Foreign Policy

how can we help; how can we be heard?

J McKniff — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:51:15 EST

During the campaign, we organized, canvassed, GOTV. We served in policy groups, foreign policy here, moderated local platform meetings, did calling from home with on line tools. now, virtually none of that is happening? why are the ideals, ideas and energy of so many volunteers just being tossed and ignored? It feels so much more top down, we don't need your ideas, just call from time to time. Help me to understand, please. How do others feel?

Obama's Leadership Has Won Major Historic Achievements: Why Can't We Say So?

Joseph — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:19:42 EST

Pres. Barack Obama's has been one of the most fevered and frenzied in history, in terms of crises to be dealt with, major meetings with world leaders, on matters of global, long-term consequence, and in terms of advancing major humanitarian and democratic goals. And yet, the national media continue to obsess over the right-wing lie-machine that paints Obama as weak, irresponsible and presiding over a time of chaos and disorder. We need to change this dynamic, and we need to do it with deliberate effort and intelligent planning.

We need to treat every encounter that in any way touches on politics, in the coming year, as a caucus vote: it's up to those of us who support Obama, his agenda and his methods, his better brand of politics, to remind and to persuade, to make sure our friends and neighbors see the truth and not the lies and the facile rhetorical mashups being propagated by the know-nothing quote-happy mainstream media.

Obama has got China and Russia to sign on to his plans for a world without nuclear weapons. This alone is possibly the single most important diplomatic breakthrough since the detente of the 1980s. He has already advanced on this front to a point where the US and Russia are about to sign an agreement significantly reducing their stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

For the first time in history, both China and India have agreed to the central principles of a global effort to curb carbon emissions, green the economy, and protect the natural heritage of future generations of humanity. This, again, is a diplomatic achievement that dwarfs nearly anything seen in recent decades. On both counts, Obama is open about his view that these are only the first, tentative steps, and that far more needs to be done.

The economic situation of one year ago was apocalyptic; it looked like the coming of a second great depression, and the prospect of 500 or more bank failures this year alone was not unrealistic. There was talk of 12 million foreclosures in one year and unemployment reaching over 20%. Pres. Obama's cogent and visionary economic recovery plan, which was designed to be incremental, so that the economy would not be forced to stand on its own after just a quick, random burst of stimulus, has saved millions of jobs and likely hundreds of banks as well.

The economic situation remains hard for average people, but it is far from the doomsday scenario that was being predicted just one year ago. And that's an historic achievement for Obama. He has expanded help to the unemployed, expanded health insurance for poor children, through SCHIP, and devoted record amounts of funding to clean energy technologies and zero-emissions vehicles.

He is building the most far-reaching and credible transparency-oriented infrastructure for government record-keeping the world has ever seen. He has ordered every agency of the executive branch to participate in and to plan along with an "open government initiative", which has given more ordinary people a direct say in government policy than at any time in history.

Now, at the end of a grueling year, in which the opposition, the center, his left-wing and much of his own party, has unfairly sought to blame him for the nation's woes —these attacks are so unfair, even Sen. Tom Coburn is defending Obama against such slander—, Obama has collected a Nobel Peace Prize, promoted a message of peace and cooperation around the world, acted to close the illegal detention camp at Guantánamo Bay, banned torture, is on the verge of passing healthcare reform of unprecedented scope, has secured the beginnings of the first true global climate accord, and he's already fighting for tough new financial regulatory reform.

We have to not only spend our time defending Obama against unfair attacks on his character and the nature of his leadership, we have to devote our energies to celebrating the tremendous accomplishments of his first year in office. We may never have seen so productive a first year, and there are concrete facts to back that up. Let's get out there and tell the truth about it all. Our nation deserves this president, because we chose him, because his vision is right for our times, and because we have a lot of cleaning up to do. Let's support him; let's help him blaze a trail toward a more just, more sustainable, freer and more prosperous American future.

Democrats Need to Fight EVERY Race EVERYWHERE in 2010

Joseph — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:38:35 EST

The Democratic party needs to take stock of the political climate, turn off the pundit-box and take a closer look at the meaning of the polls. Then, get the word out. The conventional wisdom right now says the president is losing favor and the Democrats are even less popular. Almost no one on television seems to notice that the very polls they're reporting show the Republicans even more out of favor than Congressional Democrats.

This means that even with the staggering legislative and budgetary complications facing the Democratic party right now, and the array of crises Pres. Obama is forced to wrestle with, the Republicans have made literally zero gain in terms of public image, popularity or public trust. There are substantive reasons for that, not least of which is the party's total failure to offer any relevant proposals for solving the nation's many crises, which people still remember were engendered BY their policies.

What's more, there's a mythology about poll numbers which suggests that somehow Democrats' success in 2008 was entirely related to the popularity of Barack Obama as a presidential candidate. Obama did win by a landslide; even his popular vote victory was by a more than comfortable margin. But the Republican party stirred up a firestorm of passionate hate, which motivated an anti-Obama vote. What's more, the 2008 Democratic wave was a follow-on to the 2006 Democratic wave.

For all of Obama's virtues as a candidate, the Democratic agenda itself was gaining popularity ever since 2005, when it became clear to the mainstream general public the Iraq war was built on lies, involved torture and other abuses, and that the Bush administration was disinterested enough to let New Orleans descend into chaos before intervening after Hurricane Katrina.

The real secret to Democrats' success in 2008 was the Obama campaign's demand that the party compete everywhere. This was an extension of the Democratic National Committee's 2006 strategy, implemented by then Chairman Howard Dean, to compete for every seat. THERE IS NO REASON REPUBLICANS SHOULD HAVE A FREE RIDE, ANYWHERE, EVER. Especially now, when their politics has so disgracefully descended into hate language, fearmongering and programmatic distortions.

If there are 40 House seats "up for grabs", as some analysts suggest, arithmetical logic would say save half and the Democrats keep a substantial majority. But aiming for less than total victory is, inherently, unconvincing. It will undermine the entire party-wide effort, and help give Republicans momentum on shaping the rhetoric of 2010 and painting any loss as a defeat for the entire Democratic party.

So, we need to compete for every seat, regardless of geography, aim to raise record amounts from small donors, as did Barack Obama in 2008, and make sure efforts to get out the vote are strong, EVERYWHERE. Every Democratic or Democratic-friendly candidate in the country deserves a strong support system to keep the Republicans from gaining ground.

Court overruled labor strikers in favor of British Airways helping 1,000,000 Christmas travelers' reliance interest as paying customers making jobs possible for the employees! Reliance interest overrides labor if there are no contingency fees in Britain!

Lillene Ebanks — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:52:57 EST

I agree with the ruling as it stand on the reliance interest of the customers who pay tickets relying on business to perform without gross neglence due to labor strike! Without passangers you would not have a job strikers and your right is not higher than the customers' reliance interest and their finincial loses that would give rise to lawsuits in the US but England has no contingency fees so it would not have been a legal battle to get back travel related loses so the British Court had to protect the paying customers' reliance interest! That is my opinion on the judge's ruling in favor of British Airways and their customers!

Copenhagen Climate Summit: Our Generation's Response

EsquireUK — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:05:39 EST

“Our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it -- boldly, swiftly, and together -- we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.”
-President Barack Obama, September 22, 2009

"Climate change is a clear and present danger to our world that demands immediate attention. The United States is fully engaged and ready to lead and determined to make up for lost time, both at home and abroad."

-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, April 27, 2009

Climate Change is one of the greatest threats facing our planet, and the United States is taking significant action to meet this challenge. Under President Obama, the U.S. has done more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than ever before, and is demonstrating its commitment to lead through robust domestic action including historic investments in clean energy, stringent vehicle and appliance efficiency standards, and comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation that is making its way through Congress.
Stay Connected
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Gen. Stanley McChrystal said that "- am confident we have the right strategy and the right resources to be successfull"

Lillene Ebanks — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:21:51 EST

It is your war now President Obama and it will be your victory too! Happy reelection progressives 40! We have to wait on you as the other skull and bones team planned the demise of civil rights which is an afront to the United States Constitution that we fight so hard laying down our lives to protect! "He that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and will soar like eagles" Biblical Truth! We will wait UPON THe LORD! It is your war now President Obama amd it will be your victory too before you are reelected! Wait waiting is hard so never mind the firetrucks that say,"Adreline FD-the hotter the fire the harder we fight" They have two horses in the garage- a red Ford Mustang! and a yellow Ford Mustang!

Gen. Stanley McChrystal said that "- am confident we have the right strategy and the right resources to be successfull"

Lillene Ebanks — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:17:55 EST

It is your war now President Obama amd it will be your victory too before you are reelected!

The Way Forward is the Way Out

Ken — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:15:12 EST

Homeward bound, how sweet the sound! The only way forward in Afghanistan is to bring our troops home. Out is the only way forward. Everything else serves some other purpose.

Thanksgiving

Soleilmavis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:17:40 EST

Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, Victims all over the world, let Pray to The God. Thank him for standing on the Right, Just and Fair.
The God hears our crying, supports us, helps us.

Tomorrow, I will thank the God -- for all the wisdom, courage, help, support, and love he has brought into my life.
Tomorrow, I will also thank those who have concerned our suffering and have tried to help us -- for all the wisdom, courage, help, support and love they has brought into my life.

We are from different countries, different cultures, different religions, different races, different families..........
We reflect great diversity on the earth.
But we have common thread that we can share.
The God lets everyone on the earth live together here, coexistence and prosperity!!
The God lets victims work together, help each other.

So in this season of thanks giving, let pray The God together.

Let us express our gratitude to The God, to Everyone, and pray for a bright future we are creating together.

Yours Sincerely,
Soleilmavis
Video: God helped mind control victim

http://peacepink.ning.com/video/god-helped-mind-control-victim

The Bible--Proverbs
http://peacepink.ning.com/notes/index/show?noteKey=God_Bans_Mind_Control%2FDEW_weapons_abuses_and_tortures

State Visit To Build On U.S.- India Relations

EsquireUK — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:49:54 EST

http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/2009/November/20091120113847dmslahrellek0.1855127.html

Washington — The state visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is seen by the Obama administration as a new beginning for U.S.-India relations and a window to work on pressing issues, a senior U.S. diplomat says.

“This visit will be the first state visit of the administration and will highlight the strong and growing strategic partnership between the United States and India, and the friendship between the American and Indian people,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a recent prepared statement. “During the visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss a range of global, regional and bilateral issues of shared interest and common concern.”

The two leaders, who will meet at the White House November 24, will also likely review progress made in the strategic dialogue announced by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton during a visit to New Delhi in July, Gibbs said.

At a Washington Foreign Press Center briefing November 18, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake said the United States believes India has a role to play as a strong U.S. ally and partner across a range of global challenges, from economic dislocation to energy security, climate change, the spread of deadly weapons and terrorism.

“Both countries feel that we have a significant opportunity now to take our strategic partnership to the next level,” Blake said. Singh and the Congress Party won recent national elections in May, which gave them a strong mandate to proceed with the prime minister’s agenda, he added.

Blake, who is assistant secretary for South and Central Asian affairs, said the U.S.-India relationship is based on five pillars beginning with strategic cooperation that includes arms sales, joint military exercises and joint military cooperation in combating maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden.

In March the Obama administration approved a $2.1 billion sale of eight P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft to India — the largest U.S. arms transfer to India to date, according to news reports. In January 2008 the United States sold six C-130J Super Hercules military cargo planes to India valued at $1 billion.

“There are significant new sales on the horizon, up to $18 billion worth of contracts, for which American companies are competing,” Blake said. Part of that sale includes 126 multi-role fighter jets worth $10.4 billion.

The second strategic area of cooperation between the United States and India is in counterterrorism. “Our cooperation has expanded considerably after the terrible attacks in Mumbai of last November [2008],” he said.

Another area of strategic cooperation is in nonproliferation of the world’s most deadly weapons. “There is now much greater cooperation as a result of the [2008] civil nuclear deal,” Blake said. “And increasingly now, we see India as a partner in global nonproliferation initiatives.”

The second pillar of the U.S.-India relationship is that of energy and climate change. With the Copenhagen international climate change conference now less than a month away, this has become a major focus of the president, Blake said. India currently emits about 4 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases, he said, making it the fifth largest global emitter. It is expected that as India’s industries expand, those emissions will rise by 50 percent over the next 20 years.

“It’s very important that India be part of this new agreement,” Blake said.

Blake said the United States remains committed to fully implementing the nuclear agreement signed last year. The U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement eases restrictions on U.S. nuclear exports to India and opens up a potential $150 billion market in electricity generation. An important step to be taken by the Indian government and the parliament is to pass liability legislation, he said.

A third pillar is in economics, trade and agriculture, Blake said. Two-way trade with India was about $5 billion in 1990, rose to $14 billion in 2000 and reached nearly $50 billion in 2008, according to U.S. trade statistics.

“We expect that growth to continue into the foreseeable future as India’s middle class continues to grow and as India’s economy continues to open up,” Blake said. “U.S. investment also has grown very quickly, and now totals about $18 billion.”

Two other pillars of cooperation include education, and science and technology, Blake said. In July Clinton signed an agreement with Indian officials creating a $30 million science and technology endowment to be used for joint research and development, innovation, and commercialization.

The Indian parliament is expected to open up the higher education sector in India to greater foreign investment, Blake said.

http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/2009/November/20091120113847dmslahrellek0.1855127.html

Raising the Royal Standard: The State Opening of the British Parliament by Queen Elizabe....th II

Lillene Ebanks — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:16:26 EST

On the 500th anniversary of the State Opening of Parliament and this is the 58th Parliament opened by Queen Elizabeth II.My heart watched with love and pride as Queen Elizabeth II walked ever so regally wearing a white gown, a long red train trimmed in cream and gold, and on her natural white hair was one of the three symbols of the Power Of the Crown over the longest Empire in history-for civil servants it means the Perogrative Powers of the Queen! Thank your Your Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for granting the honor and privelege to serve Your Majesty as the Learning and Behaviour Disorder Specialist/ Special Education Director for Cayman Brac Public Schools for five wonderful years and serving as Facilitator for Strategic Planning for Education in the Cayman Islands. As an self apponinted Teacup princess who cried over a stamp with your picture when I had the privilege of openening and inspectin mail with the royal stamp at Polunski Death row in Livingston, Texas it was worth enduring the trial of a survical strain at the hands of a ranking Sargent to cry over your stamp that I had not seen in forty years. Thank you for thinking of the discrimination endured by women worldwide competing for equal pay and equal promotions yet enduring discriminatory situations, Your concern for this was evident in your speech you made it a priority to reduce discrimination and inequality! In addition, you wanted to foster growth by employment for young people, and to build trust to further promote democratic countries. There was a significant emphasis on cambating climate change at cope with global warming and looking forward to the Summit in Copenhagenm This is the 60th anniversary year of the Commonwealth nation which I did not quite comprehend. You spoke of the need to reduce debt and to introduce a bill to help those in need in their homes. You made it a priority to raise educational stantards, You placed the burden on parents not tax payers to control youth antisocial behavior that leads to gang violence, Your priority was to promote advances in technology. You wanted a bill help energy and a billto improve the rail between London and ScotlandM I heard that the rail system is so clean and safe which is an asset of not having a Constitutional right to bear arms then you will not be gunned down and assisinations like President Kennedy where First Lady Jackie had to walk and go through an inauguration of President Lyndon Baines Johnson wearing her pink blood stained dress and the assasinated president's brains still on her watch as she gave to her countryLthe least I coud do" unable to cry she stood so regally with her crowning glory her pink pill box hat in a ceremony marking the peaceful transfer of power! God bless America and God Save the Queen! Equality will be a goal and tackeling discrimination by reducing the differences between men and women's payAnd adding paid holidays. You wanted to have a bill strengthen the law against bribery. In the US we have lobbyist and I equate that with bribery as the interest of the wealthy tobacco , gambling, insurance companiesand pharmacuetical companies has stopped Health Care Legislation for centuries! My sister in law wants it to pas so she can get her smile and her front teethM I remember as a child waiting for Dr. Edilin your government dentist to come to give us whatever we needed in dental care, For those who were afraid of the needles and had long roots that required streength to extract my grand father was a dentist and he would extract then in the raw. I would sit in the flower tree and watch knowing he never used his skill on his family as we could only use the British paid dentist. You went on to say that your support for Ireland's police, justice and succes was a priority. You wanted to give more power to Whales. You wanted peace in the Middle East like I do! You wanted peace and democracy in Afghanistan, Pakickistan. You mentioned Iran and North Korea I am not sure what you said but I think it was probably to start complying with requests for neucular disarmament.You wanted one percent spent on international development. Her Majesty as you wore your purple crown and the Duke of Eddingburg wore the sword and his royal Navy cap the three symbols of the Power of the crown which were later each placed together in a coach and returned tothe Tower of England for safe keeping! You left the Chamber pass Prince's Chamber to House of Lords where your Members of Parliament, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were. There were regal men in red like on my tea cup but I missed the other cup with Queen Elizabeth I and the plates of Prince Charles Wedding and the christening of Prince Harry with a royal seal. I pray I will have the money should the gift appear again as they mean so much to me! The royal quards wore suits of red, white, and black trimmmed in gold.The Royal Milirary presence was so much an important part of the ceremony. Then it was a time to cry as I realized all the Cinderella fairy tail pumpkin coaches and mice horses were real life in your world as you get to be the Cinderella we dream about! You sat so regally in your coach with three horsemen in the bach and on in front.The. BBC commentators summarized your speech as 1) cutting the financial deficit,2) how to regulate the financial budget, 3) care for elderly,4) improve education, 5) help people in need in their own homes, utilities, and social care. The political issues will be should we cut disable benefits. This is a difference between the two parties- Conservatives and Tudors. If I am not accuarate I live in the US and I am doing this ad lib. BBC Sarah Teather Liberal Democrat was concerned about cutting benefits for the disabled. I recall that the Duke of Eddingburg wore a black suit a white sailor cap trimmed in black bill gold trim- think this cap is one of the three symbols of Power with the purple crown and the sword, I am learing too America! The Sovern Standard was lowered as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edingburg's coach passed while we heard "God saved the our gracious Queen. Long live our noble Queen. God saved our Queen. Saved her victious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us. /od saved our Queen". The Queen was taken to Buckinham Palace and the Imperial State Crown, the Sword of State and Cap of the Royal Navy (?) the three symbols of the Power of Crown rode in a coach for the 500th anniversary of the opening of Parliment. The coach used was Queen Alexandria's State Couch. The Tower is full of legleslative documents covering five centuries. The regalia. From the House of Calgery Regiment Escort with Irish guards was a sight to beholdB Angus Robertson of the Scottish National Party (Moray)said that in the General Election the MP's that did not do their job will be accountable! A BBC commentator wondered if there would be discussion on legislation for gay, lesbian and blacks. God there are mighy casual about it I guess they have a long way to grow! Then again I never traveled to The British Isle with my British passport! A lady BBC Commentator said Harriet worked to secure gender equality including women discrimination at work.all her life! Chris Grayling Conservative said it was all about the Labor Party's Manefesto. They did not deliver in 12 years and is not espected to now! The concerns were equality, arms, trade, child poverty, environmental aspect of sustanibility of planet and the Summet in Copenhagen according to the young people from Burmingham University. Some thought that in 12 years they party in office has blown it. BBC commentator Robertson said the pubic will demand their interest is paid attention to. The people want change if government do not live in their world and work to help young people find jobs, care for the elderly, reduce disruptive antisocial behaviior, provide help for people in their homes then they will vote for a change. Some estates are blighted by gangs Sarah Teather said the government did nothing in 12 years under Gordon Brown but this view was rejected by the other lady bBC commentator who said that it was untrue as two bills dealibg with the financial sector was in the Queen's speech written by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Big Ben was in the backgroung ringing what time is it? Time to stop discrimination of women and ineqyality worldwide! Did women fare better under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's terms? This was in the 1980's when President Regan and soviet Union 's leader Michel Gorbochof were in charge and the Berlin Wall Fell downM we want a woman president and our Berlin Wall of 230 or more years to crumble too!

Fox Sunday with Sen Arlen Spector D, Sen Debbie Stabenow D, Sen Kit Bond R, Sen Lamar Alexander R on the Health Care and the Wars in Iraq and Afghanastan bases on commemts by Pres Obama to initiate a withdrawal

Lillene Ebanks — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:23:29 EST

The question was should w move toward ending the war? Sen Spector D said that if we had known that Sudam did not have weapons of mass destruction we woul not have gone into Iraq. In response to the question of is there a danger of allowing the Talaban that attacked us on 91 to regenerate? Sen Bond parrotted Vice President Chaney's comment that we are dittering and that it sends a message to Afghanastan that we do not have the WILL to stay! Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in an report after thorally surveying the situation in person that Pres Karsai has high hopes of Afghanastan being able to take full control og their own military without USAssistance completely in five year and by three years with minimal help! After listenibg to a variety of sources my recommendation is that no additional troops be sent to Afghanastan as the terrain is too steep for our type of equipment and the cost of the lives of our military will not generate and more protection for Americans on the homefront as the Taliban can find hideouts in many countries and Afghanastan prople see us as occopiers who cuased their logging business to start failing due to additional taxes and government takeover of private property. In addition, unlike Iraq Afghanastanians. Are more adapt to the terrain and can outlast American occupiers who have a hard time understanding they are there to rebuild a nation's army so they can become selfreliabt when they are told they are at war they want to agitate, self defend' and innocent civilians who are also mispreseving our occupation as war are prone to retaliate endangering our troops. We have lost more lives defending a moving invisible target than we have lost in 911 and millions have committed suicide after the war because they return to unemployment, homelessness, and they are disabled with post traumatic syndrome! (He funds given to nonprofit organization is not the answer as they veterans do not know whre to get help or do not want to relocate from their families or veterans there are drug and alchol restrictions that disqualify them. Bring home the troops and give them a grant or loan to help them establish themselves abd retrain them for a vocation while paying them and give them a green job. Sen Spector said that Afghanastan due to the possible involvement of Afghanastan people with drigs President Karsai will have to build our trust in his ability to control this problem. Sen Debbie Stabenow the only woman on the panel summarized the facts in an informative unbiased manner as she was interupted so often by the Fox facilator when she provided evidence contrary to the facilators biased questions! She said that the bill helps Medicare and was endorsed by AARP. She identified the issue that will be addressed on abortion. She said that federal laws forbid the use of federal funds for abortion but the issue to what extent can a woman use her private funds to pat for abortion directly or indirectly. The bill helps small business by creating a group pool and small business tax credit. Sen Bond went on alleging fraud in the Health Care Bill like Madoff and said the tax credit was only for two years! Ponzie scheme! No Sen Bond small businesses can establish themselves and become profitable in two years. You think that businesses are entitled to perpetual tax cuts like the enormous tax cut President Bush gave to the large corporations and the billionairs in the top two percent of earningsB These corporation also benefit from tax sheltered off shore corporations, cheap oversea labor and fake income earned overseas by processing invoices in the Cayman Islans for goods not on the islands using face factories , We could tax them and still be competitive as we survive bailing them out when we can not even stay in a home but they jet around in lear jets! Republicans line their pockets while the poor taxpayers suffer without representation due to GOP greed!

Once Upon A Time There Was A String of Pearls Draped Over A Gate!

Lillene Ebanks — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:00:27 EST

Once upon a time a princess, wearing a fish tail black dress with a heart shaped bodice, bent down to dance with a little boy who had just arrived through the pearly gates! Diana,The Princess of Whales, turned to President Reagan and said, "This one is for the Gipper!" With a sparkle in his eyes, John Travolta's little son, Jett, reached up to take Lady Di's hand! Gone were the seizures! This Was Saturday Night Live in the White House Once More! She is not a princess, John Trovilta, but I imagine with tears in my eyes that Leila, my daughter, danced and giggled with Jett too! It conforts me! Yes,in heaven dreams can come true! Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Sojurn Truth joined hands as "Mama Africa" Miriam Zenzile Makeba sang,"At Last." Then a jazz band played while Lewey Armstrong sang, "What a Wonderful World" to Madelyn and Stanley Dunham who embraced their daughter Ann as it was January19,2009 and her son paused in the corridor alone as he trembled inside realizing the destiny of a nation would be entrusted into his care. He took a deap breath and looked up to the heavens from whence cometh his strength-"God grant me windom", he prayed! Moments later a nation weaping with joy watched as President Barack Obama became the forty forth President of the United States. "Way to go dad!" Came a smile and a high five from a little Amrican beauty, Sasha Obama, clothed in a peachy pink coat trimmed with an orange sash, an orange scarf, her feet shod with orange shoes and frilly orange socks. First Lady Michelle Obama gave her husband a kiss that will be observed in color as long as the earth remains, wearing a brocade silk and wool woven lime green coat over a beaded neckline and a midrift sashed silk ribbon dress; still clinging tightly to the President Lincoly"s and President Obama's inaugural Bible with her olive green gloves with pumps she stepped into historical imortality for as long as our nation remains she STANDS! Like the glow of mother of pearl and the smooth waves on Galveston's Bay, our First Lady Michelle Obama"s dress glistened with the glow of a "thousand points of light" as the cameras across the Lincoln Memorial captured a moment in time and eternity! Gracefully capturing her legacy with a smile, Malia posed for the press in her royal blue wool coat trimmed in a matching silk ribbon tied at the bodice and a black scarf to match her shoes. With the glow of glory, in front of a castle with walls of multi coloured transulecent precious stones,in Fort Heaven, The Queen Of Hearts' black dress glided ever so gracefully over the streets of gold as she twirled Jett around while the bagpipes played Jett sang a tribute to his Daddy,and Lady Di sang to her babies, Prince William and Prince Harry, heirs to the throne of England. "Greece is a feeling, you can't stop believing now We can be who you are!".They were laughing for joy as the light from the throne of God bathe them in everlasting rightousness! President Reagan looked at John John as he saluted his dad, President John F. Kennedy who reached to join hands with First Lady Jackie Kennedy. She was wearing her pink Dallas dress that she wore to President LBJ's inauguration after her husband went through the pearly gate while she held his body on her pink dress and the pink pill box hat. Mother Theresa whispered,"It is not the act,but the amount of love that is put into doing it!" In the glow of glory Jackie's pink dress was no longer filled with shattered brains. Standing next to them were Lady Bird Johnson wearing a red dress with a basket of fresh picked blue bonnets with white tips and red indian paint brushes with yellow fluer de leau stamens like on the helmets of the NFL New Orleans Saints' foot ball players with their Katrina survivors' resolve championship spirit, a tribute to old glory and the six flags of Texas (Texas was French and one gold flag had Fluer De Leau like on your helmets) which she placed gently on The River of Life. President LBJ was wearing his cowboy hat and his tan Texas Longhorn leather with rusty brown cow hair tipped cowboy boots as he reached down to gather up his bride. In his deep commanding Texan drawl, he asked Ernest Tubb to sing "The Yellow Rose of Texas" followed by "The San Antonio Rose", "Galviston" and "Houston". President LBJ cowboyed up and danced past the white tail teer nursing in the field while the twelve point deer miandered through a flock of wild turkey dancing as LBJ danced the Texas Two Step withLady Bird Johnson. They were joined by history's chosen who paved the way for Civil Rights in the Land of Milk and Honey, the Melting Pot, America the Beautiful! The United States military band, the three thousand fallen heroes from the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and that Pennsilvania's field on 9-11 including the New York City fire fighters joined hands as all thirty nine United States Presidents placed their hands over their hearts as the bugles blew and Elvis Presley shock as he sang the "Star Spangled Banner". Without missing a beat, the British Royal Navy's bagpipe band played "Bonnie Prince Charlie" as Mommy blew kisses toward Buckinham Palace where she watched Prince William and Princess Harry giggling over a joke as the Big Ben clock chimed over sounds of the waves splashing on the River Thames! A red double decker lorry roared pass Saint Paul's Cathedral so a golden brown curley haired American teenager, great grand son of a Scotch Irish Crown Colonist, could Anchor near enough to see the changing of the guards. They were on their way to Paris to see the Eifel Tower, the Arch De Thriump and to semember another Texan President Eizenhower who lead ended World War II by the strength and unstoppable courage of men like a Mississippi home town dad with fourteen children on Normandy's shore on D-Day! He wanted to get home and sing gospil songs, play the harmonica to the Mississippi blues at a Georgia family reunion! Smiling ever so gracefully was The Queen Mother wearing her three string pearls to match the Pearly Gate, a light blue hat with a rose and a light blue dress, she whispered a blessing on her daughter, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was sipping a cup of Earl Grey tea with Johnny Cakes wearing an orange dress with mahogony mink collar and cuffs as she thought about her trip across Europe to christen another Royal Navy ship, the H.M.S.Liverpool. The smell of the berganot in the tea, a bond, a heritage, a love, a three string pearl linage, a tradition! The 9-11 New York City's firefighters, fallen Twin Tower heroes, wearing their yellow trimmed grey suits and fire helmets gathered to repeat the 23rd Psalm and to show their respect for the strength, courage and calm resolve displayed by President George W. Bush after the hearts of We the People of the United States came in one accord trempling looking to our leader to restore a deep sense of rape of all that we hold dearly! President George W. Bush began, "Yeah though we walk through the shadow death I will fear no evil for God is with me.." Even at ground zero God is there! May The Queen Of Heart's light continue to shine in the hearts of her gifts to the world, little yellow shamrock heirs to the longest living monarchy on earth! John Wayne "The Duke" strutted up to The Queen Mother and took off his cowboy hat and bowedN then courtseying his hat in a swooping motion said, " * man gotta do what a man gotta do!" John Lennon played, "Imagine" as the Queen Mother in her baby blue shiffon gown with her rose hat, three.string pearls glided across the floor while Big Ben struck midnight! Cinderella's clue that the dance is over! Long live the queen! Dale Earnheart said,"On the The Road Again! Play it three time as I go around the race trace again! Can you wave the victory flag when I cross the finish line?" God bless America! Hail to the thirty nine chiefs who await us beyond the gate that is draped in a string of pearls and hail to our five beloved Chiefs: President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, President William Jefferson Clinton, President George H.W. Bush, and President James Earl Carter!In the Tree of Life the American bald eagle sang, in unison as her babies squacked frustrated with two hundred and sixty six or seventy years waiting on a snow capped Denalli mountain, joined by the voice of Women around the World and a Razorback Hog on th Ozark Pigs Trail, in its MOuth was a WaSHington D.C.'s CHerry BloSsoM branch dropped by the bald eagle an anointing of precious perfume oils a tribute to the 2008 campaign while forshadowing an event that will change the world when the first woman President of the United States will be inaugurated! "OH Beautiful PeRSPaciOuS SKieS Of AMBeR WaVES Of GREen,AMeRCia, AMeRiCa GOD SHeD HiS GRaCe On YOu!" Can you find YES WE CAN in the waiting of the pigs' and eagles' quartet? Lady Liberty asked, "What time is it?" All the Native American Indians gone and striving to honor the unmarked graves scattered across a nation of the most noble sacrifices made by an indiginous people on ancient ancestrial Holy ground in the name of "Manifest Destiny", "It is my time!" Awakened by the call of histoy deep into the wombs of Women across a globe came the beakoning of Lady Liberty-Is it time yet? I can't stand this birthing pain any longer and another child breath the breath of life in the three AM wake up call! The eagletts in orphan Denalli's side cried about to be aborted by the snow and ice as the eagle squacked of fetus of unborn were torn to smithering and the mouths of the public school children taped from prayers but the gay policeman kissed his husband after their wedding cermony and the nerves on the neck of a lady tightened as the neasua in her stomach made her sing "I am a little more country than that". The Wanda Sykes sang."I'ms a be me" whil uptown West Bank Cover Girl (?) Ellen Degeneris blushgig sang, "Greece is a feeling you can start believing now that you can be who you are!" Then my two aborted babies joined hands with the billions others in heaven and sang, "The blood of Jesus shed for you will guarantee you will hold us on the other side". "Don't cry mama," Leila said,"We are happy now as we are all togeter now. We love you! See you soon!" "You start believing now you can be who you are!" Imagine the Cherry Blossom Park filled with pregnant bellies and a White House filled with "Keep It Real" drama and regular educated people! An unwed mother, a dozen children, deer heads in the East Room, fishing trophies, mini skirts, a Playgirl (Baby's Daddy) magazine hidden in a drawer in the Lincholn Bedroom in the White House, and a special needs child sitting in the Oval Office playing with an Alaskan Huskie slay dog! This is America where any thing is possible and anyting you can dream and believe can come true there is a changing wind! Dancing to the Zack Brown Band's "where love is grown on Southern ground, funny how the little things in life can mean so much" and Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice" I am just speaking with a Southern Voice! "So baby why don't we just dance" like Josh Turner! And when you get in to a situation where you are scared, broke, and far away from family and friends on a journey of your life time which can change your world, wearing your favorite Toby KeithKs hat, for a graduation ceremony, because peaceful transitions hurt and bring joy, comforted and reassured of each step of the way listening to "Lady Antebellum's "I turn to you", stoping outside of DC crying as the fire trucks escorted you on through the wee hours of the morning when you are scared and alone wearing your Toby Keith hat in support of our troops, our flag and our American traditions, wearing an American Indian jacket, cowgirl up boots, a British Razorback Republican) red coat, Tennesse blue grass denim square dancing flared mini skirt, with an Obama Biden pin on your American flag, with a Captain Sulley's spirit, Exoxon Mobile gasoline, General E.Leeah drove an"American Ride" with her three Louis Vetton suit cases from Goodwill, "Some journeys can change the world", PEACEFUL TRANSITIONS, to advocate with Senator McCain for help for illegal immigrants who are Native American's on ancestrial grounds in a have's and have's not world, ridden with schools that assign you pit bull dogs cages clean up assignments that will make you lose your mind you just look into those blue eyes you just delivered and thank God you are a mother and you didn't go through the gate with the string of pearls in the arms of a first response fire fighter who liberated a world on D-Day on Normandy"s shore thinking of his fourten babies back at home! Stay alive and live to make more babies my little southern beauty. in the fight of your life! We are behind you with all the prayers that heaven can muster up! God Bless America! We pray for our troops on the front line that they will be able to understand the history, culture, resolve of the Afghan people in an inpenetratable terrain using tanks but who after decades of stuggles under many "helpers" may become an alliance or war that will last longer than one generation of 17 years! And Senator McCain when that health care bill comes to you jump up to advocate for coverage of cosmetic surgery too as you appreciate beauty and sex appeal, We know by your pretty youthful wife and your campaign choice!That is the American Voice! We care about how our tax dollars are spent and if executives can jet around we can get a tummy tuck, a face lift or an enhancement of our choice, right? Did you ask your wife? Should I have any of those Governor Palin's "death panels" to encounter with I want to get cosmetic surgery to boost my confidence to go with my pearls and Paris Hilton and Haley Berry perfume in my old age as I don't want to wait until I get through the Pearly Gate to be pretty!

America And Japan To Renew Alliance

EsquireUK — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:57:40 EST

"Well, we have come to call each other Barack and Yukio," said Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan in a joint press conference after the first meetings of President Obama's trip to Asia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8357561.stm

President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama have agreed on the need to renew their two countries' strained alliance.

Mr Obama told reporters after talks in Tokyo that their bond was based on shared values and interests but should be renewed for the 21st Century.

Mr Hatoyama said that, after 50 years, the alliance had to adapt to change.

Mr Obama's first Asian tour as US leader is aimed at reassuring key allies and boosting economic growth.

He has called for a growth strategy "that is both balanced and broadly shared".

His eight-day tour will take him to Singapore, China and South Korea and includes an Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/13/united-states-and-asia-inextricably-linked

Yes We Can . . . Can't We?

John Minehan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:03:13 EST

In 2009, the message from the electorate was: "Yes, we can!" In 2009, the message from the electorate was: "You haven't yet!"

Too much can be read into these results. This is my opinion of what this may mean.

Christe In New Jersey

Jon Corzine isn't stupid: he was Chairman of Goldman Sachs. He doesn't lack heart: he is a former Marine. However, he really didn't accomplish much of anything in New Jersey. Property taxes remain the highest in the nation. Economic growth is nonexistent and recovery in sluggish, making people who are trying to re-trench financially more conscious of the excessive taxes.

Corzine was distracted as governor. He was distracted by his recovery from his 2007 auto wreak (while speeding in a state vehicle) and by coverage of his relationship with public sector union lobbyist Carla Katz. He was involved in a number of failed or embarrassing policy initiatives, like the 2006 Government shutdown and the Dubai ports controversy. While he was an honest man, indictments of several corrupt New Jersey politicians during his term reminded voters of long standing issues with municipal and public sector union corruption in the state.

Christe, in contrast, was the US Attorney who obtained multiple indictments and convictions in these cases, including Newark's infamous Sharpe James. A moderate Republican, he was pushed towards a tax reform message by the Primary challenge of tax reform crusader Steve Lonegan.

Despite the amount of time the President spent in New Jersey campaigning for Corzine, I think this is less a referendum on Pres. Obama than a sign that a Chief Executive perceived as ineffective in a high tax state or locality is at risk.

This was true, not only in New Jersey, but in New York, where long-serving County Executive Andy Spano in Westchester was handily defeated by a republican newcomer. Out on Long Island, Tom Suozzi has apparently barely survived a challenge as Nassau County Executive. Orange County, after flirting with the Democrats at the local level for a few years, is back to being rock-ribbed Republican.

Since several Blue States in addition to New Jersey (such as Michigan, California and NY) are in this same situation, this may be a potential threat to the Democrats surviving as a national party What happens to a party that controls nothing? Ask the Federalists and the Whigs.

Virginia

I see this as more of a referendum on Pres. Obama.

He just has not delivered enough on economic issues to keep the extraordinary mandate he received by being the first Democrat to take Virginia since LBJ in 1964. Additionally, the Virginia Democrats just don't have a deep bench.

NY 23d

The Conservative candidate lost, but a conservative candidate won. That is the critical take-away.

Owen is a fiscally conservative former Air Force officer. He was an ideal candidate for this District, just as Scott Murphy was for the NY 20th. In contrast, the Republican County Chairs seem not to have gotten the message that this is a conservative district and that,
outside of certain catchment areas, NY is a Red State.

The big disadvantage that NY Republicans have in 2010 is their own leadership. The new state chairman, Cox, may make a real difference. Sarah Palin and the Tea Party/Patriot movement saw and exploited this before the "wise men, " not a great sign for Republicans.

What to Do

The Administration needs to pull sharp right, especially on economic issues. You just can't solve a debt crisis with more debt, although many households tried back in the "Re-fi Economy." (Which may be why average voters know that now.)

Everyone in the Administration needs to read (and understand) these:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703932904574511250528884932.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703574604574499693726128138.html

The Democrats just can't figure out it is no longer 1932. A young working man at a political meeting I attended this summer, not a guy you would pick out as politically active, got up and said, "We want freedom, not bullshit." Democrats better figure that one out fast.

Think about how to get rid of Pelosi and Reid before Christmas. They are the death knell to any hope of Democrats keeping Congress in 2010.

Call in Rep. Paul Ryan and Newt Gingrich. Ryan's health care bills are far better than anything the Democrats have offered and the Administration needs a win.

If the economy recovers, even a bit anemically, a personally popular President can still be re-elected with a wide margin, as Pres, Reagan was in 1984, despite hard times early on.

The Republicans need to push financial responsibility and limited government. The defeat of gay marriage in Maine shows that the country is socially conservative, but you have more than enough material on the economy, Constitutional overreach by the Federal government and the debt. (Which are fundamentally related issues.)

Nothing is beyond change at this point, but the Administration better start thinking hard.

Sec. Hillary Clinton you looked so beautiful wearing your royal blue and light blue Pakastanian sari native dress with head dress!

Lillene Ebanks — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:33:02 EDT

We have confidence in your ability to to negotiate arrangements to help us achieve our goals of democracy worldwide, defend women worldwide and to push for education internationally.

Discrimination Because of National Origin: Ricado Sanchez changed his name to Rick Sanchez to get a job and avoif the blatabt discrimination of Latibos that is not felt by the Indian Doctor or the Abaric woman newscasters who names are harder to remember

Lillene Ebanks — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:39:16 EDT

Latinos are discriminated on the job all the time. When I called the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission in Houston an African American answered and told me I was discriminated because of race but I tried to say it was national origin as the one race listed on my application was white but I have an accent and olive skin which is my national origin. So there is discrimination even in the treatment by the EEOC. Mixed races do not have protection when they are forced to pick one raxe instead of telling the truth and embracing without fear of discrimination. President Obama is not African American that is just an American way of putting him into a box they want him to fit into. Our President mother is white so he could say he was white if he could say he was black or we have to stop wsing colors and countries for races, we have a color white that is a race and countries for the American Indians, African Americans,Asian Americans and Hispanic seems to be a culture not a country or a race as Hispanics are many races countries (Cuban. Puerto Rican, Itallian, Spanish from Spain. :onduranians, .exican, *merican Indians, Guatamalian. Costa Rican. Columbian, Venzulavelia,Salvadorian, Nicarigian, Chilian and often confused for people with olive complection who are not Latino like myself). Latinos come in all colors from black to blond and all shades in between so the only thing they have in common is the spanish language not race!! So we discriminate against our nation by continuing to pretend we are not discriminating when we continues to use a colour for caucatians and countries for mongoloid or negroid and we do not have a way to identify mibed races as some have more than two races so would not fit into the biracial catagory. Biracial seems only to apply to any country other than European countries and I say country as we are using a country Africa to describe our president when we ignote his mother genes. I think it should not be required like age is not required just date of birth as it discriminayes on people and does not allow any real recourse. President Obama are you 2uropean Caucasian or African American? Your grandmother and mother did not raise you to think african american as they did not know how as they were not African American but caucatians from many countries in Europe like Irish Americans, German Americans, or Scottish. We must change our discriminatory practices every day and stop mixing colors for those we favor and countries we want to disvriminate legally under this set up! Ricardo Sanchez would have not been able to succeed in CNN if he did not use a fake name as CNN like every other television and government agencies including our navy would not allow him to progress but discriminat him like all Latinos are kept down in America but Avanpoir kept her name to give CNN credibility as we are at war with people of her national origin as it appears to the viewers. To change her name to Anglosize would defeat the credibility og her ability to speak Arabic so we can understand those we are at war with, However, spanish speaking people are growing and we keep tman down like American Indians because we are a babaric people of invading bigots who pretend we are native Americans because of manefest destiny as God planned it! God planned it to be a nation of native Americans until pushy people invades and now want to dport Mexicans whose ansestors are an indiginious people all the way up to Canada which includes half of the United States! We do to those indifinous people more discrimination then any other people, African Americans are not deported just discriminated against but native indiginous mexicans and Native American have a unique provlem that is not felt by other people! Jews are considered white in America when Latinos who are caucasicians are not because of our need to distinguish in writing so we can discriminate! So the EEOC is a worthless waste of tax dollars and do not help stop discrimination but perpetuate it by labeling people so discrimination is possible in the computer resume age!

Global protest on 14 Oct 2009 for banning Mind Control abuses and tortures

Soleilmavis — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:39:00 EDT

Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Photos of protests: http://peacepink.ning.com/photo/albums/rally-or-demonstration
Oct. 14 Protest: Reports from the Front

Here are the reports of the IAACEA (International Alliance Against Covert Electronic Abuse) October 14th Global T.I. Protests for Truth and Justice.

Starting with IAACEA creator, Debbie Newhook reports on the Victoria, Canada protest. Then on to reports two from San Francisco (Bruno Marchisani, Mesha Monge-Irizarry, and Christine), two from Toronto (by Helen Galina Kurdina and Danielle DiBari) and London (by Paolo Fiori). Paolo did a tremendous amount of work to get the word spread about the protest in the UK. Then move on to T. Josephine's concise Philadelphia report at the end. I want to give kudos to T.Josepine for braving the cold and rain all alone. The reports finish up with final thoughts by Debbie Newhook. - Nancy aka mistaken.name, A Word the the Wise T.I.

China
By Soleilmavis
We have more than 500 victims daily being tortured and abused by remotely directed energy weapons. But we remain resolute and most of us work diligently to expose this crime on the Internet, and won't stop reporting this heinous to the Chinese government.

In China, as in the rest of the world, the official police position is that Targeted Individuals are mentally ill, so we cannot get permits to do street protests.
However, we did promote the global protest via the Internet. We got nearly one hundred Targeted Individuals to publish the IAACEA press release on their own websites, along with the list of protest locations, and to send many letters to public.
Here is our online site of supporting signatures:
http://everywhere.zh.pledgebank.com/peacepink (in Chinese)
http://www.change.org/actions/view/ban_mind_controldirected_energy_weapons_abuse_and_torture
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76416668535

Soleilmavis, PeacePink
http://peacepink.ning.com

WASHINGTON, USA REPORT
By Marc Burnell
Thought the protest went well. Weather wasn't the greatest. Kind of nervous with all the cops and undercover cops around. Ate alot of the chips and drank sodas I bought by a great donation from Cynthia. There were lots of tourists that stopped by and took pictires of the White House and us.

Enjoyed talking to other TIs about their situation. Learning alot from other TIs about how to cope and different remedies to use to uplift myself.. Many of the TIs were form NY. We spoke to a freelance writer who took notes and took our pictures. We spoke with other human rights groups that were nearby. Handed out fliers.

SAN FRANCISCO, USA REPORT
by Bruno Marchisani

SF Photos by Scott at OneWorldLove- you'll have to join to view

Yesterday, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, there was a civil protest against OS/EH at city hall in San Francisco, California, one of several being planned on or about that same day in several cities around the world, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Cincinnati (meeting only), Victoria and Toronto in Canada, London, India (internet mailings) and China (internet mailings), as part of a global day of protest being organized by a newly formed TI activism group called the International Alliance Against Covert Electronic Abuse, www.iaacea.org. Debbie Newhook and Galina Kurdina in Canada, Soleilmavis in China and Derrick Robinson of FFCHS were some of the planners.

Christine Harris in SF was the contact person for the San Francisco protest, with Mesha Monge-Irizarry being a resource having had experience in protesting.
Mesha is a non-TI activist Christine recently began networking with who among other things setup and moderated a forum to help organize the global protest.
She has an office in San Francisco and apparently moderates 250 internet forums, one of them being the recently created Targeted_Individual s yahoo group. She is considering holding TI meetings at her office in San Francisco.

A possibility of rain was forecast but the weather was clear and mostly sunny. I counted 16 protesters being present, including Christine, Richard in Marin, many other TIs who I've met before, a few I hadn't met yet, Mesha, and Marlon Crump,writer for Poor Magazine who Christine has recently began networking with. Most had arrived within the first half hour of the 11:00am protest start time.

We originally planned to protest at the park across the street from city hall,to be respectful of city hall workers, but a police officer came by and said we needed a permit to protest in a public park, though he said this first time he'd allow it. He also indicated we could protest directly in front of city hall if we liked, so we moved our protest to the sidewalk in front of city hall.

There was a plethora of protest signs of various sizes, colors and styles: "stop group stakling," "stop organized stalking," "stop organized terror," "stop covert torture," "stop electronic harassment," "stop electronic torture," "stop electromagnetic weapons," "stop defamation of character now," "restore human liberties now," "stop residential directed energy attacks now IAACEA," "unforgivable! MKULTRA should never happen again," and "my family is victim of mind control program illegally run by the US gov agencies. Torture, mental rape, robbery -- the outcome of the Nazi experiment." Also I brought buttons with the FFCHS logo for us to wear.

The mood was positive if not festive, with us talking amongst ourselves, getting to know each other. Some of us had come from as far away as Modesto and Fresno,and for at least one of us this was our first time meeting with other TIs.

Foot traffic was light, even during the lunch hour, with some passers-by looking to see what our signs said. A few spoke with us to try to understand what we were protesting. Due to the relatively light foot traffic and us not being very aggressive at distributing handouts, we didn't distribute all that many.
Handouts included one of the IAACEA press releases announcing the global protest, a letter from Missouri State Representative Jim Guest acknowledging the existence of OS/EH on many of the constituents in the country, a flyer on the book "A New Breed: Satellite Terrorism in America" by Dr. John Hall, who has treated patients suffering from the effects of OS/EH, a copy of an article entitled "Is the NSA Conducting Electronic Warfare On Americans?" regarding former NSA intelligence officer Russ Tice and the NSA's purported mind control technology, and a compilation of excerpts from Cheryl Welsh, FFCHS and H.Michael Sweeney.

Vehicular traffic on the other hand was ongoing, and heavier during the lunch hour. Some of us were lined along the edge of the sidewalk displaying our signs -- several drivers honked their horns and gave us the "thumbs up" in support!

At one point a reporter and cameraperson for an independent San Francisco internet video news group came by and did a brief interview with Christine and Mesha -- everybody felt they did a great job! Later on a CBS van parked across the street to cover a different event and Christine went over and gave them some handouts.

I spoke with several TIs at the protest. Christine says she is doing what she can to network to help end our harassment, a TI from Fresno says he is educating some of the people in Fresno on OS/EH, and another said God's message of love is the most important tool in counteracting our harassment. Marlon wanted everyone to know about his new, second, article on OS/EH, entitled "Targeted Individuals.

In my opinion the protest was certainly successful in terms of turnout -- this has been the largest turnout for any TI event in the San Francisco Bay Area I'm aware of and slightly exceed my expectations! Most of us stayed there until the 2:00pm protest end time, shortly after which we disbanded. I and at least a couple of others who were present took pictures of the event and I will be forwarding mine to Felix, a TI who plans to make a video of the global protests.
President Obama was to be visiting San Francisco the following day and Christine along with some of yesterday's protesters planned to be present to gain more exposure.

Reports of some of the protests in the other locations have been posted. Debbie declared her protest a success in Victoria, Canada -- there were 5 TIs present -- they handed out about 400 flyers and were interviewed by a local university student -- later on heavy rainfall brought an end to their protest. There were 5 TIs present at Galina protest in Toronto, Canada -- they spoke with several people, some sympathetic, and handed out a few flyers -- after the main protest had ended and they had some coffee they decided to do a second impromptu protest at another location. An early report from London, England, indicated 5 TIs were present but more were expected. The Philadelphia protest apparently only had one protester show up, but none-the-less the protester remained and handed out flyers! The LA protest was postponed to next week due to a heavy storm and flooding. Nancy is posting the recaps of the protests at http://wiseti.blogspot.com and Mesha is considering doing a compilation on indymedia.org.

For questions about the protest please contact Christine directly.

Judy and I went to the Obama protest last night [Oct. 15th] at 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Powell Street and Geary Street, with over 1000 people. I brought my huge sign, and Russell Tice FBI fliers, and had many inquiries, and victims stopping to talk with us.

With the support of Judy, two reporters from cable channels 13, and 26, which may have been on T.V. last night at 10:00 P.M. stopped to interview me. I was brief, but stated our plight.

Three interviews in two days, I like it!!

Christine Harris
christinelynnharris@hotmail.com (415) 235-6466
Bruno Marchesani
bruno_marchesani@msn.com (650) 776-1814

SAN FRANCISCO, USA REPORT
by Mesha Monge-Irizarry

We were a "crowd" of about 20 TIs & Allies with signs brought by Bruno, Richard,a Black Brother who came from Fresno (name?), Christine, the Kats Family, Judy ... Who am I forgetting? Among us, a Black Sister who is a college professor in Political Science in Oakland, accompanied by a Latina and a white woman TIs.
Also was present a San Franciscan woman, former nurse who blew the whistle on her medical unit at PMC, when she saw several patients with electrodes in their brain, and realized from their encephalograms that something terribly wrong was being done to them... she disconnected everything, and the electronic torture started, did not let up for over a decade. At first the cops, then the sheriffs tried the intimidating routine by demanding to see a permit, but when told:

"we are not blocking traffic, we are only exercizing our right to peaceful assembly, this is a peaceful demonstration", they did not know what else to do.

Then when they approached us again, twice, I gave them a big smile, told them I was a City Commissioner and asked: "Are you going to keep us safe, Officers?" which was sufficient to make them instantly go away after exclaiming "Of course!!" One sheriff, astoundingly, raised a timid fist and quickly told us GO GET "EM" as he walked away with his colleagues (Refreshing! A TI cop ?)
Christine, Richard, the Kats Family, Carole, Judy, John, Yolanda, Carol , Bruno, Marlon, educated onlookers and passed on flyers (forgive this fried brain for omissions... ), and Bruno passed out Buttons. SF Based Tom MCray, TI and political writer, and a homeless person soon joined us. I talked to a colleague,a Veteran for Peace, published poet, who actually wore many political buttons, among them one on Covert Surveillance:

Robert W., who is the acclaimed Honorary chief of the Native Nation, although he is white, due to his incredible activism for Natives and Aborigines and tireless fight to ban School of the Americas and ROTC. He happened to just be waiting for a friend on City Hall steps, and enthusiastically interacted with us.

Robert stated: "We are ALL targeted !". I will stay in touch, potential powerful ally for us. I talked about the protest and IAACEA Goals & Objectives as defined in Debbie's pres release to Sophie Maxwell, City supervisor of my district, and to a campaign team member of James Keys, District 6 Supervisor candidate. Many participants actively engaged passerby's, including an Asian Gay Youth who now wants to be an ally to our movement. No negative interaction whatsoever! (To the sorry exception of a perplike loser... older white dude in a SUV who sped by, hollering: "Go get a job!" Which made us laugh.... Comic relief of the day) One press interview with Christine who handed out a press package and with myself.
Christine connected with the City Hall Court TV Media Liaison, and participants took many pictures and videos of our event.

...Marlon C. from Poor Magazine PPN came to interview participants, stayed with us during the entire event, and will work on his third article on "Targeted Individuals" that he will submit to his editor, the formidable "Tiny" Gray Garcia ! Christine and I will work on an article , recount that we will self publish on Indybay along with a compilation of pictures, under Health isues (Covert Violence IS a Public Health issue !)

People came to join us from : Modesto, Fresno, Marin County, Oakland, Berkeley, local San Franciscans too !

Mesha Monge-Irizarry, Founder
SFTEC

Philladelphia Report
by T. Josephine

Yes, I did give out flyers alone. Yes, some people wanted them. Plenty more were dying to get home. I am glad for the ones who were interested and next time we should have a group petition and get people to sign it.

TORONTO CANADA Report
by Galina Kurdina

We protested in front of the Legislative Assembly Building and near Medical Science Building of University of Toronto today. We started at 10.30 A.M. There were 5 people in front of the Legislative Assembly: Robin Yan, Regan Hallett, Carlo Calandra, Mark Holden and I, Galina Kurdina. People approached us and we distributed about 10 fliers. One woman came to us and started a scandal. She offered us to hire people, pay them and ask to hold our posters on streets of Toronto. She suggested us not to appear ourselves on the streets. She persuaded us that we had to put some soft information on our posters, not the truth that we experienced and described. When asked, what soft things she would advice to write on our posters, she did not answer. She asked Robin, what was the reason of his targeting. It was clear for all of us that she worked for police, or RCMP or Government. Robin took his camera and wanted to take pictures of her, and she immedieately disappeared...

We left Legislative Building about 1.30 P.M. Robin, Regan and I went to Tim Horton and had some coffee. After that we decided to go to any street and came to Medical Science Building of University of Toronto. Regan left us 30 minutes [later], Robin and I stayed there for one hour.

We distributed our fliers very quickly, people approached us, read our poster about mind control and took fliers. One student of UofT, sweet boy, said to us that, in his opinion, these experiments were disgusting, another person wished us to continue our struggle.

We made pictures and video records. I will send them to all of you, as soon as get them.

Toronto Report
by Danielle DiBari, as provided by Robin Yan

Many of you do not know me, but Galina and Robin do (who ran the protest yesterday at Queen's Park do) and I will save introductions for later for those who are dedicated to working to expose the truth about our cause.

I would like to send you all a little run-down of events yesterday -- I think Galina and Robin will agree, it was an excellent day with superb weather (my nose is totally toasted..LOL~ ) and we were treated with dignity and respect, a generous amount of interest (so much so that we RAN OUT OF letters), and a FEW VERY INTERESTING CONTACTS!All times are approximate. 10:00 AM We were greeted by Security and shown where we could set up. We were asked if we would be "chanting" and we said no. We were asked not to interfere with people on site and that we should let them come to us, we agreed.

We set up across from a woman on a month-long protest of her autistic son being cut off from therapy and put in a regular school. www.tooautistic. com (HEY! OUR PIC IS THERE!)

11:30 am, A HUGE tour of Italian and Spanish speaking tourists get stuck outside the legislative building for some reason, and (possibly to kill some time) the tour guide relays and translates in both ITALIAN and SPANISH, the story of Covert Mind control as dictated by Galina. The group is sympathetic and interested (until they get to go in..lol)

Nothing too interesting happens after that for a couple of hours, we get a
number of people stopping and asking about our situation -- some stopping for longer than others ... needless to say, we only have ONE letter left when we spot the CBC vehicle in the parking lot!

1:00 pm Media Trucks start arriving -- our hearts are in our throats as we feel as if they may intend to interview us! Acutally, the set up is for speaker Dan McTeague to present his speech on the treatment of Omar Kadhr at Guantanamo Bay!

2:30 Dan McTeague shows up to do his interview. About half an hour of talking on Dan's part -- the issue with Quantanamo Bay is loosely connected to OUR issue ... the underlying facts being that PEOPLE ARE BEING TORTURED WITHOUT MERCY/JUSTICE/ ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS!

Here is a link to the situation he spoke of(but nothing on,oh well)
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090125/khadr_panel_090125/20090125/

Unfortunately, he only appeared on the news for about 10 seconds! (Robin, did you VHS it?)

Legislature Watchdogs (while polite) stood guard IN FRONT OF AND AROUND THE CAMERAS so that WE WOULD NOT BE IN ANY SHOTS!

However, Mr. McTeague's assistant came over to talk to us, took our picture and,I believe, strategically placed a camera to include US in the shot!

Once the shoot was over, Mr. McTeague came over and shook all our hands, talked with us for a bit, gave us his card and told us "You sure got THEIR attention"(possibly meaning the media - I mean, is it coincidence that a talk on a HUMAN RIGHTS TORTURE ISSUES by a prominent M.P. is scheduled on the SAME DAY as our protest? I think NOT!

Anyhow, he said we should contact him if we need anything...we already got a very good thing from him, we got a confidence boost like you wouldn't believe!

And so, our first protest day came to a close. Sunburned, but happy, we took a walk to the subway, and went on our way.

I would say it was a VERY successful day, no one was disrespectful to us, we got a good deal of attention, learned a lot about what to do better NEXT TIME -- and ALMOST got on TV ... lol!

Most of all we learned that FEAR is THEIR greatest weapon ... none of what we feared came about.

The perps will keep on doing what they do no matter what we do...being afraid only helps their cause so...we may as well make some noise 'cause they ain't going away by themselves.

Cheers and talk to you all soon.
Danielle DiBari
TI - Toronto &Vancouver

VICTORIA, CANADA REPORT
by Debbie Newhook, founder, IAACEA

I feel our Victoria protest was a success. We had 5 people present at the
protest: Keith Tickleback from Nelson BC, Consuelo Galomar from Vernon BC, David Smith from Grabriola, Heather Quinn from Victoria BC and me Debbie Newhook. We had one protester from Nanaimo, Doug (Jerry) Rose who could not make the protest as he reported he was feeling horrible the night before the protest and he did not think he would be able to make it.

As soon as we arrived at the protest location we were greeted by a University of Victoria student who wanted an interview with us. David and I spent 30 mins with her speaking about this crime. We gave her hand out material which included FFCHS material along with a Jim Guest letter of support. In addition we suggest that she research James Walbert and directed her to an article in Wired Magazine about James Walbert. She was genuinely interested and shocked at many of the details about this crime.

During the time David and I were being interviewed, the police arrived. Consuelo spoke to the friendly police officer and was told that the police got 2 telephone calls indicating that we were obstructing the sidewalk traffic. Upon his arrival he saw that we were only a small group and that we were not blocking the sidewalk traffic and asked that we continue to allow the flow of pedestrians and not to interfere with them.

Keith was our camera person and did take still pics only of the event and did capture a picture of the police as he was talking to Consuelo.

Later I was approached by woman who knew she was a target of this crime. She knew much about the goings on of the world and she expressed that she was a whistle blower. David and I could tell that she was genuine and she was fearful.I gave her my contact info.

We had many other people briefly speak to us about this crime and did take hand out material.The area of the protest was a very busy location in Victoria and we all thought it was a success.

After about 2.5 hours we had given away about 400 fliers and we were almost out of hand out material when the skies opened up and it began to rain very hard. We called it quits at that time and went back to Heathers house for a chat and a meal.

In my opinion, I thought this was good activism day. David and I later talked about doing this in Nanaimo at a later date and discussed the date of Dec 10 as it was the UN day of Human Rights. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Debbie Newhook
International Alliance Against Covert Electronic Abuse
'We live to achieve justice.

London Report
by Paolo Firori

For all of you on the other side of the Atlantic who would like to know what happened at the Trafalgar Square protest. I received a voicemail from Winston at about 2pm London time, saying that at that point there were 5 people present at the protest, but that they were expecting a few more to attend later. I believe that besides Winston, John Allman and Amanda Palmer were there, as Winston used Amanda's mobile to ring me and John told me of his intention to attend the night before. If people [took] any picture of the event and feel able to share them, I really look forward to seeing them.

[Here's] a short message [Winston] sent me...

"There were 8 of us in the end - we handed out flyers in Trafalgar square and outside the Old Bailey. It was good to meet other T.I.s. We are going to try to set up regular meetings of T.I.s in London."

I may try to do something similar in London on the 24th at two very important events happening on the same day, the annual Anarchist Bookfair and a national Anti-War demo starting in Hyde Park, it will be actually very easy to leaflet there because there are already hundred of different people, leafleting on behalf of hundred different causes, I mean I will probably end up going there by myself, but I would certainly not mind if other London TIs were to decide to join me.

Paolo Fiori
http://altnews.viviti.com

Punctilios and Prosperity

John Minehan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:39:09 EDT

Some weeks ago, I saw a young woman at a political event wearing a tee-shirt which read: "Impeach Everyone." On Tuesday (Oct.13, 2009), the Wall Street Journal published a news/analysis piece entitled Rage at Government for Doing Too Much and Too Little by Naftali Bendavid, but which would have been more accurately titled, Rage Targets "Business and Government with Equal Fury." (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125539072998381441.html)

In short, the prevailing zeitgeist seems to be one of diminishing legitimacy for many of the institutions that dominate our society.

A New Approach for the Obama Administration

John Minehan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:40:46 EDT

After the storm over health care reform in August, it is clear that the Obama Administration is no longer leading public opinion. In fact, the Administration and the Democratic Congress very clearly misread their mandate. Holman Jenkins recent column in the Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB40001424052748704471504574442772173150440.html?mod=wsj_share_facebook) very accurately describes what went wrong.

The question is: how does the Administration get back on track?

Afghanistan

John Minehan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:48:24 EDT

A few thoughts on Afghanistan:

---Afghanistan is a supporting attack; an operational fixing attack, not unlike the Italian Campaign in WWII.

---Commanders of supporting attacks always want more resources, just as MacArthur did in the Pacific or Mark Clark did in Italy in WWII.

---Sometimes, those commanders see genuine operational or strategic opportunity, which should be exploited. Most often they don't.

---This is an ethical issue. We are asking our fellow citizens to risk death or crippling injuries in an effort that is less important than others.

---This may be necessary. However, Monte Cassinos or Rapido Rivers are not necessary.

---MacArthur understood this. Mark Clark did not. There are, in general, more Mark Clarks than Douglas MacArthurs.

---The heart of this mission is to destroy what remains of "Big AQ" in the Pakistani Border Regions. To do this, we need to control Afghanistan as a force projection platform and as a goad for some AQ and Taliban forces to become decisively engaged. Our presence in Afghanistan is also a signal of commitment to Pakistan and the "'Stans," the neighboring former-Soviet Islamic states.

---We will need to remain engaged in Afghanistan after a military solution to AQ is achieved. In part, this is to obviate the need for any future military solutions being needed.

---You can win a war against terrorist elements. You can also drive nails with a screwdriver handle. Neither is an optimal use of that particular tool.

---The non-military side of this may take years, maybe decades. The other side is more patient. They are more used to operating effectively on a shoe-string. However, at this level, this about fair courts, roads and clean water and they are better at it than the governments we are supporting: in Somalia and Iraq, not just in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

---If they grade the roads; run the credible courts; teach the kids; and collect the taxes, they ARE the government Our guys in Pakistan seem, per news items, to be waking up to this. I hope that spreads.

---It is ALL about the "L Word" (no, not THAT one): "Legitimacy."

United Nations General Assembly

EsquireUK — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:20:23 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Real_Change_is_Possible/

The prepared remarks of President Barack Obama at the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentleman: it is my honor to address you for the first time as the forty-fourth President of the United States. I come before you humbled by the responsibility that the American people have placed upon me; mindful of the enormous challenges of our moment in history; and determined to act boldly and collectively on behalf of justice and prosperity at home and abroad.

I have been in office for just nine months, though some days it seems a lot longer. I am well aware of the expectations that accompany my presidency around the world. These expectations are not about me. Rather, they are rooted – I believe – in a discontent with a status quo that has allowed us to be increasingly defined by our differences, and outpaced by our problems. But they are also rooted in hope – the hope that real change is possible, and the hope that America will be a leader in bringing about such change.

I took office at a time when many around the world had come to view America with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my country. Part of this was due to opposition to specific policies, and a belief that on certain critical issues, America has acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. This has fed an almost reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for our collective inaction.

Like all of you, my responsibility is to act in the interest of my nation and my people, and I will never apologize for defending those interests. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 – more than at any point in human history – the interests of nations and peoples are shared.

The religious convictions that we hold in our hearts can forge new bonds among people, or tear us apart. The technology we harness can light the path to peace, or forever darken it. The energy we use can sustain our planet, or destroy it. What happens to the hope of a single child – anywhere – can enrich our world, or impoverish it.

In this hall, we come from many places, but we share a common future. No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together. I have carried this message from London to Ankara; from Port of Spain to Moscow; from Accra to Cairo; and it’s what I will speak about today. Because the time has come for the world to move in a new direction. We must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interests and mutual respect, and our work must begin now.

We know the future will be forged by deeds and not simply words. Speeches alone will not solve our problems – it will take persistent action. So for those who question the character and cause of my nation, I ask you to look at the concrete actions that we have taken in just nine months.

On my first day in office, I prohibited – without exception or equivocation – the use of torture by the United States of America. I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed, and we are doing the hard work of forging a framework to combat extremism within the rule of law. Every nation must know: America will live its values, and we will lead by example.

We have set a clear and focused goal: to work with all members of this body to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies – a network that has killed thousands of people of many faiths and nations, and that plotted to blow up this very building. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, we – and many nations here – are helping those governments develop the capacity to take the lead in this effort, while working to advance opportunity and security for their people.

In Iraq, we are responsibly ending a war. We have removed American combat brigades from Iraqi cities, and set a deadline of next August to remove all of our combat brigades from Iraqi territory. And I have made clear that we will help Iraqis transition to full responsibility for their future, and keep our commitment to remove all American troops by the end of 2011.

I have outlined a comprehensive agenda to seek the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. In Moscow, the United States and Russia announced that we would pursue substantial reductions in our strategic warheads and launchers. At the Conference on Disarmament, we agreed on a work plan to negotiate an end to the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. And this week, my Secretary of State will become the first senior American representative to the annual Members Conference of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Upon taking office, I appointed a Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, and America has worked steadily and aggressively to advance the cause of two states – Israel and Palestine – in which peace and security take root, and the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians are respected.

To confront climate change, we have invested 80 billion dollars in clean energy. We have substantially increased our fuel-efficiency standards. We have provided new incentives for conservation, launched an energy partnership across the Americas, and moved from a bystander to a leader in international climate negotiations.

To overcome an economic crisis that touches every corner of the world, we worked with the G-20 nations to forge a coordinated international response of over two trillion dollars in stimulus to bring the global economy back from the brink. We mobilized resources that helped prevent the crisis from spreading further to developing countries. And we joined with others to launch a $20 billion global food security initiative that will lend a hand to those who need it most, and help them build their own capacity.

We have also re-engaged the United Nations. We have paid our bills. We have joined the Human Rights Council. We have signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We have fully embraced the Millennium Development Goals. And we address our priorities here, in this institution – for instance, through the Security Council meeting that I will chair tomorrow on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and through the issues that I will discuss today.

This is what we have done. But this is just a beginning. Some of our actions have yielded progress. Some have laid the groundwork for progress in the future. But make no mistake: this cannot be solely America’s endeavor. Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone. We have sought – in word and deed – a new era of engagement with the world. Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.

If we are honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we are not living up to that responsibility. Consider the course that we are on if we fail to confront the status quo. Extremists sowing terror in pockets of the world. Protracted conflicts that grind on and on. Genocide and mass atrocities. More and more nations with nuclear weapons. Melting ice caps and ravaged populations. Persistent poverty and pandemic disease. I say this not to sow fear, but to state a fact: the magnitude of our challenges has yet to be met by the measure of our action.

This body was founded on the belief that the nations of the world could solve their problems together. Franklin Roosevelt, who died before he could see his vision for this institution become a reality, put it this way – and I quote: “The structure of world peace cannot be the work of one man, or one party, or one Nation…. It cannot be a peace of large nations – or of small nations. It must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world.”

The cooperative effort of the whole world. Those words ring even more true today, when it is not simply peace – but our very health and prosperity that we hold in common. Yet I also know that this body is made up of sovereign states. And sadly, but not surprisingly, this body has often become a forum for sowing discord instead of forging common ground; a venue for playing politics and exploiting grievances rather than solving problems. After all, it is easy to walk up to this podium and to point fingers and stoke division. Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles, and absolving ourselves of responsibility for our choices and our actions. Anyone can do that.

Responsibility and leadership in the 21st century demand more. In an era when our destiny is shared, power is no longer a zero sum game. No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation. No world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will succeed. No balance of power among nations will hold. The traditional division between nations of the south and north makes no sense in an interconnected world. Nor do alignments of nations rooted in the cleavages of a long gone Cold War.

The time has come to realize that the old habits and arguments are irrelevant to the challenges faced by our people. They lead nations to act in opposition to the very goals that they claim to pursue, and to vote – often in this body – against the interests of their own people. They build up walls between us and the future that our people seek, and the time has come for those walls to come down. Together, we must build new coalitions that bridge old divides – coalitions of different faiths and creeds; of north and south, east and west; black, white, and brown.

The choice is ours. We can be remembered as a generation that chose to drag the arguments of the 20th century into the 21st; that put off hard choices, refused to look ahead, and failed to keep pace because we defined ourselves by what we were against instead of what we were for. Or, we can be a generation that chooses to see the shoreline beyond the rough waters ahead; that comes together to serve the common interests of human beings, and finally gives meaning to the promise embedded in the name given to this institution: the United Nations.

That is the future America wants – a future of peace and prosperity that we can only reach if we recognize that all nations have rights, but all nations have responsibilities as well. That is the bargain that makes this work. That must be the guiding principle of international cooperation.

Today, I put forward four pillars that are fundamental to the future that we want for our children: non-proliferation and disarmament; the promotion of peace and security; the preservation of our planet; and a global economy that advances opportunity for all people.

First, we must stop the spread of nuclear weapons, and seek the goal of a world without them.

This institution was founded at the dawn of the atomic age, in part because man’s capacity to kill had to be contained. For decades, we averted disaster, even under the shadow of a super-power stand-off. But today, the threat of proliferation is growing in scope and complexity. If we fail to act, we will invite nuclear arms races in every region, and the prospect of wars and acts of terror on a scale that we can hardly imagine.

A fragile consensus stands in the way of this frightening outcome – the basic bargain that shapes the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. It says that all nations have the right to peaceful nuclear energy; that nations with nuclear weapons have the responsibility to move toward disarmament; and those without them have the responsibility to forsake them. The next twelve months could be pivotal in determining whether this compact will be strengthened or will slowly dissolve.

America will keep our end of the bargain. We will pursue a new agreement with Russia to substantially reduce our strategic warheads and launchers. We will move forward with ratification of the Test Ban Treaty, and work with others to bring the Treaty into force so that nuclear testing is permanently prohibited. We will complete a Nuclear Posture Review that opens the door to deeper cuts, and reduces the role of nuclear weapons. And we will call upon countries to begin negotiations in January on a treaty to end the production of fissile material for weapons.

I will also host a Summit next April that reaffirms each nation’s responsibility to secure nuclear material on its territory, and to help those who can’t – because we must never allow a single nuclear device to fall into the hands of a violent extremist. And we will work to strengthen the institutions and initiatives that combat nuclear smuggling and theft.

All of this must support efforts to strengthen the NPT. Those nations that refuse to live up to their obligations must face consequences. This is not about singling out individual nations – it is about standing up for the rights of all nations that do live up to their responsibilities. Because a world in which IAEA inspections are avoided and the United Nation’s demands are ignored will leave all people less safe, and all nations less secure.

In their actions to date, the governments of North Korea and Iran threaten to take us down this dangerous slope. We respect their rights as members of the community of nations. I am committed to diplomacy that opens a path to greater prosperity and a more secure peace for both nations if they live up to their obligations.

But if the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East – then they must be held accountable. The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that Treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future not belong to fear.

That brings me to the second pillar for our future: the pursuit of peace.

The United Nations was born of the belief that the people of the world can live their lives, raise their families, and resolve their differences peacefully. And yet we know that in too many parts of the world, this ideal remains an abstraction. We can either accept that outcome as inevitable, and tolerate constant and crippling conflict. Or we can recognize that the yearning for peace is universal, and reassert our resolve to end conflicts around the world.

That effort must begin with an unshakeable determination that the murder of innocent men, women and children will never be tolerated. On this, there can be no dispute. The violent extremists who promote conflict by distorting faith have discredited and isolated themselves. They offer nothing but hatred and destruction. In confronting them, America will forge lasting partnerships to target terrorists, share intelligence, coordinate law enforcement, and protect our people. We will permit no safe-haven for al Qaeda to launch attacks from Afghanistan or any other nation. We will stand by our friends on the front lines, as we and many nations will do in pledging support for the Pakistani people tomorrow. And we will pursue positive engagement that builds bridges among faiths, and new partnerships for opportunity.

But our efforts to promote peace cannot be limited to defeating violent extremists. For the most powerful weapon in our arsenal is the hope of human beings – the belief that the future belongs to those who build, not destroy; the confidence that conflicts can end, and a new day begin.

That is why we will strengthen our support for effective peacekeeping, while energizing our efforts to prevent conflicts before they take hold. We will pursue a lasting peace in Sudan through support for the people of Darfur, and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, so that we secure the peace that the Sudanese people deserve. And in countries ravaged by violence – from Haiti to Congo to East Timor – we will work with the UN and other partners to support an enduring peace.

I will also continue to seek a just and lasting peace between Israel, Palestine, and the Arab world. Yesterday, I had a constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas. We have made some progress. Palestinians have strengthened their efforts on security. Israelis have facilitated greater freedom of movement for the Palestinians. As a result of these efforts by both sides, the economy in the West Bank has begun to grow. But more progress is needed. We continue to call on Palestinians to end incitement against Israel, and we continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.

The time has come to re-launch negotiations – without preconditions – that address the permanent-status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians; borders, refugees and Jerusalem. The goal is clear: two states living side by side in peace and security – a Jewish State of Israel, with true security for all Israelis; and a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the Palestinian people. As we pursue this goal, we will also pursue peace between Israel and Lebanon, Israel and Syria, and a broader peace between Israel and its many neighbors. In pursuit of that goal, we will develop regional initiatives with multilateral participation, alongside bilateral negotiations.

I am not naïve. I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service. To break the old patterns – to break the cycle of insecurity and despair – all of us must say publicly what we would acknowledge in private. The United States does Israel no favors when we fail to couple an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians. And nations within this body do the Palestinians no favors when they choose vitriolic attacks over a constructive willingness to recognize Israel’s legitimacy, and its right to exist in peace and security.

We must remember that the greatest price of this conflict is not paid by us. It is paid by the Israeli girl in Sderot who closes her eyes in fear that a rocket will take her life in the night. It is paid by the Palestinian boy in Gaza who has no clean water and no country to call his own. These are God’s children. And after all of the politics and all of the posturing, this is about the right of every human being to live with dignity and security. That is a lesson embedded in the three great faiths that call one small slice of Earth the Holy Land. And that is why – even though there will be setbacks, and false starts, and tough days – I will not waiver in my pursuit of peace.

Third, we must recognize that in the 21st century, there will be no peace unless we make take responsibility for the preservation of our planet.

The danger posed by climate change cannot be denied, and our responsibility to meet it must not be deferred. If we continue down our current course, every member of this Assembly will see irreversible changes within their borders. Our efforts to end conflicts will be eclipsed by wars over refugees and resources. Development will be devastated by drought and famine. Land that human beings have lived on for millennia will disappear. Future generations will look back and wonder why we refused to act – why we failed to pass on intact the environment that was our inheritance.

That is why the days when America dragged its feet on this issue are over. We will move forward with investments to transform our energy economy, while providing incentives to make clean energy the profitable kind of energy. We will press ahead with deep cuts in emissions to reach the goals that we set for 2020, and eventually 2050. We will continue to promote renewable energy and efficiency – and share new technologies – with countries around the world. And we will seize every opportunity for progress to address this threat in a cooperative effort with the whole world.

Those wealthy nations that did so much to damage the environment in the 20th century must accept our obligation to lead. But responsibility does not end there. While we must acknowledge the need for differentiated responses, any effort to curb carbon emissions must include the fast-growing carbon emitters who can do more to reduce their air pollution without inhibiting growth. And any effort that fails to help the poorest nations both adapt to the problems that climate change has already wrought – and travel a path of clean development – will not work.

It is hard to change something as fundamental as how we use energy. It’s even harder to do so in the midst of a global recession. Certainly, it will be tempting to sit back and wait for others to move first. But we cannot make this journey unless we all move forward together. As we head into Copenhagen, let us resolve to focus on what each of us can do for the sake of our common future.

This leads me to the final pillar that must fortify our future: a global economy that advances opportunity for all people.

The world is still recovering from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. In America, we see the engine of growth beginning to churn, yet many still struggle to find a job or pay their bills. Across the globe, we find promising signs, yet little certainty about what lies ahead. And far too many people in far too many places live through the daily crises that challenge our common humanity – the despair of an empty stomach; the thirst brought on by dwindling water; the injustice of a child dying from a treatable disease, or a mother losing her life as she gives birth.

In Pittsburgh, we will work with the world’s largest economies to chart a course for growth that is balanced and sustained. That means vigilance to ensure that we do not let up until our people are back to work. That means taking steps to rekindle demand, so that a global recovery can be sustained. And that means setting new rules of the road and strengthening regulation for all financial centers, so that we put an end to the greed, excess and abuse that led us into disaster, and prevent a crisis like this from ever happening again.

At a time of such interdependence, we have a moral and pragmatic interest in broader questions of development. And so we will continue our historic effort to help people feed themselves. We have set aside $63 billion to carry forward the fight against HIV/AIDS; to end deaths from tuberculosis and malaria; to eradicate polio; and to strengthen public health systems. We are joining with other countries to contribute H1N1 vaccines to the World Health Organization. We will integrate more economies into a system of global trade. We will support the Millennium Development Goals, and approach next year’s Summit with a global plan to make them a reality. And we will set our sights on the eradication of extreme poverty in our time.

Now is the time for all of us to do our part. Growth will not be sustained or shared unless all nations embrace their responsibility. Wealthy nations must open their markets to more goods and extend a hand to those with less, while reforming international institutions to give more nations a greater voice. Developing nations must root out the corruption that is an obstacle to progress – for opportunity cannot thrive where individuals are oppressed and business have to pay bribes. That’s why we will support honest police and independent judges; civil society and a vibrant private sector. Our goal is simple: a global economy in which growth is sustained, and opportunity is available to all.

The changes that I have spoken about today will not be easy to make. And they will not be realized simply by leaders like us coming together in forums like this. For as in any assembly of members, real change can only come through the people we represent. That is why we must do the hard work to lay the groundwork for progress in our own capitals. That is where we will build the consensus to end conflicts and to harness technology for peaceful purposes; to change the way we use energy, and to promote growth that can be sustained and shared.

I believe that the people of the world want this future for their children. And that is why we must champion those principles which ensure that governments reflect the will of the people. These principles cannot be afterthoughts – democracy and human rights are essential to achieving each of the goals that I have discussed today. Because governments of the people and by the people are more likely to act in the broader interests of their own people, rather than the narrow interest of those in power.

The test of our leadership will not be the degree to which we feed the fears and old hatreds of our people. True leadership will not be measured by the ability to muzzle dissent, or to intimidate and harass political opponents at home. The people of the world want change. They will not long tolerate those who are on the wrong side of history.

This Assembly’s Charter commits each of us, and I quote – “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women.” Among those rights is the freedom to speak your mind and worship as you please; the promise of equality of the races, and the opportunity for women and girls to pursue their own potential; the ability of citizens to have a say in how you are governed, and to have confidence in the administration of justice. For just as no nation should be forced to accept the tyranny of another nation, no individual should be forced to accept the tyranny of their own government.

As an African-American, I will never forget that I would not be here today without the steady pursuit of a more perfect union in my country. That guides my belief that no matter how dark the day may seem, transformative change can be forged by those who choose the side of justice. And I pledge that America will always stand with those who stand up for their dignity and their rights – for the student who seeks to learn; the voter who demands to be heard; the innocent who longs to be free; and the oppressed who yearns to be equal.

Democracy cannot be imposed on any nation from the outside. Each society must search for its own path, and no path is perfect. Each country will pursue a path rooted in the culture of its people, and – in the past – America has too often been selective in its promotion of democracy. But that does not weaken our commitment, it only reinforces it. There are basic principles that are universal; there are certain truths which are self evident – and the United States of America will never waiver in our efforts to stand up for the right of people everywhere to determine their own destiny.

Sixty-five years ago, a weary Franklin Roosevelt spoke to the American people in his fourth and final inaugural address. After years of war, he sought to sum up the lessons that could be drawn from the terrible suffering and enormous sacrifice that had taken place. “We have learned,” he said, “to be citizens of the world, members of the human community.”

The United Nations was built by men and women like Roosevelt from every corner of the world – from Africa and Asia; form Europe to the Americas. These architects of international cooperation had an idealism that was anything but naïve – it was rooted in the hard-earned lessons of war, and the wisdom that nations could advance their interests by acting together instead of splitting apart.

Now it falls to us – for this institution will be what we make of it. The United Nations does extraordinary good around the world in feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and mending places that have been broken. But it also struggles to enforce its will, and to live up to the ideals of its founding.

I believe that those imperfections are not a reason to walk away from this institution – they are a calling to redouble our efforts. The United Nations can either be a place where we bicker about outdated grievances, or forge common ground; a place where we focus on what drives us apart, or what brings us together; a place where we indulge tyranny, or a source of moral authority. In short, the United Nations can be an institution that is disconnected from what matters in the lives of our citizens, or it can be indispensable in advancing the interests of the people we serve.

We have reached a pivotal moment. The United States stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation – one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations. With confidence in our cause, and with a commitment to our values, we call on all nations to join us in building the future that our people deserve. Thank you.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Real_Change_is_Possible/

God helped victims who had been suffering from terrible remote mind control abuses and tortures

Soleilmavis — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:27:16 EDT

God helped victims who had been suffering from terrible remote mind control abuses and tortures

I became a victim of remote mind control abuses and tortures since Dec 2001 when I was studying Master Degree in Australia.

Suddenly heard "voices" harass me even at midnights, and pain all over the body. It really scared me. I was totally confused and frightened.

On Jan 2002, I stared crying for God.

If one of your Fingers was hurt, you would pay all your attention to the hurt Finger. I was the hurt Finger of the God. God heard my crying, God came to me. When I was crying, God shed tears for me.

Pain in my body, Pain in God's heart. After seeing my terrible suffering for some days, God came to me and stay. God decided to experience the suffering what I was experiencing.

While I was suffering from the terrible abuses and tortures on the Earth. God had won the War in the Heavens. (Revelation 12-8) Because of the sins of Satan, Satan was hurled to the Earth. And his angels with him.

God taught me how to do. I asked torturers to drop down their weapons since the first time they started torturing me. I told them that God was patient and forgiving, If they could drop down their weapons, they would go to the Heaven. But they were so waywardness and complacency, they did not listen to me. They kept torturing me everyday.....

God told me that I was chosen by the God. God knew the terrible tortures on the Earth. and sent me to the earth for solving the problem.

On 7 Aug 2002, I prayed hard to the God. "Please tell me what I should do, please teach me how to do." "Please help me to open the Bible."

I closed my eyes and opened the Bible. It was God to help me open the Bible.
The page of the opened Bible was <PROVERBS>.

God told me <PROVERBS> was the mission of God in the beginning of this new 1000 years. God told me that <PROVERBS> also would teach me how to do.

God teached me: "Do what you can do, and God will do others".

What I could do -- call to Public, let everyone know mind control abuses and tortures; Urge government to investigate such tortures and sentence torturers according to law.

Jesus was real, the Love i could feel. When i felt like that I could not go on, the Lord was right here. God suffered with me together. The terrible torture and the ignorance of the whole world has also hurt God.

On Jun 2009, I did not want God continue suffering with me together. God went back to the Heaven to recuperate from the hurt. God's angels were with God. They had been suffering too when seeming my suffering.

Because of the sins of Human Beings. God let Satan stay on the earth for a while.

I would continue working hard to call on Public to bring awareness of covert mind control abuses and tortures. and urge government to investigate such tortures and sentence torturers according to law. God had told me that "Proverbs" would teach me how to do.

Proverbs
Warning Against Enticement
1-8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
1-9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
1-10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
1-11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;
1-12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
(Secret Mind Control weapons abuses and tortures are to : wait for victims blood, waylay their harmless soul; swallow victims alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit.)
1-13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
1-14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"--
1-15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; (God asks everyone, do not support mind control weapons abuses and tortures)
1-16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.
1-17 How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!
1-18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!
1-19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom
1-20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street,she raises her voice in the public squares;
1-21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out,in the gateways of the vity she makes her speech;
(would you not believe that Wisdom had already called out to stop mind control weapons abuses and tortures? and victims have been following her call, and urged government to investigate such crime immediately?)
1-22 How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools tate knowledge?
1-23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.
1-24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
1-25 Since you ignored all my advoice and would not accept my rebuke,
(please don't reject to help victims and don't ignore victims complaint)
1-26 I in turn will laugh at your disater; I will mock when calamity overtakes you--
1-27 When calamity overtakes you like a storm,when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
1-28"Then they will call to me but I will not answer;they will look for me but will not find me.
1-29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord,
1-30 Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
1-31 they will eat the fruit of their ways.and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
1-32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them.and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
(Please don't be so waywardness in supporting mind control weapons abuses and tortures, please don't be complacency to covert mind control weapons abuses and tortures)
1-33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

More information about Mind Control/Directed Energy Weapons

http://peacepink.ning.com/forum

President Obama: Message To Wall Street

EsquireUK — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:46:42 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

September 15th marks the one-year anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, an event that, for many, brought home just how serious the financial crisis had become. One year later, President Obama spoke at the Federal hall in New York City to both look back and look forward:

While full recovery of the financial system will take a great deal more time and work, the growing stability resulting from these interventions means we're beginning to return to normalcy. But here's what I want to emphasize today: Normalcy cannot lead to complacency.

Unfortunately, there are some in the financial industry who are misreading this moment. Instead of learning the lessons of Lehman and the crisis from which we're still recovering, they're choosing to ignore those lessons. I'm convinced they do so not just at their own peril, but at our nation's. So I want everybody here to hear my words: We will not go back to the days of reckless behavior and unchecked excess that was at the heart of this crisis, where too many were motivated only by the appetite for quick kills and bloated bonuses. Those on Wall Street cannot resume taking risks without regard for consequences, and expect that next time, American taxpayers will be there to break their fall.

And that's why we need strong rules of the road to guard against the kind of systemic risks that we've seen. And we have a responsibility to write and enforce these rules to protect consumers of financial products, to protect taxpayers, and to protect our economy as a whole. Yes, there must -- these rules must be developed in a way that doesn't stifle innovation and enterprise. And I want to say very clearly here today, we want to work with the financial industry to achieve that end. But the old ways that led to this crisis cannot stand. And to the extent that some have so readily returned to them underscores the need for change and change now. History cannot be allowed to repeat itself.

So what we're calling for is for the financial industry to join us in a constructive effort to update the rules and regulatory structure to meet the challenges of this new century. That is what my administration seeks to do. We've sought ideas and input from industry leaders and policy experts, academics, consumer advocates, and the broader public. And we've worked closely with leaders in the Senate and the House, including not only Barney, but also Senators Chris Dodd and Richard Shelby, and Barney is already working with his counterpart, Sheldon Bacchus. And we intend to pass regulatory reform through Congress.

And taken together, we're proposing the most ambitious overhaul of the financial regulatory system since the Great Depression. But I want to emphasize that these reforms are rooted in a simple principle: We ought to set clear rules of the road that promote transparency and accountability. That's how we'll make certain that markets foster responsibility, not recklessness. That's how we'll make certain that markets reward those who compete honestly and vigorously within the system, instead of those who are trying to game the system.

The President went on to lay out the specifics of the new regulations and oversight that the largely Wall Street audience would come under.

Read the President's full remarks, as prepared for delivery . . .

Remarks of President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery

Financial Rescue and Reform

Federal Hall

September 14, 2009
Thank you all for being here and for your warm welcome. It’s a privilege to be in historic Federal Hall. It was here more than two centuries ago that our first Congress served and our first President was inaugurated. It was here, in the early days of our Republic, that Hamilton and Jefferson debated how best to administer a young economy and to ensure that our nation rewarded the talents and drive of its people. Two centuries later, we still grapple with these questions – questions made more acute in moments of crisis.

It was one year ago that we experienced just such a crisis. As investors and pension-holders watched with dread and dismay, and after a series of emergency meetings often conducted in the dead of the night, several of the world’s largest and oldest financial institutions had fallen, either bankrupt, bought, or bailed out: Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, AIG, Washington Mutual, Wachovia. A week before this began, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been taken over by the government. Other large firms teetered on the brink of insolvency. Credit markets froze as banks refused to lend not only to families and businesses but to one another. Five trillion dollars of Americans’ household wealth evaporated in the span of just three months.

Congress and the previous administration took difficult but necessary action in the days and months that followed. Nevertheless, when this administration walked through the door in January, the situation remained urgent. The markets had fallen sharply; credit was not flowing. It was feared that the largest banks – those that remained standing – had too little capital and far too much exposure to risky loans. And the consequences had spread far beyond the streets of lower Manhattan. This was no longer just a financial crisis; it had become a full-blown economic crisis, with home prices sinking, businesses struggling to access affordable credit, and the economy shedding an average of 700,000 jobs each month.

We could not separate what was happening in the corridors of our financial institutions from what was happening on factory floors and around kitchen tables. Home foreclosures linked those who took out home loans and those who repackaged those loans as securities. A lack of access to affordable credit threatened the health of large firms and small businesses, as well as all those whose jobs depended on them. And a weakened financial system weakened the broader economy, which in turn further weakened the financial system.

The only way to address successfully any of these challenges was to address them together, and so this administration – with terrific leadership by my Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, as well the Chair of my Council of Economic Advisers, Christy Romer, and the Chair of the National Economic Council, Larry Summers – moved quickly on all fronts, initializing a financial stability plan to rescue the system from the crisis and restart lending for all those affected by the crisis. By opening and examining the books of large financial firms, we helped restore the availability of two things that had been in short supply: capital and confidence. By taking aggressive and innovative steps in credit markets, we spurred lending not just to banks, but to folks looking to buy homes or cars, take out student loans, or finance small businesses. Our home ownership plan has helped responsible homeowners refinance to stem the tide of lost homes and lost home values.

And the recovery plan is providing help to the unemployed and tax relief for working families, all while spurring consumer spending. It’s prevented layoffs of tens of thousands of teachers, police officers, and other essential public servants. And thousands of recovery projects are underway all across America, putting people to work building wind turbines and solar panels, renovating schools and hospitals, and repairing our nation’s roads and bridges.

Eight months later, the work of recovery continues. And although I will never be satisfied while people are out of work and our financial system is weakened, we can be confident that the storms of the past two years are beginning to break.

In fact, while there continues to be a need for government involvement to stabilize the financial system, that necessity is waning. After months in which public dollars were flowing into our financial system, we are finally beginning to see money flowing back to the taxpayers. This doesn’t mean taxpayers will escape the worst financial crisis in decades unscathed. But banks have repaid more than $70 billion, and in those cases where the government’s stake has been sold completely, taxpayers have actually earned a 17-percent return on their investment. Just a few months ago, many experts from across the ideological spectrum feared that ensuring financial stability would require even more tax dollars. Instead, we’ve been able to eliminate a $250 billion reserve included in our budget because that fear has not been realized.

While full recovery of the financial system will take a great deal more time and work, the growing stability resulting from these interventions means we are beginning to return to normalcy. But what I want to emphasize is this: normalcy cannot lead to complacency.

Unfortunately, there are some in the financial industry who are misreading this moment. Instead of learning the lessons of Lehman and the crisis from which we are still recovering, they are choosing to ignore them. They do so not just at their own peril, but at our nation’s. So I want them to hear my words: We will not go back to the days of reckless behavior and unchecked excess at the heart of this crisis, where too many were motivated only by the appetite for quick kills and bloated bonuses. Those on Wall Street cannot resume taking risks without regard for consequences, and expect that next time, American taxpayers will be there to break their fall.

That’s why we need strong rules of the road to guard against the kind of systemic risks we have seen. And we have a responsibility to write and enforce these rules to protect consumers of financial products, taxpayers, and our economy as a whole. Yes, they must be developed in a way that does not stifle innovation and enterprise. And we want to work with the financial industry to achieve that end. But the old ways that led to this crisis cannot stand. And to the extent that some have so readily returned to them underscores the need for change and change now. History cannot be allowed to repeat itself.

Instead, we are calling on the financial industry to join us in a constructive effort to update the rules and regulatory structure to meet the challenges of this new century. That is what my administration seeks to do. We have sought ideas and input from industry leaders, policy experts, academics, consumer advocates, and the broader public. And we’ve worked closely with leaders in the Senate and House, including Senators Chris Dodd and Richard Shelby, and Congressman Barney Frank, who are now working to pass regulatory reform through Congress.

Taken together, we are proposing the most ambitious overhaul of the financial system since the Great Depression. But I want to emphasize that these reforms are rooted in a simple principle: we ought to set clear rules of the road that promote transparency and accountability. That’s how we’ll make certain that markets foster responsibility, not recklessness, and reward those who compete honestly and vigorously within the system, instead of those who try to game the system.

First, we’re proposing new rules to protect consumers and a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency to enforce those rules. This crisis was not just the result of decisions made by the mightiest of financial firms. It was also the result of decisions made by ordinary Americans to open credit cards and take on mortgages. And while there were many who took out loans they knew they couldn’t afford, there were also millions of Americans who signed contracts they didn’t fully understand offered by lenders who didn’t always tell the truth.

This is in part because there is no single agency charged with making sure it doesn’t happen. That is what we’ll change. The Consumer Financial Protection Agency will have the power to ensure that consumers get information that is clear and concise, and to prevent the worst kinds of abuses. Consumers shouldn’t have to worry about loan contracts designed to be unintelligible, hidden fees attached to their mortgages, and financial penalties – whether through a credit card or debit card – that appear without warning on their statements. And responsible lenders, including community banks, doing the right thing shouldn’t have to worry about ruinous competition from unregulated competitors.

Now there are those who are suggesting that somehow this will restrict the choices available to consumers. Nothing could be further from the truth. The lack of clear rules in the past meant we had innovation of the wrong kind: the firm that could make its products look best by doing the best job of hiding the real costs won. For example, we had “teaser” rates on credit cards and mortgages that lured people in and then surprised them with big rate increases. By setting ground rules, we’ll increase the kind of competition that actually provides people better and greater choices, as companies compete to offer the best product, not the one that’s most complex or confusing.

Second, we’ve got to close the loopholes that were at the heart of the crisis. Where there were gaps in the rules, regulators lacked the authority to take action. Where there were overlaps, regulators often lacked accountability for inaction. These weaknesses in oversight engendered systematic, and systemic, abuse.

Under existing rules, some companies can actually shop for the regulator of their choice – and others, like hedge funds, can operate outside of the regulatory system altogether. We’ve seen the development of financial instruments, like derivatives and credit default swaps, without anyone examining the risks or regulating all of the players. And we’ve seen lenders profit by providing loans to borrowers who they knew would never repay, because the lender offloaded the loan and the consequences to someone else. Those who refuse to game the system are at a disadvantage.

Now, one of the main reasons this crisis could take place is that many agencies and regulators were responsible for oversight of individual financial firms and their subsidiaries, but no one was responsible for protecting the whole system. In other words, regulators were charged with seeing the trees, but not the forest. And even then, some firms that posed a “systemic risk” were not regulated as strongly as others, exploiting loopholes in the system to take on greater risk with less scrutiny. As a result, the failure of one firm threatened the viability of many others. We were facing one of the largest financial crises in history and those responsible for oversight were caught off guard and without the authority to act.

That’s why we’ll create clear accountability and responsibility for regulating large financial firms that pose a systemic risk. While holding the Federal Reserve fully accountable for regulation of the largest, most interconnected firms, we’ll create an oversight council to bring together regulators from across markets to share information, to identify gaps in regulation, and to tackle issues that don’t fit neatly into an organizational chart. We’ll also require these financial firms to meet stronger capital and liquidity requirements and observe greater constraints on their risky behavior. That’s one of the lessons of the past year. The only way to avoid a crisis of this magnitude is to ensure that large firms can’t take risks that threaten our entire financial system, and to make sure they have the resources to weather even the worst of economic storms.

Even as we’ve proposed safeguards to make the failure of large and interconnected firms less likely, we’ve also proposed creating what’s called “resolution authority” in the event that such a failure happens and poses a threat to the stability of the financial system. This is intended to put an end to the idea that some firms are “too big to fail.” For a market to function, those who invest and lend in that market must believe that their money is actually at risk. And the system as a whole isn’t safe until it is safe from the failure of any individual institution.

If a bank approaches insolvency, we have a process through the FDIC that protects depositors and maintains confidence in the banking system. This process was created during the Great Depression when the failure of one bank led to runs on other banks, which in turn threatened the banking system. And it works. Yet we don’t have any kind of process in place to contain the failure of a Lehman Brothers or AIG or any of the largest and most interconnected financial firms in our country.

That’s why, when this crisis began, crucial decisions about what would happen to some of the world’s biggest companies – companies employing tens of thousands of people and holding trillions of dollars in assets – took place in hurried discussions in the middle of the night. And that’s why we’ve had to rely on taxpayer dollars. The only resolution authority we currently have that would prevent a financial meltdown involved tapping the Federal Reserve or the federal treasury. With so much at stake, we should not be forced to choose between allowing a company to fall into a rapid and chaotic dissolution that threatens the economy and innocent people, or forcing taxpayers to foot the bill. Our plan would put the cost of a firm’s failure on those who own its stock and loaned it money. And if taxpayers ever have to step in again to prevent a second Great Depression, the financial industry will have to pay the taxpayer back – every cent.

Finally, we need to close the gaps that exist not just within this country but among countries. The United States is leading a coordinated response to promote recovery and to restore prosperity among both the world’s largest economies and the world’s fastest growing economies. At a summit in London in April, leaders agreed to work together in an unprecedented way to spur global demand but also to address the underlying problems that caused such a deep and lasting global recession. This work will continue next week in Pittsburgh when I convene the G20, which has proven to be an effective forum for coordinating policies among key developed and emerging economies and one that I see taking on an important role in the future.

Essential to this effort is reforming what’s broken in the global financial system – a system that links economies and spreads both rewards and risks. For we know that abuses in financial markets anywhere can have an impact everywhere; and just as gaps in domestic regulation lead to a race to the bottom, so too do gaps in regulation around the world. Instead, we need a global race to the top, including stronger capital standards, as I’ve called for today. As the United States is aggressively reforming our regulatory system, we will be working to ensure that the rest of the world does the same.

A healthy economy in the 21st Century also depends upon our ability to buy and sell goods in markets across the globe. And make no mistake, this administration is committed to pursuing expanded trade and new trade agreements. It is absolutely essential to our economic future. But no trading system will work if we fail to enforce our trade agreements. So when, as happened this weekend, we invoke provisions of existing agreements, we do so not to be provocative or to promote self-defeating protectionism. We do so because enforcing trade agreements is part and parcel of maintaining an open and free trading system.

And just as we have to live up to our responsibilities on trade, we have to live up to our responsibilities on financial reform as well. I have urged leaders in Congress to pass regulatory reform this year and both Congressman Frank and Senator Dodd, who are leading this effort, have made it clear that that’s what they intend to do. Now there will be those who defend the status quo. There will be those who argue we should do less or nothing at all. But to them I’d say only this: do you believe that the absence of sound regulation one year ago was good for the financial system? Do you believe the resulting decline in markets and wealth and employment was good for the economy? Or the American people?

I’ve always been a strong believer in the power of the free market. I believe that jobs are best created not by government, but by businesses and entrepreneurs willing to take a risk on a good idea. I believe that the role of government is not to disparage wealth, but to expand its reach; not to stifle markets, but to provide the ground rules and level playing field that helps to make them more vibrant – and that will allow us to better tap the creative and innovative potential of our people. For we know that it is the dynamism of our people that has been the source of America’s progress and prosperity.

So I certainly did not run for President to bail out banks or intervene in the capital markets. But it is important to note that the very absence of common-sense regulations able to keep up with a fast-paced financial sector is what created the need for that extraordinary intervention. The lack of sensible rules of the road, so often opposed by those who claim to speak for the free market, led to a rescue far more intrusive than anything any of us, Democrat or Republican, progressive or conservative, would have proposed or predicted.

At the same time, what we must do now goes beyond just these reforms. For what took place one year ago was not merely a failure of regulation or legislation; it was not merely a failure of oversight or foresight. It was a failure of responsibility that allowed Washington to become a place where problems – including structural problems in our financial system – were ignored rather than solved. It was a failure of responsibility that led homebuyers and derivative traders alike to take reckless risks they couldn’t afford. It was a collective failure of responsibility in Washington, on Wall Street, and across America that led to the near-collapse of our financial system one year ago.

Restoring a willingness to take responsibility – even when it is hard – is at the heart of what we must do. Here on Wall Street, you have a responsibility. The reforms I’ve laid out will pass and these changes will become law. But one of the most important ways to rebuild the system stronger than before is to rebuild trust stronger than before – and you do not have to wait for a new law to do that. You don’t have to wait to use plain language in your dealings with consumers. You don’t have to wait to put the 2009 bonuses of your senior executives up for a shareholder vote. You don’t have to wait for a law to overhaul your pay system so that folks are rewarded for long-term performance instead of short-term gains.

The fact is, many of the firms that are now returning to prosperity owe a debt to the American people. Though they were not the cause of the crisis, American taxpayers through their government took extraordinary action to stabilize the financial industry. They shouldered the burden of the bailout and they are still bearing the burden of the fallout – in lost jobs, lost homes and lost opportunities. It is neither right nor responsible after you’ve recovered with the help of your government to shirk your obligation to the goal of wider recovery, a more stable system, and a more broadly shared prosperity.

So I want to urge you to demonstrate that you take this obligation to heart. To put greater effort into helping families who need their mortgages modified under my administration’s homeownership plan. To help small business owners who desperately need loans and who are bearing the brunt of the decline in available credit. To help communities that would benefit from the financing you could provide, or the community development institutions you could support. To come up with creative approaches to improve financial education and to bring banking to those who live and work entirely outside the banking system. And, of course, to embrace serious financial reform, not fight it.

Just as we are asking the private sector to think about the long term, Washington must as well. When my administration came through the door, we not only faced a financial crisis and costly recession, we also found waiting a trillion-dollar deficit. Yes, we have had to take extraordinary action in the wake of an extraordinary economic crisis. But I am committed to putting this nation on a sound and secure fiscal footing. That’s why we’re pushing to restore pay-as-you-go rules, because I will not go along with the old Washington ways which said it was OK to pass spending bills and tax cuts without a plan to pay for it. That’s why we’re cutting programs that don’t work or are out of date. And that’s why I’ve insisted that health insurance reform not add a dime to the deficit, now or in the future.

There are those who would suggest that we must choose between markets unfettered by even the most modest of regulations – and markets weighed down by onerous regulations that suppress the spirit of enterprise and innovation. But if there is one lesson we can learn from the last year, it is that this is a false choice. Common-sense rules of the road do not hinder the markets but make them stronger. Indeed, they are essential to ensuring that our markets function, and function fairly and freely.

One year ago, we saw in stark relief how markets can err; how a lack of common-sense rules can lead to excess and abuse; how close we can come to the brink. One year later, it is incumbent on us to put in place those reforms that will prevent this kind of crisis from ever happening again; that reflect the painful but important lessons we’ve learned; and that will help us move from a period of recklessness and crisis to one of responsibility and prosperity. That is what we must do. And I’m confident that is what we will do.

Thank you.

www.whitehouse.gov

Source: The White House

Take Courage Mr. President - Stand By the Cause! Cc: To Mitch Stewart, OFA

Charles — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:21:11 EDT

The eminent delay of Health Care Reform (HCR) is found in the oxymoron called the "trigger." If this country is ever helpless it is now as it continues to feebly mush through economic mediocrity. The “trigger” is like a double edge sword, it cuts both ways, and can be used against its proponents, but it has an onerous tone to it.

If it is accepted it will never be squeezed, and it will destroy HCR. If it is not accepted it can be used to raze its proponents. There is an often quoted allegory: The bitter enemy of the right intention is the best intention, and anything that excludes the public option from HCR like the health care “trigger” is exactly that – a best intention.

President Obama, do not be bluffed by the hand of the opposition they are good at throwing a bluff and then are better at bargaining for compromise in their favor. You have the better hand – a Royal Flush – your Ace in the hole is the people - you’ve got the majority of the country behind you in favor of HCR, and it was the reason we elected you – to bring change to Washington despite their intransigency. You have Joe Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and the Congress we gave you.

Do not be afraid it has been forty years since we have tried to get HCR and if you don’t pass it now it will be another forty years and a possible war before we break the strangle hold of inequality, privilege, and disparity. The Civil War gives us that example. Put politics aside, and err on the side of the people and you will never go wrong.

They’ve done it since the revolution, when the southern conservatives won a political victory against slavery and then secured and strengthened it with sanctions during and after the Revolution it took almost eighty years to rescind slavery. The tactic is the same incite anger, and revolt by scaring the congress to acquiesce to their demands.

Pull out all the stops get Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Speaker Pelosi and call on your Surgeon General to speak up for HCR, call on some of the iconoclasts of industry to call for HCR, call on renown political writers to advocate for HCR, call on movie stars to rally for HCR, as a matter of fact create a commercial Like MTV’s – I want my MTV – that says, “I want my Healthcare.”

Better yet organize a National Health Care Rally for Monday October 12, and call on the millions of your supporters to descend on the Nation’s Mall in a call for Health Care reform.

Take Courage President Obama – Stand by the Cause!

Sincerely,

Charles Wheeler

"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

Health Care Reform

John Minehan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:27:43 EDT

My views on this issue are shaped by my experiences, as with most people. Particularly, they have been shaped by working as a lawyer, and before that a law clerk and low-level functionary in the health care industry, beginning in the late 1990s, which was a time of great change.

Here are some things I saw and the conclusions I draw from those things.

President Obama Nominates Fed Chairman Bernanke to Second Term

EsquireUK — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:28:39 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

Bernanke Is Nominated for Second Term as Fed Chief President Barack Obama nominated Ben S. Bernanke to a second four-year term starting Jan. 31. "Ben approached a financial system on the verge of collapse with calm and wisdom," Obama said. Bernanke has expanded the bank's power by the most in history to battle the worst economic slump since the Great Depression. His nomination requires Senate approval.

www.whitehouse.gov

Aug. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, who led the biggest expansion of the central bank’s power in its 95-year history to battle the worst economic slump since the Great Depression, was nominated to a second term today by President Barack Obama.

“Ben approached a financial system on the verge of collapse with calm and wisdom, with bold action and out-of-the box thinking that has helped put the brakes on our economic freefall,” Obama said in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, with Bernanke at his side.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&refer=top_news&sid=a3rutrLT32Jw

President Mubarak At The White House

EsquireUK — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:16:13 EDT

(President Barack Obama meets with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Oval Office of the
White House, August 18, 2009)

(President Barack Obama meets with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Oval Office of the
White House, August 18, 2009)

(President Barack Obama meets with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Oval Office of the
White House, August 18, 2009)

download .mp4 (264.9 MB) | read the transcript

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/President-Mubarak-of-Egypt-at-the-White-House/

HEALTH CARE REFORM: WHY THE OBAMA PROPOSAL IS LOSING

John Minehan — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:14:03 EDT

The other day, I heard a cogent, persuasive argument in favor of the Public Option that did not rely on the idea that the Public Option would be the first step towards a single payor system. Unfortunately, I did not hear this argument from the President; from Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius; from "Health Reform Czar" De Parle; or from Press Secretary Gibbs.

Dispatches From The Health Care Reform Front

John Minehan — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:47:00 EDT

On August 11, 2009, I was one of several constituents who met with Mr. Chris White of Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey's (22d NY) Staff on health care reform, particularly, HR 3200. Mr. White was very knowledgeable. His graciousness in dealing with an unexpectedly large group was much appreciated.

The majority of these constituents (I was the exception) supported something closer to a single payor system, as does Rep. Hinchey as a member of the House Progressive Caucus and a co-sponsor of HR 676, the single payor bill.

As when I attended Rep. Murphy's Town Halls in the 20d NY this weekend, this meeting made me see two things clearly:

almost everyone thinks reform is needed; and

no one is committed in any way to the present version of HR 3200, which seems to be without any natural constituency.

I think the current version of HR 3200 will fail. The question is: what can succeed?

2009 Medal of Freedom Recipients

EsquireUK — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:38:13 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009-Medal-of-Freedom-Recipients/

Barack Obama will recognise the accomplishments of actors, activists, athletes and the world's foremost living theoretical physicist today when he awards the presidential medal of freedom to 16 people.

Among recipients of the United States' highest honour for a civilian will be Stephen Hawking, the Cambridge University physicist and mathematician known for his work on black holes; former Irish president and one-time UN human rights commissioner Mary Robinson, and retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Other recipients include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, a leader in global anti-poverty efforts who pioneered providing "microloans" to provide credit to poor people who lack collateral.

Film star Sidney Poitier, civil rights leader the Rev Joseph Lowery and tennis legend Billie Jean King were also among those to receive the medal as well as Democratic senator Edward Kennedy, who has been battling brain cancer, and Sandra Day O'Connor, former US supreme court justice.

Kennedy will remain on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, following the death of his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, but the senator's spokesman said his children will attend the ceremony and his daughter, Kara, will accept the award on his behalf.

Obama, awarding his first presidential medals, also will make posthumous awards to Jack Kemp of New York, the football quarterback-turned-politician who died in May, and gay rights activist and San Francisco politician Harvey Milk, who was assassinated in 1978.

The White House has said the individuals were selected for their work as "agents of change".

US president Harry Truman established the medal of Freedom in 1945 to recognise civilians for their efforts during the second world war. John F Kennedy reinstated the medal in 1963 to honour distinguished service.

Other recipients are: Joe Medicine Crow, the last living Plains Indian war chief who fought in the second world war wearing war paint beneath his uniform. Chita Rivera, an actor, singer, dancer and winner of two Tony Awards for Broadway roles. Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G Komen for the Cure, a leading breast cancer grass-roots organisation. Dr Pedro Jose Greer Jr, assistant dean of academic affairs at Florida International University School of Medicine. Dr Janet Davison Rowley, professor of medicine at the University of Chicago.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/12/medal-of-freedom-obama-list

Medal of Freedom Recipients

Posted by Katherine Brandon

The President announced today the 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilan honor. The President praised the recipients for breaking down barriers and lifting up their fellow citizens: "These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds. Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way."The awards will be presented on August 12. Here is a little bit about this year’s recipients:

Nancy Goodman Brinker is the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s leading breast cancer grassroots organization.
Pedro José Greer, Jr. is the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Florida International University School of Medicine. He is also the founder of Camillus Health Concern, an agency that provides medical care to over 10,000 homeless and low-income patients each year in Miami.
Stephen Hawking is an internationally-recognized theoretical physicist, and is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University.
Jack Kemp was a U.S. Congressman, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Republican Nominee for Vice President in 1996. He died in May, 2009
Sen. Edward Kennedy is one of the longest-serving and greatest Senators of all time. He has worked tirelessly for health care reform over the last five decades.
Billie Jean King is known for winning the famous "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match, and championing gender equality issues not only in sports, but in all aspects of life.
Rev. Joseph Lowery has been a leader of the civil rights movement since the 1950s, and co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King.
Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow is the last living Plains Indian war chief, and author of works on Native American history and culture who has served as an inspiration to young Native Americans across the country.
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official from a major city in the United States. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, and encouraged LGBT citizens to live their lives openly.
Sandra Day O’Connor was a Supreme Court Justice from 1981 until her retirement in 2006. She was the first woman ever to sit on the Supreme Court, and has received numerous awards for her outstanding achievements.
Sidney Poitier is an actor known for breaking racial barriers. He is the first African American to be nominated and win a Best Actor Academy Award.
Chita Rivera is an actress, singer and dancer, who has broken barriers and inspired a generation of women. In 2002, she was the first Hispanic to receive the Kennedy Center Honor.
Mary Robinson was the first female President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since 2002, she has been the President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative.
Janet Davison Rowley, M.D., is the Blum Riese Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine, Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology and Human Genetics at the University of Chicago. She discovered the first consistent chromosome translocation in a human cancer.
Desmond Tutu is widely regarded as "South Africa’s moral conscience," and was a leading anti-apartheid activist in South Africa.
Muhammad Yunus is a global leader in anti-poverty efforts, and pioneered the use of "micro-loans" to provide credit to poor individuals.

See the official release for a little more detail.

North American Leaders Summit

EsquireUK — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:21:19 EDT

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."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-North-American-Leaders-Summit/

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

20th NY Congressional District Town Halls

John Minehan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:44:42 EDT

On August 7, I attended a Town Hall sponsored by Rep. Scott Murphy of the 20th NY held at Granville, NY. On August 8, I attended a Town Hall held at Valatie, NY by Rep. Murphy. In each case other issues were discussed but the primary focus was health care reform. I have the following observations:

Adhere to the law of God will let us to victory

Soleilmavis — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:40:22 EDT

The laws of God which are written in the Bible are the most important things in our life.
The laws of God which are written in the Bible are the most
I will adhere to the law of God which God teachs me, I will work hard to expose mind control abuse and torture. I will work hard to call people to help and sentence torturers to jail according to law.

Since 2002, When I started to suffer from remote mind control weapons abuse and torture, and was harassed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by voice to skull weapons, God came to me and showed me the law of God which were written in the Bible.

Proverbs 1-11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;
1-12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

Remote mind control abuse and torture is the most sinful thing in the world. Mind control abuse and torture is to:
(1-11) "wait for someone's blood",and "waylay some harmless soul";
(1-12) "swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit".

God condemned such terrible mind control abuse and torture.
Proverbs 1-15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
1-16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.
1-18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!
1-19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Even people were not willing to believe that Wisdom was calling aloud, but they could see that there were some people had been awared by wisdom and calling aloud in the street.

But why did people reject to help victims and ignore their calls? I didn't know what reasons make people to reject to help victims and ignore their calls.
I only knew God condemned mind control abuse and torture. and God asked everyone not give in to them.
proverbs 1-10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.

1-29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord,
So God also warned everyone in the earth.
1-24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
1-25 Since you ignored all my advoice and would not accept my rebuke,
1-26 I in turn will laugh at your disater; I will mock when calamity overtakes you--
1-27 When calamity overtakes you like a storm,when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

And God asked everyone not reject wisdom and ignore wisdom, so many victims had been calling aloud about what wisdom had been calling. people should not reject to help victims and should not ignore their calls.

I have not won, I have not been able to find help to sentence torturers to jail according to law. So many people in the world called me loser.

I knew how waywardness and complacency torturers were. Mind control abuse and torture has also broken law of many countries and United Nations.
I will adhere to the law of God. I will working hard to expose mind control abuse and torture and looking for help to sentence torturers to jail according to law.

More information about mind control abuse and torture, please go to http://peacepink.ning.com/forum

President Obama: Release Of American Journalists

EsquireUK — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:37:49 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Reflecting-on-the-Release-of-Euna-Lee-and-Laura-Ling/

Reflecting on the Release of Euna Lee and Laura Ling

Posted by Katherine Brandon

We were all relieved to learn yesterday that American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, detained in North Korea since March, would be released. They arrived safely back in the United States this morning, and were reunited with their families. The President called the families yesterday when he learned that the journalists were on the plane home, and described the reunion as "a source of happiness not only for the families but for the entire country."

The President reflected on the release in a statement this morning, and he thanked President Clinton and Vice President Gore for their efforts which led to the safe homecoming:

I want to thank President Bill Clinton -- I had a chance to talk to him -- for the extraordinary humanitarian effort that resulted in the release of the two journalists. I want to thank Vice President Al Gore who worked tirelessly in order to achieve a positive outcome.I think that not only is this White House obviously extraordinarily happy, but all Americans should be grateful to both former President Clinton and Vice President Gore for their extraordinary work. And my hope is, is that the families that have been reunited can enjoy the next several days and weeks, understanding that because of the efforts of President Clinton and Gore, they are able to be with each other once again.So we are very pleased with the outcome, and I'm hopeful that the families are going to be able to get some good time together in the next few days.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Reflecting-on-the-Release-of-Euna-Lee-and-Laura-Ling/

Toyotas NOT Ladas: Markets For Health Care . . . And Health Care Reform

John Minehan — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:13:21 EDT

If you want to lower costs, increase quality and improve access to services in health care, you must leverage market forces. If you want to sell health care reform, you need to propose a plan somebody wants.

Some Thoughts on Co-Ops That MIGHT Work

John Minehan — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:43:26 EDT

A couple of my friends across the political spectrum sent me these interesting articles on the Co-op idea proposed in the Senate:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-esk...

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Hea...

In my opinion, Co-ops are the best approach to:

covering the uninsured, especially those with pre-existing conditions; and

replacing both employment-based and government-provided health care for many people.

2009 Medal of Freedom Recipients

EsquireUK — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:06:44 EDT

THURSDAY, JULY 30TH,

2009 Medal of Freedom Recipients

Posted by Katherine Brandon

Nancy Goodman Brinker is the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s leading breast cancer grassroots organization.
Pedro José Greer, Jr. is the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Florida International University School of Medicine. He is also the founder of Camillus Health Concern, an agency that provides medical care to over 10,000 homeless and low-income patients each year in Miami.
Stephen Hawking is an internationally-recognized theoretical physicist, and is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University.
Jack Kemp was a U.S. Congressman, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Republican Nominee for Vice President in 1996. He died in May, 2009
Sen. Edward Kennedy is one of the longest-serving and greatest Senators of all time. He has worked tirelessly for health care reform over the last five decades.
Billie Jean King is known for winning the famous "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match, and championing gender equality issues not only in sports, but in all aspects of life.
Rev. Joseph Lowery has been a leader of the civil rights movement since the 1950s, and co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King.
Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow is the last living Plains Indian war chief, and author of works on Native American history and culture who has served as an inspiration to young Native Americans across the country.
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official from a major city in the United States. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, and encouraged LGBT citizens to live their lives openly.
Sandra Day O’Connor was a Supreme Court Justice from 1981 until her retirement in 2006. She was the first woman ever to sit on the Supreme Court, and has received numerous awards for her outstanding achievements.
Sidney Poitier is an actor known for breaking racial barriers. He is the first African American to be nominated and win a Best Actor Academy Award.
Chita Rivera is an actress, singer and dancer, who has broken barriers and inspired a generation of women. In 2002, she was the first Hispanic to receive the Kennedy Center Honor.
Mary Robinson was the first female President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since 2002, she has been the President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative.
Janet Davison Rowley, M.D., is the Blum Riese Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine, Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology and Human Genetics at the University of Chicago. She discovered the first consistent chromosome translocation in a human cancer.
Desmond Tutu is widely regarded as "South Africa’s moral conscience," and was a leading anti-apartheid activist in South Africa.
Muhammad Yunus is a global leader in anti-poverty efforts, and pioneered the use of "micro-loans" to provide credit to poor individuals.

See the official release for a little more detail.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009-Medal-of-Freedom-Recipients/

The Speedbump in Health Care Reform: Patient Choice

John Minehan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:29:04 EDT

Health Care reform, certainly any reform involving a single-payor "Public Option," is likely DOA. The interesting question is: "Why?"

Based on the people I have talked to, the overwhelming answer is the fact that people are afraid of loosing their right to choose health plans, providers and treatment options in the event the Public Option were to be enacted.

Open Letter to Rep. Murphy (NY 20th) on Health Care Reform

John Minehan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:28:02 EDT

Dear Congressman Murphy:

I strongly support your decision on July 24th to oppose the currently proposed House and Senate Health Care Reform Bills, a decision which must have been both politically and personally difficult. While health care reform is sorely needed, we need real reform, rather than the creation of a less robust version of the troubled Canadian Medicare system.

In your letter declaring your position to your constituents, you raised several issues that needed to be addressed in the reform process. The following are some suggested practical solutions to the issues you raise.

Health Care Reform: Towards a Plan That Might Work

John Minehan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:06:22 EDT

Many years ago, I had the (somewhat demanding) honor of serving as a Brigade Intelligence Officer in the 1st Cavalry Division when then-MG Wesley K. Clark commanded the Division. One of GEN Clark's maxims stays with me to this day:

"There are two kinds of plans: those that won't work . . . and those that might."

As it is presently constructed, the Senate and House versions of Health Care Reform are "a plan that won't work." Bringing in elements from the French and German health care systems and more room for market forces could create "a plan that might work."

President Obama Cites The Importance Of Africa

EsquireUK — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:30:14 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

FRIDAY, JULY 10TH, 2009 AT 5:25 PMThe President Takes Questions from AfricaPosted by Katie Stanton

Tonight, President Obama arrives in Ghana in his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the United States. Over the past week, we have been collecting questions, comments and words of welcome for President Obama via SMS, Twitter, Facebook and from newspapers across Africa. We shared these responses with 3 journalists in Africa, Ms. Angela Quintal of the Independent Newspapers in South Africa, Mr. Mamadou Thior of Radio Television Senegal (RTS) and Mr. Peter Kimani of The Standard in Kenya. These journalists, in turn, picked a few of the questions for the President to answer. We'll post a video and audio recording of those answers on Monday.

Tomorrow, the President will address the Ghanaian Parliament. We'll post the transcript and the audio of the speech soon after on this site, and get video up in the coming days.

In the meantime, we thought we'd share an interactive map which samples some of the questions.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-President-Takes-Questions-from-Africa/

www.whitehouse.gov

Legitimacy, Resiliency and Transpartisanship

John Minehan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:42:04 EDT

The recent death of Michael Jackson, icon of the 1980s, made me think about how much the world has changed since that time. In the 1980s, we still lived in the mass market, mass media world that futurist Alvin Toffler called "The Second Wave" in his 1980 book The Third Wave (See http://en.wikipedia.org/...

Increasingly, we live in a Third Wave world of what management thinker Tom Peters calls "de-massification" and "narrow casting," a world where there is no single "King of Pop," for example. I think that Liberals and Democrats need to consider what this increasing trend toward decentralization means for progressive causes.

G-8 Leaders Pledge $20 Billion for Food-Security Initiative

EsquireUK — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:41:09 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

L'AQUILA, Italy -- Group of Eight leaders, after a last-minute push from U.S. President Barack Obama, will pledge $20 billion over three years for a new "food security" initiative, a late victory for a summit that has limped along and failed to meet other expectations.
Much of that money had been previously pledged to food aid. For instance, of the Obama administration's three-year, $3.5 billion a year pledge, a little less than half is new money. But on Thursday, it looked like G8 leaders would pledge only $12 billion over three years, an actual drop in current aid spending.
"One of the things we're going to have to do is fight the temptation towards cynicism," Mr. Obama said after climate-change talks Thursday.
World leaders here largely punted on big decisions or promised future action. A meeting on nuclear weapons is to be held in Washington in March, Mr. Obama said, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced he would soon propose changes to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty requiring states suspected of building nuclear weapons to prove they aren't.
After the group failed to agree on greenhouse-gas emissions targets, Mr. Obama said finance ministers were directed to develop programs for financing climate-change mitigation and climate-control technologies before the Group of 20 nations meet in September, and to reach emissions-reduction targets before December. The leaders agreed to restart and conclude the next round of global trade talks -- but not until 2010.
Amid the lackluster results, officials here found themselves defending the existence of the G-8, as economic powers, such as China, India and others, rise outside the club

Mr. Obama had hoped to secure a robust agricultural aid program before his Saturday trip to the West African nation of Ghana, where he will tell the Ghanaian Parliament that recipients of U.S. assistance must bring to their agricultural-aid programs the same efficiencies and effectiveness that have been applied recently to health efforts, especially on AIDS and education.
"Insofar as he'll be talking about a new way of looking at food security, it will certainly only serve to reinforce the argument that he'll be making in Ghana. That is to say that we have responsibilities, but that the Ghanaians and Africans generally, as well as people in other developing nations, also have responsibilities," said Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough.
Before the gathering, G-8 officials had been promoting a three-year, $15 billion initiative to launch what they are calling a "green revolution" focused on improving agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of the rural poor. Advocates of development aid have noted that $15 billion is at best what developed nations already provide in food assistance. At worst, it may represent a decline.
In response, the Obama administration -- one of the few to pledge real aid increases -- pressed for more before the summit's conclusion.
"Obama's dragging the G-8 along, but at this point, the money's not looking all that good," said Gawain Kripke, U.S. policy director for Oxfam International, an advocate of development aid.
In an interview, Jacques Diouf, director-general of the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization played down the amount of aid the G-8 would collectively pledge, noting that the real challenge lay in getting individual governments to deliver on their promises through tighter coordination.
The G-8 nations on Thursday pledged by the end of 2010 to have concluded global trade negotiations. The talks -- known as the Doha Round, after the Gulf State city where they were started -- would focus on where they foundered: agricultural subsidies and trade barriers to services.
"There is a really important political goodwill shown by the president of the United States towards having a clear and ambitious target, 2010, to get an agreement -- not just to negotiate," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.

www.whitehouse.gov

President Obama Insists World Climate Accord Possible

EsquireUK — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:19:35 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

Barack Obama, US president, insisted on Thursday there was still time for the world to agree binding commitments to cut greenhouse emissions, in spite of stalemate at the G8 summit in L’Aquila.

Mr Obama takes centre stage in the Italian town on Thursday when he chairs a session on global warming, bringing together 17 rich and emerging economies, including China and Brazil.

US diplomats say there is no chance that the countries will agree to cut world emissions by 50 per cent by 2050 – from a still undecided baseline of 1990 or later. They are however likely to agree on an aspiration to stop temperatures rising more than 2 degrees centigrade compared with pre-industrial levels.

The early departure of Hu Jintao, China’s president of China, from the meeting made any change in position on cuts even less likely.

But Mr Obama believes an agreement on binding intermediate targets – for a deadline sometime before 2050 – can be reached before a UN climate change summit in Copenhagen in December.

Robert Gibbs, White House spokesman, said Mr Obama told President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil that ”there was still time in which they could close the gap on that disagreement in time for that important [meeting]”.

Mr Obama is seen as a pivotal figure in reaching any Copenhagen agreement, but months of tense negotiations lie ahead.

India, China and other big emerging economies want to be sure the west is serious about meeting medium term targets for cutting emissions before they commit themselves. They also want money to help them clean up their industries.

The credibility of the G8 on climate change was challenged by Russia, which had earlier signed up to a communique by the group committing wealthy nations to an even more ambitious 80 per cent cut in emissions by 2050 – again with a still undecided baseline. The Russian delegation however has questioned whether such a long-term target is meaningful.

Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, said progress on climate change at the G8 was so far ”not enough”. He added: ”This is politically and morally [an] imperative and historic responsibility ... for the future of humanity, even for the future of the planet Earth.”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2ded2ba2-6c84-11de-a6e6-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

G8 Summit

EsquireUK — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:19:06 EDT

World leaders meet in quake zone

Leaders of the major industrial powers, the G8, have begun their annual summit with a working lunch in an earthquake-stricken Italian town.

L'Aquila was where nearly 300 people were killed in a quake in April, and an evacuation plan is in place in case a tremor should hit during the summit.

Security is also tight and at least 36 protesters have already been arrested.

The leaders' agenda includes the global financial crisis, food security, climate change and Iran.

US President Barack Obama arrived on Wednesday, as did British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is also due, fresh from talks with Mr Obama in which they agreed a framework for new nuclear weapons cuts in Moscow.

The leaders of France, Canada and Japan are also attending, along with EU representatives.

G8 KEY ISSUES/TIMETABLE

WEDNESDAY: Economy

1045 GMT - leaders arrive in L'Aquila

1100 GMT - first session

THURSDAY: Climate Change

Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, Egypt join talks

1230 GMT - Junior G8

1300 GMT - Major Economies Forum meeting

FRIDAY: International Development

0630 GMT - crisis' impact on Africa with African leaders attending

0830 GMT - food security

1100 GMT - final news conference

G8 members: Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, US

But Hu Jintao, China's president, has cancelled plans to attend the summit and address G8 leaders, instead flying back to Beijing amid continuing unrest in China's western province of Xinjiang.

Tremors predicted

The summit is being held at the same police barracks from where the rescue operation was run after April's earthquake, when more than 50,000 people were forced to flee their homes.

The region has continued to suffer aftershocks, including one of magnitude 4.1 just last week.

A top geologist predicted there would be more tremors this week - but said the summit venue should be safe.

Nevertheless, an evacuation plan is in place. Italian newspapers say it involves moving the leaders to tents and then flying them out by helicopter.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi moved the summit to L'Aquila to show solidarity with the quake victims.

He took Mrs Merkel on a tour of Onna, a nearby village almost flattened by the quake, and will take Mr Obama on a tour of L'Aquila later.

He may also be hoping to use the summit to put his domestic troubles behind him. His wife has filed for divorce and he has faced myriad accusations about wild parties and relations with young women and prostitutes.

Officials will be hoping for more positive headlines than when Italy hosted the G8 in Genoa in 2001. That summit was marred by violent protests and police faced charges of brutality and misconduct.

But on Tuesday, police in Rome said they had arrested 36 people after masked protesters blocked roads, threw objects and set fire to tyres.

On Wednesday, dozens of protesters occupied four coal power plants in different regions of Italy, demanding tougher measures from G8 leaders in fighting climate change, Greenpeace said.

Big agenda

The first item on the agenda of the summit will be the global financial crisis. The credit crunch was not even envisaged at last year's summit, when concerns were considerably different - high oil and food prices and inflationary pressures.

Now discussion will centre on how to avoid a repeat of the credit crunch, with regulation to force banks to hold higher capital reserves a favoured option.

There will also be pressure to conclude new talks on global trade rules, and to avoid protectionist measures.

HAVE YOUR SAY The "global warming" myth has been completely debunked by many leading academics, yet many, politicians believe it for their own purposes. William Read, UK

International political issues like the Iranian election aftermath, the Middle East, nuclear weapons and terrorism will also feature in discussions.

And the leaders will try to get closer to a new deal on climate change management ahead of a crucial meeting in Copenhagen in December.

African leaders will join the three-day summit on Friday, to push for a new initiative to fund farming in the developing world and tackle global hunger.

The financial crisis has had a severe impact in some developing countries and campaign groups say it makes it all the more important for the G8 to live up to earlier commitments to increase aid, the BBC's Andrew Walker in L'Aquila says.

LOCATION OF 2009 G8 SUMMIT

L' Aquila was at the epicentre of a major earthquake that hit the Italian region of Abruzzo on 6 April this year.

The G8 summit is being held at the Guardia di Finanza non-commissioned officers' school . This was where the funeral of the earthquake victims took place and also the HQ of the department co-ordinating emergency work.

The barracks comprise more than 50 buildings. World leaders are staying in the officers' quarters and more than 2,400 journalists are housed in a "media village".

April's earthquake damaged several medieval buildings, including the church of Santa Maria di Collemaggio. A statue of the Virgin Mary and Child (pictured) recovered from the church is on display at the G8 venue among other works of art affected by the quake.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8139364.stm

President Obama Urges Russia To Turn From The Past

EsquireUK — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:33:40 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

TUESDAY, JULY 7TH, 2009 AT 10:54 AM

A Hopeful Reset

Posted by Jesse Lee

Yesterday the Presidents of two countries once consumed by the Cold War came together to begin putting what President Obama calls a "reset" of relations into concrete action. They hammered out agreements on a range of issues, perhaps most notably taking the first steps towards decreasing the threat of nuclear weapons to the human race. Today the President spoke at the graduation of the New Economic School and laid out his broad vision for a new relationship.He spoke of Russia’s history and heritage:I know that NES is a young school, but I speak to you today with deep respect for Russia's timeless heritage. Russian writers have helped us understand the complexity of the human experience, and recognize eternal truths. Russian painters, composers, and dancers have introduced us to new forms of beauty. Russian scientists have cured disease, sought new frontiers of progress, and helped us go to space.

These are contributions that are not contained by Russia's borders, as vast as those borders are. Indeed, Russia's heritage has touched every corner of the world, and speaks to the humanity that we share. That includes my own country, which has been blessed with Russian immigrants for decades; we've been enriched by Russian culture, and enhanced by Russian cooperation. And as a resident of Washington, D.C., I continue to benefit from the contributions of Russians -- specifically, from Alexander Ovechkin. We're very pleased to have him in Washington, D.C. (Applause.)

He spoke of the obvious benefits of cooperation, and the obstacles that still manage to obstruct it:Yet unfortunately, there is sometimes a sense that old assumptions must prevail, old ways of thinking; a conception of power that is rooted in the past rather than in the future. There is the 20th century view that the United States and Russia are destined to be antagonists, and that a strong Russia or a strong America can only assert themselves in opposition to one another. And there is a 19th century view that we are destined to vie for spheres of influence, and that great powers must forge competing blocs to balance one another.
These assumptions are wrong. In 2009, a great power does not show strength by dominating or demonizing other countries. The days when empires could treat sovereign states as pieces on a chess board are over. As I said in Cairo, given our independence, any world order that -- given our interdependence, any world order that tries to elevate one nation or one group of people over another will inevitably fail. The pursuit of power is no longer a zero-sum game -- progress must be shared.

That's why I have called for a "reset" in relations between the United States and Russia. This must be more than a fresh start between the Kremlin and the White House -- though that is important and I've had excellent discussions with both your President and your Prime Minister. It must be a sustained effort among the American and Russian people to identify mutual interests, and expand dialogue and cooperation that can pave the way to progress.

And he spoke on that central issue of his visit, nuclear non-proliferation:

This is the core of the nuclear challenge in the 21st century. The notion that prestige comes from holding these weapons, or that we can protect ourselves by picking and choosing which nations can have these weapons, is an illusion. In the short period since the end of the Cold War, we've already seen India, Pakistan, and North Korea conduct nuclear tests. Without a fundamental change, do any of us truly believe that the next two decades will not bring about the further spread of these nuclear weapons?

That's why America is committed to stopping nuclear proliferation, and ultimately seeking a world without nuclear weapons. That is consistent with our commitment under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That is our responsibility as the world's two leading nuclear powers. And while I know this goal won't be met soon, pursuing it provides the legal and moral foundation to prevent the proliferation and eventual use of nuclear weapons.
We're already taking important steps to build this foundation. Yesterday, President Medvedev and I made progress on negotiating a new treaty that will substantially reduce our warheads and delivery systems. We renewed our commitment to clean, safe and peaceful nuclear energy, which must be a right for all nations that live up to their responsibilities under the NPT. And we agreed to increase cooperation on nuclear security, which is essential to achieving the goal of securing all vulnerable nuclear material within four years.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/A-Hopeful-Reset/

Obama urges shift in Russia ties

US President Barack Obama has urged Russia to turn from the past, emphasising the common goals the US shares with its former Cold War rival.

He told young graduates in Moscow they were the "last generation" to be born in a "divided world".

Mr Obama sought to reassure the country that the US sought a "strong, peaceful and prosperous" Russia.

The speech comes on the second day of Mr Obama's visit to Moscow and followed his first meeting with Vladimir Putin.

During the breakfast talks he told the former president turned prime minister that he had done "extraordinary work" leading Russia.

'Fundamental change'

Mr Obama said in his speech: "Partnership will be stronger if Russia occupies its rightful place as a great power."

ANALYSIS
Jonathan Marcus, Moscow

President Barack Obama's speech began with conventional references to Russia's timeless heritage. He mentioned the Russian people's suffering during World War II.

There was inevitably some geo-politics. Mr Obama said that "the days when empires could treat sovereign states as pieces on a chess board are over". That will be taken as a clear stab at those in the Russian leadership who still see their former-Soviet neighbours as a Russian sphere of influence.

But in his choice of audience - students from a business school "founded with Western support but now distinctly Russian" as he put it - he was hinting at the sort of society he hoped Russia would become.

He said both Russia and the US had shared common goals in, for example, preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

"It is not for me to define Russia's national interests, but I can tell you about America's, and I believe that you will see we share common ground," he told the audience at the New Economic School in Moscow.

Mr Obama said that neither the US nor Russia would benefit from a nuclear arms race in East Asia or the Middle East.

"That is why we should be united in opposing North Korea's efforts to become a nuclear power, and preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," he said.

Mr Obama called on Russia to accept a "fundamental change", without which, he suggested the next two decades would inevitably bring about the further spread of nuclear weapons.

"That is why America is committed to stopping nuclear proliferation, and ultimately seeking a world without nuclear weapons," he said.

He suggested that Russia and the US could also co-operate in areas including energy and on the challenges of defeating extremism.

He said America's clear goal was to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan and Pakistan but did not seek bases in, nor to control, these nations.

FIVE KEY 'COMMON GOALS'

Preventing nuclear proliferation

Tackling extremism

Global prosperity

Human rights

International co-operation

"Instead, we want to work with international partners to help Afghans and Pakistanis advance their own security and prosperity. That is why I'm pleased that Russia has agreed to allow the United States to supply our coalition forces through your territory," he said.

He said the international financial crisis had highlighted the need and potential for unified co-operation between nations beyond the economic sphere.

"We can forge partnerships on energy that tap not only traditional resources, but the new sources of energy that will drive growth and combat climate change. All of that, Americans and Russians can do together."

New partnerships

Mr Obama urged the fellow nuclear power to respect international borders, human rights and democratic principles, as well as tackle corruption.

"People everywhere should have the right to do business or get an education without paying a bribe," he said.

"That is not an American idea or a Russian idea - that's how people and countries will succeed in the 21st Century."

Mr Obama then went on to hold what the White House described as a "good meeting" with former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.

On Monday, after meeting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Mr Obama signed eight separate agreements with Russia.

These, he said during the speech would "substantially reduce our warheads and delivery systems".

Among the deals was a pact to negotiate a new arms control treaty to replace the 1991 Start I pact which expires in December.

A new agreement could see the two countries reducing their nuclear warheads by up to a third, to below 1,700 each within seven years of the treaty's signing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8137637.stm

www.whitehouse.gov

President Obama Arrives In Russia

EsquireUK — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:57:39 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

The President went to Russia as the first stop in his trip this week, continuing to work towards a "reset" of relations towards a more constructive path. This morning he joined President Dmitry A. Medvedev for a joint press conference, and summed up the meeting they had just held:We've just concluded a very productive meeting. As President Medvedev just indicated, the President and I agreed that the relationship between Russia and the United States has suffered from a sense of drift. We resolved to reset U.S.-Russian relations, so that we can cooperate more effectively in areas of common interest. Today, after less than six months of collaboration, we've done exactly that by taking concrete steps forward on a range of issues, while paving the way for more progress in the future. And I think it's particularly notable that we've addressed the top priorities -- these are not second-tier issues, they are fundamental to the security and the prosperity of both countries.The President wasted no time, forging a strengthened consensus on Afghanistan, creating a new strategic framework for military-to-military engagement between the United States and the Russian Federation, a recommitment to cooperation on reducing nuclear proliferation and in particular on a new, comprehensive, legally binding agreement on reducing and limiting strategic offensive arms to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which expires on December 5, 2009. In addition the two Presidents agreed to create a Bilateral Presidential Commission, which they will chair and which will be coordinated by Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Minister Lavrov, with working groups on issues ranging from agriculture to energy to space cooperation and cultural exchanges.

www.whitehouse.gov

Obama in Moscow for nuclear talks

US President Barack Obama is holding talks in Moscow with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, focusing on further reducing nuclear stockpiles.

Officials on both sides were quoted as saying a document had been agreed, though Russia said it was not final.

Both men say they want deep cuts to their current levels of 6,000 nuclear warheads each.

In addition, Russia has been pressing Mr Obama to scrap a US plan for a missile defence shield in Europe.

Afghanistan and Iran are also on the agenda.

The presidential Air Force One plane carrying Mr and Mrs Obama landed at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Monday morning.

Ahead of Tuesday's talks with Russian Prime Minister and former President Vladimir Putin, Mr Obama said he was confident the discussions could offer "extraordinary progress" on several fronts.

"On a whole host of issues - including security issues, economic issues, energy issues, environmental issues - the United States and Russia have more in common than they have differences," he said.

Many analysts say Mr Putin is still in the driving seat in the Russian government.

Both sides have made clear their desire to improve, or "reset", relations between Washington and Moscow.

But BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus, who is in Moscow, says that is not going to be easy given the different perceptions of their national interests the two sides bring to the table.

Under the previous Bush Administration, relations between Washington and Moscow were almost as bad as during the Cold War, so there is ample opportunity for improvement, he adds.

The two countries have very different hopes for the summit's outcome, he explains, with the US hoping it will provide the basis for a much more substantial diplomatic relationship in the future.

The Russian leadership, meanwhile, sees this summit as a way of presenting itself as the equal of the US, he says.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8135394.stm

President Obama: G8 Forum

EsquireUK — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:20:44 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

Obama's climate leadership faces test at G8 forum

* President Obama to chair major economies forum meeting at G8

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama, buoyed by a domestic victory on climate policy, faces his first foreign test on the issue next week at a forum that could boost the chances of reaching a U.N. global warming pact this year.

Obama, who has pledged U.S. leadership in the fight against climate change, chairs a meeting of the world's top greenhouse gas emitters at the G8 summit in Italy on July 9.

Known as the Major Economies Forum, the grouping includes 17 nations that account for roughly 75 percent of the world's emissions, making any agreement from its leaders a potential blueprint for U.N. talks in Copenhagen in December.

Meetings of the forum, which Obama relaunched earlier this year, have so far failed to achieve major breakthroughs.

Developing countries want their industrial counterparts to reduce emissions by 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, while rich nations want developing states to commit to boosting their economies in an environmentally friendly way.

Those debates and others will be featured at the Italy meeting, the first at a heads of state and government level, and all eyes will be on Obama, whose climate initiatives European leaders have lauded while privately pressing him for more.

Europeans "want to seize this moment to push as hard as they can on the Americans to get significant ... targeted commitments on carbon emissions reductions," said Heather Conley, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic & International Studies.

"They know that this is going to be a very careful walk along the road to Copenhagen in December and they're going to publicly praise and privately push hard."

A Democrat, Obama has reversed the environmental policies of Republican predecessor George W. Bush by pressing for U.S. greenhouse gas emission cuts and a cap-and-trade system to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) output from major industries.

The House of Representatives helped turn that vision into a potential law last week by passing a bill that would require large companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels.

CHALLENGES, LEADERSHIP

But those figures are still below what many scientists say is necessary and -- potentially more dangerous for the Copenhagen process -- the measures face obstacles to their passage through the U.S. Senate.

Washington has resisted calls to endorse the aim of limiting global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius at the G8 summit, though a European official said Wednesday the United States was now on board for that goal.

"The politics of climate change are stuck, despite Obama coming in," said Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists. He said the United States was still on the defensive in comparison to the more progressive European Union.

Despite those challenges, White House officials said the president would carry momentum to the G8.

"Bolstered by the great progress in the House last week, the president will ... press for continued progress on energy and climate," Denis McDonough, the White House deputy national security adviser, told reporters.

Activists hope Obama's presence will pay dividends.

"This is really a chance for President Obama to bring what he's most known for here in the U.S. -- hope and change -- into the climate dialogue internationally," said Keya Chatterjee, director of international climate negotiations at environmental group WWF in Washington.

She said other industrialized nations had used the Bush administration's reluctance to sign up to major emissions curbs as an excuse to avoid making their own strong commitments.

"In the past year it's been very easy for Canada and Russia and Japan to hide behind the Bush administration, but they don't have that to hide behind anymore," she said.

A draft copy of the statement to be released by the major emitters sets a goal for the world to reduce emissions 50 percent by 2050, but it does not include a base year.

The draft also gives a nod to the "broad scientific view that the increase in global average temperature above pre-industrial levels ought not to exceed 2 degrees C" without specifically endorsing that goal.

(Additional reporting Alister Doyle, editing by Vicki Allen)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8588026

National Health Care Day of Service Observations

John Minehan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:21:42 EDT

I attended National Health Care Day of Service Informational Events in two cities in Upstate New York on June 27th.

The events I attended were informational displays. I was able to talk to about 50 people from all walks of life.

The following observations may be of interest:

Reflections on the Obama Administration and the Direction of Modern Liberalism

John Minehan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:36:18 EDT

Back in December, I attended a couple of the Town Hall meetings that the Obama Transition Team had nationally. I sent the following impressions to some of my friends and family on December 15, 2008:

Persia: "Who Knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Lillene Ebanks — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:43:07 EDT

Let us fast and pray for three days and three nights for unconditional love, for the peace and protection for the most beautiful women in the world who are standing up for what they believe in in Persia (Iran) as they did over three thousand years ago when King Ahasuerus married a Jew who changed her name to Queen Ester. the Jews were going to be slawtered and they were given weapons to defend themselves. There are decendents in Iran who are both Jewish and Arabic as they are direct decendents from the marriage of King Ahasuerus and Queen Ester. But we need to pray for each other so that love will form a hedge of protection and settle all the hard feelings so that Persians (Iranians) will love each other with a strong, loyal, and peaceful love with the ability to use the internet and to talk as this is the ultimate freedom. Do not stiffle free speech as tyrants tend to do but stand up for a democratic country where women and men can all express their views without fear of retaliation or death. We love you and we are praying for you. Let us pray for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she tries to recuperate from her broken elbow and I know she too sends her love and prayers for peace and unconditional love which is her trade mark. President Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama, I believe, both send their love and prayers too.

President Obama Condemns Unjust Violence

EsquireUK — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:18:11 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

Transcript in English:

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Good afternoon, everybody. Today, I want to start by addressing three issues, and then I'll take your questions.

First, I'd like to say a few words about the situation in Iran. The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days. I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost.

I've made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not interfering with Iran's affairs. But we must also bear witness to the courage and the dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore the violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place.

The Iranian people are trying to have a debate about their future. Some in Iran -- some in the Iranian government, in particular, are trying to avoid that debate by accusing the United States and others in the West of instigating protests over the election. These accusations are patently false. They're an obvious attempt to distract people from what is truly taking place within Iran's borders. This tired strategy of using old tensions to scapegoat other countries won't work anymore in Iran. This is not about the United States or the West; this is about the people of Iran, and the future that they -- and only they -- will choose.

The Iranian people can speak for themselves. That's precisely what's happened in the last few days. In 2009, no iron fist is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to peaceful protests [sic] of justice. Despite the Iranian government's efforts to expel journalists and isolate itself, powerful images and poignant words have made their way to us through cell phones and computers, and so we've watched what the Iranian people are doing.

This is what we've witnessed. We've seen the timeless dignity of tens of thousands of Iranians marching in silence. We've seen people of all ages risk everything to insist that their votes are counted and that their voices are heard. Above all, we've seen courageous women stand up to the brutality and threats, and we've experienced the searing image of a woman bleeding to death on the streets. While this loss is raw and extraordinarily painful, we also know this: Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history.

As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people have a universal right to assembly and free speech. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect those rights and heed the will of its own people. It must govern through consent and not coercion. That's what Iran's own people are calling for, and the Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government.

Transcript in Persian:

And finally, read an Arabic translation as well (pdf).

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Presidents-Opening-Remarks-on-Iran-with-Persian-Translation/

Constitutional Amendment: Right to Vote for ALL of "We the People of the United States of America"

Lillene Ebanks — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:48:36 EDT

The core value of our democracy has been undermined for two hundred years in order for a few men to create the demise of civil rights. Let us now practice what we preach around the world. Let us give the quarter of the population the right to participate in our democratic process. Let us amend our Constitution to give everyone the right to vote.
Take time today, on this significant holiday marking the emancipation of the slaves, to reflect on the wrongs we have preserved in our union and make them right.

Left Wing Federalism and The Third Wave

John Minehan — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:01:39 EDT

I happened to see Dr. Dean's interview on Morning Joe the other day. In it, Dr. Dean said that young people, the center of gravity in the 2008 Election, are Center Left on social issues but Center Right on economic issues.

That can be restated slightly to better capture the zeitgeist: the emerging Center embraces Progressive ends through Conservative means. For example, the number of states changing their laws to allow same-sex unions, a Progressive cause, is increasing. However, this is happening at the state-level, often through legislative action rather than through the Courts, a classically Federalist means.

On the Holocaust Museum Shooting

EsquireUK — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:30:07 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/On-the-Holocaust-Museum-Shooting/

The President and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar offer condolences.

President Obama:

I am shocked and saddened by today’s shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. This outrageous act reminds us that we must remain vigilant against anti-Semitism and prejudice in all its forms. No American institution is more important to this effort than the Holocaust Museum, and no act of violence will diminish our determination to honor those who were lost by building a more peaceful and tolerant world.

Today, we have lost a courageous security guard who stood watch at this place of solemn remembrance. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in this painful time.

Secretary Salazar:

Today, we witnessed an act of violence and hatred in one of our world's most sacred sites of remembrance. This horrible crime took the life of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns, whose courage in the line of duty saved lives and protected the hallowed halls of the Holocaust Museum. Americans' thoughts and prayers tonight are with Officer Johns’ family.

We are also reminded of the great sacrifices our law enforcement officials, including security guards and the Park Police who protect the National Mall, make every day on our behalf. This tragic act of violence only reaffirms the lessons of peace and human dignity that the Holocaust Museum teaches.

http://www.ushmm.org/

USAA NOT DMV: SECURING UNIVERSAL COVERAGE THROUGH THE NOT FOR PROFIT SECTOR

John Minehan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:03:48 EDT

After attending the Health Care Day of Service Organizing Meetings‏ this weekend, I begin to think we are at an impasse, as we were in 1994. Single-payor has passionate supporters, but many voters and many elected officials are almost as passionately opposed. Republicans propose fresh ideas for reform, that are, however, most likely unworkable. There may be a workable compromise, however, in the model used by an organization called USAA that provides auto insurance for active and retired military personnel. The USAA model, rather than the DMV model, may be preferable to a majority of Americans.

Watch President Obama's Speech

EsquireUK — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:23:36 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/NewBeginning/

Hello -

As a Senior Advisor to the President, I'm here in Cairo, Egypt where I watched President Obama deliver an unprecedented speech calling for a new beginning for the United States and Muslim communities around the world.

We all know that there has been tension between the United States and some Muslim communities. But, as the President said this morning, if all sides face the sources of tension squarely and focus on mutual interests, we can find a new way forward.

The President outlined some big goals for this new beginning in his speech -- including disrupting, dismantling, and defeating violent extremism. It was a historic speech, and since many Americans were asleep at the time it was given we wanted to make sure you had a chance to see it:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/NewBeginning/

Majority-Muslim countries around the world are filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives, just as in America. Indeed, part of what makes America great is having nearly seven million Muslim Americans living here today and enriching our culture and communities.

We can extend that kind of relationship abroad. It won't always be easy, but if we make an effort to bridge our differences rather than resigning ourselves to animosity, we can move toward a more peaceful world over time.

Thank you,
David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President

Support a Two State Policy for Israel and Palestine

Lillene Ebanks — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:42:48 EDT

Please join with us in prayer for God to do for the Palestinians’ what He has done for Israel, by supporting President Barack and Former Prime Minister Tony Blair in their efforts to assist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu creating a state for Palestine that has the security that Israel needs and the land that the Palestinians’ need.

God is no respecter of persons and what he has done for the seed of Abraham and Sarah he will do for the seed of Abraham and Hagar. Palestine will have a state to call their own and Israel will have the security they need.

A Few Thoughts on Korea

John Minehan — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:54:09 EDT

A couple of thoughts on Korea:

The Obama Presidency: Supreme Court Nominee

EsquireUK — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:14:48 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

This morning President Obama nominated federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. If confirmed, Sotomayor would replace Justice Souter, who earlier this month announced his plans to retire who announced his plans to retire at the end of the court's current term.

From WhiteHouse.gov:

As a former constitutional law professor, [President Obama] believes it paramount to select someone who rejects ideology and shares his deep respect for the Constitutional values on which this nation was founded. And as the President has made clear, upholding those constitutional values requires more than just the intellectual ability to apply a legal rule to a set of facts. It requires a common sense understanding of how laws affect the daily realities of people’s lives.

During a joint appearance with Judge Sotomayor, the president described both her professional experience and her incredible life story:

Over a distinguished career that spans three decades, Judge Sotomayor has worked at almost every level of our judicial system, providing her with a depth of experience and a breadth of perspective that will be invaluable as a Supreme Court justice.
... But as impressive and meaningful as Judge Sotomayor's sterling credentials in the law is her own extraordinary journey. Born in the South Bronx, she was raised in a housing project not far from Yankee Stadium, making her a lifelong Yankee's fan. I hope this will not disqualify her -- (laughter) -- in the eyes of the New Englanders in the Senate. (Laughter.)

Sonia's parents came to New York from Puerto Rico during the second world war, her mother as part of the Women's Army Corps. And, in fact, her mother is here today and I'd like us all to acknowledge Sonia's mom. (Applause.) Sonia's mom has been a little choked up. (Laughter.) But she, Sonia's mother, began a family tradition of giving back to this country. Sonia's father was a factory worker with a 3rd-grade education who didn't speak English. But like Sonia's mother, he had a willingness to work hard, a strong sense of family, and a belief in the American Dream.
When Sonia was nine, her father passed away. And her mother worked six days a week as a nurse to provide for Sonia and her brother -- who is also here today, is a doctor and a terrific success in his own right. But Sonia's mom bought the only set of encyclopedias in the neighborhood, sent her children to a Catholic school called Cardinal Spellman out of the belief that with a good education here in America all things are possible.

With the support of family, friends, and teachers, Sonia earned scholarships to Princeton, where she graduated at the top of her class, and Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal, stepping onto the path that led her here today.

Along the way she's faced down barriers, overcome the odds, lived out the American Dream that brought her parents here so long ago. And even as she has accomplished so much in her life, she has never forgotten where she began, never lost touch with the community that supported her.

What Sonia will bring to the Court, then, is not only the knowledge and experience acquired over a course of a brilliant legal career, but the wisdom accumulated from an inspiring life's journey.

Read the president's full remarks, as well as Judge Sotmayor's remarks . . .

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN NOMINATING
JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

May 26, 2009
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Of the many responsibilities granted to a President by our Constitution, few are more serious or more consequential than selecting a Supreme Court justice. The members of our highest court are granted life tenure, often serving long after the Presidents who appointed them. And they are charged with the vital task of applying principles put to paper more than 20 [sic] centuries ago to some of the most difficult questions of our time.

So I don't take this decision lightly. I've made it only after deep reflection and careful deliberation. While there are many qualities that I admire in judges across the spectrum of judicial philosophy, and that I seek in my own nominee, there are few that stand out that I just want to mention.

First and foremost is a rigorous intellect -- a mastery of the law, an ability to hone in on the key issues and provide clear answers to complex legal questions. Second is a recognition of the limits of the judicial role, an understanding that a judge's job is to interpret, not make, law; to approach decisions without any particular ideology or agenda, but rather a commitment to impartial justice; a respect for precedent and a determination to faithfully apply the law to the facts at hand.

These two qualities are essential, I believe, for anyone who would sit on our nation's highest court. And yet, these qualities alone are insufficient. We need something more. For as Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, "The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience." Experience being tested by obstacles and barriers, by hardship and misfortune; experience insisting, persisting, and ultimately overcoming those barriers. It is experience that can give a person a common touch and a sense of compassion; an understanding of how the world works and how ordinary people live. And that is why it is a necessary ingredient in the kind of justice we need on the Supreme Court.

The process of reviewing and selecting a successor to Justice Souter has been rigorous and comprehensive, not least because of the standard that Justice Souter himself has set with his formidable intellect and fair-mindedness and decency. I've sought the advice of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, including every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. My team has reached out to constitutional scholars, advocacy organizations, and bar associations representing an array of interests and opinions. And I want to thank members of my staff and administration who've worked so hard and given so much of their time as part of this effort.

After completing this exhaustive process, I have decided to nominate an inspiring woman who I believe will make a great justice: Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the great state of New York. (Applause.)

Over a distinguished career that spans three decades, Judge Sotomayor has worked at almost every level of our judicial system, providing her with a depth of experience and a breadth of perspective that will be invaluable as a Supreme Court justice.

It's a measure of her qualities and her qualifications that Judge Sotomayor was nominated to the U.S. District Court by a Republican President, George H.W. Bush, and promoted to the Federal Court of Appeals by a Democrat, Bill Clinton. Walking in the door she would bring more experience on the bench, and more varied experience on the bench, than anyone currently serving on the United States Supreme Court had when they were appointed.

Judge Sotomayor is a distinguished graduate of two of America's leading universities. She's been a big-city prosecutor and a corporate litigator. She spent six years as a trial judge on the U.S. District Court, and would replace Justice Souter as the only justice with experience as a trial judge, a perspective that would enrich the judgments of the Court.

For the past 11 years she has been a judge on the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit of New York, one of the most demanding circuits in the country. There she has handed down decisions on a range of constitutional and legal questions that are notable for their careful reasoning, earning the respect of colleagues on the bench, the admiration of many lawyers who argue cases in her court, and the adoration of her clerks who look to her as a mentor.

During her tenure on the District Court, she presided over roughly 450 cases. One case in particular involved a matter of enormous concern to many Americans, including me: the baseball strike of 1994-1995. (Laughter.) In a decision that reportedly took her just 15 minutes to announce, a swiftness much appreciated by baseball fans everywhere -- (laughter) -- she issued an injunction that helped end the strike. Some say that Judge Sotomayor saved baseball. (Applause.)

Judge Sotomayor came to the District Court from a law firm where she was a partner focused on complex commercial litigation, gaining insight into the workings of a global economy. Before that she was a prosecutor in the Manhattan DA's office, serving under the legendary Robert Morgenthau, an early mentor of Sonia's who still sings her praises today. There, Sonia learned what crime can do to a family and a community, and what it takes to fight it. It's a career that has given her not only a sweeping overview of the American judicial system, but a practical understanding of how the law works in the everyday lives of the American people.

But as impressive and meaningful as Judge Sotomayor's sterling credentials in the law is her own extraordinary journey. Born in the South Bronx, she was raised in a housing project not far from Yankee Stadium, making her a lifelong Yankee's fan. I hope this will not disqualify her -- (laughter) -- in the eyes of the New Englanders in the Senate. (Laughter.)

Sonia's parents came to New York from Puerto Rico during the second world war, her mother as part of the Women's Army Corps. And, in fact, her mother is here today and I'd like us all to acknowledge Sonia's mom. (Applause.) Sonia's mom has been a little choked up. (Laughter.) But she, Sonia's mother, began a family tradition of giving back to this country. Sonia's father was a factory worker with a 3rd-grade education who didn't speak English. But like Sonia's mother, he had a willingness to work hard, a strong sense of family, and a belief in the American Dream.

When Sonia was nine, her father passed away. And her mother worked six days a week as a nurse to provide for Sonia and her brother -- who is also here today, is a doctor and a terrific success in his own right. But Sonia's mom bought the only set of encyclopedias in the neighborhood, sent her children to a Catholic school called Cardinal Spellman out of the belief that with a good education here in America all things are possible.

With the support of family, friends, and teachers, Sonia earned scholarships to Princeton, where she graduated at the top of her class, and Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal, stepping onto the path that led her here today.

Along the way she's faced down barriers, overcome the odds, lived out the American Dream that brought her parents here so long ago. And even as she has accomplished so much in her life, she has never forgotten where she began, never lost touch with the community that supported her.

What Sonia will bring to the Court, then, is not only the knowledge and experience acquired over a course of a brilliant legal career, but the wisdom accumulated from an inspiring life's journey.

It's my understanding that Judge Sotomayor's interest in the law was sparked as a young girl by reading the Nancy Drew series -- (laughter) -- and that when she was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of eight, she was informed that people with diabetes can't grow up to be police officers or private investigators like Nancy Drew. And that's when she was told she'd have to scale back her dreams.

Well, Sonia, what you've shown in your life is that it doesn't matter where you come from, what you look like, or what challenges life throws your way -- no dream is beyond reach in the United States of America.

And when Sonia Sotomayor ascends those marble steps to assume her seat on the highest court of the land, America will have taken another important step towards realizing the ideal that is etched above its entrance: Equal justice under the law.

I hope the Senate acts in a bipartisan fashion, as it has in confirming Judge Sotomayor twice before, and as swiftly as possible so that she can take her seat on the Court in September and participate in deliberations as the Court chooses which cases it will hear this coming year.

And with that, I'd like all of you to give a warm greeting as I invite Judge Sotomayor to say a few words. (Applause.)

JUDGE SOTOMAYOR: I was just counseled not to be nervous. (Laughter.) That's almost impossible. (Laughter.)

Thank you, Mr. President, for the most humbling honor of my life. You have nominated me to serve on the country's highest court, and I am deeply moved.

I could not, in the few minutes I have today, mention the names of the many friends and family who have guided and supported me throughout my life and who have been instrumental in helping me realize my dreams. I see many of those faces in this room. Each of you, whom I love deeply, will know that my heart today is bursting with gratitude for all you have done for me.

The President has said to you that I bring my family. In the audience is my brother, Juan Sotomayor -- he's a physician in Syracuse, New York; my sister-in-law, Tracey; my niece, Kylie -- she looks like me -- (laughter) -- my twin nephews, Conner and Corey. I stand on the shoulders of countless people, yet there is one extraordinary person who is my life aspiration -- that person is my mother, Celina Sotomayor. (Applause.)

My mother has devoted her life to my brother and me, and as the President mentioned, she worked often two jobs to help support us after Dad died. I have often said that I am all I am because of her, and I am only half the woman she is.

Sitting next to her is Omar Lopez, my mom's husband and a man whom I have grown to adore. I thank you for all that you have given me and continue to give me. I love you. (Applause.)

I chose to be a lawyer, and ultimately a judge, because I find endless challenge in the complexities of the law. I firmly believe in the rule of law as the foundation for all of our basic rights. For as long as I can remember, I have been inspired by the achievement of our Founding Fathers. They set forth principles that have endured for more than two centuries. Those principles are as meaningful and relevant in each generation as the generation before. It would be a profound privilege for me to play a role in applying those principles to the questions and controversies we face today.

Although I grew up in very modest and challenging circumstances, I consider my life to be immeasurably rich. I was raised in a Bronx public housing project, but studied at two of the nation's finest universities. I did work as an assistant district attorney, prosecuting violent crimes that devastate our communities. But then I joined a private law firm and worked with international corporations doing business in the United States. I have had the privilege of serving as a Federal District Court trial judge, and am now serving as a Federal Appellate Circuit Court judge.

This wealth of experiences, personal and professional, have helped me appreciate the variety of perspectives that present themselves in every case that I hear. It has helped me to understand, respect, and respond to the concerns and arguments of all litigants who appear before me, as well as to the views of my colleagues on the bench. I strive never to forget the real-world consequences of my decisions on individuals, businesses, and government.

It is a daunting feeling to be here. Eleven years ago, during my confirmation process for appointment to the Second Circuit, I was given a private tour of the White House. It was an overwhelming experience for a kid from the South Bronx. Yet never in my wildest childhood imaginings did I ever envision that moment, let alone did I ever dream that I would live this moment.

Mr. President, I greatly appreciate the honor you are giving me, and I look forward to working with the Senate in the confirmation process. I hope that as the Senate and the American people learn more about me they will see that I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences. Today is one of those experiences.

Thank you again, sir. (Applause.)

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/introducing-sotomayor?signup=true

FORCE FOR LIFE: A FRAMEWORK FOR SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Charles — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:12:59 EDT

The most demoralizing threat to any country is the destabilizing influence of terrorism, and its unlawful coercive intimidating force. The most de-humanizing factor people experience in a country beset by terrorism is the unbridled fear of the unlawful use of that force to threaten the extermination of any country’s existence by radical partisan elements within or outside of its borders.

Force, at a more basic level is divided as a force unto life and a force unto death, and devoid of the forces of theology, ideology, or philosophy the force of biology concludes a premium of life over death. The force of annihilation exerted against the force for life creates a push and pull natural of all life and death struggles and when terrorism leads the charge for death anywhere and everywhere, the “Force for Life” can build a framework where there is a shared understanding and definition of terrorism and where we can begin an exchange of ideas and open a channel of communication that prevents death and our wholesale extermination.

Force for Life can become the framework for where living secure, healthy, and prosperous lives in congruence with our environment, our societies, and cultures is based on our mutual existence. Force for Life requires us to exist and prosper, and to live out a natural course of life, and in living that natural course of life we discover a present necessity to establish an equilibrium that involves interdependence for co-existing to achieve the self-preservation, self-determination and autonomy innate to the Force for Life.

The framework for security in the Middle East and hence the world begins with accepting the premise of the Force for Life; here the world community agrees to the eradication of terrorism everywhere and anywhere. Where the world community also agrees on a Consensus of Nations of 12 signatory countries, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Iraq to chartering a Military Tribunal on Terrorism similar to the “Tribunal” at Nuremburg, “…for the just and prompt trial and punishment of…” major world terrorists, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where al-Qaeda and the Taliban got their start, to be known as the Kandahar Tribunal. Furthermore as part of the reconstruction of Afghanistan a construction of a super maximum prison for the detaining and imprisonment of convicted terrorists will be built.

Under the Consensus of Nations, a Kandahar Treatise for Security would be drafted to establish first a viable security for the region, to promote the common good, to establish social stability, and to secure, self-governing states of Lebanon and Palestine.

Whereas, the Consensus of Nations recognizes the new nations of Lebanon and Palestine, but will also provides significant assistance, in the promotion, of regional security, to weaker states.

Whereas, Lebanon establishes its current borders, and Palestine and Israel sign a 50/50 compromise forming a parallel that starts at the Jordan Border and passes through Jericho following highway 1 as it extends to the Armistice of Agreement Line of 1949 just north of Jerusalem.

Whereas, the new Palestine State would inhabit all the lands north of that demarcation ceding and vacating the southern cities to Israel and thereby requiring Israel to halt, vacate all Israeli settlements in the new Palestine state.

Whereas, requiring the new Palestine state to halt, vacate all Palestinian settlements south of the new southern border of the Palestine state.

Whereas, the Consensus of Nations would raise the capital, and resources necessary from the world community, to facilitate the move and repatriation of people and lands between Israel and the new nation of Palestinian.

Whereas, the Consensus of Nations would establish a binding, equitable “Treatise on Water” by establishing equitable rates and agreed distribution of water resources between regional signatory countries of the Consensus of Nations.

Whereas, the Consensus of Nations would halt the proliferation of Nuclear Arms and Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East Region, and plan for a progressive timetable for the elimination and dismantling of existing nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, Asia and around the world.

Whereas, the Consensus of Nations would use the structure of the “Treatise on Water” to further review, enhance, and facilitate trade between member nations, and the world at a specific time and date.

Majority 2010: It May Not Be "Permanent" or "Republican" But It Also May Not Be Yours‏

John Minehan — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:12:21 EDT

Currently:

Mark Levin's Liberty and Tyranny tops the best seller list for seven weeks;

Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talkers enjoy their highest ratings in years;

MSNBC's ratings sink through the floor and the New York Times talks about offering memberships like 1970s era Public TV;

A spending referendum looks about to go down to ignominious defeat in California;

Steve Lonegan is forcing moderate, crusading prosecutor Chris Christie to campaign as a tax cutter in New Jersey; and

It becomes increasingly apparent that a lot of people have become disaffected from both the Republican Party and Democratic Party mainstream, as witnessed by 250,000 people who took time off on a work day to protest perceived excessive spending during hard economic times.

PRESIDENT O's FIRST MAJOR FLIP - INSIDE THE BUBBLE

Charles — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:41:17 EDT

President O’s First Major Flip-Inside the Bubble

May 13, 2009 Tampa, Fl

We are seeing the full effect of the Bubble. Where are all the President’s advisors on this and who has his ear, let alone his mind, and heart? Today’s White House news conference stated that the President O. seeks to review and delay the eminent exposure of the pentagon’s file on pictures of torture, based on National Security reasons.

It goes against the courts approval to release the in-famous torture pictures, and smells of Bush era smoke screen tactics, but moreover his delay screams of power (his corrupting Presidential power) the same power he campaigned against, which opposses honest law and due process.

It raises immediately these questions: The president is impinging First Amendment rights by not abiding by the courts decision by raising a legal position outside of the original FOIA rules, thwarting First Amendment rights which prohibits against government intervention in FOIA approved releases?

What is different now as opposed to when the Abu Ghraib pictures were released? Where we actually made less safe when those pictures were released or were we made more aware of the damming injustice of torture? No, we were not made less safe! The war raged on.

But we were alerted to injustice! Again, the real questions are: Who is President Obama listening to and who made him flip on the issue, and why? The President’s Flip on the issue resembles Bush tactics to skirt the law and impinge our constitutional rights for unknown or vague National Security Interests.

The President’s release of this change of position raised more questions, created more doubt, and made people more leery of his Presidency, and wasted a considerable amount valuable political trust/capital from his contract with the American People. Was it worth it?

The report of our own soldiers killing their own out of rage and post traumatic stress disorder has marked the immediacy of ending an unwarranted war, but also marks the importance of coming clean with our sins against humanity and our selves.

Since transparency is more about being honest and forthcoming his White House press conference May 13, 2009 created big sink holes in his promise of transparency, honesty, and integrity by being vague, and incoherent, by ineptly using borderline statements that seemed to skirt the issue.

Whether the release of the pictures makes it less probable or more probable for future picture taking is irrelevant of the main verity of being transparent with the American Public.

As a matter of opinion video graphing and picture taking should be codified as a requirement in the interrogation process across every level of government, including the CIA, FBI, and destruction of those tapes should be made a federal offense punishable by federal law because it keeps everyone honest.

Giving President O the Benefit of the Doubt

“Pragmatic” is President O.’s new middle name, but how it is delivered to the American Public is in serious need of review and it is now remanded and relegated to the President to fill in the craters he and his staff have created. First it must be made clear to the American’s why the President chose to “Flip” on this issue, and it must be advocated from a point of responsibility.

“Discretion is the better part of valor”, and according to wise counsel of Proverbs: “It is good to be brave, but it is also good to be careful.; If you are careful, you will not get into situations that require you to be brave.”

First, be honest with the American people by making it clear that this is not a political ploy or a play to rouse partisan bickering, but an honest and careful examination under our moral and legal standards.

It must be made clear that he is not playing cat and mouse politics with the Constitution against the veil of National Security agency to avoid the serious scrutiny and impact these pictures represent to the moral psyche and healing of the American conscious. He must release them, and tell the country when he will.

It is also not clear how National Security would be negatively impacted by the release of these pictures, as compared to the release of the Abu Ghraib pictures. But moreover it must be made clear that he is not stepping in the way of legal justice by using a seemingly arbitrary decision to tact the delay of the release of the Pentagon’s pictures of torture through a legal ploy.

Second on that basis the President should advocate that he felt it would be inappropriate to release the pictures on Memorial Day, and give our service men and women a black eye when it should be a day of reconciliation and honor to fallen heroes of all branches of service and security.

Third, and most importantly he must uphold and honor the value of the constitutional First Amendment without abdicating our country’s sins by using National Security as a convenient veil to hide the truth, of the injustice of torture.

Anything intended to be transparent or anything that “hems and haws” or that seems illicit or anything that falls into a casting shadow of doubt becomes obscure and un-transparent, and loses all the effect of honesty.

Take counsel from Frederick Douglas:

“He is a lover of his country who rebukes and does not excuse its sins”
Frederic Douglas

Legitimacy: The Hidden Issue in Health Care Reform

John Minehan — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:01:42 EDT

Despite all the debate about health care reform, the most basic issue remains unspoken: who can legitimately deny a person or (more importantly for most people) that person’s child, spouse or parent needed care?

A new foreign policy

Torgny V.O.B. — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:07:02 EDT

The way of war has been tried. War to gain oil, to gain political control of people in another country. But it has failed. No cheap oil gained, and people all over the world lost respect for USA. The war and its aftermath has not taken away anything of the hate inside Iraq and between USA and the Muslim world. It has only increased. What is amazing what Obama has done in only three months to promote peace. The deep distrust between USA and the rest of the world is gradually melting away. It will take longer time to dissolve hate inside Iraq. Clinton was recently sent to promote a new attitude, but old wounds were too strong.

What is the problem with the war in Iraq. I agree with Obama, it is not the war itself but the mind-set that made USA start the war. To create mutual trust, love and respect all over the world will take time. But I see no other way.

The Obama Presidency: First 100 Days

EsquireUK — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:08:02 EDT

www.whitehouse.gov

Obama to CIA: I feel your pain
By: Alexander Burns and Josh Gerstein
April 20, 2009 04:48 PM EST

After days of public debate over his release of the so-called “torture memos,” President Barack Obama on Monday sought to reassure CIA employees that he understood the anxiety some felt over his ban on certain harsh interrogation techniques.

Obama also stressed that he is committed to protecting national security secrets — but said the release of the secret documents prepared by the Bush Justice Department was “the result of a pending court case” that left his administration with little room to maneuver.

“I understand that it’s hard when you are asked to protect the American people against people who have no scruples and would willingly and gladly kill innocents. Al-Qaida’s not constrained by a constitution,” Obama said in his first visit to CIA headquarters in Langley, Va.

Obama said he was aware critics were denouncing him as naïve for publishing the legal memos describing interrogation techniques. “I understand that. I watch the cable shows once in a while,” he said. “What makes the United States special and what makes you special is precisely the fact that we are willing to uphold our values and ideals even when it’s hard. So, you’ve got a harder job, and so do I and that’s OK….Over the long term, that’s why I believe we will defeat our enemies: because we’re on the better side of history.”

Obama’s speech came amid mounting criticism from both the left and the right over the White House’s decision to release the memos prepared by the Bush Justice Department, while simultaneously ruling out the possibility of prosecuting officials implicated in torture.

Bush administration veterans, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, have criticized the president for ending the use of so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques,” saying the move increases the likelihood of future terrorist attacks.

And last Friday, former Director of Central Intelligence Michael Hayden and former Attorney General Michael Mukasey penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal alleging that the disclosure of the OLC memos on interrogation weakened American security.

“Public disclosure of the OLC opinions, and thus of the techniques themselves, assures that terrorists are now aware of the absolute limit of what the U.S. government could do to extract information from them,” Hayden and Mukasey wrote.

At the same time, the White House has sought to stave off critics on the left who have expressed frustration with the administration’s reluctance to prosecute those who helped formulate and execute interrogation policies the administration has deemed illegal.

“It is not a time to use our energy and our time in looking back, and in a sense of anger and retribution,” White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said on ABC’s “This Week” Sunday. “We have a lot to do to protect America.”

CIA Director Leon Panetta adopted a similar line as he introduced Obama on Monday, telling the crowd: “This is a time for reflection, not retribution.”

“We believe that we can fully protect this nation and our values at the same time, and we are doing exactly that,” Panetta emphasized, adding that dwelling on the past “interferes with our ability to focus on the fundamental mission we have for today or tomorrow.”

The president, too, underscored the importance of the country admitting its “mistakes” – and then moving on. And there was no tone of scolding or judgment in his voice as he assured the receptive and enthusiastic audience at Langley that he understood their concerns and hoped they would not allow the recent disclosures to affect CIA morale.

“People have expressed understandable anxiety and concern,” Obama said. “Don’t be discouraged about what’s happened the last few weeks….We live in dangerous times. I am going to need you more than ever.”

The president also signaled that he understood the CIA could not tout its achievements to counter the bad publicity about its involvement in what critics have called torture. “You don’t get credit when things go good, but you sure get some blame when things don’t,” he said.

White House officials took a series of steps to ensure that the images of Obama at the CIA would not consist of him getting a solemn reception that some writers and commentators might portray as a symbol of the agency’s chilliness towards him in the wake of his decision on the interrogation memos.

Obama’s speech in the CIA’s main lobby had many of the hallmarks of a campaign rally including music and a large, standing crowd that CIA officials put at about 1000 people.

The audience, many of whom had been waiting for hours to see Obama, let out an ear-piercing roar as he entered and again as he began to speak. Some in the crowd gave Obama a rock star’s reception -- hooting approvingly and waving small posters, magazine covers or books festooned with the president’s image.

After one audience member responded approvingly, Obama replied, “I got an Amen corner out there.”

Officials said the attendees were a cross-section of agency employees, but acknowledged that most covert operatives would likely have avoided the event, due to the number of cameras present. Most of those who attended were casually dressed.

In any event, a former intelligence official said activities like waterboarding were generally carried out not by CIA officers but by contractors with military experience.

In an unusual move, the CIA’s deputy director Stephen Kappes remained on stage with Obama and CIA director Leon Panetta throughout the speech. The stagecraft seemed intended to signal Obama’s respect for agency veterans and that no snub was intended by installing a former Congressman and White House chief of staff to run Langley.

Before he spoke, Obama met in a more subdued setting behind closed doors with a group of about 50 employees..

An official said more than half of all agency employees have been hired since 9/11, contributing to a youthful crowd that Obama said he noticed during the discussion session.

Obama backed off slightly Monday from his claim in a written statement last week that the law flatly required release of the memos. He told CIA employees that public disclosures about the interrogation program undermined the government’s position in a lawsuit brought the American Civil Liberties Union, but he did not assert that he had no choice. “It was very difficult for us to mount an effective legal defense,” the president said at the CIA.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21462.html

Dear Senator Coleman

Charles — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:54:55 EDT

Mr. Coleman,

"I don't blame you one iota for feeling as you do. If I were you I would undoubtedly feel as you do." D. Carnegie.

My name is Charles Wheeler and a stranger to you. You have had a hard fought fight for a job, and a passion you enjoy. It is traumatic not only to you but those closest to you.

However the situation in Minnesota has grown so tenuous that it seems you are hurting yourself, and despite that -others seem to be happy and willing to use you, oblivious of your expense.

You may end up suffering more serious damage personally, and emotionally than you may perceive. You have made great personal sacrifices in this race, more than most men.

But those you love and those you serve may well be the ones who will suffer the brunt of a possible personal shut down, and all at the possible expense of your political career.

It is a pity that you have to go such extremes, and it is almost inconceivable that you lost by so little of margins.

Yes you should battle to the end, but it will cost you much more time and treasure, but that is nothing in comparison to your reputation, and the scars your closest ones will suffer.

I sympathize with you Mr. Coleman-from a distance I can see it is not easy, but there are always new battles to fight, who knows maybe ending this valiantly will payoff in your better political development.

Tell Norm Coleman to concede his Senate race for his good and the good of Minnesota.

Or copy and Paste this link:

http://www.democratsenators.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=NehMFYSEplH5l1eKWwYHMbs90eWVe8Ty

Avigdor Lieberman Tough Rhetoric Shows Eminent Fear but Underscores Apodictic Two State Path

Charles — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:16:33 EDT

Avigdor Lieberman's tough words underscores the worst and the best of Israel's fears and expectations. Eminent War is something all humans fear but when backed in a corner by continuing threats from Iran, and neighbors, Israel will not back down, and in turn that creates a fear in the Arab/Muslim diatribe.

Israel acts out of fear of annihilation for they have a stark and vivid memory, of an attempt, of once being exterminated.

But looking closer Avigdor Lieberman's "bark may be louder than his bite at the moment." The tough language is not a threat to any other nation but underscores the nature of the kind of negotiation, and foreign policy that Israel is returning to and which is prevalent in the Middle East known as "Tough Bargaining."

Avigdor L. statements are no more than a declaration to say that their is a "New Sheriff in Town." He is distinguishing himself from the Foreign Ministry of Tzipi Livni, and the failed Annapolis approach. However in a war prone region his words can be taken as a threat.

More importantly, it introduces A. Lieberman to the world in a big way by breaking from the slave mind numbing tone of protocol, and failed concessions. Although this might be a reach; He maybe also positing himself for a future spot as prime minister.

If he was thinking Prime Minister spot he may have thrown that opportunity "Out the Window," but that will all depend on his acumen and ability to reach a real two-state solution. Herb Keion further analysis Avigdor Lieberman's comments when writes at the Jerusalem Post, in his article titled: Analysis: Avigdor's accent, Arik's voice

But, again sounding like Sharon, Lieberman said that the road map must be adhered to by the letter, and it must be implemented phase after phase. What this means is that negotiations for a final agreement are to take place at the end of the road map, not at the beginning: not before terrorism is eradicated, not before Palestinian institutions are created, not before the Palestinians show real security capabilities.

What this means is that Israel wants real peace, and not a "head-fake." The terms are honorable to the future Palestinian state, but also realistic, tough, pragmatic, necessary, and attainable if the players are willing to undergo real change.

The real promise of "the tough negotiator" is their willingness to abide by the agreed upon conditions, in other words Mr. Avigdor Lieberman is willing to follow agreed upon rules, and it reveals his pragmatism and willingness to reach a two-state solution. In fact according to Keion, in The Jerusalem Post, Lieberman has "pledged allegiance to follow the road map which is called "A Performance-based road map to a permanent two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

For further analysis read Herb Keion's short but insightful article in the Jerusalem Post here:

or copy and paste this link:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1238562884900

How Long Has It Been?

Dawn in Arizona — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:56:31 EDT

It seems in a way like just yesterday or a few years ago that I sat on the edge of a chair, waiting to see our President and First lady...and then there they were and my heart filled with pride. How long has it been?

Oh, my! many decades.

Thanks for making me proud again!

Support our President

Silex — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:04:25 EDT

Support our President! Support our President! We have to support our President!

The country elected him with a decisive majority. He has been in office for only two months and his nose to the wheel every day. He working for us. Listening to everybody: his advisers, the opposition, and Paul Krugman. He is taking it all into account and applying his knowledge and judgment as best as his human nature will allow him. He is our hero. He is not a god or a saviour, he is a hero. He is putting his life and his personal well being in jeopardy for us, risking his health and his family's security. He is our hero. Let's get behind him and give him everything that we can. Here is a President applying real intelligence to problem solving in the real world, a Master of the art of the possible.

Give him a chance to help us.

DID THE PRESIDENT’S MEDIA BLITZ FOR THE BUDGET GIVE INTENDED RESULTS, NO!

Charles — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:16:05 EDT

Read the Headlines:

The New York Times Reports:

Obama Tries to Rally Nation to His Agenda
By PETER BAKER
Published: March 24, 2009
WASHINGTON — President Obama tried to rally the nation behind his ambitious agenda Tuesday night, hoping to channel outrage at Wall Street excess into support for changes in tax, health care and energy policy that face skepticism even within his own party in Congress.

The Washington Post Reports

President Pleads For Patience on Recovery Efforts
He Points to 'Signs of Progress'
By Michael D. Shear and Scott Wilson
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, March 25, 2009; Page A01
President Obama asked the American people for patience last night as his administration struggles to balance a surge of populist anger at Wall Street against the need to assist some of the financial institutions that helped create the economic crisis

Reasons for Failure: Not all Lost, but Need to Re-Double Efforts:

1.Opponents sidetracked the President Obama’s budget with noise from AIG bonuses in the News-Cycle, and LOST “PUBLIC SENTIMENT” FOR HIS BUDGET!

2. Re-emphasize and re-establish a clean break from problems of previous administration; name out President BUSH, and signal the BUDGET AS A NEW BEGINNING to tackle those problems.

3. The Public are not accustomed to an open discussion about the Budget.

a. Make the Budget discussion like bread and butter, life and death, kitchen table issues.

4. The White House Public Affairs Office (PAO) is operating and slumping in business as usual.

5. PAO has no clear focus for an Offensive.

a. Break up PAO slumping by bringing in mentality of the campaign.

b. “Everything is a Campaign in the White House”

c. IF PAO is Limited use OFA to launch joint AD campaign with DCCC.

d. Team up to inform public and engage their “Public Sentiment.” with PSA's.

6. The Message has not been made in clear and beneficial specific terms to the public.

a. Break down the consequences to the public even further.

b. Paint the picture of what will happen if these reforms are not passed.

c. Give affirming details of where our country can be with or without this budget. Make it

personal to arouse “Public Sentiment”

d. Paint a picture in words.

e. Create the demand for budget.

f. PAO needs to become “Disney Imagineers” and promote the President’s Agenda.

7. Public has no “Public Sentiment” what is missing President Obama’s media blitz?

a. Establish Media-Ad Blitz Offensive.

b. Public does not see how impacting this Budget can be.

1. Explain what Lobby Controlled Legislators want to tear out of the Budget.

2. Identify Publicly Democrat or Republican influenced by Lobbyist money

3. Line up Publicly those opposed to the Budget and those For it

4. Campaign vigorously for Moderates

c. Create the Demand for the Budget through Traditional TV and Radio Commercials

1. Set Radio campaigns by influential well known “Einstein Type” scholars.

2. TV Campaigns Create MTV type ad saying:

“I want my Education,” “I want my Healthcare,” “I want New Energy,” “I want to be Out of Debt!”

3. Use Congresspersons and Senators to promote his Budget

4. Use More Analysts on All News shows to promote this Budget.

5. Send Out Mailers

8. The Political Hawks sense the President is on the Defense. The Pres. Is “Pleading” Congress.

He should be demanding it From Congress with the voice of Public Sentiment.

a. Why does he sound like he is begging? He does not have the full wind at his back

—There is NO PUBLIC OUT CRY for this

He does not have full “Public Sentiment.” Got it! (forgive my repitition and simple mind).

b. Big business is using all lobbying leverage on Moderate and Conservative Democrats

– They are pulling their money strings to rip (R.I.P.) apart and initiate Bills/Laws to destroy

his Budget.

c. Political hacks are crying louder and are taking the wind out the President’s proverbial sails.

d. Big Business/Washington Status Quo/ are banning together to divide the Democratic caucus.

e. Listen to Lincoln’s Loud words in his “House Divided Speech

"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free

f. Obama government will not endure if the Democrats are divided.

g. AGAIN – arouse “Public Sentiment” for His Budget

h. Reid and Pelosi must work hard to keep Democratic Caucus United.

9. Reframe the Argument as a Public Demand based on “Public Sentiment!" with a MEDIA BLAST

a. Then President Obama and staff must re-double efforts about his Budget.

b. He alone can not win Public Sentiment. Everyone must rally and be a part in this effort.

"Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed."
- Abraham Lincoln

ADD your reasons, offer your solutions and pass it on.

Join MyBO-OFA Comp Immigration Reform Group

Andr�s Jim�nez - East S.F. Bay, CA — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:10:31 EDT

Please join the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Issues Group to support President Obama's efforts and OFA advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform and fair treatment of immigrants and their children in the U.S.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/Southwest-MidwestVivaObama08

This group is using a group web address originally developed during the Presidential campaign but is now being used as a communication tool for those of us working to support comprehensive immigration reform. This issues group will serve a network of volunteers, staff, fundraisers, public officials, labor union members, immigrant leaders, educators and media professionals like yourself working to advance immigrant rights.

Support the Dream Act Now -- Web Sites for Action

Andr�s Jim�nez - East S.F. Bay, CA — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:59:07 EDT

The 2009 Dream Act is bsponsored by Senators Durbin and Lugar. This legislation to support educational opportunity was one of the priority items identified in the Agenda for Change during the presidential transition. Check out the following web sites:

http://www.dreamact2009.com/

http://www.dreamact.info/

http://www.change.org/profile/view/107583

http://immigration.change.org/actions/view/ask_your_congressperson_to_support_the_dream_act

Our President, Barack Obama needs our help! Budget!!!

Nyagatare — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:07:16 EDT

This is critical,

Please let help him pass this budget! He needs our help! Washington DC seems to luck that support. Petition letters or talk to our representantives.

Good luck everybody!

AIG and the Bushies

Dawn in Arizona — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:26:59 EDT

Before leaving office Bush gave to AIG - now it is up to President Obama to clean that mess up also. Bush left America in a horrid state! Bush gave to all his rich buddies everything they wanted, no bid contracts, billions of dollars and an America with few legal rights.

Let us all support President Obama in his mighty quest to turn this country around.

The Fight is not over friends-Keep it up the struggle!

Nyagatare — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:04:42 EDT

The Senate is holding up the budget.

Anybody want to work on this? Then join the Citizen Strategy Think Tank. We will be dividing up the budget, studying it, and making talking points to get this thing passed. Then we will be contacting our Representatives and helping to make it happen. Pass it on...see you there. Look for a thread that says Project Four and jump in.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/CitizenStrategyThinkTank

And please be respectful and helpful. Thank you to all those who are gonna join this work team.

Lisa Lindo
National USA.CAN Group Administrator (Community Action Networks)
Associate Producer Vote For Change Campaign -- http://obeygiant.com/voteforchange/
You Tube: You Made Me Love You, Obama!
Economic URL: IfTheBuckStopsHereShootIt.com
Twitter: lisalindo

http://My.BarackObama.com/page/group/CaliforniaCAN

http://My.BarackObama.com/page/group/USACAN

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/hawaiiCAN

" TEN - things you should know about Obama's Plan ... (but probably don't)"... BUT IS WORTH REPEATING.

Charles — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:05:16 EST

Many People received this message from MoveOn.org, but it is worth repeating.

After reading the change I felt as though the nation was now going to receive the oxygen it was so desperately in need of. You can almost breathe in the fresh air.

It now means we have a second breath, an extra burst of energy. Our work has just begun it now means we have to re-organize and mobilize ourselves for the next stages of strategy in:

How to "DEFEND AND COUNTER"the "PUSH BACK" we are starting to get from the "STATUS QUO."

Here is what President Obama and the email said:

"President Obama called his budget "a threat to the status quo," and trust me, the status quo noticed. Oil companies, big banks and insurance companies are already mobilizing to stop it.2"

__________________________________________________________________

Want to see what change looks like? Real change?

Well, here it is. Last week, President Obama unveiled his budget—his blueprint for America—and it's ambitious, amazing, and unapologetically progressive. As Paul Krugman said, it will set America on a "fundamentally new course."1

President Obama called his budget "a threat to the status quo," and trust me, the status quo noticed. Oil companies, big banks and insurance companies are already mobilizing to stop it.2

Unfortunately, most folks don't realize how far-reaching and progressive the plan is—that's where we all come in.

Here are 10 really incredible things about Obama's plan. Check them out and then send them on to your friends and family so that millions of people will have the information they need to fight to make this vision a reality.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 things you should know about Obama's plan (but probably don't)

The plan:

Makes a $634 billion down payment on fixing health care that will go a long way toward paying for a more efficient, more affordable health care system that covers every single American.3
Reduces taxes for 95% of working Americans. And if your family makes less than $250,000, your taxes won't go up one dime.4
Invests more than $100 billion in clean energy technology, creating millions of green jobs that can never be outsourced.5
Brings our troops home from Iraq on a firm timetable, finally bringing the war to a close—and freeing up almost ten billion dollars a month for domestic priorities.6
Reverses growing income inequality. The plan lets the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire and focuses on strengthening the middle class.7
Closes multi-billion-dollar tax loopholes for big oil companies. 8
Increases grants to help families pay for college—the largest increase ever.9
Halves the deficit by 2013. President Obama inherited a legacy of huge deficits and an economy in shambles, but his plan brings the deficit under control as soon as the economy begins to recover.10
Dramatically increases funding for the SEC and the CFTC—the agencies that police Wall Street.11
Tells it straight. For years, budgets have used accounting tricks to hide the real costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush tax cuts, and too many other programs. Obama's budget gets rid of the smokescreens and lays out what America's priorities are, what they cost, and how we're going to pay for them.12

This is the change we voted for. President Obama has done his part, now we need to do ours.

Can you pass this on to your personal network and then click here to let us know how many people you told, so we can track our impact together:

http://pol.moveon.org/budget10/?id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=1

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Tanya, Peter, Justin and the rest of the team

P.S. Turns out there are way more than 10 amazing things in Obama's budget and we couldn't resist sharing just a few more.

Stops unnecessary government subsidies to big banks, health insurance companies and big agribusinesses.13,14,15
Expands access to early childhood education and improves schools by investing in programs that make sure every child has a qualified, strong teacher.16
Negotiates for better prescription drug prices using Medicaid's tremendous bargaining power.17
Expands access to family planning for low-income women.18
Caps the pollution that causes global warming, and makes polluters pay to support clean energy innovation.19

Sources:

1. "Climate of Change," The New York Times, February 27, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/opinion/27krugman.html?em

2. "Obama Calls His Budget Sweeping, Needed Change," The New York Times, February 28, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51201&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=2

3. "Obama Offers Broad Plan to Revamp Health Care," The New York Times, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51202&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=3

4. "Obama Expects Fight Over $3.55 Trillion Budget Plan," Bloomberg News, February 28, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51203&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=4

5. "Energy Budget Is Sunlight After Eight Years of Darkness," Center for American Progress, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51204&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=5

6. "The Economic Cost of War in Iraq and Afghanistan," The New York Times, March 1, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/weekinreview/01glanz.html

7. "Tax Cuts," The New York Times, February 26, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/washington/27web-tax.html

8. "Energy Budget Is Sunlight After Eight Years of Darkness," Center for American Progress, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51204&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=6

9. "Student Loans," The New York Times, February 26, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/washington/27web-edu.html

10. "Obama unveils budget blueprint," CNN, February 26, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/26/budget/

11. "Obama budget would boost SEC, CFTC, FBI," Reuters, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51205&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=7

12. "Obama's budget," Los Angeles Times, February 27, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51206&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=8

13. "Student Loans," The New York Times, February 26, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/washington/27web-edu.html

14. "Health Insurance Stocks Dive on Medicare Advantage Cuts," The Wall Street Journal, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51207&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=9

15. "Agriculture," The New York Times, February 26, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/washington/27web-agri.html

16. "Investing Wisely in Our Children," Center for American Progress, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51208&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=10

17. "Obama Offers Broad Plan to Revamp Health Care," The New York Times, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51202&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=11

18. "Obama Offers Broad Plan to Revamp Health Care," The New York Times, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51202&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=12

19. "Setting 'Green' Goals," The New York Times, February 26, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51209&id=15687-14444884-.eXEbPx&t=13

Do you want people to read your blogs?

Torgny V.O.B. — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:19:54 EST

When you have written a blog, you probably also want other people to read them and make comments on them. And yet I find many well written and interesting blogs on this website with no comment.

There is a proverb – what we give to others we will eventually often receive back in some way. If you write a comment on somebody’s blog, this person might often search for your blogs and read them. When some for me unknown person makes a comment on my blogs, I often find that I have made a comment on their blog. I also think that making more comments would unite us more and make us like a family that share their wor(l)d with the other members of the family.

President Obama and Bush – a great difference

Torgny V.O.B. — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:39:22 EST

Obama is now on his first visit abroad as a president to Canada – are there any differences in these visits compared to the trips made by Bush?“

Canadians greeted a presidential visit from George W. Bush with 8,000 protesters. For President Barack Obama? They're selling T-shirts, and the conservative government is happy to see him.”…(Obama) “will meet with Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper… He will also meet briefly with Liberal opposition leader Michael Ignatieff at the airport before he leaves.” "They want to bask in the same glory," said Nelson Wiseman, an associate professor at the University of Toronto. "Nobody would have gone to Ottawa to try to get a glimpse of Bush except to demonstrate against him." “Harper will be want to be seen as close to Obama, unlike with Bush, said David Biette.”

For eight years Bush has offended people in other nations, he has started wars and kidnapped foreigners all over the world. People abroad were protesting, USA lost the respect all over the world, terrorists groups have had a relative easy task to recruit members. Obama is listening to and respecting leaders and people in other nations. People are now cheering, they respect and want cooperation with USA, and terrorist groups are in big trouble recruiting members.

Is there any stronger proof than this that a politic of compassion and cooperation is far more efficient than a politic of attempting to dominate the world by force?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/19/obama-canada-trip-will-ad_n_168125.html

President Obama's Visit To Canada

EsquireUK — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:31:29 EST

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.

She was a great person!

Nyagatare — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:27:00 EST

Alison des Forges

ARUSHA (AFP) — The court trying alleged perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide was stunned Saturday at the death in an air crash of the top expert on the 1994 massacres, Alison Des Forges.

Des Forges, 66, an expert advisor to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and human rights groups, was among the 50 victims of Thursday's plane crash near Buffalo, New York.

"It is with deep shock that the tribunal has learned of the tragic disappearance of Alison des Forges, "a spokesman for the UN tribunal based in Arusha, Tanzania, told AFP.

"It is a great loss for the world of human rights, international justice and all humanity," Roland Amoussouga said.

"Alison was not only an expert but also a very committed militant," he added." It is a great loss for the world of human rights, international justice and the whole of humanity," he said.

Des Forges appeared as an expert witness in 11 trials for genocide at the ICTR, three trials in Belgium, and at trials in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Canada.

Her book "No Witness Must Survive" is regarded as the reference work on the Rwandan genocide.

"She was one of the topmost authorities on the history and politics of Rwanda," ICTR prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow said in a statement.

"As a world renowned expert in this field, her knowledge, professionalism and commitment to justice assisted the ICTR and indeed the world at large tremendously -- through her writings, her expert reports and her oral testimony spanning several trials before the tribunal -- acquire a better understanding of the genesis and course of the tragedy of the Rwanda genocide of 1994."

He added, "Dr Des Forges has made an indelible contribution to the cause of international criminal justice and to the cause of human rights."

Des Forges was also a senior adviser to Human Rights Watch, whose boss Kenneth Roth called her "truly wonderful, the epitome of the human rights activist - principled, dispassionate, committed to the truth and to using that truth to protect ordinary people."

"She was among the first to highlight the ethnic tensions that led to the genocide, and when it happened and the world stood by and watched, Alison did everything humanly possible to save people," Roth added.

SENATORS ARE CUTTING OUR "SACRED COW": EDUCATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE WORTHWHILE

Charles — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:45:43 EST

Education should be "Our Sacred Cow." Cutting Education is a "knee-jerk" Reaction to balancing Budgets. It is a common Political Ploy. It is the common way of doing business in Washington. It doesn't Hurt them (the lawmakers) but it Hurts Our Schools, Our Teachers, Our Students. It hurts everyone.

How else will this nation pull itself out of the whole. Education is money well spent. It is the best investment this governing body can do for its people. It is the best money an individual will ever spend. Cutting Education is Stupid.

It is near sighted and ignorant of lawmakers to cut the Educational Budget allotment in this stimulus, when our schools are bursting at the seams with record high enrollments, and have record budget shortfalls during this recession!! EDUCATION NEEDS THIS MONEY NOW.

Some Politicians are narrow minded and operate with "small thinking" when they cut our EDUCATION BUDGETS. Rather than approaching this from an open "Expansionist" point of view. How can we grow our nation with "small thinkers"??

I'll say it again - If we cut our $700 billion dollar habit on dependence on Foreign Oil in one year we can re-coup what we spend on this bill.

We should be saying: It's time to invest in America! and all the money we invest will be used here, spent here, taxed here, and recycled here. It's time to spend on our nation and in ourselves!

Call your Senators and tell them to replace the money they cut for Education!!! and everything else they've cut!!! Today. Make them afraid of our voices.

Needs Related to Gaza

Jill 4 Obama — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:25:10 EST

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release February 2, 2009
January 27, 2009
Presidential Determination

No. 2009-15

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
SUBJECT: Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration

Needs Related to Gaza

By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (the "Act"), as amended (22 U.S.C. 2601), I hereby determine, pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Act, that it is important to the national interest to furnish assistance under the Act in an amount not to exceed $20.3 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for the purpose of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs, including by contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations and payment of administrative expenses of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the Department of State, related to humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees and conflict victims in Gaza.

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

First Interview with Arab TV: Americans Are Not Your Enemy"

Jill 4 Obama — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:12:32 EST

THE BRIEFING ROOM • THE BLOG

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 at 9:48 am

President to Muslim World: "Americans are not your enemy"

In his first interview with an Arab television station, President Barack Obama offered a bold change to America's relations with the Muslim world.

"My job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives," President Obama told Al Arabiya. "My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy."

In the interview, conducted in the White House map room, President Obama also expressed his commitment to tackling the Middle East peace process immediately.

"Sending George Mitchell to the Middle East is fulfilling my campaign promise that we're not going to wait until the end of my administration to deal with Palestinian and Israeli peace, we're going to start now," he said. "It may take a long time to do, but we're going to do it now."

The interview is part of the President’s broader outreach to the Muslim world, which includes a promise to make a major address from the capital of a Muslim nation.

Al Arabiya is a 24-hour Arabic-language news channel based out of Dubai.

Republicans in Congress take fight against Obama

Torgny V.O.B. — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:46:45 EST

Unfortunately it looks like the Republicans in Congress now have decided to do all they can to stop the stimulus package proposed by Obama. They make “impossible” demands, for example demanding to make permanent the tax-cuts for millionaires and companies during Bush.

It looks like the Republicans either wants to run the show although they neither have a president or majority in Congress. Or they want to make it impossible to solve the economical problems, and the recession will continue for another four years. And their hope is that the voters will blame Democrats for this and to put Republicans back in power 2012. But if they do so it will probably take decades to solve the problem. And this by a party who had the slogan “country first.”

We have to do all we can to support Obama.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/25/gop-leaders-including-mcc_n_160714.html

Restrictions on great corporations

Torgny V.O.B. — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:38:18 EST

For some years we have listened to the message that government should be small, and that there should be restrictions of the power and growth of government.I agree with this message. There must be restrictions. But what about restrictions of the power of great corporations?

Is it freedom when the power of great corporations grows, and the restrictions to their power are becoming less? Why should it not be restrictions in the power of great corporations?

Israel Faces War Crimes Charges Following Gaza Slaughter

Mark C. Eades — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:51:27 EST

(Your Tax Dollars at Work in the Middle East)

The state of Israel is facing charges of war crimes following the slaughter of innocent civilians including hundreds of children in its recent campaign against Palestinian militants on the Gaza Strip. Israel's powerful ally, the United States, also faces charges of complicity in the slaughter as Palestinians declare: "This Damage Made in USA."

UN human rights expert Richard Falk said on Thursday that the recent Israeli military operation on the Gaza Strip "raises the specter of systematic war crimes" and needs to be investigated. Falk told journalists in Geneva from his home in California that he had little doubt as to the "unavoidably inhuman character of a large-scale military operation of the sort that Israel has initiated... against an essentially defenseless population." Charging that "unlawful targets have been selected" by Israeli forces during the fighting, Falk insisted that Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip including children and the wounded were effectively trapped in a war zone and prevented from fleeing.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued demands for a full explanation of "outrageous" Israeli attacks on UN facilities on the Gaza Strip including a school used as a refuge for civilians, killing dozens. The UN chief noted that Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert had promised to provide results of an Israeli inquiry into the attacks "on an urgent basis" and said he would then decide on "appropriate follow-up action." On January 12, the 47-member UN Human Rights Council voted by a large majority to launch an investigation into "grave" human rights violations by Israeli forces against Palestinians. Israel is also facing questions from human rights groups regarding the use of illegal weapons, including white phosphorus munitions, against Palestinian civilians on the Gaza Strip.

These charges come amid renewed calls for a global boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel from groups such as the Global BDS Movement. Recently, Canadian journalist Naomi Klein wrote in support of such a boycott: "The best strategy to end the increasingly bloody occupation is for Israel to become the target of the kind of global movement that put an end to apartheid in South Africa." Some are also calling for a boycott of US exports for its continuing support of Israeli actions against Palestinians.

The Palestinian death toll from Israel's recent war on Gaza currently stands at around 1300, most of whom were innocent civilians, and around a third of whom were children. Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians were killed in Israel during the same period, an indicator of Israel's massively disproportionate response to Palestinian attacks on Israelis. A total of twenty-eight Israelis have been killed by Palestinian rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip since 2001, a tiny fraction of the number of Palestinians killed in Israel's recent Gaza actions alone. These numbers echo casualty figures from the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict which consistently show innocent Palestinian dead including children massively outnumbering Israelis.

Rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip deserve both condemnation by the international community and a proportionate response by Israel. The killing of one Israeli in a rocket attack does not, however, entitle Israel to respond by slaughtering twenty, thirty, or forty innocent Palestinian civilians. Such slaughter, furthermore, will no more stop Hamas' rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip than it stopped Hezbollah's rocket attacks from Lebanon in 2006. Just as Hezbollah could declare victory in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war simply by surviving to fight another day, so Hamas can declare victory in Gaza this day. Meanwhile, Israel increasingly becomes a pariah state in the eyes of the world, as does the United States for its complicity in the slaughter. Ever-growing anger particularly in the Arab world serves America's national security interests no better than it serves Israel's.

Behold, America: Your tax dollars at work in the Middle East.

Out of the tragedy of Gaza, perhaps, will come renewed opportunity to hold Israel accountable for its actions, to press for a new US policy on the Middle East, for peace, and for an end to Israel's long and bloody occupation of the Palestinian Territories. Boycott, divestment, and sanctions efforts such as those promoted by the Global BDS Movement have a proven track record of success as in the case of South Africa, and deserve our support. UN efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions also deserve our support, but are likely to require UN Security Council action of the type America with its power of veto most often and most notoriously obstructs. Pressure, therefore, needs to be applied to the White House and Congress for a new US approach to the conflict and a new US attitude in the UN Security Council. Whether our new ambassador to the UN offers active support with a "yes" vote or passive permission by abstaining on UN efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions, our message to the new administration regarding these efforts can be stated clearly and briefly as follows: NO VETO!

Sources: Agence France Presse, Time, Los Angeles Times, Haaretz, New Straits Times, Bay Area Indymedia, B'Tselem, Human Rights Watch.

Slide show: Gaza Massacre by Sabbah.

Photo gallery: Child victims of Gaza violence.

Contacts:

The White House

US Mission to the UN

Contact your US Senators

Contact your US Representative

Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com

The Obama Presidency: Day Three

EsquireUK — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:20:42 EST

Friday, 23rd January 2009

Washington, D.C.

www.whitehouse.gov

Executive Orders to date

Yesterday, President Obama issued a series of Executive Orders:

Calling for the closure of the Guantanamo detention center within one year
Creating a Special Task Force to review detainee policy going forward
Ensuring lawful interrogations by requiring that all interrogations of detainees in armed conflict follow the Army Field Manual interrogation guidelines

On Wednesday, The President also issued orders on Presidential Records and Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel.

We will post all of the President's Executive Orders on WhiteHouse.gov. To read more about these Executive Orders and keep up to date with future orders, click here.http://www.whitehouse.gov/executive-orders-to-date/

www.whithouse.gov

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the closing of Guantanamo prison and named veteran trouble-shooters for the Middle East and Afghanistan as he moved swiftly to repair America's tarnished image abroad.

www.whitehouse.gov

Duties of the Secretary of State

Under the Constitution, the President of the United States www.whitehouse.gov determines U.S. foreign policy. The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department and the Foreign Service of the United States.

Created in 1789 by the Congress as the successor to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of State is the senior executive Department of the U.S. Government. The Secretary of State’s duties relating to foreign affairs have not changed significantly since then, but they have become far more complex as international commitments multiplied. These duties -- the activities and responsibilities of the State Department -- include the following:

Serves as the President's principal adviser on U.S. foreign policy;
Conducts negotiations relating to U.S. foreign affairs;
Grants and issues passports to American citizens and exequaturs to foreign consuls in the United States;
Advises the President on the appointment of U.S. ambassadors, ministers, consuls, and other diplomatic representatives;
Advises the President regarding the acceptance, recall, and dismissal of the representatives of foreign governments;
Personally participates in or directs U.S. representatives to international conferences, organizations, and agencies;
Negotiates, interprets, and terminates treaties and agreements;
Ensures the protection of the U.S. Government to American citizens, property, and interests in foreign countries;
Supervises the administration of U.S. immigration laws abroad;
Provides information to American citizens regarding the political, economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian conditions in foreign countries;
Informs the Congress and American citizens on the conduct of U.S. foreign relations;
Promotes beneficial economic intercourse between the United States and other countries;
Administers the Department of State;
Supervises the Foreign Service of the United States.

In addition, the Secretary of State retains domestic responsibilities that Congress entrusted to the State Department in 1789. These include the custody of the Great Seal of the United States, the preparation of certain presidential proclamations, the publication of treaties and international acts as well as the official record of the foreign relations of the United States, and the custody of certain original treaties and international agreements. The Secretary also serves as the channel of communication between the Federal Government and the States on the extradition of fugitives to or from foreign countries.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the closing of Guantanamo prison and named veteran trouble-shooters for the Middle East and Afghanistan as he moved swiftly to repair America's tarnished image abroad.

www.whitehouse.gov

Executive Order Signed...Closing of Guantanamo Bay

EsquireUK — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:15:55 EST

Thursday, 22nd January 2009

Washington, D.C.

www.whitehouse.gov

WASHINGTON — President Obama signed executive orders Thursday directing the Central Intelligence Agency to shut what remains of its network of secret prisons and ordering the closing of the Guantánamo detention camp within a year, government officials said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/us/politics/22gitmo.html?hp

The Obama administration called on Thursday for the closure of Guantanamo Bay within the next year. The move will be greeted with widespread approval around the world, the end of a blotch on America's image abroad. Coming in the form of an executive order, it carries with it the power of law.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/22/obama-and-guantanamo-unde_n_159849.html

www.whitehouse.gov

Obama orders Guantánamo’s closure

WASHINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the closure of the Guantanamo military prison within a year and a halt to harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects, moving quickly to restore the U.S. image abroad.

The executive order to shut the prison, a symbol of detainee abuse and detention without charge under the Republican administration of George W. Bush, fulfills a promise Obama made during his campaign.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6927f8e2-e8a3-11dd-a4d0-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

www.whitehouse.gov

There is a new sheriff in town

Torgny V.O.B. — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:03:49 EST

At last – there is a leader in the White House. A president who can think, act and deliver results. Here are some of the issues he deled with on his first day as president. In one day.

- He is closing Guantanamo and meanwhile stopping the military trials on so they can be transferred to civilian courts.

- He has telephoned to the important leaders in Middle East; Palestinian President Abbas, Olmert from Israel, President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah. And he has LISTENED to them (not giving orders as Bush used to) and asked about their advice. A statement was given from Olmert that "Israel would invest in efforts to provide for the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip and would work to improve the economic situation in the West Bank." Discussions were also about efforts by Israel, Egypt, the U.S. and European countries to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza would succeed.

- He has ordered a pay freeze, that would hold salaries at their current levels for the roughly 100 White House employees who make over $100,000 a year.

- Obama has ordered new lobbying rules that will not only ban aides from trying to influence the administration when they leave his staff. Those already hired will be banned from working on matters they have previously lobbied on, or to approach agencies that they once targeted. The new rules also require that anyone who leaves his administration is not allowed to try to influence former friends and colleagues for at least two years.

- He will change the way the federal government interprets the Freedom of Information Act. Just because a government agency has the legal power to keep information private does not mean that it should, Obama said. Reporters and public-interest groups often make use of the law to explore how and why government decisions were made; they are often stymied as agencies claim legal exemptions to the law.

Obama adds "And I will, I hope, do something to make government trustworthy in the eyes of the American people, in the days and weeks, months and years to come."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-obama-executive-pay,0,4508672.story

Where to get a flag

Dawn in Arizona — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:53:24 EST

This should have been part of an earlier post but this is where I bought our new American flag. www.americanflags.org rapid shipping and high quality. note: they do not come with the pole-it can also be purchased on the same site. This is our small way of showing support for President Obama!

My New Flag

Dawn in Arizona — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:41:53 EST

During the Bush administration I walked out onto my deck, one that is far up a hill above the road where all can see my flag and took it down! the U.S. flag that my father died for, the flag that I love with all my heart and for years it sat gathering dust. Finally I got rid of the flag. My new U.S. flag and MIA/POW flag(made in the U.S.) came in the mail today. Quess when it is going up?? Yes! after Obama is sworn in! My flag does not fly in the dark or rain or snow. It goes out at sunrise and comes in at sunset- How wonderful to be able again to fly it proudly.

No one is above the law

Torgny V.O.B. — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:56:03 EST

No person is above the law. And the president is not above the law. There will be no waterboarding and no torture during the Obama administration. This was the powerful message of the new attorney general Eric Holder during the confirmation hearing.

Once again there will be a government that believes in the spirit of the Constitution. The Medieval kings in Europe believed that the king was above the law. And the Bush administration also believed this, that the king (president) is above the law. This they have publicly stated. Now with the incoming Obama administration we hear “that all men are created equal.” Everybody, including the president has to follow the law. The president is the first servant, and serving the nation is the aim for all in his government. It is not about using the position to gain power and money, it to serve the nation.

Out of head, into heart!

"Obama Doug" Evans Betanco — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:05:39 EST

iT'S WAY PAST TIME IN THE MIDEAST TO GET OUT OF OUR HEADS AND INTO OUR HEARTS. THE WORLD AND THE MIDEAST NEEDS LOVE, WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED. SO INCREDIBLY SILLY TO OFFER AS A SOLUTION, BUT SO VITAL.

Veterans Say CIA Tested Drugs, Mind Control on Them

Soleilmavis — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:08:40 EST

http:/http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/01/12-8

Published on Monday, January 12, 2009 by The News & Observer (North Carolina) Veterans Say CIA Tested Drugs, Mind Control on Them

by Jay Price

It was 1968, and Frank Rochelle was 20 years old and fresh out of Army boot camp when he saw notices posted around his base in Virginia asking for volunteers to test uniforms and equipment.

Veterans Eric Muth, center, and Frank Rochelle, right, speak at a news conference as their attorney Gordon Erspamer, left, listens at the law offices of Morrison and Foerster in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Muth and Rochelle are among six veterans who claim they were unwittingly exposed to dangerous chemicals and germs during government-sponsored Cold War experiments. On Wednesday they sued the CIA, Department of Defense and other federal agencies. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)That might be a good break after the harsh weeks of boot camp, he thought, and signed up.

Instead of equipment testing, though, the Onslow County native found himself in a bizarre, CIA-funded drug testing and mind-control program, according to a lawsuit that he and five other veterans and Vietnam Veterans of America filed last week. The suit was filed in federal court in San Francisco against the Department of Defense and the CIA.

The plaintiffs seek to force the government to contact all the subjects of the experiments and give them proper health care.

The experiments have been the subject of congressional hearings, and in 2003 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released a pamphlet said nearly 7,000 soldiers had been involved and more than 250 chemicals used on them, including hallucinogens such as LSD and PCP as well as biological and chemical agents. Lasting from 1950 to 1975, the experiments took place at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. According to the lawsuit, some of the volunteers were even implanted with electrical devices in an effort to control their behavior.

Rochelle, 60, who has come back to live in Onslow County, said in an interview Saturday that there were about two dozen volunteers when he was taken to Edgewood. Once there, they were asked to volunteer a second time, for drug testing. They were told that the experiments were harmless and that their health would be carefully monitored, not just during the tests but afterward, too.

The doctors running the experiments, though, couldn't have known the drugs were safe, because safety was one of the things they were trying to find out, Rochelle said.
"We volunteered, yes, but we were not fully aware of the dangers," he said. "None of us knew the kind of drugs they gave us, or the aftereffects they'd have."

Rochelle said he was given just one breath of a chemical in aerosol form that kept him drugged for two and a half days, struggling with visions. He said he saw animals coming out of the walls and his freckles moving like bugs under his skin. At one point, he tried to cut the freckles out with a razor.

Not all the men in his group tested drugs. But he said even those who just tested equipment were mistreated.
"Their idea of testing a gas mask was to give you a faulty one and put you in a gas chamber," he said. "It was just diabolical."
The tests lasted about two months. Later, Rochelle was sent to Vietnam.

Now he's rated 60 percent disabled by the VA, he said, and has struggled to keep his civilian job working on Marine bases. He has breathing problems, and his short- term memory is so bad that he once left his son at a gas station. Among other problems, he said, his doctor diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and said it came from the drug experiment. He has trouble sleeping and still sometimes has visions from the drug, he said.
A big goal of the lawsuit, Rochelle said, is to get the word out to the thousands of soldiers who were tested. Some may have forgotten all about the tests and not know that's why they have health problems now.
Note from Soleilmavis: Here are evidences which drug mind control technologies have been abused . As we know mind control weapons including: drug mind control weapons, microchip mind control weapons, nano implant mind control weapons, and electromagnetic mind control weapons. We will work hard to bring more evidence to public about all kinds of mind control weapons. and these weapons have been abused and tortured innocent civilians

Guantanamo Prison Closing an Obama Priority

"Obama Doug" Evans Betanco — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:06:16 EST

From HuffPost, posted by Lara Jakes:

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

WASHINGTON — Advisers to President-elect Barack Obama say one of his first duties in office will be to order the closing of the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay. That executive order is expected during Obama's first week on the job _ and possibly on his first day, according to two transition team advisers. Both spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Obama's order will direct his administration to figure out what to do with the estimated 250 al-Qaida and Taliban suspects and potential witnesses who are being held at Guantanamo.

It's still unlikely the prison would be closed any time soon. Obama last weekend said it would be "a challenge" to close it even within the first 100 days of his administration.

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

The Sooner, the Better! What ever happened to habeas corpus? The Geneva Conventions we insist the rest of the world follow? Poor PEObama: he's going to spend his eight years cleaning up the messes of the current President's evil advisors. Spit Patooie! I'm more than grateful to all that's holy that in only a week, there'll be the bright new radiance of the Obama Sun to wake up to in the morning paper and in the Oval Office.

GOBAMA, FOR EIGHT GREAT YEARS!

Gracias, ObamaDoug