McCain Objects To Interior Nominee Because He
Once Compared Ronald Reagan To George W. Bush

post from Think Progress on 13 March 2009 01:44:00 PM. © Think Progress

During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) threatened to oppose President Obama’s pick deputy secretary of Interior, David Hayes, over comments that Hayes had made about former President Ronald Reagan in a 2006 report for the Progressive Policy Institute. “I will be considering seriously whether I can support your nomination or not,” said McCain.

At the hearing, McCain read aloud from Hayes’ article:

“The conservative political agenda in the West is grounded in hoary stereotypes about the region and its people? and that ?out of this conservative world view emerges the stereotypical Western man (and it is unquestionably a ?he?)?a rugged, gun-toting individualist who fiercely guards every man?s right to drill, mine, log, or do whatever he damn well pleases on the land? and that ?Like Ronald Reagan before him, President Bush has embraced the Western stereotype to the point of adopting some of its affectations?the boots, brush-clearing, and get-the-government-off-our-backs bravado.”

Though McCain did not defend Bush, he said that Hayes’ reference to Reagan was “highly offensive.” “You had to throw Reagan in there?” asked McCain after Hayes said he regretted the “overly florid” prose of the article.

McCain has long revered Reagan, even callling himself a “a foot soldier in the Reagan revolution.” But Will Bunch, who recently wrote a book debunking myths about Reagan, notes that “Reagan and much more so Bush really were urban cowboys with a strange obsession for brush clearing that seemed to evaporate the same hour their presidencies expired.” Bunch calls McCain’s threat against Hayes’ nomination both “chilling” and “anti-speech.”

But McCain’s clash with Hayes is more than just “chilling.” It also continues his move away from his early efforts to not needlessly hold up Obama’s qualified nominees. Just yesterday, McCain came out against another Obama nominee, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Chris Hill, who has been nominated to be ambassador to Iraq.

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http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/13/mccain-reagan-hayes/

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Calling Jon Stewart: Get Savage!

post from FRAMESHOP on 13 March 2009 01:43:00 PM. © FRAMESHOP

Prominent Republican radio host warns that the White House program to weatherize windows will soon become an armed paramilitary force used against the American people.

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http://jeffrey-feldman.typepad.com/frameshop/2009/03/calling-john-stewart-get-sav
age.html

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Calling John Stewart: Get Savage!

post from FRAMESHOP on 13 March 2009 01:43:00 PM. © FRAMESHOP

Prominent Republican radio host warns that the White House program to weatherize windows will soon become an armed paramilitary force used against the American people.

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http://jeffrey-feldman.typepad.com/frameshop/2009/03/calling-john-stewart-get-sav
age.html

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Michelle: "It Hurts!!", "It Hurts!!"

post from Military Spouse Press - Recent Diaries on 13 March 2009 01:32:15 PM. © Military Spouse Press - Recent Diaries

I went over to ABC News to see if they had posted a video report that I caught last night, never got to that as this is what I found, and will be airing this morning on GMA.

Exclusive: 'It Hurts,' Says First Lady of Military Families on Food Stamps

First lady Michelle Obama wants military families to know they have a friend in the White House, she told "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview today at Fort Bragg, N.C. -- her first network television interview since her husband took office.
"It hurts. It hurts," the first lady said of hearing about military families on food stamps. "These are people who are willing to send their loved ones off to, perhaps, give their lives -- the ultimate sacrifice. But yet, they're living back at home on food stamps. It's not right, and it's not where we should be as a nation."

It is so refreshing to actually watch as those in this new administration, especially the First Family members, speak the words of the real needs that should have come from those in the previous administration, especially as to anything connected to our Military and their Families as we sent them into two, now long running, occupations! All they gave us, and our soldiers as well as their families, were "Go Shopping!" and 'Magnetic Ribbons'!

And when they do you can read the dedication to those words and thoughts in the faces of those speaking, and the want to Really make a difference by doing what already should have been but wasn't even thought of.

Mrs. Obama's comments to ABC News followed an emotional private meeting with military families at Fort Bragg. The first lady traveled to North Carolina to hear their stories about the support services that are available to them and what can be done to better serve those who serve their country.

"I think that's one of my jobs, is to try and shed some light on some of these issues," she said, "to not just be in that conversation with military spouses and hear those stories, but to take that information back to the administration to share it with the nation, so that we can think again about how we can better support these families."

Working with and for military families is at the top of the first lady's agenda as she settles into her new role in the White House -- so for her first trip outside of Washington, she chose to highlight the struggles of the nation's servicemen and servicewomen.

The Military and their Families can really believe they have more than just a Friend in the White House, and that what wasn't before will be fought for to be now!

Lets hope the Country follows their Lead, especially as to this generations New Veterans, it hasn't since after World War II, and the Veterans Administration administrative offices have been nothing but political appointee's, from the very top down, and especially these last eight years as they vigorously sent our troops into two Wars, Incompetence and Corruption Reigned!

Michelle Obama begins advocacy as first lady

First lady Michelle Obama reads to children at the Prager Child Development Center at Fort Bragg, N.C., where she met with relatives of service members.
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) - The nation owes not only gratitude but tangible assistance to the nation's military and their families, and she'll make that a focus of her time in the White House, first lady Michelle Obama says.
Underscoring her commitment to the plight of America's military families, Mrs. Obama used a trip to Fort Bragg as a stage for her first television interviews since the inauguration. One with ABC's "Good Morning America" was to air Friday.
In the interview she said she wanted military families to know they have a friend in the White House.

On the local news here they showed a short clip of Michelle reading to the children. See the cute young lady standing next to her in the above pic, this is one youngster that will never forget this meeting, in the clip she seemed to be constantly talking to Michelle, touching her, and striving to savor the moment. Michelle kept smiling as she gave her answers to her questions and wrapped her arm around her. All the kids were enjoying this moment and Michelle's reading to them.

A footnote:

Here's Really Hoping

The obstructionist 'rushlicans' will Not Stop the Real Need to move forward in Giving Our Veterans that which should have always been, What They Are Owed For Our Service To Country especially after their Wars of Choice!!

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http://www.milspousepress.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=855

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Good for Her

post from Moue Magazine on 13 March 2009 01:31:33 PM. © Moue Magazine

Meghan McCain has responded (via her Twitter) to Laura Ingraham's juvenile comments about McCain's body.[...]

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http://www.mouemagazine.com/blog/2009/03/good-for-her/

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Its Glenn Becks We Surround Them Friday!

post from Firedoglake on 13 March 2009 01:28:55 PM. © Firedoglake

Glenn Beck is becoming increasingly unhinged and deranged these days, and today, the Anchor Baby links to his new big thing which kicks off today: the "We Surround Them" circlejerk campaign.[...]

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http://firedoglake.com/2009/03/13/its-glenn-becks-we-surround-them-friday/

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'We Surround Them' ALERT: Still Not Surrounded

post from Daily Kos on 13 March 2009 01:25:03 PM. © Daily Kos

[Throughout the day we will be bringing you breaking coverage of today's 'We Surround Them' event, newsperson Glenn Beck's effort to demonstrate the power of the ultraconservative movement via drinking, going out to eat, and watching Glenn Beck in groups.]

URGENT ALERT: Went to hardware store to pick up plumbing supplies. Plumbing aisle not surrounded. Going for coffee now: will continue updates if possible.

Pictured: Glenn Beck pointing knowingly to Glenn Beck logo

[This has been a 'We Surround Them' update. Keep checking throughout the day for important updates as to the status of whether or not we are surrounded. YOUR FAMILY MAY BE AT RISK.]

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http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/1mvY_E0X-_A/707967

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Wash. Post contradicts prior reporting
in purporting to contrast Clinton and Bush U.S. attorney dismissals

post from Media Matters for America on 13 March 2009 01:23:55 PM. © Media Matters for America

A March 13 Washington Post article by staff writer Carrie Johnson purported to contrast actions by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush in dismissing U.S. attorneys upon taking office, asserting: "When President Bill Clinton took office, he fired all U.S. attorneys at once, provoking intense criticism in the conservative legal community and among career lawyers at the Justice Department. President George W. Bush took a different approach, slowly releasing several of the[...]

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http://mediamatters.org/items/200903130012

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CNBC's Kernen, Bartiromo falsely claimed Obama
promised to eliminate earmarks

Discussing the 2009 omnibus spending bill on the March 11 edition of CNBC's Squawk Box, co-host Joe Kernen falsely claimed that President Obama "promised ... no more earmarks." Kernen's colleague, Maria Bartiromo, host of CNBC's Closing Bell, similarly asserted on March 11 that "during the campaign, [Obama] said he would eliminate" earmarks. In fact, as Media Matters for America has noted, during the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama promised to reform the earmark process and cut wasteful[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200903130011

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Hilda Solis Sworn In by Joe Biden

From the Office of the Vice President:

REMARKS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
AT THE CEREMONIAL SWEARING-IN OF
SECRETARY OF LABOR HILDA L. SOLIS
Great Hall
Frances Perkins Building
U.S. Department of Labor Headquarters

THE VICE PRESIDENT: You can keep clapping. (Laughter.) I'm only joking, only joking. I can only say that -- (applause) -- at the Labor Department. I'm only joking. (Laughter.) I just wanted Tom Harkin to clap for me -- (laughter) -- that's why -- Senator, welcome, Mr. Chairman. It's great to see you, and so many distinguished guests that are here today to celebrate along with me and others the return of the Department of Labor. (Applause.)

Pam Langley, thank you for the pledge. And, Lisa, thank you for the National Anthem -- your beautiful voice. (Applause.) Folks, I'd like you to -- I got a chance to spend a little time with Sam upstairs, and I told Sam I wanted to thank him, too. And I mean it sincerely, because the spouses of people who take on these jobs that are particularly consuming -- and this will be an all-consuming job, Mr. President -- is that we appreciate it. And thank you very much.

And Anna and Leticia, as we were walking out -- I'm going to embarrass you, Hilda -- or embarrass -- quote -- as you said, "your little sisters." She said, you know, did they tell you they're both engineers? They're the smartest ones in the family. (Laughter and applause.) And welcome to all of you. Thank you all for being here.

It would be hard to look around at all the people and all the energy in this room and not see something special that's happening here. Maybe it's because we have a Secretary of State who understands. Maybe it's because we have a Secretary of Labor who understands. (Laughter and applause.) No, by the way -- by the way, that wasn't an accident. (Laughter.) We have two very, very, very accomplished women taking over -- (applause) -- the most important international job and the most important domestic job that are underway here -- areas that have not had the kind of attention they've gotten before.

And maybe it's because Secretary Solis -- or soon to be -- has worked so hard. Maybe it's because we have a Secretary of Labor who has not only -- not only is willing, but has demonstrated she's willing to fight. Maybe it's because we have a Secretary that we know, someone -- you've all seen her track record. You've seen what she's done before she got to the Congress, and since she's been in the Congress. I could ask her colleagues in the Congress. They could easily testify to her capability, to her sincerity, to her willingness to fight, to her leadership.

Do we have any doubt -- anybody doubt that Hilda Solis understands the job she's about to take over? And, folks, that's a big, big, big deal. (Applause.)

Hilda is the daughter of blue-collar union members –- both her mother and her father. (Applause.) She knows how hard people work. She knows how tough things can be. She's one of seven siblings. And she didn't just accidentally got here -- get here, she did her part -- she did her part like everybody in big families that struggle do.

Things like fairness in the workplace and workplace safety are not just idle phrases that are to be debated in Hilda's mind; they're real. They affect real live people. They're real concerns that people face every single day. She knows that a job is more than about a paycheck. My friends in Labor have heard me say this before -- maybe it's because the way I was raised and the experience of my father and my grandfather -- but a job is more than a paycheck. A job is about dignity. A job is about respect. Hilda understands that. She understands that. (Applause.)

And I don't think anybody in this room has any doubt that Hilda Solis will be heard. When she was in the state legislature, when it came to domestic violence, to health care, to education, she was heard. When she held hearings on sweatshops, she was heard. When she fought to protect low-income and minority communities from landfill and pollution and environmental hazards, she was heard. And in Congress, when she stood up -- she stood up to level the playing field for workers who wanted to organize, she was heard. (Applause.)

And when she said the economy of the future would be built on green jobs, co-sponsoring the Green Jobs Act of 2007 –- the first federal initiative of its kind -- Hilda was heard.

Hilda Solis will demand to be heard. Ladies and gentlemen, why do I repeat that phrase? We have not heard much from this department in a long time. (Applause.) She will be heard. And if any of you know her, don't be put off by this lovely demeanor; this is one hell -- heck of a fighter. (Laughter.) You know, the President kids with me and says, everybody knows don't mess with Joe -- don't mess with Hilda. (Laughter.) She's prepared to fight, and she knows what it takes to get things done.

Listen to the language that was described to her when she was given -- which few people have, as you all know, my colleagues in this room -- the Profile In Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation -- the first woman, I might add, to be so recognized. (Applause.) The award said that she was being given this award for being a politician who, and I quote, "hasn’t shied away from challenging the old boy network." (Applause.) Well, ladies and gentlemen, she hasn't shied away from challenging any network -- old boy, young girl -- doesn't matter. (Laughter.)

And I really -- I really want to get this point across to the people who may be listening to this: This is a woman of great integrity. She's proven it time and again. When it comes to standing up for those who are in the workplace every day, for their health, their safety, for a fair treatment, she's always there. When it comes to standing up for health care to protect families, she's always been there to fight for them. When it comes to retirement security, she has fought, and will continue to fight for people. And when it comes to standing up against job discrimination, she will have none of it.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to standing up for expanding this economy for all people, no one is going to be a stronger voice than the new Secretary of Labor. Hilda Solis will fight. And today, we can all be proud this daughter of union members is now America's most forceful advocate for working men and women in this country.

So, Madam Secretary, congratulations to you and your family. And would you please step forward and give me the honor of administering the oath? (Applause.)

(The oath is administered.)