President Obama praises the Senate for restoring the pay-as-you-go law and discusses his proposal for a freeze in discretionary spending. The Presdient also calls for a bipartisan Fiscal Commission to hammer out further concrete deficit reduction proposals.
Baltimore was the setting for the GOP retreat where President Obama addressed event goers of the opposing party. In efforts to foster bi-partisanship, President Obama also answered questions from Republican U-S House members. The entire event was televised, translating into the transparency of discussions with the GOP. Then Presidential candidate Barack Obama campaigned on an open dialogue with the Republican Party and transparency.
Edmonds says one of the most used phrases by Presidents during the speech, “The state of our union is strong.”
In December, President Obama evoked Charles Dickens in describing the state of Black America that continues to have disproportionate numbers in education, employment, health care and beyond. From an exclusive Oval Office interview with American Urban Radio Networks.
Q And lastly, you’ll be coming up with your State of the Union, your first State of the Union in January. And I know you’re going to speak to all America. But, in your opinion, what is the state of black America?
THE PRESIDENT: You know, I think this continues to be the best of times and the worst of times. I mean, I think it’s the best of times in the sense that never has there been more opportunity for African Americans who have received a good education and are in a position then to walk through the doors that are opened. And, obviously, you and me sitting here in the Oval Office is a testament to that.
I think it’s the worst of times in the sense that unemployment and the lack of opportunity, particularly in some cities, has never been worse. I mean, you look at a city like Detroit where you used to have an enormous African American middle class built on the auto industry - that city is in hard, hard times right now.
Now, just going back to the point you raised earlier about our responsiveness to the African American community, imagine what Detroit would look like if we hadn’t stepped in to make sure that GM stayed open, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. Having said that, if you’ve got double digit unemployment in cities like that, we’re going to have to make some special efforts, and it starts with early childhood education; it starts with education generally. That’s why I’m putting such a big emphasis on that. But it also means that every federal agency has to make sure that the assistance that’s being made available to the general population is targeting those hard to reach places, so that they are also benefiting from our overall efforts to lift up the economy.
I’m optimistic about the long term future of the African American community, but it’s going to take work. It was never going to be done just because we elected me. It’s going to be a collaborative effort between people in the community who recognize that we’re going to have to rely on government to do some things, but a lot of these things we’re going to have to do ourselves.
The Haitian Donors conference is set for March in New York City. The framework of a 10 year Haitian international rebuild plan was set in Montreal, Canada with representatives from the United States, Haiti, Spain, France, Brazil, Canada, and the European Union. The United States leads in donations for Haiti followed by Canada. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had some time for a one on one to answer questions about American presence in Haiti and how we need to proceed on Haitian issues of housing, debt forgiveness and the extension of temporary protective status for some Haitians in the United States. Haiti is a priority of the Obama administration in the short term and long term. President Obama is expected to address issues of Haiti in his State of the Union Address.
On the plane headed to Canada Sec. Clinton came back to talk with the press about Haiti.
Interview With April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Montreal, Canada
January 25, 2010
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QUESTION: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, thank you so much for your time, and talking to us about issues of Haiti. We are here at this ministerial preparatory conference. You are setting the outline, I guess, for the Haitian donors conference.
Could you talk to me, first of all, about the positives that came out of this conference, and what you see down the road for Haiti?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, April, first of all, thank you for following this story and coming to this conference in Montreal, because I think we established a good framework for how we are going to move forward. It’s only been 12 days since this horrible disaster occurred. But already we have a set of principles about how we want our work to be shaped. We have some long-term strategic objectives, and we have the beginnings of a road map for reconstruction and development.
It is really heartening, and I think your listeners would find it so, that people from across the world are showing their hearts on behalf of Haiti. But it’s not enough that we show compassion. It’s not enough that we contribute to a good charity, or that we bless the use of our tax dollars to help the people of Haiti. We have to have a plan that we can execute on, that we can demonstrate results from on behalf of the people of Haiti.
So, we will be having the next conference, which will try to set all of this in place, in New York in March. Because the United States has a great commitment to the people of Haiti. President Obama and I had already been working on a plan to try to assist the people of Haiti before the earthquake. So we are going to build on that, and we are going to come up with some workable, practical approaches to give the Haitians a better future.
QUESTION: Now, am I correct in understanding that, from this press conference with the ministerial leaders, that it will be 10 years — you have a 10-year plan — correct?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I think that the time frame that everyone is talking about is 10 years, because we look at other disasters — take, for example, the recent tsunami in Asia over Christmas of 2004 into the new year then. So that’s been five years. And a lot of good work has been done, but there is still work to be completed.
But, for example, in the terrible impact of the tsunami in Indonesia, it didn’t affect the Government of Indonesia. So the Government of Indonesia and most of the country was unaffected. What happened here was so much more devastating, because it just wiped out government buildings, records, public services from schools and hospitals and police stations. The penitentiary was unfortunately damaged, and therefore, all the criminals got out.
So I think most experts believe that we’re talking about, on the low end, a 5-year, on the upper end, a 10-year — of sustained commitment. And then, hopefully, we will have put the Haitian people on a strong foundation.
One other example I would use is think about the terrible genocide in Rwanda. Yet now, about 15 years later, Rwanda is recovering. I mean they lost 800,000 people. It was the worst kind of terrible evil. And yet now their economy is growing, because they had a plan. And the international community stood with them while they implemented that plan.
QUESTION: Well, you speak of that, and Haiti is a whole different — in a whole different boat than many of these other countries: the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. You know, I went there and, I mean, I saw beauty in poverty, because people wanted to survive. And now they are trying to reorganize that survival, and change how they lived before.
And that brings me to something that I found out this week. I talked to Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans, and he said his city, five years in, still has a lot of problems. And he says typically it takes a city or a community, to rebuild, 10 to 15 years. You’re talking 10. And New Orleans had buildings that at least met code. They had certain infrastructures that were in place. Haiti doesn’t.
So, do you realistically think 10 years, or maybe even beyond? And, if so, it’s going to go beyond the billions and billions, and maybe into trillions, correct?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I don’t think so, and here is why. I think every disaster is different. There is no doubt that what has happened to Haiti is extraordinarily damaging. If we do this right, though — the countryside was largely unaffected — if we can get economic activity going in the countryside, the farmers able to once again plant and harvest and have markets for their food, there is an opportunity here which is unique, because Haiti has been studied to death. Everybody has an opinion about what needs to be done in Haiti. The problem has been there has never been the political will matched with the resources and the pressure to follow through, as there is now.
So, that’s why 10 years is a time when we will be able to assess how much has happened. Of course, there will continue to be problems and challenges beyond that. But Haiti had those before the earthquake. And part of what we have to do here is to create a different mind set among Haitians themselves. The people in the establishment in Haiti have to understand that their country and their fellow men and women can do better if they are more generous, and share the results of success. The people out in the country have to grasp education as a true vehicle for personal achievement.
So, there is a lot to be done. But I am always struck by how, when Haitians leave their country, come to the U.S. or Canada or France, they are very successful. They are doctors and nurses and teachers and business leaders. And there is no reason that they cannot see that success back in Haiti, if we get the attitudes of people to match the development agenda.
QUESTION: You talked about the countryside. Let’s go beyond Port-au-Prince. What is happening now to help those who are beyond the Port-au-Prince borders who are affected right now? We know that roads are still impassible. But what is this administration doing to help those?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, actually, we are helicoptering in food, water, supplies into areas where there has been an increase in population because people are leaving Port-au-Prince. Many experts, including the prime minister, Prime Minister Bellerive, today said that this is an opportunity that should not be missed.
Port-au-Prince got too big for the size of Haiti, in part, because previous governments did not invest in the countryside. And, therefore, if we can reverse some of that in-migration to Port-au-Prince, and as people are leaving Port-au-Prince to go back to their family homes, if we can provide opportunity back there, then we will have a better chance to develop Port-au-Prince in a more thoughtful way.
QUESTION: Well, let’s talk about migration. You have heard the calls. Many people, to include the NAACP, CBC, they are looking for an extension into the temporary status, the protected status, for many that are here for 18 months. And they are saying it may need to happen beyond. What are your thoughts?
SECRETARY CLINTON: I certainly think we have to stay open to that. I think that the immediate need to provide temporary protected status to the people who are here without documentation was necessary, and the Obama Administration did it. But we have to watch this carefully. You cannot return people until there is some sense of stability and security and opportunity. And I don’t think 18 months is a magic number. So we are going to have to evaluate this as we go forward.
QUESTION: And also, Congresswoman Maxine Waters wants the United States to forgive or help the — get the help from the United States to forgive the debt to the IMF, the World Bank. Is that something that is feasible, especially now, since they need you, they need all your money, all your support?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Absolutely, it’s feasible. We are looking at that. We heard presentations today from all three of those — those two organizations, plus the Inter-American Development Bank. They all recognize the need that they face in trying to work through a program for the forgiveness of debt. It’s just unrealistic to think that Haiti would ever, in the far foreseeable future, be able to repay that.
QUESTION: And lastly, housing and security. What are you going to do on the ground there? And how is the U.S. really going to get involved with security over time? Because that is a major issue. And the housing, trying to house these people as they are rebuilding to a new standard, a new building code standard?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, two things. One, as you know, we have sent thousands of our troops — soldiers and Marines — to assist in the delivery of humanitarian supplies, and also to support the UN troops on the ground in providing security. The UN troops have done a good job. The UN mission, led by a Brazilian general, has really made enormous progress in providing law and order, in working on corrections, and many of the other aspects of law enforcement. But they are overwhelmed, and the UN personnel probably will, when it’s all said and done, suffer more than 300 losses. So, this is a big burden for them to assume. But the Security Council has expanded the number of forces that they can take, in both the police training and the units of soldiers to support those that are already there.
So, we are going to work closely with them, because security is paramount, and it has to be in the streets. And, as I said, we have all these people who broke out of the penitentiary. So we have, unfortunately, more than our share of dangerous criminals wandering around now that have to be disarmed and subdued and returned to a prison. But we are really committed to working on the immediate needs of shelter and housing.
We talked today in our meeting about how we can come up with 200,000 tents so that people will have some shelter. We are racing against the clock, because the rainy season starts in a couple of months, and the hurricane season will also return. So we just have to do everything we can, and everyone is committed to that.
QUESTION: And lastly, have you been able to talk to some of these leaders here about what many around the world are saying, this heavy-handedness by the United States in helping? They don’t want the military there, a strong military presence. It’s almost like you’re hearing the same thing with the African Union when there was a concern about bringing AFRICOM there. People don’t want the U.S. military there. What are your thoughts about that? And have you talked to these world leaders about that?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I have not only talked with them, I have followed the international press very closely. That’s a minority opinion. The much greater majority opinion is that the United States is using its power in a way that everyone can see helps people. We have made it clear we are not there for the long term, this is solely to assist the Haitian Government and the international community and support the UN.
But, boy, are people glad to see us. And I have lots of pictures of Haitians embracing our soldiers, waving at our helicopters, expressing their thanks. So we know that some want to draw some historical parallel that is not applicable, but we are not paying any attention to that. Our goal is to help as many Haitians as possible, and our military is absolutely instrumental in doing that.
QUESTION: Last note, last word from you?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Just thank you for following this. This is something that, just as it’s a long-term effort on the ground, we need Americans involved for the long term. And there will be roles and opportunities for people to volunteer, to contribute, to do the kinds of things that America does better than anyone. When we come out with our heart showing in the face of these kinds of catastrophes, it’s the best example of who we are, and the values that we live by.
QUESTION: Thank you so much, Secretary Clinton. You are awesome. Thanks for having me with you, and doing this interview. You keep your promises.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes, ma’am. I try. As you know, we have known each other a long time, April.
QUESTION: A very long time. Take care.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.
Over 122 people have been rescued from the rubble in Haiti since the 7.0 earthquake more than a week ago. 40 plus of those rescued were saved by American rescue personnel. Those who have traveled to the disaster scene contend there is death and destructions amid a hope for life and a city flourishing after rising from the rubble and ash in Port-Au-Prince. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, at the White Hous, connected the dots between Haiti and New Orleans.
Meanwhile, President and Mrs. Obama mailed a 15 thousand dollar personal check to the Clinton Bush Haiti fund to help with the relief and rescue efforts there. Former President George W. Bush gave 10 thousand dollars from his pocket during the Tsunami for rebuild, relief and rescue efforts when that natural disaster hit. He dispatched his father and former President Bill Clinton to raise funds to help the humanitarian efforts there.
O
Well, here’s another way President Obama has put his historic stamp on the presidency. With no fanfare or media attention, President Obama added to the Oval Office: a 12 5/8″ bronze bust of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
The work, titled “Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968),” is by celebrated African-American sculptor Charles Alston — the first African-American instructor at the Art Students League — who died in 1977.
Created in 1970, it was acquired by the Smithsonian institiution’s Natioanl Portrait Gallery in 1974.
When the Smithsonian lent the bust to the President Bill Clinton’s White House in 2000 to be displayed in the White House Library, that marked, believe it or not, the very first time that the image of an African-American was displayed in a public space in the White House. At one point the bust was one of the first artifacts guest would see as they walked the East Wing entrance into the White house.
The King bust sits near the fireplace and adjacent a bust of President Abraham Lincoln, with the two legendary Americans facing President Obama when he sits at the Resolute Desk. The Lincoln bust sits where a bust of Sir Winston Churchill — on loan from the British Embassy after the 9/11 attacks, and returned before Mr. Obama’s inauguration — once sat.
For more information regarding the status of United States citizens, please contact American Citizens Services at (888) 407-4747.
The Pentagon is working on aid for Port-Au-Prince, Haiti after a 7.o earthquake and over 25 afthershocks in the Capitol City. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says there will be military and civilian aid from the United States for Haiti. Three million are affected in Haiti, the National Palace in Port Au Prince is heavily damaged, the tower at the airport is down, scores of people are trapped. The number of dead unknown.
Haiti, the first post-colonial independent Black-led nation in the world, is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti is the only nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion.
President Obama was informed of the earthquake at 5:52pm. The President asked his staff to make sure that embassy personnel are safe, and to begin preparations in the event that humanitarian assistance is needed. The Department of State, USAID and the United States Southern Command have begun working to coordinate an assessment and any such assistance.
A Statement by President Obama on the Earthquake in Haiti: “My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by this earthquake. We are closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti.”
Senate Democratic leader sorry for ‘Negro dialect’ remark
From Political Editor Mark Preston
CNN
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid apologized Saturday
for making disparaging remarks about Barack Obama during the presidential
campaign.
Journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann reported the remarks in
their new book “Game Change,” which is scheduled to be at bookstores Tuesday.
The authors quote Reid as saying privately that Obama, as a black
candidate, could be successful thanks in part to his “light-skinned” appearance
and speaking patterns “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.”
“He (Reid) was wowed by Obama’s oratorical gifts and believed that the
country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one
such as Obama — a ‘light-skinned’ African American ‘with no Negro dialect,
unless he wanted to have one,’ ” Halperin and Heilemann say.
“Reid was convinced, in fact, that Obama’s race would help him more than
hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination,” they write.”
In a statement to CNN, Reid said, “I deeply regret using such a poor
choice of words.”
“I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially
African Americans for my improper comments.
“I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the
campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama’s
legislative agenda,” the senator from Nevada said.
Reid also pointed to his efforts to integrate the Las Vegas strip and the
gaming industry, among other legislation favored by African-American voters.
“I have worked hard to advance issues important to the African American
community.”
Reid, who waited to formally endorse Obama until after the tough
presidential primary battle ended in 2008, is facing an uphill re-election
fight this year in his home state.
In early 2007, the Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden was caught in a scandal for saying then Presidential candidate Barack Obama was “articulate” and “clean.” Biden explained his comments to then Senator Obama. The rest is history.
Obama orders up more air security, intel sharing
By EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer Eileen Sullivan, Associated Press Writer
2 hrs 41 mins ago
WASHINGTON - Hundreds of law enforcement officers are being trained as federal air marshals to ramp up security as the Obama administration tries to prevent a repeat of the near-catastrophic attempt to blow up an airliner bound for Detroit on Christmas Day.
President Barack Obama ordered the U.S. intelligence agencies to do a better job of recognizing serious terror threats and sharing information with those who can disrupt a plot as quickly as possible.
The White House on Thursday released a declassified summary of a two-week review that began when a 23-year-old Nigerian man allegedly tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit with an explosive hidden in his underwear.
Officials received fragments of information as early as October about an alleged terror recruit they later learned was Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.
Although intelligence officials knew that an al-Qaida operative in Yemen posed a threat to U.S. security, they did not increase their focus on that threat and did not pull together fragments of data needed to foil the scheme, the review found.
Obama announced about a dozen changes designed to fix that, including new terror watch list guidelines, wider and quicker distribution of intelligence reports, stronger analysis of those reports, international partnerships and an interagency effort to develop next-generation airport screening technologies.
Extra air marshals - one of the additional layers of security ordered for air travel - will add to the more than 4,000 already in the system, officials familiar with the classified strategy said. Obama has also called for enhanced screening technology to detect explosives and other dangerous materials terrorists could try to sneak onto an airplane.
While Obama promised improved security, however, his solutions were laced with bureaucratic reshuffling.
Americans might be surprised that the government was not already taking some of the steps Obama ordered. For instance, he directed the intelligence community to begin assigning direct responsibility for following up leads on high-priority threats.
Obama himself hinted at the difficulties of improving intelligence and security against a terrorist network that devises new methods as fast or faster than the U.S. can come up with defenses.
“There is, of course, no foolproof solution,” he said. “We have to stay one step ahead of a nimble adversary.”
Underscoring Obama’s assertion that no one individual was responsible for failing to thwart the attack, the administration’s report noted that Abdulmutallab’s name was misspelled in one instance, leading the State Department to conclude he did not have a valid U.S. visa when he did. In another instance, the suspect’s name was in a massive government database of suspected terrorists, but it was never moved to a list that would have ensured additional screening before he boarded the airplane in Amsterdam.
The White House is anxious to resolve and move beyond the issue, which threatens to damage the president politically and distract further from his agenda.
“When the system fails, it is my responsibility,” Obama said.
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