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Do As I Say, NOT As I DO! Another Vacation 4 The Obamas

The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release November 09, 2011 Executive Order 13589 -- Promoting Efficient Spending EXECUTIVE ORDER PROMOTING EFFICIENT SPENDING By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to further promote efficient spending in the Federal Government, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1.  Policy.  My Administration is committed to cutting waste in Federal Government spending and identifying opportunities to promote efficient and effective spending.  The Federal Government performs critical functions that support the basic protections that Americans have counted on for decades.  As they serve taxpayers, executive departments and agencies (agencies) also must act in a fiscally responsible manner, including by minimizing their costs, in order to perform these mission critical functions in the most efficient, cost effective way.  As such, I have pursued an aggressive agenda for reducing administrative costs since taking office and, most recently, within my Fiscal Year 2012 Budget.  Building on this effort, I direct agency heads to take even more aggressive steps to ensure the Government is a good steward of taxpayer money. Sec. 2.  Agency Reduction Targets.  Each agency shall establish a plan for reducing the combined costs associated with the activities covered by sections 3 through 7 of this order, as well as activities included in the Administrative Efficiency Initiative in the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget, by not less than 20 percent below Fiscal Year 2010 levels, in Fiscal Year 2013.  Agency plans for meeting this target shall be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) within 45 days of the date of this order.  The OMB shall monitor implementation of these plans consistent with Executive Order 13576 of June 13, 2011 (Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government). Sec. 3.  Travel.  (a)  Agency travel is important to the effective functioning of Government and certain activities can be performed only by traveling to a different location.  However, to ensure efficient travel spending, agencies are encouraged to devise strategic alternatives to Government travel, including local or technological alternatives, such as teleconferencing and video conferencing.  Agencies should make all appropriate efforts to conduct business and host or sponsor conferences in space controlled by the Federal Government, wherever practicable and cost effective.  Lastly, each agency should review its policies associated with domestic civilian permanent change of duty station travel (relocations), including eligibility rules, to identify ways to reduce costs and ensure appropriate controls are in place. (b)  Each agency, agency component, and office of inspector general should designate a senior level official to be responsible for developing and implementing policies and controls to ensure efficient spending on travel and conference related activities, consistent with subsection (a) of this section. Sec. 4.  Employee Information Technology Devices.  Agencies should assess current device inventories and usage, and establish controls, to ensure that they are not paying for unused or underutilized information technology (IT) equipment, installed software, or services.  Each agency should take steps to limit the number of IT devices (e.g., mobile phones, smartphones, desktop and laptop computers, and tablet personal computers) issued to employees, consistent with the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 (Public Law 111 292), operational requirements (including continuity of operations), and initiatives designed to create efficiency through the effective implementation of technology.  To promote further efficiencies in IT, agencies should consider the implementation of appropriate agency-wide IT solutions that consolidate activities such as desktop services, email, and collaboration tools. Sec. 5.  Printing.  Agencies are encouraged to limit the publication and printing of hard copy documents and to presume that information should be provided in an electronic form, whenever practicable, permitted by law, and consistent with applicable records retention requirements.  Agencies should consider using acquisition vehicles developed by the OMB's Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative to acquire printing and copying devices and services. Sec. 6.  Executive Fleet Efficiencies.  The President's Memorandum of May 24, 2011 (Federal Fleet Performance) directed agencies to improve the performance of the Federal fleet of motor vehicles by increasing the use of vehicle technologies, optimizing fleet size, and improving agency fleet management.  Building upon this effort, agencies should limit executive transportation. Sec. 7.  Extraneous Promotional Items.  Agencies should limit the purchase of promotional items (e.g., plaques, clothing, and commemorative items), in particular where they are not cost-effective. Sec. 8.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i)    authority granted by law to a department or agency, or the head thereof; (ii)   functions of the Director of OMB related to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals; or (iii)  the authority of inspectors general under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c)  Independent agencies are requested to adhere to this order. (d)  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, November 9, 2011. BLOG POSTS ON THIS ISSUE December 06, 2011 2:50 PM EST From the Archives: President Teddy Roosevelt's New Nationalism Speech Read the full text of President Teddy Roosevelt's "new nationalism" speech, given more than 100 years ago in Osawatomie, Kansas. November 29, 2011 5:05 PM EST By the Numbers: 141,000 Intellectual property theft is not a victimless crime. Sales of pirated DVDs alone cost our economy 141,000 jobs annually. November 29, 2011 4:04 PM EST Bargain Hunters Be Wary The Obama Administration is launching a public awareness campaign to combat the purchase and sale of counterfeit and pirated products VIEW ALL RELATED BLOG POSTS Stay Connected FacebookTwitterFlickr MySpace YouTubeVimeoiTunesLinkedIn  Home The White House Blog Photos & Videos Photo Galleries Video Live Streams Podcasts Briefing Room Your Weekly Address Speeches & Remarks Press Briefings Statements & Releases White House Schedule Presidential Actions Legislation Nominations & Appointments Disclosures Issues Civil Rights Defense Disabilities Economy Education Energy & Environment Ethics Family Fiscal Responsibility Foreign Policy Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Poverty Rural Seniors & Social Security Service Taxes Technology Urban Policy Veterans Women Additional Issues The Administration President Barack Obama Vice President Joe Biden First Lady Michelle Obama Dr. Jill Biden The Cabinet White House Staff Executive Office of the President Other Advisory Boards About the White House Interactive Tour History Presidents First Ladies The Oval Office The Vice President's Residence & Office Eisenhower Executive Office Building Camp David Air Force One White House Fellows White House Internships Tours & Events Inside the White House Our Government The Executive Branch The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch The Constitution Federal Agencies & Commissions Elections & Voting State & Local Government Resources

Obama Care, SCOTUS, & 2012 Election

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-supremes-v-obamacare-will-the-court-decide-the-2012-presidential-election/

ChristmasWasLove

This story is new to me - hope you enjoy it as much as I did. The "W" in Christmas Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love." The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: "C H R I S T W A S L O V E" And, I believe, He still is.

Hope We Find GOD Again B4 It'sToo Late

 Remarks from CBS Sunday morning   This is really something to think about.   Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late ! !  The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday  Morning  Commentary. My confession:  I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.  And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees...  I don't feel threatened..  I don't          feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.  It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.  I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind of like it.  It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu .  If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.  I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians.  I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.  I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country.  I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.  Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.  But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.  In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.  Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina)..  Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response..  She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.  And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.  How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'  In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc..  I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.  Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).  We said an expert should know what he's talking about..  And we said okay.. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'  Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.  Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.  Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.  Are you laughing yet?  Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.  Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.  Pass it on if you think it has merit.     If not, then just discard it.. no one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.   My Best Regards,  Honestly and respectfully,  Ben Stein 

Gingrich Lights It Up!

Follow @lukerosiakON THE STUMP: Mitt Romney talks to reporters after the We the People Presidential Forum at a VFW Post in Hudson, N.H., on Sunday. The rise of challenger Newt Gingrich has stirred up the Romney super PAC, Restore Our Future. (Associated Press)
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When Mitt Romney’s backers started a super PAC, it seemed they had hoped to hold their fire until the general election. But Newt Gingrich may have shaken both Romney and Obama strategists’ assurance that the former Massachusetts governor will make it that far. The silence of the cash-flush Restore Our Future super PAC had been one of the most telling signs of insiders’ beliefs about who the eventual Republican nominee would be.

With eight months to go before the Republican National Convention, where a nominee will formally be chosen to face off against President Obama, a shadow general election already seemed to be playing out. With the incumbent president freed of an intraparty challenger, a super PAC helmed by one of Mr. Obama’s former top political strategists, Bill Burton, was actively attacking one Republican candidate and one candidate only: Mitt Romney.

On Mr. Romney’s side was the super PAC formed by his 2008 presidential campaign’s general counsel, Charlie Spies. As one Republican candidate after another rose through the pack with poll numbers that matched or beat Mr. Romney’s — first Michele Bachmann, then Rick Perry and later Herman Cain — the group displayed only restraint.

It was not for a lack of funds. The 2010 Supreme Court ruling that created the unlimited-donation vessels, Citizens United, seemed tailor-made for Romney backers — overwhelmingly wealthy financial-sector workers for whom the $2,500 cap on contributions to official campaigns was most restrictive. The committee even made news for taking three $1 million contributions from cryptically named limited liability corporations, at least one of which formed specifically to hide the identity of the financier behind the donation.

Despite the resources to go after both Mr. Romney’s Republican rivals and Mr. Obama, the fund seemed to be looking only ahead. After announcing a $12 million haul in July, it curiously was not heard from again.

Until now. The first rival to break Romney operatives’ gaze away from November 2012 was a candidate more often associated with 1994, Newt Gingrich. On Thursday, Restore Our Future shattered its silence with a massive $827,000 ad buy targeting the former House speaker in Iowa, the largest independent expenditure of the presidential race so far, disclosures filed Saturday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) showed.

An ad that appeared briefly online and was then taken down employed brass tacks against Mr. Gingrich, attacking on issues similar to those on which Mr. Romney himself has drawn flak.

“Newt was a longtime supporter of a national health insurance mandate, the centerpiece of Obamacare. … The Gingrich record: 30 years in Washington. Flip-flopping on issues.” Restore our Future also registered a website, NewtFacts.com. The group announced Thursday that it would be spending a blistering $3.1 million on ads in Iowa in the next three weeks to promote the candidate, but it did not say it would be attacking Mr. Gingrich rather than juxtaposing Mr. Romney with Mr. Obama.

The ad that hit the airwaves at that time, whose cost has not yet been disclosed to the FEC, made only that juxtaposition.

“How many jobs did Barack Obama create as a community organizer? As a law professor?” the ad asks.

Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for Mr. Obama’s campaign, responded in a statement that Mr. Romney’s “allies are riding to his rescue, spending millions of dollars in secret, undisclosed donations to promote a candidate who will put Wall Street profit ahead of middle class security.”

But Mr. Obama’s allies have their own fund waiting in the wings, one whose donations are subject to the same regulations and disclosure as Restore Our Future’s. Called Priorities USA Action, the group has made seven ad buys since May, and while the president himself mounts a positive campaign, all seven super PAC ads have been negative, and each has targeted Mr. Romney. The difference may be only in the millions of dollars: The Obama super PAC’s buys have totaled $306,000, and its last purchase was in early November.

The group, which Mr. Burton quit the president’s staff to help direct, had raised $3.2 million as of July — including from lobbyists and unions, whose contributions the official Obama campaign refuses — but had already spent much of it, leaving less than the amount the Romney group plans to spend in Iowa alone.

A super PAC supporting Mr. Gingrich, Solutions 2012, launched last month, but has not reported running any ads. On Thursday, an independent super PAC from Democratic consultant T.J. Walker formed with promises to air an ad opposing Mr. Romney, featuring the candidate speaking French, starting Monday on cable TV and Iowa websites.

The spending has shown that while conventional wisdom held that Mr. Romney was the “inevitable” nominee, pollsters and politicos close to the candidates, too, conducted themselves as though he is the man to beat.

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Strang but True Aviation News

Things With Wings
The Commercial Aviation Blog

Strange But True Aviation News
Posted by Rupa Haria at 12/9/2011 9:42 AM CST
Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin takes the lead in this week’s Strange hall of shame. The actor threw a hissy fit after being told to turn off his phone on an American Airlines flight preparing to depart from LAX. Not wanting to be stopped from playing ‘Words With Friends’ on his mobile, he got himself thrown off the aircraft and did what any self-respecting individual would do – he tweeted about it. American Airlines later issued a statement saying Baldwin had slammed the lavatory door so hard that the cockpit crew heard it and became alarmed, resulting in the passenger being removed from the flight and denied boarding. Baldwin is not alone - the Washington Post names and shames more badly behaved flying celebrities.

After the incident, Baldwin deactivated his Twitter account. In this animated video, the creative folks at Taiwanese web site Next Media Animation offer their take on the story:



In a story that shook the Hill, FAA administrator Randy Babbit failed to tell his bosses (including President Obama) that he had been arrested for driving under the influence. It wasn’t long before the story went public, resulting in the 65-year old resigning from his post.  Aviation Week’s Andrew Compart earlier this week commented on Babbit’s little mistake. 

Ever wondered what would happen if five grenades are found in a passenger’s luggage?  Nothing, apparently. According to the Telegraph, a female passenger surrendered five grenades to TSA officials after they were found in her luggage, but offered no explanation as to why she was carrying them in the first place. The TSA says it wasn’t part of any terror plot, there were no delays or lockdowns, and no arrests were made.
Meanwhile, over in Venezuela, a suicidal donkey walked onto the runway just as a Tiara Air Aruba aircraft was taking off. The aircraft, carrying 29 passengers, continued its journey to Aruba where it landed safely, according to the Aviation Herald. 

A frisky off-duty Qantas pilot is being investigated by the airline after reports emerged that he got a little too comfortable in his first class seat with a female passenger on board flight QF32 from London to Singapore. He was sent to the back of the plane after a “flood of complaints” from fellow passengers. The Herard Sun quotes a Qantas spokeswoman as saying that an "interaction of that nature is something that wouldn't be sanctioned” by the airline. Meanwhile, his union has vowed to defend him: "The rights of this member, like any other, will be defended by AIPA should the need arise".

Happy Friday!

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