Missile Defense Agreement With the Czech Republic VIDEO PODCAST

Remarks With Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg At Baltic Management Development Association Signing Ceremony. Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Prague, Czech Republic. PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to welcome you at the ceremony of the signature of the agreement between Czech Republic and the United States of America on the establishment of the radar station of missile defense system of the United States and the Czech Republic. The agreement will be signed by Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg on behalf of the Czech Republic and on behalf of the United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

(The agreement was signed.) (Applause.)

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) The agreement has been signed and now, there will be a short speech by the Foreign Minister of Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg.

FOREIGN MINISTER SCHWARZENBERG: (Via interpreter.) (Inaudible) Secretary, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honor and pleasure for me that I was able to sign this agreement with the United States today. This agreement is a part of the consistent policy of the Czech Republic. The first task of the foreign policy of any country is to ensure security of the country. And this agreement not only increases the security of the Czech Republic, but also of Europe and of the whole Euro-Atlantic area.

For the short time of one year and a half, when I have had the honor of being the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, I signed two major agreements: the Lisbon treatment and the other is this one. Contrary to many critical opinions, I would say that both are part of the consistent Czech security policy as the Czech Republic can feel safer only if it decides firmly – and is an integral part of the European community and thus, is also a part of a bigger entity, both economically and politically.

And on the other hand, our relation to NATO, which is a natural alliance for us, and the deepening of transatlantic links within the alliance is the primary objective of our foreign policy. Thus, both agreements, both treaties constitute a foundation for the security of our country. This is why I regard this agreement as particularly important.

Second, I would like to thank, on this occasion, to all people who played a greater role in the agreement than myself, because I only signed it today. I would like to name my predecessor and government colleague, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Alexandr Vondra. If it hadn’t been for his initiative and energy, we wouldn’t have been proceeding so fast. And he – also, my Deputy Mr. Tomas Pojar, Mr. (inaudible), as the Minister of Defense (inaudible), Minister of Environment (inaudible) and many others.

I think this is an opportunity today to thank all of those who did their utmost to make this agreement come true in time. And I would also like to thank the American side for the very fair, although very tough negotiations. The topic – the agenda was very difficult, but we made it at the end of the day. Thank you for your attention.

SECRETARY RICE: Thank you very much. Thank you, Minister Schwarzenberg, for that very – those very kind words, and thank you for the hard work that you have put into the effort to bring this agreement into fruition. I’m very proud to stand with you today to sign this landmark agreement. I think that it is truly a landmark agreement. It is an agreement that is befitting for friends and allies who face a common threat in the 21st century and wish to address it through the application of the best defensive technologies that we can bring to bear.

This is an agreement that is supported by our NATO allies, as was noted at Bucharest at the summit, because missile defenses today are aimed only at those who would threaten us. They are not like the missile defenses of the Cold War period, which were caught up in discussions about strategic stability. We’ve made the point to our Russian colleagues that we all face the threat from states like Iran that continue to pursue missiles of ever-longer range, and we must be in a position to respond. And so with our Czech allies, we are able to do that today, with our NATO allies, we have been able to secure agreement that this is important to NATO, and that all of these agreements will come together in an architecture that will help defend us all.

I want to note too that this agreement is not just about missile defense. There will be an accompanying agreement very, very shortly that will help us to take advantage in the private sector, to help our private sectors take advantage of the research and development opportunities that this agreement will bring into being. I myself am an academic. I’m from a university that has a huge research and development, technological, computer, engineering component to it. And I know how important leading-edge technology can bring – can be if one can bring universities in; graduate students can benefit, but also our private sectors in terms of companies can benefit. And I know that there have been conferences here in which U.S. companies have participated and that there’s great excitement about the R&D and technological potential that this agreement will bring, deepening the technological cooperation between the United States and the Czech Republic.

This agreement also, of course, is simply an affirmation of our alliance and of the good work that we do together. Let me join you in thanking the members of the Czech negotiating team, who I can assure you negotiated very well and very toughly on the part of the Czech Republic. I’d like to thank also our chief negotiator, Acting Under Secretary John Rood, and Dan Fried, the Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, and to note also that Lieutenant General Trey Obering is here from the Missile Defense Agency, the head of that agency. We’ve had very good work between all of our agencies. And Secretary Gates and I, who have worked very hard to see this come into being, know that for the United States, this is a great moment. President Bush, with whom I spoke just before leaving Washington, was delighted that we were signing this agreement today. And so as I said to the Prime Minister, this is just another step in the tremendous transatlantic relationship that the United States and the Czech Republic enjoy.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, a toast will follow and then the press conference.

(Pause.)

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Good afternoon once again. Let me thank – to the Minister. Let me open the press conference. Since you have already had the opportunity to hear the speeches, we will then go directly to questions by the press.

QUESTION: (Via interpreter.) Good afternoon. Madame Secretary, can I ask you what specific opportunities does this signed agreement bring for the Czech Republic to control or monitor the developments on the radar site? And then the Minister, do you --

SECRETARY RICE: For the Czech Republic?

QUESTION: (Via interpreter.) Yes, ma’am.

SECRETARY RICE: Well, of course, it is now going to be on Czech territory and it will be the closest possible cooperation in terms of this. We consider this now to be a joint project, in effect. And so the Czech Republic and the United States, the militaries, the technical people will work extremely closely together in daily and, I would say, hourly close proximity with these radars.

It also – I want to emphasize what I said before. We expect the R&D cooperation as this goes forward to be exceedingly close as well. So this is our – the Czech Republic is our partner in this. This is not just for the Czech Republic or for the United States, but also for NATO. So I expect the closest possible cooperation.

FOREIGN MINISTER SCHWARZENBERG: (Via interpreter.) From my viewpoint, the last words would be uttered when this agreement is ratified by the Czech parliament. Since that moment, the – since this moment, the parliament is the king of the game. Then what the technical solutions, the construction, how it would look like, I am not in position to say this. This is certainly – this is sort of up to the U.S. party as well.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) Now a question for U.S. Press.

QUESTION: Arshad Mohammed of Reuters. Secretary Rice, this morning, or earlier today, you spoke not just about the ballistic missile threat potentially from Iran, but also the potential nuclear threat.

Two questions: One, what do you make of the Iranian response to the P-5+1 last week? Does it open up the possibility for some subset of the P-5+1 to talk to the Iranians even if they have not suspended enrichment? And also, what do you make of the welter of conflicting statements that one has heard from the Iranians in recent days, some conciliatory, some rather bellicose, some suggesting renewed threats toward Israel and other U.S. interests? What do you make of the public and the private? Thank you.

SECRETARY RICE: Well, Arshad, on the second point, far be it for me to try to read internal Iranian politics. I don’t know. There do appear to be many different voices. I hope that the voices that are cautioning reason, that are responding more positively to what is a very generous offer from the P-5+1 – and by the way, that offer, I want to underscore, was made not just by those who have been negotiating with the Iranians, because the other members of the P-5+1, of course, have diplomatic relations, but I want to underscore that I signed that letter because the United States fully stands behind the package that has been offered.

It is a generous package in many ways. It, I think, shows that those in Iran who have been telling the Iranian people that the United States and its allies are trying to prevent Iran from having a civil nuclear program have not been telling the truth. It is quite clear that Iran can have a civil nuclear program. The Russians have a reactor there which we have been supporting. It is just a matter of enrichment and reprocessing in the fuel cycle. So I hope that this proposal, since it has been extensively published in Iran, will demonstrate that the Iranian regime needs to tell its people the truth. This is a generous offer. It even has civil nuclear cooperation as a part of it.

I don’t know about the prospects for negotiation. We have certainly continued to say that the United States stands ready to reverse 20 – now – 9 years of American policy, and to sit at the table with the Iranians and with our allies, if Iran will suspend its enrichment and reprocessing. There are ways that Iran might wish to talk with Javier Solana or others in order to get that suspension to take place. But I did speak with Javier Solana yesterday. He’s in contact with his Iranian counterpart. And it’s our great hope that the Iranians will avail themselves of this opportunity to get on the right side of the international community.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) Next question(inaudible).

QUESTION: Madame Secretary, what hopes to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed shield, given the fact that the interceptors designed for Europe still not tested?

SECRETARY RICE: Well, you rightly note that there are many developmental elements to missile defense that are still being – that are still being developed. Missile defense – we do have some initial capability, for instance, in the United States that we’ve been able to use in circumstances that were threatening to us.

But there is still a long way to go in developing these systems. That is one of the points that we have made even to our Russian colleagues, which is that this is a system that is still being developed. But that very development process, in and of itself, as well as the testing, and we’ve had several successful tests – but that the success – that the testing and the R&D will provide an opportunity for the Czech Republic and the United States, as well as others, to jointly develop those capabilities.

I will say that the radar itself has some benefit as a radar, because the ability to – of naval forces, U.S. Naval Forces, to help protect, for instance, the Czech Republic, or this territory with aegis is certainly made possible through this radar. So in and of itself, the radar has some value.

I look very much forward – a little later on, I’m going to have a chance to talk with members of parliament. It is only fitting that, of course, ratification has to take place. This is a democracy. It is a democracy that has a functioning and essential parliamentary procedure, and so I’m going to be happy to have an opportunity to talk about questions like this and questions like R&D with the parliamentarians as well later on.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) Next question, Washington Times.

QUESTION: Thank you. Nicholas Kralev with Washington Times. Madame Secretary, the Polish Foreign Minister came to see you yesterday, but he also came to see and talk to the two presidential candidates. Given all the questions around this system from a technological point of view, and given the fact that you have very little time left in office, wouldn’t you agree that the next president will have to make the decision about this system? And would you – do you intend to talk to Senators Obama and McCain to make sure that they do support this project?

Thanks.

SECRETARY RICE: Well, of course, the presidential candidates will make up their minds on – on how they wish to address this issue, but – and I’m not going to get involved in the politics here.

But here is the case for missile defense – and by the way, it is already a system that is paying some benefit. I think it is known that at the time of the North Korean missile test, we were able to use certain initial operating capabilities to protect ourselves, had the North Korean missile test resulted in a threat to the United States. It’s hard for me to believe that that’s not a capability that an American president is going to want. We were able to use some of the capabilities when we were all threatened by a satellite that was tumbling to earth with hazardous materials. It is hard for me to believe that that is a capability an American president is not going to want to have.

But most importantly, we face with the Iranians – and so do our allies and friends, a growing missile threat that is getting ever longer and ever deeper, and where the Iranian appetite for nuclear technology as – to this point is still unchecked. And it’s hard for me to believe that an American president is not going to want to have the capability to defend our territory, the territory of our allies, whether they are in Europe or whether they are in the Middle East, against that kind of missile threat.

We are not in 1983, when we all talked about a missile defense shield that would somehow shield the United States from a Soviet first strike. And there were questions at that time about whether or not it contributed to have – to strategic stability to have a first strike capability and then a defensive response. I was an arms controller of the first order. I knew how many warheads danced on the head of an SS-18 as well as anybody. I understood that debate. That is not today’s world.

And so to the degree that this debate about missile defense and U.S. capabilities and the ability to defend our allies, and the kind of agreement that we’ve just signed with the Czech Republic and would hope to sign soon with Poland; to the degree that the Bucharest Summit Declaration clearly states the importance and the need of missile defense; I certainly believe that American president, whoever that is going to be, is going to be listening.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) Ladies and gentlemen, your last question, (inaudible).

QUESTION: (Via interpreter.) Good afternoon, (inaudible). Mr. Minister, I would like to (inaudible) the ratification process. Are you optimistic as to the approval of the agreement by the parliament? And do you have a recipe how to convince Czech members of the parliament to approve the agreement?

FOREIGN MINISTER SCHWARZENBERG: (Via interpreter.) First, I believe in the responsibility of the parliamentarians of Czech Republic. I know there are enough people who perceive this agreement for what it is, as another step of improving the security of the Czech Republic, as I mentioned before, together with the Lisbon treaty. It’s a part of a single vote, single span which constitutes the security policy of Czech Republic. We lean both on Europe and on transatlantic cooperation. And thus, I believe there will be enough members of the parliament who are aware of the responsibility and vote for the agreement.

As to the recipe, I do not believe in them. Every man or woman has to be treated differently. This will depend on whom I am going to meet and how the process will evolve. But there is no cookbook I could (inaudible) and choose a recipe – specific recipe.

MODERATOR: (Via interpreter.) Ladies and gentlemen, the press conference time is over. Thank you for your attention and please do not leave your places before the Secretary and the Minister leave.
2008/T20-3

Statement on the Democrats' Decision to Change Venue on the Last Night of the Convention

Today, Matt Burns, Director of Communications for the 2008 Republican National Convention, released the following statement:

"Not surprisingly, Senator Obama and his fellow Democrats are more focused on stagecraft and theatrics than providing real solutions to the challenges facing our nation. A change of venue for a speech isn't the kind of change the American people deserve or expect - and that's why we're confident the next President of the United States will be nominated at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul."

About the 2008 Republican National Convention: The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from September 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please join our social network sites: www.facebook.com/gopconvention2008, www.myspace.com/gopconvention2008, and www.youtube.com/gopconvention2008.

Image Licensing: I, (Rx StrangeLove) the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible: I (Rx StrangeLove) grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

John McCain 2008 Web Ad: "Colombia Free Trade" VIDEO

John McCain 2008 Web Ad: "Colombia Free Trade"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign released a web video, called "Colombia Free Trade," focusing on John McCain's support for opening markets to American goods and the Colombian Free Trade Agreement that will create jobs here at home.

English transcript For "Colombia Free Trade" (Web :30)

JOHN MCCAIN: To fuel our economy, we must create more jobs for Americans and for our neighbors to the south. With better jobs, more of them will be able to stay in their country.

We can't go back on our word on free trade promises with Mexico, Canada, Central America or anyone else.

We must encourage more trade agreements to create more jobs on both sides of the border; that's why I'm behind the Colombian Free Trade Agreement.

I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

Spanish transcript For "Colombia Free Trade" (Web :30)

JOHN MCCAIN: Para impulsar nuestra economia, tenemos que generar mas empleos para los estadounidenses y tambien para nuestros vecinos del sur. Si tienen mejores oportunidades de trabajo, muchos mas de ellos podran permanecer en su pais.

No podemos romper nuestras promesas sobre el libre comercio, ya sea con Mexico, Canada, Centroamerica o con cualquier otro pais.

Debemos fomentar mas tratados de libre comercio para generar mas empleos en ambos lados de la frontera; por eso yo apoyo el Tratado de Libre Comercio con Colombia.

I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

Move Over Galileo, It's Science 2.0

Ben Shneiderman

In a provocative article in Science Magazine, the University of Maryland's Ben Shneiderman, one of the world's leading researchers and innovators in human-computer interaction, says it's time for the laboratory research that has defined science for the last 400 years to make room for a revolutionary new method of scientific discovery.

He calls it Science 2.0., and it combines the hypothesis based inquiry of laboratory science with the methods of social science research to understand and improve the use of new human networks made possible by today's digital connectivity. Through Science 2.0, the societal potential of such networks can be realized for applications ranging from homeland security to medical care to the environment.

Recently honored by the International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction for his leadership in bringing scientific methods to the study of human use of computers, Shneiderman points to the effect that the World Wide Web and cell phones have had on building human collaborations and influencing society.

"eBay, Amazon, Netflix have already reshaped consumer markets. Web-based political participation and citizen journalism are beginning to change civil society. Online patient-centered medical information has improved health care. MySpace and Facebook encourage casual social networks, but they may soon play more serious roles in emergency disaster response, for instance.

"It's time for researchers in science to take network collaboration like this to the next phase and reap the potential intellectual and societal payoffs. We need to understand the principles that are at work in these systems," said Shneiderman.

Francis Bacon vs. Science 2.0

Four hundred years ago, Francis Bacon promoted the research strategy that has ruled scientific quests ever since, what Shneiderman calls Science 1.0. As Shneiderman describes it, Science 1.0 is "reductionist thinking closely linked to controlled experiments," a method that, while successful in explaining natural phenomena "sometimes diverges from solving practical problems and only occasionally advancing broader goals."

"Science 2.0 is about studying design of rapidly changing socio-technical systems. These studies are not replicable in a lab," said Shneiderman. "You have to study social interactions in the real world. Traditional social scientists have tried to understand these systems by data collection, but more effective Science 2.0 research involves design interventions to rapidly improve e-commerce, online communities, healthcare delivery, and disaster response.

"Science 1.0 remains vital, but this ambitious vision of Science 2.0 will require a shift in priorities to combine computer science with social science sensitivity. It will affect research funding, educational practices and evaluation of research outcomes," Shneiderman says.

911.gov

Shneiderman and a number of colleagues at the University of Maryland are already on the frontier of applying Science 2.0 methods to the computer-based human networks that Shneiderman calls socio-technical systems.

Disaster and emergency response - Shneiderman, Jennifer Preece and several other colleagues are developing 911.gov Community Response Grid , an emergency response system that would rely on the Internet and mobile communication devices to allow citizens to receive and submit information about significant homeland security community problems.

Why do we trust MySpace? - Jennifer Golbeck is using Science 2.0 methods to understand how people come to trust technical communication networks, something that can't be studied in a laboratory, Shneiderman says. Her results can be applied to many applications of social networking including medical care, voting and homeland security.

Why We Respond - Philip Wu looks at motivation for participating in community response through information and communication technologies, and studying average citizens' information needs and behavior when they prepare for, respond to, and recover from large-scale emergencies and disasters.

Science 2.0, How-to - Shneiderman and Catherine Plaisant have developed strategies for creating socio-technical systems case studies, published in May, 2006.

University of Maryland Human Computer Interaction Laboratory - Founded by Shneiderman, the HCIL is on the forefront of studying how humans and technology interact and transforming the experience people have with new technologies. The International Children's Digital Library, comprising thousands of books, representing dozens of cultures and more than 30 languages.

University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) - an interdisciplinary center with faculty from Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Linguistics, Geography, Philosophy, Business, Education, and College of Information Studies that collaborate to enhance interdisciplinary research and education in computing.

Shneiderman is also a member of the National Academies Committee on Technical and Privacy Dimensions of Information for Terrorism Prevention and Other National Goals.

Contact: Lee Tune ltune@umd.edu 301-405-4679 University of Maryland

Freedom Calendar 07/05/08 - 07/12/08

July 5, 1801, Birth of David Farragut, Tennessee-born Hispanic appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as first U.S. Navy Admiral.

July 6, 1854, First state Republican Party officially organized in Jackson, Michigan, to oppose Democrats’ pro-slavery policies.

July 7, 1981, President Ronald Reagan appoints first woman to U.S. Supreme Court, former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; as Republican legislator in Arizona, she was first woman to serve as Majority Leader in any state.

July 8, 1970, In special message to Congress, President Richard Nixon calls for reversal of policy of forced termination of Native American rights and benefits.

July 9, 1955, Republican attorney E. Frederic Morrow becomes first African-American executive in White House; served as advisor to President Dwight Eisenhower.

July 10, 1805, Birth of U.S. Senator Jacob Howard (R-MI), co-author of the 14th Amendment; wrote first state Republican Party platform, condemning Democrats’ pro-slavery policies.

July 11, 1952, Republican Party platform condemns “duplicity and insincerity” of Democrats in racial matters.

July 12, 1974, Republican National Chairman George H. W. Bush establishes Republican National Hispanic Assembly.

"And one thing I can tell, Mr. President, your freedom agenda does, indeed, work. I mean, you can see it in Georgia. We are seeing it in Iraq. And please stay there, please fight there until the end. We will stay with you there, whatever it takes, because your success in Iraq is success for countries like Georgia. It's a success for every individual that loves freedom, every individual that wants security, to live in more secure world for himself, herself or their children. And whatever it takes to help you,"

President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Technorati Tags: President Bush and Freedom Calendar or Dwight Eisenhower and Republicans or African-Americans and Ronald Reagan or President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and Civil Rights or Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass or 40 acres and a mule or Martin Luther King

Presidential Podcast 07/05/08

Presidential Podcast 07/05/08 . 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.

Tags: President Bush and White House radio address

Bush radio address 07/05/08 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 07/05/08 full audio, text transcript. President's Radio Address Independence Day

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 weekend, Americans are celebrating the anniversary of our Nation's independence. Two hundred and thirty-two years ago, our Founding Fathers came together in Philadelphia to proclaim that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The man who wrote those immortal words was Thomas Jefferson. Yesterday, I celebrated the Fourth of July at Monticello, Jefferson's home in Virginia. While there, I witnessed an event that would have made the author of the Declaration of Independence proud. On Monticello's lawn, more than 70 men and women from dozens of countries raised their right hands to take the oath of American citizenship. They swore their allegiance to the Constitution. They promised that they would defend the laws of the United States. And they reminded everyone in attendance that the promise of America is open to all.

These new citizens come from countries as diverse as Burma, Afghanistan, Norway, and Iraq. These new citizens are proof that there is no American race, just an American creed. In the United States, we believe in the rights and dignity of every person. We believe in equal justice, limited government, and the rule of law. And we believe in personal responsibility and tolerance towards others. This creed of freedom and equality has lifted the lives of millions of Americans, whether citizens by birth or citizens by choice.

This creed of freedom has required brave defenders, and every generation of Americans has produced them. From the soldiers who fought for independence at Bunker Hill and Yorktown, to the Americans who broke the chains of slavery, liberated Europe and Asia from tyranny, and brought down an evil empire, the people of this great land have always risen to freedom's defense.

Today, the men and women of America's Armed Forces continue this proud tradition of defending liberty. In places like Afghanistan and Iraq, many risk their lives every day to protect America and uphold the principle that human freedom is the birthright of all people and a gift from the Almighty. These brave Americans make it possible for America to endure as a free society. So on this Fourth of July, we owe all those who wear the uniform of the United States a special debt of gratitude. And we thank their families for supporting them in this crucial time for our Nation.

The Fourth of July is a day when all Americans take a moment to share a collective sense of pride in our country. We live in a Nation founded on the power of an idea, a Nation where opportunity is limited only by imagination, and a Nation that has done more than any other to spread the light of liberty throughout the world. Today, that light shines as brightly as it did in 1776. And with "the protection of Divine Providence" it will continue to shine brightly for generations to come.

Thank you for listening.

END For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 5, 2008

Tags: President Bush and White House radio address

Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 07/05/08

forre el audio de la dirección de radio 07/05/08 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. Este fin de semana, los estadounidenses están celebrando el aniversario de la independencia de nuestra nación. Hace doscientos treinta y dos años, nuestros fundadores se congregaron en Filadelfia para proclamar que todos los hombres son creados iguales y que el Creador les otorga los derechos inalienables a la vida, la libertad y búsqueda de felicidad.

Fue Thomas Jefferson quien escribió esas palabras imperecederas. Ayer, celebré el Cuatro de Julio en Monticello, la residencia de Jefferson en Virginia. Durante mi visita, presencié un acontecimiento que habría llenado de orgullo al autor de la Declaración de Independencia. En el jardín de Monticello, más de 70 hombres y mujeres de decenas de países levantaron la mano de derecha para tomar el juramento de ciudadanía estadounidense. Juraron fidelidad a la Constitución. Prometieron defender las leyes de Estados Unidos. Y nos recordaron a todos los allí presentes que la promesa de Estados Unidos está al alcance de todos.

Estos nuevos ciudadanos provienen de países muy diversos, entre ellos Birmania, Noruega e Iraq. Estos nuevos ciudadanos son prueba de que no existe una raza estadounidense, sino un credo estadounidense. En Estados Unidos, creemos en los derechos y la dignidad de cada persona. Creemos en la imparcialidad de la justicia, un gobierno limitado y el imperio de la ley. Y creemos en la responsabilidad personal y la tolerancia hacia los demás. Este credo de libertad y equidad ha enaltecido la vida de millones de estadounidenses, sean ciudadanos por nacimiento o por elección propia.

Este credo de libertad ha requerido de defensores valientes. Y provienen de cada generación de estadounidenses: desde los soldados que lucharon por la independencia en Bunker Hill y Yorktown, hasta los estadounidenses que rompieron las cadenas de la esclavitud... liberaron Europa y Asia de la tiranía... y derrocaron el Imperio del Mal. Los pobladores de este gran país siempre se han ofrecido a defender la libertad.

Hoy en día, los hombres y mujeres de las fuerzas armadas de Estados Unidos continúan esta orgullosa tradición de defender la libertad. En lugares como Afganistán e Iraq, muchos arriesgan la vida todos los días para proteger a Estados Unidos y defender el principio de que la libertad humana es el derecho natural de todas las personas y un don otorgado por el Todopoderoso. Estos valientes estadounidenses hacen posible que Estados Unidos continúe siendo una sociedad libre. Por lo tanto, este Cuatro de Julio, tenemos una deuda especial de gratitud con todos los que llevan el uniforme de Estados Unidos. Y les damos las gracias a sus familias por apoyarlos en este momento crucial para nuestra nación.

El Cuatro de Julio es un día en que todos los estadounidenses hacen una pausa para compartir el orgullo colectivo por nuestro país. Vivimos en una nación fundada por el poder de una idea... una nación donde sólo la imaginación es el límite para las oportunidades... y una nación que ha hecho más que cualquier otra por propagar la luz de la libertad por todo el mundo. Hoy, esa luz brilla tan esplendorosamente como lo hizo en 1776. Y con "la protección de la Providencia Divina" continuará brillando esplendorosamente durante muchas generaciones.

Gracias por escuchar.

Para su publicación inmediata Oficina del Secretario de Prensa 5 de julio de 2008

Etiquetas De Technorati: Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación, y Presidente Bush

Steve Schmidt Biography

"he has the ability to think seven moves ahead of the other campaign."

Republican National Committee Chair Ken Mehlman

President George W. Bush shakes hands with Judge Samuel A. Alito in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, after the Senate voted to confirm Judge Alito as the 110th Justice of the Supreme Court. Looking on, from left, are: Harriet Miers, Counsel to the President; Bill Kelley, Deputy Counsel to the President; Steve Schmidt, Deputy Assistant to the President and former Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.). At right are Mrs. Martha Ann Alito and Ed Gillespie. White House photo by Eric Draper

Steve Schmidt 37, Joined Supporters Of Senator McCain In 2008 on December 21, 2006. Mr. Schmit previously served at the White House as Deputy Assistant to the President and Counselor to the Vice President. During his tenure at the White House, Schmidt played a leading role in the confirmations of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. In 2004 Schmidt helped to direct the daily message and response operation for the President's re-election campaign and was also a member of the campaign's senior strategic planning group. Schmidt has also served as the communications director of the National Republican Congressional Committee and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Steve worked as the campaign manager for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's successful 2006 re-election bid and joined Senator John McCain's presidential exploratory committee on December 21, 2006. (Contact: Danny Diaz, John McCain 2008 703-418-2008) and had worked for the 1998 campaign of U.S. Senate candidate Matt Fong.

Steve is a native of North Plainfield, N.J., the son of a school teacher and a business executive. His first campaign was handing out materials for Democrat Bill Bradley's 1978 Senate campaign. He and his wife Angela, a former Navy nurse, have two children 4 1/2 and 2.

PJM's Bill Bradley interviews John McCain campaign strategist Steve Schmidt

SOURCES:

• Steve Schmidt Joins Supporters Of Senator McCain In 2008
• Governor's team adds former Rove protege
• President Congratulates Judge Alito on Senate Confirmation

John McCain 2008 Web Ad: "Words" VIDEO

John McCain 2008 Web Ad: "Words"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign web video, called "Words," focusing on Barack Obama breaking his pledge to the American people that he would accept public financing.

Script For "Words" (Web :48)

BARACK OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."

BARACK OBAMA (6/29/06): "I strongly support public financing."

BARACK OBAMA (2/26/08): "I will sit down with John McCain and make sure that we have a system that works for everybody."

BARACK OBAMA (4/27/08): "I have promised that I will sit down with John McCain and talk about can we preserve a public system."

BARACK OBAMA (6/19/08): "We've made the decision not to participate in the public-financing system for the general election."

CHYRON: "Mr. Obama is breaking his word." (The Washington Times, 6/20/08)

BARACK OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."

CHYRON: "His decision deals a body blow to his own reputation as a reform candidate." (The Boston Globe, 6/20/08)

BARACK OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."

CHYRON: "Opportunistic and cynical." (New Hampshire Union Leader, 6/20/08)

BARACK OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."

CHYRON: "A large and telling Obama flip-flop." (The Wall Street Journal, 6/20/08)

BARACK OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."

CHYRON: "As disappointing as it is disingenuous." (The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/20/08)

CHYRON: CHANGE That Works For Him: Breaking His Word

AD FACTS: "Words" Web Ad

BARACK OBAMA (2/16/08): "Don't tell me words don't matter."

* Barack Obama: "Don't tell me words don't matter." (Barack Obama, Remarks, Milwaukee, WI, 2/16/08)

BARACK OBAMA (6/29/06): "I strongly support public financing."

* Barack Obama Says "I Strongly Support Public Financing." OBAMA: "Well, I strongly support public financing. And I know [Senator] Dick [Durbin] does too. He's going to have some things to say about it because when we were having - as you'll recall - the major debates around lobbying reform, one of the things that Dick, I think, properly pointed out was that you can change the rules on lobbying here in Washington, but if we're still getting financed primarily from individual contributions, that those with the most money are still going to have the most influence." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Constituents Breakfast, 6/29/06)

BARACK OBAMA (2/26/08): " I will sit down with John McCain and make sure that we have a system that works for everybody

* Barack Obama Says "I Will Sit Down With John McCain" To Address Public Financing. NBC'S TIM RUSSERT: "So you may opt out of public financing. You may break your word." BARACK OBAMA: "What I -- what I have said is, at the point where I'm the nominee, at the point where it's appropriate, I will sit down with John McCain and make sure that we have a system that works for everybody." (Democratic Presidential Debate, Cleveland, OH, 2/26/08)

BARACK OBAMA (4/27/08): "I have promised that I will sit down with John McCain and talk about can we preserve a public system."

* Barack Obama Says "I Have Promised That I Will Sit Down With John McCain And Talk About Can We Preserve A Public System." FOX NEWS' CHRIS WALLACE:" Wall Street Journal says that you are prepared to run the first privately financed campaign, presidential campaign, since Watergate. True?" OBAMA: Well, look. We've done a wonderful job raising money from the grassroots. I'm very proud of the fact that in March -- in February, for example, 90 percent of our donations came over the Internet. Our average donation is $96, and we've done an amazing job, I think, mobilizing people to finance our campaigns in small increments. I have promised that I will sit down with John McCain and talk about can we preserve a public system, as long as we are taking into account third party independent expenditures. Because what I don't intend to do --" (Fox News' "Fox News Sunday," 4/27/08)

BARACK OBAMA (6/19/08): "We've made the decision not to participate in the public-financing system for the general election."

* Barack Obama: "We've made the decision not to participate in the public-financing system for the general election. This means we'll be forgoing more than $80 million in public funds during the final months of this election." (Barack Obama, Web Video, 6/19/08)

CHYRON: "Mr. Obama is breaking his word." (The Washington Times, 6/20/08)

* The Washington Times: "Mr. Obama Is Breaking His Word And Is Altering His Principles According To What Is Expedient." (Editorial, "Obama Reneges," The Washington Times, 6/20/08)

CHYRON: "His decision deals a body blow to his own reputation as a reform candidate." (The Boston Globe, 6/20/08)

* Boston Globe: "His Decision Deals A Body Blow To His Own Reputation As A Reform Candidate." "Obama will be the first major party candidate since Watergate to reject public financing in the general election, instead relying on his base of more than 1.5 million donors for a war chest that could easily double or triple the $84.1 he would get in public financing. His decision deals a body blow both to the system of campaign finance and to his own reputation as a reform candidate." (Editorial, "Obama Opts Out Of Reform," The Boston Globe, 6/20/08)

CHYRON: "Opportunistic and cynical." (New Hampshire Union Leader, 6/20/08)

* New Hampshire Union Leader: "Obama's Decision Is Entirely Opportunistic And Cynical." "Of course, Obama's decision is entirely opportunistic and cynical. He claims he still believes in public financing, but that the current system, which he has championed all these years, he now thinks is so flawed that he cannot participate in it." (Editorial, "Obama's Financing: Private Beats Public," New Hampshire Union Leader, 6/20/08)

CHYRON: "A large and telling Obama flip-flop." (The Wall Street Journal, 6/20/08)

* The Wall Street Journal: "The Fact Remains That The Decision Is A Large And Telling Obama Flip-Flop." "Is this the tone of the new postpartisan Obama era? One may wonder. The fact remains that the decision is a large and telling Obama flip-flop. He said early on that he would accept public financing for the general campaign, which runs between the conventions and November's vote. But this was back when he couldn't be sure he would be able to raise so much money by nonpublic means, or what he has since called his 'parallel' public financing system." (Editorial, "A Reformer's Progress," The Wall Street Journal, 6/20/08)

CHYRON: "As disappointing as it is disingenuous." (The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/20/08)

* Philadelphia Inquirer: "Barack Obama's Decision To Turn Down Public Financing For The General Election Is A Disappointing As It Is Disingenuous." "Barack Obama's decision to turn down public financing for the general election is as disappointing as it is disingenuous. The presumptive Democratic nominee for president pledged last year that he would accept public financing and its accompanying spending limits in the general election if his Republican foe did the same. But now that Obama is a fund-raising sensation on the Internet, he's breaking his pledge." (Editorial, "Public Campaign Financing," The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/20/08)

John McCain 2008 Web Ad: "Dr. No" VIDEO

John McCain 2008 Web Ad: "Dr. No"

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign released a web video, called "Dr. No," focusing on Barack Obama's opposition to providing the American people with short-term, near-term and long-term relief from higher energy prices.

Script For "Dr. No" (Web :40)

CHYRON: Barack Obama Is Dr. No.

No To Drilling Offshore Oil.

BARACK OBAMA: Offshore drilling would not lower gas prices today.

CHYRON: No To A Gas Tax Holiday.

BARACK OBAMA: I think John McCain's proposal for a three month tax holiday is a bad idea.

CHYRON: No To Innovation. No To The Electric Car.

BARACK OBAMA: In this campaign, John McCain is offering the same old gimmicks.

CHYRON: No To Clean, Safe, Nuclear Energy.

BARACK OBAMA: I start off with the premise that nuclear energy is not optimal. I am not a nuclear energy proponent.

CHYRON: Barack Obama Truly Is The Dr. No Of Energy Security.

Paid for by John McCain 2008.

Ad Facts For "Dr. No" (Web :40)

BARACK OBAMA: Offshore drilling would not lower gas prices today.

* Barack Obama Opposes Lifting The Ban On Offshore Drilling. Obama: "The politics may have changed, but the facts haven't. The accuracy of Sen. McCain's original position has not changed: Offshore drilling would not lower gas prices today, it would not lower gas prices next year and it would not lower gas prices five years from now." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Press Availability, Jacksonville, FL, 6/20/08)


BARACK OBAMA: I think John McCain's proposal for a three month tax holiday is a bad idea.

* Barack Obama Opposes Immediate Gas Tax Relief For American Families. Obama: "I think John McCain's proposal for a three month tax holiday is a bad idea." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Campaign Event, Blue Bell, PA, 4/21/08)

BARACK OBAMA: In this campaign, John McCain is offering the same old gimmicks.

* Barack Obama Called John McCain's $300 Million Prize For A Better Battery A "Gimmick." Obama: "In this campaign, John McCain is offering the same old gimmicks that will provide almost no short-term relief to folks who are struggling with high gas prices. Gimmicks that will only increase our addiction for another four years." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Campaign Event, Las Vegas, NV, 6/24/08)

BARACK OBAMA: I start off with the premise that nuclear energy is not optimal. I am not a nuclear energy proponent.

* Barack Obama: "I start off with the premise that nuclear energy is not optimal. I am not a nuclear energy proponent." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Town Hall Event, Newton, IA, 12/30/07)

President Bush Discusses 2008 G8 Summit VIDEO

President George W. Bush addresses the media Wednesday, July 2, 2008, as he delivers a statement in the Rose Garden regarding the upcoming 2008 G8 Summit in Japan. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

President Bush Discusses 2008 G8 Summit Rose Garden 10:31 A.M. EDT.FULL STREAMING VIDEO THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Next week I'm going to travel to Japan for the eighth and final G8 summit of my presidency. At recent summits, G8 countries have made pledges to help developing nations address challenges, from health care to education, to corruption. Now we need to show the world that the G8 can be accountable for its promises and deliver results.

As I said the other day, we need people who not only make promises, but write checks, for the sake of human rights and human dignity, and for the sake of peace.

Accountability is really important when it comes to our work on the continent of Africa. In 2005, G8 leaders promised to double development assistance to Africa by 2010. America is on track to meet our commitments. And in Japan, I'll urge other leaders to fulfill their commitments, as well.

We must also fulfill our commitments in the battle against HIV/AIDS and malaria. I've asked Congress to reauthorize and expand the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, doubling our funding for this vital effort. It's very important that Congress reauthorize this plan, but in the meantime, we're fulfilling our promises that we made, not only to -- at the G8, but more importantly, to the people of -- on the continent of Africa.

It's important that over the next five years that we support antiretroviral treatment for approximately 2.5 million people, that we prevent 12 million new AIDS infections, and that we care for 12 million people also affected by HIV/AIDS -- including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children. Last year, the G8 agreed to meet those commitments; they agreed to match. They also agreed to help us reduce malaria in affected countries by half. And I just -- I hope that these countries understand the great promise and hope that comes when we help alleviate this suffering. And so one of my really important agenda items is going to -- is going to rally our partners to make commitments and meet commitments.

We'll also discuss additional steps to confront some other challenges, such as the need to train health care workers in G8 partner countries in Africa. It's one thing to say we're going to help people with their -- deal with disease, but a lot of these countries need workers that are capable of helping, of reaching out to people in need. We should set a goal to treat at least 75 percent of the people with neglected tropical diseases in the most affected countries. We've got to work to confront higher food prices. I'm confident we'll be talking about energy and food.

On the food issue, I've announced that the United States would make available nearly $1 billion in new resources to bolster global food security. Once again I'll be going to the G8 and talking about the great compassion and concern of the American people in addressing problems.

At Toyako I'll also ask leaders of the G8 to make other important strategic moves to alleviate hunger, such as increasing the shipments of food, fertilizers and seeds to countries in need. It's one thing to talk about the problem; this is a practical way to help countries deal with the lack of food.

We need to help severely affected nations grow more of their own food. It's one thing to provide food; it seems like -- it make sense to me to say, we're going to help you become more agriculturally self-sustaining. This has been a issue in the United States Congress, by the way. Unfortunately, we tried to get this in the farm bill. Our members of Congress decided against this plan, this way forward. But it makes sense for the United States if we're going to be providing food aid to encourage people to grow their own food so we don't have to deal with this problem on a regular basis.

I'm also going to make sure that the world understands the importance of advanced agricultural technologies, including biotechnology, to help nations grow food so they don't have to come to the world for help. We'll also be talking about export restrictions and tariffs and subsidies. We will work to tear down barriers to trade and investment around the world. It's an opportunity for those of us in the G8 and the other nations coming to talk about a successful round of Doha. The United States is firmly committed to Doha. We're working hard to get this done by the end of the year, and it will be a good opportunity in Japan to discuss what we need to do together to open up market access and to reduce agricultural subsidies.

We'll be talking about energy security and, of course, at the same time, the climate change issue. I'll be reminding people that we can have better energy security and we can be better stewards of the environment without sacrificing economic growth.

And the principle is pretty simple. It's going to be hard to have the amount of money necessary to invest in new technologies if we don't have the money to spend, and therefore we need to make sure our economies are vibrant.

We're now implementing new mandatory programs that will reduce billions of tons of emissions. I'll remind people at the G8 and other nations that we're taking effective steps. We're going to make available more than $40 billion in loan-guarantee authority to support private sector incentives and innovative clean energy technologies.

The 2009 budget requests more than $4 billion to support technologies that have the potential to avoid, reduce and sequester greenhouse gases. In other words, we've got a strong agenda when it comes to providing money to encourage the advent of new technologies. And as well, we'll be meeting with leaders of the major economies to discuss shared strategies and practical actions for addressing greenhouse gas emissions. This is called the Major Economies Process that we proposed and G8 leaders endorsed.

All this is aiming, by the way, to develop a strategy in which major economies are a part of the strategy. Look, we can't have an effective agreement unless China and India are a part of it. It's as simple as that. I'm going to remind our partners that's the case. And we want the United Nations Framework Convention to be effective. And so we've got to reach common ground on how to proceed.

And we're making some progress there, including the knowledge that we've got to have a long-term emissions reduction goal, midterm goals with national plans to achieve them, and cooperation in key industrial sectors.

And also we're going to talk about the struggle against violent extremists. The temptation is to kind of say, well, maybe this isn't really a war, maybe this is just a bunch of disgruntled folks that occasionally come and hurt us. You know, that's not the way I feel about it. This is an ongoing, constant struggle to defend our own security, and at the same time, help people realize the blessings of liberty. I'll, of course, talk about Afghanistan and Iraq, and ask the G8 to continue to help.

So this is an historic opportunity to meet, to exchange ideas, and to address some of the problems we all face. And I'm looking forward to going. And now I'll be glad to answer a couple of questions.

Deb.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. June was the deadliest month for U.S. troops in -- since we began the war in Afghanistan. Has Afghanistan replaced Iraq as the central front of the war on terror? And is al Qaeda and the Taliban taking the upper hand? And also, is it possible that we could send additional U.S. troops there sooner than the 2009 date that you've been talking about?

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, anytime a troop loses their life, whether it be in Afghanistan, Iraq, or elsewhere, our hearts go out to their families. And I am so appreciative that, in a time of danger, Americans are willing to step up and volunteer and sacrifice.

Secondly, it has been a tough month in Afghanistan, but it's also been a tough month for the Taliban. You know, one reason why there have been more deaths is because our troops are taking the fight to a tough enemy, an enemy who doesn't like our presence there because they don't like the idea of America denying safe haven. America is pressing an ideology that's opposite of theirs, and so, of course, there's going to be resistance.

I am confident that the strategy is going to work, which is to confront the Taliban, confront elements of al Qaeda, and at the same time, encourage the growth of a free society by good economic policy, good education policy, and good health policy.

We're constantly reviewing troop needs, troop levels. We're halfway through 2008; as I said, we're going to increase troops by 2009. One thing, however, that you got to understand is that we have doubled Afghan troops -- coalition troops have doubled from two years ago. So there is an active presence and there are more troops there than there were. But we're constantly reassessing and seeing whether or not we can change tactics in order to achieve our objective.

Toby.

Q What do you realistically expect to accomplish at the G8 to deal with soaring oil prices and the weak dollar, which are having effects on the U.S. economy? Even the Chinese now are saying that the United States needs to stabilize the dollar.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Well, we're strong-dollar people in this administration and have always been for a strong dollar, and believe that the relative strengths of our economy will reflect that. One thing we need to make clear when I'm with our partners is that we're not going to become protectionists; that we believe in free trade and open markets. One of the fears around the world is the United States becomes a protectionist nation.

Secondly, I'll remind people it took us a while to get into the energy situation we're in and it's going to take us a while to get out of it. But one thing is for certain here in the United States, that we can help alleviate shortages by drilling for oil and gas in our own country -- something I've been advocating ever since I've been the President. I've been reminding our people that we can do so in environmentally friendly ways. And yet, the Congress, the Democratically controlled Congress now has refused to budge. It makes no sense for -- to watch these gasoline prices rise when we know we can help affect the supply of crude oil, which should affect the supply of gasoline prices.

And so, yes, we'll be talking about energy. Ultimately, of course, we're going to transition away from hydrocarbon. But we're now just in a transitional period and we need more oil to be able to do so. And I'm also going to remind people that our habits are changing. You notice in these newspapers that automobile sales have slowed down dramatically as automobile manufacturers shift from cars that are using more gasoline to cars that are more efficient, more fuel efficient.

And I'll also tell them it's a tough period for American consumers. I mean, nobody likes high gasoline prices, and I fully understand why Americans are concerned about gasoline prices. But I want them to understand fully that we have got the opportunity to find more crude oil here at home, in environmentally friendly ways, and they ought to be writing their Congress people about it; and they ought to say, you ought to be opening up ANWR and Outer Continental Shelf, and increasing oil shale exploration, for the sake of our consumers, as well as become less dependent on oil.

McKinnon.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Can you tell me what is the outlook for getting an agreement with the emerging economies that will limit emissions in a meaningful way in the midterm? What's the outlook for that, and how --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, well, the first thing, John, is to make sure we get a understanding that all of us need to agree on a long-term goal. And part of the reluctance has been -- on some nations that are major economies -- to participate at all, because initially, I'm confident, they thought they were going to get a free pass from any international agreement. I mean, after all, the Kyoto international agreement excluded major economies. And therefore, they probably think, well, maybe history will repeat itself.

The idea is to say, look, we want to be effective. Effectiveness comes when major economies come to the table. The first step is to agree to a long-term goal. And I've talked to our sherpa about that, and he feels pretty good that people are now coming to the clear understanding that we're going to have to come to a long-term goal. Hopefully we can do it at this meeting. If not, we'll continue to press forward to get it done.

Secondly, one of the -- a lot of the developing world says, well, it's unfair; the developed world gets to develop and we don't. Well, our attitude about that is, why don't we set up a technology fund; make it easier for people to be able to afford the new technologies that nations like ours and others will bring to the marketplace.

Thirdly, if you really do want to make sure technologies move around the world, we got to reduce these trade barriers and tariffs that prohibit technologies from moving like they should.

And so we'll see, John. I mean, this is a tough issue. It's tough to get consensus. People -- there's a consensus that it's a problem, but it's tough to get a consensus that all of us have a responsibility to do something about it -- not just some, but all of us, so that whatever we do is effective.

Bret Baier.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. There have been a spate of recent stories about possible military action against Iran before the end of the year, if not by the U.S. than by Israel. And that prompted Iranian officials to say, if they're attacked they'll essentially shut down the Strait of Hormuz. One, how confident are you that Israel will not act independently as the diplomatic process moves forward? And two, what do you make of the mixed messages out of Iran -- one of defiance and one of willingness to negotiate?

THE PRESIDENT: I have always said that all options are on the table, but the first option for the United States is to solve this problem diplomatically. I've also make it clear -- made it clear that you can't solve a problem diplomatically unless there are other people at the table with you. And that is why we have been pursuing multilateral diplomacy when it comes to convincing the Iranians that the free world is sincere about, you know, insisting that they not have the technologies necessary to develop a nuclear weapon.

And we're making progress along those lines. There's been the numerous Security Council resolutions, and in my recent trip to Europe I was very encouraged to see these leaders stand up and speak out about the need to keep our coalition active and keep the pressure on.

I will talk to Martha Raddatz.

Q Let me follow up on that. Would you strongly discourage Israel from going after Iran militarily? And do you believe when you leave office Iran will be pursuing a nuclear weapon?

THE PRESIDENT: I have made it very clear to all parties that the first option ought to be to solve this problem diplomatically. And the best way to solve it diplomatically is for the United States to work with other nations to send a focused message, and that is, that you will be isolated and you will have economic hardship if you continue trying to enrich.

As you might remember, I worked closely with Vladimir Putin on this issue, when I said that -- when asked at one of these innumerable press conferences, did you -- do you think they ought to have a civilian nuclear program, I said, of course, they should, but they can't be trusted to enrich.

And therefore, I agree with Russia that Russia -- when Russia said she will provide enriched uranium for a civilian nuclear power program and will collect the enriched uranium, thereby negating the need for the Iranian regime to enrich at all.

And so we will continue working diplomatically.

Listen, thank you very much. I've enjoyed being with you. I hope you've enjoyed being with me. You have? Thank you.

END 10:48 A.M. EDT For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 2, 2008

Robert T. Hastings jr. Biography

The President intends to nominate Robert Hastings, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). Mr. Hastings currently serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). Prior to this, he served as Vice President of Corporate Communications at BAE Systems, Inc. Earlier in his career, he served as a Major in the United States Army. Mr. Hastings received his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland.

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 1, 2008

Robert Hastings was appointed Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs on 10 March, 2008. He serves as staff advisor and assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense for public information, internal information, and community relations as well as information training and audiovisual matters in support of DoD activities, leading a worldwide public affairs community of some 3,800 military and civilian personnel.

Mr. Hastings is a former U.S. Army officer with more than 20 years experience working at senior levels within the Army and in assignments for the White House and the State Department. As a Master Army Aviator and Public Affairs Officer, His assignments included command of an Apache-equipped Air Cavalry Troop and a Blackhawk-equipped Air Assault Company, as well as Public Affairs duties in Germany, Eastern Europe, Iraq, and Bosnia. He is a distinguished graduate and former instructor with the Defense Information School Public Affairs Officer Course.

Following retirement from the Army in 1999, Mr. Hastings was appointed and served as Chief of Staff and Vice President, Communications for BAE Systems, Inc. in 2001, a $15 billion defense and aerospace company employing more than 50,000 employees in the U.S., U.K., Sweden, Israel and South Africa. He previously served as Director, Corporate Communications for BAE Systems North America and Director, Communications for Marconi North America. His responsibilities included strategic planning, public affairs, media relations, marketing communications, employee communications, community affairs and the company’s philanthropic activities.

Mr. Hastings is active in numerous community and professional associations, and has served on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations. He is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), an accredited member (APR) of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and serves as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communications and as the professional advisor for the Public Relations Student Society at Hood College. He is a winner of PRSA’s Silver Anvil Award of Excellence and IABC’s Gold Quill Award for Excellence in Communications Management.

A native of Ocean City, Maryland, Mr. Hastings earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Government Studies and History from the University of Maryland in Heidelberg, Germany, and has completed executive studies at the Wharton School of Business and the University of Michigan. He is also a graduate of BAE Systems’ Strategic Leaders Program, and served on the company’s Communications, Government Relations and Human Resources Councils.

Mr. Hastings and his wife Leigh reside in suburban Maryland and have two college-age children.

President Bush Signs H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 VIDEO PODCAST

President George W. Bush delivers a brief statement Monday, June 30, 2008, at the White House after signing H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008. With him from left are: Deputy U.S. Secretary of State John Negroponte, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Veterans' Affairs James Peake and John Walters, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The war supplemental spending package includes nearly $162 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, increased education benefits for veterans, and an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

President Bush Signs H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 FULL STREAMING VIDEO Oval Office 9:48 A.M. EDT. PODCAST OF THE ARTICLE THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. A few moments ago I signed legislation that funds our troops who are in harm's way. Our nation has no greater responsibility than supporting our men and women in uniform -- especially since we're at war. This is a responsibility all of us in Washington share -- not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans. And I want to thank leaders of the House and Senate for getting this bill to my office. America remains a nation at war. There are enemies who intend to harm us. Standing in their way are brave men and women, who put on the uniform, who raise their right hand, and took an oath to defend our freedom.

They volunteered to deploy in distant lands, far from their families, far from their homes, and far from comfort of America. And every day, they risk their lives to defeat our adversaries and to keep our country safe.

We owe these brave Americans our gratitude. We owe them our unflinching support. And the best way to demonstrate that support is to give them the resources they need to do their jobs and to prevail. The bill I sign today does exactly that. It provides necessary funds to support our troops as they conduct military operations in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and in other theaters in the war on terror.

I appreciate that Republicans and Democrats in Congress agreed to provide these vital funds without tying the hands of our commanders, and without an artificial timetable of withdrawal from Iraq. Our troops have driven the terrorists and extremists from many strongholds in Iraq; today violence is at the lowest level since March of 2004. As a result of this progress, some of our troops are coming home as result of our policy called "return on success." We welcome them home. And with this legislation we send a clear message to all that are servings [sic] on the front line that our nation continues to support them.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to our nation's military families. They endure sleepless nights, and the daily struggle of caring for children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them. So I'm pleased that the bill I sign today includes an expansion of the GI Bill. This legislation will make it easier for our troops to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses and children. It will help us to recruit and reward the best military on the face of the Earth. It will help us to meet our responsibilities to those who support our troops every day -- America's great military families.

The bill also includes agreed-upon funding for other critical national priorities. This bill includes $465 million for the Merida Initiative -- a partnership with Mexico and nations in Central America to crack down on violent drug trafficking gangs. The bill includes nearly $2.7 billion to help ensure that any state facing a disaster like the recent flooding and tornadoes in the Midwest has access to needed resources. This bill includes a measured expansion of unemployment insurance benefits with a reasonable work requirement. And this bill holds overall discretionary spending within the sensible limits that I requested.

The bill is a result of close collaboration between my administration and members of both parties on Capitol Hill. I appreciate the hard work of my Cabinet -- especially the leaders of Defense and State, and Veterans Affairs, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, as well as OMB. I want to thank House and Senate leadership and leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. I am particularly grateful to Congressmen Boehner, Hoyer, Obey, and Lewis. And I want to thank members who worked hard for the GI Bill expansion -- especially Senators Webb and Warner, Graham, Burr, and McCain.

This bill shows the American people that even in an election year, Republicans and Democrats can come together to stand behind our troops and their families.

Thank you for coming.

END 9:53 A.M. EDT For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, June 30, 2008

'Internet predator' stereotypes debunked

Internet offenders target teens, not young children -- rarely use force, abduction or deception

WASHINGTON— Contrary to stereotype, most Internet sex offenders are not adults who target young children by posing as another youth, luring children to meetings, and then abducting or forcibly raping them, according to researchers who have studied the nature of Internet-initiated sex crimes.

Rather, most online sex offenders are adults who target teens and seduce victims into sexual relationships. They take time to develop the trust and confidence of victims, so that the youth see these relationships as romances or sexual adventures. The youth most vulnerable to online sex offenders have histories of sexual or physical abuse, family problems, and tendencies to take risks both on- and offline, the researchers say.

In short, the researchers draw a clearer picture about adults who troll the Internet for sex with minors in the study, “Online ‘Predators’ and Their Victims: Myths, Realities and Implications for Prevention,” published in the February/March issue of American Psychologist. The journal is published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

The study was based on three surveys—two comprising telephone interviews of a combined 3,000 Internet users between the ages of 10 and 17; first in 2000 and again in 2005; and one involving 612 interviews with federal, state and local law enforcement officials in the United States between October 2001 and July 2002. These studies were conducted by the authors, Janis Wolak, JD, David Finkelhor, PhD, Kimberly Mitchell, PhD and Michele Ybarra, PhD, at the Crimes against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire.

“To prevent these crimes, we need accurate information about their true dynamics,” said Janis Wolak, lead author of the study. “The things that we hear and fear and the things that actually occur may not be the same. The newness of the environment makes it hard to see where the danger is.”

For example, in spite of public concern, the authors found that adolescents’ use of popular social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook do not appear to increase their risk of being victimized by online predators. Rather, it is risky online interactions such as talking online about sex to unknown people that increases vulnerability, according to the researchers.

“Most Internet-initiated sex crimes involve adult men who are open about their interest in sex,” Wolak said. “The offenders use instant messages, e-mail and chat rooms to meet and develop intimate relationships with their victims. In most of the cases, the victims are aware that they are talking online with adults.”

“A majority of the offenders are charged with crimes such as statutory rape, that involve non-forcible sexual activity with adolescent victims who are too young to consent to sexual intercourse with adults,” she added.

Current educational efforts that are focused on discouraging children from giving out or posting personal information, warning about deception online, and urging parents to monitor their children may not be effective, according to the authors.

Wolak and her colleagues say more effort should be directed at helping teens appreciate the drawbacks and inappropriateness of romantic relationships with adults. These efforts should include frank discussions of the dynamics of Internet-initiated sex crimes. Since many of the victims do not have good relationships with parents, ways to reach vulnerable teens directly, through sources they find credible, need to be found.

Among the study’s other findings:

* Internet offenders pretended to be teenagers in only 5 percent of the crimes studied by researchers.

* Nearly 75 percent of victims who met offenders face-to-face did so more than once.

* Online sex offenders are seldom violent, and cases involving stalking or abduction are very rare.

* Youth who engaged in four or more risky online behaviors were much more likely to report receiving online sexual solicitations. The online risky behaviors included maintaining buddy lists that included strangers, discussing sex online with people they did not know in person and being rude or nasty online.

* Boys who are gay or are questioning their sexuality may be more susceptible to Internet-initiated sex crimes than other populations. Researchers found boys were the victims in nearly one-quarter of criminal cases, and most cases included facts that suggested victims were gay or questioning their sexuality. ###

STUDY: Online “Predators” and Their Victims: Myths, Realities, and Implications for Prevention and Treatment, Janis Wolak, PhD, David Finkelhor, PhD and Kimberley J. Mitchell, PhD Crimes Against Children Center at the University of New Hampshire and Michelle L. Ybarra, PhD, Internet Solutions for Kids, Inc., American Psychologist, Vol. 63, No.2 .

LINKS

• Full text of the article is available from the APA Public Affairs office in PDF fotmat. apa.org/journals/releases/
• Janis Wolak, Research Assistant Professor, can be reached at (603) 285-5841 or by email at janis.wolak@unh.edu
• Co-author David Finkelhor, Director of the Crimes against Children Research Center, can be reached at (603)767-1010 or by email at david.finkelhor@unh.edu
• Co-author Kimberly Mitchell, Research Assistant Professor can be reached at 603-862-4533 or by email at kimberly.mitchell@unh.edu

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 148,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.

Contact: Kim Mills kmills@apa.org 202-336-6048 American Psychological Association

Freedom Calendar 06/28/08 - 07/05/08

June 28, 1864, Republican majority in Congress repeals Fugitive Slave Acts.

June 29, 1982, President Ronald Reagan signs 25-year extension of 1965 Voting Rights Act.

June 30, 1910, Estelle Reel (R-WY), first woman in nation elected to statewide office and first woman confirmed by U.S. Senate to a federal post, retires after 12 years as U.S. Superintendent of Indian Schools.

July 1, 1991, President George H. W. Bush appoints Clarence Thomas to U.S.Supreme Court; previously served on U.S. Court of Appeals and as Chairman of U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

July 2, 1862, U.S. Rep. Justin Morrill (R-VT) wins passage of Land Grant Act, establishing colleges open to African-Americans, including such students as George Washington Carver.

July 3, 1986. At ceremony rededicating the Statue of Liberty, President Ronald Reagan honors immigrants from all nations who come “to build a new world of peace and freedom and hope”.

July 4, 1867, Republican Party is established in Georgia with racially-integrated state convention.

July 5, 1801, Birth of David Farragut, Tennessee-born Hispanic appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as first U.S. Navy Admiral.

“No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

From section 1 of the 14th Amendment, written in 1866 by Rep. John Bingham (R-OH), one of the founders of the Republican Party.

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