... And Those Chinese Earthquake Victims Make Great Kung Pau Chicken

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Aftermath: Manila residents wade through a flooded street. Photo: Bullit Marquez
June 23, 2008



Earlier this week, coastal areas of the Phillippines were devastated by Typhoon Fengshen and looked a lot like Louisiana following hurricane Katrina. President Bush met with President Arroyo, a stalwart American ally. Let's listen in ...

Oval Office
10:25 EDT
June 24, 2008

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, it is a pleasure to welcome you back to the Oval Office. We have just had a very constructive dialogue. First, I want to tell you how proud I am to be the President of a nation that -- in which there's a lot of Philippine-Americans. They love America and they love their heritage. And I reminded the President that I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Yes.

PRESIDENT BUSH: And the chef is a great person and a really good cook, by the way, Madam President.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you.

~ (later) ~

PRESIDENT BUSH: ... and so, all in all, we had a very constructive talk. I'm proud you're here.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thanks for coming.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you, thank you. Mr. President, with your permission, I'd like to address our countrymen in my own native language. (Speaks in Tagalog.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: I couldn't have said it better myself. (Lean-in shoulder laugh)

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, all.

END 10:30 A.M. EDT

Full transcript.

"Heh heh ... heh heh heh"

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