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14 Nov 2009 08:40

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U.S., World: Protip: The way to Obama’s heart is through green tea ice cream

  • Yesterday, Obama brought his pan-Asian tour to Japan, where he talked about strengthening ties between the two countries, along with his love of green tea ice cream. One thing he didn’t do was throw up on the prime minister.source

14 Nov 2009 08:24

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World: Obama wants to come to China, but can’t nail down the details

  • What the U.S. wants An unscripted town-hall-style event in which the president talks to around 1,000 Chinese youths about the issues facing their country. Ah, democracy. source
  • What the U.S. wants An unscripted town-hall-style event in which the president talks to around 1,000 Chinese youths about the issues facing their country. Ah, democracy.
  • What China wants A highly-vetted town-hall-style event in which the president talks to around 600 Chinese youths – tops – about the issues China allows. Ah, communism. source

11 Nov 2009 09:19

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Politics: Southerners hate Obama and his Chicago-style politics

  • 47.4% of southerners disapprove of that dumb jerk Obama in general, compared with a 42.2% approval rating source

10 Nov 2009 20:15

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U.S.: Obama – again – knows the right thing to say at Fort Hood

  • It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy. But this much we do know – no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor. For what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice – in this world, and the next.
  • Barack Obama • Speaking at the Fort Hood Memorial ceremony today. This speech was pretty awesome, actually, one of Obama’s best ones. Among other poignant things he said, there’s this striking statement about the often thankless job of being a solider: “In a world of threats that no know borders, their legacy will be marked in the safety of our cities and towns, and the security and opportunity that’s extended abroad.” Kudos. • source

05 Nov 2009 21:15

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U.S.: Obama on the Fort Hood shooting: “Horrifying” it was on an army base

  • It is difficult enough when we lose these brave men and women abroad, but it is horrifying that they should come under fire at an army base on US soil.
  • Barack Obama • Speaking about the Fort Hood shooting at a press conference today. Regarding the shooting, which killed 13 and wounded 30, he added, “We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident.” The Texas-based Fort Hood, by the way, is the largest military base in the world. • source

04 Nov 2009 10:45

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U.S.: The New York Times overanalyzes Obama in great detail

  • A year after Barack Obama was elected president, he is juggling many of the issues that defined his candidacy — and then some.
  • The lede to a New York Times piece on Obama’s status one year after the election • The piece, which visually is immaculately broken down, splits his presidency into ten different parts, from “Terrorism Suspects” to “Influence.” Plus, it’s interactive and allows for reader comments. Way to show off, NYT. • source

03 Nov 2009 09:27

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U.S.: Obama, one year after his election, is still coasting on his good looks

  • 54% approve of Obama despite the fact that his policies are ranking below those rates source
 

28 Oct 2009 21:24

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U.S.: Obama signs a hate-crimes bill eleven years in the making

  • Through this law, we will strengthen the protections against crimes based on the color of your skin, the faith in your heart, or the place of your birth. We will finally add federal protections against crimes based on gender, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation.
  • President Barack Obama • On signing a hate-crimes bill that, for the first time, protects people based on their sexual orientation. The bill is something that’s been fought for since the dragging death of James Byrd, Jr. (who was black) and beating death of Matthew Shepard (who was gay) shined light on the issue in 1998. Critics of the bill say it just adds further regulations to a highly-regulated process. • source

27 Oct 2009 20:19

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U.S.: Sasha and Malia are H1N1-vaccinated. Barack and Michelle will wait.

  • The First Daughters got the vaccine last week, when it first became available in D.C. It’s a hard vaccine to get in these parts, by the way. The whole First Family got flu shots, BTW. source
  • Obama and the First Lady are waiting based on the order of priority – they’re after the “young people under the age of 24, pregnant women, and people with underlying conditions.” source

26 Oct 2009 22:18

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U.S., World: Obama: Not looking to put troops in harm’s way unless necessary

  • I won’t risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary. And if it necessary, we will back you up to the hilt.
  • President Barack Obama • Speaking to a Jacksonville, Fla. military audience about whether or not he plans to send more troops to Afghanistan. The president appears not to want to force the issue unless it needs to be forced. “I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm’s way,” he continued. • source