Monday, December 8, 2008

Obama Announces VA Choice

Obama formally announced Sunday that Army Gen. Eric Shinseki is his pick to be secretary of Veterans Affairs. At a press conference, he went on to say, "There is no one more distinguished, more determined, or more qualified to build this VA than the leader I am announcing as our next secretary of Veterans Affairs -- Gen. Eric Shinseki."

Obama said the nation must focus on helping troops who have served their country especially during bad economic times, and believes Shinseki is just the one for the job because he "understands the changing needs of our troops and their families. And he will be a VA secretary who finally modernizes our VA to meet the challenges of our time."

Shinseki is most commonly known for his testimony in Feburary of 2003, in which he said we would need several hundred thousand soldiers to pacify Iraq. Although this infuriated the Bush administration and Shinseki retired a few monthes later, Obama says Shinseki was right, and is excited to have someone who will put patriotism above politics.

Friday, December 5, 2008

2012

I saw this article on CNN.com, and threwup in my mouth a little...

"Barack Obama is still more than six weeks from White House, and the next Iowa caucuses are more than three years away — so naturally, it’s time to start talking 2012, as a new national poll suggests that Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee top the list of potential 2012 Republican presidential hopefuls.

In a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey out Friday that serves as an early measure of potential support for the next GOP presidential nomination, Huckabee tops the list. Thirty-four percent of Republicans and independent voters who lean towards the GOP say they are very likely to support the former Arkansas governor if he were to become their party’s nominee in 2012. Huckabee surprised many by winning this year's Republican caucuses in Iowa and seven other contests before ending his run in March.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate in this year's election, draws nearly as much support: 32 percent of those polled said they would get behind a Palin nomination. And with the survey's sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 points, Palin and Huckabee are statistically tied."

Maybe the Mayans had it right when they said the world would end, supposedly with catastrophic consequences, in 2012...

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Inaugural Package for the "Distressed"

Earl W. Stafford, the founder of a Centreville technology, bought the JW Marriott's $1 million "build-your-own-ball" offer. Included in the offer is 300 rooms, four suites, $200,000 worth of food and drink, and a site overlooking the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route. Stafford said he wants at least 30 percent of those staying in his rooms and participating in the events to be disadvantaged or needy in some way. "Our objective is to bring in a cross-section of society -- those who are distressed, those who are terminally ill, those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, those veterans who are wounded and served our country." I think it's great that someone with the financial ability to buy such a huge inaugural offer is donating it to the people who would not otherwise be able to attend, but I wonder what his definition of "distressed" is...

No More Water-Boarding...

In a recent interview with 60 Minutes, Obama said "I have said repeatedly that America doesn't torture. I'm going to make sure that we don't torture. Those are part and parcel of an effort to regain America's moral stature in the world." He has put that plan into action by sending Eric Holder, his choice for Attorney General, to meet this week with 12 retired generals and admirals to discuss changing the U.S. government's current interrogation policy. All 12 retirees had endorsed the Bush administration's plan for enhanced interrogation techniques, including practices like water-boarding. They have now urged the adoption of a single- and far less controversial- standard of interrogation and detainment across all intelligence and other agencies.

I think it's great that Obama has really shown some initiative in this area and is trying to clear up America's name.

Iraq Approves U.S. Pullout Plan

Iraq's presidency council approved the U.S.-Iraq security agreement today. The three-member council- including the Kurdish president, the Shiite Vice President, and the Sunni Vice President- approved the agreement unanimously, just one week after the Iraqi parliament passed the measure.

The pact allows the presence of American troops in Iraq for three more years and sets the official deadline for all U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Iraq at June 30, 2009. The date for all U.S. troops to leave Iraq is December 31, 2011.

Obama told reporters Monday in Chicago that he still thinks 16 months is the "right time frame" for removing U.S. combat troops from the country.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Obama Names Richardson Commerce Secretary

Obama named New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as commerce secretary today, filling another top economic post and placing a second former campaign rival in his new Cabinet.

Obama seems to have high hopes for his presidency, and is speaking confidently and optimistically about the economic depression. Obama said, "We have everything we need to renew our economy, we have the ingenuity and technology, the skill and commitment — we just need to put it to work."

I have high hopes for Obama and the rest of his cabinet, and I'm starting to think this depression wont be as bad as I originally thought...