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By Janet Evans
Friday, Sep 5 2008, 10:16 PM
We’ve had some tough presidents…and one, well, Jimmy Carter….
Who were the 5 most badass presidents of all-time?
I'm sure you have your choices…
from Cracked.com...
"As we all prepare to spend a long weekend enjoying Presidential Savings on mattresses and used Toyotas, we could take time to thank some of the presidents who passed bills that protect some of the freedoms your enjoy daily. Or we could spend the day celebrating the presidents who are decidedly more Action Movie Heroes than diplomats. Anyway, guess which kind of president this website decided to focus on? "
View their "badass" five-page presentation
HERE
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Jul 2 2008, 12:18 PM
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 2, 2008
President Bush Discusses 2008 G8 Summit
Rose Garden
10:31 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Next week I'm going to travel to Japan for the eighth and final G8 summit of my presidency.
At recent summits, G8 countries have made pledges to help developing nations address challenges, from health care to education, to corruption. Now we need to show the world that the G8 can be accountable for its promises and deliver results. As I said the other day, we need people who not only make promises, but write checks, for the sake of human rights and human dignity, and for the sake of peace.
Accountability is really important when it comes to our work on the continent of Africa. In 2005, G8 leaders promised to double development assistance to Africa by 2010. America is on track to meet our commitments. And in Japan, I'll urge other leaders to fulfill their commitments, as well.
We must also fulfill our commitments in the battle against HIV/AIDS and malaria. I've asked Congress to reauthorize and expand the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, doubling our funding for this vital effort. It's very important that Congress reauthorize this plan, but in the meantime, we're fulfilling our promises that we made, not only to -- at the G8, but more importantly, to the people of -- on the continent of Africa.
It's important that over the next five years that we support antiretroviral treatment for approximately 2.5 million people, that we prevent 12 million new AIDS infections, and that we care for 12 million people also affected by HIV/AIDS -- including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children. Last year, the G8 agreed to meet those commitments; they agreed to match. They also agreed to help us reduce malaria in affected countries by half. And I just -- I hope that these countries understand the great promise and hope that comes when we help alleviate this suffering. And so one of my really important agenda items is going to -- is going to rally our partners to make commitments and meet commitments.
We'll also discuss additional steps to confront some other challenges, such as the need to train health care workers in G8 partner countries in Africa. It's one thing to say we're going to help people with their -- deal with disease, but a lot of these countries need workers that are capable of helping, of reaching out to people in need. We should set a goal to treat at least 75 percent of the people with neglected tropical diseases in the most affected countries. We've got to work to confront higher food prices. I'm confident we'll be talking about energy and food.
On the food issue, I've announced that the United States would make available nearly $1 billion in new resources to bolster global food security. Once again I'll be going to the G8 and talking about the great compassion and concern of the American people in addressing problems.
At Toyako I'll also ask leaders of the G8 to make other important strategic moves to alleviate hunger, such as increasing the shipments of food, fertilizers and seeds to countries in need. It's one thing to talk about the problem; this is a practical way to help countries deal with the lack of food.
We need to help severely affected nations grow more of their own food. It's one thing to provide food; it seems like -- it make sense to me to say, we're going to help you become more agriculturally self-sustaining. This has been a issue in the United States Congress, by the way. Unfortunately, we tried to get this in the farm bill. Our members of Congress decided against this plan, this way forward. But it makes sense for the United States if we're going to be providing food aid to encourage people to grow their own food so we don't have to deal with this problem on a regular basis.
I'm also going to make sure that the world understands the importance of advanced agricultural technologies, including biotechnology, to help nations grow food so they don't have to come to the world for help. We'll also be talking about export restrictions and tariffs and subsidies. We will work to tear down barriers to trade and investment around the world. It's an opportunity for those of us in the G8 and the other nations coming to talk about a successful round of Doha. The United States is firmly committed to Doha. We're working hard to get this done by the end of the year, and it will be a good opportunity in Japan to discuss what we need to do together to open up market access and to reduce agricultural subsidies.
We'll be talking about energy security and, of course, at the same time, the climate change issue. I'll be reminding people that we can have better energy security and we can be better stewards of the environment without sacrificing economic growth.
And the principle is pretty simple. It's going to be hard to have the amount of money necessary to invest in new technologies if we don't have the money to spend, and therefore we need to make sure our economies are vibrant.
We're now implementing new mandatory programs that will reduce billions of tons of emissions. I'll remind people at the G8 and other nations that we're taking effective steps. We're going to make available more than $40 billion in loan-guarantee authority to support private sector incentives and innovative clean energy technologies.
The 2009 budget requests more than $4 billion to support technologies that have the potential to avoid, reduce and sequester greenhouse gases. In other words, we've got a strong agenda when it comes to providing money to encourage the advent of new technologies. And as well, we'll be meeting with leaders of the major economies to discuss shared strategies and practical actions for addressing greenhouse gas emissions. This is called the Major Economies Process that we proposed and G8 leaders endorsed.
All this is aiming, by the way, to develop a strategy in which major economies are a part of the strategy. Look, we can't have an effective agreement unless China and India are a part of it. It's as simple as that. I'm going to remind our partners that's the case. And we want the United Nations Framework Convention to be effective. And so we've got to reach common ground on how to proceed.
And we're making some progress there, including the knowledge that we've got to have a long-term emissions reduction goal, midterm goals with national plans to achieve them, and cooperation in key industrial sectors.
And also we're going to talk about the struggle against violent extremists. The temptation is to kind of say, well, maybe this isn't really a war, maybe this is just a bunch of disgruntled folks that occasionally come and hurt us. You know, that's not the way I feel about it. This is an ongoing, constant struggle to defend our own security, and at the same time, help people realize the blessings of liberty. I'll, of course, talk about Afghanistan and Iraq, and ask the G8 to continue to help.
So this is an historic opportunity to meet, to exchange ideas, and to address some of the problems we all face. And I'm looking forward to going. And now I'll be glad to answer a couple of questions.
Deb.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. June was the deadliest month for U.S. troops in -- since we began the war in Afghanistan. Has Afghanistan replaced Iraq as the central front of the war on terror? And is al Qaeda and the Taliban taking the upper hand? And also, is it possible that we could send additional U.S. troops there sooner than the 2009 date that you've been talking about?
THE PRESIDENT: First of all, anytime a troop loses their life, whether it be in Afghanistan, Iraq, or elsewhere, our hearts go out to their families. And I am so appreciative that, in a time of danger, Americans are willing to step up and volunteer and sacrifice.
Secondly, it has been a tough month in Afghanistan, but it's also been a tough month for the Taliban. You know, one reason why there have been more deaths is because our troops are taking the fight to a tough enemy, an enemy who doesn't like our presence there because they don't like the idea of America denying safe haven. America is pressing an ideology that's opposite of theirs, and so, of course, there's going to be resistance.
I am confident that the strategy is going to work, which is to confront the Taliban, confront elements of al Qaeda, and at the same time, encourage the growth of a free society by good economic policy, good education policy, and good health policy.
We're constantly reviewing troop needs, troop levels. We're halfway through 2008; as I said, we're going to increase troops by 2009. One thing, however, that you got to understand is that we have doubled Afghan troops -- coalition troops have doubled from two years ago. So there is an active presence and there are more troops there than there were. But we're constantly reassessing and seeing whether or not we can change tactics in order to achieve our objective.
Toby.
Q What do you realistically expect to accomplish at the G8 to deal with soaring oil prices and the weak dollar, which are having effects on the U.S. economy? Even the Chinese now are saying that the United States needs to stabilize the dollar.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Well, we're strong-dollar people in this administration and have always been for a strong dollar, and believe that the relative strengths of our economy will reflect that. One thing we need to make clear when I'm with our partners is that we're not going to become protectionists; that we believe in free trade and open markets. One of the fears around the world is the United States becomes a protectionist nation.
Secondly, I'll remind people it took us a while to get into the energy situation we're in and it's going to take us a while to get out of it. But one thing is for certain here in the United States, that we can help alleviate shortages by drilling for oil and gas in our own country -- something I've been advocating ever since I've been the President. I've been reminding our people that we can do so in environmentally friendly ways. And yet, the Congress, the Democratically controlled Congress now has refused to budge. It makes no sense for -- to watch these gasoline prices rise when we know we can help affect the supply of crude oil, which should affect the supply of gasoline prices.
And so, yes, we'll be talking about energy. Ultimately, of course, we're going to transition away from hydrocarbon. But we're now just in a transitional period and we need more oil to be able to do so. And I'm also going to remind people that our habits are changing. You notice in these newspapers that automobile sales have slowed down dramatically as automobile manufacturers shift from cars that are using more gasoline to cars that are more efficient, more fuel efficient.
And I'll also tell them it's a tough period for American consumers. I mean, nobody likes high gasoline prices, and I fully understand why Americans are concerned about gasoline prices. But I want them to understand fully that we have got the opportunity to find more crude oil here at home, in environmentally friendly ways, and they ought to be writing their Congress people about it; and they ought to say, you ought to be opening up ANWR and Outer Continental Shelf, and increasing oil shale exploration, for the sake of our consumers, as well as become less dependent on oil.
McKinnon.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Can you tell me what is the outlook for getting an agreement with the emerging economies that will limit emissions in a meaningful way in the midterm? What's the outlook for that, and how --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, well, the first thing, John, is to make sure we get a understanding that all of us need to agree on a long-term goal. And part of the reluctance has been -- on some nations that are major economies -- to participate at all, because initially, I'm confident, they thought they were going to get a free pass from any international agreement. I mean, after all, the Kyoto international agreement excluded major economies. And therefore, they probably think, well, maybe history will repeat itself.
The idea is to say, look, we want to be effective. Effectiveness comes when major economies come to the table. The first step is to agree to a long-term goal. And I've talked to our sherpa about that, and he feels pretty good that people are now coming to the clear understanding that we're going to have to come to a long-term goal. Hopefully we can do it at this meeting. If not, we'll continue to press forward to get it done.
Secondly, one of the -- a lot of the developing world says, well, it's unfair; the developed world gets to develop and we don't. Well, our attitude about that is, why don't we set up a technology fund; make it easier for people to be able to afford the new technologies that nations like ours and others will bring to the marketplace.
Thirdly, if you really do want to make sure technologies move around the world, we got to reduce these trade barriers and tariffs that prohibit technologies from moving like they should.
And so we'll see, John. I mean, this is a tough issue. It's tough to get consensus. People -- there's a consensus that it's a problem, but it's tough to get a consensus that all of us have a responsibility to do something about it -- not just some, but all of us, so that whatever we do is effective.
Bret Baier.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. There have been a spate of recent stories about possible military action against Iran before the end of the year, if not by the U.S. than by Israel. And that prompted Iranian officials to say, if they're attacked they'll essentially shut down the Strait of Hormuz. One, how confident are you that Israel will not act independently as the diplomatic process moves forward? And two, what do you make of the mixed messages out of Iran -- one of defiance and one of willingness to negotiate?
THE PRESIDENT: I have always said that all options are on the table, but the first option for the United States is to solve this problem diplomatically. I've also make it clear -- made it clear that you can't solve a problem diplomatically unless there are other people at the table with you. And that is why we have been pursuing multilateral diplomacy when it comes to convincing the Iranians that the free world is sincere about, you know, insisting that they not have the technologies necessary to develop a nuclear weapon.
And we're making progress along those lines. There's been the numerous Security Council resolutions, and in my recent trip to Europe I was very encouraged to see these leaders stand up and speak out about the need to keep our coalition active and keep the pressure on.
I will talk to Martha Raddatz.
Q Let me follow up on that. Would you strongly discourage Israel from going after Iran militarily? And do you believe when you leave office Iran will be pursuing a nuclear weapon?
THE PRESIDENT: I have made it very clear to all parties that the first option ought to be to solve this problem diplomatically. And the best way to solve it diplomatically is for the United States to work with other nations to send a focused message, and that is, that you will be isolated and you will have economic hardship if you continue trying to enrich.
As you might remember, I worked closely with Vladimir Putin on this issue, when I said that -- when asked at one of these innumerable press conferences, did you -- do you think they ought to have a civilian nuclear program, I said, of course, they should, but they can't be trusted to enrich.
And therefore, I agree with Russia that Russia -- when Russia said she will provide enriched uranium for a civilian nuclear power program and will collect the enriched uranium, thereby negating the need for the Iranian regime to enrich at all.
And so we will continue working diplomatically.
Listen, thank you very much. I've enjoyed being with you. I hope you've enjoyed being with me. You have? Thank you.
END 10:48 A.M. EDT
Audio
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Jun 26 2008, 04:15 PM
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 26, 2008
Termination of the Exercise of Authorities Under the Trading with the Enemy Act with Enemy Act with Respect to North Korea
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 101(b) of Public Law 95-223 (91 Stat. 1625; 50 U.S.C. App. 5(b) note), hereby find that the continuation of the exercise of authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq.) (TWEA) with respect to North Korea, as authorized in Proclamation 2914 of December 16, 1950, most recently continued under Presidential Determination 2007-32 of September 13, 2007 (72 FR 53407), and implemented by the regulations set forth below, is no longer in the national interest of the United States.
Section 1. The exercise of TWEA authorities with respect to North Korea, which were implemented by the Foreign Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 500, and the Transaction Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 505, and that were continued by Presidential Determination 2007-32 of September 13, 2007, is terminated, and Presidential Determination 2007-32 is rescinded with respect to North Korea.
Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to take all appropriate measures within the Secretary's authority to give effect to this proclamation.
Sec. 3. This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right, benefit, or privilege, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.
Sec. 4. This proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 27, 2008.
WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Jun 22 2008, 07:30 PM
Yesterday an article by two Associated Press writers, Alan Fram and Eileen Putman was posted titled,
Everything seemingly is spinning out of control. É
I began reading this article thinking it was going to be some usual lefty spin that would set me off. But I found it to be oh, so much more than that. I found it to be an article of interest to all Americans; no matter what political viewpoint you have. I found it to be of interest to all Americans who have pride in themselves and their country. You see, I find Fram and Putman to have written an article that is on the verge of being un-American.
The can-do, bootstrap approach embedded in the American psyche is under assault. Eroding it is a dour powerlessness that is chipping away at the country's sturdy conviction that destiny can be commanded with sheer courage and perseverance.
[…]
Why the vulnerability? After all, this is the 21st century, not a more primitive past when little in life was assured. Surely people know how to fix problems now. Maybe. And maybe this is what the 21st century will be about — a great unraveling of some things long taken for granted.
Oh, please, Fram and Putman, don’t tell us, the American people, that we have lost the spirit that we have had as American people since the first foot touched soil here. We are a compassionate country and we will come to the aide of each other when we are down. We are a country of democracy, we can vote for whomever we choose. We are always able to improve are lives if we choose to do so…it’s our choice…we still live in the land of opportunity, don’t we? That has not changed.
These authors can only see in front of them and do not really know the people of America. They could not have lived during the Great Depression, or fought during World War I or II. They could not have "Gone West, young man," or traveled here as an immigrant all alone back in the 1800s, or broke their backs working hard as slaves on a plantation in the South.
What do they know about Americans?
They think we have lost our spirit.
They are wrong.
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Jun 15 2008, 06:05 AM
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 14, 2008
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week I'm traveling in Europe. In the past few days, I have visited Slovenia, Germany, Italy, and the Vatican. I'm spending this Saturday in France. And I will conclude my trip in the United Kingdom.
In my meetings, I've discussed our shared efforts to advance peace and prosperity around the world. America has strong partners in leaders like Italy's Silvio Berlusconi, Germany's Angela Merkel, France's Nicolas Sarkozy, and Britain's Gordon Brown. And together we're pursuing an agenda that is broad and far-reaching.
America and Europe are cooperating to open new opportunities for trade and investment. We're working to tear down regulatory barriers that hurt our businesses and consumers. We're striving to make this the year that the world completes an ambitious Doha trade agreement -- which will open up new markets for American goods and services, and help alleviate poverty around the world.
America and Europe are cooperating to address the twin challenges of energy security and climate change while keeping our economies strong. We're working to diversify our energy supplies by developing and financing new clean energy technologies. And we're working toward an international agreement that commits every major economy to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases.
America and Europe are cooperating to widen the circle of development and prosperity. We're leading the world in providing food aid, improving education for boys and girls, and fighting disease. Through the historic commitments of the United States and other G8 countries, we're working to turn the tide against HIV/AIDS and malaria in Africa. And to achieve this noble goal, all nations must keep their promises to deliver this urgent aid.
America and Europe are cooperating on our most solemn duty: protecting our citizens. Our nations are applying the tools of intelligence, finance, law enforcement, diplomacy, and -- when necessary -- military power to break up terror networks and deny them safe havens. And to protect against the prospect of ballistic missile attacks emanating from the Middle East, we're developing a shared system of missile defense.
We're also working together to ensure that Iran is not allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This week, America and our European allies sent a clear and unmistakable message to the regime in Tehran: It must verifiably suspend its enrichment activities -- or face further isolation and additional sanctions. Together, America and Europe are pursuing strong diplomacy with Iran, so that future generations can look back and say that we came together to stop this threat to our people.
In the long run, the most important way we can protect our people is to defeat the terrorists' hateful ideology by spreading the hope of freedom. So America and Europe are working together to advance the vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in security and peace. We're working together to protect the sovereignty of Lebanon's young democracy. And we're working together to strengthen the democratically elected governments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In all of these areas, the United States and Europe have agreed that we must take action -- and that we must go forward together. The level and breadth of the cooperation between America and our European allies today is unprecedented. And together we're making the world a safer and more hopeful place. Thank you for listening.
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Father's Day, 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
On Father's Day, we honor our Nation's fathers for the unconditional love they give to their children and for their selfless dedication to the well-being of their families.
Fathers play a unique and irreplaceable part in the lives of their children and pass along values that help children grow into responsible adults. By providing their sons and daughters with a positive example, fathers help give their children the necessary foundation they need to make wise decisions throughout their lives. Fathers strive to inspire their children to lead lives of integrity, honor, and purpose, and they pray for wisdom and the strength to give their children the love and support they need to achieve their dreams.
All Americans are thankful for the extraordinary efforts of our Nation's fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and guardians. Their devotion and encouragement as mentors, providers, and role models help strengthen their families and our country. We are especially grateful for the fathers who serve in our Nation's Armed Forces. These dedicated fathers protect liberty so that all children can have a more promising future. We pray for the safe return of all those serving overseas, and we thank the fathers who support sons and daughters who are defending our freedom around the globe.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 15, 2008, as Father's Day. I encourage all Americans to express their appreciation to all fathers for their many contributions to our Nation's children. I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on this day. I also call upon State and local governments and citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Jun 10 2008, 08:28 PM
George Walker Bush
43rd President of the United States
Well, I always knew he was compassionate.
I could see it in him everyday.
And I was ever so thankful George W. Bush was who he was during this time, and not of the substance of former President Jimmy Carter.
So, President Bush is vocalizing, in his twilight days of his presidency, that he is having regrets about his portrayal of himself….his legacy.
I don’t blame him…for himself anyway. He didn’t start out his presidency expecting to have to lead the country during a war on terrorism.
I know he protected me and my family by many different means. And I realize one of those means was the greatest sacrifice of all, and so does he. And I thank those soldiers and their families....eternally.
I know so many of you will read or hear his words and snicker, and say, too little, too late.
That's your prerogative.
I hope some day you'll be able to look back and see that you were wrong.
But I hope it won't be because of tragic circumstances .
Read the story from Times Online ç here
Ashley Faulkner, whose mother was murdered
on 9-11, receives a hug from President Bush.
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Apr 27 2008, 07:05 AM
Joint Chiefs Chairman Says Iranian Meddling Destabilizes Iraq, RegionBy Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
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| WASHINGTON, April 25, 2008 – Recently manufactured Iranian weapons found in and around Basra, Iraq, provide disturbing evidence that Iran continues meddling in Iraq in ways that hamper progress and put U.S. and Iraqi lives at risk, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said he’s “increasingly concerned about Iran’s activity, not just in Iraq, but throughout the region.”
“I believe recent events, especially the Basra operation, have revealed just how much and just how far Iran is reaching into Iraq to foment instability,” Mullen said. “Their support to criminal groups in the form of munitions and training, as well as other assistance they are providing and the attacks they are encouraging continues to kill coalition and Iraqi personnel.”
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq who is in line for the top U.S. Central Command job, is preparing a briefing that details these activities, Mullen said. The report is expected in the next couple of weeks.
The recent findings prove [Iran] is not living up to its pledge several months ago to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that it would stop meddling in Iraqi affairs, Mullen said. “It's plainly obvious they have not,” he said.
“Indeed, they seem to have gone the other way,” the chairman said. “I think actions, certainly here, must speak louder than words. And the actions just don't meet the commitments on the part of their leadership.”
While conceding that he has “no smoking gun” to prove high-level Iranian government involvement, he said he’s “hard-pressed to believe the head of the Quds Force is not aware of this.”
The Quds Force is a special unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard that organizes, trains, equips and finances foreign operatives.
Citing the “great downside potential” of this influence, Mullen emphasized the need to “to continue to press, using all available means,” to get Iran to reverse course.
“While all options certainly remain open, I'm convinced the solution right now still lies in using other levers of national power, including diplomatic, financial and international pressure,” he said.
But “we are not taking any military elements off the table,” the admiral added.
Mullen said he has no expectation that the United States will get into a conflict with Iran in the immediate future, and conceded that “a third conflict in this part of the world would be extremely stressing for us.”
He emphasized, however, that the United States has reserve capability, particularly in the Navy and Air Force and based in other regions. “So it would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capability,” he said.
“But in terms of having another conflict in that region, I certainly don't think that would be where we'd want to go right now,” he said.
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Apr 26 2008, 09:33 AM
Sometimes controversial videos are posted on the YouTube and elsewhere…then they disappear quickly.
I found one late last night on YouTube but could not get it to open. It had three postings.
Today they are all gone.
Some other sites, I’ve noticed, have their links broken from a non-YouTube site.
I found it on one other blog site, so get it while it’s hot, because I’m sure it will disappear from here soon too.
Lorne Baxter explores the life of Barack Hussein Obama í here
This is a powerful video.
H/T Urban Grind
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Apr 15 2008, 06:36 AM
Bitter, huh?
Michelle Obama appears bitter.
She's always complaining about something.
About not having enough money.
About being an American.
About people being racist.
About people using the "fear bomb" regarding Barack's middle name.
Do as she says, not as she does.
But I guess Barack Obama doesn't see her as bitter.
So, once again, a statement made by Obama or an issue surrounding Obama is just expected to go away .
"Obama's gaffe is not a show-stopper, Democratic strategists say. He's likely to recover and move on, but it does upset his status as front runner.
"The biggest deal is that it forces him to take his campaign off message," said Matt Klink, vice president for Democratic consultant Cerrell Associates. "From that standpoint alone, it hurts."
Klink says the remarks make Obama look like a "liberal elitist," images which branded previous Democratic presidential nominees Al Gore and John Kerry and hurt them in their losing battles to George W. Bush.
But the campaign is still young, says Rothenberg.
"I don't think any one comment is a silver bullet. Who knows what Hillary Clinton or John McCain will say tomorrow? They could say something equally dumb," Rothenberg said."
Well, maybe....
Remember this guy?
Howard Dean?
People thought he would go all the way ....
Just keep opening your mouth, Barack.
You just never know....
Obama Remarks Likely to Hurt Pennsylvania Effort ç here
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By Janet Evans
Sunday, Apr 6 2008, 08:00 PM
Just the other day I posted about Hanoi Jane Fonda’s “endorsement” of Barack Obama.
Funny thing is, back in April of 2005, Fonda did an interview with Time Magazine where she stated she supported Hillary Clinton.
Now, granted, we all can change who we decide to support for President.
And, of course, Clinton hadn’t yet decided to run back then.
Another puzzling thing, though, is that Jane Fonda is known to be a guest of the Clinton White House. She’s on what’s known as the “Sleepover List.” You’ll see her listed under the category “Arts and Letters."
This same information is listed in a 2005 Newsmax article, that also states Fonda contributed to Clinton"s campaign. More interestingly, it says this:
"Links to Fonda proved toxic for Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign last year, when NewsMax published an authentic photo showing him standing near the left-wing actress at a 1970 anti-war demonstration in Pennsylvania. [A subsequent photo circulated on the Internet showing Fonda standing side-by-side with Kerry at a 1971 protest was doctored.]
Reaction to the Kerry-Fonda photo was sharp.
"Seeing this picture of Kerry with [Fonda] at anti-war demonstrations in the United States just makes me want to throw up," Rep. Sam Johnson - a former Vietnam POW - told the Washington Times. Sen. Kerry insisted that he barely knew his fellow protester, though both he and Fonda shared top posts in the group, Vietnam Veterans Against the War."
Jane Fonda is bad news....
So, the conspiracy theory that will be floating around now, since Fonda blurted out that she was voting for Obama, is that it may be a set-up by someone on the Clinton team.
Maybe, maybe not.
We’ll probably never know.
One thing I do know....Jane Fonda is a bit of a kook.
H/T NoMoreMisterNiceBlog
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Apr 4 2008, 11:44 AM
Presidential nominee, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona has refused to request Secret Service protection.
Is he being a hero? Or does his desire to be more in touch with the people make him just naive in these times?
Not even these times.....How many years ago was it that Bobby Kennedy was assassinated on the campaign trail? 40?
I know McCain served during Vietnam, had close calls, and was a POW, but for him, or any of the candidates to not use Secret Service protection is ignorant.
He may have fought in combat, but he isn't carrying a weapon to defend himself right now.
He's a target...and what's worse is, now everybody knows it.
John McCain....don't be a hero.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read the article from CBS News
No Secret Service Protection for McCain í here
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., l
eft, speaks to his press secretary, Brooke Buchanan, on the tarmac
before boarding the campaign charter airplane in Jacksonville, Fla.
Thursday, April 3, 2008, during his Service to America campaign tour.
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Apr 3 2008, 11:55 AM
Photo of Jane Fonda in Vietnam war protest days
by Nihon Denpa News / Associated Press
This week Michelle Obama is holding hands with Teresa Heinz Kerry.
And now Hanoi Jane Fonda is endorsing Obama.
Jane Fonda was an anti-Vietnam war advocate and was widely known as Hanoi Jane.
She visited Vietnam in 1972 and had several photographs taken.
She 2005 she acknowledged that sitting on the enemy aircraft gun in the photo was a betrayal to soldiers.
She did not regret broadcasting on Radio Hanoi, though....
Endorsed by Fonda.
Who could ask for anything more?
I don't think John McCain would want Jane Fonda endorsing him, since he was a Vietnam POW.
I'm sure this will be another proud moment for Barack Obama.
But, of course, it isn't his fault who endorses him - Fonda's not part of his campaign.
We'll have to see what his comments are about it though, won't we?
After all, just because someone is a movie star, or famous, or wealthy....
Doesn't mean you have to accept their endorsement....you can say "Thanks, but no thanks!"
Just like you don't have to keep attending a church if you don't believe in what your pastor is preaching.
Oh... Babs Barbra Streisand has been awfully quiet...
But wait...
Barbra Streisand Endorses Hillary Clinton
Probably a wise move on her part.
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Apr 2 2008, 10:00 PM
Hillary……
35 years of experience….
and a fighter who doesn’t give up, too?
You’re everything we, the American people, dream of in a candidate!
"Recalling a famous scene on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Clinton said to end her presidential campaign now would be as if "Rocky Balboa had gotten halfway up those art museum steps and said, 'Well, I guess that's about far enough.'"
"Let me tell you something, when it comes to finishing a fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up. And neither do the American people," Clinton said."
Hillary, Hillary, Hillary!
Read the story on Yahoo News!
Clinton Compares Herself to "Rocky" ç here
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Mar 31 2008, 08:16 PM
"Maybe she's been pondering the Monica Lewinsky question from a college student last week?" |  Either way, do you think Chelsea is kind of feeling like a child from a broken home right about now? I'm sure she's dreaming of those days when the press wasn't allowed to ask her questions. Maybe if Bill hadn't screwed up earlier in the campaign, she wouldn't have to be out there doing his dirty work.
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Mar 26 2008, 06:42 AM
Okay, here goes....
Do I really want to bring this up?
Yes, I do...
Remember a couple weeks ago I blogged about how I thought
Michelle Obama was not in touch with the "average American?"
You remember, Michelle, whining back in Ohio...
"But there are still problems. As she has many times in the past, Mrs. Obama complains about the lasting burden of student loans dating from her days at Princeton and Harvard Law School. She talks about people who end up taking years and years, until middle age, to pay off their debts. “The salaries don’t keep up with the cost of paying off the debt, so you’re in your 40s, still paying off your debt at a time when you have to save for your kids,” she says.
“Barack and I were in that position,” she continues. “The only reason we’re not in that position is that Barack wrote two best-selling books… It was like Jack and his magic beans. But up until a few years ago, we were struggling to figure out how we would save for our kids.”
Poor, Michelle...woe is me.....
Oh, Michelle and Barack, your tax returns are in...
Check it out at National Review Online í here
It's pretty bad, isn't it?
$240,505 in 2000
$272,759 in 2001
$259,394 in 2002
$238,327 in 2003
$207,647 in 2004
$1,655,106 in 2005
$983,826 in 2006
"I know we're spending — I added it up for the first time — we spend between the two kids, on extracurriculars outside the classroom, we're spending about $10,000 a year on piano and dance and sports supplements and so on and so forth," she told the women of her own household expenses. "And summer programs. That's the other huge cost. Barack is saying, 'Whyyyyyy are we spending that?' And I'm saying, 'Do you know what summer camp costs?'"
I don't know how Michelle Obama sleeps at night.
I can't imagine having to toss and turn worrying over how she is going to pay the next extra-curricular activity bill.
Not on what she and Barack have pulled in over the last years....
H/T: KarenT
Rachel Lucas
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Mar 24 2008, 12:57 PM
Well, we said it wasn’t going to go away…and it sure isn’t….
"The new pastor of Barack Obama’s church delivered a defiant defense of its retiring reverend Sunday, comparing media coverage of Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. to a modern-day lynching that resembles Jesus’ death at the hands of the Romans."
"In a sunrise Easter sermon, Rev. Otis Moss III never mentioned Wright by name, but implied that his mentor, who has delivered sermons in which he likened the U.S. to the Ku Klux Klan and declared it damned for its “state-sponsored terrorism,” is facing the same challenges Jesus did.”No one should start a ministry with lynching, no one should end their ministry with lynching,” Moss said."
This from Fox News....
See the entire article
In Easter sermon, new Obama Pastor charges Rev. Wright victim of "lynching" í here
This church is just getting better, and better.
Below is a video with a portion of the sermon
Sermon: How Do You Handle A Public Lynching
Rev. Otis Moss III
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Mar 24 2008, 06:35 AM
The man means business.
He just tells it like it is.
He always has.
Cheney is on a tour of the Middle East.
He recently had an interview with Martha Raddatz, of ABC news.
She questioned him about the economy, and he told her we are not in a recession, which is true.
Then the following exchange took place regarding the war in Iraq:
Raddatz: Two-third of Americans say it’s not worth fighting.
Cheney: So?
Raddatz: So? You don’t care what the American people think?
Cheney: No. I think you cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations in the public opinion polls. There has, in fact, been fundamental change and transformation and improvement for the better. That’s a huge accomplishment.
"So?" You gotta love it!
Read the entire article in the New York Times
Cheney Unconcerned By Iraq War's Unpopularity í here
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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Mar 22 2008, 07:21 PM
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