Happy Birthday President Barack Obama!

The Growth of Renewable Energy

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science Reno Harnish speaks about the growth of renewable energy.

We went to Sharm el-Sheikh at the explicit instructions of Secretary Clinton. She wanted us to join the International Renewable Energy Agency. This is at the heart, really, of President Obama’s policy for clean energy, clean tech, clean jobs. And he has devoted himself to this. As you remember, $61 billion worth of programs, grants and guarantees were in the stimulus package. And he’s pledged 150 billion in revenues over the next ten years to speed the growth of renewable energy. So the Secretary was looking at the President and saying, this is it, this is what the President wants. Secondly, renewable energy is going to be key to climate change. It’s not the only answer. We’ve got to look at low carbon growth in many other sectors. But renewable energy is no carbon. And the extent we can bring it on faster, the better impact we’ll have on getting to a future that is a good one.

Let me say one last thing. This is also not just about climate change, but it’s also about energy security for developing countries. The developing countries are enormously important, and they don’t have the grids that we have in Europe or the United States. And renewable energy can help them as well. I want to say also, by the way, going back on what I just said, that when we were there at Sharm el-Sheikh, we made the big pitch to have the center of this, the site, the headquarters of IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency, in the developing countries. And we were very happy that the group decided to have it – the 136 nations decided to have it in the United Arab Emirates. This can’t just be about Europe or North America. Renewable energies are going to speak to the developing world and their needs. And so this – it’s perfectly appropriate that the site ended up in United Arab Emirates.

You asked about where we’re going with this. Well, that’s the answer. We want the International Renewable Energy Agency to be bringing technical assistance to the developing countries so that they can more easily receive renewable energy. We want to look at laws – are they encouraging direct investment. We want to look at barriers – are there so many encouragements for some of the traditional fuels like coal, that they’re blocking out the emergence of renewable energy. That’s where we want the International Renewable Energy Agency to go. And we think it can be an important force in spreading renewable energy around the world.

Before us is the hard work of making a broad agreement on climate change. In the meantime, we’re forging ahead with the International Renewable Energy Agency, which helps us to get at the problem of reducing greenhouse gases. And we’re doing other things. Our team here at the State Department has a program, a series of programs to bring clean technology to the developing countries. We’re really focused on China and India, for example, because China has recently surpassed us as a greenhouse gas emitter. So the answer is that the big agreement is still out in front of us. But in the meantime, we’re not just sitting still. We’re doing things like entering into the work of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and doing direct development programs for clean technology.

Obama Weekly Address: This Economic Storm Will Pass

Posted by Macon Phillips

The President discusses the state of the economy amidst positive signs from the GDP. Making clear that this is little comfort to those struggling, he notes that we appear to have averted an even worse disaster and offers hope for the time ahead.

download .mp3 |download .mp4 (58.5 MB) | read the transcript

Letters To The Arabs - Obama Writes To Arab Nations

President Barack Obama has sent letters to at least seven Arab and Gulf states seeking confidence-building measures toward Israel, which Washington has been pushing to agree to a freeze of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

One former senior U.S. official who was aware of the letters said they had been sent "recently" to seven Arab states, including the leaders of Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The letters reinforce "the Mitchell message re: the need for CBMs [confidence-building measures] in exchange for [settlement] freeze and to [get] peace talks restarted," the former senior official said by e-mail.

"These letters were sent some time ago," a White House official told Foreign Policy on condition of anonymity Sunday, when asked about them. "The President has always said that everyone will have to take steps for peace. This is just the latest instance of this sentiment."

Each side is now eyeing the other, unwilling to give ground if the other doesn't. That does seem like an opportunity for a diplomatic advance, though as the weeks roll by, the White House has to be growing increasingly impatient for some measure of progress.

Obama Weekly Address: Health Insurance Reform, Small Business and Your Questions (video)

Posted by Jesse Lee

The President discusses a key factor that has been considered in the development of the health insurance reform proposals that are being considered: the impact of reform on small business.

The White House Council of Economic Advisers released a major report on the subject in conjunction with this address -- read the report as a web page, in pdf form, or through Slideshare.

download .mp3 |download .mp4 (58.5 MB) | read the transcript

During the address, the President asks that small business owners and employees give us their comments and questions on the report. What are your experiences with health care as somebody involved in small business, and what are your thoughts and questions on the new CEA report in light of those experiences?

Give us your response here through WhiteHouse.gov, or if you are a member of the social network LinkedIn, go take part in the discussion CEA Chair Christina Romer initiated there. Romer will be answering some of most penetrating responses in a live video discussion on Wednesday at 3:00 PM EDT.

US Envoy Arrives In Syria For Mideast Peace Talks

By Albert Aji Associated Press Writer

DAMASCUS, Syria—President Barack Obama's special Mideast envoy arrived Saturday on his second visit to Syria since he took up his post in the latest U.S. diplomatic outreach to a country deemed a state sponsor of terrorism. Last month, George Mitchell became the highest-level U.S. administration official to visit Damascus since 2005. He acknowledged Syria's clout, declaring Damascus has a key role to play in promoting Mideast peace. Mitchell did not speak to reporters after his arrival at Damascus airport Saturday. He is to meet Syrian President Bashar Assad on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations and the prospects of reviving Syrian-Israeli peace talks. Mitchell later travels to Israel as part of U.S. efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

The Obama administration had a series of meetings with Syria and hopes the diplomatic outreach will encourage Damascus to play a positive role in both the Middle East peace process and also in Iraq. Syria is seen as a major player in this process because of its support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, its backing for Hezbollah in Lebanon, and its intermittent peace talks with Israel. Turkey has said it is prepared to resume mediating peace talks between Syria and Israel. Syria also maintains close links with Iran, whose disputed nuclear program is a matter of international concern. Mitchell's visit to Syria follows two separate trips in the past few months by senior U.S. officials Jeffrey Feltman, acting assistant secretary of state, and Daniel Shapiro, a Middle East expert at the White House, as part of talks about improving relations with a country shunned by former President George W. Bush.

Ahead of Mitchell's visit, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said his country is working to rebuild its diplomatic relationship with the United States. The U.S. withdrew its ambassador to Syria in 2005 to protest alleged Syrian actions in Lebanon. The Obama administration said last month it plans to send an ambassador to Syria, though no date has been set. Al-Moallem, speaking in London after talks with his British counterpart David Miliband Friday, said Syria is looking forward to Mitchell's visit as "the first step of dialogue." He said Syria would lobby Mitchell on the issue of the Golan Heights -- a strategic plateau seized by Israel in 1967 and which Syria wants back. During his June 13 visit that marked the strongest U.S. push yet to improve relations with Damascus, Mitchell said that Syria has a key role to play in forging peace in the region

The Obama administration has stepped up pressure on Arab countries to help resume Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and also pursue a peace deal with the Jewish state themselves. Despite the diplomatic overtures, the Obama administration renewed Bush-era economic sanctions against Syria in May as a way to keep pressure on the country to cooperate. The Bush administration imposed the sanctions and withdrew its ambassador in 2005 following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut. Many Lebanese politicians have blamed Syria for the killing -- a charge Damascus has denied.

Dr. Gates Accepts Obama’s Invitation to Have a Beer with Crowley at the White House

Last night, President Obama extended invitations over the phone to Dr. Henry Louis Gates and James Crowley to come to the White House and squash all this beef over a beer… Priceless Black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. says he will accept President Obama’s invitation to visit him at the White House along with the white police officer who arrested the Harvard professor. Gates told the Boston Globe in an e-mail late Friday that he spoke to Obama and said he would meet with Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley. Gates said he hoped his arrest by Crowley leads to greater sensitivity on racial profiling and that it was time to “move on.” Obama extended the invitation Friday in phone calls to the two men as he sought to calm a national debate over racial profiling. He invited both to share a beer.

In his conversation with Gates, aides said, Obama and the professor had spoken about the president’s statement to the press and his conversation with Crowley. A joint statement by three Massachusetts police unions said they appreciated the president’s “sincere interest” and added that Crowley had a friendly and meaningful conversation with Obama. Obama has come under intense criticism from police organizations for saying at a prime-time news conference this week that Cambridge police had “acted stupidly” by arresting Gates, a friend of the president’s. Obama said he had called Crowley to clear the air, and said the conversation confirmed his belief that the sergeant is an “outstanding police officer and a good man.” Obama tried to lighten his tone in his public remarks about his phone conversation with Crowley.

He said the police officer “wanted to find out if there was a way of getting the press off his lawn.” “I informed him that I can’t get the press off my lawn,” Obama joked.

The President on "Race to the Top"

Earlier today, Education Secretary Arne Duncan told you about the launch of "Race to the Top," a competition for states to invest in school reforms that really work. The President spoke at the Department of Education today about the initiative, and reiterated his commitment to improving our education system.

In his remarks, the President explained that for too long we have simply talked about the problems of our education system, including overcrowded classrooms and crumbling schools. But now, the administration is ready to take action to reform our schools. The President recently announced the American Graduation Initiative to improve our community colleges, and now "Race to the Top" aims to improve the quality of education from kindergarten through senior year:

Because improving education is central to rebuilding our economy, we set aside over $4 billion in the Recovery Act to promote improvements in schools. This is one of the largest investments in education reform in American history. And rather than divvying it up and handing it out, we are letting states and school districts compete for it. That's how we can incentivize excellence and spur reform and launch a race to the top in America's public schools.

That race starts today. I'm issuing a challenge to our nation's governors, to school boards and principals and teachers, to businesses and non-for-profits, to parents and students: if you set and enforce rigorous and challenging standards and assessments; if you put outstanding teachers at the front of the classroom; if you turn around failing schools -- your state can win a Race to the Top grant that will not only help students outcompete workers around the world, but let them fulfill their God-given potential.

This competition will not be based on politics or ideology or the preferences of a particular interest group. Instead, it will be based on a simple principle -- whether a state is ready to do what works. We will use the best evidence available to determine whether a state can meet a few key benchmarks for reform -- and states that outperform the rest will be rewarded with a grant. Not every state will win and not every school district will be happy with the results. But America's children, America's economy, and America itself will be better for it.

(President Barack Obama delivers remarks on "Race To the Top" at the Department of Education with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, left, in Washington, D.C. Friday, July 24, 2009. Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

"Race to the Top" is a $4.35 billion fund that will reward eligible states for their accomplishments, and create incentives for future improvement in four areas: adopting rigorous standards and assessments, recruiting and retaining high quality teachers, turning around low-performing schools, and establishing data systems to track student achievement and teacher effectiveness. The President explained that fixing our schools can’t just be done by Washington, and called on everyone to do their part:

Better standards. Better teaching. Better schools. Data-driven results. That's what we will reward with our Race to the Top Fund. But as I've said before, fixing the problem in our schools is not a task for Washington alone. It will take school administrators, board presidents, and local union leaders making collective bargaining a catalyst -- and not an impediment -- to reform. It will take business leaders asking what they can do to invest in education in their communities. It will take parents asking the right questions at their child's school, and making sure their children are doing their homework at night.

And it will take students -- I'm not worried about Matthew, but all the other ones -- (laughter) -- including my daughters -- showing up for school on time and paying attention in class. Ultimately, their education is up to them. It's up to their parents. It's up to their teachers. It's up to all of us.

I'll never forget a school I visited one day when I was a community organizer in Chicago. As I walked around the school with the principal, I remember saying to her how wonderful it was to see all these kids so full of energy and hope and the spark in their eye. And when he asked them what they were going to be when they grew up, they said, we're going to be doctors and lawyers and they all had these big dreams for the future. And I remember the principal saying that soon all that would change; that in a year or two, something would shut off inside as they began to realize their hopes wouldn't come to pass -- not because they weren't smart enough, not because they weren't talented enough, but because they didn't see a pathway to success.

And that's true of too many children in this country. Maybe they don't have a great teacher. Maybe they don't find their classes exciting. Maybe they aren't being challenged at school. Maybe their parents aren't pushing them the way they need to. Maybe nobody is setting high expectations for them. Maybe they can't afford a college education. Maybe they don't know anybody who's ever gone to college. And the reason you're here, the reason Arne is here, the reason I'm here, is to make sure that we are giving all of those children, all our children, the pathways they need to make the most of their abilities; to make the most of their opportunities; to make the most of their lives.

Obama: A New Vision for Urban and Metropolitan Policy

by Katherine Brandon

The White House Office of Urban Affairs and the Domestic Policy Council hosted a day-long discussion about the future of America’s urban and metropolitan areas. Participants included policy experts from across the country, several cabinet members, and elected officials. Discussions covered the evolution of metropolitan areas, best practices in urban communities, and how the federal government can be a more effective partner in these communities.

After the roundtable discussions, the President spoke on some of the challenges facing urban communities today. The President is personally familiar with these challenges after spending much of his life in urban areas, saying he received his greatest education working in Chicago’s South Side. These challenges are only exacerbated by the recession, which is why the administration has been committed to making sure our cities not only rebound, but also prosper in the future:

But what's also clear is we're going to need to do more than just help our cities weather the current economic storm. We've got to figure out ways to rebuild them on a newer, firmer, stronger foundation for our future. And that requires new strategies for our cities and metropolitan areas that focus on advancing opportunity through competitive, sustainable, and inclusive growth. And that's why all of you are here today. And I know that there were a lot of ideas that were shared throughout the morning and afternoon.

Now, the first thing we need to recognize is that this is not just a time of challenge for America's cities; it's also a time of great change. Even as we've seen many of our central cities continuing to grow in recent years, we've seen their suburbs and exurbs grow roughly twice as fast -- that spreads homes and jobs and businesses to a broader geographic area. And this transformation is creating new pressures and problems, of course, but it's also opening up new opportunities, because it's not just our cities that are hotbeds of innovation anymore, it's our growing metropolitan areas.

(President Barack Obama speaks at the Urban and Metropolitan Policy Roundtable meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

The President outlined some of his administration’s proposals:

And we're also going to take a hard look at how Washington helps or hinders our cities and metro areas -- from infrastructure to transportation; from housing to energy; from sustainable development to education. And we're going to make sure federal policies aren't hostile to good ideas or best practices on the local levels. We're going to put an end to throwing money at what doesn't work -- and we're going to start investing in what does work and make sure that we're encouraging that.

Now, we began to do just that with my budget proposal, which included two investments in innovative and proven strategies. I just want to mention these briefly. The first, Promise Neighborhoods, is modeled on Geoffrey Canada's successful Harlem Children's Zone. It's an all-encompassing, all-hands-on-deck effort that's turning around the lives of New York City's children, block by block. And what we want to do is to make grants available for communities in other cities to jumpstart their own neighborhood-level interventions that change the odds for our kids.

The second proposal we call Choice Neighborhoods -- focuses on new ideas for housing in our cities by recognizing that different communities need different solutions. So instead of isolated and monolithic public housing projects that too often trap residents in a cycle of poverty and isolate them further, we want to invest in proven strategies that actually transform communities and enhance opportunity for residents and businesses alike.

The President highlighted the policies of Denver, Philadelphia and Kansas City for their innovative solutions to urban challenges. With these fresh ideas and successful solutions, and the help of the federal government, we can reinvent our urban and metropolitan areas for the 21st century.

POTUS calls SCOTUS pick - Wishes her well with hearing

Wishes her well with hearing

By POLITICO STAFF

W.H. readout of Obama's phone conversation today with Sotomayor:

“President Obama called Judge Sotomayor from the Oval Office this morning to wish her good luck as she completed preparations for her confirmation hearing. He complimented the judge for making courtesy calls to 89 senators in which she discussed her adherence to the rule of law throughout her 17 years on the federal bench. The president expressed his confidence that Judge Sotomayor would be confirmed to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court for many years to come.”

Obama Administration Readies $3 Billion for Renewable Energy

Treasury and Energy departments release long-awaited rules for grant money

When Congress was debating an extension of the renewable energy tax credits set to expire at the end of 2008, the loudest argument from the wind and solar industries was that letting the tax credits expire would have a deleterious affect on renewable energy development in the United States. And before the credits expired, Congress passed a short term extension of the renewable energy production and investment tax credits. But then the credit markets froze. There was little to no money to borrow to get projects off the ground. At that point, the extension of the production tax credit was almost moot. Recognizing this, the authors of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 addressed some of the problems created by the credit freeze by authorizing the Treasury Department to make immediate, direct payments to companies for projects—in lieu of tax credits—for an estimated 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind and geothermal energy facilities.

And on Thursday, Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner together announced that they were ready to start doling out that cash, or at least how they would dole it out. The thinking behind the move is that developers will not have to wait until they have a project in production in order to take advantage of the federal tax benefit. The new grant program essentially front-loads the tax benefit, freeing-up money for material, labor and other investments in project development. “The renewable energy program provides another important avenue for the Recovery Act to contribute to economic development in communities around the country,” said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. “This partnership between Treasury and Energy will enable both large companies and small businesses to invest in our long-term energy needs, protect our environment and revitalize our nation’s economy.”

Preventing another renewable energy bust

The $3 billion in grants are designed to temporarily replace the production tax credit (PTC) that has been a critical factor in the growth of renewable energy capacity in U.S. The boom-and-bust cycles caused by lapses in the PTC have been particularly troublesome for the wind energy industry. In the two times the tax credit was let to expire, once in 2002 and again in 2004, new U.S. wind power capacity fell precipitously, taking with it, a burgeoning U.S. wind industry.

The specter of another bust in the renewable energy industry had industry groups welcoming the Thursday move. “The implementation of this program for renewable energy will be a welcome boost, just when we all need it,” said American Wind Energy Association CEO Denise Bode. The grants can amount to as much as 30% of the value of a new wind project, explained Bode. “As with all industry, the economic conditions of the past eight or nine months have held us back. We believe these grants will help get our companies back on track, create more jobs, and balance our electricity portfolio with clean, renewable energy.” Solar industry groups welcomed the move as well, emphasizing the fact that it would free-up several projects in various phases of development.

“Solar stimulus is ready, set and … coming soon,” said said Rhone Resch, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “Once Treasury begins accepting grant applications, the solar industry will create tens of thousands of jobs and spur investment in the clean energy economy.” “There are dozens of large solar power projects in the pipeline that can now move forward,” added Resch. The Treasury will be launching the web-based application system in the coming weeks and begin making direct payments within 60 days after projects are submitted.

How Low Will The Drudge Report Go?... Pretty Low Apparently

On the other hand, does this really surprise us... no

by Adam Ostrow

Leave it to a slow Friday during the summer for one of the biggest news stories of the day to be a picture that purports to show President Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy checking out the backside of a young lady at the G8 summit.

I actually first saw this picture yesterday when a friend told me, “dude, you need to check out the homepage of Drudge Report!” Sure enough, the site was featuring the picture atop its homepage, with the wildly mischievous headline “Second Stimulus Package.” The story is apparently of such significance that it’s still the headline on the site.

The problem with this intriguing image and caption is that it now appears to have been rather manipulative. By morning, video of the event had surfaced, and it becomes fairly clear after watching it that the still frame photo happens to catch Obama at a moment where the perception of ogling could certainly be created. But in reality, he was simply in the midst of gesturing to help someone down a step. As for Sarkozy, as the ABC News anchor jokes, it’s not quite as clear:

In any event, this rather amusing moment shows both the good and the bad of the Web. The bad: it’s rather easy to take something completely out of context for the benefit of creating a highly viral piece of content. The good: it’s usually equally easy to diffuse this type of thing in a world where everything seems to be captured on video, and findable and shareable on YouTube within minutes.

Cross Posted From Mashable

Obama: Daughters should learn from slave tour

President Barack Obama and first Lady Michelle Obama arrive in Accra, Ghana with their daughters Sasha and Malia (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

CAPE COAST, Ghana—President Barack Obama says he hopes his family's tour of a former slave fortress on the coast of Ghana shows his daughters that history can take very cruel turns.

Eleven-year-old Malia and eight-year-old Sasha accompanied Obama on a tour of Cape Coast Castle Saturday.

Speaking afterward, Obama said his daughters are "growing up in such a blessed way." He said one of the things he hopes they picked up from the tour is a sense of their obligation to fight oppression and cruelty everywhere.

Cape Coast Castle was the place where shackled Africans were held in squalid dungeons before they were shipped off into slavery.

Obama: A New Moment of Promise in Africa

by Kol Peterson

Today, the President gave a speech in Accra, Ghana. He laid out his vision for human rights and democracy in Africa’s future, and he described what America’s role in promoting better governance in Africa will be. The speech was entitled, "A New Moment of Promise."

• Listen to the full audio.
• Read the full text in English.
• Read the full text in French.

(President Barack Obama addresses the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra,
Ghana. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

We made sure that speech would be as accessible to as many Africans as possible on the radio, TV, and by SMS. These are the speech excerpts that we sent out to thousands of SMS subscribers in Africa and around the world.

• It is an honor for me to be in Accra & to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana. I am proud that this is my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the US.

• The 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra as well.

• I will focus on four areas that are critical to the future of Africa and the entire developing world: democracy; opportunity; health; and the peaceful resolution of conflict.

• Governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, more stable, and more successful than governments that do not.

• With better governance, I have no doubt that Africa holds the promise of a broader base for prosperity.

• People must make responsible choices that prevent the spread of disease… promoting public health in their communities and countries.

• America will support these efforts through a comprehensive, global health strategy.

• Africa’s diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division

• We must stand up to inhumanity in our midst. It is never justifiable to target innocents in the name of ideology.

• I am speaking to the young people. You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people.

• I can promise you this: America will be with you. As a partner. As a friend. Freedom is your inheritance. Now, it is your responsibility to build upon freedom’s foundation.

(President Barack Obama addresses the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra,
Ghana July 11, 2009. Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

For More Pictures: President Obama and family in Ghana, Africa

Obama Weekly Address: Recovery and the Jobs of the Future (video)

Posted by Jesse Lee

The President explains how the Recovery Act helped end our economic free fall, and how his agenda is helping to set a new foundation for our economy. From health reform, to energy, to creating the jobs of the future, the President’s proposals will make our economy stronger for both the current generations and our children, all in a way that will get our deficits under control.

download .mp3 |download .mp4 (85.4) | read the transcript

Obama & The Pope: A Photo Essay From The Vatican

by Kori Schulman

The President traveled to Rome today where he met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Take a look at the President and First Lady’s visit to the Vatican.

(Pope Benedict XVI greets President Barack Obama at the Vatican.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)


(President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are escorted
by Swiss Guards and Vatican ushers at the Vatican. Official White House
Photo by Pete Souza)


(President Barack Obama and Pope Benedict XVI enter the Pope's study
at the Vatican. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)


(President Barack Obama and Pope Benedict XVI meet in the Pope's
study at the Vatican. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)


(President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama meet with
Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Letterman Takes On Palin Resignation: Something I Said? (video)

It's been a rocky year for Letterman and Palin. He joked about her daughter, she freaked out, he apologized, she still freaked out, he apologized again, she said ok, but 15 people didn't get the message and protested his show anyway. Last night, Dave took several shots at the soon-to-be ex-governor of Alaska, saying that we know Obama's in Russia cause "Sarah Palin can see him from her house." He said she was trying to blame the media for her resignation, and was currently in a helicopter trying to gun down Wolf Blitzer. In the midst of this, Letterman referenced their feud saying "was it something I said?" After making one more dig at Palin for being more of a beauty queen than a politician (miss congeniality will replace her), he showed two pre-taped packages his staff put together. One, an edit down of her press conference, the other a promo for her latest project.

Watch Video HERE

Man To Michelle Obama: Пожалуйста! (Please!)

from Jezebel by Anna

[Moscow, Image via Getty]

MOSCOW - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama visits the St. Dimitry nurse training college on July 7, 2009 in Moscow, Russia. The First Family is on a two day diplomatic visit to Russia.

US Finalizes Stem Cell Research Guidelines

from Slashdot | MP3.com's Beam-It by kdawson

An anonymous reader writes with an excerpt from Cosmos Magazine, to wit: "The US government unveiled final rules for embryonic stem cell research, laying out ground rules for 'ethically responsible, scientifically worthy' studies eligible for federal funds. The new rules, which go into effect today, follow President Barack Obama's March 9 executive order lifting a ban on embryonic stem cell research, an order that went into effect under his predecessor, George W. Bush. ... The US National Institutes of Health's (NIH) guidelines are slightly less restrictive than those outlined in a draft document released in April in that they allow the use of existing stem cell lines, in addition to new ones derived from IVF procedures. ... The NIH received some 49,000 comments from patient advocacy groups, scientists, medical groups, and other interested parties before issuing the guidelines."

Obama "No green light for Iran attack"

Mr Obama took time out from a visit to Moscow to calm concerns over Iran The US has "absolutely not" given Israel a green light to attack Iran over its nuclear programme, President Barack Obama has said. His remarks followed weekend comments by Vice-President Joe Biden that the US would not stand in the way of Israel's response to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, US military chief Adm Mike Mullen said Washington should keep military options on the table. But he said he hoped dialogue with Tehran would prove productive. Clarification Speaking to CNN while on a visit to Russia, President Obama said the US would to try to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue "in a peaceful way through diplomatic channels." Vice-President Joe Biden had said in an interview with ABC TV on Sunday that "Israel can determine for itself... what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else". Asked whether the comment meant that Washington had given Israel the go-ahead for an attack, Mr Obama said: "Absolutely not

However, he did defend his deputy, who was accused of being gaffe-prone by rivals during the 2008 presidential election campaign. "I think Vice-President Biden stated a categorical fact which is we can't dictate to other countries what their security interests are," Mr Obama added. He added that the US also reserved the right to take "whatever actions" were necessary to protect itself, without elaborating what those were. At an event in Washington Adm Mullen, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, echoed the president's comments.

"There is a great deal that certainly depends on the dialogue and the engagement, and I think we need to do that with all options remaining on the table, including certainly military options," he said. The US military chief said Tehran could have an atomic bomb within one to three years, which "would be potentially very destabilising" to the Middle East. But he said the potential consequences of an attack on Iran were of great concern and weighed heavily against launching any strike. "I worry a great deal about the response of a country that gets struck.

"It is a really important place to not go, if we can not go there in any way, shape or form."

A Green Thorn In Obama's Side? Toyota Builds a Patent Thicket For Hybrid Cars

Posted by kdawson

Lorien_the_first_one sends along a WSJ piece reporting on how Toyota is hoping to benefit from new Obama Administration regulations for automobiles here in the US.

"Since it started developing the gas-electric Prius more than a decade ago, Toyota has kept its attorneys just as busy as its engineers, meticulously filing for patents on more than 2,000 systems and components for its best-selling hybrid. Its third-generation Prius, which hit showrooms in May, accounts for about half of those patents alone. Toyota's goal: to make it difficult for other auto makers to develop their own hybrids without seeking licensing from Toyota, as Ford Motor Co. already did to make its Escape hybrid and Nissan Motor Co. has for its Altima hybrid."