The Greater Together Student Summit Tour
The Greater Together Student Summit Tour will run February 2012 to March 2012. The tour will bring together senior campaign officials, community leaders, student representatives and celebrities to discuss key policy issues impacting young Americans. This tour is a chance for students like you to weigh in on the issues that matter to you, and find out how you can start organizing on your campus to ensure a victory in November 2012.
- Columbus State Community College, Columbus OH - February 18, 2012
- North Carolina Central University, B.N. Duke Auditorium, Durham, NC - February 21, 2012
- University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV - February 22, 2012
- University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV - February 22, 2012
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA - February 25, 2012
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH - February 28, 2012
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL - February 29, 2012
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI - March 8, 2012
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI - March 8, 2012
- University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO - March 21, 2012
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA - April 10, 2012
- Miami Dade College, Miami, FL – Coming Soon
For more information on The Greater Together Student Summit Tour: http://www.barackobama.com/young-americans/student-summit
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Monday, February 20, 2012
All Times Eastern
President Obama receives the presidential daily briefing
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
February 20, 2012
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
—-
CNN http://live.cnn.com
—-
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
The Greater Together Student Summit Tour
The Greater Together Student Summit Tour will run February 2012 to March 2012. The tour will bring together senior campaign officials, community leaders, student representatives and celebrities to discuss key policy issues impacting young Americans. This tour is a chance for students like you to weigh in on the issues that matter to you, and find out how you can start organizing on your campus to ensure a victory in November 2012.
* Columbus State Community College, Columbus OH - February 18, 2012
* North Carolina Central University, B.N. Duke Auditorium, Durham, NC - February 21, 2012
* University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV - February 22, 2012
* University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV - February 22, 2012
* Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA - February 25, 2012
* Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH - February 28, 2012
* University of Florida, Gainesville, FL - February 29, 2012
* University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI - March 8, 2012
* University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI - March 8, 2012
* University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO - March 21, 2012
* University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA - April 10, 2012
* Miami Dade College, Miami, FL – Coming Soon
For more information on The Greater Together Student Summit Tour: http://www.barackobama.com/young-americans/student-summit
Comprehensive Plan for Affordable Education Cost
President Obama – 1/24/12 State of the Union Address
What’s Behind The Rise Of College Tuition?
February 19, 2012 NPR
Once a relatively affordable option for many families, the cost of attending public colleges and universities is getting out of reach. Host Rachel Martin talks to NPR education reporter Claudio Sanchez about the huge rise in public college tuition as states face a budget squeeze.
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I’m Rachel Martin. In an election year dominated by economic issues, spiraling college tuitions are causing concern and getting new attention. Even the cost of attending public colleges and universities, which was once a relatively affordable option for many families, is getting out of reach. As states grapple with budget deficits, many legislatures have made cuts to higher education funding. The result has been larger class sizes, fewer course offerings and higher tuitions. In his State of the Union address last month, President Barack Obama made college affordability a central theme – something he later echoed in a speech at the University of Michigan.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: So, from now on I’m telling Congress we should steer federal campus-based aid to those colleges that keep tuition affordable, provide good value, serve their students well. We are putting colleges on notice.
MARTIN: NPR education correspondent Claudio Sanchez is with us to talk more about this. Hi, Claudio.
CLAUDIO SANCHEZ, BYLINE: Hi.
MARTIN: So, strong words from the president. We are putting colleges and universities on notice, trying to make them more accountable. What does this mean?
SANCHEZ: It’s a threat, Rachel. Colleges and universities right now are either scared or wary of what the president is saying because never before has the pricing of college education and the job that institutions are doing been under greater scrutiny. And Mr. Obama’s clearly raising this as an election issue.
MARTIN: So, what are the implications of this? What does this mean in practical terms for schools who have been relying on this funding for a very long time?
SANCHEZ: It means a sea change in the relationship between the federal government and higher education because Mr. Obama’s proposing that the for the first time ever federal aid to colleges and universities be tied to institution success in keeping tuition costs down and guaranteeing that students get their money’s worth. In other words, the college degrees should mean something. Graduates should be able to find good jobs. The real key thing here though is that a campus-based aid is often controlled by the schools themselves. Under the Obama proposal, it would be the federal government that would have a lot more say, and that, again, say, would be based on the criteria that the administration or the government would use to say you’re not doing a good job, or you’re fine.
MARTIN: So, Claudio, what’s been the response to the president’s plan?
SANCHEZ: I don’t see colleges saying that they’re not concerned about how much they’ve had to hike tuition, but they blame the states for that. I mean, we now have upwards of 20 states that have really, really seen big cuts in higher education. In New Hampshire, for example, higher education has been cut by, I think, almost 40 percent, California 20 percent. And colleges say we have no choice but to pass this on to students in terms of higher tuition and higher fees.
MARTIN: But do they have a choice? What’s the response that you’re hearing from students and families themselves? Who are they blaming for these higher tuition costs?
SANCHEZ: I think there’s a lot of blame to go around. Congress is often blamed for not raising the amount of money that is available, especially in terms of grants for needy college students. But remember that the anger really is being channeled at the colleges or the institutions themselves because Americans feel that colleges are wasteful, that they’re not providing the services that they’re paying for.
For the entire article and audio interview: http://www.npr.org/2012/02/19/147115868/whats-behind-the-rise-of-college-tuition
President’s Day
• Presidents’ Day: George Washington
• Presidents’ Day: Abraham Lincoln
• Washington’s Farewell Address
• Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation
• Washington’s Farewell to the Army
• Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
• Learn More about All the Presidents
Thank You Mr. President
Uploaded by ReneeNix on Jan 25, 2012
I love my president! I think that he is an amazing man. I got these pictures in an e-mail and I felt that they deserved a song. I don’t think we as Americans say it enough! Thank you President Obama for everything that you do!
Yes! From education to health care reform to job creation, President Obama has been a true friend to America’s young people!
Not to mention our FLOTUS working for the health and well-being of all children!
Obama Fights For Your Children
Obama throws support behind Yemen VP before vote
2/19/12 By AHMED AL-HAJ | Associated Press – 3 hrs ago
SANAA, Yemen (AP) — President Barack Obama threw his support behind Yemen’s Vice President just days before an election expected to enshrine him as the new leader of a country the U.S. sees as crucial to the fight against al-Qaida.
Obama’s top counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, read the text of a letter from Obama to reporters Sunday after delivering it to Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi during a two-day visit to the troubled Gulf Arab nation.
Yemen, the Arab’s world’s poorest country, has been torn apart during a year-old uprising seeking to oust longtime autocratic President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saleh’s security forces have used lethal force against demonstrators, killing hundreds, and many others have died in armed clashes with security forces.
Yemen’s active al-Qaida branch, which has carried out attacks in the U.S., has exploited the unrest to seize territory in the country’s south. The U.S. has long considered Saleh a necessary but unreliable ally in the fight against the al-Qaida branch, and has been actively involved in brokering a deal to ease the crisis.
Under a deal presented by Yemen’s powerful Gulf Arab neighbors, Hadi is to be rubber-stamped as the country’s new leader in presidential elections Tuesday. He is the only candidate.
In the letter, Obama said he looks forward to deeper relations between the two countries and vows that the U.S. will be “a strong and reliable partner.”
He also said he hoped Yemen’s political transformation would inspire other Middle East nations facing political transitions.
“I know you face challenges ahead, but I am optimistic that Yemen can emerge as a model for how peaceful transition in the Middle East can occur when people resist violence and unite under a common cause,” he said.
Brennan met with Hadi during his two-day visit to Yemen that ended Sunday.
For the entire article; http://news.yahoo.com/obama-throws-support-behind-yemen-vp-vote-145511000.html
Hey CR great thread. PBO is the only candidate for president who talks sensibly and promote education. The other candidates are to busy lying and promoting the wedge issues..
Hey COS! Yes, you are correct! PBO is working hard for America’s youth!
Absolutely right.
House Republicans plot repeal of Obama education regulations
By Pete Kasperowicz – 02/20/12 05:00 AM ET
House Republicans are looking to move legislation as early as next week that would repeal two Education Department regulations that the GOP say intrude on the authority of states to set education policy.
The Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education act, H.R. 2117, was placed on the Rules Committee agenda late last week, a signal that the committee will soon meet to write a rule for floor consideration of the bill.
The legislation would reverse two Education Department rules from 2010, one of which sets out federal rules for how states decide whether to allow colleges and universities to operate within the state. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the sponsor of the bill, said this could pose a problem for online schools, for example by forcing them to win authorization from every state that has an enrolled, online student.
A second regulation sets a federal definition for “credit hour.” Foxx argues that this definition is based on how many hours a student is in class, but ignores other ways students might be learning.
In both cases, Foxx argues that the 2010 rules infringe on the authority of states to establish their own guidelines, and could stifle innovations in education.
“At the end of the day, the unnecessary state authorization and credit hour regulations will reduce local control and create uncertainty in postsecondary education,” she said in last year’s markup of the bill. “Instead of over-regulating the nation’s higher education system, we should focus our efforts on simplifying federal involvement and streamlining regulatory burdens.”
The Rules Committee set an amendment deadline for the bill of Monday, February 27, a sign that the committee could approve a rule soon thereafter, which would be followed by floor consideration.
Happy President’s Day everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Pelosi to Speak at A&M February 20
Feb 13, 2012 kbtx
WHO: Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader of the United States House of Representatives
Andrew H. Card., Jr., Acting Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service
WHAT: To speak on Presidents Day
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Annenberg Presidential Conference Center
George Bush Presidential Library Center
Texas A&M University
Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader of the United States House of Representatives in the 112th Congress, will speak on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 20, at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, this program will take place in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the George Bush Presidential Library Center. Andrew H. Card, Jr., Acting Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service, will moderate a conversation with Leader Pelosi.
For the entire article: http://www.kbtx.com/news/headlines/Nancy_Pelosi_To_Speak_At_Texas_AM_Feb_20_139219184.html?ref=184
Good morning CR and PPO Family. HOPE you all have an enjoyable President’s Day.
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 President’s Day and thank you Jackie!
Done! 14 candles lit.
Great thread, CR. Sorry I missed yesterday. I had some kind of stomach flu bug that hit me like a ton of bricks.
Thanks Jackie. Get better soon.
Ow. Thinking healing thoughts for you!
Slippery Slope
Clyde Wadsworth says those who fear the slippery slope of gay marriage should beware the slick hillside of religious liberty.
By Clyde Wadsworth – KQED
Let’s talk slippery slopes. Social conservatives like to say that letting gay couples marry will undermine the state’s ability to control polygamy, pedophilia and — as Rick “man on dog” Santorum famously forecast — bestiality. But after eight years of marriage equality in Mitt’s Massachusetts, none of those downhill predictions has come to pass.
What has swept down the mountain is an avalanche of social conservatives claiming a constitutional right to be exempt from laws they disagree with on religious grounds. The recent demand that church-affiliated hospitals and universities be excused from a federal law requiring employers to cover birth control in their health plans is the same extreme maneuver that failed in California eight years ago. Religious objectors then snow-plowed into a San Diego court, where a medical group that specialized in women’s care insisted on a free pass from anti-discrimination laws, after telling a lesbian that their Christian beliefs prevented them from helping her conceive a child.
For the entire article and audio statement: http://www.kqed.org/a/perspectives/R201202200735
Latino Mormons speaking out against Romney
2/20/12 By RUSSELL CONTRERAS | Associated Press – 5 hrs ago
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — When Honduran-born Antonella Cecilia Packard converted to the Mormon Faith 20 years ago, she said it was like “coming home.”
The Catholic-educated Packard, who grew up in “the middle of Mayan ruins,” appreciated the faith’s strong sense of family and conservative values. She also saw her own history in the Book of Mormon with stories of migrations, tragedies and triumphs of a people many Mormons believe are the ancestors of some present-day Latinos.
But two decades after her conversion while a college student at Mississippi State, the 43-year-old Packard finds herself on a new mission: defeating Mitt Romney and any Mormon politician who betrays what she sees as a basic Mormon principle of protecting immigrants.
As Romney continues to seek the Republican presidential nomination while rarely discussing his faith, a growing number of vocal Hispanic Mormons say they intend to use Mormon teachings as a reason to convince others not to vote for him. They have held firesides (equivalent to a tent revival) on immigration, protested outside of Romney campaign events and have traveled across state lines to help defeat other Mormon politicians with similar harsh immigration stances.
“Yes, we are happy that we have a Mormon running for president,” said Packard, a Saratoga Springs, Utah, resident and member of Somos (We are) Republicans. “But a lot of us aren’t supporting him because of his stance against immigrants.”
While stressing the Mormon faith’s historic connection to converting immigrants, Latino Mormons point directly to immigration stories in the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ recent statements against policies targeting immigrants. They also view Romney’s stance against proposals giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship as hypocritical since Romney’s great-grandfather, Miles Park Romney, who had five wives and 30 children, sought refuge in Mexico after passage of an 1882 law that barred polygamy.
For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/latino-mormons-speaking-against-romney-081631712.html
Good and HOPEful President’s Day, CR and all friends!
>^..^<
Let's keep our President in 2012 and give him a Democratic House and Senate too!
Good and HOPEful President’s Day Kat!
VOTE DEMOCRATS in 2012 !
Five reasons Rick Santorum’s policies would be a disaster for the middle class
February 20, 2012 Elizabeth Chan – democrats.org
1. Santorum’s tax plan benefits the wealthy while exploding the national deficit. Just like the other Republican presidential candidates, Santorum is proposing a tax plan that benefits millionaires and billionaires at the expense of the middle class and our deficit. His plan would give the top 0.1 percent an average tax cut of $1.3 million—and add $900 billion to the deficit in 2015. Even the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute’s senior fellow Kevin Hassett acknowledged, “It is just not a defensible plan.”
2. Just yesterday, Santorum attacked the very idea of public education. In a speech to the Ohio Christian Alliance, Santorum argued that public support for education is an “anachronism” and a remnant of the Industrial Revolution, “when people came off the farms where they did home school or had a little neighborhood school, and into these big factories…called public schools.”
3. Santorum thinks the Ryan plan doesn’t go far enough. Tea Party Rep. Paul Ryan has proposed an extreme budget plan that would end Medicare as we know it and force seniors to pay twice as much for their health care. And yet Santorum doesn’t think the plan is extreme enough, saying, “I support in principle what Paul Ryan is suggesting. The only concern I have is I don’t think Paul Ryan goes far enough.”
4. He opposes the payroll tax cut. President Obama has fought for a payroll tax cut for the middle class that would put an average of $1,500 back into workers’ paychecks. Like his fellow candidate Mitt Romney, who called the payroll tax cut a “temporary little Band-Aid,” Santorum says he would not vote to extend the payroll tax cut for another year. So if you’re keeping score, middle-class tax cuts: bad. Tax cuts for the wealthy that explode the deficit: good.
5. Santorum opposed rescuing the auto industry. If it had been up to Santorum, “we should not have had the auto bailout.” Yet without government assistance, the Big Three automakers would have been liquidated—and resulted in a massive loss of good American manufacturing jobs. President Obama’s decision to lend Detroit a hand saved 1.4 million jobs, and helped this industry make a profit for the first time in decades.
Obama speaks to Karzai
2/20/12 2:56 PM EST POLITICO44
From the White House: “President Obama spoke with President Karzai of Afghanistan today. They discussed regional support for Afghan-led reconciliation, the Afghanistan-Pakistan-Iran trilateral meetings last week in Islamabad, and other strategic issues of mutual concern. They agreed to speak again soon to remain closely aligned as both countries continue our efforts to achieve common goals, and work to forge a long-term partnership.”
US and Mexico announce accord to boost offshore oil, gas exploration
– 2/20/12 03:23 PM ET By Keith Laing- POLITICO44
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced Monday that an agreement had been reached between the United States and Mexico to allow drilling for oil and natural gas along the boundary between the two countries.
Under the agreement, 1.5 million acres of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf will be opened for drilling. The interior department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management estimates there are 172 million barrels of oil in the area.
Salazar said the agreement showed the Obama administration’s commitment to increasing domestic energy development.
“This agreement makes available promising areas in the resource-rich Gulf of Mexico and establishes a clear process by which both governments can provide the necessary oversight to ensure exploration and development activities are conducted safely,” Salazar said in a statement released by his office Monday.
The agreement was also signed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Mexican Foreign Relations Minister Patricia Espinosa and Mexican Energy Minister Jordy Herrera.
A signing ceremony was held Monday in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
All Times Eastern
7:00 AM
7:45 AM
Vice President Biden hosts a breakfast meeting with Secretary of State Clinton at the Naval Observatory.
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
President Obama and Vice President Biden attend daily briefing.
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00 AM
10:45 AM
President Obama meets with senior advisers.
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at a fundraiser
Mayflower Hotel, Washington D.C.
11:35 AM
President Obama hosts a payroll tax cut event, Vice President Biden attends.
South Court Auditorium
Open Press
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
President Obama and Vice President Biden meet for lunch.
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
The First Lady Speaks at the Blues Student Workshop
The White House
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
4:50 PM
President Obama and Vice President Biden meet with Secretary of Defense Panetta in the Oval Office.
Closed Press
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
Vice President Biden speaks at the State Department Global Business Conference.
Print Pool
7:00 PM
7:15 PM
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a celebration of blues music in recognition of Black History Month.
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
February 21, 2012
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
11:35 AM EST
President Obama hosts a payroll tax cut event, Vice President Biden attends.
12:30 PM EST
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
2:30 PM EST
The First Lady Speaks at the Blues Student Workshop
The White House
6:00 PM EST
Vice President Biden speaks at the State Department Global Business Conference.
7:15 PM EST
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a celebration of blues music in recognition of Black History Month.
—-
CNN http://live.cnn.com
11:35 AM EST
President Obama hosts a payroll tax cut event, Vice President Biden attends.
12:30 PM EST
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
7:15 PM EST
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a celebration of blues music in recognition of Black History Month.
—-
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
8:30 AM EST
American Enterprise Institute: Presidential Recess Appointments http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304503-1
11:35 AM EST
President Obama hosts a payroll tax cut event, Vice President Biden attends. http://www.c-span.org/Events/President-Discusses-Recently-Passed-Payroll-Tax-Legislation/10737428433/
12:30 PM EST
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
12:45 PM EST
Secretary of State Clinton addresses Global Business Conference
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks at the first State Department Global Business Conference, which will highlight how the U.S. government can promote American businesses, exports and jobs.
2:30 PM EST
Secretary of State Clinton meets with Guatemalan foreign minister
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Guatemalan counterpart speak with reporters following talks in Washington.
7:15 PM EST
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a celebration of blues music in recognition of Black History Month.
————
US Department of State http://www.state.gov/
12:45 PM EST
Secretary of State Clinton addresses Global Business Conference
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks at the first State Department Global Business Conference, which will highlight how the U.S. government can promote American businesses, exports and jobs.
Mardi Gras
Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!
Empowering AAPIs in an America Built to Last
Posted by Chris Lu on January 27, 2012 at 03:40 PM EST
Earlier this week, in his annual State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out his Blueprint for an America Built to Last. This includes our Administration’s unwavering commitment to preserving the American dream for all, including the nearly 17 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) across our nation. Below, read more about how the Initiative will help carry the President’s message to AAPIs across the country. Also, learn about our upcoming Weekly Web Chat Series and other exciting federal work.
In his State of the Union Address, the President laid out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values. The President believes this is a make or break moment for the middle class and those trying to reach it. What’s at stake is the very survival of the basic American promise that if you work hard, you can do well enough to raise a family, own a home, and put enough away for retirement.
The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent; no debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while more Americans barely get by, or we can build a nation where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules. At stake right now are not Democratic or Republican values, but American values – and for the sake of our future, we have to reclaim them.
Over the next few weeks, the White House Initiative on AAPIs will have many opportunities for you to take an active role in the work of our government. Here’s what’s coming up:
February 21, 2012: Jacksonville, FL, WHIAAPI Summit on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/27/empowering-aapis-america-built-last
Young Americans For Obama
Young Americans are at the foundation of this campaign. In 2008, young people came together to organize and lead a movement for change that helped Barack Obama win a historic election. Now, three years later, even more is at stake. We need to grow faster and fight harder to protect the progress we’ve made and continue to work for more. Young activists will lead the grassroots effort across the country to build this campaign for 2012 from the ground up.
The 2012 election will depend on us, as a generation of young leaders, to get the word out about the kind of politics we want to see. We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for, and we’re greater together.
Young Americans:
Home
Our Movement
Issues
Organize
Gen44
——————-
The Greater Together Student Summit Tour
The Greater Together Student Summit Tour will run February 2012 to March 2012. The tour will bring together senior campaign officials, community leaders, student representatives and celebrities to discuss key policy issues impacting young Americans. This tour is a chance for students like you to weigh in on the issues that matter to you, and find out how you can start organizing on your campus to ensure a victory in November 2012.
North Carolina Central University, B.N. Duke Auditorium, Durham, NC - February 21, 2012
For more information on The Greater Together Student Summit Tour: http://www.barackobama.com/young-americans/student-summit
White House, Republicans tiptoe towards corporate tax overhaul
By Vicki Needham – 02/20/12 06:50 PM ET
Corporate tax reform is creeping back into the picture, although experts predict the election will chase the issue off the agenda this year.
Congressional Republicans and the White House are flirting with plans to overhaul the corporate tax system. But any perceived progress is expected to stall out despite a push from business groups to lower the 35 percent corporate tax rate, the highest among industrialized nations.
Within the next few weeks — possibly by the end of February — the Obama administration is expected to unveil a “broad framework” on corporate tax reform and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said this week he “wants to bring down the rate to an average of our major competitors.”
While there is clearly a bipartisan desire to move forward on corporate reform, tax experts aren’t expecting a major overhaul to happen this year although lawmakers and the administration are laying the groundwork with these early conversations.
For the entire article: http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/domestic-taxes/211661-white-house-republicans-tiptoe-towards-corporate-tax-overhaul
Presidential Donations for January 2012
Obama (D) 22.8 million
Romney (R) 6.5 million
Gingrich (R) 5.6 million
Paul (R) 4.5 million
Santorum (R) 4.5 million
Source: http://www.fec.gov/disclosurep/pnational.do
Presidential Super PACs
Pro- Gingrich super PAC, “Winning Our Future” raised almost $11 million in January.
Pro-Romney PAC “Restore Our Future” raised $6.6 million in January. It spent $13.5 million in January while leaving $16.3 million in the bank.
Pro- Santorum super Pac “Red, White and Blue” raised $2.1 million in January.
Pro-Obama super PAC “Priorities USA Action” raises $59 thousand in January.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Global Business Conference
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 14, 2012
On February 21-22, Secretary Clinton will host the first-ever State Department Global Business Conference. The conference will bring together senior officials from U.S. business support organizations from over 100 countries; U.S private sector executives focused on international business; and senior U.S. Government leaders from the White House, the Departments of State, Commerce, Treasury and Energy, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
Building on the President’s agenda to accelerate America’s economic renewal, the conference will highlight how the U.S. Government can promote U.S. businesses abroad, increase U.S. exports, attract new investment to the United States, and create American jobs.
The first day will include remarks by Secretary Clinton, Secretary of Commerce John Bryson, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Thomas Donohue, and The Boeing Company Chairman, President, and CEO W. James McNerney, Jr. It will also feature panel discussions and small group meetings on export promotion, increasing foreign investment in the United States, creating public-private partnerships, facilitating business and leisure travel to the United States, and key policy topics of interest to businesses abroad. The second day of the conference will include breakout sessions, hosted by the State Department’s regional Assistant Secretaries, to discuss regional strategies to advance shared economic interests.
For the entire article; http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/02/183906.htm
Happy Fat Tuesday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Good morning CR and PPO Family. HOPE you all 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 Tuesday morning and thank you Jackie!
Done! 18 now.
We Can’t Wait Update: Preventing Prescription Drug Shortages
Nancy-Ann DeParle February 21, 2012
On October 31, 2011 President Obama signed an Executive Order directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action to help further prevent and reduce prescription drug shortages, protect consumers and prevent price gouging. Nearly four months later, it’s clear that the President’s Executive Order and the good work of the FDA are making a difference for the American people.
Since President Obama signed his Executive Order, FDA has prevented 114 drug shortages. In part, this resulted from the Administration’s call for voluntarily notification to the FDA of potential shortages. Notification of a potential shortage is crucial: with enough advance warning, FDA can take action to help stop a potential drug shortage. And since President Obama signed his Executive Order, voluntary notifications have increased six-fold.
Today, the FDA is announcing the steps it has taken to end the shortage of two important drugs that fight cancer:
* To avert an impending shortage of methotrexate, a drug used to treat children with leukemia, the FDA has worked with manufacturers to help ramp up production and has approved a new application to produce the version of the drug that is most needed , which will further bolster supply and ensure patients have access to this lifesaving medicine.
* To end the shortage of the cancer drug Doxil, the FDA will allow the temporary importation of a replacement drug. This action should address patient needs and end this drug shortage.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/02/21/we-can-t-wait-update-preventing-prescription-drug-shortages
FDA: New suppliers to ease 2 cancer drug shortages
2/21/12 By LINDA A. JOHNSON | Associated Press – 53 mins ago
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Federal regulators said Tuesday that they’ve approved new suppliers for two crucial cancer drugs, easing critical shortages — at least for the time being — that have left patients and parents frightened about missing life-saving treatments.
The news brings a light at the end of the tunnel for some patients, but not for thousands of others, given that there are currently 283 separate drugs in short supply or totally unavailable in this country.
On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration said it will temporarily allow importation of a replacement drug for Doxil, a drug for ovarian and other cancers that hasn’t been available for new patients for months.
The agency also has approved another supplier for a preservative-free version of methotrexate, a crucial drug for children with a type of leukemia called ALL and for high-dose treatment of bone cancer.
The version with preservatives can be toxic or cause paralysis in children and other patients getting the drug either via injections into spinal cord fluid or at very high doses.
The FDA also has approved the release of a batch manufactured by Ben Venue Laboratories Inc., shortly before it closed several factories at its complex in Bedford, Ohio, due to serious quality problems. That closing is what turned the on-again, off-again methotrexate shortage that began in late 2008 into a crisis almost overnight, with fears that patients would begin missing treatments as soon as the end of this month.
“We have made real progress … We believe that (suppliers) will be able to meet the demands of patients in the U.S. market” for the two drugs indefinitely, FDA Dr. Commissioner Margaret A.
Hamburg told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview. “It’s a huge relief for us.”
For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/fda-suppliers-ease-2-cancer-drug-shortages-150151352.html
February 20, 2012
Readout of President Obama’s Call with President Karzai
President Obama spoke with President Karzai of Afghanistan today. They discussed regional support for Afghan-led reconciliation, the Afghanistan-Pakistan-Iran trilateral meetings last week in Islamabad, and other strategic issues of mutual concern. They agreed to speak again soon to remain closely aligned as both countries continue our efforts to achieve common goals, and work to forge a long-term partnership.
Gabby Giffords’ husband writing children’s book
2/21/12 By HILLEL ITALIE | Associated Press – 1 hr 29 mins ago
NEW YORK (AP) — Retired astronaut Mark Kelly, who collaborated with his wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, on her memoir, is writing a children’s book about a mouse that goes to space.
“On my first space shuttle flight, we had 18 mice on board as experiments,” Kelly said. “And 17 of them, as soon as we got into zero gravity, stayed latched on to the side of the cage. But one of them seemed comfortable through the whole mission, like he was enjoying it.”
His “Mousetronaut: A Partially True Story” will be published in October by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. According to Simon & Schuster, which released a statement Monday, the book tells of a little mouse chosen for a space mission.
“While in space,” the statement says, “the astronauts are busy with their mission when only the smallest member of the crew can save the day.”
Kelly, who retired in the fall, turns 48 on Tuesday. Last year, he collaborated with Giffords on the memoir “Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope,” which told of her recovery from a shooting.
He spoke by telephone recently with The Associated Press. The father of two girls from a previous marriage, he had long wanted to write a children’s book and said he thought of the mouse story a decade ago.
For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/gabby-giffords-husband-writing-childrens-book-141412866.html
Sounds cute!
Next Up…
11:35 AM EST
President Obama hosts a payroll tax cut event, Vice President Biden attends.
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
CNN http://live.cnn.com
CSPAN http://www.c-span.org/Events/President-Discusses-Recently-Passed-Payroll-Tax-Legislation/10737428433/
February 21, 2012
Remarks by the President on the Payroll Tax Cut
South Court Auditorium
11:41 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Hello! Good to see everybody. Please, have a seat. Have a seat. (Applause.) Good morning. I want to thank all of you for coming.
I want to thank my outstanding Vice President, Joe Biden — (applause) — who is here today, and members of my administration for joining us. But most of all, I want to thank the men and women who are standing with me today, as well as all the Americans who made their voices heard during the debate about extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance.
We are here because of you. This got done because of you; because you called, you emailed, you tweeted your representatives and you demanded action. You made it clear that you wanted to see some common sense in Washington. And because you did, no working American is going to see their taxes go up this year. That’s good news. (Applause.) Because of what you did, millions of Americans who are out there still looking for work are going to continue to get help with unemployment insurance. That’s because of you. I called on — (applause) — that’s worth applauding as well. (Applause.)
You’ll remember I called on Congress to pass this middle-class tax cut back in September as part of my broader jobs plan. And for the typical American family, it is a big deal. It means $40 extra in their paycheck. And that $40 helps to pay the rent, the groceries, the rising cost of gas — which is on a lot of people’s minds right now. LaRonda Hill — right here — told us how $40 covers the water bill for a month. So this tax cut makes a difference for a lot of families. You can get back over here, Joe. (Laughter.) And more people spending more money means more businesses will be able to hire more workers, and the entire economy gets another boost just as the recovery is starting to gain some steam.
So Congress did the right thing here. They listened to the voices of the American people. Each side made a few compromises. We passed some important reforms to help turn unemployment insurance into reemployment insurance, so that more people get training and the skills they need to get back in a job. We passed an initiative that will create jobs by expanding wireless broadband and ensuring that first responders have access to the latest lifesaving technologies. And we’ve got some first responders here. We’re very grateful for the work that they do. (Applause.)
So, in the end, everyone acted in the interests of the middle class, and people who are striving to get into the middle class through hard work. And that’s how it should be. That’s what Americans expect, and that’s what Americans deserve.
Now my message to Congress is: Don’t stop here. Keep going. (Applause.) Keep taking the action that people are calling for to keep this economy growing. This may be an election year, but the American people have no patience for gridlock and just a reflexive partisanship, and just paying attention to poll numbers and the next election instead of the next generation and what we can do to strengthen opportunity for all Americans. Americans don’t have the luxury to put off tough decisions. And neither should we. There’s a lot more we can do — and there’s plenty of time to do it — if we want to build an economy where every American has a chance to find a good job that pays well and supports a family.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/21/remarks-president-payroll-tax-cut
1:30 PM EST
Remarks by the First Lady at Women in Technology Event —
Mayflower Hotel
Washington, D.C.
February 21, 2012
Remarks by the First Lady at Women in Technology Event — Washington, D.C.
Mayflower Hotel
Washington, D.C.
1:34 P.M. EST
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all so much. (Applause.) Rest yourselves. Rest yourselves. That was a great picture. I love that. Class photo. (Laughter.) It was awesome. I’ve never seen 250 people get absolutely quiet — snap of a finger. (Laughter.) It’s wonderful. It is a pleasure and truly an honor to be here with all of you.
I’m going to start by thanking Kathy, not just for that very kind introduction but for all the work that she’s done, as well as all of the other co-chairs for making this event a tremendous success. We have to give them all a round of applause for just an amazing job. (Applause.)
And I also want to thank Senator Gillibrand, who has been just an amazing friend, supporter, Senator, fighter, worker. And she’s gorgeous, and gets the job done. (Applause.) Absolutely.
And we have my dear friend, Melody Barnes, who is here. And she looks fabulous because she’s out of the White House. (Laughter.) She’s rested and all that — barely recognized her. So that’s what it looks like when you get some sleep? (Laughter.) But let’s give Melody a round of applause as well. (Applause.)
And finally, I want to thank all of you — all of you for your support and for joining us today. And I know that there’s a reason why you all are all here, and it’s not just to get a picture. It was a good picture, but it’s not just about the picture.
You’re here because you know that we stand at a fundamental crossroads for our country. You’re here because you know that in less than a year from now — time is ticking away — we are going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come. And you’re here because you know that that choice won’t just affect all of us, but, more importantly, it’s going to affect our children, it’s going to affect our grandchildren, and it’s going to affect the world that we leave for them long after we’re gone.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/22/remarks-first-lady-women-technology-event-washington-dc
February 21, 2012
Presidential Memorandum — Driving Innovation and Creating Jobs in Rural America through Biobased and Sustainable Product Procurement
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Driving Innovation and Creating Jobs in Rural America through Biobased and Sustainable Product Procurement
The BioPreferred program — established by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171)(2002 Farm Bill), and strengthened by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-234)(2008 Farm Bill) — is intended to increase Federal procurement of biobased products to promote rural economic development, create new jobs, and provide new markets for farm commodities. Biobased and sustainable products help to increase our energy security and independence.
The Federal Government, with leadership from the Department of Agriculture (USDA), has made significant strides in implementing the BioPreferred program. It is one of the key elements in my efforts to promote sustainable acquisition throughout the Government under Executive Order 13514 of October 5, 2009 (Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance). Further efforts will drive innovation and economic growth and create jobs at marginal cost to the American public.
The goal of this memorandum is to ensure that executive departments and agencies (agencies) effectively execute Federal procurement requirements for biobased products, including those requirements identified in Executive Order 13514 and prescribed in the 2002 Farm Bill, as amended by the 2008 Farm Bill. It is vital that these efforts are in accord and carefully coordinated with other Federal procurement requirements.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/21/presidential-memorandum-driving-innovation-and-creating-jobs-rural-ameri
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/21/presidential-memorandum-driving-innovation-and-creating-jobs-rural-ameri
Sunnyvale soccer player Marc Pelosi in developmental system for English Premier League club Liverpool
2/21/2012 By Elliott Almond and Daniel Bohm – Mercury News
Marc Pelosi is on a path to soccer stardom that most American players can only dream of.
He has gone from the suburban fields of Silicon Valley to the sport’s ultimate boiling pot as a member of famed English Premier League club Liverpool.
The Sunnyvale teen walked away from a UCLA scholarship as well as offers from Major League Soccer to sign with a venerable team that is identified with the port city as much as The Beatles. He’s a member of the youth development academy and hopes to eventually join goalkeeper Brad Friedel as the only Americans to ever play for Liverpool FC’s senior team.
“I used to wish I could just wake up and go play soccer and now that is what I do,” Pelosi said by phone from England.
Only 33 Americans have played in the Premiership, considered the world’s best league. Of those, just a handful — such as World Cup stars Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey — have enjoyed genuine success.
“When you step off that 747, you’ve got to be at a level they’re at or better or they’re not going to look at you,” said Paul Gooch, whose son Lynden, 16, signed with the EPL’s Sunderland last month.
Lynden, a Soquel High student with dual citizenship, has been playing part time for Sunderland since age 9. He plans to move to England full time in July after his sophomore year.
Gooch described the signings of his son and Pelosi as “incredibly rare.”
For the entire article: http://www.mercurynews.com/other-sports/ci_20005292?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com
Great opportunity for a young player.
The Week Ahead: Feb. 20-26, 2012
FEBRUARY 20, 2012 : Jim Wiesemeyer, Pro Farmer Washington Consultant – agweb.com
Congress is out on another recess and will return Feb. 27. USDA will take the focus this week, hosting its annual Outlook Forum on Thursday and Friday (link to forum agenda).
The most market-sensitive item at USDA’s confab will be the department’s supply and demand projections for key 2012 crops. As usual, many in the trade will disagree with some of the projections, most likely planted acreage and yield projections. The market focus will then quickly return to weather conditions in the US and around the world, and to demand for key commodities.
USDA’s Export Sales report will be delayed one day, until Friday, due to Monday’s government holiday (Presidents’ Day).
More “recess” appointments ahead? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Friday he will urge President Obama to circumvent the Senate and fill high-profile executive branch jobs directly unless Republicans agree to begin moving the stalled nominations by the end of March. A House panel last week questioned the constitutionality of Obama’s recent recess appointments. Republicans have threatened to block nominations after Obama recess-appointed four nominees early this year. “We have a lot of nominations we’re going to have to deal with,” Reid said.
The agenda ahead for Congress is well known. What isn’t clear is whether congressional leaders from both political parties will either allow time for floor debate on items such as an omnibus farm bill later this year, or whether there are enough votes to pass controversial legislation like the surface transportation bill. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who has never voted for a major highway bill, is trying to find enough votes to get the House version (HR 7) out of that chamber. The Senate also left for the recess without completing its version of the transportation reauthorization package, but Sen. Reid said work on the highway bill (S 1813) will resume Feb. 27. The Senate bill is bogged down over disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over the list of non-germane amendments. Reid said he will cut deals with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that will allow the GOP to bring up many of its own non-transportation priorities for debate after the recess. They include the Keystone XL pipeline, the so-called boiler MACT rule at the Environmental Protection Agency, foreign aid to Egypt, and contraception.
For the entire article: http://www.agweb.com/article/the_week_ahead_feb._20-26_2012/
Next Up…
2:30 PM EST
The First Lady Speaks at the Blues Student Workshop
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
February 21, 2012
Remarks by the First Lady at Blues Music Clinic
State Dining Room
2:41 P.M. EST
MRS. OBAMA: Hey! (Applause.) You guys, rest yourselves. Welcome to the White House. (Laughter.) What do you think? (Applause.) Do you like our house?
AUDIENCE: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: It’s the State Dining Room; there’s state dining that goes on here. But now it’s for you. We’re so excited today as we kick off this latest edition of the White House music series. In the past three years, we have highlighted country, we’ve done a little Motown, we’ve done a little classical, we’ve done jazz, and today, we’ve got the blues. (Applause.) Yes. But in a very good way we’ve got the blues. (Laughter.)
You see, the blues are as deeply American — and as deeply human — as just about any form of music that we’ve got in this country. This music wraps all of our emotions — whether it’s love and loss, joy and sorrow, heartbreak and celebration — it wraps it all into an art form that stirs our souls and it helps us rise above all our struggles.
And that’s why this music series is so deeply rooted in the American experience. That’s why it has traveled from the Deep South into every part of the country and just about every form of music that we hear today.
And that’s why, as we celebrate African American History Month, I am proud to have all these folks on stage with me. It’s a good thing. So let me introduce a couple of them: Bob Santelli, who has just been amazing — Bob helps us with everything we do here in our music series. He’s always right there. He’s from the Grammy Museum. He is always participating in these clinics. He is just phenomenal, and he knows his stuff. He is here with us — Bob. (Applause.)
We’ve got Keb Mo, we’ve got Shemekia Copeland, and we have Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews with us. (Applause.)
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/21/remarks-first-lady-blues-music-clinic
Great to hear the history of the blues.
I love the blues (rock n’ roll and classical too)!
Backstage with Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks
Matt Compton February 24, 2012 04:24 PM EST
Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks are American music royalty. Tedeschi has an iconic voice and has toured with B.B. King, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones. Trucks is a prodigy — who Rolling Stone has twice named one of the best guitarists of all time. The two married in 2001 and formed the Tedeschi Trucks Band in 2010.
They were on hand for the Red, White & Blues event at the White House this week, where they sat down for a backstage performance in the East Wing.
Watch as they sing, “Rollin’ and Tumblin’ ” and tune in the entire “In Performance at the White House” concert on PBS next Monday, February 27
Backstage at the White House: Warren Haynes
Published on Feb 26, 2012 by whitehouse
Go behind the scenes of the In Performance at the White House: Red, White & Blues event as Warren Haynes performs backstage in the East Wing of the White House.
Good and HOPEful Tuesday, CR and all friends!
>^..^<
I'm just getting online after a morning of rain and thunder!
Good and HOPEful Fat Tuesday Kat!
February 21, 2012
Readout of the President’s Call with Chancellor Merkel of Germany
The President and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by phone this morning to discuss the latest developments concerning the financial situation in the eurozone. The President thanked the Chancellor for her leadership and welcomed last night’s agreement in Europe on a new rescue program for Greece to help reduce its debt to sustainable levels. The President and Chancellor agreed that the planned EU fiscal pact, recent actions by the European Central Bank and reforms by Spain and Italy have also been positive steps in addressing the eurozone crisis. The President and the Chancellor also discussed preparations for the upcoming G-8 Summit and agreed that the emphasis should be on growth and jobs.
Kicking Off the Community College to Career Bus Tour
Melanie Kaye February 21, 2012 04:39 PM EST
Tomorrow, Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis will embark on a three-day “Community College to Career” bus tour to highlight innovative industry initiativesthat are helping train students with the skills they need to meet area workforce needs.
President Obama recently announced an $8 billion Community College to Career Fund , co-administered by the Department of Labor and Department of Education,which will help forge new partnerships between community colleges and businesses to train two million workers with skills that will lead directly to jobs.
During the tour, Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis will visit several community colleges to learn about model industry partnerships, but we know there are many more success stories around the country (check out the full schedule below). We want to hear from community college faculty, students, business and community leaders about how these partnerships have benefited you and your community .
Check out this video from Secretary Solis asking for community college faculty, students and industry partners to share their stories. Got a story to share? Head over to WhiteHouse.gov/CommunityCollege/Tour to tell us about it or share your story on Twitter using the hashtag #CCtour .
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2012
10:00 AM Columbus, Ohio: Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis will visit the Columbus State Community College Center for Workforce Development and hear from program participants and industry partners.
1:30 PM Centerville, Ohio: Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis will tour the production line at DG Medical with workforce development partners Sinclair Community College and BioOhio.
4:15 PM Cincinnati, Ohio: Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis will visit Cincinnati State Technical and Community College to hear how Labor Department funding is helping to expand the successful Health Careers Collaborative.
7:30 PM Lexington, Kentucky: Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis will visit the UPS Freight facility in Lexington to meet twilight sort employees.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012
8:15 AM Lexington, Kentucky: Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis will visit Bluegrass Community and Technical College and hear from program participants in the automotive, energy, HVAC, and bio-technology industries from across Kentucky. This event is open press.
1:45 PM Harriman, Tennessee:Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis will participate in a discussion about Roane State Community College’s successful industry partnerships.
7:15 PM Wytheville, Virginia: Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis will visit Wytheville Community College to learn about the school’s successful training partnership with the Gatorade Blue Ridge plant.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012
11:00 AM Thomasville, North Carolina: Vice President Biden will join Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis for their final stop of the “Community College to Career” bus tour at Davidson County Community College.
Next Up…
6:00 PM EST
Vice President Biden speaks at the State Department Global Business Conference.
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Remarks and video to follow
Now Streaming…
7:15 PM EST
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a celebration of blues music in recognition of Black History Month.
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
CNN http://live.cnn.com
February 21, 2012
Remarks by the President at “In Performance at the White House” Blues Event
East Room
7:22 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you! (Applause.) Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Everybody, please have a seat. That sounded pretty good. (Laughter.) I might try that instead of ruffles and flourishes. (Laughter.)
Well, first of all, I want to wish everybody a happy Mardi Gras. I hear Trombone Shorty brought some beads up from New Orleans. And I see that we’ve got some members of our Cabinet here. We’ve got some members of Congress. And we have elected officials from all across the country.
One of the things about being President — I’ve talked about this before — is that some nights when you want to go out and just take a walk, clear your head, or jump into a car just to take a drive, you can’t do it. Secret Service won’t let you. And that’s frustrating. But then there are other nights where B.B. King and Mick Jagger come over to your house to play for a concert. (Applause.) So I guess things even out a little bit. (Laughter.)
In 1941, the folklorist Alan Lomax travelled throughout the Deep South, recording local musicians on behalf of the Library of Congress. In Stovall, Mississippi, he met McKinley Morganfield, a guitar player who went by the nickname Muddy Waters. And Lomax sent Muddy two pressings from their sessions together, along with a check for $20.
Later in his life, Muddy recalled what happened next. He said, “I carried that record up to the corner and I put it on the jukebox. Just played it and played it, and said, I can do it. I can do it. In many ways, that right there is the story of the blues.
This is music with humble beginnings — roots in slavery and segregation, a society that rarely treated black Americans with the dignity and respect that they deserved. The blues bore witness to these hard times. And like so many of the men and women who sang them, the blues refused to be limited by the circumstances of their birth.
The music migrated north — from Mississippi Delta to Memphis to my hometown in Chicago. It helped lay the foundation for rock and roll, and R&B and hip-hop. It inspired artists and audiences around the world. And as tonight’s performers will demonstrate, the blues continue to draw a crowd. Because this music speaks to something universal. No one goes through life without both joy and pain, triumph and sorrow. The blues gets all of that, sometimes with just one lyric or one note.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/21/remarks-president-performance-white-house-blues-event
I loved FLOTUS urging the young visitors to get comfortable with greatness!
First Lady Michelle Obama 2/21/12
White House Blues Music Clinic – State Dining Room
February 21, 2012
Vice President Biden Thanks First Responders and Releases Report on the Economic Value of Increasing Spectrum
Today, Vice President Biden met with first responders to thank them for their service and to discuss the new nationwide public safety broadband network included in the Payroll Tax Extension legislation. In addition, he announced the release of a new report from the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), The Economic Benefits of New Spectrum for Wireless Broadband), describing the substantial economic value of aggressively pursuing President Obama’s goal of nearly doubling the amount of spectrum available for wireless broadband over ten years and deploying a nationwide interoperable wireless network for public safety.
The report summarizes the compelling evidence that additional spectrum for wireless broadband is needed to accommodate the surging demand for wireless data traffic, projected to increase by a factor of twenty between 2010 and 2015. The report also describes the potential for wireless broadband to play a transformative role in public safety and as a platform for innovation in many areas of the economy, and documents the substantial impact on jobs, growth, and investment that the growth of wireless broadband will have.
“I’ve been working on changing the way we allocate spectrum for a long time, because a smarter system is good for our economy, good for innovation, and vital to keeping our cops, firefighters and EMTs safe,” said Vice President Biden. “The measure that Congress just passed picks up on many aspects of the President’s Wireless Innovation Initiative and will enable new spectrum to be used for innovation, to speed wireless communication, and to fulfill a promise made to first responders after 9/11 that they would have the technology they need to stay safe and do their jobs.”
President Obama will soon sign into law a measure will implement important pieces of the Administration’s wireless initiative – including a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network that will, for the first time, allow law enforcement, firefighters and EMTs to have a dedicated communications network so they can talk with one another.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/21/vice-president-biden-thanks-first-responders-and-releases-report-economi
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NBLB Come on over to my newest post
titled: “ National Museum of African American History and Culture”
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