.
US House Slashes $35.8 Billion From Nutrition Programs With Passage Of H.R. 5652
MAY 10, 2012 obamafoodorama.blogspot
President pledges to veto; Dems blast the measure…
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012, authored by House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). The measure slashes $35.8 billion from nutrition programs under Agriculture Committee jurisdiction. The White House on Wednesday issued a statement opposing the legislation, and pledging that President Obama will veto it, saying the bill’s “unbalanced provisions fail the test of fairness and shared responsibility.”
“At the same time as the House is advancing tax cuts that benefit the most fortunate Americans, H.R. 5652 would impose deep budget cuts that cost jobs and hurt middle class and vulnerable Americans – especially seniors, veterans, and children,” the White House said.
The measure was designed to reduce the budget deficit, while also overriding deep cuts to the Pentagon’s budget included in last summer’s debt deal, which are mandated to begin in 2013 because of the failure of the so-called Supercommittee to agree to a deficit-reduction plan. But the GOP focused solely on cutting social services programs. The vote was 218-99. 16 Republicans opposed it, as did 100% of the Democrats who voted.
“Today, my Republican friends have brought to the floor a reconciliation bill that actually makes sequestration look good,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass).
In the bill, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, aka Food Stamps) eligibility is tightened; the Social Services Block Grant, which funds Meals on Wheels, is ended; the Prevention and Public Health Trust Fund under the 2010 healthcare law is ended; the Federal Medicaid match to states is reduced, and there are new stricter eligibility standards for Medicaid required. The bill leaves pending mandatory cuts in place, including cuts to Medicare. It overrides $72 billion in cuts to the Pentagon and on defense spending mandated by sequestration, but adds $315 billion total in new cuts.
For more: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2012/05/us-house-slashes-358-billion-from.html
.
Congress Is Ready to Fight Over Deep Food Stamp Cuts [AGAIN]
May 16, 2013 – 2:39 PM ET George Zornick – TheNation
Late Wednesday night, the House Agriculture Committee passed a comprehensive, $940 billion farm bill. This was a first step towards making a real, five-year bill law—something the last Congress failed to do, and something that, by all accounts, this Congress deems an absolute necessity.
But one central issue could derail the farm legislation once again: food stamp cuts. Republicans are demanding even deeper cuts than what they proposed last year, and Thursday morning on Capitol Hill, several House Democrats made it clear they are willing to let the farm bill die if it contains those steep cuts.
The bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee last night slashed $20.5 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, $4 billion more than what the committee proposed last year. These cuts would take away food stamps from nearly 2 million people, and several hundred thousand low-income children would stop receiving free school meals.
At a press conference Thursday morning, several prominent Democrats drew red lines around the cuts. “Lest anyone think that this [debate] is going quietly into the night, you have another think coming,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro. “Maybe, and I can’t say for sure, maybe we’ll take a look at whether this bill can move at all.”
Representative Jim McGovern was more direct. “The $20.5 billion cut in SNAP is a poison pill. It means that we shouldn’t be supporting the farm bill,” he said.
The stakes are extremely high here. The agricultural community—from farmers to the multibillion-dollar industry players—badly wants a new farm bill, and powerful senators from rural states, in particular, are bent on enacting it. President Obama has repeatedly pressed Congress to pass one.
These threats from McGovern and DeLauro, who were joined by Representatives Marcia Fudge and Barbara Lee at Thursday’s event, carry real weight. The backdrop is that many conservatives oppose the House Agriculture committee bill in part because the SNAP cuts are too small—Paul Ryan’s 2013 budget calls for $135 billion in cuts to food stamps and for the program to be block-granted to the states.
Many far-right conservatives will likely oppose the farm bill for this reason, and for many other reasons—voting yes on a nearly trillion-dollar bill isn’t easy for them. That means Democrats will be needed to secure House passage, and if liberal members can mobilize enough colleagues to join them in steadfast opposition to the food stamp cuts, the farm bill might not pass. (House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi did not return a request for comment about how she would instruct members on this issue.)
Read more: http://www.thenation.com/blog/174391/congress-ready-fight-over-deep-food-stamp-cuts#ixzz2TUIrbo7d
.
White House Issues Statement Of Support For Senate’s 2013 Farm Bill, With Reservations
MAY 20, 2013 obamafoodorama
No support for proposed cuts to Food Stamps program; Congressional Budget Office updates score for the bill as it is introduced on Senate Floor…
The White House on Monday afternoon issued a statement of support for Senate passage of the $955 billion Farm Bill, S. 954, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013. The statement from the Office of Management and Budget came as Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the bill on the Senate Floor, hailing it as a jobs bill (her remarks are below).
The OMB statement said the Administration supports reforms to farm programs included in the Senate bill, but would like to see elements from President Obama’s own budget concerning “crop insurance and commodity program savings” included in the legislation “prior to final passage.”
The statement also indicates that President Obama is not happy with a proposed $400 million annual cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka Food Stamps. The Senate bill offers this cut each year for the next decade.
“The Administration also strongly supports the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a cornerstone of our Nation’s food assistance safety net, which is why it was not subject to cuts in the President’s Budget,” the statement said. “SNAP helps families put food on the table, while also benefitting farm and rural economies.”
For more: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2013/05/white-house-issues-statement-of-support.html
..
Contact your Congress person to TELL THEM TO START WORKING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA!!
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
Tweet a Message to Your Representatives
.
VOTE SMART & VOTE DEMOCRATS 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
All Times Eastern
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the graduating class of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field, VA
1:00 PM
1:15 PM
President Obama departs Los Angeles, California en route Reno, Nevada.
Local Event Time: 10:15AM PDT
Los Angeles International Airport
Open Press
1:30 PM
President Biden meets with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain
White House
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
President Obama arrives in Reno, Nevada.
Local Event Time: 11:30AM PDT
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Open Press
2:50 PM
President Obama meets with a local family.
Local Event Time: 11:50AM PDT
Private Residence, Reno, Nevada.
Pool Spray
3:10 PM
President Obama delivers remarks pushing Congress to act on the ‘To Do List.’
Local Event Time: 12:10PM PDT
Private Residence, Reno, Nevada.
Pooled TV, Open to Correspondents
3:50 PM
President Obama departs Reno, NV en route Joint Base Andrews.
Local Event Time: 12:50PM PDT
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Open Press
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
Dr. Jill Biden addresses graduates at Southwestern Community College
Creston, Iowa
8:00 PM
8:10 PM
President Obama arrives Joint Base Andrews.
8:25 PM
President Obama arrives at the White House.
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
May 11, 2012
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
3:10 PM ET
President Obama delivers remarks pushing Congress to act on the ‘To Do List.’
Reno, Nevada.
—-
CNN http://live.cnn.com
12:00 PM EDT
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the graduating class of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field, VA
2:12 PM ET
Department of Defense
Defense Department Briefing
Secretary Panetta and General Dempsey held a press briefing. Secretary Panetta began by calling on Congress to abide by the Budget Control Act of 2011 rather than passing the House Republican budget reconciliation bill.
3:10 PM ET
President Obama delivers remarks pushing Congress to act on the ‘To Do List.’
Reno, Nevada.
5:00 PM ET
Center for Strategic and International Studies
U.S.-Russia Relations
—-
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
8:30 AM ET
SEC Chair Mary Schapiro Speaks at Investment Conference
The Investment Company Institute holds it’s annual general membership meeting in Washington. The Securities and Exchange Commission Chair will deliver an update on regulation of the investment industry http://www.c-span.org/Events/SEC-Chair-Mary-Schapiro-Speaks-at-Investment-Conference/10737430609/
9:00 AM ET
The U.S. Institute of Peace will host a morning of panel discussions as part of the 2012 Alliance for Peacebuilding Annual Conference. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Conference-Discusses-New-Models-for-Peacebuilding/10737430610/
9:00 AM ET
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare holds a briefing Friday on the release of “Breaking the Social Security Glass Ceiling,” a report on women and social security. http://www.c-span.org/Events/NCPSSM-Releases-Report-on-Women-and-Social-Security/10737430628/
2:12 PM ET
Department of Defense
Defense Department Briefing
Secretary Panetta and General Dempsey held a press briefing. Secretary Panetta began by calling on Congress to abide by the Budget Control Act of 2011 rather than passing the House Republican budget reconciliation bill.
3:00 PM ET
The Atlantic Council hosts a roundtable discussion on Russian politics and opposition parties under newly elected President Vladimir Putin. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Atlantic-Council-Discussion-on-Future-of-Russia-Under-Pres-Putin/10737430629/
3:10 PM ET
President Obama delivers remarks pushing Congress to act on the ‘To Do List.’
Reno, Nevada. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-Travels-to-Reno-to-Discuss-Home-Mortgages/10737430603/
5:00 PM ET
Center for Strategic and International Studies
U.S.-Russia Relations
US House Slashes $35.8 Billion From Nutrition Programs With Passage Of H.R. 5652
MAY 10, 2012 obamafoodorama.blogspot
President pledges to veto; Dems blast the measure…
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed H.R. 5652, the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012, authored by House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). The measure slashes $35.8 billion from nutrition programs under Agriculture Committee jurisdiction. The White House on Wednesday issued a statement opposing the legislation, and pledging that President Obama will veto it, saying the bill’s “unbalanced provisions fail the test of fairness and shared responsibility.”
“At the same time as the House is advancing tax cuts that benefit the most fortunate Americans, H.R. 5652 would impose deep budget cuts that cost jobs and hurt middle class and vulnerable Americans – especially seniors, veterans, and children,” the White House said.
The measure was designed to reduce the budget deficit, while also overriding deep cuts to the Pentagon’s budget included in last summer’s debt deal, which are mandated to begin in 2013 because of the failure of the so-called Supercommittee to agree to a deficit-reduction plan. But the GOP focused solely on cutting social services programs. The vote was 218-99. 16 Republicans opposed it, as did 100% of the Democrats who voted.
“Today, my Republican friends have brought to the floor a reconciliation bill that actually makes sequestration look good,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass).
In the bill, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, aka Food Stamps)eligibility is tightened; the Social Services Block Grant, which funds Meals on Wheels, is ended; the Prevention and Public Health Trust Fund under the 2010 healthcare law is ended; the Federal Medicaid match to states is reduced, and there are new stricter eligibility standards for Medicaid required. The bill leaves pending mandatory cuts in place, including cuts to Medicare. It overrides $72 billion in cuts to the Pentagon and on defense spending mandated by sequestration, but adds $315 billion total in new cuts.
For more: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2012/05/us-house-slashes-358-billion-from.html
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY H.R. 5652 – Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012
(Rep. Ryan, R-WI)
The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 5652, the “Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012.” The bill’s unbalanced provisions fail the test of fairness and shared responsibility. At the same time as the House is advancing tax cuts that benefit the most fortunate Americans, H.R. 5652 would impose deep budget cuts that cost jobs and hurt middle class and vulnerable Americans – especially seniors, veterans, and children.
The sequester included in the bipartisan Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) included mutually disagreeable cuts to both defense and non-defense funding. These cuts would have destructive effects on national security; on important domestic investments such as education, research and development, and rebuilding the Nation’s crumbling infrastructure; and on core government programs from air traffic control to law enforcement. The threat of these destructive cuts under the BCA was intended to be a mechanism to force action by the Congress on deficit reduction.
The President has made clear that the Congress can and must act to avoid the sweeping impacts of the sequester by passing a balanced deficit reduction package. Last fall, the Administration provided a blueprint for the Congress to do so. And in his 2013 Budget, the President proposed a comprehensive balanced deficit reduction package that would ensure the Nation lives within its means and, including legislation signed into law last year, reduces the deficit by $4 trillion while supporting job creation and long-term economic growth. This package would achieve more than enough deficit reduction to avoid the sequester.
In contrast, the approach advanced in this bill only addresses a portion of the pending sequester, and does so in a way that imposes far greater cuts than the sequester would entail. The bill would break the agreement on discretionary spending made in last summer’s budget agreement; advancing the House Budget Resolution’s approach to increase defense spending and reduce non-defense spending relative to the levels agreed to in the BCA. Moreover, it would do nothing to address the reductions in discretionary spending and sequesters in mandatory programs after 2013. The bill relies entirely on spending cuts that impose a particular burden on the middle- class and the most vulnerable among us, while doing nothing to raise revenue from the most affluent.
Rather than pursuing a comprehensive, balanced deficit reduction package to replace the sequester, H.R. 5652 undermines the intent of the BCA to bring both sides to compromise by proposing a short-term, one-sided solution. This approach sharply undermines critical domestic priorities, such as efforts to prevent hunger and support low-income families and communities; to expand health care access and implement the Affordable Care Act; to protect consumers and implement the Wall Street Reform Act; and to support homeowners struggling to stay in their homes. The Administration strongly opposes both the principles of this approach and specific
May 9, 2012 (House Rules)

legislative proposals included in the bill. If the President is presented with H.R. 5652, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/legislative/sap/112/saphr5652r_20120509.pdf
‘They’re (GOP) rooting against the economy’
By Steve Benen – Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:19 AM EDT
After last month’s disappointing job numbers were released, and Republicans seemed a little too pleased, the Obama campaign argued that the GOP is, as Stephanie Cutter put it, is “rooting for failure.” David Axelrod accused Republicans of “high-fiving each other” when bad economic news comes out.
On Capitol Hill, GOP leaders denied the accusations, but yesterday, Travis Waldron highlighted a clip of a Republican who was willing to be surprisingly candid on the subject.
For those who can’t watch clips online, Rob Gray, a senior adviser on Romney’s gubernatorial campaign, was asked whether GOP lawmakers might be dragging their heels when it comes to improving the economy. Gray responded:
For more: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/15/12238245-theyre-rooting-against-the-economy?lite
Paul Ryan Mis-Reads Catholic Teachings To Defend ‘Immoral’ Budget
Published on Apr 27, 2012 by politicalarticles
Congress Is Ready to Fight Over Deep Food Stamp Cuts [AGAIN]
May 16, 2013 – 2:39 PM ET George Zornick – TheNation
Late Wednesday night, the House Agriculture Committee passed a comprehensive, $940 billion farm bill. This was a first step towards making a real, five-year bill law—something the last Congress failed to do, and something that, by all accounts, this Congress deems an absolute necessity.
But one central issue could derail the farm legislation once again: food stamp cuts. Republicans are demanding even deeper cuts than what they proposed last year, and Thursday morning on Capitol Hill, several House Democrats made it clear they are willing to let the farm bill die if it contains those steep cuts.
The bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee last night slashed $20.5 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, $4 billion more than what the committee proposed last year. These cuts would take away food stamps from nearly 2 million people, and several hundred thousand low-income children would stop receiving free school meals.
At a press conference Thursday morning, several prominent Democrats drew red lines around the cuts. “Lest anyone think that this [debate] is going quietly into the night, you have another think coming,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro. “Maybe, and I can’t say for sure, maybe we’ll take a look at whether this bill can move at all.”
Representative Jim McGovern was more direct. “The $20.5 billion cut in SNAP is a poison pill. It means that we shouldn’t be supporting the farm bill,” he said.
The stakes are extremely high here. The agricultural community—from farmers to the multibillion-dollar industry players—badly wants a new farm bill, and powerful senators from rural states, in particular, are bent on enacting it. President Obama has repeatedly pressed Congress to pass one.
These threats from McGovern and DeLauro, who were joined by Representatives Marcia Fudge and Barbara Lee at Thursday’s event, carry real weight. The backdrop is that many conservatives oppose the House Agriculture committee bill in part because the SNAP cuts are too small—Paul Ryan’s 2013 budget calls for $135 billion in cuts to food stamps and for the program to be block-granted to the states.
Many far-right conservatives will likely oppose the farm bill for this reason, and for many other reasons—voting yes on a nearly trillion-dollar bill isn’t easy for them. That means Democrats will be needed to secure House passage, and if liberal members can mobilize enough colleagues to join them in steadfast opposition to the food stamp cuts, the farm bill might not pass. (House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi did not return a request for comment about how she would instruct members on this issue.)
Read more: http://www.thenation.com/blog/174391/congress-ready-fight-over-deep-food-stamp-cuts#ixzz2TUIrbo7d
White House Issues Statement Of Support For Senate’s 2013 Farm Bill, With Reservations
MAY 20, 2013 obamafoodorama
No support for proposed cuts to Food Stamps program; Congressional Budget Office updates score for the bill as it is introduced on Senate Floor…
The White House on Monday afternoon issued a statement of support for Senate passage of the $955 billion Farm Bill, S. 954, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013. The statement from the Office of Management and Budget came as Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the bill on the Senate Floor, hailing it as a jobs bill (her remarks are below).
The OMB statement said the Administration supports reforms to farm programs included in the Senate bill, but would like to see elements from President Obama’s own budget concerning “crop insurance and commodity program savings” included in the legislation “prior to final passage.”
The statement also indicates that President Obama is not happy with a proposed $400 million annual cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka Food Stamps. The Senate bill offers this cut each year for the next decade.
“The Administration also strongly supports the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a cornerstone of our Nation’s food assistance safety net, which is why it was not subject to cuts in the President’s Budget,” the statement said. “SNAP helps families put food on the table, while also benefitting farm and rural economies.”
For more: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2013/05/white-house-issues-statement-of-support.html
March 28, 2012
First Lady Michelle Obama to Address 2012 Graduating Seniors
This year, First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver commencement addresses at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T), and Oregon State University (OSU). Mrs. Obama will begin her 2012 commencement addresses at Virginia Tech where she was inspired by the resilience of the student body and community coming together to support each other during difficult times. The next day, the First Lady will travel to North Carolina to speak at North Carolina A&T, part of the rich legacy of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that have been instrumental in educating generations of African Americans. The President and First Lady both have recognized the important contributions of HBCUs across the country and have delivered commencement addresses to highlight their successes. Finally, Mrs. Obama will deliver the commencement address to OSU graduates. OSU’s student body has been recognized for its efforts to promote healthy communities by organizing large scale food donation drives. OSU researchers also have worked to identify factors that lead to childhood obesity and are developing prevention programs for school districts, parents and health care providers to help improve children’s’ health. Mrs. Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson serves as the school’s head men’s basketball coach.
In 2009, Mrs. Obama spoke at the graduation of University of California Merced’s first full senior class. She also addressed the Washington Math and Science Tech Public Charter High School Graduation in Washington DC. In 2010, Mrs. Obama addressed graduates of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the George Washington University, and the Anacostia Senior High School. In 2011, Mrs. Obama delivered commencement addresses at the University of Northern Iowa, Spelman College, and Quantico Middle High School. The First Lady also spoke to graduates and families at West Point.
First Lady Michelle Obama to address Virginia Tech graduates
March 28, 2012 vt.edu
BLACKSBURG, Va., March 28, 2012 – The First Lady, Michelle Obama, will address Virginia Tech graduates at the 2012 University Commencement ceremony to be held on Friday, May 11 at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field.
“We are delighted that the nation’s First Lady, Michelle Obama, will join us to celebrate commencement with Virginia Tech’s 2012 graduates,” said Virginia Tech President, Charles Steger. “This is an exceptional and noteworthy honor that certainly ranks as the highlight of anyone’s college career.”
Mrs. Obama joins U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-VA, as commencement speaker.
“This is the first time a First Lady has addressed a Virginia Tech commencement,” added Steger, “so this is a unique opportunity to welcome two dynamic leaders who are outstanding role models for today’s young men and women.”
For the entire article: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2012/03/032812-president-speaker.html
FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA TO KEYNOTE N.C. A&T COMMENCEMENT
March 2012 ncat.edu
First Lady Michelle Obama has been tapped to deliver the address for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s spring commencement, Saturday, May 12, at the Greensboro Coliseum. The doors open at 7:30 a.m. This year, N.C. A&T will graduate more than 1,000 students across nine schools and colleges.
“We are honored and delighted that First Lady Michelle Obama will be joining us as the speaker for our spring commencement ceremonies,” said Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr., A&T Chancellor. “This will be a historic occasion that the graduates and their guests will not soon forget.”
Mrs. Obama is a product of the Chicago public schools. She studied sociology and African American studies at Princeton University in New Jersey. She went on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1988 and then joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become her husband and the nation’s first African American president.
She worked as an attorney for a few years before deciding to work with people to serve their communities and neighbors. She has served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago’s City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service.
For the entire article: http://www.ncat.edu/news/2012/03/first-lady-keynote.html
Obama to meet with Reno family during Friday visit
5/10/12 KRNV-TV
RENO, Nev. (AP) — President Obama plans to meet with an undisclosed family in Reno when he visits on Friday to give a speech about the economy.
The White House isn’t releasing any details but confirmed in a statement Wednesday that the president will meet privately with a local family while in town to deliver remarks urging Congress to act on a series of proposals he says enjoy bipartisan support and will help create jobs.
The White House says that includes initiatives to cut red tape so homeowners who have been paying their mortgages on time can refinance at today’s lower rates.
Nevada has one of the highest mortgage delinquency rates in the nation at about 11 percent.
Jill Biden To Speak At College Damaged By Tornado
Apr 20, 2012 WOWT
Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, will deliver the commencement address at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, which was hit by a tornado last Saturday.
The office of the vice president said Friday that Mrs. Biden will address graduates on May 11th. It’s one of two commencement addresses she’ll give this spring. The other is on May 4th at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Southwestern Community College is a two-year school, which serves over 10,000 students a year.
Mrs. Biden, an educator for more than 30 years, has taught English in
community colleges for the past 18 years and currently teaches at a community college in Virginia.
The EF2 tornado damaged the community college and a hospital.
Sam Kass Will Speak At African American Obesity Conference Hosted By ‘The Root’
APRIL 16, 2012 obamafoodorama.blogspot
Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives Sam Kass will speak at The Root’s first-ever African American Conference on Obesity in Washington, DC next month, on May 11. The architect of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, Kass will speak on the first day of the conference, at the National Press Club. The public is invited to attend.
The two-day conference will focus on solutions for combating obesity specifically designed for African Americans, who have a statistically higher prevalence of obesity and diet-related disease than other US populations. On May 11 Kass and other experts will discuss policy in schools, communities and health care systems.
The second day of the conference, on May 12, will be a Family Day at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Md.. Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes, co-chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, and actor Dayo Okeniyi of The Hunger Games, and the Washington Redskins’ DeAngelo Hall will leadi activities, workshops and fitness clinics for families. The day is free and open to the public.
The Root is an online publication that covers African American issues, and is owned by the parent company of the Washington Post. The Root has not yet put registration materials for the conference online, but more information is here.
GOP: Robbing from the poor (and children and the sick and elderly) to give to the rich!
Vote Democratic in 2012!
#CongressToDoList Office Hours: Refinancing
Kori Schulman May 10, 2012 08:49 PM EDT
This week, President Obama announced a “to-do list” for Congress to create jobs and help restore middle class security.
Tomorrow, the President is traveling to Reno to discuss an initiative on the list which calls on Congress to cut the red tape so that responsible homeowners across the country who have been paying their mortgage on time can feel secure in their home and refinance at today’s lower rates.
Watch the latest White House White Board video with Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. Then, ask Brian your questions on Twitter:
After the speech, Brian will be on Twitter starting at 2:00 p.m. EDT to answer questions during a session of Office Hours. Do you have questions about the President’s plan? Here’s how it works:
* Ask your questions now and during the live event on Twitter with the hashtag #WHChat
* Follow the Q&A live through the @ WHLive Twitter account
* If you miss the live session, the full session will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov and Storify.com/WhiteHouse
So, stop by for Office Hours at 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 10th with Brian Deese and be sure to follow @ WhiteHouse on Twitter for the latest news and more opportunities to engage.
Obama declaration “icing on the cake” of gay rights legacy – The Rachel Maddow Show (May 9th,
Published on May 10, 2012 by Panzerfaust04
Rachel Maddow emphasizes that policy is more important than personal views by politicians on gay rights and lists President Obama’s achievements in helping to secure rights for gay Americans. Past presidents have asserted their personal friendship or sympathy for gay people while hurting them with bad policy and associating themselves with anti-gay hatemongers. From the May 9th, 2012 edition of The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.
West Wing Week: 5/10/12 or “Teach Your Parents How to Tweet”
Published on May 10, 2012 by whitehouse
Welcome to the West Wing Week, your
guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President traveled to Virginia and New York to urge Congress not to let interest rates double on student loans and to introduce a to do list for Congress. He also hosted the University of Kentucky Wildcats, the Fermi Science award winners, and this year’s Gershwin Award Winners. That’s May 4th to May 10th or “Teach Your Parents How to Tweet.”
Producer prices unexpectedly drop in April
5/11/12 Jason Lange – Reuters – 32 mins ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Producer prices unexpectedly fell in April as energy costs dropped by the most in six months, a sign of easing inflation pressures that could give the Federal Reserve more room to help the economy should growth weaken.
The Labor Department said on Friday its seasonally adjusted producer price index dropped 0.2 percent last month. That was the first drop of the year and the biggest decline since October.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected prices at farms, factories and refineries to be flat.
The decline left wholesale prices 1.9 percent higher in April that a year earlier, the weakest reading since October 2009.
Wholesale prices excluding volatile food and energy costs rose in line with economist’ expectations, up 0.2 percent after March’s 0.3 percent gain.
The drop in PPI was due to a 1.4 percent decline in energy prices, the biggest drop since October. Gasoline costs slumped 1.7 percent while prices also fell for residential natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.
The producer price index outside food and energy was pushed up by a 0.4 percent increase in the index for pharmaceuticals. Higher prices for civilian aircraft also pushed up the core index.
In the 12 months to April, core producer prices increased 2.7 percent after rising 2.9 percent the previous month. April’s reading was the lowest since August and just below analysts’ expectations.
Good Friday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Consumer sentiment at more than 4-yr high in May
5/11/12 Leah Schnurr – Reuters – 7 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. consumer sentiment rose to its highest level in more than four years in early May as Americans remained upbeat about the job market, a survey released on Friday showed.
The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan’s preliminary May reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment improved to 77.8 from 76.4 in April, topping forecasts for 76.2.
It was the highest level since January 2008.
Despite the recent slowdown in job growth, nearly twice as many consumers reported hearing about new job gains than said they had heard about recent job losses, the survey said.
The data suggests that either more positive numbers on the labor market will be seen soon, or that consumers have ratcheted up their expectations too high, survey director Richard Curtin said in a statement.
“The most likely prospect is that job growth returns to a modest pace of gains and consumers trim their overly optimistic expectations, with not much change in overall confidence until after the November (presidential) election and the decisions on tax policy,” said Curtin.
The survey’s barometer of current economic conditions also rose to its highest level in more than four years, jumping to 87.3 from 82.9.
The gauge of consumer expectations slipped to 71.7 from 72.3.
Consumers’ assessment of their personal financial situations remained dismal, with just 29 percent of households saying their finances had improved, unchanged from a year ago.
The survey’s one-year inflation expectation continued to ease after a run up earlier in the year, falling to 3.1 percent from 3.2 percent.
The survey’s five-to-10-year inflation outlook edged up to 3.0 percent from 2.9 percent.
Next Up…
12:00 PM EDT
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the graduating class of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field, VA
CNN http://live.cnn.com
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University http://www.fansonly.com/schools/vtec/allaccess/?media=318775
May 11, 2012
Remarks by the First Lady at Virginia Tech Commencement
Blacksburg, Virginia
12:49 P.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you all. Thank you so much. Well, hello, Hokies! (Applause.) I like saying that. It is such a pleasure and an honor to be here today to celebrate the Virginia Tech class of 2012. Way to go. Way to go.
I want to start by thanking President Steger for that very kind introduction, as well as the faculty, the staff, the board. I also want to thank Senator Warner for his wonderful remarks, especially the “call your mom” part. I like that. I want to thank him for his outstanding service and leadership on behalf of this state. And Senator, I accept your challenge — (laughter) — but you’ve just got to know, I play to win. (Laughter.) All right? I also want to recognize Governor McDonnell and Mrs. McDonnell, who are here not just as Virginia’s Governor and First Lady but as proud parents. Congratulations to both of you and your family.
And graduates, I have to join in in taking a moment to thank those extraordinary people up in the bleachers with the cameras and the beaming smiles on their faces. Yes, I’m talking again about your families — the folks who pushed you and believed in you; the folks who always picked up the phone when you called, even when you were just calling to ask for money. (Laughter.) Their love and support has sustained you every step of the way, so, again, let’s give them another round of applause, right? (Applause.)
And finally, to the class of 2012, you all — congratulations. Congratulations. We are so proud of you for making it to this day. We are so proud of what you’ve achieved and who you’ve become. And I know that as one of your commencement speakers today, I’m supposed to offer you all kinds of wisdom and advice and life lessons. But the truth is, like so many people across this country and around the world, I have been following the journey of this school. I have witnessed the strength and spirit of the Hokie Nation. And I think that you all already learned plenty of lessons here at Virginia Tech.
In fact, I feel like all of you have so much to teach all of us. And that’s really what I want to talk about today. I want to talk about the lessons that all of us in this country can learn from this university. I want to talk about what we can learn from the community you’ve built, from the service you’ve performed, and from the future that you all are inventing together.
And I want to start with the lesson that you all have taught us about the power of community. As you all know and was mentioned earlier, the very first student at this university walked 26 miles just to enroll here. Now, to normal people that might seem a little excessive, but to anyone who knows anything about Hokie pride, it’s that level of enthusiasm that’s pretty much par for the course here, right? Whether you’re walking around campus decked out in your maroon and orange or cheering your hearts out to the opening beats of “Enter Sandman,” few can match the school spirit on display here at Virginia Tech.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/11/remarks-first-lady-virginia-tech-commencement
First Lady to VA Tech: Keep Hokie Pride With You
Published on May 11, 2012 by AssociatedPress
First lady Michelle Obama addressed several thousand Virginia Tech graduates on Friday. She noted the university’s resilience in the face of several incidents of campus violence, including the 2007 massacre that left 33 dead. (May 11)
Good and HOPEful Friday, CR and all friends!
>^..^<
Good and HOPEful Friday Kat!
Good morning CR, Kat and PPO Family. HOPE you all have a terrific Friday.
Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and the Nation. May Americans come together and overwhelmingly re-elect the best President we have ever had, President Barack Obama!
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Good Friday and thank you Jackie!
Next Up…
3:10 PM EDT
President Obama delivers remarks pushing Congress to act on the ‘To Do List.’
Reno, Nevada.
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
CNN http://live.cnn.com
CSPAN http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-Travels-to-Reno-to-Discuss-Home-Mortgages/10737430603/
May 11, 2012
Remarks by the President on Helping Responsible Homeowners
Private Residence
Reno, Nevada
12:00 P.M. PDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon, everybody. (Applause.) And thank you for arranging a beautiful day. This is just a spectacular afternoon and I’m thrilled to be here.
We all know how difficult these past few years have been for this country, but especially for this state. After the worst recession in our lifetimes — a crisis that followed the collapse of the housing market — it’s going to take a long time for the economy to fully recover. More time than any of us would like. But there are plenty of steps that we can take to speed up the recovery right now. There are things we can do right now to help create jobs and help restore some of the financial security that too many families have lost.
Now, I have to say that there are a few too many Republicans in Congress who don’t seem to be as optimistic as we are. They think that all we can do are try the things that have been done in the past — things that they’ve tried in the past. So they want to cut more taxes, especially for the wealthiest Americans. They want to cut back on the rules that we put in place for banks and financial institutions. They’ve said that they want to let the housing market hit bottom, and just hope for the best. That’s it. We’ve heard those ideas before. That’s their economic agenda. And I’ll be honest with you, I don’t buy it. I think they’re wrong.
We tried their ideas for nearly a decade and they didn’t work. And I refuse to sell this country short by going back to the exact same ideas that helped to get us in this mess in the first place. Our goal is to build an economy where hard work and responsibility are rewarded — where you can find a good job, make a good wage, own your own home, maybe start a business, send your kids to college. Hopefully, their lives will be even better than ours. That’s what I wish for Malia and Sasha, and I know you guys feel the same way who have kids.
And that’s where we need to go. I’ve been pushing Congress to help us get there by passing a few common-sense policies that we’re convinced will make a difference. We even made a handy “To-Do” list for Congress so they can just check them off — it’s a list like Michelle gives me. (Laughter.) I know Paul is familiar with that list. He gets it from Val.
Now, there are only five things on this list — because I don’t want to overload Congress with too much at once. But they’re ideas that will help create jobs and build a stronger economy right now.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/11/remarks-president-helping-responsible-homeowners
May 11, 2012
President Obama Announces Impact of October Refinancing Actions, Calls on Congress to Act on “To Do List”
Today, President Obama will travel to Reno, Nevada, where he will continue to push Congress to act on a “To Do List” he laid out earlier this week with initiatives that have bipartisan support and will create jobs and help restore middle class security. While in Reno, the President will discuss the impact of refinancing changes he announced last October and meet with Val and Paul Keller, Reno homeowners who have since taken advantage of these changes. He will also highlight the next initiative on the “To Do List” which calls on Congress to cut the red tape so that responsible homeowners across the country who have been paying their mortgage on time can feel secure in their home and refinance at today’s lower rates.
Congress’ To Do List
1. Reward American Jobs, Eliminate Tax Incentives To Ship Jobs Overseas
2. Cut Red Tape So Responsible Homeowners Can Refinance
3. Invest in a New Hire Tax Credit For Small Businesses
4. Create Jobs By Investing In Affordable Clean Energy
5. Put Returning Veterans to Work Using Skills Developed in the Military
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/11/president-obama-announces-impact-october-refinancing-actions-calls-congr
By the Numbers: 237
Matt Compton May 14, 2012 10:32 AM EDT
President Obama has been focused on making refinancing simpler for responsible homeowners since he took office, and in Nevada, where the President visted Friday, refinancing applications are up 237% since last November.
It began in 2009 when the administration launched the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), which helped nearly 1 million homeowners save thousands of dollars. But despite that success, the benefits from HARP have been limited because of eligibility requirements and costs associated with the program.
So last October, the President announced that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Finance Housing Agency would work with lenders to make it easier for even more mortgage holders to refinance.
And it’s having an impact: Refinancing applications have increased by 50 percent since the fall.
But the reason that President Obama is in Nevada, calling on Congress to act, is because we’ve reached the upward limit for what the Obama administration can do alone. As part of his To-Do List, he’s calling on lawmakers to cut the red tape so that responsible homeowners across the country who have been paying their mortgage on time can feel secure in their home and refinance at today’s lower rates.
Homeowner Refinancing Proposal Conference Call
Published on Jun 12, 2012 by whitehouse
President Obama is urging Congress to take up his proposal to cut through the red tape that prevents so many homeowners from refinancing their mortgages and saving hundreds of dollars each month. On June 6th, 2012 we asked Americans what they thought of the President’s proposal. On June 8th, 2012, we held a conference call with a group of people who responded to answer their questions. http://www.whitehouse.gov/why-refi
7:30 PM EDT
Dr. Jill Biden addresses graduates at Southwestern Community College
Creston, Iowa
Southwestern Community College
http://www.swcciowa.edu/graduation-live
Saturday, May 12, 2012
All Times Eastern
President Obama receives the presidential daily briefing
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the graduating class of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
Greensboro Coliseum
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
11:15 AM
President Obama and Vice President Biden honor the 2012 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award winners.
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May 12, 2012
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
11:15 AM EDT
President Obama and Vice President Biden honor the 2012 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award winners.
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CNN http://live.cnn.com
11:15 AM EDT
President Obama and Vice President Biden honor the 2012 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award winners.
12:00 PM EDT
150th anniversary of “Taps”
Taps 150 commemorates the 150th anniversary of “Taps,” the U.S. national song of remembrance, in the Old Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery.
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CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
National Association of Police Organizations
Honors America’s Finest
19th Annual TOP COPS Awards®
May 10, 2012 napo.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is pleased to present its list of winners and honorable mentions for the Nineteenth Annual TOP COPS Awards®, announced NAPO President Thomas J. Nee and Executive Director William J. Johnson today.
Each year since 1994 NAPO has presented the TOP COPS Awards® Ceremony. The purpose of the TOP COPS Awards® is to educate the American public about our nation’s heroes and to pay tribute to law enforcement officers in federal, state, county, and local agencies from across the country for actions above and beyond the call of duty during the preceding year. Our TOP COPS® are nominated by fellow officers. An independent Awards Selection Committee compromised of national law enforcement representatives select, from hundreds of nominations, one TOP COP® case from each of the 50 States and U.S. territories. Officers from the top ten cases have been selected as the 2012 TOP COPS®. In each remaining state, one case has been selected for which the officer(s) will receive an Honorable Mention award. (Please see attached list of winners).
“The TOP COPS Awards® provide an opportunity for all of us to recognize some of the brave men and women in America’s law enforcement community who selflessly put their lives on the line day in and day out” said Johnson. “Law enforcement officers care deeply about the citizens and communities they serve, and this honor is one way of letting them know their contributions are not taken for granted.”
The Nineteenth Annual TOP COPS Awards® ceremony will be held at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012.
Many celebrities from NBC’s hit programs Law and Order, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, CBS’s Cold Case and USA Network’s upcoming series Common Law will serve as award presenters. In past years, civic leaders including the President and Vice President as well as the Attorney General of the United States have helped honor these brave men and women by attending and speaking at the ceremony.
For more: http://www.napo.org/topcops/2012Press_Releas.htm
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the graduating class of
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
ncat.edu
First Lady Michelle Obama has been tapped to deliver the address for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s spring commencement, Saturday, May 12, at the Greensboro Coliseum. The doors open at 7:30 a.m. This year, N.C. A&T will graduate more than 1,000 students across nine schools and colleges.
“We are honored and delighted that First Lady Michelle Obama will be joining us as the speaker for our spring commencement ceremonies,” said Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr., A&T Chancellor. “This will be a historic occasion that the graduates and their guests will not soon forget.”
Mrs. Obama is a product of the Chicago public schools. She studied sociology and African American studies at Princeton University in New Jersey. She went on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1988 and then joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become her husband and the nation’s first African American president.
She worked as an attorney for a few years before deciding to work with people to serve their communities and neighbors. She has served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago’s City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service.
For more: http://www.ncat.edu/news/2012/03/first-lady-keynote.html
World Expo- Korea
Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea (Hangul: 2012여수세계박람회; Hanja: 2012麗水世界博覽會) is an International Exposition recognized by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) to be held in Yeosu, South Korea from May 12 to August 12, 2012. The theme of the Expo is “The Living Ocean and Coast” with subthemes of “Preservation and Sustainable Development of the Ocean and Coast,” “New Resources Technology,” and “Creative Marine Activities.” The Yeosu Expo is anticipating participation of more than 100 countries and international organizations, and 8 million visitors.
http://eng.expo2012.kr/main.html
The United States’ Participation in Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea: The Living Ocean and Coast
Office of the Spokesperson State Dept
Washington, DC
October 13, 2011
The United States will participate in Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea, which will be held in the southern coastal city of Yeosu from May 12 to August 12, 2012. Joining more than 108 countries and international organizations, USA Pavilion 2012 will build on the Expo’s overall theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast,” and showcase the diversity, spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and commitment to sustainable development of the American people. U.S. participation in Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea demonstrates U.S. commitment to deepening our friendly ties and strengthening U.S. – Republic of Korea (ROK) relations and engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.
USA Pavilion 2012, whose design and day-to-day operation will be lead by explorer, environmentalist, and social entrepreneur Philippe Cousteau, Jr., will house a 12,000-square foot exhibit featuring the United States’ unique shoreline through displays and programming that highlight the diverse nature of America’s ocean environments and coastal communities.
Focusing on the themes of Diversity, Wonder, and Solutions, the USA Pavilion 2012 is expected to reach millions of visitors through a host of exciting technologies and storytelling. A highlight of the USA Pavilion experience for visitors will be their interactions with Student Ambassadors. In partnership with the University of Virginia, 40 college-aged American Student Ambassadors proficient in Korean will be selected to serve as representatives of the United States, engaging directly with USA Pavilion visitors and supporting the USA Pavilion operation.
USA Pavilion 2012 is a public-private partnership and funded exclusively through private donations. Corporate sponsors include: Chevron; Citi; Boeing; Corning Incorporated; Hyundai Motor America; Kia Motors America; Lockheed Martin; Samsung Electronics America, Inc.; GE; and Becton Dickinson.
For more information on the USA Pavilion 2012, go to http://www.Pavilion2012.org or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/usapavilion2012.
CNN: Students Rep US at World Expo
Uploaded by USAPavilion2012 on Jan 9, 2012
USA Pavilion 2012 Chief Spokesperson Philippe Cousteau discusses the Student Ambassador program, a partnership with the University of Virginia. For more information please visit http://www.pavilion2012.org
July 02, 2012
President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Korea to attend United States National Day at the Yeosu Expo 2012
President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Korea to attend the United States National Day at the Yeosu Expo 2012.
The Honorable Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, will lead the delegation on July 4, 2012.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/07/02/president-obama-announces-presidential-delegation-republic-korea-attend-
Next Up…
9:00 AM EDT
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses the graduating class of
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
Greensboro Coliseum
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State http://www.ncat.edu/videos/com-border.html
May 12, 2012
Remarks by the First Lady at North Carolina A&T University Commencement
Greensboro Coliseum
Greensboro, North Carolina
10:44 A.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Good morning, everyone. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Good morning.
MRS. OBAMA: You all, rest yourselves. (Laughter.) First of all, let me thank Chancellor Martin for that very kind introduction. I also want to thank Davonta and everyone from the Board of Governors, the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and all of the staff here who have worked so hard on this event and on making you the men and women that you are.
I also have to thank the University Choir. You all are amazing. (Applause.) As the Chancellor said, you all are becoming regulars at the White House, and that’s a good thing, singing at our Black History Month events for the last two years. It’s just amazing to hear those voices pouring through the White House. It’s very powerful, and it is obviously such a pleasure to hear your beautiful music here today.
And of course, I want to join in on thanking all the folks who have made this day possible, the people who have been with you all every step of the way –- yes, your families, including all those watching on campus or at home.
These folks have given you that shoulder to lean on, and that hug when you’ve done well, and maybe that kick in the butt when you need to do a little bit better, right? (Laughter.) And none of you would be where you are today without their love and support. So, again, let’s give them all another round of applause, because today is their day too. (Applause.)
And most of all, I want to thank this fine-looking group right in front of me –- (applause) — the graduates of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Class of 2012! (Applause.) Congratulations! You all have worked so hard and I know you have grown so much, and you’ve come to truly represent a little something called Aggie Pride!
AUDIENCE: Aggie Pride! (Applause.)
MRS. OBAMA: All right! I like that. (Laughter.)
Let me tell you, it is an honor to be here at North Carolina A&T, a true honor. You all have such a proud tradition here in Greensboro. For years, you have produced more African American engineers –- and more African American female engineers –- than just about anywhere else in America. (Applause.)
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/12/remarks-first-lady-north-carolina-university-commencement
May 12, 2012
Weekly Address: Congress Must Act on “To-Do List”
Washington, DC
In this week’s address, President Obama called on Democrats and Republicans to come together and act on his Congressional “to-do list,” which will create jobs and help restore middle class security. In this make-or-break moment for the middle class, these five initiatives have bipartisan support and will help create an economy that is built to last. While some believe we should return to the same policies that led to the worst recession since the Great Depression, the President believes we must take action to speed up the recovery and ensure that our economy once again rewards hard work and responsibility as we keep our country moving forward.
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
May 12, 2012
We all know the past few years have been difficult for this country. After the worst recession of our lifetimes, it will take longer than any of us would like for the economy to fully recover. But there are plenty of steps we can take to speed up the recovery. There are things we can do – right now – to help create jobs and restore some of the financial security that so many families have lost.
Now, the other side isn’t so optimistic. They think all we can do is cut taxes – especially for the wealthiest Americans – and go back to letting banks and corporations write their own rules again. That’s their plan.
But I think they’re wrong. We tried their ideas for nearly a decade, and it didn’t work out so well. We can’t go back to the same policies that got us into this mess. We’ve got to move forward. We need to build an economy where hard work and responsibility are rewarded – where you can find a good job, own your own home, maybe start a businesses, and give your kids the chance to do even better.
That’s where we need to go. And I’ve been pushing Congress to help us get there by passing a few common-sense policies that would make a difference. Democrats and Republicans have already done some important work together – from passing tax cuts for workers, to opening up new markets for American products, to reforming our patent system. But now we need to do more.
That’s why we made Congress a handy “To-Do” list – just like the kind I get from Michelle. It’s short, but each of the ideas on this list will help create jobs and build a stronger economy right now.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/11/weekly-address-congress-must-act-do-list
Voters’ to-do list:
1. Vote Democratic in 2012 — for President, Senator, Representative, Governor, state offices.
2. See #1, above.
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I LIKE IT!
11:15 AM EDT
President Obama and Vice President Biden honor the 2012 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award winners.
May 12, 2012
Remarks by the President and the Vice President Honoring the Winners of the National Association of Police Organizations Top Cops Award
Rose Garden
11:13 A.M. EDT
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Welcome. Welcome to the Rose Garden. Welcome to the White House. Please be seated, please be seated. And congratulations. It’s a great honor to be here with the best of the best, and equally as impressive for us to be here with the families of the best of the best.
Dean, how you doing?
The officers here today have been singled out for extraordinary acts of bravery, and you’re a remarkable group of people. You’re made of that sterner stuff, and the best we have in this country.
But you’re not only the people who risk your lives to protect all of us, you’re also the first ones out there to volunteer to lay down the lines of the Little League field. You’re the first ones to volunteer at youth camps. You’re the first one to help your neighbor, whether you’ve got a badge on or not — don’t have a badge on. You’re a unique bunch of individuals.
I’ve often tried in all these years of working with you, been trying to figure what is in your DNA, man. Whatever it is, though, we want to replicate it.
You deserve not only our thanks and our gratitude, but you deserve our support. That’s why the President has fought so hard to fund the COPS program, the Byrne grants at unprecedented levels — a billion dollars for COPS in our first year alone.
And earlier this year, finally, because of this man insisting in all the negotiations going on about the budget, finally — finally — he was able to sign legislation to secure the D Block, dedicating spectrum to create a national interoperable public safety communications system that you never have to face — so you never have to face again the dilemmas you saw in New York City on 9/11, in Katrina. You’re actually able to communicate. And this is the reason why it happened, this man right here. (Applause.)
Because I want to tell you, they tried to make him have to choose between this and other equally important things he cared about, but this was a showstopper if they weren’t going to go forward with this. It shouldn’t have taken so long, but it took the leadership of Barack Obama to get it done.
It also takes — it also takes leadership, the type demonstrated by the President, to stand up for folks who want to take away your collective bargaining rights. (Applause.) To say you’ve earned those rights would be the understatement of the day, and they will not be taken away as long as we can do anything about that, or anyone else who cares. (Applause.)
That’s real leadership. This man has been committed to law enforcement his entire career. He has never, never wavered from fighting to make sure you guys have the resources you need not only to protect your communities, but to protect one another, to protect your brothers and sisters. He understands what you know, that having more cops on the street is going to keep you safer; those of you wearing the shield, you are safer when there’s more of you because you have each other’s backs. And that’s why he’s been tireless in fighting to keep as many of you on the job as humanly possible.
For more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/05/12/remarks-president-and-vice-president-honoring-winners-national-associati
Betty White endorses Obama
5/12/12 POLITICO44
The actress Betty White is endorsing President Obama for reelection, the AP reports.
White told the AP that she “very, very much favors” Obama, saying that she likes what he has done and “how he represents us.”
The 90-year old actress, in the midst of a late-career renaissance, told the AP that she has generally avoided partisan politics for most of her life and has never backed a candidate for fear of alienating her fans.
Obama wished White a happy birthday earlier this year, jokingly demanding her birth certificate. With Obama chasing the “cool” vote, he could probably have no better a surrogate than White .
Betty is cool.
Good and HOPEful Saturday, CR and all friends!
>^..^<
Good and HOPEful Saturday Kat!
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
Sunday, May 13, 2012
All Times Eastern
President Obama receives the presidential daily briefing
7:00 AM
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May 13, 2012
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/
Sunday talk show tip sheet
5/11/12 By LEIGH MUNSIL – POLITICO
(Democrat excerpts only)
The debate over gay marriage spills into this Sunday’s television talk shows, with leading advocates on both sides of the issue making the rounds in the wake of President Barack Obama’s newly announced support for same-sex unions….
CBS’s “Face the Nation” has Theodore Olson, the former solicitor general under President George W. Bush who’s now one of the leaders of the opposition to California’s Proposition 8 that banned gay marriage there, as well as Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat and key Obama supporter….
Additionally, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) stops by, and CBS hosts a special Mother’s Day panel on the women’s vote that includes Democratic strategist Anita Dunn and Republican commentator Bay Buchanan.
ABC’s “This Week” has Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), an openly gay member of Congress, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn, (R-Tenn.) – as well as a political roundtable that includes Reed, Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen and POLITICO’s Maggie Haberman.
CNN also has Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper – as well as the two chairmen of the congressional homeland security committees, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.).
Meanwhile, NBC’s “Meet the Press” homes in on this fall’s presidential election with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus. And JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is interviewed about the big bank’s dramatic loss of $2 billion in risky investments, as well as Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.).
“Fox News Sunday” has Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Bloomberg TV’s “Political Capital” has AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
TV One’s “Washington Watch” hast the Rev. Darlene Nipper of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Bishop Harry Jackson, pastor of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md.
For more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0512/76225.html
The First Lady and Dr. Biden celebrate Mother’s Day
Published on May 11, 2012 by whitehouse
Military Mom’s and their children celebrate Mother’s Day at the White House, where kids were able to prepare gifts to surprise their moms. Also, at the Naval Observatory volunteers gathered to put together care packages for military mothers
Good Sunday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Good and HOPEful Sunday, CR and all friends! Happy Mother’s Day to our FLOTUS and SLOTUS and FMIL and all good moms!
>^..^<
Good and HOPEful Sunday Kat!
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
May 13, 2012
Statement by the President on Afghan Transition
I welcome President Karzai’s announcement today of the third tranche of areas to transition to Afghan security lead, which is an important step forward in our effort to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan. As transition proceeds in these areas, nearly 75 percent of the population of Afghanistan will be living in provinces, districts and villages where Afghan forces are leading. The Afghan National Security Forces are strengthening their capacity as we remain on track to meet our goal of having the Afghan government fully responsible for security across the country by the end of 2014. A week from now, world leaders will gather at the NATO Summit in Chicago to discuss how we can effectively advance the transition process as our forces move from combat to a support role, and demonstrate our enduring support for the Afghan Government and Afghan National Security Forces. I look forward to meeting with President Karzai and my fellow leaders in Chicago to discuss these critical steps that will strengthen Afghan sovereignty while responsibly winding down the war.
May 14, 2012
Statement by the Press Secretary on Uganda’s Capture of a Senior Commander in the Lord’s Resistance Army
The United States congratulates the Government of Uganda on the capture of one of the senior commanders of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) by the Ugandan military. The capture of Maj. Gen. Ceasar Acellam is a testament to the resolve of Uganda and its military forces to work with regional forces to end the threat posed by the LRA.
Ugandan and other regional forces continue to pursue the LRA and keep its leadership on the run. The United States joins regional governments and the African Union in calling on abductees and remaining members of the LRA to depart the ranks of the LRA and peacefully surrender. Support is available to help those who defect and peacefully surrender to return to their home communities and build a new life.
While the capture of Acellam is an important step forward, the LRA continues to pose a deadly threat to civilians. The United States is committed to supporting the people and governments of the region in their collective efforts, in coordination with the African Union and United Nations, to protect civilians and end this threat. A small number of U.S. military advisors continue to assist Uganda and other regional forces pursuing the LRA and seeking to protect local populations. As President Obama has said, “it is part of our regional strategy to end the scourge that is the LRA, and help realize a future where no African child is stolen from their family and no girl is raped and no boy is turned into a child soldier.”
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