[poochee]

June 25, 2009
Scenes from the White House: Welcome to the luau
Posted: 07:30 PM ET
From CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian

Gibbs got dunked Thursday afternoon by an enthusiastic reporter.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – It's the White House South Lawn, but turn the right way and ignore the looming Washington monument, and you just might think that you're in Waikiki, Hawaii.

Welcome to the first ever White House Luau for congressional members and their families. There are Tiki torches and Tiki huts. Potted palm trees and a shell shaped performance stage. And if you hear the theme music from Jaws, it's because there are two inflatable sharks swimming in the fountain pond.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...au/#more-57848

[bill.aam]

So were double posting now???

Originally Posted by poochee

Holder tells Congress new hate crime law needed
June 25, 2009 12:03 PM EST | AP


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-w...r-hate-crimes/

http://forums.techguy.org/6772123-post139.html

Originally Posted by poochee

Holder tells Congress new hate crime law needed
June 25, 2009 12:03 PM EST | AP

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder urged Congress Thursday to pass a new hate crimes law which would allow the federal government to prosecute cases of violence based on sexual orientation, gender or disability.

"One has to look at the unfortunate history of our nation. There are groups that have been singled out, that have been targets of violence," the attorney general said. "We have to face and confront that reality."

About half of all hate crimes are motivated by racial bias. The other two most frequent hate crimes are those motivated by religion or sexual orientation.

Excerpts from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-w...r-hate-crimes/

http://forums.techguy.org/6772118-post53.html

[poochee]

June 25, 2009
Obama holds twice-delayed immigration meeting
Posted: 04:52 PM ET
CNN's Dan Lothian and Lisa Sylvester contributed to this report

WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Barack Obama began tackling the contentious issue of immigration reform Thursday, hosting a bipartisan group of congressmen at the White House for what the administration called the "launch of a policy conversation."

The meeting, which was delayed twice as economic issues took center stage, was designed to be an "honest discussion of issues where we can identify areas of agreement, and areas where we still have work to do," according to the White House.

"I'm confident that if we enter into this (process) with the notion that this is a nation of laws that have to be observed and this is a nation of immigrants, then we're going to create a stronger nation for our children and our grandchildren," Obama said.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...ation-meeting/

[ekim68]

Originally Posted by bill.aam

So were double posting now???

Why can't you carry a cop?

[bill.aam]

Another double post???

Originally Posted by poochee

Doctors, health care executives accused of Medicare fraud
updated 4:14 p.m. EDT, Wed June 24, 2009
By Terry Frieden
CNN Justice Producer

Story Highlights
•NEW: "We will ... root out the few who corrupt the system," Holder says
•More than 50 doctors, health care executives indicted
•Nearly 40 face allegations of falsely billing Medicare
•Officials stress government's commitment to combating health care fraud


http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/24/...sts/index.html

http://forums.techguy.org/6772058-post735.html

Originally Posted by poochee

Doctors, health care executives accused of Medicare fraud
updated 4:14 p.m. EDT, Wed June 24, 2009
By Terry Frieden
CNN Justice Producer

Story Highlights
•NEW: "We will ... root out the few who corrupt the system," Holder says
•More than 50 doctors, health care executives indicted
•Nearly 40 face allegations of falsely billing Medicare
•Officials stress government's commitment to combating health care fraud


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- More than 50 doctors and health care executives have been indicted and dozens of them arrested by the FBI in a $50 million Medicare fraud case centered in Michigan, law enforcement officials said Wednesday.

Nearly 40 of the suspects named in a federal indictment in Detroit, Michigan, are expected to appear in courts in Detroit and Miami, Florida, on Wednesday to face allegations of falsely billing Medicare, authorities said.

Attorney General Eric Holder, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and FBI Director Robert Mueller announced the indictments and arrests Wednesday.

The officials stressed the government's commitment to combating fraud in health care programs.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/24/...sts/index.html

http://forums.techguy.org/6772051-post51.html

[ekim68]

Trolling?

[xico]

I don't carry a gun cos I don't need a cop.

[bill.aam]

Originally Posted by ekim68

Trolling?

Guess what finger I'm holding up?

[poochee]

Ahmadinejad calls Obama meddler, likens him to Bush
updated 12:48 p.m. EDT, Thu June 25, 2009
CNN

Story Highlights
•Ahmadinejad: "We do not wish the scandals of the Bush era to be repeated"
•Iran has been in gripped in post-election violence for two weeks
•Obama has said that Iranians must be permitted to demonstrate peacefully
•U.S. president secretly wrote to Iran's supreme leader before the election

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday called the U.S. president inexperienced, compared him unfavorably to President George W. Bush and suggested he apologize for "interfering in Iran's affairs." He's full of hot air!

President Obama, who has been in office for five months, has been treading a careful line on Iran, which has seen two weeks of street demonstrations following a disputed presidential election there.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/...tml#cnnSTCText

[poochee]

Originally Posted by xico

I don't carry a gun cos I don't need a cop.

s

[poochee]

June 26, 2009
Obama, Merkel pledge common front on Iran
Posted: 01:26 PM ET
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned Iran's post-election crackdown on Friday and expressed a common determination to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.

They also underscored, among other things, a mutual commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a desire for closer economic cooperation, and a strong intention to work together on the issue of global warming.

The United States and Germany "speak with one voice" in defending the rights of Iranians to assemble and have "their voices heard" in pursuit of justice," Obama said.

Merkel promised that the world "shall not forget" the "horrifying scenes" playing out in Tehran in recent weeks.

Excerpts from: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...front-on-iran/

[poochee]

June 26, 2009
State Department appoints envoy for Muslim outreach
Posted: 01:26 PM ET
From CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott

This week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose Farah Pandith for the job.

State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly confirmed the appointment on Thursday after being asked about Indian news reports that Pandith, a Kashmiri-American, had been selected for the job.

During his inaugural speech, President Barack Obama pledged to seek a "new way forward" with the Muslim world "based on mutual interest and respect," after eight years of tense relations with the Muslim world under President Bush.

Excerpts from: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...slim-outreach/

[poochee]

Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009
Historic climate bill passes House in a close vote
By Renee Schoof and David Lightman | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — By a narrow margin, the House of Representatives on Friday took the first step in U.S. history to reduce the heat-trapping gases building up in the atmosphere and gradually shift America to cleaner sources of energy.

With strong pressure from President Barack Obama to move ahead on one of his priorities and over the strong objections from Republicans and some Democrats, the House voted 219 to 212. The measure is still a long way from becoming law. The Senate now will work out its own version, and the results of a planned vote there this fall are uncertain.

"This is a revolution. This is a moment in history," said Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., one of the main authors of the bill. "This is what the American people were calling for in the election in 2008, a fundamental change that breaks our dependence on foreign oil, creates job and reduces the pollution we put up in the atmosphere."


http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/70901.html

[poochee]

White House Is Drafting Executive Order to Allow Indefinite Detention of Terror Suspects
By Dafna Linzer and Peter Finn
ProPublica and Washington Post Staff Writer
Washington Post staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.
Friday, June 26, 2009; 6:52 PM

The Obama administration, fearing a battle with Congress that could stall plans to close the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, is drafting an executive order that would reassert presidential authority to incarcerate terrorism suspects indefinitely, according to three senior government officials with knowledge of White House deliberations.

Such an order would embrace claims by former president George W. Bush that certain people can be detained without trial for long periods under the laws of war. Obama advisers are concerned that bypassing Congress could place the president on weaker footing before the courts and anger key supporters, the officials said.

After months of internal debate over how to close the facility in Cuba, White House officials are increasingly worried that reaching quick agreement with Congress on a new detention system may be impossible. Several officials said there is concern in the White House that the administration may not be able to close the facility by the president's January deadline.
White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said there is no executive order and that the administration has not decided whether to issue one. But one administration official suggested that the White House was already trying to build support.

"Civil liberties groups have encouraged the administration, that if a prolonged detention system were to be sought, to do it through executive order," the official said. Such an order could be rescinded and would not block later efforts to write legislation, but civil liberties groups generally oppose long-term detention, arguing that detainees should be prosecuted or released.

The Justice Department has declined to comment on the prospects for a long-term detention system while internal reviews of Guantanamo detainees are underway. One task force, which is assessing detainee policy, is expected to complete its work by July 21.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...062603361.html

[poochee]

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

EMBARGOED UNTIL 6:00 AM ET, SATURDAY, June 27, 2009

WEEKLY ADDRESS: President Obama Calls Energy Bill Passage Critical to Stronger American Economy

WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama praised the House of Representatives for passing the energy bill on Friday evening. This historic piece of legislation will not just lessen our dependence on foreign oil, but also spark a clean energy transformation in our economy that will create millions of new American jobs that pay well and cannot be outsourced. Clean energy and the jobs it creates are critical to building a new foundation for our economy.
The audio and video will be available at 6:00am Saturday, June 27, 2009 at www.whitehouse.gov.

Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
June 27, 2009

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a historic piece of legislation that will open the door to a clean energy economy and a better future for America.

For more than three decades, we have talked about our dependence on foreign oil. And for more than three decades, we have seen that dependence grow. We have seen our reliance on fossil fuels jeopardize our national security. We have seen it pollute the air we breathe and endanger our planet. And most of all, we have seen other countries realize a critical truth: the nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy.

Now is the time for the United States of America to realize this too. Now is the time for us to lead.

The energy bill that passed the House will finally create a set of incentives that will spark a clean energy transformation in our economy. It will spur the development of low carbon sources of energy – everything from wind, solar, and geothermal power to safer nuclear energy and cleaner coal. It will spur new energy savings, like the efficient windows and other materials that reduce heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer. And most importantly, it will make possible the creation of millions of new jobs.

Make no mistake: this is a jobs bill. We’re already seeing why this is true in the clean energy investments we’re making through the Recovery Act. In California, 3000 people will be employed to build a new solar plant that will create 1000 permanent jobs. In Michigan, investment in wind turbines and wind technology is expected to create over 2,600 jobs. In Florida, three new solar projects are expected to employ 1400 people.

The list goes on and on, but the point is this: this legislation will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy. That will lead to the creation of new businesses and entire new industries. And that will lead to American jobs that pay well and cannot be outsourced. I have often talked about the need to build a new foundation for economic growth so that we do not return to the endless cycle of bubble and bust that led us to this recession. Clean energy and the jobs it creates will be absolutely critical to this new foundation.

This legislation has also been written carefully to address the concerns that many have expressed in the past. Instead of increasing the deficit, it is paid for by the polluters who currently emit dangerous carbon emissions. It provides assistance to businesses and families as they make the gradual transition to clean energy technologies. It gives rural communities and farmers the opportunity to participate in climate solutions and generate new income. And above all, it will protect consumers from the costs of this transition, so that in a decade, the price to the average American will be just about a postage stamp a day.

Because this legislation is so balanced and sensible, it has already attracted a remarkable coalition of consumer and environmental groups; labor and business leaders; Democrats and Republicans. And I want to thank every Member of Congress who put politics aside to support this bill on Friday.

Now my call to every Senator, as well as to every American, is this: We cannot be afraid of the future. And we must not be prisoners of the past. Don’t believe the misinformation out there that suggests there is somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and economic growth. It’s just not true.

We have been talking about energy for decades. But there is no longer a disagreement over whether our dependence on foreign oil is endangering our security. It is. There is no longer a debate about whether carbon pollution is placing our planet in jeopardy. It’s happening. And there is no longer a question about whether the jobs and industries of the 21st century will be centered around clean, renewable energy. The question is, which country will create these jobs and these industries? I want that answer to be the United States of America. And I believe that the American people and the men and women they sent to Congress share that view. So I want to congratulate the House for passing this bill, and I want to urge the Senate to take this opportunity to come together and meet our obligations – to our constituents, to our children, to God’s creation, and to future generations.

Thanks for listening.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_...rican-Economy/