2008 Republican National Convention Announces Convention Program Block Schedule

Maria Cino

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Maria Cino, Chief Executive Officer and President for the 2008 Republican National Convention, today announced the program block schedule for the upcoming Republican National Convention. The program blocks are as follows:

Monday, September 1: 2:30 - 10:00 p.m. CDT*
Tuesday, September 2: 6:20 - 10:05 p.m. CDT
Wednesday, September 3: 6:20 - 11:20 p.m. CDT
Thursday, September 4: 6:20 - 10:15 p.m. CDT
*Note: there will be a 30-minute break at 6:30 p.m. CDT

"We are pleased to announce the official block schedule for the 2008 Republican National Convention and are confident this year’s compelling program will be one of the most exciting in GOP convention history," said Cino. "The convention will showcase Sen. John McCain and his vision for America to the 45,000 convention participants joining us from around the country and the millions more participating from home."

About the Republican National Convention - The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 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 on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube

60th Anniversary of the Integration of the United States Armed Forces

President George W. Bush is joined by members of the Tuskegee Airmen, Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen, center-background, and Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake, right, as he signs a Presidential Proclamation in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Armed Forces Integration, Wednesday, July 23, 2008 in the Oval Office at the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America The United States is founded upon the belief that every person has unalienable rights and matchless value. Throughout our Nation's history, brave patriots have made great sacrifices to protect this ideal and to advance the cause of freedom around the world. On the 60th anniversary of the integration of the United States Armed Forces, we pay tribute to all our service members and veterans, and we underscore our Nation's commitment to equality.

On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, declaring "that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin." Today, members of our Armed Forces come from many different backgrounds and cultures and are answering the call to service with bravery, decency, and resolve.

Our Nation has long drawn strength from the diversity of its citizens. Groups such as the Buffalo Soldiers, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the "Borinqueneers" risked their lives while proudly wearing the uniform of the United States. By performing their missions with integrity and honor, they highlighted the power of liberty, helped open the door of opportunity, and earned the respect and admiration of a grateful Nation.

On this anniversary, we celebrate the legacy of those who refused to allow adversity to diminish their spirit or extinguish their drive to help America live up to its promise of equality for all people. We also commemorate our veterans and service members whose noble and selfless actions have inspired generations of men and women to follow in their footsteps and made our country a more hopeful place.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2008, as the 60th Anniversary of the Integration of the United States Armed Forces and urge all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

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

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #

Republican National Convention Windfall

Saint Paul on the Mississippi with the Capitol building to the right, the Minneapolis skyline in the distance, and a 19th century home in the foreground, taken from Indian Mounds Park

From civic leaders to small businesses, everybody's got high hopes for a GOP convention windfall, By Doug Grow Wednesday, July 23, 2008 From the offices of the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul to a gym in Roseville, where Zubaz sales will be tallied, to the St. Paul Grill, where $525-a-shot scotch is being offered, everybody is thinking of the possibilities at the RNC next month. From MinnPost.com

Story credit: www.minnpost.com/ By Doug Grow. Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 900 6TH Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 |612-455-6950

Image Licence: This image has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its author, Appraiser. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible: Appraiser grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

What They’re Saying About the Republican National Convention VIDEO

Convention Preparations on Target "Indeed, both parties were interested in St. Paul's bid but Republicans moved more quickly and grabbed it first.

And their convention planning so far [has] been a model of efficiency and organization while Democrats in Denver have wrestled with logistical complications and fundraising woes." (Associated Press)

Republicans kick into high gear and begin the build-out of the Xcel Energy Center:

* "When Neil Diamond leaves the Xcel Energy Center after this weekend's two-night gig, the Xcel Energy Center will shut down for six weeks while it undergoes a Republican Party makeover, turning it into a launching pad for John McCain's 2008 presidential bid." (Pioneer Press) 'X' about to begin its political makeover, July 20, 2008)

"Republican National Convention planners took their tangible steps forward Monday, beginning a six-week conversion from hockey arena and concert hall to political showplace for the Sept. 1-4 nominating convention." (Associated Press,) Republicans start arena conversion for convention, July 21, 2008)

"This is not the first GOP convention to be held in Minnesota - Minneapolis hosted the Republican convention back in 1892, but this time around the scale is mind boggling." (KARE, July 21, 2008)

"They'll spend the next six weeks running miles of wires through the building, and building hospitality and media suites. When all is built, John McCain will accept the Republican Party's nomination a few feet from where the Minnesota Wild and their opponents usually sit during hockey games." (Minnesota Public Radio, )

The 2008 Republican National Convention hires convention veterans who apply lessons learned from past conventions and therefore, significantly contribute to highly successful conventions:

* "General contractor Freeman Co. has handled a succession of GOP conventions. Its work includes the extra-quick conversion of the Houston Astrodome in 1992 (which included raising five miles of light trusses to the Astrodome roof) and the creation of a false floor (with offices underneath) in Madison Square Garden for the 2004 convention in New York City." (Pioneer Press) 'X' about to begin its political makeover, July 20, 2008)

"They are old pros. It's the sixth Republican convention for Greg Lane, the general contractor who works for Freeman, which is coordinating the convention makeover, and the 10th convention for Mike Miller, director of operations for the arrangement committee. Their roles are said to underscore the philosophy of Maria Cino, the convention's CEO, to rely on convention veterans to make things work." (Star Tribune) RNC gets the keys; time for an X-treme makeover, July 21, 2008)

The Republican National Convention will have an estimated $160 million economic impact on Minneapolis-Saint Paul. The build-out for the convention is also benefitting many local workers in the Twin Cities:

* Reporter: "What I'm hearing from these carpenters inside the Xcel Energy Center is that they are eager to work hard and get this place ready for the Republican National Convention." (KSTP) July 21, 2008)

Interviewed Worker: "I haven't been working for a while. This is going to put food on the table. I'm a single parent, and a full-time dad." (KSTP)

View other clips from today’s move-in into the Xcel Energy Center here:

• KARE: The Final Countdown to Convention Begins Today
• KSTP: Construction Begins at Xcel
• KSTP: Xcel Energy Center Gets a Makeover
• KSTP: Republican Convention Takes Over Xcel
• WCCO: RNC Preparations Begin At Xcel Energy Center

About the Republican National Convention - The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 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 on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube

Republican National Convention Coverage of the Xcel Transformation VIDEO

The build-out of the Xcel Energy Center, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Home of the 2008 Republican National Convention begins. Check out this great report from KSTP on the start of the transformation. Follow along as we start the transformation. FULL STREAMING VIDEO.

Research publications online: Too much of a good thing?

Caption: Having research papers and other scholarly writing available online gives researchers access to a great deal of materials without having to enter a library. But how does this impact the new research that they produce? James Evans at the University of Chicago has studied this question and his conclusion is surprising -- despite having greater access to scholarly materials, researchers are actually citing fewer papers. The papers they do cite tend to be newer and are likely to be cited by other researchers. Credit: Jupiter Images. Usage Restrictions: None.

New research shows that as more scholarly and research journals are available online, researchers cite fewer, newer papers. The Internet gives scientists and researchers instant access to an astonishing number of academic journals. So what is the impact of having such a wealth of information at their fingertips? The answer, according to new research released today in the journal Science, is surprising--scholars are actually citing fewer papers in their own work, and the papers they do cite tend to be more recent publications. This trend may be limiting the creation of new ideas and theories. James Evans is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Chicago, who focuses on the nature of scholarly research. During a lecture on the influence of private industry money on research,

a student instead asked how the growth of the Internet has shaped science. "I didn't have an immediate answer," Evans said in an interview last week.

When he reviewed the research on the Internet and science, Evans discovered that most of it focused on much faster and broader the Internet allows scholars to search for information, but not how the medium itself was impacting their work. "That's where this idea came from. I wanted to know how electronic provision changed science, not how much better it made it," he said.

After receiving support from the National Science Foundation to pursue this question, Evans analyzed a database of over 34 million articles and compared their online availability from 1998 to 2005 to the number of times they were cited from1945 to 2005. The results showed that as more journal issues came online, few articles were cited, and the ones that were cited tended to be more recent publications. Scholars also seemed to concentrate their citations more on specific journals and articles. "More is available," Evans said, "but less is sampled, and what is sampled is more recent and located in the most prominent journals."

Evans's research also found that this trend was not evenly distributed across academic disciplines. Scientists and scholars in the life sciences showed the greatest propensity for referencing fewer articles, but the trend is less noticeable in business and legal scholarship. Social scientists and scholars in the humanities are more likely to cite newer works than other disciplines.

So what is it about doing research online versus in a bricks-and-mortar library that changes the literature review so critical to research? Evans has identified a few possible explanations. Studies into how research is conducted show that people browse and peruse material in a library, but they tend to search for articles online. Online searches tend to organize results by date and relevance, which leads allows scholars and scientists to pick recent research from the most high profile journals. Some search tools like Google factor the frequency with which other users select an item during similar searchers to determine relevance. Online, researchers are also more likely to follow hyper-linked references and links to similar work within an online archive. Because of this, as more scholars choose to read and reference a given article, future researchers more quickly follow.

Does this phenomenon spell the end of the literature review? Evans doesn't think so, but he does believe that it makes scholars and scientists more likely to come to a consensus and establish a conventional wisdom on a given topic faster. "Online access facilitates a convergence on what science is picked up and built upon in subsequent research." The danger in this, he believes, is that if new productive ideas and theories aren't picked up quickly by the research community, they may fade before their useful impact is evaluated. "It's like new movies. If movies don't get watched the first weekend, they're dropped silently," Evans said.

Evans plans to work with linguists and computer scientists to explore how ideas are expressed in articles to better understand what the consequences of losing old ideas are and how they can be retrieved and resurrected, a challenge he sees as being important in the pursuit of knowledge. "With science and scholarship increasing online, findings and ideas that don't receive attention very soon will be forgotten more quickly than ever before." ###

Contact: Dana Cruikshank dcruiksh@nsf.gov 703-292-8070 National Science Foundation

Freedom Calendar 07/19/08 - 07/26/08

July 19, 1867, Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Andrew Johnson’s veto of legislation protecting voting rights of African-Americans.

July 20, 1854, Anti-slavery activists in Worcester, MA found Massachusetts Republican Party.

July 21, 1896 African-American Republican activist Mary Terrell elected first president of the National Association of Colored Women.

July 22, 1993, Death of Roscoe Robinson, first African-American four-star general in the U.S. Army; promoted in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan.

July 23, 1840, Birth of African-American Republican John Hyman; sold eight times as a slave, became U.S. Rep. from North Carolina (1875-77).

July 24, 1867, Republican Party established in South Carolina; at convention, 76 of 124 delegates were African-American.

July 25, 2001, California Republican Gaddi Vasquez nominated by President George W. Bush as first Hispanic to be Director of the Peace Corps.

July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signs Americans with Disabilities Act, world’s first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities.

“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

Technorati Tags: President Bush and Freedom Calendar or Dwight Eisenhower and Republicans or African-Americans and Ronald Reagan or Ronald Reagan and Civil Rights or Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass or 40 acres and a mule or Martin Luther King and Buffalo Soldiers or Dred Scott

Presidential Podcast 07/19/08

Presidential Podcast 07/19/08 . 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 07/19/08 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 07/19/08 full audio, text transcript. President's Radio Address

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 is a challenging time for families across our nation. I know many families are worried about rising prices at the pump and declining home values. So this week my Administration took steps to help address both these challenges.

To help address the pressure on gasoline prices, my Administration took action to clear the way for environmentally responsible offshore exploration of key parts of the Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. Experts believe that these areas of the OCS could eventually produce nearly 10 years' worth of America's current annual oil production. So on Monday I lifted an executive branch prohibition on exploration in these areas.

Unfortunately, a full month has passed since I called on Congress to lift a similar legislative ban, and Congress has done nothing. This means that the only thing now standing between the American people and the vast oil resources of the OCS is action from the United States Congress.

Bringing OCS resources online will take time, and that means that the need for congressional action is urgent. The sooner Congress lifts the ban, the sooner we can get these resources from the ocean floor to the gas pump. Democratic leaders need to show that they have finally heard the frustrations of the American people. They should match the action I've taken, repeal the congressional ban, and pass legislation to facilitate responsible offshore exploration.

In the short term, America's economy will continue to depend on oil, but in the long term our economic future depends on promoting alternative energy technologies. So my Administration has worked to expand the use of alternative fuels and raise fuel efficiency standards. We're investing in new advanced batteries, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cells. We're working to expand the use of clean, safe nuclear power, solar and wind power, and clean coal technology. With these steps, we're enhancing America's energy security.

To address challenges in the housing market, my Administration announced steps this week to help increase confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two enterprises play a central role in our housing finance system, and we must ensure that they can continue providing access to mortgage credit during this period of stress in financial markets.

So Treasury Secretary Paulson has worked with Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke, the companies, and the government regulators on a plan to strengthen these enterprises. I urge Congress to swiftly enact this plan into law. And I also urge Congress to pass legislation that strengthens the independent regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, modernizes the Federal Housing Administration, and allows state housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to refinance subprime loans.

Despite the challenges we have faced, our economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Exports have continued to grow, productivity growth has remained strong, and while economic growth in the first quarter of this year was slower than we would have liked, it was growth, nonetheless.

Thanks to the economic growth package we enacted, American families have more cash in their wallets. We now have delivered more than $91 billion in tax relief to more than 112 million American households this year. And in the coming months, we expect more Americans to take advantage of these rebates, and inject new energy into our economy.

I have great confidence that our economy will pull through this difficult period, because I have great confidence in the boundless, innovative spirit of the American people. This is a Nation that has faced tough challenges in the past and overcome them, and we will do so again. With sound policies in Washington and the ingenuity of our citizens, our economy will emerge from this period stronger and better than before.

Thank you for listening.

END For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 19, 2008

Tags: President Bush and White House radio address

Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 07/19/08

forre el audio de la dirección de radio 07/19/08 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.

Estos son momentos de desafío para las familias en toda nuestra Nación. Yo sé que muchas familias están preocupadas por los precios cada vez más elevados en las bombas de gasolina, así como los valores cada vez más bajos de nuestras viviendas. Por lo tanto esta semana mi Administración tomó medidas para ayudar a enfrentar ambos desafíos.

Para ayudar a combatir la presión sobre los precios de la gasolina, mi Administración tomó acción para facilitar la exploración ambientalmente responsable en áreas claves de la Plataforma Continental Exterior, OCS por sus siglas en inglés. Los expertos consideran que estas áreas de la OCS podrían eventualmente producir el equivalente de cerca de 10 años del valor de la actual producción anual de petróleo en Estados Unidos. Por lo cual el lunes levanté una prohibición ejecutiva sobre la exploración en estas áreas. Desafortunadamente, un mes entero ha pasado desde que le pedí al Congreso que levantara una prohibición legislativa similar - y el Congreso no ha hecho nada. Esto significa que lo único que se interpone entre el pueblo estadounidense y los vastos recursos petrolíferos de la OCS es una acción del Congreso de los Estados Unidos.

Aprovechar los recursos OCS tomará tiempo - y eso significa que la necesidad de acción por parte del Congreso es urgente. Mientras más pronto el Congreso levante la prohibición, más pronto podremos llevar esos recursos del suelo marino a la bomba de gasolina. Los líderes Demócratas necesitan mostrar que por fin han escuchado las frustraciones del pueblo estadounidense. Deberán tomar una acción igual a la que yo tomé... revocar la prohibición del Congreso... y aprobar legislación que facilite una exploración responsable en alta mar.

A corto plazo, la economía de Estados Unidos seguirá dependiendo del petróleo. Pero a largo plazo, nuestro futuro económico depende de promover tecnologías alternativas de energía. Por lo cual mi Administración se ha esforzado por ampliar el uso de combustibles alternativos, y por aumentar las normas de eficiencia de los combustibles. Estamos invirtiendo en nuevas baterías avanzadas, híbridos de enchufar, y células de combustible de hidrógeno. Estamos trabajando para ampliar el uso de energía nuclear limpia y segura... de energía solar y eólica... y tecnología de carbón limpio. Con estos pasos, estamos enalteciendo la seguridad energética de Estados Unidos.

Para enfrentar los desafíos en el mercado de la vivienda, mi Administración anunció pasos esta semana para ayudar a aumentar la confianza en Fannie Mae y Freddie Mac. Estas dos empresas juegan un papel central en nuestro sistema de financiar la vivienda. Y debemos asegurar que puedan continuar ofreciendo acceso a crédito hipotecario durante este período de estrés en los mercados financieros. Por lo tanto el Secretario del Tesoro Paulson ha trabajado con el Presidente Bernanke de la Reserva Federal y las compañías y los reguladores del gobierno sobre un plan para fortalecer estas empresas. Insto al Congreso que rápidamente sancione este plan y lo haga ley. Y también insto al Congreso que apruebe legislación que fortalezca el regulador independiente de Fannie Mae y Freddie Mac... que modernice la Administración Federal de la Vivienda... y que permita a las agencias estatales de vivienda emitir bonos libres de impuesto para refinanciar préstamos conocidos como sub-prime.

A pesar de los desafíos que hemos enfrentado, nuestra economía ha mostrado una resistencia extraordinaria. Las exportaciones han seguido creciendo. El crecimiento de la productividad ha seguido fuerte. Y mientras el crecimiento económico en el primer trimestre de este año fue mas lento de lo que hubiéramos querido, de cualquier modo fue crecimiento.

Gracias al paquete de crecimiento económico que aprobamos, las familias estadounidenses tienen más dinero en efectivo en sus carteras. Ahora hemos entregado más de 91 mil millones de dólares en alivio tributario a más de 112 millones de hogares estadounidenses este año. Y en los meses venideros esperamos que más estadounidenses se aprovechen de estos reembolsos e inyecten nueva energía en nuestra economía.

Tengo gran confianza en que nuestra economía superará este período difícil porque tengo gran confianza en el espíritu innovador ilimitado del pueblo estadounidense. Esta es una Nación que ha enfrentado retos duros en el pasado y los ha superado. Y lo haremos de nuevo. Con políticas sanas en Washington y la ingeniosidad de nuestros ciudadanos, nuestra economía saldrá de este período más fuerte y mejor que antes.

Gracias por escuchar.

Para su publicación inmediata Oficina del Secretario de Prensa 19 de julio de 2008

John A. Simon Biography

"Africa: A Continent of Opportunities -- Building Partnerships for Success,"

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate one individual to serve in his Administration. The President intends to nominate John A. Simon, of Maryland, to be Representative of the United States of America to the African Union with the Rank and Status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

Mr. Simon currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Prior to this, he served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Relief, Stabilization, and Development for the National Security Council at the White House. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Development Issues at the National Security Council. Mr. Simon received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his master's degree from Harvard University. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 17, 2008

Nominated by President George W. Bush, John A. Simon was sworn in as Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation in April 2006.

As OPIC Executive Vice President John helped Africans get the financing needed to build and own their own homes all across the continent. As part of the African Mortgage Market Initiative,". That program, directed the U.S. government -- including OPIC -- to try to develop mortgage markets in Africa. OPIC has launched nine projects and provided financing or insurance worth about $360 million in Africa's housing sector.

The Lilayi Housing Project in particular -- which is a private sector initiative -- will leverage more than $100 million in new housing construction, generate 5,000 new homes and serve as a model for future housing projects in sub-Saharan Africa, according to an OPIC fact sheet.

Prior to his OPIC appointment, Mr. Simon served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Relief, Stabilization and Development for the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House. From 2003 to 2005, he served as Director of Development Issues at the NSC.

From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Simon was Deputy Assistant Administrator at the United States Agency for International Development, overseeing the agency’s development information and evaluation units. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Business Finance and Strategic Planning at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. He also worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office for Administration and Finance in several capacities, including Deputy Director for Research and Development.
Mr. Simon received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University.

SOURCES:

• Personnel Announcement
• John A. Simon: Executive Vice President
• Helping Africans Become Homeowners

The Obama Iraq Documentary: Whatever the Politics Demand VIDEO

Barack Obama purges Web site critique of surge in Iraq

BY JAMES GORDON MEEK DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

Monday, July 14th 2008, 8:10 PM

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama's campaign scrubbed his presidential Web site over the weekend to remove criticism of the U.S. troop "surge" in Iraq, the Daily News has learned.

The presumed Democratic nominee replaced his Iraq issue Web page, which had described the surge as a "problem" that had barely reduced violence ... Obama's campaign posted a new Iraq plan Sunday night, which cites an "improved security situation" paid for with the blood of U.S. troops since the surge began in February 2007. Barack Obama purges Web site critique of surge in Iraq

Blake L. Gottesman Biography

“He is consistently kind and warm and generous with his time and provides extraordinarily good advice.”

Joe Hagin, former Deputy Chief of Staff

Today, President Bush is pleased to announce that he has named Blake L. Gottesman to serve as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. Blake is a trusted aide who understands the tremendous challenges of overseeing White House operations. He is well-respected in the White House and will do an outstanding job helping to ensure that the staff continues to effectively serve the American people throughout the remainder of the President's Administration.

President Bush appreciates Blake's willingness to return to the White House and continue his service to our country.

Blake worked as an Associate at Berkshire Partners LLC in Boston. Prior to this, he served as Special Assistant to the President and Personal Aide. Earlier in his career, he served as Personal Aide to the Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Director of Oval Office Operations. Blake received his MBA from Harvard Business School. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 16, 2008

Blake Gottesman (born 1980) is an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for President George W. Bush. In this role, he is youngest member of the Bush senior staff. He previously served in the Bush administration as personal aide and in his previous White House position, Blake turned a job that customarily has been somewhat junior — keeper of the bags and papers — into a management position that streamlined the president’s paper flow. He also built a rapid, fail-safe, thank-you-note process that has been continued and has brought the president considerable goodwill with people he meets around the world. . His work for the Pesident began during his presidential campaign in 1999.

Blake succeed deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin who has served in this role throughout the Bush presidency, announced earlier this month that he would leave July 20 to take a corporate job. His office is where the President’s job, personal life, ranch, security and military support all come together.

Gottesman is Jewish. His father is Sanford L. Gottesman, president of The Gottesman Company, a real estate development company based in Austin, Texas the company concentrates on office, retail, industrial, and land development. He is also a board member of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Mr. Gottesman was educated at St. Andrews Episcopal School and Stephen F. Austin High School, both in Austin, Texas; during this time he dated Jenna Bush when the President owned the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team. Gottesman attended Claremont McKenna College for one year. While at Claremont McKenna College, he served as the personal assistant to the Associated Student Body President.

He worked as a junior aide to then-White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card at the beginning of Bush's presidential term and became Bush's full-time personal aide in February 2002. Gottesman was responsible for managing the President's day-to-day activities and traveled with Bush to functions and on overseas trips.

White House Counselor to the President Dan Bartlett calls Gottesman "a walking mood ring," the unquestioned authority on whom the President wants in his limo, what member of Congress he may accept in his office on Air Force One and whether it is wise for a top aide to bring up a particular topic at a particular time. In a 2006 Time article on Gottesman, he was said to understand Bush's moods and tendencies better than most of his other advisors. When asked about his similarity to Young in an interactive question-and-answer session on the White House’s Web site, Gottesman wrote, “Charlie seems to be smarter, funnier, and better-looking. But, from what I remember—our jobs are probably pretty similar.”

Though he initially said he had plans to finish college and then attend business school after finishing his work at the White House, Gottesman did not return to college and instead enrolled in Harvard Business School, graduating in 2008. His admission to the school despite not having received an undergraduate degree was criticized by some media. The President occasionally calls Gottesman "Soldier," needling him for the earpiece he wears to stay in contact with other staff members during presidential events. Lately Bush has been calling him "Harvard"

SOURCES:

• Statement by the Press Secretary
• Blake Gottesman
• Bush’s personal aide returns at top
• Bush’s Personal Aide To Enroll at Business School
• Sanford L. Gottesman
• Who Knows Bush's Mind Best?

all text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.)

President Attends All-Star Tee Ball Game VIDEO PODCAST

PHOTO GALLERY President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush stand with the All-Star Tee Ball teams and participants on the South Portico Wednesday, July 16, 2008, following a double-header at the White House, pitting Eastern U.S. against Central U.S. and Southern U.S. against Western U.S. White House photo by Eric Draper

President Bush Attends All-Star Tee Ball Game on the South Lawn FULL STREAMING VIDEO South Lawn 3:37 P.M. EDT. PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this historic occasion. The Commissioner and I -- that would be Frank Robinson, the Hall of Fame -- (applause) -- welcome you for the first All-Star game here on the South Lawn of the White House. We've got 50 players from 50 states, plus the District of Columbia,

who have come to show off their great baseball skills. And we're excited you're here. We welcome you, we welcome your families.

We want to thank Kenny Chesney for lending his great talent. We're proud you're here, Kenny. (Applause.) Thanks for coming.

President George W. Bush and baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, left, cheer on players participating in the Tee Ball on the South Lawn All-Star Game Wednesday, July 16, 2008, where the teams Eastern U.S. vs.Central U.S., and Southern U.S. vs. Western U.S., played in an afternoon doubleheader at the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

I do want to welcome our baseball coaches today. We've got four fabulous coaches who've agreed to come: Ryne Sandberg -- (applause) -- Hall of Famer. He's kind of pulling for the Cubs this year. (Laughter.) John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves. (Applause.) Our second game coaches: From the Baltimore Orioles, Kevin Millar. (Applause.) Here he is. And finally, two-time All-Star, Rick Monday. (Applause.) There he is. Hi, Rick. Thanks for coming. I do want to welcome our announcers today -- Mike and Mike. Yes, sir! (Applause.) Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg. We're proud you guys are here. We expect them to call a good game.

I do want to say that a member of my Cabinet, Carlos Gutierrez, has joined us. Mr. Secretary, thank you for coming. (Applause.)

And finally, Mr. Commissioner, we are so lucky to have Shelby Shayler with us today. She will be presenting you and I with the first ball -- but not quite yet. Before we do, we're going to recite the Little League Oath.

Are the players ready? All right, here we go. "I trust in God. I love my country. And I will respect its laws. I will play fair, and strive to win. But win or lose, I will always do my best."

Play ball! (Applause.)

END 3:40 P.M. EDT For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 16, 2008

Thomas J. Madison Jr. Biography

President Bush intends to nominate Thomas J. Madison, of New York, to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration at the Department of Transportation. Mr. Madison currently serves as President of the Spectra Subsurface Imaging Group. Prior to this, he worked as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Secretary for Transportation to the Governor of New York. Mr. Madison received his bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo.

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 15, 2008

Biography - Mr. Madison joined Governor Pataki’s staff in 1995 as a regional representative in the Southern Tier. He also served in a variety of roles, including, the governor's deputy appointments secretary, deputy executive director of the state Consumer Protection Board and the director of state and local government affairs. During his tenure at the CPB, Madison managed the creation and implementation of the state’s “Do Not Call Telemarketing Registry”—the largest such registry in the U.S. at the time.

From 1997 to 1999, Madison served as Deputy Broome County Executive under Jeffrey P. Kraham. During this time he helped restructure the executive branch of county government and coordinate expansions of the county’s regional airport, parks system, and Veterans’ Memorial Arena. He also worked to construct new county court and library facilities and chaired both the Board of Acquisitions and Contracts and the Criminal Justice Advisory Board. Prior to joining the governor’s staff, he worked for Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Corporation, Sen. Thomas W. Libous, the late Assemblyman Richard H. Miller and T.J. Madison Construction, his father’s Binghamton-based
company.

Mr. Madison has served on the Board of Commissioners of the New York State Bridge Authority since 2006, bringing a wealth of transportation and executive management experience. He previously served as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, Deputy Secretary to the Governor for Transportation, Chairman of the New York State Public Transportation Safety Board and MTA Capital Program Review Board, and as a Member of the Peace Bridge Authority and Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

Presently Tom serves as president of Spectra Subsurface Imaging LLC, an affiliate of Spectra Environmental Group Inc. (www.spectraenv.com). He is also V.P. of Spectra's Infrastructure Services division in Latham, N.Y.

Tom received his bachelor’s in political science (class of 1988), with a minor in international relations from SUNY Geneseo.

He and his wife, Tracy, have two children, Morgan and Brooks, and reside in Halfmoon, N.Y.

SOURCES:

• white House Personnel Announcement
• Spotlight on Geneseo Alumni
• Change of pace: bond issues can be structured
• Board of the New York State Bridge Authority
• Madison Jr. joins environmental group

2008 Republican National Convention Announces Online Video Contest

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the launch of their 2008 Convention Video Program with YouTubeTM, the leading online video community that allows people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. The national online video contest will ask Americans to answer the question, "Why are you a Republican in 2008?"

From July 9 to August 1, Americans can submit video responses to this question at the Republican National Convention's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/GOPConvention2008.

Based on the most creative and compelling submissions, the Republican convention staff will narrow the field of entries to five, and starting August 6, the YouTube community will have the chance to vote for their favorites. The winner of the contest will be announced on August 14.

YouTube will send the winner of the contest to Sen. John McCain’s campaign press pool for one day to shoot video of life on the campaign trail. The winner will then attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., where their winning video will be shown as part of the convention’s official proceedings.

"Our goal is to engage as many people around the country as possible in the national convention," said convention President & CEO Maria Cino. "We're excited to partner with YouTube to empower our supporters everywhere to broadcast their messages to the world leading up to our convention."

Robert M. Duncan, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, announced the program today in a video posted to the convention's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/GOPConvention2008.

"Working with the 2008 Republican National Convention to engage their supporters underscores the extent to which our national politics is now in the hands of everyday voters," said Steve Grove, Head of News and Politics for YouTube. "This promises to empower more and more citizens to have a voice in our national political dialogue."

YouTube has played an integral role in connecting voters with the contenders for the nation's highest political office. In an era when Democrats and Republicans alike depend on online video to connect elected officials with voters, the "2008 Convention Video Program" stands as a symbol of our time.

About the Republican National Convention - The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 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 visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com and join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube.

2008 Republican National Convention Expands Outreach to Hispanics

Maria Cino is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the 2008 Republican National Convention. As CEO of the Committee on Arrangements (COA), the RNC body responsible for planning the convention, Cino is charged with organizing, managing and producing the Republican Party’s 39th quadrennial convention. Cino brings to the position more than 25 years of experience in senior level positions in the executive and legislative branches of government, as well as the private sector. She has a proven record of managing and leading field-based organizations, developing and adhering to complex budgets, setting short-term and long-term strategic goals, building coalitions and developing, motivating, and mentoring staffs.

New Web section, staff additions highlight commitment to engaging as many people as possible SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the launch of the Spanish language section of its official convention Web site. The Spanish section, www.gopconvention2008.com/enespanol, will feature Spanish versions of convention information, fact sheets and press releases. The section will feature regular updates in Spanish leading up to and during the 2008 Republican National Convention. "The launch of the Spanish-language section of our Web site is another important step toward creating a fully interactive online community to engage millions around the country," said convention President & CEO Maria Cino. "It is our goal to carry the Republican Party's message to all communities, so they may experience Sen. John McCain's extraordinary leadership and his positive vision for America." As part of its outreach to Hispanics, the convention also announced today two new hires who will engage media leading up to and during the four-day event. Joanna Burgos will serve as Press Secretary and will lead the convention's press operation for national media. Burgos previously served in various communications positions at the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security. She is a fluent Spanish speaker and native of Miami. Yohana de la Torre will serve as Deputy Press Secretary for Specialty Media and will oversee outreach to several constituencies, including Spanish-language media. Also a fluent Spanish speaker and native of Miami, de la Torre is currently owner and managing editor of the Gulf Coast Times in Fort Myers, Fla.

She previously served as a communications specialist for Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) and at the Republican National Committee.

For the first time ever, and in conjunction with its Official Live Video Streaming Provider Ustream.TV, the convention will stream live gavel-to-gavel coverage in Spanish on its Web site: www.GOPConvention2008.com. As has been done in the past, the convention proceedings translated into Spanish will be available free of charge via satellite on the second audio path (SAP).

Oprima aqui para leer en español

Broadband access opens doors to networking, economic development for rural areas

Amy Glasmeier. Contact Information: Department of Geography 312 Walker Building University Park, PA 16802. Phone: (814) 865-7323 email: akg1@ems.psu.edu Dept. website: www.geog.psu.edu/people/glasmeier/ Current Research Interests: Persistant poverty and social exclusion, Globalization and uneven development, Regional analysis, Globalization and the emergence of new labor market structures

University Park, Pa.-- Proactive policies are needed to facilitate broadband Internet access and adoption in rural areas so that rural hospitals, schools and businesses can drive social and economic development and better position themselves to compete, say Penn State researchers in a recently released report from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. The report, "Broadband Internet Use in Rural Pennsylvania," examines broadband availability and adoption in four sectors -- health care, local government, education and business -- through case studies, interviews with key information-technology personnel and analysis of organizations' Web sites. While the report focuses on Pennsylvania, their recommendations hold true for any state with a large rural population, according to the researchers.

"Broadband services offer a huge opportunity for rural areas with significant payback in terms of economic development and community revitalization," said Amy Glasmeier, professor of geography and co-author of the report. "The Internet makes possible a whole range of processes which involve more than rapid access to information and which range from joint projects by municipalities and collaborations between schools to development of new business processes."

According to the researchers, while the number of rural users of broadband Internet services has been steadily increasing, access to broadband is not universal in rural areas, and in some places, dial-up remains the only affordable option. While dial-up allows for electronic access to information, its slower speed and lower bandwidth capacity limit organizations from developing Internet-enabled processes and collaborations -- what the researchers distinguish as "transformative" uses.

For instance, with broadband Internet, rural hospitals could improve patient care by forging networks with urban hospitals to access their expertise and resources. Rural hospitals also could develop interactive processes such as online appointment scheduling, remote patient monitoring through biosignals and image data and videoconferencing between patients and doctors.

"Policy must consider ways to facilitate broadband deployment to do more than the status quo only slightly faster or with less face-to-face contact," Glasmeier said.

But policy makers also need to recognize that there is no single solution to the challenges of broadband utilization. Programs need to be specific to their sectors and linked to the specific challenges facing individual sectors, the researchers assert.

Some interactive processes -- such as streaming of public meetings, tax payments, conversation forums and collaborative software for curriculum development -- which broadband Internet can facilitate for local governments and school districts are less relevant for businesses and hospitals, for instance. ###

The report's co-authors are Chris Benner, associate professor at University of California-Davis; Chandrani Ohdedar, Ph.D. student, Penn State department of geography; and Lee Carpenter of the Penn State Children, Youth and Families Consortium.

• For a summary of the report, in PDF format visit: www.ruralpa.org/broadband2008
• For a complete copy of the report, go to: www.ssri.psu.edu/policy/

Contact: Margaret Hopkins mah242@ems.psu.edu 814-865-1587 Penn State

Freedom Calendar 07/12/08 - 07/19/08

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

July 13, 1868, Louisiana Republican Oscar Dunn, a former slave, becomes nation’s first African-American Lt. Governor.

July 14, 1884, Republicans criticize Democratic Party’s nomination of racist U.S. Senator Thomas Hendricks (D-IN) for vice president; he had voted against the 13th Amendment banning slavery.

July 15, 1980, NAACP President Benjamin Hooks addresses Republican National Convention; previously appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1972 as first African-American member of U.S. Civil Rights Commission

July 16, 1866, Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Andrew Johnson’s veto of Freedman's Bureau Act, which protected former slaves from “black codes” denying their rights.

July 17, 1862, Over unanimous Democrat opposition, Republican Congress passes Confiscation Act stating that slaves of the Confederacy 'shall be forever free'.

July 18, 1906, Birth of Asian-American U.S. Senator Samuel Hayakawa (R-CA).

July 19, 1867, Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Andrew Johnson’s veto of legislation protecting voting rights of African-Americans.

"And I think that this is a very good opportunity, indeed, to say a word of thanks -- thank you for the contribution, for the support that we have enjoyed throughout from the people of the United States of America, from the American government, to help us along the way towards German unification. I think we owe you a big debt of gratitude for being able to finally live within one country in peace and freedom; one country -- Germany. (Applause.)"

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Friday, July 13, 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 07/12/08

Presidential Podcast 07/12/08 . 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 07/12/08 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 07/12/08 full audio, text transcript. President's Radio Address

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, Members of Congress returned to Washington after their Fourth of July recess. While they were at home, they heard a clear message from their constituents: Americans are concerned about high gas prices. Everyone who commutes to work, grows food, books a plane ticket, or runs a small business feels the squeeze of rising energy prices. And Americans are increasingly frustrated with Congress's failure to take action.

One of the factors driving up high gas prices is that many of our oil deposits here in the United States have been put off-limits for exploration and production. Past efforts to meet the demand for oil by expanding domestic resources have been repeatedly rejected by Democrats in Congress.

This week, however, we are seeing signs that the recent rise in gasoline prices has caused some to rethink their long-held opposition to opening up more areas for domestic production. If this change of heart is real, we can work together on four steps that will expand American oil and gas production and eventually relieve the pressure of rising prices.

First, we should expand American oil production by increasing access to offshore exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. Experts believe that the OCS that is currently off-limits could produce enough oil to match America's current production for almost ten years. The problem is that Congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS since the early 1980s. Since that time, technological advances have allowed us to explore oil offshore in ways that protect the environment.

Last month I called on the House and the Senate to lift this legislative ban, so we can allow States to have the option of opening up OCS resources off their coasts. I also offered to lift an executive restriction on this exploration if Congress did so. Unfortunately, Congress has failed to act. Time is running out before Congress leaves for its summer recess. For the sake of our economy and American consumers, Congress must move quickly to expand exploration of the OCS so we can tap into these vast oil resources as soon as possible.

Second, we should expand oil production by tapping into the extraordinary potential of oil shale. Oil shale is a type of rock that can produce oil when exposed to heat or other processes. One major deposit in the Rocky Mountain West alone could, if fully recovered, equal more than a century's worth of imports at current levels. Last year, however, Democratic leaders inserted a provision blocking oil shale leasing on Federal lands into an omnibus spending bill. That provision can be taken out as easily as it was slipped in -- and Congress should do so immediately.

Third, we should expand American oil production by permitting exploration in northern Alaska. Scientists have developed innovative techniques to reach this oil with virtually no impact on the land or local wildlife. With a drilling footprint that covers just a tiny fraction of this vast terrain, America could produce an estimated 10 billion barrels of oil. That is roughly the equivalent of two decades of imported oil from Saudi Arabia. I urge Members of Congress to allow this remote region to bring enormous benefits to the American people.

Finally, we need to expand and enhance our refining capacity. It has been 30 years since a new refinery was built in our Nation, and lawsuits and red tape have made it extremely costly to expand or modify existing refineries. The result is that America now imports millions of barrels of fully refined gasoline from abroad. This imposes needless costs on American families and drivers, it deprives American workers of good jobs, and it is now time for Congress to change it.

It's time for Members of Congress to address the pain that high gas prices are causing our citizens. Every extra dollar that American families spend because of high gas prices is one less dollar they can use to put food on the table or send a child to college. The American people deserve better. So I urge Congress to come together with my Administration now to ensure that our economy remains the strongest, most vibrant, and most hopeful in the world.

Thank you for listening.

END

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 12, 2008

Tags: President Bush and White House radio address

Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 07/12/08

forre el audio de la dirección de radio 07/12/08 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.

Esta semana los miembros del Congreso regresaron a Washington después de su receso por el Cuatro de Julio. Mientras estuvieron en sus casas, escucharon un mensaje claro de sus electores: los estadounidenses están preocupados por los altos precios de la gasolina. Toda persona que va y viene de su trabajo, que cultiva alimentos, que reserva un boleto de avión o que opera un pequeño negocio, se siente apretada por los precios crecientes de la energía. Y los estadounidenses están cada vez más frustrados por la falta de acción del Congreso.

Uno de los factores que hace subir los precios de la gasolina es que en muchos de nuestros depósitos de petróleo aquí en los Estados Unidos se ha prohibido la exploración y producción. Esfuerzos en el pasado para satisfacer la demanda de petróleo mediante la ampliación de recursos domésticos han sido rechazados repetidamente por los Demócratas en el Congreso.

Sin embargo, esta semana estamos viendo señales de que el aumento reciente en los precios de la gasolina ha causado que algunos reconsideren su larga oposición a que se abrieran más regiones a la producción doméstica. Si este cambio de opinión es verdadero, podemos trabajar juntos en cuatro pasos que ampliarán la producción de petróleo y gas estadounidense y eventualmente aliviarán la presión de los precios crecientes.

Primero, debemos ampliar la producción petrolífera estadounidense aumentando el acceso a la exploración en alta mar en la Plataforma Continental Exterior, OCS por sus siglas en inglés. Los expertos consideran que la OCS actualmente prohibida podría producir suficiente petróleo para igualar lo que Estados Unidos produce actualmente durante casi diez años. El problema es que el Congreso ha restringido el acceso a áreas claves de la OCS desde principios de la década de los 1980. De ese tiempo para acá, los avances tecnológicos nos han permitido explorar petróleo en alta mar en formas que protegen el medio ambiente.

El mes pasado pedí a la Cámara de Representantes y al Senado que levantaran esta prohibición legislativa a fin de permitir a los estados tener la opción de abrir sus recursos OCS junto a sus costas. También ofrecí levantar una prohibición ejecutiva sobre esta exploración si el Congreso lo hacía. Desafortunadamente el Congreso no ha actuado. El tiempo se está acabando antes de que el Congreso tome su receso de verano. Por el bien de nuestra economía y de los consumidores estadounidenses, el Congreso debe actuar con prisa para ampliar la exploración de la OCS para que podamos aprovechar estos vastos recursos petrolíferos lo más pronto posible.

Segundo, debemos ampliar la producción petrolífera aprovechando el extraordinario potencial del petróleo de esquisto bituminoso. El petróleo de esquisto bituminoso es un tipo de roca que puede producir petróleo cuando se expone al calor u otros procesos. Un gran yacimiento en las Montañas Rocosas en el Oeste del país, de ser plenamente recuperado, podría por sí solo igualar más de un siglo de importaciones a niveles actuales. El año pasado, sin embargo, los líderes Demócratas introdujeron una cláusula que bloqueaba los contratos de exploración de petróleo de esquisto bituminoso en tierras federales dentro de un proyecto de ley general para gastos. Esa cláusula puede ser eliminada tan fácilmente como fue introducida y el Congreso debe hacerlo inmediatamente.

Tercero, debemos aumentar la producción de petróleo de Estados Unidos permitiendo la exploración en el norte de Alaska. Los científicos han desarrollado técnicas innovadoras para alcanzar este petróleo prácticamente sin ningún impacto sobre el medio ambiente o sobre la vida silvestre local.

Con una huella de perforación que cubre apenas una fracción pequeñísima de este enorme terreno, Estados Unidos podría producir un estimado de 10,000 millones de barriles de petróleo. Esto equivale aproximadamente a dos décadas de petróleo importado de Arabia Saudita. Insto a los miembros del Congreso que permitan que esta región remota brinde enormes beneficios al pueblo estadounidense.

Finalmente, necesitamos ampliar y mejorar nuestra capacidad de refinamiento. Han pasado casi 30 años desde que se construyera una nueva refinería en nuestra Nación y la expansión o modificación de refinerías existentes se ha vuelto sumamente costosa debido a juicios legales y barreras burocráticas. Como resultado Estados Unidos ahora importa del extranjero millones de barriles de gasolina totalmente refinada. Esto impone costos innecesarios a familias y conductores estadounidenses. Priva a los trabajadores estadounidenses de buenos empleos y es hora de que el Congreso cambie esto.

Es hora de que los Miembros del Congreso presten atención al dolor que los elevados precios de gasolina están causando a nuestros ciudadanos.

Cada dólar adicional que las familias estadounidenses gastan debido a los altos precios de la gasolina es un dólar menos que pueden usar para poner comida en la mesa o enviar un hijo(a) a la universidad. El pueblo de Estados Unidos merece mejor. Por lo tanto insto al Congreso que se una a mi Administración ahora para asegurar que nuestra economía se mantenga como la más fuerte, la más dinámica y la más prometedora del mundo.

Gracias por escuchar.

Para su publicación inmediata Oficina del Secretario de Prensa 12 de julio de 2008

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

Republican National Convention Platform Committee VIDEO and Sign Up

You may join the discussion by completing the form below. Upon submission of the form an email will be sent to the email address supplied containing login information and instructions. Allow us to post your (First Name - City, State) next to your Platform ideas by checking "Yes" below, otherwise your post will be labled "anonymous". CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT NOW!

President Signs H.R. 6304, FISA Amendments Act VIDEO PODCAST

President George W. Bush delivers remarks prior to signing the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 Thursday, July 10, 2008, in the Rose Garden at the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg.

President Bush Signs H.R. 6304, FISA Amendments Act of 2008, FULL STREAMING VIDEO Rose Garden In Focus: National Security 1:17 P.M. EDT. PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Welcome to the Rose Garden. Today I'm pleased to sign landmark legislation that is vital to the security of our people. The bill will allow our intelligence professionals to quickly and effectively monitor the communications of terrorists abroad while respecting the liberties of Americans here at home.

The bill I sign today will help us meet our most solemn responsibility: to stop new attacks and to protect our people.

Members of my administration have made a vigorous case for this important law. I want to thank them and I also want to thanks the members of the House and the Senate who've worked incredibly hard to get this legislation done. Mr. Vice President, welcome.

Respect the members of the Senate and the House who've joined us -- Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl; John Boehner, House Republican Leader; Roy Blunt, House Republican Whip. I do want to pay special tribute to Congressman Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader, for his hard work on this bill. I thank so very much Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Kit Bond, Vice Chairman, for joining us. I appreciate the hard work of Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Congressman Pete Hoekstra, Ranking Member. I also welcome Congressman Lamar Smith, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary. I thank all the other members of the House and Senate who have joined us. I appreciate your very good work.

I welcome Attorney General Michael Mukasey, as well as Admiral Mike McConnell, Director of National Intelligence. I appreciate other members of the administration who have joined us. I want to thank the congressional staff who are here, and all the supporters of this piece of legislation.

Almost seven years have passed since that September morning when nearly 3,000 men, women and children were murdered in our midst. The attack changed our country forever. We realized America was a nation at war against a ruthless and persistent enemy. We realized that these violent extremists would spare no effort to kill again. And in the aftermath of 9/11, few would have imagined that we would be standing here seven years later without another attack on American soil.

The fact that the terrorists have failed to strike our shores again does not mean that our enemies have given up. To the contrary, since 9/11 they've plotted a number of attacks on our homeland. I can remember standing up here -- I receive briefings on the very real and very dangerous threats that America continues to face.

One of the important lessons learned after 9/11 was that America's intelligence professionals lacked some of the tools they needed to monitor the communications of terrorists abroad. It is essential that our intelligence community know who our enemies are talking to, what they're saying, and what they're planning. Last year Congress passed temporary legislation that helped our intelligence community monitor these communications.

The legislation I am signing today will ensure that our intelligence community professionals have the tools they need to protect our country in the years to come. The DNI and the Attorney General both report that, once enacted, this law will provide vital assistance to our intelligence officials in their work to thwart terrorist plots. This law will ensure that those companies whose assistance is necessary to protect the country will themselves be protected from lawsuits from past or future cooperation with the government. This law will protect the liberties of our citizens while maintaining the vital flow of intelligence. This law will play a critical role in helping to prevent another attack on our soil.

Protecting America from another attack is the most important responsibility of the federal government -- the most solemn obligation that a President undertakes. When I first addressed the Congress after 9/11, I carried a badge by the mother of a police officer who died in the World Trade Center. I pledged to her, to the families of the victims, and to the American people that I would never forget the wound that was inflicted on our country. I vowed to do everything in my power to prevent another attack on our nation. I believe this legislation is going to help keep that promise. And I thank the members who have joined us. And now it's my honor to sign the bill.

(The bill is signed.) (Applause.)

END 1:22 P.M. EDT

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 10, 2008