Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/31/why_obama_pushed_these_recess_appointments_248121.html
Dianne Feinstein Dick Cheney Dick Lugar Elizabeth Dole Evan Bayh
Friday, December 31, 2010
The Financial Crisis Made Big Banks Bigger
Daniel Indiviglio, The Atlantic
Daniel Indiviglio - Daniel Indiviglio is an associate editor at The Atlantic, where he writes about credit markets, regulation, monetary & fiscal policy, taxes, banking, trade, emerging markets and technology. Prior to joining The Atlantic, he wrote for Forbes. He also worked as an investment banker and a consultant. Dec 30 2010, 10:36 AM ET Comment Banks are finally beginning to lend, the big ones that is. Commercial and industrial lending is up this quarter 0.2% from the third quarter, according to Moody's Analytics. That might not sound like much, but...
Daniel Indiviglio - Daniel Indiviglio is an associate editor at The Atlantic, where he writes about credit markets, regulation, monetary & fiscal policy, taxes, banking, trade, emerging markets and technology. Prior to joining The Atlantic, he wrote for Forbes. He also worked as an investment banker and a consultant. Dec 30 2010, 10:36 AM ET Comment Banks are finally beginning to lend, the big ones that is. Commercial and industrial lending is up this quarter 0.2% from the third quarter, according to Moody's Analytics. That might not sound like much, but...
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/31/the_financial_crisis_made_big_banks_bigger_248118.html
Richard Durbin Richard Shelby Robert Foster Bennett Robert Menendez Roger Wicker
Statement by the President on the Inauguration of President Conde of Guinea
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Guinea as they witness the inauguration of their first democratically elected President since becoming an independent state in 1958. Just over a year ago, the world’s attention was drawn to Guinea by horrifying atrocities and dangerous instability. Today, people all over the world are coming together to congratulate Guinea, and to express genuine admiration for the voters who steadfastly acted to support peace and democracy. They have set their country on a path for a more prosperous and stable future.
As the country begins its new democratic era, I extend congratulations to President Alpha Conde on his inauguration. I also express my appreciation for the way in which Cellou Dalein Diallo gracefully accepted the outcome of the election and spoke of the importance of a unified Guinea in moving forward. While the road ahead may be challenging, the United States looks forward to working with the incoming administration as it pursues an inclusive government that represents the people of Guinea, irrespective or ethnicity, religion, and gender; establishes a platform of economic development for all to realize the dividends of democracy; and works to enact critical reforms in the security sector.
The past year will remain a powerful example of how a country at such a pivotal moment can make a choice for a better future, and the responsibility of those in positions of authority to put the country first. As such, I also recognize and honor the leadership of Interim President General Sékouba Konaté who provided the necessary vision and support for Guinea’s historic transition.
How Congress Changed Your Life in 2010
Patricia Murphy, Politics Daily
As members of the 111th Congress look back on 2010, they will see anything but a do-nothing session. From banning drop-side cribs, to freezing their own salaries for the second year in a row, to overhauling the food inspection system, to telling airlines not to charge fees for carry-on luggage, the Democratically controlled House and Senate passed bills at a feverish pace in the past year. But several developments stand out for the breadth of their impact. They may not all be popular, as evidenced by the November "shellacking" that Democrats took in the midterm elections, but the...
As members of the 111th Congress look back on 2010, they will see anything but a do-nothing session. From banning drop-side cribs, to freezing their own salaries for the second year in a row, to overhauling the food inspection system, to telling airlines not to charge fees for carry-on luggage, the Democratically controlled House and Senate passed bills at a feverish pace in the past year. But several developments stand out for the breadth of their impact. They may not all be popular, as evidenced by the November "shellacking" that Democrats took in the midterm elections, but the...
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/31/how_congress_changed_your_life_in_2010_248093.html
Mike Huckabee Mike Johanns Mitch McConnell Nancy Pelosi Newt Gingrich
Rekindling Hope in Liberalism
E.J. Dionne, Washington Post
Was 2010 American liberalism's Waterloo? How are we to square the achievement of so many goals that have long been on progressive wish lists with the resounding defeat suffered by supporters of these measures in November?Let's begin with what is a most painful fact for liberals: Conservatism, a doctrine that seemed moribund on election night in 2008, enjoyed a far more rapid comeback than all liberals and even most conservatives anticipated.
Was 2010 American liberalism's Waterloo? How are we to square the achievement of so many goals that have long been on progressive wish lists with the resounding defeat suffered by supporters of these measures in November?Let's begin with what is a most painful fact for liberals: Conservatism, a doctrine that seemed moribund on election night in 2008, enjoyed a far more rapid comeback than all liberals and even most conservatives anticipated.
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/12/30/rekindling_hope_in_american_liberalism.html
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Read-out of the President's Call with Russian President Medvedev
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
President Obama and President Medvedev spoke by phone this morning to discuss the new START Treaty and their continued close cooperation on a range of critical issues. President Medvedev congratulated President Obama on the Senate’s approval of the new START Treaty, and the two leaders agreed that this was an historic event for both countries and for U.S.-Russia relations. President Obama said that the two leaders had a very productive year working together on new START, as well as Afghanistan, Iran sanctions, the 123 Agreement, issues related to the WTO, and the situation in Kyrgyzstan. President Obama also underscored the importance of the United States and Russia working together to support a peaceful referendum in Sudan and a resolution to the impasse in Cote D’Ivoire that respects the results of the recent democratic election. The two leaders wished each other a Merry Christmas, and pledged to continue their close partnership in the New Year.
Kit Bond Lamar Alexander Lindsey Graham Lisa Murkowski Maria Cantwell
Remarks by The First Lady to Children While Tracking Santa with NORAD
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
Via Telephone
12:00 P.M. HST
OPERATOR: We have Max.
MRS. OBAMA: Hello, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama, with NORAD, tracking Santa. How can I help you?
MAX: Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi. What’s your name?
MAX: Max.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Max. How old are you?
MAX: Eight.
MRS. OBAMA: Eight? Okay, well, this is the First Lady. And I'm helping them track Santa tonight, so how can I help you? You want to know where Santa is?
MAX: I live in Los Angeles.
MRS. OBAMA: You live in Los Angeles? Have you been a good boy this year?
MAX: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: I'm sure you have, Max, right?
MAX: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: I know you have. Well, you know where Santa is right now? Right now I'm looking at the radar and I see a big, bright light. Santa is moving pretty fast, and right now he is in Johannesburg, South Africa. That's what the radar says. He sees him and he’s got a sleigh full of toys. So pretty exciting, right?
MAX: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Yes. Well, it’s important, Max, that you know that Santa only comes after boys and girls have gone to sleep, no matter where he is in the world. So Santa won't be at your house until you’re fast asleep, okay?
MAX: Would you want to talk to Alex?
MRS. OBAMA: Is Alex your brother?
MAX: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Hello, Alex.
MAX: He’s right here.
MRS. OBAMA: I'd love to talk to Alex.
ALEX: Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Alex. How old are you?
ALEX: Seven.
MRS. OBAMA: You're seven? Well, this is the First Lady, and I'm helping NORAD, and they track Santa. And I just told your brother, Max, that right now Santa’s sleigh is over South Africa -- Johannesburg, South Africa. That's where the sleigh is. The radar has got him.
ALEX: (Giggle.)
MRS. OBAMA: Okay? But you’ve got to go to sleep before Santa gets to your house, okay?
ALEX: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. You promise? Well, merry Christmas, sweetie, all right?
ALEX: Merry Christmas. Bye.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay, bye-bye. Say merry Christmas to your family, okay? All right. Good night. Sleep tight. Don't forget to leave your cookies.
OPERATOR: Mrs. Obama, I'm going to be connecting you with Colin, Anna, and Evan.
MRS. OBAMA: Hello, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama. I'm working with NORAD to help track Santa. How can I help you guys?
COLIN: We want to know where Santa is.
MRS. OBAMA: You want to know where Santa is? Well, let me take a look. Hold on a second, I'm going to look at the radar screen, okay? Ooh, I see him. Right now Santa’s sleigh is flying over Africa. He’s flying over Africa. Now, more specifically, he’s in Namibia. Now, you can ask your parents where Namibia is. You can look on the map. But he moves from place to place. He’s only there for a couple of minutes. So he’s right now over Namibia in Africa. Okay? So you guys, it’s important to know that Santa won't get to your house until you're fast asleep. Okay? No matter where he is in the world -- he goes all over the place, but he doesn’t come to your house until every child is asleep. Okay?
COLIN: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. So make sure you leave your cookies out and some vegetables for the reindeer, okay?
COLIN: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Have a merry Christmas and be good.
COLIN: Merry Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: Merry Christmas, everybody.
COLIN AND ANNA AND EVAN: Thank you.
MRS. OBAMA: Take care.
OPERATOR: I'm going to connect you to Ailene. And her father’s name is Lou.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama. I'm helping out with NORAD tonight. Is Ailene -- is she ready to find his position? Hello?
AILENE: Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Ailene. How old are you?
AILENE: Six.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama. And I'm helping NORAD track Santa. Do you want to know where he is right now?
AILENE: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay. I'm looking at the radar screen Oh, we've got him. Do you know where he is? He’s over Africa -- specifically Gabon. Now, you're going to have to ask your dad exactly where Gabon is, but it’s in Africa. So right now we see a bright light and all the pilots here are pretty confident that it is Santa. And his sleigh looks very full -- full of toys. So I hope you were a good girl. Were you a good girl this year?
AILENE: Thank you.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Well, make sure you go to bed so he'll get to your house, okay?
AILENE: Thank you. Bye.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, bye-bye. Merry Christmas.
OPERATOR: We have the next caller on the phone. I'm going to be connecting you with Trevin and Tegan.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, this is First Lady, Michelle Obama. I'm helping NORAD track Santa tonight. How are you?
TREVIN: Good.
MRS. OBAMA: How can I help you? Do you guys want to know where Santa is?
TREVIN: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay, hold on, let me check the radar. Oh, okay, they’ve got him. They’re spotting him. Right now he is flying over Africa -- the Central African Republic of Bombari. And it looks like his sleigh is pretty full of toys. And they can see a little red light and it looks like Rudolph might be guiding the sleigh tonight. Have you guys been good this year?
TREVIN: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Well, it looks like he’s got a lot of toys, but you do know that Santa only comes to your house after every child has gone to sleep. They have to be fast asleep before he'll come, no matter where he is in the world. Okay?
TREVIN: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, well, you make sure -- are you going to leave your cookies out for Santa and some vegetables for the reindeer? All right, that sounds good. Well, tell your whole family merry Christmas. And I hope Santa brings you everything you want. Okay? Merry Christmas. Bye.
OPERATOR: Mrs. Obama, I have Tyson on the line.
MRS. OBAMA: Hello, this is First Lady Michelle Obama. I'm helping NORAD track Santa tonight. How can I help you?
TYSON: Well, we just wanted to know where Santa lives at -- where he’s at right now.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, I can help you with that. There’s a huge radar -- I'm going to look on the radar plot to see where he is. Oh, okay, we've spotted him. He is flying over Africa right now -- Cameroon, to be specific. He’s right over the country of Cameroon in Africa. Where are you from?
TYSON: We're in -- Alaska
MRS. OBAMA: Wow, that's pretty exciting. Well, you do know that Santa only comes to your house after all the kids are fast asleep, no matter where he is in the world. So you have to make sure you get a good night’s sleep tonight, all right?
TYSON: yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Have you been good this year?
TYSON: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay. Well, you should have a great Christmas when you wake up in the morning, okay?
TYSON: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: Tell your family merry Christmas, all right?
TYSON: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: And have fun tomorrow.
TYSON: Thanks, Mrs. Obama.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay. Good night, sweetie.
OPERATOR: Mrs. Obama, I have Sean and his mother Lisa waiting to speak to you.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi.
LISA: Hi. Merry Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: Merry Christmas. How are you?
LISA: Great. How is Hawaii?
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, it’s beautiful. It’s beautiful.
LISA: I wish I was there.
MRS. OBAMA: Where are you?
LISA: We're in Colorado Springs.
MRS. OBAMA: You guys don't have snow, right?
LISA: Oh, no.
MRS. OBAMA: That's okay.
LISA: It’s going to be a sunny Christmas this year.
MRS. OBAMA: Santa gets wherever he’s got to go, right? (Laughter.)
LISA: He does, that's right. So I'm with my son.
MRS. OBAMA: I would love to talk to him.
LISA: That would be great. Hang on one moment. I wish your family a merry Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: Same to you. You guys enjoy.
SEAN: Hello.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Sean. It’s Mrs. Obama. How are you?
SEAN: Good.
MRS. OBAMA: What can I do for you?
SEAN: I just wanted to know where Santa was.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, well, I'm right by the radar screen and right now it looks like Santa is flying over Africa. Pretty amazing.
SEAN: Yeah, that's cool.
MRS. OBAMA: The radar shows that it looks like the vehicle is being pulled by all nine reindeer and it’s pretty full of toys. And to be specific, it’s over Chad, the country of Chad. So pretty exciting. He’s moving at a pretty good clip. The weather looks good, so there shouldn’t be any problems with him getting the toys around.
SEAN: That's really cool. I can't wait for him to get to my house.
MRS. OBAMA: Yes. Have you been good this year?
SEAN: Yes. I got an email from Santa this year.
MRS. OBAMA: You got an email from Santa? Well, he’s really moving up. He’s pretty high-tech now.
SEAN: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, the important thing to remember is that he doesn’t come to your house until you're fast asleep, no matter where he is in the country. So you’ve got to make sure you get a good night’s sleep. Leave out your cookies and some vegetables for the reindeer and you should be good to go.
SEAN: Do you know about what time he’s going to be here?
MRS. OBAMA: You know, he doesn’t -- from what I understand from the people at NORAD who’ve tracked him for centuries, they say he kind of pops all over the country, all over the world. There’s no real clear pattern. So it depends on when kids go to sleep. If you go to sleep and you're out in a couple hours, he might pop over your house right now. But you’ve got to be asleep. You’ve got to make sure you get a good night’s sleep, okay?
SEAN: Okay. Thank you so much.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Well, merry Christmas, sweetie.
SEAN: Merry Christmas to you, too.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay. Have fun tomorrow.
SEAN: Okay. Thank you. Bye.
MRS. OBAMA: Bye-bye.
OPERATOR: We have Seth on the line. I'm going to be connecting you.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Seth. This is the First Lady, Michelle Obama. I'm helping NORAD track Santa tonight. How can I help you?
SETH: I wonder where Santa is.
MRS. OBAMA: You want to know where he is? Well, I'm going to look on the radar right now. Oh, you know where he is? He’s flying over Africa right now. And the radar is showing that there’s a glowing object and they’ve got a lock on that object. They can confirm that it is, in fact, Santa’s sleigh. And it looks like all nine reindeer are pulling the sleigh, and it looks like the sleigh -- this is good news -- is completely full of toys. Pretty exciting. So have you been a good boy this year?
SETH: Is Rudolph on there?
MRS. OBAMA: Yes. Yes, Rudolph is pulling the sleigh. They can see -- they see a little flickering red light and they know that's Rudolph. So Rudolph is there. Santa is making his way. You’ve got to make sure you get a good night’s sleep tonight, okay, because he doesn’t come to your house until you're asleep, okay?
SETH: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Have you been good this year?
SETH: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Well, it’s going to be a great day for you tomorrow.
SETH: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay. Make sure you leave the cookies out for Santa, okay?
SETH: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Have a very, very merry Christmas. And tell your whole family merry Christmas, okay?
SETH: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Good night, sweetie.
SETH: Bye.
MRS. OBAMA: Bye-bye.
OPERATOR: Mrs. Obama, I have Austin on the line.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi. Is this Austin?
AUSTIN: Hello.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Austin. This is the First Lady, Michelle Obama. I'm helping NORAD track Santa tonight. How can I help you?
AUSTIN: Can I ask you a few questions about being the First Lady?
MRS. OBAMA: Absolutely. What can I tell you?
AUSTIN: Is it a hard job?
MRS. OBAMA: You know, it is not as hard as being the President. My job is fun because I get to do stuff like this. I get to come to NORAD and look at the radar and help them track Santa. I get to work with kids like you guys and help make sure they’re staying healthy. So it’s a fun job. Thanks for asking.
AUSTIN: Is it hard to have all that security around you?
MRS. OBAMA: No, because the security -- the Secret Service, they’re really professional and they’re really nice guys. So they’re fun. They’re good with the girls. So they’re not -- they do their jobs, but they’re really nice guys. It’s almost like they’re family after a while. So it’s not that hard having them around. And they’re there to keep us safe, right? You can't be mad at that, right?
AUSTIN: Right.
MRS. OBAMA: What else do you want to know?
AUSTIN: Is it hard to like be married to the President?
MRS. OBAMA: No, he’s a pretty good guy. I mean, it’s a tough job and sometimes you want to do everything you can to help him, but it’s pretty easy being married to him. He’s kind of funny -- fun to hang out with.
AUSTIN: Okay, cool.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Do you want to know where Santa is?
AUSTIN: Please.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Hold on, let me look at the radar. Okay, it looks like -- all right, they’ve got a lock on a glowing object and they can confirm that it is in fact Santa’s sleigh. It’s over Africa right now -- Algeria, Africa. And they can see from here that it’s pretty full of toys. Pretty full. So hopefully you’ve been good this year. But Santa is not going to come to your house until you go to sleep.
AUSTIN: Merry Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: Merry Christmas, sweetie. Take care.
AUSTIN: All right. Bye-bye.
MRS. OBAMA: Bye-bye.
OPERATOR: I'm connecting you to Jayna and her mother, Jill.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, this is Michelle Obama. How are you guys doing?
JAYNA: Good.
MRS. OBAMA: Great. Well, I have the best job on Christmas Eve. I'm helping them track Santa tonight. How can I help you guys? Do you want to know where Santa is?
JAYNA: Where is Santa?
MRS. OBAMA: Hold on, let me look at the radar. Oh, my goodness, they spotted a glowing light -- they can confirm that it is Santa. And he’s flying over Italy. And it’s Sicily to be precise. Maybe your mom can look on a map and show you where Sicily, Italy is. And you know what else they can see? They can confirm that they see a glowing object -- it is Rudolph’s bright red nose. Oh, it’s so cool. And they can see that the sleigh looks really full of toys. Pretty exciting.
JAYNA: That’s good.
MRS. OBAMA: Have you been good this year?
JAYNA: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: You’ve been good? That's great! Well, I know you're going to have a great Christmas tomorrow, sweetie. But you know Santa won't come to your house until you're fast asleep, so you’ve got to be asleep, okay?
JAYNA: Thank you.
MRS. OBAMA: Merry Christmas, sweetie. You guys have a wonderful holiday. You all take care.
JAYNA: Bye.
MRS. OBAMA: Bye-bye.
OPERATOR: I've got Morgan, Vanessa, Valerie and Ryan on the line.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, a big crew. All right.
OPERATOR: Okay, gang, you're connected with Mrs. Obama.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, everybody. This is Michelle Obama. I get to help NORAD track Santa tonight. How can I help you? What do you need to know?
MORGAN: Could you look at Montgomery, Illinois?
MRS. OBAMA: Wonderful! You want to know where Santa is now?
MORGAN: We want to know when he’s going to be to Montgomery.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, you know, there’s no specific time that he gets to a place. He only comes to a child’s house after every child in the house is fast asleep. But right now the radar is showing that he is flying over Italy -- Rome, to be precise. And it looks like his sleigh is full of toys.
MORGAN: Has he been to a lot of places already?
MRS. OBAMA: Already, since I've been on the call he has flown over several parts of Africa. He’s flown over Johannesburg, Gabon, Nigeria, and he’s just moved into Europe. So right now he’s right over Rome. So it looks like he’s making his way. But what the NORAD team tells me is that he zips around the country -- it’s not clear what country he goes to first. I think he goes to whatever houses that the kids are asleep, gets it done and then moves on. But right now he’s in Italy. And this is a pretty sophisticated tracking system. They say he flies at unbelievable speeds to do this. But it looks like the weather is clear and they don't believe that there will be any problem with Santa completing all of his tasks by Christmas morning.
But make sure everybody in the house gets a good night’s sleep, they’ve got their cookies out and veggies out for the reindeer. Sound good?
DAD: We have some really well-behaved kids here.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, then that's an easy one, right, because when kids have had a great year, Santa -- he’s more than excited to come to that house.
DAD: We wish the President merry Christmas also.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, I will definitely let him know. And we wish you guys a very, very merry Christmas.
VANESSA: Tell Malia and Sasha, too.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, thank you. I'm going to make sure they get that message. I'm going to see them in a few minutes. And they wish you guys a merry Christmas. And I'm just so proud that you have a house full of great kids, because we work hard for great kids like you guys. All right.
VANESSA: I even got them a present.
MRS. OBAMA: That's excellent. That's very generous. That is even more special. So you guys are going to have a great day tomorrow and you’ve earned it.
MORGAN AND VANESSA AND VALERIE AND RYAN: Thank you!
MRS. OBAMA: Merry Christmas. You all take care of each other. Bye-bye.
OPERATOR: I have Juliana.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi. This is the First Lady. I'm helping NORAD track Santa. Is Juliana there?
JULIANA: Yes. Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, sweetie. How old are you?
JULIANA: Eight.
MRS. OBAMA: You're eight. Wow! You're one year younger than Sasha. This is so exciting. She’s bouncing off the walls. I know you are, too.
JULIANA: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Do you want to know where Santa is right now?
JULIANA: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, I'm looking at the radar. It’s a big, huge radar -- and it looks like Santa is flying over Croatia, a part of Europe, right now. But they can tell from this radar that -- it looks like all nine reindeer are pulling the sleigh tonight, including Rudolph. And it looks like the sleigh is extremely full. So that's pretty exciting.
JULIANA: Is Rudolph leading the way?
MRS. OBAMA: Yes, he’s leading the way, leading the way. And they’re moving at unbelievable speed. So they’re predicting that Santa is going to be able to make all of his deliveries by Christmas morning.
JULIANA: Great.
MRS. OBAMA: Have you been good this year?
JULIANA: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Excellent.
JULIANA: We got to open our presents because we weren't going to be at one of our family’s houses for Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: We do that sometimes, too. Sometimes we open some early, sometimes we open some later. We do the same thing.
JULIANA: What Mommy gave me we got to open tonight.
MRS. OBAMA: Yes, what Santa gives you -- you get when Santa delivers them. That's just how we do it.
JULIANA: We're going to open presents tomorrow at my other friend’s house.
MRS. OBAMA: That's exciting. What’s the thing you're most excited to get tomorrow?
JULIANA: My MP-3 player.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, you sound just like Sasha. Same thing.
JULIANA: I got one today.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, man! Well, you're racking up. You must have been really good this year.
JULIANA: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, that's great. But you’ve got to go to sleep because Santa doesn’t come until you're fast asleep, okay?
JULIANA: I'm sleeping on the couch tonight.
MRS. OBAMA: You're sleeping on the couch? Well, it doesn’t matter where you sleep. You just have to be asleep, okay?
SISTER: Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, it’s good to talk to you. Have you been good this year?
SISTER: I've been awesome. (Laughter.)
MRS. OBAMA: Well, then you should have no problems tomorrow morning, right?
SISTER: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, that's great. Just keep being awesome, all right? We need a lot of awesome kids out there, okay?
SISTER: Yes, ma’am.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay. You all take care and merry Christmas to your whole family and all your friends that you're going to see. Tell them the First Lady said merry Christmas.
JULIANA AND HER SISTER: Merry Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, you all take care. Bye-bye.
OPERATOR: Mrs. Obama, I've got Brandi and her son, Hunter, on the phone.
MRS. OBAMA: Hello. Hi. This is the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Who am I speaking to?
HUNTER: Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi. How are you? What’s your name?
HUNTER: I'm good.
MRS. OBAMA: You're good? What’s your name?
HUNTER: Hunter.
MRS. OBAMA: Hunter? How old are you, Hunter?
HUNTER: Four.
MRS. OBAMA: Four! All right. Have you been good this year?
HUNTER: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Do you want to know where Santa is flying over right now?
HUNTER: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: I'm looking at the radar screen. They spotted a glowing object -- it is flying right now over a place called Slovakia. And they say it looks like the sleigh is being pulled by all nine reindeer including Rudolph, and that -- oh, they can see, they say the sleigh looks extremely full of toys. Pretty exciting, right?
HUNTER: Yes. I want for Christmas a skateboard and -- I
MRS. OBAMA: Yes. What else?
HUNTER: (inaudible.)
MRS. OBAMA: Okay. Well, you know what, Santa doesn’t come to your house until after you’re fast asleep, okay? So you’ve got to go to bed and get a good night’s sleep, close your eyes tight and dream good thoughts, okay?
HUNTER: Thank you.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Merry Christmas, sweetie.
HUNTER: Merry Christmas.
OPERATOR: We have Savanna and Alexis for your last call.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama. I'm working with NORAD to help track Santa. How are you guys doing?
SAVANNA: Good.
MRS. OBAMA: How old are you all?
SAVANNA: Nine and five.
MRS. OBAMA: Nine and five? Have you been good this year?
SAVANNA AND ALEXIS: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Excellent. Excellent. Well, let me look at the radar and I'm going to check right now where they -- oh, my goodness. They spotted a glowing object. It looks like he’s -- he’s flying over Austria right now. And they’re telling me that the sleigh is pretty full and it’s being pulled by all nine reindeer including Rudolph. And they’re moving really fast. The good news -- they say the weather is all clear all around the world and that Santa is not going to have any problems delivering toys this evening. Pretty exciting! What did you guys ask for, for Christmas?
SAVANNA: I asked for a cell phone.
MRS. OBAMA: A cell phone. What else? Anything else?
SAVANNA: (inaudible)
MRS. OBAMA: Yes? Well, since you guys have been so good this year I'm sure you're going to have a great morning. But you know what, Santa doesn’t come to your house until every child is fast asleep, okay?
ALEXIS: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. So you’ve got to make sure you get a good night’s sleep. Have you left cookies out for Santa?
ALEXIS: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: And did you leave something out for the reindeer, too?
SAVANNA: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, well, you're set. You can get a good night’s sleep and wake up in the morning and it’s going to be Christmas! Isn’t that exciting?
SAVANNA: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Well, you guys have a merry Christmas and get a good night’s sleep, okay?
SAVANNA: Thank you.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Bye-bye, sweetie.
END
12:38 P.M. HST
Jon Tester Judd Gregg Kay Bailey Hutchison Kay Hagan Kent Conrad
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Executive Order -- Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the laws cited herein, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Statutory Pay Systems. Pursuant to the Continuing Appropriations and Surface Transportation Extensions Act, 2011 (H.R. 3082), which I signed into law today (the "Continuing Appropriations Act"), the rates of basic pay or salaries of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)) are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:
(a) The General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a)) at Schedule 1;
(b) The Foreign Service Schedule (22 U.S.C. 3963) at Schedule 2; and
(c) The schedules for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 7306, 7404; section 301(a) of Public Law 102–40) at Schedule 3.
Sec. 2. Senior Executive Service. The ranges of rates of basic pay for senior executives in the Senior Executive Service, as established pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5382, are set forth on Schedule 4 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Sec. 3. Certain Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries. The rates of basic pay or salaries for the following offices and positions are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:
(a) The Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5312–5318) at Schedule 5;
(b) The Vice President (3 U.S.C. 104) and the Congress (2 U.S.C. 31) at Schedule 6; and
(c) Justices and judges (28 U.S.C. 5, 44(d), 135, 252, and 461(a), and section 140 of Public Law 97–92) at Schedule 7.
Sec. 4. Uniformed Services. The rates of monthly basic pay (37 U.S.C. 203(a)) for members of the uniformed services, as adjusted under 37 U.S.C. 1009, and the rate of monthly cadet or midshipman pay (37 U.S.C. 203(c)) are set forth on Schedule 8 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Sec. 5. Locality-Based Comparability Payments. (a) Pursuant to section 5304 of title 5, United States Code, the Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-84; 5 U.S.C. 5304 note), and the Continuing Appropriations Act, locality-based comparability payments shall be paid in accordance with Schedule 9 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
(b) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement these payments and to publish appropriate notice of such payments in the Federal Register.
Sec. 6. Administrative Law Judges. Pursuant to section 5372 of title 5, United States Code, the rates of basic pay for administrative law judges are set forth on Schedule 10 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Sec. 7. Effective Dates. Schedule 8 is effective January 1, 2011. The other schedules contained herein are effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2011.
Sec. 8. Prior Order Superseded. Executive Order 13525 of December 23, 2009, is superseded.
BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 22, 2010.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/executive-order-adjustments-certain-rates-pay
Carte Goodwin Chuck Grassley Chuck Hagel Chuck Schumer Claire McCaskill
In the Rearview, a Year That Fizzled
David Leonhardt, New York Times
It was the year that the economy started to recover and then slid back into a slump - only to offer reason for renewed hope in the final weeks. When 2010 began, hiring and consumer spending were finally picking up. But then something changed in the spring — a combination of the debt troubles in Europe, the fading of stimulus spending and the usual caution by businesses and consumers after a financial crisis. By the summer, the unemployment rate was rising again, and Americans’ attitudes about the future were again souring.
It was the year that the economy started to recover and then slid back into a slump - only to offer reason for renewed hope in the final weeks. When 2010 began, hiring and consumer spending were finally picking up. But then something changed in the spring — a combination of the debt troubles in Europe, the fading of stimulus spending and the usual caution by businesses and consumers after a financial crisis. By the summer, the unemployment rate was rising again, and Americans’ attitudes about the future were again souring.
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/29/in_the_rearview_a_year_that_fizzled_248005.html
John Edwards John Ensign John F. Kerry John Kerry John McCain
Algorithms Take Control of Wall Street
Salmon and Stokes, Wired
Last spring, Dow Jones launched a new service called Lexicon, which sends real-time financial news to professional investors. This in itself is not surprising. The company behind The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires made its name by publishing the kind of news that moves the stock market. But many of the professional investors subscribing to Lexicon aren’t human—they’re algorithms, the lines of code that govern an increasing amount of global trading activity—and they don’t read news the way humans do.
Last spring, Dow Jones launched a new service called Lexicon, which sends real-time financial news to professional investors. This in itself is not surprising. The company behind The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires made its name by publishing the kind of news that moves the stock market. But many of the professional investors subscribing to Lexicon aren’t human—they’re algorithms, the lines of code that govern an increasing amount of global trading activity—and they don’t read news the way humans do.
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/29/algorithms_take_control_of_wall_street_248027.html
Statement by the Press Secretary, 12/22/2010
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
On Wednesday, December 22, 2010, the President signed into law:
S. 30, which makes it illegal to cause any caller identification service to knowingly transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
S. 1275, which establishes a National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition as a nonprofit corporation to promote participation by private organizations in the activities of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, and to promote private donations to support those activities.
S. 1405, which redesignates the Longfellow National Historic Site in Massachusetts, as the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site.
S. 1448, which authorizes 99-year leases on land held in trust for five Indian Tribes in the State of Oregon.
S. 1609, which authorizes the Department of Commerce to approve a single fishery cooperative for the longline catcher processor subsector in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific cod fishery upon the request of licensees holding at least 80 percent of the licenses issued for that subsector.
S. 1774, which makes Hotaru Nakama Ferschke eligible for an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of lawful permanent resident.
S. 2906, authorizes 99-year leases on land held in trust for the Kalispel Tribe and the Puyallup Tribe of Washington State.
S. 3199, which reauthorizes and expands authorized research and public health activities related to the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in newborns and infants.
S. 3794, which authorizes the General Services Administration to transfer Federal surplus property to State agencies for distribution to certain veterans-related organizations.
S. 3860, which requires reports on the management of Arlington National Cemetery.
S. 3984, which authorizes appropriations for museums and libraries through FY 2016, and extends programs administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
S. 3998, which extends through March 30, 2012, a pilot program for certain volunteer organizations that serve children to have fingerprint checks on applicants for positions as volunteers or employees processed through the Fingerprint Identification System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
S. 4005, which authorizes the U.S. Government to apply for, and Federal courts to issue, restraining orders at any time before or after the initiation of forfeiture proceedings by a foreign nation in order to preserve the availability of property in the United States subject to civil or criminal forfeiture under foreign law.
S. 4010, which makes Shigeru Yamada eligible for an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of lawful permanent resident.
H.R. 1061, which provides for the transfer of Federal and non-Federal land to the United States to be held in trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe of Washington State.
H.R. 2941, which Reauthorizes Johanna's Law to increase public awareness and knowledge with respect to gynecologic cancers.
H.R. 4337, which modifies rules related to the tax treatment of regulated investment companies, including rules related to capital loss carryovers, dividends and other distributions, and excise taxes.
H.R. 5591, which designates the airport traffic control tower located at Spokane International Airport in Spokane, Washington, as the Ray Daves Airport Traffic Control Tower.
H.R. 6198, which makes technical corrections to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
H.R. 6278, which allows the District of Columbia to use Heritage Island and a portion of Kingman Island within the Anacostia River for recreational, environmental, or educational purposes in accordance with the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan and the Comprehensive Plan of the District of Columbia.
H.R. 6473, which extends through March 31, 2011, authorities to collect taxes that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, make expenditures from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and make grants to airports under the Airport Improvement Program.
H.R. 6516, which makes technical and conforming changes to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/statement-press-secretary-12222010
Arnold Schwarzenegger Barack Obama Barbara Boxer Barbara Mikulski Ben Cardin
With Global Warming, Hot Sensations vs. Cold Facts
Larry Bell, Forbes
As 2010 draws to a close, do you remember hearing any good news from the mainstream media about climate? Like maybe a headline proclaiming "Record Low 2009 and 2010 Cyclonic Activity Reported: Global Warming Theorists Perplexed"? Or "NASA Studies Report Oceans Entering New Cooling Phase: Alarmists Fear Climate Science Budgets in Peril"? Or even anything bad that isn't blamed on anthropogenic (man-made) global warming--of course other than what is attributed to George W. Bush? (Conveniently, the term "AGW" covers both.)
As 2010 draws to a close, do you remember hearing any good news from the mainstream media about climate? Like maybe a headline proclaiming "Record Low 2009 and 2010 Cyclonic Activity Reported: Global Warming Theorists Perplexed"? Or "NASA Studies Report Oceans Entering New Cooling Phase: Alarmists Fear Climate Science Budgets in Peril"? Or even anything bad that isn't blamed on anthropogenic (man-made) global warming--of course other than what is attributed to George W. Bush? (Conveniently, the term "AGW" covers both.)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Opposition to the Euro Grows in Germany
Peter Muller, Der Spiegel
Surveys show that many Germans are worried about the future of the euro, but the country's political parties are not taking their fears seriously. The number of grassroots initiatives against the common currency is increasing, and political observers say a Tea Party-style anti-euro movement could do well.As a playwright, Rolf Hochhuth knows how to use timing to achieve the greatest possible impact. In the 1960s, he criticized the pope for remaining silent about the Holocaust.
Surveys show that many Germans are worried about the future of the euro, but the country's political parties are not taking their fears seriously. The number of grassroots initiatives against the common currency is increasing, and political observers say a Tea Party-style anti-euro movement could do well.As a playwright, Rolf Hochhuth knows how to use timing to achieve the greatest possible impact. In the 1960s, he criticized the pope for remaining silent about the Holocaust.
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/28/opposition_to_the_euro_grows_in_germany_247935.html
Kirsten Gillibrand Kit Bond Lamar Alexander Lindsey Graham Lisa Murkowski
Vladimir Putin's Latest Victim
Simon Tisdall, The Guardian
Vladimir Putin's unforgiving brand of vendetta politics today claimed another prominent victim with the guilty verdict against Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former oil magnate who dared oppose the Kremlin strongman.There was never going to be any other result. In modern-day Russia, challenging Putin is like standing in front of a tank. Either get out of the way or expect "“ sooner or later "“ to be flattened.
Vladimir Putin's unforgiving brand of vendetta politics today claimed another prominent victim with the guilty verdict against Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former oil magnate who dared oppose the Kremlin strongman.There was never going to be any other result. In modern-day Russia, challenging Putin is like standing in front of a tank. Either get out of the way or expect "“ sooner or later "“ to be flattened.
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/28/vladimir_putin039s_latest_victim_247975.html
Olympia Snowe Orrin Hatch Pat Roberts Patrick Leahy Patty Murray
Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 3082
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
On Wednesday, December 22, 2010, the President signed into law:
H.R. 3082, which provides FY 2011 appropriations through Friday, March 4, 2011, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government by further amending Public Law (P.L.) 111-242, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011. In addition, H.R. 3082 extends authority for current surface transportation programs to ensure that State departments of transportation and local transit agencies will be able to continue their ongoing infrastructure investments.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/statement-press-secretary-hr-3082
Condoleezza Rice Daniel Akaka Daniel Inouye David Vitter Debbie Stabenow
Executive Order - Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
EXECUTIVE ORDER
RECRUITING AND HIRING STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 3301 and 3302 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. The Federal Government benefits from a diverse workforce that includes students and recent graduates, who infuse the workplace with their enthusiasm, talents, and unique perspectives. The existing competitive hiring process for the Federal civil service, however, is structured in a manner that, even at the entry level, favors job applicants who have significant previous work experience. This structure, along with the complexity of the rules governing admission to the career civil service, creates a barrier to recruiting and hiring students and recent graduates. It places the Federal Government at a competitive disadvantage compared to private-sector employers when it comes to hiring qualified applicants for entry-level positions.
To compete effectively for students and recent graduates, the Federal Government must improve its recruiting efforts; offer clear paths to Federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school; offer clear paths to civil service careers for recent graduates; and provide meaningful training, mentoring, and career-development opportunities. Further, exposing students and recent graduates to Federal jobs through internships and similar programs attracts them to careers in the Federal Government and enables agency employers to evaluate them on the job to determine whether they are likely to have successful careers in Government.
Accordingly, pursuant to my authority under 5 U.S.C. 3302(1), and in order to achieve a workforce that represents all segments of society as provided in 5 U.S.C. 2301(b)(1), I find that conditions of good administration (specifically, the need to promote employment opportunities for students and recent graduates in the Federal workforce) make necessary an exception to the competitive hiring rules for certain positions in the Federal civil service.
Sec. 2. Establishment. There are hereby established the Internship Program and the Recent Graduates Program, which, along with the Presidential Management Fellows Program, as modified herein, shall collectively be known as the Pathways Programs. I therefore direct the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to issue regulations implementing the Pathways Programs consistent with this order, including:
(a) a description of the positions that executive departments and agencies (agencies) may fill through the Pathways Programs because conditions of good administration necessitate excepting those positions from the competitive hiring rules;
(b) rules governing whether, to what extent, and in what manner public notice should be provided of job opportunities in the Pathways Programs;
(c) a description of career-development, training, and mentorship opportunities for participants in the Pathways Programs;
(d) requirements that managers meaningfully assess the performance of participants in the Pathways Programs to identify those who should be considered for conversion to career civil service positions;
(e) a description of OPM oversight of agency use of the Pathways Programs to ensure that (i) they serve as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the competitive hiring process, and (ii) agencies are using the Pathways Programs in a genuine effort to develop talent for careers in the civil service;
(f) a description of OPM plans to evaluate agencies' effectiveness in recruiting and retaining talent using the Pathways Programs and of the satisfaction of Pathways Programs participants and their hiring managers; and
(g) standard naming conventions across agencies, so that students and recent graduates can clearly understand and compare the career pathway opportunities available to them in the Federal Government.
Sec. 3. Internship Program. The Internship Program shall provide students in high schools, community colleges, 4-year colleges, trade schools, career and technical education programs, and other qualifying educational institutions and programs, as determined by OPM, with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship Program would replace the existing Student Career Experience Program, established pursuant to Executive Order 12015 of October 26, 1977. The following principles and policies shall govern the Internship Program:
(a) Participants in the program shall be referred to as "Interns" and shall be students enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in qualifying educational institutions and programs, as determined by OPM.
(b) Subject to any exceptions OPM may establish by regulation, agencies shall provide Interns with meaningful developmental work and set clear expectations regarding the work experience of the intern.
(c) Students employed by third-party internship providers but placed in agencies may, to the extent permitted by OPM regulations, be treated as participants in the Internship Program.
Sec. 4. Recent Graduates Program. The Recent Graduates Program shall provide individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs with developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. The following principles and policies shall govern the Recent Graduates Program:
(a) Participants in the program shall be referred to as "Recent Graduates" and must have obtained a qualifying degree, or completed a qualifying career or technical education program, as determined by OPM, within the preceding 2 years, except that veterans who, due to their military service obligation, were precluded from participating in the Recent Graduates Program during the 2-year period after obtaining a qualifying degree or completing a qualifying program shall be eligible to participate in the Program within 6 years of obtaining a qualifying degree or completing a qualifying program.
(b) Responsibilities assigned to a Recent Graduate shall be consistent with his or her qualifications, educational background, and career interests, the purpose of the Recent Graduates Program, and agency needs.
Sec. 5. Presidential Management Fellows Program. The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is an existing program established pursuant to Executive Order 13318 of November 21, 2003, that aims to attract to the Federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines at the graduate level who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, the leadership and management of public policies and programs. The following requirements shall govern the PMF Program upon the revocation of Executive Order 13318, as provided in section 8 of this order:
(a) Participants in this program shall continue to be known as Presidential Management Fellows (PMFs or Fellows) and must have received, within the preceding 2 years, a qualifying advanced degree, as determined by OPM.
(b) Responsibilities assigned to a PMF shall be consistent with the PMF's qualifications, educational background, and career interests, the purposes of the PMF Program, and agency needs.
(c) OPM shall establish the eligibility requirements and minimum qualifications for the program, as well as a process for assessing eligible individuals for consideration for appointment as PMFs.
Sec. 6. Appointment and Conversion. (a) Appointments to any of the Pathways Programs shall be under Schedule D of the excepted service, as established by section 7 of this order.
(b) Appointments to the Recent Graduates or PMF Programs shall not exceed 2 years, unless extended by the employing agency for up to 120 days thereafter.
(c) Appointment to a Pathways Program shall confer no right to further Federal employment in either the competitive or excepted service upon the expiration of the appointment, except that agencies may convert eligible participants noncompetitively to term, career, or career conditional appointments after satisfying requirements to be established by OPM, and agencies may noncompetitively convert participants who were initially converted to a term appointment under this section to a career or career-conditional appointment before the term appointment expires.
Sec. 7. Implementation. (a) Civil Service Rule VI is amended as follows:
(i) 5 CFR 6.1(a) is amended to read:
OPM may except positions from the competitive service when it determines that (A) appointments thereto through competitive examination are not practicable, or (B) recruitment from among students attending qualifying educational institutions or individuals who have recently completed qualifying educational programs can better be achieved by devising additional means for recruiting and assessing candidates that diverge from the processes generally applicable to the competitive service. These positions shall be listed in OPM's annual report for the fiscal year in which the exceptions are made.
(ii) 5 CFR 6.2 is amended to read:
OPM shall list positions that it excepts from the competitive service in Schedules A, B, C, and D, which schedules shall constitute parts of this rule, as follows:
Schedule A. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which it is not practicable to examine shall be listed in Schedule A.
Schedule B. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which it is not practicable to hold a competitive examination shall be listed in Schedule B. Appointments to these positions shall be subject to such noncompetitive examination as may be prescribed by OPM.
Schedule C. Positions of a confidential or policy-determining character shall be listed in Schedule C.
Schedule D. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which the competitive service requirements make impracticable the adequate recruitment of sufficient numbers of students attending qualifying educational institutions or individuals who have recently completed qualifying educational programs. These positions, which are temporarily placed in the excepted service to enable more effective recruitment from all segments of society by using means of recruiting and assessing candidates that diverge from the rules generally applicable to the competitive service, shall be listed in Schedule D.
(iii) The first sentence of 5 CFR 6.4 is amended to read:
Except as may be required by statute, the Civil Service Rules and Regulations shall not apply to removals from positions listed in Schedules A, C, or D or from positions excepted from the competitive service by statute.
The second sentence of 5 CFR 6.4 is to remain unchanged.
(iv) The first sentence of 5 CFR 6.6 is amended to read:
OPM may remove any position from or may revoke in whole or in part any provision of Schedule A, B, C, or D.
The second sentence of 5 CFR 6.6 is to remain unchanged.
(b) The Director of OPM shall:
(i) promulgate such regulations as the Director determines may be necessary to implement this order;
(ii) provide oversight of the Pathways Programs;
(iii) establish, if appropriate, a Government-wide cap on the number of noncompetitive conversions to the competitive service of Interns, Recent Graduates, or PMFs (or a Government-wide combined conversion cap applicable to all three categories together);
(iv) administer, and review and revise annually or as needed, any Government-wide cap established pursuant to this subsection;
(v) provide guidance on conducting an orderly transition from existing student and internship programs to the Pathways Programs established pursuant to this order; and
(vi) consider for publication in the Federal Register at an appropriate time a proposed rule seeking public comment on the elimination of the Student Temporary Employment Program, established through OPM regulations at 5 CFR 213.3202(a).
(c) In accordance with regulations prescribed pursuant to this order and applicable law, agencies shall:
(i) use appropriate merit-based procedures for recruitment, assessment, placement, and ongoing career development for participants in the Pathways Programs;
(ii) provide for equal employment opportunity in the Pathways Programs without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non merit-based factor;
(iii) apply veterans' preference criteria; and
(iv) within 45 days of the date of this order, designate a Pathways Programs Officer (at the agency level, or at bureaus or components within the agency) to administer Pathways Programs, to serve as liaison with OPM, and to report to OPM on the implementation of the Pathways Programs and the individuals hired under them.
Sec. 8. Prior Executive Orders. (a) Effective March 1, 2011, Executive Order 13162 (Federal Career Intern Program) is superseded and revoked. Any individuals serving in appointments under that order on March 1, 2011, shall be converted to the competitive service, effective on that date, with no loss of pay or benefits.
(b) On the effective date of final regulations promulgated by the Director of OPM to implement the Internship Program, Executive Order 12015 (pursuant to which the Student Career Experience Program was established), as amended, is superseded and revoked.
(c) On the effective date of final regulations promulgated by the Director of OPM to implement changes to the PMF Program required by this order, Executive Order 13318 (Presidential Management Fellows Program), as amended, is superseded and revoked.
Sec. 9. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) authority granted by law, regulation, Executive Order, or Presidential Directive to an executive department, agency, or head thereof; or
(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 27, 2010.
Lindsey Graham Lisa Murkowski Maria Cantwell Mark Begich Mark Pryor
Statement by the Press Secretary, 12/22/2010
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
On Wednesday, December 22, 2010, the President signed into law:
S. 30, which makes it illegal to cause any caller identification service to knowingly transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
S. 1275, which establishes a National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition as a nonprofit corporation to promote participation by private organizations in the activities of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, and to promote private donations to support those activities.
S. 1405, which redesignates the Longfellow National Historic Site in Massachusetts, as the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site.
S. 1448, which authorizes 99-year leases on land held in trust for five Indian Tribes in the State of Oregon.
S. 1609, which authorizes the Department of Commerce to approve a single fishery cooperative for the longline catcher processor subsector in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific cod fishery upon the request of licensees holding at least 80 percent of the licenses issued for that subsector.
S. 1774, which makes Hotaru Nakama Ferschke eligible for an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of lawful permanent resident.
S. 2906, authorizes 99-year leases on land held in trust for the Kalispel Tribe and the Puyallup Tribe of Washington State.
S. 3199, which reauthorizes and expands authorized research and public health activities related to the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing loss in newborns and infants.
S. 3794, which authorizes the General Services Administration to transfer Federal surplus property to State agencies for distribution to certain veterans-related organizations.
S. 3860, which requires reports on the management of Arlington National Cemetery.
S. 3984, which authorizes appropriations for museums and libraries through FY 2016, and extends programs administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
S. 3998, which extends through March 30, 2012, a pilot program for certain volunteer organizations that serve children to have fingerprint checks on applicants for positions as volunteers or employees processed through the Fingerprint Identification System of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
S. 4005, which authorizes the U.S. Government to apply for, and Federal courts to issue, restraining orders at any time before or after the initiation of forfeiture proceedings by a foreign nation in order to preserve the availability of property in the United States subject to civil or criminal forfeiture under foreign law.
S. 4010, which makes Shigeru Yamada eligible for an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of lawful permanent resident.
H.R. 1061, which provides for the transfer of Federal and non-Federal land to the United States to be held in trust for the Hoh Indian Tribe of Washington State.
H.R. 2941, which Reauthorizes Johanna's Law to increase public awareness and knowledge with respect to gynecologic cancers.
H.R. 4337, which modifies rules related to the tax treatment of regulated investment companies, including rules related to capital loss carryovers, dividends and other distributions, and excise taxes.
H.R. 5591, which designates the airport traffic control tower located at Spokane International Airport in Spokane, Washington, as the Ray Daves Airport Traffic Control Tower.
H.R. 6198, which makes technical corrections to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
H.R. 6278, which allows the District of Columbia to use Heritage Island and a portion of Kingman Island within the Anacostia River for recreational, environmental, or educational purposes in accordance with the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan and the Comprehensive Plan of the District of Columbia.
H.R. 6473, which extends through March 31, 2011, authorities to collect taxes that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, make expenditures from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and make grants to airports under the Airport Improvement Program.
H.R. 6516, which makes technical and conforming changes to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010.
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/statement-press-secretary-12222010
Olympia Snowe Orrin Hatch Pat Roberts Patrick Leahy Patty Murray
Monday, December 27, 2010
Control Govt Spending Or Face "Apocalyptic Pain"
Sen. Tom Coburn, FNS
"The history of republics is they average 200 years of life. And they all fail in the history over fiscal matters. They rot from within before they collapse or are attacked," Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) told "Fox News Sunday."
"The history of republics is they average 200 years of life. And they all fail in the history over fiscal matters. They rot from within before they collapse or are attacked," Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) told "Fox News Sunday."
Herb Kohl Hillary Clinton Jack Reed Jay Rockefeller Jeanne Shaheen
Why Are Jobs So Hard to Come By?
James Surowiecki, The New Yorker
The recession has been over for more than a year now, but so many people are out of work that it doesn’t feel like much of a recovery. In November, the economy added just thirty-nine thousand jobs. The failure to translate G.D.P. growth into job growth has given us an unemployment rate that remains near ten per cent (twice what it was in 2007), and has swelled the ranks of the long-term unemployed. Why have new jobs been so hard to come by? One view blames cyclical economic factors: at times when everyone is cautious about spending, companies are slow to expand capacity and take on...
The recession has been over for more than a year now, but so many people are out of work that it doesn’t feel like much of a recovery. In November, the economy added just thirty-nine thousand jobs. The failure to translate G.D.P. growth into job growth has given us an unemployment rate that remains near ten per cent (twice what it was in 2007), and has swelled the ranks of the long-term unemployed. Why have new jobs been so hard to come by? One view blames cyclical economic factors: at times when everyone is cautious about spending, companies are slow to expand capacity and take on...
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/27/why_are_jobs_so_hard_to_come_by_247912.html
Michael Bennet Michelle Obama Mike Crapo Mike Enzi Mike Huckabee
Woman Arrested for Refusing Enhanced Pat Down
Jim Bergamo, KVUE
29°Clearby MojoPagesby JIM BERGAMO / KVUE Newskvue.comPosted on December 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM Updated Thursday, Dec 23 at 9:39 AM Early Wednesday morning, a computer glitch shut down a security checkpoint for a couple of hours at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The line snaked out the door as many travelers waited for more than an hour and some missed their flights. One of the first people in line after that shutdown never made it through. She was arrested and banned from the airport.Claire Hirschkind,...
29°Clearby MojoPagesby JIM BERGAMO / KVUE Newskvue.comPosted on December 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM Updated Thursday, Dec 23 at 9:39 AM Early Wednesday morning, a computer glitch shut down a security checkpoint for a couple of hours at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The line snaked out the door as many travelers waited for more than an hour and some missed their flights. One of the first people in line after that shutdown never made it through. She was arrested and banned from the airport.Claire Hirschkind,...
Daniel Inouye David Vitter Debbie Stabenow Dennis Hastert Dennis Kucinich
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Enumerated Powers Make a Comeback
Mona Charen, National Review
It was always for our own good. It was always for a very good reason. It was always within the American tradition of this, that, or the other. That's what they've told us, that's how they've patronized us, for generations, as the long tendrils of the federal government have spread and multiplied into every realm of American life. It had become so utterly unremarkable, this robotic and seemingly inexorable aggrandizement of federal power, that when Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked, in 2009, where in the Constitution Congress was granted the authority to force people to buy...
It was always for our own good. It was always for a very good reason. It was always within the American tradition of this, that, or the other. That's what they've told us, that's how they've patronized us, for generations, as the long tendrils of the federal government have spread and multiplied into every realm of American life. It had become so utterly unremarkable, this robotic and seemingly inexorable aggrandizement of federal power, that when Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked, in 2009, where in the Constitution Congress was granted the authority to force people to buy...
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/12/26/enumerated_powers_make_a_comeback_108346.html
Orrin Hatch Pat Roberts Patrick Leahy Patty Murray Ralph Nader
Deck the Halls with News of Jolly
Margaret Wente, Globe and Mail
Jump to main navigation Jump to main content Christmas is not my favourite time of year. It makes me want to kick the cat. To cheer myself up, I have compiled this roundup of good news. This is the news you never hear about because of all the gloomy news. I guarantee that it will lift your spirits (especially if you like your spirits).Go ahead, have another rum and eggnog.Booze is not only good for your health, it’s also better than you think. It’s long been known that moderate drinkers live longer than abstainers. But now it turns out that even heavy drinkers live longer...
Jump to main navigation Jump to main content Christmas is not my favourite time of year. It makes me want to kick the cat. To cheer myself up, I have compiled this roundup of good news. This is the news you never hear about because of all the gloomy news. I guarantee that it will lift your spirits (especially if you like your spirits).Go ahead, have another rum and eggnog.Booze is not only good for your health, it’s also better than you think. It’s long been known that moderate drinkers live longer than abstainers. But now it turns out that even heavy drinkers live longer...
Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2010/12/26/deck_the_halls_with_news_of_jolly_247884.html
Elizabeth Dole Evan Bayh Frank Lautenberg George H. W. Bush George LeMieux
Dems Will Soon Cry 'Washington Is Broken' Again
Byron York, Examiner
"Washington, right now, is broken," said Vice President Biden in February. "I've never seen it this dysfunctional."Back then, Biden was just one of many who complained that partisan rancor and gamesmanship had brought the functioning of the federal government virtually to a halt, making it impossible for the president and lawmakers to get anything done. "Washington is broken" became the political world's conventional wisdom.
"Washington, right now, is broken," said Vice President Biden in February. "I've never seen it this dysfunctional."Back then, Biden was just one of many who complained that partisan rancor and gamesmanship had brought the functioning of the federal government virtually to a halt, making it impossible for the president and lawmakers to get anything done. "Washington is broken" became the political world's conventional wisdom.
Mike Johanns Mitch McConnell Nancy Pelosi Newt Gingrich Olympia Snowe
Saturday, December 25, 2010
What if FCC Had Regulated the Net From the Start?
Jack Shafer, Slate
The Federal Communications Commission recently issued new rules regulating the Internet--even though it doesn't appear to have such powers. A federal court gangster-slapped the commission last year, accusing it of regulatory overreach for attempting to dictate Internet policy to service providers. These new regulations got me to thinking of where we would be today if the FCC had regulated the Internet from the get-go."
The Federal Communications Commission recently issued new rules regulating the Internet--even though it doesn't appear to have such powers. A federal court gangster-slapped the commission last year, accusing it of regulatory overreach for attempting to dictate Internet policy to service providers. These new regulations got me to thinking of where we would be today if the FCC had regulated the Internet from the get-go."
Jeff Bingaman Jeff Merkley Jeff Sessions Jim Bunning Jim DeMint
Presidential Nomination Sent to the Senate, 12/22/2010
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE:
Agnes Gund, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2016. (New Position)
Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/presidential-nomination-sent-senate-12222010
Ted Kennedy Thad Cochran Thomas Carper Tim Johnson Tom Coburn
Dems Will Soon Cry 'Washington Is Broken' Again
Byron York, Examiner
"Washington, right now, is broken," said Vice President Biden in February. "I've never seen it this dysfunctional."Back then, Biden was just one of many who complained that partisan rancor and gamesmanship had brought the functioning of the federal government virtually to a halt, making it impossible for the president and lawmakers to get anything done. "Washington is broken" became the political world's conventional wisdom.
"Washington, right now, is broken," said Vice President Biden in February. "I've never seen it this dysfunctional."Back then, Biden was just one of many who complained that partisan rancor and gamesmanship had brought the functioning of the federal government virtually to a halt, making it impossible for the president and lawmakers to get anything done. "Washington is broken" became the political world's conventional wisdom.
Condoleezza Rice Daniel Akaka Daniel Inouye David Vitter Debbie Stabenow
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