Idaho Speaks

The flags few at half staff today around the city.  I guess, around the country.  President Obama issued a proclamation for a

National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism. 

We didn’t get a whole lot of lead time on this, apparently it was done on Friday, April 16th.  I heard about it today, and saw the flags being lowered mid-morning (although the proclamation says, “dawn to dusk”).  The proclamation:

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

There is no greater evil than willful violence against innocents.  On this National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, we pause to remember victims of terrorism at home and abroad, we honor the heroes who have supported them, and we redouble our efforts to build the kind of world that is worthy of their legacy.

Fifteen years ago, terrorists bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing over 160 men, women, and children, and injuring hundreds more.  Even before the dust settled, heroes had emerged.  First responders, medical professionals, clergy, relief organizations, local leaders, and everyday citizens stepped forward to help victims and their families.  Again, when terrorists struck on September 11, 2001, and thousands of Americans –- and scores of foreign nationals –perished in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Americans made a historic effort to assist all those affected.  The dignity of those who were attacked — and the courage of those who came to their aid — reaffirmed the strength of our Nation, and the human spirit.

Terrorists prey on the innocent and vulnerable, and have nothing to offer except hatred and destruction.  No cause justifies their actions, yet they have claimed many victims around the world.  Wherever they kidnap or kill, they reveal only their own bankrupt vision, and disrupt or destroy lives.  Their actions impact not only their victims, but the families, friends, and fellow citizens of those who are targeted.

Survivors of terrorism and their families, though bound at first by anguish and loss, are united by extraordinary acts of courage, love, faith, and commitment.  They have risen against terrorism in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, the September 11 attacks, and other incidents of violence around the world.  They are giving a voice to victims, speaking out against violent and extremist ideologies, easing the suffering of survivors, and helping them heal and hope once more.

Today, let us honor the good works of this inspiring movement that shows us that hope is more powerful than fear, and recognize the sacrifice of extraordinary citizens worldwide who have shown fortitude in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 19, 2010, as National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism.  I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half staff on this day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of terrorism.  I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance.  I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and acts of community service in memory of the victims and survivors of terrorism worldwide.

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

       BARACK OBAMA

I felt the wording to be inspiring.  I’m hoping, if he’s intending to do this every year, that there are activities planned.  I’d like to participate! 

Tags: National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, Presidential proclamation

I see a lot of questioning about whether President Obama is a U.S. citizen these days. Apparently, finding a birth certificate for him is hard, and there are lots of rumors that he was born in Nigeria.

Here’s the deal.
His mother was born in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1942. Both her parents were native born as well. This makes her a native born citizen of the United States.When Barack was born in 1961, she was past age 18, the legal age of majority in the U.S.

By law, any child of a native born American, who is of legal age, is an American. Period. No matter where on the planet the birth occurred.

Where Mr. Obama was born makes no difference whatsoever in his citizenship. Hundreds of thousands of American citizens have been born all over the world.

Think of all the soldiers who married girls in Japan, Germany, Korea, France, England, you name it- all their kids who were born overseas are exactly the same citizens, born under exactly the same circumstances.

This entire rumor is stupidity at it’s finest.

Tags: is Obama a citizen?, Obama's birth certificate, President Obama's birthplace

Now I’m sure you never thought all three of those subjects would be in the same sentence.  But oddly enough, President Obama brought them together when he gave the commencement speech this year.  I say oddly enough because I don’t think I would ever have the balls to go to a Catholic university, and tell them that we have to find some common ground on this subject.

The Catholic Church (among many many others) believes that abortion is murder.  They don’t see it as a freedom of reproductive choice issue.  They don’t see it as a woman’s right to choose what happens to her own body.  They see it as a murder of a human being that God set into life, and no man or woman may take that life without committing a mortal sin.

Not all Catholics agree with that position, but it is a doctrinal stance.  So to go to a church school, speak at their graduation, and tell them they need to find some common ground on the issue of murder…well, that’s like telling the world that it needs to find some common ground on the issue of military tribunals of “enemy combatants” who aren’t really “prisoners of war” because we want to exact our pound of flesh for 9-11 and justify our own terrorist actions.

Oh, wait…I guess President Obama isn’t the chosen one, after all.  He’s pissing everybody off, probably without even trying.  Reminds me of Bill Clinton’s first term.

Tags: abortion, Notre Dame commencement

So it’s kind of a joke, they’ve got this instant poll on MSNBC.com, and people can give Obama a letter grade for how he has performed in the first 100 days.

The rightwing Rethuglicans have swarmed to the site, voting en masse to give him an “F” grade.

   So, what grade do YOU think he deserves?     

     Here is the link, so you, too can go to vote. 

     Don’t let the wingnut brigade have all the fun!

     The last count I saw, it was 45% F.

Tags: Grade Obama at MSNBC, Obama's First 100 Days

Nah.  But it’s a start.  President Obama has thus far been open to reversing the backsliding our country did under the Bush administration.  He has:

• Reversed the ban on stem cell research,
• Kickstarted the fuel efficiency standards implementation that Bush delayed,
• Sought money to train workers in green job fields,
• Allowed California to request a different set of emissions standards,
• Reinstated the rule to require government scientists to check Endangered Species impacts

It appears he is serious about putting science back into its proper place in the government, and allowing it to operate as a prime advisor to government actions, instead of ignoring it or even denying it, quashing it, and keeping it subjugated and unfunded.

It feels really good.  Scientific theory may once again become honored and respected.

Tags: Obama's commitment to science, science in government

I’ve seen the poll numbers come down a bit from where they started.  The nation is settling in, and there appears to be a little (maybe a lot) of grumbling that Obama is not bringing as much change as he said he would, or as much change as folks had hoped he would.  The honeymoon may be ending, and now we’re holding our breath wondering, what is next, and can he make that magic return before we start looking for another sweetheart?

He, Too, Has a Dream

And the people on the right, those of the wingnut contingent, are gearing up for even more scathing attacks, because after praying to their vengeful God that Obama would fail, they could finally draw a sigh of relief because at least, he didn’t make any stellar and amazing moves.   He didn’t get what he asked for, he took what he could get, and he got burned by a few bad moves right off the bat.  He might be vulnerable, so they will dial up the volume.

Myself, I’m still waiting.  One month does not a legacy make.  One month does not a recession break.  I want him to get comfortable on the job, and then, I want him to systematically tackle our priorities and bring our nation back.

Yes He Can.

Tags: President Obama's First 30 Days, Presidential Honeymoon

Wow.  The birth of this website is coinciding with the rebirth of our nation.  Tomorrow is the Inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama.  It’s a tremendous accomplishment, one our country will look back upon as a time of rebirth, when civil rights took a giant leap forward.

But we are not yet at the end of our struggle.  Women, anyone of color, gays/lesbians, all of these are still separate and not yet truly equal (in our society) to the white Anglo Saxon Christian male.  But we are not giving up the fight, and we shall overcome, one day.

Tags: civil rights struggle, GLBT rights, Obama Inauguration, President Barack Hussein Obama, We Shall Overcome