You’ve probably already heard the audio or read the transcript. But seeing Limbaugh on video, physically mocking Michael J. Fox while accusing him of faking his Parkinson’s symptoms is really a sight to behold. Unfreakingbelievable.
President George W. Bush addresses the Iftaar Dinner with Ambassadors and Muslim leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House, Monday, Oct. 16, 2006. White House photo by Paul Morse
President Bush Attends Iftaar Dinner at the White House
THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Good evening and “Ramadan Karim.” Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are really glad you’re here. This is the sixth year that we have been pleased to host an Iftaar at the White House. We’re honored to be with you and once again we’re honored to pay tribute to the month of Ramadan.
Islam is a religion that brings hope and comfort to more than a billion people around the world. It has transcended racial and ethnic divisions. It has given birth to a rich culture of learning and literature and science. And tonight we honor the traditions of a great faith by hosting the Iftaar here at the White House.
I’m so pleased our Secretary of State, Condi Rice, has joined us. Thank you, Madam Secretary. I’m pleased that Dr. Elias Zerhouni, who is the Director of the NIH, is with us. Good to see you, Elias. I thank Imam Eid, from the Islamic Institute of Boston, is with us. I welcome all the ambassadors and other members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. For Muslims in America and around the world, Ramadan is a special time of prayer and fasting, contemplation of God’s greatness, and charity and service to those in need. And for people of all faiths, it is a good time to reflect on the values we hold in common, including love of family, gratitude to God, the importance of community, and a commitment to tolerance and religious freedom.
America is a land of many faiths, and we welcome and honor the Muslim faith in our nation. Our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens. Your commitment to your faith reminds us all of the precious gift of religious freedom in our country. America is a more hopeful nation because of the talents and generosity and compassion of our Muslim citizens.
Tonight we have with us a group of special guests — American Muslims who are serving our country. We have with us New York City police officers and a EMT worker who risked their lives to save their fellow citizens on 9/11; a military doctor and a member of the Navy’s Chaplain Corps; members of our Foreign Service; and military veterans who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq to protect our country and help those nations build free and democratic futures.
One of our guests is Farooq Muhammed. Farooq is the son of Pakistani immigrants, and was born and raised in Brooklyn. He spent the past decade with the New York City Fire Department, first as an emergency medical technician and now as a paramedic. Farooq was at the World Trade Center on 9/11, treating victims when the towers collapsed — he narrowly escaped death himself. He also recently volunteered in the mountains of Kashmir, where he helped treat the victims of last year’s devastating South Asian earthquake. Farooq’s courage and compassion represent the best of the American spirit.
Paramedic Muhammed is a proud Muslim; he is a patriotic American. And those are characteristics he shares with the other special American guests gathered in this room. All of you bring credit to your faith. You make America a better and stronger country, and we’re honored by your presence tonight. (Applause.)
The United States also appreciates the many Muslim nations who stand with us in the war on terror — some of whom are represented here tonight. You know that the majority of the victims of the terrorists have been innocent Muslims, and many of you have seen terrorist violence in your own cities and your streets. We welcome you here. We are proud to work with you to defeat the terrorists and extremists, and help bring a brighter future to millions of Muslim people throughout the world who yearn for moderation and peace.
On this special evening, we celebrate the millions of Muslims that we are proud to call American citizens. We honor the many Islamic nations that America is proud to call friends. And we renew the ties of friendship that should bind all who trace their faith back to God’s call on Abraham.
Laura and I are grateful that you’re here. Once again, I wish you a blessed Ramadan. And now Imam Eid will say the blessing.
Remember the “special fun project” Michelle mentioned yesterday?
Today’s episode of Vent with Michelle Malkin is a Bizarro World version of ABC’s The View.
Malkin, Mary Katherine Ham and La Shawn Barber mirror Rosie, Joy and Barbara, while lefty Kirsten Powers represents the Bizarro version of Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
What’s the point, you ask? Beats me, but this much seems clear: Michelle Malkin really, really, really wants her own television show.
UPDATE 10/15/06: AllahPundit apparently didn’t like this post. He removed the trackback link from the Hot Air page. Can’t say that I blame him, LOL.
I think I’m just going to sit it out. As if it were possible, the White House has succeeded in demoralizing the base even further with this latest bungle. And it has no one to blame–not Democrats, not the media, not a far-Left cabal–but itself.
Likewise, Allahpundit threatens to vote “straight Democratic ticket” if the bill is not signed.
[…] if Bush insists on doing Mexico’s bidding again, if he can’t bring himself to endorse even a symbolic measure of border enforcement, then I hereby swear before the Hot Air readership that I’ll vote a straight Democratic ticket next month. I live in New York so it won’t matter, but one symbolic turn deserves another.
By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer
14 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - A key aide to presidential political strategist Karl Rove resigned Friday in the wake of a congressional report that listed hundreds of contacts between disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the White House.
Susan Ralston, special assistant to President Bush, submitted a resignation letter to him less than five weeks before congressional elections in which corruption and scandal are emerging as key issues for voters.
“She did not want to be a distraction to the White House at such an important time and so we have accepted her resignation,” White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino said.
“We support her decision and consider the matter closed,” Perino said.
Page who reported Foley emails has received death threats
The Monroe, Louisiana teenager who first reported Mark Foley’s inappropriate emails has received death threats, according to this report from KARD news:
Out of Washington and in his Monroe office, Representative Rodney Alexander is one of the few people talking to a Monroe teenager pulled into the latest political scandal. It’s a scandal that has some making threats on the young man’s life. “There are some people out there that think this young man is responsible for bringing down a member of Congress,” said Alexander, “but we know that is not the case.”
FOLEY BOMBSHELL COMING … FORMER CONGRESSMAN’S ATTORNEY TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.
Can it get any worse? We’ll see.
Press conference reportedly to be held at 5:45 pm ET.
UPDATE: Here’s the “bombshell”: According to Foley’s attorney, Foley says he was molested by “a member of the clergy” from age 13 to age 15. Also said Foley would like the public to know that he is “a gay man”. Attorney maintains that Foley is not a pedophile and never had inappropriate physical contact with minors.
I chose not to post the photo or link to it here because:
1) I wasn’t convinced it was genuine.
2) Even if it was genuine, I didn’t think it was a big deal.
Nonetheless, I find Michelle’s righteous indignation over this whole flap more than a little bit amusing. The rightwing blogospere’s “Queen of Smear” is now whining about being the “victim of a smear campaign”?
Forgive me if I can’t get too worked up about Michelle’s latest panty-twist.
