Freedom Calendar 05/19/07 - 05/26/07

May 19, 1870, African-American John Langston, law professor and future Republican Congressman from Virginia, delivers influential speech supporting President Ulysses Grant’s civil rights policies.

May 20, 1868 Republican National Convention marks debut of African-American politicians on national stage; two – Pinckney Pinchback and James Harris – attend as delegates, and several serve as presidential electors.

May 21, 1919, Republican House passes constitutional amendment granting women the vote with 85% of Republicans in favor, but only 54% of Democrats; in Senate, 80% of Republicans would vote yes, but almost half of Democrats no.

May 22, 1856, For denouncing Democrats’ pro-slavery policy, Republican U.S. Senator Charles Sumner (R-MA) is beaten nearly to death on floor of Senate by U.S. Rep. Preston Brooks (D-SC).

May 23, 2003, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) introduces bill to establish National Museum of African American History and Culture.

May 24, 1900, Republicans vote no in referendum for constitutional convention in Virginia, designed to create a new state constitution disenfranchising African-Americans.

May 25, 1928, Republican Genevieve Cline becomes first woman in nation to serve as federal judge; appointed to U.S. Customs Court by President Calvin Coolidge.

May 26, 2001, African-American Claude Allen, nominated by President George W. Bush, is confirmed as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“Every one who shoots down negroes in the streets, burns negro school-houses and meeting-houses, and murders women and children by the light of their own flaming dwellings, calls himself a Democrat. Every New York rioter in 1863 who burned up little children in colored asylums, who robbed, ravished, and murdered indiscriminately in the midst of a blazing city for three days and nights, calls himself a Democrat.”

Governor Oliver Morton (R-IN), whose statue is in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol and also at the entrance to the Indiana State Capitol Building, 1866

Presidential Podcast 05/19/07

Presidential Podcast 05/19/07 . In Focus: Defense, Subscribe to Our Podcast feed or online podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring full audio and text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

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Bush radio address 05/19/07 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 05/19/07 full audio, text transcript. President's Radio Address . In Focus: Immigration

Subscribe to Our Podcast feed or online podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring real audio and full text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, my Administration reached an agreement with Republicans and Democrats in the Senate on immigration reform. I thank the leaders in both parties who worked hard to produce legislation that will secure the border, restore respect for the law, and meet the legitimate needs of our economy.

This legislation includes all the elements required for comprehensive immigration reform. It will improve security at our borders. It will give employers new tools to verify the employment status of workers and hold businesses to account for those they hire. It will create a temporary worker program. It will help us resolve the status of millions of illegal immigrants who are here already, without animosity and without amnesty. And it will honor the great American tradition of the melting pot by strengthening our efforts to help new arrivals assimilate into our society.

Here's how the bill works: First, it will require that strong border security and enforcement benchmarks are met before other elements of the legislation are implemented. These benchmarks include completing our plan to double the number of Border Patrol agents, improving border infrastructure, and maintaining enough beds in our detention facilities so that all those apprehended at the border can be held and returned to their home countries. We will also improve work site enforcement by implementing an effective system to verify worker eligibility using tamper-resistant identification cards, and by imposing stiffer penalties on companies that knowingly violate the law. Once these benchmarks are met, they will trigger other provisions of comprehensive reform.

The legislation will create a new temporary worker program. Such a program will help our economy and take pressure off the border by providing foreign workers with a legal and orderly way to enter our country to fill jobs that Americans are not doing. To ensure that this program is truly temporary, workers will be limited to three two-year terms, with at least a year spent outside the United States between each term. Temporary workers will be allowed to bring immediate family members only if they demonstrate that they can support them financially, and that their family members are covered by health insurance.

This legislation will also help resolve the status of illegal immigrants who are already in our country without amnesty. Those who come out of the shadows will be given probationary status. If they pass a strict background check, pay a fine, hold a job, maintain a clean criminal record, and eventually learn English, they will qualify for and maintain a Z visa. If they want to become citizens, they have to do all these things, plus pay an additional fine, go to the back of the line, pass a citizenship test, and return to their country to apply for their green card.

This legislation will also strengthen our efforts to help new immigrants assimilate. The key to unlocking the full promise of America is the ability to speak English. This bill affirms that English is the language of the United States. And it provides new opportunities for immigrants to learn English and embrace the shared ideals that bind us as a nation.

In addition, this legislation will clear the backlog of family members who've applied to come to our country lawfully, and have been waiting patiently in line. This legislation will end chain migration by limiting the relatives who can automatically receive green cards to spouses and minor children. And this legislation will transform our immigration system so that future immigration decisions are focused on admitting immigrants who have the skills, education, and English proficiency that will help America compete in a global economy.

I realize that many hold strong convictions on this issue, and reaching an agreement was not easy. I appreciate the effort of Senators who came together to craft this important legislation. This bill brings us closer to an immigration system that enforces our laws and upholds the great American tradition of welcoming those who share our values and our love of freedom.

Thank you for listening.

END For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, May 19, 2007

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Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 05/19/07

forre el audio de la dirección de radio 05/19/07 por completo, transcripción del texto. (nota de los redactores: ninguna lengua española mp3 lanzó esta semana, apesadumbrada) PODCAST

Suscribir a nuestro canal de Podcast de Odeo o del podnova y recibir la dirección de radio presidencial semanal en inglés y español con informes selectos del departamento del estado. Ofreciendo transcripciones audio y con texto completo verdaderas, más fuentes contentas agregaron a menudo así que la estancia templó.

Buenos Días. Esta semana mi Administración llegó a un acuerdo con republicanos y demócratas en el Senado sobre la reforma de la inmigración. Agradezco a los líderes de ambos partidos que tanto trabajaron para producir legislación que resguardará la frontera, restaurará respeto por la ley – y satisfará las necesidades legítimas de nuestra economía.

Esta legislación incluye todos los elementos necesarios para una reforma integral de la inmigración. Mejorará la seguridad en nuestras fronteras. Dará a los empleadores nuevas herramientas para verificar el estado laboral de los trabajadores – y responsabilizará a los negocios por las personas que contratan. Creará un programa de trabajadores temporales. Ayudará a resolver el estado de millones de inmigrantes ilegales que ya están aquí – sin animosidad y sin amnistía. Y honrará la gran tradición estadounidense del crisol al fortalecer nuestros esfuerzos para ayudar a los recién llegados a asimilarse en nuestra sociedad.

El proyecto de ley funciona como sigue: Primero, exigirá que se cumplan estrictos puntos de referencia relativos a la seguridad fronteriza y el cumplimiento antes de implementar otros elementos de la legislación. Estos puntos de referencia incluyen completar nuestro plan para doblar el número de agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza… mejorar la infraestructura fronteriza… y mantener suficientes camas en nuestras instalaciones de detención para que todos los detenidos en la frontera puedan ser retenidos y devueltos a sus países de origen. También mejoraremos el cumplimiento en los lugares de trabajo – implementando un sistema eficaz para verificar la elegibilidad del trabajador usando tarjetas de identificación que no puedan ser falsificadas, e imponiendo multas más severas a las compañías que a sabiendas violan la ley.

Una vez que se cumplan esos puntos de referencia, darán lugar a otras disposiciones de una reforma integral.

La legislación creará un nuevo programa de trabajadores temporales. Tal programa ayudaría a nuestra economía y aliviaría la presión sobre la frontera al proporcionarles a los trabajadores extranjeros una forma legal y ordenada de entrar a nuestro país para realizar trabajos que los estadounidenses no están haciendo. Para asegurar que este programa sea realmente temporal, los trabajadores serán limitados a tres períodos de dos años – con por lo menos un año fuera de los Estados Unidos entre cada período. Se les permitirá a los trabajadores temporales traer a miembros de sus familias inmediatas sólo si pueden demostrar que pueden mantenerlos financieramente – y que sus miembros de familia estén cubiertos por seguro médico.

Esta legislación también ayudará a resolver el estado de inmigrantes ilegales que ya están en nuestro país – sin amnistía. Los que salen de las sombras se les dará estado de prueba. Si pasan una verificación estricta de antecedentes, pagan una multa, sostienen un empleo, mantienen buenos antecedentes penales y eventualmente aprenden inglés, serán elegibles a una “Visa Z”. Si desean ser ciudadanos tendrán que hacer todas estas cosas y además pagar una multa adicional…volver al final de la fila…pasar una prueba de ciudadanía…y regresar a su país de origen para solicitar su tarjeta de residencia.

Esta legislación también fortalecerá nuestros esfuerzos por ayudar a nuevos inmigrantes a asimilarse. La clave para abrir la promesa plena de los Estados Unidos es la habilidad de hablar inglés. Este proyecto de ley afirma que el inglés es el idioma de los Estados Unidos. Y ofrece nuevas oportunidades para que los inmigrantes aprendan inglés – y se acojan a los ideales compartidos que nos unen como una Nación.

Además esta legislación eliminará el retraso acumulado de miembros de familia que han solicitado venir a nuestro país legalmente – y que han estado esperando en fila con paciencia. Esta legislación terminará con la migración en cadena – limitando el número de parientes que pueden automáticamente recibir tarjetas de residencia a esposos e hijos menores. Y esta legislación transformará nuestro sistema migratorio – a fin de que futuras decisiones sobre inmigración se centren en admitir a inmigrantes que tengan las habilidades, la educación y la capacidad lingüística en inglés que ayudará a Estados Unidos a competir en una economía global.

Entiendo que muchas personas tienen convicciones intensas sobre este tema, y llegar a un acuerdo no fue fácil. Agradezco el esfuerzo de los Senadores que se juntaron para elaborar esta importante legislación. Este proyecto de ley nos acerca a un sistema de inmigración que hace cumplir nuestras leyes – y que sostiene la gran tradición estadounidense de acoger a aquellos que comparten nuestros valores y nuestro amor a la libertad.

Gracias por escuchar.

Para su publicación inmediata Oficina del Secretario de Prensa 19 de mayo de 2007

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Ron Paul Zeitgeist

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President Bush Prime Minister Blair VIDEO PODCAST

President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with United Kingdom Prime Minister Blair Rose Garden In Focus: Global Diplomacy, 11:23 A.M. EDT PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you. I'm pleased to welcome Tony Blair back to the White House. He is a good friend. He has led the British people for a long time, since 1797. (Laughter.)

You know, I was sitting with Tony on the Truman balcony last night, and we were discussing a lot of issues. And it dawned on me, once again, what a clear strategic thinker he is. Somebody asked me the other day, how would you define Tony Blair and your relationship with him?

I said, first of all, it's cordial, it's open, and I appreciate the fact that he can see beyond the horizon. And that's the kind of leadership the world needs.

I do congratulate the Prime Minister for being a -- when he gets on a subject, it's dogged. Witness his patience and resolve regarding Northern Ireland. And congratulations for your leadership.

We talked about a lot of issues at dinner and our meetings. We talked about, of course, Iraq. As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister and I have just finished a video conference with our respective commanders and ambassadors from Baghdad. We got a full briefing on the situation on the ground. I appreciated Tony's willingness to interface with our people there. I reminded our people that the best decisions are made when you listen to the commanders. And our commanders have got good, specific advice as to how to achieve our objectives, which I believe we'll achieve; objectives that I know are necessary for peace -- peace in the Middle East, peace in the United States, and in the United Kingdom.

We talked about Afghanistan. We strongly support our NATO mission in Afghanistan, and I informed the Prime Minister that the Secretary General of NATO will be coming to Crawford this weekend. I'm looking forward to talking to him about how we can continue to work together. And I want to thank you for your strong commitment to the NATO mission and the people of Afghanistan.

We talked about the Middle East, and we're concerned about the violence we see in Gaza. We strongly urge the parties to work toward a two-state solution. I'm looking forward to continue to work on this issue. I've instructed my Secretary of State to be actively engaged. She represents the position of the Bush government, which is two states living side by side in peace. We believe that vision is possible, but it requires strong leadership on both sides of the issue.

The Prime Minister and I discussed the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. We recognized the deep humiliation that can come as a result of living in a land where you can't move freely, and where people can't realize dreams. We talked about the need to reject and fight terrorism. We understand the fright that can come when you're worried about a rocket landing on top of your home. I'm committed to peace in the Middle East, and I appreciate Tony Blair being a partner in peace.

We talked about Iran. We fully recognize that the Iranians must not have a nuclear weapon. And therefore it's important to continue to work in the international arena to speak with one voice. And if we're unable to make progress with the Iranians, we want to work together to implement new sanctions through the United Nations, to continue to make it clear that Iran with a nuclear weapon is not in the interests of peace in the world.

We talked about, of course, Africa. We spent a lot of time talking about Africa. I told the Prime Minister that the AIDS initiative that got started under my administration will continue; that I'll work with Congress to make sure that the PEPFAR Initiative, that has been so effective at getting anti-retro viral drugs to people on that continent will continue. It's an important initiative of ours.

I applaud the Prime Minister's education initiative on the continent of Africa. It's a bold stroke. And we look forward to working with you on that initiative. We talked about Darfur, and how frustrated I am, and I know the Prime Minister is frustrated at the inability for the international community to react with consequence in Darfur. And I explained to him my strategy of moving forward with sanctions, and hopefully a new, stronger United Nations resolution if we don't see some improvement in the lives of the people there.

And we talked, of course, about climate change. We spent a lot of time on climate change. And I agree with the Prime Minister, as I have stated publicly, this is a serious issue, and the United States takes it seriously, just like we take energy security seriously.

We talked about the upcoming G8, and I assured the Prime Minister we want to be a part of a solution, that we want to work constructively together. He's got some really good ideas on how to advance the technologies that are going to be necessary to help solve this problem. And I told him I've got some good ideas as how to convince China and India to be a part of a global solution. We have a lot of common ground that we've been discussing today.

Finally, we agreed to improve defense cooperation by working towards an agreement reducing barriers to trade in defense goods and services and information between the United States and the United Kingdom, including defense industries. This is an important issue for the Prime Minister; it's an important issue to me. I made it clear to the Prime Minister we will work on this issue tirelessly until we can get it solved.

It's been a joy having you back here. I appreciate -- every time I'm with you I appreciate very much the insight you provide. And I guess, for the final time as Prime Minister, you get to address the good folks in our country from the Rose Garden.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, and thank you, as ever, for the kindness and graciousness of your welcome to me here at the White House. And thank you also for the strength of your leadership over the past few years. You have been a strong leader at a time when the world needed strong leadership. You've been unyielding and unflinching, and determined in the fight that we face together. And I thank you for that.

And I also would take this opportunity of saying that I believe that the relationship between the United States of America and Britain is a relationship that is in the interests of our two countries and in the interests of the peace and stability of the wider world. And sometimes it's a controversial relationship -- at least over in my country. But I've never doubted its importance. I've never doubted that it's based on principle, on shared values, and on a shared purpose, which is to make our world a better, more free, more just place in which people of all nations and all faiths can live.

So I would like to thank you for the strength also of that relationship over these past few years.

The President has, rightly and comprehensively, gone through the various issues that we discussed. And I would like to pick out from those, first of all, the discussion we were able to have with our ambassadors and commanders in respect of Iraq, where there's no doubt at all it's immensely challenging, immensely difficult, but also there is a huge amount that is being done, not just to improve the security there, which is important, but also in respect to the politics where, as they were telling us, there are the majority elements in each of the main communities, whether Sunni, or Shia, or Kurd, who actually want to live in peace with one another, and want a future for that country that is not marred by terrorism and sectarianism. And we, of course, want to see that happen in the interests of that country, and the interests of the stability of the wider region and the world.

Again, in respect of Afghanistan, where American troops, and of course, British troops, down in the Helmand province, are doing an extraordinary job, a heroic job, actually. And I think we can be so proud of the Armed Forces of both countries and what they're doing in the world today.

The situation is fraught with danger, which they take on with immense courage and immense determination. And down in the south of Afghanistan at the moment, there are operations the whole time against the Taliban, in favor of, again, what the Afghan people want, which is the chance to have a better future and escape from the poverty and misery and oppression of the Taliban years.

And we discussed, of course, the Middle East and the very dangerous, difficult situation there, and our belief, again, that the important thing is how we make progress towards the two-state solution, which is the only solution in the end that will offer a realistic prospect and progress in that region.

And of course, also, we talked about the upcoming G8 where there's going to be important negotiations over the issue of climate change and over the issue of Africa. I mean, in respect of climate change, I welcome very much what the President has said today. The important thing is that we see that it's possible for people to come together on an agreement for the future that will allow us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, that will allow us to have a way forward that involves not just Europe and the United States of America, but China and India and the rest of the developing world also, and that also addresses what is an issue of top, top priority now in Europe, but also, I know here, which is energy security.

There are two reasons why this issue is on the agenda in a way that is perhaps more acute than ever before. There is the issue of the environment, there's the issue of energy security. And I think there's a -- there's a synergy between those two issues and the way they come together, which offer some prospect of hope for the future.

And in respect of Africa, as you will know, at the Gleneagles summit a couple of years ago, we made Africa, if you like, the centerpiece of the summit. I think it's important that we recommit to the undertakings we gave there to help people in Africa, and that we do not lose sight of that as a major, in some sense, the major moral course of our time, which is to lift people out of poverty on that troubled continent. And I totally agree with what the President was saying. We have the same position exactly on Darfur and the need to take action there.

And finally, can I thank the President for what he has said on the issue to do with defense and trade between our two countries. This is an issue that seems technical, but actually is a very important way of trumpeting the understanding, the work that we're doing together on the issue of defense and technology between our two countries.

And so let me end where I began, which is the importance of the relationship between the United States and Britain. I mean, whether it's in respect of fighting terrorism, the big issues to do with energy and climate change, the cause that is Africa, the agreements between our two countries in respect to defense, our two nations should always work together. It's served us well in the past. But it's not a relationship that's founded on history; it's a relationship that is about a shared future.

Thank you.

PRESIDENT BUSH: So as a parting gift to the Prime Minister, we'll take some questions. (Laughter.)

Hunt.

Q Thank you. Mr. Prime Minister, will Britain in the coming months and years be as staunch an ally in Iraq for the United States as it has been under your leadership?

And, Mr. President, will you sign a war spending bill that has consequences for the Iraqi government if it fails to meet benchmarks for progress?

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: The answer to your question is yes, I believe that we will remain a staunch and steadfast ally in the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Let me just explain one thing that came out very powerfully from the discussion we had with our commanders this morning. Essentially, what we have in Iraq at the moment is a situation where there is a renewed attempt to find political reconciliation -- between Sunni and Shia, particularly. And I believe there are signs, real and genuine signs of progress there.

But what you are seeing in Iraq is an attempt by al Qaeda -- through these appalling suicide bombs and also, particularly, down in the south, through the improvised explosive devices by Iranian-backed elements -- to try to disturb any prospect of Sunni and Shia coming together and delivering what the people of Iraq want to see.

And the only point that I would make is this, and this is the reason why it's important that Britain holds steadfast to the course of fighting alongside America in this battle against terrorism: The forces that we are fighting in Iraq -- al Qaeda on the one hand, Iranian-backed elements on the other -- are the same forces we're fighting everywhere. And over these past few weeks you can see in different parts of the world -- Morocco, Algeria, Pakistan, in Saudi Arabia recently -- where this extremism is rearing its head, is trying to dislodge the prospects of stability and progress in so many different countries. There is no alternative for us but to fight it wherever it exists. And that is true whether it's in our own countries, which have both suffered from terrorism, or in Iraq, or Afghanistan.

And so this is not a -- it's not about us remaining true to the course that we've set out because of the alliance with America. It is about us remaining steadfast because what we are fighting, the enemy we are fighting is an enemy that is aiming its destruction at our way of life and anybody who wants that way of life. And in those circumstances, the harder they fight, the more determined we must be to fight back.

If what happens is, the harder they fight, the more our will diminishes, then that's a fight we're going to lose. And this is a fight we cannot afford to lose.

PRESIDENT BUSH: I've instructed Josh to stay in touch with leaders -- Josh Bolten, Chief of Staff -- stay in touch with leaders, both Democrat and Republican, about moving a supplemental as quickly as possible. First I applaud what Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi said, that time is of the essence; we've got to get the bill done, and if need be -- I think they said -- they would keep members here to get the troops funded.

Secondly, I appreciate you trying to get me to negotiate here on the platform. Josh has been told that -- we understand benchmarks are important. I talked specifically about benchmarks, and he'll work with members of Congress to come up with a supplemental that we -- both sides can live with. And I'm confident we can get the job done.

There's been a series of votes in Congress that people have been able to express their opinion; now it's time to put forth a spending bill that doesn't have artificial timetables for withdrawal, doesn't micromanage the military, and is wise about how we spend the people's money. We'll work it hard. I think we can get a deal.

Q -- question?

PRESIDENT BUSH: As I said, you're trying to get me to negotiate. Our negotiator is Josh. And we fully understand the need to have benchmarks in a bill. I accept and respect the members' desire to have benchmarks -- after all, I'm the person who laid them out initially. We will work through something we can all live with, and enable us to get the job done.

Again, this is an issue that has been very emotional here in Washington. People have got strong opinions. I do appreciate the leadership of the Speaker and the Leader in saying, okay, now let's work together and get it solved. I'm optimistic we can do so.

Q During the course of this visit it has been confirmed that Gordon Brown is going to be the next British Prime Minister, taking over in 40 days' time. I wonder if I could have both your reactions to that. And, in particular, Mr. Blair, what you say to those people who are saying now there is a new Prime Minister in place, you should go sooner? And to Mr. Bush, whether --

PRESIDENT BUSH: That's a lovely question. (Laughter.)

Q -- however inadvertently, you once said that you would like Tony Blair to stay for the duration of your presidency. He's not doing that. Do you think you're partly to blame for that?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I haven't polled the Labour conference, but could be. (Laughter.) The question is, am I to blame for his leaving? I don't know.

Q And what do you think of Brown?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I hope to help him in office the way Tony Blair helped me. Newly elected President, Tony Blair came over and he reached out, he was gracious -- was able to converse in a way where our shared interests were the most important aspect of the relationship. I would hope I would provide the same opportunities for Gordon Brown. I met him, thought he was a good fellow.

My attitude is this, this man here is the Prime Minister, we've got a lot of work to do until he finishes. He's going to sprint to the wire. He's going to finish the job that the people want him to do, and I'm going to work with him to do it. The meetings today weren't -- this wasn't like a farewell deal; this was "how can we continue to work together for the common good." And that's what we'll do.

As to why things happen politically in Great Britain, I'd suggest you go over there and ask people. Nice to see you again. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: You had kind of forgotten what the British media were like, hadn't you? (Laughter.) These things --

PRESIDENT BUSH: He woke up to ask the question. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: First of all, having signed Gordon's nomination forms to nominate him as leader, of course I wish him well and I believe he'll make a great Prime Minister. And I know he believes in the relationship with America, too. And as for me, I will carry on doing the things that I've set out over the next few weeks that I need to do, not least and what we're talking about with the upcoming G8 summit and the deal which we've been trying to put together, different countries involved on climate change, and Africa -- and then, of course, you've got the European agreement at the end of June, which is going to be very important.

And just let me to stress to you, incidentally, that will be a government position. It will be a government negotiation that goes on there. But it's very, very important so that we can make sure that Europe moves forward. And then, of course, there are various domestic issues, too, as well.

I'll answer the question about the President, as well, in relation to me. You can debate that as much as you like, but I want to say one thing to you -- since it will be the last chance I get to have a press conference in the Rose Garden, standing next to President Bush -- I've admired him as a President and I regard him as a friend. I have taken the view that Britain should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with America after September 11th. I have never deviated from that view. I do not regret that view. I am proud of the relationship we have had. I am proud of the relationship between our two countries.

And I think that sometimes in politics there are all sorts of issues where you've got to negotiate and compromise, but when it comes to the fundamental questions that affect our security and the future of the world, you should do what is right. I have tried to do that. And I believe that is what he has done, as well.

Q Would you do it again?

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: And I would take the same position of alliance with America again; yes, I would.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Steve.

Q Thank you, sir. The fate of Paul Wolfowitz appears to be hanging in the balance. After all we've heard in recent days, is it still possible for him to provide the kind of leadership needed at the Bank?

PRESIDENT BUSH: First of all, I believe all parties in this matter have acted in good faith. I regret that it's come to this. I admire Paul Wolfowitz. I admire his heart. And I particularly admired his focus on helping the poor. There is a board meeting going on as we speak. All I can tell you is I know that Paul Wolfowitz has a interest in what's best for the Bank, and just like he's had an interest in what's best for making sure the Bank focused on things that matter: human suffering, the human condition. I -- and so I applaud his vision, I respect him a lot, and as I said, I regret this has come to this right now.

Q Mr. Blair, you outlined some very big policy areas there -- in your discussions with the President. Is it really possible, do you think, to make significant progress on them in the time that you have left?

And, Mr. President, if I could ask you, is this really still the right man to be talking to?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes. No question about it's the right man to be talking to. And, yes, we can get a lot done.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: You know, we're going to have a G8 summit in a couple of weeks time, at which these issues to do with climate change in Africa are going to be debated and discussed. And I hope very much, because you come together at the G8 a bit like we did a couple of years ago at Gleneagles, and it's an opportunity for the international community, a major part of the international community, to come together and reach, in principle, agreements. I think most people would accept that what happened at Gleneagles a couple of years ago was very important.

I think what happens in Germany in a couple of weeks time could be equally important, and that will be the time when we come to those decisions. So of course, I want to see -- see that through, because I've been involved in this all the way -- all the way through.

And the important thing, as well, is that I think you will find at the German summit that not just the G8 countries are there, but also China and India and Brazil and Mexico, South Africa, maybe some of the African nations. And so it will be an opportunity for us to recommit on Africa, and for the world to make important commitments on that, and then to see if it's possible to agree the elements that could go into a more comprehensive climate change deal. So it's a pretty important thing, and that's what we're working on.

PRESIDENT BUSH: You know, it's interesting, like trying to do a tap dance on his political grave, aren't you? I mean, this -- you don't understand how effective Blair is, I guess, because when we're in a room with world leaders and he speaks, people listen. And they -- they view his opinion as considered and his judgment as sound.

And I find it interesting the first two questions are, is this the right guy? Well, he happens to be your Prime Minister, but more importantly, he is a respected man in the international arena. People admire him. Even if they may not agree with him a hundred percent, they admire him a lot. And it's not just the American President who admires him; a lot of people admire him. And so he's effective. He's effective because he is -- his recommendations to solve problems are sound. He's also effective because he is the kind of person who follows through.

There's a lot of blowhards in the political process, you know, a lot of hot-air artists, people who have got something fancy to say. Tony Blair is somebody who actually follows through with his convictions, and therefore, is admired in the international community.

So I guess this is an appropriate question to ask -- right guy, is he still standing -- yes. This guy is a very strong, respected leader, and he's absolutely the right guy for me to be dealing with.

Kelly. By the way, if I'm not mistaken, this is your birthday. It is? Would you like me and the Prime Minister to do a duet, you know? (Laughter.)

Q I didn't realize the intel briefing was so far-reaching. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: That's right. Kelly O'Donnell.

Q Thank you, sir. There's been some very dramatic testimony before the Senate this week from one of your former top Justice Department officials, who describes a scene that some senators called "stunning," about a time when the wireless -- when the warrantless wiretap program was being reviewed. Sir, did you send your then Chief of Staff and White House Counsel to the bedside of John Ashcroft while he was ill to get him to approve that program? And do you believe that kind of conduct from White House officials is appropriate?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Kelly, there's a lot of speculation about what happened and what didn't happen; I'm not going to talk about it. It's a very sensitive program. I will tell you that, one, the program is necessary to protect the American people, and it's still necessary because there's still an enemy that wants to do us harm.

And therefore, I have an obligation to put in place programs that honor the civil liberties of the American people; a program that was, in this case, constantly reviewed and briefed to the United States Congress. And the program, as I say, is an essential part of protecting this country.

And so there will be all kinds of talk about it. As I say, I'm not going to move the issue forward by talking about something as highly sensitive -- highly classified subject. I will tell you, however, that the program is necessary.

Q Was it on your order, sir?

PRESIDENT BUSH: As I said, this program is a necessary program that was constantly reviewed and constantly briefed to the Congress. It's an important part of protecting the United States. And it's still an important part of our protection because there's still an enemy that would like to attack us. No matter how calm it may seem here in America, an enemy lurks. And they would like to strike. They would like to do harm to the American people because they have an agenda. They want to impose an ideology; they want us to retreat from the world; they want to find safe haven. And these just aren't empty words, these are the words of al Qaeda themselves.

And so we will put in place programs to protect the American people that honor the civil liberties of our people, and programs that we constantly brief to Congress.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Hi, Tom.

Q Hello. -- Prime Minister many times in the course of the last six years. But it's been five years since a leader of the British Conservative Party set foot in this city. Mr. President, does it surprise you that aides close to David Cameron say that he does not want to be seen with you? And can I ask you both what it means for the prospect of future relations between Britain and America when the leader of the opposition dare not set foot in Washington?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, I can just tell you, my relationship with the leader of Great Britain has been unbelievably productive, and I have enjoyed working with Tony Blair more than I could have possibly imagined.

It's hard to define our relationship in sound bites or press conferences, or to -- in a way that really reflects the depth of what we have done together. And so I -- you know, I don't regret things about what may or may not have happened over the past five years. I honor a relationship that I truly believe has been laying the foundation for peace.

This may not interest you, but I'll tell you anyway -- I read three histories on George Washington last year. It's interesting to me that they're still analyzing the presidency of our first President. And my attitude is, if they're still analyzing 1, 43 doesn't need to worry about it. (Laughter.) I'm not going to be around to see the final history written on my administration.

When you work on big items, items to -- agendas based upon sound philosophy that will transform parts of the world to make it more peaceful, we're not going to be around to see it. So my -- let me finish. My relationship with this good man is where I've been focused, and that's where my concentration is. And I don't regret any other aspect of it.

And so I -- we filled a lot of space together. We have had a unique ability to speak in terms that help design common strategies and tactics to achieve big objectives. And it's -- will I miss working with Tony Blair? You bet I will. Absolutely. Can I work with the next guy? Of course.

And I'm here to make it clear to the people of our respective countries that this relationship is one that is vital to accomplish big objectives. It has been vital in the past; it has stood the free world -- it has enabled the free world to do hard things. And it's a relationship that I believe is necessary to do the hard things in the 21st century. And so I honor Tony Blair.

Q What about David Cameron?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Never met him.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Well, I don't -- it's not for me to give advice to the leader of the Conservative Party, or a different political party. And that's up to them as to what they do, and up to him as to whether he comes here or not.

But I do just make this observation to you, and -- what we are -- what we are trying to do is -- don't mind these two individual leaders, but the two countries, let's accept for a moment that at least even if people very strongly disagree with Iraq, for example, that at least people understand that there is a battle that we are fighting around the world today.

And let's at least accept, also, that it's a battle about the type of values that govern the world in the early 21st century. You don't win those battles by being a fair-weather friend to your ally, you don't win those battles by being hesitant or withdrawing support for each other when the going gets tough. You don't win those battles by losing the will to fight if your enemy's will to fight is very strong, and very powerful.

And actually, the values that we represent, us two countries, are shown by what we -- what we've been through today. I mean, the President gets tough questions from the American press corps; I get, I like to say, even tougher questions -- (laughter) -- or at least as tough questions in the British press corps. And --

PRESIDENT BUSH: One at a time is tough. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: And we can -- here as we speak at this press conference, I mean, I can't make out the words that they're shouting over there, but I bet they're not totally complimentary to either of us. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: Wait a minute, I don't know about that. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: I mean, it could be the supporters we brought in, but I've got a feeling the likelihood is, no. (Laughter.) And that's what it's about. It's about democracy, and it's about people being free to express their views, and it's about politicians having to face the pressure to justify their decisions, to be punished if the people don't like those decisions. And it's a commonality of values that we have that is so important for the world today.

And so -- you know, yes, of course, it's like -- anybody who's sitting there inviting a politician in any part of Europe today, if you want to get the easiest round of applause, get up and attack America, you can get a round of applause if you attack the President, you get a --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Standing ovation. (Laughter.)

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR: Yes. And that's -- that's fine if everyone wants to do that, but when all of that is cleared away, you're left with something very, very simple, fundamental, and clear: that that battle for values is still going on.

And you can debate about the mistakes and the issues and you can debate about Iraq, whether we should have done this or we should have done that. But, actually, what is happening in Iraq today is that our enemy is fighting us, and, therefore, if what happens when our enemy fights us is that we drift away from our friends, that we kind of make the little accommodations so that we don't escape some of the difficulty and the responsibility and occasionally a proprium of decision-making -- if we do that, our enemy takes heart from that, they watch that. They watch what we're doing the whole time. They ask, are these guys standing up for what they believe, or if we carry on, is their will going to diminish and they're going to give up, because it's just too difficult, because the public opinion is too difficult, because the opinion polls tell them it's too difficult?"

Now, that is the decision of leadership. And it's not just a decision for me and him; it's a decision for everybody who's engaged in politics. And people run down politics and say it's all just a series of positions and attitudes and sound bites and occasionally even lies and all the rest of it. Actually, what politics is in the end, when it's done in the right way, when people stand up for what they believe, is it's about public service. And there's nothing to be ashamed of in that. And the fact is, the decisions are difficult; of course they're difficult.

And we took a decision that we thought was very difficult. I thought then, and I think now, it was the right decision. History will make a judgment at a particular time. But one thing I know is that what we represent coming here today, speaking in the Rose Garden to you people and getting your questions and being under your pressure, that is a finer and better way of life than either a brutal, secular dictatorship or religious extremism. It's a better way of life and it's the way of life, actually, people, anytime they are given the choice, choose to have. And what we should be about, our two nations, is giving as many people in the world as possible that choice and being proud of it.

PRESIDENT BUSH: What I know is the world needs courage. And what I know is this good man is a courageous man.

Thanks for coming.

END 11:59 A.M. EDT. For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, May 17, 2007

Technorati Tags: President Bush and White House or Prime Minister Tony Blair and Nanotechnology Today or Public Domain Clip Art and Republican National Convention Blog

President Bush Comprehensive Immigration Bill PODCAST VIDEO

President Bush Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Bill South Lawn, FULL STREAMING VIDEO 3:25 P.M. EDT. PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE

• Fact Sheet: Border Security and Immigration Reform
• President's Statement on Bipartisan Immigration System Proposal
• In Focus: Immigration

THE PRESIDENT: Secretary Gutierrez and Secretary Chertoff have just briefed me about the negotiations on the comprehensive immigration bill that just concluded in the Senate. I want to thank, first of all, my Secretaries for being involved in the process, being engaged in this important issue, and helping move the process forward. I congratulate members of the Senate, both political parties, who decided it was time to work together to come up with a comprehensive immigration bill that addresses a major problem facing our country. After weeks of long work, these negotiations came to a successful conclusion.

I want to thank the members of the Senate who worked hard. I appreciate the leadership shown on both sides of the aisle. As I reflect upon this important accomplishment, important first step toward a comprehensive immigration bill, it reminds me of how much the Americans appreciate the fact that we can work together -- when we work together they see positive things.

Immigration is a tough issue for a lot of Americans. The agreement reached today is one that will help enforce our borders, but equally importantly, it will treat people with respect. This is a bill where people who live here in our country will be treated without amnesty, but without animosity.

And so I want to thank you all very much for representing the White House. I thank the senators for working hard. I look forward to a good vote out of the United States Senate as quickly as Leader Reid can get the bill moving, and then of course we look forward to working with the House of Representatives to take this first step and convert it into a successful second step. I really am anxious to sign a comprehensive immigration bill as soon as I possibly can. Today we took a good step toward that direction.

Thank you.

END 3:27 P.M. EDT. For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, May 17, 2007

Technorati Tags: President Bush and White House or Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Nanotechnology Today or Public Domain Clip Art and Republican National Convention Blog

Republican presidential debate 05/15/07 VIDEO

Republican presidential debate 06/05/07 VIDEO



editors note: at the end of each video section mouseover screen to activate menu for more debate or select menu while playing

Technorati Tags: GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE and Republican Presidential Debate or University of South Carolina's Koger Center for the Arts or Sam Brownback and Jim Gilmore or Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee or Duncan Hunter and John McCain or Mitt Romney or Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo or Tommy Thompson

Republican presidential debate Columbia, S.C 05/15/07

Republican presidential debate 06/05/07 VIDEO

UPDATE 06/05/07 Republican presidential Debate MANCHESTER, New Hampshire 06/05/07 tv Listings, polls, candidate info. updated in real time.

Republican presidential debate 05/15/07 VIDEO

To FIND YOUR LISTINGS for the foxnews channel Click them scroll down to text box and enter your zip code. FOXNEWS.COM ONLINE STREAMING VIDEO FOX ONLINE SOUND QUALITY VERY POOR

REPUBLICANS DEBATE Uploaded by Columbia Daily Tribune.

Koger Center for the Arts hosts GOP debate The University of South Carolina's Koger Center for the Arts will be the scene tonight (Tuesday) for the GOP's second presidential debate and the party's first in the South. The 10 Republican presidential hopefuls step on stage tonight for the 90-minute event, which begins at 9 p.m. EDT Fox News will carry the event live. Fox journalist Britt Hume will moderate, Chris Wallace and Wendell Goler will question the candidates.

Participating in the debate will be candidates Sam Brownback, Jim Gilmore, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Tom Tancredo and Tommy Thompson. Newt Gingrich and Fred Thompson will not participate

To ask the Republican presidential candidates a question when they debate in Columbia, S.C., on Tuesday, May 15.

e-mail your question to FOX News at debate@foxnews.com . Include your name, town, state and contact number for verification.

Your questions should be sharp, brief and to the point. And specify which candidate you'd like to ask.

The debate is live on FOX News Channel at 9 p.m. ET on May 15. Your question maybe selected.

FOXNews.com will also be streaming the debate live and will have pre- and post-debate coverage hosted by Greta Van Susteren and FOX News contributor Griff Jenkins.

The live Web stream coverage on FOXNews.com will feature eight University of South Carolina students debating politics and commenting on the Republican presidential candidates’ remarks.

The program will begin streaming live on FOXNews.com 30 minutes before the televised debate begins, and will run 30 minutes after the debate ends. Four students who are registered Republicans and four who are registered Democrats will debate issues that are important to them, and their microphones will be open during the debate, which they will be watching. Viewers on FOXNews.com will be able to hear real-time reaction from the students.

FOXNews.com will also offer a separate stream of the debate for viewers who may want to watch the debate online without commentary from the students. LIVE STREAM 1 LIVE STREAM 2 LINKS WILL BE LIVE 30 MINUTES BEFORE DEBATE 8:30 EDT.

After the debate, a 30-minute discussion and critique session will close out the Web stream.

Technorati Tags: GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE and Republican Presidential Debate or University of South Carolina's Koger Center for the Arts and FOX News Channel or Sam Brownback and Jim Gilmore or Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee or Duncan Hunter and John McCain or Mitt Romney or Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo or Tommy Thompson

Defense Department Blocks Internet Sites to Protect Grid

Defense Department Blocks Internet Sites to Protect Grid, By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2007 – The Defense Department is blocking access to many popular Internet sites from department-owned computers due to bandwidth issues, U.S. Strategic Command officials said today.

Joint Task Force Global Network Operations, which directs the operation and defense of the Defense Department’s global information grid to assure timely and secure capabilities in support of the department’s warfighting, intelligence, and business missions, blocked 12 popular sites on government computers today.

The sites are: youtube.com, pandora.com, photobucket.com, myspace.com, live365.com, hi5.com, metacafe.com, mtv.com, ifilm.com, blackplanet.com, stupidvideos.com and filecabi.com.

The popularity of the sites has not affected operations yet, but blocking them prevents them from causing such a problem, officials said . “It is a proactive measure: we do not want a problem with demand for these sites clogging the networks,” a U.S. Strategic Command official said.

The blocks affect only Defense Department computers and local area networks that are part of the department’s global information grid. The department has more than 15,000 local and regional networks and more than 5 million computers in the grid.

Department officials stress they are not making a judgment about the sites. Blocking the sites “is in no way a comment on the content, purpose or uses of the Web sites themselves,” the official said. “It is solely a bandwidth/network management issue.”

Offices with a need to access these sites from government computers can request exceptions to the policy. Global network operations officials will continue to assess the stresses and strains on the global information grid, and may add or subtract sites as needed, officials said.

Related Sites:

• U.S. Strategic Command
• Joint Task Force Global Network Operations Fact Sheet

Technorati Tags: Defense Department and blocking access Internet sites or youtube and myspace

Technorati wacks Blogrolling, the rest of us are just Collateral Damage

Chapter 1 Technorati wacks Blogrolling, the rest of us are just Collateral Damage
Chapter 2 Hey Technorati My Authority is not getting updated! Blogroll
Chapter 3 String Theory and Technorati Forum Edicate

UPDATE: Vote WTF, Technorati WTFs are short blurbs that explain the buzz around people, things or events. Tell them how you feel.

It started like any other early spring day,

"On Fri. May 4th, we updated Technorati.com to include the Technorati Authority for blogs listed on the Blog page and in search results. This update changed the earlier references of "N blogs link here" and "X links from Y blogs" with the single Technorati Authority number. On the blog page, we also show the Technorati Rank."

"include" as in addition to, this is completely misleading, read replace, not include, replace.

"Technorati Authority is the number of blogs linking to a website in the last six months. The higher the number, the more Technorati Authority the blog has.

It is important to note that we measure the number of blogs, rather than the number of links. So, if a blog links to your blog many times, it still only count as +1 toward your authority. Of course, new links mean the +1 will last another 180 days." Technorati Authority and Rank

The "update" received moderate press coverage and very little comment the words didn't seem TO ominous, a slight variation on a tried and true method, these winds of change produced only a minor shiver and then the storm broke.

"If the link was in a blogroll, you may want to check to see if the hyperlink to your blog is located in the blog source of the blogroll. Blogroll links that are generated via a tool or script are not seen. The blogroll must reside in the blog home page as well. If the blogroll is in a subsection or directory of the site, it is not seen or picked up."

But all blogrolls, blogrolling and bloglines etc. are generated by tool or script very few bloggers hand code a collection of static links that don't update and are hard to manage and add to. (A few lucky bloggers who's host permit php script may generate raw html rolls.)

At the stroke of a pen in a smoke fill backroom Tecnorati had erased the work that many bloggers had worked for years and spent thousands of hours to create. blogrolls that updated 24/7/365 to connect us to others with similar interests are now "not seen"

"If the link was in a post, you may want to check to see if posts from the blog are displayed in full content in the blog feed or home page. Technorati currently indexes a blog via it's feed and blog home page. If both display summary information and the link to you is only seen in the permalink, the link is not picked up. Technorati respects blog owner wishes to only index displayed content." Links from other blogs not showing up in search?

so another long time tool for (self)promotion, commenting is likewise devalued.

Since the lifespan of the existing links is 180 day and most links were generated by blogrolls and they were updated every time a blog was updated the exparation rate has been slow and small so far. But it's only a matter of time until they start to expire by the hundreds and thousands. You had 5 blogrolls with 50 to a hundred links each that last updated in late April early May, come October - November say bye-bye.

Did i mention that many advertisers use Tecnorati rank (now authority) to set rates that you are paid for ads on your blog, it just keeps getting better huh.

i've checked on a few blogs, mine and others and i've found that even static html hand written links in the sidebar of blogspot.com blogs are ignored, the only links that i have found that are reliably counted are in the body of posts on the current front page.

The uproar from this "update" is not very loud at this point in the Tecnorati Foruns but as the links begin to expire by the hundreds and thousands in their due time... stay tuned.

Technorati Tags: Technorati Authority and Rank and Technorati Authority number or Blogroll Link and Indexing

Freedom Calendar 05/12/07 - 05/19/07

May 12, 1850, Birth of U.S. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA), whose 1890 Federal Elections Bill enforcing African-American voting rights passed House on party-line vote but was defeated in Senate by a Democrat filibuster.

May 13, 1983, President Ronald Reagan designates first national observance of American Indian Day.

May 14, 1971, Republican Senators Jacob Javits (NY) and Charles Percy (IL) appoint the first female pages in U.S. Senate.

May 15, 1999, Death of Judge John Minor Wisdom of U.S. Court of Appeals, renowned author of landmark civil rights decisions; appointed by President Dwight Eisenhower to key Fifth Circuit covering Southern states.

May 16, 1860, U.S. Rep. David Wilmot (R-PA), anti-slavery leader and Republican Party co-founder, delivers keynote address at Republican National Convention nominating Abraham Lincoln.

May 17, 1954, Chief Justice Earl Warren, three-term Republican Governor (CA) and Republican vice presidential nominee in 1948, wins unanimous support of Supreme Court for school desegregation in Brown v. Board of Education.

May 18, 1896, Republican Justice John Marshall Harlan, dissenting from Supreme Court’s notorious Plessy v. Ferguson “separate but equal” decision, declares: “Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens”.

May 19, 1870, African-American John Langston, law professor and future Republican Congressman from Virginia, delivers influential speech supporting President Ulysses Grant’s civil rights policies.

“Believing that the spirit of our institutions as well as the Constitution of our country, guarantees liberty of conscience and equality of rights among citizens, we oppose all legislation impairing their security.”

1856 Republican Party national platform

Technorati Tags: President Bush and Freedom Calendar or NAACP and Republicans or African-Americans and 13th Amendment or right to vote and Civil Rights or Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass or 40 acres and a mule or Brown v. Board of Education and Martin Luther King or Dred Scott or Public Domain Clip Art and Nanotechnology Today or Republican National Convention Blog

Presidential Podcast 05/12/07

Presidential Podcast 05/12/07 . In Focus: Defense, Subscribe to Our Podcast feed or online podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring full audio and text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

Technorati Tags: President Bush and White House radio address or Congress and comprehensive immigration reform

Bush radio address 05/12/07 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 05/12/07 full audio, text transcript. President's Radio Address . In Focus: Immigration

Subscribe to Our Podcast feed or online podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring real audio and full text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Next week, the Senate will take up an important priority for our Nation: comprehensive immigration reform.

Over the past few weeks, leaders from both parties have met at the White House and on Capitol Hill to find areas of agreement and iron out our differences. These meetings have been productive. We've been addressing our differences in good faith, and we're building consensus. Both Republicans and Democrats understand that successful immigration reform must be bipartisan.

Democrats and Republicans agree that our current immigration system is in need of reform. We agree that we need a system where our laws are respected. We agree that we need a system that meets the legitimate needs of workers and employers. And we agree that we need a system that treats people with dignity and helps newcomers assimilate into our society.

We must address all elements of this problem together, or none of them will be solved at all. We must not repeat the mistakes that caused previous efforts at immigration reform to fail. So I support a comprehensive immigration reform bill that accomplishes five clear objectives:
First, America must continue our efforts to improve security at our borders.

Second, we must hold employers to account for the workers they hire, by providing better tools for them to verify documents and work eligibility.

Third, we must create a temporary worker program that takes pressure off the border by providing foreign workers a legal and orderly way to enter our country to fill jobs that Americans are not doing.

Fourth, we must resolve the status of millions of illegal immigrants who are here already, without amnesty and without animosity.

Finally, we must honor the great American tradition of the melting pot. Americans are bound together by our shared ideals, an appreciation of our history, and an ability to speak and write the English language. And the success of our country depends upon helping newcomers assimilate into our society and embrace our common identity as Americans.

Coming together on a good bill that includes all five elements, we will make America more secure. We will make our economy more competitive. And we will show the world that America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time.

Reforming our immigration system is an important opportunity to show that elected officials in Washington can work together to find practical solutions to the problems that matter most. I thank the Senators who have been working hard on this issue. I am optimistic we can pass a comprehensive immigration bill and get this problem solved for the American people this year.

Thank you for listening.

END For Immediate Release, May 12, 2007

Technorati Tags: President Bush and White House radio address or Congress and comprehensive immigration reform

Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 05/12/07

forre el audio de la dirección de radio 05/12/07 por completo, transcripción del texto. (nota de los redactores: ninguna lengua española mp3 lanzó esta semana, apesadumbrada) PODCAST

Suscribir a nuestro canal de Podcast de Odeo o del podnova y recibir la dirección de radio presidencial semanal en inglés y español con informes selectos del departamento del estado. Ofreciendo transcripciones audio y con texto completo verdaderas, más fuentes contentas agregaron a menudo así que la estancia templó.

Buenos Días. La próxima semana el Senado discutirá una importante prioridad para nuestra Nación: una reforma migratoria integral.

En las últimas semanas líderes de ambos partidos se han reunido en la Casa Blanca y en el Congreso para encontrar áreas de mutuo acuerdo - y resolver nuestras diferencias. Estas reuniones han sido productivas. Hemos estado discutiendo nuestras diferencias en buena fe - y estamos llegando a un consenso. Tanto los Demócratas como los Republicanos comprenden que para que la reforma migratoria tenga éxito, tiene que ser bipartita.

Los Demócratas y los Republicanos concuerdan que nuestro sistema migratorio actual necesita reforma. Estamos de acuerdo en que necesitamos un sistema donde se respeten nuestras leyes. Estamos de acuerdo en que necesitamos un sistema que satisfaga las necesidades legítimas de trabajadores y empleadores. Y estamos de acuerdo en que necesitamos un sistema que trate con dignidad a las personas - y que ayude a los recién llegados a asimilarse en nuestra sociedad.

Tenemos que abordar todos los elementos de este problema juntos - o no será resuelto ninguno. Y no debemos repetir los errores que causaron que fracasaran intentos anteriores a la reforma migratoria. Por lo tanto yo apoyo un proyecto de ley para una reforma migratoria que logre cinco objetivos claros:

Primero, Estados Unidos debemos continuar nuestros esfuerzos para mejorar la seguridad en nuestras fronteras.

Segundo, debemos responsabilizar a los empleadores por los trabajadores que contraten, proporcionándoles mejores herramientas para verificar documentos así como la elegibilidad para el trabajo.

Tercero, debemos crear un programa de trabajadores temporales que alivie la presión en la frontera, ofreciendo a trabajadores extranjeros una forma legal y ordenada de entrar a nuestro país para desempeñar empleos que no estén desempeñando estadounidenses.

Cuarto, debemos resolver la situación de millones de inmigrantes ilegales que ya están aquí - sin amnistía y sin animosidad.

Finalmente, debemos honrar la gran tradición estadounidense del crisol. Los estadounidenses estamos unidos por nuestros ideales compartidos, por una apreciación de nuestra historia, y por la capacidad de hablar y leer el idioma inglés. Y el éxito de nuestro país depende en ayudar a que los recién llegados se asimilen en nuestra sociedad y que adopten nuestra identidad común como estadounidenses.

Al ponernos de acuerdo en un buen proyecto de ley que incluya todos los cinco elementos, haremos que Estados Unidos sea más seguro. Haremos que nuestra economía sea más competitiva. Y mostraremos al mundo que Estados Unidos puede ser una sociedad donde se respetan las leyes y que al mismo tiempo es acogedora.

Reformar nuestro sistema de inmigración es una oportunidad para mostrar que los oficiales electos en Washington pueden trabajar juntos para encontrar soluciones prácticas a los problemas más importantes. Agradezco a los Senadores que se han estado esforzando sobre este tema. Me siento optimista que podamos aprobar un proyecto de ley integral sobre la inmigración- y resolver este problema para el pueblo estadounidense este año.

Gracias por escuchar.

### Para su publicación inmediata, Oficina del Secretario de Prensa, 12 de mayo de 2007

Etiquetas De Technorati: Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación, y Presidente Bush or Public Domain Clip Art and Nanotechnology Today

Terrorist Attack In Germany

CNN, ABC, UPI, and a host of other "NEWS" organizations breathlessly reported today,

"A U.S. official says investigators have uncovered a terrorist plot to use bombs and small arms against U.S. facilities in Germany ... source described as a senior official told CNN there was a "very real threat" in Germany, possibly coming from a group affiliated with al-Qaida."

We report this from a 3 week old Warden Message issued by the American Embassy in Berlin.

U.S. Citizen Services in Germany, Warden Message, April 20, 2007

U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities in Germany are increasing their security posture. We are taking these steps in response to a heightened threat situation. The U.S. Embassy encourages Americans in Germany to increase their vigilance and take appropriate steps to bolster their own personal security.

The Department of State's April 10, 2007, "Worldwide Caution" Public Announcement, which can be found on the Internet at travel.state.gov/travel/, provides additional information on potential threats to U.S. citizens overseas, along with advice on how to reduce your vulnerability to such threats. Additional general information on residing and traveling abroad, including the latest Consular Information Sheet for Germany, may be found on-line at http://travel.state.gov/.

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and Consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich and Leipzig may be found on the Internet at: germany.usembassy.gov/germany/citizen_services .

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