Sunday, December 13, 2009

Congressional Black Caucus



Website and Foundation


The Congressional Black Caucus is an organization representing the African American members of the United States Congress. Membership is exclusive to African Americans, and its chair in the 111th Congress is Representative Barbara Lee of California.








  • Full Video: Obama's speech @ Black Caucus dinner


  • Obama says he won't put focus on blacks' troubles


  • Obama rejects CBC's criticism


  • Obama dismisses CBC's criticism


  • Black Caucus attacks Obama


  • Black Caucus sends strong economic message to Obama


  • Roland Martin: Is Obama focused on Black America?











  • CBC protesting a lack of attention paid to the ongoing jobless situation in their districts


  • White House reaches out to hispanics








  • 2.10.10 Pres. Obama meet with Afican American leaders


  • 3.11.10 Congressional Black Caucus: Pres. Obama's not listening


  • Video link

    President Barack Obama meets with the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss healthcare reform in the State Dining Room of the White House.





    4.26.10 CBC Plots Strategy For Supreme Court Nod


    Tuesday, November 24, 2009

    India






    India is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world.


    The official languages are Hindu and English.

    Four religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—originated here, whereas Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam arrived in the 1st millennium CE and also helped shape the region's diverse culture. Gradually annexed by and brought under the administration of the British East India Company from the early 18th century and administered directly by the United Kingdom after Indian Rebellion of 1857, India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi.

    The Capital is New Delhi, the largest city is Mumbai. The President is Pratibha Patil. She retired on 7/25/12; she was the first woman to hold the office. She was succeeded as President by Pranab Mukherjeer . His term ended 7.25.17. He was succeeded by Ram Nath Kovind . The presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, is the official residence of the president of India.


    The Prime Minister is Manmohan Singh (5.22.04 to 5.26.14). On 5/26/14 Narendra Modi became Prime Minister.


    The Country profile , and the CIA Factbook.




    Caste system distinctions remain strong. The low-caste Indians are called Dalits.








    Wednesday, November 11, 2009

    The Continent Asia




    Asia has three important recognized political divisions: The Middle East, (or West Asia) countries are colored a lighter shade of gray; Southeast Asia (or South Asia) countries are colored a medium shade of gray, and North Asia countries are colored a darker shade of gray. Note that European Russia is also considered a part of the Asian Continent.



    11.12.09 Thurs.: Pres. Obama depart for an eight-day Asia trip. He seeks to reassure Asia allies.



    The itinerary :
    1. Friday 11.13.09: Arrived in Japan
    2. Saturday 11.14.09: To Apec summit in Singapore
    3. Sunday 11.15.09: Has talks with Russia's President Medvedev before leaving for China
    4. Tuesday 11.17.09: Summit in Beijing with Chinese President Hu Jintao
    5. Wednesday 11.18.09: Ends tour in South Korea









    11.13.09 President Obama stopped in Japan on the first leg of his trip to Asia Friday (11.13.09), stressing that United States and Japan "have been and will continue to be equal partners." Obama and newly elected Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama huddled for talks on a range of issues Friday, including bilateral relations, Afghanistan, nuclear nonproliferation, the economy and the U.S. military base in Okinawa.




    President Obama on Future of U.S. Leadership in Asia Pacific Region (Tokyo, Japan) from White House on Vimeo.



    In Tokyo, Our Common Future.




    President Obama Meets with Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama from White House on Vimeo.










    11.14.09 Heading to Singapore.


    Video link






    APEC summit in Singapore. President Obama is in Singapore for the APEC 2009 Economic Summit.

    CNN's Andrew Stevens previews the agenda of U.S. President Barack Obama at the APEC summit in Singapore.


    APEC videos and news






    11.15.09 President Obama arrives in Shanghai, China



    Transcript of the Town Hall Meeting at the Museum of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
    video link








    11.16.09 President Obama meets with Chinese Pres. Hu Jintao, in Beijing . They spoke about shared responsibilities and economic opportunities. Text and the video






    Pres. Obama & Pres. Lee Myung-bak of South Korea










    Monday, November 9, 2009

    Native Americans





    Barack Obama's message for Native Americans








    Message From Obama: Tribes Will Have Voice in White House
    October 25, 2008
    By Barack Obama


    For 20 months now, I've traveled this country, often talking about how the needs of the American people are going unmet by Washington. And the truth is, few have been ignored by Washington for as long as American Indians. Too often, Washington pays lip service to working with tribes while taking a one-size-fits-all approach with tribal communities across the nation.

    That will change if I am honored to serve as president of the United States.

    My American Indian policy begins with creating a bond between an Obama administration and the tribal nations all across this country. We need more than just a government-to-government relationship; we need a nation-to-nation relationship, and I will make sure that tribal nations have a voice in the White House.

    I'll appoint an American Indian policy adviser to my senior White House staff to work with tribes, and host an annual summit at the White House with tribal leaders to come up with an agenda that works for tribal communities. That's how we'll make sure you have a seat at the table when important decisions are being made about your lives, about your nations and about your people. That'll be a priority when I am president.

    Here's what else we're going to do. We're going to end nearly a century of mismanagement of the Indian trusts. We're going to work together to settle unresolved cases, figure out how the trusts ought to operate and make sure that they're being managed responsibly — today, tomorrow and always

    Tribes' Tragic History

    Now, I understand the tragic history between the United States and tribal nations. Our government hasn't always been honest and truthful in our dealings. And we've got to acknowledge that if we're going to move forward in a fair and honest way.

    Indian nations have never asked much of the United States — only for what was promised by the treaty obligations made to their forebears. So let me be absolutely clear — I believe treaty commitments are paramount law, and I will fulfill those commitments as president of the United States.

    That means working with tribal governments to ensure that all American Indians receive affordable, accessible health care services. That's why I've cosponsored the Indian Health Care Improvement Act in the U.S. Senate, and that's why I've fought to ensure full funding of the IHS so that it has the resources it needs.

    It also means guaranteeing a world-class education for all our children. I'll work with tribal nations to reform No Child Left Behind and create opportunities for tribal citizens to become teachers so you can be free to educate your children the way you know best. We'll increase funding for tribal colleges. And I will make Native language preservation and education a priority.

    To give families in our tribal communities every chance to succeed in a 21st century economy, I will cut taxes for 95 percent of all workers, invest in job training and small business development, and put people back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, schools and bridges.

    Service and Sacrifice

    And I will never forget the service and sacrifice that generations of American Indians have given to this country. We have to keep our sacred trust with Indian veterans by making sure that no veteran falls into homelessness, and that all our veterans get the benefits and support they have earned.

    Let me just close by saying this. I was born to a teenage mother. My father left when I was 2 years old, so I never knew him well. I was raised in Hawaii by a single mother and my grandparents, and we didn't have a lot of money — we even turned to food stamps at one point just to get by.

    Where I grew up, there weren't many black families. So I know what it feels like to be viewed as an outsider. I know what it's like to not always have been respected or to have been ignored. I know what it's like to struggle.

    Every president is shaped by his own experience. These have been mine. And so I want you to know that I will never forget you. The American Indians I have met across this country will be on my mind each day that I am in the White House. You deserve a president who is committed to being a full partner with you; to respecting you, honoring you and working with you every day. That is the commitment I will make to you as president of the United States.





    6.15.09 Kimberly Teehee named the new senior policy adviser for Native American affairs.

    Teehee joins an impressive list of Native leaders appointed to serve within the Obama administration: Larry EchoHawk, assistant secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs; Yvette Roubideaux, director of the Indian Health Service; Mary Smith, assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice; Hilary Tomkins, solicitor of the Department of Interior; and Jodi Gillette, a member of the White House Intergovernmental Affairs staff.





  • Pres. Obama pledges new relationship . Tribal Nations Conference video.


  • U.S. offers to pay $1.4 billion for lost funds











  • Tuesday, June 23, 2009

    Chile







    Chile officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

    Chile borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far south.

    The Capital is Santiago. The official language is Spanish.

    The President is Michelle Bachelet. Her term ended 3.11.2018. Gabriel Boric is now the president.

    The Country profile , the CIA Factbook, and the history.

    6.23.09 Chile's Pres. Michelle Bachelet meets with Pres. Obama. They talked about the coordination and cooperation between the United States and Chile on clean energy.






    Feb. 2010: Chile Earthquake



    Thursday, June 18, 2009

    Ethiopia, Africa







    Ethiopia , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west and Sudan to the northwest.

    The Capital and largest city is Addis Ababa.

    The official language is Amharic.



    Girma Wolde-Giorgis was the President of Ethiopia from 2001 to 2013. From 10.7.13 to 10.25.18, Mulatu Teshome was the president. On 10.25.18 Sahle-Work Zewde was elected as president; the first woman to hold the office.


    According to the 2007 National Census, Christians make up 62.8% of the country's population (43.5% Ethiopian Orthodox, 19.3% other denominations), Muslims 33.9%, practitioners of traditional faiths 2.6%, and other religions 0.6%. This is in agreement with the CIA World Factbook, which states that Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in Ethiopia.


    Ethiopian Emperor rastafarian, Haile Selassie, is widely considered a defining figure in modern Ethiopian history, and the key figure of Rastafari, a religious movement in Jamaica that emerged shortly after he became emperor in the 1930s.



    The Country profile , the CIA Factbook, and the history.

















    Monday, June 15, 2009

    Italy









    Italy officially the Italian Republic, is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe. The capital is Rome. The President is President Giorgio Napolitano and the Prime Minister is Silvio Berlusconi. PM Berusconi is to resign after parliament passed crucial economic reforms on Tuesday 11.8.11 aimed at stabilizing Italy's economy. There have been growing calls for the Italian leader to step down over sex scandals and Italy's financial problems that threaten to make Europe's third-largest economy the latest victim of the eurozone crisis.  Mario Monti, a former top EU commissioner, has been asked by the country's president to lead Italy's new government.


    The Roman empire in the 1st century [ Two thousand years ago, the world was ruled by Rome. From England to Africa and from Syria to Spain, one in every four people on earth lived and died under Roman law ].



    6.15.09 President Obama met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in the White House Oval Office to discus U.S.-Italy relations.







    7.8.09 Pres. Obama and Michelle arrive in Rome, Italy for the G8 Summit. The Summit is on July 8 and the 9th in central Italy's L'Aquila. G8 official website .


  • Participants and the main issues


  • Embedded video from CNN Video




    Video link

    Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News



  • President Obama Shakes Hands with Qadaffi


  • Africa the focus of G-8 summit's final day


  • July 10, 09: President Barack Obama wraps up the G-8 discussion in Italy saying a full economic recover is "still a ways off" and the world must make hard choices to solve the "pressing threats facing our environment, our global economy and our international security." Continue

    Video link

    Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News



    What the leaders agreed on:

    1. Restore economic growth and reform our international and national regulatory system. And return to fiscal responsibility after the recovery is completed.

    2. Stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

    3. By 2050, there will be a reduction of greenhouse gases by 80%.

    4. Committment to invest in 20 million in food security - agriculture programs to help fight world hunger.


  • G8 Summit ends with the focus on Africa and food security


  • Full recovery 'still a ways off'


  • CNN coverage


  • Video: Before leaving Italy, the Pres. and Michelle met with Pope Benedict XVI @ the Vatican.