Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Obama's Statement on Libyan Rebels Advances
Update Aug. 22, Reuters: Any post-Gadhafi mission in Libya not expected to involve US boots on the ground.
Here we are at another exciting moment in history. Let's hope the rebel advances hold.
A look at Gadhafi's extreme and brutal rule:
Here we are at another exciting moment in history. Let's hope the rebel advances hold.
Tonight, the momentum against the Qadhafi regime has reached a tipping point. Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant. The Qadhafi regime is showing signs of collapsing. The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator.
The surest way for the bloodshed to end is simple: Moammar Qadhafi and his regime need to recognize that their rule has come to an end. Qadhafi needs to acknowledge the reality that he no longer controls Libya. He needs to relinquish power once and for all. Meanwhile, the United States has recognized the Transitional National Council as the legitimate governing authority in Libya. At this pivotal and historic time, the TNC should continue to demonstrate the leadership that is necessary to steer the country through a transition by respecting the rights of the people of Libya, avoiding civilian casualties, protecting the institutions of the Libyan state, and pursuing a transition to democracy that is just and inclusive for all of the people of Libya. A season of conflict must lead to one of peace.
The future of Libya is now in the hands of the Libyan people. Going forward, the United States will continue to stay in close coordination with the TNC. We will continue to insist that the basic rights of the Libyan people are respected. And we will continue to work with our allies and partners in the international community to protect the people of Libya, and to support a peaceful transition to democracy.
A look at Gadhafi's extreme and brutal rule:
Meet the Press Aug. 21 Video
Full video:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Obama Gets Libya Briefing
On this Sunday, Day 3 of vacation, Obama gets briefed on Libya (rebels close in on the capital), then golfs at Vineyard Golf Club:
From principal deputy press secretary Josh Earnest:
This morning, the President was briefed on the situation in Libya by John Brennan, including inputs from our team in Benghazi. The national security team will continue to provide updates to the President on this situation, as necessary. The United States continues to communicate closely with our allies, partners, and the TNC. We believe that Qadhafi's days are numbered,
and that the Libyan people deserve a just, democratic and peaceful future. Obama is being followed around by the press pool. Read their updates here.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Obama Visits Bunch of Grapes Bookstore
Yesterday, Obama and his daughters went book shopping.
As the black Suburban carrying the president and his family pulled up, the crowd, which continued to grow, cheered and waved.MV Gazette had the scoop on the book Obama bought: "The Bayou Trilogy," by Daniel Woodrell and "Rodin's Debutante" by Ward Just. Apparently Just is a local.
Daughters Sasha and Malia left the vehicle first, followed by their father, and they entered the bookstore. A member of the security team walked over to the corner of Main Street and Cromwell Lane. Times managing editor Nelson Sigelman, who had stepped out for a stroll, was standing on the corner along with a small group of people.
"Who wants to be lucky and meet the President," an agent said. "We can take 30 people."
One by one the group was scanned with an electronic security wand and lined up from the sidewalk to the waiting vehicle to greet the president when he left the bookstore. "Stand strong," one man said as he shook Mr. Obama's hand.
"Nice to see you," Mr. Obama said as he shook Mr. Sigelman's hand. "Nice to see you, too, welcome to Martha's Vineyard," the newspaperman replied.
"Four more years," some members of the crowd began to yell. Read more at MV TIMES
Friday, August 19, 2011
Obama's Shift in Deportation Policy
The White House's policy shift would review deportations on a case by case basis and it would deport criminals first. Republicans are complaining--nothing unusual there--that the shift in policy is an end-run around Congress. Obama should do more end-runs around our blockade to progress, otherwise known as Congress.
So DHS, along with the Department of Justice, will be reviewing the current deportation caseload to clear out low-priority cases on a case-by-case basis and make more room to deport people who have been convicted of crimes or pose a security risk. And they will take steps to keep low-priority cases out of the deportation pipeline in the first place. They will be applying common sense guidelines to make these decisions, like a person’s ties and contributions to the community, their family relationships and military service record. In the end, this means more immigration enforcement pressure where it counts the most, and less where it doesn’t – that’s the smartest way to follow the law while we stay focused on working with the Congress to fix it. Read it all at the WH
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Obama Family Arrive at Martha's Vineyard
Watch video of Obama's arrival.
President Obama arrived on the Vineyard early Thursday evening to begin a 10-day vacation with his family, marking his third consecutive August visit to the Island during his Presidency. Like the last two years, the arrival was low-key and closed to the public. Traveling with the President were White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan and deputy press secretary John Earnest, White House trip director Marvin Nicholson and the family dog, Bo, freshly groomed for the trip.
First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia arrived earlier in the day around 2 p.m., and were quickly whisked to the Blue Heron Farm in Chilmark where the family will spend their summer vacation. The Obamas are scheduled to stay on the Island until August 27. Read more at the MV Gazette
Rick Perry to Little Boy: Evolution's a Theory With Holes
The caliber of people who want to be president is frightening. Rick Perry: In Texas we teach evolution and creationism. Really? Come on. I've changed my mind about Perry. Perry's too fringe to win the primary, despite what they say about the republican primary voters. There aren't enough tea party voters. Tea partiers only seem larger than life because the media always has a camera pointed at them. Obama will likely battle Romney.
Obama's Executive Order Sanctioning Syrian Government
Read the fact sheet here.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,
I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, in order to take additional steps with respect to the Government of Syria's continuing escalation of violence against the people of Syria and with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps taken in Executive Order 13399 of April 25, 2006, Executive Order 13460 of February 13, 2008, Executive Order 13572 of April 29, 2011, and Executive Order 13573 of May 18, 2011, hereby order: Read the the rest
Vacation Days: Obama 61, Reagan 121, Bush 200
Obama leaves for Martha's Vineyard today and CBS has its annual vacation day report.
Every year people begrudge Obama time with his two young daughters. It's petty and just another sign of a nation falling apart. For people who think government is inconsequential, they certainly want their government to do a lot for them.
If we believe that vacations help recharge your batteries, why wouldn't we want the president take a vacation?
At this point in his term, compared to other presidents, Obama has had 61 vacation days. Reagan had 121, Bush 200. WATCH.
At similar points of time in their terms, Obama had similar approval ratings to Reagan , who was also dealing with an economic crisis that wasn't near as big as this one: Go to Gallup's presidential job approval center, click on compare presidents tab, click on Reagan.
Every year people begrudge Obama time with his two young daughters. It's petty and just another sign of a nation falling apart. For people who think government is inconsequential, they certainly want their government to do a lot for them.
If we believe that vacations help recharge your batteries, why wouldn't we want the president take a vacation?
At this point in his term, compared to other presidents, Obama has had 61 vacation days. Reagan had 121, Bush 200. WATCH.
At similar points of time in their terms, Obama had similar approval ratings to Reagan , who was also dealing with an economic crisis that wasn't near as big as this one: Go to Gallup's presidential job approval center, click on compare presidents tab, click on Reagan.
Obama Calls on Syria's Assad to Step Down
Hillary Clinton:
Obama's full statement:
The United States has been inspired by the Syrian peoples’ pursuit of a peaceful transition to democracy. They have braved ferocious brutality at the hands of their government. They have spoken with their peaceful marches, their silent shaming of the Syrian regime, and their courageous persistence in the face of brutality – day after day, week after week. The Syrian government has responded with a sustained onslaught. I strongly condemn this brutality, including the disgraceful attacks on Syrian civilians in cities like Hama and Deir al Zour, and the arrests of opposition figures who have been denied justice and subjected to torture at the hands of the regime. These violations of the universal rights of the Syrian people have revealed to Syria, the region, and the world the Assad government’s flagrant disrespect for the dignity of the Syrian people.
The United States opposes the use of violence against peaceful protesters in Syria, and we support the universal rights of the Syrian people. We have imposed sanctions on President Assad and his government. The European Union has imposed sanctions as well. We helped lead an effort at the UN Security Council to condemn Syria’s actions. We have coordinated closely with allies and partners from the region and around the world. The Assad government has now been condemned by countries in all parts of the globe, and can look only to Iran for support for its brutal and unjust crackdown.
The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way. His calls for dialogue and reform have rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing, and slaughtering his own people. We have consistently said that President Assad must lead a democratic transition or get out of the way. He has not led. For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for President Assad to step aside.
The United States cannot and will not impose this transition upon Syria. It is up to the Syrian people to choose their own leaders, and we have heard their strong desire that there not be foreign intervention in their movement. What the United States will support is an effort to bring about a Syria that is democratic, just, and inclusive for all Syrians. We will support this outcome by pressuring President Assad to get out of the way of this transition, and standing up for the universal rights of the Syrian people along with others in the international community.
As a part of that effort, my Administration is announcing unprecedented sanctions to deepen the financial isolation of the Assad regime and further disrupt its ability to finance a campaign of violence against the Syrian people. I have signed a new Executive Order requiring the immediate freeze of all assets of the Government of Syria subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in any transaction involving the Government of Syria. This E.O. also bans U.S. imports of Syrian-origin petroleum or petroleum products; prohibits U.S. persons from having any dealings in or related to Syria’s petroleum or petroleum products; and prohibits U.S. persons from operating or investing in Syria. We expect today’s actions to be amplified by others.
We recognize that it will take time for the Syrian people to achieve the justice they deserve. There will be more struggle and sacrifice. It is clear that President Assad believes that he can silence the voices of his people by resorting to the repressive tactics of the past. But he is wrong. As we have learned these last several months, sometimes the way things have been is not the way that they will be. It is time for the Syrian people to determine their own destiny, and we will continue to stand firmly on their side.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Obama's Schedule Aug. 18
Times are eastern. Obama heads out to Martha's Vineyard for some well-deserved family time.
| 11:50 AM | The President meets with his National Security Team Situation Room Closed Press |
| 3:30 PM | The President departs the White House en route Andrews Air Force Base South Lawn Open Press |
| 3:45 PM | The President departs Andrews Air Force Base en route Martha’s Vineyard Andrews Air Force Base Travel Pool Spray |
| 5:00 PM | The President arrives Cape Cod, Massachusetts Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station Open Press |
| 5:15 PM | The President arrives Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts Travel Pool Coverage |
Obama Visits Whiteside County Fair in Illinois Video
Watch Obama give a pep talk to a student football team.
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