http://thinkprogress.org/2005/08/05/bin-laden-still-determined-to-strike-america/THEN: Bush Went on Longest Vacation In 32 Years. “By the time President Bush returns to Washington on Labor Day after the longest presidential vacation in 32 years, he will have spent all or part of 54 days since the inauguration at his parched but beloved ranch. That’s almost a quarter of his presidency.”
NOW: Bush Goes On Longest Vacation In 36 Years. “The president departed Tuesday for his longest stretch yet away from the White House, arriving at his Crawford ranch in the evening to clear brush, visit with family and friends, and tend to some outside-the-Beltway politics. By historical standards, it is the longest presidential retreat in at least 36 years.”
THEN: Bush In “Carefree” Mood. “President Bush was in an expansive mood on Aug. 7, 2001, when he ran into reporters while playing golf at the Ridgewood Country Club in Waco, Tex. The day before, the president had received an intelligence briefing — the contents of which were declassified by the White House Saturday night — warning ‘Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US.’ But Bush seemed carefree as he spoke about the books he was reading, the work he was doing on his nearby ranch, his love of hot-weather jogging, his golf game and his 55th birthday.”
NOW: Bush In “Playful” Mood. “Bush was in a playful mood as the foursome climbed into the truck and rode off. When a reporter asked if Bush actually had a driver’s license, the president replied ‘Si,’ which is Spanish for ‘yes.’”