Bush Honors Fallen Officers At Memorial

[Rose Siding]

President Bush paid tribute yesterday to 156 police officers who died in the line of duty last year, as colleagues and families of the fallen gathered under a somber gray sky at the U.S. Capitol for a national day of remembrance.

With the muddy west lawn of the Capitol packed with uniformed men and women from all over the country, the president praised the more than 800,000 Americans who are "willing to stand watch over the rest of us" by policing streets and communities.
...
.....Presidents starting with John F. Kennedy have offered tributes to fallen law enforcement officials on May 15, their official day of recognition.
...
The president was joined on stage by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), attending the memorial for the first time, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and several other administration officials.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/15/AR2005051500773.html

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Oh,

fuck him.

[jayctravis]

2. How about one for Fallen Soldiers?

Nothing against the brave people of Law Enforcement ... equally worthy of honor.

[Solly Mack]

3. Doesn't a "tribute" by Bush mean a budget cut is coming?

there was a while there when Shrub would visit or pay tribute to a group that he would cut their budget within days of the event...

[MADem]

4. A bit tangential, but something I noticed about his little speech

This was a subject he was comfortable with. Clearly, he watches COPS and understands "Law and Order" (not the TV show, the Spiro Agnew mindset). While giving that speech, he did not slur, he did not hesitate, he did not cackle, he did not whine. He was about as forceful and declarative as he can ever get, without that whingeing quality. He sounded like he did back when he was Gov of TX.

The Peter Principle, writ large on a world stage.

[w4rma]

5. Bush still hasn't shown up for a single funeral for any soldier, yet. (nt)