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Tuesday, January 20, 2009 United States Other stories from United States 20 January 2009: US Senator Ted Kennedy collapses during inaugural luncheon 20 January 2009: Obama succeeds Bush as 44th president of the United States 20 January 2009: Barack Obama sworn in as 44th President of the United States 20 January 2009: Obama's Inaugural Celebration "We are One" attracts 400,000 20 January 2009: Steelers, Cardinals win championship games to advance to Super Bowl XLIII ...More articles here Location of United States To write, edit, start or view other articles on United States, see the United States Portal Today, the official ceremony ushering in Barack H. Obama II as the new president of the United States took place at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. A 21-gun salute, as well as the playing of four ruffles and flourishes and "Hail to the Chief", marked the moment he assumed power from his predecessor, George W. Bush. President Barack Obama being sworn in at the inauguration Bush's second term as President of the United States, which began on January 20, 2005, expired with the swearing-in of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, at noon EST (UTC-5), under the provisions of the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Bush performed his final official act this morning, welcoming Barack Obama and Michelle to the White House for coffee before the swearing-in, shortly before 10am EST, and then accompanied them there by motorcade to attend the ceremony. Last week, Bush had made his farewells to the nation in a televised address, saying that the inauguration turns a page in race relations. "Obama's story — his black father was from Kenya, his white mother from Kansas — represents "the enduring promise of our land," said Bush. Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday called on Obama to seek "understanding, co-operation and peace" among nations. "I offer cordial good wishes, together with the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you unfailing wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high responsibilities," the Pontiff said. [edit]Oaths of office The National Mall gates at the inaugural ceremony opened early, with official introductions beginning around 11:30am EST. On the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Senator Dianne Feinstein provided the call to order and welcoming remarks, shortly after followed by invocation by the Rev. Rick Warren and a musical performance by Aretha Franklin. Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr., a Democrat, who was elected Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, took his oath of office, succeeding Dick Cheney. Biden took his oath at 11:57am EST from Associate Justice John Paul Stevens. U.S. service members prepare for the 56th United States presidential inauguration rehearsal in the west steps of the United States Capitol Washington, D.C., Jan. 11, 2009. Image: Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Glover Roberts, Jr. then administered the oath of office to Obama, under Article II, Section 1, Clause 8. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God," Obama swore, using the 1861 President Lincoln Inaugural Bible. First Lady Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama and daughters Malia Ann and Sasha, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi were among the record-setting crowd of over 2 million people, including more than a million people that filled the National Mall. Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in a wheelchair, having pulled a muscle in his back while moving, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. Obama has decided to follow tradition and use his full name, including his middle name Hussein, regardless of its past and presentuse by detractors as an effort to slander his image. The advanced scheduled program stated that the inaugural address was to be delivered by "the President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama." [edit]Obama's inaugural address Wikisource has original text related to this article: Obama succeeds Bush as 44th president of the United States The President delivered his inaugural address in front of Capitol Hill with the theme "A New Birth of Freedom," commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, said Feinstein. Obama focused on the restoration of public confidence and personal "responsibility," reassuring recession-weary Americans they can rebound from hard times. He conveyed to the world his desire to fix a battered U.S. image overseas. He asked the nation to reject the "culture of anything goes" and to restore a national value system that honors responsibility and accountability. Elizabeth Alexander recited a poem, followed by the benediction by Rev. Joseph E. Lowery. The National Anthem was thereafter played by The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters." Over 200 million viewers worldwide had watched inauguration videos and live streams provided online by a number of news organizations and online video broadcasting companies over the internet. The event was also available live to select iPhone users. [edit]After the ceremony Obama's presidential limousine, a 2009 Cadillac Following his speech, President Obama escorted former President George W. Bush at 12:53pm EST as they left for a departure ceremony. Bush drove off, ending his 8 years as president, with Obama waving goodbye from the courtyard of the US Capitol. At 2:35pm EST in the Capitol's Statuary Hall, at the inaugural luncheon attended by

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Obama, it is reported that Ted Kennedy had a stroke. Paramedics arrived and took the senator to a hospital. A parade extended for over two hours in the afternoon. It included 15,000 people, 240 horses, dozens of marching bands, two drum and bugle corps, and one mariachi band from Espanola, New Mexico. Just after 4pm EST, Obama and his wife joined the celebrating crowds on Pennsylvania Avenue. After a short time waving to the masses, they returned to the Presidential Limousine, a 2009 Cadillac, which transported them to the White House. The First Limo has replaced President Bush’s Cadillac DTS Presidential Limousine that rolled out in 2004. Mr and Mrs Obama plan to attend a total of ten official inaugural balls, including the Neighbourhood Ball, the Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Ball, the Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Ball and the Youth Ball. American R&B singer-songwriter Beyonce has been planned to perform the first dance song. The Obamas will return to the White House, their new home, following the last ball.

Homework. Compound word. Part home, part work. In a way implying that it is you that is doing it, and that it is also going to take some effort. [edit: it has also been duely noted in the comments that "homework" implies an offsite assignment]. Facts are facts, and opinions are like noses: everybody has one and they all stink. So let's break down some internet rumors, and dispel the myths and analyze the facts. Let’s not copy and paste somebody else’s “facts” and suppose them as our own. First let’s look at some good ole' American values. [Courtesy of Aunt J] There was a time when able bodied individuals that needed something, went out and got it. They worked two and three jobs, rode the bus or walked and saved every penny rather than looking for the government to solve all their inefficiencies, (living beyond their means). Sometimes, when things get a little tight, you have to give up a few of your daily necessities (cigarettes, beer, fast food, etc..) to make ends meet. Maybe move to a smaller, less expensive place. It's called sacrifice. How you manage [key word here] your life shouldn't be a burden to your neighbor - or anyone. Opinion. The facts are that Americans are hard workers, in fact in GDP dollars per capita, we make more than any other country on the planet. However, we are losing out on efficiency to Norway, maybe we need to give up a little bit more beer. No one is slamming sacrifice, but let's make sure that people who work hard get rewarded. People at the top of the food chain sacrifice too, it's just that they sacrifice vacation houses (remembering of course that John McCain has 8, citation below). No one is "qualified" to be middle class. It's not a "right". It is a measure of achievement. Something you've earned. Nothing more than a label applied by the liberal media and others to differentiate the have's and have not's. Poof, you're middle class. Feel better? Now you have joined a higher tax bracket. Still feel better? Can't wait to hit the upper-middle class. Are we there yet? Is this truly defining your life? A label? What's wrong with being comfortable, warm and happy? Plan that out. Opinion. Middle class isn't a right to be sure, but weren't we just talking about sacrifice? Middle class isn't just a label. You can measure it. If you sacrifice to get there is it a bad thing? No, tons of people sacrificed meals out, entertainment, and extras to get there, and so they deserve it. The problem occurs when the GINI index (that's the measure of the richest 20% of the population to the poorest 20%), starts increasing dramatically as it has from the 70's. This means that the rich are getting richer, at the expense of the poor (and middle class). This has pretty important implications for people at the top of the food chain, and at the bottom. It means, in no uncertain terms, that not all Americas are getting equal opportunity. McCain has been "in touch" for over 70 years. His constituents have re-elected him many times. He must be paying attention somewhere. There was a time, however, when single moms and groceries and new baby shoes were irrelevant to him. He was living on mud floors, in filth with no toilet paper or medical attention. He was preoccupied with trying to stay alive. About the only thing he did have was strength of character and a strong faith in God. Think about how long five and a half years is. I was a single mom for many ,many years. It's a choice. You make it work. Opinion. McCain is not in touch with the average American. He's one of the richest senators in the millionaires club which is the US senate. Do you fly around in a private jet? I don't. Do you own 8 houses? Nope. Or forget how many you have? Does your spouse have a net worth of $100 million? Not mine. No one bashes McCain's service to his country, but, and this is important, that doesn't necessarily mean that you are qualified to be President. Similarly, I'm not qualified to be president, just because I have survived grad school. Faith is God is a great thing to have in a President, but while most people feel that it is "necessary condition," most would agree it is not "sufficient condition" (please see this). 1. He holds sacred the lives of unborn babies. Nope, this is mostly false. He, for one, almost picked a pro-abortion VP, he tested the waters first to see if it would work and it didn't. Also, he's definitely not as strong on others in regard to Roe v. Wade. 2. He is deeply rooted in service to our country and American Patriotism. Sure. No one disputes this, however, this is not a pre-condition for presidency. 3. A war hero, decorated serviceman. Over 5 years POW. Sure. See point above. ZAP (bad joke, I realize). 4. He supports parents rights to chose the education for their children. Sure. This isn't disputed, and Obama or others would not take this away. 5. He understands that Muslims, guided by the Koran, have been reigningterror on the world since before the 10th Century.The first war ever waged by the USA was against Muslims in the Barbary Wars. circa 1795 False. What about the American Freakin' Revolution? There are at least 5 wars prior to the Barbary Wars, which are pretty miniscule in American history, all told (more people die in traffic accidents per day than in both Barbary Wars combined, uh, 35 Americans total). America has to get off of its duff, and stop being freaked out by people who live in caves and mud huts. Heck, we stood down the Soviets with tens of thousands of nuclear warheads in the Cold War. Americans need to consider the enemy by putting the history into some quantifiable perspective. 6. It is proven he is a US citizen, born in the USA. Full disclosure. Half truth. US citizen he is, born in the USA he was not. Try Panama. 7. He has no problem saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and salutes the flag. Fact. So do I, I started saying the pledge of allegiance in the 1st grade. 8. He has a lifetime of experience in leadership. shall I go on? Fact. This can be said of anybody that has had a supervisor position and continued to climb. Why is Sarah Palin a joke? Have you been watching CNN? They can't explain it either - they just say, "she's a joke" like that means something. If she's a joke then why does she embarrass you? Why does she make you feel ashamed? Fact: She is a joke. She has been the butt of some serious joking for her Miss Teen South Carolina-like TV appearances. Time to catch up on the news: Palin: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/25/palin-talks-russia-with-k_n_129318.html http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/eveningnews/main4476173.shtml http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMNHgJH2680 Fey: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/13/tina-fey-as-sarah-palin-o_n_126249.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/27/tina-fey-as-sarah-palin-k_n_129956.html She is a mother, wife, sister, daughter. She was concerned with issues at her child's school and joined the PTA. She saw corruption in her town government and ran for city council. Fact. Mother. Daughter. Wife. Sister. Grandmother? She saw corruption, and then became part of the problem. She knew she could make a difference and ran for mayor. Someone noticed what an amazing woman she was and convinced her to run for higher office. Apparently a couple of times. Gee - she's so scary...She's a small business owner, went to college, loves her family and has been married to her high school sweetheart for over 20 years. She believes in God and country. Likes to hunt and fish. Sounds like a multi-tasker - just like me! Wow! I'm not scared. And best of all, she is in a great position to lead the economic shift to make America less dependant on foreign oil. So, let's see...you could say that rather than sitting around bitchin' about life, she kinda gets in there and gets things done. I want a woman like that helping to run our country!! You betcha! Fact. Hunting and fishing doesn't get you to the White House. Also, having people believe in you is wonderful unless it's for the wrong reasons. She also went to 4 colleges, does that make her smarter than the rest of us? The fact that she is governor of Alaska makes her “an energy expert exactly the same way the king of Saudi Arabia is an energy expert — by accident of residence.” George Bush can hardly make his press secretary speak for him let alone pull McCain's strings. McCain is hardly a puppet. He is most certainly his own man. Last time someone manipulated him they had to hold him prisoner, break both arms and a leg, beat him until he couldn't stand. Now that's a puppet. Absolutely helpless. But he didn't belong to George Bush. He was an American soldier and a prisoner of war. Fact. McCain is certainly his own man. He has bucked his party on quite a few issues, and almost teetered on becoming a Democrat. Interesting that while most of the time, the nation prefers someone with resolve (remembering how Kerry got eaten alive for being a "flip-flopper"), now McCain is somehow a national hero when he changes his mind. Also, see CFR point that follows. Grandma Jo's cousin was a prisoner of war. I'd love to tell you about him. He wrote a book about it. It is very difficult to read. Very graphic. Very sad. Her uncle Bill died on the beach at Normandy. He came home in a box. I have his medals, letters and GI diaries. He gave his life for his country.Would you like to know more about him? He was a very sweet young man. Not sure if this is fact or not: interesting story, but mostly irrelevant. Steer clear of storytelling for better political debate. Tell me why Obama should be president? Tell me 8 good things about him. State your facts - site your sources. Try to omit the name calling and at least spell the candidate's names correctly. Then let's have more conversation. Fact. For one, it is "cite" your sources, and name calling is un-called for in any debate. Opinion: 1. Obama is the antithesis of the policies George Bush, who has currently the lowest ratings in presidential history. If Bush is currently sitting at about 20% approval, then perhaps Obama stands a chance at getting upper 60% approval, who knows. 2. An Obama presidency, would end spending abroad in Iraq, at the widely quoted rate $10 billion a day. Perhaps, some of this money could go to rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, to clean up some our hurricane messes, or to pay down the national debt. Just a thought. 3. An Obama presidency, would see more of your tax dollars wind up in the US of A, via a healthcare plan, for a health care system that certainly needs fixing. 4. Obama seeks to reduce the amount of inequity fueled by tax loop-holes for the mega rich. I quote: All corporate income taxes--including giant corporations and the smallest of businesses--account for only about 14 percent of federal revenues raised in the year, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Most federal taxes are paid by individuals, while fees and other taxes make up the rest. While the official corporate tax is high, compared to other countries, there are so many loopholes in the code that many companies pay little or no taxes. The General Accounting Office reported recently that more than half of U.S. corporations paid no federal income taxes during the boom years of the late 1990s, and those that did were able to shelter much of their income, generally by claiming deductions and credits. The GAO report showed that 61 percent of U.S. corporations paid no federal income taxes from 1996 through 2000, a period of rapid economic growth and rising corporate profits. An estimated 94 percent of U.S. corporations reported tax liabilities amounting to less than 5 percent of their total income in 2000. Indeed, small corporations were more likely to avoid taxation than large ones, the GAO said. From: http://econ4obama.blogspot.com/2008/10/debate-fact-check-highlights.html 5. Obama is highly educated. Graduated from Harvard, president of Harvard Law Review, and taught constitutional law at University of Chicago. One this last point, noting that this is a better bullet point on the presidential resume, diacritics aside, than being imprisoned by no fault of one’s own. 6. Obama hangs out with economists (and they seem to like him), a good call for the guy that will be overseeing aspects of the world’s largesteconomy (John McCain, by the way, thinks that your economic problems might be psychological). 7. Obama wants to finish off the Taliban and other insurgents in Afghanistan, where the fight should have been kept, and won long ago. 8. Obama is a family man, who has only been married once (unlike his opponent), has two daughters who attend public school, and has a consistent track record of achievement, while keeping the little guy in mind. Maybe once we get the ones that are only concerned with helping the rich get richer while watching the poor continue to struggle then we can all breath a little easier for once instead of bouncing checks just to put gas in our cars or formula for our babies or food on our table or to keep the lights on in our homes. That's what I'm looking forward to. See point 3 above. Look up the parameters for being considered middle class today..........NONE of us qualify.....well maybe a couple of us just barely make it.....but not most.......we are considered poverty level and there is just something terribly wrong with that. Much agreed. See point above about the GINI index. No reply is necessary, I know how I will be voting on the 4th and it won't be for another BUSH puppet that's for damn sure!!! Question: who was the first BUSH puppet? Also, voting has been moved to the 5th. A vote for OBAMA is a vote for socialism. Look up the meaning of that and see if you like it. A vote for socialism is a vote __________. These kinds of arguments don’t really work, it purports, that there is no alternative. Will Obama force every aspect of socialism down our throats? No. Silly in fact to believe that the president would have that much sway. Remember, the president doesn’t write the law, he or she just enforces it. A vote for any ticket other than the McCain/Palin ticket is a vote for OBAMA . Faulty dilemma. Again. Is a vote for Ralph Nader a vote for Obama? No, really it would be more of a vote for McCain. A vote for Bob Barr would be more of a vote for Obama, but honestly, if we had a stronger third party, we’d have more options anyway. A vote for OBAMA will have the most Liberal government in place in the history of this Nation. Think about it. Government left to make all decisions for you. No debate. A Liberal house, senate and oval office. No balance. No brainer. For at least 4 years. Opinion. Speaking of no brainer, McCain was apparently last in his class. All for one and one for all - think about that, too. Any good you do in your lifetime - turn it in to your government and let them redistribute it as they see fit. You have no choices. - Schools, healthcare, taxes, on and on. Opinions. This is fear mongering at its finest. Actually Obama is for charter schools and quite a few improvements to the education system. Look these things up - see who sits where and what that's all about. CFR - Council on Foreign Relations Sure, CFR is scary, but seriously? Both candidates are card carrying members. Puppets? Perhaps. Social Democratic Party Fact. Their logo is a hand holding a flower. How does this relate? Your next president will put his hand on a book and swear to protect the Constitution. Which book will he chose to place his hand on? Obama was sworn in on the Koran as Senator. Fiction. This was Minnesota congressman Keith Ellison. Let's reduce the military - open up the borders and free think our way into a "global community". All for one...!! Your neighborhood, your community, your livelihood - no longer yours. Your employer's hands bound to hire who the government dictates he will employ. Your wages determined on a scale by liberal lobbyists controlled by unions that take up to 10% of your earnings off the top and call it "job security". You are literally taxed to a point of suppression. Opinion. More scare tactics. This is not part of his platform, which makes Obama either the sneakiest candidate ever or the speaker of this gibberish creatively very wrong. Get out your history book - or go online..educate yourself...figure out what you truly believe in and then figure out what is best for your children - those who depend on you to make their future a better place. Fact. Education pays. Tawdry internet rants don’t. PS, I am online, I’m reading this, right? You think Sarah Palin is scary? Look at Joe Biden. Read about him - anywhere. Who is third in line to the presidency? Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the house. - You think Sarah Palin is a whack job? Opinion. Remember the name calling thing a while back? Well Anne Coulter is pretty scary. This election holds the most crucial decisions we will make in our lifetime. Who do you want calling the shots? Who do you want protecting your family at the borders and beyond? Who do you want representing you and what you stand for - in your heart?? In your child's heart? This is a fallacy called “Appeal to Emotion” and I don’t buy it. If you don't know - you best be educating yourself and those that matter. This is real and once it's over - it's done. I hope it matters to you. Opinion. Reading one online source (the free republic, in this case) hardly constitutes an education. You “best be” getting an education via the more traditional approach, by learning from someone that has credentials, or by reading authoritative authors. I don't agree with all of John McCain's policies - but I know he would not disrespect anything about America. Opinion. Not disrespecting America is great, but a rather boorish reason to vote for someone. He is the only choice that will stop the Obama insanity. Faulty dilemma, again, there are other people to vote for. What has Obama done in his lifetime that makes anyone think he can lead our country - direct our military and put a face on our nation? Are you aware of where his political start came from..how it developed and his "socialist"connection in Chicago? See points 1-8. Also, “socialist” isn’t a bad word. Jesus was a socialist, for example. Also, John McCain and Obama voted for the $700 billion dollar bailout. You don’t get more socialist than that. Barack Obama is for sale - to the highest bidder - he'll talk to anyone -Muslim - extremist - doesn't matter. False. The article doesn’t offer any more facts on the matter, just more opinion. He has never done anything for this country - for his state of Illinois or for the city of Chicago that was for the good of ALL. False. This is a blanket statement, which remains unproven. Only for the betterment of Michelle and Barack Obama, advancing the ideals of extremists set on punishing "white America". For what? That doesn't matter. Just stand up - and step on someone to advance hate-filled ideals. This he has done. That is on his record. False. Citing the same poorly written for the 2nd time is not adding to the debate. White America? America is getting browner, better get over it. Read between the lines - I encourage you to get a political education. It will affect everything in your future. Done! I encourage you to do the same! hugs, Aunt J Kisses, Brandon

Monday, May 18, 2009

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Umbrella of Job Creation: direct quotes from Sarah Palin

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