by Mark Silva
The soon-outgoing President Bush, who famously said that he had looked in Vladimir Putin's eyes and had seen his soul, will have one last chance to sit with the even sooner-outgoing Russian president this week in the Russian resort city of Sochi.
They will talk about the missile defenses that the United States wants to build in Poland, but they will talk about more as well.
"We'll see whether or not there's an agreement,'' Bush said in Kyiv, Ukraine, today. "But obviously we've got work to do to convince the president and people around him that the missile defense system is not aimed at Russia, or is viewed as a anti-Russian device... This is all aiming to protect people in Europe...
"I mean, the truth of the matter is the Russian system could overwhelm the missile defense systems we have envisioned'' Bush said of the Poland-based battery which is designed to stand sentry against "rogue'' nations such as Iran. "These systems are designed to deal with, you know, limited launch capabilities. And they've got multiple launch capabilities.
"The other thing is, is that this will be my last chance to visit with him face-to-face as -- you know -- I've worked with him for eight years. We've had a very interesting relationship, I like him,'' Bush said. "He's a -- you know -- he's a person that has been a strong leader for Russia.'''
"And this will be a chance to say I appreciate being able to work together,'' Bush said, "and to be able to try to find some common interests in the waning days of his presidency.''
• 
• 
• 
Comments
Maybe we've been wrong about Republican Prez Doofus all along?
WASHINGTON---Amid allegations that his thoughtless and insensitive decisions have damaged his relationship with the nation, President George W. Bush vowed Monday that he would, starting now, "make everything better."
"This time I'm serious," Bush said. "I am ready to make a fresh start if we can just put the past behind us. I promise." ...
During the 14-minute address Bush acknowledged that he and the country had drifted apart. He accepted some of the blame, but stressed that it was partly the American people's fault, and went on to chide them for not giving him an opportunity to explain, not standing behind him, and failing to understand his "very real" need for unchecked executive authority.
"My job is stressful," Bush said. "Trust me, things will calm down in a few months once I don't have to deal with it anymore." ... "Cut me some slack here, for Christ's sake," Bush continued. "I'm trying. I really am." ...
"You have to realize that everything I do, I do for you," Bush said. "Do you think I like denying health care to underprivileged children, or plunging the country deeper and deeper into debt? Well, I don't, and I hope someday you'll understand that. In the meantime, I'm asking the American people to try to meet me halfway on this."
---The Onion
Happy April Fools Day, Swampers!
Posted by: John E | April 1, 2008 2:47 PM
I don't think he's smirking and calling him "Vlady" anymore.
Posted by: Grandblvd03 | April 1, 2008 3:09 PM
"BUSH BITBURG SUMMIT W/VLADIMIR PUTIN"
THANK YOU FOR COMING, I ENJOYED IT!
I'M THE MAN OF STEEL!
I HEAR THE VOICES, AND IN IRAQ, I HEAR THE PEOPLE SCREAMING AND CRYING IN "SYRIA"
I KNOW I'VE MADE 50,000 NEW SEX SLAVES IN THE REGION. YOU GOT YOUR PROBLEMS AND I'VE GOT MINE.
BUT RIGHT NOW, I'M THE DECIDER, I'M THE COMMANDER AND CHIEF. WHAT I SAY GO!
AMERICA IS NO LONGER A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. HECK IF "I WAS A DICTATOR" IT BE MUCH EASIER.
WHAT WAS THE BIGGER LIE, WEAPSONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION OR THE "SURGE"
"MALIKI" "ATAR" THE WAR IN VIETNAM IS THE REAL STORY.
WELL HECK I POLLED "1000" AMERICANS AND 51% STILL DON'T KNOW WHO AL QUEDA IS.
SO WHO'S THE BIGGER LIAR
VLADIMIR!
WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT! OH I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT "NUREMBURG" TRIALS! GEORGE, CALM DOWN, I JUST WANT TO VISIT FOR THE LAST TIME.
CALM DOWN!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 1, 2008 3:41 PM