Obama leads a round of Happy Birthday for Teddy Kennedy at the Kennedy Center. As you might imagine, I am not the biggest Teddy fan, that is not to say I don't like teddy bears, just not Teddy Kennedy.
Short List
-fled the scene of an accident and doesn't report death of his passenger until after the body discovered the next day
Actually, that is about all I need to know to know I don't trust him. There are some actions demonstrating a such a complete void of ethics and character that when known should influence whether a person in fit for political office. That and the ACLU gave him a lifetime rating of 84 in 2009.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/A-Salute-to-Senator-Kennedy/
Monday, March 9, 2009
Strong Middle Class - Again
Well, apparently if Vice President Biden doesn't have anything new to post, he just recaps and has the team repost what he has already done, so that we can consider it again. So, today's post from the Strong Middle Class is the flashback episode. You know, a TV show doesn't get a flashback episode until after a successful season and then it is usually strategically placed a couple of episodes from the season finale. Does this "blog back" mean that the Strong Middle Class Task Force is about to a finale? Oh, I can only wish.
So, Biden is running this Middle Class Task Force with a special focus on green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class. More specifics later, if you just can't wait check out the "blog back" at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/Green-Jobs-Watch-the-Panels/
So, Biden is running this Middle Class Task Force with a special focus on green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class. More specifics later, if you just can't wait check out the "blog back" at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/Green-Jobs-Watch-the-Panels/
Remembering Christopher Reeve
Excellent point! Christopher Reeve and his wife, Dana, were surely an inspiration.
Taken from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/Remembering-Christopher-Reeves/
"One of Christopher’s friends recalled that he hung a sign on the wall of the exercise room where he did his grueling regimen of physical therapy. It read: "For everyone who thought I couldn’t do it. For everyone who thought I shouldn’t do it. For everyone who said, ‘It’s impossible.’ See you at the finish line.""
Hear! Hear!
Taken from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/Remembering-Christopher-Reeves/
"One of Christopher’s friends recalled that he hung a sign on the wall of the exercise room where he did his grueling regimen of physical therapy. It read: "For everyone who thought I couldn’t do it. For everyone who thought I shouldn’t do it. For everyone who said, ‘It’s impossible.’ See you at the finish line.""
Hear! Hear!
Stem Cell Research and Scientific Integrity
Today Obama signed an Executive Order lifting the ban on embryonic stem cell research and issued a Presidential Memorandum regarding increased scientific integrity in research. Embryonic stem cells can morph into any type of cell, the moral concern is that an embryo is life and shouldn't be used. This entry is a response to http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/A-debt-of-gratitude-to-so-many-tireless-advocates/ and will cover brirfly the morality of stem cell research, the Executive Order, and the Presidential Memorandum.
Morality
A primary source of embryos used are from embryos created for in vitro, where more eggs than are needed are available. Unfortunately, while research exists trying to extract stem cells without destroying the embryo, this technique is not yet viable. Pro-lifers believe that the destruction of an embryo is a breach of the sanctity of life. Following that thought process, they may see this destruction of an embryo as murder. Murder of the life that may have been if it had not been destroyed for scientific purpose. On the other side of the religious debate are those that feel that God charges us to care and endeavor to help others.
Me? I believe knowledge is a gift from God. I believe that we should be constantly vigilant in how we use that knowledge. In this instance, while the embryo could become life, the embryo isn't life yet. The embryo requires fertilization. Whether the woman chose to have those embryos fertilized through in vitro or if the woman chose to fertilize the egg the old-fashioned way, either way the embryo was fertilized through an active choice. In this instance, the choice is not to utilize for life but to learn about life. I don't see how this violates God's law.
The Executive Order - Breaking it Down
Basically, the Executive Orders says that we want to help people with disabling diseases and conditions, so let's not limit our ability to do research that may help people. So, let's use public funds to support embryonic stem cell research, which hasn't been allowed under George W. Bush for moral reasons. Obama allows public funding to be used. Don't worry though, the NIH will only be supporting responsibly conducted research that is scienficically worthy. What does that mean? Well, we will have to wait to find out since the Secretary fo Health and Human Services has 120 days to publish new guidance talking about what is responsible embryonic stem cell research.
Anyway, for me, once the moral issue has been resolved, I don't have a problem with public funding of scientific research.
The Presidential Memorandum - Breaking It Down
The Presidential Memorandum recognizes that science must be pursued with integrity and charges the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy with recommending for Presidential action principles to ensure Executive branch integrity surrounding scientific research, selection of candidates, whistleblower protections, guidelines for each agency to develop their own rules, credibility of science in policy decisions, increased transparency of findings.
Ahhh....I eagerly await the promulgation of more regulations. I am also interested in the whole transparency of scientific studies used in policy decisions. This could have some substantial reprecussions for the EPA, FDA and HHS, just off the top. I know, it is shocking to consider that we might actual be able to trace the origin and reasoning behind regulations. I have always personally imagined an attorney fresh from law school sitting in a cubicle made out of bankers boxers finally just making a decision and putting pen to paper or foot to ass, whatever.
Morality
A primary source of embryos used are from embryos created for in vitro, where more eggs than are needed are available. Unfortunately, while research exists trying to extract stem cells without destroying the embryo, this technique is not yet viable. Pro-lifers believe that the destruction of an embryo is a breach of the sanctity of life. Following that thought process, they may see this destruction of an embryo as murder. Murder of the life that may have been if it had not been destroyed for scientific purpose. On the other side of the religious debate are those that feel that God charges us to care and endeavor to help others.
Me? I believe knowledge is a gift from God. I believe that we should be constantly vigilant in how we use that knowledge. In this instance, while the embryo could become life, the embryo isn't life yet. The embryo requires fertilization. Whether the woman chose to have those embryos fertilized through in vitro or if the woman chose to fertilize the egg the old-fashioned way, either way the embryo was fertilized through an active choice. In this instance, the choice is not to utilize for life but to learn about life. I don't see how this violates God's law.
The Executive Order - Breaking it Down
Basically, the Executive Orders says that we want to help people with disabling diseases and conditions, so let's not limit our ability to do research that may help people. So, let's use public funds to support embryonic stem cell research, which hasn't been allowed under George W. Bush for moral reasons. Obama allows public funding to be used. Don't worry though, the NIH will only be supporting responsibly conducted research that is scienficically worthy. What does that mean? Well, we will have to wait to find out since the Secretary fo Health and Human Services has 120 days to publish new guidance talking about what is responsible embryonic stem cell research.
Anyway, for me, once the moral issue has been resolved, I don't have a problem with public funding of scientific research.
The Presidential Memorandum - Breaking It Down
The Presidential Memorandum recognizes that science must be pursued with integrity and charges the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy with recommending for Presidential action principles to ensure Executive branch integrity surrounding scientific research, selection of candidates, whistleblower protections, guidelines for each agency to develop their own rules, credibility of science in policy decisions, increased transparency of findings.
Ahhh....I eagerly await the promulgation of more regulations. I am also interested in the whole transparency of scientific studies used in policy decisions. This could have some substantial reprecussions for the EPA, FDA and HHS, just off the top. I know, it is shocking to consider that we might actual be able to trace the origin and reasoning behind regulations. I have always personally imagined an attorney fresh from law school sitting in a cubicle made out of bankers boxers finally just making a decision and putting pen to paper or foot to ass, whatever.
Friday, March 6, 2009
March 7 Speech Recaps Week
From his March 7th speech....well, here we are a little early but basically Obama recaps the week: rising unemployment, focusing on jump starting the economy, implementation of recovery act, consumer spending initiative, and homeowner assistance. He mentions a consumer spending initiative, something with this terminology I am not familiar with, more definitely to come. Regulations are being promulgated to help borrowers and home loan lenders. Also, Obama talks about creating 3.5M jobs in the next two years but unemployment is already hit over 4.4M jobs, so is incidental growth expected, if so, what is that rate? I also don’t understand the discussion of the 2T deficit reduction if the deficit inherited was $1.3T and the proposed deficit in Obama’s budget for 2009 is over $1T.
Further investigation into this speech is definitely required. Perhaps I will consult my muse.
This entry is from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/Toward-a-Better-Day/
Further investigation into this speech is definitely required. Perhaps I will consult my muse.
This entry is from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/Toward-a-Better-Day/
First Lady Adventures: Miriam's Kitchen
I admit a certain fascination with Michelle Obama. I keep waiting to see her personality, drive and intelligence revealed. I mean really, is she really June Cleaver meets Hillary Clinton? See, I think deep down Michelle is even more opinionated, driven and ambitious than Hillary. It is just a matter of time.
Anyway, in keeping with her role of spiritual rock of the Obama Movement, Michelle visited Miriam's Kitchen, a homeless shelter to remind us all to help one another. No complaints or further commentary is necessary. See blog: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/The-First-Lady-at-Miriams-Kitchen/
Anyway, in keeping with her role of spiritual rock of the Obama Movement, Michelle visited Miriam's Kitchen, a homeless shelter to remind us all to help one another. No complaints or further commentary is necessary. See blog: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/The-First-Lady-at-Miriams-Kitchen/
Federal Government Hobbles Along Until March 11
Obama signs a bill extending previous year funding levels so the federal government won't shut down. See text at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/President-Obama-signs-continuing-resolution/
I would like to think that the delay in passage is because there is going to be some serious thought to the pervasive pork in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act but I am not getting my hopes up. Apparently the unified stance by Republicans in delaying the passage is to given them a chance to propose more amendments. More on that early next week. We need a third party.
I would like to think that the delay in passage is because there is going to be some serious thought to the pervasive pork in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act but I am not getting my hopes up. Apparently the unified stance by Republicans in delaying the passage is to given them a chance to propose more amendments. More on that early next week. We need a third party.
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