In today’s President George W. Bush update:

The Dallas City Council has approved the installation of gates on either end of Daria Drive to keep gawkers from driving past the cul-de-sac where President Bush will be residing. The funds for these gates and installation will be paid by Bush.

The President has also chosen his posh new office digs. He has taken a 10-year lease on 8,000 square feet at the Sherry Lane Place towers. This office is about 3 miles from both his new home to the north and his soon-to-be library on the SMU campus to the south.

The misinformation has already begun. On Yahoo News today, a writer by the name of Mike Krumboltz has posted a story about Bush moving into a “sleepy Texas suburb“. Krumboltz also refers to Preston Hollow as a “suburb” of Dallas and that neighbor Tom Hicks is considering installing a helipad.

Out of morbid curiosity, this 5th generation Dallasite is wondering if this is the cue when we are supposed to put a plug o’ tobaccy between our cheek and gum and start marveling at the “big city folk” who have come to follow the actions of President Bush. Perhaps, this is where we are supposed to utter such quaint things as “Lawd-a-mercy” and kick at the dust.

Yeah…right.

Krumboltz and his like-minded reporters might want to consider looking at a map of the city of Dallas and putting a pin where Bush’s house, office and library are going to be. Then getting a big-ass red Marks-a-Lot and outlining the city limits. Strange but true, Krumboltz and crew might discover that Bush isn’t moving to a “sleepy suburb” but in fact is deep in the heart of a major metropolitan city that is also the 6th largest media market in the U.S. And by the way, Tom Hicks ALREADY has a helipad in his backyard.

Maybe these journalists should leave the Dallas reporting to those of us that actually know the city.

Just like his father, President George W. Bush will return to Texas when he leaves office. And just like his father, he wants a gate to be installed along a public street to limit access to his neighborhood

Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm confirmed Monday that the younger Bush is seeking to have a gate placed somewhere along the entrance to streets leading to his future Preston Hollow address.

The plan, which requires approval by the Dallas City Council, isn’t expected to encounter much opposition at City Hall, and the Bushes’ neighbors seem to be on board.

So far, several options to limit access to the Bushes’ new street have been discussed. But a final decision on exactly where to place the gate hasn’t been recommended, Suhm said.

Federal money would pay for the gate, not the city, she said. It’s unclear how residents would use the gate to get to their homes.

Wherever the gate goes, public access to Daria Place – the high-end street that includes the Bushes’ 8,500-square-foot ranch home – will soon be a thing of the past.

The primary reason for the gate is security, of course. But neighbors are also concerned that the Bushes will attract crowds of innocent, if annoying, sightseers to the once quiet and exclusive cul-de-sac of Daria Place, as well as to the equally tony dead-end street that leads to it, Daria Drive.

Even now, weeks after news broke that the Bushes bought a home on the street, cars filled with onlookers are pulling up and snapping pictures, residents say.
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An aide to first lady Laura Bush declined to comment on the gate, calling it a security matter.

The president and his neighbors can thank Bush’s father, former President George H.W. Bush, for making it possible to place a gate across a taxpayer funded street in Texas.

In May 1993, shortly after Bush left the White House for Houston, the Legislature passed a little-noticed bill that allows cities to restrict access to streets “on which the dwelling of a former president of the United States is located.” The Houston City Council later voted to allow gates at two streets leading to the Bushes’ residence.

The current president and his wife are expected to move into their new Preston Hollow address shortly after his term ends in two weeks.

The City Council is expected to vote on permitting the gate’s construction this month, possibly as soon as its Jan. 14 meeting, City Hall officials say.

The public will have an opportunity to comment on the plan. Suhm said the city staff would support gating the public street.

Officials with knowledge of the issue say most residents of Daria Street and Daria Place are in support of the gate. Also supporting it is Mr. Bush’s friend and future neighbor Tom Hicks, who owns the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars, a spokeswoman said.

Residents of Daria Drive have expressed concern that if the gate is placed at the entrance to the cul-de-sac at Daria Place, sightseers will simply pull onto Daria Drive to have a look.

The likely plan will be to place the gate at the entrance to Daria Drive, limiting access to both streets, officials say. Residents of the two affected streets are expected to meet this week to discuss options on where to put the gate.

President George W. Bush will leave behind a legacy of Bushisms, the label stamped on the commander in chief’s original speaking style. Some of the president’s more notable malaprops and mangled statements:

– “I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.” — September 2000, explaining his energy policies at an event in Michigan.

– “Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?” — January 2000, during a campaign event in South Carolina.

– “They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the commander in chief, too.” — Sept. 26, 2001, in Langley, Va. Bush was referring to the terrorists who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks.

– “There’s no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail.” — Oct. 4, 2001, in Washington. Bush was remarking on a back-to-work plan after the terrorist attacks.

– “It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber.” — April 10, 2002, at the White House, as Bush urged Senate passage of a broad ban on cloning.

– “I want to thank the dozens of welfare-to-work stories, the actual examples of people who made the firm and solemn commitment to work hard to embetter themselves.” — April 18, 2002, at the White House.

– “There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.” — Sept. 17, 2002, in Nashville, Tenn.

– “Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” — Aug. 5, 2004, at the signing ceremony for a defense spending bill.

– “Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren’t able to practice their love with women all across this country.” — Sept. 6, 2004, at a rally in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

– “Our most abundant energy source is coal. We have enough coal to last for 250 years, yet coal also prevents an environmental challenge.” — April 20, 2005, in Washington.

– “We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job.” — Sept. 20, 2005, in Gulfport, Miss.

– “I can’t wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbors back into neighborhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs.” — Sept. 5, 2005, when Bush met with residents of Poplarville, Miss., in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

– “It was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship. After all, 60 years we were at war 60 years ago we were at war.” — June 29, 2006, at the White House, where Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

– “Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die.” — Dec. 7, 2006, in a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

– “These are big achievements for this country, and the people of Bulgaria ought to be proud of the achievements that they have achieved.” — June 11, 2007, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

– “Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit.” — September 2007, in Sydney, Australia, where Bush was attending an APEC summit.

– “Thank you, Your Holiness. Awesome speech.” April 16, 2008, at a ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the White House.

– “The fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there’s jobs at the machine-making place.” — May 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.

– “And they have no disregard for human life.” — July 15, 2008, at the White House. Bush was referring to enemy fighters in Afghanistan.

– “I remember meeting a mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office.” — June 26, 2008, during a Rose Garden news briefing.

– “Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people.” — July 4, 2008 in Virginia.

– “The people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there’s a lot of prayer — prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I’m one of them. It’s good to come down here.” — Sept. 3, 2008, at an emergency operations center in Baton Rouge, La., after Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast.

– “This thaw — took a while to thaw, it’s going to take a while to unthaw.” Oct. 20, 2008, in Alexandria, La., as he discussed the economy and frozen credit markets.