POLSzology

Kennedy Dies Aged 77 Years - GoodBye Teddy

2009-08-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

Sen. Ted Kennedy dies at age 77 after year-long battle with brain cancer...aggregation of news sources (image: AP Photo):

"Edward M. Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port (Massachusetts)," the Kennedy family said in a statement. Kennedy was diagnosed in May 2008 ...Senator Edward M. Kennedy is dead
Boston Globe - Martin F. Nolan - ‎25 minutes ago‎

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who carried aloft the torch of a Massachusetts dynasty and championed a liberal ideology during almost a half century in the Senate, but whose personal and political failings may have ...Edward Kennedy, Senate Stalwart, Dies
New York Times - John M. Broder - ‎40 minutes ago‎

Senator Edward M. Kennedy worked on his remarks before a Patient's Bill of Rights rally at the Capitol in 2001. By JOHN M. BRODER Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, a son of one of the most storied families in American politics, a man who knew ...

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"It let us have the chance to tell him how much we love him," said his son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (DR.I.). "And him to be there to hear it."
more by Patrick Kennedy - 27 minutes ago - New York Daily News

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Edward Kennedy dies at 77; 'liberal lion of the Senate'
Los Angeles Times - ‎25 minutes ago‎

The Massachusetts Democrat was the last surviving brother of a legendary political family. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2008. By Rich Simon and Claudia Luther Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the Massachusetts Democrat and icon of American liberal ...Sen. Edward Kennedy Dies After Battle With Cancer
Wall Street Journal - Naftali Bendavid - ‎17 minutes ago

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WASHINGTON -- Sen. Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy, a liberal icon and frequent Republican target who was one of the longest-serving and most accomplished lawmakers of the modern era, has died at age 77. In succumbing to brain cancer at ...

Ted Kennedy's Succession Plan: The NYT Comes Out Against It
Wall Street Journal Blogs - Ashby Jones - ‎15 hours ago

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It's not every day that the writers of the New York Times's daily editorials see eye-to-eye with the writers of the Wall Street Journal's ...Ted Kennedy Dies
The Right Perspective - ‎34 minutes ago

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Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy has died after an extended battle with brain cancer. He was 77. The “liberal lion of the Senate,” who was diagnosed with ...Will Another Kennedy Replace Teddy in the Senate?
Human Events - John Gizzi - ‎Aug 25, 2009

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Last week came the surprising letter from Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) urging Democratic leaders in the Massachusetts legislature to change ...
Kennedy's death another chapter in healthcare saga
Reuters - Thomas Ferraro - ‎13 minutes ago

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Edward Kennedy's death comes as a political struggle appears to be chipping away at the Democratic ...Kennedy death puts family dynasty in doubt
Reuters - Jason Szep - ‎19 minutes ago

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BOSTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Senator Edward Kennedy's death marks the twilight of one of America's most fabled political families, with no heirs ...US Senator Edward Kennedy Dies
Voice of America - ‎27 minutes ago‎

By VOA News US Senator Edward Kennedy, the youngest member of a politically powerful family that produced a US president, has died of brain cancer at the ...
Massachusetts, USA
Successor plan gains steam
Boston Herald - Hillary Chabot - ‎2 hours ago

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House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo has given his behind-closed-doors blessing to an effort to hand Gov. Deval Patrick the power to appoint a ...Is Kennedy hypocrisy contagious?
Boston Herald - ‎19 hours ago‎

We live in Massachusetts. We don't need any stickin' rules. Democrats are allowed to run amok. Just look at the track record of the Senator schilling for ...Murray may shift on Kennedy Senate request
Boston Globe - Frank Phillips - ‎Aug 25, 2009

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Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray, who had privately expressed opposition to Senator Edward M. Kennedy's plea for a temporary ...
Boston, MA, USA
Edward M. Kennedy's roar falls on deaf ears
Boston Herald - Hillary Chabot - ‎Aug 24, 2009‎

A legislative committee co-chairman overseeing a bill to hand Gov. Deval Patrick the power to appoint a temporary successor to ailing US ...White House: Decision on Kennedy seat is a local one
Boston Herald - Gayle Fee - ‎Aug 24, 2009

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OAK BLUFFS - The White House refused to get dragged into the controversy surrounding US Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's coveted Senate seat today, ...Pol: Edward M. Kennedy uproar GOP 'nonsense'
Boston Herald - Edward Mason - ‎Aug 23, 2009‎

A Democratic state senator pushing for swift approval of a plan that would let Gov. Deval Patrick name a successor to ailing Sen. ...
District of Columbia, USA
Mass. Sen. Ted Kennedy, Dies at 77, After Cancer Battle
Washington Post - Joe Holley - ‎27 minutes ago‎

Edward M. Kennedy, one of the most powerful and influential senators in American history and one of three brothers whose political triumphs ...Ted Kennedy, 77, dies on Cape Cod
Politico - David Rogers - ‎38 minutes ago‎

Edward Moore Kennedy, Camelot's youngest brother who never reached the White House but grew into the most accomplished ...In tragic family, Kennedy had gift of years
The Hill - Taylor Rushing - ‎33 minutes ago

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Obama's First 100 Days: 63 Days In & Counting

2009-03-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

We are 63 days into the administration of President Obama...and where does the American public's approval rating on him stand regarding the following categories such as Overall Administration, Economy, Energy, Healthcare, Education, Military Conflicts, Diplomacy, Domestic Security??? Personally, the only guide-stick I am using to determine his success as a President is simply that if Obama can keep Americans safe for the duration of his term, then I will consider him a more than adequate leader of our nation. The many other challenges that face him I hold as a distant set of items that need his attention...keeping us safe from threats of any kind, especially on our soil should be his prime concern...because a safe America will be a strong America. According to the latest CNN polls the aforementioned categories show approval ratings as follows (click on the image at left to get a better view of the results in a pie chart format):

OVERALL: 64% approve / 34% disapprove / 2% no opinion

ECONOMY: 59% approve / 49% disapprove / 1% no opinion

ENERGY: 63% approve / 33% disapprove / 4% no opinion

HEALTHCARE: 57% approve / 41% disapprove / 2% no opinion

EDUCATION: 65% approve / 30% disapprove / 5% no opinion

MILITARY CONFLICTS: 67% approve / 29% disapprove / 5% no opinion

DIPLOMACY: 66% approve / 28% disapprove / 6% no opinion

DOMESTIC SECURITY: 61% approve / 35% disapprove / 4% no opinion

Obama's Cabinet Nominees Still In Turmoil

2009-02-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

President Barack Obama has now filled nearly all of the major posts in his new administration...but some shuffling of people chosen is still going on. More turmoil in the choices occurred today, February 3rd when Republican Senator Judd Gregg was announced as the nominee for the Commerce Secretary cabinet role. Ironically, Mr. Gregg voted to abolish the Commerce Department in 1995!!! At least half (8) of the 15 Cabinet appointees are millionaires. Now, Tom Daschle has just withdrawn his name for the Health and Human Services Secretary this after only several hours ago that Nancy Killefer, who had been picked by Obama to serve as the country's chief performance officer, had withdrawn from consideration for the post. The 15 Cabinet members and four other Cabinet-level officials (the U.N. ambassador, E.P.A. administrator, budget chief and trade representative) remain subject to Senate confirmation. Click this link for the latest nominee profiles and photos as well as confirmation status regarding the Obama Cabinet. Also here is the slideshow of Obama's staff on Vanity Fair.

Obama's First Mistake As President

2009-01-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

Oh well... just seconds into his term, President Barack Obama made a mistake about the history of his new office. In the second paragraph of his inaugural address, Obama said, “Forty four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.” Sorry. While Obama IS the 44th president, he is actually only the 43rd American to take the oath. Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms. He is counted as the 22nd president, serving from 1885 to 1889. He won back theoffice four years later, and is counted also as the 24th president, serving again from 1893-1897. Two presidents – but one American.

source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/

See Obama's Inauguration Live On The Internet !!!

2009-01-19T13:00:00.000-08:00

The SCHEDULE: Presidential Inaugural Committee's full schedule of events is available here with the following ways to experience it listed below via the internet by streaming, phone or social web technologies:

Via STREAMING:

The Official Sites: Just in case you don't have it bookmarked, add the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies' official site to your list of viewing venues. The JCCIC will have live video streams (with closed captioning), and the site itself has a wealth of information on everything inaugural, including clips of previous presidents' ceremonies and tons of minutiae (including recipes for inaugural luncheons, like Obama's "brace of American birds." The Presidential Inaugural Committee will also have streaming coverage, but it has to be noted that viewing the stream requires installing Microsoft's Silverlight 2 platform (and which, thereby, leaves Linux and mobile users out in the cold). If you're cool with that, though, ReadWriteWeb has a great blow-by-blow schedule of the PIC's offerings.
NBC/CBS/ABC: The Big Three are all in online with free streaming coverage. NBC's coverage is actually over at MSNBC's inauguration page. CBS' Inauguration webcast kicks off at 7 a.m. EST Tuesday and wraps up with a web-only wrap-up hosted by Katie Couric at 10 p.m. EST. CBS' coverage will also be carried on Joost's Everything Obama site. ABC News will likely host its live coverage at its 44th President site.
Hulu/Fox: Fox.com, Fox News, and Hulu will offer the same stream via Hulu's Obama video page starting at noon EST, then "on-demand" video from there on out. Hulu generally has top-notch video quality, even in full-screen mode—unless it gets jammed, as it did during some presidential debates. The site likely learned a few lessons in scaling, though, so it's definitely worth checking out.
C-SPAN: The non-partisan channel your cable company pays offers up all four of its channels inauguration should be no different. Stay tuned to C-SPAN's main page, however, for the debut of an Inauguration Hub that will feature, according to CNET, a kind of "control room" that lets visitors switch between four feeds of the goings-on on the fly. online at all times, and Obama's
Facebook/CNN: CNN.com and Facebook team up to offer a live inauguration feed with a social twist: You can sign into your Facebook account starting at 8 a.m. EST Tuesday at CNN.com Live and update your status alongside the streaming coverage, while seeing a real-time stream of your friends' status updates as well.
Current/Twitter: Same type of deal as above, just with Current doing the streaming at 11:30 a.m. EST and micro-blogging platform Twitter providing real-time tweets/updates. Multi-taskers checking out Current Twitters the Inauguration should twitter with the tag #current in their message.
Ustream.tv Upstart live-streaming site Ustream is offering a live video feed of the inauguration at this page. No indication of what will be covered, exactly. A pre-recorded video of Obama's acceptance speech looked quite grainy when full-screened; if you're an iPhone/iPod touch user, scroll below to check out Ustream's (beta-invite) streaming app.
Other sites: Also likely to offer live video streams are the Washington Post, New York Times, and the BBC. Livestation offers international feeds from Al Jazeera, BBC, Euronews and France 24, while USA Today and the Associated Press will also offer live streams and coverage clips.

Via PHONE:

Ustream through your iPhone: If Ustream.tv gets their iPhone app approved before Tuesday, then simply search for "ustream" and you'll get a live feed of the Ustream coverage mentioned above. If not, TechCrunch has details on getting a beta invite. Ustream's site also suggests an email to iphone@ustream.tv might do the trick.
InaugurationReport apps: For both iPhones (search "inaugurationreport") and Androids (search IR09), the join project's mobile apps let you view semi-real-time Twitter updates, Flickr photos, text messages, and content upload from other mobile IR users from one handy app screen.

Via SOCIAL-WEB:

InaugurationReport.com: A joint project of NPR, CBS, American University, and many more, the site rounds up all the contributions made by on-the-street citizen reporters through Flickr, Twitter, text message, YouTube, and IR's own mobile apps (see below). It's a nice way to condense all of those mediums into one regularly-refreshing page. For a similarly crushed-together view, try a Big Buzz search on Icerocket.
Flickr: The official multi-user inauguration pool is here, but the Presidential Inaugural Committee has its own stream, as does the president-elect himself (though not update in a while ... wonder why?).
Twitter search: The hot searches are inauguration and the #inaug09 tag.
Photosynth to create massive 3D compilation of oath-taking: If you or somebody you know in D.C. for the big moment wants to contribute to a gigantically cool 3D mesh of the moment Obama takes the oath, email a photo (one at a time, up to 10MB per pic and three separate submissions allowed) to themoment@cnn.com, then, later that day, head to cnn.com/themoment to see the big mash-up, powered by Microsoft's Photosynth technology.

(source:lifehacker.com)

Obama's Cabinet Nominees Up For Approval

2009-01-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

This week, starting on January 13, 2009 marks the beginning of the official approval process for Barack Obama's Cabinet Nominees. Here is the current approval schedule:

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton
Appears before the Foreign Relations committee

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Shaun Donovan
Appears before the Budget Committee

Secretary of Energy
Steven Chu
Appears before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan
Appears before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Vilsack
Appears before the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee

Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric Shinseki
Appears before the Veterans Affairs Committee

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Lisa Jackson
Appears before the Environment and Public Works Committee

Thursday, Jan. 15

Secretary of the Treasury
Timothy Geithner
Appears before the Finance Committee

U.N. Ambassador
Susan Rice
Appears before the Foreign Relations Committee

Secretary of the Interior
Ken Salazar
Appears before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Secretary of Homeland Security
Janet Napolitano
Appears before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Attorney General
Eric Holder
Appears before the Judiciary Committee

Bill Richardson Gives Up Cabinet Nomination

2009-01-04T12:01:00.000-08:00

Bill Richardson, New Mexico's Governor, has given up his nomination to be commerce secretary just revealed today. He believed an ongoing federal investigation into a business relationship his state's administration had with a company in California that won municipal bond business there (after making donations to various causes championed by Richardson) would slow down his confirmation as Obama's Commerce Secretary. The Governor is quoted as saying,"I do so with great sorrow. But a pending investigation of a company that has done business with New Mexico state government promises to extend for several weeks or, perhaps, even months. Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact. But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process. Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the President-elect and his Administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done." Obama accepted the withdrawal with "...deep regret...Governor Richardson is an outstanding public servant and would have brought to the job of Commerce Secretary and our economic team great insights accumulated through an extraordinary career in federal and state office," Obama's statement read. "It is a measure of his willingness to put the nation first that he has removed himself as a candidate for the Cabinet in order to avoid any delay in filling this important economic post at this critical time. Although we must move quickly to fill the void left by Governor Richardson's decision, I look forward to his future service to our country and in my administration." (source:cnn.com)

Barack Obama's Current Cabinet Nominees

2009-01-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

Here is the list of President-Elect Obama's cabinet nominee's so far:

Agriculture, Secretary Tom Vilsack (nominee): Books by Tom Vilsack
Commerce, Secretary Bill Richardson (UPDATE: nominee - resigned on 04JAN2008): Books by Bill Richardson
Defense, Secretary Robert Gates (nominee): Books by Robert Gates
Education, Secretary Arne Duncan (nominee): Books by Arne Duncan
Health and Human Services, Secretary Tom Daschle (nominee): Books by Tom Daschle
Housing and Urban Dvelopment, Secretary Shaun Donovan (nominee)
Homeland Security, Secretary Janet Napolitano (nominee): Books by Janet Napolitano
Interior, Secretary Ken Salazar (nominee): Books by Ken Salazar
Justice, Attorney General Eric Holder (nominee)
National Security Adviser James L. Jones (nominee)
State, Secretary Hilary Rodham Clinton (nominee): Books by Senator Clinton
Transportation, Secretary Ray Lahood (nomineed)
Treasury, Secretary Timothy Geithner (nominee): Books by Timothy Geithner
Veterans Affairs, Secretary Eric Shinseki (nominee): Books by Eric Shinseki

Inauguration Day 2009 Events For Barack Obama

2009-01-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Inauguration Day 2009 information and resources are available here: At 12:00 noon on Inauguration Day 2009 (Tuesday, January 20, 2009, as set by the Twentieth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution), Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States. The Inauguration Day 2009 Schedule will keep you informed about what is happening and when on this important day. The schedule of Inauguration Day events tells you what to see, where to be, and when to be there. Can't make it to DC in person? Find out how to watch the ceremony and parade on TV, Radio, and online.

Schedule of Day's Events
TV/Radio/Internet Broadcast
Bulletin Boards

Inauguration Housing Bulletin Board The DC metropolitan area has 95,000 hotel rooms; more than a million out-of-town guests are expected. See this 11/28/08 article in the New York Times describing the problems of finding housing for Inauguration Day.

Inauguration Schedule of Official and Unofficial Activities:

A schedule of some official and unofficial activities surrounding Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20:

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SATURDAY, JAN. 17

-- President-elect Barack Obama and his family ride the train from Philadelphia to Washington, stopping in Wilmington, Del., for Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family. Train will stop in Baltimore for speech before heading south.

-- BET Honors, an awards ceremony, at the Warner Theater.

-- People's Inaugural Gala Celebration at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

-- Will.i.am "Yes We Did" concert.

-- Concert with Mary J. Blige, Common and Nelly at nightclub Ibiza.

SUNDAY, JAN. 18

-- Obama will kick off inaugural activities with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. Beyonce, U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians scheduled to perform.

-- Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Ritz-Carlton.

-- EMILY's List Inaugural Luncheon with scheduled guests including Cabinet appointees Hillary Rodham Clinton and Janet Napolitano, Sens. Kay Hagan and Jeanne Shaheen, and North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue.

-- African-American Church Inaugural Ball at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

-- 2009 Latino Inaugural Gala with Marc Anthony at Union Station.

-- Aloha Inaugural Ball, organized by former Obama campaign workers, held at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel at 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JAN. 19

-- National Day of Community Service event: To honor Dr. King's legacy, Obama, Biden and their families, joined by Americans across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C. area.

-- Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball, sponsored by the Texas State Society, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

-- Green Inaugural Ball at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. Ball hosted by former Vice President Al Gore.

-- Huffington Post preinaugural ball at the Newseum.

-- Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts. Hosted by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, among others.

-- A children's evening concert at the Verizon Center honoring military families. Event hosted by Michelle Obama, who will attend. Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers are among the entertainers.

-- Obama to attend three private dinners to honor former secretary of State Colin Powell, Biden and Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, for their public service. Dinners at the Hilton Washington, National Building Museum and Union Station.

TUESDAY, JAN. 20 (INAUGURATION DAY)

Gates to the Inaugural Ceremony open at 8 a.m. The inaugural festivities are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. They will include:

-- Musical selections of The United States Marine Band, followed by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

-- Sen. Dianne Feinstein provides call to order and welcoming remarks.

-- Invocation by the Rev. Rick Warren.

-- Musical selection of Aretha Franklin.

-- Biden will be sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

-- Musical selection of John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet).

-- Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Scheduled around noon.

-- Obama gives the inaugural address.

-- Poem by Elizabeth Alexander.

-- Benediction by Rev. Joseph E. Lowery.

-- The National Anthem by The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters."

After Obama gives inaugural address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls:

-- Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

-- Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

-- Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

-- Midwest Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

-- Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

-- Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

-- Commander in Chief's Ball at the National Building Museum.

-- Southern Inaugural Ball at the National Guard Armory.

-- Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station.

-- Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton.

Unofficial balls include:

-- Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball at the Capitol Hilton.

-- Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts.

-- Recording Industry Association of America's ball for Feeding America.

-- BET's Inaugural Ball at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

-- Africa on the Potomac inaugural celebration at Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

-- American Music Inaugural Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

-- Inaugural Purple Ball at the Fairmont Hotel.

-- Human Rights Campaign's Equality Ball at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.

-- Inaugural Peace Ball at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

-- Impact Film Fund ball.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21

-- The president, vice president and their families will participate in a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

No War Anymore: Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

2008-12-24T13:52:00.000-08:00

And so another year comes to an end, but the scourge of war is still with us...when will war cease to exist? Only God knows. One article in Discover Magazine claims science may have found a way to end war. Currently according to the United Nations organization there are about 134 worldwide (from UN recognized states only) that fall within these designated parameters:

1. It must involve armed struggle by at least one province against another.
2. It must be formally declared as such.
3. It has existed for at least 6 months.

The kind of wars that are new or not within these parameters are outside the figure of 134. John Lennon's "War Is Over" song when combined with scenes of world conflict causes one to take pause on this Christmas Eve of 2008 and hopefully 2009 will be a better year:

Obama Inaugural: Lincoln Bible For Swearing-in

2008-12-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

The Lincoln Bible (the same Bible used by Abraham Lincoln for his swearing-in) has been chosen to be used at Barack Obama's inauguration swearing-in ceremony on January 20th, 2009. It will be the first time the bible has been used since President Lincoln's swearing-in ceremony in 1861 (image on left of Lincoln's Inaugural Bible).Today, Presidential Inaugural Committee Executive Director Emmett Beliveau stated that "President-elect Obama is deeply honoured the Library of Congress has made the Lincoln Bible available for use during his swearing-in...The president-elect is committed to holding an inauguration that celebrates America's unity, and the use of this historic Bible will provide a powerful connection to our common past and common heritage," The Preseident-Elect also plans to take the same train route that Lincoln took to Washington, D.C. and will hold a welcome event at the Lincoln Memorial prior to his inauguration ceremony in January.

The Lincoln Bible (bound in burgundy velvet with gilded edges) was originally purchased and inscribed by Clerk of the Supreme Court at the time, William Thomas Carroll. The bible is to be displayed at the Library of Congress from February 12th to May 9th as part of an exhibition called "With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition." It will then go on tour to five other American cities in commemoration of the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth on February 12th, 1809. There is no constitutional requirement that a Bible be used during inaugurations, but US presidents traditionally have used Bibles for their swearing-in ceremonies. One couldn't have asked for any greater symbolism for the inauguration than this to help set the new President and nation on the right course for the coming years of this administration. (partial source: associated press)

"Princess Of Camelot" Kennedy Goes For Senate

2008-12-18T13:24:00.000-08:00

The intensely private Caroline Kennedy, 51, decides to go for the open senate seat in New York left by Hillary Clinton...amid an awkward political debut by evading television cameras and charging past the press into an SUV waiting outside, seconds after officially declaring she wants a seat in the Senate. Some say its Park Avenue privilage being exercised, others claim she is trading on the Kennedy name, fame and connections for spring boarding into elected politics.

The publicity-shy Democrat is not exactly known for going out of her way to engage people even in casual conversation. However she has quietly gone about her personal "causes" such as assisting in raising $350 million to help out the New York City pubic schools.

Kennedy was quoted yesterday while in Buffalo, NY as saying "I've spent a lifetime growing up around public policy issues, and public service is something I'm proud of in the family tradition. It's something that I've always wanted to do. I've worked in New York City public schools. I've written books on the constitution, I've raised my family, and now it's time, I think, with the problems we have, for me to be able to step forward and do more."

The New York state governor, David Paterson, can choose Clinton's replacement to the Senate, but whoever is chosen will have to endure a run in a 2010 special election. Kennedy has engaged the services of the savvy world political player, Josh Isay (currently he is consulting for Israeli Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu). Caroline already has approached women's organizations (met with an abortion rights group this past Monday as a pro-choice candidate. She has even made the trek to the upstate areas of New York where 40% of the vote resides.

Only five years old when JFK (her father) was assassinated, Kennedy lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan currently. A former student at Harvard University and Columbia law school, she then married Edwin Schlossberg (a designer and artist). Caroline has never changed her surname from the Kennedy moniker. She has a son and two college-aged daughters. Her mother died of cancer in 1994 and in 1999 her brother John was killed in a plane crash. She is the only immediate JFK family living member. She has written seven books rather than practice law full time. She has been the keeper of her father's legacy by being actively involved in awards and foundations bearing her father's name.

Kennedy met with Barack Obama in 2007 in hopes of using her name's influence in the Democratic primary and had indicated that Obama echoed her father's effect on politics. This is one more event that is scheming to create more excitement in the world of U.S. politics. (source: guardian.co.uk photo:BrianSnyder/Reuters)

Most Unfair Civil Trial Legal Jurisdictions In 2008

2008-12-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...legal politics and skullduggery...they have a place, quite literally, where they abound. This, according to the annual ranking by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) entitled "Judicial Hellholes 2008", is now available to the public in which it identifies the legal jurisdictions that civil defendants will most likely NOT be assured of a fair trial (the list follows):

West Virginia

South Florida

Cook County in Illinois

Atlantic County in New Jersey

Montgomery & Macon Counties in Alabama

Los Angeles County in California

Clark County (Las Vegas) in Nevada

ATRA offers a supplementary "Watch List" of seven more jurisdictions that it can't quite classify as a "Judicial Hellhole", but sure seem to be on their way. They are: the Rio Grande Valley & Gulf Coast of Texas, Madison County Illinois, Baltimore Maryland, and St. Louis (city and county) & Jackson county Missouri. So now you've been warned...don't go to civil trial here and there. (source: pointoflaw.com)

Shoes Thrown At Bush By Iraqi TV Reporter

2008-12-15T01:36:00.000-08:00

President George W. Bush ducked a pair of shoes hurled at his head -- one shoe after the other -- in the middle of a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Associated Press reports.
Both shoes narrowly missed their target and thumped loudly against the wall behind the leaders. "This is a farewell kiss, you dog!" shouted the protester in Arabic, later identified as Muntadar al-Zeidi, a correspondent for Al-Baghdadia television, an Iraqi-owned station based in Cairo, Egypt. Bush ducked both shoes as they whizzed past his head and landed with a thud against the wall behind him. "It was a size 10," Bush joked later. (Source: The Times Online-photo, Chicago Tribune and MSNBC)

Illinois Gov Arrested For Selling Obama's Senate Seat ?

2008-12-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

FBI arrests Rod Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff early Tuesday morning at 6:30am on corruption charges...allegedly he is caught on tape...this news first reported by the Chicago Tribune: "A source said today that Gov. Rod Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North Side home this morning"... "U.S. attorney's office spokesman Randall Samborn said both Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested today."

The charge, per the AP: Federal authorities "accused him of attempting to benefit financially from his position to appoint Barack Obama's Senate replacement."
The Illinois Governor indicted by Federal authorities on basically three charges: 1. selling of Obama's Senate seat (Gov has legal right to appoint successor) 2. purge of editorial board of Chicago Tribune in exchange for cutting a deal to sell Wrigley Field (mail fraud) 3. solicitation of campaign funds ("pay to play" scheme; solicitation of a bribe) Additionally, The Department of Justice alleges that in exchange for the Senate appointment, Governor Blagojevich discussed obtaining: --a substantial salary for himself at either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions --placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year --promises of campaign funds — including cash up front --a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself --Just a side-note here, Blagojavich likes Jackson...
Some questions here:
-- How will this affect the process to fill Obama's Senate seat? Will Blagojevich make the appointment?
-- If Blagojevich decides not to resign, the Illinois state legislature could decide to impeach him. That would work as follows, per Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan's press secretary Steve Brown: (1) It would require someone to file a resolution; (2) there would then be hearings in the House; (3) there would then be a vote in the House; and (4) if the House votes to impeach, then there would be a trial in the Senate. -- If the Gov goes to prison, and former Gov. George Ryan isn't commuted by President Bush, there will be two Illinois governors in prison AT THE SAME TIME. That means that possibly Blagojevich would become the 4th Illinois governor to go to prison (following Ryan, Otto Kerner, and Dan Walker). -- Unusual that he was not allowed to surrender, but was arrested at home; apparently to prevent him from appointing the Obama Senate seat successor
-- Illiniois' lieutenant governor is Pat Quinn, a Democrat, who would replace Blagojevich if he's ousted from office.

Another Kennedy In The Senate?

2008-12-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, may be considering going after Hillary Clinton's former Senate seat. For many years, Caroline, a 51 year old lawyer residing in Manhattan, has maintained living an intensely private life. She is the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Onassis. It has been reported by The New York Times that Governor David Paterson and Caroline had (what was called by the Governor) an "informational" conversation regarding the Senate. The Governor chooses Mrs. Clinton's replacement next month.

As reported in The New York Times, her relative RFK, Jr., was noted as saying, “I believe that she is considering it,” said her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; “A lot of people the last couple of weeks have urged her to do it.” He spoke with Ms. Kennedy about it this past week. This Senate seat is the same one once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

Would Caroline be up for running a campaign through out the 62 counties of New York? This remains to be seen, as many feminist organizations are getting ready to press Governor Paterson to fill the vacant Senate seat with a female.

(photo source: Kristin Mullen/The Citizen's Voice; article source:The New York Times)

Where The TARP Billions In "Bailout Money" Is

2008-12-06T15:05:00.000-08:00

Via Probublica we see how much is being given to whom for the bailout. Numbers are in millions of U.S. dollars.

Associated Bank-Corp	11/06/08	details	$530
BB&T	10/27/08	details	$3,100
Bank of America (incl. Merrill Lynch)	10/14/08	details	$25,000
Bank of Commerce	11/13/08	details	$17
Bank of New York Mellon	10/14/08	details	$3,000
Banner Corp	11/04/08	details	$124
Capital One	10/27/08	details	$3,550
Capital Pacific Bancorp	11/06/08	details	$4
Cascade Financial Corp	11/03/08	details	$39
Citigroup	10/14/08	details	$25,000
Citizens Republic Bancorp	11/14/08	details	$300
City National	10/27/08	details	$395
Columbia Banking System	11/04/08	details	$77
Comerica	10/27/08	details	$2,250
Fifth Third	10/27/08	details	$3,450
First Community Bancshares	10/30/08	details	$43
First Financial	10/31/08	details	$80
First Horizon National	10/24/08	details	$866
First Midwest Bancorp	11/10/08	details	$193
First Niagara	10/27/08	details	$186
First PacTrust Bank	11/12/08	details	$19.3
FirstMerit Corp	11/13/08	details	$248
Goldman Sachs	10/14/08	details	$10,000
Heritage Commerce Corp	11/05/08	details	$40
Heritage Financial	11/04/08	details	$24
Home Federal Financial	10/27/08	details	$25
Huntington Bancshares	10/27/08	details	$1,400
Intermountain Community Bancorp	11/7/08	details	$27
JP Morgan Chase	10/14/08	details	$25,000
KeyCorp	10/27/08	details	$2,500
Marshall & Ilsley	10/28/08	details	$1,715
Midwest Banc	11/07/08	details	$86
Morgan Stanley	10/14/08	details	$10,000
Northern Trust	10/27/08	details	$1,500
Old National Bancorp	10/27/08	details	$150
PNC	10/24/08	details	$7,700
Pacific Capital Bancorp	11/06/08	details	$188
Peoples Bancorp	11/13/08	details	$39
Porter Bancorp	11/12/08	details	$39
Provident Bankshares	10/27/08	details	$???
Redding Bank	10/27/08	details	$17
Regions Financial	10/24/08	details	$3,500
Saigon National	10/27/08	details	$1.2
Simmons First National	10/30/08	details	$40
State Street	10/14/08	details	$2,000
SunTrust	10/27/08	details	$3,500
TCF Financial	11/03/08	details	$361
Taylor Capital	11/12/08	details	$105
Trustmark Corp	11/06/08	details	$215
U.S. Bancorp	11/03/08	details	$6,600
UCBH Holdings	10/27/08	details	$298
Umpqua	10/28/08	details	$214
Valley National	10/24/08	details	$330
Washington Federal	10/27/08	details	$200
Webster Financial	11/07/08	details	$400
Wells Fargo	10/14/08	details	$25,000
Western Alliance Bancorporation	11/13/08	details	$140
Zions Bancorp	10/28/08	details	$1,400

Obama's List...Full Of Promise & Promises To Keep

2008-11-30T16:07:00.000-08:00

Many people are weighing-in on what American President-elect Obama should have on his "to-do" list once sworn in as President on January 20th, 2009... folks are suggesting many things such as overhauling the government bureaucracies to reduce wasteful spending, focusing on the economy, maintain the war in Afghanistan to keep terrorism at bay, health care reform, education reform and environmental issues among other things. It appears there are two general areas of concern that he identified during his campaign that need to be addressed...foreign and domestic policy. Based on his campaign promises these seem to be the issues he will tackle initially...

Foreign Policy Issues:
-DEFENSE (promise: withdraw US troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office)
-DIPLOMACY (promise: to use diplomacy instead of force to resolve disputes) Afghanistan/China/Iran/Middle East/Pakistan/Russia)
-TERRORISM (promise: close detention facility in Cuba and have the Justice Dept review terrorism monitoring/policing policies)

Domestic Policy Issues:
-CRIME (promise: hire 50,000 new police officers nationally)
-ECONOMY (promise: implement the Congress-approved $700 billion rescue program/90-day home foreclosure moratorium for companies accessing the bailout plan monies/suspend tax law on 401K plan withdrawals/supports a second stimulus program for the economy)
-ENERGY (promise: spend $15 billion a year on alternative energy and related job creation; support major development of alternate fuels)
-ENVIRONMENT (promise: rescind decision by Bush to forbid California to put limits on vehicle greenhouse-gas emissions and a 10% reduction of carbon in gasoline by the year 2020)
-EDUCATION (promise: $4000 college student tax credit in exchange for community service-cost estimated at $19 billion; tie teacher pay raises to student performance)
-HEALTHCARE (promise: use government subsidies to help low income people buy health insurance)
-IMMIGRATION (promise: fine the 12 million people currently here illegally and make them pay taxes and get them oriented to become US citizens)