wife Laura - eight while they’ve lived in the White House and four when the president’s dad was in the Oval Office.
The White House says the Bushes will be “surrounded by family” for the holiday, including the president’s mom and dad.
Two menus have been released. The “traditional Texas Christmas Eve dinner” includes enchiladas and tamales, rice and pinto beans, and guacamole.
The Christmas day lunch is built around roast turkey and cornbread dressing and wraps up with pumpkin pie and pecan pie.
Earlier today, Bush called nine members of the armed forces to offer holiday wishes and thanks for their service.
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No holiday left behind
Here’s President Bush’s annual Kwanzaa message to the nation:
“I send greetings to those observing Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is the celebration of African culture, community, and family traditions. For more than 40 years, millions of people have come together to reaffirm Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. These principles emphasize unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.”
“As people across our country gather to commemorate this seven-day celebration, may we all be reminded that Kwanzaa is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of our African American citizens. Laura and I send our best wishes for a joyous Kwanzaa.”
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Obama to use Lincoln Bible at inauguration
The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that Barack Obama will use the Lincoln Bible when he takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.
The Bible, part of the Library of Congress collection, has not been used at an inauguration since Lincoln used it in 1861.
Emmett Beliveau, executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said Obama “is deeply honored” that the Library of Congress is making the Bible available.
Obama “is committed to holding an inauguration that celebrates America’s unity, and the use of this historic Bible will provide a powerful connection to our common past and common heritage,” Beliveau said.
The Lincoln Bible was not the Lincolns’ Bible. The family’s Bible - now also in the Library of Congress - was packed away and en route to Washington from Illinois at the time of the 1861 inauguration. The Bible used at that ceremony was purchased by William Thomas Carroll, the clerk of the Supreme Court.
See it here
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Spellings’ portrait unveiled
A-list Bushies Condoleezza Rice and Karl Rove were on hand on Thursday for the portrait unveiling ceremony honoring Education Secretary Margaret Spellings.
Lots of kind words for the secretary and a few references to her past, including Rove’s long-ago unsuccessful attempt to ask her out on a date (when both were single).
Take a look at highlights of the event.
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Holidays at the White House: A tale of two parties
Two parties. Two days. First, the White House-hosted holiday reception for the press corps. Second, the party the press corps threw for itself in the White House press room basement.
Don’t miss CBS Correspondent Bill Plante’s instructions on the proper way to open champagne.
And stay tuned for Salem Radio Network Correspondent Greg Clugston’s annual Christmas poem.
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Texans donate to Obama inaugural committee
Seven Texans show up on the list of 241 people who, so far, have contributed to the Presidential Inaugural Committee set up by President-elect Barack Obama.
According to a report posted today, five of the Texans have given the $50,000 maximum set by the committee.
The 50K donors are Amy Fikes of Bonanza Oil in Dallas; Mark Iola of Stanley, Mandel & Iola in Dallas; Cappy McGarr of McGarr Capital Holdings in Dallas; and Stephanie and William Perkins ($50,000 each) of Small Ventures USA in Houston.
Also pitching in were James Baskin of The Baskin Law Firm in Austin ($500) and retired Dell executive Glenn Neland of Austin ($25,000).
Some non-Texans you might recognize: Jamie Foxx, self-employed, Los Angeles, $50,000 and Sharon Stone, self-employed, $50,000.
The list
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The Bush years: Winners and losers
The end of the year and the end of an administration are drawing near. That means it’s time for lists.
Washingtonian magazine is out with its list of winners and losers from the Bush era. Make up your own list and compare it to theirs.
Some of the winners on the magazine’s list:
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings (“perhaps the president’s most successful cabinet secretary”)
Dan Bartlett (“perhaps the savviest White House communications guru ever”)
Jenna Bush (“early on had a reputation as a hard-partying college student, underwent a makeover in the final two years of the administration”)
Some of the losers:
Alberto Gonzales (“found himself in an unlikely position: a former US attorney general who couldn’t find a job”)
Scott McClellan (“After his scathing memoir this spring, McClellan’s friendships were in tatters”)
Karen Hughes (“Her second lap, as undersecretary of State for public diplomacy, will be remembered as a giant missed opportunity”)
Harriet Miers (“She came to epitomize the administration’s propensity for valuing loyalty over competence.”)
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Прикольно было почитать :) Попробуем-с тоже ответить в ближайших постах.
... read the full comment by Кирилл | Comment on Laura Bush criticizes Burmese leaders' response to cyclone Read Laura Bush criticizes Burmese leaders' response to cyclone
Sorry to hear about your loss of your cat!! i know how hard it is to lose a pet that is part of the family!I lost my pet Parakeet and he was a very Good friend of mine!he lived to be 12 or 13years old.i called and told my mother and Grand-dad and he came
... read the full comment by Amy | Comment on A White House death Read A White House death
Да уж, это действительно непросто. :)
... read the full comment by Алан | Comment on Laura Bush criticizes Burmese leaders' response to cyclone Read Laura Bush criticizes Burmese leaders' response to cyclone
, .
... read the full comment by Soyloaply | Comment on Laura Bush criticizes Burmese leaders' response to cyclone Read Laura Bush criticizes Burmese leaders' response to cyclone