Saturday, January 31, 2009

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Weekly Republican Address TEXT PODCAST VIDEO 01/31/09

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivers the Weekly Republican Address, responding to President Barack Obama's weekly address. Sen. McConnell lays out the problems with the stimulus plan ... PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT:

“This is Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Earlier this week, President Obama came to Capitol Hill to speak with members of my party about his plan for an economic recovery bill. The President said that a stimulus package is needed to revive the nation’s troubled economy, and to help the millions of Americans who’ve been affected by it. And Republicans in Congress agree.

“Every day brings more news of layoffs, home foreclosures, and shuttered businesses. The Labor Department this week reported job losses in all 50 states in the month of December. In California alone, almost 80,000 people are newly out of work. And across the country, employers are cutting to the bone even at businesses that most Americans never thought were vulnerable.

“A problem that started on Wall Street is reaching deeper and deeper into Main Street. And the President is counting on members of Congress to come together in a spirit of bipartisanship to act. Unfortunately, the plan that Democrats in Congress put forward this week falls far short of the President’s vision for a bill that creates jobs and puts us on a path to long-term economic health.

“Turning aside Republican ideas, Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives produced a massive bill that many analysts say is unlikely to create new jobs or boost the economy anytime soon. Most of the infrastructure projects it includes won’t impact the economy for at least another year. Permanent spending would be expanded by about $240 billion, an increase that would lock in bigger and bigger deficits every year. And the bill is loaded with wasteful spending:

* $20 million for the removal of fish-passage barriers.
* $25 million to improve All Terrain Vehicle trails.
* $34 million to renovate the Department of Commerce building in Washington.
* And $600 million to buy new cars for government workers.

“The task for Democrats in the House was to craft a stimulus plan that was timely, targeted, and temporary. Apparently, they didn’t get the memo. The bill they presented – and which House Democrats approved this week along a party line vote – looks more like a $1 trillion Christmas list.

“At a time when Americans are worried about holding onto their jobs and their homes, and learning to live with less, politicians in Washington shouldn’t be spending taxpayer dollars on new cars for government workers or sprucing up federal buildings in Washington. And that’s why Republicans are suggesting a simpler, more targeted plan that gets right at the heart of the economic crisis.

“Most economists agree that falling home values are the underlying cause of the recent downturn. Republicans think we need to fix this problem before we do anything else. So first, we propose providing government-backed, 4% fixed mortgages to any credit-worthy borrower. The availability of these low-interest loans would increase demand for houses significantly. And low interest mortgages would boost household income. The average family would see its monthly mortgage payment drop by $466 a month, or $5,600 a year. Over the life of a 30-year loan, that’s a savings of $167,760.

“Next, in order to get money into the economy quickly, Republicans would cut income tax rates for working Americans right away. The federal government currently imposes a 10% tax on married couples for income up to $16,700. Republicans would cut that rate in half, putting about $500 into the pocket of every working family. Income between $16,700 and $67,900 is now taxed at 15%. Republicans would cut that rate to 10%. This would put another $1,100 into the pockets of working couples. Single filers would get similar rate reductions. But either way, everyone who works and pays income tax would see an immediate increase in pay.

“Republicans are committed to working with President Obama to steer Americans out of the current economic troubles. We believe the best way to do that is to stabilize housing prices, cut your mortgage payments, and let you keep more of what you earn. And as Congress considers the best way forward, on behalf of the American taxpayer, these are the principles Republicans will pursue.

“Thanks for listening.”

President Obama Weekly Address 01/31/09 PODCAST VIDEO TEXT

Remarks of President Barack Obama, Weekly Address, Saturday, January 31st, 2009
PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE MP3, 4 mb FULL STREAMING VIDEO MPEG4, 45 mb.

This morning I'd like to talk about some good news and some bad news as we confront our economic crisis.

The bad news is well known to Americans across our country as we continue to struggle through unprecedented economic turmoil. Yesterday we learned that our economy shrank by nearly 4 percent from October through December. That decline was the largest in over a quarter century, and it underscores the seriousness of the economic crisis that my administration found when we took office.

Already the slowdown has cost us tens of thousands of jobs in January alone. And the picture is likely to get worse before it gets better.

Make no mistake, these are not just numbers. Behind every statistic there's a story. Many Americans have seen their lives turned upside down. Families have been forced to make painful choices. Parents are struggling to pay the bills. Patients can't afford care. Students can't keep pace with tuition. And workers don't know whether their retirement will be dignified and secure.

The good news is that we are moving forward with a sense of urgency equal to the challenge. This week the House passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, which will save or create more than 3 million jobs over the next few years. It puts a tax cut into the pockets of working families, and places a down payment on America's future by investing in energy independence and education, affordable health care, and American infrastructure.

Now this recovery plan moves to the Senate. I will continue working with both parties so that the strongest possible bill gets to my desk. With the stakes so high we simply cannot afford the same old gridlock and partisan posturing in Washington. It's time to move in a new direction.

Americans know that our economic recovery will take years -- not months. But they will have little patience if we allow politics to get in the way of action, and our economy continues to slide. That's why I am calling on the Senate to pass this plan, so that we can put people back to work and begin the long, hard work of lifting our economy out of this crisis. No one bill, no matter how comprehensive, can cure what ails our economy. So just as we jumpstart job creation, we must also ensure that markets are stable, credit is flowing, and families can stay in their homes.

Last year Congress passed a plan to rescue the financial system. While the package helped avoid a financial collapse, many are frustrated by the results -- and rightfully so. Too often taxpayer dollars have been spent without transparency or accountability. Banks have been extended a hand, but homeowners, students, and small businesses that need loans have been left to fend on their own.

And adding to this outrage, we learned this week that even as they petitioned for taxpayer assistance, Wall Street firms shamefully paid out nearly $20 billion in bonuses for 2008. While I'm committed to doing what it takes to maintain the flow of credit, the American people will not excuse or tolerate such arrogance and greed. The road to recovery demands that we all act responsibly, from Main Street to Washington to Wall Street.

Soon my Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, will announce a new strategy for reviving our financial system that gets credit flowing to businesses and families. We'll help lower mortgage costs and extend loans to small businesses so they can create jobs. We'll ensure that CEOs are not draining funds that should be advancing our recovery. And we will insist on unprecedented transparency, rigorous oversight, and clear accountability -- so taxpayers know how their money is being spent and whether it is achieving results.

Rarely in history has our country faced economic problems as devastating as this crisis. But the strength of the American people compels us to come together. The road ahead will be long, but I promise you that every day that I go to work in the Oval Office I carry with me your stories, and my administration is dedicated to alleviating your struggles and advancing your dreams. You are calling for action. Now is the time for those of us in Washington to live up to our responsibilities.

Friday, January 30, 2009

RNC Chairman Michael Steele's Acceptance Speech VIDEO


A self-described Lincoln Republican. Michael S. Steele earned a place in history in 2003 when he became the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland. His experiences as a successful elected conservative African-American Republican and his engaging speaking style have launched Steele into national prominence. His first major exposure was during an appearance at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Since then President George W. Bush chose Steele to be part of the U.S. delegation to the investiture of Pope Benedict XVI, and as a member of the Presidential Delegation to the Leon H. Sullivan Summit VIII in Tanzania. Steele has been an entertaining and eloquent guest on cable political talk shows such as HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher and Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report.

An expert on political strategy, fund-raising, PACs, and election reform, he is the current Chairman of GOPAC. He has served on the National Federal Election Reform Commission and the NAACP Blue Ribbon Commission on Election Reform.

Born in 1958 at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Steele was raised in Washington, DC. He spent three years as a seminarian in the Order of St. Augustine in preparation for the priesthood, but, ultimately, chose a career in law instead. He earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1991.

He is currently a Partner in the international law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf in Washington, DC. From 1991–1997, Steele was a corporate securities attorney at the international law firm of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in Washington, DC, specializing in sophisticated financial transactions on behalf of Wall Street underwriters. He also was a corporate finance counsel for the Mills Corporation and founded his own company, The Steele Group, a business and legal consulting firm. His writings on law, business and politics have appeared in The Washington Times, Politico.com, Townhall.com, and The Journal of International Security Affairs, among others.

Named a 2005 Aspen Institute–Rodel Fellow in Public Leadership and awarded the 2005 Bethune-DuBois Institute Award for his ongoing work in the development of quality education in Maryland, Steele also has served on a variety of boards and commissions including Export–Import Bank Advisory Board, the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors, and the Republican National Committee.

Lt. Governor Steele serves on the Administrative Board of the Maryland Catholic Conference and is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Landover Hills, MD, where he attends mass regularly with his wife Andrea and their two sons Michael and Drew.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Robert Gibbs White House Press Briefing 1/28/09 PODCAST

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar




Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar MP3 52 mb

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room. Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 at 1:36 P.M. EST

MR. GIBBS: Good afternoon, guys. Before we get started, I wanted to introduce Secretary Salazar, who is going to make his second trip as our Secretary of the Interior tomorrow -- he's going to go out West.
And I've invited him here to talk a little bit about the reform agenda that he's going to take with him on that trip, and answer a few questions. And then we'll get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

So, Secretary.

SECRETARY SALAZAR: Thank you, Robert.

President Obama has immediately set high ethical standards for all of government as part of his reform agenda. As part of that commitment and implementing the reform agenda, I intend to do my part in the Department of Interior to make sure that scandals that have occurred in the past are properly dealt with, and that the problems that we uncover are fixed so that they don't occur again.

President Obama immediately made clear that the type of ethical transgressions, the blatant conflicts of interest, waste and abuses that we have seen over the last eight years will no longer be tolerated. Nowhere is President Obama's commitment to reform and to cleaning up the waste, fraud and abuse of the past more important than at the Department of Interior, which I now lead on his behalf.

Over the last eight years, the Department of Interior has been tarnished by ethical lapses, of criminal behavior that has extended to the very highest levels of government. The former deputy secretary of the department under the Bush administration, Steven Griles, was sent to prison. It is a department that the American people associate with Jack Abramoff. And it is a department that was tarnished by a scandal involving sex, drugs and inappropriate gifts from the oil and gas companies that the employees were in charge of overseeing.

The Lakewood, Colorado, office of the Minerals Management Service is taxed with making sure that taxpayers, the American taxpayers, collect their fair share from oil and gas development on their public lands. Last year that office collected $23 billion. That's $23 billion on behalf of the American people. Yet during the last administration, some of the employees of that office violated the public trust by accepting gifts and employment contracts from the very oil and gas companies that they were supposed to be holding accountable. FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

License: Under C-SPANs copyright policy a license is generally not required to use C-SPANs video coverage of federal government events online for non-commercial purposes so long as C-SPAN is attributed as the source of the video.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Rod Blagojevich FBI Audio Tape MP3 PODCAST

Rod Blagojevich, Emil Jones and Jeffrey Schoenberg at Illinois Executive Mansion

Rod Blagojevich, Emil Jones and Jeffrey Schoenberg at Illinois Executive Mansion.





Rod Blagojevich FBI Audio Tape Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday afternoon heard Gov. Rod Blagojevich's voice on secretly recorded FBI audiotapes. Recorded December 4, 2008 9:09 am.

Copyright Status and Citation: Information generated by the Department of Justice is in the public domain and may be reproduced, published or otherwise used without the Department’s permission.
Citation to the Department of Justice as the source of the information is appreciated, as appropriate.

Image License information: Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".

Monday, January 26, 2009

John Boehner Weekly Republican Address PODCAST VIDEO 01/24/09

House Republican Leader John Boehner Weekly Republican Address PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE

Boehner Statement on House Republicans’ Economic Recovery Proposals
House GOP Leader: “Our proposals are rooted in the belief that fast-acting tax, rather than slow-moving and wasteful government spending, is the most effective way to create jobs and put our economy back on track.”

Washington, Jan 23 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement on the economic proposals House Republicans presented to President Obama during a White House meeting earlier this morning:

“We had a productive meeting with the President this morning and, as he requested earlier this month, presented him with a series of proposals to get our economy moving again. Our proposals are rooted in the belief that fast-acting tax relief, rather than slow-moving and wasteful government spending, is the most effective way to create jobs and put our economy back on track. They provide relief to those who need it most: middle-class families, job seekers, small businesses owners, the self-employed, and homebuyers.

“Rather than spending too much, too late as the congressional Democrats’ proposal does, our proposals let the American people keep more of what they earn to spur investment, encourage savings, and create more private-sector jobs. I thank our Republican Whip, Eric Cantor, for leading the Working Group that developed these proposals, and hope the President and congressional Democrats consider our ideas to get more money back into the economy as quickly as possible.”

NOTE: The House Republicans’ economic recovery proposals – which are detailed in full here – include:

* Immediate Tax Relief for Working Families: House Republicans propose reducing the lowest individual tax rates from 15 percent to 10 percent and from 10 percent to 5 percent. Under the proposal, a married couple filing jointly could save up to $3,200 a year in taxes.

* Help for America’s Small Businesses: House Republicans propose to allow small businesses to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income. This will immediately free up funds for small businesses to create new jobs.

* Assistance for the Unemployed: House Republicans propose to make unemployment benefits tax free so that those looking for work can focus on providing for their families.

* Stabilizing Home Values: In order to encourage responsible buyers to enter the market and stabilize prices, House Republicans propose a home-buyers credit of $7,500 for those buyers who make a minimum down-payment of 5 percent.

* No Tax Increases to Pay for Spending: The congressional Democrats’ spending plan includes record levels of government projects and programs that will substantially increase the current deficit, without spurring a rapid economic recovery, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. House Republicans are concerned that this level of spending could result in near-term tax increases on American families and are insisting that any economic package include a provision precluding any tax increases now or in the future to pay for this new spending. #####

Keywords: House Republican Leader; John Boehner; Weekly Republican Address

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Low-cost Strategy Developed for Curbing Computer Worms

UC Davis Computer Security Lab

Thanks to an ingenious new strategy devised by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and Intel Corporation, computer network administrators might soon be able to mount effective, low-cost defenses against self-propagating infectious programs known as worms.

Many computers are already equipped with software that can detect when another computer is attempting to attack it. Yet the software usually cannot identify newly minted worms that do not share features with earlier marauders. When network managers detect suspicious activity, they face a major dilemma, said Senthil Cheetancheri, who led efforts to develop the strategy. “The question is, ‘Should I shut down the network and risk losing business for a couple of hours for what could be a false alarm, or should I keep it running and risk getting infected?’”

Cheetancheri, a graduate student in the Computer Security Laboratory at UC Davis when he did the work, has shown that the conundrum can be overcome by enabling computers to share information about anomalous activity. As signals come in from other machines in the network, each computer compiles the data to continually calculate the probability that a worm attack is under way. “One suspicious activity in a network with 100 computers can’t tell you much,” he said. “But when you see half a dozen activities and counting, you know that something’s happening.”

The second part of the strategy is an algorithm that weighs the cost of a computer being disconnected from the network against the cost of it being infected by a worm. Results of this ongoing process depend on the calculated probability of an attack, and vary from computer to computer depending on what the machine is used for. The algorithm triggers a toggle to disconnect the computer whenever the cost of infection outweighs the benefit of staying online, and vice versa.

The computer used by a person working with online sales, for example, might be disconnected only when the threat of an attack is virtually certain; the benefit she provides by continuing to work during false alarms far outweighs the cost of infection. On the other hand, a computer used by a copywriter who can complete various tasks offline might disconnect whenever the probability of an attack rises above even a very low level.

The study is published in “Recent Advances in Intrusion Detection, 2008,” the proceedings of a symposium that was held in Cambridge, Mass., in September 2008.

Other contributors to the study are John-Mark Agosta with Intel Corporation; Jeff Rowe, research scientist in the UC Davis Computer Security Laboratory; and UC Davis computer science professors Karl Levitt and Felix Wu.

The study was supported by a grant from Intel IT Research.

Contact: Liese Greensfelder lgreensfelder@ucdavis.edu 530-752-6101 University of California - Davis

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Republican National Convention Blog Widgets





Republican National Convention Blog NYC 2004




President Obama Weekly Address 01/24/09 PODCAST VIDEO TEXT

Remarks of President Barack Obama, Weekly Address, Saturday, January 24th, 2009 PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE VBR MP3, 4.0 mb FULL STREAMING VIDEO MPEG4, 9.7 mb
We begin this year and this Administration in the midst of an unprecedented crisis that calls for unprecedented action. Just this week, we saw more people file for unemployment than at any time in the last twenty-six years, and experts agree that if nothing is done, the unemployment rate could reach double digits. Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity, which translates into more than $12,000 in lost income for a family of four. And we could lose a generation of potential, as more young Americans are forced to forgo college dreams or the chance to train for the jobs of the future.

In short, if we do not act boldly and swiftly, a bad situation could become dramatically worse.

That is why I have proposed an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan to immediately jumpstart job creation as well as long-term economic growth. I am pleased to say that both parties in Congress are already hard at work on this plan, and I hope to sign it into law in less than a month.

It’s a plan that will save or create three to four million jobs over the next few years, and one that recognizes both the paradox and the promise of this moment - the fact that there are millions of Americans trying to find work even as, all around the country, there’s so much work to be done. That’s why this is not just a short-term program to boost employment. It’s one that will invest in our most important priorities like energy and education; health care and a new infrastructure that are necessary to keep us strong and competitive in the 21st century.

Today I’d like to talk specifically about the progress we expect to make in each of these areas.

To accelerate the creation of a clean energy economy, we will double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy like wind, solar, and biofuels over the next three years. We’ll begin to build a new electricity grid that lay down more than 3,000 miles of transmission lines to convey this new energy from coast to coast. We’ll save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75% of federal buildings more energy efficient, and save the average working family $350 on their energy bills by weatherizing 2.5 million homes.

To lower health care cost, cut medical errors, and improve care, we’ll computerize the nation’s health record in five years, saving billions of dollars in health care costs and countless lives. And we’ll protect health insurance for more than 8 million Americans who are in danger of losing their coverage during this economic downturn.

To ensure our children can compete and succeed in this new economy, we’ll renovate and modernize 10,000 schools, building state-of-the-art classrooms, libraries, and labs to improve learning for over five million students. We’ll invest more in Pell Grants to make college affordable for seven million more students, provide a $2,500 college tax credit to four million students, and triple the number of fellowships in science to help spur the next generation of innovation.

Finally, we will rebuild and retrofit America to meet the demands of the 21st century. That means repairing and modernizing thousands of miles of America’s roadways and providing new mass transit options for millions of Americans. It means protecting America by securing 90 major ports and creating a better communications network for local law enforcement and public safety officials in the event of an emergency. And it means expanding broadband access to millions of Americans, so business can compete on a level-playing field, wherever they’re located.

I know that some are skeptical about the size and scale of this recovery plan. I understand that skepticism, which is why this recovery plan must and will include unprecedented measures that will allow the American people to hold my Administration accountable for these results. We won’t just throw money at our problems - we’ll invest in what works. Instead of politicians doling out money behind a veil of secrecy, decisions about where we invest will be made public, and informed by independent experts whenever possible. We’ll launch an unprecedented effort to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending in our government, and every American will be able to see how and where we spend taxpayer dollars by going to a new website called recovery.gov.

No one policy or program will solve the challenges we face right now, nor will this crisis recede in a short period of time. But if we act now and act boldly; if we start rewarding hard work and responsibility once more; if we act as citizens and not partisans and begin again the work of remaking America, then I have faith that we will emerge from this trying time even stronger and more prosperous than we were before. Thanks for listening.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Lisa P. Jackson Biography VIDEO

Lisa P. Jackson BiographyLisa P. Jackson born February 8, 1962 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and adopted a few weeks later Lisa was raised in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans.
On December 15, 2008, then-President-Elect Barack Obama officially designated Jackson as the nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

On October 24, 2008, Governor Corzine announced that Jackson would take over as his Chief of Staff, effective December 1, 2008, succeeding Bradley Abelow. As Chief of Staff she served as Governor Corzine's top advisor, is his chief liaison to the State Legislature, oversees the operation of all state operations and handles political liaison for the governor. In New Jersey, the Chief of Staff to the Governor is recognized as the second most powerful position in state government. Jackson is the third woman and the first African American to hold the post of Chief of Staff to the Governor.
Ms. Jackson was sworn in to office on February 28, 2006 as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP),
Lisa lead a staff of 3,400 professionals dedicated to protecting, sustaining and enhancing New Jersey’s water, air and land, and preserving its wealth of natural and historic resources.

During her time in that job, the state began conducting compliance sweeps to crack down on polluters in environmentally ravaged sections of Camden and Paterson, ended its controversial bear hunt and unveiled a plan to reduce carbon emissions 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.

Before her nomination by Governor Corzine, Jackson served as the DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for Land Use Management. Under her leadership, the DEP crafted regulatory standards for implementing the landmark Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.

Upon joining DEP, Jackson served as Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Compliance and Enforcement. As the department’s chief environmental enforcer, Jackson led pioneering compliance sweeps in Camden, NJ and Paterson, NJ where families live in close proximity to regulated facilities. Working with the county officials, State Police and EPA, DEP mobilized more than 200 inspectors to conduct more than 2,100 compliance investigations and issued more than 500 violations in the two cities.

Prior to joining DEP, Jackson served for 16 years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), initially at its headquarters in Washington and more recently at its regional office in New York City. During her tenure at the EPA, Jackson worked in the federal Superfund site remediation program developing key hazardous waste cleanup regulations, overseeing hazardous waste cleanup projects throughout central New Jersey and directing multimillion-dollar cleanup operations. She later served as deputy director and acting director of the region’s enforcement division.

Jackson currently serves on several boards and committees, including the NJ Outdoor Women's League, Inc., New Jersey Sustainable State Institute, New Jersey Development Council, NJ Intergovernmental Protection Commission, the Executive Committee of the Natural Resources Leadership Council of the States, the Board of Trustees for Prosperity NJ, FIX DMV and the Governor's Intergovernmental Relations Commission, in addition to serving as Chair of the Ozone Transport Commission and Vice Chair of the Environmental Council of the State’s Compliance Committee. The New Jersey Conference of Mayors named Jackson the 2007 Cabinet Member of the Year.

As a native of New Orleans, Jackson was first in her class at St. Mary’s Dominican High School, she earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Tulane University’s School of Chemical Engineering.

Jackson resides in East Windsor. She is married to Kenny Jackson and is the proud mother of two wonderful sons, Marcus and Brian. An avid cook, her signature dish — gumbo — is a tribute to her Louisiana roots.

WHY LISA JACKSON SHOULD NOT RUN EPA by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER)
  • Cases in which public health was endangered due to DEP malfeasance, including one case involving a day-care center in a former thermometer factory in which DEP failed to warn parents or workers for months about mercury contamination;
  • Rising levels of water pollution, contamination of drinking water supplies and poisoning of wildlife with no cogent state response; and
  • The state hazardous waste clean-up program under Ms. Jackson was so mismanaged that the Bush EPA had to step in and assume control of several Superfund sites.
  • Invoking “executive privilege” to block a request filed by PEER under the state Open Public Records Act for a copy of her schedule and sign-in logs;
  • Pushing to privatize pollution control through outsourcing of toxic clean-ups to industry;
  • Abolishing the DEP Division of Science & Research after it produced damning reports on continuing contamination following state-supervised clean-ups.
  • DEP failed to meet its first major statutory milestone in implementing the emission reduction goals of the highly touted Global Warming Response Act. A June 30th legal deadline for producing a plan identifying the legislative and regulatory “measures necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” still has not been met. At the same time, Ms. Jackson supported and Gov. Jon Corzine signed “The Permit Extension Act” which exempts thousands of projects from any new energy conservation, efficiency or requirements for solar heating or renewable energy;
  • New Jersey missed the historic first auction of greenhouse gas pollution allowances under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, this September because DEP was unable to adopt regulations to implement the pollution trading program that underpinned the auction; and
  • Jackson proposed a cap-and-trade program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that will do little to combat global warming because it sets emissions caps above current levels and contains numerous complex offsets and loopholes that undercut its effectiveness.
Sources:Image License: This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. In short: you are free to distribute and modify the file as long as you attribute its author(s) or licensor(s). Posted by the Obama-Biden Transition project.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

John Cornyn Hillary Clinton Confirmation VIDEO

John CornynFloor Statement: Hillary Clinton Confirmation FULL STREAMING VIDEO

Mr. President, I appreciate the comments of the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and I find that I agree with virtually all of them so I want to make clear at the outset
that this is really an opportunity for us over the next few hours to talk about what ought to be our goal and that is to confirm a new Secretary of State who will be able to do the nation's work and be able to avoid any perceived conflict of interest as a result of the fundraising by her husband's foundation. And I appreciate particularly the Senator from Massachusetts' good faith acknowledgment of his concerns that were also expressed by Senator Lugar. I think the concerns were acknowledged by both the Clinton Foundation and by Senator Clinton herself by entering into a memorandum of understanding with the transition team of the now President Obama administration.

Yesterday, I know we all realize this, but it's important to say again that it was a historic day with the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. Among many things that he said that I agree with, I was particularly glad to hear him say that we should do our business in the light of day because only then can we restore the public, the vital trust between the people and their government.

As someone who has long believed that our government is too opaque to most of the people we work for and as an advocate of open government I agree with him one thousand percent. And I pledge to him and to my colleagues across the aisle that there are things we can do working together like Senator Leahy and I have on Freedom of Information Act reform to improve the openness and transparency of our government. We ought to be all about that because in fact, as we know, the foundation of our legitimacy comes from consent of the government, the people of this country. If they don't know what the government is doing or certain things are hidden from their view they cannot consent and they operate in a less than legitimate way.

I wish President Obama and his administration well. His success will mean America's success. But if we're going to restore trust between the American people and their government we need to be careful that the reality matches the rhetoric. My concern is not whether our colleague, Senator Clinton, is qualified to be secretary of state or not. She is. And I intend to vote for her confirmation but I also believe it's very important to flesh out some of the concerns that have been raised legitimately by Senator Kerry, Senator Lugar and others that I think bears some public discussion and some debate here in the Senate.

I explained to Senator Clinton yesterday my position that I thought greater transparency would make it better for her as she enters this new job as Secretary of State because any cloud or question that remains because of the lack of transparency or lack of disclosure hurts her and hurts the Obama administration at a time when we want to see it succeed. Of course, the concern is that, as she explained to me, any rule we have should not just apply to her and the former President. And I told her that's fine with me, we would be glad to work together to try to come up with something to make this kind of disclosure across the board.

Although I agree with the Senator from Massachusetts to have a former President of the United States running a foundation like this and have his spouse as Secretary of State is an unusual and perhaps unprecedented event so giving rise to these unusual and unprecedented concerns. But of course many taxpayers make frequent disclosures to the government on a monthly or quarterly basis. Why the Clinton Foundation could not do so on a more frequent basis as suggested by Senator Lugar, the ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee, I don't see any particular hardship for the foundation to do something that taxpayers are required to do regularly, file monthly or quarterly reports. And of course all of us who run for office are familiar with the fact we have to file campaign finance reports so the public can know who's contributing to our campaigns and be attuned to any concerns that may arise.

I want to be clear also that nor or my concerns with the charitable activities of the Clinton Foundation which I and others admire. But we should not let our respect for Senator Clinton or our admiration for the many good works of the Clinton Foundation blind us to the danger of perceived conflicts of interest caused by the solicitation of hundreds of millions of dollars from foreign and some domestic sources. The perception and reality must be that the office of Secretary of State is viewed around the world as beyond reproach.

Mr. President, I would ask that an article from the "New York Times" dated December 19, 2008, be put in put in the record immediately following my remarks titled, "In The Clinton List A Veil Is Lifted On Foundation."

As many of our colleagues know, when this memorandum of understanding was entered in to, for the first time the Clinton Foundation revealed the source of it's some five hundred million dollars worth of contributions over the last ten years. Many were unremarkable but some of them were troubling raising the very issue that we're discussing here today. Contributions from foreign nations directly by, for example, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, directly to the foundation. Clearly, Senator Clinton as Secretary of State will be dealing with as a diplomat with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I ask unanimous consent that the list of the Clinton Foundation select foreign sources of contributions be made part of the record at the end of my remarks.

It includes the state of Kuwait, the state of Qatar, various foreign individuals, and in the article that I mentioned a moment ago in the "New York Times" there's just one example of the perception of conflict of interest that I think ought to give all of us concern. Now, last year, last Congress, we voted to support a civilian nuclear technology arrangement with the country of India and I voted for it. But one of the problems is, for example, one of the individuals who was lobbying for that, a politician in India who gave between $1 million and $5 million to the foundation, was actually lobbying Congress to pass this very same deal at the time he was making a significant contribution to the foundation. I'm not suggesting anything untoward or impoper about that but I'm pointing out the very real example of the perception of conflict of interest, something I think we all would hope to avoid.

There's also a list of other contributors, domestic contributors, including some of the financial services industry on Wall Street that's been the beneficiary of various government bailouts during the course of the last few months during the economic crisis. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that list be also made part of the record at the end of my remarks.

Senator Lugar, admired by all of us for his knowledge and experience in the Foreign Relations Committee, explained the likelihood of a conflict of interest. He said that the Clinton Foundation exists as a temptation to any foreign entity or government who believes it could currie favor through a donation and obviously that creates a potential perception problem with any action taken by the Secretary of State in relation to foreign givers of their country.

I share Senator Lugar's concerns as I have explained here and I concur with his comments that during Senator Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State the foundation should actually refuse all contributions from foreign sources. That would take care of that particular problem outright. Senator Kerry, as he reiterated in those hearings, what he said today, pointed out that Senator Lugar wasn't speaking from a partisan perspective, he was speaking for the committee. In other words this is not a partisan matter but a matter of serious concern of public policy.

It's a matter of record that, as I said, that the transition team and Senator Clinton and the foundation agreed to a memorandum of understanding. Of course, this does not require disclosure of past contributions with any sort of real detail which would be helpful to the observer. It does require annual disclosure and I think that was a very positive step in the right direction. But simply stated, the fundraising restriction to disclosure statements I don't think go far enough. It's in the nation's interests for the Clinton Foundation to refuse foreign sources donation while Senator Clinton serves as Secretary of State. But if the foundation refuses to do so, and I realize Senator Clinton has limited control, if any, over what the foundation does, I think there should be other options available that would reduce the likelihood of real or perceived conflicts of interest.

Senator Lugar himself has recommended several disclosure requirements, for example, he suggested that gifts of $50,000 or more to the Clinton Foundation from any foreign source, including individuals, should be submitted to the agreed-upon State Department ethics review process.

I would alert my colleagues to the fact that the agreement between the Obama team and the foundation only commits the foundation to submit for State Department review gifts from foreign governments and government-controlled entities. As Senator Lugar aptly pointed out, in many foreign countries the tie between the government and private citizens is blurred. Individuals with close connections to the government or governing families often act as surrogates for those governments. Consequently, contributions from foreign governments or foreign-controlled companies are not the only foreign contributions that could raise serious conflicts of interest. I would go further and require that every pledge or donation be made publicly available online within a short time. Perhaps a week, I think if we did it on a monthly basis that would be far better than what the MOU currently provides.

The foundation's agreement to make disclosure once a year is simply not enough in order to acheive that transparency Obama talked about yesterday that will help give the American people more confidence in their government. That is not doing business in the light of day in a way that restores that vital trust, to do it only annually, after the fact. This is only one example of some of the improvements that could be made.

In short, I remain concerned that Senator and soon-to-be Secretary of State Clinton's diplomatic work will be encumbered by the global activities of the Clinton Foundation under these circumstances. Not their good and charitable work, which I certainly support, but contributions that they raise from these various sources that are not transparent, not subject to prompt disclosure.

Obviously I think it's important that the Senate discuss and debate this in the context of her nomination, not until the inevitable conflict or crisis arises. Mr. President, I would also ask to be made part of the record the "New York Times" editorial, the "Washington Post" editorial, and the "Los Angeles Times" editorial which identify some of these same concerns, I ask that they be made part of the record at the end of my remarks.

So in short, I was encouraged by my conservation with Senator Clinton yestarday in the rotunda following the Inaugural ceremonies, where she said she would be open to a requirement that really was an across-the-board disclosure requirement, one that wasn't just targeted at her and the Clinton Foundation. I think there is a meaningful basis upon which to further discuss this and negotiate it, and it would be my intention to work with other colleagues to introduce legislation as we flesh that out which might accomplish that in the days ahead.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Hillary Clinton Nomination Hearings To Be Secretary of State VIDEO

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State, Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Washington, DC

Monday, January 19, 2009

President George W. Bush 2001 Inaugural Address VIDEO

This peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country. With a simple oath, we affirm old traditions, and make new beginnings. As I begin, I thank President Clinton for his service to our nation. And I thank Vice President Gore for a contest conducted with spirit, and ended with grace.

I am honored and humbled to stand here, where so many of America's leaders have come before me, and so many will follow.

We have a place, all of us, in a long story; a story we continue, but whose end we will not see. It is the story of a new world that became a friend and liberator of the old. The story of a slave-holding society that became a servant of freedom. The story of a power that went into world to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer. It is the American story; a story of flawed and fallible people, united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals.

The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise: that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born. Americans are called to enact this promise in our lives and in our laws. And though our nation has sometimes halted, and sometimes delayed, we must follow no other course.

Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations. Our democratic faith is more than the creed of our country, it is the inborn hope of our humanity; an ideal we carry but do not own, a trust we bear and pass along. And even after nearly 225 years, we have a long way yet to travel.

While many of our citizens prosper, others doubt the promise -- even the justice -- of our own country. The ambitions of some Americans are limited by failing schools, and hidden prejudice, and the circumstances of their birth. And sometimes our differences run so deep, it seems we share a continent, but not a country.

We do not accept this, and will not allow it. Our unity, our union, is the serious work of leaders and citizens in every generation. And this is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.

I know this is within our reach, because we are guided by a power larger than ourselves, Who creates us equal in His image.

And we are confident in principles that unite and lead us onward.

America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests, and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American.

Today we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.

America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness.

Some seem to believe that our politics can afford to be petty because, in a time of peace, the stakes of our debates appear small. But the stakes, for America, are never small. If our country does not lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most.

We must live up to the calling we share. Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos. And this commitment, if we keep it, is a way to shared accomplishment.

America, at its best, is also courageous.

Our national courage has been clear in times of depression and war, when defeating common dangers defined our common good. Now we must choose if the example of our fathers and mothers will inspire us or condemn us. We must show courage in a time of blessing, by confronting problems instead of passing them on to future generations.

Together we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives. We will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children from struggles we have the power to prevent. We will reduce taxes, to recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise of working Americans. We will build our defenses beyond challenge, lest weakness invite challenge. We will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is spared new horrors.

The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake. America remains engaged in the world, by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength. And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth.

America, at its best, is compassionate.

In the quiet of American conscience, we know that deep, persistent poverty is unworthy of our nation's promise. And whatever our views of its cause, we can agree that children at risk are not at fault. Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God, they are failures of love. And the proliferation of prisons, however necessary, is no substitute for hope and order in our souls.

Where there is suffering, there is duty. Americans in need are not strangers, they are citizens; not problems, but priorities; and all of us are diminished when any are hopeless.

Government has great responsibilities, for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools. Yet compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government. And some needs and hurts are so deep they will only respond to a mentor's touch or a pastor's prayer. Church and charity, synagogue and mosque, lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and laws.

Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty. But we can listen to those who do. And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.

America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected.

Encouraging responsibility is not a search for scapegoats, it is a call to conscience. And though it requires sacrifice, it brings a deeper fulfillment. We find the fullness of life, not only in options, but in commitments. And we find that children and community are the commitments that set us free.

Our public interest depends on private character; on civic duty and family bonds and basic fairness; on uncounted, unhonored acts of decency which give direction to our freedom.

Sometimes in life we are called to do great things. But as a saint of our times has said, every day we are called to do small things with great love. The most important tasks of a democracy are done by everyone.

I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility; to pursue the public interest with courage; to speak for greater justice and compassion; to call for reponsibility, and try to live it as well. In all these ways, I will bring the values of our history to the care of our times.

What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens. Citizens, not spectators. Citizens, not subjects. Responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character.

Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.

After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson: "We know the Race is not to the swift nor the Battle to the Strong. Do you not think an Angel rides in the Whirlwind and directs this Storm?"

Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inaugural. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage, and its simple dream of dignity.

We are not this story's Author, Who fills time and eternity with His purpose. Yet His purpose is achieved in our duty; and duty is fulfilled in service to one another.

Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today: to make our country more just and generous; to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.

This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.

God bless you, and God bless our country.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2009

Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal HolidayA Proclamation by the President of the United States of America In Focus: African-American History

On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we recognize one of history's most consequential advocates for equality and civil rights, and we celebrate his powerful message of justice and hope.
Our Nation is better because Dr. King was a man of courage and vision who understood that love and compassion will always triumph over bitterness and hatred.

As Americans, we believe it is self-evident that all men are created equal and that freedom is not a grant of government but a gift from the Author of Life. Dr. King trusted in these beliefs articulated in our founding documents even when our country's practices did not live up to its promises. He roused the conscience of a complacent Nation by drawing attention to the ugliness of discrimination and segregation and by calling on Americans to live up to our guarantee of equality.

Our Nation has seen tremendous progress in redeeming the ideals of America and protecting every person's God-given rights. The historic election of Barack Obama as President of the United States reflects the real advances our Nation has made in the fight against the bigotry that Dr. King opposed. More work remains, though, and we must heed Dr. King's words that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." By continuing to spread his message and demanding that the equal rights he fought for are extended to all people, we can ensure that the dignity of every person is respected and that the hope for a better tomorrow reaches every community throughout the world.

As we observe Dr. King's birthday, we commemorate his leadership and strength of character. We go forward with confidence that if we remain true to our founding principles, our Nation will continue to advance the cause of justice and remain a beacon of hope to people everywhere.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 19, 2009, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service programs and activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH # # # For Immediate Release

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Freedom Calendar 01/17/09 - 01/24/09

Negro farmer plowing his field of four acresJanuary 17, 1874, Armed Democrats seize Texas state government, ending Republican efforts to racially integrate government.

January 18, 1815, Birth of Republican Gov. Richard Yates (R-IL), who prevented Democrat-controlled legislature from withdrawing state troops from the Union Army.
January 19, 1818, Birth of anti-slavery activist Alvan Bovay, who organized first meeting of Republican Party in 1854, to oppose Democrats’ pro-slavery policies.

January 20, 2001, Mississippi Republican Rod Paige is confirmed as first African-American U.S. Secretary of Education; calls for school choice to allow poor and minority children to “throw off their chains”.

January 21, 1813, Birth in Georgia of John C. Fremont – abolitionist, western explorer, U.S. Senator from California, U.S. Army general, Arizona Governor, and first Republican presidential candidate.

January 22, 2001, Republican Condoleezza Rice becomes first woman and second African-American to serve as U.S. National Security Advisor.

January 23. 1993, Death of Judge John Robert Brown, leader in fight for Southern desegregation; appointed by President Eisenhower to U.S. Court of Appeals.

January 24, 2001, Republican Mel Martínez, appointed by President George W. Bush as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, becomes first Cuban-American in Cabinet.

"I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.”

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Bush radio address 01/17/08 PODCAST TEXT TRANSCRIPT

President George W. Bush calls troops from his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005. White House photo by Eric Draper.





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Bush radio address 01/17/08 full audio, text transcript. President's Radio Address en Español In Focus: Bush Record
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THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. For the last eight years, I have had the honor of speaking to the American people Saturday mornings through this radio address. In hundreds of broadcasts, I have talked to you about important issues affecting our security and our prosperity. And today, in my final address, I want to send a simple and heartfelt message: Thank you.

Eight years ago, Laura and I left our home in Texas to come to Washington. Through two terms in the White House, we have been blessed by your kind words and generous prayers. We have been inspired by those of you who reach out to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and care for the sick. We have been moved by the courage and devotion of those of you who wear the uniform. Serving as your President has been an incredible honor.

Like every individual who has held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I've always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.

The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course. While our Nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.

At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.

As we address these challenges -- and others we cannot foresee today -- America must maintain our moral clarity. I've often spoken to you about good and evil. This has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right. This Nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act in their defense -- and to advance the cause of peace.

Eight years ago, on a cold January morning, I stood on the steps of the United States Capitol, placed my hand on the Bible, and swore a sacred oath to defend our people and our Constitution. On that day, I spoke of "our Nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity." Next week, my term of service will come to an end -- but that story and that dream will continue.

On Tuesday, Laura and I will join all Americans in offering our best wishes to President Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls. And later that day, we will return to the love of family and friends in Texas. I will depart office proud of my Administration's record. And I will spend the rest of my life grateful for the opportunity to have served as President of the greatest nation on Earth.

Thank you for listening. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 17, 2009

Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 01/17/08

Presidente George W. Bush llama a tropas de su rancho en Crawford, Tejas, día de Thanksgiving, jueves, de noviembre el 24 de 2005.  Foto blanca de la casa de Eric Draper.





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Buenos Días.

Durante los últimos ocho años, he tenido el honor de hablarle al pueblo estadounidense todos los sábados de mañana a través de este discurso de radio. En centenas de transmisiones, les he hablado sobre temas importantes que afectan nuestra seguridad y nuestra prosperidad. Y hoy, en mi último discurso, les quiero enviar un mensaje sencillo y sentido de corazón: gracias.

Hace ocho años, Laura y yo dejamos nuestro hogar en Tejas para venir a Washington. Durante dos períodos en la Casa Blanca, hemos sido bendecidos por sus palabras gentiles y sus oraciones generosas. Hemos sido inspirados por aquellos de ustedes que dan la mano para alimentar a los que tienen hambre, vestir a los necesitados, y cuidar a los enfermos. Hemos sido conmovidos por la valentía y la devoción de aquellos de ustedes que portan el uniforme.

Servir como su Presidente ha sido un honor increíble. Como todas las personas que han ocupado este cargo antes de mí, he sufrido reveses. Hay cosas que haría de forma distinta si tuviera la oportunidad. Sin embargo, siempre he actuado con los mejores intereses de nuestro país en mente. He seguido mi conciencia y he hecho lo que consideré correcto. Ustedes quizás no estén de acuerdo con algunas decisiones difíciles que tomé. Pero espero que estén de acuerdo de que estuve dispuesto a tomar las decisiones difíciles.

Las décadas por delante traerán más decisiones difíciles para nuestro país, y hay algunos principios orientadores que deberán forjar nuestro camino.

Aunque nuestra Nación está más segura de lo que estuvo hace siete años, la amenaza más seria a nuestro pueblo sigue siendo otro ataque terrorista. Nuestros enemigos son pacientes y están empeñados en atacarnos nuevamente. Estados Unidos no hizo nada para buscar o merecer este conflicto. Pero se nos ha dado responsabilidades solemnes, y debemos cumplirlas. Debemos resistir la autocomplacencia. Debemos mantener nuestra determinación. Y nunca debemos bajar la guardia.

Al mismo tiempo, debemos seguir involucrando al mundo con confianza y propósito claro. Ante amenazas del extranjero, puede ser tentador buscar confort mirando hacia adentro. Pero debemos rechazar el aislamiento y su compañero, el proteccionismo. Retirarnos detrás de nuestras fronteras sólo invitaría el peligro. En el siglo 21, la seguridad y la prosperidad en casa dependen de la expansión de la libertad en el extranjero. Si Estados Unido no encabeza la causa, esa causa no tendrá liderazgo.

A medida que enfrentemos estos desafíos - y otros que no podemos prever hoy en día - Estados Unidos debe mantener una claridad moral. Frecuentemente les he hablado sobre el bien y el mal. Esto ha sido incómodo para algunos. Pero el bien y el mal están presentes en el mundo, y entre los dos no puede haber ningún compromiso. Asesinar a los inocentes para avanzar una ideología siempre está mal, en cualquier parte. Liberar a los pueblos de la opresión y la desesperación es eternamente lo correcto. Esta Nación debe continuar abogando la justicia y la verdad. Siempre debemos estar dispuestos a actuar en su defensa - y avanzar la causa de la paz.

Hace ocho años, en una mañana fría de enero, me paré en los escalones del Capitolio de los Estados Unidos, puse mi mano sobre la Biblia y tomé un juramento sagrado de defender a nuestro pueblo y a nuestra Constitución. En ese día, hablé de "la gran historia de nuestra Nación de coraje y su sueño sencillo de dignidad". La semana entrante, mi período de servicio llegará a su fin - pero esa historia y ese sueño continuarán.

El martes Laura y yo nos uniremos a todos los estadounidenses en ofrecer nuestros mejores deseos al Presidente Obama, su esposa Michelle, y sus dos lindas hijas. Y más tarde ese día, regresaremos al amor de familia y amigos en Tejas. Yo dejaré mi cargo orgulloso del récord de mi Administración. Y pasaré el resto de mi vida agradecido por la oportunidad de haber servido como el Presidente de la mejor Nación del mundo.

Gracias por escuchar.

Para su publicación inmediata Oficina del Secretario de Prensa 17 de enero de 2009

Friday, January 16, 2009

President Bush Delivers Farewell Address to the Nation PODCAST VIDEO

President Bush Delivers Farewell Address to the Nation PODCAST VIDEO

President George W. Bush reaches into the audience to shake hands with invited guests and staff members following his farewell address to the nation Thursday evening, Jan. 15, 2009 in the East Room of the White House, where President Bush thanked the American people for their support and trust. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian Full Story
President Bush Delivers Farewell Address to the Nation East Room FULL STREAMING VIDEO, In Focus: Bush Record 8:01 P.M. EST. PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE and GALLERY

THE PRESIDENT: Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence -- a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation.
Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-Elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.

Tonight I am filled with gratitude -- to Vice President Cheney and members of my administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity, and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.

This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house -- September the 11th, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon, and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son's police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.

As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.

Over the past seven years, a new Department of Homeland Security has been created. The military, the intelligence community, and the FBI have been transformed. Our nation is equipped with new tools to monitor the terrorists' movements, freeze their finances, and break up their plots. And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the fight to the terrorists and those who support them. Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al Qaeda and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school. Iraq has gone from a brutal dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America to an Arab democracy at the heart of the Middle East and a friend of the United States.

There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil night and day to keep us safe -- law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.

Our nation is blessed to have citizens who volunteer to defend us in this time of danger. I have cherished meeting these selfless patriots and their families. And America owes you a debt of gratitude. And to all our men and women in uniform listening tonight: There has been no higher honor than serving as your Commander-in-Chief.

The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women to subservience, and marks unbelievers for murder. The other system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of Almighty God, and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.

This is the belief that gave birth to our nation. And in the long run, advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our citizens. When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights, and human dignity. We're standing with dissidents and young democracies, providing AIDS medicine to dying patients -- to bring dying patients back to life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age when freedom belongs to all nations.

For eight years, we've also strived to expand opportunity and hope here at home. Across our country, students are rising to meet higher standards in public schools. A new Medicare prescription drug benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes. The addicted and suffering are finding new hope through faith-based programs. Vulnerable human life is better protected. Funding for our veterans has nearly doubled. America's air and water and lands are measurably cleaner. And the federal bench includes wise new members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.

When challenges to our prosperity emerged, we rose to meet them. Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy. These are very tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted. All Americans are in this together. And together, with determination and hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of growth. We will show the world once again the resilience of America's free enterprise system.

Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I've always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.

The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course.

While our nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.

At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.

As we address these challenges -- and others we cannot foresee tonight -- America must maintain our moral clarity. I've often spoken to you about good and evil, and this has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two of them there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right. This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act in their defense -- and to advance the cause of peace.

President Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." As I leave the house he occupied two centuries ago, I share that optimism. America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead.

I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people. This is a nation that inspires immigrants to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a nation where citizens show calm in times of danger, and compassion in the face of suffering. We see examples of America's character all around us. And Laura and I have invited some of them to join us in the White House this evening.

We see America's character in Dr. Tony Recasner, a principal who opened a new charter school from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. We see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program to help prisoners returning to society. We've seen it in Staff Sergeant Aubrey McDade, who charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued three of his fellow Marines.

We see America's character in Bill Krissoff -- a surgeon from California. His son, Nathan -- a Marine -- gave his life in Iraq. When I met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he delivered some surprising news: He told me he wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in honor of his son. This good man was 60 years old -- 18 years above the age limit. But his petition for a waiver was granted, and for the past year he has trained in battlefield medicine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff could not be here tonight, because he will soon deploy to Iraq, where he will help save America's wounded warriors -- and uphold the legacy of his fallen son.

In citizens like these, we see the best of our country - resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there's more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.

It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your President. There have been good days and tough days. But every day I have been inspired by the greatness of our country, and uplifted by the goodness of our people. I have been blessed to represent this nation we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more to me than any other - citizen of the United States of America.

And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next President. And may God bless you and our wonderful country. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 8:14 P.M. EST.