Ukrainian people elected Vladimir Zelenskyy, with whom I Zoomed the other day, by the way. Cool little guy. The Churchill of the 21st century. He was empowered by electoral legitimacy. He won 72 percent of the vote. And now, he's leading his nation heroically against Russian invading forces and defending his country. In contrast, Russian elections are rigged. Political opponents are imprisoned or otherwise eliminated from participating in the electoral process. The result is an absence of checks and balances in Russia, and the decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq... I mean of the Ukraine... Iraq, too... Anyway... [I'm] 75.

Hamas, obviously, if they're interested in a sustainable cease-fire, needs to stop arming. And then, of course, countries contingent to the Gaza need to work to stop the smuggling. And it's a difficult — difficult task. I mean, there's tunnels and, you know, great opportunities for people who want to continue to try to disrupt democracy to provide the weapons to do so.

I believe that runnin' the Social Security idea right after the '04 elections was a mistake. I should've — should've argued for immigration reform. And the reason why is, is that — you know, one of the lessons I learned as governor of Texas, by the way, is legislative branches tend to be risk-adverse. In other words, sometimes legislatures have the tendency to ask, why should I take on a hard task when the crisis is not eminent? And, umm, the crisis was not eminent for Social Security as far as many members of Congress was concerned.

You know, one of the very difficult parts of the decision I made on the financial crisis was to use hardworking people's money to help prevent there to be a crisis.

Today we're honoring a project called One Warm Co — Coat. And it's a — an effort — a nationwide effort to convince our fellow citizens to contribute a, used but not overly used coat, to help a soul who may need to be warm this winter. I think there's 2,000 chapters, uhh, nationwide. Uhh, the program was started by this lady right here — the ultimate social entrepreneur — uhh, and until 1992, it was operated out of San Francisco. Today it's — uhh, as I said, there's 2,000 coat drives. If you want to help, you can, uhh, get on the web page and call onewarmcoat.org — call it up on your, on your, uhh, on your, on, computer. Uhh, I, I, ah — a couple of examples — a, a couple of reasons why we come — and one such example is the great example of how a single citizen, and eventually a group of citizens, can make a difference, positive difference. Uhh, that our communities are enriched by, uhh, programs such as these.

This system can now defend America against limited missile attacks from Northeast Asia. Concluded agreements with Poland and Czech Republic, to establish missile defense sites on their territories, to help protect against ballissile-missile attacks from the Middle East. 'Cause we acted, America now has an initial capability — protect our people from a ballistic missile attack.

There are clear-cut ways for nations to demonstrate the commitment to open markets. The United States Congress has an immediate opportunity by approving free trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, and South Korea.

It's in our economic interest that we continue to open up markets in our neighborhood, particularly with a nation that is growing like yours. And yet, we can't get a vote out of Congress. I've been asking the Democrat leadership in Congress for a vote, and they've consistently blocked the vote.

In Oklahoma, a lot of people don't unders — duh, don't know about health savings accounts, and one of the reason I've come down to this part of the country is because I do want people to understand they're available and they're good.

A buddy of mine said, well, what about the reefs? So I'm concerned about the reefs. I'm a fisherman, I like to fish. Reefs are important for fisheries.

Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter.

My only point to you is, is that we're in constant contact with people on the ground to help make sure that we save lives. Now that the water is beginning to recede, the question is, how do we help with the recovery? ...Secondly, what's going to happen in the long term to the homes? And so Michael is going to set up a housing task force similar to the kind we set up in California for the wildfires, to work with state and local authorities to have an orderly strategy to help people get back in their homes. ...Secondly, we're worried about farmers and ranchers. The country that's being affected by these floods has got a lot of farm country, a lot of people raising livestock. And the Secretary of Agriculture has briefed me on the conditions — and we're still assessing how widespread the damage is on the farmlands — and assures me that his team is in place to help farmers and ranchers with the federal aid available. And finally, Director Nussle is here from the Budget Office. We've got what we called a Disaster Relief Fund.

There's no question this is a major human disaster that requires a strong response from the Chinese government, which is what they're providing, but it also responds a compassionate response from nations to whom — that have got the blessings, good blessings of life, and that's us.

Take the Middle East seriously, because that's the center of — that's the place where people get so despondent and despair that they're willing to come and take lives of U.S. citizens.

We want people ownin' their home — we want people ownin' a businesses, we want people ownin' their own homes, we wanna help 'em stay, and Congress can help by passing responsible legislation that modernizes the Federal Housing Administration, reforms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, allows state housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to refinance subprime mortgages. There's a way to help people.

REPORTER: Thank you, Mr. President. Do you think that Russia is applying undue pressure and threats to accomplish its goals at NATO on missile defense and stopping the Membership Action Plans of Ukraine and Georgia?
DUBYA: Uhhh —
REPORTER: And Mr. Pres — and, uhh, President Yushchenko, what do you think of Moscow's tactics?
DUBYA: Heh heh heh. Just because there was a bunch of, you know, Soviet-era flags in the street yesterday doesn't you shouldn't read anything into that. I — I, umm — I, look, this is, umm, this is an interesting debate that's taking place, and it's – uhh, you know, it's — every nation has told me, Russia will not have a veto over what happens in Bucharest, and I take their word for it. And that's the right policy to have.

I'm also for trade because it, it, it, it's like makes sense.

DUBYA: I strongly agree with the sentiments of Secretary Gates, who said that the incursion must be limited and must be temporary in nature. In other words, it shouldn't be long lasting. The Turks need to, you know, move, move quickly, achieve their objective and get out.
REPORTER: But how quickly, sir, do they need to move out?
DUBYA: You know, as quickly as possible.
REPORTER: Days or weeks?
DUBYA: Well, as possible.

We believe that the most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. And so in all we do, we must trust in the ability of free peoples to make wise decisions, and empower them to improve their lives for their futures. To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy. ...On housing, we must trust Americans with the responsibility of homeownership and empower them to weather turbulent times in the housing market. ...To build a future of quality health care, we must trust patients and doctors to make medical decisions and empower them with better information and better options. ...On education, we must trust students to learn if given the chance, and empower parents to demand results from our schools. In neighborhoods across our country, there are boys and girls with dreams — and a decent education is their only hope of achieving them. ...On trade, we must trust American workers to compete with anyone in the world and empower them by opening up new markets overseas. ...To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. ...To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the breakthroughs of tomorrow. ...On matters of life and science, we must trust in the innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries. ...On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our founders and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says. ...In communities across our land, we must trust in the good heart of the American people and empower them to serve their neighbors in need.

Listen, the estate tax is a lousy deal, particularly for farmers and small business owners. I mean, you get taxed twice. You get taxed when you build your business, and then they tax you when you die.