A Sudden Appearance

Today President Obama made a suprise appearance at a White House press conference, to personally announce the resignation of Supreme Court Justice David Souter.   Apparently, not even White House Press Secretary had been informed of the visit from the President, and according to the New York Times Caucus, “he quickly stepped aside when the President entered the room.” It was a rare appearance from Mr. Obama in the White House briefing room. He spoke for a few minutes, joking that he might as well take over the briefing job himself to make the announcement, before returning to the Oval Office. (NYT Caucus)  

The news surrounding the resignation of Justice Souter has been invoking quite a bit of stir and surprise itself in the news these past few days, and I like the way President Obama gave us a little surprise of his own.    President Obama “praised the tenure of Mr. Souter, saying that he served with integrity and “consistently defied labels.”  He further added that he “will seek someone with a sharp, independent mind and a record of excellence and integrity…somebody who shares my respect for constitutional values.” (NYT Caucus)   Way to keep us on our toes Mr. President.

Pass

*A Bit Extreme

Vice President Joe Biden has caused somewhat of a public stir this morning when he announced that on NBC’s “Today” show that “neither he nor his family should be traveling in “confined spaces” like airplanes or subways where a cough or a sneeze by a person infected with swine flu could spread the illness.” (NYT Caucus)  

According to NYT’s Editor Kate Phillips, “His suggestions represent a departure from the rather-ordinary advice offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and even the president himself. At his news conference on Wednesday, Mr. Obama talked about hand-washing and covering your mouth when coughing.”   Now, I’m all for playing it safe.  But I feel that the Vice President’s remarks here were a little extreme.  Advising people in a major city to avoid planes and the subway seems downright foolish and seems to raise too much alarm where it isn’t needed.  Not denying the seriousness of the situation, the last thing we need is panic, and remarks by someone as respected as the Vice President very easily could have this affect.  Suddenly people will stop going to work on account that the Vice President advised not taking the subway (which many people in cities rely on as sole transportation.)  Good intentions, just badly put, especially when the President himself advised “hand-washing”.

Joe-

Fail

*Was the Flash On?

On Tuesday, a plane was flying near ground zero in New York City.  The incident caused many people to flee from their inner city homes, offices, etc.  It struck a fear that is best often avoided, for when people saw the large plane flying so low they feared the worst.  The reason behind this scare?  A photoshoot.  Are you kidding me?

Apparently White House officials wanted a photo oppurtunity with the stand in for Air Force One flying low through the city of New York, with the Statue of Liberty in the picture.    No one told the mayor, and apparently no one told the President.  So fear was struck into the hearts of who knows how many for…a photo op.   According to the New York Times, President Obama commented saying, ““It will not happen again,” as he “waved off questions from reporters as he arrived at the F.B.I headquarters in Washington to speak to the agency”.

Apparently the issue is being reviewed, but from my standpoint this is something that never should have happened.  The memories of 9/11 are by far from gone, and flying a plane so low and close to ground zero is something that no one should have allowed except for extremely extinuating circumstances, such as an emergeny.  Not for a photoshoot.  That’s why we have photoshop.  Much easier, doens’t use taxpayers money, and doesn’t cause a major scare that could have undoubdetly been avoided.

I’m not sure who to blame here….but

Fail

This event actually came to light for  me on the Jon Stewart show.  Not the most informative show, but his take on this situation is none the less entertaining, and true!  Check it out for yourself: http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=225154&title=Mistakes-on-a-Plane

*The Greater Good

First Lady Michelle Obama decided to spend her 100th day in the Whitehouse volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank.  The whole event was organized by the First Lady, and she was joined by over 150 Congressional and White House spouses.    According to the NYT’s Caucus, “The first lady said she hoped the bipartisan effort – which is expected to help feed 1,000 school children — would inspire Americans to volunteer and support the needy during these difficult economic times.”  This size amount of White House volunteers has yet to be organized for such a cause, and I must comment the First Lady for being so proactive.

“Its important for America so see you all here doing this”, Mrs. Obama said, “not as Republicans or Democrats or Independents – there’s no ideology…It’s just all of us people who care about our country and want to make service a core part of the work we do.’’ (NYT Caucus)

As ever impressive as President Obama has so far seemed to be, First Lady Michelle Obama is indeed also making a significant impact on the country, and I have a feeling we will see much more activities from her in the future.

First Lady-

Pass

No Recess for You Today

College costs are skyrocketing.  Today more and more families across America are being weighed down financially trying to provide a quality education for their children, and the sad truth is…its getting worse.  The cost of college today is already ridiculuos, with universities making mass millions by doubling tuition rates, cost of living, books, etc.  President Obama addressed the issue at the University of Maryland this friday.  According to the NYT’s Caucus, “President Obama challenged college and university officials on Friday “to put affordability front and center as they chart a path forward.” 

The previous NYT’s excerpt was taken from an article entitled “Obama Chides Colleges to Curb Spiraling Tuition.”  Lets examine this one more time – “Obama Chides Colleges”…?  Being a college student myself, I  know the hardships and strain these tuition costs place on American families.   In light of his grand economic scheme to help the average American, Barack is chiding colleges on this issue?   This is not even close to being good enough.  He cannot simply go to college to college “chiding” colleges and attempting them to all sway their current ways of increasing costs.  Something much more substantial needs to be done.  Legislative action needs to be taken.  This may be dealing with schools, but I’m afraid “chiding” simply won’t cut it.

 

Fail

Lenders & Spenders

According to the NYT’s Caucus, this morning President Obama is scheduled to “meet with executives  from American Express, Bank of America, Capital One Financial, Citigroup, Discover Financial Services, JPMorgan Chase and others” to outline some of the principles that he would like to see in lending reforms.  This is intended to further President Obama’s grand economic plan to save the economy by making credit available and as useful as it has been in the past.  However, I am not completely convinced that this will work, although that doesn’t mean trying is not an honest effort.  Unless legislation is passed I highly doubt these major credit card companies are going to put themselves through any real “reform” for the benefit of the country.  I also am not sure how any major group of companies such as these will react to legislation controlling what they do.  

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has said voluntary steps could be taken by credit card companies, but he added that the legislation is necessary to codify the rules the Fed is finalizing.  While this is a tricky situation, at least President Obama is making an honest attempt to meet and discuss the situation with the big lenders who have a great influence on our economy.

Pass

Voluntary Engagement

President Obama is mending broken fences.  A year ago, former President Clinton and Senator Ted Kennedy split ways when Mr. Kennedy sided with Obama in the Presidential race against Hillary.  However, according to the NYT’s Caucus, “The current president, the former president and the ailing senator from Massachusetts will gather at the Seed School in Washington on Tuesday, where Mr. Obama is to sign the Edward M. Kennedy National Service Act into law.”

While I am not completely convinced that the meeting between Clinton and Kennedy will be especially festive, President Obama gathering the two prominent figures for a good cause is a good decision.  Senator Kennedy has always been an active advocate of volunteering (his brother, President Kennedy, created the Peace Corps four decades ago), and former President Clinton has his own hand in volunteerism across America.  His group, Americorps, is projected to grow from 75,000 to 250,000 annual volunteers because of this new law. 

It’s a great cause.  President Obama has asked two great figures who are both extremely proactive dealing with Volunteerism in America.   The two men may not be friends, but getting them together for a good cause certainly can’t hurt.

 

Pass

Serious Business

According to the NYT’s Political Caucus, “After a tense internal debate, President Obama officially announced this afternoon that his administration would not prosecute C.I.A operatives for carrying out controversial interrogations of terrorist suspects, as the Justice Department began releasing a number of detailed memos describing harsh techniques used against Al Qaeda suspects in secret overseas prisons.”

 Searchable versions of the released documents may be viewed here

No doubt, this issue will spark great debate, and for good reason.  It is an argument facing the philosophy, integrity, and values of the American people.    Before continuing to read, please take the time to overview the list of interrigation techniques allowed by following the link above.

And we’re not going to prosecute?  

Good.  This is an issue with no black and white definite lines.  There’s a large gray area, and it goes like this. To a certain extent any educated American can tell the difference between right and wrong.  These techniques were extreme, and albeit, morally unacceptable.  But in light of necessity, who are we to judge a person of character for following orders.   Where can we draw a line that allows retribution to American Soldiers and CIA Agents for administering even extreme interrigation techniques?  Murder.  Nothing less.  Only at a point where clear and preimptive murder is at hand should any soldier or agent working for this countries greater good be prosecuted for declining to act.  These techniques allowed by the Bush administration were harsh, but  we certainly without a doubt cannot say that they weren’t necessary.   I can already here the cries, “of course they weren’t necessary”….But do we really know that?  No.  

By issuing these memos President Obama let it be known what our country is morally capable of in times of war…or morally incapable of for that matter.  However, I along with the President feel that to prosecute any man or woman that acted upon these interrigation techniques from orders issued by their superiors would be the most hypocritical and blatantly Un-American act possible.   As I say the words “Un-American” I am aware of how biasedly conservative and somewhat “backwoods” the words sound.  I claim to be neither.  At some point, we have to be honest with ourselves.  Post 9-11, most of America was for the war in Iraq.  Although I am not a complete defender of President Bush, I will admit that had no actions been taken after 9-11, America would have turned on him just as quickly as we had in the later years of his Presidency.  

President Obama has rejected the use of any such techniques in the future and he has chose to release the information to the American People so we can learn from the past.  In light of the issue, he has said that this is a “time for reflection, not retribution.” President Obama made the right choice.

 

Pass

Not Slowing Down Yet

Yesterday President Obama spoke at Georgetown University.  After watching the speech in its entirety, I must once again applaud the President on a speech well done.  This speech was not all smiles (being about the economy how could it be), however, it was not all negative.   At the time of this speech President Obama has been in office for twelve weeks. Right at three months.  These were his words:

“I know that some have accused us of taking on too much at once. Others believe we haven’t done enough. And many Americans are simply wondering how all of our different programs and policies fit together in a single, overarching strategy that will move this economy from recession to recovery and ultimately to prosperity.”

This is certainly the issue at hand.  Now, President Obama was honest enough in this speech to admit that times of trouble are far from over.  America needs this.  We can’t have false hope and promises that never come about misleading us into a sense of undeserved security.  However, things are improving, ever so slightly, and the President also made this clear:  ”There is no doubt that times are still tough. By no means are we out of the woods just yet. But from where we stand, for the very first time, we are beginning to see glimmers of hope. And beyond that, way off in the distance, we can see a vision of an America’s future that is far different than our troubled economic past. It’s an America teeming with new industry and commerce; humming with new energy and discoveries that light the world once more. A place where anyone from anywhere with a good idea or the will to work can live the dream they’ve heard so much about.”

While this future America may seem to be more of a fairytale than actual reality, Obama did begin by reinforcing the fact that troubled times are not over, which is something he has seemed to shy away from in the past.  Being up front should be the best policy, and President Obama laid it all on the line in this address to America’s students.

 

Pass

GGGOOOOoooaallllll!!!

President Obama is breaking into new grounds.   As much of us know, the President joyfully participated in the NCAA brackets, and is an avid fan of the Chicago baseball team, the White Sox.   Now, according to the NYT’s Caucus, “the president recently sent a video praising Chicago in its bid to hold the 2016 Summer Games. Now he has endorsed the United States’ effort to hold the World Cup of soccer either in 2018 or 2022.”    

Sports are good for a country.  I believe that.  They promote comrade re, they’re good for global connections, and they’re certainly good for the economy of the city the sporting events are held in.  President Obama attempting to get the Olympics and the World Cup of Soccer to be held in the U.S. is a great effort to bring the U.S. back into good light across the globe.    President Obama is remembering the “fun stuff” that is just as vital to an American citizen as taxes.

 

Pass