* at the Hanukkah Reception at the White House - pics

[Kadie]

U.S. President George W. Bush arrives at a Hanukkah reception at the White House in Washington December 10, 2007.
REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)


President Bush, right, hugs Ruth Pearl, left, as her husband Professor Judea Pearl, center, watches at the Hanukkah Reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, in Washington. On the far right is first lady Laura Bush. The Pearl's are the parents of slain journalist Daniel Pearl, a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, was kidnapped and later beheaded in 2002.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)


From left, President Bush, first lady Laura Bush, Ruth Pearl and Professor Judea Pearl are seen during the Hanukkah Reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, in Washington. Judea and Ruth Pearl are parents of slain journalist Daniel Pearl, a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, who was kidnapped and killed in 2002.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

[XemaSab]

1. Pearl's dad doesn't look too happy with the smirk.

:(

[Bluebear]

2. Did he wish everyone happiness in this season of Our Saviour's birth?

:)

[Kurovski]

6. FOX reports that he invited them to midnight mass at the National Cathedral.

So gracious. So generous.

[Bluebear]

8. "Come on 'n see a REAL holiday! Heh heh heh! Heh heh heh!"

[Kurovski]

14. "N' the nice thing 'bout a big 'ol Christmas ham is the sammiches on New Years."

[KamaAina]

20. I figured this was probably what he served them...

[Kurovski]

22. Only the best.

Such a nice change from the gefilte fish and pot roast.

[Botany]

3. Not being Jewish I don't know about this but .....

.... maybe having the Hanukkah Reception in a room that does not
have a Christmas tree might be a little more appropriate .... just saying.

[monmouth]

5. Yes, a menorrah (sp?) would have been far more appropriate..

[Botany]

9. Lots of rooms in the White House ....

.... could they have not found one without the Christmas decorations? Or
the White House does have a staff that takes care of these things .... put the
HO HO HO stuff away for a day.

And from the House of David may I offer you some kosher ham?

[Kadie]

11. There was one...

set up next to the Christmas tree. It looks like it is set up on a tv tray with a blanket thrown over it.



President Bush, left seated, watches as Ruth Pearl and her husband Judea Pearl, far right, light their family Menorah to mark the Jewish holiday during a Hanukkah Reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, in Washington. The Pearl's are parents of slain journalist Daniel Pearl, of the Wall Street Journal, who was kidnapped and later beheaded in 2002, in Pakistan.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

[Sanctified]

12. Many Jewish families put up Hanukkah Bushes during this time of year.

It's basically a decorated tree same as a Christmas tree, I doubt any of the Jewish people who attended were offended by the tree.

[frazzled]

18. I've never seen a "Hanukkah bush" in my life ...

And I've been celebrating Hanukkah for over 50 years. That is ridiculous.

Come to think of it, though, I wouldn't mind lighting up the Hanukkah "Bush"--turn up the juice!

[Sanctified]

19. Hmmm... my family always had one and many of my friends had them.

Maybe it's a regional thing but you can look them up they give suggestions on how to decorate them online.

[sandnsea]

27. Learn something new every day

These appear to be at least 100 years old. I wish the Jewish community would be a little more vocal about this, it would put an end to the notion that trees are most specifically related to Christmas. I am very glad to know this.

http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/hanukkah_bush/

[Manifestor_of_Light]

31. Christmas trees are actually pagan.

The xtians stole all the holidays from pagans. Read up on it!!
The pagans celebrated the Winter Solstice. The Romans had Saturnalia.

[sandnsea]

32. Yes I knew that

But as they converted to Christian Christmas trees, the yule tradition was also taken up as the Hanukkah Bush. Did you know that?

[Solly Mack]

4. If that hen's ass he calls a mouth was coming near me I'd puke

[NanceGreggs]

7. As always, Solly Mack ...

... there isn't a nail in existence you can't slam firmly on the head with a few well-chosen words!

:rofl:

[Solly Mack]

37. :)

Other than the obvious, there's something seriously 'off' about that man

He makes my skin crawl

[peekaloo]

34. LOL!

and I thought his mouth doubled as a peck-er.

[Solly Mack]

38. hehehehe

[MADem]

10. OK you JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOZ!! Lahn up in frunna the Ex-Mass tree here!!!

We'll take a nahz Pit-cher!!! Then we kin take another over bah the MANGER, there, widda Baby JeeeeeeZus!

[Arugula Latte]

21. Hey, whyz there one uh them funny candleholder thingees?

And whyere the men wearin them funny beanie hats? I cahnt rub their bald spots if they leave them beanies on.

[DesertRat]

13. I'll bet * wanted to serve ham. n/t

[Parche]

15. Pearls

Why were the Pearls invited to this? Grandstanding by Bush?
:shrug: :hi:

[Botany]

16. They know about the GWOT

Global War On Terror .... they were there to "sell" bush and his war.

[LSparkle]

17. He always looks like he's proud of the shit in his diaper to me ...

"Mommy, look what I did!"

:eyes:

[MuseRider]

23. "PSSST.

Hey Pearly, can you tell me whar I can git me one o dem funny hats? They crack me up, heh heh heh."

[AspenRose]

28. Probably wants one with a propeller on the end and a presidential seal.

:eyes:

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

24. Second Pic: "Here, I'll take care of that nose booger for ye"

I wonder if Bush told Daniel Pearl's parents that their son was going to Hell?

According to this story by Larisa Alexandrovna, Bush once told a reporter that he thought that all Jews would go to Hell:

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Book_Bush_told_reporter_Jews_are_0902.html

[tishaLA]

25. oy. what a oysgeputst tree that is

what would Barbra do?

[Kurovski]

26. Probably rearrange it.

:-)

[uppityperson]

29. Daniel Pearl's parents. RIP Daniel, may you parents find peace somehow.

[Danmel]

30. Why didn't the idiot put on a kippah?

Non-Jews wear Kipoot at jewish religious ceremonies as a courtesy. Who are the protocal people at the WHite House? THey are ridiculous!

[Ilsa]

35. I was wondering the same thing. I bet someone mentioned it and

he declined, because the ceremony was in "W"'s house, not a synagogue.

[rockymountaindem]

36. I don't think that was needed

Ordinarily he would only have needed to do that inside a synagogue. In a public place I don't think it's necessary unless he really wanted to.

[peekaloo]

33. As usual he fooks it up, lights the tree on fire and places ornaments on the Menorah.