Communications Advisor, Ben Rhodes, outlined the President’s itinerary for his upcoming trip to Asia. The President’s plan to spend a portion of Veteran’s Day in Alaska has been changed due to the memorial at Fort Hood. According to Rhodes, they will be making the first stop of the trip in Alaska on Thursday, Nov 12 — “it’s actually the President’s first stop in Alaska” said Rhodes. The President will speak troops at Elmendorf Air Force Base, and take the opportunity to thank them for their service.From there the President will travel on to Tokyo, arriving on Friday, Nov 13. This is the President’s first trip to Asia and he has a full agenda as he attempts to renew America’s alliances and forge new partnerships in the region. The issues to be addressed include economic recovey; efforts in Afghanistan, which are supported by several Asian partners; nuclear weapons, and clean energy and combating climate change.
Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director & Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) announced some “big news” this afternoon. The President signed THE VETERANS HEALTH CARE BUDGET REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY ACT, permanently changing the funding process for VA healthcare.
According to Rieckhoff, the legislation was the IAVA’s number one priority for the year, legislation they’ve been fighting for since January. Rieckhoff says “The new law requires Congress to pass the VA healthcare budget one year in advance. It means no more rationed care for veterans- regardless of what year it is, or what party is in power. Period.”
Activists are using every opportunity to reach the President, the most recent group bought tickets to a San Francisco fundraiser to deliver a peace petition to the President.
Code Pink made news recently when the Christian Science Monitor reported that co-founder Medea Benjamin was suggesting that there might be room for alternative strategies and an extended timeline for the military in Afghanistan.� Co-founder Jodie Evans quickly clarified this in an interview with Scott Horton, saying that Kabul should be the model “It’s the only safe place in the country … people can get healthcare and education … we need to expand the success of Kabul to the rest of the country.”
While some planned protests against “death panels” that don’t exist, others began lining up as early as 3:00 pm on Wednesday for what many believe is simply “a cool thing to see”. A sitting President doesn’t often visit any part of Montana, let alone the small town of Belgrade.
But mostly they were like Kathie Lehman of Belgrade who works at the Flying J and got in line after her 3 a.m. shift, still dressed in her work uniform. ‘I was 65th in line,’ she said. ‘At 5:30 a.m., there were about 135 people in sleeping bags sleeping.’ She gave up her dual Japanese citizenship in order to vote for the President, “I think he gives us so much hope.”
Robert Gibbs announced the President's schedule for the week. On the President's agenda in Las Vegas, sometimes funny man responds, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." This week's events include the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and a meeting with Palestinian President Abbas.
Full Week after the jump.
President Obama addressed the graduating class at Annapolis Naval Academy this week, offering some light-hearted commentary before delivering a thoughtful and deferential address.
"Now, I know it’s customary at graduation for guests to bring a gift. And I have. All midshipmen on restriction for minor conduct offenses are hereby officially absolved. (Applause.) I did say “minor.” (Laughter.)
Midshipmen, I’m told that the extra ribbon on your chest is for the honor you earned, for only the second time in the storied history of the Naval Academy — the Navy’s Meritorious Unit Commendation Award. So I’ve consulted with Admiral Fowler, and I can make this announcement: For all you midshipmen returning next fall, I hereby grant you something extra — an extra weekend. (Applause.) I should stop now. (Laughter.)"
jump
The senior boys of Marshfield High School, in Coos Bay, OR, will be pleased to know they are in prestigious company with their fundraising efforts for the Share Bear Snack Pack program.
Arms. Who would have guessed that in the middle of an economic collapse while we’re engaged in two wars and the ecology in jeopardy, anybody would even think to make an issue about a woman’s arms. But reporting every minute detail of the President and his family has been going on since “Lady Washington” went shopping for “new fashioned” shoes as she traveled to her new home in New York, at 58 years old. Mrs. Lincoln, as well, was criticized at every turn, for everything from her expensive clothing to her “loud and unrefined” nature, by a new generation of female journalists whom she dubbed the “vampyre press.”
Sadly, that tradition hasn’t changed either, as the harshest critics of Mrs. Obama’s arms have come from women who have written of her arms with headlines that shout “call to arms”, “right to bare arms”, and the unbelievable “buff-arm fetish”.
New Year Resolution: No LNG pipelines in Oregon or America
The blinding light of a sobering reality is in our faces again, now that the buzz of Holiday cheer wears off. Like a wicked hangover, the Oregon Liquid Natural Gas(LNG) pipeline proposal will not go away with a simple pain reliever. The same kind of hangover that Coal and Nuclear power industries have caused over the years.
I thought of three new cocktail names for the Palomar and TransCanada corporations Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Oregon pipeline plan. The “Clear-cut LNG Chardonnay Spritzer”, “Mt. Hood LNG Terminator Stout”, and the intoxicating “LNG Island Ice Tea.”
It should be noted that even one of these beverages is irresponsible drinking and could send the average Oregonian into a coma. Palomar and TransCanada corporation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, are like bad bartenders over-serving toxic cocktails to water thirsty customers.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission(FERC)is the energy industries, friendly federal agency. FERC has endorsed the Oregon LNG plan and believes a LNG pipeline is critically needed energy and a sound environmental idea. Working together they have persuaded NW Natural Gas to join the project.
In fact, FERC has endorsed over eighty proposed LNG pipeline sites across America. Most of the construction for these sites have been delayed with environmental lawsuits.
FERC has been in the pockets of large corporate polluters for decades. The commission has both advocated and created the term, “Clean Coal”. The term “Clean-Coal” is an oxymoron and was used by both political parties through out the presidential campaign. There is no such thing as “Clean-Coal”, its a dirty and toxic energy source. The only thing “green” about it, is the color of money.
Recently, in Tennessee, millions of gallons of toxic coal sludge has spilled out destroying Agriculture and drinking water in that community. The coal industry spokesman stated they didn’t know how long it would take to clean up, or how to clean it up and if they could ever clean it up entirely. Arsenic and other toxins are permanently in the environment.
FERC, currently tells the public that Nuclear-reactors are a great idea, both safe and clean.
A decade after the people of Oregon forced the closure of Hanford Nuclear facility on the Columbia River, wind surfers have unexplained illnesses and rashes. Fishermen describe fish with extra eyes and mutated spinal bones found downstream.
FERC, leaves the radioactive contamination facts out of the, “safe and clean”, Nuclear energy endorsement.
These are the same kind of shortsighted energy policies that Palomar and TransCanada plan for the LNG pipeline. They tell the public that this is a safe energy source with no environmental impacts or risk.
The Federal guidelines required to build LNG pipelines mandate a 100 foot clear-cut on both sides of the path. This is stated for necessary “safety precautions”. A proposed 73 mile portion of the pipeline travels through the protected Mt. Hood forest. This means that additional road construction and increased logging for the Mt. Hood Wilderness.
Environmental researchers prove clear cuts cause mudslides in rivers and have massive environmental impacts that are catastrophic to our public forests. Fishermen tell us that the mudslides destroy salmon runs and prevent the salmon ability to navigate up streams. As the climate continues to warm, clear-cut forests have increased fire probability and turn public forests into tender boxes and powder kegs.
LNG is made with the high pressure compression of natural gas and freezing it at a negative 260 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it more violative and dangerous as it runs through metal pipes in the forest. If the pipeline is disrupted through earthquakes or a single human error, the result is like throwing a bomb of highly flammable jet fuel on our already terrible dry and mismanaged public forests. A loss of valuable, public forest resources,private properties and probably human lives.
Pacific-Green Party of Oregon has many members in opposition on this issue with many groups and individuals working years on public education of LNG.
For example,Steve Jones and Jody McCaffree, are the founders of Citizens Against LNG and their campaign web site is Citizensagainstlng.com. This group is based in North Bend and pioneered the opposition against Liquid Natural Gas. Steve Jones questions the environmental impacts and public safety surrounding the proposal. They have fought the Jordan Cove proposal in Coos County and recently gained a legal victory from the Oregon Land Use Board.
The Jordan Cove pipeline proposal would allow LNG to be stored and shipped in large ocean vessels. These LNG ships are literally enormous floating bombs. Schools, hospitals and ocean marine life near the proposed location are all at risk. The Coos County environmental impact is enormous, all in the name of LNG profits.
The Federal guidelines for LNG transportation in Jordan Cove requires both Coast Guard ship and helicopter escorts. Helicopter costs alone are three thousand dollars an hour. The continual estimated cost of Federal escorts is at two hundred thousand dollars per LNG shipload. LNG campaign wants American tax dollars to be used for assisting their private profits.
Another example of wasted tax money for energy profits is President Bush and Vice President Cheney Republican friends at HalliBurton Incorporated. HalliBurton has been profitting in Afghanistan and Iraq for several years with natural gas and petroleum pipelines. A total injustice and outrage to all American taxpayers.
In addition, Palamar/TransCanada CEO Peter Hanson and Vice President Mohammed Alrai, are involved with shady foreign investors. Some sources report that there are Middle Eastern interests and possible Iranian interests involved in Canadian owned LNG projects. More research needs to be done on the International connections behind LNG projects.
The LNG pipeline campaign web site is www.oregonlng.com. The web site was designed to address the property owners and legislative concerns. The environmental impacts of LNG are missing from the web site propaganda. Take a look at it and judge for yourself.
In conclusion, Liquid Natural Gas, Nuclear and Coal energy are risky gambles with our environment and a threat to public safety. LNG pipelines place Oregon and the entire countries quality of life in jeopardy. LNG industries are misleading the public and distorting environmental impact studies. It is fradulent to claim that LNG is a local Oregon project to meet Oregon energy needs. LNG would be shipped to other countries and the pipeline is designed to fuel California. Palomar and TransCanada increase their profits internationally, with total disregard for the communities they are exploiting.
LNG is an unneeded risk, much like over consuming too many “LNG Island Ice Teas” after a holiday party and speeding in a car. Consuming less energy, while advocating and constructing wind and solar power are safer and greener alternatives.
A toast to the Pacific-Green Party of Oregon, Mr. Bill Bradbury of the State of Oregon, Steve Jones and Jody McCaffree with Citizens Against LNG and for their continued work opposing LNG pipelines in Oregon.
In Salem, on January 13th, Citizens against LNG lobbied legislatures to do the sober, responsible thing and oppose the LNG pipeline proposals. I encourage everyone to join my New Year resolution let your Legislatures and FERC know the opposition.
Old Obi-Wan Kenobi's last words just popped into my head. Not that the conversation was about Star Wars at all -- we were actually taking about charges of impeachment and war crimes on George Bush and Dick Cheney . . . but the "Obi-Wan Kenobi syndrome" is nevertheless applicable: "If you strike me down, I shall become powerful than you can possibly imagine."Blame the above-mentioned, pseudo-insightful analogy on my self-induced sleep-deprived 4-day road trip from Oregon to D.C. for tomorrow's historic Inauguration. But it seemed to strike a chord with Laura, so I figured: What the hell. I'll share it with you too.I suppose it's now somewhat of a moot point -- considering today is President Bush's FINAL day in office (!!!), but if our party is to engage in further charging the 43rd president with treasonous war crimes (of which, yes, I do believe there is a strong argument to make in regards to his abuse of executive power, privilege, and blatant lies to the American people), then we risk making an already pathetic GW even more pathetically appealing to a public that's proved time and time again how much we love to forgive. You see, by stoking the fire of impeachment/investigation, we actually risk elevating the party of a man whose political capital is so spent and whose name and reputation is so tarnished; we risk a potential comeback for the Republicans to rally around.It's a risk Democrats can't afford. Like American moviegoers did when we saw Olive Stone's bitingly clever "W" this last fall, empathy may kick-in and families -- entire communities of Joe six packs and Plumbers and whoever would feel sorry for G.W. and Poor President George would be the sad sentiment of forgiving short-term memory America. That attitude would dangerously pave the way for a Jeb or a Newt or a Jindal to lead the charge of rallying behind their washed-up past president. I'll say it again and in bold print: It's a risk we can't afford. After all, when one leaves the highest office in the land with the lowest approval rating (22%) since the Gallup Poll started taking ratings over 70 years ago, we should recognize that geez, all George and the G.O.P. can do is go back up.Barack Obama must be aware of this. Believe it or not, there are larger fish to fry than grilling Bush and seeking political payback (something many Dems have been longing to see for a long, long time). But we must be patient. And for the sake of our nation, we MUST move forward.There's a photo-shopped pic of Barack Obama (with a lightsabre in-hand) on our local county party's refrigerator. Though the President-elect Obama looks pretty cool among a sea of molten lava with the weapon of a Jedi in hand, Obama is no Jedi. He's no deity. He's no divine entity. We may like to think so, but no. He's just a man like you and I. But unlike you and I, tomorrow he will hold the most important and honored keys to the kingdom: executive powers, privilege and the Constitutional responsibilities of the President of the United States. However, thanks to the constitutional terrorists Dick Cheney and George W. Bush, a President Obama and future executives governing from the Oval Office can now wield a rather dangerous authority and a most unprecedented Patriot Act of power. When the Obama/Lincoln parallels are drawn, I'll admit, even as a true-blue, National Obama Delegate, I'm a bit alarmed when considering Abraham Lincoln's Civil War suspension of the Constitution. Realizing exactly how much authority team Bush-Cheney has granted the office of our president, I -- and every free thinking American -- should raise an eyebrow. Wire-tapping, suspension of habeas corpus, Orwellian monitoring of U.S. citizens under ANY administration is cause for serious concern. Unlike this past, most failed administration that has successfully waged war on our freedoms and declared Jihad on the Constitution, President Obama's team will undoubtedly be forced to rise above. At least, we hope so.I trust Obama to do what's right. More importantly, I trust in our ability as American to rightfully ensure that our president remains the Barack Obama we celebrate today and fought so hard in so many frigid and brutal primaries to nominate and elect as our 44th president of these United States. Yes, indeed, America, we did. And, as this National Day of Service illustrates, we most certainly will continue to do! Clearly, I'm quite glad to be in D.C. to see, firsthand, the ultimate highlight to this most storied journey. Weeping, like I was in the Helena office for the announcement of our victory the evening of Montana primary; weeping, like I was in Denver with our dynamic Oregon Delegation; and weeping like I was -- like you were too -- on the evening of November 4, 2008, tomorrow, I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two of joy and sorrow . . . of hope and change . . . of trust and recognition of this beautifully historical impact we've made for our future.Thank you, Mr. President -- Obama, that is! (And hell, I suppose we owe the last guy a thank you as well.)
Live from Washingtion, D.C. (at the Old Ebbit Grill - sitting next to Kim and Leslie from Dallas, Texas), Matt Keating, Delegate (OR-4)
It isn’t often that a teacher gets to educate kids on a topic that already has them captivated and enthused. The Inauguration of Barack Obama is just such an occasion and presents a number of avenues a teacher can take, from civil rights to government to Presidential history. Children have been involved in this election in a huge number and in so many creative ways. Some sang songs of courage and unity, some sang rounds of “yes we can”, others did their own version of “baracknroll”. They drew pictures and sold their home-baked cookies and some even emptied their piggy banks. Little Damon William even got a press credentials to the inaugural activities.
With kids already this excited, introducing lessons on the Presidents, the Inauguration, or the Government has never been easier. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has joined with the two teachers unions to present lesson plans, as have a number of other organizations. Obama-Mamas.com has compiled a list of resources that are free and have downloads and complete lesson plans.
The response to President Obama’s call to serve is already taking off in a big way, according to Nicola Goren, of the country’s service organization, The Corporation for National and Community Service. They are working with the Presidential Inaugural Committee to organize the greatest day of service in the country’s history. President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden, and their families will also serve on the January 19 holiday in the Washington D.C. area.
Hyperbole aside, our voice — our VOTE mattered! I truly believe our collective efforts have helped save our city, save our community college, save our county, save our state, save our country and save our planet. For that, we thank you.
President-elect Barack Obama’s in-box will undoubtedly be monstrous. His team, already being assembled, will certainly have their hands full of an unfathomable economic, domestic and international mess. But locally - right here in Lane County - we can assist our 44th president by staying actively involved. We must remain as dedicated to the cause of change as we were leading up to that most memorable Tuesday, Novemeber 4. Yes, we did - but now we must buckle down and “be the change we want to see.”
Join fellow Dems/Eugene for Obama-Biden/Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Obama on Thursday, November 20 at the monthly Democratic Party of Lane County Central Committee meeting. Stay plugged-in to local, state and national politics and celebrate, with great revelry, our long path to victory. (DPLC Central Committee meetings are normally held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at EWEB. The Novemeber DPLC meeting/volunteer “thank you” pot-luck, however, is at the Woodworkers Union Hall at 1116 S. “A” Street in Springfield -- 6:30 p.m. -- RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx2jw.)
With your help, we will not only implement president-elect Obama’s environmental awareness, education reform, health care and social improvement plans on a local level, but we must also hold ALL our elected officials accountable. Stay engaged. Be the Change.
See you Thursday, Novemeber 20 at the Woodworkers' Union Hall in Springfield for our DPLC volunteer “thank you” potluck. Yes, Lane County, we did! And as Rep. Chris Edwards likes to say, "Now let’s get to work!"
Matt Keating, Candidate for Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Lane County
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, Matt Keating and Mario Parker-Milligan at the Lane County Elections Watch Party, 11-4-08 (photo by JB BOTWINICK/The Torch).
We have arrived at the very moment we all worked so hard for. Barack Obama is now the President Elect of the United States. Lets all pledge to support him during his years as our President. We need to stand behind him even when we disagree with some of his decisions, we need to stand behind him when things look bad, when he is receiving critcism and praise. I am not saying that we do not make our disagreements known. What I am saying is that once a decision is made and done lets not forget it is us who decided to trust him to do what he thinks is right for our country. I certainly am commiting to praying for him and for his family. That God would give him wisdom, strength,humility, and show him mercy when the weight of the world is on his shoulders.
This is an incredible time in our nations history, lets pledge to continue to be involved...
YES WE CAN!!!! YES WE CAN!!! YES WE CAN!!!
Everything that happened in the campaign was the easy part. Now, we're responsible for doing the right thing not only for the United States, but for the world.
May God grant us the wisdom to do the best we possibly can at all times, and may we listen to what others have to say before we act.
