What has the President done to merit winning the Nobel Peace Prize?
WEB-SPE@K: Does President Barack Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?
By Joel M. Ede
Oct 13, 2009
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Mike • Nov 24, 2009 at 4:11 pm
He deserves the Orwellian Peace prize, not the 'Nobelian'.
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Welcome to 1984.
Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia (or is it Eastasia these days?)
princess farayo • Nov 3, 2009 at 11:57 am
please tell me this is a joke obama deserve the nobel peace prize rubbish.all he as done is nothing but give empty speeches.
princess farayo • Nov 3, 2009 at 7:57 pm
please tell me this is a joke obama deserve the nobel peace prize rubbish.all he as done is nothing but give empty speeches.
Oblisk • Oct 20, 2009 at 4:35 pm
why challenge Obama? It’s the duty of every newsperson and news agency to be critical and analytical of every press release, administration statement, press release, etc. from the sitting president’s office, no matter the political stripe.
Oblisk • Oct 20, 2009 at 11:35 pm
why challenge Obama? It’s the duty of every newsperson and news agency to be critical and analytical of every press release, administration statement, press release, etc. from the sitting president’s office, no matter the political stripe.
Arrgy • Oct 19, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Why challenge Obama? He’s leaps and bounds better for the middle class than any republican in the last 30 years. Is it because they’re really not a “news” outlet but a propaganda arm of the fascist right?
lol
Arrgy • Oct 20, 2009 at 5:44 am
Why challenge Obama? He’s leaps and bounds better for the middle class than any republican in the last 30 years. Is it because they’re really not a “news” outlet but a propaganda arm of the fascist right?
lol
Tyler • Oct 19, 2009 at 4:43 pm
@He Hate Me: So, are you saying America should ignore the rest of the world and adopt an isolationist mentality like we did prior to WWII? Should we attempt to live in our own little bubble and pretend as though the rest of the world doesn’t exist? Now I’m not saying we should allow people outside of America to determine who runs the country, but we should take into consideration the way the rest of the world views us and the decisions we make. America is not alone in this. The decisions we make have an impact on everyone else, and vice-versa. If the majority of the people across the world see Obama’s policies as something positive, as something that truly does allow for the possibility of peace, then why don’t we at least listen to what they have to say and ask ourselves why they feel this way.
I feel like your comments are incredibly emotional, using words like “I wanted to vomit,” and “before he tells me who to cast a vote for in this great nation.” In other words, you’re making this too personal, all about me me me. We should consider all view points, and allow for open discourse so as to better allow for a positive solution. I admit this is difficult and always has been, especially considering the enormous amount of politicizing that both the left and right engage in. I believe Fox has its strong moments, as does MSNBC. And both have their weak points as well, attempting to spin stories to their own advantage. But we shouldn’t tune someone or something out simply because we disagree with it. It is that kind of blind thinking that has led to many problems in the past.
And by the way, I simply cut and paste those things that Obama has accomplished during his stay in the white house. The question has always been “what has Obama done” and nobody seems ready to answer it. So, I put the list here for people to read. And to say that is a waste of time, to say that allowing people to see what he has done is a waste of time, is missing the point. It’s not about whether or not Obama makes us “vomit,” it’s about figuring out what is best for our country, and seeing who can lead us to the place we want to be. At least look at what he has done before you make conclusions about him.
Tyler • Oct 19, 2009 at 11:43 pm
@He Hate Me: So, are you saying America should ignore the rest of the world and adopt an isolationist mentality like we did prior to WWII? Should we attempt to live in our own little bubble and pretend as though the rest of the world doesn’t exist? Now I’m not saying we should allow people outside of America to determine who runs the country, but we should take into consideration the way the rest of the world views us and the decisions we make. America is not alone in this. The decisions we make have an impact on everyone else, and vice-versa. If the majority of the people across the world see Obama’s policies as something positive, as something that truly does allow for the possibility of peace, then why don’t we at least listen to what they have to say and ask ourselves why they feel this way.
I feel like your comments are incredibly emotional, using words like “I wanted to vomit,” and “before he tells me who to cast a vote for in this great nation.” In other words, you’re making this too personal, all about me me me. We should consider all view points, and allow for open discourse so as to better allow for a positive solution. I admit this is difficult and always has been, especially considering the enormous amount of politicizing that both the left and right engage in. I believe Fox has its strong moments, as does MSNBC. And both have their weak points as well, attempting to spin stories to their own advantage. But we shouldn’t tune someone or something out simply because we disagree with it. It is that kind of blind thinking that has led to many problems in the past.
And by the way, I simply cut and paste those things that Obama has accomplished during his stay in the white house. The question has always been “what has Obama done” and nobody seems ready to answer it. So, I put the list here for people to read. And to say that is a waste of time, to say that allowing people to see what he has done is a waste of time, is missing the point. It’s not about whether or not Obama makes us “vomit,” it’s about figuring out what is best for our country, and seeing who can lead us to the place we want to be. At least look at what he has done before you make conclusions about him.
Wesley Warker • Oct 19, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Arrgy,
Sure—–and I bet you think Keith Olbermann is god’s embodiment of mankind.
Fox seems to be the only network that has even slightly attempted to challenge Obama—-the media is losing its function as a critically thinking entity in American politics by giving Obama such a break. NBC, CBS, and CNN fail to ask the tough questions of this administration.
Wesley Warker • Oct 19, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Arrgy,
Sure—–and I bet you think Keith Olbermann is god’s embodiment of mankind.
Fox seems to be the only network that has even slightly attempted to challenge Obama—-the media is losing its function as a critically thinking entity in American politics by giving Obama such a break. NBC, CBS, and CNN fail to ask the tough questions of this administration.
Arrgy • Oct 19, 2009 at 9:12 am
Maddow tells the truth, right wing nut. She brings integrity to journalism. Unlike fox.
A gift for all…
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/29127316/the_great_american_bubble_machine
Arrgy • Oct 19, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Maddow tells the truth, right wing nut. She brings integrity to journalism. Unlike fox.
A gift for all…
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/29127316/the_great_american_bubble_machine
He Hate Me • Oct 19, 2009 at 12:09 am
To Francine Oputa——Rachel Maddow is a left-wing nut. Don’t take her opinions so seriously. When you cite her, you diminish your own ability to think for yourself. She (Maddow) is pro open borders, pro Nordic-nation levels of taxation, pro abortion without any restriction whatsoever, and so on and so forth…….
And to TJ Richmond, you invested way too much time with that post. One of your points said that ‘a poll taken by some 40,000 across the globe’——herein lies the problem. The globe, the world, the nation’s citizens are NOT his electorate. That was a real oversight on the part of the media when he was on the campaign trail doing the whole globalist, one-world thing—–they should have hammered him but they love the guy so darn much. The world’s people shouldn’t have a say in who we elect. We rule our own democracy (yes, special interests are involved on all sides to a degree)…..but when he spoke at the Bradenburg gate in Berlin, I wanted to vomit——what gave then US junior Senator from Illinois Barack Hussein Obama the right to take such an action? Taxpayers foot the bill for what is left of our sorry democracy. A Russian sitting in Moscow needs to fix his own nation’s problems before he tells me who to cast a vote for in this great nation. If only CNN and NBC saw through Obama’s fascade.
He Hate Me • Oct 19, 2009 at 7:09 am
To Francine Oputa——Rachel Maddow is a left-wing nut. Don’t take her opinions so seriously. When you cite her, you diminish your own ability to think for yourself. She (Maddow) is pro open borders, pro Nordic-nation levels of taxation, pro abortion without any restriction whatsoever, and so on and so forth…….
And to TJ Richmond, you invested way too much time with that post. One of your points said that ‘a poll taken by some 40,000 across the globe’——herein lies the problem. The globe, the world, the nation’s citizens are NOT his electorate. That was a real oversight on the part of the media when he was on the campaign trail doing the whole globalist, one-world thing—–they should have hammered him but they love the guy so darn much. The world’s people shouldn’t have a say in who we elect. We rule our own democracy (yes, special interests are involved on all sides to a degree)…..but when he spoke at the Bradenburg gate in Berlin, I wanted to vomit——what gave then US junior Senator from Illinois Barack Hussein Obama the right to take such an action? Taxpayers foot the bill for what is left of our sorry democracy. A Russian sitting in Moscow needs to fix his own nation’s problems before he tells me who to cast a vote for in this great nation. If only CNN and NBC saw through Obama’s fascade.
Arrgy • Oct 18, 2009 at 9:35 pm
He said he didn’t. Why ask? Why this petty fixation?
Arrgy • Oct 19, 2009 at 4:35 am
He said he didn’t. Why ask? Why this petty fixation?
T J Richmond • Oct 17, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I just wanted to add that, while the president promised these things during his campaign and has worked to get them done, nothing in this country (besides those powers given to the executive branch in the constitution) can be done without congress or the judicial branch. So, these things were accomplished by the government,not necessarily Obama. Also, the poll I referred to was actually in reference to Obama being awarded the nobel peace prize, and not his approval rating. But still, that should say something about the way the rest of the world views him. Why don’t we feel the same way?
T J Richmond • Oct 18, 2009 at 4:59 am
I just wanted to add that, while the president promised these things during his campaign and has worked to get them done, nothing in this country (besides those powers given to the executive branch in the constitution) can be done without congress or the judicial branch. So, these things were accomplished by the government,not necessarily Obama. Also, the poll I referred to was actually in reference to Obama being awarded the nobel peace prize, and not his approval rating. But still, that should say something about the way the rest of the world views him. Why don’t we feel the same way?
T J Richmond • Oct 17, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Well, besides these 40 or so things below that he has accomplished in the past nine months (see politifact.com), Obama has also improved America’s image throughout the globe as a nation willing to discuss, willing to fight, willing to work with others to improve the condition of the world however we can. There was a poll taken recently, some 40,000 or so across the globe, and nearly 80% of those polled approve of Obama and the work he is doing. Historically, the commission has awarded the nobel to people who they see potential in. Think of Wilson, one of three standing presidents who have received the award, and his having gotten it due to his work on the league of nations, a project that ultimately failed due to America’s insistence on isolationsism and exceptionalism. While Obama may not be a mother teresa, he overall has an agenda of multilateralism, something the rest of the world appreciates. The only exception, I think, is Afganistan. I mean, how can you wage a war and receive a peace prize?
No. 15: Create a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners
Create a $10 billion fund to help homeowners refinance or sell their homes. “The Fund will not help speculators, people who bought vacation homes or people who falsely represented their incomes.”
>>More
No. 33: Establish a credit card bill of rights
The credit card bill of rights would “ban unilateral changes … apply interest rate increases only to future debt … prohibit interest on fees … prohibit ‘universal defaults’ (whereby a credit card raises its rates because the consumer was late paying a different creditor … require prompt and fair crediting of cardholder payments.”
>>More
No. 36: Expand loan programs for small businesses
Expand “the Small Business Administration’s loan and micro-loan programs which provide start-up and long-term financing that small firms cannot receive through normal channels.”
>>More
No. 40: Extend and index the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch
Extend and index the temporary fix to the Alternative Minimum Tax that was passed in 2007
>>More
No. 58: Expand eligibility for State Children’s Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)
“Expand eligibility for the Medicaid and SCHIP programs and ensure that these programs continue to serve their critical safety net function.”
>>More
No. 76: Expand funding to train primary care providers and public health practitioners
“Expand funding—including loan repayment, adequate reimbursement, grants for training curricula, and infrastructure support to improve working conditions— to ensure a strong workforce that will champion prevention and public health activities.”
>>More
No. 77: Increase funding to expand community based prevention programs
“Increase funding to expand community based preventive interventions to help Americans make better choices to improve their health.”
>>More
No. 88: Sign the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
“As president, Barack Obama will renew America’s leadership by making the United States a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the first human rights treaty approved by the UN in the 21st century and a vital foundation for respecting the rights of people with disabilities worldwide He will urge the U.S. Senate to ratify the Convention expeditiously.”
>>More
No. 119: Appoint a special adviser to the president on violence against women
“This advisor will ensure that his agenda is coordinated across federal agencies and fully addresses prevention, programs, and the legal aspects of gender based violence.”
>>More
No. 125: Direct military leaders to end war in Iraq
On “my first day in office, I would give the military a new mission: ending this war”.
>>More
No. 134: Send two additional brigades to Afghanistan
“As Obama removes our combat brigades from Iraq, he will send at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan, where the Taliban is resurgent. He will also provide our armed forces with the reset capability that they need. He will replace essential equipment, and he will ensure that our men and women in uniform get the care and support they have earned.”
>>More
No. 174: Give a speech at a major Islamic forum in the first 100 days of his administration
“Obama will personally lead diplomacy efforts beginning with a speech at a major Islamic forum in the first 100 days of his administration. He will make clear that we are not at war with Islam, that we will stand with those who are willing to stand up for their future, and that we need their
effort to defeat the prophets of hate and violence.”
>>More
No. 222: Grant Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba
“Cuban American connections to family in Cuba are not only a basic right in humanitarian terms, but also our best tool for helping to foster the beginnings of grassroots democracy on the island. Accordingly, as president, Obama will grant Cuban Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send remittances to the island.”
>>More
No. 224: Restore funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program
“The (Bush) administration has consistently proposed to cut or eliminate funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program, which funds anti-drug and anti-gang task forces across the country. …Since 2000, this program has been cut more than 83 percent. … As president, Obama will restore funding.”
>>More
No. 225: Establish an Energy Partnership for the Americas
“As president, Barack Obama will establish an Energy Partnership for the Americas. This partnership will increase research and development in clean coal technology, the next generation of sustainable biofuels and in wind, solar and nuclear energy. The partnership will also look for ways for nations to coordinate to transport green energy across national borders. It will help Latin American and Caribbean nations become more energy independent and promote sustainable growth for the region. The partnership also will create additional markets for American biofuels and American-made green energy technology.”
>>More
No. 239: Release presidential records
“Will nullify the Bush attempts to make the timely release of presidential records more difficult.”
>>More
No. 241: Require new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliation or contributions.
“Will issue an executive order asking all new hires at the agencies to sign a form affirming that no political appointee offered them the job solely on the basis of political affiliation or contribution.”
>>More
No. 278: Remove more brush, small trees and vegetation that fuel wildfires
“Will place a high priority on implementing cooperative projects to remove brush, small trees and other overgrown vegetation that serve as fuel for wildfires. Barack Obama will focus the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management’s efforts on working with local communities on hazardous fuels projects to make communities safer and forests healthier.”
>>More
No. 290: Push for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors
“Will place the weight of (his) administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes.”
>>More
No. 307: Create a White House Office on Urban Policy
“Will create a White House Office of Urban Policy to develop a strategy for metropolitan America and to ensure that all federal dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs. The Director of Urban Policy will report directly to the president and coordinate all federal urban programs.”
>>More
No. 327: Support increased funding for the NEA
Will “support increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, the support of which enriches schools and neighborhoods all across the nation and helps to promote the economic development of countless communities.”
>>More
No. 332: Add another Space Shuttle flight
Obama “supports congressional efforts to add at least one additional Space Shuttle flight to fly a valuable mission and to keep the workforce engaged. He will work to ensure there is adequate funding to support that additional flight so that it does not interfere with developing the Shuttle’s successor.”
>>More
No. 334: Use the private sector to improve spaceflight
“Will stimulate efforts within the private sector to develop and demonstrate spaceflight capabilities.”
>>More
No. 336: Partner to enhance the potential of the International Space Station
“Will enlist other federal agencies, industry and academia to develop innovative scientific and technological research projects on the International Space Station.”
>>More
No. 337: Use the International Space Station for fundamental biological and physical research
“Will use the ISS for fundamental biological and physical research to understand the effects of long-term space travel on human health and to test emerging technologies to enable such travel.”
>>More
No. 338: Explore whether International Space Station can operate after 2016
“Will consider options to extend ISS operations beyond 2016. After investing so much in developing the ISS, it would be a shame not to utilize it to the fullest possible extent.”
>>More
No. 345: Enhance earth mapping
“Will continue support for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, which allows study of the earth’s land surfaces and provides valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use.”
>>More
No. 346: Appoint an assistant to the president for science and technology policy
“Will appoint an Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Policy who will report directly to the president, and be deeply involved in establishing research priorities that reflect the nation’s needs based on the best available advice from experts around the country.”
>>More
No. 356: Establish special crime programs for the New Orleans area
“Will finish rebuilding the region’s criminal justice system so that we do not have to rely on the National Guard to patrol city streets..Will establish a special “COPS for Katrina” program to allow communities impacted by the storm to hire and retain new officers and community prosecutors, develop community-based crime fighting strategies, and rebuild their lost infrastructure… Will strengthen Drug Enforcement Administration efforts to stop the reestablishment of drug gangs across the region…Will help local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies come together to establish an integrated regional crime control partnership so that each police chief and sheriff doesn’t have to face these crime problems alone.”
>>More
No. 359: Rebuild schools in New Orleans
“Will help communities in the Gulf make necessary school infrastructure investments so all kids from all backgrounds have safe and supportive environments to learn.”
>>More
No. 371: Fund a major expansion of AmeriCorps
“Will expand and fund AmeriCorps from 75,000 slots today to 250,000 and they will focus this expansion on addressing the great challenges facing the nation.” These additional slots will enable AmeriCorps to establish five new Corps: Classroom Corps to help teachers and students, with a priority placed on high-need and underserved schools; Health Corps to improve public health information and outreach to areas with inadequate health systems such as rural areas and inner cities; Clean Energy Corps to promote energy independence through efforts like weatherization, renewable energy projects and educational outreach; Veterans Corps to help keep America’s sacred trust with its veterans; and Homeland Security Corps to help communities plan, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
>>More
No. 391: Appoint the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer
“Will appoint the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to ensure that our government and all its agencies have the right infrastructure, policies and services for the 21st century. The CTO will ensure the safety of our networks and will lead an interagency effort, working with chief technology and chief information officers of each of the federal agencies, to ensure that they use best-in-class technologies and share best practices.”
>>More
No. 411: Work to overturn Ledbetter vs. Goodyear
“Obama will work to overturn the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that curtails racial minorities’ and women’s ability to challenge pay discrimination.”
>>More
No. 421: Appoint an American Indian policy adviser
“I’ll appoint an American Indian policy adviser to my senior White House staff to work with tribes. I’ll host an annual summit at the White House with tribal leaders to come up with an agenda that works for tribal communities.”
>>More
No. 427: Ban lobbyist gifts to executive employees
“Barack Obama will issue an executive order banning registered lobbyists or lobbying firms from giving gifts in any amount or any form to executive branch employees.”
>>More
No. 435: Create new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud
“We will crack down on mortgage professionals found guilty of fraud by increasing enforcement and creating new criminal penalties.”
>>More
No. 452: Weatherize 1 million homes per year
“Will make a national commitment to weatherize at least 1 million low-income homes each year for the next decade, which can reduce energy usage across the economy and help moderate energy prices for all.”
>>More
No. 458: Invest in all types of alternative energy
“We’ll invest in research and development of every form of alternative energy – solar, wind, biofuels.”
>>More
No. 459: Enact tax credit for consumers for plug-in hybrid cars
“We will leverage private sector funding to bring these cars directly to American consumers. We’ll give consumers a $7,000 tax credit to buy these vehicles.”
>>More
No. 480: Support high-speed rail
Will “Support development of high-speed rail networks across the country. Providing passengers with safe high-speed rail will have significant environmental and metropolitan planning advantages and help diversify our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Our domestic rail freight capacity must also be strengthened because our demand for rail transportation has never been greater, leaving many key transportation hubs stretched to capacity. Obama and Biden are committed to renewing the federal government’s commitment to high speed rail so that our nation’s transportation infrastructure continues to support, and not hinder, our nation’s long-term economic growth.”
>>More
No. 483: Invest in public transportation
“Will re-commit federal resources to public mass transportation projects across the country. Obama and Biden will work with state and local governments across the country on efforts to create new, effective public transportation systems and modernize our aging urban public transit infrastructure.”
>>More
No. 498: Provide grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes
“Will create a competitive grant program to award those states and localities that take the first steps in implementing new building codes that prioritize energy efficiency, and provide a federal match for those states with leading-edge public benefits funds that support energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings.”
>>More
No. 502: Get his daughters a puppy
“The pledge is (Sasha and Malia) will get their dog, win or lose.”
>>More
No. 503: Appoint at least one Republican to the cabinet
Interview with Steve Kroft of “60 Minutes”: Question: “Will there be Republicans in the Cabinet?” Obama: “Yes.” Question: “More than one?” Obama: “You’re not getting any more out of me.”
>>More
No. 506: Raise the small business investment expensing limit to $250,000 through the end of 2009
Will provide “temporary business tax incentives through 2009. The February 2008 stimulus bill increased maximum Section 179 expenses to $250,000 but this expires in December 2008. This provision will encourage all firms to pursue investment in the coming months, but will particularly benefit small firms which generally have smaller amounts of annual property purchases and so choose to expense the cost of their acquired property.”
>>More
No. 507: Extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits
“Obama and Biden believe Congress should immediately extend unemployment insurance for an additional 13 weeks to help families that are being hit hardest by this downturn. In addition, they believe we should temporarily suspend taxes on unemployment insurance benefits as a way of giving more relief to families.”
>>More
No. 513: Reverse restrictions on stem cell research
“I believe that the restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists and hindered our ability to compete with other nations. As president, I will lift the current administration’s ban on federal funding of research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001 through executive order … ..”
>>More
T J Richmond • Oct 18, 2009 at 4:29 am
Well, besides these 40 or so things below that he has accomplished in the past nine months (see politifact.com), Obama has also improved America’s image throughout the globe as a nation willing to discuss, willing to fight, willing to work with others to improve the condition of the world however we can. There was a poll taken recently, some 40,000 or so across the globe, and nearly 80% of those polled approve of Obama and the work he is doing. Historically, the commission has awarded the nobel to people who they see potential in. Think of Wilson, one of three standing presidents who have received the award, and his having gotten it due to his work on the league of nations, a project that ultimately failed due to America’s insistence on isolationsism and exceptionalism. While Obama may not be a mother teresa, he overall has an agenda of multilateralism, something the rest of the world appreciates. The only exception, I think, is Afganistan. I mean, how can you wage a war and receive a peace prize?
No. 15: Create a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners
Create a $10 billion fund to help homeowners refinance or sell their homes. “The Fund will not help speculators, people who bought vacation homes or people who falsely represented their incomes.”
>>More
No. 33: Establish a credit card bill of rights
The credit card bill of rights would “ban unilateral changes … apply interest rate increases only to future debt … prohibit interest on fees … prohibit ‘universal defaults’ (whereby a credit card raises its rates because the consumer was late paying a different creditor … require prompt and fair crediting of cardholder payments.”
>>More
No. 36: Expand loan programs for small businesses
Expand “the Small Business Administration’s loan and micro-loan programs which provide start-up and long-term financing that small firms cannot receive through normal channels.”
>>More
No. 40: Extend and index the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch
Extend and index the temporary fix to the Alternative Minimum Tax that was passed in 2007
>>More
No. 58: Expand eligibility for State Children’s Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)
“Expand eligibility for the Medicaid and SCHIP programs and ensure that these programs continue to serve their critical safety net function.”
>>More
No. 76: Expand funding to train primary care providers and public health practitioners
“Expand funding””including loan repayment, adequate reimbursement, grants for training curricula, and infrastructure support to improve working conditions”” to ensure a strong workforce that will champion prevention and public health activities.”
>>More
No. 77: Increase funding to expand community based prevention programs
“Increase funding to expand community based preventive interventions to help Americans make better choices to improve their health.”
>>More
No. 88: Sign the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
“As president, Barack Obama will renew America’s leadership by making the United States a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the first human rights treaty approved by the UN in the 21st century and a vital foundation for respecting the rights of people with disabilities worldwide He will urge the U.S. Senate to ratify the Convention expeditiously.”
>>More
No. 119: Appoint a special adviser to the president on violence against women
“This advisor will ensure that his agenda is coordinated across federal agencies and fully addresses prevention, programs, and the legal aspects of gender based violence.”
>>More
No. 125: Direct military leaders to end war in Iraq
On “my first day in office, I would give the military a new mission: ending this war”.
>>More
No. 134: Send two additional brigades to Afghanistan
“As Obama removes our combat brigades from Iraq, he will send at least two additional brigades to Afghanistan, where the Taliban is resurgent. He will also provide our armed forces with the reset capability that they need. He will replace essential equipment, and he will ensure that our men and women in uniform get the care and support they have earned.”
>>More
No. 174: Give a speech at a major Islamic forum in the first 100 days of his administration
“Obama will personally lead diplomacy efforts beginning with a speech at a major Islamic forum in the first 100 days of his administration. He will make clear that we are not at war with Islam, that we will stand with those who are willing to stand up for their future, and that we need their
effort to defeat the prophets of hate and violence.”
>>More
No. 222: Grant Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba
“Cuban American connections to family in Cuba are not only a basic right in humanitarian terms, but also our best tool for helping to foster the beginnings of grassroots democracy on the island. Accordingly, as president, Obama will grant Cuban Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send remittances to the island.”
>>More
No. 224: Restore funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program
“The (Bush) administration has consistently proposed to cut or eliminate funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program, which funds anti-drug and anti-gang task forces across the country. …Since 2000, this program has been cut more than 83 percent. … As president, Obama will restore funding.”
>>More
No. 225: Establish an Energy Partnership for the Americas
“As president, Barack Obama will establish an Energy Partnership for the Americas. This partnership will increase research and development in clean coal technology, the next generation of sustainable biofuels and in wind, solar and nuclear energy. The partnership will also look for ways for nations to coordinate to transport green energy across national borders. It will help Latin American and Caribbean nations become more energy independent and promote sustainable growth for the region. The partnership also will create additional markets for American biofuels and American-made green energy technology.”
>>More
No. 239: Release presidential records
“Will nullify the Bush attempts to make the timely release of presidential records more difficult.”
>>More
No. 241: Require new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliation or contributions.
“Will issue an executive order asking all new hires at the agencies to sign a form affirming that no political appointee offered them the job solely on the basis of political affiliation or contribution.”
>>More
No. 278: Remove more brush, small trees and vegetation that fuel wildfires
“Will place a high priority on implementing cooperative projects to remove brush, small trees and other overgrown vegetation that serve as fuel for wildfires. Barack Obama will focus the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management’s efforts on working with local communities on hazardous fuels projects to make communities safer and forests healthier.”
>>More
No. 290: Push for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors
“Will place the weight of (his) administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes.”
>>More
No. 307: Create a White House Office on Urban Policy
“Will create a White House Office of Urban Policy to develop a strategy for metropolitan America and to ensure that all federal dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs. The Director of Urban Policy will report directly to the president and coordinate all federal urban programs.”
>>More
No. 327: Support increased funding for the NEA
Will “support increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, the support of which enriches schools and neighborhoods all across the nation and helps to promote the economic development of countless communities.”
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No. 332: Add another Space Shuttle flight
Obama “supports congressional efforts to add at least one additional Space Shuttle flight to fly a valuable mission and to keep the workforce engaged. He will work to ensure there is adequate funding to support that additional flight so that it does not interfere with developing the Shuttle’s successor.”
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No. 334: Use the private sector to improve spaceflight
“Will stimulate efforts within the private sector to develop and demonstrate spaceflight capabilities.”
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No. 336: Partner to enhance the potential of the International Space Station
“Will enlist other federal agencies, industry and academia to develop innovative scientific and technological research projects on the International Space Station.”
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No. 337: Use the International Space Station for fundamental biological and physical research
“Will use the ISS for fundamental biological and physical research to understand the effects of long-term space travel on human health and to test emerging technologies to enable such travel.”
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No. 338: Explore whether International Space Station can operate after 2016
“Will consider options to extend ISS operations beyond 2016. After investing so much in developing the ISS, it would be a shame not to utilize it to the fullest possible extent.”
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No. 345: Enhance earth mapping
“Will continue support for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, which allows study of the earth’s land surfaces and provides valuable data for agricultural, educational, scientific, and government use.”
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No. 346: Appoint an assistant to the president for science and technology policy
“Will appoint an Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Policy who will report directly to the president, and be deeply involved in establishing research priorities that reflect the nation’s needs based on the best available advice from experts around the country.”
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No. 356: Establish special crime programs for the New Orleans area
“Will finish rebuilding the region’s criminal justice system so that we do not have to rely on the National Guard to patrol city streets..Will establish a special “COPS for Katrina” program to allow communities impacted by the storm to hire and retain new officers and community prosecutors, develop community-based crime fighting strategies, and rebuild their lost infrastructure… Will strengthen Drug Enforcement Administration efforts to stop the reestablishment of drug gangs across the region…Will help local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies come together to establish an integrated regional crime control partnership so that each police chief and sheriff doesn’t have to face these crime problems alone.”
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No. 359: Rebuild schools in New Orleans
“Will help communities in the Gulf make necessary school infrastructure investments so all kids from all backgrounds have safe and supportive environments to learn.”
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No. 371: Fund a major expansion of AmeriCorps
“Will expand and fund AmeriCorps from 75,000 slots today to 250,000 and they will focus this expansion on addressing the great challenges facing the nation.” These additional slots will enable AmeriCorps to establish five new Corps: Classroom Corps to help teachers and students, with a priority placed on high-need and underserved schools; Health Corps to improve public health information and outreach to areas with inadequate health systems such as rural areas and inner cities; Clean Energy Corps to promote energy independence through efforts like weatherization, renewable energy projects and educational outreach; Veterans Corps to help keep America’s sacred trust with its veterans; and Homeland Security Corps to help communities plan, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
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No. 391: Appoint the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer
“Will appoint the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to ensure that our government and all its agencies have the right infrastructure, policies and services for the 21st century. The CTO will ensure the safety of our networks and will lead an interagency effort, working with chief technology and chief information officers of each of the federal agencies, to ensure that they use best-in-class technologies and share best practices.”
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No. 411: Work to overturn Ledbetter vs. Goodyear
“Obama will work to overturn the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that curtails racial minorities’ and women’s ability to challenge pay discrimination.”
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No. 421: Appoint an American Indian policy adviser
“I’ll appoint an American Indian policy adviser to my senior White House staff to work with tribes. I’ll host an annual summit at the White House with tribal leaders to come up with an agenda that works for tribal communities.”
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No. 427: Ban lobbyist gifts to executive employees
“Barack Obama will issue an executive order banning registered lobbyists or lobbying firms from giving gifts in any amount or any form to executive branch employees.”
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No. 435: Create new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud
“We will crack down on mortgage professionals found guilty of fraud by increasing enforcement and creating new criminal penalties.”
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No. 452: Weatherize 1 million homes per year
“Will make a national commitment to weatherize at least 1 million low-income homes each year for the next decade, which can reduce energy usage across the economy and help moderate energy prices for all.”
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No. 458: Invest in all types of alternative energy
“We’ll invest in research and development of every form of alternative energy – solar, wind, biofuels.”
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No. 459: Enact tax credit for consumers for plug-in hybrid cars
“We will leverage private sector funding to bring these cars directly to American consumers. We’ll give consumers a $7,000 tax credit to buy these vehicles.”
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No. 480: Support high-speed rail
Will “Support development of high-speed rail networks across the country. Providing passengers with safe high-speed rail will have significant environmental and metropolitan planning advantages and help diversify our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Our domestic rail freight capacity must also be strengthened because our demand for rail transportation has never been greater, leaving many key transportation hubs stretched to capacity. Obama and Biden are committed to renewing the federal government’s commitment to high speed rail so that our nation’s transportation infrastructure continues to support, and not hinder, our nation’s long-term economic growth.”
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No. 483: Invest in public transportation
“Will re-commit federal resources to public mass transportation projects across the country. Obama and Biden will work with state and local governments across the country on efforts to create new, effective public transportation systems and modernize our aging urban public transit infrastructure.”
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No. 498: Provide grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes
“Will create a competitive grant program to award those states and localities that take the first steps in implementing new building codes that prioritize energy efficiency, and provide a federal match for those states with leading-edge public benefits funds that support energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings.”
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No. 502: Get his daughters a puppy
“The pledge is (Sasha and Malia) will get their dog, win or lose.”
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No. 503: Appoint at least one Republican to the cabinet
Interview with Steve Kroft of “60 Minutes”: Question: “Will there be Republicans in the Cabinet?” Obama: “Yes.” Question: “More than one?” Obama: “You’re not getting any more out of me.”
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No. 506: Raise the small business investment expensing limit to $250,000 through the end of 2009
Will provide “temporary business tax incentives through 2009. The February 2008 stimulus bill increased maximum Section 179 expenses to $250,000 but this expires in December 2008. This provision will encourage all firms to pursue investment in the coming months, but will particularly benefit small firms which generally have smaller amounts of annual property purchases and so choose to expense the cost of their acquired property.”
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No. 507: Extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits
“Obama and Biden believe Congress should immediately extend unemployment insurance for an additional 13 weeks to help families that are being hit hardest by this downturn. In addition, they believe we should temporarily suspend taxes on unemployment insurance benefits as a way of giving more relief to families.”
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No. 513: Reverse restrictions on stem cell research
“I believe that the restrictions that President Bush has placed on funding of human embryonic stem cell research have handcuffed our scientists and hindered our ability to compete with other nations. As president, I will lift the current administration’s ban on federal funding of research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001 through executive order … ..”
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wannabebulldogfromChicoState • Oct 17, 2009 at 10:20 am
I knew there was a special reason I love Fresno State. You guys are so right on.
wannabebulldogfromChicoState • Oct 17, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I knew there was a special reason I love Fresno State. You guys are so right on.
Francine Oputa • Oct 16, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Rachel Maddow does a good job discussing why the president received this prize and how there are precedents for the prize being awarding in this manner. If you are interested, check her out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMJuEOaF84o&feature=player_embedded.
Francine Oputa • Oct 16, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Rachel Maddow does a good job discussing why the president received this prize and how there are precedents for the prize being awarding in this manner. If you are interested, check her out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMJuEOaF84o&feature=player_embedded.
Mike • Oct 16, 2009 at 9:27 am
I think that this award is a bit premature. High ideals and initiatives are one thing, but actions are very different. Let him achieve his goals first, then praise him for those achievements. It is kind of an oxymoron: the commander in chief of the world’s largest fighting force recieving an award for peace while commanding two wars. Shouldn’t that disqualify him?
Mike • Oct 16, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I think that this award is a bit premature. High ideals and initiatives are one thing, but actions are very different. Let him achieve his goals first, then praise him for those achievements. It is kind of an oxymoron: the commander in chief of the world’s largest fighting force recieving an award for peace while commanding two wars. Shouldn’t that disqualify him?
Benjamin Baxter • Oct 14, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Way to phrase it such that there’s only one answer. This prize, as was stated when it was given and as Obama says when it was received, was granted more to empower Obama ad his program than reward him for his accomplishment.
Benjamin Baxter • Oct 15, 2009 at 12:15 am
Way to phrase it such that there’s only one answer. This prize, as was stated when it was given and as Obama says when it was received, was granted more to empower Obama ad his program than reward him for his accomplishment.
Mike • Oct 14, 2009 at 10:25 am
He deserves the Orwellian Peace prize, not the ‘Nobelian’.
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Welcome to 1984.
Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia (or is it Eastasia these days?)
Wesley Warker • Oct 14, 2009 at 9:46 am
Obviously he does not. His presidency has become little more than a spectacle lacking any real substance. Actually that’s been the case ever since he slid into the presidency.
Wesley Warker • Oct 14, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Obviously he does not. His presidency has become little more than a spectacle lacking any real substance. Actually that’s been the case ever since he slid into the presidency.
Adam • Oct 14, 2009 at 9:29 am
BREAKING NEWS:
This just in!!! Obama wins the Heisman Trophy after watching a college football game !!!
Adam • Oct 14, 2009 at 4:29 pm
BREAKING NEWS:
This just in!!! Obama wins the Heisman Trophy after watching a college football game !!!
Carte Blanchette • Oct 13, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Of course! Hope doesn’t grow on trees, you know.
Carte Blanchette • Oct 14, 2009 at 4:59 am
Of course! Hope doesn’t grow on trees, you know.