Welcome to Kansas

On the off beat of April fools day Mayor Bill Bunten of Topeka Kansas decide to rename the city for the month. to what you might ask? GOOGLE. yes he decided to name it after the search engine. Google decided to get in on the action and has changed its name to Topeka. Im not completly sure when google will return to its old and popular name but its allways funny to see what google is gonna do next. I wounder if you type "google" into "topeka" maps will it pull up a city in Kansas or a company hedaquarters? interesting :)

Batter UP!

A presidential tradition that dates 100 years will continue by President Obama. He will throw the first pitch before the Washington Nationals v. Philadelphia Phillies. William Howard Taft was the first to throw an Opening Day pitch in Washington in 1910.

This shows even the presidents get to have a little fun in their day. This gives him a chance to relax and step back from all the chaos.

Recovery from Rhode Island flooding could take months

Rhode Island residents were finally able to survey the damage as the flood waters started receding. Officials were saying saying the long-term recovery could take months.
"The Pawtuxet River, which impacts our community, crested," said Fire Battalion Chief Joseph Greenwell. "But at this point, there's widespread damage throughout the city from the river, which overflowed its banks." Rhode Island was hit hard with many of the schools remaining closed."Our sewer plant, for one, is submerged. Interstate 95 has been closed down from the impact of the flood," Greenwell said. "(There are) some serious issues for the community, both in time and expense." The storm dumped 8.75 inches of rain in East Providence, 7.6 inches in downtown Providence and 5 inches in Cranston, all in Rhode Island. Earlier in the week, President Obama extended a state of emergency for the entire state, freeing up federal dollars to help with relief efforts.

This was the 100 year flood they had been waiting for. Thankfully Obama is going to send money thier way. RI has been struggling fincaially in this encomomy with a 13% unemployment rate. All the damages to buisnesses and homes may further hurt thier fragile economy. Hopefully the damage isnt too extensive and wont hurt the small state.

FIXED?

President Obama sealed a victory on the new health care reform law. The so-called "fixes" bill expands health insurance subsidies for lower and middle income families while watering down tax on expensive policies. The measure also changes the national college student loan system by shifting government funding from commercial banks to new education initiatives. the bill increases the over all cost of the health care reform legislation to $940 billion over the next 10 years. Republicans argue that each issue deserved its own debate and not to be rolled into one fix all.

So to the Dem's. you win you got your health care. But why is the student loans in there? do loans for students effect the price of medical coverage? I Agree with the republicans that this should be separate and not something that should be tossed into the mix in haste or it can cause even more problems in the future...

Russia is our friend?

The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) will last 10 years, and builds on the previous agreement that expired in December.
Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will sign the agreement April 8 in Prague, Czech Republic.
The new treaty limits both nations to "significantly fewer strategic arms within seven years" of its signing. One of the limits: 1,550 warheads and limits on launchers.
"With this agreement, the United States and Russia -- the two largest nuclear powers in the world -- also send a clear signal that we intend to lead," the president said. "By upholding our own commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, we strengthen our global efforts to stop the spread of these weapons, and to ensure that other nations meet their own responsibilities."
The new START would be the first treaty related to arms control since the end of the Cold War.

This is a monumental achivement. In times where it seems every country for thier own we are about to alli with the russians so there is no threat of attack. I'm sure this will make Gwen VERY happy so she might be able to go there and put her russian into action.

I OBJECT!!!

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid mistakenly called out "no" Thursday when asked for his vote on the health care reconciliation bill, which caused all sorts of laughter in the chamber.
Reid voted the wrong way when the clerk called for his vote, realized his error and quickly changed his vote to "yes."
Reid, who spent months persuading fellow senators to vote "yes" on President Obama's top domestic priority, made the same mistake December 24 when voting on the original health care bill.
The final vote was 56-43 for approval, after which it was sent to the House, which also passed the measure.

Alls not well in D.C.

Democratic congressional leader demanded Republicans join them in condemning the threats and vandalism that has followed Sunday's vote on a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. health care system.
More than 10 Democrats have reported trouble since the weekend vote, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters. Windows have been smashed at Democratic offices in at least three states, and federal agents were investigating whether a cut gas line at the home of a Virginia congressman's brother was related to the lawmaker's yes vote.
Democracy "is not about violence," Hoyer said at a news conference with South Carolina Rep. "I've made statements that I understand people are angry, but violence and threats are inappropriate and irresponsible," the Ohio congressman said. "If people are angry, they ought to register to vote and get involved in a campaign."
"Not only is it completely nuts and wrong, it's exactly what they want," Beck said. He told viewers, "They are begging for it. You are being set up."

I DO NOT SUPPORT THE VANADLISM AND THREATS!
although i think it is kind of funny that people are doing this but all i can say is i told you so....
this is a HUGE reform bill and im suprised that they are taking this so well. Think about it, with the passage of black voting people were murdered all over the place. At least the have the commonsence to not kill anyone. The republicans are not gonna rush out and say stop. This is what they want they want the proof that this is not a good thing for america but i agree its not the right way to do it.

MAking money off of stupidity...what else is new?

while using a four-letter word could land an elementary student in detention, Organizing for America is embracing itwith the hope of earning cash. OFA is using Bidens now infamous phrase on a T-shirt to commemerate the signing of healthcare reform into law. Doners who give at least $25 will recive a 'limited edition' "Health Reform is a BFD" t-shirt.

As you know i commented earlier about Bidens mess up but now people are making money off of it? I know Biden isnt the smarted kid but really this takes the cake. Now people are using it to make money?? I just think its silly that someone is just like "hey, biden made a fool of himself again lets make a t-shirt" really?? what have we come to as a population? oh well...

OOPS!

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2010/03/23/sot.biden.big.deal.cnn

After introducing the president, a microphone picks up Vice President Biden saying, "This is a big (expletive) deal!"

Even Biden knows that this is a make or break deal the future vote of the bill is still in the hands of our government. i guess we just have to stick around to findout what happens next...

Nixon campaign strategy: Race

President Nixon's campaign strategists hoped to create controversy among Democrats in the 1972 elections, according to a paper released Monday. the paper was titled "Dividing the Democrats" was found in the files of Nixon aide H. R. Haldeman. The paper was only signed as "RESEARCH". It layed out the perceived problems among Democrats that the GOP could use in helping Republican candidates win future elections. the tactics the stragigist came up with included distribution of bumper stickers that "should be spread out in the ghettoes of the country" calling for "black presidential and especially vice presidential candidates."
It also said, "we should do what is within our power to have a black nominated for Number Two at least at the Democratic National Convention." Its belived that this paper was written by aide Patrick Buchanan.

I find this really amusing. Its also amazing how stratigists in the seventies would think of a black president. Back in the 70's i WOULD have caused a break in support whites v. blacks so then the united republican side would win. Its funny how what was once thought to be a silly plan to breeak up a party acually was a winning stratigy 40 years later. We do have the first black president in a new era of understanding. so whats next? first asian, native american, woman, arab president? its exciting and interesting how in a few decades anything can become possible.

First Lady Announces $$ Support for Military Families

First Lady Michelle Obama joined military wives for lunch today to announce increased federal spending for military support programs.
Obama approved a 3% increase and it will help with counseling and support to spouses and families, spousal career development, as well as military child care and youth programs for military kids. The increase, will bring the total to around $8.8 billion for all federal projects like this one helping American families. So although may programs are being frozen, some programs are receiving help.

OBAMA - "Show me what you got" and "Bring it on"

In Nashua, NH, President Obama challenged republicans to "show me what you got" and "bring it on" when it comes to health care.

"What I have said is that both the House bill and the Senate bill were 90 percent there. Ten percent of each bill, people had some problems with, and legitimately so. So we were just about to clean those up, and then Massachusetts' election happened. Suddenly everybody says, oh, oh, it's over. Well, no, it's not over. We just have to make sure that we move methodically and that the American people understand exactly what's in the bill.
And what I've done is I've said to the Republicans, show me what you've got. You've been sitting on the sidelines criticizing what we're proposing. I'm happy to defend insurance reforms; I'm happy to defend the fact that we need to provide 30 million people with access to coverage; I'm happy to defend the need to provide small businesses an ability to pool so that they can have the same purchasing power that the big companies have and drive down their premiums and drive down their rates for their employees. I'm happy to have these debates. I just want to see what else you got. And if you've got a good idea, great."

I love how this problem is now being deflected onto the Republicans. It must be our fault! So if this was such a good idea many people would have pulled together to make this happen. But in the GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. we all have diffrent opinions. We all dont have the same views, so its IMPOSSIBLE to make everyone happy. But for starters it doesnt help when you try shifting the blame...

Death Hits VP Family

Joe Biden's mother, called mom-mom, passed away at the age of 92. On the list of people attending the funeral included President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, several Cabinet officials and members of Congress. Biden thanked Obama for treating his mother "with warmth and personal affection." Biden's mother was courageous and "taught her children that the thickest of all substances was blood." She helped Biden through rough times: when his wife and daughter were killed in a car crash in December 1972, the month after he was elected to the Senate.

RE: RE: battle for 2012 presidency

A class mate said "i cant keep from laughing... its a good thing we did not elect mccain. what would we do if he had gotten into the white house and decided he didnt want to play president anymore... WE WOULD HAVE PALIN! sweet jesus... thank god for Obama"

I’m sorry, I doubt someone could walk away from a position like that. EVER! Sure many people do not agree with Palin. But what is the worst she can do? we have learned that you cannot pass bills or laws without the public or congressional approval so if anything was TOO radical i doubt it would be passed. Also we learned about impeachment. I bet just like Andrew Johnson, if Palin was Way too conservative for modern America, they could impeach her. Problem solved. We will never know… . So please do not put people down, just because of your parent’s views. We don’t need a liberal version of Logan. Please use your brain. God gave you one for a reason....

Approval

At the end of 2009, Barack Obama's first year approval polls came out. According to a Fox News poll, 50% of American's approve of Barack Obama's job as president, while 42% don't agree with how he is doing his job. Almost 2 out of 3 people are in some way dissatisfied with how things are going in the United States today. Obama's ratings are holding steady as the year has gone. At the beginning of the year he had 65% approval rating, and it has steadily dropped, but that is kind of expected as a first year president. The honeymoon with the people is over. If Obama handles the Hati crisis well he might see a jump in popularity...

Presidents Lead Fundraising Efforts for Haiti

President Obama along with George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will lead efforts to raise relief funds for Haitian victims.
"Presidents Bush and Clinton will help the American people to do their part, because responding to disaster is the work of all of us," Obama said from the White House Rose Garden. "In these difficult hours, America stands united."
People can donate to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund online by clicking here to visit the fund's site.
Obama said he was inspired by the relief effort that Clinton and George H.W. Bush led after the 2004 tsunami that struck Asia.
The Red Cross has estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people were killed Tuesday

Obama Lends a hand to Mass.

President Obama flew to Boston to help rally voters for Martha Coakley. Martha is running aginst Republican Scott Brown and Obama is trying to keep the seat held for decades by liberal lion Ted Kennedy in Democratic hands. Brown says he will vote against Democratic efforts to expand health care. If Brown wins the election that would give Republicans enough votes to stop the bill through a filibuster. Several Obama advisers have told the party they believe Coakley is going to lose. The sources said they still hoped Obama's weekend visit to the state, coupled with a late push by party activists, could tip the balance in her favor, but Obama aides have grown increasingly pessimistic. If she loses it shows that the nation is in dissagreement with the bill.

I'm Blacker than Barack Obama

The former Illinois governor told Esquire magazine: "It's such a cynical business, and most of the people in the business are full of s--- and phonies, but I was real, man — and am real. This guy, he was catapulted in on hope and change, what we hope the guy is. What the f---? Everything he's saying's on the teleprompter. I'm blacker than Barack Obama. I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundromat in a black community not far from where we lived. I saw it all growing up." Later Blagojevich said, "It's a stupid metaphor, and if I offended anyone, I apologize very much. I said it out of frustration," Blagojevich said. "What I said was stupid, stupid, stupid." Blagojevich was removed from spot as governor last year after he was arrested for trying to sell Obama's old U.S. Senate seat.

Blagojevich just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole and from the looks of it by losing his spot as Governor he has no money and is broke and has his brother as a defendant for his trial. Right now i think Blagojevich should just keep his comments to him self and stay away from interviews for a while.

Gates as Defense Secretary

Defence Secretary Robert Gates is a hold over from the bush era, and this week Obama put out news that he would be keeping Gates on staff for at least another year. Obama after winning the 2008 election asked to keep Gates to keep some Republicans in office and he will be in place to manage the expansion of the Afghanistan war through the summer and to look forward to the planned withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in the summer of 2011. So by keeping Gates it ensures a better diplomacy instead of throwing in a new guy amongst the end of a battle. if you have a winning hand why change it? Too bad for Gates though... under Bush he had a countdown calender counting down the days of his retirement. So now he has to tack on another 365 days.

President Obama’s Friday Schedule

As High Schooler's we are bound to have the same boring schedule that we repeat Monday through Friday week after week until summer break. But, as the president you don't get breaks. So what does the presidents daily schedule look like? I found the below schedule on FOXNEWS.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010

In the morning, the President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing, the Economic Daily Reports, meet with senior advisers, in the Oval Office. These meeting are closed to the press.
Later, the president will meet separately with Secretary of Treasury Geithner and Secretary of State Clinton in the Oval office. These meetings are closed to the press.
In the afternoon, the president will make a statement to the press in the east room and announce new Recovery Act funding for clean technology manufacturing jobs.

I think this sounds like a not too busy day personally. Its similar to wake up read the paper hear whats going on in the world, go to work, hold conferences. that sounds like what my dad does everyday. Sure talking to Clinton and Geithner isn't the funnest thing but that's his job. But being president it seems like hes got it kinda easy. sure there are some big decisions and he has to make speeches, but they are all pre-written so it cant be that hard of a life.

Obama ramps up air security

After a 23-year-old Nigerian man allegedly tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day with an explosive hidden in his underwear. Obama decided to raise security measures to protect Americans. Obama announced a dozen changes to help with flight security, including new terror watch list guidelines, wider and quicker distribution of intelligence reports, stronger analysis of those reports, international partnerships and an interagency effort to develop next-generation airport screening technologies. They are also in the works of training more then 4,000 new air marshals and trying to come up with new and improved screening technology to detect explosives and other dangerous materials terrorists could try to sneak onto an airplane.

So why is he doing this now? shouldnt we have alreday up'ed the anti after 9/11? All i can say now is I feel better knowing that in the 'near future' I won't be sitting next to an al-Qaida operative trying to blow up our plane.