Convergence of Relevant Stuff

President Obama has taken a hit. Primarily because of  his decision to leave the passing of the Health Care Reform bill to the congress and the senate. It is a  strategic decision that has cost him dearly. He lost the  control of the debate and the jury is out on whether or not he can get it back.  It will take a  serious effort on Obama’s part  to  get it back.  President Obama is a consensus builder by heart, and this perhaps may be his downfall.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking the high ground.  Obama seems to have nailed that tactic.  He is quite skilled at taking the high ground.

The trouble is, he is in an occupation where people play to kill. There are many wolves in sheep’s clothing . Perhaps Obama is operating in the wrong arena.  Is he too much of a good and moral guy to fight with scoundrels and snakes?  The Republicans are attacking him left and right, slowly chipping away at his popularity. It appears that members of  his own party are engaged in the same tactic. Maybe some in his own inner circle of advisers and cabinet members.  So perhaps in the first time in history we have a president who has values and moral character. There’s a book,  literally  thousands of years old, that promotes  that virtue.  It’s  called the Holy Bible.

The economic crisis is growing more serious every day, and the time for action has come.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will jumpstart our economy and put more than 3 million people back to work.

I hope to sign the recovery plan into law in the next few weeks. But I need your help to spread the word and build support.

It’s not enough for this bill to simply pass Congress. Americans need to know how it will affect their lives — they need to know that help is on the way and that this administration is investing in economic growth and stability.

Governor Tim Kaine has agreed to record a video outlining the recovery plan and answering questions about what it means for your community. You can submit your questions online and then invite your friends, family, and neighbors to watch the video with you at an Economic Recovery House Meeting.

Join thousands of people across the country by hosting or attending an Economic Recovery House Meeting this weekend.

The stakes are too high to allow partisan politics to get in the way.

That’s why I’ve consulted with Republicans as well as Democrats to put together a plan that will address the crisis we face.

I’ve also taken steps to ensure an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Once it’s passed, you will be able to see how every penny in this plan is being spent.

You can help restore confidence in our economy by making sure your friends, family, and neighbors understand how the recovery plan will impact your community.

Sign up to host or attend an Economic Recovery House Meeting and submit your question for the video now:

http://my.barackobama.com/recovery

Our ability to come together as a nation in difficult times has never been more important.

I know I can rely on your spirit and resolve as we lead our country to recovery.

Thank you,

P.S. — If you can’t host or attend an Economic Recovery House Meeting, you can still submit your questions for Governor Kaine and then share the video with your friends and family this weekend. Learn more here:

http://my.barackobama.com/recovery

Here’s  link to the official White House Blog, that includes Text and Video President  Barack Obama’s Inaugural address.

Inaugural Committee

Dear Friend-

In just a few short days, the 56th Presidential Inaugural will be fully underway.

This will be an inauguration for all Americans, and we have an exciting list of events planned, even if you won’t be in Washington, D.C. I wanted to send you an update about some of the items on the agenda:

Sunday, January 18th

We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, free, live broadcast on HBO — At 2:30 p.m. EST, HBO will offer a free nationwide broadcast of the We Are One concert featuring Bono, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend and more. Check your local listings to find out where you can watch the free HBO broadcast.

Monday, January 19th

Renew America Together: National Day of Service — The Obama and Biden families will be participating in volunteer service in the Washington, D.C. area, and would like you to take part in your community. Join any one of more than 10,000 service events already scheduled across America, or host your own:

http://www.USAservice.org/calltoservice

Kids’ Inaugural: We Are The Future — After being part of the day of service, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will host a free Kids’ Inaugural concert for the children of military families. Performances by Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Bow Wow and others will be broadcast on the Disney Channel and Disney Radio beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Tuesday, January 20th

The Neighborhood Ball — On the night of the Inauguration, the newly sworn-in President and the First Lady will attend the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. Join the celebration by hosting or attending a Neighborhood Ball in your own community:

http://www.pic2009.org/ball

ABC will broadcast the Washington, D.C. Neighborhood Ball, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee will be live blogging from the ballroom.

These are just a few of the events planned in the coming days. Visit www.pic2009.org to find out more. And to make sure you get up-to-the-minute updates about these and other Inaugural events, text OPEN to 56333.

I thank everyone who has committed to volunteering at the Inaugural events, or supported us with a donation. You make all of this possible, and have helped us to organize the most open and accessible inaugural in our nation’s history.

We look forward to celebrating with all of you.

Thank you,

Emmett

Emmett S. Beliveau
Executive Director
2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee

Email from Inaugural Committee

Friend –

In just six days, we will begin the next chapter in our shared American story.

We’ve put together an inaugural full of great events. I want you to be a part of the celebration — whether you’re traveling to Washington, D.C., or staying at home in your community.

I’ve recorded a short video about all the ways that you can get involved in the upcoming events. Watch the video and sign up to bring the Inauguration to your community.
This inauguration isn’t about me. It’s about all of us.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is hard at work organizing the most open and accessible inauguration in our nation’s history. We want every American to share in the celebration of change.

There are a number of ways for you to get involved in your community, from taking part in the national day of service on January 19th, to hosting a house party on January 20th — your own Inaugural Ball.

Watch the video, and sign up today to celebrate the Inauguration in your community:

http://www.pic2009.org/yourinauguration

P.S. — If you are going to be in Washington, D.C., text OPEN to 56333 on your mobile phone to make sure you get up-to-the-minute updates about inaugural events.

The following is a transcript of President-elect Barack Obama’s weekly radio address:

PRESIDENT-ELECT: Over the past few weeks, Vice President-Elect Biden and I have announced some of the leaders who will advise us as we seek to meet Americas twenty-first century challenges, from strengthening our security, to rebuilding our economy, to preserving our planet for our children and grandchildren. Today, I am pleased to announce members of my science and technology team whose work will be critical to these efforts.

Whether its the science to slow global warming; the technology to protect our troops and confront bioterror and weapons of mass destruction; the research to find life-saving cures; or the innovations to remake our industries and create twenty-first century jobs – today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. Its time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore Americas place as the world leader in science and technology.

Right now, in labs, classrooms and companies across America, our leading minds are hard at work chasing the next big idea, on the cusp of breakthroughs that could revolutionize our lives. But history tells us that they cant do it alone. From landing on the moon, to sequencing the human genome, to inventing the Internet, America has been the first to cross that new frontier because we had leaders who paved the way: leaders like President Kennedy, who inspired us to push the boundaries of the known world and achieve the impossible; leaders who not only invested in our scientists, but who respected the integrity of the scientific process.

Because the truth is that promoting science isnt just about providing resources – its about protecting free and open inquiry. Its about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted or obscured by politics or ideology. Its about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when its inconvenient – especially when its inconvenient. Because the highest purpose of science is the search for knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the world around us. That will be my goal as President of the United States – and I could not have a better team to guide me in this work.

Dr. John Holdren has agreed to serve as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. John is a professor and Director of the Program on Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Harvards Kennedy School of Government, as well as President and Director of the Woods Hole Research Center. A physicist renowned for his work on climate and energy, hes received numerous honors and awards for his contributions and has been one of the most passionate and persistent voices of our time about the growing threat of climate change. I look forward to his wise counsel in the years ahead.

John will also serve as a Co-Chair of the Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology – or PCAST – as will Dr. Harold Varmus and Dr. Eric Lander. Together, they will work to remake PCAST into a vigorous external advisory council that will shape my thinking on scientific aspects of my policy priorities.

Dr. Varmus is no stranger to this work. He is not just a path-breaking scientist, having won a Nobel Prize for his research on the causes of cancer – he also served as Director of the National Institutes of Health during the Clinton Administration. I am grateful he has answered the call to serve once again.

Dr. Eric Lander is the Founding Director of the Broad Institute at MIT and Harvard and was one of the driving forces behind mapping the human genome – one of the greatest scientific achievements in history. I know he will be a powerful voice in my Administration as we seek to find the causes and cures of our most devastating diseases.

Finally, Dr. Jane Lubchenco has accepted my nomination as the Administrator of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is devoted to conserving our marine and coastal resources and monitoring our weather. As an internationally known environmental scientist, ecologist and former President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Jane has advised the President and Congress on scientific matters, and I am confident she will provide passionate and dedicated leadership at NOAA.

Working with these leaders, we will seek to draw on the power of science to both meet our challenges across the globe and revitalize our economy here at home. And Ill be speaking more after the New Year about how my Administration will engage leaders in the technology community and harness technology and innovation to create jobs, enhance Americas competitiveness and advance our national priorities.

I am confident that if we recommit ourselves to discovery; if we support science education to create the next generation of scientists and engineers right here in America; if we have the vision to believe and invest in things unseen, then we can lead the world into a new future of peace and prosperity.

Thank you, and happy holidays everybody.

According to the Anchorage Daily News, the future Mother-In-Law of Bristol Palin was arrested on Drug Charges.  According to the Anchorage newspaper, Sherry Johnson Johnston, Mother of Levi Johnston was charged with six felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance. Johnston was released on $2,000  Bond.  Governor Sarah Palin’s office di not issues a statement.

Joe Biden took the first step to bring it to John McCain. After all he has known John McCain for over thirty years and considers him a friend. However Biden says McCain is joined at the Hip to George Bush and he said so in his speech today where Barack Obama introduced him as his Vice Presidential choice. Joe Biden is loyal and has been that way all of his senate career. I  Biden Linked McCain to Bush time and time again.

There is an extreme contrast between Obama and Joe Biden. Joe Biden will go a long way in bringing on board Hillary Clinton’s supporters.  He is a fighter to the middle class, has enormous experience in  Foreign Policy.  Biden will bring in the displaced Hillary Voters, the Catholic Voters, and Jewish voters, that Obama has had trouble connecting to. Obama prefer to remian above the fray and is not entirely comfortable attacking.  BIden role is to attack time and time again.

Joe Bden’s mother once paid him $10 to go down the street and beat down, a neighborhood bully who messed with one of her son’s. Barack Obama just paid Joe Biden by selecting him as his VP, to do the same to John McCain and the Republicans, who have been beating up Obama pretty bad in July. This is a smart pick. With Biden, you have a Senator who marching to his own beat, and not his Washington colleagues.

So it is a mistake to think that Biden is just another Washington insider; he’s not, he a free thinker and some one who can bring creative ideas. And for the first time during his long tenure in Washington, Biden now has the Most Important World stage that he ever had.

Biden charge will be to address the concerns of older American,  and that Obama has what it takes to lead this country. Biden , A Roman Catholic, can speak to this constituency. He can also speak to those who feel uneasy about voting for some one, particularly, an African American, who is not like them. This is and issue and it needs to be dealt with. The election will really tell whether Americans have grown up and truly faced or embraced diversity in America.

Race

Barack Obama is not doing as well in the Polls, because of his race. That is not an excuse, it is a reality. Obama, will have trouble in the polls as the First African American to possibly win the Presidency. Are white Americans ready to vote for a black man for President?  To put it bluntly, no one wants to talk about this issue, but all of us need to do soul searching in this area.

Would we really put the stressful economic concerns to the back burner and not vote for Obama, because he’s black?  I know we are the greatest country in the world, yet we can’t get past our racial biases. Obama would improve every ones lives and with him we would have prosperity. Republicans have not been able to bring prosperity to this country and John McCain certainly want. He doesn’t know how many houses he owns, and he thinks being rich in America means you are worth at least $5 million dollars a year.

Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy is the primary issue that defines Joe Biden. The Georgian crises has been an advantageous issue for Biden, in relation to his pick as VP. And it is a great help for Obama. Obama seems more confident in talking about international affairs because of his International trip and Biden’s ties to the Foreign Relations Committee.  Both effectively negates any perceived gain, that John McCain felt he enjoyed.

 John McCain does not know how many houses he owns. John McCain, it stands to reason, does not know how many houses his wife owns. I wonder if he knows he own an office complex and that is worth over $14 million dollars?

Since McCain did not know these things the Obama Campaign checked and guess what? He owns 7 Houses and just purchased one in Arlington, Va. Let me see now, which candidate is out of touch with the average American; Obama,who owns one home and just so happens to know where he lives? Or is it McCain who net worth is probably over $100 million; and own 7 homes, and has no idea where he lives?

Does not take a rocket scientist to figure out the logistics. McCain is out of touch, with you, me, and a whole bunch of other folks. Except for those who make over $10 million per year. Do you think someone worth $100 Million a year could care less about you or me who are struggling to make ends meet?

Americans are thinking about electing Republican big money to the White House? If you are making less than $250,000 a year you don’t consider yourself in the same class as John McCain. He can pay  for his own health insurance if need be; so he doesn’t care about those of us who can’t. That off his radar screen.

And he calls Barack Obama an elitist. What’s wrong with this picture? If McCain lost his job, his wife could easily take care of him for the rest of his life. Definition of an elitist; someone who doesn’t know how many houses he owns.

Do you think McCain cares that eggs cost $3.00 a dozen or 4 rolls of paper towels cost $7.00? Do you think  McCain saves his change for a rainy day? Do you think McCain brings his lunch everyday from home? Oh, that’s right,  he doesn’t know where his home is.

Do you think he’s facing a foreclosure on one of his homes like millions of Americans are? He not. Because He’s worth $100 million a year.

You get the picture and if we are as smart as we think we are as Americans; there only one choice for President. Someone who feels your pain. Someones who goes to Wendy’s and MacDonald’s, White Sox games,or who ever your favorite team is, just like you. I think you know; Barack Obama should have your back economically, not someone who owns 7 houses and is worth $100 million dollars.

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