Back in 2008 Barack Obama was a fresh face, full of energy and new ideas, inspiring voters to elect the first African American Commander in Chief of the United States. He gave hope to millions that his drive and energy could help turn an ailing and depressed country around.
Where has that man gone? The Barack Obama many of us feel we know and love has not been in evidence that often recently. At recent town hall meetings the bright white Barack smile looked forced and the arm pumping and fake jogging a tired political cliché that has run its course.
It appears that life in the lion’s den that is Washington is more than Obama had ever bargained for, and perhaps is only now realizing the true scope of the task he has undertaken.
Take for instance the recent e mail campaign that he launched to encourage his supporters to report "health care rumors" to a special website for review by his administration. One can only imagine what one of his most vocal supporters in the music world, rapper Young Jeezy, might have made of that. The man has made a career out of promoting the phrase "Don't Snitch".
On a more serious note, the fact is that more and more Americans seemed to be growing tired of the Obama show. They are disenchanted with the massive piles of debt that still exist, the jobs that are still being lost and the expansion of government. Obama keeps talking though, seemingly in the hope that if he keeps talking, keeps selling the "bigger is better" concept that his supporters will calm down again and listen. The fact that a recent poll showed that nearly half the people questioned thought the President was now on television too much seems to burst that particular bubble.
There is little doubt that the current health care "crisis" may be doing the most damage to the President's image. Another poll, this time conducted by the New York Times and CBS had some findings that should have alarm bells ringing in Obama's head. Sixty-nine percent believe Obamacare will hurt the quality of their own health care, while a huge seventy-six percent believe Obama's changes will mean higher taxes for them. And those are just two of the lowlights.
There are still wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to contend with and the economy is still a mess. Barack Obama will be doing himself and his country a serious injustice if he continues to allow the health care "debate" to ruin his image and his country's faith in him for good.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Eczema in Children is Rising. Are You Taking Good CARE of Their Diet?
Childhood eczema is on the increase, and the number of cases of the skin condition reported in toddlers and young children has risen to one in five. Researchers are still unable to identify the cause of eczema, which results in itchiness and redness of the skin, but allergies have often been cited as a contributor to the growing condition.
Recent years have seen an increase in people reporting allergic reactions, with eczema been a common symptom. Irritants like woolen clothing, soap or allergens like pollen can heighten eczema, but the common myth that diet is a major contributing factor has been dispelled.
Many parents blame certain foods for the onset of eczema or for making it worse, and have omitted several foods from their children’s diets. However, the latest research published by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care have warned parents to be wary of denying their children important foods like milk unless these have been identified by doctors as causing allergies.
The Institute advices that although eczema can become a lifetime problem, most children will grow out of it by the time they are teenagers and parents may not need to change their family’s diets. The Institute’s director Professor Sawicki said eliminating certain foods from children’s diets should only be undertaken after consultation with a doctor: "Restricting children's diets can harm their health and growth, so parents need to be careful about acting on unproven theories about diet and eczema."
"Trials have shown that eliminating foods like milk or eggs from the diet of small children with eczema probably only helps if they have proven food sensitivities. Formal allergy tests like skin prick and challenge tests done with your doctor can help you get a more reliable picture of whether or not a suspected food really is causing the problem."
He also encouraged parents to stay abreast of up to date developments in research and treatments in the field as new discoveries about childhood allergies are been made, and to only rely on evidence-based advice. One example of current research still in its early stages is the role of probiotics in the development of child allergies.
The Institute also stated that parents can reduce their child's risk of allergies by not smoking. More information about eczema and allergies can be found on the Institute’s website www.informedhealthonline.org which features easy-to-understand information about current medical developments and research on important health issues.
Recent years have seen an increase in people reporting allergic reactions, with eczema been a common symptom. Irritants like woolen clothing, soap or allergens like pollen can heighten eczema, but the common myth that diet is a major contributing factor has been dispelled.
Many parents blame certain foods for the onset of eczema or for making it worse, and have omitted several foods from their children’s diets. However, the latest research published by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care have warned parents to be wary of denying their children important foods like milk unless these have been identified by doctors as causing allergies.
The Institute advices that although eczema can become a lifetime problem, most children will grow out of it by the time they are teenagers and parents may not need to change their family’s diets. The Institute’s director Professor Sawicki said eliminating certain foods from children’s diets should only be undertaken after consultation with a doctor: "Restricting children's diets can harm their health and growth, so parents need to be careful about acting on unproven theories about diet and eczema."
"Trials have shown that eliminating foods like milk or eggs from the diet of small children with eczema probably only helps if they have proven food sensitivities. Formal allergy tests like skin prick and challenge tests done with your doctor can help you get a more reliable picture of whether or not a suspected food really is causing the problem."
He also encouraged parents to stay abreast of up to date developments in research and treatments in the field as new discoveries about childhood allergies are been made, and to only rely on evidence-based advice. One example of current research still in its early stages is the role of probiotics in the development of child allergies.
The Institute also stated that parents can reduce their child's risk of allergies by not smoking. More information about eczema and allergies can be found on the Institute’s website www.informedhealthonline.org which features easy-to-understand information about current medical developments and research on important health issues.
Health Care Reforms: So Democrats are You Ready to GO Alone?
In order to get their health care reforms passed it seems that Democrats may be considering making use of a little known political tactic called reconciliation, which would make the need for strong Republican support unnecessary.
It would certainly be a risky move, as it would almost certainly be seen as a hostile act by Republicans. But some top Democrats think it may just be a drastic move worth making.
Reconciliation, which has been used to pass budget measures in the past, requires only a simple majority of 51 votes to pass, something the Democrats should be able to achieve fairly easily.
An unnamed White House source told CNN “If we have to push it through this way, no one is going to remember how messy it was. At the end of the day, they'll remember we got health care reform done. A win is a win."
This all comes as a reaction to Democratic belief that Republicans involved in the negotiations to create a bill that can achieve bi partisan support are not at all serious about getting a deal done any time soon. They are especially concerned about Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa who is a key player in the debate, as he is one of the six members of the Senate Finance Committee, the body most involved in the health care debate.
In fact Grassley warned as recently as this weekend that it may be many months before a bill he could agree to support could be worked out.
"I've said all year that something as big and important as health care legislation should have broad-based support," Grassley said "So far, no one has developed that kind of support, either in Congress or at the White House. That doesn't mean we should quit. It means we should keep working until we can put something together that gets that widespread support."
If the Democrats do decide to go it alone the public insurance option that has been in question for days could be put squarely back on the table. The issue had become cloudy when Obama himself said on Saturday that the "public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform.” On Tuesday Kathleen Sibelius said at a Medicare conference that nothing has changed. She told the audience "We continue to support the public option. That will help lower costs, give American consumers more choice and keep private insurers honest. If people have other ideas about how to accomplish these goals, we'll look at those, too. But the public option is a very good way to do this."
It would certainly be a risky move, as it would almost certainly be seen as a hostile act by Republicans. But some top Democrats think it may just be a drastic move worth making.
Reconciliation, which has been used to pass budget measures in the past, requires only a simple majority of 51 votes to pass, something the Democrats should be able to achieve fairly easily.
An unnamed White House source told CNN “If we have to push it through this way, no one is going to remember how messy it was. At the end of the day, they'll remember we got health care reform done. A win is a win."
This all comes as a reaction to Democratic belief that Republicans involved in the negotiations to create a bill that can achieve bi partisan support are not at all serious about getting a deal done any time soon. They are especially concerned about Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa who is a key player in the debate, as he is one of the six members of the Senate Finance Committee, the body most involved in the health care debate.
In fact Grassley warned as recently as this weekend that it may be many months before a bill he could agree to support could be worked out.
"I've said all year that something as big and important as health care legislation should have broad-based support," Grassley said "So far, no one has developed that kind of support, either in Congress or at the White House. That doesn't mean we should quit. It means we should keep working until we can put something together that gets that widespread support."
If the Democrats do decide to go it alone the public insurance option that has been in question for days could be put squarely back on the table. The issue had become cloudy when Obama himself said on Saturday that the "public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform.” On Tuesday Kathleen Sibelius said at a Medicare conference that nothing has changed. She told the audience "We continue to support the public option. That will help lower costs, give American consumers more choice and keep private insurers honest. If people have other ideas about how to accomplish these goals, we'll look at those, too. But the public option is a very good way to do this."
Health Care Reform: So Democrats are You Ready to GO Alone?
In order to get their health care reforms passed it seems that Democrats may be considering making use of a little known political tactic called reconciliation, which would make the need for strong Republican support unnecessary.
It would certainly be a risky move, as it would almost certainly be seen as a hostile act by Republicans. But some top Democrats think it may just be a drastic move worth making.
Reconciliation, which has been used to pass budget measures in the past, requires only a simple majority of 51 votes to pass, something the Democrats should be able to achieve fairly easily.
An unnamed White House source told CNN “If we have to push it through this way, no one is going to remember how messy it was. At the end of the day, they'll remember we got health care reform done. A win is a win."
This all comes as a reaction to Democratic belief that Republicans involved in the negotiations to create a bill that can achieve bi partisan support are not at all serious about getting a deal done any time soon. They are especially concerned about Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa who is a key player in the debate, as he is one of the six members of the Senate Finance Committee, the body most involved in the health care debate.
In fact Grassley warned as recently as this weekend that it may be many months before a bill he could agree to support could be worked out.
"I've said all year that something as big and important as health care legislation should have broad-based support," Grassley said "So far, no one has developed that kind of support, either in Congress or at the White House. That doesn't mean we should quit. It means we should keep working until we can put something together that gets that widespread support."
If the Democrats do decide to go it alone the public insurance option that has been in question for days could be put squarely back on the table. The issue had become cloudy when Obama himself said on Saturday that the "public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform.” On Tuesday Kathleen Sibelius said at a Medicare conference that nothing has changed. She told the audience "We continue to support the public option. That will help lower costs, give American consumers more choice and keep private insurers honest. If people have other ideas about how to accomplish these goals, we'll look at those, too. But the public option is a very good way to do this."
It would certainly be a risky move, as it would almost certainly be seen as a hostile act by Republicans. But some top Democrats think it may just be a drastic move worth making.
Reconciliation, which has been used to pass budget measures in the past, requires only a simple majority of 51 votes to pass, something the Democrats should be able to achieve fairly easily.
An unnamed White House source told CNN “If we have to push it through this way, no one is going to remember how messy it was. At the end of the day, they'll remember we got health care reform done. A win is a win."
This all comes as a reaction to Democratic belief that Republicans involved in the negotiations to create a bill that can achieve bi partisan support are not at all serious about getting a deal done any time soon. They are especially concerned about Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa who is a key player in the debate, as he is one of the six members of the Senate Finance Committee, the body most involved in the health care debate.
In fact Grassley warned as recently as this weekend that it may be many months before a bill he could agree to support could be worked out.
"I've said all year that something as big and important as health care legislation should have broad-based support," Grassley said "So far, no one has developed that kind of support, either in Congress or at the White House. That doesn't mean we should quit. It means we should keep working until we can put something together that gets that widespread support."
If the Democrats do decide to go it alone the public insurance option that has been in question for days could be put squarely back on the table. The issue had become cloudy when Obama himself said on Saturday that the "public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform.” On Tuesday Kathleen Sibelius said at a Medicare conference that nothing has changed. She told the audience "We continue to support the public option. That will help lower costs, give American consumers more choice and keep private insurers honest. If people have other ideas about how to accomplish these goals, we'll look at those, too. But the public option is a very good way to do this."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
White House did not send Unsolicited Emails say Officals.
The White House wants you to know that they are not in the spam business. Instead they are blaming as yet to be identified political groups for unsolicited e mails that the administration had previously suggested no one was receiving.
Until Monday evening. White House had insisted that reports of people not signed up to their mailing lists receiving communications from them were false. They have now admitted that such e mails do indeed seem to have been sent but not by them.
In a blog posted on Monday evening White House online director Macon Phillips wrote" “We’re certainly not interested in anyone receiving e-mails from the White House who don’t want them." He said that groups outside the White House had signed up members from their own mailing lists to receive the updates about President Barack Obama's daily activities and policies. Macon added that taking names and e mail addresses from commercially available mailing lists was certainly not a part of White House policy. "We regret any inconvenience caused by receiving an unexpected message.” he wrote.
A few weeks ago White House officials began encouraging the general public to begin sending them critic's e mails so that the administration could respond to any false allegations or misconceptions that were floating around in cyberspace about the President's proposed health care reforms. Just like any other correspondence by law each of these e mails must be saved, as any official White House correspondence must be, for eventual inclusion in the Public Archives.
One recent e mail was sent by a top Obama advisor, David Axelrod encouraging support for his bosses health care reforms. That message brought a question on Monday from Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and the ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
“I am concerned about the possibility that political e-mail address lists are being used for official purposes,” Mr Issa wrote to Greg Craig, who is White House counsel “This, again, raises questions about this administration blurring the lines between political and official business.”
Issa went out to ask exactly how the White House was using the separate e mail account that was set up to investigate and respond to the so called "fishy health care claims" although that e mail account has now been disabled.
“The fear has been expressed that the White House was asking neighbors to inform on neighbors in a government-led data collection effort,” Issa wrote.
As has become common practice a reply came via the official White House blog, although it did not mention Rep. Issa by name.
“An ironic development is that the launch of an online program meant to provide facts about health insurance reform has itself become the target of fear-mongering and online rumors that are the tactics of choice for the defenders of the status quo”.
Until Monday evening. White House had insisted that reports of people not signed up to their mailing lists receiving communications from them were false. They have now admitted that such e mails do indeed seem to have been sent but not by them.
In a blog posted on Monday evening White House online director Macon Phillips wrote" “We’re certainly not interested in anyone receiving e-mails from the White House who don’t want them." He said that groups outside the White House had signed up members from their own mailing lists to receive the updates about President Barack Obama's daily activities and policies. Macon added that taking names and e mail addresses from commercially available mailing lists was certainly not a part of White House policy. "We regret any inconvenience caused by receiving an unexpected message.” he wrote.
A few weeks ago White House officials began encouraging the general public to begin sending them critic's e mails so that the administration could respond to any false allegations or misconceptions that were floating around in cyberspace about the President's proposed health care reforms. Just like any other correspondence by law each of these e mails must be saved, as any official White House correspondence must be, for eventual inclusion in the Public Archives.
One recent e mail was sent by a top Obama advisor, David Axelrod encouraging support for his bosses health care reforms. That message brought a question on Monday from Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and the ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
“I am concerned about the possibility that political e-mail address lists are being used for official purposes,” Mr Issa wrote to Greg Craig, who is White House counsel “This, again, raises questions about this administration blurring the lines between political and official business.”
Issa went out to ask exactly how the White House was using the separate e mail account that was set up to investigate and respond to the so called "fishy health care claims" although that e mail account has now been disabled.
“The fear has been expressed that the White House was asking neighbors to inform on neighbors in a government-led data collection effort,” Issa wrote.
As has become common practice a reply came via the official White House blog, although it did not mention Rep. Issa by name.
“An ironic development is that the launch of an online program meant to provide facts about health insurance reform has itself become the target of fear-mongering and online rumors that are the tactics of choice for the defenders of the status quo”.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
More "Legal" guns Greet Obama in Arizona.
At least ten people stood outside the convention center in Phoenix, Arizona where President Barack Obama was speaking on Monday carrying guns, one of which was a military type assault rifle. According to state law they were doing nothing illegal but it certainly made for a chilling sight. This is the second time in a week that such a display of arms has greeted the President at a public appearance and some people worry that a dangerous precedent is being set.
In Arizona it is legal to carry a firearm as long as it is not concealed, just as it is in New Hampshire where a man was observed to be standing in church grounds near the Portsmouth high school where the President held a town hall meeting to discuss his health care reforms.
The display in Arizona had, to many observers, a far more menacing tone than the display in New Hampshire. The man who was carrying the powerful AR-15 semi-automatic rifle slung over one shoulder refused to give his name when he was approached by Arizona Republic journalists but he did tell them that he was carrying his gun simple because the law states that he can "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms," he said.
Phoenix police detective J. Oliver said that they were monitored the man and his fellow gun-toters carefully, both for the President's safety and their own. "Just by his presence and people seeing the rifle and people knowing the president was in town, it sparked a lot of emotions," Oliver said. "We were keeping peace on both ends."
Fred Solop, who is a political scientist at Northern Arizona University, is concerned about the apparently growing trend. "When you start to bring guns to political rallies, it does layer on another level of concern and significance," Solop said. "It actually becomes quite scary for many people. It creates a chilling effect in the ability of our society to carry on honest communication."
He added that he had never before heard of anyone actually bringing a gun as powerful as an assault rifle anywhere near a presidential appearance before, "The larger the gun, the more menacing the situation," he said.
Paul Helmke who is president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a program named for James Brady, former White House press secretary to Ronald Reagan who was paralyzed by a would be assassin's bullet, agrees.
"To me, this is craziness," he said. "When you bring a loaded gun, particularly a loaded assault rifle, to any political event, but particularly to one where the president is appearing, you're just making the situation dangerous for everyone."
In Arizona it is legal to carry a firearm as long as it is not concealed, just as it is in New Hampshire where a man was observed to be standing in church grounds near the Portsmouth high school where the President held a town hall meeting to discuss his health care reforms.
The display in Arizona had, to many observers, a far more menacing tone than the display in New Hampshire. The man who was carrying the powerful AR-15 semi-automatic rifle slung over one shoulder refused to give his name when he was approached by Arizona Republic journalists but he did tell them that he was carrying his gun simple because the law states that he can "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms," he said.
Phoenix police detective J. Oliver said that they were monitored the man and his fellow gun-toters carefully, both for the President's safety and their own. "Just by his presence and people seeing the rifle and people knowing the president was in town, it sparked a lot of emotions," Oliver said. "We were keeping peace on both ends."
Fred Solop, who is a political scientist at Northern Arizona University, is concerned about the apparently growing trend. "When you start to bring guns to political rallies, it does layer on another level of concern and significance," Solop said. "It actually becomes quite scary for many people. It creates a chilling effect in the ability of our society to carry on honest communication."
He added that he had never before heard of anyone actually bringing a gun as powerful as an assault rifle anywhere near a presidential appearance before, "The larger the gun, the more menacing the situation," he said.
Paul Helmke who is president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a program named for James Brady, former White House press secretary to Ronald Reagan who was paralyzed by a would be assassin's bullet, agrees.
"To me, this is craziness," he said. "When you bring a loaded gun, particularly a loaded assault rifle, to any political event, but particularly to one where the president is appearing, you're just making the situation dangerous for everyone."
Monday, August 17, 2009
Is Barack Backing Down on Healthcare Reform?
President Barack Obama has been very vocal about his plans for health care reform ever since he took office and in January and the battle to get them passed has become a heated one over the course of the last few weeks. Now it seems that Obama may be willing to drop one of the more controversial aspects of his plan - the public insurance option - to ensure that the rest of his reforms go through.
The "public option" a program that many envisioned as somewhat similar to the Medicare system that is already in place for seniors, has always been an important part of Obama's health care reform plans but it has also been the flash point for anger, opposition and rumor.
The first sign that the President may be willing to back away from the public health care option came when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told CNN that the public option was "not an essential element" of the President's overhaul plans and that they may consider the idea of a nonprofit health insurance co-op instead, an idea that has been around in the Senate for weeks.
The shift was also confirmed by White House press secretary Robert Gibbs who said the "bottom line" for Mr. Obama was competition and choice.
To back track know may prove to be a significant setback for the president. He campaigned on the issue, gaining votes from the uninsured that saw him as their potential savior. Originally he made the issue a corner stone of his domestic policy and if he does take the public option of the table he may have to face losing the support of several liberal democrats, whose votes and support he does need to get his reforms passed.
On Sunday Senator Jay Rockerfeller spoke of his personal belief in the public option “I believe the inclusion of a strong public plan option in health reform legislation is a must,’’ he said in a statement. “It is the only proven way to guarantee that all consumers have affordable, meaningful, and accountable options available in the health insurance marketplace.’
Former Democratic Party Chairman and one time Presidential candidate Howard Dean argued during an appearance on the Today show that without the public option there will be no real health care reform at all."You can't really do health care reform without it." he told the television audience.
The "public option" a program that many envisioned as somewhat similar to the Medicare system that is already in place for seniors, has always been an important part of Obama's health care reform plans but it has also been the flash point for anger, opposition and rumor.
The first sign that the President may be willing to back away from the public health care option came when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told CNN that the public option was "not an essential element" of the President's overhaul plans and that they may consider the idea of a nonprofit health insurance co-op instead, an idea that has been around in the Senate for weeks.
The shift was also confirmed by White House press secretary Robert Gibbs who said the "bottom line" for Mr. Obama was competition and choice.
To back track know may prove to be a significant setback for the president. He campaigned on the issue, gaining votes from the uninsured that saw him as their potential savior. Originally he made the issue a corner stone of his domestic policy and if he does take the public option of the table he may have to face losing the support of several liberal democrats, whose votes and support he does need to get his reforms passed.
On Sunday Senator Jay Rockerfeller spoke of his personal belief in the public option “I believe the inclusion of a strong public plan option in health reform legislation is a must,’’ he said in a statement. “It is the only proven way to guarantee that all consumers have affordable, meaningful, and accountable options available in the health insurance marketplace.’
Former Democratic Party Chairman and one time Presidential candidate Howard Dean argued during an appearance on the Today show that without the public option there will be no real health care reform at all."You can't really do health care reform without it." he told the television audience.
Why Obama Gets Emotional At Latest Town Hall Debate?
Another day, another town and another town hall meeting to try to convince people that his health care reforms will work for everyone. On Saturday President Barack Obama was in Grand Junction, Colorado speaking to yet another group of people who still have questions about his policies and intended reforms.
However one comment from the audience elicited a surprisingly personal reaction from the Commander - in - Chief. The question was about the increasingly contentious and vicious tone that the whole health care debate has been taking in recent weeks. ""I just lost my grandmother last year. I know what it's like to watch somebody you love, who's aging, deteriorate, and have to struggle with that," Obama stated, pausing between words and seeming to struggle to finish his thoughts "What you can't do -- or you can, but you shouldn't -- is start saying things like we want to set up 'death panels' to pull the plug on grandma,". He was referring to rumors and allegations made by opponents that a bill passed a House Committee included the setting up of "death panels" to decide which senior citizens should continue to receive medical treatment.
Obama finished his reply by stating "So the notion that somehow I ran for public office or members of Congress are in this so that they can go around pulling the plug on grandma ... when you start making arguments like that, it's simply dishonest,"
Barack Obama was perhaps closer to his grandmother than many people are. She was very active in raising him after his parents divorced when he was two, as his mother Ann Durham was often traveling in connection with her work as an anthropological field worker.
Ironically Madelyn Payne Durham died after a long illness on November 2nd 2009, just two days before her beloved grandson won his historic victory in the November 4th Presidential election. She was rarely seen during his campaign efforts due to her ill health. She did however get to cast her vote for his presidency, as she voted by mail from her home in Hawaii on October 27th.
The meeting in Grand Junction was the last of a three state tour that the President undertook this week. None of the meetings have been as contentious as some had expected, on the whole they have been fairly civil affairs with audiences appearing to be supportive of the President in general.
However one comment from the audience elicited a surprisingly personal reaction from the Commander - in - Chief. The question was about the increasingly contentious and vicious tone that the whole health care debate has been taking in recent weeks. ""I just lost my grandmother last year. I know what it's like to watch somebody you love, who's aging, deteriorate, and have to struggle with that," Obama stated, pausing between words and seeming to struggle to finish his thoughts "What you can't do -- or you can, but you shouldn't -- is start saying things like we want to set up 'death panels' to pull the plug on grandma,". He was referring to rumors and allegations made by opponents that a bill passed a House Committee included the setting up of "death panels" to decide which senior citizens should continue to receive medical treatment.
Obama finished his reply by stating "So the notion that somehow I ran for public office or members of Congress are in this so that they can go around pulling the plug on grandma ... when you start making arguments like that, it's simply dishonest,"
Barack Obama was perhaps closer to his grandmother than many people are. She was very active in raising him after his parents divorced when he was two, as his mother Ann Durham was often traveling in connection with her work as an anthropological field worker.
Ironically Madelyn Payne Durham died after a long illness on November 2nd 2009, just two days before her beloved grandson won his historic victory in the November 4th Presidential election. She was rarely seen during his campaign efforts due to her ill health. She did however get to cast her vote for his presidency, as she voted by mail from her home in Hawaii on October 27th.
The meeting in Grand Junction was the last of a three state tour that the President undertook this week. None of the meetings have been as contentious as some had expected, on the whole they have been fairly civil affairs with audiences appearing to be supportive of the President in general.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Mammography and Sonography Findings in Men with Breast Cancer.
Most people consider breast cancer to be strictly a feminine concern. However, although they account for only 1% of the diagnosed breast cancer cases each year, breast cancer in men does exist. In the most recent figures available, for 2005, 1,764 men were diagnosed with the disease and 375 died as a result.
Diagnosing male breast cancer can be challenging, especially given the stigma that affected men may feel will accompany such a diagnosis. But a study conducted by scientists at the University of Texas MD Cancer Center in Houston, Texas traditional mammography and sonography techniques are effective in diagnosing men with breast cancer.
Imaging taken of 57 male patients were analyzed by the study “The findings show that breast cancer in men most commonly presents itself as a mass with an irregular shape and spiculated (spiky or pointy) margins that may or may not have calcifications. Many men in the study, 47%, also had cancer which had spread to the armpit,” said Wei Tse Yang, MD, who was the lead author of the study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.
According to Dr Yang almost 100% of men who develop breast cancer have a lump that they can feel, much the same as women with the disease. And just as women who notice a new lump or mass occurs in their breast he encourages that men who discover such a thing should consult with their physician as soon as possible. Mammography and sonography are key to aiding primary care physicians with making a quick and accurate diagnosis. They allow for full interrogation of the involved breast and allow for screening of the opposite breast,”says the doctor.
Why some men should develop breast cancer is unclear. Doctors do know however that 1 in 6 male breast cancer sufferers have a relative, including females, who have been diagnosed with the disease. This is in comparison to the 5 - 10% of inherited breast cancers in women. Some doctors also feel that chest radiation therapy as a child may also be a risk factor for men.
However such men may face far more difficulty in obtaining the treatment that they need than female patients do. Many family practitioners themselves are not aware of the fact that male breast cancer does indeed exist and may not be looking for such a thing. Add to that the fact that breast cancer is considered by most people to be female disease and the fact is that early detection is far less common in the case of male breast cancer. Dr Yang and his team hope that the publication of their study will raise awareness both in the medical community and with men in general.
Diagnosing male breast cancer can be challenging, especially given the stigma that affected men may feel will accompany such a diagnosis. But a study conducted by scientists at the University of Texas MD Cancer Center in Houston, Texas traditional mammography and sonography techniques are effective in diagnosing men with breast cancer.
Imaging taken of 57 male patients were analyzed by the study “The findings show that breast cancer in men most commonly presents itself as a mass with an irregular shape and spiculated (spiky or pointy) margins that may or may not have calcifications. Many men in the study, 47%, also had cancer which had spread to the armpit,” said Wei Tse Yang, MD, who was the lead author of the study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.
According to Dr Yang almost 100% of men who develop breast cancer have a lump that they can feel, much the same as women with the disease. And just as women who notice a new lump or mass occurs in their breast he encourages that men who discover such a thing should consult with their physician as soon as possible. Mammography and sonography are key to aiding primary care physicians with making a quick and accurate diagnosis. They allow for full interrogation of the involved breast and allow for screening of the opposite breast,”says the doctor.
Why some men should develop breast cancer is unclear. Doctors do know however that 1 in 6 male breast cancer sufferers have a relative, including females, who have been diagnosed with the disease. This is in comparison to the 5 - 10% of inherited breast cancers in women. Some doctors also feel that chest radiation therapy as a child may also be a risk factor for men.
However such men may face far more difficulty in obtaining the treatment that they need than female patients do. Many family practitioners themselves are not aware of the fact that male breast cancer does indeed exist and may not be looking for such a thing. Add to that the fact that breast cancer is considered by most people to be female disease and the fact is that early detection is far less common in the case of male breast cancer. Dr Yang and his team hope that the publication of their study will raise awareness both in the medical community and with men in general.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Why US Home Foreclosures in July 09 are 32% Higher than Last Year.
The month of July saw U.S. home foreclosures hit record high figures with 360,000 fillings, up 32% from the same time last year. One in every 335 homes received a foreclosure notice, a rise of 7% from June according to RealtyTrac.inc.
Despite ongoing government intervention at both federal and state level, the housing crisis continued to deepen as over 87,000 homes were repossessed, up from 79,000 in June taking it to the highest level since the foreclosure-listing firm began publishing data four years ago. Growing unemployment and falling property prices are also exacerbating the failures in home loans with default notices, auction and bank repossession on the rise across many states.
“July marks the third time in the last five months where we've seen a new record set for foreclosure activity" said RealtyTrac's chief executive, James J. Saccacio in a statement. "Despite continued efforts by the federal government and state governments will patch together a net of safety for troubled homeowners, we are seeing significant development in both the initial notices of default and in the bank repossessions."
Since April last year, home prices in 20 major US cities dropped 18% according to the S&P/Case-Shiller index, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.5% in June bringing the total number of unemployed Americans to 6.5 million, the highest figures since 1983.
Defaults by subprime mortgage borrowers with poor credit helped escalate the housing crisis which spread to prime borrowers as property prices fell. One in eight Americans are now behind on their mortgage payments or already facing foreclosure according to The Mortgage Bankers Association.
Nevada had the highest rate of foreclosures for the 31st month in a row with one in 13 households receiving a filling- more than six times the national average. California, Arizona, Florida, Utah, Idaho, Georgia, Illinois, Colorado and Oregon were the other states in the top ten for high foreclosure rates.
Despite ongoing government intervention at both federal and state level, the housing crisis continued to deepen as over 87,000 homes were repossessed, up from 79,000 in June taking it to the highest level since the foreclosure-listing firm began publishing data four years ago. Growing unemployment and falling property prices are also exacerbating the failures in home loans with default notices, auction and bank repossession on the rise across many states.
“July marks the third time in the last five months where we've seen a new record set for foreclosure activity" said RealtyTrac's chief executive, James J. Saccacio in a statement. "Despite continued efforts by the federal government and state governments will patch together a net of safety for troubled homeowners, we are seeing significant development in both the initial notices of default and in the bank repossessions."
Since April last year, home prices in 20 major US cities dropped 18% according to the S&P/Case-Shiller index, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.5% in June bringing the total number of unemployed Americans to 6.5 million, the highest figures since 1983.
Defaults by subprime mortgage borrowers with poor credit helped escalate the housing crisis which spread to prime borrowers as property prices fell. One in eight Americans are now behind on their mortgage payments or already facing foreclosure according to The Mortgage Bankers Association.
Nevada had the highest rate of foreclosures for the 31st month in a row with one in 13 households receiving a filling- more than six times the national average. California, Arizona, Florida, Utah, Idaho, Georgia, Illinois, Colorado and Oregon were the other states in the top ten for high foreclosure rates.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Alzheimers Brain Disease
Alzheimer’s brain disease is a state in which brain cells that are wearing off, cause a destructive mental relapse for a period of time. This disease gradually wrecks havoc on the brain of its victims and causes a distortion in their thoughts and memory. This disease was named after the man who was the first to describe the disease in the year 1906. His name was Alois Alzheimer, a German.
Causes of Alzheimer’s Brain Disease
There is no yet identifiable cause of Alzheimer’s disease. However, some risk factors associated with this brain disease include aging factor, trauma caused by head injury and also gene mutations. If a number of the family members experience the disorder, it is termed Familial Alzheimer’s disease; this is perceived to be an altered gene issue.
Also, metal aluminum is being explored by scientists, as a likely toxic agent that takes part in Alzheimer’s disease development. The role of neurotransmitter acetylcholine is also being studied; since its declining levels causes more severe symptoms.
Preventive Measures
It has been discovered that those that are involved in active intellectual and mental activities are at less risk of experiencing decline in memory function and also developing Alzheimer’s disease in comparison with mentally inactive people. Such mental activities can take different forms such as reading, puzzles, reading and writing, woodworking, knitting, printing and playing board games. Also, another study shows that those who are engaged in mentally demanding jobs are less likely to experience a decline in memory as they grow older.
The Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Brain Disease
Early Symptoms: Alzheimer brain disease shows forth with the initial symptoms of gradual loss of memory, lack of attention to personal hygiene, poor memory, loss of concentration and distorted perception and judgment.
Later Symptoms: confused state, restiveness, irritability and confusion. These stated conditions continue to deteriorate until patients are not able to perform normal activities and functions such as speaking, reading and writing. And the worst situation sets in when patients are not able to recognize people they know any longer and can barely take care of themselves.
Survival of Alzheimer’s brain victims after the initial and later symptoms is more often than not, 5 to 10 years; though the period could extend to 20 years at some instances. Alzheimer patients are susceptible to infections which is normally the major reason for their death. Such infection that easily ravages the Alzheimer patients is pneumonia.
Tests and Examination for Alzheimer Brain Disease
The simple test procedure such as blood test that is obtainable with most ailments is not applicable in the case of Alzheimer’s brain disease test and diagnosis. A definite diagnosis done as autopsy is rather carried out on the brain tissues. Any diagnosis carried out on living patients is usually based on physical examination, medical history and laboratory tests; this is to cancel out other likely causes of the symptoms. Also neurological exams are carried out to test mental performance.
Treatment for Alzheimer Brain Disease
There is no effective treatment or cure yet for this disease, however, medications can work in the early stages to reduce the symptoms. However, there is hope for effective treatment of this ailment as scientific researches are bringing us closer to cure for this ailment each day; there has been excellent progress in the research to unravel the mystery behind this ailment including its causes and possible treatments. There is much to learn about this ailment and its development.
Causes of Alzheimer’s Brain Disease
There is no yet identifiable cause of Alzheimer’s disease. However, some risk factors associated with this brain disease include aging factor, trauma caused by head injury and also gene mutations. If a number of the family members experience the disorder, it is termed Familial Alzheimer’s disease; this is perceived to be an altered gene issue.
Also, metal aluminum is being explored by scientists, as a likely toxic agent that takes part in Alzheimer’s disease development. The role of neurotransmitter acetylcholine is also being studied; since its declining levels causes more severe symptoms.
Preventive Measures
It has been discovered that those that are involved in active intellectual and mental activities are at less risk of experiencing decline in memory function and also developing Alzheimer’s disease in comparison with mentally inactive people. Such mental activities can take different forms such as reading, puzzles, reading and writing, woodworking, knitting, printing and playing board games. Also, another study shows that those who are engaged in mentally demanding jobs are less likely to experience a decline in memory as they grow older.
The Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Brain Disease
Early Symptoms: Alzheimer brain disease shows forth with the initial symptoms of gradual loss of memory, lack of attention to personal hygiene, poor memory, loss of concentration and distorted perception and judgment.
Later Symptoms: confused state, restiveness, irritability and confusion. These stated conditions continue to deteriorate until patients are not able to perform normal activities and functions such as speaking, reading and writing. And the worst situation sets in when patients are not able to recognize people they know any longer and can barely take care of themselves.
Survival of Alzheimer’s brain victims after the initial and later symptoms is more often than not, 5 to 10 years; though the period could extend to 20 years at some instances. Alzheimer patients are susceptible to infections which is normally the major reason for their death. Such infection that easily ravages the Alzheimer patients is pneumonia.
Tests and Examination for Alzheimer Brain Disease
The simple test procedure such as blood test that is obtainable with most ailments is not applicable in the case of Alzheimer’s brain disease test and diagnosis. A definite diagnosis done as autopsy is rather carried out on the brain tissues. Any diagnosis carried out on living patients is usually based on physical examination, medical history and laboratory tests; this is to cancel out other likely causes of the symptoms. Also neurological exams are carried out to test mental performance.
Treatment for Alzheimer Brain Disease
There is no effective treatment or cure yet for this disease, however, medications can work in the early stages to reduce the symptoms. However, there is hope for effective treatment of this ailment as scientific researches are bringing us closer to cure for this ailment each day; there has been excellent progress in the research to unravel the mystery behind this ailment including its causes and possible treatments. There is much to learn about this ailment and its development.
Barack Obama Awards First 16 Medals of Freedom.
In his few short months in office Barack Obama has played host to all kinds of different people at the White House. But the group assembled in the East Room on Wednesday was possibly the most diverse.
The group was a representation of the first sixteen people to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Obama's term as President. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civil award that can be attained in the US.
Among the sixteen were a British scientist, the last living High Plains Indian Chief and one of the best known clergyman in the world.
The British scientist was Stephen Hawking, about whom Obama joked was "a brilliant man but a mediocre student. Obama went on to praise the author of the ground breaking " A Brief History of Time saying he was a man who "from his wheelchair has led us on a journey to the farthest and strangest reaches of to the furthest corners of the cosmos. In so doing, he has stirred our imagination and shown us the power of the human spirit here on earth." He then bent to affix the white and blue ribbon around Hawking's neck.
Also amongst the honorees was Bishop Desmond Tutu, the South African clergyman who has devoted his life to a fight against apartheid and racism in his country. Other recipients included the former Irish Premier Mary Robinson who was honored for her many contributions to women's rights, Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female Supreme Court Judge, Billie Jean King, tennis champion and advocate of gay rights and the Reverend Joseph Lowery, who led the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
The most striking figure present was the ninety something Joseph Medicine Crow. Medicine Crow is a noted historian and champion of the American Indian culture, whose grandfather was a scout for General Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn.
From the entertainment world actor and director Sidney Poiter and Chita Rivera, famous for his performance in West Side story were honored. Also on the list was breast cancer advocate Nancy Goodman Brinker and a Florida doctor, Pedro Jose Greer who helped provide health care for the poor in Florida. Also on hand to receive their awards were oncologist Janet Davison Rowley and Muhammad Yunus, who helps alleviate poverty by extending credit to the most needy.
Not all of the sixteen honorees were present however. The award to Harvey Milk is posthumous, the gay rights advocate was shot to death in 1978. His award was accepted by his nephew Stuart. Another posthumous award was presented to the family of Jack Kemp, former Republican congressman and football player.
Senator Ted Kennedy was also a recipient, but is still to ill to make the trip to Washington. Kennedy has spent much of his political career fighting for health care reform, a subject of course very much on the President's mind at the moment. His daughter Kara accepted his award in his absence.
The group was a representation of the first sixteen people to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Obama's term as President. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civil award that can be attained in the US.
Among the sixteen were a British scientist, the last living High Plains Indian Chief and one of the best known clergyman in the world.
The British scientist was Stephen Hawking, about whom Obama joked was "a brilliant man but a mediocre student. Obama went on to praise the author of the ground breaking " A Brief History of Time saying he was a man who "from his wheelchair has led us on a journey to the farthest and strangest reaches of to the furthest corners of the cosmos. In so doing, he has stirred our imagination and shown us the power of the human spirit here on earth." He then bent to affix the white and blue ribbon around Hawking's neck.
Also amongst the honorees was Bishop Desmond Tutu, the South African clergyman who has devoted his life to a fight against apartheid and racism in his country. Other recipients included the former Irish Premier Mary Robinson who was honored for her many contributions to women's rights, Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female Supreme Court Judge, Billie Jean King, tennis champion and advocate of gay rights and the Reverend Joseph Lowery, who led the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
The most striking figure present was the ninety something Joseph Medicine Crow. Medicine Crow is a noted historian and champion of the American Indian culture, whose grandfather was a scout for General Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn.
From the entertainment world actor and director Sidney Poiter and Chita Rivera, famous for his performance in West Side story were honored. Also on the list was breast cancer advocate Nancy Goodman Brinker and a Florida doctor, Pedro Jose Greer who helped provide health care for the poor in Florida. Also on hand to receive their awards were oncologist Janet Davison Rowley and Muhammad Yunus, who helps alleviate poverty by extending credit to the most needy.
Not all of the sixteen honorees were present however. The award to Harvey Milk is posthumous, the gay rights advocate was shot to death in 1978. His award was accepted by his nephew Stuart. Another posthumous award was presented to the family of Jack Kemp, former Republican congressman and football player.
Senator Ted Kennedy was also a recipient, but is still to ill to make the trip to Washington. Kennedy has spent much of his political career fighting for health care reform, a subject of course very much on the President's mind at the moment. His daughter Kara accepted his award in his absence.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Obama: Health Reform not about Government Takeover
During what was a rather calm and friendly town hall meeting on Tuesday night in Portsmouth, New Hampshire President Barack Obama sought to reassure both the assembled audience and the country at large that his health care reforms will leave doctors and their patients in charge, not the big health insurance companies or government agencies.
"This is not about putting the government in charge of your health insurance," Obama told the assembled audience at an area high school "I don't believe anyone should be in charge of your health insurance decisions except you and your doctor."
He added" I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling but I don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. Your health insurance will be there for you when it counts, not just when you're paying premiums," Those remarks drew him a sustained round of applause from the majority of the spectators.
Still, Obama has a long way to go. A national telephone survey conducted by Rasmussen reports showed that support for the President's plans has fallen to an all time low of 42%, while opposition has grown to 53%, a full 9 point increase since the end of June.
Although things inside the Portsmouth high school were relatively calm, cordial and Obama friendly at points during the day the mood of some of the crowd outside the hall was less conciliatory.
Outside, earlier in the day, reporters and members of the media covering the event spotted something that surprised even the most seasoned of them. William Kostnic, carrying a placard that read "It’s time to Water the Tree of Liberty" waited for the President to arrive in the grounds of a nearby church. Strapped to his leg observers noticed was a 9mm pistol. As New Hampshire state law decrees that a person may carry a weapon as long as it is not concealed the police declined to take any action against the man.
A bemused MSNBC anchor, in a live interview asked a local reporter on the scene "Just to be clear, You’re saying a guy has a gun in the open - where we already know there are concerns about every president's safety, but certainly this president... and the guy's just being allowed to stay there? Is that right?" The reporter replied that the law did allow Kostnic to do that and that the police were well aware of both his presence and the weapon he was carrying.
"This is not about putting the government in charge of your health insurance," Obama told the assembled audience at an area high school "I don't believe anyone should be in charge of your health insurance decisions except you and your doctor."
He added" I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling but I don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. Your health insurance will be there for you when it counts, not just when you're paying premiums," Those remarks drew him a sustained round of applause from the majority of the spectators.
Still, Obama has a long way to go. A national telephone survey conducted by Rasmussen reports showed that support for the President's plans has fallen to an all time low of 42%, while opposition has grown to 53%, a full 9 point increase since the end of June.
Although things inside the Portsmouth high school were relatively calm, cordial and Obama friendly at points during the day the mood of some of the crowd outside the hall was less conciliatory.
Outside, earlier in the day, reporters and members of the media covering the event spotted something that surprised even the most seasoned of them. William Kostnic, carrying a placard that read "It’s time to Water the Tree of Liberty" waited for the President to arrive in the grounds of a nearby church. Strapped to his leg observers noticed was a 9mm pistol. As New Hampshire state law decrees that a person may carry a weapon as long as it is not concealed the police declined to take any action against the man.
A bemused MSNBC anchor, in a live interview asked a local reporter on the scene "Just to be clear, You’re saying a guy has a gun in the open - where we already know there are concerns about every president's safety, but certainly this president... and the guy's just being allowed to stay there? Is that right?" The reporter replied that the law did allow Kostnic to do that and that the police were well aware of both his presence and the weapon he was carrying.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
President Barack Obamas Health Care Reforms & Deadly Doctors Attack
President Barack Obama is embroiled in the first real test of his mettle, the war that is building both on Capitol Hill and off over health care reform plans. Obama launches a new website 'Reality Check" to encourage his supporters to take his message viral, one of his own administration still stands as a major source of the controversy.
Dr Ezekiel Emmanuel, brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel currently holds two different positions within the Obama team: health-policy adviser at the Office of Management and Budget and a member of Federal Council on Comparative Effectiveness Research. This effectively makes him one of the top advisors on the subject and someone who could exert major influence on future health care policy.
His remarks over the last weeks and months though may have given rise to much of the opposition to the President's proposed reforms. As long ago as February of 2008, long before Obama's election he was making some rather strong statements. He wrote in Health Affairs "Vague promises of savings from cutting waste, enhancing prevention and wellness, installing electronic medical records and improving quality are merely 'lipstick' cost control, more for show and public relations than for true change,"
As the piece continued he opined that for real savings to occur doctors needed to change the way they thought and felt about the patients they treated. They take the Hippocratic Oath too seriously he complained as" an imperative to do everything for the patient regardless of the cost or effects on others"
Inflammatory opinions like that make some of the fears of the general public seem a little more understandable. Patients want, and indeed expect their physicians to put their health and well being above economic concerns and many doctors feel the same way.
From his writings it appears though that Emanuel does not feel that way. He prefers the notion of communitarianism, he believes that health care should be given to the non disabled, not to those "who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens . . . An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia".
From this some see denial of care for a relative with dementia, or as Sarah Palin alluded to, the care of a child with Down's syndrome.
These and other controversial opinions that Emanuel holds have provided ammunition for the opponents of health care reform. A brief Internet search brings up many more articles in which Emmanuel seems to show little compassion for entire sections of the population. Though these may not be the opinions of Obama himself having such a man at the very top of his list of advisors may be doing him very few favors.
Dr Ezekiel Emmanuel, brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel currently holds two different positions within the Obama team: health-policy adviser at the Office of Management and Budget and a member of Federal Council on Comparative Effectiveness Research. This effectively makes him one of the top advisors on the subject and someone who could exert major influence on future health care policy.
His remarks over the last weeks and months though may have given rise to much of the opposition to the President's proposed reforms. As long ago as February of 2008, long before Obama's election he was making some rather strong statements. He wrote in Health Affairs "Vague promises of savings from cutting waste, enhancing prevention and wellness, installing electronic medical records and improving quality are merely 'lipstick' cost control, more for show and public relations than for true change,"
As the piece continued he opined that for real savings to occur doctors needed to change the way they thought and felt about the patients they treated. They take the Hippocratic Oath too seriously he complained as" an imperative to do everything for the patient regardless of the cost or effects on others"
Inflammatory opinions like that make some of the fears of the general public seem a little more understandable. Patients want, and indeed expect their physicians to put their health and well being above economic concerns and many doctors feel the same way.
From his writings it appears though that Emanuel does not feel that way. He prefers the notion of communitarianism, he believes that health care should be given to the non disabled, not to those "who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens . . . An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia".
From this some see denial of care for a relative with dementia, or as Sarah Palin alluded to, the care of a child with Down's syndrome.
These and other controversial opinions that Emanuel holds have provided ammunition for the opponents of health care reform. A brief Internet search brings up many more articles in which Emmanuel seems to show little compassion for entire sections of the population. Though these may not be the opinions of Obama himself having such a man at the very top of his list of advisors may be doing him very few favors.
Obama urged to back $500 Billion Plan to create Energy efficient Buildings. Is This Essential?
One of the biggest issues that President Barack Obama campaigned on back in 2008 to gain access to the White House was the environment and the need to limit climate change. With the health care reform debate raging it may seem those concerns have been put onto the back burner over the last few months but several groups are urging the President not to forget his campaign promises and back a bill that it is said will aid the economic recovery in general as well as help alleviate the effects of global warming.
The $500 billion bill calls for an overhaul of US buildings to make them more energy efficient. According to the Center for American Progress the proposal would increase the efficiency of 40 percent of the nation's residential and commercial buildings by 2020. Aside from the obvious advantages for the environment in general the project is designed to create 625,000 new jobs and save families between $300 and $1,200 a year in energy costs.
The plan to revamp and refit the buildings, which consume a full 70% of the nation's electricity as well as emitting 40% of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, will be discussed at an energy conference in Las Vegas on Monday.
Returning into the spotlight again will be former President Bill Clinton and his former vice president Al Gore. Fresh off being the center of the release of the imprisoned American journalists Lisa Ling and Euna Lee last week they are both scheduled to speak, along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and investor T. Boone Pickens.
The event is a joint venture between the Center for American progress and senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, who is a native and representative of Nevada. The Senate democrats and the Obama administration are still trying to elicit support for their environmental reforms and the conference is designed to showcase reasonable plans and ideas.
The proposed legislation is designed to help spur the retrofitting of buildings by ensuring easier financing for such projects and help companies needed to make the renovations meet the potential demand for them.
But just like his health care reforms President Obama and his administration still have a fight ahead of them on these kinds of environmental issues. The last time legislation to limit greenhouse gases and control climate change went to the House it fell short, being defeated by a margin of 219-212 in June.
The $500 billion bill calls for an overhaul of US buildings to make them more energy efficient. According to the Center for American Progress the proposal would increase the efficiency of 40 percent of the nation's residential and commercial buildings by 2020. Aside from the obvious advantages for the environment in general the project is designed to create 625,000 new jobs and save families between $300 and $1,200 a year in energy costs.
The plan to revamp and refit the buildings, which consume a full 70% of the nation's electricity as well as emitting 40% of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, will be discussed at an energy conference in Las Vegas on Monday.
Returning into the spotlight again will be former President Bill Clinton and his former vice president Al Gore. Fresh off being the center of the release of the imprisoned American journalists Lisa Ling and Euna Lee last week they are both scheduled to speak, along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and investor T. Boone Pickens.
The event is a joint venture between the Center for American progress and senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, who is a native and representative of Nevada. The Senate democrats and the Obama administration are still trying to elicit support for their environmental reforms and the conference is designed to showcase reasonable plans and ideas.
The proposed legislation is designed to help spur the retrofitting of buildings by ensuring easier financing for such projects and help companies needed to make the renovations meet the potential demand for them.
But just like his health care reforms President Obama and his administration still have a fight ahead of them on these kinds of environmental issues. The last time legislation to limit greenhouse gases and control climate change went to the House it fell short, being defeated by a margin of 219-212 in June.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Health Reform Critical to US Long-term Economic Growth Says Obama.
When President Barack Obama decided to put health care reform to the very top of his list of priorities he knew he was in for a struggle, and it does not seem to be getting any easier as the debate goes along. He is still insistent however that health care reform is a vital part of his administrations plan for long term US economic growth.
Obama still feels that his proposed reforms of the health care system will provide quality, affordable health insurance for all Americans and help ease the financial burdens on both families and businesses as health care costs continue to rise.
"Health insurance reform shouldn't be about Washington politics. It's about American lives, businesses and our future,"he said in his weekly radio address. "Right now, we have a system that works well for the insurance industry, but that doesn't always work well for you. What we need, and what we will have when we pass health insurance reform, are consumer protections to make sure that those who have insurance are treated fairly and those insurance companies are held accountable."
However upbeat he may sound in his speeches though, he must be aware of the battle he still faces going ahead, both from political opponents and representatives of the health insurance industry.
A surprise attack on the President's plans came today from former Alaska Governor and failed vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The now private citizen sounded like she was back in full campaign mode in remarks she posted on her Facebook profile.
In her scathing post she wrote "The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s “death panel” so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their “level of productivity in society,” whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil."
Palin seems to be referring to a rumor that has been around for weeks, based on a possible provision of the bill that would require Medicare to pay for "end of life" counseling . Obama took on that rumor about a month ago at a town hall meeting. He said at the time "Nobody is going to be forcing you to make a set of decisions on end-of-life care based on some bureaucratic law in Washington,"
Obama still feels that his proposed reforms of the health care system will provide quality, affordable health insurance for all Americans and help ease the financial burdens on both families and businesses as health care costs continue to rise.
"Health insurance reform shouldn't be about Washington politics. It's about American lives, businesses and our future,"he said in his weekly radio address. "Right now, we have a system that works well for the insurance industry, but that doesn't always work well for you. What we need, and what we will have when we pass health insurance reform, are consumer protections to make sure that those who have insurance are treated fairly and those insurance companies are held accountable."
However upbeat he may sound in his speeches though, he must be aware of the battle he still faces going ahead, both from political opponents and representatives of the health insurance industry.
A surprise attack on the President's plans came today from former Alaska Governor and failed vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The now private citizen sounded like she was back in full campaign mode in remarks she posted on her Facebook profile.
In her scathing post she wrote "The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s “death panel” so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their “level of productivity in society,” whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil."
Palin seems to be referring to a rumor that has been around for weeks, based on a possible provision of the bill that would require Medicare to pay for "end of life" counseling . Obama took on that rumor about a month ago at a town hall meeting. He said at the time "Nobody is going to be forcing you to make a set of decisions on end-of-life care based on some bureaucratic law in Washington,"
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Despite Clinton Mission Obama, White House Says “Nothing had Changed” with North Korea.
Despite Clinton Mission Obama, White House Says “Nothing had Changed” with North Korea.
White House officials deliberately held back from making any conciliatory gestures to North Korea a day after former President Bill Clinton returned from the country having secures the release of two American women held there since March.
The message from official White House spokesman Robert Gibbs on Thursday was that U.S policy towards North Korea has not changed in any way as a result of Clinton’s private mission.
Gibbs repeated the now familiar position that the US holds on the issue, that U.N sanctions will be upheld to ensure that the “weapons of mass destruction” held by the North Koreans are not spread.
In his first public statements since returning to the U.S Bill Clinton seemed to be measuring his words very carefully.
"I wanted those young women to be able to come home and I wanted our two countries to have the ability to decide where to go from here," he said. "But anything I say beyond that could inadvertently affect the decisions and moves either here or in North Korea and I have no business doing that. I'm not a policymaker anymore."
President Obama’s national security adviser, General Jim Jones, was a little more forthcoming than Robert Gibbs, but equally firm about the fact that at the moment nothing has changed about Obama’s stance toward Kim Jong II and his policies. When he was asked by the press corps if anything had changed as a result of Clinton’s mission he replied "No, I don't think so. I think that this was a humanitarian mission." He then went on to add “We certainly hope it will lead to good things. Who knows where the future will lead? ... We're delighted that it worked out this way, but I wouldn't draw any other conclusions beyond the fact."
Former President Clinton has been briefing both State and White House officials about his 90 minute meeting with the reclusive Kim Jong II. He said he had a brief telephone conversation with President Obama and as one might expect a far longer conversation with the Secretary of State, his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In an interview with CNN Hillary Clinton said “What we're hoping is that maybe, without it being part of the mission in a way, the fact this was done will perhaps lead the North Koreans to recognize they can have a positive relationship with us”.
Although it is presumed that the two Presidents will meet for a further discussion at some point a meeting between Barack Obama and Bill Clinton has yet to be scheduled.
Obama to Meet Leaders of Mexico, Canada
President Barack Obama will travel to Mexico on Sunday to attend his first summit with his Canadian and Mexican counterparts, in a meeting that the latter hope will shed light on how the U.S. plans to address trade disputes involving Mexican trucks and "Buy American" provisions seen as favoring U.S. companies.
Mr. Obama, Mexican President Felipe Calderón and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper are slated to touch on a wide range of topics in the two-day North American Leaders' Summit, including economic, energy, climate and security issues.
Canadian and Mexican officials said their countries will focus on trade, with Messrs. Harper and Calderón closely gauging Mr. Obama's response to disagreements over "Buy America" provisions in the U.S. economic-stimulus plan, and Washington's ban on Mexican trucks operating in the U.S.
The officials said Mr. Obama's positions on those issues could serve as a bellwether of the president's broader attitude toward Canada and Mexico, the U.S.'s first- and third-largest trading partners.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. is required to allow Mexican trucks to cross the border into the U.S., but U.S. trucking companies and other critics have opposed such a move, arguing Mexican trucks aren't safe. A pilot program allowed a small number of Mexican trucks to ply U.S. highways, but Congress killed that program in March following lobbying by the Teamsters Union, which represents U.S. trucking companies, among others.
Mexico retaliated by slapping an estimated $2.4 billion in tariffs on 89 industrial and agricultural products, ranging from potatoes and pears to precious-metals jewelry. Mexican truckers are also suing the U.S. under the NAFTA trade deal for $6 billion in compensation.
Mexican trucks shipping goods into the U.S. now must stop at the border to allow the goods to be reloaded onto U.S. trucks. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that this process adds about $400 million to the cost of U.S. imports from Mexico each year.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs declined to discuss U.S. negotiations on the issue in advance of the summit. "We don't expect to announce anything big coming out of this weekend," he said.
Transportation Department spokesman Sasha Johnson said, "We continue to work to find a solution that addresses the concerns of Congress and is consistent with our international obligations."
Canadian officials said they plan to raise "Buy American" legislative provisions that it worries could exclude Canadian companies from construction projects receiving economic-stimulus funding. The U.S. steel and building-materials industries have pressed to retain those provisions, which favor U.S. vendors and contractors for certain materials and labor in some stimulus-funded projects.
"The president insisted that whatever 'Buy American' provisions were put into the stimulus bill be consistent with our international obligations," Michael Froman, deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs, told reporters on Thursday. He said the U.S. was in talks with Canada and other trading partners about how to "implement the 'Buy American' provision in a way consistent with the law, consistent with our international obligations, while minimizing disruption to trade."
The three leaders are also expected to discuss cooperation on economic-recovery efforts, climate change and energy. Other topics on the agenda include how to control the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, which is believed to have originated in Mexico, and how to assist the Mexican government combat escalating violence among warring narcotics traffickers.
The North American Leaders' Summit has been held annually since 2005, with the aim of promoting cooperation among the countries on a variety of issues.
Mr. Obama, Mexican President Felipe Calderón and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper are slated to touch on a wide range of topics in the two-day North American Leaders' Summit, including economic, energy, climate and security issues.
Canadian and Mexican officials said their countries will focus on trade, with Messrs. Harper and Calderón closely gauging Mr. Obama's response to disagreements over "Buy America" provisions in the U.S. economic-stimulus plan, and Washington's ban on Mexican trucks operating in the U.S.
The officials said Mr. Obama's positions on those issues could serve as a bellwether of the president's broader attitude toward Canada and Mexico, the U.S.'s first- and third-largest trading partners.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. is required to allow Mexican trucks to cross the border into the U.S., but U.S. trucking companies and other critics have opposed such a move, arguing Mexican trucks aren't safe. A pilot program allowed a small number of Mexican trucks to ply U.S. highways, but Congress killed that program in March following lobbying by the Teamsters Union, which represents U.S. trucking companies, among others.
Mexico retaliated by slapping an estimated $2.4 billion in tariffs on 89 industrial and agricultural products, ranging from potatoes and pears to precious-metals jewelry. Mexican truckers are also suing the U.S. under the NAFTA trade deal for $6 billion in compensation.
Mexican trucks shipping goods into the U.S. now must stop at the border to allow the goods to be reloaded onto U.S. trucks. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that this process adds about $400 million to the cost of U.S. imports from Mexico each year.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs declined to discuss U.S. negotiations on the issue in advance of the summit. "We don't expect to announce anything big coming out of this weekend," he said.
Transportation Department spokesman Sasha Johnson said, "We continue to work to find a solution that addresses the concerns of Congress and is consistent with our international obligations."
Canadian officials said they plan to raise "Buy American" legislative provisions that it worries could exclude Canadian companies from construction projects receiving economic-stimulus funding. The U.S. steel and building-materials industries have pressed to retain those provisions, which favor U.S. vendors and contractors for certain materials and labor in some stimulus-funded projects.
"The president insisted that whatever 'Buy American' provisions were put into the stimulus bill be consistent with our international obligations," Michael Froman, deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs, told reporters on Thursday. He said the U.S. was in talks with Canada and other trading partners about how to "implement the 'Buy American' provision in a way consistent with the law, consistent with our international obligations, while minimizing disruption to trade."
The three leaders are also expected to discuss cooperation on economic-recovery efforts, climate change and energy. Other topics on the agenda include how to control the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, which is believed to have originated in Mexico, and how to assist the Mexican government combat escalating violence among warring narcotics traffickers.
The North American Leaders' Summit has been held annually since 2005, with the aim of promoting cooperation among the countries on a variety of issues.
Drug industry helping Obama overhaul health care
WASHINGTON — The nation's drugmakers stand ready to spend $150 million to help President Barack Obama overhaul health care this fall, according to numerous officials, a staggering sum that could dwarf attempts to derail Obama's top domestic priority.
The White House and allies in Congress are well aware of the effort by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a somewhat surprising political alliance, given the drug industry's recent history of siding with Republicans and the Democrats' disdain for special interests.
The campaign, now in its early stages, includes television advertising under PhRMA's own name and commercials aired in conjunction with the liberal group, Families USA.
Numerous people with knowledge of PhRMA's plans said they had been told it would likely reach $150 million and perhaps $200 million. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to divulge details.
Additionally, the industry is the major contributor to Healthy Economy Now, which recently completed a $12 million round of advertising nationally and in several states. The ads were made by firms with close ties to Democrats and the White House and generally reflected the administration's changing rhetoric on health care.
In an interview, Ken Johnson, senior vice president of PhRMA, said, "We will have a significant presence over the August recess, both on television and newspapers and on radio, but we have not finalized details for our fall campaign."
Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, said the partnership with the deep-pocketed drug industry is one of mutual self-interest, even though the two groups disagree on numerous issues. "We want to achieve coverage for everyone. For PhRMA, this would improve volume for prescription sales because everyone" would have better access to medicine, he said.
Any health care bill that makes it to Obama's desk is expected to extend health insurance to the nearly 50 million who now lack it. That would mean a huge new pool of potential customers for drug companies and other health care providers. That, in turn, has created an incentive to offer concessions to the White House and lawmakers in hopes of shaping the bill, rather than simply opposing it.
Drugmakers were the first group to reach agreement with the White House and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., announcing several weeks ago that they would absorb $80 billion in costs over a decade.
Even before the announcement, according to several individuals, the White House sought help from PhRMA in passing legislation.
Now, with the legislation under attack, the industry is providing key support during August as Republicans work to inflict a high-profile defeat on the president.
A significantly more ambitious advertising effort by PhRMA is expected to begin around Labor Day.
Jim Messina, a deputy White House chief of staff who is deeply involved in the administration's health care effort, brought Democratic senators up to date recently on the help PhRMA, labor unions and other outside groups are providing.
At the same time, the drugmakers are counting on the White House to block efforts by House Democrats to extract more than $80 billion from their industry in the legislation.
The partnership is complicated because many Democrats in both the House and Senate oppose key goals of the drug industry. Liberals, in particular, favor the importation of prescription medicine from Canada and other countries. They also want the government to have authority to negotiate directly with companies for lower drug prices under Medicare.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has been critical of drug manufacturers, and Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said several weeks ago the House was not bound by PhRMA and Baucus' agreement.
By the White House tally, overall advertising so far by PhRMA and other supporters of the bill has swamped efforts by opponents. Republican strategists concede it would be extremely difficult to match an effort of the size PhRMA is planning.
For comparative purposes, 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain was limited to spending $84 million a year ago when he accepted government funding for his fall campaign.
Independent calculations show Healthy Economy Now has spent about $12 million on three ads that ran nationally and in 17 states and the District of Columbia.
The messages meshed with the White House's changing rhetoric. An ad that began in mid-June said patients would be able to choose their own doctors. Another, launched in mid-July, focused on consumer protections, including a ban on insurance companies denying coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions.
To make the ads, the group hired GMMB, a political consulting and advocacy advertising firm with close ties to the White House and Senate Democrats, as well as AKPD, top White House strategist David Axelrod's former firm.
Jeremy Van Ess, a spokesman for Health Economy Now, said the decisions were made by the organization, and not at the White House's request.
"Absolutely not. ... It's no secret in Washington that these two firms we had are the best out there," he said.
PhRMA/Families USA spent about $5.7 million in nationwide advertising for the two months ending Aug. 9, according to information compiled by a different organization.
Two weeks ago, the drug industry added another weapon to its arsenal, launching a series of ads under its own name in a few key states at a cost of about $1 million so far.
Among them is Nevada, where the industry has purchased time through Labor Day to air commercials thanking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for his efforts to pass health care reform. Reid's public approval is weak in the state, although he does not yet have a Republican opponent for 2010.
While the White House and Democrats benefit from PhRMA's help, they seem reluctant to discuss it openly.
When PhRMA became the first big health care provider to agree to accept reductions as part of legislation, Obama made the announcement at the White House with the head of AARP in attendance. Billy Tauzin, the former Republican congressman who is head of PhRMA, was not invited.
More recently, Reid omitted the drugmakers from a list of outside interests trying to help pass legislation.
The drug industry's campaign is the culmination of a broader shift it has undertaken. A few years ago, the industry hired Steve McMahon, a longtime Democratic strategist, to oversee its political advertising.
Drugmakers have also funneled more money to Democrats in recent years, a trend that began soon after they gained control of Congress.
Obama denies US creating military bases in Colombia
* Obama: no intention of sending large numbers of troops
* Venezuela's Chavez says U.S. plan a step toward war
* Obama says opposition is "anti-Yankee rhetoric"
WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday denied the United States is planning to set up military bases in Colombia as part of an upgraded security agreement with the South American nation.
"There have been those in the region who have been trying to play this up as part of a traditional anti-Yankee rhetoric. This is not accurate," Obama told Hispanic media reporters.
Leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez -- a persistent critic of Washington -- has said the enhanced U.S.-Colombian security plan could be a step toward war in South America. On Sunday, Chavez called on Obama not to increase the U.S. military presence in Colombia.
Obama said this was a myth.
"We have had a security agreement with Colombia for many years now. We have updated that agreement. We have no intent in establishing a U.S. military base in Colombia," Obama said.
"This is continuation of assistance that we had been providing them. We have no intention of sending large numbers of additional troops into Colombia, and we have every interest in seeing Colombia and its neighbors operate peacefully."
The new security arrangement would allow the Pentagon to lease access to seven Colombian military bases for U.S. support in fighting drug traffickers and guerrillas involved in the cocaine trade.
The agreement would also increase the number of American troops in Colombia above the current total of less than 300 but not more than 800, the maximum permitted under the existing pact.
Colombia has accused Ecuador and Venezuela of assisting Marxist FARC rebels waging a four-decade-old guerrilla war against the Colombian state.
"I think Colombia has some legitimate concerns about the FARC operating from over the border. I hope that could be resolved in conversations with its neighbors," Obama said. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle, editing by Eric Beech)
* Venezuela's Chavez says U.S. plan a step toward war
* Obama says opposition is "anti-Yankee rhetoric"
WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday denied the United States is planning to set up military bases in Colombia as part of an upgraded security agreement with the South American nation.
"There have been those in the region who have been trying to play this up as part of a traditional anti-Yankee rhetoric. This is not accurate," Obama told Hispanic media reporters.
Leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez -- a persistent critic of Washington -- has said the enhanced U.S.-Colombian security plan could be a step toward war in South America. On Sunday, Chavez called on Obama not to increase the U.S. military presence in Colombia.
Obama said this was a myth.
"We have had a security agreement with Colombia for many years now. We have updated that agreement. We have no intent in establishing a U.S. military base in Colombia," Obama said.
"This is continuation of assistance that we had been providing them. We have no intention of sending large numbers of additional troops into Colombia, and we have every interest in seeing Colombia and its neighbors operate peacefully."
The new security arrangement would allow the Pentagon to lease access to seven Colombian military bases for U.S. support in fighting drug traffickers and guerrillas involved in the cocaine trade.
The agreement would also increase the number of American troops in Colombia above the current total of less than 300 but not more than 800, the maximum permitted under the existing pact.
Colombia has accused Ecuador and Venezuela of assisting Marxist FARC rebels waging a four-decade-old guerrilla war against the Colombian state.
"I think Colombia has some legitimate concerns about the FARC operating from over the border. I hope that could be resolved in conversations with its neighbors," Obama said. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle, editing by Eric Beech)
add add * American economy saved from 'catastrophe':Obama
Lalit K Jha
Washington, Aug 7 (PTI) US President Barack Obama today said his administration has pulled the American economy back from the brink and the worst of the recession may be over, after a surprise drop in the unemployment rate.
"While we have rescued our economy from catastrophe, we have also begun to build a new foundation for growth," Obama said in his remarks on the US economy at White House.
"We have pulled the financial system back from the brink, and a rising market is restoring value to those 401(k)s that are the foundation of a secure retirement," the President said, but also warned that tough times lay ahead before the economy would be restored to full prosperity.
Obama's remarks came following latest figures this morning which revealed that there has been few less job losses than previous months.
Washington, Aug 7 (PTI) US President Barack Obama today said his administration has pulled the American economy back from the brink and the worst of the recession may be over, after a surprise drop in the unemployment rate.
"While we have rescued our economy from catastrophe, we have also begun to build a new foundation for growth," Obama said in his remarks on the US economy at White House.
"We have pulled the financial system back from the brink, and a rising market is restoring value to those 401(k)s that are the foundation of a secure retirement," the President said, but also warned that tough times lay ahead before the economy would be restored to full prosperity.
Obama's remarks came following latest figures this morning which revealed that there has been few less job losses than previous months.
Barack Obama - The Challenges of a Life Time
We should be proud of Mr. Obama and what he has accomplished. It has been a long and arduous road. The campaign is over. The hard work begins. Barack has promised change. Change comes from within. Most Americans voted for change. That is all well and good. But we should stop that common misconception that it is a leader who can bring change. Leaders can only initiate change, but whatever they do, they cannot change the country if the citizens won't cooperate. No candidate can "really" change things. You can (Yes you can). And, since there are a lot of changes that need to be made, it must be a common effort and we need a mutual understanding to be able to achieve things. Each and every citizen (young and old) should make a self evaluation and have the will to change. Once the assessment is made, when everyone changes then change can happen. It is good leadership and willing citizens that will make change happen.
Mr. Obama faces great tasks ahead. We need to look at ourselves and remember that we are intelligent beings and, we must stop relying on an external locus of control. We must promote "self growth." We are looking at Mr. Obama as the great beacon of hope, the anointed one, the messiah, to come and heal our ills. While Mr. Obama wants an economic recovery package that may help our sagging economy, and help restore jobs, our response should be to evaluate "us" and start "helping us." Mr. Obama is not going to pay your mortgage, fill up your tank, or feed your children, that is not what is meant by helping the middle class. He will address the problem in our economy, it is up to us to become resourceful and seek help if and when it is needed. You must become an active being.
He is a brilliant man. Barack is contemplative, deliberate, serene, and collective. He does not appear as one who is quick to act. I can't wait to see what he'll do next. Now that the "reality" is set in and Mr. Obama is our president, he is going to have to deal with the financial crisis, Russia's aggression, Iraq, Iran, unemployment, the middle class, and bailouts, etc. It won't be a stroll in the park. We won't agree with some of his choices; but, according to him, he will "listen especially when we disagree." I almost feel sorry for the man. While it is good to expect the best, however, it is too great of expectations to bestow on Mr. Obama. He is going to be pulled in all different directions. Any president who comes into a situation like the one we are facing now is going to be faced with unpopular choices. It's just which choice is going to be the right one. Everyone can't and won't agree. May God help him!
The change we need is change of self. If someone tells us that we all have to be responsible for our actions, take control of our health, consider our food choices, and stop using so much energy . . . would you have elected him? People don't like to hear about their flaws. What this would do is annoy people as they are told what they are doing wrong. Unfortunately people don't like to face to reality. People would rather hear a bunch of false promises that can't be fulfilled. What we need to change most of all are ourselves. We need to learn to respect ourselves, listen to one another, move away from hate, stop the blaming, take responsibility for you choices. Change begins at "home." Only you can determine the changes you want.
We all need to make changes within ourselves in order for our country to improve. Those expectations we have on Barack are totally unrealistic. He cannot take us out of the ghetto, or feed our families. He cannot make the teacher give your child good grades. He cannot make your son or daughter go to college. He cannot make your neighborhood safer. He cannot discipline your teenager. You must take action. A lot of people are waiting for Mr. Obama to make things better, and to repair the ills in their lives. Everyone feels that Mr. Obama is that messiah, that beacon of hope who is going to make their lives better. He can't and he won't. If you don't take control of your actions, and life goes wrong, it is not Mr. Obama's fault but your own. You must take charge. Barrack Obama is not a panacea.
A President can have all sort of goodie planned in their list of things to do, but without the support of Congress, all of those ideas are meaningless. Mr. Obama's thesis highlights change; all that is well and good; as a result, some people blindly flock to the "idea" of change, even when they don't know what that change is. Change starts in your home, in your neighborhood, in our schools, in your job, in your "self" and only you can make that change. You have the power to determine your destiny by the choices you make. You are the only one who has the power to change by taking charge of your life. Barack has. This is something you can take from Barack; that is, he has made a change for him by focusing on his actions, and his choices. He is a doer. With great action, and sound choices, you yield positive results. Don't bask in Mr. Obama's hard work, and sound choices, they are things he has earned. You must take action and create your own destiny. You may stumble. However, you can't fail if you don't give up.
I truly do not think any one person should have as much pressure on their shoulders as this man does. America must work together to regain its greatness. In order to achieve that greatness, you must make positive changes for yourself in your life. Mr. Obama cannot change your life for you. You have that power. You have to do the best you can in order to make things happen for you, in your life. I hope that you understand that no matter who is President, you have to be responsible. You must take charge of your life. You have the power to make your own change. Find a passion, and become passionate about your passion.
The fact that we have elected a Black President does not mean we now have racial equality. It is a wonderful idea toward equality. You can't think that Mr. Obama is going to change the world and all of its ills. If you think that having a black president will change the mind your racist neighbors, or how they feel about you, you are mistaken. Barack, being president, is not going to change people's mind about their preconceive ideas, and, or prejudices. No one can do that except you. You have to change. Your life is like a garden that must be cultivated. It is up to you to decide wether you want to: grow nice green grass, have beautiful hedges, and flowers. Wether you tend to your garden or not, it will grow. It is up to you to grow the desired shrubs. Cultivate your garden. Barack has cultivated his garden by the choices he has made. He has completed his education, gotten married, and is a true daddy to two darling young girls. He did not just father them. You can use his achievements as a template to better yourself, by going to school, get off the street corner, stop selling and using drugs, clean up your neighborhood, read different books. (Reading is the window to the world.) This change in your attitude in turn will change the quality of your life. Tend to your garden. We must work together, to get the job done.
While I am jubilant and proud that someone "different" has been elected to preside over our country, I can't, for the life of me, understand why some of you feel that Barack will have a direct influence on your life. Only his immediate family has the right to assume that stance. He's just a man, who got where he is by challenging himself, by making good choices, all the while, trying to discover who he is, and where he fits in. He is smart, ambitious and a very hard worker. He sets lofty goals for himself and strives to obtain them. As a result of his actions, he thrives. Mr. Obama finds a passion and became passionate about it. Once you have passion, you can become whatever you so desire. You need to have passion. Mr. Obama is a passionate man. He tends to his garden. He cultivates his garden. You can look up to Mr. Obama in that way. Use his model. Make him your role model. Plant the seeds that you want to grow in your garden and tend to it. You can use his success to motivate "you" to go back to school, to make something of yourself, to stop cutting classes, to stop being disruptive in school and allowing the teachers do their job. You must cultivate your garden. " Yes you can" Mr. Obama cannot tend to your garden for you.
It's time to stop blaming or relying on external forces, and start accepting responsibility. It's you who did not pay attention in school and eventually drops out. It's you who break the law. It's you who do drugs. Whether you tend to your garden or not, it will grow. Only you can determine what types of plant grow in your garden.
Here is a list of ways to better yourself: Don't rely on others; Get an education. Even if you're working for minimum wage, or doing something you may find trivial, that's fine. Just Whatever you do, make sure you give it your best and do it well.
Either use protection or stay with the women you impregnate. Abortions should not be used as a form of birth control. Be either more careful, or live with your choices. Don't abandon your kid.
Stay in school. The work is not that hard, it becomes difficult when you don't pay attention or you are too busy disrupting class. If you actually pay attention in class, the work is manageable. Put away the flashy cell phone, stop bragging about your expensive clothes, Stop getting the bathroom-pass for the sole purpose of showing off your brand-new overpriced sneakers. Actually focus on the lessons.
Lay off the drugs. You don't need weed or crack. You have the potential to be something great. Cultivate your garden, trim your hedges. "Yes you can."
Become a seeker; seek knowledge. Ask your teachers for help if you lack understanding of the subject they teach. Become the "Obama" in your neighborhood. You can achieve any goal. You have to make that choice. You have to stand up for the changes you want in your life. Achievements start from within. Use your inner strength, focus on your internal energy. Create a goal and achieve it. "Yes you can"
No president since FDR and Reagan have had a tougher road ahead of him than this new president-elect. Barack Obama has daunting tasks ahead. He does not need to have your unrealistic "expectations" weighing on him. He has to confront an economic crisis that does not look like it is going to go away anytime soon. He has to take the necessary steps in easing the credit crisis while helping working families to restore growth and prosperity. He has many decisions to make on different level such as: National security and the financial crisis. The fundamentals of our economy are not strong at this time. As a new generation of leadership, he has to continuously revise his goals.
It is important that Mr. Obama gets going quickly. Big problems need big deliberate solution. He needs to be careful, decisive and very thorough in his analysis. Whomever he selects, I am sure, will be the best for the job. Obama, apparently, has an open mind. Hopefully, he will pick the best team he can find, and the team will work as a whole allowing him to meet his objective. While we are proud, excited about this turn in our history, we may feel a bit of uncertainty with a hint of pessimism and fear. Obviously this uneasiness is not due to our lack of confidence in Barack, but because he has an arduous road ahead. Do your part, become an active being, take action, make sound choices. "Water your lawn", cultivate your garden. "Yes you can."
Obama Signs Cash for Clunkers Extension into Law.
President Barack Obama signed a new bill on Friday that will keep the very popular “Cash for Clunkers” program going.
Both the Senate and the President acted quickly so that the extension, which provides for another $2 billion in funding for the program, could be signed into law before the August recess begins. The House had already voted by a comfortable margin to extend the program last week.
So far the “Cash for Clunkers” program has been far more successful than perhaps anyone had imagined it might be. Since first being enacted in July the original $1 billion in funding is already gone.
Under the terms of the scheme, those purchasing a new, fuel efficient car after July 1st 2009 are eligible for refund vouchers of either $3,500 or $4,500 if they trade in an old gas guzzler. In order to be considered the trade in vehicle has to have a combined city and highway fuel economy rating of 18 m.p.g or less.
Many of the people who have taken advantage of the “Cash For Clunkers” program describe themselves as “fence sitters”. They had been considering trading in their old cars for a new upgrade and for many taking advantage of the savings offered by the program pushed them onto the car lots.
To obtain the credit buyers must purchase a new car that has a fuel economy rating of at least 22 m.p.g. and although the program was designed in part to aid the ailing American car industry, foreign cars are eligible for the program as well.
But what cars are people buying when they take advantage of the Cash for Clunkers program? According to government data the big winners have been compact and hybrid cars, which are exactly what the Obama government hoped, would be the case.
Coming in at number one is the Ford Focus, a compact model that gets a very respectable 27-28 combined highway/city fuel economy rating. The highest ranking hybrid car is the Honda Civic which places third on the list. The Toyota Prius, another hybrid, which can achieve an astonishing 46 m.p.g. is fourth.
Although the program is so successful, this is likely to be the last time it will be extended. According to Michigan Democratic Senator Carl Levin getting enough votes to extend the program this time was a hard task, and he does not believe that Congress will be willing to extend it again.
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