GW Bush- qualifications, aptitude, deeds -reflections for 04

[GW Bush- qualifications,]

Hey, don't forget - he captured Saddam Hussn! Leaving the US in a state of complete security and safety! We can all breathe easier now and forever! Well, all of us except the 463 dead American soldiers murdered in Iraq.

Wait, what's this? From the Associated Press today (must be that commie liberal media )

The Associated Press
WASHINGTON Dec. 22 — The head of the Department of Homeland Security on Monday urged people to "just go about your business" despite the decision to raise the nation's terror-attack warning to its second-highest level.
At the same time, however, Secretary Tom Ridge said the Bush administration wants people to "be vigilant and have a good communications plan under way."

And, he stressed the intelligence community considered the new threat "the most significant threat" to the country since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"We've never quite seen it at this level before," Ridge told reporters after briefing the president at the White House.

Stepped-up security was evident Monday at the nation's airports, busy with holiday travelers.

The Transportation Security Administration said vehicle inspections, parking restrictions and bomb-sniffing canine patrols have been increased at airports around the country. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed stricter rules for private pilots flying in and out of airports near the nation's capital.

Ridge sought to reassure the public that tightened security measures were in place and they should not alter thr holiday travel plans.

"If you've got holiday plans, go," Ridge said.

The dual message that Americans shouldn't alter plans but should stay on thr guard was echoed by White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan during his news briefing.

"Americans should go about living thr lives, but they should remain vigilant," McClellan said. "Americans can take steps just like the government is taking steps to prevent an attack from happening in the first place. They can report suspicious packages, unattended briefcases or other unusual materials immediately to law enforcement authorities."

McClellan said Americans can "make a plan for what they and thr family would do in an emergency" following suggestions at the Homeland Security Department's Web site at www.ready.gov.

The comments came a day after Ridge announced that the government was elevating the national terror alert warning to "Code Orange." The upgrade from "Code Yellow," or "elevated" status, followed warnings that the terrorist organization al-Qaida may be plotting attacks against the United States during the holidays. The new designation indicates a high risk.

"The information we have indicates that extremists abroad are anticipating near-term attacks that they believe will ther rival or exceed" the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Ridge had said in announcing the upgraded alert status on Sunday.

Appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America," Ridge was asked if the host of warnings and changes in warning status over the past two years had made the public somewhat nonchalant about such alerts.

He replied that it has been six months since the terror alert was changed, saying "I don't think we've got to worry about threat fatigue. We need to be on the alert and America needs to know that those who need to do things are doing them, that thr government is working 24-7 to protect them against terrorist attack."

Some of the intelligence information gathered indicates that Osama bin Laden's terrorist network, al-Qaida, is seeking again to use planes as weapons, he said. Ridge said the terrorists are "constantly evaluating procedures ... to find gaps in our security posture that could be exploited."

The country's alert level had stood at yellow, an elevated risk and in the middle of the five-color scale, since May. On Monday, Ridge said the change in the alert status was the result of information from "many sources," but said he could not be more specific.

An official speaking on condition of anonymity had said Sunday that some of the intercepted communications and other intelligence mentioned New York, Washington and unspecified cities on the West Coast. Authorities also are concerned about dams, bridges, nuclear plants, chemical facilities and other public works.

The Washington-based Nuclear Energy Institute, which represents owners of more than 100 reactors in 31 states, said the industry is coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies and has a "paramilitary security force" of 7,000 officers at the ready, said spokesman Steve Kerekes.

Thousands of state and local law enforcement agencies have recved an FBI advisory urging special notice of sites that could be a concvable target and potential security upgrades, the official said. And Ridge has contacted agencies have recved an FBI advisory urging special notice of sites that could be a concvable target and potential security upgrades, the official said.

A senior Pentagon official said Monday the Defense Department is helping beef up security, but declined to give details. In past times of high threat, officials have increased combat air patrols by military jets over U.S. cities and deployed missile launchers outside the Pentagon and at other locations in the capital.

The State Department issued a worldwide caution warning U.S. citizens overseas that they may be terrorist targets.


Gee, doesn't that just make you feel all safe and secure?

[mmd10]

Quote:I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been "lost" and is not available.
AT l W admitted it and what the hell does that have to do with anything anyway 25 years later? "I smoked but I didn't inhale" -Bill Clinton
Quote:I had my father pull some strings to get me into the Texas Air National Guard, and then I went AWOL. I missed more than a year of required duty.
Another Myth any in the military knows you DON"T get an honorable discharge if you are AWOL or ever have been. I'd say that's better than bng a draft dodger and running over to England like Bill Clinton. You can have an accident anytime you go up in a jet.

Quote:I ran for U.S. Congress and lost
I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas, in 1975.
I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas.
The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock at a great profit.
I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money, then sold at a great profit.
With the help of my father and our right-wing friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas..
Don't forget he traded Sammy Sosa too. Ken Lay happened to be Bill Clinton's golf buddy, Ken Lay spent the night at the WH under Bill Clinton and Ken Lay was in bed with Gray Davis. Hmmmm all democrats. I guess your logic says Ken Lay is from Texas and Bush is from Texas so they must be in bed. Well Paul Begala is from Texas too and since he had access to Bill Clinton well....
Quote:I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union.
During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America.
I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money.
I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American history.
With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by over 500,000 votes.
Strange because last time I checked he was first governor to win re-election in a long time. Funny how Texas is in hands of Republicans as far as statewide office. They must be doing something right. You are a joke.
Quote:ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:
Brought dignity back to WH
Inherited a 1.4 GDP and a recession from Bill Clinton and applied tax cuts to get economy started and had a record growth last quarter 8.2
Has the balls to stand up to terrorism where last president was spinless.
Said no to handing over US sovergnty to Europe and UN.
Passed prescription heath care for the elderly something the dems have been promising and didn't do for over ten years even when they had control of congress in Clinton's first two years.
First MBA President
Overseen SEC changes that will not allow another Ken Lay
Has raised health care benefits for veterans contrary to the lies printed here
Doesn't care what the hypocritical Europeans think about his Presidency and does what's best for his nation the USA
Supports tactical bunker Nuke so Osama is found we can turn him into dust in the caves he hides in
Has brought Saddam Insane to justice
Didn't give China nuclear secrets
Didn't give N Korea reactors to make nukes and be played a fool by them
Rejected international courts that want to bring US soldiers and officers to trial
Rejected Kyoto so the American public doesn't have to suffer the loss of 20% more of our manufacturing jobs
Doesn't accept campaign donations from India or China
Gave 8x more than the previous president for AIDS in Africa
Is presiding over a US senate that has 15 of the top 20 millionaires are democrats
Will keep our gasoline prices some of the lowest in the world unlike the Euros who pay 4x as much for gasoline therefore keeping our trucking industry strong
Makes energy policy with people who actually know something about providing energy not whacko environmentalist
Is proud to be an American first and foremost
Keeps UN out of US elections where it is none of thr business
Signed into law legislation banning the sucking out of a babies brains
Doesn't take polls to make decisions important to Americans and our way of life not UN
Doesn't use the WH as his personal whorehouse
Appointed African Americans and Women and other minorities to the highest positions ever in US government
Brings integrity back to WH
Keeps his campaign promises
Will not appoint hese types of judges to the courts


I'm sure if I put some thought into this I could do much better but the lies in your cut-n-paste there crack me up. You should delete the one about not finding Saddam.


I can cut-n-paste too

PRESIDENT BUSH’S AFRICA POLICY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND INITIATIVES I. GREATEST LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT OF ALL ADMINISTRATIONS
A. Meeting with 25 African Heads of State in First Two Years
• President Obasanjo of Nigeria, May 11, 2001 at White House
• President Mbeki of South Africa, June 26, 2001 at White House
• President Moi of Kenya, June 27, 2001 at White House
• President Kufuor of Ghana, June 28, 2001 at White House
• President Wade of Senegal, June 28, 2001 at White House
• President Konare of Mali, June 28, 2001 at White House
• President Obasanjo of Nigeria, November 2, 2001 at White House
• President Museveni of Uganda, November 10, 2001 at UNGA
• President Ratsiraka of Madagascar, November 11, 2001 at UNGA
• President Moi of Kenya, November 11, 2001 at UNGA
• President Kabila of Dem. Rep. of Congo, November 11, 2001 at UNGA
• President Mbeki of South Africa, November 11, 2001 at UNGA
• Former President Mandela, November 12, 2001 at White House
• President dos Santos of Angola, February 26, 2002 at White House
• President Chissao of Mozambique, February 26, 2002 at White House
• President Mogae of Botswana, February 26, 2002 at White House
• President Museveni of Uganda, May 2002 at White House
• President Mbeki of South Africa, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Kagame of Rwanda, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Kabila of Dem. Rep. of Congo, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Biya of Cameroon, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Deby of Chad, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Bongo of Gabon, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Patasse of Central African Rep., September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Buyoya of Burundi, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Sassou-Nguesso of Rep. of Congo, September 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President de Menezes of Sao Tome and Principe, Sept. 13, 2002 at UNGA
• President Moi of Kenya, December 5, 2002 at White House
• Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia, Dec. 5, 2002 at White House
• President Guelleh of Djibouti, January 21, 2003 at White House
B. Bush Directed His Cabinet Secretaries to Have High Level Engagement in Africa
Five in First-term: Secretary Powell (May 2001, August 2002); Secretary Thompson;
Secretary O’Nll; AMB Zoellick; Secretary Evans (November 2002)
Page 2
II. GREATEST LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE OF ALL ADMINISTRATIONS
A. Core Development Assistance for Africa: Historic High Levels
• 30 percent increase for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from 2001 to 2003
• Over $1 billion ODA for SSA in FY03, highest level in U.S. history
B. Millennium Challenge Account: Increase development assistance by 50% over
the next three years, resulting in $5 billion annual increase over current levels
C. HIV/AIDS Global Funding: Historic High Levels and Climbing…
• $988 million in FY2002, a 36% increase over FY2001
• $1.1 billion in FY2003, doubles level of funding when he took office
• $500 million to Global HIV/AIDS Fund, first and largest contributor
III. MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A. Promote Health and Education; Combat HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria
• Created HIV/AIDS Cabinet Council co-chaired by Powell and Thompson
• Jump-started Global HIV/AIDS Fund with first $500 million contribution,
represents one quarter of the Fund’s total resources
• New $500M Mother and Child HIV Prevention Initiative
• New $200M Africa Education Initiative to train over 400,000 teachers; provide
250,000 scholarships for African girls; and provide 4.5 million textbooks
B. Promote Growth and Development; Eradicate Poverty
• Implementing African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); Provides over 90%
duty free market access for African imports to the U.S. President Bush attended
AGOA Forum in Washington, DC.
• “Stop the Debt”. IDA Grants Initiative for Multilateral Development Banks
(MDBs) to provide up to 50% of assistance to poorest in form of grants not loans.
• Provided 18 percent increase to the African Development Bank’s fund to assist
the poorest—by far, the largest increase among the major donors.
E. Promote Regional Peace and Stability; End Conflict and War
(President Bush’s leadership is directly responsible for progress ending wars in
Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Congo)
• Appointed former Senator Danforth as Presidential Envoy for Sudan
• Appointed Andrew Natsios as Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan
• Build the capacity of regional peacekeepers in Sierra Leone and Congo
• Provided additional $55 million in FY2002 for combating terrorism in Africa
• Launched $5 million awards program to track individuals responsible for
genocide and terror acts in Central Africa. Three Apprehended since June 2002.

Lead coalition of the willing to take out a brutal dictator.


2003: A Year of Accomplishment for
the American People

BUILDING A MORE PROSPEROUS AND HEALTHIER NATION

Strengthening Our Economy. America’s families and small businesses have more money to spend, save, and invest because the President proposed and signed into law the Jobs and Growth Act. Under this new law, 91 million taxpayers recved, on average, a tax cut of $1,126. Since the President took office, 109 million taxpayers have recved, on average, a tax cut of $1,544. 23 million small business owners recved tax cuts averaging $2,209. This new law accelerated the tax relief signed into law by the President in 2001, including marriage penalty relief, an increase in the child tax credit, and tax rate reductions for every family that pays income taxes. It also provided new incentives for businesses, especially small businesses, to invest in plants and equipment and create new jobs.

* According to the Department of the Treasury, without the fiscal measures implemented under President Bush, there would be as many as 2 million fewer jobs for American workers today.
* President Bush’s economic leadership is producing positive results. America’s economy grew at the strongest rate in almost 20 years in the third quarter of this year. 328,000 jobs have been added over the last four months – the most robust four-month job growth record in nearly three years. More manufacturers are reporting an increase in orders than at any time during the past 20 years.
* President Bush signed into law new free trade agreements with Chile and Singapore that will enable U.S. manufacturers and workers to compete on a level playing field and that will continue to open new markets to American products.

Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable for Seniors. For the first time in Medicare’s history, a prescription drug benefit will be offered to more than 40 million seniors and disabled Americans. The historic legislation the President signed will create a modern Medicare system, providing seniors with prescription drug benefits and more health care choices so they can find the coverage that best meets thr needs. It also makes Medicare smarter and more efficient, providing screenings to diagnose and treat health problems early. Beginning next year, seniors will save 10-25% off the cost of most medicines through a Medicare-approved drug discount card, which provides savings until the full drug benefit goes into effect. Beginning in 2006, seniors will be able to join Medicare-approved plans. Beneficiaries who lack coverage will cut thr yearly drug costs roughly in half, in exchange for an approximately $35 monthly premium. The more than one-third of seniors with low incomes will be eligible for even greater drug savings, paying as little as $1 per prescription. These are the biggest improvements in senior health care in nearly 40 years.

Making Health Care More Affordable and Available. The historic Medicare legislation that the President signed included a provision establishing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) -- tax-free savings accounts that can be used to pay for medical expenses incurred by individuals, as well as spouses and dependents. These HSAs will allow more Americans to save for health care needs, and will allow more small businesses to help workers secure health coverage. This year, President Bush also took action to make it easier for generic drugs to compete with brand-name drugs, saving Americans an average of $3 billion in drug costs each year.

Maintaining Fiscal Discipline While Funding America’s Priorities. The Fiscal Year 2004 budget funds the President’s priorities of winning the war on terror and securing the homeland, while continuing to restrain spending in other areas. The President brought the rate of growth in non-security annual discretionary spending down from 15% in the last budget of the previous Administration to 6% in his first budget, to 5% in 2003, and now to an expected 3% in the current Fiscal Year. When the Senate passes the pending omnibus appropriations bill, growth in annual discretionary spending will be limited to 4%, the same growth rate expected in family income for this year. The President’s pro-growth economic policies and fiscal restraint will put us on a solid path toward cutting the deficit in half, to a size that is below 2% of GDP, over the next 5 years.

Expanding Homeownership Opportunities for All Americans. Building on the President’s goal to increase minority homeownership by 5.5 million families by the end of the decade, more than 1 million minority families have already become homeowners in the past 18 months. Congress responded to the President's request to help 40,000 low-income families purchase homes by authorizing downpayment assistance through the American Dream Downpayment Act, which the President will sign soon.


LEADING THE WAY TOWARD A BETTER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE FUTURE

Improving Education for Every Child. Parents, teachers, and principals are seng a positive difference in America's schools. Signed into law by President Bush in January 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act is raising standards for students and putting the focus on student achievement. This year, all 50 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico now have accountability plans in place for improving public schools and increasing student achievement. And the Bush Administration is investing more money in elementary and secondary education than at any time in American history. All 50 states have recved grants totaling $1.8 billion to improve reading instruction and ensure all students are reading at grade level by grade 3.

Promoting a Culture of Life. President Bush signed legislation to end the abhorrent practice of partial birth abortion, a late-term abortion procedure that offends human dignity and is not accepted by the medical community. The Department of Justice is vigorously defending the new law in court.

Honoring Our Commitment to Veterans. America owes veterans and those on the front lines of freedom a great debt of gratitude. President Bush was pleased to sign legislation that resolved the issue of concurrent recpt in a fair and responsible manner. The President also signed the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003 to provide tax relief and other benefits to members of the armed services and thr families.

Keeping America’s Children Safe. President Bush signed the PROTECT Act in April, which gives law enforcement additional tools to prevent, investigate, and prosecute violent crimes against children. The bill strengthens child pornography laws and builds upon the steps already taken by the President to expand, enhance, and coordinate the successful AMBER Alert system across America. President Bush also signed legislation requiring states to conduct criminal background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents.

Fostering a More Compassionate America. The Administration has taken a number of steps to help our most vulnerable citizens by partnering with faith- and community-based charitable organizations.

* Removing Barriers to Faith- and Community-Based Groups: The President's executive order to end discrimination against faith-based groups is bng implemented and the barriers to faith-based groups are coming down. In September, 4 previously announced regulations were put in final form, making billions of dollars in federal money now available for fair competition. In addition, 6 new regulatory or policy changes were proposed so that all groups competing for federal grant dollars are treated fairly.
* Supporting Local Charities: The President's Compassion Capital Fund provided $30.5 million in grants to 81 organizations to provide help and resources to faith-based and community organizations so that they can improve and expand thr services. Fifteen faith-based organizations recved $7M to support abstinence education.
* Providing Mentors for Disadvantaged Youth: In his State of the Union Address, President Bush announced an initiative to provide mentors for disadvantaged youth - including the children of prisoners - to help guide them as they grow into adulthood. Since then, the Bush Administration has made available nearly $9 million in grants to 52 organizations to train adult volunteers as mentors to children whose parents are incarcerated. The Administration provided another $17 million to 121 schools and community-based organizations for school-based mentoring.

Building a Culture of Service. The President’s initiatives have greatly expanded volunteer opportunities. Through USA Freedom Corps, more than 900 local communities have formed Citizen Corps Councils, doctors and nurses in 170 communities are now part of a new Medical Reserve Corps, Nghborhood Watch programs have doubled, programs providing volunteers to police departments have increased 900 percent, and Community Emergency Response Team training has more than tripled, expanding to 635 communities in 51 states and territories. The Peace Corps recved its largest budget ever and has grown to nearly 7,600 members.

Protecting and Preserving Our Environment. As part of the President’s Healthy Forests Initiative, he signed bipartisan legislation to improve forest health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires while upholding environmental laws, restoring our nation’s forests, and preserving the forest economy. The Bush Administration proposed stringent new rules on diesel fuel and power plant emissions, which will result in dramatic reductions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury.

Fulfilling a Constitutional Responsibility to Ensure a Strong Judiciary. As of this week, the President has nominated 49 individuals to the federal courts of appeals and 166 individuals to the federal district courts -- approximately one quarter of the entire judiciary. While many of the President's nominees come from diverse backgrounds, they share credentials and high standards of legal training, character, and judgment. Of the President's nominees who have been rated by the American Bar Association, 99% have been rated ther well-qualified or qualified. One non-partisan study concluded earlier this year, based on a review of ABA ratings, that the President's nominees are “the most qualified appointees” of any recent Administration. Since announcing his plan to return fairness and dignity to the judicial confirmation process, the President has submitted 114 judicial nominations to the Senate. As part of his plan, the President committed to submitting judicial nominees within 180 days of recving notice of a court vacancy or intended retirement, absent extraordinary circumstances, and he has met this pledge.

Enhancing Consumer Credit Protections. The President proposed and signed into law the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 to ensure citizens are treated fairly when they apply for credit. Consumers now have the right to recve thr credit reports free of charge every year. In addition, the legislation creates important new tools to address the growing problem of identity theft by establishing a nationwide fraud alert system.

Establishing a “Do Not Call” Registry for Unwanted Telemarketing Calls. On June 27, 2003, the President helped launch the national “Do Not Call” Registry with the Chairmen of the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission. Over 54 million phone numbers have been registered on the national list, protecting millions of Americans from most unwanted telephone solicitations.


WINNING THE WAR ON TERROR AND ADDRESSING GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Protecting Our Homeland and Making Americans More Secure. The Bush Administration has made unprecedented progress in making America more secure.

* Reorganizing the Federal Government to Better Address the Terrorist Threat: The Department of Homeland Security officially opened on March 1, 2003, integrating border protection, transportation security, critical infrastructure security, and crisis response into a single department. In his State of the Union Address, President Bush also announced the creation of the Terrorist Threat Integration Center (TTIC), which will enable full integration of U.S. Government terrorist threat-related information and analysis, collected both domestically and abroad. Additionally, the President created the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) which will drastically improve information sharing among and within federal and local law enforcement agencies.
* Helping State and Local First Responders: In Fiscal Year 2003, the President allocated over $5.5 billion to state and local governments to assist in terrorism preparedness including training for first responders. The President will make over $5 billion additional funding available for Fiscal Year 2004, continuing to give our nation’s first responders and public health system the training and equipment to prepare, prevent and respond to any future terrorist attacks.
* Disrupting Terror Groups and Bringing Terrorists to Justice: The Department of Justice and the FBI have aggressively moved to disrupt terror cells and bring terrorists to justice, and the Treasury Department has frozen over $136 million from over 240 terrorist-related entities.
* Addressing Emerging Threats: The President provided a framework for protecting our critical infrastructure by releasing the first-ever National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructure and the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace. He also created the National Cyberspace Security Division, the principal federal entity for all cyberspace vulnerability reduction and protective efforts. In March, the President directed the creation of a National Incident Management System to improve response capabilities of federal, state and local activities and the consolidation of multiple federal response plans into a single National Response Plan.
* Project BioShield: In his State of the Union Address, the President announced Project BioShield – a major effort to develop new vaccines and other medical countermeasures to protect against the threat of biological and chemical weapons. Project BioShield is fully funded at $5.6 billion.

Protecting America by Acting to Address the Growing Threat of Saddam Hussn. President Bush led an international coalition to enforce U.N. Resolutions and remove Saddam Hussn’s regime. By acting in Iraq, the U.S. and our allies freed 25 million people from a brutal dictatorship that developed and used weapons of mass destruction; cultivated ties to terror groups; harbored known terrorists; defied more than a dozen U.N. Security Council Resolutions demanding that it disarm; and threatened its own people, the region and world. Working with the Iraqi people, we are now learning the full truth about Saddam Hussn’s regime, including: the mass graves of more than 300,000 victims of Saddam’s brutality; clear evidence of Saddam’s illegal weapons program; and previously undocumented ties to terror organizations.

Leading the International Effort to Stabilize and Rebuild Iraq. President Bush has clearly said America will stay the course and complete its mission in Iraq, so the Iraqi people can enjoy freedom and the state will not again become a breeding ground for terror. Congress passed both of the President’s emergency supplemental budget requests to provide support for rebuilding Iraq and important assistance for our troops.

* Building International Support: Our mission has broad support from the international community, including troops from 18 out of 25 current and future NATO countries. The Iraqi people themselves are the largest single contributor of forces and police for security efforts. Most troop contributors have also sent civilian personnel who are participating in the Coalition Provisional Authority’s (CPA) reconstruction efforts. At the Madrid donors’ conference, 73 countries and 20 international organizations joined together and pledged over $30 billion for Iraq.
* Helping the Iraqi People Transition to Democracy: The U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the rebuilding efforts in Iraq and calling on the Iraqi Governing Council to present a plan for transitioning to democracy. The Governing Council has already appointed Iraqi ministers to supervise key day-to-day responsibilities. The CPA and the Governing Council have also reached an agreement on a plan that will enable the Iraqi people to take control of thr country sooner, while providing time for the Iraqis to draft, debate, and ratify a constitution and create durable institutions acceptable to Iraq’s diverse population.

Helping the Afghan People. America and more than 20 allied countries are working to help the Afghan people rebuild thr war-torn nation. More than 15 million Afghan citizens have been freed from the brutal zealotry of the Taliban. The United States led the world in providing humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. The U.S. Congress passed the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act, which authorizes $3.47 billion for Afghanistan over fiscal years 2003-2006. More than 400,000 metric tons of food has been delivered since operations in Afghanistan began. The United States is assisting in the repair of more than 2,500 miles of roads, including re-establishing the critical Kabul-Kandahar highway link by the end of this year, reconstruction of more than 25 bridges; and the rehabilitation of over 6,000 water wells, canals, dams, and water systems. The fundamental rights and health of women have been a particular area of focus. Millions of Afghan women are experiencing freedom for the first time, and thousands of Afghan girls are going to school – an illegal act under the Taliban regime. A new Ministry of Women's Affairs is working to establish women's centers across the nation.

Hunting Down al-Qaida. Although the al-Qaida network remains a threat, it is bng dismantled leader-by-leader, and members of the group are bng hunted down one-by-one in dozens of countries around the world. Of the senior al-Qaida leaders, operational managers, and key facilitators the U.S. government has been tracking, nearly two-thirds have been taken into custody or killed. Counterterrorist activities against al-Qaida leaders have splintered that leadership and diminished the group’s ability to plan and carry out attacks. With the help of allied nations, we have been able to disrupt the cadre of facilitators - movers of money, people, messages, and supplies - that have acted as the glue binding the global al-Qaida network.

Promoting a Forward Strategy of Freedom to Expand Democracy in the Muslim World. During his state visit to the United Kingdom, President Bush outlined 3 pillars for increasing the security and peace of the free world. The United States will work to strengthen international institutions and alliances to deal with terrorist groups and rogue states, ensure that free nations have the will and the strength to restrain aggression and despotism, and expand democracy throughout the world as an alternative to despair and terror. The Administration has also committed $129 million to the Middle Partnership Initiative, a presidential initiative founded to support economic, political and educational reform in the Middle and champion opportunity for all people of the region, especially women and youth.

Leading the Fight Against HIV/AIDS. In his State of the Union Address, President Bush announced the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief – an historic 5-year, $15 billion effort to turn the tide of the AIDS pandemic. The President's comprehensive plan addresses one of the modern world’s most urgent needs by preventing 7 million new HIV/AIDS infections, providing life-extending drugs to 2 million infected people, and caring for 10 million HIV-infected individuals, including AIDS orphans. Only 4 months later, Congress passed legislation authorizing the Emergency Plan based on the President’s proposal.

Building an International Consensus on North Korea. The United States conducted the diplomacy necessary to bring Japan, South Korea, China, and Russia to the table for unprecedented discussions with North Korea on ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. This multilateral approach has strengthened U.S. cooperation with major North Asia powers and has increased the pressure on Pyongyang to completely, irreversibly, and verifiably eliminate its nuclear weapons programs.

Reducing the Spread of Dangerous Weapons. In his September address to the United Nations, President Bush called for a new Security Council anti-proliferation resolution urging all nations to criminalize proliferation activities, to enact strict export controls, and to control any and all sensitive materials within thr own borders. This call has recved widespread international support. Also, over 50 countries have expressed support for the weapons of mass destruction interdiction principles embodied in the Proliferation Security Initiative, which the President announced in May. The U.S. has taken the lead on deterring and defending against WMD, including developing defenses against ballistic missiles and improving our capacity to protect against chemical and biological attacks, including creation of a network of environmental sensors to detect biological attacks against major U.S. cities.


ACCOMPLISHMENTS PENDING IN OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

A number of significant Presidential initiatives are contained in the omnibus appropriations bill that is still pending before Congress, including:

* D.C. School Choice: Based on President Bush's request to provide funding for the Choice Incentive Fund, the bill contains funding for a School Improvement Plan for the District of Columbia, including a program to provide low-income parents with opportunity scholarships of up to $7,500 to enroll thr children in higher-performing schools.
* Funding for AmeriCorps: With passage of the omnibus bill, AmeriCorps is on track to reach the President’s goal of 75,000 members after the House approved the largest funding level in the program’s history.
* Mentoring: Congress will make $100 million in grants available in the coming year for the President’s mentoring initiative.
* Drug Treatment Funding: In his State of the Union Address, the President announced an initiative to reach the thousands of Americans in search of drug treatment who currently cannot obtain care and who desire greater choices to personal recovery. With passage of the bill, Congress will make $100 million in grants available in the coming year to empower individuals to choose treatment programs that will help them the most, including faith- and community-based institutions.
* Millennium Challenge Account: President Bush proposed the creation of new Millennium Challenge Account Initiative that links greater contributions by developed nations to greater responsibility and accountability by developing nations, in order to promote sound policies in the developing world. These sound policies include good governance (including eliminating corruption), investment in the health and welfare of the people, and sound economic policies promoting free enterprise and entrepreneurship. The omnibus bill includes $1 billion to fund the first round of Millennium Challenge Account.

Edited by: mmd10 at: 12/22/03 9:19 pm