Communications Advisor, Ben Rhodes, outlined the President’s itinerary for his upcoming trip to Asia. The President’s plan to spend a portion of Veteran’s Day in Alaska has been changed due to the memorial at Fort Hood. According to Rhodes, they will be making the first stop of the trip in Alaska on Thursday, Nov 12 — “it’s actually the President’s first stop in Alaska” said Rhodes. The President will speak troops at Elmendorf Air Force Base, and take the opportunity to thank them for their service.From there the President will travel on to Tokyo, arriving on Friday, Nov 13. This is the President’s first trip to Asia and he has a full agenda as he attempts to renew America’s alliances and forge new partnerships in the region. The issues to be addressed include economic recovey; efforts in Afghanistan, which are supported by several Asian partners; nuclear weapons, and clean energy and combating climate change.
Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director & Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) announced some “big news” this afternoon. The President signed THE VETERANS HEALTH CARE BUDGET REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY ACT, permanently changing the funding process for VA healthcare.
According to Rieckhoff, the legislation was the IAVA’s number one priority for the year, legislation they’ve been fighting for since January. Rieckhoff says “The new law requires Congress to pass the VA healthcare budget one year in advance. It means no more rationed care for veterans- regardless of what year it is, or what party is in power. Period.”
Activists are using every opportunity to reach the President, the most recent group bought tickets to a San Francisco fundraiser to deliver a peace petition to the President.
Code Pink made news recently when the Christian Science Monitor reported that co-founder Medea Benjamin was suggesting that there might be room for alternative strategies and an extended timeline for the military in Afghanistan.� Co-founder Jodie Evans quickly clarified this in an interview with Scott Horton, saying that Kabul should be the model “It’s the only safe place in the country … people can get healthcare and education … we need to expand the success of Kabul to the rest of the country.”
The President has reminded us in every townhall, just as he did throughout last year’s campaign season, that change is never easy, but that it always starts with us. He has asked us to “knock on doors and spread the word.” He has told us he needs us to “stand against the politics of fear and division”, and “fight for the security and stability of quality, affordable health care for every American”. So it’s time for everybody to jump in with the same kind of enthusiasm and tenacity that we had in November and get this legislation to President Obama’s desk.
While some planned protests against “death panels” that don’t exist, others began lining up as early as 3:00 pm on Wednesday for what many believe is simply “a cool thing to see”. A sitting President doesn’t often visit any part of Montana, let alone the small town of Belgrade.
But mostly they were like Kathie Lehman of Belgrade who works at the Flying J and got in line after her 3 a.m. shift, still dressed in her work uniform. ‘I was 65th in line,’ she said. ‘At 5:30 a.m., there were about 135 people in sleeping bags sleeping.’ She gave up her dual Japanese citizenship in order to vote for the President, “I think he gives us so much hope.”
Robert Gibbs announced the President's schedule for the week. On the President's agenda in Las Vegas, sometimes funny man responds, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." This week's events include the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and a meeting with Palestinian President Abbas.
Full Week after the jump.
President Obama addressed the graduating class at Annapolis Naval Academy this week, offering some light-hearted commentary before delivering a thoughtful and deferential address.
"Now, I know it’s customary at graduation for guests to bring a gift. And I have. All midshipmen on restriction for minor conduct offenses are hereby officially absolved. (Applause.) I did say “minor.” (Laughter.)
Midshipmen, I’m told that the extra ribbon on your chest is for the honor you earned, for only the second time in the storied history of the Naval Academy — the Navy’s Meritorious Unit Commendation Award. So I’ve consulted with Admiral Fowler, and I can make this announcement: For all you midshipmen returning next fall, I hereby grant you something extra — an extra weekend. (Applause.) I should stop now. (Laughter.)"
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The senior boys of Marshfield High School, in Coos Bay, OR, will be pleased to know they are in prestigious company with their fundraising efforts for the Share Bear Snack Pack program.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Department of State announces the recipients of the third annual Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage. This is the only award within the Department of State that pays tribute to outstanding women leaders worldwide. It recognizes the courage and leadership shown as they struggle for social justice and human rights.This year, the Secretary of State will pay tribute to honorees representing Afghanistan, Guatemala, Iraq, Malaysia, Niger, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. They are among over 80 exceptional women nominated by U.S. Embassies worldwide for their extraordinary work in advancing human rights. The women will be in Washington from March 8 – 12 for a program of meetings with government officials, NGOs and the media. The Office of International Visitors is partnering with the Office of International Women’s Issues on this project.
Lisa Jackson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced a new initiative to further measure levels of toxic air pollution near many schools across the country for better protection. EPA and its state partners will prioritize and monitor schools for more extensive air quality analysis, looking closely at schools located near large industries and in urban areas.
Arms. Who would have guessed that in the middle of an economic collapse while we’re engaged in two wars and the ecology in jeopardy, anybody would even think to make an issue about a woman’s arms. But reporting every minute detail of the President and his family has been going on since “Lady Washington” went shopping for “new fashioned” shoes as she traveled to her new home in New York, at 58 years old. Mrs. Lincoln, as well, was criticized at every turn, for everything from her expensive clothing to her “loud and unrefined” nature, by a new generation of female journalists whom she dubbed the “vampyre press.”
Sadly, that tradition hasn’t changed either, as the harshest critics of Mrs. Obama’s arms have come from women who have written of her arms with headlines that shout “call to arms”, “right to bare arms”, and the unbelievable “buff-arm fetish”.
Euphoric! And isn't it mind-blowing to get up every day and say "What Wonderful Thing Did Our New President Do This Morning!" I live on the west coast so he has a few hours head start on me.
Here's some pictures and videos from reactions from around the world.
http://www.obama-mamas.com/inaugural-videos.htm
National Geographic
It isn’t often that a teacher gets to educate kids on a topic that already has them captivated and enthused. The Inauguration of Barack Obama is just such an occasion and presents a number of avenues a teacher can take, from civil rights to government to Presidential history. Children have been involved in this election in a huge number and in so many creative ways. Some sang songs of courage and unity, some sang rounds of “yes we can”, others did their own version of “baracknroll”. They drew pictures and sold their home-baked cookies and some even emptied their piggy banks. Little Damon William even got a press credentials to the inaugural activities.
With kids already this excited, introducing lessons on the Presidents, the Inauguration, or the Government has never been easier. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has joined with the two teachers unions to present lesson plans, as have a number of other organizations. Obama-Mamas.com has compiled a list of resources that are free and have downloads and complete lesson plans.
The 2009 Latino Inaugural Gala Committee has announced a dazzling line-up of stars who will appear at their festivities at Union Station, with more expected to be announced next week. Be prepared for an exceptional evening of celebration and dancing with Latino music from Marc Anthony, Paulina Rubio, Rosario Dawson, Tony Plana, War, Cucu Diamantes & Yerba Buena, Elida Reyna, and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano.
The response to President Obama’s call to serve is already taking off in a big way, according to Nicola Goren, of the country’s service organization, The Corporation for National and Community Service. They are working with the Presidential Inaugural Committee to organize the greatest day of service in the country’s history. President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden, and their families will also serve on the January 19 holiday in the Washington D.C. area.
Barack Obama personally responded to a list of questions the campaign had previously requested from David Brody of CBNNews, affiliated with the 700 Club among other Christian groups. He pulls no punches in this exclusive correspondence, this is the kind of straight talk that will change the country and put us on a path towards unity and progress.
