Just for fun

I got this in the email and just thought you might enjoy it ... whichever way you lean. I dont know how i got on the democrat mailing list, but before you get to wisecracking too much, i get lots of republican emails too. Though it is VERY depressing to realize that I am older than the President of the United States. This is the first time.


Friend --

Every year, our family tries to come up with a fun way to wish Barack a happy birthday.

And this August 4th, when he turns 49, I have something new in mind.

This has been a big -- and hectic -- year for him. After signing the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform into law -- and completing his first year as president -- I think it's safe to say we will remember it for a long time.

And I know full well how much he credits this movement, and the work of supporters like you, for the change that we've accomplished.

So I'm putting together a birthday card that I would like you to sign. Together with other Organizing for America supporters -- and me, Malia, Sasha, and Bo -- we'll wish him a happy birthday and let him know that we're ready to take on the year ahead alongside him.

Will you wish Barack a happy birthday with me?

This year also brought a lot of surprises -- some good and some bad.

Supporters like you have helped him make the best of it -- by contacting Congress to help push stalled legislation forward, by re-engaging supporters in the political process, by giving back with service projects across the country, and so much more.

And while we can't know what the coming year will bring, all of us, working together, will continue pushing forward for change.

Will you help make this a memorable birthday for Barack and wish him a happy 49th?

http://my.barackobama.com/birthday

Thanks so much,

Michelle Obama

Tempest in a tea party

Here is a good story about the Tea Party versus NAACP and the little skirmish this week.
Its a pretty good story, not really slanted to either side
Looks like they both were a bit on the race card playing game this week.

Obama should decline Nobel Peace Prize

I heard about Obama getting a Nobel Peace Prize this morning while at breakfast with some friends. I didn't believe them. Apparently it is true. The AP story says even the White House (the adminstration) was shocked by the move.
Here is a link to the story.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_nobel_peace

I think the best thing Obama could do today, would be to graciously decline the award.
The prize has become a political gift. An award to play political games with, and that is all this is.
Obama may do great things in his presidency, but his first term has just started. (I dont see the pubs beating him in his run for a second.)
Still, this certainly lowers the prize's prestige.
He just hasnt done anything yet. He hasnt even delivered on health care yet, and he has not got us out of iraq and afghanistan yet. Doesnt sound like peace prize material to me.
Its just using the prize to score political points. Even in giving the award, the committee acknowledged that his plans have not come to fruition yet concerning foreign policy. About the only thing he has done - and it wasn't him - was that the U.S. image abroad improved when it got elected.
Anyone can call for a reduction in nuclear arms. Hey everybody, lets reduce our nuclear arms. See, I just did it. :)
He should reject the prize because he has not earned it.
Of course, he could do so in a gracious way. If he did that, I would call him a great president and my respect for him and the office would grow a lot.
Doubt it will happen, but ... we shall see.

Tuesday,

Cop notes are posted.
I put the names back in the cop notes today. Comments were mostly in favor. I put up a poll, and it is tied right now.
Please vote.
I want to be responsive to readers. To some extent, I want to do what you all want. I want to be an honest reflection of the community. Some news organizations want to tell you what you need to know, and what to think. I don't want to be like that.

Also today the president is having a town hall meeting. With the rough time he has had at some of them, its kinda brave of him to do it again. But, he is doing it in the part of the country that is most liberal, so ... that should help.
I put up a link last night to the White House web site, where you may watch it live at noon today.
The site itself is good. Has a lot of information.

Health care protests

Here is another national story.
Re-posted with permission from the AP.
Democrats are saying that protests against health care are being orchestrated by high-ranking republicans, insurance companies and other activists.
Does it matter who is behind the protests?
Are the protests based more on emotion than fact ?
Here is the link to the AP story, which I thought was a fair story.