Laura Bush Here for Dedication of Freedom Center

**cincygreg** · August 22nd, 2004, 03:08 PM

Along with P Diddy, Angela Bassett, Bill hemmer, Andrew Young and others. Monday Aug 23rd.

Steel Drum teams, African Dancers, a candelite parade of lights accross the ohio. Gather at 2nd and court street in covington if you would like to participate in this parade accross the supsension bridge at 5:30. They did this at the groundbreaking at it was pretty cool. Now that I understand more about the river's place in history It will mean more to me.

From 8-10 will be the Public Dedication including the lighting of freedoms flame followed by a fireworks display.

I went to the groundbreaking, maybe I'll just go down to check this out as well.
(As you all know I allready went through the museum.)

Hey, I love a party and especially love fireworks.

[img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ August 22, 2004 12:10 AM: Message edited by: cincygreg ]

**cincygreg** · August 24th, 2004, 02:51 AM

Well, I went and they did a really nice job of the ceremony. Some good speaches, music and dancers. It was a good sized crowd and they handed out the canlde (lights) again along with the first issue of the Freedom Center Magazine (which included the sneeches as a good choice for reading all kids should read that book). They had the fireworks display after they lit freedoms flame and all was done in a very official yet relaxed way.
Lots of politicians on hand, Portman, Dewine, Taft...
And of course the First Lady as well as representatives of the Freedom Center and other people from around the world.
All in all it was nice. I think they did a good job of it.

[img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]cool.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

**jumper69** · August 24th, 2004, 01:58 PM

and after all this hoopla is over with we'll still have a museum in the middle of two stadiums that people will visit once or twice. [img]graemlins/whatever.gif[/img]

**cincygreg** · August 24th, 2004, 06:30 PM

I didnt see him there, but I didnt get down there until a little after 8:00.

**Piña** · August 24th, 2004, 06:49 PM

Sixshot Bits: Mrs. Bush Snubs Diddy And Ashanti

Posted: 8/24/2004 7:30:04 AM by foxxylady

Mrs. Bush Disses Diddy!

According to The New York Post, Laura Bush snubbed Sean "P.Diddy" Combs by refusing to appear alongside the Hip hop mogul at last night's grand opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, sources said.

Diddy was supposed to join the first lady, actress Angela Bassett, U2 frontman Bono, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, Sen. Mike DeWine, Black Entertainment Television CEO Bob Johnson and other dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but Bush's office nixed the photo-op with Combs.

"Her reps made it very clear to Freedom Center that they would not have Laura Bush appearing in the same photo-op as P. Diddy," tattled the New York Post's source.

"I'm not really sure why they didn't want her to pose with him, but maybe it has something to do with his scandalous past. For whatever the reason, Laura Bush's people did not want her photo taken with him."

After Diddy was made aware of the first lady's objections, he pulled out of the event. A spokesman for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center told us: "I am not privy to why he's not coming. We are very disappointed." A rep for Mrs. Bush did not return calls for comment yesterday.

A source close to Diddy suggested that he canceled his trip to Cincinnati only after learning of Laura Bush's feelings. "He wasn't going to fly out there and not be allowed in the photo op," the source said.

Diddy held a press conference last month to launch Citizen Change, an effort to "educate, motivate and empower" millions of unregistered young black and Latino voters, a bloc that would lean heavily Democratic.

He promoted it with the likes of Russell Simmons and Ben Affleck at the Democratic National Convention, is slated to make his case at the Republican National Convention on September 1st.

Source

(Interesting note: I tried to find the article referenced at the New York Post, even though that rag makes me feel dirty just reading it, but when I tried to link from their story index page to the article it came up as "page missing". Think a call from Laura was involved?)

The link below is to the article that their index page says is on page six.
LAURA DUCKS DIDDY PHOTO-OP

[ August 24, 2004 03:50 PM: Message edited by: Pi?a ]

**gae** · August 24th, 2004, 06:55 PM

A source close to Diddy suggested that he canceled his trip to Cincinnati only after learning of Laura Bush's feelings. "He wasn't going to fly out there and not be allowed in the photo op," the source said.

I read this as Diddy not giving a hoot about the Freedom Center.

**Piña** · August 24th, 2004, 07:15 PM

I'm no fan of P. Diddy but I think he was reacting to being specifically excluded from a part of the ceremonies.

If I was asked by any organization to appear at their opening ceremonies to honor that organization and was told that I could participate in everything except the parts including laura "the first stepford wife" bush I'd tell 'em to go fly a kite too.

It was insulting that they agreed to it. I would have told bush to pack off if she didn't want to participate with all the invitees. Very poor form on her part.

**gae** · August 24th, 2004, 07:29 PM

Pi?a

According to the article you posted, Diddy was miffed that he wasn't allowed in the photo op.

Not the ceremonies.

**reason** · August 24th, 2004, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by Jumper69:
and after all this hoopla is over with we'll still have a museum in the middle of two stadiums that people will visit once or twice. [img]graemlins/whatever.gif[/img]

I think most people will visit the stadiums multiple times. Those who are ball fans, that is.

**reason** · August 24th, 2004, 07:43 PM

Originally posted by gae:
I just heard that P Diddy didn't show, because he said he'd been dissed by Mrs. Bush. She refused to share the stage with him.

I heard it on the radio, so it must be true!

She also refused to share the stage with me, and that's why I didn't attend. I do, however support the mission of this cherished institution.