Pete King's Thoughts & Whereabouts: 2/25 - 3/1

Thursday, February 25, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon - Intelligence Committee GOP Caucus, discuss Intelligence Authorization Bill (H.R. 2701)

12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - routine votes on House Floor.

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Homeland Security hearing in Committee Room (311) on 2011 Budget. Secretary Napolitano testifies. Questions on why all funding for NYC radiation detectors is being eliminated. No satisfactory answers.

4:10 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - telephone interview with Steve Mulzberg and John Gambling (WOR Radio) on 9/11 trial in NYC.

6:45 p.m. - to House floor to vote for Patriot Act extension.

8:45 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. - all flights from Washington D.C. to New York cancelled because of winds (D.C.) and snow (LGA). Take Amtrak from Union Station to Penn Station. Heavy snow in Manhattan. Car ride to Seaford takes 1 1/2 hours. Snow gets very heavy. Vertually impossible to see during the last five minutes.

Friday, February 26, 2010
10:30 a..m. - 2:15 p.m. - to Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury where Pres. Bush (41) and Pres. Bush (43) will be the speakers at LIA lunch. Snow has stopped but roads are bad. Pres. Bush (43) can't land at Republic Airport, is diverted to MacArthur. Pres. Bush (41) had come in last night. Private meeting with Pres. Bush (43) for about 15-20 minutes. He is in great spirits, very animated as he talks about anti-terror policies. Graciously poses for photos with Anne Rosenfeld and Lt. Andy Mulrain. Later there is a photo session for about 100 guests with 41 & 43. Pres. Bush (41) is walking slowly on a cane but is outgoing and sharp as ever. We have a few seconds of very friendly conversation as he comes into the room.

1,300 people in main ballroom. Great reception for both Presidents. Program format is 41 & 43 seated on stage in conversation with LIA Pres. matt Crosson. 41 shares great historic memories - collapse of Berlin Wall, Desert Storm, Thatcher, Kohl, Mitterand, etc. 43 does great job detailing his anti-terrorism efforts and foreign policy. Emotional discussion of 9/11.

After speech I go downstairs to back exit. Say good-bye to Pres. Bush 43. He poses for photo with police. He asks me if it went well. I said it was great.

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - press calls about Desiree Rogers stepping down as White House Social Secretary. No need to pile on. I say "no comment and wish her well."

Saturday, February 27th
8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. - Delta Shuttle from LaGuardia to D.C.

11:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. - fundraiser at Notre Dame-Georgetown game (Verizon Center). Good turnout, successful event. Even better - - Irish (12 pt. underdogs) win 78-64!

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - US Air Shuttle to LaGuardia.

Sunday, February 28, 2010
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - good workout with Chris Cardona at Bellmore.

8:45 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. - phone interview with Rabbi Potasnik (Religion on the Line - WABC radio). Discuss healthcare "summit." I thought President gambled and lost.

3:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. - at home watching US-Canada gold medal Olympic final. Great game. U.S. shows a lot of fight. Lose in overtime 3-2.

Monday, March 1st
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - fundraiser at Allegria Hotel in Long Beach. Terrific job by Larry Elovich. Russell Rosenthal and Steve McCabe putting it together. New hotel is outstanding.