President Obama on Friday lauded new jobs numbers showing a slight decrease in the unemployment rate as the latest sign that "that the worst may be behind us."
"Though we lost 247,000 jobs in July, that was nearly 200,000 fewer jobs lost than in June, and far fewer than the nearly 700,000 jobs a month that we were losing at the beginning of the year," he said in the White House Rose Garden.
"Today, we're pointed in the right direction," the president continued. "We're losing jobs at less than half the rate we were when I took office."
He went on to trumpet his administration's efforts to help the financial system, reduce home foreclosures, improve the flow of credit, rescue the economy from "catastrophe," and "build a new foundation for growth."
The president then shifted into a defense of the stimulus package, about which he said "there's a lot of misinformation." He said the package has meant tax relief for families and small businesses, expanded unemployment benefits and cheaper health insurance for families looking for work.
Mr. Obama also pointed to "the largest new investment of infrastructure in America since Eisenhower built the interstate highway system back in the 1950s."
"…two-thirds of the Recovery Act have helped people weather the worst phase of this recession, while savings jobs and stabilizing our economy," he said. "The last third is dedicated to the vital investments that are putting people back to work today to create a stronger economy tomorrow." - CBS News Story
The key word is might. Might be behind us.
The question is, what happens to the economy and everyone when inflation takes over? When we are called upon the debt that the Obama Administration is creating?
His goal is to be long gone from office when that happens. He will continue to blame it on Bush. Which is quite the lame excuse at this point. Democrats have controlled the Legislature for going on 3 years and they did nothing. You can't just blame the President when his hands are tied.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Unemployment Figures not Actural Unemployment Figures
The White House, reacting to the latest jobless report showing the unemployment rate fell unexpectedly to 9.4 percent in July, predicted that despite the good news the rate would still hit 10 percent before year's end.
But in effect it already has.
The actual percentage of Americans who remain unemployed -- including those who have stopped looking for work -- is considerably higher than 9.4 percent and surpassed 10 percent months ago. By one measure, the unemployment rate is really 10.7 percent.
When you count those forced to settle for part-time work, the number is higher still. The 9.4 percent figure represents a very specific measurement of unemployed people that doesn't factor in everybody.
The Labor Department report Friday was good news nevertheless. It showed the jobless rate fell one tenth of a point, the first decline in 15 months.
President Obama said Friday his administration has "rescued our economy from collapse." He said much more needs to be done and that he won't rest until "every American that is looking for a job can find one."
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Friday that while there's still plenty of work to do the report is "more evidence that we have pulled back from the edge" of a depression.
Employers throttled back on layoffs in July, cutting just 247,000 jobs, the fewest in a year. It was a better-than-expected showing that offered a strong signal that the recession is finally ending.
But if laid-off workers who have given up looking for new jobs or have settled for part-time work are included the unemployment rate would have been 16.3 percent in July. That's down from 16.5 percent in June, which was the highest on records dating to 1994 -- but still higher than a few months ago.
Nailing down the actual percentage of unemployed Americans is exceedingly tricky. The Labor Department uses a survey method, like a poll, to gauge unemployment -- not a Census-style head count. The survey tries to determine the number of unemployed as a percentage of the labor force, but the labor force is only defined as those who are looking for work. - FOX News Story
Obama White House in Trouble with Legal Issues
The White House strategy of turning supporters into snitches when they see "fishy" information about the health care debate may run afoul of the law, legal experts say.
"The White House is in bit of a conundrum because of this privacy statute that prohibits the White House from collecting data and storing it on people who disagree with it," Judge Andrew Napolitano, a FOX News analyst, said Friday.
"There's also a statute that requires the White House to retain all communications that it receives. It can't try to rewrite history by pretending it didn't receive anything," he said.
"If the White House deletes anything, it violates one statute. If the White House collects data on the free speech, it violates another statute."
Napolitano was referring to the Privacy Act of 1974, which was passed after the Nixon administration used federal agencies to illegally investigate individuals for political purposes. Enacted after Richard Nixon's resignation in the Watergate scandal, the statute generally prohibits any federal agency from maintaining records on individuals exercising their right to free speech.
The White House has been under fire since it posted a blog on Tuesday that asked supporters to e-mail any "fishy" information seen on the Web or received electronically to flag@whitehouse.gov.
"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there," the blog said, adding that "since we can't keep track of all of them here at the White House, we're asking for your help."
The blog was posted partly in response to a video posted on the Web that claimed to show Obama explaining how his health care reform plans eventually will eliminate private insurance. - FOX News Story
Democrats Upset over Obama / Joker Posters
There has been an outpouring of anger from the left on the depiction of Obama as the Joker. Surprisingly there was no such support from the Left when it was George Bush being portrayed in less than stellar images.
Obama Repeating Campaign Mistakes
The Battle for America 2008 feels familiar—but not because it's about last year's election. Authors Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson report a lot of new behind-the-scenes details, so the story feels fresh. What feels familiar are the problems Sen. Obama faced on the campaign trail, which mirror the ones President Obama faces today in selling health care reform.
Now that Barack Obama is president, it's easy to forget how tough it was for him at times during the presidential campaign, particularly during the primaries. It wasn't just that he was often behind in the polls. It's that he sometimes just wasn't very good. He stumbled in debates. He made distracting gaffes. Frequently professorial, he failed to connect with voters. These are the same criticisms we hear today.
Obama talked to the authors about the messy process of finding his voice. "I'm actually sort of a slow starter," he said. "In those first couple of months I wasn't operating on this tight script. [I was] still sort of working out my riff."
On health care, it's clear that Obama is still working out his riff. He's been talking about the subject for months and yet the number of people who disapprove of his handling of the issue continues to rise. In several polls, people now disapprove of his performance more than they approve. He has pushed the idea that health care reform will not increase the deficit—to the exclusion of other arguments he might make—and yet the message is not getting through. In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, voters did not believe, by a margin of 72 percent to 21 percent, that Obama will keep his promise to overhaul the health care system without adding to the deficit. - Slate.com Story
Obama's Honeymoon Over and Little to Show for it
It was steamy and nice while it lasted. The 44th president was elected as a voice of reason transcending stale ideological debates and a symbol of unity in a nation long afflicted by bigotry. He seemed, on brief public acquaintance, to be pragmatic, positive, steady, moderate and thoughtful. In the months following his election, Obama expanded his support well beyond the coalition that had voted for him in November, attracting many seniors and white men -- working-class and college-educated -- who had supported John McCain.
But, as Ron Brownstein argued last week on NationalJournal.com, recent polls have revealed a president "back to something like square one in his political coalition." Obama's core support remains strong. His post-election gains, however, have largely dissipated. According to Brownstein, the president "failed to convert many voters who gave him a second look after preferring John McCain last year." Obama still dominates the political landscape, but he has not changed its contours.
Honeymoons always end. But it is fair to ask: What did Obama use this initial period of unique standing and influence to achieve? It will seem strange to history, and probably, eventually, to Obama himself, that the president's main expenditure of political capital and largest legislative achievement was a $787 billion stimulus package he did not design, and which ended up complicating the rest of his policy agenda. Such a pleasant honeymoon -- yet all we got was this lousy stimulus bill. - Real Clear Politics Story
Town Halls - Silent Majority No Longer Silent!
America's liberals have gone from swooning over Barack Obama's ascension to the White House and gloating over their Bush-induced domination of Congress to near-hysteria because ordinary middle-class Americans are rising in anger against the Democrats' planned hijacking of the nation's health care system. MSNBC's Chris Matthews worked himself into his characteristic spittle-laced frenzy while sputtering about the legions of protestors showing up to make meetings designed to sell Obamacare into "Town Hell" occasions.
He had Sen. Barbara Boxer of California on his "Hardball" program to pass along a condemnation of these town hall protestors as being "well-dressed middle-class people in pinks and limes … [a] Brooks Brothers Brigade." How dare these people adopt the tactics of the left, like the ACORN or SEIU organizers, and plan demonstrations of political dissatisfaction. The left would have us believe that such actions are illegitimate if performed by any other than their own supporters.
This is amusing, as are the awkward attempts by Mr. Matthews and his like to suggest that those folks giving the health care reform backers from Congress a frosty reception as they try to sell their nationalized health care plans are shills for the health insurance industry.
Truth is, the health insurance industry is as silent as the shorter half of Penn and Teller. As the Wall Street Journal points out, "If anything, the health-care business lobbies are helping Democrats by keeping quiet and hoping their silence buys them survival as heavily-regulated utilities."
What's actually happening represents a rare political development -- the arousal of what Richard Nixon dubbed "The Silent Majority," in this case by what they correctly believe to be a threat to their cherished right to choose their own doctors and exercise autonomy in matters relating to their medical well-being. - Baltimore Sun Story
He had Sen. Barbara Boxer of California on his "Hardball" program to pass along a condemnation of these town hall protestors as being "well-dressed middle-class people in pinks and limes … [a] Brooks Brothers Brigade." How dare these people adopt the tactics of the left, like the ACORN or SEIU organizers, and plan demonstrations of political dissatisfaction. The left would have us believe that such actions are illegitimate if performed by any other than their own supporters.
This is amusing, as are the awkward attempts by Mr. Matthews and his like to suggest that those folks giving the health care reform backers from Congress a frosty reception as they try to sell their nationalized health care plans are shills for the health insurance industry.
Truth is, the health insurance industry is as silent as the shorter half of Penn and Teller. As the Wall Street Journal points out, "If anything, the health-care business lobbies are helping Democrats by keeping quiet and hoping their silence buys them survival as heavily-regulated utilities."
What's actually happening represents a rare political development -- the arousal of what Richard Nixon dubbed "The Silent Majority," in this case by what they correctly believe to be a threat to their cherished right to choose their own doctors and exercise autonomy in matters relating to their medical well-being. - Baltimore Sun Story
Voters are Sending Clear Message to Washington
We have entered uncharted territory in the fight over national health care. There’s a new tone in the debate, and it’s ugly. At the moment the Democrats are looking like something they haven’t looked like in years, and that is: desperate.
They must know at this point they should not have pushed a national health-care plan. A Democratic operative the other day called it “Hillary’s revenge.” When Mrs. Clinton started losing to Barack Obama in the primaries 18 months ago, she began to give new and sharper emphasis to her health-care plan. Mr. Obama responded by talking about his health-care vision. He won. Now he would push what he had been forced to highlight: Health care would be a priority initiative. The net result is falling support for his leadership on the issue, falling personal polls, and the angry town-hall meetings that have electrified YouTube.
In his first five months in office, Mr. Obama had racked up big wins—the stimulus, children’s health insurance, House approval of cap-and-trade. But he stayed too long at the hot table. All the Democrats in Washington did. They overinterpreted the meaning of the 2008 election, and didn’t fully take into account how the great recession changed the national mood and atmosphere.
And so the shock on the faces of Congressmen who’ve faced the grillings back home. And really, their shock is the first thing you see in the videos. They had no idea how people were feeling. Their 2008 win left them thinking an election that had been shaped by anti-Bush, anti-Republican, and pro-change feeling was really a mandate without context; they thought that in the middle of a historic recession featuring horrific deficits, they could assume support for the invention of a huge new entitlement carrying huge new costs.
The passions of the protesters, on the other hand, are not a surprise. They hired a man to represent them in Washington. They give him a big office, a huge staff and the power to tell people what to do. They give him a car and a driver, sometimes a security detail, and a special pin showing he’s a congressman. And all they ask in return is that he see to their interests and not terrify them too much. Really, that’s all people ask. Expectations are very low. What the protesters are saying is, “You are terrifying us.” - WSJ Online Story
Congress in Big Trouble with Most American's
Just 14% of likely voters give
That’s down four points from June, nine points from May, and is the lowest rating measured for the legislators since February.
Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters say Congress is doing a poor job, up nine points since June and the highest level found since October 7, 2008.
Democratic voters are fairly evenly divided on the question, with 27% who give the legislature good or excellent ratings and 31% who say members of Congress are doing a poor job. Most Republicans (74%) and unaffiliated voters (70%) give Congress poor ratings. - Rasmussen Reports Poll
I find it amazing that Nancy Pelosi, Obma and Their Democratic Thugs say that it is the Republicans that are stirring up the trouble.
With a Huge Majority the Democrats are in Control. But with Poll Numbers like this, it looks like it is not just Republicans who are greatly unhappy with what is happening.
Obama to Critics - Get Out of the Way
Ahhh Yes, the Campaigning of Barack Obama. All those promises that I have yet to see.
Did everyone of you get your tax cut? We got $36. Wow that was a great stimulus builder for my household. And no we Don't make over $200,000.
I sure wish the Campaigning Obama Turned out to be the Same President Obama. At least he had passion. He wasn't out apologizing to everyone for who we are, he wasn't spending all of my money, my childrens money, my grandchildrens money. At least he lead you to believe that he would leave America better than he found it. Can't say that anymore!
Did everyone of you get your tax cut? We got $36. Wow that was a great stimulus builder for my household. And no we Don't make over $200,000.
I sure wish the Campaigning Obama Turned out to be the Same President Obama. At least he had passion. He wasn't out apologizing to everyone for who we are, he wasn't spending all of my money, my childrens money, my grandchildrens money. At least he lead you to believe that he would leave America better than he found it. Can't say that anymore!
Dealers doing Their Own Cash for Clunkers
As senators get ready to vote on whether to add $2 billion to the ballyhooed "Cash for Clunkers" program, some of the nation's largest dealerships have created a private stimulus package of their own, offering prospective car-buyers from $500 to $4,500 in incentives on top of the federal program.
The dealers' package begs the question: Do taxpayers really need to kick in an additional $2 billion for the federal program now that private dealers are offering a similar -- or even better -- deal?
"If the auto industry can afford their own $4,500 per car auto stimulus, why are taxpayers being forced to foot the $3 billion bill on clunkers?" Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., told FOXNews.com.
The dealers' program, dubbed the Automotive Stimulus Plan, was slated to start on Aug. 14 but was launched early due to instability in the Cash for Clunkers program. But unlike the federally-funded program, the dealers are declaring all vehicles older than 2007 models to be eligible for trade-ins, and they are allowing the money to be used to buy or lease both new and used cars.
Brian Benstock, vice president and general manager of the Paragon Auto Group in New York City, one of roughly 50 participating dealers nationwide, said the private push is designed to fill "gaps" in the federal program, including the exclusion of used cars from the Cash for Clunkers plan.
"So you left out nearly half of the potential market," Benstock told FOXNews.com. "We wanted to come up with a program in that no car would be left behind." - FOX News Story
I have to agree, why are we Taxpayers footing the bill of $3 Billion to help out the Automotive Industry and getting greener cars out there if the Auto Industry can afford to do it on their own?
Town Halls - Turning into Brawls
Town hall meetings dealing with Democrats' health care reform plans started to turn violent Thursday, with a meeting in Tampa, Fla., descending into shouting and one in St. Louis ending in arrests.
Close to 1,500 people came to the Tampa suburb of Ybor City to attend a session on health care and insurance reform Thursday featuring Democratic State Rep. Betty Reed and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor before the event exploded into a near riot.
According to local media reports, the larger-than-expected crowd gathered outside the Hillsborough County Children's Board building, where several hundred people, mostly in opposition to government health care, began to loudly chant and scuffle with organizers posted at doorways after the auditorium filled to capacity.
A freelance videographer was roughed up in an altercation, which damaged his camera equipment and glasses, and at least one man was treated for minor injuries after a scuffle left his shirt partially torn from his body.
"That's the most violent anyone has been towards me," Mark Bishop told WTSP-TV. "It was surprising to say the least."
In Mehlville, Mo., St. Louis police reportedly arrested six people, some on assault charges, outside another forum that was billed as a meeting on aging but attended by activists on both sides of the health care debate.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the police showed up toward the end of the forum held by Democratic Rep. Russ Carnahan. One conservative activist, interviewed at a local emergency room where he was being treated for injuries, said he was attacked by some of the individuals who were arrested as he passed out "Don't tread on me" flags. - FOX News Story
That is what you get when you have a President and Democratic Legislature that doesn't want to listen to the Public. If you disagree and voice your opinion, then you are an organized effort by the Right Wing.
So what does Obama do? He sends out emails and posts to get organizers to get in there and mix it up. So now instead of upset and angry Americans addressing their Representatives, we have riots and fights between Angry Americans and the Obama Army.
What kind of BS Leadership is this?
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Obama Plans to Put Terrorists in Civilian Courts
Four of the top military experts in the Senate have written President Obama imploring him to try terrorist mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed before a military commission, rather than in a U.S. court in the United States.
Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), joined Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in pushing against the Justice Department's decision to try Mohammed, the brains behind the Sept. 11 attacks, in a criminal court in either New York or D.C.
“We write to you today to express our concern over reports that your Administration may prosecute Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the mastermind of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and other alleged war criminals in civilian courts in Virginia, New York, and the District of Columbia. Such trials would treat the war on terrorism as a law enforcement operation, rather than a war, and would treat its alleged perpetrators as common criminals, instead of violators of the law of war."
The full letter can be found here. - Politico Story
Reader Reply -
Yes, A terrorist leader like KSM who masterminded the murder of 3000 of our fellow citizens deserves the same rights as you and me, right? Let him have lawyers and the ability to summon witnesses and hell, lets put the CIA operatives and the battlefield soldiers on the stand while we're at it! He's a criminal, not a "terrorist". That's such a mean word. We should let him sue for emotional damages too. Great idea! He's probably a nice guy once you get to know him. Obama is such a great president, isn't he!Obama Performance - an F !
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Thursday that President Barack Obama deserves a failing grade for his first 200 days in office.
The libertarian-minded Republican ultimately graded the president at a just-passing “D” when asked to rate Obama’s performance during an interview on CNN’s “American Morning,” though only because he decided to factor in extenuating circumstances.
“I’d probably give them a D. He deserves an F, but I give him a D to make one point is that he's not responsible for this mess,” Paul said.
“The last administration has a lot to do with this. The Congress has a lot to do with it,” the former presidential candidate added. “So I would say he’s failing, but he doesn’t deserve all of the blame.”
Paul was appearing on CNN with his son, Rand, who recently announced that he is running for Kentucky’s Republican nomination for the United States Senate.
Asked the same question as his father, Rand was less understanding of what he too sees as a failed performance by the president.
“I would say an F,” he said flatly, citing the size of the national debt.
“You cannot borrow and borrow and borrow and print money to pay for this without repercussions, and the repercussions will be higher prices in the grocery store,” Rand Paul said. - Politico
Former Community Organizer - Obama - Wants the Organizers to Stop Coming after Him?
Democrats are stepping up their campaign against opponents of health care reforms, depicting town hall audiences protesting a Democratic-sponsored bill as angry mobs duped into hostile actions by special interest groups.
The Democratic National Committee released a Web video and e-mail on Wednesday blasting opponents of the 10-year, $1 trillion plan.
Titled "Enough of the Mob," the ad warns that the "right wing extremist base" is back after losing the presidential election, a series of legislative battles and the confidence of Americans.
"Now, desperate Republicans and their well-funded allies are organizing angry mobs -- just like they did during the election," the ad says. "Their goal? Destroy President Obama and stop the change Americans voted for overwhelmingly in November."
The ad goes on to dismiss the protests as "mob activity straight from the playbook of high-level Republican political operatives. They have no plan for moving our country forward, so they've called out the mob."
The e-mail outlines what it says are five facts about the "anti-reform mobs," including an accusation that these operatives are trying "to intimidate and silence regular people who just want more information."
"It's time to expose this charade, before it gets more dangerous," Jen O'Malley, head of the DNC, said, urging recipients to pass it along.
Republicans have seized on the charges.
"Instead of acknowledging the widespread anger millions of Americans are feeling this summer toward Democrat-controlled Washington, Washington Democrats are trying to dismiss it as a fabrication," House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said in a statement. "That isn't likely to sit well with Americans outside of Washington who are struggling and wondering when their elected leaders are going to wake up and change course."
The Republican National Committee fired back with an e-mail titled "THE MOB? Hey Democrats, They're Called The American People." The e-mail goes on to list a series of links to stories and polls revealing growing doubts about Obama's top domestic priority and his economic policies.
And the Libertarian Party said Obama, a former community organizer, should think twice before approving a campaign that attacks communities for organizing, even if it's against him.
"Libertarians find it ironic a community organizer is now using the government to try and stop people from organizing their communities," Libertarian National Committee spokesman Donny Ferguson said in a statement. - FOX News Story
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Obama Calls out Supporters to Attend Meeting to push Agenda
In an unusual e-mail appeal, President Barack Obama is asking millions of his campaign supporters to commit to attending at least one community event on health care this month.
Obama writes that opponents of his health care plan are “filling the airwaves and the Internet with outrageous falsehoods to scare people into opposing change.”
“And some people, not surprisingly, are getting pretty nervous,” he warns. “So we've got to get out there, fight lies with truth and set the record straight."
The e-mail shows up as being from “President Barack Obama,” with the subject line: “This is the moment.”
“Home is where we're strongest. We didn't win last year's election together at a committee hearing in D.C. We won it on the doorsteps and the phone lines, at the softball games and the town meetings, and in every part of this great country where people gather to talk about what matters most,” Obama says. “And if you're willing to step up once again, that's exactly where we're going to win this historic campaign for the guaranteed, affordable health insurance that every American deserves."
The drive is run by Organizing for America, the new name for the Obama grass-roots organization, now a project of the Democratic National Committee.
The e-mail clicks through to a commitment form, with the notice: “Once you commit to attending an event, we'll be in touch to let you know about upcoming events near you.” - Politico Story
How Ironic, they are complaining because people are angry about the health care reform and letting their Reps hear about it. The say it is a GOP effort. I haven't heard nor has there been any proof that it is.
Yet here they are doing the exact same thing. They are pushing their supporters to show up so that they can continue to push their lies about the Crisis that isn't.
GOP Chairman Defends GOP Redirecting Phone Calls
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele defended the GOP's decision to automatically re-direct angry liberal callers to the Democratic National Committee Wednesday, telling reporters he "thought it was a good idea."
"Don't think you're going to direct a bunch of angry liberals to call the RNC when I know full well what that's all about," Steele said during an RNC conference call. "I get….the joke." He said he thought those critics should talk to their own party, who held responsible for "ginning this up."
Earlier in the day, a new DNC Web ad accused the Republican Party of "inciting mobs" to deliberately disrupt congressional town hall meetings where the Obama health care plan was being discussed, and asked viewers to call the RNC to register their disapproval. The RNC changed their phone menu so that those callers were directed to press a button that automatically transferred their call to the DNC.
Steele dismissed questions over whether the GOP move to deflect critical calls was hypocritical in light of recent criticism of Democrats for "demonizing" the town hall protestors, and denied the Republican Party had any role in organizing the confrontations.
"We're not inciting anyone to go out and disrupt anything," said Steele. "We're not organizing the town halls," only encouraging individuals to visit their congressman or senator to "express their point of view." - CNN
GOP Reverses on Democrats
WASHINGTON (CNN) — National Republicans turned the tables on their political counterparts Wednesday by redirecting angry telephone calls coming into their switchboard to the Democratic National Committee.
The DNC released a Web video early in the morning accusing the GOP of inciting mob activity at town hall meetings.
At the end of the video, the DNC instructs people to call the Republican National Committee to express outrage. Callers who dial the RNC's main number to voice their concern about the DNC's charges are told to press 1, which sends them to the DNC's main switchboard.
DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse described the RNC's redirection as a "neat trick," but said it just further proves the Democrats' point about the GOP.
"The RNC is inciting angry mobs to shout out legitimate discussion at public events across the country and now they want to ignore people who deplore their tactics," Woodhouse said. "Republicans don't want to have a discussion about the future of health care reform – they want to shout out – and now completely ignore – anyone who disagrees with them." - CNN
OK, I may not be the brightest light, but can someone please explain to me the logic in this from the Democrats?
They are complaining about people showing up at their town halls shouting and disrupting them. They say it is the Republicans sending the angry mobs in.
Yet there answer, which they feel is OK, is to create their own angry mob and shout down the GOP.
Doesn't this pretty easily explain why nothing ever really gets done in Washington. They are like a bunch of fricking kids.
Congress Spends $200 Million on Three (3) Jets for Their Use
Call it Jets for Junkets. Congress is poised to spend $200 million to buy the Air Force three of the highest performing passenger jets in the world, including two planes that will be used for members of Congress and other government VIPs.
The money is included in the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that passed overwhelmingly in the House July 30 by a vote of 400 to 30.
The jets are military versions of the Gulfstream G550, a passenger jet with a cruising speed of more than 600 miles per hour that is capable of flying non-stop from Washington to Beijing without refueling.
The Pentagon had only asked for one jet, which it intends to use for its new Africa Command.
Money for the other two was inserted by the House Appropriations Committee, which also inserted a requirement that the jets be used by the Air Force's 89th Airlift Wing, which is based at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, and provides transportation for government VIPs -- including members of Congress.
"We ask for only what we need and nothing more," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said. "Congress would be the one who would best be equipped to answer why it is they have added additional Gulfstreams to the budget." - ABC News Story
Obama Gathering Information on Citizens Who Speak out Against Health Reform
The White House in recent days has taken pro-active steps to combat the misinformation spreading about the president's health care plans -- but one Republican senator thinks they are going too far.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) sent a letter to President Obama on Wednesday to express his concern about "a new White House program to monitor American citizens' speech opposing your health care policies."
Cornyn's letter was prompted by a White House blog post written by White House Director of New Media Macon Phillips.
"Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to 'uncover' the truth about the President’s health insurance reform positions," Phillips wrote. "Since we can't keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."
Cornyn wrote that he could think of no other incident of a president asking American citizens to report on their fellow citizens' political speech. He said that "citizen engagement must not be chilled by fear of government monitoring the exercise of free speech rights."
Furthermore, Cornyn wrote, the collection of e-mails could amount to the White House amassing various forms of personally identifiable information.
"By requesting that citizens send 'fishy' emails to the White House, it is inevitable that the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and private speech of U.S. citizens will be reported to the White House," he wrote. "You should not be surprised that these actions taken by your White House staff raise the specter of a data collection program."
Cornyn requested that the White House answer a number of questions, such as how it intends to use and then purge the information it collects, what actions will be taken against citizens reported for "fishy" speech and whether the president's own past comments qualify as "disinformation." - CBS News Story
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) sent a letter to President Obama on Wednesday to express his concern about "a new White House program to monitor American citizens' speech opposing your health care policies."
Cornyn's letter was prompted by a White House blog post written by White House Director of New Media Macon Phillips.
"Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to 'uncover' the truth about the President’s health insurance reform positions," Phillips wrote. "Since we can't keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."
Cornyn wrote that he could think of no other incident of a president asking American citizens to report on their fellow citizens' political speech. He said that "citizen engagement must not be chilled by fear of government monitoring the exercise of free speech rights."
Furthermore, Cornyn wrote, the collection of e-mails could amount to the White House amassing various forms of personally identifiable information.
"By requesting that citizens send 'fishy' emails to the White House, it is inevitable that the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and private speech of U.S. citizens will be reported to the White House," he wrote. "You should not be surprised that these actions taken by your White House staff raise the specter of a data collection program."
Cornyn requested that the White House answer a number of questions, such as how it intends to use and then purge the information it collects, what actions will be taken against citizens reported for "fishy" speech and whether the president's own past comments qualify as "disinformation." - CBS News Story
California Ordered to Cut Prison Population
Citing an overcrowded prison system that has led to inadequate health care for inmates, a panel of federal judges has ordered California to reduce its prison population by 40,000 over the next two years.
That reflects a roughly 27 percent cut from the current population of 150,000.
The New York Times, which has a PDF of the court order, reports that "judges said that reducing prison crowding in California was the only way to change what they called an unconstitutional prison health care system that causes one unnecessary death a week."
The Los Angeles Times, meanwhile, notes that "[t]he order cited Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's own words when he proclaimed a state of emergency in the corrections system in 2006 and warned of substantial risk to prison staff, inmates and the general public, saying 'immediate action is necessary to prevent death and harm.'" - CBS News Story
What a great idea. It's not like all of those people belong in prison. Just let 40,000 of them out and don't put anymore in. For every person you put in you have to let someone out and keep the population down. They are being mistreated in there.
Give me a break.
That reflects a roughly 27 percent cut from the current population of 150,000.
The New York Times, which has a PDF of the court order, reports that "judges said that reducing prison crowding in California was the only way to change what they called an unconstitutional prison health care system that causes one unnecessary death a week."
The Los Angeles Times, meanwhile, notes that "[t]he order cited Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's own words when he proclaimed a state of emergency in the corrections system in 2006 and warned of substantial risk to prison staff, inmates and the general public, saying 'immediate action is necessary to prevent death and harm.'" - CBS News Story
What a great idea. It's not like all of those people belong in prison. Just let 40,000 of them out and don't put anymore in. For every person you put in you have to let someone out and keep the population down. They are being mistreated in there.
Give me a break.
Senate Prepared to Vote on Cash for Clunkers
(CBS/AP) Pressing colleagues to replenish the "cash-for-clunkers" program, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warned lawmakers they might miss their August vacation takeoff plans Friday if they don't quickly pass the $2 billion measure.
"If we don't work something out on the cash for clunkers," Reid said from the Senate floor Wednesday morning, he would file motions to close debate. Under Senate procedure, that could mean votes on both Friday and Saturday, when lawmakers would otherwise be scattering for their coveted summer break.
"We all acknowledge there's a significant majority that want to move forward with this legislation," said Reid, D-Nev.
It was the senatorial version of a parents' warning to bickering children: Work it out, or the car will be turned around instantly.
There was every indication that lawmakers would extend the popular program, which offers car buyers rebates of up to $4,500 for trading in their gas-guzzlers for new, higher-mileage models.
Reid had said on Tuesday that he had the votes to pass a $2 billion extension already approved by the House, the amount President Barack Obama says is necessary to meet a surging demand that would otherwise deplete the program by Friday. He said Wednesday there are estimates that as many as 300,000 vehicles have been bought under the program.
Many Republicans oppose the plan - and some Democrats have concerns as well. But none was predicting that any senator would block or delay a vote.
"The matter will be completed," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood proclaimed the program a roaring success. He said Wednesday that in just a brief time, "the government has proved we can get money out the door and sell almost 160,000 cars." - CBS News Story
Wow, isn't that great! The Government is in the car selling business. I am glad the Transportation Secretary is a Car Salesman.
How hard is it to sell cars or anything else for that matter when you are willing to give them $4500 down on it without strings. I am sure that we could sell a lot of stuff if we offered them big discounts.
"If we don't work something out on the cash for clunkers," Reid said from the Senate floor Wednesday morning, he would file motions to close debate. Under Senate procedure, that could mean votes on both Friday and Saturday, when lawmakers would otherwise be scattering for their coveted summer break.
"We all acknowledge there's a significant majority that want to move forward with this legislation," said Reid, D-Nev.
It was the senatorial version of a parents' warning to bickering children: Work it out, or the car will be turned around instantly.
There was every indication that lawmakers would extend the popular program, which offers car buyers rebates of up to $4,500 for trading in their gas-guzzlers for new, higher-mileage models.
Reid had said on Tuesday that he had the votes to pass a $2 billion extension already approved by the House, the amount President Barack Obama says is necessary to meet a surging demand that would otherwise deplete the program by Friday. He said Wednesday there are estimates that as many as 300,000 vehicles have been bought under the program.
Many Republicans oppose the plan - and some Democrats have concerns as well. But none was predicting that any senator would block or delay a vote.
"The matter will be completed," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood proclaimed the program a roaring success. He said Wednesday that in just a brief time, "the government has proved we can get money out the door and sell almost 160,000 cars." - CBS News Story
Wow, isn't that great! The Government is in the car selling business. I am glad the Transportation Secretary is a Car Salesman.
How hard is it to sell cars or anything else for that matter when you are willing to give them $4500 down on it without strings. I am sure that we could sell a lot of stuff if we offered them big discounts.
Majority Favor Tax Cuts to Health Reform
Fifty-four percent (54%) of U.S. voters say tax cuts for the middle class are more important than new spending for health
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, taken Monday and Tuesday nights, finds that 34% disagree and say new spending for health care reform is more important. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.
It is important to note that this question asked about new government spending for health care reform rather than about the overall concept of health care reform itself.
The partisan and ideological divide on the question is sizable. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Democrats say new spending for health care reform is the priority. But 80% of Republicans and 62% of voters not affiliated with either party favor tax cuts for the middle class.
Seventy percent (70%) of liberals say new spending is more important, while 76% of conservatives prefer tax cuts. - Rasmussen Reports Poll
Majority of Americans Believe Obama's Policies have Driven up the Budget
Seventy-one percent (71%) of U.S. voters say President Obama’s policies have increased the size of the federal deficit, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
Only five percent (5%) say the president’s policies have cut the deficit, and 10% say they have had no impact. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.
Eighty percent (80%) of investors say Obama’s policies have driven up the deficit, a view shared by just 57% of non-investors.
Not surprisingly, 88% of Republicans blame the president’s policies, compared to 52% of Democrats. But 79% of voters not affiliated with either party agree.
Obama has initiated a number of big spending programs intended to jump-start the U.S. economy, and the Treasury Department estimates that the federal debt has grown by more than a trillion dollars since he took office. In his defense, the president notes that he inherited both an economic crisis and an already sizable deficit from President Bush. - Rasmussen Reports Poll
54% of Americans Oppose More Funding Cash for Clunkers
Fifty-four percent (54%) of Americans oppose any further funding for the federal “cash for clunkers” program which encourages the owners of older cars to trade them in for newer, more fuel-efficient ones.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of adults think Congress should authorize additional funding to keep the program going now that the original $950 million allocated for it has run out. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. - Rasmussen Reports Poll
Generic Congressional Poll Shows Republican Lead
Support for Republican congressional candidates has risen to its highest level in recent years, giving the GOP a seven-point lead over Democrats in the latest Congressional Ballot and stretching the out-of-power party's lead to six weeks in a row.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate while 38% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.
Democratic support is down two points from last week and is just one point above its lowest level measured over the past year. Support for Republican candidates is up one point from last week. - Rasmussen Reports Poll
Two (2) Russian Subs Patrolling off East Coast
(AP) Two nuclear-powered Russian attack submarines have been patrolling in international waters off the East Coast for several days, in activity reminiscent of the Cold War, defense officials said Tuesday.
U.S. Northern Command would not comment on the Russian submarines' movement. But in a prepared statement, Northern Command spokesman Michael Kucharek acknowledged the patrols and said the U.S. has been monitoring the two submarines.
Two senior U.S. officials, however, said the submarines had been patrolling several hundred miles off the coast and so far had done nothing to provoke U.S. military concerns. The officials provided details on condition of anonymity in order to discuss intelligence reports.
While the incident raises eyebrows, it did not trigger the more intense reaction by the U.S. military that Russia prompted when two of its bombers buzzed an American aircraft carrier in the western Pacific in February 2008. U.S. fighter planes intercepted the two Russian fighters, including one that flew directly over the USS Nimitz twice at an altitude of about 2,000 feet.
The event did not escalate beyond that, but it signaled a more aggressive military agenda by Moscow.
The latest incident, which was first reported by The New York Times, comes amid increased Russian military activity in the region, and as the administration of President Barack Obama works to thaw tense relations with Moscow over plans for a missile defense system in Central Europe. - CBS News Story
U.S. Northern Command would not comment on the Russian submarines' movement. But in a prepared statement, Northern Command spokesman Michael Kucharek acknowledged the patrols and said the U.S. has been monitoring the two submarines.
Two senior U.S. officials, however, said the submarines had been patrolling several hundred miles off the coast and so far had done nothing to provoke U.S. military concerns. The officials provided details on condition of anonymity in order to discuss intelligence reports.
While the incident raises eyebrows, it did not trigger the more intense reaction by the U.S. military that Russia prompted when two of its bombers buzzed an American aircraft carrier in the western Pacific in February 2008. U.S. fighter planes intercepted the two Russian fighters, including one that flew directly over the USS Nimitz twice at an altitude of about 2,000 feet.
The event did not escalate beyond that, but it signaled a more aggressive military agenda by Moscow.
The latest incident, which was first reported by The New York Times, comes amid increased Russian military activity in the region, and as the administration of President Barack Obama works to thaw tense relations with Moscow over plans for a missile defense system in Central Europe. - CBS News Story
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Paula Abdul Out as American Idol Judge
(CNN) — Simon Cowell and the other judges on American Idol will not have Paula Abdul to kick around anymore.
Abdul announced late Monday night on her official Twitter page that she will not be returning the highly popular show.
“With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon,” the statement said on Abdul’s verified Twitter account.
A statement from Fox and the companies the produce the show, verified that Abdul was leaving.
“Paula Abdul has been an important part of the AMERICAN IDOL family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show,” the statement said. “While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.”
Fans had been posting comments on social network sites for over a week wondering if Abdul was going to return to the show.
Abdul’s new manager, David Sonenberg, was quoted by the Los Angeles Times last month saying “Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on ‘Idol.’”
Sonenberg told the newspaper it was “unnecessarily hurtful” to Abdul that they have not received “any proposal whatsoever” from producers even though the judges will start auditioning contestants for the next season on August 6.
Abdul, singer-dancer turned American Idol judge, was known for her positive nurturing comments to the singers participating in the shows. She was also known for her on camera run-ins with Cowell and other judges in the show. - CNN
Ad uses Obama's Daughters
Sasha and Malia Obama are largely off limits to the news media, but that hasn’t stopped a Washington nonprofit from making the first daughters the subject of a new advertising campaign. Though the ads, placed in Union Station by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, could certainly get White House attention, they risk a father’s anger.
In the ad, Jasmine Messiah, an 8-year-old vegetarian from a Florida public school, asks the question: “President Obama’s daughters get healthy school lunches. Why don’t I?”
Jasmine has also written a letter to Sasha and Malia, urging them to help by signing the committee’s petition to Congress, which urges lawmakers to increase the number of vegan, vegetarian and nondairy food options in public schools. The Obama girls attend Sidwell Friends, an elite private school in Washington.
“A lot of schools, including mine, don’t offer enough healthy fruits, vegetables and vegetarian meals,” third-grader Jasmine writes. “I’m glad that your school, Sidwell Friends, already has lots of healthy options in the cafeteria, including vegetarian chili and roasted vegetable pizza. If we work together, we can make sure all students can eat healthy school lunches.”
But media and political experts say the campaign could easily anger a popular president who has taken steps to shield his daughters from the spotlight. “This is not the way to win the heart of the president,” said Brookings Institution Governance Studies Director Darrell West. “It’s dangerous to target Obama’s daughters because many people view family members as off limits for political advocacy. That’s especially relevant in this case because his daughters are so young.” - Politico Story
Obama Team Falls Back to Campaign Strategy for Health Care
The White House launched a coordinated effort Tuesday to combat what it calls a “viral whisper campaign” to torpedo health care reform.
Its playbook: the same one Barack Obama’s campaign used in 2008 to shoot down rumors and questions about his citizenship, faith and patriotism.
The new offensive started early Tuesday morning when the White House posted a video response to a hodgepodge of clips on the Drudge Report that portrayed President Obama as favoring the elimination of private insurance. On the White House blog, Obama’s director of new media, Macon Phillips, asked supporters to send in leads for debunking chain e-mails or anything else that “seems fishy.”
It continued through the day with press secretary Robert Gibbs and Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse both saying a series of confrontational town hall meetings were manufactured by Republicans, conservative groups and lobbyists who are paid to drum up opposition.
Woodhouse described them as “angry mobs of rabid right-wing extremists” that populated McCain-Palin rallies last year.
Tuesday was just the start of the offensive, White House aides said.
The White House and its allies are developing a clearinghouse website to debunk rumors and myths — similar to the FightTheSmears.com site used during the campaign. They plan to use more video, Twitter, e-mail lists and other new media tools to “combat the right-wing noise machine” and dedicate new resources to rapid response on health care, according to a White House official. - Politico Story
The only problem with this playbook is, that many of the so called rumors and myths that Obama called lies and misinformation during the campaign have since been proven correct.
Obama blamed Right Wing Wingnuts at McCain/Palin rallies for calling him liberal. Well, I think we can plainly see the answer to that.
In the pocket of Unions - Hmmmmmm. I wonder what the answer on that one is? Auto Bailouts, card check, stimulus funds requiring union labor, hmmmmm.
Enemy of Israel? Well, I think we can plainly see the answer to that.
New Strategy in Afghanistan? Well, how is that working out?
Taxes? Deficit Spending? National Debt? Foreign Policy? Oh wait, He apologized to every Country about us Americans. I wonder if he told them that we acted "Stupidly"?
CNN Reader Comments - Good Stuff
Below are some CNN Readers Comments. I found them interesting to say the least.
I'm disturbed by the media's nonstop excuse making and defending of Obama and his policies. According to economists, the economy was "brought back from the brink" by TARP and the Fed last fall. Yet somehow Obama attempts to claim credit with no evidence. The media allows him to claim credit for all good news, while at the same time blaming Bush for any bad news. I can see no evidence whatsoever of anything Obama's done thus far that's had any impact on the economy besides tons more debt. He's pushing more government, more spending, and more taxes which is the antithesis of America. He's doubling down on Bush's mistakes. On healthcare, Obama has admitted in speeches over the past 5 years that he wants a "public option" as the first step to single-payer but the media covers it up and acts like those who make such claims are "fearmongering". I'm tired of Obama getting a pass and being held to a much lower standard than any previous President. On foreign policy he hasn't been as bad as I expected, if you ignore his nonstop apologizing which is just obnoxious. Of course he has plenty of time to ruin that still. It would be nice if the President stayed in DC and worked and stopped wasting time wandering the country campaigning and the world apologizing. And enough with the press conferences! He's not that interesting or captivating no matter what he thinks of himself! - Christy
the media (cnn) has to do a better job explaining the health-care plan to their viewers. Pres. obamas health care plan is what america needs ASAP. The republicans are lying threw there teeth 24/7. - Tony
As I read these comments, I am absolutely awed by the ignorance of the majority of these posts. If people would spend the same amount of energy researching facts as they do blaming Bush, you might find that Obama (and his fellow democrats) ARE the force behind the reckless lending that has put our country in the "great" recession. We are headed in a very dangerous direction and if folks don't start educating themselves, we will NEVER be the country that we were founded to be. Our founding fathers must have tears in their eyes as they watch what we are becoming - AW
America was in big troube after Bush. I was thinking things would change but Mr. Obama is taking us down the same road, only faster!!! =( - John
I'm disturbed by the media's nonstop excuse making and defending of Obama and his policies. According to economists, the economy was "brought back from the brink" by TARP and the Fed last fall. Yet somehow Obama attempts to claim credit with no evidence. The media allows him to claim credit for all good news, while at the same time blaming Bush for any bad news. I can see no evidence whatsoever of anything Obama's done thus far that's had any impact on the economy besides tons more debt. He's pushing more government, more spending, and more taxes which is the antithesis of America. He's doubling down on Bush's mistakes. On healthcare, Obama has admitted in speeches over the past 5 years that he wants a "public option" as the first step to single-payer but the media covers it up and acts like those who make such claims are "fearmongering". I'm tired of Obama getting a pass and being held to a much lower standard than any previous President. On foreign policy he hasn't been as bad as I expected, if you ignore his nonstop apologizing which is just obnoxious. Of course he has plenty of time to ruin that still. It would be nice if the President stayed in DC and worked and stopped wasting time wandering the country campaigning and the world apologizing. And enough with the press conferences! He's not that interesting or captivating no matter what he thinks of himself! - Christy
the media (cnn) has to do a better job explaining the health-care plan to their viewers. Pres. obamas health care plan is what america needs ASAP. The republicans are lying threw there teeth 24/7. - Tony
As I read these comments, I am absolutely awed by the ignorance of the majority of these posts. If people would spend the same amount of energy researching facts as they do blaming Bush, you might find that Obama (and his fellow democrats) ARE the force behind the reckless lending that has put our country in the "great" recession. We are headed in a very dangerous direction and if folks don't start educating themselves, we will NEVER be the country that we were founded to be. Our founding fathers must have tears in their eyes as they watch what we are becoming - AW
America was in big troube after Bush. I was thinking things would change but Mr. Obama is taking us down the same road, only faster!!! =( - John
Cash for Clunkers Benefits Foreign Manufacturers the Most
ABC's Jonathan Karl reports from Washington:
The Cash for Clunkers program has been widely credited with boosting auto sales in July, but most of the sales boost is benefitting foreign car companies.
In fact, four of the top five cars bought through the program as of today have been Japanese cars. Here’s the top the five, according to the Department of Transportation:
1. Ford Focus
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
The Ford Escape is number six, followed by Hyundai Elantra, Dodge Caliber and the Honda Fit. The only car from General Motors to make the Top 10 list is the Chevrolet Cobalt, coming in at number 10. - ABC News Story
Town Hall Meeting on Health Care Not Going Well
At a town hall meeting today on health care reform, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., got an earful.
"You're lying to me!" yelled Don Jeror, a local conservative activist in the upstate New York district, where Hoyer was visiting.
The same scene of visceral anger has been playing out all over the country, as Members of the House hold town-hall meetings during their recess and are confronted by voters unhappy with President Obama's push for health care reform.
Some Members of Congress have found it exasperating. Rep. Tim Bishop, D-N.Y., canceled town-hall meetings after a particularly unruly group prompted him to get a police escort back to his car. Rep. Frank Kratovil, D-Md., was hung in effigy.
In Austin, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, was shouted down before he could even speak by a crowd of huddle protestors chanting, "Just say no!"
Doggett says there's nothing authentic about these protests.
"This notion of a grass-roots campaign is totally and completely phony," Doggett said in an interview with ABC News. "The Republican Party has coordinated this apparent outrage and stirred it up."
Doggett said that he's happy for dialogue, but "there's no way you can change the legislation to satisfy any of these Republicans and their insurance allies."
In fact, that's the Democratic line -- rallying against insurance companies.
"In spite of the loud, shrill voices trying to interrupt town-hall meetings and just throwing a monkey wrench into everything, we're going to continue to be positive and work hard," Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said today after a visit with President Obama.
Democrats say this public anger is largely bogus -- organized by conservative groups funded by corporate interests, such as the group Conservatives for Patients Rights.
"I think what you've seen is they have bragged about manufacturing, to some degree, that anger," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said today. - ABC News Story
I don't know how you can try and sell the fact that these protests are manufactured and not real? Have they even looked at the polls lately that have shown across the board that the American Public is not at all in support of this Health Care Reform?
Clinton Gets Release of Journalist in North Korea
North Korea has ordered the release of the two American journalists detained since May following former President Bill Clinton’s meeting Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
According to North Korea’s state news agency, the two journalists – Laura Ling, 32, and Euna Lee, 36 – were pardoned after being visited by the former president.
Clinton supplied Kim with a verbal message from President Barack Obama shortly after landing in Pyongyang. The report said Clinton’s message was “courteously” conveyed.
Kim and the former president then sat down for what the state media described as a “wide-ranging exchange of views.”
Following his meeting with Kim, Clinton spoke in person to the according to ABC News, which cited a government source.
The source told ABC that the journalists may leave North Korea with Clinton soon.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement emailed soon after Clinton’s landing Tuesday that the Obama administration will not be commenting on the situation during the former president’s visit.
“While this solely private mission to secure the release of two Americans is on the ground, we will have no comment,” Gibbs said. “We do not want to jeopardize the success of former President Clinton's mission.”
Gibbs added later during the daily press briefing that the situation in North Korea remains a “sensitive topic.”
State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood followed Gibbs’ lead Tuesday, telling reporters that “the White House statement spoke for itself, and at this point I don't have anything further on it, so you might want to save your questions.”
Ling and Lee were captured on March 17 after venturing across the border from South Korea while reporting a story for Current TV, a San Francisco-based cable network. The two were later sentenced to 12 years of labor.
A Washington source said the Clinton trip came about after North Korean officials told relatives that the government would release the women to the former president. The families then approached Clinton.
The source told POLITICO that the White House approved the mission, which has been secretly planned for weeks.
The delicate journey comes amid increasing tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, which continues to pursue and test nuclear capabilities.
Clinton was accompanied to North Korea by his former chief of staff, John Podesta, who more recently headed Obama’s transition team.
Photos released by state media also show longtime Clinton aide Doug Band with the former president in Pyongyang. - Politico
The scary part in this whole thing is what items were negotiated? There is no talk about what we gave in return for their release.
You can bet that they didn't just release the Journalist out of the goodness of their hearts.
Who Acted "Stupidly" in Gates Arrest?
WASHINGTON (CNN) – A new national poll indicates that white and black Americans don't see eye to eye on last month's arrest of Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates. The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, released Tuesday, also suggests a racial divide over President Barack Obama's initial comments on the incident.
Fifty-four percent of those questioned in the poll say they don't think Cambridge, Massachusetts police office James Crowley acted stupidly when he arrested Gates at the professor's home after Crowley responded to a call that someone was breaking into the house. One in three say they think Crowley did act stupidly. But there's a major racial divide, with 59 percent of black respondents saying that Crowley acted stupidly compared to 29 percent of whites questioned.
Just over half of those polled feel that Gates acted stupidly, with three in 10 saying no. Broken down by race, 58 percent of whites say Gates acted stupidly, with African-Americans split on the question.
The arrest sparked a national discussion on the issue of racial profiling, which was amplified when President Obama weighed in on the matter. In a prime time news conference last month, Obama said "the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home." - CNN
In my opinion, I think that the President Acted Stupidly for getting involved in the whole thing.
Conficker Worm Still Out There?
You remember the Conficker worm, don't you? Well?
If you don't, or if you're going, "Oh, yeah, that thing," maybe that's good. The Conficker botnet, a devilishly well-written piece of rogue computer code that threatened ominously to do something undefined on April 1 -- well, it turned out to be one of history's great April-Fool's letdowns.
But it's still out there. Some computer scientists say there are more than 5.5 million computers that are still infected, though they're far away from most Americans. The worst infestations seem to be in Brazil, China and Vietnam.
Take a look at Sean Michael Kerner's piece on InternetNews.com about last week's Black Hat computer security conference in Las Vegas. He quotes Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at the computer security firm F-Secure:
"The gang behind Conficker are no fools," Hypponen said. "They know their stuff, they know coding, development cycles, crypto and they are clever and they are watching us, their enemy in the security industry."
The headline from the conference seems to have been that security people there couldn't tell all they had learned about Conficker. Everyone expected the perpetrators to have been found out by now.
But there was this one intriguing bit: that perhaps its creators had set it loose...and then left it to run on its own around the Internet.
Obama Campaign Donor Gets Senior Post in Administration
The Obama administration is drawing criticism for naming a wealthy campaign donor to a senior health post.
Without a formal announcement, the White House appointed Todd Park, co-founder of electronic health records firm Athenahealth, to be chief technology officer of the Department of Health and Human Services. From that position, the multimillionaire Park is expected to find ways to boost the use of technology to manage Americans' health information.
Park's appointment was publicized in a statement by the company. An HHS spokesperson who declined to be identified confirmed the news.
Park, 36, contributed over $60,000 to organizations boosting Obama's presidential campaign in 2008, and another $5,000 to Obama's transition effort this January. In March, Park gave $30,000 to the Democratic National Committee.
The company says Park will resign and cash in stock and options worth roughly $30 million before taking the HHS post. A company official said Park's resignation would require him to leave behind other stock options that would have brought him $500,000, if he was allowed to exercise them today. - ABC News Story
Just another in a long list of pay to play in the Obama Administration.
Is Cash for Clunkers a Good Idea?
The government's Cash for Clunkers program has been a big hit with consumers who have jumped at the ability to get up to $4,500 of a new-car purchase, helping to clear cars off deal lots.
But as the Senate now considers adding another $2 billion to the initial $1 billion for the program, some are questioning the benefits of this program for the larger economy.
Sure, Cash for Clunkers has helped the automakers, but what about helping to stimulate the nation's economy and end the recession?
"This proves one thing: If you hand out money on the street corner, people will take it," said James L. Gattuso, a senior fellow in regulatory policy at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
The top 10 selling cars so far through the program, according to the Department of Transportation, are: the Ford Focus FWD, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Ford Escape FWD, Hyundai Elantra, Dodge Caliber, Honda Fit and last the Chevrolet Cobalt. - ABC News Story
Obama's Housing Flop
(AP) Only 15 percent of homeowners eligible for the Obama administration's $50 billion loan modification program have been offered help so far.
In its first monthly progress report on the plan launched in March, the government on Tuesday detailed big disparities among the 38 companies that have signed up. Several loan servicing companies - including American Home Mortgage Servicing and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. - have yet to modify a single loan.
So far, more than 400,000 offers have been extended to 2.7 million borrowers who are more than two months behind on their payments. More than 235,000 of those borrowers have enrolled in three-month trials.
Saxon Mortgage Services Inc. had the best results among the large loan servicers. One in four of its eligible borrowers has a trial loan modification with a lower monthly payment to help the homeowner avoid foreclosure. Aurora Loan Services LLC, GMAC Mortgage Inc. and JPMorgan Chase all had one in five qualified borrowers in a trial loan.
For each homeowner who makes regular payments for three months, the loan servicer collects $1,000 from the government. If the borrower stays current for three years, the servicer gets a maximum of $4,500.
When the plan was launched four months ago, the government said it hoped to help up to 4 million financially distressed homeowners modify their mortgages. The administration says it is still on track to meet that goal, and last week extracted a verbal promise from the mortgage industry to reach 500,000 borrowers by Nov. 1.
But despite these efforts, foreclosures continue to rise. About 1.5 million households received at least one foreclosure-related notice in the first half of this year, according to RealtyTrac Inc. - CBS News Story
In its first monthly progress report on the plan launched in March, the government on Tuesday detailed big disparities among the 38 companies that have signed up. Several loan servicing companies - including American Home Mortgage Servicing and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. - have yet to modify a single loan.
So far, more than 400,000 offers have been extended to 2.7 million borrowers who are more than two months behind on their payments. More than 235,000 of those borrowers have enrolled in three-month trials.
Saxon Mortgage Services Inc. had the best results among the large loan servicers. One in four of its eligible borrowers has a trial loan modification with a lower monthly payment to help the homeowner avoid foreclosure. Aurora Loan Services LLC, GMAC Mortgage Inc. and JPMorgan Chase all had one in five qualified borrowers in a trial loan.
For each homeowner who makes regular payments for three months, the loan servicer collects $1,000 from the government. If the borrower stays current for three years, the servicer gets a maximum of $4,500.
When the plan was launched four months ago, the government said it hoped to help up to 4 million financially distressed homeowners modify their mortgages. The administration says it is still on track to meet that goal, and last week extracted a verbal promise from the mortgage industry to reach 500,000 borrowers by Nov. 1.
But despite these efforts, foreclosures continue to rise. About 1.5 million households received at least one foreclosure-related notice in the first half of this year, according to RealtyTrac Inc. - CBS News Story
Treasury Secretary Loses Temper During Meeting?
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner appeared to have lost his cool in an hour long meeting with financial regulators last Friday, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal today.
Deemed by the Journal as "an expletive-laced critique," the meeting involved such top financial regulators as Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair.
An official told the WSJ that they felt surprised at Geithner's tone and attitude at the meeting. Mr. Geithner stated that "enough is enough" after listening to concerns over the proposed financial overhaul by the Obama administration.
Since the plan was released in June, it has faced much criticism from the industry, and some financial regulators are weary of allowing the government to enter their "turf." The administration's proposals include creating a new federal agency to oversee consumer regulations, merging two bank regulators and allowing the government to take over large financial companies.
According to the Journal, Friday's meeting was also unusual because of Geithner's use of obscenities and aggressive posture taken toward even some independent regulators. Geithner said the executive and legislative branches of the government set policies, not the agencies.
Neal Wolin, the Treasury's deputy secretary, told the Journal that that Geithner explained to the group that "they have the prerogative to express their views, but he wanted to make sure that, since everyone had agreed on the importance of achieving reform this year, everyone stayed focused on that goal." - CBS News Story
Deemed by the Journal as "an expletive-laced critique," the meeting involved such top financial regulators as Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair.
An official told the WSJ that they felt surprised at Geithner's tone and attitude at the meeting. Mr. Geithner stated that "enough is enough" after listening to concerns over the proposed financial overhaul by the Obama administration.
Since the plan was released in June, it has faced much criticism from the industry, and some financial regulators are weary of allowing the government to enter their "turf." The administration's proposals include creating a new federal agency to oversee consumer regulations, merging two bank regulators and allowing the government to take over large financial companies.
According to the Journal, Friday's meeting was also unusual because of Geithner's use of obscenities and aggressive posture taken toward even some independent regulators. Geithner said the executive and legislative branches of the government set policies, not the agencies.
Neal Wolin, the Treasury's deputy secretary, told the Journal that that Geithner explained to the group that "they have the prerogative to express their views, but he wanted to make sure that, since everyone had agreed on the importance of achieving reform this year, everyone stayed focused on that goal." - CBS News Story
Toyota Making Out big on Cash for Clunkers
Fox News is reporting the Top 10 Vehicles so far with the Cash for Clunkers:
1. Ford Focus
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Ford Escape
7. Hyundai Elantra
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt
FOX News Story
1. Ford Focus
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Ford Escape
7. Hyundai Elantra
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt
FOX News Story
Obama Joker Posters Creating Outrage?
Posters depicting President Obama as "The Joker" from the most recent Batman movie have started showing up on the streets of Los Angeles and Atlanta. Earl Ofari Hutchinson of something called the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable says that the posters go beyond "political spoofery" and are "mean-spirited and dangerous".
"Dangerous"! Really?
Interestingly, when Vanity Fair ran a similar depiction of then-President Bush last July, Mr. Hutchinson was nowhere to be heard from. As a matter of fact, it appears from the online comments to the Vanity Fair piece that several liberals thought the illustration was quite clever.
Of course, now Bush is out and Obama is in - and I guess our collective sense of outrage has been altered. - 620 WTMJ
Democratic Infighting may Derail Health Care
Liberal Democrats in the House are holding their ground on a key issue in health reform, reiterating their opposition to any health care bill that would require government-sponsored coverage plans to negotiate payments with doctors or other health care providers.
In a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, leaders of the 82-member Congressional Progressive Caucus reaffirmed their stand against a deal cut with four conservative Blue Dog Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
These liberal lawmakers are particularly concerned with comments the speaker made to a small group of reporters Friday that were included in a Monday Washington Post story about lingering divisions in her caucus after last week's fractious Energy and Commerce vote.
"Are you asking me, 'Are the progressives going to take down universal, quality, affordable health care for all Americans?' I don't think so," Pelosi said with a laugh.
In the letter, the two co-chairs of the caucus - Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva and California Rep. Lynn Woolsey - say their members are prepared to vote against any bill that doesn't require government-sponsored public health care plans to pay providers some multiple of Medicare costs.
The two Democrats also ask the speaker to reinstate subsidies to help middle-income families pay for mandated insurance coverage, but most of that money was supposed to be restored in a last-minute deal between the four Blue Dogs and liberals on Energy and Commerce.
In the House, liberals are at odds with conservative Democrats over the size and strength of these public health care plans - all while the Senate looks like it might bypass the public plans altogether in favor co-ops organized by doctors, businesses and individuals on the national, state and local level. - Politico Story
Health Care Vote Could Cost him Hist Career
Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-La.) began his career in politics by ousting an indicted Democratic congressman in an overwhelmingly liberal New Orleans district. But now he’s acknowledging his political career is close to over after he cast a vote against the Democratic health care proposal.
“I know that voting against the health care bill will probably be the death of my political career,” Cao told The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune. “But I have to live with myself, and I always reflect on the phrase of the New Testament, ‘How does it profit a man’s life to gain the world but to lose his soul?’”
Cao, the first Vietnamese-American elected to Congress, has broken with his party on numerous occasions and has championed recovery efforts back home in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. But on some of the most critical legislation before Congress — the economic stimulus and health care — he’s remained in line under partisan pressure.
And those votes (and quotes) are bound to come up in his bid for a second term, whoever emerges as his Democratic opponent. - Politico Story
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)