http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/foreign-policy/asia
On November 12, President Obama began a 10-day journey to Asia, which includes visits to Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. The purpose of this trip is to strengthen U.S. leadership and economic competitiveness in the region, renew old alliances, forge new partnerships, and make progress on issues that matter to the American people. The trip will include a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings, a Town Hall Event with Chinese youth and a visit to U.S. troops in South Korea.For the first time, we will offer a travel diary of the trip from various members of the Administration. We’ll post updates, photos and videos to help showcase this historic trip.
Staying in Touch During the Asia Trip
Download Video: mp4 (34MB)
When I accepted the President’s gracious offer to serve as his Ambassador in China earlier this year, I knew that the job would be challenging, exciting and rewarding. As Air Force One heads to Shanghai, I am preparing to greet a President who has won the respect and confidence of China’s leaders through his thoughtful remarks, his gracious demeanor and his efforts to seek a relationship that allows us to define ourselves by our common interests and not by our differences.
The President understands that critical problems require the U.S. and China to cooperate. He has a sobering list of strategic objectives for this visit: in addition to the vital task of communicating the desire of the American people to be friends and partners of the Chinese, he will discuss with China's leaders cooperation on such global priorities as the economic recovery, climate change and international security issues in Iran and North Korea as well as make clear our core values.
And since it's his first trip to China, he looks forward to seeing for himself the culture and traditions that have made China a great nation. This trip will advance America's interests in Asia and the rest of the world and I believe our Chinese friends will view it that way as well.
Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. is the United States' Ambassador to China
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/15/presidents-trip-china
Like many of you, as if on clockwork, I opened up my email today. It is part of my daily routine. Oh I also have kids to feed, toys and clothes on the floor, homework needs to be done. My life does not vary day to day.
Here it is in my inbox. Yes another email about healthcare reform. Is this American health care thing still going on and when will it be over? On personal matter I wonder if my Dad's recent cancer diagnosis is going to lead to a financial burden in the midst of his beloved retirement. Would he have a better experience here in Canada? I suspect at least the financial worry would be lessened and quality just as good. Why can't our fellow Americans see that change like this is worth fighting for? Living in Canada we have a little insight to what a positive change health care reform can be. Change can be good, if you do it right.
If you have not done a thing or many things NOW IS THE TIME to ACT. Yes today and tomorrow is crucial and if you have a thought or want to lend your voice THIS IS THE TIME TO ACT. Life does get in the way (yes kitty you will be fed!) but everyday life will be there tomorrow and the day after. But this opportunity of American health care reform with teeth and substance will NOT.
I urge you to contact your Senators (LINK)- email is GREAT and while at it encourage family and friends to do so before it is too late. If that is not your style or if you want to do more- Here are 5 simple ways you can help pass health care reform.
Yes NOW IS THE TIME to ACT. Even though we are not "home" yes we can make a change for America tonight.
Mid America Mom
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-North-American-Leaders-Summit/
Continuing his efforts to strengthen partnerships with North American leaders, the President has been in Guadalajara, Mexico the past two days at the North American Leaders Summit. Joined by Mexican President Felipe Calderón and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, President Obama described the spirit of the summit, "Indeed, in the 21st century, North America is defined not simply by our borders, but by our bonds."
Aug. 10 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama told his Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon that he is committed to resolving a dispute over truck access to U.S. highways.
Obama said he will also address safety concerns about the trucks raised by the U.S. Congress, an administration official said after the two leaders met in Guadalajara yesterday at a summit of North American leaders. Calderon told Obama that the dispute has hurt trade, raised consumer costs and reduced job creation, according to a statement from his press office.
Removing restrictions that prevent Mexican trucks from delivering goods across the border has been a top issue for Calderon since the U.S. Congress, citing safety concerns, ended a pilot program in March that allowed some trucks access. Mexico retaliated by imposing $2.4 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods after the program ended, affecting companies such as Procter & Gamble Co., the world’s largest household-products maker.
U.S. exporters such as Appleton Papers Inc. of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Mary Kay Inc., the Dallas-based cosmetics seller, have urged Obama to reach an agreement to put Mexican trucks back on U.S. roads and end the tariffs imposed on makers of paper, batteries, toothpaste and grapes.
Closely held Appleton is a member of the Alliance to Keep U.S. Jobs, a group of companies formed to fight the tariffs. Other members include Caterpillar Inc., Smithfield Foods Inc. and PepsiCo Inc.
Nafta and Trucks
As part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. agreed to allow Mexican trucks unrestricted access to deliver goods in the U.S., a pledge it has never fully honored because safety advocates and union officials say Mexico’s trucks and drivers don’t meet U.S. standards. Nafta rules would also have allowed Mexican trucks to pick up cargo to return to Mexico.
Around 4,500 Mexican trucking companies represented by the National Freight Transportation Chamber, known as Canacar, said in June they were seeking $6 billion in compensation from the U.S. because of the trucking conflict, alleging its northern neighbor wasn’t complying with Nafta.
In 2008, the U.S. and Mexico had $368 billion in trade, making Mexico the third-largest U.S. trading partner after Canada and China, according to the Commerce Department.
After their meeting, Obama and Calderon joined Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for dinner and a performance by a mariachi troupe. The three plan more meetings today before holding a joint press conference.
Drug Fight
Calderon and Obama also discussed cooperation on fighting drug cartels through the Merida Initiative, a three-year, $1.1 billion package of aid to Mexico that includes helicopters, intelligence sharing, and police training.
The U.S. is withholding 15 percent of the Merida funds until the State Department deems that Mexico has made progress on human rights. In today’s meeting, Obama underscored the importance of human rights and said Mexican progress on the issue will aid its fight against the drug cartels, the U.S. official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Obama and Calderon also discussed the importance of coordination before a possible rebound of the deadly H1N1 swine flu, the Mexican statement said. The two presidents agreed to synchronize efforts to track the spread of the disease and prepare for outbreaks, the U.S. official said.
Swine Flu
In May, the swine flu outbreak battered the Mexican economy as the government closed schools and restaurants, and foreign tourism revenue plunged. The flu may reduce Mexico’s gross domestic product 0.5 percent this year, according to central bank Governor Guillermo Ortiz.
Mexico recorded 146 deaths from swine flu among 17,416 total cases, the health ministry said Aug. 4. There were 43,771 cases worldwide of H1N1 flu and 302 deaths as of July 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Canada’s Harper told Calderon during a meeting yesterday that he won’t lift a requirement that Mexicans obtain visas before visiting the country. Canada announced the rule last month after a surge in refugee claims from Mexico.
The visa rule “has nothing to do with our bilateral relationship or broader issues; it is simply a control measure while we have problems in the refugee system,” Harper told reporters after the meeting. “It is not the fault of the government of Mexico, very clearly. This is a problem of the Canadian refugee law.”
Harper said he hopes Canadian lawmakers will work to streamline the way refugee claims are dealt with. Harper is in a minority government and needs support from opposition lawmakers to amend the immigration system.
To contact the reporter on this story: Nicholas Johnston in Guadalajara at njohnston3@bloomberg.net; Jens Erik Gould in Guadalajara at jgould9@bloomberg.net
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aiVLrrhUWbiU
If not - I bet 100% you know someone that is.
This is About YOU, us.
Cead Mile Failte! Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!
*FACT. did you know Obama is 3% Irish ? Story here
*The world wide humorous Irish video sensation “There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’bama” on Youtube
*President O’Bama is a icon around the world! “O’Bama” made an “appearance” at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Toronto Canada this year. Actually TWO did. One was complete with secret service and “the Beast”. Here are some of our pictures of the parade.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/tshop144/Toronto/HPIM1474.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/tshop144/Toronto/HPIM1514.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/tshop144/Toronto/HPIM1485.jpg
(Yes I had my Irish O’Bama button and my husband Mike had his O’Bama green teeshirt on though it does not show up well in the pics.)
*Today everything IS Irish in the Washington DC. Article here
Blessings: May there always be work for your hands to do.May your purse always hold a coin or two.May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane.May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.May the hand of a friend always be near you.And may God fill your heartwith gladness to cheer you.
Blessings:
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart
with gladness to cheer you.
Moms for O'Bama
(Don't forget to host or join thousands of others in a pledge for change canvass THIS WEEKEND)
Thursday, 19th February 2009
Ottawa, Canada
www.whitehouse.gov
Tuesday, 17th February 2009
Washington, D.C.
President Barack Obama will travel Thursday to Ottawa, Canada, with his top economic, environmental and national security advisers.
National Economic Council director Lawrence Summers, climate czar Carol Browner and National Security Adviser James L. Jones will make the day trip with Obama to meet Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “The president is eager to develop a close personal relationship with the prime minister,” Obama foreign policy adviser Denis McDonough told reporters Tuesday, “but he also wanted key White House staff” with him because of the items on his agenda: the economic stimulus package, energy and trade and the troop buildup in Afghanistan. Others joining the president include homeland security adviser John Brennan, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. The Canadian visit will be low-profile and quick. Obama and Harper will meet for a working lunch and later take four questions from the American and Canadian media. The president will leave Washington Thursday morning and return by the evening.
Friday, 23rd January 2009
President Barack Obama’s speech on the Middle East and the arrival of Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state both signalled one thing on Thursday: the Obama administration’s emphasis on diplomacy.
In visiting the state department on Hillary Clinton’s first day in her new job, President Obama sent a strong signal of, as he put it, his “commitment to the importance of diplomacy and renewing American leadership”.
Thursday, 22nd January 2009
President Barack Obama is expected to sign an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay prison within a year.
A draft order circulated on Wednesday also called for halting military trials in the prison, where terror suspects had been held for years without trial.
Separate orders are expected to ban abusive interrogations and review the detention of terror suspects.
On his first full day in office on Wednesday, Mr Obama issued orders on government ethics and transparency.
The measures included curbs on lobbying and a pay freeze for senior White House staff. Federal employees will have to sign up to new ethics procedures.
Later Mr Obama and his advisers are expected to discuss the global economic downturn affecting the US and also the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Sworn again
Late on Wednesday, a panel in the House of Representatives gave its support to a $358bn government spending package, giving the first post-inaugural backing to the Democrats' economic plans.
Obama sworn in for second time
Mr Obama - who was sworn in as America's new president on Tuesday - said he was beginning "a new era of openness" in government.
He was sworn in for a second time late on Wednesday, because one word had been out of order when the oath was first administered.
The White House said the ceremony had been repeated in an "abundance of caution".
On Wednesday, the US Senate confirmed the appointment of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state.
Senators earlier approved six Cabinet members, including Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary and Steven Chu as energy secretary. Several other positions are still to be confirmed.
Trials suspended
The draft executive order on the Guantanamo Bay in Cuba was circulated by the Obama administration on Wednesday.
Obama diary: The first 100 daysBorn on Obama's inauguration dayIn pictures: Obama's first full day
"The detention facilities at Guantanamo for individuals covered by this order shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than one year from the date of this order," the draft read, according to Reuters.
It says anyone still in detention when the prison is shut "shall be returned to their home country, released, transferred to a third country or transferred to another United States detention facility".
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a White House official said the order would be signed on Thursday.
Mr Obama has repeatedly promised to close the Guantanamo Bay, where some 250 inmates accused of having links to terrorism remain and 21 cases are pending.
On Wednesday, judges suspended several of the military trials of terror suspects at Guantanamo, at Mr Obama's request. One trial involved several men accused in the 11 September attacks in the US.
The legal process has been widely criticised because the US military acts as jailer, judge and jury, the BBC's Jonathan Beale reports from Guantanamo.
However, closing Guantanamo Bay will not be easy, he says. Questions remain over where those charged will be tried and where those freed can be safely sent.
On Thursday, Mr Obama is also expected to issue a separate executive banning abusive interrogation techniques such as waterboarding - a form of simulating drowning used by the CIA.
The president is also expected to order a review of America's detention policies, a White House official said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7843864.stm
WASHINGTON — President Obama moved swiftly on Wednesday to impose new rules on government transparency and ethics, using his first full day in office to freeze the salaries of his senior aides, mandate new limits on lobbyists and demand that the government disclose more information.
Mr. Obama called the moves, which overturned two policies of his predecessor, “a clean break from business as usual.” Coupled with Tuesday’s Inaugural Address, which repudiated the Bush administration’s decisions on everything from science policy to fighting terrorism, the actions were another sign of the new president’s effort to emphasize an across-the-board shift in priorities, values and tone.
“For a long time now there’s been too much secrecy in this city,” Mr. Obama said at a swearing-in ceremony for senior officials at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to the White House. He added, “Transparency and rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/us/politics/22obama.html?_r=1&hp
YOUR PICTURE GALLERY IS NOW LOADING...
Barack Obama has had a busy schedule on his first full day in office as US president. The first public stop for the president and First Lady Michelle Obama was a service at Washington's National Cathedral.
Monday, 19th January 2009
Martin Luther King Jr., Day
On January 20th, Barack Obama will be sworn in as our next president. Text HISTORY to 56333 to sign up for updates on how you can be a part of this historic moment wherever you are.
Please read the Congressional Inaugural Committee Issues Final Alert:
http://inaugural.senate.gov/media/releases/release-011809-finalalert.cfm
www.change.gov
President Elect Obama’s initiative to Renew America Together begins today. Taking action locally is the first step to restoring the promise of our great nation—today people across the country will attend service events in their communities to answer the President Elect’s call to service.
It’s not too late for you to get involved. Find an event to attend later today at USAservice.org or text SERVICE to 56333 for more information.
Once again the MSM and other folks are at it again. Can you believe he picked so and so? They are not x and x enough or they did x and x and still were picked? What is he thinking?
Folks where is the TRUST?
Earlier this month President-Elect Obama had his first press conference. And yes discussion did come up on that nagging problem- the dog situation - and Obama called himself a "Mutt" ;)
Sidebar: now how many of us have had to discuss having a dog with our family? Besides the fun and joy ---there is all that the kids fail to acknowledge- the potty training and cleaning up the yard--who is going to feed it. I feel for the Obama's!
But that comment brought back to mind the historic nature of his election and how race still does play a part in our country. A point that has been lost in the economy noise. I could write a whole blog on this, but true to this series, we share two blogs... our stories from the roots.
I didn't really feel the excitement until we got the official word from CNN that Barack Obama was now the President-elect and our 44th President of the United States. I haven't been able to stop watching CNN and all the various programs about our new President. I'm so charged with renewed patriotism over this. I feel so completely trusting in Barack and the people he will surround himself with in the White House. What a great man he is, he's the real thing (genuine) I mean. He knows exactly what he wants to do and he's inspired so many people its almost intoxicating.
Last night I watched D.L. Hugely's show on CNN and Jessie Jackson Jr. was on. He said something so profound, that we all are now challenged to live up to the standards Barack Obama has set. As people, neighbors, in our communitys and around the world. That when we leave our homes we now represent The United States of America and our President Barack Obama. Now we must roll up our sleeves and get down to the work at hand doing whatever we can to make each others lives meaningful and to be of service to each other. I realized when he said that that our world as we knew it prior to November 4, 2008 has changed forever and this time for the greater good of all.
Wow! What more can I saw except count me in. I'm in BC and close to the border of Washington state. If there are any local groups here in BC or Washington please drop me a line. The first thing I want to do is get an Obama t-shirt. I know that sounds trivial but I want to show my pride. Anyway the Obama Biden campaigne doesn't ship to Canada. So is anybody in Washington willing to order a t-shirt for me? I like the Black ladies t that says Obama Mama in medium if possible. Otherwise maybe I can get it sent to general delivery in Blaine, WA.
So love to hear your thoughts. In the meantime and for a long time my motto has been "be the change you want to see in this world" by Gandhi. Also I want to thank Oprah for all the good vides she and all her fans (including myself) have been sending out into the world. Lets keep up the good work!!
Election Night my husband and I gathered our lifesize Obama cutout, dressed the family in our
Obama gear, and with signs and stickers headed to an election night party with Democrats in
Toronto Canada.
As a newly arrived American (my husband is attending school) I had mixed feelings last night.
My kitchen table issues are more tied to another country than my own and sentiment and foreign
relations is on the menu. It seems Canadians watch our elections more than their own...we even
had their politicians at our watch parties!
It is hard to express the feelings. We elected Senator Barack Obama our president! Joy, Pride,
Relief, HOPE. For a moment I thought NO- this is not real.
-This campaign has taken up much of my life for almost 2 years. I never would have imagined
being so passionate and involved in a campaign but how could I not with the state of affairs we
have ourselves in and such an exceptional candidate? The campaign was a family affair;
parades, canvassing, events, even the Iowa caucus.
One of my baby's first words was OBAMA and my oldest child is a veteran parade marcher. And
now I can point to the president and say there is a hero.
His message of hope and promise inspired me to ACT back then, for my family and myself and
others by starting the Moms for Obama, and still does! This is THE leader that we, America and
the WORLD, needs NOW. Election night was also a reminder of what we can do when we put our
energy and commitment to making things better. It takes a once in a lifetime leader to summon
the best from us, for all. We are ready to work on getting our country back on track with a new
engine!
Though I was with my new friends from Democrats Abroad, a few Moms, and our Canadian
supporters I missed being with all those friends I made in the Obama online world. Yes the Moms
for Obama group is still open for membership and blogs (as long as the campaign lets it),
features a daily music feature, and who knows what else will come along ;) They, we were real...
existed not just online but in person, over the phone, or personal emails. Helped to organize,
inspire, and share with for 21 months. They also were a constant for us as we moved 2 times. As
we became immediately involved in local activites (thank you NW Suburbs of Chicago for Obama
and Toronto for Obama). It truly is a community with a shared vision and determination. As a
member I look forward to taking on whatever mission President Obama sends our way.
************
And I completed a political journey on November 4. It is official. I am a Obama Republican, yep
now a moderate Democrat, and proud of it!
***********
*Back to the party- my two little girls with our Obama cutout were a big hit at the party. Those
images were picked up in the Canadian print and TV! Here they are:
CBC News story - http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/05/obama-election-halifax.html
PHOTO (mis quote on names- they are supposed to be Kayla 4 and Jenna 2)then VIDEO http://www.thestar.com/fpLarge/video/530871
******************************************************
Day after headlines on papers here:
Like many other people last night, at precisely 11PM when the polls closed in California, Oregon and Washington, and Keith Olbermann called the election, I started to cry. Steady, solid, weeping that kept coming in waves.
Then I glanced at the screen where the MSNBC director was flipping from one celebration to another and saw many others crying: Blacks, whites, Asians, Hispanics, young, old, men, women, all over the country. A series of individual shots that, together, redefined the United States of America last night.
There was a student at Spellman College in Atlanta who collapsed in tears and was being comforted by her friends.
Then Oprah was leaning on the shoulder of the man in front of her as she cried uncontrollably, Jesse Jackson standing directly behind her with two rivers flowing freely down his face.
A quick shot of a nursing home day room where elderly white men and woman, some in wheelchairs, one man wearing an American Legion cap, some cheering and some wiping their eyes with tissues.
Cut to a sports bar in Georgia where white and black faces kissed each other, and hugged.
And always back to Grant Park in Chicago. The roar of the poor, the tired, the huddled masses yearning to be free lifting their voices and their smiles and their hands in relief and jubilation and ecstacy and exhaustion.
I thought of my mother, who died in 1996. She had my sister and me sit in front of the television when Dr. Martin Luther King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial before an endless sea of people who only had hope for a different tomorrow. Their - our - tomorrow finally came at 11PM Eastern time last night. I remembered how she wanted to go to that rally but Dad talked her out of it because it might become "dangerous." It turned out, the only dangerous thing was Dr. King's ideas.
John McCain came on screen in Pheonix to concede, giving the best speech of his campaign and silencing the yahoo's in the crowd who booed when he mentioned Barack Obama. Then back to the studio where someone was reading a White House transcript of Bush's congratulatory call to Obama where he told the President-elect to "go out and enjoy yourself." Only George W. Bush would hand the presidency of a country he came close to ruining to someone by saying Obama should "enjoy himself." It was akin to urging people to shop after 9/11.
Finally, there was Obama himself. He gave a better, more encompassing vicory speech than most inaugural addresses over the past 30 years.
Someone, it might have been Chris Mathews, said he looked "exhausted." He may have been that after 20 months of campaigning but, to me, he looked somber. Written all over Obama's face was the reality of the burden he suddenly bore, not just for himself and the country but the entire world. Even after his speech, when Joe Biden and his family and the throng of relatives and well-wishers crowded around him, he couldn't shake the look of a man who suddenly realises how alone he is.
I remember what Jack Kennedy said the first morning he was president and walked into the Oval Office. Surrounded by long-time aides and advisors, he sat in the chair behind the Lincoln desk that he requested be brought out from the Smithsonian Institute, looked up and asked, "Now what the hell do we do?" Last night, Obama's face showed that he knew full well "what the hell do we do."
But he's not alone. He has tens of millions of people around the country, and around the world, there to help. For those of us who helped make this morning possible, our work has just begun.
So finally the moment arrives...this historic moment! Take tonight to revel in the success brought upon by hard work, determination and a great message for the world.
Tomorrow the planning begins, for change. Change we need, change we can live with and change we cannot live without.
To all my American neighbours, relatives and friends, my heartiest thanks and congratulations. To all the members of Canada for Obama, Canadians for Obama and related groups, thank you from me.
Canada is the traditional first official state visit for a newly elected President of the US. I hope to be somewhere nearby and get to hear him speak.
Rick O'Banion
Head Admin
Canada for Obama, Canadians for Obama
