President Weeble

Bush will `go on with life'

President Bush, noting that lots of people want to talk to the president and "it's also important for me to go on with my life," on Saturday defended his decision not to meet with the grieving mom of a soldier killed in Iraq.

Bush said he is aware of the anti-war sentiments of Cindy Sheehan and others who have joined her protest near the Bush ranch.

"But whether it be here or in Washington or anywhere else, there's somebody who has got something to say to the president, that's part of the job," Bush said on the ranch. "And I think it's important for me to be thoughtful and sensitive to those who have got something to say."

"But," he added, "I think it's also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life."

The comments came prior to a bike ride on the ranch with journalists and aides. ... In addition to the two-hour bike ride, Bush's Saturday schedule included an evening Little League Baseball playoff game, a lunch meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a nap, some fishing and some reading. "I think the people want the president to be in a position to make good, crisp decisions and to stay healthy," he said when asked about bike riding while a grieving mom wanted to speak with him. "And part of my being is to be outside exercising."

I think it is very important for the average Joe to lead a balanced, healthy life. Exercise and rest are critical to long-term viability. But I don't want my President -- especially a second-term President -- holding anything back. I want every last drop of energy left on the Oval Office floor when he checks out. The Presidency of the United States is like the Indy 500 -- the cars need to last 500 miles, and if they shatter into dust a mile later, no one will complain.

And most important of all, I expect the President of the United States to put the interests of the country above his own. This President has just given us a dramatic demonstration of what a narcissistic, selfish bastard he is.

There are so many other aspects of Bush's life that are manifestly unbalanced -- emotional, physical (he seems to have considerable difficulty keeping his two-wheelers greasy side down) and spiritual. His work-play balance is already far softer than any government employee should ever have. He has some serious stones rationalizing his endless summer as in OUR best interest.