CR's Blog

Revisting the search for the canine in chief

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:50:59 EDT

1/22/09 Canine in Chief

There are more than 1,000 Labrador retrievers and Lab mixes and more than 2,000 poodles and poodle mixes looking for homes at this very minute. ©iStock.com

President Obama announced earlier this month that he and his family plan to adopt either a Labradoodle or Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) once they are settled in at the White House.

Shelters and rescue groups across the country scrambled to showcase dogs of the "doodle" persuasion waiting for new homes. But helping to land one of their dogs in the ultimate home is only one of these organizations' post-election objectives. They're also making use of the opportunity to raise awareness in their own communities about how many adoptable dogs are available on any given day—many of whom fit the presidential bill.

Finding the Right Dog

While purebred Portuguese Water Dogs aren't quite as easy to come by in a shelter, a quick search for Portuguese Water Dogs on Petfinder.com, a site that lists thousands of adoptable pets at animal shelters across the nation, resulted in 10 pure or mixed-breed Portuguese Water Dogs looking for a family and a forever home.

There are more than 1,000 Labrador retrievers and Lab mixes and more than 2,000 poodles and poodle mixes looking for homes at this very minute, too. These two breeds will undoubtedly grow in popularity since President Obama's announcement. Animal advocates are already gearing up to help ensure these breeds don't fall further into the profit-driven pockets of puppy mills across the U.S. and to raise awareness about their unique needs.

What to Consider Before Adopting

If you're considering adopting one of these two breeds or any breed of dog, it's important to make sure the dog fits with your lifestyle.

Like many breeds, both Portuguese Water Dogs and Labradoodles require lots of exercise, attention and training. While no surprise given the name, it's important to note that PWDs are avid swimmers and happiest when they have routine access to water.

Know Where to Go

There are several types of organizations from which you can adopt a dog, whether purebred or mixed breed. Not all sources are the same, however, so it's important to learn as much as you can, and then choose carefully.

To find a purebred rescue group or animal shelter near you, visit Petfinder.com, Pets911.com or search the Internet for shelters in your area.

It's very important to make sure that you don’t support puppy mills when you add a purebred or "designer mixed breed" dog to your family. Visit our Stop Puppy Mills website to learn more about these cruel, mass-breeding operations.

A Note About Presidential Pooches

No matter which furried friend the Obamas brings home, they're sure to make a welcome addition to the family. In a letter to Sasha and Malia Obama, Jenna and Barbara Bush offered the following advice on White House puppies:

"Our sweet puppy Spot was nursed on the lawn of the White House. And then of course, there's Barney, who most recently bit a reporter. Cherish your animals because sometimes you'll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide."

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"Dog-O-Pedia" by Mary Francis Budzik (Metro Books-NewYork) is a "Compendium of Doggone Facts" and a really great book for first time and long time dog owners that I found on the sale book area in Barnes & Noble.

Michelle Obama's Emotional Meeting With Military Families

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:56:38 EDT

First Lady Tells ABC News That President Obama Is 'What We Need Right Now'

3/13/09 By KAREN TRAVERS - ABC

First lady Michelle Obama says she is distressed by the plight of many military families who are struggling to keep their heads above the poverty line while the soldier in the family is in harm's way in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Michelle Obama opened up to Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" in her first television interview since she became first lady. Watch more of Robin Roberts' interview with first lady Michelle Obama on "World News With Charles Gibson" at 6:30 p.m. ET and "Nightline" at 11:35 p.m. ET

During the interview, the first lady talked about everything from her husband's handling of the presidency to what's been broken in the White House since the Obama's moved in.

But she was at her most emotional in talking about the families of soldiers and their financial battles while a parent is deployed to battle al Qaeda or the Taliban.

"It hurts. It hurts," the first lady said of hearing about military families on food stamps. "These are people who are willing to send their loved ones off to, perhaps, give their lives -- the ultimate sacrifice. But yet, they're living back at home on food stamps. It's not right, and it's not where we should be as a nation."

To highlight that concern, Mrs. Obama made her first trip outside Washington as first lady Thursday to Fort Bragg, N.C., where she visited with military families. It was an emotional meeting that clearly moved her.

"Our soldiers and their families have done their duty. They do it without complaint. And we as a grateful nation must do ours and do everything in our power to honor them by supporting them," she said at the Fort Bragg Community Center.

First Trip to Fort Bragg

During her visit to Fort Bragg, the first lady read "The Cat in the Hat" to a dozen preschoolers at the Prager Child Development Center, and the folks at Fort Bragg were touched by her performance.

"It was like she was reading to her children," said Mattie White, a lead education technician at Fort Bragg.

While reading "The Cat in the Hat," the first lady told the children she had two young daughters, and one tyke chimed in "I know Sasha."

Her concern for military families is an agenda issue that began during the presidential campaign, and one that she vowed she would continue to work on from the East Wing of the White House.

The Fort Bragg visit is a setting that the first lady seems comfortable in -- it combines her top policy issue and the qualities of the "mom-in-chief" she aims to be.

And any mention of the Obama daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, is an emotional touchstone for Mrs. Obama and, she suggests, for many in the country.

First Lady Michelle Obama on Family's White House Transition; The first lady credited her mother, Marian Robinson, with helping to ease the transition for her and her daughters and called Robinson's presence in the White House "immeasurable."

"First of all, she's one of the funniest people I know. And she's so nonimpressed by any of this. She keeps all of our feet on the ground," Michelle Obama said.

Robinson is there to lend a hand with the girls when the first lady's own schedule prevents her from being there, she said.

Video link: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=7067528&page=1

Sign/mail the petition to get the California's constitution revised

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:25:48 EDT

San Diego college students, Al Shams and Kaelan Housewright, have started framing a constitutional amendment initiative to replace the word "marriage" with "domestic partnership" under California state law. 3/9/09 Secretary of State Debra Bowen authorized the initiative # 09-0003 to gather 700,000 signatures by early August to get the initiative on the ballot.

Here is the San Jose Mercury news story: http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_11890793?source=rss

Here is their DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE website that has an Adobe petition for you to fill out and mail in: http://www.dompar.org/

(The price of a first-class stamp will go up by 2 cents to 44 cents on May 11, 2009)

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Date: March 9, 2009

Initiative No.: 09-0003

The Attorney General of California has prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure: SUBSTITUTES DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP FOR MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA LAW. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. Replaces the term “marriage” with the term “domestic partnership” throughout California law, but preserves the rights provided in marriage. Applies equally to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation. Repeals the provision in California’s Constitution that states only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: This measure would have an unknown fiscal effect on state and local governments. (09-0003.)

Electrolyzed water; Miracle water answers prayers for some

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:07:36 EDT

2/27/09 By Marla Dickerson -Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — It's a kitchen degreaser. It's a window cleaner. It kills athlete's foot. Oh, and you can drink it.

Sounds like the old "Saturday Night Live" gag for Shimmer, the faux floor polish plugged by Gilda Radner. But the elixir is real. It has been approved by U.S. regulators. And it's starting to replace the toxic chemicals Americans use at home and on the job.

The stuff is a simple mixture of table salt and tap water whose ions have been scrambled with an electric current. Researchers have dubbed it electrolyzed water — hardly as catchy as Mr. Clean. But at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica, some hotel workers are calling it "el liquido milagroso" — the miracle liquid.

That's as good a name as any for a substance that scientists say is powerful enough to kill anthrax spores without harming people or the environment.

Used as a sanitizer for decades in Russia and Japan, it's slowly winning acceptance in the United States. A New York poultry processor uses it to kill salmonella on chicken carcasses. Minnesota grocery clerks spray sticky conveyors in the checkout lanes. Michigan jailers mop with electrolyzed water to keep potentially lethal cleaners out of the hands of inmates.

In Santa Monica, the once-skeptical Sheraton housekeeping staff has ditched skin-chapping bleach and pungent ammonia for spray bottles filled with electrolyzed water to clean toilets and sinks.

"I didn't believe in it at first because it didn't have foam or any scent," said housekeeper Flor Corona. "But I can tell you it works. My rooms are clean."

Management likes it, too. The mixture costs less than a penny a gallon. It cuts down on employee injuries from chemicals. It reduces shipping costs and waste because hotel staffers prepare the elixir on site. And it's helping the Sheraton Delfina tout its environmental credentials to guests.

One-year payback

The hotel's kitchen staff recently began disinfecting produce with electrolyzed water. They say the lettuce lasts longer. They're hoping to replace detergent in the dishwasher. Management figures the payback time for the $10,000 electrolysis machine will be less than a year.

"It's green. It saves money. And it's the right thing to do," said Glenn Epstein, executive assistant at the Sheraton Delfina. "It's almost like fantasy."

Actually, it's chemistry. For more than two centuries, scientists have tinkered with electrolysis, the use of an electric current to bring about a chemical reaction (not the hair-removal technique of the same name). That's how we got metal electroplating and large-scale production of chlorine, used to bleach and sanitize.

It turns out that zapping salt water with low-voltage electricity creates a couple of powerful yet nontoxic cleaning agents. Sodium ions are converted into sodium hydroxide, an alkaline liquid that cleans and degreases like detergent, but without the scrubbing bubbles. Chloride ions become hypochlorous acid, a potent disinfectant known as acid water.

"It's 10 times more effective than bleach in killing bacteria," said Yen-Con Hung, a professor of food science at the University of Georgia-Griffin, who has been researching electrolyzed water for more than a decade. "And it's safe."

There are drawbacks.

Electrolyzed water loses its potency fairly quickly, so it can't be stored long. Machines are pricey and geared mainly for industrial use. The process also needs to be monitored frequently for the right strength.

Then there's the "magic water" hype that has accompanied electrolyzed drinking water. A number of companies sell so-called ionizers for home use that can range from about $600 to more than $3,000. The alkaline water, proponents say, provides health benefits.

But Richard Wullaert, a Santa Barbara consultant, said consumers should be careful.

"Some of these people are making claims that will get everybody in trouble," said Wullaert, whose nonprofit Functional Water Society is spreading the word about electrolyzed water. "It's time for some serious conferences with serious scientists to give this credibility."

Overseas uses

Most of the growth has happened outside the United States.

Russians are putting electrolyzed water down oil wells to kill pesky microbes. Europeans use it to treat burn victims. Electrolyzing equipment is helping to sanitize drinking water in parts of Latin American and Africa.

It's big in Japan. People there spray it on sushi to kill bacteria and fill their swimming pools with it, eliminating the need for harsh chlorine. Doctors use it to sterilize equipment and treat foot fungus and bedsores. It's the secret weapon in Sanyo Electric's "soap-less" washing machine.

In the U.S., the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have approved electrolyzed water for a variety of uses.

PuriCore of Malvern, Pa., and Oculus Innovative Sciences of Petaluma, have developed treatments for chronic wounds. Albuquerque, N.M.-based MIOX sells municipal water-purifying systems. EAU Technologies of Kennesaw, Ga., caters to both ends of a dairy cow, with alkaline water to aid the animal's digestion and acid water to clean up its manure.

Rebecca Jimenez, director of housekeeping for the Sheraton Delfina, heard grumbling from the cleaning staff when the Santa Monica hotel brought its electrolysis machine in last fall. Housekeepers doubted that the flat, virtually odorless liquids were really doing the job. Some poured shampoo into their bottles to work up a lather.

"If it doesn't suds up, it doesn't work," Jimenez said. "That's the mentality."

Still, she said, most have come around and are enjoying working without fumes and peeling skin.

Minnesota food scientist Joellen Feirtag said she was similarly skeptical. So she installed an electrolysis unit in her laboratory and began researching the technology. She found that the acid water killed E. coli, salmonella, listeria and other nasty pathogens. Yet it was gentle enough to soothe her children's sunburns and acne.

She's now encouraging food processors to take a look at electrolyzed water to help combat the disease outbreaks that have roiled the industry. Most are dubious.

"This sounds too good to be true, which is really the biggest problem," said Feirtag, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota. "But it's only a matter of time before this becomes mainstream."

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3/10/09 this article was sent to Van Jones (Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)

50 years on, Tibet still US conundrum

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:52:14 EDT

3/8/09 by Shaun Tandon Shaun Tandon – AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Fifty years after the Dalai Lama fled Tibet, the United States is still searching for how to support the spiritual leader who commands enormous respect but is up against a rising China.

The United States once covertly funneled weapons to Tibetan guerrillas -- despite unease by the Dalai Lama himself -- and has long criticized Beijing's policy. But a consensus is emerging to only nudge China gently.

John Kenneth Knaus was an officer for the CIA as it trained Tibetan insurgents and dropped arms in the Himalayan territory -- an effort the United States gave up in 1968 as it became clear the Chinese were fully in charge.

"Was it worth it? These are questions that old men ask themselves," Knaus, now 85 and retired from the CIA, said meditatively at his home in suburban Washington.

"I'd like to think so, obviously," he said. "I think it's really a typical American thing, support for the underdog."

But Knaus was surprised that the Dalai Lama, famous for his warmth, gave him a cool reception when they first met face-to-face in 1964.

"I didn't get it. I was going there practically as a convert, a disciple -- I knew several hundred of his people, these kids, and I loved them -- and I was disappointed," Knaus said.

"It took me some time before I realized that to him, I represented the whole problem -- we were providing arms to his people, we were in a sense sustaining violence, which he simply just by definition could not support."

Tibetan Buddhist monks in-exile arrive for a prayer meeting for Tibetans killed in the crackdown since the March 1959 uprising, at a temple in Dharamsala. China should end its "repression" of Tibet and work with the Dalai Lama 50 years after the revolt that forced him into exile, according to a resolution to be introduced in the US Congress on Monday.

The Dalai Lama sneaked out of Lhasa in 1959, traveling by horseback to safety in India, as the Chinese crushed a brewing uprising -- a brutal chapter that exiles say cost 80,000 lives.

The Dalai Lama first traveled to the United States in 1968 and has since become a regular visitor, addressing packed crowds on spirituality and helping spark a worldwide surge of interest in Buddhism.

"I don't think any of us had any appreciation of the tremendous influence this man would have," said Knaus, who is now affiliated with the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University.

To China's fury, the Dalai Lama has gone on to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the US Congressional Gold Medal.

But the 74-year-old monk has not succeeded in returning to Tibet, where China has poured in extra troops and forbidden any public support for the Dali Lama, who it accuses of separatism.

The United States has also changed its tone as it pursues a closer relationship with a rapidly growing China, now the biggest holder of US treasuries.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, visiting Beijing last month, said Tibet and other human rights concerns would take a back seat in US-China relations in order to collaborate on issues such as fighting the global economic crisis.

William Cohen, a former senator and secretary of defense, said that while members of Congress would continue to be outspoken, the executive branch has learned to take a softer approach with China.

"It's human relations 101," he said. "If you pound the podium and say these are the things you must do, you are likely to get just the opposite result."

Cohen co-chairs a bipartisan commission that includes Henry Kissinger -- who laid the groundwork for normalization of ties between the United States and China in 1972 -- that has called for the two countries to address any disputes in private.

Fellow co-chair Maurice Greenberg, the former head of insurance giant AIG, said that with 1.3 billion people, social stability "is critical to China, as to the world."

"You have to recognize there are different cultures, different histories than our own," he said. "You can't just dictate what they should be based upon what you are."

Even US human rights activists said they put hopes for change in Tibet on a new generation of Chinese scholars who are more open to criticizing government policy.

"One of the reasons you see such a vociferous response from Beijing to any perceived form of separatism or affinity for Tibetan Buddhism is the enormous popularity that the Dalai Lama enjoys outside of China," said Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch advocacy director for Asia.

"We can reasonably expect China to ignore what we say. But we would hope they would listen to what Chinese academics are now saying."

Nancy Reagan applauds stem cell decision

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:32:27 EDT

3/9/09 By CAROL E. LEE- POLITICO

Nancy Reagan issued a statement expressing gratitude moments after Obama signed the executive order on stem cell research.

"I’m very grateful that President Obama has lifted the restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research," Reagan said. "These new rules will now make it possible for scientists to move forward. I urge researchers to make use of the opportunities that are available to them, and to do all they can to fulfill the promise that stem cell research offers."

Reagan, who has long supported stem cell research despite opposition within the Republican Party that constantly honors her husband's legacy, noted the personal impact of the policy change.

"Countless people, suffering from many different diseases, stand to benefit from the answers stem cell research can provide," she said. "We owe it to ourselves and to our children to do everything in our power to find cures for these diseases – and soon. As I’ve said before, time is short, and life is precious."

UK Brown- gay marriage ban unacceptable

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:47:37 EST

3/6/09 BBC

Gordon Brown has condemned California's ban on gay marriage as "unacceptable" and warned people to be vigilant against all forms of discrimination.

The prime minister said the ban, backed in a referendum in the US state in November, would "undo" much of recent progress made in tackling prejudice.

California became the 28th US state to prohibit gay marriage, overturning an earlier court ruling legalising it.

Same-sex civil partnerships became law in the UK in 2005.

'Fighting homophobia'

Civil partnerships gave gay partners the same tax and inheritance rights as heterosexual married couples.

Mr Brown made the comments at a reception in Downing Street for leading figures from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Nearly 20,000 gay couples have married in California since same-sex unions were legalised in May and the state authorities have said these will remain valid.

The referendum, which gained 52% support, called for the state's constitution to be amended to include the stipulation that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised".

Mr Brown said "this attempt to undo good that has been done is unacceptable".

He added: "This shows why we have always got to be vigilant, always got to fight homophobic behaviour and any form of discrimination."

He also praised equality campaigners in the UK for "changing opinion" about same-sex unions.

"You have shown how the legislative process, by your pressure, can respond," he said.

Words of Wisdom: Michelle Obama's Most Inspirational Quotes

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:14:12 EST

3/6/09 Verena von Pfetten- Huffington Post via Beliefnet.com

There are no shortage of reasons to admire and be inspired by Michelle Obama; her poise, her style, and her steadfast determination to make a change in this world, one soup kitchen at a time make her a strong role model for men, women, and children everywhere. But while her husband Barack has been championed as the all-star orator, Michelle herself is no stranger to the power of words. Beliefnet.com has put together an uplifting list of some of Mrs. Obama's most encouraging words. Below are our favorites.

On being the First Lady and Mom-in-Chief:

"My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief. Making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls...that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."

On the importance of self-care:

On being the First Lady and Mom-in-Chief:

"My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief. Making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls...that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."

On the importance of self-care:

"Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we're scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don't have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list."

On dealing with stress:

"Exercise is really important to me--it's therapeutic. So if I'm ever feeling tense or stressed or like I'm about to have a meltdown, I'll put on my iPod and head to the gym or out on a bike ride along Lake Michigan with the girls."

On staying true to oneself:

"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don't invest any energy in them, because I know who I am."

And on making a difference:

"And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us--no matter what our age or background or walk of life--each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation."

Michelle Obama serves lunch at soup kitchen

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:32:36 EST

3/5/09 By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, AP

AP – First lady Michelle Obama, right, hands out meals during her visit to Miriam's Kitchen in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON – "Do you want some risotto?"

With that, first lady Michelle Obama began scooping mushroom risotto to help serve lunch Thursday to some of the mostly homeless men and women who get free meals at a soup kitchen several blocks from the White House.

Her visit was designed to highlight the work of places like Miriam's Kitchen, as demand for their services have risen during the economic downturn, and her interest in community service, an issue she wants to focus on as first lady.

Mrs. Obama urged people to donate food and, if they can't afford that, then to just give a hand.

"There is a moment in time when each and every one of us needs a helping hand," she said after leaving the serving station. "Miriam's Kitchen has become a place where so many people have been able to find that helping hand."

"Their work here has meant the world to so many and it is an example of what we can do as a country and as a community to help folks when they're down," Mrs. Obama said. "Helping is an easy thing to do."

The fruit salad served along with the risotto, steamed broccoli, apple-carrot muffins and whole wheat rolls was prepared with fresh fruit donated by the White House. Eight cases were sent over, enough to make Thursday's salad and be used at breakfast for two weeks, said Scott Schenkelberg, executive director of Miriam's Kitchen.

Miriam's, which opened in 1983, serves breakfast daily and lunch on Wednesdays. The Thursday meal was special, and the men and women eating that day hadn't been told Mrs. Obama was coming.

The donation by the White House is a "tremendous example" of how easy it is to become involved, Schenkelberg said.

"It's easy and painless and we need your help," he said.

Mrs. Obama said people should make "good, healthy food" the focus of any donation.

"There are people all across the country, even in these times, who can lend a hand and volunteer at a soup kitchen, even if they don't have the resources to donate," she added. "So we're all going to need one another in these times."

Mrs. Obama tied on a purple apron and joined five volunteers on the serving line behind a glass counter, where she spent about 15 minutes scooping risotto and chatting with the guests as they were called to the line for lunch.

"I didn't make it, but I hear it's pretty good," she told one person after offering the risotto.

George Rivera, 52, of the District of Columbia, said he thought Mrs. Obama would be taller. Minutes after meeting her, he told reporters he couldn't remember much of what he said.

"It's a like a blur," he said.

Rivera spoke with the first lady again after her visit, when she shook hands with the 50 or so guests plus staff and volunteers. He said he told her he had been homeless for a long time but that Barack Obama's message during last year's presidential campaign inspired him to vote. He said she told him to continue being civic-minded.

"And I told her that I will," Rivera said.

Obama surprises daughters with new swing set

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:00:39 EST

3/4/09 AP

WASHINGTON – First daughters Malia and Sasha Obama got a big surprise after school: a brand new swing set.

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, arranged for it to be installed Wednesday while their daughters were at school. It is set up on the White House grounds within sight of the Oval Office.

A spokeswoman for the first lady said the girls, 10 and 7 years old, squealed with delight upon seeing the swing set.

They played on it for almost an hour in chilly weather.

The spokeswoman said that the Obamas, as they planned the family's move from Chicago, discussed ways to make the White House feel more like home for the girls. One thing they decided on was the 100 percent wooden swing set, made by a South Dakota company.

Seize the moment, Brown urges US

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:25:01 EST

3/4/09 BBC

Gordon Brown has urged the US to renew the "special relationship for our generation" in a speech to Congress

Mr Brown, the fifth UK prime minister in history to address both houses on Capitol Hill, urged the US and UK to push for "essential" economic changes.

Neither nation should "succumb" to protectionism "which protects no-one", but "seize the moment", he said.

Mr Brown also announced that veteran Senator Edward Kennedy would receive an honorary UK knighthood.

The prime minister paid tribute to the work of US troops in Afghanistan and said terrorists could "not ever destroy the American spirit".

The partnership between the UK and the US is "unbreakable" and that "no power on earth can ever draw us apart", he also said.

'Standards'

The speech began and ended to standing ovations and was frequently interrupted for applause - with 17 such pauses counted.

Mr Brown called for agreed "rules and standards for accountability, transparency and reward" in banking.

On the recession, he said: "America and a few countries cannot be expected to bear the burden of the fiscal and interest rate stimulus alone. We must share it globally.

"So let us work together for the worldwide reduction of interest rates and a scale of stimulus round the world equal to the depth of the recession and the dimensions of the recovery we must make."

Mr Brown added: "An economic hurricane has swept the world, creating a crisis of credit and of confidence.

"History has brought us now to a point where change is essential. We are summoned not just to manage our times but to transform them."

In addressing Congress, Mr Brown follows in the footsteps of Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

'Pro-American'

He said: "Now more than ever the rest of the world wants to work with you...

"And let me say that you now have the most pro-American European leadership in living memory. A leadership that wants to cooperate more closely together, in order to cooperate more closely with you.

"There is no old Europe, no new Europe. There is only your friend Europe.

"So once again I say we should seize the moment - because never before have I seen a world willing to come together so much. Never before has that been more needed."

Announcing the honorary knighthood for Edward Kennedy, Mr Brown said that "Northern Ireland is today at peace, more Americans have healthcare, more children around the world are going to school" because of the long-serving Democratic senator.

The world owed "a great debt to [his] life and courage", he added.

Senator Kennedy, who is being treated for a brain tumour, was unable to attend Congress.

Following Mr Brown's speech, Conservative Party acting leader William Hague said: "It is right to remind Americans that we need to work together against protectionism, in defeating terrorism and in combating climate change.

"What was missing was any sense of contrition for past mistakes and an ability to translate words into action."

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said: "Gordon Brown seemed to offer a lot of warm words but very few hard plans to fight the recession which has engulfed the world economy and his government.

"Rather than trying to shore up his reputation in America, he should be focusing his attention on fixing the mess we face back home."

'Common interest'

After Mr Brown's meeting with Barack Obama on Tuesday, the US president said the "special relationship" between the countries would "only grow stronger".

After about an hour of talks at the White House, Mr Brown and Mr Obama said they agreed that improvements were needed to the regulation of the global banking system.

Mr Obama warned that countries should not "project inwards" by encouraging protectionism during the economic crisis.

Mr Brown said the two countries were pursuing a "common interest" in a "global new deal".

The prime minister's US visit comes ahead of a summit of the Group of 20 (G20) developed and emerging economies in London on 2 April.

The EU and Canada have warned that a "buy American" clause in the US economic recovery package could promote protectionism.

It seeks to ensure that only US iron, steel and manufactured goods are used in construction work funded by the bill - but has included a pledge to respect international trade obligations.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7922426.stm

Obama overturns Bush endangered species rule

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:27:07 EST

3/3/09 Washington- CNN

President Obama on Tuesday overturned a last-minute Bush administration regulation that many environmentalists claim weakened the Endangered Species Act.

The regulation, issued a few weeks before George W. Bush left office, made it easier for federal agencies to skip consultations with government scientists before launching projects that could affect endangered wildlife.

By overturning the regulation, Obama said during an enthusiastic reception at the Interior Department, he had restored "the scientific process to its rightful place at the heart of the Endangered Species Act, a process undermined by past administrations."

Under the Bush administration rule, there was no need for a federal agency to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Services if that agency determined that no harm would come to an endangered species as a result of its project.

But the determination of what "no harm" meant rested with agency bureaucrats instead of scientists.

Obama issued a memorandum that effectively suspends the regulation while ordering a review to determine whether it promotes "the purposes of the [Endangered Species Act]."

"The work of scientists and experts in my administration, including right here in the Interior Department, will be respected," Obama said. "For more than three decades, the Endangered Species Act has successfully protected our nation's most threatened wildlife, and we should be looking for ways to improve it, not weaken it."

Environmental groups were quick to praise Obama's action.

"President Obama's announcement will allow [the Endangered Species Act] to do what it was intended: protect our nation's endangered plants and animals," said Andrew Wetzler, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Endangered Species Program.

"Reversing the Bush administration's midnight action will restore protections for our last wild places and species."

Obama also helped celebrate the 160th anniversary of the Interior Department on Tuesday.

"Throughout our history, there's been a tension between those who've sought to conserve our natural resources for the benefit of future generations and those who have sought to profit from these resources," he told department employees.

"But I'm here to tell you this is a false choice. With smart, sustainable policies, we can grow our economy today and preserve the environment for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren."

2008 Political Campaign Season featured the issues of race, sex and religion

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:51:52 EST

There will never be anything that will equal the 2008 Political Campaign Season; it set off emotions and actions on the topics of race, sex and religion.

* 2008 gave us Barack Obama the viable first presidential male candidate of mixed race (and now our 44th President) :D

* 2008 gave us Hillary Clinton the first viable presidential female candidate that was white

* Barack Obama's religion and his citizenship were questioned. (Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii ; the 50th state of the United States of America). Barack Obama is a Christian.

* In California in 2005 a bill legalizing same-sex marriages (AB 849) became the first bill of its kind to pass a legislative body in the United States; the nation’s first same-sex marriage bill approved by a legislative body. (the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act). Then in 2008 Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition in the general election that changed the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples and eliminated same-sex couples' right to marry. Numerous lawsuits were filed with the California Supreme Court by same-sex couples and government entities, challenging the proposition's validity and effect on previously administered same-sex marriages. March 5th - Supreme Court Oral Argument Hearing 9am to noon.

* * * 44 * * *

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:38:37 EST

The Chicago Bulls were at the White House today to present the 44th President -- and proud Chicagoan -- a custom jersey

President Obama is set to take in the Bulls game tomorrow night against the Washington Wizards, sources with the White House and the Wizards say. The game starts at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Center.

The world we leave our children

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:16:39 EST

Thursday, February 26th, 2009 at 5:45 pm - whitehouse.gov

Along with thanks and congratulations, First Lady Michelle Obama today appealed to employees of the Environmental Protection Agency to strive for excellence for the sake of the next generation.

"I've often spoken about my most important job -- being a mom -- and like mothers and fathers everywhere, the health and safety of our children is our top priority," the First Lady said on a visit to EPA headquarters. "This is what it is all about: the future. And in many ways, it starts with all of you. You ensure that the water we drink is safe, that the air we breathe is clean, and that the polluted fields and abandoned factories in our neighborhoods all over this nation are cleaned up and restored."

Hundreds of employees turned out to see the First Lady, whom EPA administrator Lisa Jackson introduced as "an icon" of grace, class and style. And some took heart in what the First Lady assured them would be "a new day" at the EPA.

"We are just thrilled to be working for an administration that respects the work we do, environmental work but public service more specifically," said Beth Hall, who works in the ground water and drinking water office (pool report).

Apply for an internship @ White House

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:54:23 EST

2/26/09 at 5:03 pm- whitehouse.gov

If you’re interested in applying for a White House internship, the application process is now open.

Take a look at the instructions for how to apply for a White House internship, download the application, and learn more about the White House departments you could work in.

Applications are due March 22, 2009. A couple of important things to keep in mind:

In addition to normal office duties, interns will supplement their learning experience by attending a weekly lecture series hosted by senior White House staff, help at White House social events, and volunteer in community service projects.

White House Internships are unpaid positions and participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation and housing for the duration of the program.

White House Dog

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:30:46 EST

2/25/09 People Magazine - By Sandra Sobieraj Westfall

The whole world, it seems, wants to know: What kind of dog are the Obamas getting and, for goodness sake, when?

Speaking to PEOPLE at the White House recently, Michelle Obama leaned in and confided: "You're getting some scoops here."

So, when? In April, Mrs. Obama says – after she and the President take daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, on a vacation for spring break.

Here's a sample of a typical family conversation on the matter: "So Sasha says, 'April 1st.' I said, 'April.' She says, 'April 1st.' It's, like, April!," Mrs. Obama recalls. "Got to do it after spring break. You can't get a new dog and then go away for a week."

And what kind of dog will soon be frolicking on the South Lawn? Mrs. Obama says she thinks she is going to look for a rescue Portuguese Water dog who is "old enough" and a "match" for the family dynamic.

"Temperamentally they're supposed to be pretty good," she says of the breed that Sen. Ted Kennedy has also lobbied for (he has two Water dogs of his own). "From the size perspective, they're sort of middle of the road – it's not small, but it's not a huge dog. And the folks that we know who own them have raved about them. So that's where we're leaning."

The Name Game

The only thing still up in the air is the name. And Mom's not feeling it with some of the names her girls have come up with.

"Oh, the names are really bad. I don't even want to mention it, because there are names floating around and they're bad," Mrs. Obama says with a laugh. "You listen and you go – like, I think, Frank was one of them. Frank! Moose was another one of them. Moose. I said, well, what if the dog isn't a moose? Moose. I'm like, no, come on, let's work with the names a little bit."

Asked if she can believe the public interest in her family dog search, Mrs. Obama shakes her head. "Okay, that's surprising," she says. "One of the things I didn't anticipate is the level of the excitement about the dog. I knew my kids were excited. They've been excited for years. They've even calmed down, because they feel like, 'They said we're going to get one, so let's just shut up about it.' "

Diplomatically, and careful not to insult enthusiastic dog-lovers, she adds: "It's all great and gracious attention. People are just being as helpful as you can imagine. So I know that we will find the perfect breed. And we'll find people who are caring folks who will help us find the dog of our dreams."

For more from this interview, including Michelle Obama's views on fashion and her family's daily White House routine, pick up the new PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

************************************************

My vote for a dog name is Esperança (Portugese for the word "Hope")

************************************************

Learn more about the Portugese Water Dog here is a Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugese_water_dog

"Dear President Obama": The President Reads 10 Letters a Day from the Public

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:19:09 EST

2/23/09 ABC

The letter to President Obama came from a woman in Arizona whose husband lost his job. He was able to find work, but the new gig came with one-third the pay; the family is struggling to make their mortgage payments.

The letter from the Arizona woman illustrated a policy conundrum, recalled senior adviser David Axelrod. President Obama read it, and absorbed the lesson.

"She said they had made all their mortgage payments, but were running out of money," Axelrod said. "And they were told they could not renegotiate unless they were delinquent in their payments."

Before President Obama's housing speech last week, he'd made copies of his letter and "sent it to his financial team and said, 'This is the kind of person our housing plan should help," Axelrod recalled.

The president had other copies made of that letter. He had it distributed to staff on Air Force One.

"He had been struck by how powerful the story was," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. "He wanted us as we were creating policy to make sure that we were listening and hearing these examples as well."

Every day President Barack Obama is handed a special purple folder. The folder contains ten letters, and every day President Obama takes time to read them.

Are they from world leaders? From members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? Members of the intelligence community?

No, these letters have been culled from the thousands the White House Correspondence Office receives each day from Americans who have taken the time to sit down and write to their president.

"They help him focus on the real problems people are facing," says Axelrod. "He really a absorbs these letters, and often shares then with us."

In his first week in office, President Obama requested that he see 10 letters a day "representative of people's concerns, from people writing into the president," recalls Gibbs, "to help get him outside of the bubble, to get more than just the information you get as an elected official."

Says Axelrod, "he did it because his greatest concern is getting isolated in the White House, away from the experiences of the American people...The letters impact him greatly."

Some recent examples, according to aides, include a letter from a businessman who owns a manufacturing company and says he finds it very difficult to lay off employees who have done nothing wrong. If things don't improve, the correspondent wrote, he'll have to lay off 10% of his workforce.

Another letter came from a divorced senior citizen raising a grandchild on a fixed income, including Social Security. She confessed to being depressed and scared.

A third came from a realtor who urged the president to do something about the large number of foreclosed properties. A fourth was a plea for help from an unemployed truck driver.

Monday through Friday the head of White House Correspondence delivers ten letters to be read by the President, choosing among letters that are broadly representative of the day’s news and issues; ones that are broadly representative of President’s intake of current mail, phone calls to the comment line, and faxes from citizens; and messages that are particularly compelling.

Some of these, maybe two or three each day, the President responds to in his own hand.

Gibbs says that before two different economic speeches, the President "pulled letters he has gotten and distributed them to staff, to understand what people were going through."

The vast majority of the calls coming into the White House, and over a third of the faxes have been on the stimulus package and the economy, so up to half of the letters the President sees are on that broad subject. Aides say that many of these correspondents also have other complications: bankruptcy due to health care, lost job, lost opportunities for their children.

A smaller number of the letters address other issues, such as the environment, health care, education, foreign affairs, or nuclear proliferation.

And a handful, usually no more than five a week, are from people who have a simple supportive message or inspirational story to tell.

The head of correspondence also includes letters to the President from smaller children who ask questions or give advice.

Sometimes the letters are include in the president's overnight briefing book.

As the President addresses the immense issues the nation and world face -- today the President will announce he's appointing an inspector general to head the transparency and accountability board to supervise the stimulus spending, and will host an fiscal responsibly summit; Tuesday he will address the economy before a joint sessions of Congress; Thursday he will present his budget -- the President's aides say these letters help the president stay in touch with real people and ignore the chatter here inside the DC bubble.

State Children's Health Insurance Program

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:28:02 EST

SCHIP passes In a step towards providing health care to millions of children around the country, the Senate this morning passed the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP. "As the worsening economy causes families to lose their jobs and health insurance, it is vital that we redouble our efforts to ensure that every child in America has access to affordable health care," President Obama said in a statement. "Providing health care to more than ten million children through the Children's Health Insurance Program will serve as a down payment on my commitment to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health care."

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a United States federal government program that gives matching funds to states in order to provide health insurance to families with children. The program was designed to cover uninsured children in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid.

At its creation in 1997, SCHIP was the largest expansion of taxpayer-funded health insurance coverage for children in the U.S. since Medicaid began in the 1960s.

During the administration of George W. Bush, two attempts to expand funding for the program failed when Bush vetoed them. In February 2009, President Barack Obama signed legislation expanding the program to an additional 4 million children and pregnant women, including for the first time legal immigrants without a waiting period.

Michelle Obama Entertains Kids At The White House In Celebration Of African American History Month

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:20:57 EST

2/18/09 - DARLENE SUPERVILLE- AP

WASHINGTON — Foot-stomping music filled the East Room of the White House on Wednesday as first lady Michelle Obama hosted nearly 200 schoolchildren for a Black History Month celebration featuring Sweet Honey in the Rock, an award-winning female a cappella ensemble.

Mrs. Obama seemed a bit surprised when the sixth- and seventh-graders from three local schools said yes, they knew slaves helped build the White House, that President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation upstairs in a bedroom named for him, and that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders met in the building with Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson to discuss the end of segregation.

"So you guys know your history. That's a good thing," she said. "That means your parents and teachers are doing their jobs."

Mrs. Obama encouraged them to look beyond the names in the history books and to "think about the extraordinary people who live in your own world," like parents, grandparents and teachers, "all those folks who play important roles in black history an American history every single day."

She said they will write history's next chapter and they should work hard every day, always put their best foot forward, even when no one is looking, and support their families at home by making their beds, putting away dishes and cleaning their rooms.

"That's part of the preparation," said Mrs. Obama, whose daughters, Malia and Sasha, sat in the front row with her mother, Marian Robinson.

Before Mrs. Obama spoke, the students listened as retired Rear Adm. Stephen Rochon told his own story. In 2007, Rochon became the first black man to be named chief usher at the White House and director of the executive residence.

President Barack Obama and the first lady have talked about opening up the White House and making it more accessible to the public.

Wednesday's event with Sweet Honey in the Rock, a Grammy Award-winning ensemble, was the first with a student audience, including some whose parents are members of the White House's professional staff. The students attend Shaw and Stuart-Hobson middle schools, and KIPP DC: KEY Academy, a charter school.

Health Care for the uninsured or underinsured

☮ CR ❤ — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 12:39:20 EST

With more people losing their jobs and their health care existing programs should be expanded or new ones created where mobile medical care programs would get government assistance to provide remedial medical care to the uninsured or underinsured people. This would alleviate the problem in emergency wards of people with life threatening medical problems vying with non-life threatening aliments. I have found these programs that already exist that on the web as examples:

* Mobile Medical Office is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve access to care for underserved members of the Humbolt county in northern California:

http://www.mobilemed.org/

* Kids Mobile Medical Clinic is to improve access for underserved children to comprehensive services necessary to achieve better health care in the Washington D.C. area:

http://www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org/body.cfm?id=1033

* The Crossroads Medical Mission is a non-profit Christian ministry providing primary medical services to those in southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee who are 'falling through the cracks' of the current health care system:

http://crossroadsmedicalmission.org/

* Ronald McDonald Children's Pediatric Mobile Health Unit serving underprivileged communities in the Chicago area:

http://www.luhs.org/rmch/community/mobile.htm

* Virginia Garcia’s Mobile Clinic plays a critical role in the outreach and delivery of services to the migrant and seasonal farm worker population, as well as to other underserved populations in service areas such as Head Start children and vineyard workers in Oregon:

http://www.virginiagarcia.org/mobile.html

* Mission of Mercy operates its Free Mobile Health Clinics in Arizona, Maryland, and Pennsylvania:

http://cme.asccp.org/mobile_health_services/

* Early Bird Mobile Medical Clinic - Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s C.A.R.E. Network, intent upon increasing its screening services and ultimately lowering cancer mortality rates in its service area and beyond, now has the only mobile medical clinic in the area dedicated to comprehensive community cancer screenings and patient education in the Lousiana areas:

http://www.marybird.org/content/early-bird-mobile-medical-clinic

* Mobile Medical Clinic delivers primary care services to homeless families and individuals throughout Multnomah County, Portland, OR:

http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/health/mobile/

* Bates Mobile Medical Clinic provides comprehensive primary care diagnosis and treatment of both acute and chronic conditions to homebound or disabled patients in the Spokane, WA area:

http://www.batesrx.com/mobile/

* The Mobile Medical Clinic is a “doctor’s office on wheels” designed to deliver health care services, both preventative and routine, to patients of all ages, ranging from birth to the elderly age group in Ohio:

* Grace Resource Center Mobile Medical Clinic in the Antelope Valley in California:

http://www.graceresources.org/MobileMedicalClinicVan.asp

How will the government stimulus plan affect you?

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:25:01 EST

2/14/09 AP

An examination of how the economic stimulus plan will affect Americans.

Taxes:

The recovery package has tax breaks for families that send a child to college, purchase a new car, buy a first home or make the ones they own more energy efficient.

Millions of workers can expect to see about $13 extra in their weekly paychecks, starting around June, from a new $400 tax credit to be doled out through the rest of the year. Couples would get up to $800. In 2010, the credit would be about $7.70 a week, if it is spread over the entire year.

The $1,000 child tax credit would be extended to more low-income families that don't make enough money to pay income taxes, and poor families with three or more children will get an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit.

Middle-income and wealthy taxpayers will be spared from paying the Alternative Minimum Tax, which was designed 40 years ago to make sure wealthy taxpayers pay at least some tax, but was never indexed for inflation. Congress fixes it each year, usually in the fall.

First-time homebuyers who purchase their homes before Dec. 1 would be eligible for an $8,000 tax credit, and people who buy new cars before the end of the year can write off the sales taxes.

Homeowners who add energy-efficient windows, furnaces and air conditioners can get a tax credit to cover 30 percent of the costs, up to a total of $1,500. College students — or their parents — are eligible for tax credits of up to $2,500 to help pay tuition and related expenses in 2009 and 2010.

Those receiving unemployment benefits this year wouldn't pay any federal income taxes on the first $2,400 they receive.

___

Health insurance:

Many workers who lose their health insurance when they lose their jobs will find it cheaper to keep that coverage while they look for work.

Right now, most people working for medium and large employers can continue their coverage for 18 months under the COBRA program when they lose their job. It's expensive, often over $1,000 a month, because they pay the share of premiums once covered by their employer as well as their own share from the old group plan.

Under the stimulus package, the government will pick up 65 percent of the total cost of that premium for the first nine months.

Lawmakers initially proposed to help workers from small companies, too, who don't generally qualify for COBRA coverage. But that fell through. The idea was to have Washington pay to extend Medicaid to them.

COBRA applies to group plans at companies employing at least 20 people. The subsidies will be offered to those who lost their jobs from Sept. 1 to the end of this year.

Those who were put out of work after September but didn't elect to have COBRA coverage at the time will have 60 days to sign up.

The plan offers $87 billion to help states administer Medicaid. That could slow or reverse some of the steps states have taken to cut the program.

___

Infrastructure:

Highways repaved for the first time in decades. Century-old waterlines dug up and replaced with new pipes. Aging bridges, stressed under the weight of today's SUVs, reinforced with fresh steel and concrete.

But the $90 billion is a mere down payment on what's needed to repair and improve the country's physical backbone. And not all economists agree it's an effective way to add jobs in the long term, or stimulate the economy.

___

Energy:

Homeowners looking to save energy, makers of solar panels and wind turbines and companies hoping to bring the electric grid into the computer age all stand to reap major benefits.

The package contains more than $42 billion in energy-related investments from tax credits to homeowners to loan guarantees for renewable energy projects and direct government grants for makers of wind turbines and next-generation batteries.

There's a 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,500 for the purchase of a highly efficient residential air conditioners, heat pumps or furnaces. The credit also can be used by homeowners to replace leaky windows or put more insulation into the attic. About $300 million would go for rebates to get people to buy efficient appliances.

The package includes $20 billion aimed at "green" jobs to make wind turbines, solar panels and improve energy efficiency in schools and federal buildings. It includes $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects as well as tax breaks or direct grants covering 30 percent of wind and solar energy investments. Another $5 billion is marked to help low-income homeowners make energy improvements.

About $11 billion goes to modernize and expand the nation's electric power grid and $2 billion to spur research into batteries for future electric cars.

___

Schools:

A main goal of education spending in the stimulus bill is to help keep teachers on the job.

Nearly 600,000 jobs in elementary and secondary schools could be eliminated by state budget cuts over the next three years, according to a study released this past week by the University of Washington. Fewer teachers means higher class sizes, something that districts are scrambling to prevent.

The stimulus sets up a $54 billion fund to help prevent or restore state budget cuts, of which $39 billion must go toward kindergarten through 12th grade and higher education. In addition, about $8 billion of the fund could be used for other priorities, including modernization and renovation of schools and colleges, though how much is unclear, because Congress decided not to specify a dollar figure.

The Education Department will distribute the money as quickly as it can over the next couple of years.

And it adds $25 billion extra to No Child Left Behind and special education programs, which help pay teacher salaries, among other things.

This money may go out much more slowly; states have five years to spend the dollars, and they have a history of spending them slowly. In fact, states don't spend all the money; they return nearly $100 million to the federal treasury every year.

The stimulus bill also includes more than $4 billion for the Head Start and Early Head Start early education programs and for child care programs.

___

National debt:

One thing about the president's $790 billion stimulus package is certain: It will jack up the federal debt.

Whether or not it succeeds in producing jobs and taming the recession, tomorrow's taxpayers will end up footing the bill.

Forecasters expect the 2009 deficit — for the budget year that began last Oct 1 — to hit $1.6 trillion including new stimulus and bank-bailout spending. That's about three times last year's shortfall.

The torrents of red ink are being fed by rising federal spending and falling tax revenues from hard-hit businesses and individuals.

The national debt — the sum of all annual budget deficits — stands at $10.7 trillion. Or about $36,000 for every man, woman and child in the U.S.

Interest payments alone on the national debt will near $500 billion this year. It's already the fourth-largest federal expenditure, after Medicare-Medicaid, Social Security and defense.

This will affect us all directly for years, as well as our children and possibly grandchildren, in higher taxes and probably reduced government services. It will also force continued government borrowing, increasingly from China, Japan, Britain, Saudi Arabia and other foreign creditors.

___

Environment:

The package includes $9.2 billion for environmental projects at the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. The money would be used to shutter abandoned mines on public lands, to help local governments protect drinking water supplies, and to erect energy-efficient visitor centers at wildlife refuges and national parks.

The Interior Department estimates that its portion of the work would generate about 100,000 jobs over the next two years.

Yet the plan will only make a dent in the backlog of cleanups facing the EPA and the long list of chores at the country's national parks, refuges and other public lands. It would be more like a down payment.

When it comes to national parks, the plan sets aside $735 million for road repairs and maintenance. But that's a fraction of the $9 billion worth of work waiting for funding.

At EPA, the payout is $7.2 billion. The bulk of the money will help local communities and states repair and improve drinking water systems and fund projects that protect bays, rivers and other waterways used as sources of drinking water.

The rest of EPA's cut — $800 million — will be used to clean up leaky gasoline storage tanks and the nation's hazardous waste sites.

___

Police:

The stimulus bill includes plenty of green for those wearing blue.

The compromise bill doles out more than $3.7 billion for police programs, much of which is set aside for hiring new officers.

The law allocates $2 billion for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant, a program that has funded drug task forces and things such as prisoner rehabilitation and after-school programs.

An additional $1 billion is set aside to hire local police under the Community Oriented Policing Services program. The program, known as COPS grants, paid the salaries of many local police officers and was a "modest contributor" to the decline in crime in the 1990s, according to a 2005 government oversight report.

Both programs had all been eliminated during the Bush administration.

The bill also includes $225 million for general criminal justice grants for things such as youth mentoring programs, $225 million for Indian tribe law enforcement, $125 million for police in rural areas, $100 million for victims of crimes, $50 million to fight Internet crimes against children and $40 million in grants for law enforcement along the Mexican border.

___

Higher Education:

The maximum Pell Grant, which helps the lowest-income students attend college, would increase from $4,731 currently to $5,350 starting July 1 and $5,550 in 2010-2011. That would cover three-quarters of the average cost of a four-year college. An extra 800,000 students, or about 7 million, would now get Pell funding.

The stimulus also increases the tuition tax credit to $2,500 and makes it 40 percent refundable, so families who don't earn enough to pay income tax could still get up to $1,000 in extra tuition help.

Computer expenses will now be an allowable expense for 529 college savings plans.

The final package cut $6 billion the House wanted to spend to kick-start building projects on college campuses. But parts of the $54 billion state stabilization fund — with $39 billion set aside for education — can be used for modernizing facilities.

There's also an estimated $15 billion for scientific research, much of which will go to universities. Funding for the National Institutes of Health includes $1.5 billion set aside for university research facilities.

Altogether, the package spends an estimated $32 billion on higher education.

___

The Poor:

More than 37 million Americans live in poverty, and the vast majority of them are in line for extra help under the giant stimulus package. Millions more could be kept from slipping into poverty by the economic lifeline.

People who get food stamps — 30 million and growing — will get more. People drawing unemployment checks — nearly 5 million and growing — would get an extra $25, and keep those checks coming longer. People who get Supplemental Security Income — 7 million poor Americans who are elderly, blind or disabled — would get one-time extra payments of $250.

Many low-income Americans also are likely to benefit from a trifecta of tax credits: expansions to the existing Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, and a new refundable tax credit for workers. Taken together, the three credits are expected to keep more than 2 million Americans from falling into poverty, including more than 800,000 children, according to the private Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The package also includes a $3 billion emergency fund to provide temporary assistance to needy families. In addition, cash-strapped states will get an infusion of $87 billion for Medicaid, the government health program for poor people, and that should help them avoid cutting off benefits to the needy.

Michelle Obama visits, praises Interior employees

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:28:20 EST

2/9/09 By NATASHA T. METZLER, AP

WASHINGTON – First lady Michelle Obama was honored by Native American groups Monday at the Interior Department and, in turn, she praised the agency's employees.

A department worker and member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe, Nedra Darling, presented Mrs. Obama with a handmade shawl that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said honored a woman of high achievement. The Black Bear Singers, a drum group, performed a traditional song in her honor.

AP – First Lady Michelle Obama models a handmade shawl she received from Director of Public Affairs

This was the first lady's third stop on a listening tour through the federal bureaucracy to thank employees for their work.

"It's been such a great way for me to get to know our new community and to meet you, our new co-workers and our new neighbors," Mrs. Obama said of her visits.

She praised Interior Department employees, saying they would be critical to the new administration's energy policies, such as using natural resources responsibly and fighting climate change.

"These aren't only vital for the survival of our planet," she said. "But also incredibly important to strengthen our economy and the well-being of our families."

Mrs. Obama also hailed the employee's work as stewards of the nation's land, saying that opportunities to experience nature through hiking and camping were key to family life.

She told those working with Native Americans at the department's Bureau of Indian Affairs that her husband, President Barack Obama, will appoint a senior policy adviser in the White House to work with them on issues including health care and education.

"Understand that you have a wonderful partner in the White House right now," she said to enthusiastic applause.

Without addressing specifics, Mrs. Obama acknowledged the scandals that have plagued the Interior Department in the recent years, including the conviction of a former deputy secretary for obstructing justice regarding his association with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The office that oversees oil and gas leasing was also rocked by a scandal last year involving sex, drugs and inappropriate gifts from oil companies.

"I know that this is an important time of reform and renewal here in this department," the first lady said. "And as you begin the work, the hard work of taking this department into a new era of excellence, I wanted to come by again to simply say thank you."

Mrs. Obama visited the departments of Education, and Housing and Urban Development last week.

Send bank CEOs a message via MoveOn.org

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:39:15 EST

Fellow Obama supporters I thought that the email I received from MoveOn.org might interest you (Moveon.org helped the Obama campaign mobilize supporters during the campaign season):

*********** MOVEON.ORG ***********

Can you help us reach 250,000 signatures by tomorrow? Clicking here will sign your name: "Congress must place enforceable, common-sense limits on salaries at all the banks that have taken taxpayer dollars." Sign the petition MoveOn has a campaign demanding accountability from Wall Street is off to a tremendous start. More than 200,000 people have already signed the petition to limit salaries at banks taking taxpayer bailouts.

And now, we have the perfect opportunity to confront the executives of these banks directly. The CEOs of the eight biggest bailout recipients are getting hauled before Congress on Wednesday. And when they do, they should hear from us, the everyday Americans who bailed out their banks and are affected by their actions.

We need to take our campaign to the next level—can you help us get to 250,000 signatures by tomorrow? If we meet our goal, we can deliver boxes and boxes of petitions to the committee in time for the hearing. And our representatives will be able to show the banks how many Americans are outraged and demanding accountability.

Clicking the link below will add your name to the petition: http://pol.moveon.org/bonus/o.pl?id=15520-15146003-zkZDcRx&t=3

The petition says: "Congress must place enforceable, common-sense limits on salaries at all the banks that have taken taxpayer dollars."

After you sign the petition, you'll have the opportunity to leave a personal message for the committee members. If you have a question you want to make sure the CEOs have to answer, or a story about how the credit crisis has affected your family, please submit it after signing the petition. We'll make sure it gets to the committee in time for the hearing on Wednesday.

President Obama took a great first step last week, limiting pay at companies taking bailouts going forward.1 And Congress is poised to go even further this week. But they need to know that the public expects them to hold the banks accountable, first by reining in executive pay and then by ensuring our money is being spent the way it was intended.

When Congress authorized the Bush administration to use $700 billion of Americans' hard-earned dollars to bail out Wall Street, we were told that it was necessary to keep credit markets from freezing up. But instead, we're finding out that with no real restrictions on what Wall Street could do with the money, they've used it for private jet rides2, corporate mergers3, and astronomical salaries.4

We need to demand accountability from every bank taking taxpayer dollars. They need to use the money to get our economy moving again, and they need to do it in a way that protects our investment in them. The report that Wall Street bankers took home $18.4 billion in bonuses in 2008 was shocking, and proof that Wall Street isn't going to do the right thing on their own.

That's why we need to make sure that Congress demands accountability. Wednesday's hearing is a great opportunity, and it will be much more powerful if these Wall Street CEOs have to face all of us, not just our representatives. Can you sign the petition and then share a question or personal story for Wednesday's hearing? http://pol.moveon.org/bonus/o.pl?id=15520-15146003-zkZDcRx&t=4

Thanks for all you do. –Daniel, Anna, Eli, Patrick S. and the rest of the team

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:

1. "Obama Outlines Limits on Executive Pay," The Washington Post, February 5, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51145&id=15520-15146003-zkZDcRx&t=5

2. "Scrutiny of Bankers' Perks Will Grow, Too," The New York Times, February 4, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51149&id=15520-15146003-zkZDcRx&t=6

3. "Pfizer's Wyeth Deal Perverts U.S. Bailout, Group Says," Bloomberg News, February 2, 2009 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51150&id=15520-15146003-zkZDcRx&t=7

4. "What Red Ink? Wall St. Paid Fat Bonuses," The New York Times, January 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/business/29bonus.html

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

2/8/09 Economic Recovery Meeting

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:05:37 EST

Catherine Le Ruyet graciously hosted a Economic Recovery Meeting this evening that went very well. The nine of us introduced our selves, we watched the video of DNC Chair/Governor Kaine and of President Obama speak about the Economic Recovery meetings. Our group consisted of people from all political parties and from a variety of vocations coming together to voice options and discuss ideas. The results of our meeting will be forwarded to

econrecoverymeetings@gmail.com

By meeting, sharing ideas and spearing the word to others in our communities and our families WE CAN find common middle ground and voice that we want and need bipartisan results for things to start to change. We learned that as promised there will be transparency in government spending and they can be monitored on

http://www.recovery.gov

************* Update ***************

Questions/Suggestions/Comments

1. I think that there should be an incentive to companies who outsourced jobs out like tax breaks etc. to bring jobs back to America.

2. Would it be possible to fund a teacher training corp to go out to schools and educate the teachers on recent research on major health issues such as obesity, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, recent dietary findings etc. (many of the issues stifled by the previous administration). A similar corp could be funded to update science issues such as global climate change and stimulate interest in science and math careers. Parent volunteers could also be trained at the same time in order to extend the outreach of these programs. We have a large retired population now with expertise in various areas that can be made good use of. In our little group that met last night we had two engineers, at least one scientist, some teachers and many other obviously capable people. My husband suggests a possible tax credit for community volunteers.

3. Is it be possible to keep some of our military personnel that will be coming home from assignments oversees working on jobs here at home so that they don't add to the unemployment problem. The worst thing for them to come home to is unemployment. Emotionally they will be much better off if they can earn money for their families and continue to feel like they are making a valuable contribution, perhaps even overlay some of the horrors of war with the knowledge that they are capable of making positive contributions at home. Ideally this could be accomplished without a period of insecurity and sense of abandonment.

4. Removing the health care insecurity would be the single most stimulating act that the government could do. A clean across the board single payer system would allow sharp young people who feel they have to stay glued to "safe" jobs that offer health care would be freer to start their own companies, manufacture and invent things at home ( If they can be sure their children have health care.). Our auto industry and other large companies could compete more equally with companies from other countries that do not carry the burden of health care. State and local government in danger of bankruptsy would have the burden of health care off their backs, be able to retain jobs.

5. Thoughts about the bill, as I understand it to be.
a. The Governor was correct in his statement about need to have Jobs as the first priority.
b. Looking at past history of the House and Senate, I am concerned about “PORK".

c. 800 + Billion dollars is a shockingly high figure, but it will undoubtedly take a lot to dig our way out of the hole we find ourselves in.

I am pleased to hear that there will be an individual (with staff) responsible to oversee the use of these funds, I hope this includes VISIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY (terms that seemed foreign to the previous administration).

6. All transactions should be open to public scrutiny, but to make it work, the responsible individual must have a charter that allows him (or her) to exercise a line item veto to be used when basic criteria are not being met. Such action should be based on at least two overriding criteria: How Many Jobs, how soon, and at what Cost!! There must also be an fast, easy, and visible way to make necessary changes.

7. As many programs as possible should be established to provide immediate relief while other undergo the planning, engineering, and reviews necessary to assure their effective implementation.

8. These requirements seem be a logical extension of President Obama’s promise to review all Government programs; and determine how well they serve the public need and how efficient and effective they are. Followed by programs to fix those that are not effective or efficient, and drop those that are unnecessary. THIS LONG OVERDUE.

9. We would like to see on your website every person behind/backing/pushing each item in your recovery plan. Transparency is key!

10. Right now there is no such thing as clean coal. Who in congress is backing this?

11. Nuclear Power is NOT clean energy! We should be decreasing our usage NOT increasing it!!! The disposal of nuclear waste is extremely hazardous to people and the environment! NO NEW Nuclear Power PLANTS!!!

12. What companies will have the new job openings mentioned in your plan? How can we find out the who, what, where and when?

13. I think that since the arts and sports will likely get the axe in schools that maybe people could hold community events and volunteer their music, artistic, athletic abilities to children during the weekends, after school to fill in the void.

Obama greets 'good friend' Blair

☮ CR ❤ — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:53:04 EST

2/5/09 BBC

Tony Blair has become the first leading British politician to meet Barack Obama since he was sworn in as US President.

The former prime minister was welcomed as a "very good friend" by Mr Obama, as he gave a speech at the traditional National Prayer Breakfast.

The former British PM had a warm greeting for First Lady Michelle Obama at a Washington prayer breakfast this week- Photo: © PA

For his part Mr Obama described Mr Blair as a "very good friend" and "somebody who did it first and perhaps did it better than I will do"- Photo: © PA

He advised the new president: "You don't need cheerleaders but partners, not spectators but supporters."

Mr Obama praised Mr Blair as "somebody who did it first and perhaps did it better than I will do".

In his speech, Mr Blair had some words of advice for the new president, telling him: "The truest friends are those still around when the going gets toughest."

Mr Blair, who converted to Catholicism after leaving office, warned that the "public eye is not always the most congenial".

"Should it ever be tested, I hope your faith can sustain you and your family," he said.

After the address Mr Obama said: "I want to thank my good friend Tony Blair for coming today. He has been an example to so many people around the world of what dedicated leadership can accomplish."

Shortly after Mr Obama's inauguration, Downing Street played down claims there was an unofficial race between European leaders to be the first to meet the new president.

But Gordon Brown was the first European leader to receive a post-inaugural phone call from Mr Obama.

The president is due to visit the UK in April for a meeting of G20 leaders focusing on the economic downturn.

During his speech, Mr Blair joked about the differences between faith and politics in the US and the UK.

He told the audience of the "complete consternation" when, as PM, he wanted to end an address to the country with "God bless the British people".

"The system was aghast ... As I sat trying to defend my words a senior civil servant said with utter disdain, 'Really prime minister, this is not America you know'," he recalled.

He ended his keynote speech: "By the way, God bless you all."

President Obama's Economic Advisory Board

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:10:27 EST

February 6, 2009

President Obama's Announces Economic Advisory Board

Paul Volcker will serve as Chairman and Austan Goolsbee as Staff Director and Chief Economist. Mr Volcker is best known as Chairman of the Federal Reserve under United States Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan (from August 1979 to August 1987. He was also the 5th President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In office May 2, 1975 – August 5, 1979.

Members of the Board include:

William H. Donaldson, Chairman, SEC (2003-2005) founded DLJ, founded (and dean of) the Yale School of Management, served as Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs in the Nixon Administration

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr ., President & CEO, TIAA-CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association - College Retirement Equities Fund is one of the largest financial services companies in the United States, with $398 billion in assets under management as of 9/30/08) and Former Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).

Robert Wolf, Chairman & CEO, UBS Group Americas (UBS is a leading global wealth manager, a leading, global investment banking and securities firm, and one of the largest global asset managers).

David F. Swensen, CIO, Yale University (a private university in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States[2][3] and is a member of the Ivy League).

Mark T. Gallogly , Founder & Managing Partner, Centerbridge Partners L.P. (a multi-strategy private investment firm)

Penny Pritzker, Chairman & Founder, Pritzker Realty Group (assets under management of Pritzker Realty, L.P., included apartment buildings, office and industrial developments, parking lots, and senior living facilities across the U.S. with a combined value of $5 Billion).

Jeffrey R. Immelt, CEO, GE (a multinational American technology and services conglomerate incorporated in the State of New York.)

John Doerr, Partner, Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers (a venture capital firm located on Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley)

Jim Owens, Chairman and CEO, Caterpillar Inc. (world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines)

Monica C. Lozano, Publisher & Chief Executive Officer, La Opinion (Spanish-language daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California and distributed throughout the six counties of Southern California. It is the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the United States and second-most read newspaper in Los Angeles)

Charles E. Phillips, Jr., President, Oracle Corporation (specializes in developing and marketing enterprise software products — particularly database management systems).

Anna Burger, Chair, Change to Win (Secretary-Treasurer of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Chair of the Change to Win Federation)

Richard L. Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO (a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions (including Canadian), together representing more than 10 million workers)

Laura D'Andrea Tyson, Dean, Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley (one of 14 schools and colleges at the University of California, Berkeley.

Martin Feldstein, George F. Baker Professor of Economics, Harvard University (is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., and a member of the Ivy League)

Amnesty International's 2009 Annual General Meeting

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:16:20 EST

Amnesty International's 2009 Annual General Meeting

Please join the 2009 AGM March 27-29, 2009 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers in historic Boston, Massachusetts to help Amnesty International to grow both the scope of our work and the strength of our movement.

The inauguration of the nation's first African American president is an occasion loaded with both the promise and the pain of our country's history. Many hope this moment will mark the end of an era during which our own government led the charge to destroy many of the very protections the United Nations established 60 years ago with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We now have an unprecedented opportunity to articulate a positive human rights agenda, hone our strategic advocacy and apply the power of the AI movement toward our goals.

Our featured speakers and program sessions will focus on topics such as women’s human rights, building the movement to counter terror with justice, immigrant rights, and responding to critical human rights crises such as Darfur and Gaza. The AGM will include interactive trainings and policy making sessions. Arrive by 1:00 pm on Friday to participate in special training sessions and to join our Immigrants' Rights rally at 4 pm.

Early bird registration ends Thursday, February 12th! Register now to take advantage of our discounted registration. Starting February 13th, registration will increase by $20.00.

In addition, the final deadline for online registration is February 28, 2009, so please plan to register online ahead of this date.

Register Today!

Join us in Boston for the 2009 Annual General Meeting!

You can register online at www.amnestyusa.org/agm

Also, reserve your hotel room now to receive special discounted rates. Use this link to receive a special Amnesty rate.

The hotel is offering newly reduced rates, room rates are below:

$129.00/night (Single- European/Economy guestroom)*
$149.00/night (Single/Double)
$169.00/night (Triple)
$189.00/ night (Quad)
*This size room will only hold one guest

Act now to book your hotel room! The group discount is only available until February 28th.

The website will be updated frequently with more information about the AGM—so check back often! If you have any questions about the AGM, please contact aiusa-agm@aiusa.org, or call (202) 544-0200.

We look forward to seeing you all at the conference and thank you for your commitment to the human rights movement!

In solidarity,

Larry Cox
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA

Chris Wallace: My Grandson Is "Completely Obsessed" With Obama

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:28:01 EST

2/4/09 Danny Shea- Huffington Post

Fox News' Chris Wallace spoke to Politico about his interview with President Obama Tuesday. Wallace, who Obama said on-air has "always been gracious" towards him, told Politico that he instructed the President to have more "energy" in their interview, not "emotion" as reported by one media blog.

Wallace also told Obama that his three-year-old grandson, William, is a huge fan of the President's — so much so that he won't go to sleep unless he's told Obama is asleep: Meanwhile, before air, Wallace also told Obama a story of his 3-year-old grandson, William and of course whipped out a photo for the President. His grandson apparently, is a huge Obama supporter. "He's been watching with his mom and has become completely obsessed," Wallace tells us, "so much so he refuses to go to bed. And the only way that his mother could get him to sleep is, he'll say 'Is Obama asleep?' And his mother will say 'yes' and he'll respond with "OK then I'll go to sleep.'" This is at 8:15p.m., by the way. Obama loved this story and 20 minutes later, after the interview ended he said "Be sure to say to William for me.'"

Wallace also had high praise for thew new President. "The thing that struck me the most was how easily and how comfortably he wears the mantle of the Presidency," he said. "He seems completely at ease with the job and the trappings and the responsibilities and seemed completely serene - and it was a tough day yesterday."

Obama caps executive pay tied to bailout money

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:08:47 EST

1/4/09 By JIM KUHNHENN, AP

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Wednesday imposed $500,000 caps on senior executive pay for the most distressed financial institutions receiving federal bailout money, saying Americans are upset with "executives being rewarded for failure."

Obama announced the dramatic new government intervention into corporate America at the White House, with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner at his side. The president said the executive-pay limits are a first step, to be followed by the unveiling next week of a sweeping new framework for spending what remains of the $700 billion financial industry bailout that Congress created last year.

The executive-pay move comes amid a national outcry over huge bonuses to executives heading companies seeking taxpayer dollars to remain afloat. The demand for limits was reinforced by revelations that Wall Street firms paid more than $18 billion in bonuses in 2008 even amid the economic downturn and the massive infusion of taxpayer dollars.

"This is America. We don't disparage wealth. We don't begrudge anybody for achieving success," Obama said. "But what gets people upset — and rightfully so — are executives being rewarded for failure. Especially when those rewards are subsidized by U.S. taxpayers."

The pay cap would apply to institutions that negotiate agreements with the Treasury Department for "exceptional assistance" in the future. The restriction would not apply to such firms as American International Group Inc., Bank of America Corp., and Citigroup Inc., that already have received such help.

"There is a deep sense across the country that those who were not ... responsible for this crisis are bearing a greater burden than those who were," Geithner said.

Firms that want to pay executives above the $500,000 threshold would have to use stock that could not be sold or liquidated until they pay back the government funds.

Generally healthy institutions would have more leeway. They also face the $500,000 limit if they're getting government help, but the cap can be waived with full public disclosure and a nonbinding shareholder vote.

Obama said that massive severance packages for executives who leave failing firms are also going to be eliminated. "We're taking the air out of golden parachutes," he said.

Other new requirements on "exceptional assistance" will include:

* The expansion to 20, from five, the number of executives who would face reduced bonuses and incentives if they are found to have knowingly provided inaccurate information related to company financial statements or performance measurements.

* An increase in the ban on golden parachutes from a firm's top five senior executives to its top 10. The next 25 would be prohibited from golden parachutes that exceed one year's compensation.

* A requirement that boards of directors adopt policies on spending such as corporate jets, renovations and entertainment.

The administration also will propose long-term compensation restrictions even for companies that don't receive government assistance, Obama said.

Those proposals include:

• Requiring top executives at financial institutions to hold stock for several years before they can cash out.

• Requiring nonbinding "say on pay" resolutions — that is, giving shareholders more say on executive compensation.

• A Treasury-sponsored conference on a long-term overhaul of executive compensation.

Top officials at companies that have received money from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program already face some compensation limits.

And compensation experts in the private sector have warned that such an intrusion into the internal decisions of financial institutions could discourage participation in the rescue program and slow down the financial sector's recovery. They also argue that it could set a precedent for government regulation that undermines performance-based pay.

"It's not a government takeover," Obama stressed in an interview Tuesday with CNN. "Private enterprise will still be taking place. But people will be accountable and responsible."

Still, some elected officials were pushing for the stricter caps.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., has proposed that no employee of an institution that receives money under the $700 billion federal bailout can receive more than $400,000 in total compensation until it pays the money back. Her figure is equivalent to the salary of the president of the United States.

Even some Republicans, angered by company decisions to pay bonuses and buy airplanes while receiving government help, have few qualms about restrictions.

"In ordinary situations where the taxpayers' money is not involved, we shouldn't set executive pay," said Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee.

"But where you've got federal money involved, taxpayers' money involved, TARP money involved, and the way they have spent it, with no accountability, is getting close to being criminal."

Michelle Obama makes her first speech as First Lady

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:17:07 EST

2/3/09 By Mail Foreign Service

Michelle Obama has made her first solo speech as first lady, choosing education for her first foray into government policy.

She stressed the need for more spending on schools and teachers and promoted her husband's $825 billion stimulus package.

'Imagine what we can do with millions of dollars more investment in this area,' she said.

'We can expand opportunities in low-income districts for all students, particularly for students with disabilities,' she told 350 staff gathered for a pep talk.

She said President Obama's plan would prevent layoffs and education cuts, create jobs and make college more affordable.

'With these investments that we hope to make through this stimulus package, we'll be able to prevent teacher layoffs and education cuts in hard-hit states. We need to keep teachers in the classrooms throughout this time.'

Her speech was met with enthusiastic applause as she said she and Mr obama were committed to giving children an outstanding education.

Mrs Obama, who was joined by education secretary Anne Duncan, started by saying: 'I'm a product of your work,' in a reference to her education in Chicago. 'I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the public schools that nurtured me and helped me along.

'And I am committed, as well as my husband, to ensuring that more kids like us and kids around this country, regardless of their race, their income, their status, the property values in their neighbourhoods, get access to an outstanding education.'

Her appearance was the first of several scheduled at government agencies over the coming weeks. As a former hospital executive, she is thought to want to make the often criticised U.S. health care system the top of her agenda.

Mrs Obama was cheered by the audience at the Education Department in Washington yesterday

With two young daughters, Sasha and Malia at school in Washington DC, she is also passionate about improving education standards.

Mr Obama has told Republicans he will scale back some of his spending plans to get his stimulus package approved by the Senate.

'We're going to be trimming out things that are not relevant to putting people back to work right now,' Mr Obama said.

He said he would remove those proposals which were not directly aimed at creating jobs.

Republicans had threatened to derail the stimulus bill, which will be voted on this week. mr obama wants the money released by the middle of the month.

In an interview with NBC he admitted that if his multi-billion-dollar rescue package does not work he would be out of a job at the end of four years.

'If I don't have this done in three years then there's going to be a one-term proposition,' he said.

WHO GETS WHAT: Billions for police in Obama plan

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:26:56 EST

1/2/09 By MATT APUZZO, AP

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama wants the government back in the policing business, big time.

Obama's huge stimulus plan includes about $4 billion to resurrect grants that put tens of thousands of police on the streets during the 1990s. The programs were all but eliminated during the Bush administration amid criticism that their results didn't justify the hefty price tags.

The grants are popular with Democrats, and restoring them was central to Obama's campaign plan to combat rising violence. By tacking the money onto the stimulus plan, Obama avoids having to defend the spending during the normal budget process.

The proposal allocates $3 billion for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant, a program that has funded drug task forces, after-school programs, prisoner rehabilitation and other programs.

*******

Overview:
The Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grant Program (Byrne Formula Grant Program) is a partnership among federal, state, and local governments to create safer communities. BJA is authorized to award grants to states for use by states and units of local government to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system—with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenders—and enforce state and local laws that establish offenses similar to those in the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(6) et seq.).

Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants also may be used to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of these offenders. Twenty-nine legislatively authorized purpose areas were established to define the nature and scope of programs and projects that may be funded under the Byrne Formula Grant Program.

Legislation: The Byrne Formula Grant Program was created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690).

Eligibility: The 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to apply for formula grant funds.

Local jurisdictions are not eligible for direct Byrne Formula Grant Program funding; however, local practitioners may seek funding for innovative projects through subgrants. In each state, the governor appoints a State Administering Agency (SAA) to handle the subgranting of these funds to local and state criminal justice operations. Local practitioners should contact the appointed SAA office to obtain application information. Typically, overall funding plans and funding decisions are made by advisory boards consisting of a community's leading criminal justice officials, including police chiefs, prosecutors, chief justices, and corrections commissioners. These advisory boards should be contacted and apprized of the project's value and level of support. Alternatively, in many states, funds are subgranted to local units of government in block form with decisions made locally on individual projects. In this instance, local practitioners should contact these local agencies and any advisory boards they appoint for application information.

Related Publications/Information:

Byrne Draft Performance Measures by Purpose Area

FY 2003 Byrne Formula Grant Program State Allocations (PDF)

FY 2003 Byrne Formula Grant Program Variable Passthrough Percentages (PDF)

FY 2003 Byrne Formula Grant Program Guidance (PDF)

Jacob Wetterling Act Resource Guide

Contact Information:
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Programs Office
810 Seventh Street NW.
Washington, DC 20531
202-514-6638
Fax: 202-305-2543
E-mail: AskBJA@usdoj.gov

State Administering Agency (SAA)

Another $1 billion in stimulus money is set aside for the Community Oriented Policing Services program begun under President Clinton. The program, known as COPS grants, paid the salaries of many local police officers and was a "modest contributor" to the decline in crime in the 1990s, according to a 2005 government oversight report.

President George Bush slashed both grant programs over the past eight years, citing a series of reports questioning their efficiency and oversight.

But the programs remain popular among many lawmakers, who often used the grants to steer money to their home districts. Mayors and police chiefs love them, particularly during lean economic times.

In New Bedford, Mass., a port city of about 92,000, Police Chief Ronald Teachman said a new round of grants would put police on the streets at a time when experts expect crime to rise with the unemployment rate. With the mayor warning of city layoffs, Teachman said grants would keep him from having to move detectives and school resource officers into patrol cars to fill shifts.

And it would mean jobs, he said, which is why the stimulus was written.

"Any dollar they spend in New Bedford is going to be used better than one they spend on Merrill Lynch or others on Wall Street," Teachman said. "I'm not going to hold the money back and not tell you where I'm spending it."

The House passed the stimulus bill, but the version that makes it out of the Senate is expected to be different.

But because Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General-nominee Eric Holder strongly support the grants — and Democrats control Congress — the programs will likely be resurrected even if they don't make it into the final stimulus bill.

From the Bureau of Justice Assistance website.

Vice President Joe Biden: “Time to put middle class front and center”

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:05:08 EST

Time to put middle class front and center

1/30/09 By Vice President Joe Biden -whitehouse.org

For years, we had a White House that failed to put the middle class front and center in its economic policies.

President Barack Obama has made it clear that is going to change. And it's why he's asked me to lead a task force on the middle class.

America's middle class is hurting. Trillions of dollars in home equity and retirement savings and college savings are gone. And every day, more and more Americans are losing their jobs.

For the backbone of America, it's insult on top of injury. Over the course of America's last economic expansion, the middle class participated in very few of the benefits. But now in the midst of this historic economic downturn, the middle class sure is participating in all of the pain. Something is seriously wrong when the economic engine of this nation - the great middle class - is treated this way.

President Obama and I are determined to change this. Quite simply, a strong middle class equals a strong America. We can't have one without the other.

An economy for all Americans

Right now, our most urgent task is to stabilize our economy and put it back on track. That is what our economic recovery package moving through the Congress is all about. We need to make these critical investments to jumpstart our economy.

On top of this urgent task, though, we have an important long-term task as well. Once this economy starts growing again, we need to make sure the benefits of that growth reach the people responsible for it. We can't stand by and watch as that narrow sliver of the top of the income scale wins a bigger piece of the pie - while everyone else gets a smaller and smaller slice.

One of the things that makes this task force distinctive is it brings together - in one place - those agencies that have the most impact on the well-being of the middle class in our country. We'll be looking at everything from access to college and training with the Department of Education, to business development with the Department of Commerce, to child care reform with Health and Human Services, to labor law with the Department of Labor. With this task force, we'll have a single, high-visibility group with one goal: To raise the living standards of middle-class families.

Over the upcoming months, we will focus on answering those concerns that matter most to families. What can we do to make retirement more secure? How can we make child and elder care more affordable? How do we improve workplace safety? How are we going to get the cost of college within reach? What can we do to help weary parents juggle work and family? And, above all else, what are the jobs of the future? Here, we'll be looking at green jobs, better-paying jobs, better-quality jobs.

Open to the public

At the end of the day, it will be our responsibility to offer clear, specific steps we can take to meet these concerns and others.

Unlike some previous government task forces, our taskforce will operate in a fully transparent manner. We will consult openly and publicly with outside groups who have thought long and hard about these issues and can help us bring the most far-reaching and imaginative solutions to these problems. All the materials from our meetings, and any report we produce, will be up on our public website. None of this will happen behind closed doors.

In government, as in life, you need clear goals to succeed. In the Obama/Biden administration, we have set a very clear goal: Our administration will have succeeded if the middle class once again starts to share in the economic success of this nation.

Special family moments mark Barack Obama's big day

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:33:33 EST

21 JANUARY 2009- Hello Magazine

He might be the most powerful man in the world, but to his two young daughters Barack Obama is still just dad. And as the 44th president of the United States was sworn in on Tuesday, he got the seal of approval from his younger child, seven-year-old Sasha, in the form of a broad smile and a big thumbs up.

Standing among an estimated three million people as their father was inaugurated at a historic ceremony on Capitol Hill must have been an exciting experience for Sasha and ten-year-old Malia. The girls seemed perfectly at ease, though, as they stood alongside their mum, new First Lady Michelle.

At one point Sasha, dressed in a pink coat and orange scarf, jokingly pretended her hands were binoculars to scan the huge crowd, while Malia - already known as the budding photographer of the family - recorded the day for the family album on her camera.

In a sign of how close-knit and down-to-earth the new First Family are, they invited some of the 100 relatives and friends in Washington for the occasion to join them for a mass sleep-over for their first night in the White House.

Obama Signs Equal Pay for Equal Work Bill The New Legislation Amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:26:53 EST

1/28/09 By CLAIRE SHIPMAN, SUSAN RUCCI, IMAEYEN IBANGA & NITYA VENKATARAMAN- ABC

Calling pay equity not a women's issue but "a family issue," President Obama today signed a new bill seeking to end decades-long pay disparities between men and women.

Joined in the East Room of the White House by the first female Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, first lady Michelle Obama and the 70-year-old tire plant supervisor for whom the bill is named, Obama said it was "fitting that the very first bill I signed -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act -- that it is upholding one of this nation's founding principles: that we are all created equal and each deserve a chance to pursue our own version of happiness."

The equal-pay bill ends a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision saying employees only had 180 days to file pay-discrimination lawsuits and is expected to make it easier for workers to sue for decades-long discrimination. It is the first bill Obama has signed into law.

Ledbetter filed a 1998 suit against a Goodyear Tire Rubber Co.plant in Gadsen, Ala., after learning men working in the same position were making more money. In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 vote that Ledbetter waited too long to sue since she brought the suit near the end of her 19-year career with the company.

"I was initially humiliated, I felt degraded," Ledbetter has said of her feelings about the pay disparity.

The new legislation allows suits to be brought up years later as long as the alleged pay disparity is continuing and isn't limited to gender-based discrimination.

It amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act and also applies to discrimination based on factors such as race, religion, national origin, disability or age.

"In signing this bill today, I intend to send a clear message that making our economy work means making sure it works for everyone," Obama told of approximately 150, including members of Congress and women's and labor groups who have long been advocates of the bill.

Michelle Obama a Strong Supporter

The legislation highlights an issue close to Michelle Obama, who championed equal pay on the campaign trail.

"Right now the average woman is earning 77 cents to every dollar that a man earns, here in the United States, for the same work," she said during a September 2008 campaign speech.

The Census Bureau last year estimated that women still receive only about 78 cents for every dollar that men get for doing equivalent jobs.

That discrepancy equals $210,000 less for women over 35-year full-time work life, according to an August 2008 study from Institute for Women's Policy Research.

For the ABC 20/20 video:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/President44/story?id=6757817&page=1

Cleaning the White House

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:54:49 EST

1/28/09 whitehouse.gov

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar kicked off the daily press briefing today with his plans for cleaning out a department that has become famous for scandal.

"Over the last eight years, the Department of Interior has been tarnished by ethical lapses, of criminal behavior that has extended to the very highest levels of government," he said.

He’s taking over a Department plagued by Jack Abramoff-related scandals and another involving sex and drug use by Interior employees, and promised to clean house.

"We will work to reform the Department of the Interior, to restore the public's trust and confidence in the highest levels of ethics and accountability that the American people deserve," he said.

He then took a couple of questions, before handing the podium over to Press Secretary Gibbs. Highlights below – you can read the full remarks below.

On off-shore drilling:

Salazar: With respect to the Outer Continental Shelf, as President Obama made very clear during the campaign, we will look at the OCS in connection with a comprehensive energy program for the nation. One of the signature issues that President Obama will work on very hard, has worked on very hard, and will continue to work on very hard is the development of a comprehensive energy strategy. We need to address the economic opportunity here at home, the environmental insecurity that comes from global warming, and also the national security issues. And so, as we move forward with the development of our oil and gas resources, both onshore and offshore, it has to be a part of a set of a comprehensive energy program.

On oil and gas exploration on federal lands:

Salazar: There are a number of different regulations and actions that were taken by the Bush administration, some of them in the midnight hour as their term expired here, and we have all of those on the table and we're taking a look at them. There are some which are bad and which need a new direction. There are probably some which will be kept in place. [Regarding] the approach to oil and gas development -- it has to be done in the context of a comprehensive energy plan. And it also has to be done with the right kind of balance. There are places where it is appropriate to explore and to develop oil and gas resources, and there are places that are not appropriate.

On President Obama’s meeting today with Pentagon officials:

Gibbs: With the status of forces agreement that puts an end date on our involvement there -- we're no longer involved in a debate about whether, but how and when. That's a process the President wants to take seriously; wants to ensure the safety of our troops as we remove our combat brigades; wants to, as I've said repeatedly, provide the responsibility and the opportunity for the Iraqis to do more in governing their own country; and as I said, to do this in a way that seeks the consultation of all those leaders….Everyone understands that our force structure there will change, but that we have to do so in a way that protects the troops that we have there now.

On specific elements of the economic stimulus package (which several hours later the House approved):

Gibbs: Let's focus on the larger picture...As we get focused on this number and that number and 2/100ths of 1 percent and all this kind of stuff, understand what we've seen in just the last 48 hours: 70,000 people since Monday have gotten pink slips from the companies that they work for, right? The unemployment figures that came out just yesterday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found every state in the country's -- every state in the country saw job loss....We think if members focus on this bill they'll see that it moves the economy forward; that money will be spent in this economy, 75 percent of it in the first 18 months; that jobs will be created, jobs will be saved, money will get put back into people's pockets. This, along with a financial stability package, reregulation, and a plan to deal with home foreclosures, will push this economy forward and put people back to work. And hopefully one day we can come up here and I won't have to answer a question based on the fact that another company has decided to lay off 2,000 or 10,000 or 20,000 people.

On Secretary Gates' comments yesterday that, "We need to be very careful about the nature of our goals we set for ourselves in Afghanistan":

Gibbs: [Yes], it's going to take quite some time and we have to be realistic about both that timeline and those goals. The President said that Afghanistan and the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan represent the central front on the war on terror; that today in those places, terrorists likely plot their next steps both against governments in that region, as well as against us. And the safety and the security of the American people are utmost on the President's agenda. Through that comprehensive review, we'll adjust whatever we need to, to meet goals and time lines as it relates to Afghanistan.

On the rate of spending of the stimulus plan:

Gibbs: The reason that some of this money isn't completely spent out in '09 and 2010 is ... I don't think we're going to wake up on January 1, 2011, you know, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and we're going to go from black and white to color. We're still going to have a lot of battles to face and economic hardship to move the economy to a better place. So that the investment and the stimulus that happen as a result of this legislation don't drop off like a cliff, some of that money bleeds into 2011. The CBO I think talked in its report about the fact that that money would then -- would create jobs in 2011. I don't want to get hung up on sort of these rigid times and not understand that we're going to wake up the beginning of 2011 and want people to be employed, families to be borrowing money to buy the things that they want to, like cars or loans for their kids to go to school, and to have healthy small businesses that are creating jobs. All that stuff has got to happen; it's not just going to all happen overnight.

On the President's upcoming trip to Canada:

Gibbs: I think it is safe to say that the health of each economy and the health of the global economy will be a large part of that agenda. And I strongly anticipate, as was the case when the then President-elect met with the leader of Mexico, that trade will be a part of that docket.

The Inaugural Jewels

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:22:19 EST

The Inaugural Jewels

Posted on 1/28/09 Mrs-O.org

Image via Flickr user dbking / Creative Commons

From her beaming smile, to her crystal embellished Jason Wu gown, to her diamond jewelry, Mrs. O sparkled through and through at the Inaugural Ball. But despite a lifetime’s worth of photography and video from the evening, the details of Mrs. O’s inaugural jewelry have eluded us. We could never quite get a clear view of Mrs. O’s diamond earrings, bracelets and cocktail ring. Thanks to the gracious people at Loree Rodkin, we can now take in every last stone.

We first saw Mrs. O wear Loree Rodkin earrings on Election Night in November. Subsequently, Mrs. O turned to the designer for most of the jewelry she wore throughout the inauguration, including pieces she wore at the Lincoln Memorial Celebration, the Kids Inaugural Concert and finally the Inaugural Ball.

In an interview with First Water News, Ms. Rodkin revealed the design instruction for the Inaugural Ball jewelry had been “pieces be all white with no color”. She continued, “I wanted sparkle but no too glitzy. I wanted the jewelry to pop but not overwhelm.”

With that direction, Ms. Rodkin designed an exclusive, one-of-a-kind suite of jewelry for Mrs. O to wear for the Inaugural Ball, including the 61-carat white gold and triple rose cut diamond “Inaugural Earrings”, 10-carat “Michelle Signet ring” crafted from white gold and black rhodium, and 13 white gold and diamond bangles.

As the Ms. Rodkin told Heard on the Runway, the jewelry was loaned to Mrs. O by the designer, arranged through Ikram Goldman, owner of Ikram in Chicago. Rodkin will donate the jewelry Mrs. O wore to the Inaugural Ball to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American history; along with Mrs. O’s inaugural fashions, they will join the museum’s ”First Ladies” collection.

When Rodkin was asked about the cost of creating the jewelry, which the designer herself absorbed, she said, “What greater honor could I have? My jewelry for all eternity is going to be part of history,” she said. “For me, it’s worth it.”

She continues in her official press release: “It’s a privilege to be a part of history. Today the country has new hope. The First Lady is a symbol of hope, courage and great style. I am honored that she has chosen my jewelry. Words cannot describe the emotions I feel that Michelle Obama has allowed me to be a part of this glorious moment.”

The Michelle Signet Ring:
Image used with kind permission from Loree Rodkin

More glorious diamond jewels after the jump:

The Inaugural Earrings:

Images used with kind permission from Loree Rodkin

The Inaugural Bangle Bracelets:

Spider-Man and Barack Obama team up

☮ CR ❤ — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:54:53 EST

Posted: 2009-01-23 New York Times

***Breaking News: New York Times reports on lines for AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 featuring the Spidey/Obama Team-Up and ABC's Nightline features Spidey/Obama***

It's a Brand New Day for the United States of America and Spider-Man's along for the ride!

To celebrate the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama, Marvel is proud to present an all-new story teaming up one of the world's most recognizable political figures with the world's greatest super hero as President Obama joins Spider-Man in "Spidey Meets the President!"

Written by Zeb Wells with art by Todd Nauck and Frank D'Armata, the story takes place in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day and finds one of Spider-Man's oldest foes attempting to thwart the swearing in ceremony of the 44th President of the United States.

Fans can read it in its entirety in Marvel Comics' AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583, available in comic book shops nationwide. Look for the special variant cover by artist Phil Jimenez featuring the President and Spider-Man!

"When we heard that [President] Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet in our comics' Marvel Universe," says Marvel's Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada. "Historic moments such as this one can be reflected in our comics because the Marvel Universe is set in the real world. A Spider-Man fan moving into the Oval Office is an event that must be commemorated in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man."

For fans of Spider-Man and those wanting to own a part of this historic moment in American history, visit your local comic book retailer now to purchase the issue. JUST REVEALED: The AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 second printing variant. Read the second printing story for more information!

THIS JUST IN: To meet the continuing, unprecedented demand, Marvel is going back to press with AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 FOURTH PRINTING VARIANT. A record three sold out printings in three weeks will now be surpassed with a record fourth printing arriving in stores February 4. Now's your chance to experience the story uniting Barack Obama with the character that, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he named his favorite super hero!

Marvel urges retailers to place their orders by Monday, January 26 using Diamond Code DEC088033. Continuing the tradition of the previous printings, this cover will feature a new background along with the same iconic images of Spider-Man and new United States President Barack Obama. Check Marvel.com tomorrow for the exclusive debut of this cover!

It's Obama's White House now

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:01:28 EST

1/21/09 By BEN FELLER, AP

WASHINGTON – The walls in the West Wing are oddly bare, the Oval Office still looks like it did during the Bush years, and advisers to the president are just trying to get their e-mail working. But let there be no doubt: This is now Barack Obama's White House.

His young daughters, Malia and Sasha, got to take the day off from school Wednesday after an exhilarating late-night scamper around their new home — one that ended in style when they opened a door to find their favorite band, the Jonas Brothers.

Obama's wife, Michelle, walked out of the Oval Office side-by-side with him — hardly a common image for that territory.

And then there was Obama himself, lightly rested after a late night of inaugural balls but ready to get started on his new job.

Here's his first day as president:

Pray for the nation. Jump into Middle East diplomacy. Sign a batch of executive orders on ethics and open government. Hash over the twin crises of war and recession with top advisers. And open up the White House to greet some joyously overwhelmed visitors.

What the public did not see was Obama, standing alone with his thoughts in the Oval Office. He did that for about 10 minutes at the start of the day.

"He wanted to absorb the moment that he was in, to think about the people who have served before him, and also to think about the work that he is now undertaking," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.

Obama also privately read a note left by his predecessor, George W. Bush.

Gibbs said he didn't ask Obama about that one: "I knew he wasn't going to tell me anyway."

Moving into a new place can always be tricky. Try doing it while attempting to move the country.

So some details will just have to wait, like whether to overhaul the Oval Office.

Obama made his first presidential phone calls to foreign leaders from the same desk used by Bush and others before him. The office's signature rug, bursting with rays like sunshine, is the one that Bush and his wife picked.

Meanwhile, some of the people chosen to get out Obama's message had trouble just getting cleared into the building.

Those who did found some glitches in signing onto their computers or getting their e-mail. Calls to the first lady's office or the communications director rolled into voice mail — for the people who held those jobs under Bush.

The West Wing walls, normally covered with giant photos of the president, were blank and waiting for replacements.

Obama, purposeful as ever, was ready to go.

At the National Prayer Service, he seemed pensive. He had history all around him, including former President Bill Clinton, one of four living predecessors.

The Rev. Sharon Watkins urged Obama to listen to his better angels, not to succumb to the instinct "to pick up the sword, to seek out enemies, to build walls against the other."

To be sure, she went on: "Someone has to stand watch and be ready to defend. And Mr. President, tag — you're it!"

That brought laughter. There was more to come.

Back at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, Obama came to sign some presidential directives. Everyone stood when he entered the room.

"Please be seated," Obama responded, realizing it was his job to say that. "Still getting used to that whole thing."

So it went. There was a slight feeling of winging it on the first full day of business.

As when Obama asked Vice President Joe Biden to swear in the senior staff. Biden agreed, with a bit of a zinger: "My memory is not as good as Justice Roberts'." That was a little fun at the expense of Chief Justice John Roberts, who flubbed Obama's oath one day earlier,

Obama held an open house for about 200 people, some of whom scored passes on a first-come, first-serve basis. This was more traditional than novel, as Bush, Clinton and other presidents had welcomed in the public, too.

Sabine Horner, 26, a contractor from Washington who helped in Obama's campaign, called the White House visit a culmination of her efforts.

"I was crying," she said, "and then Barack hugged me."

Rachel Tobin, a 28-year-old dietitian, was asked where she was from by Mrs. Obama. She told the first lady that she lives in Silver Spring, Md., and added: "You should come up and see us some time."

Some guests could not believe what was happening. They were in the elegant Blue Room, with the first couple there to welcome them.

"Enjoy yourself, roam around," a smiling president told one guest who was shuffling through the room. "Don't break anything."

Obama freezes salaries of some White House aides

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:52:10 EST

1/21/09 By JENNIFER LOVEN, AP

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama announced on his first day in office Wednesday that he is freezing the pay of the about a hundred White House employees who make over $100,000 a year.

The freeze would hold salaries at their current levels. It is part of a presidential memorandum being issued Wednesday when Obama attends a swearing-in for staff at the White House.

In a statement, Obama said "families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington."

Aides making above $100,00 include the high-profile jobs of White House chief of staff, national security adviser and press secretary. Other aides who work in relative anonymity also fit into that cap, if Obama follows a structure similar to the one George W. Bush set up.

"They deserve a government that truly is of, and by, the American people," Obama said.

He also announced a change in policy that will require each federal agency and department to give full attention to Freedom of Information requests and said he expects members of his administration to be responsive to such pleas.

And Obama also revealed what he called a "clean break" from existing rules spelling out when and under what circumstances administration officials could work on issues on which they lobbied governmental agencies before.

He said there would be a two-year, rather than a one-year, waiting period for government officials to be able to work on such issues and said they would "not be able to work on matters you lobbied on or White House agencies you lobbied during the last two years."

"Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this administration," Obama said in a statement to reporters.

He said the orders he was issuing Wednesday do not go as far as he would like, but that they do go a long way toward "marking a new era" in America.

Vice President Joe Biden swore in several senior White House aides at Obama's announcement event.

Obamas flash shakas to Punahou band

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:07:45 EST

Jan 20, 2009 By Star-Bulletin staff

ASSOCIATED PRESS President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle both flash the shaka sign at the passing Punahou School band during the inaugural parade.

Obama, who was born in Honolulu in 1961, attended Punahou from fifth grade to his graduation in 1979. He has kept in contact with several friends from the school and visited the Manoa campus twice during visits to Oahu last year.

President Obama flashed shakas to the Punahou School marching band as they played "Aloha Oe" in the inauguration parade this afternoon.

The band, accompanied by the school's Junior ROTC squad and cheerleaders, were the first civilians to march in the parade that honors their school's most famous graduate.

Obama smiled broadly as the band approached the reviewing stand and started playing "Aloha Oe." Obama, his wife Michelle, and their daughters Malia and Sasha, all flashed shakas to the passing contingent of more than 150 Punahou students.

Michelle Obama's Inauguration Dress Designed By Isabel Toledo

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:08:42 EST

1/20/09 Nicholas Graham- Huffington Post

Michelle Obama looks particularly chic today in a pale yellow gown by designer Isabel Toledo. (Images from Getty)

First lady Michelle Obama wore a sparkling yellow-gold sheath dress with matching coat by Cuban-born American designer Isabel Toledo for the inauguration of her husband, a choice many applauded as a cheerful message of hope and a vote for the American fashion industry.

She paired the embellished ensemble with green gloves from J. Crew and green shoes.

President Barack Obama wore a red tie and white shirt with his suit, topped with an overcoat adorned with an American flag pin.

Their daughters were style icons in their own right, with 10-year-old Malia in a double-breasted periwinkle-blue coat with a blue-ribbon bow at the waist, and Sasha, 7, in a pink coat with orange scarf and satin belt, a coral-colored dress peeking out at the hem. Their coats were from Crewcuts by J. Crew.

The fashion industry has anxiously looked to the election of Obama for months, embracing his wife as an emblem and ambassador of modern American style. She has won praise for her penchant for lesser-known designers and bold fashion choices, mixed with her unabashed love for mass fashion from mainstream American retailers.

"She is single-handedly breathing new life into designers like Narciso Rodriguez and Isabel Toledo, who have had a rocky past," said red-carpet and editorial stylist Mary Alice Stephenson.

What's so powerful about Michelle Obama is we all see ourselves in her. She's a modern woman who is fashionable and even flamboyant in her style and she is still taken seriously," she said. "She's wearing that dress today for all of us. We're all wearing that dress with her. The dress is elegant, appropriate and has the individual style stamp of Michelle Obama and is timely for a woman in her 40s and she wears embellishment during the day. Hallelujah!"

Nicole Phelps, executive editor of Style.com, notes that Michelle Obama has found an elegant silhouette that works for her: the narrow sheath dress and complementary coat.

The inaugural outfit is a "classic choice rather conservative compared to some of the things she's worn so far," Phelps said, but she still gives her fashion wink with her gloves and colored pumps. The gold, she adds, captures the glistening sun.

"This choice sends a great message to the fashion community. She could have gone with someone more obvious, like Ralph Lauren, but this sends a message to the American designers who are struggling. ... It also says that just because she's in the White House, she'll support the under-the-radar designers she wore on the way to the White House," Phelps said.

Designer Toledo, who just a few years ago unsuccessfully tried to infuse more modern style into the venerable Anne Klein label, is considered among the more avant garde U.S. designers.

Michelle Obama has been noted for choosing unexpected fashion designers, including Narciso Rodriguez, Zero Maria Cornejo and Chicago designer Maria Pinto. For the "Kids Inaugural" concert on Monday, Michelle Obama wore a J.Crew ensemble, including a metallic lace top, aqua-colored pencil skirt and cardigan.

The Obama' look Tuesday contrasted with that of the outgoing Bushes, with Laura Bush in a dove-gray skirt suit and matching coat.

On the podium with the Obamas, Vice President Joe Biden wore a bright blue tie, while his wife, Jill Biden, had on a bright red coat and high black leather boots.

Also catching style-watchers' eyes: Aretha Franklin singing to the immense crowd gathered at the Capitol in an over-the-top hat with an oversized bow and beading.

****

Wearing History on a Historical Day 1/21/08 Mrs.C - mrs-O.org

Image used courtesy of Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection

There was much talk yesterday about the pin at Mrs. O’s neckline during the inauguration ceremony. Some thought it was a necklace; others called it a collar on the Isabel Toledo dress.

It turns out the piece is a Victorian paste pin, once meant as a sash decoration. It came from Carole Tanenbaum, who offers a premiere collection of vintage costume jewelry. We love that Mrs. O would wear a historical piece on such a historical day!

On her blog, Tanenbaum, who is based in Toronto, writes that she acquired the pin through a Florida dealer who said it came from a Palm Beach estate. Tanenbaum has never seen another piece like it and she believes it was probably made in England. The sash pin was purchased by Ikram Goldman (profiled on this site in “The Mix is the Message“) and, one and a half months prior to the inauguration; it was sent back to Tanenbaum so that one stone could be replaced.

We did predict just last week that we might see Mrs. O in some vintage pieces some day, but we had no idea that that thought would materialize so quickly. Mrs. O showed great style, mixing the new (Isabel Toledo) with the vintage. What a grace note of history!

From Kenya to Honolulu, Barack's family gathers for inauguration

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:51:24 EST

From Kenya to Honolulu, Barack's family gathers for inauguration

1/16/09 Hello Magazine

Resident across the globe, relatives of Barack Obama are travelling across three continents to see one of their own sworn in as the US' first African-American president.

In Britain, Mr Obama's honorary stepmother, Kezia Obama, was full of excitement as she set out from her modest home on a Bracknell housing estate headed for the grand ceremony in Washington.

She was Barack Snr's first wife and enjoys an affectionate relationship with the man who on January 20 will become the most powerful in the world. It's not the first time she's been included in a key moment in Mr Obama's life. In 2005 he also invited her to his inauguration as an Illinois senator, a day she remembers as "a simple family affair".

Speaking at Heathrow airport, Kezia said: "This is one of the happiest and proudest moments of my life."

Her sentiments are shared by the matriarch of the clan, Mr Obama's step-grandmother Sarah, who is heading a delegation of eight from Kogelo village in Kenya.

The guest with the greatest comprehension of his remarkable journey may be his half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, who grew up with him in Hawaii and Indonesia.

A Honolulu-based history teacher, she campaigned for her "amazing big brother", and has spoken of her astonishment that the nickname his bossiness earned him in childhood - 'Mr President' - turned out to be so accurate.

"This is the happiest moment of my life," said the US leader's honorary Britain-based stepmother Kezia as she set out for Washington, accompanied by one of her sons
Photo: © PA

Granny Sarah, the last surviving wife of Mr Obama's paternal grandfather, seen here holding a picture from one of the president elect's visits to Kenya, will also be in Washington for the ceremony
Photo: © Getty Images

Maya, the sister who grew up with him in Hawaii and Indonesia, will also witness the proud family occasion
Photo: © PA

Aloha spirit welcomes Obama to presidency

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:13:42 EST

1/16/09 By ERICA WERNER, AP

WASHINGTON – Hawaii wants to send favorite son Barack Obama to the White House aloha style. Island residents and enthusiasts are descending on the nation's capital this weekend to revel in the elevation of a Hawaii-born president. They are throwing a state inaugural ball — Hawaii's first — and what surely must be the first inaugural luau.

"We just really wanted to bring Hawaii and share the aloha," said Stacey Hayashi, organizer of the $300-per-ticket Inaugural Luau at the Hotel Monaco four blocks from the White House. "There's a lot Hawaii has to share — the spirit of aloha, all our different cultures — and that's America," Hayashi said. Most Hawaii events are sold out, but tickets were still available for the luau in the days before the inauguration.

For the people of Hawaii, the Jan. 20 inauguration is a great opportunity to advertise Hawaii's diversity and friendly spirit to the rest of the country — not to mention its leis, luaus, hula dancing, traditional music and distinctive cuisine like Spam musubi (a bit like sushi with Spam instead of raw fish) and kalua pig (pig slow-cooked in a pit).

The word "aloha," used in Hawaii to say hello and goodbye [sorry but I have to interupt to say "Aloha" in the Hawaiian language means affection, love, peace, compassion and mercy. Since the middle of the 19th century, it also has come to be used as an English greeting to say goodbye and hello], carries a range of other connotations, including a generous and open attitude prized by residents. It's that ideal that Hawaii residents see in Obama — and want the world to see at the inauguration.

"The aloha spirit is what shaped President Obama and that same aloha spirit is what we're going to have at our event," said Kohono Mossman, who's organizing the first inaugural ball thrown by the Hawaii State Society of Washington, D.C. "That aloha spirit is what our state and so many other groups celebrating up here is sharing with the world."

Famous among Hawaii boosters is a statement made by Michelle Obama: "You can't really understand Barack until you understand Hawaii." Obama was born in Honolulu and spent most of his youth there raised by his grandparents.

He attended the prestigious Punahou School in Honolulu, which is sending its marching band and JROTC marching unit to perform in the inaugural parade. Obama's former homeroom teacher will be in town, and an alumni event is planned for the day before the inaugural.

Jesse Broder Van Dyke, press secretary for Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, and a Punahou graduate himself, said several old classmates are coming to stay with him for the inaugural. "

One of my roommates is from Illinois, and we argue over who gets to claim Obama. Hawaii gets to. He grew up in our state," Broder Van Dyke said. "So many people are coming from the islands it will feel like home."

In one way, though, Hawaii's inaugural pride may clash with one of the state's most famed features — its deliciously balmy beach weather. The Web site of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on Thursday featured a story about residents shopping for thermal underwear to make the trip to frigid D.C.: "Locals seek ways to stay warm for Brrrrr-ack Obama's big day." Some of the parade marchers from Hawaii practiced for the Washington cold at Hawaii's only ice rink.

'What I Want for You — and Every Child in America'

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:22:59 EST

1/14/09 By President-elect Barack Obama Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President. On this historic occasion, PARADE asked the President-elect, who is also a devoted family man, to get personal and tell us what he wants for his children. Here, he shares his letter to them.

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

Sasha (l) and Malia Obama at play in New Hampshire in 2007. Bumper cars at the Iowa State Fair in August 2007. That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.

Love, Dad

Obama brings back night-owl presidency

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST

1/14/09 By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN- Politico

Barack Obama is bringing back the night-owl presidency.

With the metabolism of a White House set by its occupant, Obama's team is preparing for a return to long nights, heavy weekend shifts – and a boss who will venture into Washington far more than the place's current resident.

It’s a throwback to Bill Clinton’s cramming-for-an-exam style, a shift from George W. Bush’s early-bird routine. Aides expect the workload to be so intense, at least for the early months, that they’re trying to formalize ways to help staffers stay in touch with spouses and kids – with ideas under consideration that include inviting family members into the White House for casual after-hours meals.

Another possibility: urging aides to go home for dinner, as long as they come back to finish the night.

Obama aides say there are no specifics so far, but hinted that staffers' children may be seeing the inside of the White House like never before – as way to stay in touch with Mom or Dad.

“Family is very important to the Obamas and while the challenges ahead will require long hours, hard work and sacrifice for everyone in the incoming administration they hope to make the White House a place that is open and welcoming to the families of White House employees,” said Jen Psaki, an Obama spokeswoman.

Bush famously arrives at the Oval Office by dawn, leaves by 6 p.m. and goes to bed by 10 p.m. Dinners out are as rare as a lunar eclipse.

Obama, by contrast, stays up late. He holds conference calls with senior staff as late as 11 p.m., and often reads and writes past midnight. Ahead of the Democratic National Convention, he spent consecutive nights holed up in a Chicago hotel room, working on his speech until 2 a.m.

And in the 10 days alone, Obama stopped by a Senate cocktail party, dined out with foreign policy types, and made a visit Saturday to Ben’s Chili Bowl, a Washington institution and pillar in the African-American community. He stayed out until 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at a dinner with conservative columnists.

“The expectation is that it will be a lot of hours, and hours we were used to working before the transition,” one Obama aide said. “Everybody is comfortable with that. There is an expectation that the first few months will set the tone.”

Michelle Obama often speaks of using her new role as First Lady to highlight the struggles of balancing work and family. But she need look no further than her husband’s White House, where not just the incoming president – a father of two daughters – will feel torn.

The senior ranks include several parents of young children, including incoming chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, press secretary Robert Gibbs, and Jackie Norris, chief of staff to the First Lady.

In his attempt to maintain balance, Obama would routinely divert his lumbering campaign apparatus back to Chicago simply to be present for important events: picking out a Christmas tree, taking the girls to go trick-or-treating on Halloween, attending a dance recital. His staff would take their own timeouts, too. Gibbs flew home less than five days before the election so he could spend Halloween with his son.

“There is a great deal of respect and importance for being there for your children,” the aide said.

Still, the White House will no doubt foster an unforgiving pace, particularly now that late nights may be more normal than they were under Bush. Emanuel, for example, doesn’t think twice about dialing up his staff as early as 6 a.m. He schmoozes after work at Washington hot spots, and emails late into the night.

Bush and his top aides prided themselves on promoting a family-friendly White House, as much as 12-hour days and a Blackberry-wired existence can count as healthy. The first White House chief of staff, Andy Card, initially started the senior staff meetings at 6:30 a.m. But when several of the working moms told Bush the time was too early, Card moved it to 7 a.m.

Parents could cut out for family events. The work day ends between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., although they were expected to be available by Blackberry. And staff even made time for afternoon workouts at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building three days a week, a break in the work day that Bush “highly endorsed,” said Mary Matalin, a former counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney.

“The working culture was mature,” Matalin, a mother of two daughters, said in an email. “The culture of staying late just to stay late was discouraged, even frowned upon. The operating principle was to pace yourself to be able to provide peak performance.”

"Both the president and vice president insisted we try to have integrated family lives," Matalin said.

"Balance is not possible in a White House job, but if you had a family deal, you went and were never remotely made to feel awkward about it."

Karen Hughes, a longtime adviser and close confidant to Bush, established what she called a “Midweek Moment.” She would try to leave the office early – at 5:30 p.m. – once a week so she could spend time with her teenage son, who was usually sleeping when she left in the morning and in bed when she got home.

“I made it half the time,” Hughes said of her “Midweek Moment.”

Even with the family-friendly mantra, both Matalin and Hughes stayed in the White House for less than two years. Like the Obama team, they arrived in Washington after an extended and grueling presidential campaign that makes burnout all the more likely.

“It is very difficult to meet your responsibilities to both your family and job,” Hughes said.

The Clinton White House, on the other hand, offered no pretense of normalcy.

“I fully admit that we may have overdone it,” said Michael Feldman, a partner at The Glover Park Group who served in the White House for eight years as an adviser to Vice President Al Gore. “We took the campaign mentality directly into the White House. … It was a direct extension of the campaign. People worked literally around the clock and slept in their offices. There never seemed to be enough hours.”

Clinton set the tone, staying in the Oval Office until 10 p.m. That meant others felt like they couldn’t leave until he did.

Hughes said the Obama White House might want to consider shift work – a day shift and a night shift – to lighten the load.

“You don’t want to burn people out,” Hughes said. “You don’t want them to become so busy that they can’t function to their maximum potential. After 12- or 14-hour days, I was mentally shot. It was hard to do anything effectively.”

Southbay 4 Obama Inaugural Fest

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:24:47 EST

Southbay 4 Obama Inaugural Fest

Date: Jan 20th

Location: Moorpark Hotel
4241 Moorpark Ave. (Saratoga Ave. and HWY 280)
San Jose, CA 95129

Cost: $25 includes 2 well/draft drinks, appetizers, desserts and party favors
Proceeds to go to the local veteran's Fisher House

*****

Update:

My husband and I attended the Southbay 4 Obama Inaugural Fest at the Moorepark Hotel last night.

Mari Houssni, team leader of San Jose/Democratic Delegate/Caravan leader to Nevada, with her San Jose team were the hostesses of the party (She is pictured with her husband, Abdel). Mari's group got everyone fired up and ready to go with Obama raffle items, Obama posters and buttons for sale.

There was about 250 people there. Galen Swain, team leader of San Jose/Caravan leader to Nevada, was getting everyone fired up with his DJ system, Elaine Coombs and Martin O'Leary from West Valley 4 Obama were there. John's co-worker, Malcom and his wife were there.

John's Oklahoma (RED Republican state) customers Mandi and Josh were there. They voted for Obama and thought that since they were traveling on business that they would miss celebrating Obama's presidency. They were very happy to hear that we were selling tickets to an Inaugural party. They had a good time and even took a photo with the Obama cut-out.

There was Obama Karaoke, a photo slideshow of the voter registration drives, canvassing, caravans to the swing states during the Primaries and the General election. The Ethical Approach Car Sales featured it's Zap Electric Vehicle and people could take it for a test drive!

People ate, drank, danced to music and took their photos with the Barack cut-out. We watched as the Obamas had their first offcial presidential dance together. FINALLY we have President Barack Obama!!!!!

Pat Gallagher has three more pages of pictures! Scroll ALL the way down (past the ads) to see all 48 pics:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/AmericaRocks/messages?msg=2956.1

Congress gets its own YouTube sites

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:08:38 EST

By JIM ABRAMS Associated Press WriterPosted: 01/13/2009 12:13:23 AM PST

WASHINGTON—Tired of YouTube clips of precocious kids, stupid pets or faux superheroes? Try out the videos of House Minority Leader John Boehner, or maybe New York Rep. Charles Rangel, the lawmaker in charge of writing tax bills.

Congress is launching official YouTube channels where members of the House and Senate can create and control videos of floor speeches, hearings or ribbon-cuttings.

Lawmakers frequently use the world's most popular online video service to promote themselves and their causes, but the new channels give viewers a single destination to find out what their representatives are up to and express their own opinions.

The goal of the new launch is to imitate the success of President-elect Barack Obama in using the Internet to connect to a vastly expanded range of people, during his election campaign as well as his Saturday radio addresses.

"This is a big deal because it makes it easy for people to interact" with elected officials, said YouTube spokesman Aaron Ferstman.

"Americans, now more than ever, turn to the Web to get their news," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "Our YouTube channels serve as a direct line to what's happening in Congress." Her office said Pelosi was the first House member to use YouTube, in May 2006.

The lawmaker sites, which can be located on a Google Map interface, are available on http://youtube.com/househub and href="http://youtube.com/senatehub">http://youtube.com/senatehub.

So far, a minority of members have posted videos on the new sites. Rangel, the Democratic chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has videos of himself opening a college track meet and talking to ABC's George Stephanopolus.

Boehner, R-Ohio, lists 97 videos, including one introducing the new "house hub" web site. "My colleagues and I are big fans of YouTube," he said.

To facilitate the YouTube agreement, the House and Senate adjusted their rules at the opening of the new Congress last week to let members, who all have their own official Web sites, also post material on third-party Web sites.

The House rules specify that a member must include an exit notice advising a visitor when he or she is leaving an official House Web site for a third-party site. There must also be a disclaimer that neither the member nor the House is responsible for the content of the linked sites.

Because the YouTube videos would be controlled by lawmakers, they would be fundamentally different from C-SPAN coverage of House and Senate debates and congressional hearings. C-SPAN covers floor debates and hearings in their entirety without editing or editorial comment.

YouTube acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers. YouTube LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.

International reaction to the United States presidential election, 2008

☮ CR ❤ — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:16:29 EST

International reaction to the United States presidential election, 2008 - From Wikipedia

This article lists international reaction to the 2008 United States presidential election and Barack Obama's election as the 44th President of the United States on November 4, 2008:

Here are some selected few comments:

Africa

Benin - President Yayi Boni said the election of Barack Obama was "a great happiness for the entire humanity." He also said "I have few words to express my feeling after the elections of the new U.S President, Barack Obama. It seemed like a dream. From now on, an African-American will have in his hands the destiny of the United States of America, an over two century-aged modern state", he declared as he sounded excited after Obama was announced as the first African-American U.S president. "I did not hope a Black African would run the world’s greatest nation. The world has really changed"

Gambia - President Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh sent a congratulatory message to Barack Obama, on his victory which said, "Allow me to congratulate you on your landslide victory in the US 2008 historic election, which I followed with keen interest. With your election, we hope for a better and more peaceful world, for our children and grand children. We in the Gambia recognise the merit, ideology, maturity, high intelligence and message of peace you displayed during your campaign"

Madagascar - President Marc Ravalomanana sent a letter of congratulations to Barack Obama on his victory "Your victory is important for us all. The change has come for America, but change must come in the world. We all face the global challenges. No country can cope alone. We must strengthen our solidarity and work hard to overcome them with understanding, determination, courage and optimism. Madagascar will host the African Union Summit in 2009. We are convinced that America and Africa will open a new chapter of cooperation to open new doors of opportunities for our peoples"

Americas

Netherlands Antilles - Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage congratulated Obama on behalf of the people of the Netherlands Antilles on his election and said "You have been called to serve as a world leader in a time that mankind is faced with important challenges. The fact that you, during your presidential campaign, were able to inspire millions in your country and the world proves the power of unity you exude. You have given hope to the world again. By solemnly promising to serve the people, you have become the symbol of true leadership and thus an example for us as colleague leaders to follow. As part of the Dutch Kingdom the Netherlands Antilles is convinced that your presence in the White House will guarantee the good relationship that has existed for many years between our countries. May the Almighty bless you in the important function of the 44th president of the USA".

Suriname - President Ronald Venetiaan said: "He is the first black man to be chosen for this office. I will expect another foreign policy which results that the world will come closer. I expect that the next president will bring peace to the rest of the world. This new result has made clear that the American people are ready for a black man as president. The expectation and also the hope with me and us, as Surinamese people that we have is, that a change will be beneficial for the economy of the US and the rest of the world. I congratulate the American people with their choice by demonstrating against that racial border. The choice for Obama will be for a great interest in the American history and the history of the rest of the world". Vice-President Ram Sardjoe said: "I’m convinced that the new president will answer the expectations that the international community has"

Europe

Croatia – President Stjepan Mesić sent a message of congratulations to Obama saying "On behalf of the citizens of Croatia and myself, I congratulate you with all my heart for your landslide victory in the presidential elections. I am convinced that your coming to office as president of the United States would mark the beginning of a new chapter, not only in the lives of many of your citizens, but also in the relation of the United States with the world and the world’s with the United States. In your speeches in the electoral campaign, you have shown that you understand the problems of the modern world and that you are ready to face its challenges, that you have a clear vision not only of the development of the United States, but also the role your country has on the international scene. As a small European country that is on its path to accession in Euro-Atlantic associations, but which is ready to advocate its interests not only in these associations, but also realise its interests in relations with all countries that accept their forging on foundations of full equality, Croatia hails your victory . I expect that during your term, relations between Croatia and America would continue to develop and strengthen, as well as that you would turn due attention within the global concept of America’s foreign policy towards the region we are located in and which is still burdened with the consequences of wars in which the Yugoslav federation collapsed – the South-east of Europe. Wishing you success in performing the responsible duty you are about to take on, I express hope that there is a possibility of us meeting as soon as possible, either in Croatia or in the United States."Prime Minister Ivo Sanader congratulated Obama "Honourable President-elect, receive sincere congratulations on behalf of the Croatian government and myself, anent your great win in the elections for the president of the United States of America"

Monaco – Prince Albert II congratulated Barack Obama and said "After an extraordinary path that has captivated the whole world, you have just entered the history book of the United States of America. You embody at the highest level the values which the American people recognise in themselves. The task with which you have now been entrusted is equal to the tremendous hope you have created not only in your country but well beyond its borders. I am convinced that thanks to your influence, your courage and your humanism, you will be able to bring greatness to America during these times of such uncertainty. At this historical moment, I would like to express, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Monaco, my warmest congratulations and sincerest wishes for success in the accomplishment of the high responsibilities that fall upon you".

For the entire list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_reaction_to_the_United_States_presidential_election,_2008

Sacre Bleu! Le Monde Publishes Never-Before-Seen 1996 Interview With Obamas

☮ CR ❤ — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:55:33 EST

1 /10/09 reprint of 1995 Le Monde newspaper article (English version). En Français.

"Ma priorité est de ramener les valeurs publiques ou collectives au centre du débat," said President-elect Barack Obama in an interview running in today's Le Monde newspaper.

Mr. Obama was not speaking in French; his words had been translated.

And in fact he hadn't uttered them in more than 12 years.

The French newspaper Le Monde on Saturday took the Obama team by surprise by publishing an interview with Barack and Michelle Obama from 1996 in which the two spoke at length about their marriage, only four years after they were wed, and two years before their oldest daughter Malia was born.

Many themes will not surprise those who know or follow the Obamas.

Sitting down to talk about their future the same year Obama eventually ended up running for state senate (and winning), his wife Michelle in the interview expresses reservations about whether a life in politics is what they want.

And while her husband is less uncertain of his calling, he wonders aloud about his ability to maintain a balance between private and public life. He also sounds out some notes about restoring civility in discourse to public life and the notion that we're all in this together, themes that have stayed with him throughout his career up through this week.

The interview, entitled "An Intimate Conversation with Michelle and Barack Obama," was conducted for a book about American marriages and was never published before today. The story was noticed in Le Monde by Tom McCarthy at the ABC News desk and translated from the French by Maeva Bambuck and Jean Fievet in ABC News' London bureau. (When assessing the precise accuracy of the quotes below, keep in mind they have now been translated from English to French to English.)

"If You Look Deep Into Her Eyes, There's a Certain Vulnerability"

President-elect Obama, who turned 35 that year, describes growing up with a single mother and absent father, and says, "I think that in a certain way, I’ve tried all my life to fabricate a family through stories, memories, friends or ideas. Michelle’s family life was different, very stable with two parents, a stay-at-home mom, a brother, a dog, that kind of thing. They’ve lived in the same house all their lives. And I think that in a certain way we complement each other, we represent two common models of family life in this country. One very stable and strong, another that frees itself from the constraint of a traditional family, travels, separates, is very mobile."

"A part of me was wondering what a strong, reassuring family life would look like," he says, "while Michelle in a way, wanted to break from that model. In a way only, because she’s very attached to family values, but I think she sometimes sees in me a more adventurous way of life, more exotic, and in that respect, we’re complementary."

Describing Michelle as "alluring" and with "a strong personality," the future President says, "if you look deep into her eyes, there’s a certain vulnerability. In any case, I see it even if most don’t realize it: she goes through life tall, beautiful, confident, very able…There’s a part of her that is fragile, young, sometimes scared, and I think these are contradictions that attracted me to her. And she makes me very happy. She is very familiar to me and so I can be myself around her, she knows me well, I completely trust her, but at the same time in certain respects she remains a mystery to me."

"Sometimes, when we’re lying together," he says, "I look at her and I feel dizzy with the realization that here is another distinct person from me, who has memories, origins, thoughts, feelings that are different from my own. That tension between familiarity and mystery meshes something strong between us. Even if one builds a life together based on trust, attentiveness and mutual support, I think that’s it’s important that a partner continues to surprise."

"I Was Thinking, 'He's Probably an Idiot, Whatever'"

"It was strange, that excitement over this first-year student," then-32-year-old Michelle Obama recalls when describing the buzz about a new summer associate at the law firm Sidley and Austin. "So smart, so good-looking, so intelligent, everyone was talking about Barack. I’m more of the skeptical kind, I was thinking, 'Yeah, he’s probably an idiot, whatever.'"

Why was she skeptical? "Because I always thought that when lawyers rave about someone, they always neglect the relational qualities," Michelle says, "so I told myself, 'He might be brilliant, but he’s probably very ordinary.' And then on the first day, he showed up late. He was late because it’d been raining! And then he walked into the office and we got along right away because he was charming and very good-looking, at least I found him good-looking. I think we were attracted to one another because we didn’t take ourselves too seriously, like some others did. He liked my dry humor and my sarcastic comments. I thought he was a good man, interesting, and I was fascinated by his personal story, so different from mine."

The first lady-in-waiting clearly liked the fact that he was different and perhaps even a bit exotic.

"It’s not every day that a girl from the South Side of Chicago meets someone who speaks Indonesian, who has traveled and has seen many fascinating things," she says. "It gave him a rather rare dimension in my higher middle-class work environment. Usually, these people are all cast from the same mold, but he came from elsewhere. He had a high level of conversation, while still remaining an average guy. He had an impressive curriculum, but was very down to earth and liked playing basketball. That’s what I found attractive in him. Our relationship was first a friendship. It took off from there."

"There's a strong possibility Barack will pursue a career in politics"

Asked how she envisions her future with her husband, Michelle says, "there’s a strong possibility that Barack will pursue a career in politics, although it’s not very clear yet. It’s an interesting challenge, the Illinois senate, although we’ve had disagreements on that topic. Once you’re involved in politics, your life becomes public and the people who scrutinize it are not always well-intentioned. I’m rather secretive and I like to surround myself with people I care about and who’s loyalty I trust."

"When you start in politics, you have to confide in all sorts of people," she continues. "We may go in that direction, even though I also want to have children, travel, and spend time with my family and friends. It’s not certain that we will succeed. But we’re going to be very busy with a number of different things, and it’s going to be interesting to see what life has to offer to us. We’re ready to take on that adventure for various reasons, for instance, for the opportunities it can open to us."

Her husband was clearly leading her down the path.

"Barack helped my overcome my shyness, take on risks, and try a less traditional path, just to see how it would go, because that’s how he was raised," she says."I’m the more traditional in the couple and he’s the more audacious. I’m more cautious. I think it shows in photographs. He’s more extroverted, more expansive, me I’m more ‘let’s wait and see how things present themselves and how it can benefit us.’"

Mr. Obama seems more sure that he will, in fact, enter politics.

"What concerns me the most are children and the way they are treated," he says about why he will pursue a career in public office. "As an African-American, I am very concerned about children from poor neighborhoods, the problems they deal with, the total lack of a stable environment to enable them to grow and develop. It depends a lot on the economy, the opportunities they are given, their own selves and their parents. It also depends on values, for instance on the kind of family values that get talked about a lot, especially by politicians."

He continues, saying, "values don’t just belong to individuals, they are also collective. Children are exposed to the values around them, and if they come to believe that the lives of their parents and their community cannot be rewarded, if their schools and homes are crumbling, how can they come to believe in their own values when they don’t have any to begin with? My priority is to return social values to public debate, because we are all one big family, transcending racial or class differences. We have obligations and responsibilities towards one another."

He says, "perhaps that’s where the private and public spheres meet, when it comes to couples, relationships, families or tribes. What’s important is empathy, an understanding of shared responsibilities, the ability to put yourself in other people’s shoes. That’s why my marriage to Michelle is vibrant, because we are able to imagine the hopes, the pains, the personal battles of other people, and the challenge for everyone is to transfer that ability (for empathy) from the family sphere to the public sphere."

"The Issue Will Be Finding a Balance Between Public Life and Private Life"

Describing his father, Mr. Obama said "he studied economy in the United States, at the University of Hawaii and at Harvard. He wanted to contribute to development of Kenya but in the end, he was disappointed, he found himself implicated in political rivalries and the government blacklisted him because he’d protested against nepotism and tribalism. He had a bitter life and died young. Michelle’s father also had to overcome challenges and was stricken by multiple sclerosis. He too died young, but I think he had a steadier and more established life."

Speaking of his mother's death just months before, Mr. Obama says, "she was only 53 years old. And when you have a small family, where every relative is very close to you…it was a difficult time for me. I have a sister on my mother’s side, she is half Indonesian like my mother’s second husband, and I also have brothers and sisters on the Kenyan side. They are very scattered, some live in Germany, others in Kenya, some here in the U.S."

Mr. Obama says that for him and his wife, "kids are an important priority. We really look forward to having them. I think that the issue will be finding a balance between public life and private life, which will mean finding a balance between my temperament that leans towards risk-taking and ambition, and Michelle’s instinct for stability, family and strong values. The way we go about dealing with these issues will be crucial."

- jpt

Obama's Election Inspires European Minorities

☮ CR ❤ — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:32:47 EST

NPR Weekend Edition Sunday, 1/11/09

Barack Obama's election has already had a palpable impact in Europe: it is giving Europe's millions of minorities a new sense of pride and empowerment.

Guest host David Greene talks to NPR's Senior European Correspondent Sylvia Poggioli about her three-part series on minorities and racism in Europe, which airs on Morning Edition this week.

Series Overview: Race And Politics In Europe Today

Most Europeans were thrilled when Democrat Barack Obama was elected president of the United States because he promised to sweep away policies that Europeans found odious. But more than that, he represented hope, renewal and proof that the barriers of age, class and race can be transcended.

But Obama's victory also prompted soul-searching in Europe: Could his success be replicated there? Could a person of color ever become the leader of Germany? Italy? France?

Europeans know about America's segregationist past and the strains of racism that persist in the United States to this day. Many Europeans regard themselves as more enlightened than Americans in matters of race.

But when Europeans ask themselves, "Could a member of one of our own minorities be elected head of state?", the honest answer is: "Not any time soon."

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli explains why that's so in a three-part series, reported from Germany, Italy and France.

Part 1: In Germany, there are half a million people of African descent and 3 million people of Turkish descent. Many of them say they are treated like foreigners or ignored, even though their families may have lived in Germany for generations. There is no national debate on racism. To paraphrase one Afro-German: White Germans do not perceive themselves as racist. They act as if there are no other races in Germany. They perceive Germany as a monoracial country and conclude "we can't be racist." Another observer says, "The German concept of identity is based on exclusion."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99189265

Part 2: In Italy, immigrants make up about 7 percent of the population. But suspicion toward immigrants is pervasive and reflected in some of the West's most restrictive citizenship laws. Not far from Naples, 6,000 to 8,000 black people live in a town now referred to as "Little Africa." Most survive, barely, in a gray economy controlled by the local Mafia. To the north, in a town called Citadella, "The Citadel," ordinances are so restrictive that most immigrants could never afford to live there. "Yes, we're raising the drawbridge," the mayor concedes. Italian media and Italian politicians often exploit public fears about "the Other."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99255579

Part 3: The constitution of France enshrines the notion of egalitarianism. France was once a haven for black Americans, such as writers Richard Wright and James Baldwin. France's colonies were represented in the French assembly. "Negritude," a black pride movement spearheaded by the Senegalese poet and statesman Leopold Senghor, was once embraced as part of French cultural identity. But French society turned "white" again, one scholar observes, when the colonies sought independence in the 1960s. Today, millions of immigrants from Africa live in banlieue, large, rundown housing projects outside the big cities. Unemployment is high. Hope is low. But in the wake of Obama's election, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced new measures to increase diversity in the civil service, politics and the media, and, for the first time, concepts such as racism and discrimination are entering the national debate.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99298290

P.E. Obama shows his appreciation

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:34:15 EST

During the primary and the general election season I received a total of six Obama-photo postcards and a large photo of P.E. Obama and VP.E. Biden thanking me for my efforts during the campaign. Today I received a beautifuly embossed, letter size invitation to the Presidential Inauguratio that I will add to my Obama keepsakes. Now I hear that everyone who was a supporter will also get a thank you card! My what a vey appreciatative man our 44th President is! He is showing what a very honorable man he is! I feel appreciated and loved!

Speaking of being loved, My husband and I were dining at the counter of a diner last October and two men were sitting two seats down; a third man came up to them and was talking very lively and pointing to his Obama T-shirt. One of the men sitting growled some thing to the effect of "why are you so happy?..Obama...stupid!" and the man standing just laughed. My husband spoke up and said to the grouchy man "Obama loves you too." Every one except for the grochy man smiled and laughed. The grouchy man sitting was discombobulated, stuttered and said "Oh stupid!". We laughed and smiled back. We showed the grouch!

Family Mainstay, Marian Robinson, to Move In to White House

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:55:12 EST

1/9/09 By RACHEL L. SWARNS WASHINGTON

Over the years, several presidents have been forced to ponder the delicate (and sometimes unpleasant) question of whether to move the in-laws into the White House.

Ulysses S. Grant shared space with his father-in-law, who grumbled and squabbled with other relatives, historians say. Harry S. Truman lived with his mother-in-law, who declared that she knew “dozens of men better qualified” to preside over the Oval Office.

On Friday, the transition team of President-elect Barack Obama confirmed that his 71-year-old mother-in-law would be moving, at least temporarily, into the grand residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. While Grant and Truman might have been forgiven for gritting their teeth at such a prospect, Mr. Obama has said he will be delighted to have his wife’s mother, Marian Robinson, join the first family in Washington.

After all, Mrs. Robinson, known as a loving, tough-minded matriarch who rarely shies from speaking her mind, has been the bedrock of the Obama family. During the presidential campaign, she retired from her job as a bank secretary to care for the Obama girls, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, while their parents were on the road.

She accompanied them to school and piano and dance lessons, cooked their meals, ran their baths and put them to bed. And she is expected to continue to play a critical role in the family’s effort to keep the girls’ lives as normal as possible.

But while Mrs. Robinson has been the family mainstay, she has also prized her independence. She chose to work as a secretary, though her parents had preferred that she become a teacher. She ran the 50- and 100-yard dashes in the Illinois senior games when she was well into her 60s.

And she has often teased her daughter, Michelle Obama, and the president-elect about their household rules for her granddaughters.

Bedtime at 8:30 p.m.? “That’s ridiculous,” Mrs. Robinson told The Boston Globe last year, suggesting that was too early.

Television for only an hour? “That’s just not enough time,” she said.

As for the healthy, organic foods the Obamas favor? “That’s not my thing,” said Mrs. Robinson, who said she enjoyed salty fried foods and dismissed efforts to make such dishes healthier.

“If you’re going to have fried chicken,” she said, “have fried chicken.”

Mrs. Robinson even initially opposed Mr. Obama’s plan to run for president, though she soon became one of his biggest supporters. She was very afraid for his safety, said Craig Robinson, the older brother of Mrs. Obama.

And Mrs. Robinson is so deeply rooted in Chicago and in the brick bungalow where she has lived for decades that Mr. Obama seemed uncertain until recently that she would make the move.

“She’s just been an unbelievable support for all of us during this process,” Mr. Obama said on “60 Minutes” after he was elected president.

“She likes her own space, you know,” he continued. “She doesn’t like a lot of fuss around her. And, like it or not, there’s some fuss in the White House. But we hope that she comes.”

The White House is a world away from the working-class black neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago where Mrs. Robinson and her late husband, Fraser Robinson, raised their two children to succeed.

Mr. Robinson was a pump operator for the water department in Chicago. Mrs. Robinson stayed at home with the children until Mrs. Obama was in high school.

In an interview with The New York Times last year, Mrs. Robinson said she had encouraged her children to speak their minds and gave them room to make mistakes. “It was always ‘hard work’ and ‘don’t let people stop you,’ ” she said.

She took math and reading workbooks home so her children were always ahead in school. And she insisted on discipline and chores to teach the importance of accountability.

“If we had a chore, we had to do it right,” Craig Robinson, the men’s basketball coach at Oregon State University, said in an interview in 2007 with The New York Times.

Years after she moved out, Mrs. Obama marveled that her mother had kept her bedroom exactly the same — the same bed, bedspread and pictures — providing a sense of continuity and history that her daughters adore.

“I’m like, ‘Mom, you can get a new bed,’ ” Mrs. Obama said last year. “But the kids love it.”

Mr. Obama felt that sense of history on election night when Mrs. Robinson squeezed his hand as the final results came in.

“You had this sense of, well, what’s she thinking?” Mr. Obama said on “60 Minutes.” “For a black woman who grew up in the ’50s, you know, in a segregated Chicago, to watch her daughter become first lady of the United States.”

In the days before the election, Mrs. Robinson was still awed by the wonder of it, amazed that Mr. Obama actually seemed poised to win, friends and neighbors say.

Still, she repeated her mantra: I’m not moving.

Even now, transition officials say, Mrs. Robinson remains uncertain about whether she wants to give up her quiet life in Chicago for four years in Washington. She has already moved to town to help her granddaughters get settled but has yet to decide how long she will stay.

If she decides to stay for Mr. Obama’s first term, she would be the first mother-in-law to live in the White House full time since the Truman presidency, historians say.

“I’ve never lived outside of Chicago, so I don’t know,” Mrs. Robinson said last year, hesitating a bit as she considered whether she was willing to move into the White House.

“In the end, I’ll do whatever,” she said. “I might fuss a little, but I’ll be there.”

Michael Powell contributed reporting from Chicago, and Jodi Kantor from Providence, R.I.

Obama: U.S. will not torture on my watch

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:28:14 EST

1/9/09 AP

WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama said Friday his administration would not compromise its ideals to fight terrorism, adding at a press conference to announce his CIA and national intelligence nominees that he has told them to honor the Geneva Conventions.

"I was clear throughout this campaign and was clear throughout this transition that under my administration the United States does not torture," Obama said, when asked at the news conference whether he would continue the Bush administration's policy of harsh interrogation. "We will abide by the Geneva Conventions. We will uphold our highest ideals."

Obama announced his choice for CIA director, former Clinton White House chief of staff Leon Panetta, and director of national intelligence, retired Adm. Dennis Blair.

Obama has criticized interrogation practices he says amount to torture and also has promised to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The president-elect, who takes office Jan. 20, said he has given the men the clear charge to restore the United States' record on human rights.

"We must adhere to our values as diligently as we protect our safety with no exceptions," Obama said.

During the presidential campaign, Obama ha rshly criticized the Bush administration's policy on interrogation practices.

Obama's CIA and national intelligence nominees were somewhat controversial and had been leaked to reporters four days ago. That gave official Washington time to vent its surprise that Panetta, with no direct intelligence experience, had been tapped to head the agency.

Blair, a former head of the U.S. Pacific Command, won high marks for countering terrorism in southeast Asia after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He worked closely with foreign partners to target the Jemaah Islamiyah in Indonesia and Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, offensives that crippled both terror groups.

East Timor a factor
But Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said he plans to question Blair about the role he played 10 years ago in U.S. efforts to rein in the Indonesian military as it brutally cracked down on civilians in East Timor. Staff aides to other members said they would be listening closely to the answers.

"I think it's extraordinarily important at this point when we are trying to send a different message about our values and our priorities in human rights to move as is quickly as is responsibly possible," Wyden said. "I have some questions about whether that has been done and I want to ask about that. I want to ask him about it. I am not making any charges."

Paramilitary groups sponsored by the Indonesian military with U.S. financial and political patronage slaughtered more than 200,000 East Timorese over two decades. In 1999, as civilians were being massacred, Congress and the Clinton administration cut off all military ties.

Blair, then U.S. Pacific Command chief, pushed for renewing relations with the Indonesian army, reasoning that drawing them closer would give the U.S. more leverage. In April 1999 he was sent to Indonesia by President Clinton to meet with the new military leader and offer to restart some military training. The meeting occurred just days after Indonesian-sponsored militias had slaughtered nearly 60 people seeking refuge in a church. Blair has said he only learned of the massacre a few days after the meeting.

The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, a human rights group, called Blair a poor choice for intelligence director this week.

"Blair offered the Indonesian military in the midst of massacres encouragement for business as usual. He didn't criticize their behavior," John Miller, a spokesman for the group, said.

Obama has said he wants to clean up the U.S. reputation on human rights after eight years of Bush administration policies.

Robert Gelbard, who was ambassador to Indonesia and East Timor from October 1999 to 2001, said in an interview that he has no concerns about Blair's record on human rights, or his qualifications for the job. He acknowledged that he and Blair professionally disagreed over the amount of training the Indonesian military should get, but shared the goal of trying to bring the organization into line with democratic practices.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., sponsored much of the U.S. legislation that cut off Indonesia over its abuse record. Leahy spokesman David Carle said the senator has great respect for Blair, but "continues to feel strongly that Indonesian military officers who were responsible for the atrocities in East Timor should be held accountable. He expects to continue his dialogue with Admiral Blair on these and similar issues in the future."

F-22 conflict of interest inquiry
Blair is also expected to face questions about a conflict of interest investigation over the F-22 jet fighter. He resigned from a Pentagon think tank two years ago after the Senate Armed Services Committee raised questions about his membership on the boards of two defense contractors whose work the think tank was reviewing. Obama's presidential opponent, Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, was one of three senators who called for the investigation in 2006.

In the meantime, Panetta's prospects for a smooth nomination hearing appeared to improve this week. Word he had been selected was greeted by incoming Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., with shock. S

he said Monday she had not been consulted on the pick. On Tuesday, she and Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the outgoing Democratic intelligence chairman from West Virginia, had spoken to Obama, who apologized for the slight, and to Panetta and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

Panetta was not their first choice, Rockefeller said. They both had pushed for the promotion of current Deputy CIA Director Steve Kappes, a popular and respected longtime officer.

Rockefeller said that news that Obama had asked Kappes to remain in his job softened his view on Panetta a great deal.

Brennan as counterterror adviser
Obama also nominated John Brennan to be his Homeland Security adviser for counterterrorism.

Brennan, a career CIA official, was the first director of the National Counterterrorism Center, the intelligence agency's locus for terrorism strategy and analysis. He had been considered Obama's leading candidate for CIA director, but bowed out late last year after critics said he was too close to the Bush administration's interrogation policies.

It has been reported that Brennan, as a single adviser reporting directly to the president, would oversee and restructure counterterrorism policy for the Obama administration.

Obama's first gift as president to be Lenox crystal bowl

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:52:57 EST

1/9/09 By ANN SANNER, AP

WASHINGTON – To Barack Obama, from Congress on behalf of the American people: One hand-cut, crystal bowl with an etching of his new home in Washington.

The president-elect will receive the present at a luncheon with members of Congress after the inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20.

The $2,500 one-of-a-kind bowl weighs nearly 8 pounds and shows an image of the White House, with cherry trees on each side. As the bowl is rotated, the president's residence can be seen through the trees.

Congress commissioned the bowl from Lenox, Inc., which donated it as a gift, a favor permissible under a congressional resolution.

Joe Biden will receive a similar crystal bowl when he becomes vice president, only his will have an image of the Capitol, with blooming cherry trees.

The gifts took thousands of hours to make and were designed by glass cutter Timothy Carder using a combination of etching and hand cutting. It is 5 1/2 inches high and 9 inches in diameter and sits on a hand-cut base made of optical crystal engraved with Obama's name and the date of his inauguration.

"The inauguration of a new president is one of the most solemn and ceremonial moments in our nation's history," said Senator Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. "Lenox, a great American porcelain company, has once again created a beautiful gift that captures the beauty and dignity of this truly special occasion."

The company also created the inaugural gifts for former presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Photo:

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//090108/480/5555ec66ab424d16adebd669e7b36734/

'Go, Tell Michelle': Wisdom For The Future First Lady

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:59:45 EST

'Go, Tell Michelle': Wisdom For The Future First Lady

NPR-All Things Considered 1/7/09

In churches or beauty shops or anyplace where groups of women gather — especially black women — it is not uncommon for them to talk about the advice they would like to pass on to the incoming first lady.

A group of women in upstate New York went one step further and decided to publish their words of wisdom for Michelle Obama in a book called Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady.

The poems and letters were compiled by two education specialists, Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram, who are co-founders of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women at the University of Buffalo in New York.

The idea blossomed after the Obamas were portrayed as fist-thumping terrorists on a New Yorker magazine cover last July.

"The idea was growing really throughout the primary as we … were watching Michelle coming forward and taking on a more active role and becoming a person that we could identify with and that we liked," Nevergold tells NPR's Michele Norris.

After the election, Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram decided to ask women to write letters of support, adulation and love to Michelle Obama because they thought she will "need that when she gets to the White House," Nevergold says.

Brooks-Bertram says that the themes that emerged in the book were twofold — sweet and gentle — but also those that "resonate and rise up" in a way they didn't expect.

"One of those themes has to do with the issue of the intraracial color line — and women who very clearly point out that it was very important for them that Michelle Obama was a recognizably black woman for example," Brooks-Bertram says. "That she wasn't light-skinned with blue eyes and still classified as black, but rather she was a black woman and that it gave them a whole new feeling about their own lives. I really thought that it was powerful, because that tends to be a subject that we don't go towards so readily because it has such deep pain associated with it."

Also, through the letters, many of the women seemed to be saying that the world might see them through a new lens because of Michelle Obama.

"This is particularly for women who are dark-skinned women who thought, 'Oh my goodness.' Like one woman who said: 'I now believe I can bring my black babies into this world,' " Brooks-Bertram says

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99044712

2009 the Year of the Ox

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:26:48 EST

The year of the ox

1/26/09 President Obama via whitehouse.gov

Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Ox, the second symbol in the Chinese Zodiac.

President Barack Obama released a statement to commemorate the new year:

"I send my warmest wishes to people across Asia, in America, and indeed around the world who are celebrating the Lunar New Year and welcoming the Year of the Ox. As they gather with their families and celebrate over meals, they welcome new beginnings and honor the enduring wisdom of their ancestors.

"From the lion dances in San Francisco to festivals in Atlanta and parades in New York City and Washington, D.C., Americans of Asian descent carry on the vibrant traditions of their forefathers and enrich America's cultural diversity. I wish all those celebrating the New Year to be blessed with peace, prosperity, and good health."

********

Chinese New Year starts on January 26, 2009 and it will be the year of the Ox ( 牛 ) in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.

Vietnamese greetings: "chúc mừng năm mới" and "cung chúc tân xuân" (Happy New Year).
Chinese greetings: "Gong hei fat choi", which loosely translates to "Congratulations and be prosperous".

Barack Obama was born August 4, 1961, at 7:24 PM, in Honolulu, Hawaii. This makes him a Metal Ox; See last entry for explaination of element*

Ox people need peace and quiet to work through their ideas, and when they have set their mind on something it is hard for them to be convinced otherwise. An Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, even without imagination. These people speak little but are extremely intelligent. When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent.

People born under the influence of the Ox are kind, caring souls, logical, positive, filled with common sense and with their feet firmly planted on the ground. Security is their main preoccupation in life, and they are prepared to toil long and hard in order to provide a warm, comfortable and stable nest for themselves and their families. Strong-minded, stubborn, individualistic, the majority are highly intelligent individuals who don't take kindly to being told what to do.

The Ox works hard, patiently, and methodically, with original intelligence and reflective thought. These people enjoy helping others. Behind this tenacious, laboring, and self-sacrificing exterior lies an active mind.

The Ox is not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes them nervous. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the Ox sleepless nights.

Ox people are truthful and sincere, and the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them. They are rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain. These people are always welcome because of their honesty and patience. They have many friends, who appreciate the fact that the Ox people are wary of new trends, although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new.

It is important to remember that the Ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure, but occasionally a dark cloud looms over such people and they engage all the trials of the whole world and seek solutions for them.

金 Metal *

The West（西）
Autumn（秋）
White Tiger（白虎）
The Planet Venus（金星）
The Colour White（白）
Respiratory system & Lungs（ 954;）
Determined, Self-reliant, Unyielding, Strong, Tenacious, Forceful
Reserved, Needs Personal Space, Sophisticated, Seeks pleasure, caring, respectful

Quotes from Barack Obama

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:13:47 EST

"It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun. Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today."

"The genius of our founders is that they designed a system of government that can be changed. And we should take heart, because we've changed this country before...Each of us, in our own lives, will have to accept responsibility--for instailling an ethic of achievement in our children, for adapting to a more competitive economy, for strengthening our communities, and sharing some measure of sacrifice. So let us begin. Let us begin this hard work together. Let us transform this nation." 2/10/07 Springfield, IL

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

"Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. "

"Because the truth is that promoting science isn’t just about providing resources—it’s about protecting free and open inquiry. It’s about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted or obscured by politics or ideology. It’s about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when it’s inconvenient—especially when it’s inconvenient. Because the highest purpose of science is the search for knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the world around us. That will be my goal as President of the United States—and I could not have a better team to guide me in this work. "

"I opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying."

"If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists - to protect them and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost."

"There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America. There is not a black America and a white America and latino America and asian America - there's the United States of America."

"I chose to run for presidency at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together--unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not come for the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction--towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren." 3/18/08 Philadelphia, PA

First Family Birthdays

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:58:29 EST

First Family Birthdates

President Barack Obama August 4, 1961

Michelle Obama January 17, 1964

Malia Obama July 4, 1998

Sasha Obama June 10 2001

***

VP Joe Biden November 20, 1942

Jill Biden June 5, 1951

Obama named Time's 'Person of the Year'

☮ CR ❤ — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:32:17 EST

Obama named Time's 'Person of the Year

Time Managing Editor Richard Stengel appeared this morning on "Today" to introduce the magazine's "Person of the Year" award. Although he tried building suspense by starting in reverse order, it's no real surprise who won: President-elect Barack Obama.

"The Person of the Year was, in effect, invented for Barack Obama," Stengel told Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira. "He's a transformational figure. He has done something extraordinary." Stengel said the magazine almost went with a choice similar to Time's 2006 winner: "You." "We thought about possibly giving it to the American voter for electing Barack Obama," he said.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/1208/Obama_named_Times_Person_of_the_Year.ht ml

Still Fired Up

☮ CR ❤ — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:53:47 EST

By Ben Smith - Politico December 12, 2008

Obama's supporters have organized a startling 4,200 events this weekend to talk about where they go from here, a startling number -- almost three times what was originally expected -- that suggests that a large number of his supporters will stay engaged.

******

On Sunday I attended a "Change is Coming" event held by Mari Houssni (2008 DNC Denver Delegate). The issues that were brought up during the meeting were things that affect everyone; preventing youth crime, healthcare and other forms of community service. There is a bi-partisan google group that was formed to keep everyone connected and involved; this was very important to so many of us because we feel that it is wrong to promote division, as President Elect Obama has mentioned repeatedly "There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America".

Presidential Inauguration

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:55:43 EST

* * * * * * * * ============= * * * * * * * * ===========* * * * * * * * *============ * * * * * * * *

President Elect Obama said in a statement: "At this moment of great challenge and great change, renewing the promise of America begins with renewing the idea that in America, we rise or fall as one nation and one people. That sense of unity and shared purpose is what this Inauguration will reflect." A Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) news release says that theme “underscores the President-elect and Vice President-elect's commitment to restoring opportunity and possibility for all and re-establishing America's standing as a beacon of hope around the world.”

Media Coverage:

On line: Live coverage online at pic2009

PIC and Project readOn Bring Closed Captioning to Inauguration YouTube Channel.

Tuesday, January 20th - Inauguration Day

* Inaugural Ceremonies

The President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families will participate in the traditional inaugural ceremonies and events. The length of the National Mall will be open to those wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Festivities will commence at 10 a.m. on the west front of the U.S. Capitol and will include:

•    Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
•    Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
•    Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
•    Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
•    Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
•    Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)
•    President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln’s Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

The swearing-in of the President of the United States occurs upon the commencement of a new term of a President of the United States. The United States Constitution mandates that the President make the following oath or affirmation before he or she can "enter on the Execution" of the office of the presidency:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Barack Obama's presidential inauguration will take place on January 20, 2009 at noon in Washington D.C. on the steps of the United States Capitol, with the Chief Justice of the United States administering the oath. The swearing-in has been administered by 14 Chief Justices, one Associate Justice, three federal judges, two New York state judges, and one notary public.

• Inaugural Address

"My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].“

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

•    Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
•    Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
•    The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”

* Inaugural Luncheon- After President Obama gives his Inaugural Address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.

* 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate.

The parade will begin at the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building and proceed along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

* Mid-Atlantic Ball w/ The Grateful Dead , DJ Cassidy. Only those invited may attend.
* Midwestern Ball w/ Sheryl Crow, Fabulous Motown Revue. Only those invited may attend.
* Western Ball w/ Marc Anthony, Party on the Moon. Only those invited may attend.
* Eastern Ball w/ James Taylor , Liquid Pleasure with Kenny Mann. Only those invited may attend.
* Southern Ball w/ The Derek Trucks Band with Susan Tedeschi, Wil Gravatt Band. Only those invited may attend.

* Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton. It is reserved for those between the ages of 18 and 35. Tickets are relatively cheap: $75 a pop. MTV will broadcast the event live

* Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts w/ Ann Hathaway, Susan Sarandon, John Cusack, John F. Kerry, Barbara Boxer and Richard Burr, Rep. Mary Bono Mack. Sting and Elvis Costello are set to perform

* Commander-in-Chief Ball is dedicated to military personnel and their families.

* Obama Homes States Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center includes invited guests from Illinois and Hawaii. With Common, Jack Johnson , Don Cagen Orchestra

* Biden Home States Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center includes invited guests from Delaware and Pennsylvania. With Maroon 5, James Gerard Orchestra

* Neighborhood Ball at the Washington Convention Center with the Obamas, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira & Stevie Wonder televised on ABC from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

Wednesday, January 21st

* National Prayer Service 8:30 a.m. - National Cathedral
The newly-inaugurated President and Vice President of the United States will join with dignitaries and Americans of diverse faiths to celebrate the previous day's events through prayer, readings, and musical performances. Reverend Dr. Sharon Watkins will be the first woman to deliver the sermon at this traditional Inaugural event.

* * * * * * * * ============= * * * * * * * * ===========* * * * * * * * *============ * * * * * * * *

The Success of South County 4 Obama

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:03:11 EST

Thank you to all of the dedicated, hard working volunteers that helped South County 4 Obama in the Gilroy/Morgan Hill area to be successful!

Yeffi Vannata and Elaine Coombs helped us from day one to get South County 4 Obama off the ground. They always had time to help guide me. Linda Burnett, my data manager and my right hand woman.

Bob Petite, Democratic Delegate/team leader of South Valley 4 Obama (Palo Alto, CA,) helped me with informative emails when I was asking for scrambling for help.

Mari Houssni, team leader of San Jose/Democratic Delegate/Caravan leader to Nevada came down with her team to get us fired up and to bring silent auction and raffle items for our Obama Victory Fundraiser. She was always there to help!

Galen Swain, team leader of San Jose/Caravan leader to Nevada, came down to get us fired up and to bring his solar DJ system and his Obama cut-out for our Obama parties. He was always there for me!

Thank you also to all the volunteers of South County who came out again and again to help out in our ten voter registration drives, our Obama post card writing campaign for Women from Ohio, our Obama Potluck Party, our Obama Victory Fundraiser, Dennis Wise (my Republican captain) with phone banking events, and all those who caravan/canvassed in Nevada!

Let's keep the non-partisan community service going!!! Yes WE Can!

2008 Political Junkie Quiz

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:14:19 EST

So you think you know every little detail of what happened on the campaign trail?

Test your political savy with this quiz from The New Yorker website by Paul Slanzky titled
"Lipstick on a Pig A 2008 Campaign Quiz" :

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/polls/slansky2008campaignquiz/01013sh_shouts_slansky

****

Barack Obama's Artisitic Talent:

A doodle by Senator Barack Obama sold for over $2000 on eBay today. The drawing, featuring fellow senators Harry Reid, Dianne Feinstein, and Edward Kennedy, was sold as part of the National Doodle Day initiative. National Doodle Day sells celebrity sketches to raise funds for The Neurofibromatosis Association and epilipsy research.

Nice stuff. I’d say he captured Kennedy’s jaws rather convincingly. Now, can he capture the popular vote? Oop - we’d better stay away from politics here.

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/05/obama-doodle-nets-charity-cash-on-ebay.html

Fifty things you might not know about Barack Obama

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:48:22 EST

• He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics

• He was known as "O'Bomber" at high school for his skill at basketball

• His name means "one who is blessed" in Swahili

• His favourite meal is wife Michelle's shrimp linguini

• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father

• He is left-handed – the sixth post-war president to be left-handed

• He has read every Harry Potter book

• He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali

• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream

• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars

• He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia

• He can speak Spanish

• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead

• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea

• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't

• He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia

• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs

• He was known as Barry until university when he asked to be addressed by his full name

• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister's fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived

• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy

• He and Michelle made $4.2 million (£2.7 million) last year, with much coming from sales of his books

• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

• He carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck

• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.

• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees

• He took Michelle to see the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing on their first date

• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker

• He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol

• He would have liked to have been an architect if he were not a politician

• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine

• His daughters' ambitions are to go to Yale before becoming an actress (Malia, 10) and to sing and dance (Sasha, 7)

• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside

• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal

• His house in Chicago has four fire places

• Daughter Malia's godmother is Jesse Jackson's daughter Santita

• He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry

• He uses an Apple Mac laptop

• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300

• He wears $1,500 (£952) Hart Schaffner Marx suits

• He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes

• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13)

• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire

• He was given the code name "Renegade" by his Secret Service handlers

• He was nicknamed "Bear" by his late grandmother

• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds

• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso

• His speciality as a cook is chilli

• He has said many of his friends in Indonesia were "street urchins"

• He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life

• His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government

Web link of 730 front pages from 66 countries of newspapers announcing a President Obama:

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:48:10 EST

Here is a web link of 730 front pages from 66 countries of newspapers announcing a President Obama:

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/default_archive.asp?fpArchive=110508

The 'Obama Way': Seven steps to success

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:00:32 EST

The 'Obama Way': Seven steps to success

What his distinctive approach reveals about his possible administration

ANALYSIS By Howard Fineman msnbc.com updated 2 hours, 45 minutes ago NEW YORK

I was sitting in David Plouffe’s spartan office at Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters in Chicago. This horserace has been an interesting one, but that’s not what I wanted to talk about. Instead, I asked the campaign manager about decision-making.

A lot of the campaign's choices have been better than good. Cautious politically and bold organizationally, the decisions made amount to the best planned, executed and essentially mistake-free political effort I’ve ever covered. So, I paid close attention when Plouffe told me there was an “Obama Way.”It sounded vaguely mystical, but if there is one thing we need to know to help assess an Obama presidency, this could be it.

Having said that, you have to be cautious about seeing a White House foreshadowed in a candidate’s campaign. Take for example George W. Bush. Some characteristics of his presidency — loyalty, insularity and reliance on a small core of advisors — could be noted in his 2000 effort. But unlike his presidency, that campaign proved adaptable to changing circumstances and more attuned to realities on the ground. The differences proved catastrophic.

Obama’s campaign has been so distinctive, disciplined and cutting edge that it’s nearly impossible not to look at it for clues as to what his White House would be like. Businessmen and politicians will reverently study the campaign for years to come as a model of innovative branding and an example for digital sales strategies. Politically, Obama’s ability to finesse tough issues — to anticipate criticism and play off of it — is a model of tactical skill. In terms of public character, his vaunted coolness is state-of-the-art.

Altogether, this strategy is seven-pronged — and it's a veritable play book for political success:

Be decisive: This is what Plouffe meant by the “Obama Way.” “Everybody speaks his or her mind,” he told me, “and then Barack makes the decision. After that, there is absolutely no second-guessing or looking back.” The trick is to stick with it. Outside the campaign there was considerable hand-wringing a few months ago about the wisdom of pursuing an “expanded map” Electoral College strategy. Obama didn’t budge. “It’s better to have one strategy and stick to it,” Plouffe told me, “than to try ten in pursuit of the perfect answer. The point is that there is no perfect answer.”

Have a tight circle: Obama has a very small circle, although it’s not the circle of one (Karl Rove) that Bush had. Obama’s core group consists of four people besides the candidate himself: the “two Davids,” Plouffe and David Axelrod, the reporter-turned-consultant and the keeper of the Obama message and the mythology; Valerie B. Jarrett, a Chicago lawyer, fundraiser, and former city hall official; and Obama’s wife, Michelle. “It’s the two Davids and those two women,” said a top party official. The result is an ability to keep a secret. The choice of Sen. Joe Biden for Obama's running mate, for example, wasn’t leaked to the press.

Stick with the plan: Obama's game plan was devised by that inner circle, plus maybe a ring or two beyond it, and has been in place since the moment Obama announced his candidacy in 2007. It’s remained mostly intact. The plan was carefully back-timed with the general election in mind. Except for his commitment to a specific timetable for withdrawal of American combat forces from Iraq, the overall platform has remained substantively centrist in tone and content. I’ve never seen another campaign so willing and able to stick to the script.

Sweat the details: Planning strategy is one thing, but executing it with almost obsessive precision is another. All winning campaigns must be able to do that, even ones that have benefitted, like Obama’s, from historical trends, including Bush’s travail and a near-collapse of the Republican Party. But the Obama campaign has not missed a single detail — including, as a recent example, an unprecedented effort to win one stray Electoral College vote in Nebraska.

Understand your brand: Obama lacks a background in business, but you could never tell by looking at his campaign. It has adapted and improved upon key techniques of modern, international marketing. One of them is branding through iconography. His campaign is literally centered on a symbol. The Obama camp created that road-meets-the-rising-sun logo two years ago. And that’s just one part of a larger focus on visual sales.

Remember the stage for his speech at the Democratic National Convention? The vast set, covered in faux Greek columns and video monitors, was designed to embody the idea of a mass movement or a crusade for change. And at a recent rally in Cleveland, the entire Obama family wore matching outfits, representing a united familial front by smiling and rocking out with Bruce Springsteen to “The Rising.”

Go digital: Obama’s campaign devotion to semiotics is matched by and married to an innovative, envelope-pushing use of web-based and digital communications. One example, demonstrated to me by Chris Stern of Bloomberg: an Obama applet for the iPhone, developed by a supporter in London. Among other things, it organizes all contacts according to key swing states, allows users to distinguish friends as Obama supporters, and lists (for those with GPS-enabled phones) local Obama meetings and events (complete with maps and directions). The campaign’s texting efforts are perhaps better known. Enticed by contests, supporters sent in their phone numbers at major rallies. Electronic participation continued and hit new highs in August when the Obama camp promised to reveal their veep choice first via e-mail and text message.

Use caution: Speaking of vice presidential selections, Obama’s selection of Biden speaks volumes. Given the range of choice, Obama made the safest pick — and one that he had reason to believe would yield a specific, tangible benefit: help in Pennsylvania (specifically, northeast, where Democratic turnout is essential).

So what's the bottom line? Pretty simple. If past is prologue, Obama and his circle are already very hard at work — and very far along — planning the details of his presidency. The game plan will be comprehensive, detailed, clever and cautious. That's good news, whether you’re for him or not. As Plouffe says, it's always better to have a plan. It's the Obama Way.

10/18 Obama Victory Fundraiser in Gilroy

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:56:50 EDT

* Obama Victory Fundraiser in Gilroy *

Date: Sat, Oct 18th

Where: Oakwood Lounge 7421 Monterey St, Gilroy (between 6th & 7th on the west side - green awning)

Speakers: Mari Houssni, Democratic Delegate at the Democratic Denver Convention & Obama Neighborhood Team Leader in San Jose

Thank you so much for all who came out to our Obama Victory Fundraiser!! A special shout out to Mari Houssni and her team; South County 4 Obama really appreciates your time and effort! Between 4pm-8pm we raised $360 for the Obama Campaign and $310 for the California-Nevada Gas Fund. We really had a good time! Yes WE Can!

My husband (the Independent) answered questions from McCain/Palin supporters

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:53:14 EDT

Here is my husband's story:

At a recent local festival, I worked on voter registration, walking through the crowds wearing an Obama T-shirt. I was stopped almost as often with questions about Obama's positions almost as often as I was asked to help with the actual registration. All the conversations were pleasant and respectful, including one with the volunteers at the Republican party booth. One particularly interesting conversations took place when I was stopped by a man carrying a "McCain-Palin" yard sign, accompanied by his wife and young children. We discussed several topics, but abortion/right-to-life was our final and heaviest subject. My position in this area is not a straight-forward agree/disagree: first off, I don't hold an either-or position. I believe that most abortions are harmful to the woman involved, as well as terminating a human life. In other cases, an abortion may be justified. I expect most people will stop reading at this point, assuming that they know my postion. They are wrong. In spite of my reverence for life, I believe that, until our society has changed fundamentally, so that a woman does not have to choose between delivering a child and a career, her personal health, the health and welfare of her family, social ostracization, and the condemnation of her family and religious congregation and other members of society, elective abortion must remain legal and available. I cannot support a social structure in which a woman is left with no choices except social and economic ruin or a back-alley butcher. The alternative to most abortions must be a guarantee of a minimum quality of life for both the child and the mother. The gentleman with whom I was speaking brought religion into the discussion, so I explained that I was raised as a Southern Baptist, and my core Christian beliefs remain unaltered to this day. One of these beliefs is that God reserves the right of judgment to Himself. I raised the issue that, in all too many of our religious congregations, a young, unmarried pregnant woman is shunned, shamed and ostracized, exactly when she needs the love and support of the people around her the most. In essence, the people who profess to worship Jesus fail to practice Jesus teachings and examples, thus creating the demand for abortions. My last comment on the issue was to paraphrase Senator Obama: I know that there are people who disagree strongly over the issue of abortion, but I think we can all agree that we want to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies. That is the common ground on which we can work together. Although I only present my side of the conversation here, we both shared our views. I don't expect that I changed his mind, and he didn't change mine. I hope we each walked away thinking about the issue from a broader perspective. We parted amicably, each wishing the other well.

Taste of Morgan Hill Voter Registration Drive

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:44:43 EDT

Taste of Morgan Hill voter registration drive

Date: 9/27 & 9/28 (Sat & Sun)

Where: 17395 Monterey Rd. (corner of Monterey & Second Street) old bike shop site

Thank you to Martha Oral, Dan Shoreman, Ebru Akcasu, Linda Burnette, Linda Piceno and John Russell for their great help in registering voters for the two days of the Taste of Morgan Hil. We helped 65 people to register to vote, made our South County 4 Obama presence seen by assisting people with information and gave away round Obama stickers and mini Obama buttons. Thank you Linda Burnette for donating the Obama/MoveOn.Org mini buttons for us to pass out! At least twice a group of people stopped me while I was trying to quietly walk past in front of the McCain/Palin booth to beg me for the Obama mini buttons and stickers; a McCain person ran out and offered them an McCain sticker and they said "No, we want Obama stickers!!"

Yes WE Can! Obama/Biden 08'

Gavilan College's Constitution Day Voter Registration Drive

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:06:12 EDT

Gavilan College's Constitution Day Voter Registration Drive

Date: Sept 17 (Wed)

Where: Gavilan College Student Center

A non-partisan voter registration drive was held at Gavilan College in the Student Center on the 221st anniversary of the signing of our United States Constitution.

Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) recognizes the ratification of the United States Constitution and also recognizes all who have become citizens due to either coming of age or naturalization. It is observed on September 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787.

We helped 50 students to become registered voters in our area today!!! Thank you Patricia Russ and my husband John, Graciela Serna Nutter and Ali Esmaili of Gavilan College for all your help in making this event possible! Gavilan College has asked us to come back with voter registration drives when ever we want to!

* Yes WE Can! *

Gavilan College's Welcome Week Voter Registration Drive

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:19:56 EDT

Gavilan College's Welcome Week Voter Registration Drive

Date: Sept 3-4 (Wed & Thurs)
Where: Gavilan College Student Center

A non-partisan voter reg drive was held at Gavilan College in the Student Center cafeterian during the first two days of the fall semester. Our voter registration drive went well. We did hear a lot of "voting Democrat" comments but we were not allowed to show our approval! Big thank you to Patty Baggese, Carol Benette, Linda Piceno, Patricia Russ and my husband John for working so hard at Gavilan College Welcome Voter Registration Drive! In a total of six hours we got/gave approximately 50 voter reg forms!!! Thank you Graciela Serna Nutter of Gavilan College for all her help in making this event possible! * Yes WE Can! *

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/gplsfz

South County 4 Obama Potluck Party

☮ CR ❤ — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:44:22 EDT

** South County 4 Obama you are invited! **

What: *Obama Potluck Party* - Food, fellowship and fun!
*Bring a dish to share *and your Obama enthusiasm! Obama bumper stickers and pins will be available. Bring your camera and take a photo with the Obama cut-out! Galen's Swain will bring his solar powered DJ equipment for tunes. Kathy Bisbee of CMAP will interview/televise the event. Guest count so far: 30 attendees

When: *Saturday, 8/30 starts at 6pm*

Where: The Patterson's house

Attire: *Obama* attire (don't worry if you don't have an Obama pin you can pick one up at the party!)

----------

Follow up story:

Mahalo Nui Loa Kakou (Thank you everyone) for making last night's Obama potluck a hit! It was great to finally me you all; My husband John and I truly had a good time. We loved sharing our stories and hearing yours. There was so much positive energy at the party. Thank you to Tom and Tanya Patterson for hosting that great party! We finally left the party at 10:30!!! Wow! :)

Pictures from the party:

Cheryl's Obamamobile

Talkin' Obama

Obama '08 Cake

Cheryl Cuts the Cake

Pin Your Hopes on the Democratic Party

For more pictures from the potluck, click here.

Six Silicon Valley convention delegates' political journeys- Newcomers to conventions

☮ CR ❤ — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:50:30 EDT

Six Silicon Valley convention delegates' political journeys- Newcomers to conventions

By Mary Anne Ostrom- San Jose Mercury News Article Launched: 08/17/2008 01:34:13 AM PDT

Excerpts from the article: We've chosen to tell the stories of six Silicon Valley residents who have never been delegates before.

The Democrats are a Stanford University dean who sees a lot of herself in her candidate, a San Jose electrical engineer who gave up online gaming for campaigning, and a young Latino whose grandmother introduced him to politics (a Hillary Clinton supporter).

The Republicans include a successful Atherton inventor who stuck with his dark horse Video candidate, an Intel manager from San Jose who taught himself grass-roots politicking (and whoses his wife is an Obama supporter), and a single mother who throws her Cupertino home open for campaign activities. The Democrats will descend on Denver next week to nominate Barack Obama and the Republicans will arrive in St. Paul, Minn., the first week of September to choose John McCain.

DEMOCRATS Motivated by a shared heritage Julie Lythcott-Haims is busy enough as the Stanford dean charged with taking care of incoming freshmen and as the mother of two children, ages 9 and 7. But when Obama announced he was a candidate for president, the African-born Stanford grad was "seized" with the desire to help him win. She identified with Obama in so many ways. Her father, an African-American doctor who moved to Africa to fight smallpox, met and married her mother, a white teacher from England working in Ghana. Lythcott-Haims, 40, was born in Lagos, Nigeria. She feels a connection to Obama because of the shared biracial heritage. "He's has contended very publicly with the same issues as I have privately," she said. And both have Harvard University law degrees; she started the semester after he graduated in 1991. She thought about joining Obama's national campaign staff in Chicago, but instead opted to became an Obama precinct captain for her Palo Alto neighborhood and went door to door for Obama in advance of the Texas and Indiana primaries. In a coincidence, Lythcott-Haims will be in Africa on Election Day, making her first trip back since she left as a toddler. The purpose of her trip is to recruit African students to Stanford. Her schedule calls for her to be in Kenya, birthplace of Obama's father, just days after the election. Whatever the outcome, her African trip becomes even more momentous, she said.

---- A return to political activism The last time Bob Petit (our South Valley for Obama as a Volunteer Team Coordinator) did anything political, besides vote, was in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War. To his father's chagrin, he did not volunteer to fight, instead becoming an active protester in his hometown of San Diego, a military stronghold. Fast forward 40 years, most of them spent "sitting back and complaining about things." That changed in November, when, after contributing $25 to Obama, a local organizer asked him to an Obama volunteer meeting at San Jose's Overfelt High School. It was mostly excited youngsters, recalled Petit, 56. But he jumped right in, testing chips as an electrical engineer at Linear Technologies during the day, and playing data manager at the San Jose Obama office at night. In January, on the advice of a friendly human resources manager who noticed Petit's newfound passion for politics, he took "a political leave of absence." His political activities took a toll on his gaming hobby, too. No more playing "World of Warcraft," the popular online game. "I went from 'World of Warcraft' to 'World of Obamacraft,' " he joked and also expanded his social circle beyond geeks and engineers. Petit was laid up at home after knee surgery just before the April delegate elections. But his new network of friends paid off: They voted him to go to Denver, over 14 others. "Just as Obama says, it's been an improbable journey," Petit said.

For the entire article:

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10229653

Island life in multiracial Hawaii shaped Obama

☮ CR ❤ — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:11:14 EDT

By MARK NIESSE, Associated Press Writer Thu Aug 7, 3:14 AM ET

HONOLULU - The diverse culture of the nation's 50th state — and the island nature of Hawaii itself — shaped Barack Obama's view of the world and the politics he would practice.

Those who knew him as a child say that view and those politics click with the themes of his Democratic presidential campaign. For Obama, though, Hawaii is even more personal, the place where he picked up basketball and formed his racial identity.

"If you grow up here, where we have no majority and there's a complete ethnic mix, people have learned how to get along with others who look different and are from different places," said longtime family friend Georgia McCauley.

"In Hawaii, because we have a confined space in terms of being an island state, we perhaps have to learn how to cooperate and compromise more," McCauley said. "We learn how to listen to each other and work on things in a positive manner."

This weekend, Obama planned to return to the island where he spent his childhood as a pudgy kid called Barry who lived in a modest apartment with his grandparents. He planned to visit his maternal grandmother and sister for a few days of vacation before the Democratic National Convention in Denver at month's end.

Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961 to a white mother and a black father who had met in Russian class at the University of Hawaii. He was an island boy most of his first 18 years. His mother's charitable work, his multiethnic friends and the economic gap between his family and his classmates at the island's most prestigious private school — he attended on scholarship — helped forge Obama before he left for college on the mainland.

His father, also named Barack Obama, was a scholarship student from Kenya. His mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was an 18-year-old from Kansas who went on to become an anthropologist and helped set up loans for poor people to start businesses in Indonesia.

Their marriage didn't last long. When Barry was 6, he moved to Indonesia, the homeland of his stepfather, Lolo Soetoro, another university student his mother met in Hawaii. Obama was 9 when his half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, was born. She now teaches history in a private girls high school in Honolulu.

Obama's mother sent him back to the islands after four years in Indonesia to live with her parents, Stanley and Madelyn Dunham. His grandfather was a furniture salesman and his grandmother was Bank of Hawaii's first female bank vice president.

Obama entered the fifth grade at the elite Punahou School, where he was a minority among minorities, an out-of-place boy in a school of the privileged. He enjoyed the lifestyle of an island teen, playing basketball, body surfing and spear-fishing, and he worked at a burger outlet and served on the school literary magazine's editorial board.

Obama has recounted numerous instances when he felt like an outsider, as when a seventh grader called him a "coon" and the parents of a white girl objected to her going to the prom with him. The islands' roughly 49,000 blacks account for less than 4 percent of the population.

"Hawaii's spirit of tolerance might not have been perfect or complete. But it was — and is — real," Obama wrote in a 1999 essay for the Punahou alumni magazine. "The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear."

He left the islands for Occidental College in Los Angeles, then graduated from Columbia University before taking a church-based community organizing job in Chicago and moving on to Harvard Law School. He returned to Illinois as a civil rights lawyer. When he won the U.S. Senate race in 2004, Hawaii Democrats adopted Obama as the state's "third senator." He continued to make regular visits to be with family and friends, the last in December 2006, as Democrats were urging him to seek the presidency.

"He himself is a child of diversity, and Hawaii gave him that opportunity," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, who was friends with Obama's family and remembers him as a boy. "He believes diversity defines you, rather than divides you. That's the central message of change he's bringing. It's nothing to be afraid of."

*******

I sent an email to a friend explaining Hawaii's traditions. "The Chinese word for the number eight sounds like wealth so 8/8/08 is a very auspicious date for the Chinese so we have got to go have Chinese food tomorrow even though I am not Chinese! It is very Hawaiian to celebrate everyone's holidays/customs that you grew up with! It multiplies your reasons to party! Now in the Chinese tradition there would be lots of people wearing red because it is a lucky color and firecrackers w/ a lion dance."

Obama notes ‘tragic’ US past

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:14:17 EDT

Obama notes ‘tragic’ US past

By Laurie Au - Honolulu Star Bulletin
lau@starbulletin.com

7/28/08

CHICAGO » Sen. Barack Obama, speaking to a gathering of minority journalists yesterday, stopped short of endorsing an official U.S. apology to American Indians but said the country should acknowledge its history of poor treatment of certain ethnic groups.

"There's no doubt that when it comes to our treatment of Native Americans as well as other persons of color in this country, we've got some very sad and difficult things to account for," Obama told hundreds of attendees of UNITY '08, a convention of four minority journalism associations.

The Hawaii-born senator, who has told local reporters that he supports the federal recognition bill for native Hawaiians drafted by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, noted other ethnic groups but did not mention native Hawaiians when answering a question about his thoughts on a formal U.S. apology to American Indians.

"I personally would want to see our tragic history, or the tragic elements of our history, acknowledged," the Democratic presidential hopeful said.

"I consistently believe that when it comes to whether it's Native Americans or African-American issues or reparations, the most important thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but offer deeds."

Obama, who appeared tired in his first major appearance since returning Saturday from a 10-day trip abroad, met with a receptive audience at the Chicago convention. Some journalists had waited three hours for the 40-minute appearance.

The group had expected Obama and Sen. John McCain to speak on Thursday night, but because of scheduling conflicts, only Obama could attend yesterday morning's talk.

When Obama walked on stage at the McCormick Center, many journalists in the audience leapt to their feet and applauded enthusiastically after being told not to do so. During a two-minute break halfway through the event, which was broadcast live on CNN, journalists ran to the stage to snap photos of Obama.

The Illinois senator talked about his trip overseas, reiterating his opinion that violence is down in Iraq but worsening in Afghanistan. And he expressed his approval of the Senate's passage of a major housing bill to help homeowners avert foreclosure.

Obama, who acknowledged that he needed a nap, stood up to say farewell to the audience of journalists, many of whom gave him another standing ovation.

Gilroy Garlic Festival Voter Registration Drive

☮ CR ❤ — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:13:10 EDT

Thank you for all your help with the Gilroy Garlic Festival South County 4 Obama Voter Registration Drive! Everything went well. We did our job of having registration available, we networked, we got exposure, we boosted Obama pride and we got some volunteers. Galen came out on Sunday and got everybody "Fired Up!" with his Obama cut-out photos to build an even bigger "Wall of Hope" http://groups.google.com/group/wallofhope?hl=en Everybody did a great job !Yes WE Can!!! Go Team Obama !!!

We will be starting a postcard campaign to help out the "swing states". Yes WE Can!

***** FOLLOW UP *****

July 25, 2008 Team Obama Voter Registration

Yeffi, Shirley, Cheryl, Elaine, and Ann

July 26, 2008 Team Obama Voter Registration

Cheryl, Patty, Tawny, Carol, and Joe

July 27, 2008 Team Obama Voter Registration

John, Cheryl, "Barack", Galen and Linda (with Laramie)

(Not shown, but much appreciated: Jacque)

How do we win this for Barack? Here's how!

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:03:51 EDT

How do we win this for Barack? Here's how!

1) Travel to battleground states to help out other Obama volunteers on the ground

2) Phone banking to the swing states via the BarackObama.com website

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGxyqX

3) Post card writing campaign

Write the postcards at your own convenience (post makred by 9/30/08) and forward the batches to Women for Obama in Ohio who will address the postcards to undecided voters in the critical swing states.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/cherylrussell/gGx9C3

4) Hope In Action

Hope In Action is a movement to connect Obama supporters with community service opportunities and is based on Barack Obama's Plan for Universal Voluntary Public Service. Community service projects like volunteering at a homeless shelter, a blood drive, cleaning a park, hosting a book drive, or visiting a Veteran's Hospital improves the community for everyone.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/service/

5) Obama Fundraisers

Start a carwash, bake sale, lemonaid stand, yardsale fundraiser, craft fair, auction for Senator Obama.

6) Show your Obama pride

Display an Obama sign at your house, wear an Obama T-shirt, wear an Obama pin , put Obama stickers and magnets on your car and talk you everyone you know about Obama.

7) Check on Obama Events near you:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/myevents

Voter Registration Drive on the path to the Gilroy Garlic Festival

☮ CR ❤ — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:21:46 EDT

* Organizing a Voter Registration Drive along the path to the Gilroy Garlic Festival *

7/21- I am usually a wallflower but I have blazed new trails this summer as I work for the Obama Campaign as a Voter Registration Coordinator. I will be training new Voter Registration volunteers in the coming days to get ready for our big South County 4 Obama Voter Registration Drive that will be along the road to the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

California Voter Registration Information:

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_faq.htm#vr

This will be the 30th anniversary of the Gilroy Garlic Festival which is always held the last full weekend of every July, Friday through Sunday. http://gilroygarlicfestival.com/ The Garlic Festival draws 50,000 people from all over the world each day of the festival. There are 100 arts and craft booths. There are 70 food vendors mostly laced with garlic, even garlic ice cream! The festival will give us great foot traffic!

http://gilroygarlicfestival.com/

The South County 4 Obama will be ready with clipboards, pens and voter registration forms ready to register people from all political parties. Do you realize that we as Americans have the honor and privilege to cast our votes; in some foreign countries people risk their lives by voting their choice or are bullied and told who they will vote for. I have never missed voting in a presidential campaign since I was 18! I came across someone recently who said that they did not vote for Kerry because she thought that he would win. NOT THIS TIME! Thank you to The Gilroy City Council, GilroyFire Marshall Jacqueline Bretschneider, Gilroy City Clerk Shawna Freels and Gilroy Police Captain Kurt Svardal for all their help and encouragement in the success of Voter Registration Drive! Yes WE Can!!! Go Team Obama!!!

Voter Registration Coordinator

☮ CR ❤ — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:09:39 EDT

My husband and I attended an Obama Voter Registration Training session last Sunday at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy hosted by Yeffi Vanatta and Elaine Coombs. Since than I have been asked if I would help the campaign by becoming a voter registration coordinator in my area. I find this terrifing and joyful all at the same time. I am a reserved person who likes to play the wallflower card so this terrified me but I also knew that the goal of working to get Barack Obama as our next President was too important for my trivial personal preferences. So yes, I will step up with the help of other Obama supporters.

Think of this, the decisions and the actions that we take from this day forward until November 4th will affect every single person who is in the U.S for the next 4-8 years. Whether they are legal, illegal or someone staying here temporarily or someone here that is on a green card status the actions of the U.S. Government DOES EFFECT EVERY SINGLE PERSON HERE IN THE U.S.A young or old, military or civilian. Just think about the current headline news and people's financial situation, the financial status of U.S. companies, the U.S. stock market, the world market and you can connect it to the current U.S. administration.

California Voter Registration website:

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm

Fired Up and Ready To Go! Let's work to get Barack Obama as our next President! Go Team Obama!