The President and First Lady are hosting the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, April 25, 2011 with the theme of “Get Up and Go!” promoting health and wellness.
The event will feature live music, sports courts, cooking stations, storytelling and, of course, Easter egg rolling. All of the activities will encourage children to lead healthy and active lives and follow the First Lady’s ‘Let’s Move!’ initiative, a national campaign to combat childhood obesity.
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WH Easter Egg Roll Live Stream Schedule
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Sunday Apr. 24, 2011
All Times Eastern
Pres Obama receives the presidential daily briefing
8:00 AM
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10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
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Apr 24, 2011
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
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CNN http://live.cnn.com
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CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
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Middle East Protest
Al Jazeera – English http://english.aljazeera.net
Get Up and Go!: The 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll
Posted by Ellie Schafer on April 20, 2011
For twelve hours on Monday, April 25th, the South Lawn of the White House will play host to the 133rd White House Easter Egg Roll.
30,000 people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia won tickets through this year’s ticket lottery. With this year’s theme being “Get Up and Go!,” in collaboration with the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, guests will have the chance to enjoy entertainment and activities that go far beyond the traditional Easter egg hunt and egg roll. Some of the highlights include:
* Rockin’ Egg Roll Stage – Live musical performances for all ages. Artists include Colbie Caillat, Greyson Chance, Willow Smith, Sesame Street, and more.
* Storytime Stage – Celebrities bring books to life. Readers include Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and family, John Lithgow, John Bemelmans Marciano, Kristi Yamaguchi, Geena Davis, and more.
* Hop To It!- An instructional dance party on the South Lawn! Get up and go jump rope, hula hoop, dance and more.
* Eggtivity Zone Obstacle Course- A series of obstacles and drills, including soccer, football and baseball obstacle courses.
* Basketball and Tennis- Get hands-on training from basketball and tennis pros on the President’s court!
* Yoga Garden- Come enjoy a session of yoga from professional instructors.
* Eggspress Yourself- An arts and crafts workshop filled with egg dying, egg decorating, face painting and more.
* Play with your Food- Family Farmer’s Market, Kids’ Kitchen, Make-your-own Garden, Buzzing about Bees, and more led by the White House chefs and celebrity guest chefs. This activity center is built around the White House Kitchen Garden.
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LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE
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For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/04/20/get-and-go-2011-white-house-easter-egg-roll
A Brief History Of White House Easter Egg Rolls
APRIL 23, 2011 obamafoodorama.blogspot.com
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome more than 30,000 people to the South Lawn for Monday’s 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll, which has the theme “Get Up and Go!” to reflect Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign. The Easter Egg Roll is a tradition dating back to 1878 and President Rutherford B. Hayes, but there are records of informal egg rolling events as early as President Abraham Lincoln’s administration, which took place on the grounds of the US Capitol. Below, a rapid-fire history of the tradition, with details taken from White House archives.
What began more than a century ago as a “play day” on the park-like grounds of the White House is now a themed day-long event featuring the President and First Lady personally greeting guests, performances from A-list celebrities and musical acts, and corporate sponsors like Whole Foods, PBS, Disney, and Nickelodeon. Each Obama Roll has focused on health and fitness; a post about the 2010 Easter Egg Roll, which featured an impressive slate of cooking and gardening activities, IS HERE.
For the entire article: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2011/04/brief-history-of-white-house-easter-egg.html
2011 White House Easter Egg Roll Egg Facts
APRIL 24, 2011 obamafoodorama.blogspot.com
Eggs will of course take center stage at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, when President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome more than 30,000 visitors from all 50 states to the South Lawn, for a day of fun that features performances from plenty of celebrity talent.
A tradition started in 1878, the theme this year is Get Up and Go!, to reflect Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign. Much of the going will include thousands upon thousands of eggs for the various activities, which are everything from egg races and hunts to cooking demonstrations. There will also be very special eggs that America’s hardworking hens had no part in producing. Below, an eggsacting recap of the 2011 Egg Facts.
For the entire article: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2011/04/2011-white-house-easter-egg-roll-egg.html
Sunday talk show tip sheet
4/22/11 By ZACK HALE –POLITICO
Sens. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), two of the “Gang of Six” senators working to forge a long-term budget compromise, headline this Sunday’s television talk shows.
And Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will appear from Cairo on NBC’s “Meet the Press” to discuss his just-completed quick trip to Libya to meet with rebel leaders fighting the regime of Muammar Qadhafi.
Conrad and Coburn will be on NBC as well, as CBS’s “Face the Nation” focuses on the nation’s skyrocketing deficit with five freshman members of Congress: Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), along with Reps. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) and Joe Walsh (R-Ill.).
CNN’s “State of the Union,” meanwhile, takes a look at the continuing turmoil in Libya and the Middle East with Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee — and retired Army Gen. George Joulwan, a former supreme allied commander of NATO, and Nicholas Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO.
Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, also stop by to discuss the challenges facing the nation’s education system.
Bloomberg TV’s “Political Capital” also takes a look at tensions in the Middle East with the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice.
“Fox News Sunday” has New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who’s mounting a campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.
On C-SPAN, the “Newsmakers” guest is Gil Kerlikowske, director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Strategy, who’ll discuss the Obama administration’s new plan to clamp down on prescription drug abuse. He’ll be interviewed by Alicia Caldwell of The Associated Press and Halimah Abdullah of McClatchy Newspapers.
Finally, ABC’s “This Week” takes Easter Sunday to examine the current state of faith in America and the role of religion in politics with several special guests, including the Revs. Franklin Graham and Al Sharpton
Why do we even care what John McCain has to say? I am so very tired of him being on some talk show every single Sunday.
Plus he went to Libya to interject himself into that arena … and said he was “proud” of the rebels. That’s not his place to speak for any of us on foreign soil, especially when things are so dynamic there. Who cares what he thinks?
Happy Easter Ms O’Boomer!
ARCHIVE:
April 24, 2009
On Friday, April 24, 2009, the President signed into law:
S. 383, the “Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program Act of 2009,” which provides the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program with additional authorities and responsibilities.
Treasury investment funds report $1.7B gains
Apr 22, 2011 By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department said Friday that an investment program set up during the financial crisis to buy toxic assets from banks is showing a $1.7 billion gain.
The department committed $22.1 billion in taxpayer funds to the Public-Private Investment Program, which was created in March 2009. The money has been used to set up funds that have invested in mortgage-backed securities and other financial assets. The goal is to take those assets off the books of large banks that were facing huge losses from bad real estate investments during the housing bubble.
The department has earned more than $500 million in dividends and other profits from the investments, Treasury said. And Treasury’s share of the securities held in the funds has increased in value by $1.2 billion.
The department reports on the status of the funds each quarter.
The funds are managed by private investment companies, including AllianceBernstein, Blackrock Inc. and Invesco. Those companies have invested $7.4 billion in the funds, an amount matched by Treasury. Treasury also lent another $14.7 billion. The department tapped the $700 billion financial-system bailout fund, known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program, for the money.
Treasury has said that it expects to earn profits on many of its efforts to bailout the financial system. For example, the department says taxpayers have received $12.3 billion in profits from the $45 billion invested in Citigroup, and could make a similar gain from its investment in troubled insurer American International Group. The government is still selling its stake in AIG.
For the entire article: http://yhoo.it/g2RU4H
Happy Easter Everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Happy Easter everyone..!!
*hugs*
Oh….FIRST..!!
Congratulations on firsts! Happy Easter Tigerfists!!
Giffords Standing, Trying To Improve Gait
April 24, 2011 by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Doctors say Rep. Gabrielle Giffords can walk a little and is even trying to improve her gait. But the report Sunday in The Arizona Republic adds the congresswoman herself is planning to “walk a mountain.”
Giffords uses her left side and has begun making limited use of her right arm and leg, a common effect of a bullet wound on the left side of the brain, said Dr. Gerard Francisco, chief medical officer at Houston’s TIRR Memorial Hermann who works with Giffords daily.
“Her left side is perfect,” said Pia Carusone, her legislative chief of staff. “She can do whatever you can do.”
She said that even in her wheelchair Giffords has stringent posture: tall, tight, strong — like always.
For the entire article: http://www.npr.org/2011/04/24/135677962/giffords-standing-trying-to-improve-gait?ft=1&f=1003
FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA AND DR. JILL BIDEN DISCUSS THEIR NEW MILITARY FAMILIES INITIATIVE, ‘FIRST FRIENDSHIP’ AND MORE
4/24/11 parade.com
In an exclusive cover story to be published in PARADE magazine’s April 24 issue, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden discuss Joining Forces, their new initiative to support and honor the families of America’s service members, and their ‘First Friendship.’
As announced by the White House last week, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden are launching Joining Forces to educate, challenge, and encourage action from all sectors of our society —citizens, communities, businesses, nonprofits, faith-based institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government—so that our military families get the support they need and deserve.
Mrs. Obama tells PARADE, “When I started campaigning for my husband, I wanted to meet with groups of women to make sure their stories were a part of the conversation in his campaign and potentially in his administration. Everywhere I went there were military spouses, and their stories took my breath away—the pain of multiple deployments, trying to keep the family afloat. I remember sitting and crying with a group of them.”
How can Americans help? “If you’re a parent, what can you do to find out how many, if any, military children are in your schools? In your churches, synagogues, congregations? Are there National Guard or Reserve personnel? And then do what you do best. If you’re an accountant, think about offering pro bono services. If you’re a teacher, maybe offer tutoring to military kids. We want to encourage people to be creative and not feel they have to develop a whole other expertise.”
For the entire article: http://www.parade.com/news/2011/04/24-table-of-contents.html
Qatar In Libya: Big Mission For A Small Country
4/24/11 JOANNA KAKISSIS- NPR
Article Summary:
Qatar was the first Arab nation to join the allied effort to stop the bloodshed in Libya. Last month, it sent a third of its fighter-jet fleet to the Souda Air Base on the Greek island of Crete. Along with the French, the Qataris are helping enforce the NATO-led no-fly zone over Libya.
For the audio interview: http://www.npr.org/2011/04/24/135678909/qatar-in-libya-big-mission-for-a-small-country
Good morning CR, Tigerfists and everyone. May you all have a happy and blessed easter!
Please join me in lighting an Easter candle for our President,First Family and the Nation.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Happy Easter and thank you Jackie!
April 19, 2011
Remarks by the President at Easter Prayer Breakfast
East Room
8:39 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. Please, please have a seat.
Well, it is absolutely wonderful to be here with all of you today. I see so many good friends all around the room.
Before I begin, I want to acknowledge one particular member of my administration who I’m extraordinarily proud of and does not get much credit, and that is USAID Administrator, Dr. Raj Shah, who is doing great work with faith leaders. (Applause.) Where’s Raj? Where is he? There he is right there. Raj is doing great work with faith leaders on our Feed the Future global hunger program, as well as on a host of other issues. We could not be prouder of the work that he’s doing. I also want to acknowledge Congressman Mike McIntyre and his wife, Dee. (Applause.) Mike — as some of you know, obviously, North Carolina was ravaged by storms this past weekend, and our thoughts and prayers are with all the families who have been affected down there. I know that Mike will be helping those communities rebuild after the devastation.
To all the faith leaders and the distinguished guests that are here today, welcome to our second annual — I’m going to make it annual, why not? (Laughter and applause.) Our second Easter Prayer Breakfast. The Easter Egg Roll, that’s well established. (Laughter.) The Prayer Breakfast we started last year, in part because it gave me a good excuse to bring together people who have been such extraordinary influences in my life and such great friends. And it gives me a chance to meet and make some new friends here in the White House.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/19/remarks-president-easter-prayer-breakfast
Obamas Attend 2011 Easter Worship Service
APRIL 24, 2011 obamafoodorama.blogspot.com
President Obama and his family attended Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC, today, for a morning Easter worship service. Shiloh is located about two miles from the White House, and was founded in 1863 by freed slaves. The First Family entered to cheering and applause shortly after 10:00 AM.
The First Family infrequently attends church services in public; today was the seventh time President Obama has attended church in Washington since taking office.
“It probably has not been lost on you that we have some very special visitors this morning…so we welcome President Barack Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha,” the senior minister, Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith, announced to his congregation.
For the entire article: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2011/04/obamas-attend-2011-easter-worship.html
Egypt revolution hero to leave Google, set up NGO
4/26/11 AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Wael Ghonim, the Google executive who became the hero of the Egyptian revolution, on Sunday said he planned to take an extended break from the Internet giant to set up his own NGO in Egypt.
“Decided to take a long term sabbatical from @Google & start a technology focused NGO to help fight poverty & foster education in #Egypt,” Ghonim wrote in a message on the micro-blogging site Twitter.
Ghonim, Google’s head of marketing for the Middle East and North Africa, administered the Facebook page that helped spark the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak’s regime.
The 30-year-old gave an emotional television interview shortly after he was released from 12 days in police custody that is credited with re-energizing the movement just as it appeared to be losing steam.
In an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” after the regime started to crumble, Ghonim said the protests that led to the Mubarak’s ouster would never have happened without online social networks.
“If there was no social networks it would have never been sparked. Because the whole thing before the revolution was the most critical thing. Without Facebook, without Twitter, without Google, without YouTube, this would have never happened.”
For the entire article: http://yhoo.it/gNEBqT
Boy, that gentleman is an inspiration!
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OF MY O FRIENDS. I woke up at 3:30 this morning and attended the 5:00 Easter service. It was very inspirational.
Happy Easter COS!
Happy Easter, COS and CR and all of our O’family!
I once attended a sunrise service on Easter, COS, so I know what you mean. Haven’t done it since – but at least I got the chance once to witness the sunrise with others on such a spiritual day (outside on a warm Florida morning, I might add)!
Jimmy Carter, other former leaders to visit NKorea
4/24/11 AP
BEIJING – Ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter and three other former leaders arrived in Beijing on Sunday en route to North Korea to discuss the revival of nuclear disarmament talks.
Carter and the group of veteran statesmen known as the Elders are to travel to Pyongyang on Tuesday as part of international efforts to restart the negotiations on ending North Korea’s nuclear program.
The group, which includes former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland and former Irish President Mary Robinson, said it also plans to discuss North Korea’s chronic food shortages.
International disarmament talks with North Korea have been stalled for the past two years amid growing concerns over its nuclear programs.
“At a time when official dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea appears to be at a standstill, we aim to see how we may be of assistance in reducing tensions and help the parties address key issues including denuclearization,” Carter was quoted as saying in a statement.
For the entire article: http://yhoo.it/gWQMfs
Wow. President Carter keeps going and going … and I’m glad former Irish President Mary Robinson is among his group. She’s very dynamic!
Middle East peace process set for new airing
4/24/11 Christophe Schmidt – AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Shelved since late 2010 and eclipsed by the pro-democracy Arab uprisings, the faltering Middle East peace process may soon be back in focus as Palestinians push for UN recognition of their state.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has already unveiled his plan to achieve the long-cherished dream of Palestinian statehood which he hopes will win backing at the annual United Nations General Assembly in September.
And Abbas believes some of his European peace partners are ready to support his unilateral move to secure UN recognition of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.
Frustrated by seven months of stalemate, which has only compounded decades of failed initiatives, Abbas’s diplomatic initiative has been gaining ground even if he still seeks a negotiated comprehensive peace deal with Israel.
After talks in Paris last week, he travels to Berlin on May 5 to press his cause. If France backs the unilateral move, other European nations may follow, much as a slew of Latin American countries followed Brazil’s recognition late last year.
For the entire article: http://yhoo.it/fjJ2iV
Glad to hear this.
April 23, 2011
Statement by the Press Secretary on Developments in Yemen
The United States supports a peaceful transfer of power in Yemen that is responsive to the aspirations of the Yemeni people. We applaud the announcements by the Yemeni Government and the opposition that they have accepted the GCC-brokered agreement to resolve the political crisis in a peaceful and orderly manner. We encourage all parties to move swiftly to implement the terms of the agreement so that the Yemeni people can soon realize the security, unity, and prosperity that they have so courageously sought and so richly deserve.
9:30 AM
The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:15 AM
The First Family attends the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll; the President delivers remarks
South Lawn
Open to pre-credentialed media
11:30 AM
The President meets with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan
The Situation Room
Closed Press
12:00 PM
Dr Jill Biden delivers remarks at an event to highlight the Aspen Institute’s national competition to reward the top community colleges; Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will also attend
2:35 PM
The President meets with Attorney General Holder
Oval Office
Closed Press
Apr 25, 2011
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
9:00 AM EDT
Easter Egg Roll Balcony Cam – Truman Balcony
9:50 AM EDT
“Play with your Food” Stage – The 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll
10:00 AM EDT
Rock ‘n’ Egg Roll Stage
The 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll
10:00 AM EDT
Storytime Stage – The 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll
10:15 AM EDT
The first family attends the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll; The President delivers remarks
11:30 AM EDT
Autism Awareness Month Conference
The White House
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CNN http://live.cnn.com
9:30 AM EDT
Commission on Wartime Contracting
Wartime Contracting Waste and Reform – Christopher Shays
10:15 AM EDT
The first family attends the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll; The President delivers remarks
10:30 AM
Attorney General discusses DOJ mission
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks about the Department of Justice’s priorities and mission in Washington.
12:30 PM EDT
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
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CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
9:00 AM EDT
Conference Examines Foreign Policy Changes in Rising World Powers
http://www.cspan.org/Events/Conference-Examines-Foreign-Policy-Changes-in-Rising-World-Powers/10737421101/
9:30 AM EDT
Commission on Wartime Contracting
Wartime Contracting Waste and Reform – Christopher Shays http://www.cspan.org/Events/Commission-Examines-Wartime-Contracts/10737421089/
10:15 AM EDT
The first family attends the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll; The President delivers remarks http://www.cspan.org/Events/White-House-Easter-Egg-Roll/10737421118-1/
10:30 AM
Attorney General discusses DOJ mission
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks about the Department of Justice’s priorities and mission in Washington. http://www.cspan.org/Events/Holder-to-Outline-Justice-Dept-Priorities/10737421095/
10:30 AM EDT
George Washington University | Elliott School of Intl. Affairs
Worldviews of Rising Powers http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/299187-1
12:30 PM EDT
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
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Middle East Protest
Al Jazeera – English http://english.aljazeera.net
April 19, 2011
White House Announces 2011 Easter Egg Roll Program and Talent Line-up
The White House announces the program, activities, and talent line-up for the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll, a tradition in its 133rd year.
This year’s theme is “Get Up and Go!” The theme focuses on promoting health and wellness and encouraging children to lead healthy and active lives. This is a central part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, which is a national effort to combat childhood obesity.
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LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE
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For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/19/white-house-announces-2011-easter-egg-roll-program-and-talent-line
Bring your wellies as the White House grounds may be a bit muddy after the storm Sunday night!
Sorry to hear that! Didn’t see much about the weather today. Hope they don’t get rained out, with all of those people attending.
Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Kick-Off Event
Following on President Obama’s announcement last October at the White House Community College Summit, national leaders in education, business, labor, philanthropy and civil rights will kick off the 8-month process that will lead to the selection of the nation’s first Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
Date: Monday, April 25, 2011
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: The Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
These community colleges must demonstrate that students in their schools (1) gain knowledge and skills; (2) complete degree or certificate programs; and (3) obtain jobs with competitive wages.
The Aspen Prize will celebrate colleges that deliver exceptional student results, particularly critical for economic growth and opportunity, given that six million students – nearly half of all in postsecondary education — attend community colleges.
Featuring:
• Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States; professor of English, Northern Virginia Community College
• Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education
• Dr. Martha Kanter, Undersecretary of Education, US Department of Education
• Jane Oates, Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, US Department of Labor
• Jamie Merisotis, president, Lumina Foundation for Education
• Richard Riley, former US Secretary of Education, former Governor of South Carolina, and senior partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough and Education Counsel
• Josh Wyner, executive director, Aspen Institute College Excellence Program
WEBCAST: Watch the event live at http://www.aspeninstitute.org/live
Good Monday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Good morning everyone! HOPE-ing for a great Monday. How was everyone’s Easter? Too much food, lots of laughter with family and friends.
Good Monday morning Sandy! I am happy to hear that you had a good Easter.
Good morning CR, Sandy and everyone. HOPE you have a terrific Monday.
Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and the Nation.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Good Monday morning and thank you Jackie!
Next Up….
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
9:50 AM EDT
“Play with your Food” Stage – The 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll
2011 White House Easter Egg Roll: Play with Your Food with First Lady Michelle Obama
From: whitehouse | Apr 25, 2011
First Lady Michelle Obama is joined by chef Jacques Pepin and TV personalities Kelly Ripa and Al Roker at a Play with Your Food session at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll. April 25, 2011.
2011 White House Easter Egg Roll: Play with Your Food with the White House Chefs
From: whitehouse | Apr 25, 2011
White House Chefs Cristeta Comerford and Sam Kass lead a Play with Your Food session at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll. April 25, 2011.
Next Up…
10:15 AM EDT
The first family attends the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll; The President delivers remarks
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
CNN http://live.cnn.com
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/Events/White-House-Easter-Egg-Roll/10737421118-1/
April 25, 2011
Remarks by the President and First Lady at the 2011 Easter Egg Roll
South Lawn
10:30 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. (Applause.) I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter. I hope everybody is having a great time here. Welcome to the White House. (Applause.)
In addition to our outstanding Easter Bunny, I want to introduce somebody who is doing extraordinary work not only helping military families, not only making sure that everybody is getting up and going, but is also keeping me in line, the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. (Applause.)
MRS. OBAMA: Is everybody having a good time?
AUDIENCE: Yes!
MRS. OBAMA: It is a beautiful day just for you. Let’s give Colbie Caillat a big round of applause. She did a great job. (Applause.)
We are so excited about this year’s Easter Egg Roll. The theme is “Get up and Go,” because as you know, I’m a big proponent of getting up and going, making sure we’re moving and eating healthy. And this Easter Egg Roll reflects all of that, so while you’re here in addition to listening to some great music and dancing a little bit, you can roll your eggs. You can do some yoga. You can play with some — do some obstacle course, play basketball and tennis.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/25/remarks-president-and-first-lady-2011-easter-egg-roll
On the South Lawn for the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll
From: whitehouse | Apr 26, 2011
View the scene at this years White House Easter Egg Roll, a tradition in its 133rd year.
This year’s theme is “Get Up and Go!” The theme focuses on promoting health and wellness and encouraging children to lead healthy and active lives. The Easter Egg Roll is the largest annual public event at the White House. 30,000 people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia received tickets to the event.
New home sales up more than expected in March
4/25/11 Lucia Mutikani – Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – New U.S. single-family home sales increased more than expected in March and the supply houses on the market hit their lowest since August 1967, a government report showed on Monday, but prices fell from a year ago.
The Commerce Department said sales rose 11.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted 300,000 unit annual rate, after an upwardly revised 270,000 unit pace in February.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast new home sales climbing to a 280,000-unit pace last month from a previously reported record low 250,000 unit rate.
Next Up…
10:30 AM
Attorney General discusses DOJ mission
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks about the Department of Justice’s priorities and mission in Washington.
CNN http://live.cnn.com
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/Events/Holder-to-Outline-Justice-Dept-Priorities/10737421095/
The Attorney General on Protecting the American People
April 25th, 2011 Posted by Tracy Russo blogs.- usdoj.gov
This morning at the Department of Justice, Attorney General Eric Holder delivered a speech outlining four key priorities for how the Department will strengthen its work to protect the American people.
The Attorney General also commended the recent progress that has been in fulfilling the Department’s critical responsibilities:
“Just over two years ago, together, we launched a new chapter in the Department’s extraordinary history. And I was honored that – on that February day – so many of you welcomed me home. That day, as I stood before you – and swore the oath of office for the last job I will ever hold here – I laid out three priorities that would guide our work.
“First, and most importantly, I promised that the Department’s top priority – and our chief responsibility – would be protecting the security, rights, and interests of the American people. I also pledged to reinvigorate the Department’s traditional missions and breathe new life into important areas that had been overlooked in recent years. Finally, I promised to heal the Department – by rebuilding morale and restoring credibility.”
For the entire article: http://blogs.usdoj.gov/blog/archives/1309
What’s up next for Obama
04/22/11 By ABBY PHILLIP – POLITICO44
The last week of April will be a busy one for President Obama and his family. Their schedule is packed with travel, diplomatic events and a bit of sports. But unlike the week before it, Obama doesn’t plan to directly sell his deficit reduction plan to voters at town hall-style events or during any formal speeches.
Here’s what the week looks like:
Monday: Obama and the first family will host their second annual White House Easter Egg Roll, with games, music and, of course, egg rolling.
Obama and senior foreign policy and military advisers will have their monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan at the White House.
Tuesday: President Obama will host the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates at the White House to discuss the Middle East. They are likely to discus the military operation in Libya and growing unrest in Syria.
Wednesday: Obama and his wife will sit down with their pal Oprah Winfrey to tape an episode of her show during its last season. The first lady will probably discuss her efforts on military family issues and childhood obesity. And Obama will have a last opportunity to tap into the show’s massive daytime audience before it goes off the air this spring.
Later that day, Obama will travel to New York City to speak at two Democratic National Committee events.
Thursday: Obama will host another head of state, Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, at the White House. During this first meeting between the two presidents, they will discuss the U.S.-Panama trade agreement and the Central America Citizen Security Partnership.
Friday: Obama will welcome the BCS Championship team, the Auburn University Tigers, to the White House, where he will congratulate them on their season. The team and their coach, Gene Chizik, will participate in a Let’s Move Youth Football clinic on the South Lawn. Auburn is the favorite college football team of former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
Later in the day, Obama and the first family will travel to Florida to view the space shuttle Endeavour launch.
Obama will also travel to Miami to speak at the commencement ceremony at Miami Dade College.
Saturday: President Obama and the first lady will attend the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
Next Up…
11:30 AM EDT
Autism Awareness Month Conference
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Autism Awareness Month Conference
From: whitehouse | Apr 25, 2011
Senior Adviser to the President Valerie Jarrett and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius speak to an audience of parents, advocates, and experts at an Autism Awareness Month Conference at the White House. April 25, 2010.
Meeting the Needs of People with Autism
Posted by Kathleen Sebelius on April 25, 2011
Helping every American with autism achieve their full potential is one of this administration’s top priorities. At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we continue to strive to meet the complex needs of all people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families. While there is no cure, early intervention is critical and can greatly improve a child’s development.
Perhaps the biggest step we’ve taken to support those affected by autism and their families happened over a year ago, with the signing of the Affordable Care Act. Now, new insurance plans are required to cover autism screening and developmental assessments for children at no cost to parents. Insurers will also no longer be allowed to deny children coverage for a pre-existing condition such as ASD or to set arbitrary lifetime or annual limits on benefits.
Also, thanks to the new law, young adults are allowed to stay on their family health insurance until they turn 26. For a young adult with autism spectrum disorder and their family, that means peace of mind. It means more flexibility, more options, and more opportunity to reach their full potential.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/04/25/meeting-needs-people-autism
Partners in Sustainability
Posted by Administrator Martha N. Johnson on April 25, 2011
Last week I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Seattle area businesses and discuss ways we can work together to strengthen our nations clean energy economy. With the General Service Administration’s portfolio of nearly 10,000 federal buildings and influence over 400,000 federal vehicles we are uniquely positioned to move our government towards this goal. But we can’t do this alone — that’s why GSA is working to facilitate conversations with private sector leaders that foster an exchange of ideas.
On my first stop in Seattle, I took part in a roundtable conversation with representatives from business, construction and design and academia to discuss the business case for green building. With GSA’s 370 million square feet of facility space it is imperative for us to invest in innovative clean energy technologies that make our buildings more cost and energy efficient for the American taxpayer. Conversations like this roundtable allow GSA to work with the private sector and share best practices so we can make informed decisions on implementing innovative building technologies.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/04/25/partners-sustainability
President Obama Reads “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”
From: whitehouse | Apr 25, 2011
President Barack Obama reads from Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” during the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll.
Malia and Sasha did the reading of “Where the Wild Things Are”!
I was listening to them read the story aloud and when the read the part “They roared their terrible roar and nashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws” visions of TeaBaggers popped into my head!
I missed the reading by PBO, Malia and Sasha. I am sure they will show PBO and FLOTUS reading again. Sounds like the girls did a great job.
CR, I was reading from the bottom and did not know that you had already posted the video. I will listen to it now.
Good Monday morning COS! Enjoy!
That was cute.
Lawmakers Seek to Unclog Road to Confirmation
April 24, 2011 By CARL HULSE – NYTimes
WASHINGTON — Hoping to unclog the Senate and spare scores of presidential appointees from what is often a grueling confirmation process, leading lawmakers in both parties are moving to cut the number of administration posts that are subject to Senate approval.
The proposal to end Senate review of about 200 executive branch positions would be the most serious effort in recent years to pare the chamber’s constitutional power of advice and consent. It amounts to a rare voluntary surrender of Congressional clout, and it has high-caliber, bipartisan support with the endorsement of the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, and the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
“We are losing very good people because the process has become so onerous, so lengthy and so duplicative,” said Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine and a leading advocate of the bill. “Why should there be a full F.B.I background check back to age 18 for an individual serving on a part-time board?”
For the entire article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/us/politics/25nominate.html?bl
This is a good thing. I hope this passes.
Very good idea. Thanks for bringing us that news, CR – and hi, COS!
Hey Jacqueline. Hope you are having a great day.
You are most welcome!
Latest developments in Arab world’s unrest
By The Associated Press – 2 hrs 14 mins ago
___
SYRIA
In a sharp escalation of Syria’s crackdown on dissent, thousands of soldiers backed by tanks pour into the southern town of Daraa, where the five-week-old uprising began, opening fire indiscriminately on civilians before dawn and killing at least 11 people, witnesses say.
The offensive’s detailed planning — from electricity and mobile phone service cuts to checkpoints and house-to-house searches — suggests Syria is planning to impose military-style control on the town.
___
LIBYA
NATO airstrikes target the center of Moammar Gadhafi’s seat of power, unleashing guided bombs that destroy a multistory library and office in his compound and badly damage a reception hall for visiting dignitaries. A government official says three people were killed and 45 injured. Gadhafi’s whereabouts at the time of the attack on his sprawling Bab al-Aziziya compound were unclear, but a spokesman says he is not in hiding and is in “high spirits.”
Meanwhile, Gadhafi’s troops on the outskirts of Misrata unleash more shells into the last major rebel city in western Libya, killing 10 people, including an entire family, a doctor says.
___
YEMEN
Forces loyal to Yemen’s embattled president open fire on protesters demanding his ouster, killing two and wounding dozens at demonstrations in two cities, activists say. Raising the prospects of more violence, a deal by Arab mediators to broker President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s departure after 32 years in power appears to have failed.
___
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The United Arab Emirates detains five activists who signed a pro-democracy petition last month on accusations of “opposing the government,” the state news agency says. The activists are being questioned on suspicion of “perpetrating acts that pose a threat to state security” and insulting the rulers of Abu Dhabi, including Crown Prince Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is to meet President Barack Obama Tuesday.
Political activity is severely restricted in the UAE, an alliance of seven semiautonomous states, each ruled by a hereditary sheik.
April 25, 2011
Readout of the President’s Monthly Meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan
The President led his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan with his national security team. The President received a briefing on the security situation in Afghanistan, including our efforts to sustain momentum against the Taliban, transition to an Afghan security lead, continued support for the increased capability of Afghan National Security Forces, and our efforts to support reintegration and Afghan-led reconciliation. The President also received an update on our efforts to ensure effective cooperation with Pakistan against al Qaeda and other violent extremists.
April 25, 2011
Readout of the President’s call with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey
President Obama spoke to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to continue the two leaders’ consultations on developments in the Middle East. The President expressed appreciation for Turkey’s ongoing humanitarian efforts in Libya and its participation in the NATO No-Fly Zone and Arms Embargo operations. The leaders agreed that attacks against civilians must stop and that Qaddafi must step down and depart Libya permanently in order for there to be a lasting solution that reflects the will of the Libyan people. President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan expressed their deep concern about the Syrian government’s unacceptable use of violence against its own people. The leaders agreed that the Syrian government must end the use of violence now and promptly enact meaningful reforms that respect the democratic aspirations of Syrian citizens. Finally, the President expressed his hope to Prime Minister Erdogan that Turkey and Israel will find opportunities to improve their relations in the interest of regional stability.
Tuesday, April 26 2011
All Times ET
9:30 AM
The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00 AM
The President receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:25 AM
The President is interviewed by WSB Atlanta, WKYC Cleveland, WTKR Hampton Roads, Virginia, and WXYZ Detroit
Map Room
Closed Press
1:40 PM
The President holds a bilateral meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates
Oval Office
Pool Spray at the Top
2:30 PM
The President holds an expanded bilateral meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:30 PM
The President meets with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press
Apr 26, 2011
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
10:00 AM EDT
White House Forum on Energy Security – The White House
1:00 PM EDT
Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
—-
CNN http://live.cnn.com
1:00 PM EDT
Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press
—-
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
8:00 AM EDT
Weekly NATO briefing http://www.cspan.org/Events/US-Contemplating-More-Sanctions-Against-Syria/10737421127-1/
9:00 AM EDT
Migration Policy Institute: 8th Annual Immigration Law Conference http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/299202-1
9:00 AM EDT
Missouri School of Journalism
Future of Public Broadcasting http://www.cspan.org/Events/The-Future-of-Public-Broadcasting/10737421113/
1:00 PM EDT
Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/299203-1
—
Middle East Protest
Al Jazeera – English http://english.aljazeera.net
April 22, 2011
Statement on the Visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates
President Obama will welcome Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates to the White House on Tuesday, April 26th. The President looks forward to discussing with the Crown Prince the strong ties between the United States and the UAE and our common strategic interests in the region.
April 26, 2011
Readout of the President’s Meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates
The President met today at the White House with His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The two leaders had a productive and wide-ranging discussion which focused on our common strategic interests in the region. The President and the Crown Prince noted the strong ties between the United States and the UAE, and emphasized the importance of continued close consultations between our two countries. This meeting occurred after National Security Advisor Tom Donilon’s April 13 consultations with the Crown Prince in Abu Dhabi.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article from “People’s View” today regarding the PL and an artilce written by someone from FDL. This was my favorite part:
SNIP–
“This pre-emptive war on health reform that the likes of FDL continue to wage is not simply about health reform, either. It is about an animalistic, ritualistic, sadistic unabated hatred for President Obama. Purism is never designed to push towards the pure – that is the myth they want you to believe. Purism is designed to put up an unreachable marker and then conveniently bashing someone for not being able to reach that marker. It’s about moving the goalpost out so far that no one can get there. Purism is set up to fool people into an all-or-nothing playing field where you always get nothing”.
Thanks for letting us know COS
For local TV, 7 minutes in heaven
04/26/11 By MATT NEGRIN -POLITICO
The local TV stations that have been chosen for brief interviews with President Obama on Tuesday have already begun promoting their sit-downs with the commander-in-chief.
Obama plans to chat with four reporters who work for stations in Georgia, Ohio, Virginia and Michigan so he can talk about the deficit — though as a Texas journalist proved last week, they don’t have to stick to the script the White House wants.
Each interview reportedly lasts about seven minutes — long enough for Obama to repeat his talking points on the deficit, and too short for extended exchanges on other topics. And as is the case on most days when Obama uses such a strategy, the TV stations start teasing the interview hours before they even happen.
“Channel 2 Action News Anchor Justin Farmer is preparing for a one-on-one interview Tuesday morning with President Barack Obama at the White House,” the WSB Atlanta station wrote in a story on its website. “WSB-TV is the only local station in Atlanta given exclusive access to the president.”
For the entire article: http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0411/part_of_the_story_df19f62b-efaa-4432-a615-0a9f1de589cd.html
U.S. warns of Syria travel
4/26/11 By POLITICO STAFF
On the same day in which the White House denounced the actions of Syria’s government as “brutal” and “unacceptable,” the State Department issued a warning to American citizens contemplating travel to Syria, or those already there. Here is part of the text:
“The U.S. Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer all travel to Syria at this time. U.S. citizens in Syria are advised to depart while commercial transportation is readily available. Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in Syria are advised to limit nonessential travel within the country. The Department of State has ordered all eligible family members of U.S. government employees as well as certain non-emergency personnel to depart Syria. Embassy operations will continue to the extent possible under the constraints of an evolving security situation. … Since March 2011, demonstrations throughout Syria have been violently suppressed by Syrian security forces, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Demonstrations can take place anytime and anywhere. Recent demonstrations have occurred on university campuses, main streets, public squares, mosques, and other places of public gathering. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.”
Next Up…
8:00 AM EDT
Weekly NATO briefing
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/Events/US-Contemplating-More-Sanctions-Against-Syria/10737421127/
Press briefing on Libya
26 Apr. 2011 nato.int
by Carmen Romero, NATO Deputy Spokesperson and Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, Commander of the Operation Unified Protector
CARMEN ROMERO (NATO Deputy Spokesperson): Okay, so now we can start. Good afternoon and welcome back to NATO for our regular briefing on progress in NATO’s operation to protect civilians in Libya, Operation Unified Protector. I’m joined today, as you can see in the screen by the commander of our operation, General Charles Bouchard from Joint Force Command Naples.
As you know, it has been a busy operational week since our last briefing and I know that you are very interested in the recent developments in our operation, therefore I would like to hand over immediately the floor to General Bouchard, to Naples, for an operational update since we only have 30 minutes.
So General Bouchard, you have the floor.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHARLES BOUCHARD (Commander of the Operation Unified Protector): Merci Beaucoup, Carmen. Good afternoon and welcome to Naples in person and for those of you who are joining us through video link as well.
The last time I had an opportunity to talk to you was on the 31st of March as we took command and NATO took the lead in the Mission Unified Protector which is aimed at protecting civilian populations.
After 30 days on mission and engaged in this mission, I believe it’s time for me to give you a small update, a brief update, of this situation as I see it from my perspective.
For the entire article: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/opinions_72902.htm
Good Tuesday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Next Up…
10:00 AM EDT
White House Forum on Energy Security – The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Geithner vows to defend strong US dollar policy
4/26/11 AFP
NEW YORK – US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner vowed Tuesday that the United States would never follow a strategy to weaken the US dollar.
“Our policy has been and will always be, as long as I will be in office, that a strong dollar is in the interest of the country,” Geithner said at a New York conference organized by the Council of Foreign Relations.
“We will never embrace a strategy to weaken the dollar.”
It was the first time this year that Geithner had publicly proclaimed a US strong-dollar policy, a mantra of treasury secretaries for more than a decade.
In the year to date, the dollar has lost 6.5 percent of its value compared with a basket of currencies held by its major trade partners.
Consumer confidence rises in April
4/26/11 Leah Schnurr – Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. consumer confidence rose in April as inflation expectations eased somewhat and consumers felt better about the short-term outlook, according to a private sector report released on Tuesday.
The Conference Board, an industry group, said its index of consumer attitudes rose to 65.4 in April from a revised 63.8 in March. The reading topped analysts’ forecasts for 64.5.
March was originally reported as 63.4. The expectations index climbed to 82.6 from 81.3, while the present situation index rose to 39.6, its highest since November 2008, from 37.5.
Consumers’ labor market assessment improved. The proportion of those who said jobs were hard to get eased to 41.8 percent from 44.4 percent the month before, while the “jobs plentiful” category rose to 5.2 percent from 4.6.
Consumers’ expectations for inflation in the coming 12 months fell to 6.3 percent from 6.7 percent.
Good Morning CR! That’s great news. I haven’t seen you on the other blog lately. There is some crazy stuff happening over there, and supporters are once again being alienated.
Again this news is promising which is why I hope the Republicans will not play with raising the debt ceiling.
Hi Tori!!!! ((HUG))
I do miss many of the O-supporters but I do not miss the troll atmosphere on the OFA blog!
Although Jess the moderator is there, it seems like she is chastising supporters more than trolls. Some people haven’t been around lately. She evidently has said now “no long posts.” Its unreal. Some people are posting relevant and important info. She wants people to put long posts in their own blog, but some people don’t even know how to get to their blogs. Oh well.
Thanks for the update; it does not sound very hospitable to O-supporters!
Hi Tori. I am still on OFA but it is limited. If I am on my home computer, I can login without any problems, but cannot scroll up or down without annoying pauses. If I am on my work computer, I cannot get a login screen half the time, but when I login, I can scroll up and down just fine. It is very annoying and time consuming. I miss the old site where we had Omail, etc. Instead, I stay logged in here, at ObamaDiary and BWD’s site. The OFA site is counter productive.
I agree. Very Counter-Productive. I am here and at the other sites you listed as well. It was too time consuming keeping my blog up, but I appreciate knowing what is going on, and we can definitely do that by following the sites you listed.
I miss your DearMrPres blog.
From Del., Biden in fiscal talks
4/26/11 By MATT NEGRIN – POLITICO
Vice President Biden will take care of his official business for the second day in a row by calling in to a White House meeting from Wilmington, Del., where he lives.
On Monday, Biden took part in President Obama’s Situation Room meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan “via teleconference.” The White House says that Tuesday morning, Biden will do the same thing to “discuss fiscal policy” with “senior officials.”
On May 5, Biden plans to have his first meeting with leaders in Congress to start negotiating a deal on lowering the deficit.
The Vice President is telecommuting!
Wave of the future?
Good Tuesday afternoon, CR and O’family!
Good afternoon Ms O’Boomer!
Good morning everyone. HOPE you have a terrific Tuesday.
Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and the Nation.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Good morning and thank you Jackie!
President Obama to Congress: “I Hope We Can All Agree That, Instead of Continuing to Subsidize Yesterday’s Energy Sources, We Need to Invest in Tomorrow’s”
Posted by Jesse Lee on April 26, 2011
This afternoon the President wrote a letter to leaders of both parties in Congress on the subject of tax breaks for oil companies. The President’s letter comes a day after Speaker of the House John Boehner said that eliminating those tax breaks is “certainly something we should be looking at,” adding that, “We’re in a time when the federal government’s short on revenues. They ought to be paying their fair share.” It comes a few weeks after the President included the proposal as part of his Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future.
The full text of the President’s letter: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/04/26/president-obama-congress-i-hope-we-can-all-agree-instead-continuing-subsidize-yester
April 26, 2011
Letter from the President to Congressional Leadership Regarding Oil Subsidies
The Honorable John Boehner The Honorable Harry Reid
Speaker of the Majority Leader
House of Representatives United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Democratic Leader Republican Leader
House of Representatives United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510
The for the entire letter from the President to Congressional Leadership Regarding Oil Subsidies: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/26/letter-president-congressional-leadership-regarding-oil-subsidies
Ford posts best 1st-qtr profit in 13 years
4/26/11 By Bernie Woodall and Ben Klayman – Reuters
DETROIT (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co reported its best first-quarter profit since 1998 as higher prices for such redesigned vehicles as its tiny Fiesta more than offset pressure from spiking commodity and oil prices.
The better-than-expected profit posted on Tuesday represented Ford’s strongest first-quarter performance since the peak of the SUV boom and reassured investors after disappointing fourth-quarter earnings.
The result also showed the success that the No. 2 U.S. automaker has had in getting consumers to pay more for improved quality in its cars and new technology in vehicles like the new Focus compact.
Ford also said it expected to ride out the disruption in parts supplies from Japan with only a minimal impact to its production in Asia, setting the automaker up to take share from its Japanese rivals, analysts said.
For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110426/ts_nm/us_ford_7
Secretary Locke Kicks Off CODEL to Korea
4/26 Guest blog post by Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke – commerce.gov
This week, I’m visiting the Republic of Korea, one of the United States’ closest allies in the world, and one of our most important trading partners. Last December, President Obama signed a landmark trade deal with Korea that could boost annual exports of American goods to Korea by up to $11 billion, supporting at least 70,000 U.S. jobs.
But the deal still needs to pass Congress, which is why this week, I’m leading four Members of Congress on a fact-finding mission that will demonstrate firsthand how this trade deal will lead directly to more sales of American goods and services abroad and more American jobs here at home.
Korean and U.S. businesses are already collaborating, innovating and trading together like never before. This week, members of our bipartisan delegation – which includes Representatives Dave Reichert and Jim McDermott from my home state of Washington and Representatives Joseph Crowley and Charles Rangel from New York – are getting to see this up close.
Tomorrow, we visit Pantech, one of Korea’s largest mobile phone makers, and a major buyer of U.S. technology. More than 60 percent of the production equipment at Pantech is made by U.S. companies, and you’ll find plenty of American-made components in their phones, like scratch resistant Gorilla Glass from Corning and microchips from Qualcomm.
And on Friday, we’re going to Seoul National University Hospital to see a demonstration of Varian Medical Systems’ advanced radiotherapy technology.
For the entire article: http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2011/04/26/secretary-locke-kicks-codel-korea
NATO Sees Momentum Gain in Protecting Libyans
April 26, 2011 By Jim Garamone -American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, – NATO has gained momentum in the last few days in Libya, British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said at the Pentagon today.
At a news conference, Fox thanked the United States for adding Predator drones to the skies over Libya.
“We’ve seen some progress on the ground in Misrata, and it seems clear that the regime is on the back foot,” he said. “The sooner Col. [Moammar] Gadhafi recognizes the game is up, either today or shortly, the better.”
Fox spoke after he and Gen. Sir David Jackson of the British army met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for more than three hours.
“Our talks included military operations over Libya, where the U.S. continues to be in a supporting role in the NATO-led campaign, along with our Arab allies,” Gates said. “We talked about the way ahead in Afghanistan, where more than 9,000 British troops are in the thick of the fight.”
They also discussed the historic changes under way across the Middle East, with both Gates and Fox making it a point to condemn the use of violent tactics against peaceful protests.
The defense leaders also shared thoughts on the challenges facing the U.S. and British militaries in the face of fiscal constraints.
For the entire article: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63700
Current U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Efforts in Libya
April 25, 2011
Reuben Brigety – Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
USAID Director of Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Mark Bartolini
Washington, DC
MS. FULTON: Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you for joining us for our special press briefing today. We have with us Mark Bartolini, who is the director of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance at USAID, and Reuben Brigety, who is a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. They’re going to talk to you today about the current ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts pertaining to Libya. I’m going to turn it over to each of our speakers to make a brief statement, and then we’ll take some questions. So just to clarify, this is on the record, and we’ll go from there.
So, Mark.
MR. BARTOLINI: Great. Sure. Well, good afternoon, everyone. Let me just start by saying that I’ll be fairly brief in my comments, but I’m happy to answer questions and get into it a little more thoroughly if you’d like.
So we continue – the United States Government continues to provide aid to the people of Libya. To date, we’ve committed $47 million toward humanitarian assistance. There have been some optimistic changes over the last two or three days, but conditions continue to be difficult to assess in many areas due to security.
In Misrata, as you’ve heard, there’s been some pullback of forces; however, there’s still intense shelling of the city. And you’ve seen the reports that 32 people were killed on Saturday and 8 people were killed on Sunday. We don’t have verification of those numbers, but we know that shelling is continuing.
For the entire article: http://www.state.gov/g/prm/rls/rmks/2011/161762.htm
Evacuation Team Carries Wounded Warriors Home
April 26, 2011 By Donna Miles -American Forces Press Service
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, – By many accounts, 20-year-old Army Spc. Dustin Morrison is a living miracle – and a testament to the military medical system that’s getting medical care to wounded warriors and moving them to progressively advanced levels of care faster than ever before.
Morrison, an Iowa Army National Guardsman, was severely wounded April 11 when his mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in eastern Afghanistan’s Paktia province.
Army Spc. Brent Maher, the vehicle gunner, was killed, and two other members of the Iowa Guard’s Company B, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, were injured in the attack.
When Morrison’s mother, Kelli Pedersen, flew to Germany after her son was flown here, the staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center laid it on the line about his prognosis. “They told me how very close we came to losing him,” she said. His lungs were so severely damaged from the blast that the staff put him into a medically induced coma.
But after fighting for his life, Morrison made a breakthrough when began breathing independently two days ago, she said. And two weeks after being wounded, he was declared stable enough to transport for long-term care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.
For the entire article: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63696
Good evening CR and O family. Hope all is well. Tori, glad to see you here. I also appreciate you and CR for keeping us updated. I get your emails. I am inclined to agree with everything you all said about the OFA blog. I have mixed feelings about it. I usually find more substantive information here on CR’s blog and BWD. I appreciate all of you.
Thanks COS!
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