Obama gets 12 stitches after errant elbow to mouth

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama needed 12 stitches in his upper lip after taking an errant elbow during a pickup basketball game Friday morning with family and friends visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday, the White House said. First word of the injury came in a statement from press secretary Robert Gibbs nearly three hours after the incident. The White House did not initially name the person who caused the injury, but identified him later Friday as Rey Decerega, director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Obama received the stitches under local anesthesia in the doctor's office on the ground floor of the White House after returning home. Doctors used a smaller filament than typically used, which increases the number of stitches but makes a tighter stitch and leaves a smaller scar. The president had gone to nearby Fort McNair to indulge in a game of basketball, one of his favorite athletic pursuits. It was a five-on-five contest involving family and friends. Among the players were Obama's nephew, Avery Robinson, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Reggie Love, Obama's personal assistant, who played at Duke University. The White House said the injury happened during their fifth and final game when Decerega turned to take a shot and hit Obama, who was playing defense, in the mouth with his elbow. Obama emerged from the building after about 90 minutes of play, wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt and gym pants, and was seen dabbing at his mouth with what appeared to be a wad of gauze. A few hours later, reporters who had gathered on the White House driveway for the arrival of the Christmas tree saw the president in an upstairs window, pressing an ice pack against his mouth before he stood and walked away. "After being inadvertently hit with an opposing player's elbow in the lip while playing basketball with friends and family, the president received 12 stitches today administered by the White House Medical Unit," Gibbs said. Decerega issued a statement through the White House late Friday. He did not immediately respond to an e-mail request from The Associated Press for independent comment."I learned today the president is both a tough competitor and a good sport," the statement said. "I enjoyed playing basketball with him this morning. I'm sure he'll be back out on the court again soon."Obama's motorcade obeyed all traffic stops, the custom for nonofficial trips, during the return to the White House. In February, Obama, 49, was deemed to be in excellent health and fit for duty after his first medical checkup as president. Doctors reported then that Obama had yet to kick a smoking habit, takes anti-inflammatory medication to relieve chronic tendinitis in his left knee and should make dietary changes to reduce his cholesterol levels. Obama was told to return for another physical exam in August 2011, after he turns 50. In addition to regular pickup basketball games, Obama is also an avid golfer.

I put this post up here today give you an example of what I think is "soft news". I am glad to hear that Obama is okay but personally I could care less to read about this story. The media must not have anything better to report on if today's focus is on the president getting hurt in a harmless basketball game. I mean after all it was basketball game and with any sport chances are you may get hurt while playing. I don't know maybe its just me, but I do think there is way more important stuff going on in the world than worrying about the president getting stitches in his lip! What do you guys think?

Music and Politics

 This is a song that rapper Lil Wayne and singer-songwriter Robin Thicke made about Hurricane Katrina. Rapper Lil Wayne is originally from Louisiana and had friends and family that died because of the hurricane. Therefore, it is only right that he would express how he felt about the hurricane and how it was handled by authorities in the song "Tie My Hands." Check it out!



 Here's another song that was performed by R&B singer John Legend at the 2008 Democratic Convention. He made this song as a rallying cry to get people to vote in the presidential election and make a difference.

Officials Push to Bolster Law on Wiretapping

WASHINGTON — Law enforcement and counterterrorism officials, citing lapses in compliance with surveillance orders, are pushing to overhaul a federal law that requires phone and broadband carriers to ensure that their networks can be wiretapped, federal officials say. The officials say tougher legislation is needed because some telecommunications companies in recent years have begun new services and made system upgrades that caused technical problems for surveillance. They want to increase legal incentives and penalties aimed at pushing carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast to ensure that any network changes will not disrupt their ability to conduct wiretaps. An Obama administration task force that includes officials from the Justice and Commerce Departments, the F.B.I. and other agencies recently began working on draft legislation to strengthen and expand the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act, a 1994 law that says telephone and broadband companies must design their services so that they can begin conducting surveillance of a target immediately after being presented with a court order. There is not yet agreement over the details, according to officials familiar with the deliberations, but they said the administration intends to submit a package to Congress next year.

 The Obama administration is circulating several ideas for legislation that would increase the government’s leverage over carriers, officials familiar with the deliberations say.One proposal is to increase the likelihood that a firm pays a financial penalty over wiretapping lapses — like imposing retroactive fines after problems are fixed, or billing companies for the cost of government technicians that were brought in to help. Another proposal would create an incentive for companies to show new systems to the F.B.I. before deployment. Under the plan, an agreement with the bureau certifying that the system is acceptable would be an alternative “safe harbor,” ensuring the firm could not be fined. The proposal may also modify how the “safe harbor” standard is established. Five years ago, the F.B.I. drafted legislation that would have given the Justice Department greater power over the standard while requiring the F.C.C. to act more quickly on petitions. That bill, however, was not ultimately filed.

If this law passes next year that means that every cellphone in the U.S. will be able to be wiretapped at any time for any reason. How do you guys feel about this? Personally, I don't agree with this bill and I feel it is unfair that the Obama administration would push for such a law to be enacted, especially since Obama originally told us during his campaign for presidency that he would not do such a thing if he ever became president. I guess this is another example of a president contradicting themselves and changing their original policies once they get in office.What do you guys think about this law if it is passed next year?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/19wiretap.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

World underdogs take the lead

As western nations face stunted economic growth and years of painful budget-slashing ahead, developing nations like China, Brazil, India and Russia are slowly moving up on the world stage. The United States is struggling to hit 2.7% growth for the year, while emerging economies, which also include smaller countries mostly in Asia and Latin America, are collectively on track for 7.1% growth for the year. On a trip to Asia this week, President Obama reaffirmed India's increasing importance as a global trading partner, signing $10 million in contracts for U.S. exports. And when world leaders meet in South Korea for the G-20 summit this week, Europe will give up a few IMF seats to emerging nations to reflect their expanding global influence. China has already surpassed Japan to become the world's second largest economy, and could overtake the United States for the no. 1 position in 10 to 15 years. If that happens, it will mark the first change in the leadership position, since the U.S. overtook Great Britain in 1894. Even if China does become the world's largest economy, its population is roughly 4.5 times bigger than that of the U.S., making it difficult for China to catch up to the American standard of living, said Jay Bryson, global economist with Wells Fargo. "It's only a matter of time before they catch us. Sooner or later India will probably catch us as well," Bryson said. "But, when that day comes, they will still be very, very dirt poor economies. The average Chinese citizen will be 25% as well-off as the average American citizen."   

What do you guys think about this? Do you think that its quite possible that China, Brazil, and India can one day catch up with the U.S. and become the leading superpower nation? If so, how do you think this will effect the U.S. as nation?

I personally think that the way the U.S.economy is headed and because of our tremendous debt and the U.S. dollar gradually declining in value it is quite possible that if we don't recover quickly and repair our economy we could fall behind and no longer be the leading superpower. We can't just rely on the fact that we have one of  the best military to stay ahead of all the other nations. A plan needs to be devised to boost our economy quickly and efficiently, decrease unemployment, and to lower our national debt!

The Federal Reserve plans $600 billion stimulus

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will buy $600 billion worth of government bonds by the middle of 2011. After the recent elections  the Fed expects fiscal stimulus, and the government in general to be in gridlock.  The central bank is taking economic matters into its own hands. The economic recovery has been slower than anyone anticipated in terms of output and employment.  Ben Bernanke at the Federal Reserve is concerned about sustainable employment and price stability, and the bank has decided, unilaterally, that a new stimulus is the best bet. Bet being the operative word.  Bernanke is sure that with Republicans controlling the house another stimulus, or fiscal funds to finance one, will never get to the President’s desk.  As any central bank does, it will simply print $600 billion worth of money and use it to buy long-term Treasury bonds in the market. There is no guarantee that this new stimulus, almost as large as the TARP but this time engineered to raise the price of bonds, lower interest rates, and stimulate borrowing and purchasing power, will not send the economy further into recession.  The safe option, reducing the short term interest rate, is no longer viable since the rate has been at zero since December 2008. This sounds suspiciously like spending more money that doesn’t exist.  It also puts cash directly into the hands of stock, bond and property holders, not the average jobless American citizen whom this policy is intended to help. The economy is in its present state because individuals spent beyond their means and governing institutions allowed them to do it.  The central bank believes this is the only way our economy will recover, by revisiting mistaken ideology, and reinstating a broken economic culture.

What do you guys think do you think the government should pass another 600 billion stimulus plan? If so do you guys think that this would really help out our economy or is it just a temporary fix that will hurt our economy in the long run?

George Bush Doesn't Care About [Kanye West]

When President George W. Bush mentions Kanye West in his forthcoming book, "Decision Points," he's not singing the praises of the Chicago rapper who slammed him on a telethon for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, a week after numerous gulf coast cities were destroyed by the devastating storm and its aftermath.
Bush expressed his frustration with the "Runaway" singer in an interview with the "Today Show"'s Matt Lauer to air Monday on NBC's "Matt Lauer Reports. "When Lauer asked Bush if he remembered the comments Kanye made about him, President Obama's predecessor offered a matter-of-fact response.
"Yes, I do. He called me a racist," Bush told Lauer. Lauer clarified that Kanye did not literally call Bush a racist but instead said, "George Bush doesn't care about Black people." But Bush maintained his stance. "That's - 'he's a racist,'" Bush said. "And I didn't appreciate it then. I don't appreciate it now. It's one thing to say, 'I don't appreciate the way he's handled his business.' It's another thing to say, 'This man's a racist.' I resent it, it's not true, and it was one of the most disgusting moments in my Presidency."
Lauer quoted an excerpt from the book on the matter: "I faced a lot of criticism as President. I didn't like hearing people claim that I lied about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction or cut taxes to benefit the rich. But the suggestion that I was racist because of the response to Katrina represented an all time low."
Bush said he still feels the same way and added that Kanye's comments upset him because it was not reflective of his work. "My record was strong I felt when it came to race relations and giving people a chance. And--it was a disgusting moment," Bush said. Lauer asked Bush if he was concerned that some might be upset that he has placed so much emphasis on being angry about someone criticizing his responsiveness to the hurricane victims as opposed to being saddened by the impact of "watching the misery in Louisiana." Bush said no. "I also make it clear that the misery in Louisiana affected me deeply as well," he said. "There's a lot of tough moments in the book. And it was a disgusting moment, pure and simple."


Kanye West made this very public remark on a telethon with Michael Myers a few years back when President Bush was president and it caused a lot of uproar and criticism. I actually thought it was funny and its just another way of express his right to freedom of speech. I understand how former President Bush could be upset by these remarks but I wonder does he really need to talk about it in his book? Isn't there more important things that he should be worried about like how he was responsible for pointless war in Iraq or how our economy is ruined or how the U.S. is in such tremendous debt because of his mistakes? I'm curious to know what do you guys think about President Bush's new book and Kanye's West remark. Just for your viewing pleasure I have posted the video that initially caused all this drama! Chao!                          

Parker: Legal pot a 'good stimulus bill'

Kathleen Parker is an American syndicated columnist that has worked for many new publications. She seems to agree with many other supporters of  Proposition 19 that marijuana should be legalized and would make a great stimulus bill. She believes that people no longer need to be punished for possessing a small amount of marijuana, and as a result of this stimulus bill being put into place it would boost the economy by allowing the U.S. to make money off of a new industry and also provide jobs for the people. She states that there are far worse things that are legalized that have a harmful effect on people such as tobacco and alcohol, then marijuana. What do you guys think do you think that marijuana should be legalized or do you think by legalizing marijuana it would cause more harm than good?

Toy gun leads to Florida boy's expulsion

In Broward County, Florida there is a no zero tolerance policy for guns in school. So, when Samuel Burgos brought a gun to school last November in Broward County, Florida, the zero tolerance policy kicked in, and Samuel was suspended and then expelled. A just punishment? Did he deserve it?  Well, here's more. The gun wasn't real. It was a toy gun that never left his book bag. And Samuel -- he was 7 years old at the time.
Samuel, now 8, has been out of school for almost a year. His parents have home-schooled him since he was expelled for bringing a clear plastic, spring-action toy gun to school, which fired plastic beads.
"He has been deprived of an education. My son made a mistake, and they kept him out a year," said Samuel's mother, Karen Burgos. And it may be longer than that before Samuel is permitted to rejoin his classmates. A hearing will be held this month as his family fights his expulsion. Because the school board's order has not yet been finalized, his punishment could be extended into next year. And it may be longer than that before Samuel is permitted to rejoin his classmates. A hearing will be held this month as his family fights his expulsion. Because the school board's order has not yet been finalized, his punishment could be extended into next year. "We said this is not an option, this is unacceptable," Samuel's father said. "I cannot, as a concerned parent, send my child, to a correctional school at 7 years old, who committed a mistake."
Zero tolerance policies, such as this one in Florida, exist in some form in all 50 states, according to the Education Commission of the States. In the post-Columbine world, schools have taken a hard line in increasing safety by increasing punishments. But the laws are constantly evolving, according to experts, so that the less serious, often petty cases of misconduct are not handled the same as the serious ones.

I understand the zero tolerance for guns, but come on a seven year old with a toy gun? I personally think it is ridiculous to expel a seven year old for a mistake and then try to put him in an alternative school. It is just unfair for him to be expelled and then have to keep that on his record for the rest of his life. What do you guys think do you think his punishment was fair?

Bishop Eddie Long ( Part 2 ) September 26, 2010

Eddie Lee Long (born May 12, 1953) is the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lithonia, GA. When Long started as pastor for New Birth in 1987, there were 300 church members. Since his installation, membership has grown to 25,000. In September 2010, four young men filed civil complaints against Pastor Long, alleging that he coerced them into sexual activity. Through a spokesman, Long called the charges false. On September 21 and 22, 2010, Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg, and Jamal Parris filed separate lawsuits in DeKalb County Superior Court alleging that Long is a sexual predator who used his pastoral influence to coerce them into a sexual relationship with him when they were teenagers. On September 24, Spencer LeGrande, a member of a New Birth satellite church in Charlotte, North Carolina, filed a similar suit, making him the fourth man to file a lawsuit claiming sexual misconduct by Long. These alleged acts by Long are not considered criminal since the age of consent in Georgia is 16^\
The plaintiffs state that Long placed the men on the church’s payroll, bought them cars and other gifts, and took them separately on trips to desinations such as Kenya, South Africa, Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad, Honduras, New Zealand, and New York City. The lawsuits read "Long would discuss the Holy Scripture to justify and support the sexual activity." Flagg's suit claims that Long presided over a "covenant" ceremony between the two of them. Flagg's attorney said "it was essentially a marriage ceremony, with candles, exchange of jewelry, and biblical quotes."
Long has denied the allegations through his attorneys and spokesman, and said, "I have devoted my life to helping others and these false allegations hurt me deeply," he said. "But my faith is strong and the truth will emerge. All is ask is for your patience as we continue to categorically deny each and every one of these ugly charges."



Above I posted a video of Bishop Eddie Long addressing his congregation and the media about these serious allegations. I personally do not know what to think about these allegations I guess I will just wait until the trial and give him the benefit of the doubt of being innocent until proven guilty. What do you guys think of these allegations do you think he did it or do you think its a couple of people trying to take advantage of him and just trying to get some money?

Senate fails in attempt to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell'

Senator John McCain lost the 2008 presidential election but prevailed on September 21 on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Senate Republicans dealt a severe and potentially fatal blow Tuesday to efforts this year to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans gay men and women from serving openly in the armed forces. Democrats were unable to sway a single Republican to begin debate on a defense authorization bill that included the repeal. The failure to repeal the law, despite White House backing and majorities in Congress, marked a low point in the more than decade-long effort to rid a policy begun under President Bill Clinton. Democrats thought this was their best chance to undo the 17-year-old measure after President Obama had won the support of Defense Secretary Robert M.Gates and other military leaders to get rid of it. "The Democrats have been against 'don't ask, don't tell' for more than a decade and why we allowed this law to remain in effect for another two years is beyond me," said Richard Soccarides, who served as an adviser to Clinton on gay rights. "The Washington-based gay rights groups made a decision early on that they were better off going along with the president's timeline and that right now that looks like a serious miscalculation." Repeal advocates have pushed since the ban was put into effect in 1993, saying it unfairly discriminates against gays, who have to hide their sexual identity while serving in uniform, and keeps thousands of potential recruits from enlisting. This was one of the first times in a long time that many people felt like the dont't ask, don't tell policy would finally be repealed. Unfortunately, the Republicans won again and the the policy still stands.

A message from Lady Gaga to the Senate Sept 16 2010

Hey everyone this is a message from Lady Gaga about the Dont Ask, Don't Tell Act. She is an advocate for abolishing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that discharges people from the military for being openly gay. I personally agree with Lady Gaga viewpoints on these issue and I do hope that one day this policy is abolished.

My question is what do you guys think of Lady Gaga's message and do you agree with her or not?

Texas evangelist says '100 percent' that Quran-burning is off Saturday

A Texas evangelist working with the Rev. Terry Jones on Friday gave assurances that no Qurans will be set ablaze today, even though there had been no contact with the New York City imam planning to build a mosque near the site of the 9-11 attacks. Jones' plan to desecrate the Islamic holy text in a bonfire on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks ignited protests around the world and rained condemnation on the obscure pastor from international political, military and religious leaders, who implored him to call it off. The plan to burn the books sparked protests Friday in Afghanistan, where at least 11 people were injured. Police in the northern province of Badakhshan say several hundred demonstrators ran toward a NATO compound where four attackers and five police were injured in clashes. Protesters also burned an American flag at a mosque after Friday prayers. In western Farah province, police said two people were injured in another protest. There were protests near Jones' church, too. Fifteen people gathered across the street to oppose the book-burning, including Dave Schneider, 20, a University of Florida political-science student and graduate of Timber Creek High School in Orlando. Schneider yelled into a bullhorn: "Being a Muslim is not a crime." Others held signs, including, "Drop the hate at the gate" and "Bad men, funny moustaches," with a caricature of Jones with his distinctive white moustache and of Adolf Hitler. President Obama also disagreed with the Rev. Terry Jones viewpoints about burning the Quran. President Obama said Friday that the idea that "we would burn the sacred texts of someone else's religion is contrary to what this country stands for." A Texas evangelist finally was able to convince Jones not to go through with the Quran burning based on three reasons. His reasons included the sacred regard of the Quran held by more than a billion believers around the world; a concern that the act would endanger Christian missionaries, nuns and others working in humanitarian efforts internationally; and the fear that it would needlessly imperil U.S. military forces.

 I personally do not agree with Rev. Terry Jones viewpoints and feel as though his reasons behind doing it are completely absurd. Everyone who studies Islam is not a terrorist and by doing this it would probably cause chaos around the world and as a result cause many to want to burn the Bible as retaliation or worse. I understand that everyone has the right to do what they want and has the right to freedom of speech, but wonder what everyone else thinks? Do you think he went too far or do you think this whole quran-burning has been blown out of proportion?

http://www.latimes.com/news/os-florida-quran-burning-cancelled-20100910,0,850913.story

Obama's Economic Plan, Too Little Too Late

President Obama unveiled a plan on Monday to to spend $50 billion on infrastructure in a fresh bid to fire up sluggish economic growth. The Obama administration believe that this new plan will stimulate the economy and create more jobs.The proposals, which are not expected to pass through Congress quickly, include an estimated $200 billion in tax breaks for businesses that invest in new plants and equipment, a $100 billion extension of the business tax credit for research and development and $50 billion over the next decade to improve roads, rails and other infrastructure. These plans come on top of existing administration proposals to extend tax cuts to households earning less than $250,000 a year, and provide $30 billion to spark an increase in lending to small businesses. However, many economists feel that the plan is too little, too late to reverse dowards trend of our economy.

My question is what do you guys think do you think that Obama's new plan will work or that it should be passed through Congress? I personally am not sure if this is a good idea I agree with the tax cuts for households earning less than $250,000 a year, but I'm unsure about the rest of Obama's plans and how quickly this will be able to jumpstart the economy?

Five Years Later After Katrina

In this article, New Orleans is examined five years later after Hurricane Katrina. Due to the hurricane, many people lost their lives and their homes and New Orleans had suffered a lot of damage. Now five years later, New Orleans is finally starting to get back on its feet and the tourism industry is finally starting to prosper.There are now 70,000 of the 85,000 jobs recovered in the tourism industry since 2005. It is great to finally see some improvements in New Orleans. I have posted a video for your viewing pleasure about the Katrina aftermath.