Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

Read the story and see the video of the first bill Obama signed as President. It makes it easier for women to sue for discrimination and pay in the workplace.

A good thing!

The White House - Blog Post - A Wonderful Day (Update: Video): "Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009"

Here is some background on Lilly Ledbetter and her case.

(By the way, you may notice one of our Senators, Patty Murray, standing among the key lawmakers behind the President - she played an important role in promoting this bill.)

The Inauguration. At Last. - And the Pursuit of Happiness Blog - NYTimes.com

One artist's reflections on attending the inauguration of Barack Obama - 44th President of the United States of America.

The Inauguration. At Last. - And the Pursuit of Happiness Blog - NYTimes.com

Republicans Choose First Black Party Chairman

It is about time! Good luck to Michael Steele as he seeks to redeem the image of the Republican Party, the G.O.P., and yes, the "Party of Lincoln".
It is going to take more than a non-white face to attract more voters though. Republicans have to show that they care about more than tax cuts that favor the rich and an intolerant brand of Christianity. If the party is really going to open its arms to all of America, it has got to take a good look at America, and respond with policy positions that help all Americans.

No more gay bashing. No more racially charged code language in campaign ads that play on white fears of things such as "urban crime" and "welfare queens". No more stigmatizing all Latinos, Asians, and Africans by fanatical crusades against illegal immigrants. No more unanimous opposition to economic stimulus bills. No more lies and misrepresentations of intelligence data to scare Americans into unnecessary wars.

Good luck Mr. Steele - you've got your work cut out for you.

Republicans Choose First Black Party Chairman - NYTimes.com

Protests across Russia

The economic crisis that began in the housing and financial sectors of the United States has sparked a world-wide economic downturn. Here are some stories from the BBC about how Russians are reacting to the hard times. One wonders how Vladimir Putin and the government he still retains tremendous influence will react to political expression aimed at his administration.

BBC NEWS Europe Thousands protest across Russia


From January 21: Police break up Russian protests


From December: Russia's industrial output slumps

Rep. Upthegrove targets special deal for student-athletes

Kudos to Dave Upthegrove for taking on a small, but unfair practice favoring student-athletes over other students in UW admissions.

Equality of opportunity is a core American value, and must be defended in places big and small.

In tough economic times, equal access to higher education is more important than ever. If we don't have room for every deserving student at our state universities (and we should!) let us at least make decisions on the basis of academic merit.

Keep fighting the good fight Dave!

Education Legislator targets special deal for student-athletes

Bush's 'War' On Terror Comes to a Sudden End - washingtonpost.com

Bush's 'War' On Terror Comes to a Sudden End - washingtonpost.com

Barack Hussein Obama - 44th President of the United States

An interactive photograph of those present: An Closer Look at the Inaugural Ceremony

Read or view his address: Transcript - Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address - Text - NYTimes.com

Photo Slide Show of Obama's aides and advisors

U.S. Citizens Hopeful About Obama Administration

It is a good sign when the American people have optimism about an incoming President, and Barack Obama seems to be enjoying a higher level of confidence in him than any incoming President in quite a long time.

While 79% of those surveyed said they were feeling optimistic about life over the next four years according to a poll conducted by the New York Times, the most encouraging statistic is that 58% of those who voted for John McCain said they were "optimistic" about an Obama administration.

For more details on the survey complete with graphs, check out the link:

Poll Finds Faith in Obama, Mixed With Patience - NYTimes.com

Tax Cuts for Teachers - NYTimes.com

Well, you know I agree with this idea - thanks to Thomas Friedman of the New York Times for the vote of confidence.

Op-Ed Columnist - Tax Cuts for Teachers - NYTimes.com

Gaza crisis: a crossroads for Obama

I think this commentary gets it right - it is time for the U.S. to ask Israel to share some of the blame for the tragedy of the Middle East and realize that even the use of overwhelming military force will not solve their security concerns in the long run - they are only making more enemies and radicals in the Arab world. True, Hamas is an organization that has not respected human rights of Israelis and has defied international law by its attacks on civilians, but Israel and the U.S. must facilitate talks.

Gaza crisis: a crossroads for Obama csmonitor.com

UPDATE 1:
For some good background on this issue, here are some helpful resources:
Gaza: Why Israel and Hamas are trading rocket fire

Ezra Klein does a nice job on his blog of giving a short simple explanation of how each side finds the other at fault for starting the latest round of violence. Who Started It?

State Competition - Gig Harbor High School

Here they are - the winners of the State Finals of the "We the People" Competition for the 2008-2009 school year. I think they did a great job, and I hope the video will help all other "We the People" students learn some things about how to prepare for competitions.

Congrats to Gig Harbor students and their great teacher, Ken Brown!

12 things to throw at Bush / A shoe? Not bad. But surely we can do better

An amusing, yet sad reflection on the eight years of misguided leadership we experienced under George W. Bush.

12 things to throw at Bush / A shoe? Not bad. But surely we can do better

News Analysis - In Blagojevich Case, Is It a Crime, or Just Talk? - NYTimes.com

News Analysis - In Blagojevich Case, Is It a Crime, or Just Talk? - NYTimes.com

The Electoral College Has Spoken!

It's official: Obama elected 44th president - White House transition- msnbc.com

Well, not exactly. The votes are not counted until January 6th, 2009 after the new Congress is sworn in, and the ballots are counted that body. However, apparently according to this story, the AP has confirmed that the Electors actually voted for the candidates they pledged to vote for.

I'm really hoping that a 28th Amendment will be added to the Constitution soon, to get rid of this relic of the 18th century.

And by the way: Turnout in presidential elections hits high
61.6 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, the highest rate since 1968

Bush Visits Iraq, Iraqi Journalist Throws Shoes at Him

I wonder if he gets the message now? I fitting end to the Bush presidency, and an image that will probably endure throughout history as a symbol of the cluelessness and foolishness of the U.S. doctrine of pre-emptive invasion.



According to CNN:

The shoe-thrower -- identified as Muntadhar al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist with Egypt-based al-Baghdadia television network -- could be heard yelling in Arabic: "This is a farewell ... you dog!"

While pinned on the ground by security personnel, he screamed: "You killed the Iraqis!"

FindLaw's Writ -

FindLaw's Writ - Mariner: A Public Accounting for Post-9/11 Abuses

Is Obama Truly Like Lincoln - As His "Team of Rivals" and Other Parallels Suggest?
By EDWARD LAZARUS

From The Onion: Should the Government Stop Dumping Money Into a Giant Hole

Some brilliant satire from The Onion on what passes for reasoned discussion of important issues on cable news these days.


In The Know: Should The Government Stop Dumping Money Into A Giant Hole?

Some Relevant Current Events

Here are some news stories I collected that I thought were relevant to issues of the Presidency, political parties, Congress, the rights of a defendant (who is accused of being a terrorist) being held at Guantanamo, and federal/state relationships.

And oh, by the way, they are saying that we are officially in a recession. As if we couldn't tell....

Obama Promises Governors That Federal Help Is on the Way
PHILADELPHIA — With the economic crisis tearing holes in most state budgets, President-elect Barack Obama promised the nation’s governors on Tuesday that he would come to their aid with an ambitious program to build or repair roads, bridges, schools and other public projects.

Summoning state executives from across the country here, Mr. Obama sought to forge a bipartisan approach to the nation’s economic problems. He was met with pleas for a rapid infusion of federal money to create jobs, help those without health coverage and balance recession-ripped budgets.

In Guantánamo case, a judge tightens the screws on the US csmonitor.com
Washington - A major battle is brewing in federal court here over the well-established legal requirement that the government must turn over any exculpatory evidence it has uncovered to an accused criminal it is seeking to imprison.

But what if that person is a suspected terrorist being held as an enemy combatant at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba?

That's the issue before US District Judge Emmet Sullivan, who is presiding over a high-stakes legal dispute involving allegations that US intelligence agents secretly sent a man to Morocco for 18 months of torture before transferring him to prisons in Afghanistan and then Guantánamo.

Republicans win crucial Georgia Senate seat

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss won a run-off election in Georgia on Tuesday, CNN said, denying Democrats the chance for a 60-seat "super majority" in the Senate that would have enabled them to pass legislation virtually at will.

Obama’s national security ‘team of rivals’ His choice of Gates, Clinton, and Jones reflects his goal of building a bipartisan cabinet.

Obama’s team of stars: Can he manage it?
Some inner-circle conflict can be of help to a president, but building a sense of teamwork will be key.
President-elect Barack Obama has earned accolades from Democrats and Republicans alike for the high-powered national security and economic teams he has unveiled.

Choice for U.N. Backs Strong Action Against Mass Killings - NYTimes.com

Choice for U.N. Backs Strong Action Against Mass Killings - NYTimes.com: "President-elect Barack Obama has chosen his foreign policy adviser, Susan E. Rice, to be ambassador to the United Nations, picking an advocate of “dramatic action” against genocide as he rounds out his national security team, Democrats close to the transition said Sunday."

Along with nominating Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, General Jim Jones for National Security Advisor and retaining Bush's Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, Obama will make Susan E. Rice a high profile appointee today.

And I think it is great news. According to the NYTimes:

To reinforce his intention to work more closely with the United Nations after the tensions of President Bush’s tenure, Mr. Obama plans to restore the ambassador’s post to cabinet rank, as it was under President Bill Clinton, according to Democrats close to the transition.
While the cabinet consists of 15 department heads, a president can give other positions the same rank for the duration of his administration.

I'll try to post more on this after the announcement this morning.

Rush to Enact a Safety Rule Obama Opposes - NYTimes.com

Although Presidents are considered "lame-ducks" in the last part of their tenure in office, they can still weild a lot of power. In fact, in the closing days of an administration, there is often a rush to enact as many rules, regulations, and PARDONS as possible. First, here are some of the executive actions Bush is trying to get in place that are controversial:

Rush to Enact a Safety Rule Obama Opposes - NYTimes.com