WEBMASTER

WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog_rss/president/html As an American Webmaster I David Apperson am honored to stand with President Barack Obama. UNITED AGAINST RACISM <p>Hi Friend<br /><br />There is a new group that just started on Facebook that I thought Organizing for America members may be interested in joining. Please see United Against Racism -</p><p><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/causes/354956/80588439?m=9dc74a6e" target="_blank">http://apps.facebook.com/causes/354956/80588439?m=9dc74a6e</a><br /><br />United Against Racism</p><p>posted by David Apperson </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGM4lj http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGM4lj/commentary#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:46:34 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGM4lj WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGM4lj/ 1000 Election Blogs <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to plan, prepare and promote our principles. I invite all citizens of of this great country of ours to post a message on one of 1000 election blogs. </p><p>1000 Election Blogs<br /><a href="http://election-blogs.blogspot.com/" title="Election Blogs">election-blogs.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjN http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjN/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:01:33 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjN WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMjN/ Alabama Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Alabama to post a message on the Alabama Election Blog. </p><p>Alabama Election Blog<br /><a href="http://alabama-election.blogspot.com/" title="Alabama Election Blog">alabama-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjp http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjp/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:56:59 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjp WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMjp/ Alaska Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Alaska to post a message on the Alaska Election Blog. </p><p>Alaska Election Blog<br /><a href="http://alaska-election.blogspot.com/" title="Alaska Election Blog">alaska-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjn http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjn/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:55:41 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjn WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMjn/ Arizona Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Arizona to post a message on the Arizona Election Blog. </p><p>Arizona Election Blog<br /><a href="http://arizona-election.blogspot.com/" title="Arizona Election Blog">arizona-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjS http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjS/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:54:36 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMjS WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMjS/ Arkansas Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Arkansas to post a message on the Arkansas Election Blog. </p><p>Arkansas Election Blog<br /><a href="http://arkansas-election.blogspot.com/" title="Arkansas Election Blog">arkansas-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMv http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMv/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:53:30 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMv WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMv/ California Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of California to post a message on the California Election Blog. </p><p>California Election Blog<br /><a href="http://california-election.blogspot.com/" title="California Election Blog">california-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMr http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMr/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:52:09 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMr WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMr/ Colorado Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Colorado to post a message on the Colorado Election Blog. </p><p>Colorado Election Blog<br /><a href="http://colorado-election.blogspot.com/" title="Colorado Election Blog">colorado-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMc http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMc/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:44:20 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMc WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMc/ Connecticut Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Connecticut to post a message on the Connecticut Election Blog. </p><p>Connecticut Election Blog<br /><a href="http://connecticut-election.blogspot.com/" title="Connecticut Election Blog">connecticut-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMW http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMW/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:42:08 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMW WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMW/ Delaware Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Delaware to post a message on the Delaware Election Blog. </p><p>Delaware Election Blog<br /><a href="http://delaware-election.blogspot.com/" title="Delaware Election Blog">delaware-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMZ http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMZ/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:39:49 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMZ WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMZ/ Florida Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Florida to post a message on the Florida Election Blog. </p><p>Florida Election Blog<br /><a href="http://florida-election.blogspot.com/" title="Florida Election Blog">florida-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMq http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMq/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:38:34 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMq WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMq/ Georgia Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Georgia to post a message on the Georgia Election Blog. </p><p>Georgia Election Blog<br /><a href="http://georgia-election.blogspot.com/" title="Georgia Election Blog">georgia-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMX http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMX/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:05 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMX WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMX/ Hawaii Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Hawaii to post a message on the Hawaii Election Blog. </p><p>Hawaii Election Blog<br /><a href="http://hawaii-election.blogspot.com/" title="Hawaii Election Blog">hawaii-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMt http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMt/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:34:35 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMt WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMt/ Idaho Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Idaho to post a message on the Idaho Election Blog. </p><p>Idaho Election Blog<br /><a href="http://idaho-election.blogspot.com/" title="Idaho Election Blog">idaho-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM2/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:32:47 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM2 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMM2/ Illinois Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Illinois to post a message on the Illinois Election Blog. </p><p>Illinois Election Blog<br /><a href="http://illinois-election.blogspot.com/" title="Illinois Election Blog">illinois-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMML http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMML/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:31:19 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMML WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMML/ Indiana Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Indiana to post a message on the Indiana Election Blog. </p><p>Indiana Election Blog<br /><a href="http://indiana-election.blogspot.com/" title="Indiana Election Blog">indiana-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMK http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMK/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:28:57 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMK WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMK/ Iowa Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Iowa to post a message on the Iowa Election Blog. </p><p>Iowa Election Blog<br /><a href="http://iowa-election.blogspot.com/" title="Iowa Election Blog">iowa-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMb http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMb/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:27:40 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMb WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMb/ Kansas Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Kansas to post a message on the Kansas Election Blog. </p><p>Kansas Election Blog<br /><a href="http://kansas-election.blogspot.com/" title="Kansas Election Blog">kansas-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMH http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMH/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:25:46 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMH WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMH/ Kentucky Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Kentucky to post a message on the Kentucky Election Blog. </p><p>Kentucky Election Blog<br /><a href="http://kentucky-election.blogspot.com/" title="Kentucky Election Blog">kentucky-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMV http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMV/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:24:42 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMV WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMV/ Louisiana Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Louisiana to post a message on the Louisiana Election Blog. </p><p>Louisiana Election Blog<br /><a href="http://louisiana-election.blogspot.com/" title="Louisiana Election Blog">louisiana-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMj http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMj/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:23:26 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMj WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMj/ Maine Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Maine to post a message on the Maine Election Blog. </p><p>Maine Election Blog<br /><a href="http://maine-election.blogspot.com/" title="Maine Election Blog">maine-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMG http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMG/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:22:10 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMG WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMG/ Maryland Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Maryland to post a message on the Maryland Election Blog. </p><p>Maryland Election Blog<br /><a href="http://maryland-election.blogspot.com/" title="Maryland Election Blog">maryland-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMM http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMM/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:12:18 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMM WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMM/ Massachusetts Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Massachusetts to post a message on the Massachusetts Election Blog. </p><p>Massachusetts Election Blog<br /><a href="http://massachusetts-election.blogspot.com/" title="Massachusetts Election Blog">massachusetts-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMx http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMx/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:10:37 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMx WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMx/ Michigan Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Michigan to post a message on the Michigan Election Blog. </p><p>Michigan Election Blog<br /><a href="http://michigan-election.blogspot.com/" title="Michigan Election Blog">michigan-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMC http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMC/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:08:54 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMC WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMC/ Minnesota Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Minnesota to post a message on the Minnesota Election Blog. </p><p>Minnesota Election Blog<br /><a href="http://minnesota-election.blogspot.com/" title="Minnesota Election Blog">minnesota-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMB http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMB/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:06:58 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMB WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMB/ Mississippi Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Mississippi to post a message on the Mississippi Election Blog. </p><p>Mississippi Election Blog<br /><a href="http://mississippi-election.blogspot.com/" title="Mississippi Election Blog">mississippi-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMR http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMR/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:04:03 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMR WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMR/ Missouri Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Missouri to post a message on the Missouri Election Blog. </p><p>Missouri Election Blog<br /><a href="http://missouri-election.blogspot.com/" title="Missouri Election Blog">missouri-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMN http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMN/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:02:32 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMN WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMN/ Montana Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Montana to post a message on the Montana Election Blog. </p><p>Montana Election Blog<br /><a href="http://montana-election.blogspot.com/" title="Montana Election Blog">montana-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM5 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM5/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:01:16 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM5 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMM5/ Nebraska Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Nebraska to post a message on the Nebraska Election Blog. </p><p>Nebraska Election Blog<br /><a href="http://nebraska-election.blogspot.com/" title="Nebraska Election Blog">nebraska-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMp http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMp/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMp WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMp/ Nevada Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Nevada to post a message on the Nevada Election Blog. </p><p>Nevada Election Blog<br /><a href="http://nevada-elections.blogspot.com/" title="Nevada Election Blog">nevada-elections.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMJ http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMJ/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:58:48 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMJ WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMJ/ New Hampshire Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of New Hampshire to post a message on the New Hampshire Election Blog. </p><p>New Hampshire Election Blog<br /><a href="http://new-hampshire-election.blogspot.com/" title="New Hampshire Election Blog">new-hampshire-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMn http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMn/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:48:11 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMn WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMn/ New Jersey Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of New Jersey to post a message on the New Jersey Election Blog. </p><p>New Jersey Election Blog<br /><a href="http://new-jersey-election.blogspot.com/" title="New Jersey Election Blog">new-jersey-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMS http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMS/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:46:41 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMS WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMS/ New Mexcio Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of New Mexcio to post a message on the New Mexcio Election Blog. </p><p>New Mexcio Election Blog<br /><a href="http://new-mexico-election.blogspot.com/" title="New Mexcio Election Blog">new-mexico-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGV http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGV/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:45:14 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGV WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGV/ New York Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of New York to post a message on the New York Election Blog. </p><p>New York Election Blog<br /><a href="http://new-york-election.blogspot.com/" title="New York Election Blog">new-york-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGj http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGj/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:43:35 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGj WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGj/ North Carolina Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of North Carolina to post a message on the North Carolina Election Blog. </p><p>North Carolina Election Blog<br /><a href="http://north-carolina-election.blogspot.com/" title="North Carolina Election Blog">north-carolina-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGM http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGM/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:42:16 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGM WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGM/ North Dakota Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of North Dakota to post a message on the North Dakota Election Blog. </p><p>North Dakota Election Blog<br /><a href="http://north-dakota-election.blogspot.com/" title="North Dakota Election Blog">north-dakota-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGx http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGx/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:40:49 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGx WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGx/ Ohio Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Ohio to post a message on the Ohio Election Blog. </p><p>Ohio Election Blog<br /><a href="http://ohio-election.blogspot.com/" title="Ohio Election Blog">ohio-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGg http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGg/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:38:54 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGg WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGg/ Oklahoma Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Oklahoma to post a message on the Oklahoma Election Blog. </p><p>Oklahoma Election Blog<br /><a href="http://oklahoma-election.blogspot.com/" title="Oklahoma Election Blog">oklahoma-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGC http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGC/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:37:41 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGC WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGC/ Oregon Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Oregon to post a message on the Oregon Election Blog. </p><p>Oregon Election Blog<br /><a href="http://oregon-election.blogspot.com/" title="Oregon Election Blog">oregon-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGB http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGB/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:36:03 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGB WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGB/ Pennsylvania Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Pennsylvania to post a message on the Pennsylvania Election Blog. </p><p>Pennsylvania Election Blog<br /><a href="http://pennsylvania-election.blogspot.com/" title="Pennsylvania Election Blog">pennsylvania-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGh http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGh/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:33:00 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGh WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGh/ Rhode Island Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Rhode Island to post a message on the Rhode Island Election Blog. </p><p>Rhode Island Election Blog<br /><a href="http://rhode-island-election.blogspot.com/" title="Rhode Island Election Blog">rhode-island-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGR http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGR/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:31:09 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGR WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGR/ South Carolina Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of South Carolina to post a message on the South Carolina Election Blog. </p><p>South Carolina Election Blog<br /><a href="http://south-carolina-election.blogspot.com/" title="South Carolina Election Blog">south-carolina-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGN http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGN/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:29:45 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGN WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGN/ South Dakota Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of South Dakota to post a message on the South Dakota Election Blog. </p><p>South Dakota Election Blog<br /><a href="http://south-dakota-election.blogspot.com/" title="South Dakota Election Blog">south-dakota-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMG5 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMG5/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:27:07 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMG5 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMG5/ Tennessee Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Tennessee to post a message on the Tennessee Election Blog. </p><p>Tennessee Election Blog<br /><a href="http://tennessee-election.blogspot.com/" title="Tennessee Election Blog">tennessee-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGp http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGp/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:25:32 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGp WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGp/ Texas Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Texas to post a message on the Texas Election Blog. </p><p>Texas Election Blog<br /><a href="http://texas-election.blogspot.com/" title="Texas Election Blog">texas-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGn http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGn/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:24:02 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGn WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGn/ Utah Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Utah to post a message on the Utah Election Blog. </p><p>Utah Election Blog<br /><a href="http://utah-election.blogspot.com/" title="Utah Election Blog">utah-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGS http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGS/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:22:15 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMGS WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMGS/ Vermont Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Vermont to post a message on the Vermont Election Blog. </p><p>Vermont Election Blog<br /><a href="http://vermont-election.blogspot.com/" title="Vermont Election Blog">vermont-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMT/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:15:39 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMT WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMT/ Virginia Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Virginia to post a message on the Virginia Election Blog. </p><p>Virginia Election Blog<br /><a href="http://virginia-election.blogspot.com/" title="Virginia Election Blog">virginia-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMk http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMk/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:13:42 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMk WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMk/ Washington Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Washington to post a message on the Washington Election Blog. </p><p>Washington Election Blog<br /><a href="http://washington-election.blogspot.com/" title="Washington Election Blog">washington-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMz http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMz/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:04:45 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMz WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMz/ West Virginia Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of West Virginia to post a message on the West Virginia Election Blog. </p><p>West Virginia Election Blog<br /><a href="http://west-virginia-election.blogspot.com/" title="West Virginia Election Blog">west-virginia-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM8 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM8/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:02:10 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMM8 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMM8/ Wisconsin Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Wisconsin to post a message on the Wisconsin Election Blog. </p><p>Wisconsin Election Blog<br /><a href="http://wisconsin-election.blogspot.com/" title="Wisconsin Election Blog">wisconsin-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMl http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMl/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:58:54 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMl WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMl/ Wyoming Election Blog <p>As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."</p><p>It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Wyoming to post a message on the Wyoming Election Blog. </p><p>Wyoming Election Blog<br /><a href="http://wyoming-election.blogspot.com/" title="Wyoming Election Blog">wyoming-election.blogspot.com</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMf http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMf/commentary#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:47:24 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGGMMf WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGGMMf/ CLEAN TRUCKS PROGRAM The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been working to replace old trucks burning dirty, imported diesel with new trucks running on clean, domestic natural gas.<br /><br />The program has been working, but too slowly.  The way these trucking companies rotate their fleets, this is the year when a huge percentage of the trucks will be replaced.  They need to be replaced with trucks running on natural gas.<br /><br /><a href="http://link.sc.pickensmail.com/?162-221-221-1337918-1250" target="_blank">Click here to sign this petition to push forward the Clean Trucks Program</a>.<br /><br />In California there are 3,700 premature deaths every year due to air pollution.  Pollution-related disease and medical conditions, including childhood asthma, costs Californians $19 billion per year.<br /><br />Helping truckers trade trucks producing diesel fumes that everyone has to breathe – especially children and the elderly – for new trucks which produce no particulate emissions and a fraction of greenhouse gas emissions is an excellent investment for California.  It will also be another example of California leading the country in protecting the environment.<br /><br />Just the other day, California’s Air Resources Board approved regulations for its Low Carbon Fuel Standard which will have a real effect on reducing greenhouse gasses from petroleum-based fuels.<br /><br /><a href="http://link.sc.pickensmail.com/?162-221-221-1337918-1250" target="_blank">Click here to sign this petition to push forward the Clean Trucks Program</a>. http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWsC http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWsC/commentary#comments Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:19:49 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWsC WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxWsC/ BARACK OBAMA FIRST 100 DAYS <p>During the first 100 days of the Obama presidency we have seen outstanding leadership in tackling the many issues facing our great nation. And it seems that overwhelming poll numbers indicate that America agrees with President Obama. see <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" title="THE WHITE HOUSE">THE WHITE HOUSE</a><br /><br />The question remains; What can we as fellow Americans do to help our neighbors and countrymen? Included are nine things you can do to help the President celebrate his first 100 Days in office:<br /><br />1. Donate unused suits to the <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf" title="Salvation Army">Salvation Army</a><br />2. Donate time to <a href="http://www.americorps.gov/" title="Americorps">Americorps</a><br />3. Donate toys for children at <a href="http://www.toysfortots.org/" title="Toys for Tots">Toys for Tots</a><br />4. Donate blood at the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/" title="Red Cross">Red Cross</a><br />5. Donate a can of food each week to a <a href="http://www.liveunited.org/" title="Food Pantry">Local Shelter or Food Pantry</a><br />6. Donate money to <a href="http://www.savethechildren.org/" title="Save the Children">Save the Children</a><br />7. Donate time at local a <a href="http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=0" title="Veterans Hospital">Veterans Hospital</a><br />8. Donate an hour a day to your <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child" title="Child">Child</a><br />9. Donate to the <a href="http://www.wish.org/" title="Make a Wish Foundation">Make a Wish Foundation</a><br /><br />Participation is greatly appreciated. What you do for the least of our brethren, you do for yourself -<br /><a href="http://donate.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWJh" title="First 100 Days">http://donate.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWJh</a></p><p>Barack Obama First 100 Days posted by David Apperson</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWJh http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWJh/commentary#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:23:01 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWJh WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxWJh/ ONLINE VETERANS COMMUNITY <p>President Barack Obama says all Americans have a “sacred trust" with the military personnel who have served this Nation, a responsibility to reward courage and self-sacrifice with all the benefits an open democratic society can provide.</p><p>MyVetwork (<a href="http://www.myvetwork.com/">myvetwork.com</a>) provides the solid foundation for a vibrant network of support in the spirit of that sacred trust to improve the lives of not only our active duty personnel and the 600,000 veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, but all our nation's estimated 23 million living military veterans - and their families, too.</p><p>MyVetwork is already operational, with the capability to service the Veterans Community—<em>for the first time</em>—in three intersecting strings, known as a Trident Connection, add up to <em>One Trusted Source for Veterans</em> that anyone connected to the government understands is crucially needed:</p><ul><li><strong>Connection</strong>: An easy to use—free—means for our service men and women (all branches, all conflicts, whether active duty, veterans or retired) and their extended families to connect and <em>shape their own community</em> where they can interact and exchange information on getting the services and resources they need (replacing current “Needle in a haystack” searches with the badly needed “Bingo. Found it!” laser-like search).  Employs a cool Pin View that makes it easy to:<ul><li>Locate people you <em>know</em>, like buddies from combat</li><li>Find people you <em>don’t know</em>,<strong> </strong>the very people—living nearby or half a world away—with whom you most want to connect based on values, interests, concerns, and specific experiences you’ve identified as important </li><li>Find jobs the MyVetwork way: the “job board on steroids” helps find work that matches your interests and skill sets, and helps vet-friendly employers ensure vets get first-look opportunity at available positions. </li></ul></li><li><strong>Information</strong>:  MyVetwork is building the innovative “<em>Milipedia</em>” with <em>content </em>specifically shaped by and for the military community, continually adapting to the needs of service personnel and their families and updating the information they seek, especially in the areas of healthcare, education, money and finance, and careering.  Whether cutting through the red tape to benefits programs available from the VA; differentiating the proliferation of local services and programs; or finding specific people offering advice and support, Milipedia info has the added advantage of being “vetted” by military personnel who can vouch for the value of the proffered service/information (think “Military meets Wikipedia meets Zagat guide”).</li><li><strong>Organizational Umbrella</strong>:  Finally, a place<strong> </strong>for <em>unwinding the organizational maze</em>, categorizing all the available services, the scores of organizations, the many websites and the hundreds of community programs already providing support for our military and their families, giving them the best possible means to showcase themselves to the military community with the accompanying opportunity to increase membership, even raise needed funds.</li></ul><p>Veterans community in one location.  All for free.</p><p>Founded by decorated veteran John R. Campbell, MyVetwork draws on the “secret sauce” of the military, the “I’ve-walked-in-your-shoes” strength military personnel willingly share with one another, which will be a driving force behind MyVetwork.</p><p>Learn more about MyVetwork by visiting <a href="http://www.myvetwork.com/" target="_blank">myvetwork.com</a> or join the Veterans Community by visiting <a href="http://community.myvetwork.com/" target="_blank">community.myvetwork.com</a>.</p><p>Online Veterans Community: <a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxcKg">veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxcKg</a><br />Document posted by <a href="http://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/photoview.php?imgId=1294" title="David Apperson">David Apperson</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxcKg http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxcKg/commentary#comments Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:42:47 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxcKg WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxcKg/ VFW SUPPORTS OBAMA <p><strong>VFW Applauds Obama's 21st Century Vision for VA</strong><br />Advanced funding a key legislative goal<br /><br />Washington, D.C., April 9, 2009 - The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding President Obama for his vision for a 21st century Department of Veterans Affairs that includes support of advanced funding legislation and a single, unified electronic medical record between the Defense Department and VA.<br /><br />Glen M. Gardner Jr., a Vietnam veteran from Round Rock, Texas, said the president's vision tracks with key VFW legislative goals to ensure that America properly cares for her service members, veterans and their families.<br /><br />"A nation that creates veterans has a sacred responsibility to care for those veterans," said Gardner, who added that the VA has only started a new fiscal year with a fully funded budget once in the past 12 years. <br /><br />"Advance funding does not diminish congressional oversight or the nature by which the discretionary process works. It just means Congress will prepare and appropriate the VA's health care budget a full year in advance, which is clearly a smarter and more efficient way for the nation's largest integrated health care system to conduct business," he said.<br /><br />Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and House VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-Calif.) reintroduced advanced funding legislation into the 111th Congress – S. 423 and H.R. 1016, respectively. Now that the president also supports the legislation, the VFW national commander is urging his total membership of 2.2 million to contact their elected officials and urge them to sign on as co-sponsors, and to vote accordingly when the bills come up on the floor. <br /><br />With regards to a single, unified electronic medical record, it will help ease the transition of millions of servicemen and women from DOD's rolls into the VA system, which will increase their access to care and benefits, while protecting personal privacy data.<br /><br />"Money is not the answer to every problem," said Gardner, "but a budget that isn't sufficient, timely or predictable creates huge problems for a federal agency that essentially operates in the service industry. With advanced funding and a 21st century focus to improve electronic medical records, access to care and veteran homelessness issues, America's veterans of past, present and future will be properly cared for by a grateful nation.<br /><br />"We look forward to working with the administration and Congress to make this vision a reality."<br /><br />Contact your congressional members today and urge them to support S. 423 and H.R. 1016.</p><p> </p><p>See VFW post @ <a href="http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4988">http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=4988</a> <br />Posted by David Apperson, VFW Life Member </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxvQd http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxvQd/commentary#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:48:27 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxvQd WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxvQd/ REACHING OUT TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE <p>Today Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was joined by Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the National Security Council Dan Restrepo -- who spoke in Spanish -- in announcing a change in US policy towards Cuba at the Daily Press Briefing:<br /> <br />MR. GIBBS:  Good.  Before we do our regularly scheduled program, I’ve got a short announcement.  And I am joined for the bilingual portion of this announcement by Dan Restrepo, a Special Assistant to the President and a Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the National Security Council.<br /> <br />Today, President Obama has directed that a series of steps be taken to reach out to the Cuban people to support their desire to enjoy basic human rights and to freely determine their country’s future.  The President has directed the Secretaries of State, Treasury and Commerce to carry out the actions necessary to lift all restrictions on the ability of individuals to visit family members in Cuba, and to send them remittances.  He’s further directed that steps be taken to enable the freer flow of information among the Cuban people and between those in Cuba and the rest of the world, as well as to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian items directly to the Cuban people.<br /> <br />In taking these steps to help bridge the gap among divided Cuban families and to promote the increased flow of information and humanitarian items to the Cuban people, President Obama is working to fulfill the goals he identified both during his presidential campaign and since taking office.<br /> <br />All who embrace core democratic values long for a Cuba that respects the basic human, political and economic rights of all of its citizens.  President Obama believes the measure he has taken today will help make that goal a reality.  He encourages all who share it to continue their steadfast support for the Cuban people.<br /> <br />MR. RESTREPO:  Thanks, Robert. <br /> <br />Buenas tardes.<br /> <br />Hoy, el Presidente Obama ha ordenado que se tomen ciertas medidas, ciertos pasos, para extender la mano al pueblo cubano, para apoyar su deseo de vivir con respeto a los derechos humanos y para poder determinar su destino propio y el destino de su país.<br /> <br />El Presidente ha dado instrucciones a los secretarios de Estado, Comercio y Tesoro para que pongan en marcha las acciones necesarias para eliminar todas las restricciones a individuos para que puedan visitar a sus familiares en la isla y mandar remesas. Además ha dado instrucciones para que se tomen pasos para permitir el flujo libre de información entre el pueblo cubano y entre quienes están en Cuba y el resto del mundo, y para facilitar la entrega de recursos humanitarios enviados directamente al pueblo cubano.<br /> <br />Al tomar estas medidas para ayudar a -- cerrar la brecha -- la brecha entre familias cubanas divididas y promover el flujo libre de información y artículos de ayuda humanitaria para el pueblo cubano, el Presidente Obama está esforzándo por cumplir los objetivos que fijó durante la campaña y desde el asumio del cargo.<br /> <br />Todos aquellos que creen en los valores democráticos básicos anhelan una Cuba que respeta los derechos humanos, políticos, económicos, básicos de todo su pueblo. El Presidente Obama considera que estas medidas ayudarán a hacer realidad ese objetivo. El Presidente - El Presidente alenta a todos quienes comparten este deseo, que sigan cometidos a su firme apoyo para el pueblo cubano. </p><p>See <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/13/Reaching-Out-to-the-Cuban-People/" title="The Cuban People">http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/13/Reaching-Out-to-the-Cuban-People/ </a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxrzb http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxrzb/commentary#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:59:23 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxrzb WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxrzb/ FIRST FAMILY DOG <p><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/front-page/story/997246.html" title="Bo">Guessing is over: It's Bo!</a></p><p><strong>First Family Dog</strong> - In a long-awaited and guessed-about move, the Obama family has opened the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" title="WHITE HOUSE">White House</a> to the new first pet -- a Portuguese water dog named Bo.</p><p><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/front-page/story/997246.html" title="Bo"><img src="http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2009/04/12/19/593-947-bo.embedded.prod_affiliate.56.JPG" border="0" alt=" APRIL 12: In this handout image released by the White House on April 12, 2009, the Obama's new dog, Bo, a six-month old Portuguese water dog sits in the White House in Washington, DC. Bo is a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and and his wife Victoria to the President's daughters, Sasha and Malia. " width="316" height="432" /></a></p><p>APRIL 12: In this handout image released by the White House on April 12, 2009, the first family dog, Bo, a six-month old Portuguese water dog sits in the White House in Washington, DC. Bo is a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and and his wife Victoria to the President's daughters, Sasha and Malia. PETE SOUZA / GETTY IMAGES BY PHILIP ELLIOTT ASSOCIATED PRESS</p><p>WASHINGTON -- Bo? No jest.</p><p>The first family dag has settled by the first family -- a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog that the Obama girls are naming Bo.</p><p>The selection was one of the White House's most tightly kept secrets.</p><p>The first pooch is a gift from Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, who owns three so-called porties and wanted the Obamas to follow suit.</p><p>''We couldn't be happier to see the joy that Bo is bringing to Malia and Sasha,'' Kennedy said in a statement. ``We love our Portuguese water dogs and know that the girls -- and their parents -- will love theirs, too.''</p><p>The housebroken puppy, which has been undergoing extensive training in recent weeks, was named ''Charlie'' by his original owners, but first daughters Malia and Sasha rechristened him Bo.</p><p>The Washington Post reported in its online editions that Obama's daughters chose the name Bo for the pup because first lady Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley. The name for the dog was an apparent reference to the singer ''Bo'' Diddley.</p><p>Throughout the day Saturday, celebrity websites and bloggers were abuzz with rumors of the first family's selection of a Portuguese water dog; one site even claimed it had pictures of the future first pet.</p><p>Obama promised his daughters a puppy during the campaign.</p><p>''This is Washington. That was a campaign promise,'' Obama said when he appeared on Jay Leno's talk show last month, as the audience roared with laughter. ``No, I'm teasing. The dog will be there shortly.''</p><p>The president and first lady had said their choice was down to either a Portuguese water dog or a Labradoodle because they were considered good pets for children who have allergies, as Malia does.</p><p><em>First Family Dog supplemented with material from the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/" title="Chicago Tribune">Chicago Tribune</a>.</em> <em>Article pulled from <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/" title="Miami Herald">Miami Herald</a>. </em></p><p> </p><p>First Family Dog posted by David Apperson<br /> <a href="http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/first-family-dog" title="First Family Dog">http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/first-family-dog</a></p><p>Hear the tribute of Bo Diddley performed by Buddy Holly<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUEKu2nOLCw" title="Buddy Holly ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUEKu2nOLCw</a></p><p>Listen to the President's Message of Renewal from the White House -<br /><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/11/Weekly-Address-Passover-and-Easter/" title="Passover and Easter">http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/11/Weekly-Address-Passover-and-Easter</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxrmb http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxrmb/commentary#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:31:41 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxrmb WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxrmb/ RENEWABLE WIND ENERGY <p>Renewable Wind Energy Notes -</p><p>If you would like to promote renewable wind energy please refer to list for wind related terms -<br /><br />Clean Energy<br />Energy Council<br />Energy Program<br />Green Energy<br />Hydropower<br />Renewable Energy<br />Wave Energy<br />Wind Energy<br />Wind Power<br />Wind Turbines<br /><br />Also see Green Energy Terms [ <a href="http://www.gweconline.com/" title="Wind Energy">http://www.gweconline.com</a> ]<a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=57095839141" title="Green Energy Terms"></a></p><p> </p><p>Renewable Wind Energy<br />source: <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5tr" title="Renewable Wind Energy">http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5tr </a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5tr http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5tr/commentary#comments Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:50:40 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5tr WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGx5tr/ LOW COST GREEN ENERGY <p>With the continuous expansion of the Pickens Plan, I would also like to mention something that I believe will interest everyone.<br /><br />I have just confirmed through the grapevine that <a href="http://www.gweconline.com" title="Green Wave Energy">Green Wave Evergy Corp</a> intends to launch a competition among small towns and cities across America.<br /><br />The purpose of the competition? To give-away a 350kw-rated Wave Generating Power Plant (valued at over $350,000).<br /><br />At this time in our nations history we need more doctors and nurses, and educators and geeks, as well as fire fighters and police officers. You could be the reason for saving a life, extinguishing a fire or catching a criminal.<br /><br />Imagine if you could be the person who helped your town save hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual energy cost. They might even name the power plant after you.<br /><br />The Green Wave Power Plant is expected to generate $5 million over a 20 year lifetime expectancy of the system. Money is generated to local communities through energy savings and/or through energy sold back to utility companies.<br /><br />Contact Green Wave and please share this message with your friends and family.<br /><br />Pickens Plan: <a href="http://push.pickensplan.com/profile/webmaster" title="David Apperson">http://push.pickensplan.com/profile/webmaster</a><br />Green Wave Energy: <a href="http://www.gweconline.com" title="Green Wave Energy">http://www.gweconline.com</a><br /><br />source: <a href="http://enviros.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM" title="Lowcost Green Energy">http://enviros.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM</a></p><p> </p><p>posted by David Apperson from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=57071869141">http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=57071869141</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM/commentary#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:37:30 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGx5pM/ PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA <p>Imagination Joined to Common Purpose<br /><br />Message from The White House<br /><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" target="_blank">http://www.whitehouse.gov</a><br /><br />Dear David:<br /><br />Thank you for your recent note, and for sharing your thoughts with me. Your kind words echo the messages of millions of Americans who have welcomed me and my family to the White House with an outpouring of goodwill.<br /><br />On January 20th, Americans spoke with one voice, choosing hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. Our Nation faces serious challenges, but we will overcome them if our imagination is joined to common purpose.<br /><br />Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history. With your help, we will renew our Nation's promise to carry forth the great gift of freedom to future generations, as our forebears have delivered it to us.<br /><br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Barack Obama</p><p>see <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" title="USA Service Registration">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNzX http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNzX/commentary#comments Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:16:23 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNzX WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxNzX/ AT&T GOING NATURAL GAS <p>Interesting email sent out today from T Boone Pickens regarding ATT</p><p>_________________________________</p><p>Hey, Army - <br /><br />Listen to this!  The Pickens Plan is having some real impact.<br /><br />This morning, Randall Stephenson, who is the Chairman and CEO of AT&T made a very important announcement.<br /><br />AT&T is going to replace 17 percent of its fleet - which is one of the largest in America - with vehicles running on natural gas and other renewable fuels.   They are going to purchase 8,000 truck chassis built by an U.S. automaker and then they'll work with domestic suppliers to convert those chassis to run on natural gas.<br /><br />A big portion of AT&T's fleet is going to domestic natural gas and is using vehicles built in America to do it.  AT&T will also be working with natural gas suppliers - domestic natural gas suppliers - to build the fueling facilities they will need for these vehicles. <br /><br />AT&T is also going to replace some 7,100 cars which are running on gasoline with cars using battery and other alternative sources.  When this is done, AT&T will have one of the largest alternative fueled fleets in history.<br /><br />I believe this is going to be a big momentum play.  When other fleet operators put their transportation teams on this, you're going to see a major shift away from imported diesel and onto domestic natural gas.<br /><br />This announcement gives the Pickens Plan Army a great push going into the next few weeks when Congress will begin to act on energy legislation.  To build on this momentum, and to make sure Congress and the Obama Administration know we want a plan now, we're going to be holding a Virtual March on April 1-3.  Along with our Virtual March partners, we are going to rally Americans to deliver the message to Congress that the time is now to put a plan in place and to end America's staggering addiction to foreign oil. <br /><br />There has never been a Virtual March of this magnitude and we are certain it will leave a strong impression on Washington. The time to act is now!<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://www.pickensplan.com/virtualmarch/" title="Virtual March">www.pickensplan.com/virtualmarch</a> to learn more and sign up to participate in the Virtual March.<br /><br />-- Boone</p><p>source: <a href="http://enviros.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNBY" title="AT&T GOING NATURAL GAS">http://enviros.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNBY</a></p><p> </p><p>also see <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM">http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx5pM</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNBY http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNBY/commentary#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:20:39 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNBY WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxNBY/ MISSING VETERANS <p>If you or anyone you know was in <strong><u>AIT in 1977</u></strong> and remember anyone that may be on this list please email David Apperson at <u>yofast@gmail.com</u> - Thank You<br /><br /><strong>Company B, 4th Battalion<br /></strong>1st AIT Brigade<br />Fort Benning Georgia<br /><br /><strong>A</strong><br />Samuel J Adams<br />William P Adams<br />Miguel A Alvarez<br />Johnnie R Andrews<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=240728&id=1460623847" title="David Apperson">David W Apperson</a><br />John L Ashby<br />Darrell W Atchley<br /><br /><strong>B</strong><br />James D Bailey<br />Thomas P Barnes<br />David W Beatty<br />Paulino E Bernal<br />Clifton A Berrett<br />Jeffrey D Best<br />James L Blunck<br />Raoul M Boehm<br />Jerry D Brown<br />James V Bryner<br />Michuel J Bue<br />Billy R Bursey<br />Gregory Burton<br />Robert C Bushneil<br />Robert  J Bybee<br /><br /><strong>C</strong><br />Stephen G Calway<br />Paul E Campbell<br />Stephen L Campbell<br />Eddie R Casarez<br />Thomas E Chaney<br />David E Childers<br />Jerry W Chow<br />Jim W Christian<br />Darrell E Coad<br />Timothy W Cole<br />Angelo T Coletti<br />Willie Coley Jr<br />Philip M Cychee<br /><br /><strong>D</strong><br />Jerry Deherrera<br />Robert S Delos Santos<br />Duane A Demmerle<br />George E Devlin [ AWOL ]<br />Kevin R Dewberry<br />Dennis  Dickens<br />Edward E Dowdle<br />Leland T Driggs<br />Jonny T Duke<br />James D Dunlap<br />Peter C Duras<br /><br /><strong>E</strong><br />Robert L Eisenbarger<br />Billy A Eller<br />Lorin W Ensminger<br /><br /><strong>F</strong><br />Israel F Fallejo<br />Ralph L Farris<br />Marvin R Fields<br />Robert L Fields<br />Lloyd E Folsom<br />Gary F Fondel<br />Edward W Ford<br />Carl E Fowler<br />Ruben Francis<br />Mark S Franklin<br />Guy E Franklin<br />Frank D Freeman<br />Kenny R Freeman<br />Billy W Fullbright<br /><br /><strong>G</strong><br />Donald R Gay<br />Walter D Gentry<br />Frank E Gill<br />Stewart Goldsmith<br />Richard S Gott<br />John M Gray<br />William J Gray<br />Jerry L Griffin<br />Dwane E Grimes<br />William Gronert<br /><br /><strong>H</strong><br />John R Hack<br />Lester R Hadnott<br />Eddie Hanna Jr<br />Davy C Harris<br />Humberto T Hart<br />Christopher H Hartsell<br />Kurt Harwood<br />Robert  Hassell<br />Mark W Hastings<br />Charles M Hayner<br />Richard Heitl<br />Ismael Hernandez<br />Carlos A Herrera<br />Ricky L Hines<br />Fred H Hinojosa<br />Raymond A Hinton<br />Vincent Hirst<br />Ricky  J  Hollifield<br />Robert E Hollis<br />Mark I Howard<br />Richard J Hull<br />John  J Hylan<br /><br /><strong>J</strong><br />James L Jackson<br />Larry D James<br />Jose Jaramillo Jr<br />Gary E Jetter<br />Kyle B Johnson<br />Edward A Jones<br /><br /><strong>K</strong><br />John J Karsulavitch<br />Daniel  J Kerrigan<br />James Kuiper<br /><br /><strong>L</strong><br />David A Lampman<br />James F Lange<br />Richard A Lariviere<br />Charles Edward Latham<br />Edward A Lentz<br /><br /><strong>M</strong><br />Carnelo Maldonado<br />William G Martin<br />Michael W Marty<br />Steven C McCabe<br />Stephen R McCoy<br />John P McDowell<br />Branson D McLeod<br />William  Merrick<br />David J Miller<br />Arthur R Mitchell<br />Roger A Monk<br />Hollis L Moor<br />Joe L Morrow<br />Thomas E Moye<br />James S Murphy<br />Timothy M Murray<br /><br /><strong>N</strong><br />Dale R Nelson<br />Robert L Newels<br /><br /><strong>O</strong><br />Columbus O'Banner Jr<br />Dario M Ogaz<br /><br /><strong>P</strong><br />Gregory A Panowicz<br />John Peoples Jr<br />William T Perry<br />Carl E Petty<br />Richard E Phelps<br />Gilbert D Phillis Jr<br />Kitrich A Powell<br /><br /><strong>Q</strong><br />Henry L Quailes<br />Francisco Quinones<br /><br /><strong>R</strong><br />Mark M Redfern<br />Ralph Reskovitz<br />Daniel L Ravas<br />Levi Riggins Jr<br />Bruce A Robertson<br />John  J Robinson<br />Christopher Romero<br />Douglas L Runkles<br /><br /><strong>S</strong><br />Guillermo A Salazar<br />Gilbert R Saucedo<br />James R Schimp<br />Daniel L Schuette<br />Jonathan L Sears<br />Darryl W Seawell<br />John T Short<br />Dennis D Shoup<br />Howard E Smith Jr<br />Howard Smith Jr<br />Dennis E Snyder<br />Theodore K Snyder<br />Roger L Soliday<br />Patrick M Sorelle<br />Glen D Sowell<br />Calvin J Speckhals<br />Ira J Stark<br />Roy K Stephens<br />James A Stevens<br />James H Stewart<br />Thomas A Stone<br />Ronnie Stripling<br />Jerry C Sturkey<br />Jeffrey J Suttles<br /><br /><strong>T</strong><br />Donald E Taylor<br />Jay W Thomas<br />Ricky E Thymes<br />Johnny J Tieder<br />John S Trish<br /><br /><strong>U</strong><br />Daniel B Uiseit<br /><br /><strong>V</strong><br />James R Vining<br /><br /><strong>W</strong><br />Howard E Wahl Jr<br />Ricky D Waller<br />Jack R Ward<br />Jeffery K Watson<br />David L Watts<br />Todd J Weber<br />Gerald L Wheetley<br />Andre M White<br />Lonny W White<br />Russell D William<br />Moses R Williams<br />Ricky D Woodbridge<br /><br /><strong>Y</strong><br />Nicholas Yaholkovsky<br />Oram P Young</p><p> </p><p><strong>PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY </strong><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0gX-bipodU" target="_blank" title="Riding with Private Malone">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0gX-bipodU</a></p><p>Missing Veterans Source: David Apperson<br /><a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNJQ" title="Missing Veterans">http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNJQ </a></p><p>Mirrored Site: <a href="http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=56996">http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=56996</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNJQ http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNJQ/commentary#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:40:22 EDT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNJQ WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxNJQ/ INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION <p>USAservice.org International Registration<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" target="_blank" title="USAservice.org Registration">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520</a></p><p>Join over 800 active non-partisan community leaders, organizers and national sponsors in helping our fellow citizens renew the United States of America.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" target="_blank" title="The White House">http://www.whitehouse.gov</a> - President Obama issued a call to non-partisan service and thousands have responded. Volunteers have already organized over 13,000 projects in all 50 states, repainting schools, mentor kids, collect canned food and donate blood.<br /><br />At Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C., thousands helped assemble more than 80,000 care packages for our military troops, while in Alexandria, Virginia the Blogfest raised funds for the Fisher House.<br /><br />Please join with us in promoting USAservice.org - <br /><br />1 ] Join this Facbook group.<br />2 ] Become a member of USAservice.org Registration<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" target="_blank" title="USAservice.org Registration">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520</a><br />3 ] Click on "Invite other Community Leaders to Join" from menu on right.<br />4 ] Select your friends.<br />5 ] Click on "Send invitation"<br /><br />All members agree to support the United States Constitution -<br /><a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/index.html</a><br /><br />It's that simple. Thank you for joining USAservice.org!<br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------<br />USAservice.org Registration Theme Song<br />American Prayer: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVi4rUzf-0Q" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVi4rUzf-0Q</a><br /><br /><br />David Apperson, Admin<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520#/photo.php?pid=240582&id=1460623847" title="Renew America Together">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520#/photo.php?pid=240582&id=1460623847</a><br />yofast@gmail.com</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNd8 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNd8/commentary#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:07:45 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxNd8 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxNd8/ WEBMASTER PHOTOGRAPH <p>There is now a picture online of a photograph taken of me when I was 17 years of age serving with the United States Army. The URL on Facebook is</p><p> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=237119&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=29570937696&aid=-1&id=1460623847&oid=29570937696">http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=237119&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=29570937696&aid=-1&id=1460623847&oid=29570937696</a></p><p> </p><p>Webmaster Photograph<br />source: <a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/president" title="Webmaster Photograph">http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/president</a></p><p> </p><p>Disclaimer: The term Webmaster is a carry over from campaign my.barackobama.com - The user name Webmaster I have kept before, during and after the transition. </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxhxJ http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxhxJ/commentary#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:45:48 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxhxJ WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxhxJ/ JOBLESS BENEFIT FEES <p><strong>Jobless Hit with Bank Fees on Unemployment Benefits </strong><br />By CHRISTOPHER LEONARD, AP Business Writer </p><p>For hundreds of thousands of workers losing their jobs during the recession, there's a new twist to their financial pain: Even as they're collecting unemployment benefits, they're paying bank fees just to get access to their money.</p><p>Thirty states have struck such deals with banks that include <a href="http://www.citi.com/" title="Citigroup">Citigroup Inc.</a>, <a href="https://www.bankofamerica.com/" title="Bank of America">Bank of America Corp.</a>, <a href="http://www.jpmorganchase.com/" title="JP Morgan Chase">JP Morgan Chase</a> and <a href="http://www.usbank.com/" title="US Bancorp">US Bancorp</a>, an <a href="http://www.ap.org/" title="Associated Press">Associated Press</a> review of the agreements found. All the programs carry fees, and in several states the unemployed have no choice but to use the debit cards. Some banks even charge overdraft fees of up to $20 — even though they could decline charges for more than what's on the card.</p><p>"It's a racket. It's a scam," said Rachel Davis, a 38-year-old dental technician from St. Louis who was laid off in October. Davis was given a MasterCard issued through Central Bank of Jefferson City and recently paid $6 to make two $40 withdrawals.</p><p>The banks say their programs offer convenience. They also provide at least one way to tap the money at no charge, such as using a single free withdrawal to get all the cash at once from a bank teller. But the banks benefit from human nature, as people end up treating the cards like all the other plastic in their wallets.</p><p>The fees are raising questions from lawmakers who just recently voted to infuse banks with taxpayer money to keep them afloat.</p><p>Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., a member of the House Financial Services Committee, said the situation points to "yet another example of how we need to regulate the ways in which banks charge overdraft and other fees."</p><p>"Banks, particularly ones that have received federal help, should not be imposing endless fees and charges on the unemployed in this time of economic crisis," said Maloney, who has written a bill to require that consumers be notified at the point of sale if they're about to incur overdraft fees.</p><p>Some banks, depending on the agreement negotiated with each state, also make money on the interest they earn after the state deposits the money and before it's spent. The banks and credit card companies also get roughly 1 to 3 percent off the top of each transaction made with the cards.</p><p>Neither banks nor credit card companies will say how much money they are making off the programs, or what proportion of the revenue comes from user versus merchant fees or interest. It's difficult to estimate the profits because they depend on how often recipients use their cards and where they use them.</p><p>But the potential is clear.</p><p>In Missouri, for instance, 94,883 people claimed unemployment benefits through debit cards from Central Bank. Analysts say a recipient uses a card an average of six to 10 times a month. If each cardholder makes three withdrawals at an out-of-network ATM, at a fee of $1.75, the bank would collect nearly $500,000. If half of the cardholders also dial customer service three times in any given week (the first time is free; after that, it's 25 cents a call), the bank's revenue would jump to more than $521,000. That would yield $6.3 million a year.</p><p>Rachel Storch, a Democratic state representative, received a wave of complaints about the fees from autoworkers laid off from a suburban St. Louis Chrysler plant. She recently urged Gov. Jay Nixon to review the state's contract with Central Bank with an eye toward reducing the fees.<br />"I think the contract is unfair and potentially illegal to unemployment recipients," she said.<br />Central Bank did not return two messages seeking comment.</p><p>Glenn Campbell, a spokesman for Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., said the congressman would support a review of the debit card programs nationwide.</p><p>Another 10 states — including the unemployment hot spots of California, Florida and South Carolina — are considering such programs or have signed contracts. The remainder still use traditional checks or direct deposit.</p><p>With the national unemployment rate now at 7.6 percent, the market for bank-issued unemployment cards is booming. In 2003, states paid only $4 million of unemployment insurance through debit cards. By 2007, it had ballooned to $2.8 billion, and by 2010 it will likely rise to $10.5 billion, according to a study conducted by Mercator Advisory Group, a financial industry consulting firm.</p><p>The economic stimulus plan signed by President Barack Obama this week will increase federal unemployment benefits by $40 billion this year. Subsequently, there will be more money from which banks can collect fees. The U.S. Department of Labor allows the fees as long as states create a way for recipients to get their money for free, spokeswoman Suzy Bohnert said.<br />"Beyond that, the individual decides how to manage his drawdowns using the debit card," she said in an e-mail.</p><p>A typical contract looks like the agreement between Citigroup and the state of Kansas, which took effect in November. The state expects to save $300,000 a year by wiring payments to Citigroup instead of printing and mailing checks.</p><p>Citigroup's bill to the state: zero. The bank collects its revenue from fees paid by merchants and the unemployed.</p><p>"If you use your card the right way, you're not going to pay fees at all," said Paul Simpson, Citigroup's global head of public sector, health care and wholesale cards.</p><p>But that's not always practical.</p><p>Arthur Santa-Maria, a laid-off engineer who lives just outside Albuquerque, N.M., said he didn't pay any fees the first time he was laid off, for several months in 2007. His unemployment benefits were paid by paper checks. He found a new job last year but was laid off again last fall.</p><p>This time, he was issued a Bank of America debit card — a "prepaid" card in industry lingo — but he was surprised to learn he had to pay fees to get his money. He asked the bank to waive them. It said no. That's when Santa-Maria called back to ask how to check his account online. He logged on and saw that the call cost him a half dollar. To avoid more fees, Santa-Maria found a Bank of America ATM at a strip mall and withdrew $80 at no charge. When he got back to his car, he decided to take out the rest of his money — $250 — and deposit it in his bank account.<br />Afterward, Santa-Maria logged on to his account and saw a charge of $1.50 for two withdrawals in one day.</p><p>"They're trying to use my money to make money," Santa-Maria said. "I just see banks trying to make that 50 cents or a buck and a half when I should be given the service for free."<br />New Mexico authorities bargained with Bank of America to get lower fees for unemployment recipients, said Carrie Moritomo, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Workforce Solutions. The state saves up to $1.5 million annually by switching from checks to debit cards.</p><p>Bank of America spokeswoman Britney Sheehan pointed out that the fees charged in New Mexico are similar to those charged in the 29 other states with unemployment debit cards. The bank believes "the fee schedule is reasonable and consistent with similar programs," she said.<br />Banks could issue unemployment debit cards with no fees for cardholders, but that would likely mean that states would have to pay more of the administrative costs, said Mark Harrington, director of marketing for Citigroup's prepaid card services. If a state demanded no cardholder fees and could pay the difference, Citigroup might enter such a contract.</p><p>"We would be open to that," Harrington said. "We're not looking to structure any programs where we would lose money, but we're definitely flexible."</p><p>Simpson noted that the cards can save money for jobless workers who have no bank accounts. In the past, these people had to use corner check-cashing shops that charged fees as high as 2 percent, or $6 for a $300 check. Now, they can swipe their cards at McDonald's, Wal-Mart or elsewhere for free.</p><p>Kenna Gortler, a laid-off paper mill worker in Oregon, said her union is advising members to avoid the debit cards and sign up to get their benefits through direct deposit. More than 300 of her fellow workers have lost their jobs at the mill in the last three months, and horror stories about ATM fees and overdraft charges are starting to filter back to others who are just now signing up for their benefits.</p><p>"It's discouraging," Gortler said. "People have limited funds and they don't need to be giving money to the banks. They need to be keeping that money to feed their families and pay bills."</p><p>source: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/bank_fees_jobless_benefits" title="Bank Fees Chanrged to Jobless Benefits">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/bank_fees_jobless_benefits</a></p><p> </p><p>Jobless Benefit Fees: <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxhrn" title="Jobless Benefit Fees">http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxhrn </a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxhrn http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxhrn/commentary#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:50:48 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxhrn WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxhrn/ USA SERVICE INTERNET TRAINING <p><a href="http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4v4bc" title="Internet Training">INTERNET USER TRAINING</a></p><p>If you are interested in community service and would like to learn how you can network with others utilizing the Internet then register here.<br /><br />David Apperson will be traveling the country promoting USAservice.org Registration while helping state coordinators organize community leaders, advocates and volunteers in the use of grassroots Internet interaction.<br /><br />Training with be in 48 continental United States from 25 May 2009 through 3 Sept 2009, with a party and celebration on 11 Nov 2009. see <a href="http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4v4bc" title="Internet Training">INTERNET USER TRAINING</a><br /><br />Locations for training and celebration yet to be determined but will be posted on usaservice.org once the schedule is complete -<br /><br />Facebook - USAservice.org Registration<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" title="USAservice.org Registration">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520</a></p><p> </p><p>source: <a href="http://go.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxLzF" title="USA SERVICE INTERNET TRAINING">http://go.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxLzF</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxLzF http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxLzF/commentary#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:25:22 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxLzF WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxLzF/ ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA <p><a href="http://tribes.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHrx" title="Organizing for America">Organizing for America</a> * <a href="http://www.usaservice.org/content/home/" title="USAService.org">USAservice.org</a><br /><br />What a beautiful time in history to be alive. It is now our moment to reach out and help our local community service organizations. For those who would like to help President Obama in his quest for renewing America may I refer you once again to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" title="USAservice.org Registration">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520</a><br /><br />We are seeking input and membership from those who would like to be part of USAservice.org -<br />and take a leading roll in participating in the Renew America campaign.<br /><br />In the first week we have acquired over 700 new leadership registrations.</p><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" title="USAservice.org Registration">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520</a></p><p> </p><p>barackobama.com Organizing for America<br />source: <a href="http://tribes.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHrx" title="Organizing for America">http://tribes.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHrx</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHrx http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHrx/commentary#comments Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:23:01 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHrx WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxHrx/ TRANSPARENCY AND OPEN GOVERNMENT <p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" title="THE WHITE HOUSE">THE WHITE HOUSE</a><br />Office of the Press Secretary<br />_____________________________________<br /><br />January 21, 2009<br /><br />MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES<br /><br />SUBJECT: Transparency and Open Government<br /><br />My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.<br /><br /><em>Government should be transparent</em>. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing. Information maintained by the Federal Government is a national asset. My Administration will take appropriate action, consistent with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use. Executive departments and agencies should harness new technologies to put information about their operations and decisions online and readily available to the public. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public feedback to identify information of greatest use to the public.<br /><br /><em>Government should be participatory</em>. Pubic engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions. Knowledge is widely dispersed in society, and public officials benefit from having access to that dispersed knowledge. Executive departments and agencies should offer Americans increased opportunities to participate in policymaking and to provide their Government with the benefits of their collective expertise and information. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public input on how we can increase and improve opportunities for public participation in Government.<br /><br /><em>Government should be collaborative</em>. Collaboration actively engages Americans in the work of their Government. Executive departments and agencies should use innovative tools, methods, and systems to cooperate among themselves, across all levels of Government, and with nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals in the private sector. Executive departments and agencies should solicit public feedback to assess and improve their level of collaboration and to identify new opportunities for cooperation.<br /><br />I direct the Chief Technology Officer, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Administrator of General Services, to coordinate the development by appropriate executive departments and agencies, within 120 days, of recommendations for an Open Government Directive, to be issued by the Director of OMB, that instructs executive departments and agencies to take specific actions implementing the pinciples set forth in this memorandum. The independent agencies should comply with the Open Government Directive.<br /><br />This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.<br /><br />This memorandum shall be published in the <em>Federal Register</em>.<br /><br />BARACK OBAMA<br /><br /># # #</p><p> </p><p>source: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1460623847">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1460623847</a></p><p>also see THE WHITE HOUSE<br /><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/">http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHny http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHny/commentary#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:08:15 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHny WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxHny/ FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT <p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" title="THE WHITE HOUSE">THE WHITE HOUSE</a><br />Office of the Press Secretary</p><p>__________________________________________________________</p><p>January 21, 2009</p><p>MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES</p><p>SUBJECT: Freedom of Information Act</p><p>A democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires tansparency. As Justice Louis Brandeis wrote, "sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants." In our democracy, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which encourages accountability through transparency, is the most prominent expression of a profound national commitment to ensuring an open Government. At the heart of that commitment is the idea that accountability is in the interest of the Government and the citizenry alike.</p><p>The Freedom of Information Act should be administered with clear presumption: In the face of doubt, openness prevails. The Government should not keep information confidential merely because public officials might be embarrased by disclosure, because errors and failures might be revealed, or because speculative or abstract fears. Nondisclosure should never be based on an effort to protet the personal interests of Government officials at the expense of those thay are supposed to serve. In responding to requests under FOIA, executive branch agencies (agencies) should act promptly and in a spirit of cooperation, recognizing that such agencies are servants of the public.</p><p>All agencies should adopt a presumption in favor of disclosure, in order to renew their commitment to the principles embodied in FOIA, and to usher in a new era of open Government. The presumption of disclosure should be applied to all decisions involving FOIA.</p><p>The presumption of disclosure also means that agencies should take affirmative steps to make information public. All agencie should use modern technology to inform citizens about what is known and done by their Government. Disclosure should be timely.</p><p>I direct the Attorney General to issue new guidelines governing the FOIA to the heads of executive departments and agencies, reaffirming the commitmet to accountability and transparency, and to publish such guidelines in the Federal Register. In doing so, the Attorney General should review FOIA reports produced by the agencies under Executive Order 13392 of December 14, 2005. I also direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to update guidance to the agencies to increase and improve information dissemination to the public, including through the use of new technologies, and to publish such guidance in the <em>Federal Register</em>.</p><p>This memorandum does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enfrceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.</p><p>The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the <em>Federal Register</em>.</p><p>BARACK OBAMA</p><p># # #</p><p> </p><p>source: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1460623847">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1460623847</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHJ3 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHJ3/commentary#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:26:19 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHJ3 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxHJ3/ USA SERVICE REGISTRATION <p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" title="USAservice.org Registration">USA Service Registration</a><br /><br />Let us all join in the plan to Renew America Together by supporting the President in USA Service Registration.<br /><br />President Obama issued a call to service and thousands have already responded with amazing alacrity. Volunteers have already organized over 13,000 projects in all 50 states, helping to repaint schools, mentor kids, collect canned food and donate blood.<br /><br />At Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C., thousands helped assemble more than 80,000 care packages for our military troops, while in Alexandria, Virginia the Blogfest raised funds for the Fisher House.<br /><br />Please join with us in promoting USA Service Registration -<br />Take part in the program simply by:<br /><br />1 Join this group.<br />2 Become a member of USA Service Registration<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520</a><br />3 Click on "Invite People to Join" from the menu on the right.<br />4 Select your friends.<br />5 Click on "Send invitation"<br /><br />It's that simple. Thank you for joining USA Service Registration!<br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" title="USAservice.org Registration">USA Service Registration</a></p><p> </p><p>source: <a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx2Tj">http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx2Tj</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx2Tj http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx2Tj/commentary#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:30:48 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx2Tj WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGx2Tj/ RENEW AMERICA CAMPAIGN <p>BLOGFEST 19 January 2009 * Murphy's Grand Irish Pub * Alexandria VA Websites:</p><p><a href="http://video.aol.com/video-detail/obama-blogfest/1628668081">http://video.aol.com/video-detail/obama-blogfest/1628668081</a></p><p>More than 100 experienced bloggers and community leaders met on 19 January 2009 in Alexandria Virginia to celebrate the Inauguration of Barack Obama and participate in the National Day of Service, which fell on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  </p><p>To rise to the USA Service challenge, attendees raised over a thousand dollars on behalf of The Fisher House, an organization dedicating to helping family members of wounded soldiers and veterans. The Fisher House (<a href="http://www.fisherhouse.org/" target="_blank">http://www.fisherhouse.org</a>) program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need.  The Fisher House Foundation has received an A+ rating from Charity Watch.  Fisher House Foundation is a not-for-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.</p><p>The bloggers held a raffle and received donations by the attendees.  </p><p>For the entertainment, Shirley Green, a Chicago based soul and gospel singer kicked off the event with a favorite hymn of Martin Luther King Jr., after which time, Jewish comedians Susannah Perlman and Jeff Kreisler provided political humor. </p><p>David Apperson, a U.S. Army veteran and nationally known <a href="http://barackobama.com/" target="_blank">barackobama.com</a> webmaster provided tips to attendees to increase blogger presence and expand readership. Mr. Apperson explained the new system Change.gov, which is now Whitehouse.gov.  The methodology he shared harnesses the power of the blog community and is designed to provide additional visibility to the new administration.</p><p>Mr. Apperson will utilized this service event to begin a nine month journey touring the country and helping people from all walks of life participate in the Obama administration and community service through USAService.org</p><p>As Master of Ceremonies, Lisa Holmes, a longtime advocate for veterans rights, called upon some attendees to share their organizations experiences.</p><p>Derek Donovan inspired the audience with a nine minute documentary on the Fisher House. The presentation deeply moved the audience.</p><p>Ravi Gupta talked about his dream of Peace in our Hands, Ed Ablard shared information about transitional housing for homeless veterans in Northern Virginia.</p><p>Chris Stearns of <a href="http://nish.org/" target="_blank">nish.org</a>, an agency that supports a network of over 2,100 non-profit organizations, employing 40,000 disabled Americans presented Derek Donovan, a retired Marine Colonel and Vice President of Operations for Fisher House, an American flag made in America by disabled Americans.  Mr. Stearns cited that Colonel Donovan has inspired the organization through his prior military service and his efforts on behalf of Fisher House.  Mr. Stearns further stated that "NISH was proud to give this flag to a great American and supporter of disabled veterans."</p><p>The program was very moving and money was raised to help in the expense of 100 families spending a night near their wounded loved one.</p><p>Renew America Training Video: <a href="http://video.aol.com/video-detail/obama-blogfest/1628668081">http://video.aol.com/video-detail/obama-blogfest/1628668081</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx29z http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx29z/commentary#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:19:00 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx29z WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGx29z/ USA SERVICE ON FACEBOOK <p>see <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" title="USAservice.org">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520</a></p><p>Every time our nation faces crisis, our national experience has shown Americans rise to the challenge. While government has an important role to play in helping rekindle our economy and addressing the problems of a distressed nation, President-elect Obama believes each of us, as Americans, have a responsibility to do what we can for our communities and fellow citizens. We are one nation.<br /><br />The United States is once again at a crossroads and that is why the President-elect hopes to use the occasion of his Inauguration to rally our nation to commit to service in our communities. We are asking for your participation in meeting this challenge.<br /><br />In 1994, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others. As a tribute to that legacy and the very real needs of our nation, the President-elect and Vice President-elect have launched a national organizing effort on the eve of their Inauguration to engage Americans in service. This national day of service will fall on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19, 2009 and, unlike past calls to service, President-elect Obama is calling on all Americans to do more than just offer a single day of service to their cities, towns and neighborhoods. He is asking all of us to make an ongoing commitment to our communities. Never has it been more important to come together in shared purpose to tackle the common challenges we face.<br /><br />This website is designed to help promote these events and for Americans to make their commitments, build communities, find opportunities to serve and share their results. These can be events that engage people in direct service, or bring people together to reflect on Dr. King's legacy and how they can commit to becoming more engaged citizens. Please create an event or sign up to volunteer today.</p><p>source: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1460623847">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1460623847</a></p><p> </p><p>UPDATE: Watch Obama Blogfest <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOb4ZOnoK2Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOb4ZOnoK2Y</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFGP http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFGP/commentary#comments Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:18:39 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFGP WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFGP/ PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL SPEECH <p>Presidential Inaugural Address Delivered by President Barack Obama on 20 Jan 2009</p><blockquote><p>My fellow citizens -</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. </p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.</p><p>For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.</p><p>For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>This is the price and the promise of citizenship.</p><p>This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.</p><p>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.</p><p>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:</p><p>"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."</p><p>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.</p><p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president_obama/" title="President Barack Obama">President Barack Obama</a> </p></blockquote><p><br /><br />Presidential Inaugural Speech - A message for all people<br /><a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="Presidential Inaugural Speech">http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT</a> </p><ol><li><strong><a href="http://africanamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="AFRICAN AMERICANS">AFRICAN AMERICANS</a></strong><a href="http://africanamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Black" title="AFRICAN AMERICANS"> </a></li><li><strong><a href="http://abroad.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="AMERICANS OVERSEAS">AMERICANS OVERSEAS</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://disabilities.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="AMERICANS with DISABILITIES ">AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://arabamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="ARAB AMERICANS">ARAB AMERICANS</a></strong><strong><a href="http://arabamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Arab-Americans" title="ARAB AMERICANS"> </a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://aapi.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="ASIAN AMERICANS">ASIAN AMERICANS</a></strong><strong><a href="http://aapi.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Asian-Americans" title="ASIAN AMERICANS"></a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://students.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="STUDENTS">COLLEGE STUDENTS</a></strong>  </li><li><strong><a href="http://enviros.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="CONSERVATION">CONSERVATION</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://faith.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="Faith">FAITH</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://go.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="GENERATION O">GENERATION O</a></strong><a href="http://go.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=O" title="GENERATION O"> </a><strong><a href="http://go.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=O" title="GENERATION O"></a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://jewishamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="JEWISH AMERICANS">JEWISH AMERICANS</a></strong><a href="http://jewishamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Jewish" title="JEWISH AMERICANS"> </a></li><li><strong><a href="http://gop.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="GOP">GOP</a></strong> <strong><a href="http://gop.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=GOP" title="GOP"> </a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://labor.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="LABOR UNIONS">LABOR UNIONS</a></strong><a href="http://labor.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Unions" title="LABOR UNIONS"> </a><strong><a href="http://labor.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Unions" title="LABOR UNIONS"></a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://latinos.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="LATINOS">LATINOS</a></strong><a href="http://latinos.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Latinos" title="LATINOS"> </a><strong><a href="http://latinos.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Latinos" title="LATINOS"></a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://tribes.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES">NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES </a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="KIDS">OBAMA KIDS</a></strong><a href="http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Kids" title="KIDS"> </a><strong><a href="http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Kids" title="KIDS"></a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://rural.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="FARMERS">OBAMA FARMERS</a></strong><a href="http://rural.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Farmers" title="FARMERS"> </a><strong><a href="http://rural.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Farmers" title="FARMERS"></a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://seniors.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="SENIORS">OBAMA SENIORS</a></strong><a href="http://seniors.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Seniors" title="SENIORS"> </a><strong><a href="http://seniors.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Seniors" title="SENIORS"></a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="VETERANS">OBAMA VETERANS</a></strong><a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Veterans" title="VETERANS"> </a><strong><a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/search?q=Veterans" title="VETERANS"></a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://women.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT" title="WOMEN ">OBAMA WOMEN</a></strong> <strong> </strong></li></ol><p>source: David Apperson, webmaster</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT/commentary#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:39:36 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxHqT/ JON BON JOVI <p align="center"><strong>COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S BALL TO AIR ON PENTAGON CHANNEL</strong><br /><strong>AVAILABLE ON MILITARY BASES AROUND THE WORLD</strong></p><p align="center"><em>JON BON JOVI TO PERFORM</em></p><p>WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that the Commander-in-Chief's ball, honoring the country's active duty and reserve military, will be broadcast to American troops around the world on the Pentagon Channel, which is available via cable on 368 military bases and on commercial cable and satellite services throughout the United States.  Overseas, the Pentagon Channel is distributed via cable and direct-to-home satellite to nearly one million troops via the American Forces Radio and Television Service. </p><p>Jon Bon Jovi will headline the talent lineup for the ball, which will be held on Tuesday, January 20th, at the National Building Museum.  George Lopez will emcee the event, which also feature performances and appearances by Jordin Sparks, Miss America 2009 Kirsten Haglund, and Right On.  The event is also co-hosted by the Senior Enlisted Advisors of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.</p><p> "This opportunity to honor our troops should not be limited to those who are able to be in the room with us for the evening," said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau.  "We want all our troops, around the world, to share in this special evening with the newly sworn-in President and Vice President and the excellent talent we have for the evening.  Our troops deserve our thanks and our gratitude and this is one way we hope to express our thanks to those here and abroad."</p><p>"While a relatively small number of service members will be able to attend the Commander-in-Chief's Ball in person, they will represent more than 2 million men and women in uniform," said Col. Hiram Bell, director of public affairs for the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. "Most of those service members will be able to watch the celebration on the Pentagon Channel, or later on Armed Forces Network, and we want them all to feel part of this historic event."</p><p>The Pentagon Channel will break into regular programming with live coverage of the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, including remarks by Department of Defense leadership and both the Vice President and the President.  Coverage begins at approximately 8 PM Eastern time and continues throughout the evening. </p><p>The event will be produced by The iDream Company, led by entertainment executives Suzanne de Passe, Suzanne Costen, and Madison Jones, and written by Ruth Robinson.  The iDream company has been recognized with Emmy Awards, Golden Globe and Peabody Awards.  </p><p>Tickets are being provided free of charge to all invited guests, which includes active duty and reserve military, wounded warriors (Purple Heart recipients), families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military.  This event is not open to the general public.</p><p> </p><p>source: <a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFsx" title="Jon Bon Jovi">http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFsx</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFsx http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFsx/commentary#comments Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:37:04 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFsx WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFsx/ PEACE IN JERUSALEM <p><strong>Jewish and Arab Neighbors Hold Hands for Peace</strong> <br /><br />Last Saturday 300 Jews and Arabs from the Wadi Ara region of Israel demonstrated against the harming of innocent civilians in Gaza and the surrounding Israeli region. The rally was organized by NIF grantee <em>Awareness for You</em>, which runs empowerment courses for Arab women in the village of Kfar Kara.</p><p>"I only expected about 90 people to attend the rally," explained Amna Ka'anana, "so I was surprised when we had 300 people all dressed in white and holding olive branches, about half and half Jews and Arabs. Many of the drivers who passed by, both Jews and Arabs, called out their support."</p><p>In addition to being a forum to voice concern over the conflict in Gaza, the rally was also an opportunity for the Jews and Arabs of Wadi Ara to come together. Among the many banners, one carried by an Arab read "Neighbors call for peace," while another carried by a Jew said "Jews and Arabs hand in hand."</p> Amna Ka'anana hosts Jewish neighbors in her home in Kfar Kara.<br /><p>Ka'anana said: "We sent a message of peace and coexistence to all of Wadi Ara, to all of Israel and to the entire world."</p><p>Ka'anana, who is an Orthodox Muslim, received NIF's London-Yaari Scholarship in 2007 for her work in women's empowerment. Last year she received the Knesset Speaker's Prize for Quality of Life.</p><p>When the fighting erupted in Gaza last month, she feared that the tensions could spill over into violent conflicts between Jews and Arabs in Wadi Ara. She invited several dozen Jewish and Arab activists to her home to discuss the situation, and they hit upon the idea of the Shabbat rally.</p><p>"I have always wanted to initiate social activities that bring Jews and Arabs together," explained Ka'anana, "so that we can understand one another's culture. Now the war has taken matters in a different direction. At the end of last week's rally many people started crying and that started me crying."</p><p>The rally ended with Jewish and Muslim prayers. Awareness for You plans similar peaceful rallies, with increased expected turnout, every Shabbat while the fighting continues.</p><p>barackobama.com sources:</p><p>1. <a href="http://arabamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3" title="Peace in Jerusalem"><u>http://arabamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3</u> </a><br />2. <a href="http://jewishamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3" title="Peace in Jerusalem"><u>http://jewishamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3</u> </a><br />3. <a href="http://faith.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3" title="Peace in Jerusalem"><u>http://faith.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3</u></a></p><p>Also see <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxqRt" title="Spirit of Reconciliation">Spirit of Reconciliation</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3/commentary#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:53:22 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbx3 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxbx3/ SUPPORT MILITARY FAMILIES <p><strong>Getting our Military Families what they Deserve</strong><br />By Jay Chalnick   15 January 2009</p><p>NEW YORK, NY– In his Inaugural speech, President-elect Obama will no doubt voice his intention to ensure those who have served their country in the US military get what they deserve.  As he said, “This is something I care deeply about.” The team of people who built MyVetwork (<a href="http://www.myvetwork.com" title="My Vetwork">www.myvetwork.com</a>) will be among those cheering his words.</p><p>One of them is Brendan Hart who left the Marine Corps in 2005, and wanted to reconnect with other veterans, people who would understand what he went through and what support he may need.  Plenty of services exist, says Hart, 26, on medical leave from Dartmouth College because of a contaminated smallpox vaccine he was given while serving.  But finding them was another matter.  Hart launched Student Veterans of America, now one of the many military-focused groups taking advantage of <a href="http://www.myvetwork.com" title="My Vetwork">www.myvetwork.com</a>, the new online community designed specifically to facilitate the intention of President-elect Obama and others to take advantage of available technology to get to veterans the services they have earned.</p><p>MyVetwork.com is the first-ever online social network designed specifically for our military and their families that lets them shape their own community…so they can connect and interact with each other while exchanging information on getting the services and resources they need– all in one place.  This has not been possible until now; MyVetwork.com provides the timely vehicle to bring to reality Michele Obama’s “vision of a system that does more to support military families, both when loved ones are deployed and long after they return.” </p><p>“Why is it that no one has ever asked the military community what they need?” says John R. Campbell, Founder and CEO of MyVetwork, and a decorated Vietnam era Marine officer. “We’ve conducted interviews across service branches, ranks and cities, and have heard time and again our service men and women want to connect with one another, share stories, exchange resources, and give and receive support. This fundamental and natural channel for sharing information is long overdue.  And they want all the groups who serve them to be easily accessible, under one umbrella.”</p><p>MyVetwork invites active duty, retired, and veteran military members and their families to build their own community and interact on multiple levels of shared interests. The community is built upon a dynamic customized platform specific to the military, providing the basis for a community that’s shaped by and for its members.  Member profiles and sophisticated matching algorithms make it easy for participants to find others with similar interests; make peer-to-peer recommendations; locate long lost buddies; find other parents of wounded veterans eager to exchange critical information; look for support from someone who has “walked in their boots;” give, receive mentoring or career advice; and exchange information on a virtually unlimited number of topics.</p>Many of our 1.6 million troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan return home to challenging times for them and their families.  “MyVetwork replaces the sense of isolation with the comfort of community for military personnel and their families,” says Jaine Darwin, Clinical Instructor in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. “As a conduit for the exchange of information and support, MyVetwork provides a way to join hands across the nation during deployment as well as during the challenging time of reintegration.”  <p class="MsoNormal">Large Veterans Service Organizations (VSO’s) like the VFW (<a href="http://www.vfw.org/" title="Veterans of Foreign Wars">Veterans of Foreign Wars</a>) with its 1.9 million members; <a href="http://www.amvets.org/" title="AMVETS">AMVETS</a> (600,000); and the <a href="http://www.legion-aux.org/" title="American Legion Auxiliary">American Legion Auxiliary</a> (750,000) are partnering with MyVetwork to provide a new means of connection and interaction among their members.  Similarly, smaller groups like VET Foundation, Army Wife Talk Radio, and The Coming Home Project; Strategic Outreach for Families of all Reservists (SOFAR) have signed on to get exposure and expand membership.  </p> <p class="MsoNormal">All will join the applause for President-elect Obama who seeks a “shift in attitude in the VA” to make sure those who served are getting treated with the honor and respect they deserve.”                        </p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"># # #</p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong>About MyVetwork</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal">MyVetwork (<a href="http://www.myvetwork.com" title="My Vetwork">www.myvetwork.com</a>) is a not for profit organization with 501(c)(3) status, and is free to members. MyVetwork is the exclusive trademark of MyVetwork, LLC</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">source: <a href="http://disabilities.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbgp" title="Support Military Families">http://disabilties.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbgp</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbgp http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbgp/commentary#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:37:28 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbgp WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxbgp/ FREE INAUGURAL TICKETS <strong>PIC Announces the Names of Ten Americans Invited to Receive a "Ticket to History"</strong><br /><em>More than 250,000 Individuals from All 50 States Submitted Essays</em><p>WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced the full list of ten citizens who will travel to Washington DC with a "Ticket to History."  More than a quarter-million Americans from all 50 states submitted essays for a chance to attend the Presidential Inauguration.</p><p>"This is an Inauguration for all Americans, and we wanted to include a group of people from across the country who otherwise might not have been able to join us," said PIC Communications Director Josh Earnest. "We're thrilled at the overwhelming response.  It demonstrates the very real sense of excitement, unity and shared purpose Americans feel at this moment in our history."</p><p>In keeping with its goal to make this the most open and accessible inauguration ever, the PIC asked Americans across the country to submit short essays answering the question, "What does this Inauguration mean to you?"  Based on the strength of their essays, these ten individuals will be flown to Washington, D.C. with one guest, accommodated in a local hotel, and invited to attend the Opening Celebration, the swearing-in ceremony, the Inaugural Parade, and the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. The deadline to submit an essay was midnight on Thursday, January 8th.</p><p>Cynthia Russell, from Newberry, Florida, was previously announced as the first person invited to be part of the Inaugural festivities. Russell wrote of her dream that 2009 would be a better year for her homebuilding business. "Barack gives me hope," she wrote. "Hope that 2009 will truly bring change to Americans who find themselves in this mess with me."</p><p>The ten Americans traveling to the nation's capital next week include a firefighter who left his job in the financial sector to join the New York City Fire Department after September 11, a member of the United States Army whose husband is serving in Iraq, an inner-city school teacher in Baltimore, a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, and a small business owner from California.</p><p>The ten Americans invited to receive a "Ticket to History" include:</p><p>William Tandey (Price, UT)</p><p>Bill Ferguson (Baltimore, MD)</p><p>James Bryan (Loganville, GA)</p><p>Spirit Trickey-Rowan (Little Rock, AR)</p><p>Aleia Jones (Chicago, IL)</p><p>Christopher Cuneen (Bronx, NY)</p><p>Cynthia Russell (Newberry, FL)</p><p>Stacy Freiwald (Coronado, CA)</p><p>James Riviere (Arlington, VA)</p><p>Amelia Nuñez (Long Beach, CA)</p><p>The 56th Presidential Inauguration promises to be the most inclusive in history, and the PIC has planned a list of inaugural events that reflect that commitment:</p><ul><li>The President-elect, Vice President-elect and their families will journey to the nation's capital via train on Saturday, January 17, holding events that are free and open to the public along the way. They will be joined by a group of everyday Americans they met along their road to the White House.</li></ul><ul><li>Sunday, January 18, an inaugural kick-off event at the Lincoln Memorial featuring the incoming First Family and special musical guests will be open to the public and broadcast live on HBO free of charge to all cable and satellite customers.</li></ul><ul><li>On January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President-elect Obama will call on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. A new website, USAservice.org, makes it easy for Americans to organize service events or find existing events. To date, more than 10,000 events have been organized across the country.</li></ul><ul><li>Monday evening, January 19, Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and their families will host a free "Kids' Inaugural" concert to honor military families, broadcast on the Disney Channel and Radio Disney.</li></ul><ul><li>For the first time in history, the entire length of the National Mall will be open to the public on Inauguration Day, January 20, so that more Americans than ever before can come together to witness the swearing-in of the President from a vantage point near the Capitol.</li></ul><ul><li>Local D.C. students have been given the chance to receive tickets for the Inaugural Parade for themselves and family members based on the best essays answering the question, "How can I contribute to my neighborhood through community service?"</li></ul><ul><li>On the evening of Inauguration Day, the first ball President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attend will be the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. The ball will be broadcast live on ABC and over the Internet, bringing together neighborhoods across the country in the spirit of unity and celebration.</li></ul><p>The sum of these public events is an Inauguration that allows more Americans than ever before to come together as one nation and one people, united in our resolve to tackle our greatest common challenges and move this country forward together.</p><p> </p><p>source: <a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbNc" title="Free Inaugural Tickets">http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbNc</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbNc http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbNc/commentary#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:16:17 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbNc WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxbNc/ JEWISH ANTI-SEMITISM <p><strong>Amid anti-Semitic storm, Europe’s Jews stand for Israel</strong><br />By <a href="http://jta.org/user/profile/8544" title="click to view">Dinah Spritzer</a> · 13 January 2009</p>see <a href="http://jta.org/news/article/2009/01/13/1002216/amid-anti-semitic-storm-europes-jews-stand-for-israel">http://jta.org/news/article/2009/01/13/1002216/amid-anti-semitic-storm-europes-jews-stand-for-israel</a><p>PRAGUE (JTA) -- Confronting a rising storm of anti-Semitism as the conflict in Gaza intensifies, European Jews are grappling with the best way to express their support for Israel's fight against Hamas.</p><p>Recent assaults on Jews in European capitals range from the beating of a Jewish teenager in a Paris suburb by assailants who vowed she would “pay for Israel's acts” to the compilation on an Islamist Web site of a hit list of prominent British Jews. Jewish monuments in France and Sweden have been firebombed. And in Italy, a workers’ political party called for a boycott of Jewish stores.</p><p>While Jews have taken to the streets in the hundreds or thousands to demonstrate for peace and Israel’s right to defend itself, they are dwarfed by the tens and hundreds of thousands participating in protests against Israel. In many cases, top European political figures have supported the protests. Sometimes the rallies have turned violent.</p><p>The 27-country European Union has approximately 1.8 million Jews and 17 million Muslims, and that difference is keenly visible in the size of events relating to the war in Gaza and southern Israel.</p><p>After some 1,000 Jews turned out last week for a rally in Brussels in support of Israel -- held opposite the Embassy of Iran, which funds Hamas -- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ytICSWG5S4">tens of thousands showed up Sunday</a> for a march against what they called Israel's “massacre in Gaza.” The pro-Palestinian rally was organized by three of the four main political parities in the French-speaking part of Belgium, along with some 100 or so nongovernmental organizations.</p><p>Chanting “Death to Jews!” in Arabic, the crowd burned Israeli flags and carried signs calling Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni “Hitler's wife.”</p><p>“In a way, Jews feel alone,” said Joel Rubinfeld, the president of the umbrella group of French-speaking Jews in Belgium, known by the acronym CCOJB. “But lots of non-Jews are disgusted, too” with the anti-Semitic messages, he added.</p><p>Massive anti-Israel demonstrations last weekend in France, Brussels and Madrid have included anti-Semitic chants such as “Jews to the gas” and swastikas paired with the Star of David.</p><p>The Israeli Foreign Ministry, the European Jewish Congress, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League have implored European officials to acknowledge and combat the importing of the Middle East conflict to Europe and the scapegoating of Jews.</p><p>Countries with large Muslims populations, including France, Belgium and Britain, have seen the largest number of anti-Semitic incidents.</p><p>Britain's Community Security Trust, which monitors Jewish security issues, recorded a huge surge in anti-Semitic attacks -- 80 in total -- since Israel began bombing Hamas targets in Gaza on Dec. 27.</p><p>Undeterred, British Jews staged the largest European demonstration in support of Israel's right to security in this conflict. Sunday's demonstration, which also expressed sympathy for Palestinian civilians, drew 17,000 people to London's Trafalgar Square.</p><p>“I decided to do something after watching too much television and seeing the huge coverage of the anti-Israel demonstrations,” said one Jewish Londoner, Matt Freelander, who participated in a pro-Israel rally last week.</p><p>In France, Nicole Yardeni, the president of the CRIF Jewish umbrella group in Toulouse, decided not to hold a pro-Israel rally in the region after a car filled with Molotov cocktails rammed into the front gate of a synagogue Jan. 5.</p><p>“It's not that we are afraid,” she said of the community of approximately 20,000. But faced with consistent pro-Palestinian rallies that outnumber Toulouse Jews, Yardeni said the community “could not hold its own on the street” and thus could not have a “successful” protest.</p><p>In recent days, the CRIF held pro-Israel rallies in Paris, Marseilles and near Lyon.</p><p>The Marseilles rally was unusual in that every major local politician joined the crowd of about 4,000. The Paris rally did not have the same political backing. Many attendees said they left family and friends behind because they were afraid of publicly supporting Israel after seeing the violence and virulent anti-Zionism in a pro-Palestinian protest a day earlier.</p><p>"Once again, when in trouble, we've found ourselves alone," Patrick Gaubert, the president of the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism, wrote in a letter published Jan. 8 in a French Jewish weekly.</p><p>In Italy, whose prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has been honored by Jewish groups for being pro-Israel, pro-Israel rallies drew government officials.</p><p>In Germany, anti-Israel marches were relatively calm, but some marchers carried signs reading “Out with Jews” or "Israelis are child murderers.”</p><p>German Jews have turned out for pro-Israel rallies, too, albeit in small numbers. A rally in Frankfurt drew 2,000, while one in Berlin had 1,500 participants.</p><p>“When people see our small group,” said Sharon Adler, who co-organized the Berlin rally on Sunday, "perhaps they will understand that Israel is also a much smaller country than all the Arab countries around it, and that Jews in Germany are also a small minority."</p><p>In Stockholm, where the Jewish community numbers 5,000, a peace event in support of Israel held Saturday night at a church drew 800 people -- about half of whom were not Jewish, according to Lena Posner, the president of the Swedish Jewish community.</p><p>“There were about 100 people outside the church shouting insults against Israel,” Posner said. “The police had to close off the whole area around the church and we were escorted back to our cars in groups of 15.”</p><p>Earlier in the day, 8,000 protesters chanting anti-Israel slogans gathered for a mostly Muslim demonstration in Stockholm that included the head of the Swedish Socialist Party and the country’s former foreign minister. A Liberal Party legislator attended the pro-Israel event.</p><p>Elsewhere in the country, a burial chapel in the Jewish cemetery in central Malmo was firebombed for the third time since Israel began its operation in Gaza.</p><p>In Spain, violent incidents have been minimal, although an anti-Israel rally there on Saturday was Europe’s biggest such rally thus far, with crowd estimates ranging from 50,000 to 250,000.</p><p>Representatives of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and his ruling Socialist Party were among those who participated. Some participants called for jihad, or holy war, praised Hezbollah and cursed Israel. The Israeli Embassy in Madrid took the rare step of openly chastising the prime minister for fueling anti-Israel anger.</p><p>“There was hate speech definitely, and a few marched to the Israeli Embassy and threw stones and the police had to intervene,” said Derek Wise, the general manager of Madrid’s Jewish community. “Our prime minister incited what was going on.''</p><p>Wise said Spanish Friends of Israel was planning a public pro-Israel event for Jan. 18.</p><p>“I understand there might be people afraid to come," he said, "but we want to show it is not only Jews, it's normal Spaniards who also understand that a democratic state like Israel has a right to defend itself.”</p><p><em>(JTA correspondents Devorah Lauter contributed to this story from Paris, Toby Axelrod from Berlin and Daphna Vardi from London.</em>)</p><p> </p><p>source: <a href="http://jewishamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbN2 " title="Jewish Anti-Semitism">http://jewishamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbN2 </a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbN2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbN2/commentary#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:32:55 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbN2 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxbN2/ BARACK OBAMA INAUGURATION <p><strong>President-Elect Obama Discusses an Inauguration for All Americans</strong></p><p>WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, with record crowds expected in the nation's capital for the 56th Presidential Inauguration, President-elect Barack Obama discussed his plans for open and accessible inaugural events designed to allow the participation of Americans across the country.</p><p>"Unprecedented numbers of Americans are planning to join us in Washington," said President-elect Obama.  "That will mean long lines, a tough time getting around, and most of all, a lot of walking on what could be a very cold winter day.  Fortunately, you don't have to brave the crowds and commotion in order to participate in this celebration, because we've made this Inauguration open and accessible to communities across our nation."</p><p>President-elect Obama also announced that anyone can text the word "open" to 56333 to receive official Inauguration news updates, transportation notices, and opportunities to participate, both in Washington and in communities across America.</p><p>The text of the address, as delivered, is below: </p><p align="center"><strong>Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama</strong><br /><strong>Wednesday, January 14, 2009</strong><br /><strong>Washington, D.C.</strong></p><p>On Tuesday, with a simple oath that's marked the renewal of our nation's democracy for more than two centuries; I will take office as the forty-fourth President of the United States.</p><p>But this Inauguration isn't about me.  It's about all of us.  At this defining moment in our history, it serves as our opportunity to come together in common purpose, united in our resolve to renew the promise of this nation and meet the challenges of our time.</p><p>Now, you've probably heard the reports that unprecedented numbers of Americans are planning to join us in Washington.  That will mean long lines, a tough time getting around, and most of all, a lot of walking on what could be a very cold winter day.</p><p>Fortunately, you don't have to brave the crowds and commotion in order to participate in this celebration - because we've made this Inauguration open and accessible to communities across our nation.</p><p>Just text the word "open" to 56333 for news, transportation updates, and ways you can participate.</p><p>We're kicking off inaugural week events on Sunday afternoon with a free celebration at the Lincoln Memorial that's open to the public.  And to allow Americans across the country to join us, HBO will broadcast the event for free that evening.</p><p>Monday night, Michelle and Jill Biden are hosting a free Kids' Inaugural concert to honor the children of military families, which the Disney Channel will broadcast live on television and their radio network.</p><p>On the evening of the Inauguration, Michelle and I will attend the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball, and we want you to be right there with us - wherever your neighborhood is.</p><p>ABC will broadcast it on television, we'll webcast it on the Internet and post updates from the ballroom, and if you visit <a href="http://pic2009.org/" target="_blank">pic2009.org</a>, you can even sign up to host your own neighborhood ball at home.</p><p>But that's just the beginning when it comes to ways you can get involved.  I'm also asking for your active participation.</p><p>Next Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  And to honor the legacy of a man who lived his life as a servant to others, I will ask all Americans to make a renewed commitment to serving their communities and their country.</p><p>Dr. King once said, "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve."  You don't have to wear a uniform.  You don't have to be a community organizer.  You don't even have to run for President.  At a time when there is so much need, we are blessed with endless ways to contribute something to the life of this nation.</p><p>On Monday, my family and the Biden family will spend time volunteering in neighborhoods around Washington.  I am asking you to join us in that same spirit of service to others - no matter where you live.</p><p>And we've unveiled a new tool to make it easy.</p><p>Just visit <a href="http://usaservice.org" title="USA Service">USAservice.org</a> to find service projects in your community, or even organize your own around the causes you care about.</p><p>Log on and you'll see that thousands of events involving millions of Americans have already been set up across the country next Monday and beyond.</p><p>Because I'm not just asking you to take part in one day of service.  I am asking you to make a lasting commitment to make better the lives of your fellow Americans - a commitment that must endure beyond one day, or even one presidency.</p><p>At this moment of great challenge and great change, I am asking you to play your part; to roll up your sleeves and join in the work of remaking this nation. And if you do, then I truly believe a new and better day is within our reach.</p><p>Thank you.</p><p>Barack Obama</p><p> </p><p>source: <a href="http://women.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbBh" title="Barack Obama Inauguration">http://women.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbBh</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbBh http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbBh/commentary#comments Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:42:16 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbBh WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxbBh/ KIDS INAUGURAL CONCERT <p><strong>Talent Lineup for Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and Kids' Inaugural Concert</strong></p><p><strong>Tuesday January 20</strong><br />Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, JAY-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Stevie Wonder to perform, Nick Cannon to DJ at Neighborhood Inaugural Ball Airing Exclusively on ABC</p><p><strong>Monday, January 19</strong><br />Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Bow Wow to perform with Billy Ray Cyrus, Keke Palmer, Usher and Shaquille O'Neal scheduled to appear during Kids' Inaugural Concert Airing Exclusively on Disney Channe </p><p><br /><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C.</strong> - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced today the producers and initial talent lineup for "The Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration," which will air live on ABC (8:00 - 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, Tuesday, January 20), and the "Kids' Inaugural:  We Are The Future," a concert honoring military families airing on Disney Channel (8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, Monday, January 19).</p><p>Musical performers scheduled for the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, JAY-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Stevie Wonder.   Nick Cannon will DJ the event. Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.</p><p>Musical performances for the Kids' Inaugural event include the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Bow Wow.  Billy Ray Cyrus, Keke Palmer, and Usher Raymond IV are also scheduled to appear.  13-year-old Perry Rubin, daughter of entertainment reporter Sam Rubin, will be the special backstage correspondent.  Additional performers and guests will be announced as they are confirmed.</p><p>Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss/White Cherry Entertainment are Executive Producers of the Neighborhood Inaugural ball, with Glenn Weiss directing.  White Cherry Entertainment is also executive producing the 2009 Super Bowl Halftime Show and the 2009 Tony Awards, with Weiss also serving as Director. </p><p>The Kids' Inaugural concert special is executive produced by Greg Sills.  Sills previously produced The Concert for New York (post-9/11), the Kids Choice Awards, and the VH1 Rock Honors.  Louis J. Horvitz is the director.</p><p>"We are honored and excited to have such top level talent performing and producing these events," said Emmett S. Beliveau, Executive Director of the PIC.  "Working with ABC and Disney, we are bringing these exciting performances into the homes of millions of Americans to make this the most open and accessible inauguration celebration ever."</p><p>The PIC today also announced Ricky Kirshner is the Executive Producer for all PIC TV events and Lisa Geers is the Excecutive in charge of production for all PIC TV events.</p><p>In an effort to make this inaugural celebration open and accessible to all Americans, President-elect Barack Obama will host the first-ever "Neighborhood Inaugural Ball," the premier event of inauguration evening, on January 20th.   To help bring this unique event to neighborhoods across the nation, ABC will broadcast "The Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration." The event will air live from the Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.,<strong>TUESDAY, JANUARY 20 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET)</strong>. </p><p>On <strong>MONDAY, JANUARY 19 (8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET)</strong> Disney Channel will present "Kids' Inaugural: We Are The Future," a concert celebration from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. honoring military families.<strong>  </strong>This inaugural concert celebration will be hosted by Mrs. Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and their families.  The event will be simulcast on Radio Disney, and will be streamed on Disney.com immediately following the culmination of the telecast on Disney Channel. </p><p>Beginning January 16, Disney.com guests are invited to join the celebration on the Kids Inaugural pagewww.Disney.com/USA which will feature polls, games and videos on the concert performers and a component which allows guests to chat with friends and send "shout outs" by texting USA, their first name and message to DISNEY (347639). Standard carrier fees apply and a parent's permission is required if users are under age 18.</p><p>source: <a href="http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFXf" title="Kids'Inaugural Concert">http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFXf</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFXf http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFXf/commentary#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:17:58 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFXf WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFXf/ CITIZENS BRIEFING BOOK <p>Share your ideas on any issue facing the new administration, then rate or comment on other ideas.</p><p> The best rated ideas will rise to the top -- and be gathered into a Citizen's Briefing Book to be delivered to President Obama after he is sworn in.</p><p>'Citizens Briefing Book' sample: <a href="http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000004n6a" title="Military Medical Coverage">Military Medical Coverage</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFqF http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFqF/commentary#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:45:58 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFqF WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFqF/ HBO INAUGURAL SHOW <p><strong>THE OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL</strong><br />KICK OFF INAUGURAL OPENING FESTIVITIES PRESENTED BY HBO JAN. 18</p><p> WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is pleased to announce the producers and initial talent lineup for WE ARE ONE:  THE OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL, the Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural, to be presented exclusively by <a href="http://www.hbo.com/" title="HBO">HBO on Sunday</a>, January 18 (7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT).  The event will be free and open to the public, kicking off the most open and accessible Inauguration in history.<br /><br />The special will be executive produced by George Stevens, Jr. (The Kennedy Center Honors), and produced by Don Mischer (Olympic Ceremonies) who will also direct the special, and Michael Stevens (The American Film Institute Salutes) who is also writing the special, and will be a production of The Stevens Company in association with Don Mischer Productions.<br /><br />Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder.  Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.  The Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation.  Rob Mathes will be the music director and arranger for the backing band, which will support all of the artists.  Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.<br /><br />"Our intention is to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail," observed George Stevens, Jr.  "We will combine historical readings by prominent actors with music from an array of the greatest stars of today."<br /><br />"This is a great opportunity to capture an historic event in a very meaningful setting," noted Don Mischer.  "We will have the statue of Abraham Lincoln looking down on our stage and a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people lining the mall -- a tableau any director would relish."<br /><br />"We have found that the great artists are eager to take part and each one is working with us to find music that expresses the optimism and hope that people bring to the Obama inauguration," said Michael Stevens.<br /><br />Televised to the nation, the Opening Celebration will be a declaration of common purpose and new beginnings.  The Sunday afternoon performance will be grounded in history and brought to life with entertainment that relates to the themes that shaped Barack Obama and which will be the hallmarks of his administration.<br /><br />HBO will televise the event on an open signal, working with all of its distributors to allow Americans across the country with access to cable, telcos or satellite television to join in the Opening Celebration for free.<br /><br />The 56th Inauguration promises to be the most inclusive in history, and the Opening Celebration is one of a series of inaugural events that reflect that commitment.  On Saturday, the President-elect, Vice President-elect and their families will journey to the nation's capital via train, holding events that are free and open to the public along the way.  They will be joined by a group of everyday Americans they met along their road to the White House.  On January 19th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President-elect Obama will call on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country.  A new website, USAservice.org, makes it easy for Americans to organize service events or find existing events to participate in.  To date, nearly 5,000 events have been organized across the country.  That evening, Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and their families will host a free "Kids' Inaugural" concert to honor military families, broadcast live on the Disney Channel and Radio Disney.<br /><br />This spirit of openness will continue on Inauguration Day, when, for the first time in history, the entire length of the National Mall will be open to the public for the swearing in ceremony.  Local D.C. students have also been given the chance to receive tickets in front of the White House for the Inaugural Parade for themselves and their family members based on the submission of essays answering the question, "How can I contribute to my neighborhood through community service?"<br /><br />On the evening of Inauguration Day, the first ball that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will attend will be the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.  The ball will be broadcast live on ABC and over the Internet, bringing together neighborhoods across the country in the spirit of unity and celebration.<br /><br />The sum of these public events is an Inauguration that allows more Americans than ever before to come together as one nation and one people, united in our resolve to tackle our greatest common challenges and move this country forward together.<br /><br />source: <a href="http://tribes.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFQs" title="HBO INAUGURAL SHOW">http://tribes.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFQs</a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFQs http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFQs/commentary#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:09:24 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFQs WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFQs/ CIVIL RIGHTS EDUCATION <p><strong>Obama election sparks new interest in civil rights</strong><br />By Andrea Shalal-Esa<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/" title="REUTERS">REUTERS</a><br /><br />BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - When Barack Obama is sworn in next week as the first black U.S. president, 97-year-old Alabama civil rights veteran <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_Boynton_Robinson" title="Amelia Boynton Robinson">Amelia Boynton Robinson</a> will see a miracle in the milestone.<br /><br />"I think it's an act of God," said Robinson, who was jailed and beaten decades ago in the racially segregated U.S. South.<br /><br />For Robinson, whose mother was born just a few years after the end of slavery, the fight for equality did not end with the civil rights laws passed in the 1960s and it won't end with Obama's historic inauguration on January 20.<br /><br />"To this day, I am still on the battlefield," Robinson told 35 educators, students and activists last week in Tuskegee, Alabama, during a four-day tour of civil rights historic sites in Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama.<br /><br />Obama's election has rekindled interest in the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s amid continuing racial tensions and wide disparities in income, education and health care between whites and minority groups.<br /><br />In Alabama, visitor numbers are up dramatically at a center that marks the route of a five-day, 47-mile march led by King from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 by 25,000 people demanding equal rights for black Americans, said Tina Smiley of the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/" title="US National Park Service">U.S. National Park Service</a>.<br /><br />Doug McMillon, chief executive of the <a href="http://www.samsclub.com/" title="Sams Club">Sam's Club</a> unit of <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" title="Walmart">Wal-Mart</a> Stores Inc, has brought four large groups of executives to the center in recent months, and has commissioned a film so all his workers can share the experience, she said.<br /><br />Activists Charles Alphin and Bernard Lafayette organize civil rights tours such as the one Robinson addressed.<br /><br />Robinson, who once hosted <a href="http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html" title="Martin Luther King Jr">Martin Luther King Jr.</a> in her home, will travel to England next month to teach the principles of non-violence used in the sit-ins, mass arrests and protests that characterized the movement.<br /><br />In the 1930s, she started a voter registration drive in Selma, Alabama, where African-Americans were hindered from voting until the mid-1960s by capricious literacy tests, poll taxes and the need to produce two white "sponsors."<br /><br />Robinson catapulted the issue into the limelight in 1965 when she asked King for help.<br /><br />Soon afterward, King led the historic voting rights marches in Alabama. On what came to be known as "Bloody Sunday," white authorities beat and tear-gassed protesters and television images flashed around the world.<br /><br />A LONG ROAD<br /><br />"It's the screaming I remember most," says Joanne Bland, who was 11 years old when she was knocked unconscious on Bloody Sunday. Her 14-year-old sister needed 26 stitches on her head; but both girls marched again the next Tuesday.<br /><br />The violence sparked outrage and solidarity marches around the country and helped prod Congress into passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a law that finally secured the right of African-Americans to vote.<br /><br />Bland ran Selma's voting rights museum and now leads tours of the 20,000-plus town that is grappling with a high crime rate, drug problems, severe poverty and rising unemployment.<br /><br />Bland says the Selma movement paved the way for the election of Obama, who visited the city in 2007.<br /><br />"What we did here in Selma is why he was able to be elected," she said.<br /><br />Obama often credits the black Americans whose struggle made his personal road to the White House possible.<br /><br />"It's important for people to study and learn about this period of history so that we can continue to build on King's work and his philosophy," added Roger Vredeveld, 47, who teaches U.S. and black history in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and went on the tour.<br /><br />Some analysts have described Obama's victory as ushering in a "post-racial" era, but civil rights activists say there is still much to be done. They point to such crises as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which revealed deep racial divides, and recurrent cases of police brutality.<br /><br />Another teacher on the tour, Arthur Romano, cited riots in Oakland, California, after the January 1 shooting of an unarmed 22-year-old black man by a white transit police officer, and said King's non-violent approach would be far more productive.<br /><br />Oscar Grant's death, he said, "serves as a reminder of how far there is to go, and the need for serious, strategic and long-term community involvement on these issues."<br /><br />(Editing by Doina Chiacu)</p><p> </p><p>posted: <a href="http://africanamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFcL" title="CIVIL RIGHTS EDUCATION">http://africanamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFcL</a> <br />discussion: <a href="http://discussheadlines.blogspot.com/2009/01/civil-rights-education.html">http://discussheadlines.blogspot.com/2009/01/civil-rights-education.html</a></p><p> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFcL http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFcL/commentary#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:58:22 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFcL WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFcL/ INAUGURAL CLASSROOM EDUCATION <p><strong>NEA and AFT Partner with the Inaugural Committee to Bring the Inauguration to the Classroom</strong><br />Lesson Plans for Teachers on Inaugural History Now Available on PIC Website</p><p>Washington, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), in cooperation with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), is pleased to offer a series of instructional guides to help teachers across the country bring the 56th Presidential Inauguration to life in their classrooms. The guides are now available on the PIC website: <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fd0/578581d1/2a93cd21/607ee0a1/226131829/VEsH/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org/page/content/lessonplans">www.pic2009.org/page/content/lessonplans</a>.<br /> <br />"We are thrilled to partner with the AFT and NEA to make these lesson plans available to teachers across the country," said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. "Inauguration Day is rich with tradition and speaks to both our common history and our shared future. We hope that these resources will help inspire students to learn more about this historic day."<br /><br />"The American presidential inauguration is a transformational moment that brings together our collective past and present, and our hopes for the future," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "It reminds us more clearly than mere words ever could that power in this country truly rests with the American people. These lesson plans are intended as tools to help teachers and their students live our rich history and build our brighter future. The AFT is proud to have been part of this important project and this historic moment."</p><p>"It is crucial that our students understand that we are not only living history and making history with this inauguration, but also carrying forward the historical contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his influence on our incoming 44th president," said Dennis Van Roekel. "These important lesson plans will help students understand President-elect Obama's message of a 'sense of unity and shared purpose' into the next four years and beyond."<br /><br />The lesson plans, developed jointly by AFT and the NEA, are designed to teach students about the history of Inauguration Day, and include information about the 2009 Inaugural schedule of events and background about traditional Inaugural ceremonies. The guides also suggest ways to supplement the lessons with discussion topics, films, books and other educational websites. <br /><br />The lesson plans are divided into three sections: "Learning History," which highlights the evolution of Inaugural events beginning with George Washington's Inauguration in 1789, "Making History," which lets students follow along with President-elect Obama's swearing in on January 20th, and "Living History," which encourages students to continue studying the American Government and the Presidency beyond Inauguration Day. The materials are geared toward students from elementary school to high school, and offer lesson modifications based on the students' ages. <br /> <br />The Presidential Inaugural Committee has committed to making President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's Inauguration the most accessible and inclusive in history, and these lesson plans are just one more way that communities across the country can become involved in this historic event.  The PIC is confident that the lesson plans developed by the AFT and NEA will help students of all ages feel part of this historic moment in our country.   <br /><br />For more information on the NEA and the AFT please visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fd0/578581d1/2a93cd21/607ee0a0/226131829/VEsE/" target="_blank" title="http://www.nea.org/">www.nea.org</a> and <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fd0/578581d1/2a93cd21/607ee0af/226131829/VEsF/" target="_blank" title="http://www.aft.org/">www.aft.org</a>.</p><p>For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fd0/578581d1/2a93cd21/607ee0ae/226131829/VEsC/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org">www.pic2009.org</a>.</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFcH http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFcH/commentary#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:16:15 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFcH WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFcH/ OBAMA ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN <p><strong>Presidential Inaugural Committee and The Advertising Council Launch a New Public Service Advertising Campaign Highlighting President-elect Obama's Call to Service</strong></p><p>President-elect Obama asking Americans to "Step Forward" and Volunteer in their Communities</p><p>Washington, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) and The Advertising Council launched today a new public service advertising (PSA) campaign aimed at summoning a new spirit of service in America. The television ad "Step Forward" and radio PSA "Chapter" feature President-elect Obama urging Americans to log on to <a href="http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4jqt3" target="_blank" title="http://www.usaservice.org">USAService.org</a> to find ways to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. Nearly 6,000 volunteer projects and opportunities across the country are listed on <a href="http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4jqt3" target="_blank" title="http://www.usaservice.org">USAService.org</a>.</p><p>President-elect Obama's and Vice President-elect Biden's "Renew America Together" initiative, calling on Americans of all ages to participate in community service, begins on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19th, to honor the legacy of a man who lived his life in service to others. On the eve of the Inauguration, thousands of community service events will take place in Washington and all across the country.</p><p>"President-elect Obama believes each of us, as Americans, has a responsibility to do what we can for our communities and fellow citizens. We've launched <a href="http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4jqt3" target="_blank" title="http://www.usaservice.org">USAService.org</a> to connect volunteer organizations with Americans in their community and make it easier to serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and beyond," said Josh Earnest, PIC Communications Director.</p><p>The Ad Council is distributing the new television and radio PSAs to stations throughout the country this week. Per the Ad Council's model, the PSAs will run and air in donated advertising time and space.</p><p>"We are delighted to join President-elect Obama and the Presidential Inaugural Committee for this poignant campaign that will inspire Americans to serve their communities and their country," said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. "Media companies have committed to support these new PSAs and I believe this critical effort will encourage Americans to answer President-elect Obama's call to service."</p><p>Several media companies have committed to support the PSAs in donated time and space. These media companies include: CBS Television and Radio; NBC Universal; CNN and the Turner Networks (including TNT and TBS); FOX Networks; Clear Channel Radio, Comcast Spotlight and Entercom Radio. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) will promote the television spots to their members and donate a satellite feed during the week of January 26 for the distribution to the cable industry. Additionally, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is donating a satellite feed for distribution of the radio and television spots to the broadcasting industry this week.</p><br /><p><strong>Script for "Step Forward":</strong></p><p>President-elect Obama VO: </p><p><em>America</em><em>'</em><em>s greatness was not crafted in skyscrapers alone...</em></p><p><em>But on the ground by those who could see what needed to be done.</em></p><p><em>Volunteers who in service stepped forward... <br />Onto the dust of the moon, a levee in the heartland, the marble steps of a dream. </em></p><p><em>You may ask yourself: "Where's my moon, my levee, my dream?"</em></p><p><em>Well, it's here...with you.</em></p><p>President-elect Obama: <em>Step forward. Help renew America at USAService.org.</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>The Advertising Council</strong> - The Ad Council (<a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fd1/578581d1/2a933598/607ee0a4/3590245735/VEsB/" target="_blank" title="http://www.adcouncil.org">www.adcouncil.org</a>) is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.</p><p>source: <a href="http://women.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFrr " title="OBAMA ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN">http://women.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFrr </a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFrr http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFrr/commentary#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:11:18 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFrr WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFrr/ NATIONAL PRAYER SERVICE <p><strong>Reverend Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Selected to Give Sermon at the National Prayer Service</strong></p><p>Washington, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that General Minister and President Dr. Sharon E. Watkins of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been selected to give the sermon at the National Prayer Service on Wednesday, January 21st.  The National Prayer Service will be held at the National Cathedral at the conclusion of Inaugural activities and will celebrate America's diversity of faith.  Reverend Dr. Sharon Watkins will be the first woman to deliver the sermon at this traditional Inaugural event.</p><p>"I am truly honored to speak at this historic occasion," said Reverend Watkins. "My prayer when I preach is always that God will use me to bring a Gospel message that is uplifting and appropriately challenging to those who hear it.  I hope that my message will call us to believe in something bigger than ourselves and remind us to reach out to all of our neighbors to build communities of possibility."</p><p>Reverend Dr. Sharon E. Watkins has served as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada since 2005.  She is the first woman to hold this position.  As General Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she is the general pastor of the 700,000-member denomination.  As General President, she is the chief executive officer for the denomination, responsible for overseeing the work of the church's various structures.  She is serving a six-year term that extends through 2011.</p><p>Dr. Watkins has an extensive background of service both in this country and abroad. She is a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches based in Geneva, and serves on the WCC's Permanent Committee for Consensus and Collaboration.  In 2006, she was a representative at the World Council's General Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil.  She is the former pastor of Disciples Christian Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where she served for eight years.  Reverend Watkins holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Phillips Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from the Yale Divinity School, and a Bachelor's Degree in French and Economics from Butler University.   She is married to Reverend Dr. Richard (Rick) H. Lowery, Interim Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky.  They have two children, Bethany and Christopher. </p><p>The National Prayer Service, a tradition dating back to George Washington, will include prayers, readings and hymns delivered by religious leaders spanning a diverse array of faiths.  More information about the event will be forthcoming.                                                                                         </p><p>For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fd2/578581d1/2a931208/607ee0bb/678128059/VEsH/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org/">www.pic2009.org</a>.</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFvz http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFvz/commentary#comments Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:28:06 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFvz WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFvz/ HELP WOUNDED VETERANS <p><strong><a href="http://www.af.mil/" title="US Air Force">AIR FORCE</a></strong> * <strong><a href="http://www.army.mil/" title="US Army">ARMY</a> * <a href="http://www.uscg.mil/" title="US Coast Guard">COAST GUARD</a></strong> * <strong><a href="http://www.marines.mil/" title="US Navy">MARINES</a> * <a href="http://www.navy.mil/" title="US Navy">NAVY</a></strong> </p><p>If you are going to be in Washington DC during the Inauguration you may want to attend the Blogfest event to Help Wounded Veterans. see <a href="http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4jqt3" title="USA Service Event">http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/4jqt3</a></p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9PwWkV4HQ4" target="_blank" title="Where were You">Where were you when the world stopped turning?</a></p><p>“If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But, recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”<br /> <br /> Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<br /> Ebenezer Baptist Church, 4 February 1968.</p><p> </p><p>HELP WOUNDED VETERANS<br />Source: David Apperson, <a href="http://discussheadlines.blogspot.com/2009/01/civil-rights-education.html" title="LIFE CLOUD">LIFE CLOUD</a></p><p><a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFK9">http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFK9</a> </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFK9 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFK9/commentary#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:46:06 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFK9 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxFK9/ RENEW AMERICA TOGETHER <p><strong>President-elect Obama, General Colin Powell Call on Americans to "Renew America Together" with an Ongoing Commitment to National Service</strong><br /><em>Launches </em><em><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" target="_blank" title="http://www.usaservice.org/">USAService.org</a></em><em> to help Americans find ways to serve in their communities</em></p><p><strong>Washington, D.C. </strong>- General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), and the Presidential Inaugural Committee today announced President-elect Obama's "Renew America Together" initiative, asking all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. The "Renew America Together" initiative will begin on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19th to honor the legacy of a man who lived his life in service to others.</p><p>"At this moment of great purpose and great promise, President-elect Obama is calling on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. We're not just asking the American people for one day of service.</p><p>We are asking you to make an ongoing commitment of your time - an hour, a weekend, whatever you can spare.  Because that's how we're going to rebuild this country and meet our great challenges - together," said General Powell.</p><p>On the eve of the Inauguration, thousands of community service events will take place in Washington and all across the country. President-elect Obama and his family, as well as Vice President-elect Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, will participate in community service projects in the Washington, D.C. area.</p><p>"As Dr. King once said, 'Everybody can be great because anybody can serve,'" said Powell. "That's the beauty of service.  You don't have to wear the uniform of your country.  You can volunteer in a soup kitchen, or help a child learn to read.  You can clean up your local park, or prepare care packages for our soldiers stationed in far-flung parts of the globe."</p><p>The Presidential Inaugural Committee also unveiled <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" target="_blank" title="usaservice.org">USAservice.org</a>, a new tool to help Americans find ways to serve in their own community. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" target="_blank" title="usaservice.org">USAservice.org</a> makes it easy to organize and post service projects, connecting grassroots volunteers with non-profit organizations and community projects in their area. Nearly 5,000 volunteer events already have been established by non-profit organizations and grassroots networks across the country.  </p><p>To find out more about "Renew America Together or find service event near you, please visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58917909520" target="_blank" title="usaservice.org">USAservice.org</a>.</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxblQ http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxblQ/commentary#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:13:28 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxblQ WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 3 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxblQ/ INAUGURAL BLEACHER TICKETS <p><strong>Public Tickets Available for Inaugural Parade</strong><br />5,000 Bleacher Seats Lining Parade Route to Go On Sale</p><p>Washington, D.C. -- The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that 5,000 tickets for the 56th Inaugural Parade will go on sale to the public at<strong> 1:00 PM EST</strong> today for $25 each.  Tickets will allow spectators access to bleachers along the historic parade route from the Capitol to the White House.  Tickets will be available for sale at <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fed/578581d1/2a9c7af5/607ee36a/3529767353/VEsH/" target="_blank" title="http://www.ticketmaster.com">Ticketmaster.com</a> or by phone at 202.397.7328, 410.547.7328 or 703.573.7328.</p><p>Tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.</p><p>"We are very pleased to make these tickets available to the public as part of our commitment to holding the most open and accessible Inauguration in history," said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau.  "The Inaugural Parade is a celebration of America, and we are working to make sure that as many citizens as possible can take part in this historic tradition."   </p><p>Thousands of spectators will line the 1.7 mile parade route as the new President and Vice President are escorted from the Capitol to the White House by over 13,000 parade participants.  Over 90 music, cultural and community groups will join representatives from our Armed Forces in the historic parade, which concludes at the presidential reviewing stand, where the President and Vice President will watch the processional with their families.</p><p>Tickets are limited to four per person for purchase.  Tickets are not required to view the parade, but the purchase of tickets will guarantee spectators a seated spot along the parade route.  Ticket holders must be in their seats no later than 1:00 PM EST on January 20th.  Standing room will be available along Pennsylvania Avenue on a first come, first serve basis. </p><p>Earlier this month the PIC announced that hundreds of free parade tickets were being made available to Washington, DC students and their families.</p><p>DC residents can  visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fed/578581d1/2a9c7af5/607ee369/3529767353/VEsE/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org/page/s/dcstudentessay">www.pic2009.org/page/s/dcstudentessay</a> for more information on how to obtain those tickets. For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907fed/578581d1/2a9c7af5/607ee368/3529767353/VEsF/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org">www.pic2009.org</a>.</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxblH http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxblH/commentary#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:07:25 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxblH WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxblH/ INAUGURATION DRESS REHEARSAL <strong>DRESS REHEARSAL FOR 2009 INAUGURAL CEREMONIES AND INAUGURAL PARADE</strong><br /><br />WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee will hold a dress rehearsal for the 2009 Inaugural Ceremonies on Sun, Jan. 11, 2009. The rehearsal will include run-throughs of the swearing-in ceremony on the West Front, the departure ceremony and Presidential Review of troops on the East Front of the Capitol, and the Inaugural Parade along Pennsylvania Avenue.<p><strong>Please Be Advised That Media Must RSVP For The Swearing-In and Parade Rehearsals Separately.</strong></p><p><strong><u>DRESS REHEARSAL FOR INAUGURAL CEREMONIES</u></strong></p><p>6:45 AM   Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (military participants only)</p><p>8:00 AM   Committee of Inaugural Ceremonies and Armed Forces Inaugural Committee</p><p>9:00 AM   East Front Ceremonies</p><p><strong>Media wishing to attend the DoD West Front Rehearsal</strong> should check in at the South Screening Trailer, located on the South Lawn of the Capitol, off Independence Avenue no later than 6:15 AM.</p><p><strong>Media wishing to attend the JCCIC and DoD Combined West Front Rehearsal</strong> should check in at the South Screening Trailer, located on the South Lawn of the Capitol, off Independence Avenue at 7:30 AM.</p><p>At the conclusion of the West Front rehearsal, those media wishing to cover the East Front rehearsal will be escorted as a group to the East Front media platforms.</p><p><strong>Media planning to attend only the East Front rehearsal</strong> should arrive at the South Screening Trailer no later than 8:30 AM to be escorted to the East Front.</p><p>Following the East Front rehearsal, Howard Gantman, staff director for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will be available to talk to the media, as will Armed Forces Inaugural Committee Spokespersons with the military stand-ins for the President-elect, Vice President-elect, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden.</p><p><strong><u>DRESS REHEARSAL FOR THE 2009 PARADE</u></strong></p><p>Following the rehearsal for the swearing-in, more than 3,000 people, including stand-ins for the president- and vice president-elect will march in the Inaugural Parade rehearsal. The participants will consist largely of the military personnel who will march in the Inaugural Parade.</p><p>PIC and Armed Forces Inaugural Committee spokespeople will be on hand at the parade rehearsal to answer questions.</p><p><strong>Media wishing to attend the parade rehearsal should check in at Freedom Plaza at 13th and E Streets NW at 8:15 a.m.</strong></p><p><strong><u>RSVP INFORMATION</u></strong></p><p><u>Media who plan to attend the swearing-in ceremony rehearsal must RSVP to the appropriate credentialing authority by 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 8:</u></p><p>            DOD Media contact AFIC: 202.691.2059</p><p>            Senate Daily Press Gallery: 202.224.0241.</p><p>            Senate Periodicals Gallery: <a href="mailto:periodicals@saa.senate.gov" target="_blank">periodicals@saa.senate.gov</a></p><p>            Senate Radio/TV Gallery: 202.224.6421</p><p>            Senate Press Photographers Gallery: <a href="mailto:Press_Photo@saa.senate.gov" target="_blank">Press_Photo@saa.senate.gov</a></p><p><u>Members of the media who plan to attend the Inaugural Parade rehearsal should RSVP by 6 p.m., Thursday, January 8 to:</u></p><p>            Adam Elkington at <a href="mailto:aelkington@pic2009.org" target="_blank">aelkington@pic2009.org</a>, or Timothy Skoczek at <a href="mailto:tskoczek@pic2009.org" target="_blank">tskoczek@pic2009.org</a> </p><p> </p><p>Source: David Apperson, <a href="http://discusseconomy.blogspot.com/2008/12/global-economy.html" title="LIFE CLOUD DISCUSSION">LIFECLOUD.ORG </a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbrN http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbrN/commentary#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:02:58 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbrN WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxbrN/ COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S BALL <p><strong>PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA TO HOST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S BALL</strong></p><p>WASHINGTON, DC - Continuing the tradition started in 2005 by President George W. Bush, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today that President-elect Barack Obama will host the Commander-in-Chief's inaugural ball to honor the country's active duty and reserve military.  Additional invited guests will include wounded warriors (Purple Heart recipients), families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military. </p><p>"It is a privilege to honor our men and women in uniform during our inaugural festivities by continuing the tradition of the Commander in Chief's Ball," said President-elect Obama.  "Our troops represent the best America has to offer, and without their dedication and sacrifice we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms that we are coming together to celebrate on January 20th.  They deserve our thanks and our gratitude.  Michelle and I look forward to attending the Commander in Chief's Ball and sharing this special evening with representatives of our armed forces."</p><p>The ball will be held the evening of January 20th at the National Building Museum. Tickets will be provided free of charge to all invited guests.</p><p>This event is not open to the general public.</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKLD http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKLD/commentary#comments Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:52:02 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKLD WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxKLD/ RABBI ARNOLD JACOB WOLF <p>Letter from President-Elect Barack Obama<br />Funeral of Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf<br />December 26, 2008<br />Chicago, Illinois<br /><br />I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of <a href="http://jews4obama2008.wordpress.com/my-neighbor-barack-by-arnold-jacob-wolf/" title="Jews for Obama">Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf</a>, who was not just our neighbor, but a dear friend to Michelle and me. We are joined in this time of grief by the entire Hyde Park community, the <a href="http://www.ajc.org/" title="American Jewish Community">American Jewish Community</a>, and all those who shared Rabbi Wolf's passion for learning and profound commitment to serving others. Today we bid farewell to a titan of moral strength and a champion of social justice.<br /><br />Rabbi Wolf always remained true to the meaning of being a rabbi: he was a teacher. He took great pleasure in delving into Judaism's ancient texts, drawing out lessons about right and wrong, and inspiring young people to engage the world and strive to improve it. He transformed the historic tradition into a catalyst for Tikkun Olam - the sacred pursuit of repairing a broken world in our own time He taught us by example that we must pray not just with words, but with deeds - and that we must truly live the meaning of "love thy neighbor as thyself."<br /><br />In the great Rabbinical tradition, Rabbi Wolf was passionate and provocative in this work - and my conversations with him were always lively. You knew that if he disagreed with you, he would let you know in no uncertain terms - especially if he thought you were overlooking the moral dimensions of an issue, or rationalizing your own failure to live up to the highest moral principles. But he did it with kindness, and often with a smile or a laugh to let you know that even though you were just plain wrong, and had no idea what you were talking about, he still loved you.</p><p>Rabbi Wolf's commitment to justice started early in life. As a young rabbi serving at a turbulent time for our nation, he was determined to fight discrimination of any kind, and his involvement in the Civil Rights movement alongside Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel helped strengthen the bonds between the Jewish and African-American communities.<br /><br />Rabbi Wolf embarked on an historic experiment with the founding of Congregation Solel on Chicago's North Shore. Solel, which means "trailblazer," describes him well. He was proud to have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an honored guest speaker. He was among the first to introduce to Chicago the writings of Elie Wiesel and Holocaust studies. And he never shied away from controversy or challenge when he saw an opportunity to advance the cause of freedom throughout Chicago and in Jewish homes and classrooms across our country, Rabbi Wolf's name is synonymous with service, social action, and the possibility of change. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, an engaging teacher, a kindhearted shepherd for the K.A.M. Isaiah community, and a tireless advocate of peace for the United States, Israel and the world.<br /><br />And I will always be personally grateful for the support he showed me as I embarked on my own journey. In a piece Rabbi Wolf wrote on my behalf months ago, he wrote that he was proud to be my neighbor and that he hoped to someday visit me in the White House. In the end, however, the honor was all mine. And while he may not have lived to pay that visit to the Oval Office, I hope that his spirit of love, his love of learning, and his deep dedication to serving others will live on in the work I do each day. May his memory be a blessing and a comfort to us all and an inspiration for the generations to come.</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxK9X http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxK9X/commentary#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:03:40 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxK9X WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 5 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxK9X/ INAUGURAL COMMITTEE ADVISORY <p>WASHINGTON, DC - In the remaining weeks before the 56th presidential inaugural, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) will be issuing a series of advisories to help people who plan to attend the swearing-in ceremony.</p><p> The following is a special alert for those people who will have tickets to the swearing-in, but may have questions about getting to and from the event that morning. Because of the large crowds and the potential for inclement weather, those people with special needs are advised to pay careful attention to these details.</p><strong>Timing</strong><p>While the actual swearing-in will take place shortly before noon, the formal program begins at 11:30 AM and the musical prelude and seating will begin much earlier.</p><p>Security checkpoints will open for ticketed guests at 8:00 AM, and the committee advises arriving no later than 9:00 AM to ensure that you are through the checkpoints by the time the program begins.</p><p> Screening will end when the program begins at 11:30 AM and late arrivals will not be able to enter the grounds.</p><strong>Getting to the Swearing-In</strong><p>Getting to the swearing-in ceremonies that morning will be very difficult because of the large crowds. In addition to the 240,000 ticketed guests, a million or more people are expected to view the inauguration from the National Mall between 4th Street and the Lincoln Memorial, along with hundreds of thousands of others who plan on watching the Inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. <br /><br />We recommend planning ahead, but also caution that any plans made in advance should be double-checked in the days and hours prior to the event in case of changes to transportation schedules, street and other closures, and other factors that may impact your travel plans.</p><p>We also recommend developing back-up plans in case your original travel plans need to be changed at the last minute. <br /><br />The District of Columbia's inaugural website will have the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts. We recommend that guests bookmark the site,</p><p><a href="http://senate.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f0b6ad14c382525e4730c4d0f&id=eb1190b00d&e=5b00c94e09" target="_blank">http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp</a>, and check it frequently for changing information. <br /><br />A security perimeter will be established around the U.S. Capitol and the parade route on or before January 20, 2009.<em> Subway stations, bus stops, and streets within that perimeter will be closed.</em> Street closures throughout Washington, D.C., will make traveling by car or taxi very difficult. Bridges from Virginia crossing the Potomac River into Washington, D.C., as well as major roadways from Maryland into Washington, D.C., may be closed to all but bus traffic. <br /><br />Following are recommendations on how to get to the swearing-in ceremony: <br /><br /><strong>Within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol</strong> <br />For those people who will be staying within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol, walking to the swearing-in ceremony will be the most reliable method of reaching the ticketed seated and standing areas. Be sure to carefully plan your return trip as well - it won't be possible to cross the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route, except at designated points and Metro will be extremely crowded. For some people bicycling may be an option to get close to the U.S. Capitol. While bicycles will be prohibited within the security perimeter on January 20, 2009, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is working on a plan with city officials to have bike valet stations available outside the security perimeter near the swearing-in ceremonies and parade route. More information is available at: <a href="http://senate.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f0b6ad14c382525e4730c4d0f&id=79d5b694d8&e=5b00c94e09" target="_blank">http://www.waba.org/index.php</a>. <br /><br /><strong>Beyond 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol</strong> <br />Use public transportation to get you as close as possible to the U.S. Capitol and walk from there. <br /><br />D.C.'s subway system will be running "rush-hour" service all day, but is expecting "crush-level" crowds. Be prepared to wait for space on a train for long periods of time, during which you will have to stand in close proximity to several thousand people. Many Metro escalators will be closed due to crowding and individuals will need to climb Metro stairs or wait to utilize the small number of elevators at Metro stations. <br /><br />The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to run Metrobuses on Inauguration Day. Check its website, <a href="http://senate.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f0b6ad14c382525e4730c4d0f&id=ee028574fa&e=5b00c94e09" target="_blank">www.wmata.com</a>, for information regarding routes and schedules. As with any other travel planning for January 20, please allow extra time and prepare a back-up plan. <br /><br />AMTRAK, <a href="http://senate.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f0b6ad14c382525e4730c4d0f&id=935b74ea91&e=5b00c94e09" target="_blank">www.amtrak.com</a>, and regional commuter trains, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), <a href="http://senate.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f0b6ad14c382525e4730c4d0f&id=8a6208dbd7&e=5b00c94e09" target="_blank">www.vre.org</a>, and MARC (Maryland) Commuter Train, <a href="http://senate.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f0b6ad14c382525e4730c4d0f&id=d80d7fa707&e=5b00c94e09" target="_blank">www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/</a>, will be operating reserved trains on special schedules and are expected to sell out well in advance of January 20. Please visit their websites for more information.</p>Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities<p><em>There will be no vehicular access or parking in the areas around the Capitol on January 20, 2009. This includes vehicles with special disability license plates or tags.</em> While there will be locations outside the perimeter of the Capitol that will be designated as drop-off points for persons with disabilities, traffic conditions and restrictions may make reaching these drop-off locations extremely difficult. <br /><br />As noted above, public transportation is expected to be running at "crush capacity" and WMATA has informed us that while Metro Access will operate for its regular customers, they do not expect to be able to provide pick-ups for people after events. <br /><br />There will be designated areas for people with disabilities in each of the ticketed seating areas on the Capitol grounds, however these areas are limited in size and available on a first-come first-served basis.<em>Persons in wheelchairs or utilizing walkers should be aware that they will need to move across bumpy surfaces, grassy areas, and possible icy areas (depending on the weather).</em></p><strong>Other Important Considerations</strong><p>The weather in Washington in January is usually quite cold and often rainy or snowy. Please think carefully about whether you can stand outside in cold weather in a large crowd for up to six hours, and whether you are ready for long delays getting home afterwards. <br /><br />Regardless of the weather conditions, umbrellas will not be permitted in the ticketed areas. Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to: Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated), Explosives of any kind (including fireworks), Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length), Mace and/or pepper spray, Sticks or poles, Pockets or hand tools, such as "Leatherman", Packages, Backpacks, Large bags, Duffel bags, Suitcases, Thermoses, Coolers, Strollers, Laser pointers, Signs, Posters, Animals (other than service animals), Alcoholic beverages, Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners <br /><br />Bring with you any medications that you need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events. <br /><br />Be aware that it may be difficult to talk or send pictures from your cell phone, according to wireless companies. Please use text messaging to send critical messages.    </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKsF http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKsF/commentary#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:28:21 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKsF WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxKsF/ GLOBAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY <p>GLOBAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY<br />Rehabilitate * Replenish * Research * Restore * Revive<br /><br />The economy has collapsed and banking institutions are responsible for creating the financial problem. What can be done immediately to speed up recovery to our financial markets?<br /><br />THREE THINGS TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY<br /><br />1. CREDIT CARDS<br />No credit cards should be issued to anyone under 21 years of age unless they pass a basic test on the knowledge and use of credit. In fact, outlawing the predatory nature of credit card companies through junk mail would save thousands of tons of paper, thereby conserving the environment.<br /><br />The bank modifications during the present administration regarding credit cards and bankruptcy law also helped perpetrate the financial mess the world is presently involved in. These laws need to be repealed.<br /><br />2. MORTGAGES<br />Why bail out banks? Why not require banks to unload foreclosed homes at 50% of the value of the original mortgage within 90 days of foreclosure.<br /><br />This was done during the Reagan Administration by the VA in Oregon and other states and the nation was able to crawl out of the mortgage crises in the eighties. This solution will free up cash while allowing new home buyers the ability to afford a home.<br /><br />3. SMALL BUSINESS<br />Issue $50,000 small business grants to any recognized company that was formed after 1 Jan 2005. Veterans should receive an additional $25,000 to help modify the business to fit their needs.<br /><br />The people who started these small businesses deserve to be rescued financially from the deception perpetrated by the Bush administration.</p>Also posted at <a href="http://discusseconomy.blogspot.com/2008/12/global-economy.html">http://discusseconomy.blogspot.com/2008/12/global-economy.html</a> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKZh http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKZh/commentary#comments Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:00:14 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKZh WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxKZh/ MILITARY HERO - G.I. JOE <p>In honor of <a href="http://www.pigeon.org/pigeons_in_war.htm">military pigeons</a> throughout history, I post on this Christmas Eve, information produced by Otto Meyer, U.S. Army (Ret), and supplied by the <a href="http://www.pigeon.org/">ARPU</a>, on the American Hero “G.I. JOE” -</p><p>“<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe_(pigeon)" title="G.I. Joe">G.I. JOE</a>”<br />American Hero</p><p> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_abk-iljddR8/SVKZW_OYJQI/AAAAAAAAAbw/8gtXkQsPTFY/s1600-h/GIJOE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283453933066921218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_abk-iljddR8/SVKZW_OYJQI/AAAAAAAAAbw/8gtXkQsPTFY/s320/GIJOE.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><p> “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe_(pigeon)" title="G.I. Joe">G.I. JOE</a>” is the most outstanding military pigeon in history and is credited with saving the lives of at least 100 British troops during World War II.  The British 56th Brigade was scheduled to attack the city of Colvi Vecchia, Italy, at 10 a.m., October 18, 1943.</p><p> The U.S. Air Support Command was scheduled to bomb the city to soften the entrance for the British Brigade. The Germans retreated leaving only a small rear guard and as a result the British troops entered the city with little resistance and occupied it ahead of schedule.</p><p>All attempts to cancel the bombings of the city, made by radio and other means of communication, had failed. Little “G.I. JOE” was released with the important message to cancel the bombing. He flew 20 miles back to the U.S. Air Support Command base in 20 minutes and arrived just as our planes were warming up to take off. If he had arrived a few minutes later, it might have been a different story.</p><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Wayne_Clark">Gen. Mark Clark</a>, Commanding the <a href="http://www.5tharmy.army.mil/">U.S. Fifth Army</a>, estimated that “G.I. JOE” saved the lives of at least 100 of our British allies.  In November 1946, “G.I. JOE” was shipped from Fort Monmouth, N.J. to London, England, where he was cited and awarded the <a href="http://www.pdsa.org.uk/page309_3.html">Dickin Medal for Gallantry</a> by the Lord Mayor of London. “G.I. JOE” is the only bird or animal in the United States to receive this high award.</p><p>“G.I. JOE,” a dark checker pied white flight cock, was hatched March 24, 1943, at the Pigeon Section in Algiers, Algeria, North Africa. Later he was taken to the Tunisian front, then to Bizerte, and from there to the Italian front.</p><p> After World War II, “G.I. JOE” was housed in the Churchill Loft, U.S. Army’s “Hall of Fame” at <a href="https://www2.monmouth.army.mil/usagfmima/sites/local/">Ft. Monmouth, N.J</a>., along with 24 other pigeon heroes.  In March of 1957, the remaining pigeon heroes were placed with different zoological gardens throughout the U.S.A.</p><p> “G.I. JOE” was placed with the <a href="http://www.detroitzoo.org/">Detroit Zoological Gardens</a> where he died June 3, 1961, at the age of 18. “G.I. JOE” was returned, mounted, and placed in the Historical Center, Meyer Hall, at Fort Monmouth, N.J.</p><p>--- Otto Meyer, <a href="http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/vetservicewwii/chapter18.htm" title="Army history of pigeons">U.S. Army</a> (Retired)<br />--- Former Commander of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Pigeon_Service">U.S. Army Pigeon Service</a></p><p> </p><p>I dedicate this inspiring story of courage and determination of the pigeon named “G.I. JOE” to the generations of troops that will secure the success of the 44th President of the United States.</p><p>May the message of peace come to <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" title="The White House">The White House</a> and spread throughout the land.</p><p> </p><p>Merry Christmas Everyone,</p><p> <a href="http://emem.vfw.org/memberprofile.aspx?ProfileID=2119" title="David Apperson">David Apperson</a>, <a href="http://discussbirds.blogspot.com/2008/12/military-pigeons.html" title="Military Pigeons">Life Cloud Discussions<br /></a></p><p><a href="http://www.legion.org/homepage.php" title="American Legion">American Legion</a> - member<br /><a href="http://www.pigeon.org/" title="ARPU">ARPU</a> - lifetime member<br /><a href="http://www.vfw.org/" title="VFW">VFW</a> - life member</p><p><strong>Source</strong>: <a href="http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKt3" title="MILITARY PIGEON">http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKt3 </a></p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKt3 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKt3/commentary#comments Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:30:15 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKt3 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGxKt3/ PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL HOODIE <p><strong>Limited Collector's Edition</strong><br /><strong>Presidential Inaugural Hoodie</strong></p><p>Enjoy word clouds?  Order Inaugural Hoodies direct from the <strong><a href="http://lifecloud.org/2008/12/life-cloud-store.html" title="Life Cloud Store - Presidential Inaugural Hoodie">Life Cloud Store</a></strong> for just <strong>$69.00</strong> dollars.</p><p> </p><p><strong>front of hoodie</strong></p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_abk-iljddR8/SVFWZOPvjoI/AAAAAAAAAbg/knHM8M1jMTc/s1600-h/front.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283098829203148418" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_abk-iljddR8/SVFWZOPvjoI/AAAAAAAAAbg/knHM8M1jMTc/s200/front.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><strong>back of hoodie</strong></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_abk-iljddR8/SVFWg4Sbx-I/AAAAAAAAAbo/tNZAB_yCWlY/s1600-h/back.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283098960747808738" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_abk-iljddR8/SVFWg4Sbx-I/AAAAAAAAAbo/tNZAB_yCWlY/s200/back.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><p> </p><p><strong>click photos to enlarge</strong></p><p>All hoodies are produced with high quality material, 100% money back guarantee and come with a certificate of authenticity. Not available in stores.</p><p>All orders must be placed through the <strong><a href="http://lifecloud.org/2008/12/life-cloud-store.html" title="Life Cloud Store - Presidential Inaugural Hoodie">Life Cloud Store</a></strong>. </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8Hx http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8Hx/commentary#comments Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:46:30 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8Hx WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 0 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGx8Hx/ PRESIDENT LINCOLN BIBLE <p><strong>President-Elect Obama to be Sworn in Using the Lincoln Bible</strong><br /><strong>Bible Available for Press Viewing from 11:00 AM to Noon TODAY</strong></p><p>Washington, D.C. - On January 20th, President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office using the same Bible upon which President Lincoln was sworn in at his first inauguration.  The Bible is currently part of the collections of the Library of Congress.  Though there is no constitutional requirement for the use of a Bible during the swearing-in, Presidents have traditionally used Bibles for the ceremony, choosing a volume with personal or historical significance.  President-elect Obama will be the first President sworn in using the Lincoln Bible since its initial use in 1861.</p><p>"President-elect Obama is deeply honored that the Library of Congress has made the Lincoln Bible available for use during his swearing-in," said Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Emmett Beliveau.  "The President-elect is committed to holding an Inauguration that celebrates America's unity, and the use of this historic Bible will provide a powerful connection to our common past and common heritage."</p><p>The Lincoln Bible will be available for a press viewing between 11:00 AM and Noon today in the Members' Room on the first floor of the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building at 10 First St. S.E. in Washington, D.C.</p><p>Video and still cameras are permitted.  Media should allow 10-15 minutes to clear security at the First Street entrance to the Jefferson Building.  Clark Evans, who heads the Reference Services Section of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress, will also be available at that time to answer questions about the Lincoln Bible and the Library.  High-resolution photographs of the Bible are also available upon request. RSVP is not required. Please contact the PIC Communications Office with questions.</p><p>The Bible was originally purchased by William Thomas Carroll, Clerk of the Supreme Court, for use during Lincoln's swearing-in ceremony on March 4, 1861.  The Lincoln family Bible, which is also in the Library of Congress's collection, was unavailable for the ceremony because it was packed away with the First Family's belongings, still en route from Springfield, IL, to their new home at the White House.</p><p>The Bible itself is bound in burgundy velvet with a gold-washed white metal rim around the three outside edges of both covers.  All its edges are heavily gilded.  In the center of the top cover is a shield of gold wash over white metal with the words "Holy Bible" chased into it.  The book is 15 cm long, 10 cm wide, and 4.5 cm deep when closed.  The 1,280-page Bible was published in 1853 by the Oxford University Press.</p><p>Annotated in the back of the volume, along with the Seal of the Supreme Court, is the following: "I, William Thomas Carroll, clerk of the said court do hereby certify that the preceding copy of the Holy Bible is that upon which the Honble. R. B. Taney, Chief Justice of the said Court, administered to His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln, the oath of office as President of the United States ..."</p><p>The Lincoln Inaugural Bible will be on display at the Library of Congress February 12th to May 9th, 2009, as part of an exhibition titled "With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition."  The exhibit will then travel to five other American cities.  The Library is planning several other events and programming in commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of the nation's 16th president, who was born on February 12th, 1809.</p><p>On March 4, 2009, the 147th anniversary of Lincoln's first inauguration, the Library of Congress will also be convening an all-day symposium with several renowned Lincoln scholars. For more information see the Library of Congress Web site at <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907f13/578581d1/2a8d564c/607ee3e6/3405492026/VEsH/" target="_blank" title="http://www.loc.gov">www.loc.gov</a>. </p><p>For more information and to view photographs of the Lincoln Bible, please visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907f13/578581d1/2a8d564c/607ee3e4/3405492026/VEsF/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org/bible">www.pic2009.org/bible</a>. </p><p>For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907f13/578581d1/2a8d564c/607ee3e3/3405492026/VEsC/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org/">www.pic2009.org</a>. </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8KQ http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8KQ/commentary#comments Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:05:55 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8KQ WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 3 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGx8KQ/ SPECIAL OLYMPICS <strong>Presidential Inaugural Committee Invites Special Olympics to March in 56th Inaugural Parade</strong><br /><strong>Talent From Across America To March In Parade From Capitol To White House</strong> <br /><p>WASHINGTON - Today, in keeping with its commitment to hold inaugural events that celebrate our common values and reflect the diversity and history of our great nation, President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's Inaugural Committee officially extended an offer to <a href="http://www.specialolympics.org/" title="Special Olympics">Special Olympics</a> to march in the 56th Inaugural Parade.  Special Olympics athletes, volunteers and supporters will join representatives from across the country and our Armed Forces in the historic parade down Pennsylvania Avenue following President-elect Obama's swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Capitol.</p><p>"I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," said President-elect Obama.  "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service.  Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade." </p><p>Organizations wishing to participate in the parade submitted an application to the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC), which then assisted the Presidential Inaugural Committee in reviewing all of the groups' applications.  All told, 1,382 organizations applied to participate, setting a new standard for interest in marching in the parade.</p><p>Upon hearing its selection, Special Olympics made the Inaugural Parade part of its Global Law Enforcement Torch Run<strong><em>(r)</em></strong> and the parade participants, a team of Special Olympics athletes, law enforcement officials who serve as guardians of the flame, and other supporters will carry the <em>Flame of Hope</em> for all to see. </p><p>Since November 24, 2008, the <em>Flame of Hope </em>has traveled more than 30,000 miles around the world stopping on each continent to deliver a message of spirit and hope to communities where people with intellectual disabilities continue to fight for acceptance and a chance to excel without barriers.</p><p>After the Inaugural Parade, the <em>Flame of Hope </em>will continue across America until it reaches Boise, Idaho, where it will be used to ignite the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics World Winter Games that will take place from February 7-13, 2009.</p><p>Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization and global movement dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers year-round training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports to more than 2.8 million individuals with intellectual disabilities worldwide.  </p><p>All participants in the Inaugural Parade are responsible for paying for their own lodging and transportation to and from Washington, D.C.  The Committee has been working closely with area governments and civic organizations to facilitate access to affordable accommodations and would like to encourage citizens from across the country to reach out and help Special Olympics raise the necessary resources to participate in this historic event.</p><p>If you are interested in finding out more about supporting the Special Olympics and their participation in the 56th Inaugural Parade, please contact Cary McPartlin at 202.459.7561. Visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907f1e/578581d1/2a8cb6c7/607ee3fe/3096067142/VEsH/" target="_blank" title="http://www.specialolympics.org">specialolympics.org</a> to learn more.</p><p>The Presidential Inaugural Committee was assisted in its selection process by a group of experienced military musicians, who utilized their expertise to help assess the presentation skills of marching bands, musical acts and drill teams.</p><p>Regularly updated information will be provided to the public and the media on our website, <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907f1e/578581d1/2a8cb6c7/607ee3fd/3096067142/VEsE/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org">pic2009.org</a>. </p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8X9 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8X9/commentary#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:00:07 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8X9 WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 1 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGx8X9/ HONORARY CO-CHAIRS <strong>Presidential Inaugural Committee Announces Honorary Co-Chairs</strong><br /><strong>Bipartisan Collection of Distinguished Americans to Help Lead Inaugural Activities</strong><p>WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced the honorary co-chairs for the Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.</p><p>In keeping with the President-elect's commitment to an inclusive and bipartisan Inauguration, the list of honorary co-chairs includes members of the President-elect and Vice President-elect's immediate families as well as prominent Americans from both sides of the aisle who have dedicated their lives to selfless service to their fellow citizens.</p><p>"Vice President-elect Biden and I are grateful to these distinguished men and women for agreeing to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the Inauguration," said President-elect Obama.  "From family members to former Presidents, each of these leaders has an unwavering commitment to bipartisan cooperation and a proud record of service to their community and our country.  They exemplify the spirit of unity and shared purpose this Inauguration will reflect."</p><p>The Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration are:</p><ol><li>President Jimmy Carter</li><li>President George H. W. Bush</li><li>President William J. Clinton</li><li>Mayor Adrian Fenty</li><li>Senator Dick Durbin</li><li>Senator Dick Lugar</li><li>Senator Claire McCaskill</li><li>Representative Tammy Baldwin</li><li>Representative Artur Davis</li><li>Representative Ray Lahood</li><li>Representative Linda Sánchez</li><li>General Colin Powell</li><li>Hunter and Kathleen Biden</li><li>Craig Robinson</li><li>Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng</li></ol><p>For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit <a href="http://www.pic2009.org/page/m2/14907f20/578581d1/2a8c86cc/607ee39c/1296953253/VEsH/" target="_blank" title="http://www.pic2009.org/">www.pic2009.org</a>.</p> http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8qW http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8qW/commentary#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:57:59 EST http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGx8qW WEBMASTER http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/profile_picture/71a028a32adb65f99f_4a6gmv52w.jpg WEBMASTER 2 http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/comment_rss/gGx8qW/