It's a pity -
Sep. 7th, 2004 09:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kyburgWhen the day leaves you so braindead, you forget how nice it is to turn on the music.
I think we passed the homestudy. Of course, we both have individual interviews left to go - which I'm told can take some hours. Alone. Oiwie. I've scheduled mine for a Saturday.
Politics? Oh the day was a beaut.
Posted on Tue, Sep. 07, 2004
Bush tours west-central Missouri
BY STEVE KRASKE
Knight Ridder Newspapers
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - (KRT) - Rolling through a clutch of Missouri's small towns Tuesday, President Bush took practiced shots at terrorists, trial lawyers and taxes.
In his 36-minute stump speech at the Lee's Summit High School, Bush offered a long and impassioned defense of his decision to go to war in Iraq, saying he tried to negotiate a settlement before sending troops in to fight.
Speaking in front of a large sign emblazoned with the single word "Leadership," Bush said America could not afford to show a lack of confidence against Saddam Hussein, who had been known to use weapons of mass destruction.
"If the U.S. shows uncertainty, the world will drift toward uncertainty," he said. "This will not happen on my watch."
He noted progress against terrorism in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and said three-quarters of al-Qaida's key members and associates have been detained or killed.
His caravan then drove east, making an unscheduled stop at Warrensburg, driving slowly through Knob Noster's downtown although not going onto Whiteman Air Force Base, speaking at Sedalia's fairgrounds, passing through Boonville and finally making his last remarks at Columbia.
On the way, Bush passed scores of supporters_some schools dismissed early so students could see the president pass by - on the sides of U.S. 50 and Interstate 70. A smattering of protestors showed up, too, holding up pink pieces of paper signifying pink slips and the loss of jobs during Bush's tenure.
In his 21st trip to Missouri since his presidency began, Bush insisted that the foundation of Sen. John Kerry's economic plan - taxing the rich - would not cover the $2 trillion in new spending his Democratic opponent has proposed.
Speaking before a crowd of thousands of Bush partisans at a ticket-only event at the sunshine-drenched high school rally, Bush said taxing rich Americans won't work because they can afford to hire accountants and lawyers to reduce their tax burdens.
"They dodge. You pay," Bush said to loud applause.
He repeated his call for a simpler tax code, although he didn't reveal details. "It's full of special-interest loopholes," he said.
Bush said that one thing restraining the economy is the lack of medical liability reform that is causing Missouri doctors to flee the state due to skyrocketing malpractice insurance. Litigation, much of it frivolous, is costing small business $230 million a year.
America has to choose between standing with doctors or standing with trail attorneys, Bush said. Kerry has made his choice, voting consistently against legal reforms and picking John Edwards, a one-time trial attorney, as his running mate. One result is higher health care costs for citizens.
"I am for ending junk lawsuits," Bush said. "Personal injury lawyers should not get rich at the expense of hard-working Americans."
About 150 sign-toting, bullhorn-blaring, anti-Bush protesters stood outside the Lee's Summit event. Their signs included: "Liar, liar, Bush on fire," "Impeach Bush," and "993 Dead, 6,916 wounded."
The visit to a state he took from Democrats in 2000 and one that both parties regard as crucial to win the White House in November came soon after the Republican convention in New York.
Besides excellent weather, the president was enjoying his best poll numbers in months, even shown 11 points ahead in a Newsweek magazine poll.
He said he was running with a clear plan to build a safer world "with a compassionate conservative philosophy that government should help people improve their lives."
To which Michael Golden, Kerry campaign spokesman, said: "George Bush selling compassionate conservatism is downright dishonest. The Bush-Cheney administration's wrong-headed policies have cost five million more Americans their health insurance and sucked 1.6 million jobs out of this economy. That is not compassionate."
Bush stopped at the Bomag Paving Products plant in Warrensburg, where he took part in a company barbecue. On his way through the food line, Bush took a hamburger and helpings of baked beans and coleslaw. Asked by a reporter whether he would take any Heinz ketchup, in a reference to Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, Bush shook his head and said: "I've got mustard on that, thank you."
In Sedalia, at the state fairgrounds Coliseum, Bush spent about 90 minutes defending his record and taking questions from some of the 3,200 Missourians inside.
Many of the questioners opted to make statements in support of the president. One woman proclaimed the virtues of Vice President Dick Cheney, saying she preferred his "cute little smirk" to John Edwards' head of hair any day. Another woman said she was a Christian and wanted to assure Bush that "there's a whole bunch of people praying for you," a comment that brought a standing ovation.
The prayers mean a lot, Bush said.
Before taking questions, Bush defended his program of faith-based initiatives, at one point saying, "love comes from somewhere higher than government."
The idea of allowing religious-based institutions deal with alcoholism and other social ills has merit, Bush said. The programs can reach into people's hearts in a way that government oftentimes cannot, the president said.
But most of Bush's attention was devoted to defending his stewardship of the economy and the effect his tax cuts have had on average Americans and small businesses. Bush spoke to Wayne Lamb, owner of Sedalia Steel Supply Inc. who told Bush he had added three new employees this year to his 40-employee firm and buy new equipment thanks, in part, to the tax cuts.
Kerry, he said, would increase taxes on such companies and undermine the economic recovery that Bush said is now underway. "Raising taxes is the wrong thing to do right now in America," Bush said to ringing applause.
The president then introduced one of Lamb's employees, Steven Platt, a warehouse manager who saved about $4,000 the last two years because of the tax cuts.
"I suppose that $4,000 came in handy the last two years," Bush told Platt. "Steve can spend his money a lot better than the federal government can spend his money," Bush said.
Then, pointing to a single mother who works three jobs, Ellyn Wilson, Bush said she had saved $1,000 in lower federal taxes. "That money helps," Bush said. "Someday you'll be driving that pink Cadillac."
Asked about education, Bush offered an impassioned defense of his No Child Left Behind act that he said emphasized accountability that was missing before. The law is flexible enough to account for students still learning to speak English, he said.
"A system that doesn't assess is a system that just shuffles kids through, and that's unacceptable," Bush said.
Bush insisted he would not reinstate the military draft. The key to maintaining a strong military is to pay active soldiers well. On that score, Bush said pay had increased 21 percent over the last three years.
The entourage arrived at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Columbia about 3:30 p.m. "I'm here to ask you for the vote," Bush said to a crowd of several thousand.
He then referred to Zell Miller, the Democratic senator from Georgia who gave the blistering keynote address at last week's convention. "He's a discerning Democrat," Bush said. "There's a lot of folks like him all across this country."
The president had spent the night at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City before beginning the day at Lee's Summit. He told the crowd there that the steadily improving economy had created 144,000 jobs last month and lowered the jobless rate to 5.4 percent nationally. That, he said, was a full point below the peak of 2003.
While the president's message was warmly received by his audience, the protesters outside were more skeptical. John Brady, a Lee's Summit resident whose wife and daughter were recently laid off from AT&T, said he joined the protesters to "speak out against the loss of so many jobs under the current administration."
Some signs asked, "Bush, where are the jobs?" and, "What about health care?"
"No more Bush," the boisterous crowd shouted into the street. Their chants grew louder when passing motorists honked their horn or flung their arm out the window to display an upturned thumb in support of the assemblage, including war veterans, teachers, laborers, community and political activists.
Several young adult Bush supporters showed up bare-chested with the letters B,U,S and H painted on their flesh and taunted protesters until police hurried them away.
A photograph of 23-year-old Laura Wilson's mother and sister was taped to the sign the woman waved above her head. Wilson said her mother and sister are U.S. Army reservists in Afghanistan.
"I came out here because I want him (Bush) to see my mom and sister's picture." Wilson said. "I want him to see the faces of the people his policies affect."
In his speech, Bush pointed to U.S. intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which are planning national elections, Bush said. "Freedom's powerful, isn't it?' he added, predicting that one day the countries would be U.S. allies, much as Japan is today.
America needs to stand by its commitments in Iraq and help the country establish itself in the war's wake, Bush said. "When America gives its word, America keeps its word," he said.
---
(Knight Ridder correspondent Mara Rose Williams contributed to this report)
What, we aren't going to hunt them down, prosecute them and put them in jail? No, no - they've got - *gasp* - ACCOUNTANTS! RUN AWAY!!!
Almost as good? Kerry running his mouth about how "wrong" Iraq was. Yeah, yeah, yeah...wrong HOW, ya putz...though I've seen more than one article saying he's giving a speech tomorrow with some policy statements. Gotta wait. MORE. Feh.
Eight more weeks of this.
Jim worked Saturday night - I spent Saturday getting the house ready.
We left for the San Diego Wild Animal Park, an hour and a half behind schedule - and for the record, I woke up at 9:00 AM, the cats did their dance of a billion paws of death at 6:00 AM.
It was HOT. Like over a hundred. In a car with no AC. For three hours.
We arrived at the San Diego Zoo - not the Wild Animal Park. Jim misunderstood. The Zoo is easily 45 minutes further south. I was not a happy camper.
Moving in those temperatures was a struggle. We bailed and bought the bus tour of the park, and did fairly well with it. It was just too hot. Even the animals were just looking for shade and a means to survive the heat of the day. About five o'clock, they began to come out of the shadows - and I got to see the tree kangaroos wake up. They are very nocturnal - it was the first time I'd seen a healthy one awake. Baby meerkat. Baby meerkat wuz TEEENY.
Got our hotel room through Priceline - a very historic Courtyard. And Mark called - I'd called to make sure they were clear for the weekend, but I think they miss having familiar people close. I got a cell call about 3:00 PM wanting to know when we were going to visit.
Uh.
Okay, we coped. We had dinner at the hotel. But I swear, I think Mark is going senile - or his health status has slipped further than I thought. Even his family was a bit put out at some of the stances he wanted to take. I mean, WWIII?
No, Mark. We're fighting organized crime on a world-wide scale - no better than common criminals. It isn't some glorious crusade of Good vs. Evil, much as that would be much more emotionally satisfying. The actual work is just that - gritty, dirty, labor-intensive (and intellectually challenging) work. It angered me going to sleep and it still pissed me off waking up.
And then we couldn't get them to leave. Folks, it's 9:30 and I have two 4.5 year olds bouncing off the walls to keep themselves awake. Take them home and put them to bed! (And no, they are not going to lie down on the nice hotel bed, it's EBIL.)
Lo, we slept.
Just some peace and quiet, please?
We woke, ate a tasty buffet breakfast and hit Sea World. But bought some sunscreen. Pity I don't know how to apply it anymore. I have stripes of itchy soreness at neckline and into the nape of my neck. Hat did a good job of keeping the top of my head in good shape, and I did a reasonable job of my arms and face. But what do you know, I can turn brown in spots....
But glamorous? Fergitaboutit. Best part of the day was getting doused - I think it was managed three times. Walking Swamps R Us.
Sea World in San Diego is a mixed bag - I've been going to that park regularly since I was too small to climb up on a barstool without help (Hawaiian Punch used to sponsor a pavilion there, where they had both Red and Yellow Hawaiian Punch - does anyone else remember Yellow Hawaiian Punch?) - I know which stadiums were used for what - and when - and which ones were new.
I also still knew a few of the orcas. Orky is still alive, believe it or not -
For Jim, it was ALL new. He got to feed dolphins, which was just the ticket for him - he could have done nothing else and considered the day a hit.
Paddling like mad, don't know when the rapids are going to be here - and now, time for bed!
I think we passed the homestudy. Of course, we both have individual interviews left to go - which I'm told can take some hours. Alone. Oiwie. I've scheduled mine for a Saturday.
Politics? Oh the day was a beaut.
Posted on Tue, Sep. 07, 2004
Bush tours west-central Missouri
BY STEVE KRASKE
Knight Ridder Newspapers
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - (KRT) - Rolling through a clutch of Missouri's small towns Tuesday, President Bush took practiced shots at terrorists, trial lawyers and taxes.
In his 36-minute stump speech at the Lee's Summit High School, Bush offered a long and impassioned defense of his decision to go to war in Iraq, saying he tried to negotiate a settlement before sending troops in to fight.
Speaking in front of a large sign emblazoned with the single word "Leadership," Bush said America could not afford to show a lack of confidence against Saddam Hussein, who had been known to use weapons of mass destruction.
"If the U.S. shows uncertainty, the world will drift toward uncertainty," he said. "This will not happen on my watch."
He noted progress against terrorism in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and said three-quarters of al-Qaida's key members and associates have been detained or killed.
His caravan then drove east, making an unscheduled stop at Warrensburg, driving slowly through Knob Noster's downtown although not going onto Whiteman Air Force Base, speaking at Sedalia's fairgrounds, passing through Boonville and finally making his last remarks at Columbia.
On the way, Bush passed scores of supporters_some schools dismissed early so students could see the president pass by - on the sides of U.S. 50 and Interstate 70. A smattering of protestors showed up, too, holding up pink pieces of paper signifying pink slips and the loss of jobs during Bush's tenure.
In his 21st trip to Missouri since his presidency began, Bush insisted that the foundation of Sen. John Kerry's economic plan - taxing the rich - would not cover the $2 trillion in new spending his Democratic opponent has proposed.
Speaking before a crowd of thousands of Bush partisans at a ticket-only event at the sunshine-drenched high school rally, Bush said taxing rich Americans won't work because they can afford to hire accountants and lawyers to reduce their tax burdens.
"They dodge. You pay," Bush said to loud applause.
He repeated his call for a simpler tax code, although he didn't reveal details. "It's full of special-interest loopholes," he said.
Bush said that one thing restraining the economy is the lack of medical liability reform that is causing Missouri doctors to flee the state due to skyrocketing malpractice insurance. Litigation, much of it frivolous, is costing small business $230 million a year.
America has to choose between standing with doctors or standing with trail attorneys, Bush said. Kerry has made his choice, voting consistently against legal reforms and picking John Edwards, a one-time trial attorney, as his running mate. One result is higher health care costs for citizens.
"I am for ending junk lawsuits," Bush said. "Personal injury lawyers should not get rich at the expense of hard-working Americans."
About 150 sign-toting, bullhorn-blaring, anti-Bush protesters stood outside the Lee's Summit event. Their signs included: "Liar, liar, Bush on fire," "Impeach Bush," and "993 Dead, 6,916 wounded."
The visit to a state he took from Democrats in 2000 and one that both parties regard as crucial to win the White House in November came soon after the Republican convention in New York.
Besides excellent weather, the president was enjoying his best poll numbers in months, even shown 11 points ahead in a Newsweek magazine poll.
He said he was running with a clear plan to build a safer world "with a compassionate conservative philosophy that government should help people improve their lives."
To which Michael Golden, Kerry campaign spokesman, said: "George Bush selling compassionate conservatism is downright dishonest. The Bush-Cheney administration's wrong-headed policies have cost five million more Americans their health insurance and sucked 1.6 million jobs out of this economy. That is not compassionate."
Bush stopped at the Bomag Paving Products plant in Warrensburg, where he took part in a company barbecue. On his way through the food line, Bush took a hamburger and helpings of baked beans and coleslaw. Asked by a reporter whether he would take any Heinz ketchup, in a reference to Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, Bush shook his head and said: "I've got mustard on that, thank you."
In Sedalia, at the state fairgrounds Coliseum, Bush spent about 90 minutes defending his record and taking questions from some of the 3,200 Missourians inside.
Many of the questioners opted to make statements in support of the president. One woman proclaimed the virtues of Vice President Dick Cheney, saying she preferred his "cute little smirk" to John Edwards' head of hair any day. Another woman said she was a Christian and wanted to assure Bush that "there's a whole bunch of people praying for you," a comment that brought a standing ovation.
The prayers mean a lot, Bush said.
Before taking questions, Bush defended his program of faith-based initiatives, at one point saying, "love comes from somewhere higher than government."
The idea of allowing religious-based institutions deal with alcoholism and other social ills has merit, Bush said. The programs can reach into people's hearts in a way that government oftentimes cannot, the president said.
But most of Bush's attention was devoted to defending his stewardship of the economy and the effect his tax cuts have had on average Americans and small businesses. Bush spoke to Wayne Lamb, owner of Sedalia Steel Supply Inc. who told Bush he had added three new employees this year to his 40-employee firm and buy new equipment thanks, in part, to the tax cuts.
Kerry, he said, would increase taxes on such companies and undermine the economic recovery that Bush said is now underway. "Raising taxes is the wrong thing to do right now in America," Bush said to ringing applause.
The president then introduced one of Lamb's employees, Steven Platt, a warehouse manager who saved about $4,000 the last two years because of the tax cuts.
"I suppose that $4,000 came in handy the last two years," Bush told Platt. "Steve can spend his money a lot better than the federal government can spend his money," Bush said.
Then, pointing to a single mother who works three jobs, Ellyn Wilson, Bush said she had saved $1,000 in lower federal taxes. "That money helps," Bush said. "Someday you'll be driving that pink Cadillac."
Asked about education, Bush offered an impassioned defense of his No Child Left Behind act that he said emphasized accountability that was missing before. The law is flexible enough to account for students still learning to speak English, he said.
"A system that doesn't assess is a system that just shuffles kids through, and that's unacceptable," Bush said.
Bush insisted he would not reinstate the military draft. The key to maintaining a strong military is to pay active soldiers well. On that score, Bush said pay had increased 21 percent over the last three years.
The entourage arrived at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Columbia about 3:30 p.m. "I'm here to ask you for the vote," Bush said to a crowd of several thousand.
He then referred to Zell Miller, the Democratic senator from Georgia who gave the blistering keynote address at last week's convention. "He's a discerning Democrat," Bush said. "There's a lot of folks like him all across this country."
The president had spent the night at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City before beginning the day at Lee's Summit. He told the crowd there that the steadily improving economy had created 144,000 jobs last month and lowered the jobless rate to 5.4 percent nationally. That, he said, was a full point below the peak of 2003.
While the president's message was warmly received by his audience, the protesters outside were more skeptical. John Brady, a Lee's Summit resident whose wife and daughter were recently laid off from AT&T, said he joined the protesters to "speak out against the loss of so many jobs under the current administration."
Some signs asked, "Bush, where are the jobs?" and, "What about health care?"
"No more Bush," the boisterous crowd shouted into the street. Their chants grew louder when passing motorists honked their horn or flung their arm out the window to display an upturned thumb in support of the assemblage, including war veterans, teachers, laborers, community and political activists.
Several young adult Bush supporters showed up bare-chested with the letters B,U,S and H painted on their flesh and taunted protesters until police hurried them away.
A photograph of 23-year-old Laura Wilson's mother and sister was taped to the sign the woman waved above her head. Wilson said her mother and sister are U.S. Army reservists in Afghanistan.
"I came out here because I want him (Bush) to see my mom and sister's picture." Wilson said. "I want him to see the faces of the people his policies affect."
In his speech, Bush pointed to U.S. intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which are planning national elections, Bush said. "Freedom's powerful, isn't it?' he added, predicting that one day the countries would be U.S. allies, much as Japan is today.
America needs to stand by its commitments in Iraq and help the country establish itself in the war's wake, Bush said. "When America gives its word, America keeps its word," he said.
---
(Knight Ridder correspondent Mara Rose Williams contributed to this report)
What, we aren't going to hunt them down, prosecute them and put them in jail? No, no - they've got - *gasp* - ACCOUNTANTS! RUN AWAY!!!
Almost as good? Kerry running his mouth about how "wrong" Iraq was. Yeah, yeah, yeah...wrong HOW, ya putz...though I've seen more than one article saying he's giving a speech tomorrow with some policy statements. Gotta wait. MORE. Feh.
Eight more weeks of this.
Jim worked Saturday night - I spent Saturday getting the house ready.
We left for the San Diego Wild Animal Park, an hour and a half behind schedule - and for the record, I woke up at 9:00 AM, the cats did their dance of a billion paws of death at 6:00 AM.
It was HOT. Like over a hundred. In a car with no AC. For three hours.
We arrived at the San Diego Zoo - not the Wild Animal Park. Jim misunderstood. The Zoo is easily 45 minutes further south. I was not a happy camper.
Moving in those temperatures was a struggle. We bailed and bought the bus tour of the park, and did fairly well with it. It was just too hot. Even the animals were just looking for shade and a means to survive the heat of the day. About five o'clock, they began to come out of the shadows - and I got to see the tree kangaroos wake up. They are very nocturnal - it was the first time I'd seen a healthy one awake. Baby meerkat. Baby meerkat wuz TEEENY.
Got our hotel room through Priceline - a very historic Courtyard. And Mark called - I'd called to make sure they were clear for the weekend, but I think they miss having familiar people close. I got a cell call about 3:00 PM wanting to know when we were going to visit.
Uh.
Okay, we coped. We had dinner at the hotel. But I swear, I think Mark is going senile - or his health status has slipped further than I thought. Even his family was a bit put out at some of the stances he wanted to take. I mean, WWIII?
No, Mark. We're fighting organized crime on a world-wide scale - no better than common criminals. It isn't some glorious crusade of Good vs. Evil, much as that would be much more emotionally satisfying. The actual work is just that - gritty, dirty, labor-intensive (and intellectually challenging) work. It angered me going to sleep and it still pissed me off waking up.
And then we couldn't get them to leave. Folks, it's 9:30 and I have two 4.5 year olds bouncing off the walls to keep themselves awake. Take them home and put them to bed! (And no, they are not going to lie down on the nice hotel bed, it's EBIL.)
Lo, we slept.
Just some peace and quiet, please?
We woke, ate a tasty buffet breakfast and hit Sea World. But bought some sunscreen. Pity I don't know how to apply it anymore. I have stripes of itchy soreness at neckline and into the nape of my neck. Hat did a good job of keeping the top of my head in good shape, and I did a reasonable job of my arms and face. But what do you know, I can turn brown in spots....
But glamorous? Fergitaboutit. Best part of the day was getting doused - I think it was managed three times. Walking Swamps R Us.
Sea World in San Diego is a mixed bag - I've been going to that park regularly since I was too small to climb up on a barstool without help (Hawaiian Punch used to sponsor a pavilion there, where they had both Red and Yellow Hawaiian Punch - does anyone else remember Yellow Hawaiian Punch?) - I know which stadiums were used for what - and when - and which ones were new.
I also still knew a few of the orcas. Orky is still alive, believe it or not -
For Jim, it was ALL new. He got to feed dolphins, which was just the ticket for him - he could have done nothing else and considered the day a hit.
Paddling like mad, don't know when the rapids are going to be here - and now, time for bed!
