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Subscribe to RSS4:48 pm: That's the end of the press conference.
Obama wishes reporters a happy holiday season.
"See ya in 2011."
4:46 pm: "It's become a symbol. We can do just as good of a job holding [detainees] somewhere else," he says of Gitmo.
4:44 pm: Next question is on status of Gitmo closing, a major White House initiative that has not been accomplished.
Gitmo is "number one recruitment tool used by thsese jihadist organizations," Obama says.
"My administration has been as aggressive going after al Qaida as any out there," he adds.
4:43 pm: Obama: "I am persistent. If I believe in something strongly, I stay on it. And I believe strongly in this."
4:42 pm: "We need to reform this immigration system." Says we should be able to get the DREAM Act done "at minimum." Some Republicans know that this is "the right to thing to do" but think the politics "is too tough for them," Obama says. Very passionate on this issue.
4:41 pm: On children who came to the country illegally as children and cannot become citizens despite serving the U.S.: "That can't be who we are."
4:41 pm: Obama calls failure of DREAM Act "maybe my biggest disappointment."
4:40 pm: Obama says he wants to "immediately engage with Republicans" on energy policy.
4:39 pm: While we "celebrate wealth" in this country, we should also reward those who contribute to the community without getting rich, Obama says.
4:37 pm: A thriving middle class has always been "the greatest strength of America."
4:36 pm: On the tax cut deal: "Compromise by definition means taking things you don't like ... the overall package was the right one."
4:34 pm: Obama reiterates his stance on tax cuts for the wealthy despite his recent two year compromise extension with the GOP: "I don't think that over the long run we can afford a series of tax breaks for people who are doing very well."
4:31 pm: Republicans recognize that "with greater power comes greater responsibility."
4:30 pm: Obama's "evolve" line on gay marriage is similar to one he gave to progressive bloggers in October. From the WSJ:
“Attitudes evolve, including mine,” he said Wednesday in an interview at the White House with five liberal bloggers. “I think that it is an issue that I wrestle with and think about because I have a whole host of friends who are in gay partnerships. I have staff members who are in committed, monogamous relationships, who are raising children, who are wonderful parents. And I care about them deeply.”
He said he was not prepared to reverse his position at that very moment, but said he thinks a lot about the issue
4:29 pm: Next question invokes Obama's oft-quoted "car in the ditch" analogy about working with Republicans.
He says the car is out of the ditch, on the ground. The focus is no longer saving the economy from crisis, but "jumpstarting the economy" to make a dent in unemployment.
4:27 pm: Part B of question two: Should gays and lesbians be allowed to marry?
"My feelings about this are constantly evolving ... I've struggled with this," Obama says, noting that he has friends who are in strong "long lasting" gay unions.
Says he will "continue to wrestle with this going forward."
4:26 pm: Next question: What was your conversation like with Marine Corps Commandant James Amos, who opposed the DADT repeal?
Obama says he told Amos he was confident, looking at the history of the armed forces, that repeal could be managed.
He adds that he has spoken to the military service chiefs since the vote and that they have pledged to implement the policy "smartly."
4:26 pm: "What we've shown is that we don't have to agree on 100% to get things done that enhance the lives of families all across America."
4:25 pm: First question: "Are you ready to call yourself a comeback kid?"
Obama says what has happened in past several weeks "was not a victory for me, it was a victory for the American people."
The past weeks show that the two parties can "ultimately find common ground to move the country forward" despite arguments, he says.
4:24 pm: One lesson of the lame duck: "We are not doomed to endless gridlock."
He notes that there will be tough fights in the months ahead ("I'm not naive," he says) ... but hopes for "a spirit of common purpose in 2011 and beyond."
4:23 pm: He says he's disappointed in the failure of the DREAM Act and a long-term budget.
4:22 pm: Obama calls lame duck session "the most productive post-election period we have had in decades."
4:21 pm: Obama recalls that START backer Dick Lugar was his companion on his first overseas trip as a senator. You can read about Obama's relationship with Lugar in this October 2008 article on Msnbc.com.
4:20 pm: Bipartisan START vote "sends a powerful signal to the world" that Republicans and Democrats stand together on national security, says Obama.
4:19 pm: Obama hails passage of START treaty: "the most significant arms control treaty in nearly two decades."
4:18 pm: Obama: This has been a season of progress for the American people.
4:17 pm: The president just came to the podium. Says he, like many in the press corps, is "itching" to get out of town to celebrate the holidays.
4:00 pm ET: With members of Congress finally jetting off to their home states after a last-minute blast of legislative activity, President Barack Obama is getting ready for his own Hawaiian vacation. But not before he holds a year-end press conference this afternoon at around 4:15 pm ET.
The administration can now boast wins on almost all of its lame duck-agenda goals. The ink of the president's signature on a bill to repeal the 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy is barely dry; the START treaty won ratification by a comfortable margin just more than an hour ago; and a health bill to aid 9/11 first responders is pending final passage in the House this afternoon.
We'll be live-blogging the press conference here, so stay tuned.
Leave a Comment:
The President (and Congress) both ending the year on a positive note, who'da thunk it ?
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....
Congratulations Mr. President; I applaud your valiant effort in these tough times...
Both Democrats and Republicans criticized you.... but you stood strong.
Thanks for finishing the year strong with the American interest at heart.
Good Luck in 2011...I will keep supporting you - just keep living up to all your promises. I understand that it takes time... but I'm pleased at everything you've accomplished in this short 2yrs you've been in office.
I realize it's Christmas.
DADT? OK - Merry Christmas gay activist community. (apologies to the guys in combat arms)
9/11? Didn't know you were coming to the party, but OK - Merry Christmas.
START? Isn't it supposed to be Peace on Earth, not aPpeasement on Earth.
Why the Christmas present to Russia - veto power over the ability for America to protect itself from nuclear attack?
The WikiLeaksdocument how Russia told the Obama administration that they would not cooperate with any issue as long as we had a strong/improving missile defense program. Obama subsequently pulled the plug on our commitment to Poland and the Czech Republic and has cut back funding.
Obama - Putin's little poodle. Obama doesn't get it.
I know Obama is naive, out of his depth and doesn't have a clue on national security. The Republicans should know better. Maybe they are stupid too. After all they have been trying to amend the treaty (they can't - they get to advise / consent - not change.) They believe Obama's little letter? Obama's little letter means nothing it is not part of the treaty. Not only that - the Senate has no say whatsoever now. Further restrictions - Senate has no say, up to the BCC (Putin and his Poodle). Russia cheats - Senate has no say, up to the BCC. How
Yea, Merry Christmas Russia.
And please remember that we were nice so don't let Iran, N. Korea, China, and every other emerging threat do anything to us.
111th Congress - Atrocity to Democracy
Well said Tunde! My only concern is McConnell and his determination to make President Obama a "one term President!"
Maybe the Chin-less Wonder, will finish swallowing his face, and will ingest himself.
Interestesting press conference. That's the Obama from 2008... good to see him again.
This President is getting it done and he is in the corner of the american people. I support you President Obama and I believe you are doing a great job!!
Sure thing, Obama says in his press conference that these bills getting passed shows that when he really believes in something he gets it done.
Well I guess if that is he case he has shown he didn't really believe in jobs since he never did get that one done after all, now did he. Just shows where Obama's priorities lay...with symbolism and not with substance.
so for all those who call the Repubs the party of 'no' - maybe you should read a little bit and listen a little bit - they seem to be working with the president just fine - balance of power is a good thing folks.
Cheers
Jtriggs, first you repubs say that its the private sector that creates jobs, not the government,... then you are asking Obama (government) to create jobs... choose a side.
Also, Obama actually said that when he truly believes something... he keeps working on it until he gets done. Well, he has been fighting with corporations to have them create jobs. Remember, tax breaks for jobs created (part of the stimulus)... but big corporations said specifically that they wont create jobs unless they get their tax breaks. The president cant force them to create jobs, so he has called their bluff and given them what they want - tax breaks... NOW CREATE JOBS YOU GREEDY CORPORATIONS..... the american people truly deserve it at this point, you've punished us enough and you've been given what you wanted. Now where are the jobs for the American people~!
In response let me just point out that the GOP offerred up NO JOBS LEGISLATION, NO BUDGET, NO DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN.
And of course the priority for the GOP for the last 2 years is do nothing, obstruct evrything and hold hostage hte bills that just got passed because the tax gift to the rich was their 'top prirority'. So I find your simpleton musings on 'priority' to be laghable.
Tunde, what I am saying is that Obama claimed, on a number of occasions, that he was going to "focus on jobs like a laser beam" but never actually did anything at all to even address the job situation. Now today he claims if he really wants something he gets it done so by his own admission one can conclude he really didn't care about jobs after all.
Tim, Actually the GOP did in fact offer bills and amendments on jobs, the budget, and deficit reduction but the liberals controlling congress refused time and time again to allow them to be presented.
As far as my "simpleton musings", at least I am aware of what both sides are saying and doing. Apparently you only know one side because of the limited scope of resources you listen to.
And one more time for all the perpetualy uninformed, Letting people keep the money they have worked for and earned is not a "gift". It is their money to start with.
jtriggs,
We'll see how much your comments ring true when the new congress takes hold 1/5/11. No more obstructing and blaming Obama for not creating jobs. It will now be up to Repubs to govern. For the sake of America I hope for success in the Republican controlled House to get things done.
THE NUMBERS DONT LIE...PLEASE HELP THE 99ers! What does 8 million people unemployed and in desperate need of a tier 5 extensions to survive REALLY LOOK LIKE?
Its 8 times as many people redistributed by Katrina (1 million plus affected). There are more people UNEMPLOYED, then all those who were killed, injured, or displaced in both the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami (COMBINED!)
NYC(Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, etc) is home to more than 8 million people. PICTURE ALL OF NYC UNEMPLOYED, BY NYE 2011.
The population of Miami is 413,201, with 4.5 million people in the surrounding area. Miami is the 4th largest metropolitan area in the US and that ONLY represents the number of unemployed TODAY! Maybe knowing that roughly 4 million people currently live in Los Angeles, represents all the unemployment this very moment! NOW, IMAGINE ALL OF MIAMI AND LA, AND THAT'S HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE CUT OFF FROM ANY BENEFITS! WWII May 1945, the month during which the war against Germany ended, the United State's Army was 8 million soliders strong. CAN YOU PICTURE A COUNTRY ALLOWING THAT MANY PEOPLE TO WITHER AWAY INTO POVERTY? ALL THOSE TROOPS VISUALLY REPRESENT THE MAGNITUDE OF THE UNEMPLOYED CRISIS!
Here's what 8 million will mean come by the end of this year; irionically, about 8 million people in the world die of poverty in a year. Are NEW slogan will soon mimic the Flintstones Kids - "Ten Million Strong and Growing!"
Obama says "I did this", "I am that", on and on, I, I, I... Do you think that he started to truly work across the isle since his head and his party's head were handed to them on a plate? Do you think? But no - he has to come out saying it was all do to him...he hasn't changed...
@Get Real...
get real about this my friend:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_by_U.S._presidential_terms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jobs_created_during_U.S._presidential_terms
the country has historically done better under democrats than under republicans, in terms of debt, in terms of spending, in terms of growth, and in terms of jobs.
now you may not agree with this, but i believe the country has done better socially under democrats too. what with slavery, civil rights, womens rights, gay rights, workers rights and all that stuff. and please, dont play ignorant about history and demographics so you can claim that lincoln was a republican like the republicans today.
bottomline is...the american conservative movement has nothing whatsoever to bring to the table. you cant blame obama for not reaching across the aisle to people who have nothing to offer.
yet sadly, he has...
Yep. Nothing like ignoring the facts when it comes to one's political views. lmao
You might want to go back a study up on your history there sherlock. Especially when it comes to the historical stance of Dems on slavery and civil rights.
Repubs are in and job numbers jumped in December = do you think the November election results had anything to do with that? You bet they did! Remember folks who are asking corporations to hire - they are not the government which is exceptionally inefficient and doesn't need to run on a budget they just make more money - if they were on Wall Street you'd be screaming about them losing your money in historical proportions and for having absolutely no restraint on how they spend. Wish people would get it that government jobs produce nothing - private sector you actually have to sell an idea/product/system to make a living, not just move paper from one place to another. OK I'm done! :)
President Obama lauds the bipartisanship embodied in the extension of the Bush tax cuts...
"...we are not doomed to endless gridlock..."
Are you listening, First Readers...?
THE NUMBERS DONT LIE...PLEASE HELP THE 99ers! What does 8 million people unemployed and in desperate need of a tier 5 extensions to survive REALLY LOOK LIKE?
Its 8 times as many people redistributed by Katrina (1 million plus affected). There are more people UNEMPLOYED, then all those who were killed, injured, or displaced in both the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami (COMBINED!)
NYC(Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, etc) is home to more than 8 million people. PICTURE ALL OF NYC UNEMPLOYED, BY NYE 2011.
The population of Miami is 413,201, with 4.5 million people in the surrounding area. Miami is the 4th largest metropolitan area in the US and that ONLY represents the number of unemployed TODAY! Maybe knowing that roughly 4 million people currently live in Los Angeles, represents all the unemployment this very moment! NOW, IMAGINE ALL OF MIAMI AND LA, AND THAT'S HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE CUT OFF FROM ANY BENEFITS! WWII May 1945, the month during which the war against Germany ended, the United State's Army was 8 million soliders strong. CAN YOU PICTURE A COUNTRY ALLOWING THAT MANY PEOPLE TO WITHER AWAY INTO POVERTY? ALL THOSE TROOPS VISUALLY REPRESENT THE MAGNITUDE OF THE UNEMPLOYED CRISIS!
Here's what 8 million will mean come by the end of this year; irionically, about 8 million people in the world die of poverty in a year. Are NEW slogan will soon mimic the Flintstones Kids - "Ten Million Strong and Growing!"
Hate to burst the bubble here but Mitchy Mcgoo said yesterday, that if the "Dems think it's been tuff wait until next year", to me that means just more of the same. One can only hope. I am glad that what's been done got done and Merry Christmas to all!!
Agree with tax cuts for the wealthy and you can get any thing you want.
Agree that taxes should banned from the economy forever that you will rule the world.
What that world will be like is the question?
I'm really glad this abysmal failure in the white house has done something that will greatly affect the majority of Americans. with 1 of 10 Americans out of work and a $14 TRILLION debt, he has managed to repeal don't ask. Way to effing go! Now go to Hawaii, dumb-mass
This guy wouldn't know a recovery if it bit him on the keister. Did Ben Bernanke tell him to say that? Listening to Ben has done nothing but put recovery farther into the distance by trashing the dollar which increased the price of oil and increased interest rates when the express purpose of QE2 was to lower interest rates. Wrong ship. Should have named it Titanic.
Have you noticed that the price of gas did not increase for almost two years under Dem control, yet the moment the republicans won the midterms gas prices increased in less than a month. WTF is up with thAT?
commonsense need to disagree with you on that one - where I live we have seen gas prices steadily increase - your area may be seeing an uptick due to the holidays - at least that's what they say here now - that coupled with storms. Also keep in mind Dem's controlled since 2006 - so what happened then? Just some thoughts....
Commonsense2-1572770
-Experts say that gas prices are going to continue to go up based on "speculators".
In other words, the consumer will literally pay the price for "greed on display" again
It's more than the repeal of DADT that is good here.
It is the entire flurry of positive action that is coming out of Congress in this lame duck session.
If only Congress could have continuous action like this, including some support from the Republicans, the nation could get some problems solved.
I know that some of the recent compromises included no funding for Health Care and Financial Reform, but if the Republican support could be extended beyond the lame duck session, maybe these could be included. Other such compromises could be resolved if the lame duck session could be extended until 2012.
I propose that Congress shall operate in the continuous lame duck mode forever.
Looks like alot of winners. What happened to helping seniors and vets?
The only victory as long as Socialist Obama is in office will be his defeat by a landslide in the elections.Then we can Deport him.
Your Pouting!
JAC=678023 - Please do not collect your Social Security, your Medicare, your tax refund or Middle-Class Tax Cut. Do not drive on our national highway system or cross any major bridge. All are funded by your socialist government. We will not have the military establishment protect you or homeland security protect your family. President Obama will will a second term easily because the Republicans having nobody of any consequence to run again him. Maybe your want the rifle totting, fish smashing, half-term govenor, ignoramus, Sarah Palin or some other Tea Party Yokel to be President of the United States. I suggest you deport yourself because you have no idea what is good for this country. I recommend Venezuala.
Just more GOP bumpersticker speak. The GOP hasn't had an original idea in years.
Gee, another Sore Loser Birther and Obama Hater....YAWWWNNN
I love it when the Tea Baggers say these thngs, it proves they have NOTHING. Typical though since they have NO SOLUTIONS. Where are the Tea Bagger/GOP legislative proposals? Where is the GOP/Tea Bag Jobs bill? How about a budget? Nope...Nada..nothing.
Bills passed with bi-partisan support: 5
Bills successfully obstructed by GOP/Tea Bag dopes of NOPE: 0
Getting Obama to FaIl: Obama standing strong (epic fail on the GOP/Tea BAggers)
The GOP's only 'accomplishment' is a tax gigt to the rich...Bravo (eyes rolling)
I challenge anyone to actually name any Obama initiative that was "socialist".
A Week From Hell, according to Senator Graham.
If this is what is considered a week from hell, then I'll take it - every damn time.
Progress takes work, Senator Graham. Hard work.
I'm sure Senator Graham will look back someday and agree, that yes - it was worth it.
These lame duck maneuvers will be engaged by the GOP when its their turn in 2012, should they loose their majority then. There seems to be something inherently wrong with Congressional representatives who have been voted out continuing an agenda that simply challenges the GOP to subsequently repeal all that have been approved.
Obama his done so much for this country in his 1st two years he will go down as one of the Greatest Presidents of all time. Merry Christmas to everyone even to my Rethug brothers and sisters and God Bless You All! It's great to be an American!
peccerhed
doubt that - the debt being run up will go down as the biggest in US history no denying that! His fiscal policy is a mess - but nothing we can't fix with higher taxes and less free stuff :)
Um, he will go down as the only President the sold out his country.
It would have been much better if the Congress and President had passed all this before so many congressional members were defeated in November. While I appreciate these last minute actions, I can't help but wonder if those defeated members had won, would they have done this? I somehow doubt it. Even so, I am thankful for small favors. Now, can we look foreward this new year, to a developing US landscape that will specifically and absolutely ripen with new jobs for our people? The President and new congress would do well to make such their "top priority".
It feels good to have accomplished these important bills that will help many people from all walks of life. Everyone have a Merry Christmas and hopefully a prosperous New Year to come.
the country is broke and bankruptcy is almost inevitable and you say THAT....c'mon
For all of you nay-sayers; just take a look at what a little bit of co-operation can do. You've cursed Obama for his dealings with the Republicans on the issue of the tax extension and now you can eat crow, feathers and all. THIS is an example of what a diplomatic president is all about; IF YOU CAN'T COME TO A CONSENSUS then COMPROMISE so that everyone gets a little of something..........
I still think that Reagans "Trickle Down" agenda brings nothing but woe because even the Red Dog Republicans cannot guarantee that the rich folks who benefit from the tax carry-over will go out and say something like, "We'll start hiring more people when they start buying more". Realizing that is a way not to hire at all because no one has the money to buy the product because they are unemployed to begin with.
mind ur own wealth...don't worry what people of means do with THEIR money
Thing is if people stay unemployed for too long THEIR money will become lord knows who's money. Help feed the poor or risk becoming poor yourself.
Your posting name is a perfect definition of "Trickle Down Economics"; but for the US economy it might be "Road to Ruin", Serfdom.
Obama will go down as one of the most innovative presidents in American history.
your kidding right?
happy christmas
"Obama wishes reporters a happy holiday season"
The muslim can't bring himself to say "Merry Christmas." Too busy pandering to homos.
Dean: If you were not such an idiot you would know that Holiday Season also includes New Years, that is why it is called the Holiday Season.
Thank you for clearing that up. peccerhed.
Poor Dean...must suck to be such a childish sore loser/birther/racist/homophobe.
YOUR philosophy lost this week...many times.....so Get over it
Maybe you need to rewind a little Dean.
President Obama "Merry Xmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year" See you in 2011.
 I believe the only compromise his talking about is with the big CEO's and Banker's; not for the working Americans! This includes some Repubs and some Demos too!
wow someone on this site actually gets it!!!!
Blue collar workers we must let Obama know its illegal immigrants that are killing the middle class wages. I know white collars workers, a lot of your jobs have been sent to India, but I promises you that the Dream Act is going to take more than half of the other white collar jobs that are still in America, and 20 million more illegal immigrants will rush our borders, for they will know America does not enforce its immigration laws.
Hey fallen, illegal immigration wouldn't be a problem if us over priviliged americans didn't think we are above working the jobs that they do for us, plus it's the repubs that want them here for cheap labor also known as "Slavery 2.0"
Hey Veteran, maybe if we get rid of the illegals and unemployment we may have solved both of the issues.
This Nimrod just doesn't get it....Grid Lock is GOOD...Big Goverment is Bad
I find it interesting that the year ends on a bipartisan note, yet all the conservatives on the boards seem to be upset as all get out. Soooooooo much hate - sad, really. I'm praying for you folks during this time of holiday cheer, joy, and retail shopping / war on Christmas.
Amazing,... the anarchists get real upset when government actually gets some things done. Love the monicker btw.
Merry Christmas.
Thanks Duh. And yeah, the don't want government to do anything - they are the party of "blame everything on the other guy." When nothing gets done, they blame the Dems. When things do get done, they blame the Dems (for getting it done). And when it's their fault - they (all together now): Blame the Dems.
Merry Christmas to you too. Have a safe and happy holiday. Oh, and the moniker is to tweak all the xenophobes out there - it's amazing how many of them tell me I'm "illegal" or whatever, when I was born here, my parents were born here, as were my grandparents, and I'm not even of Hispanic or Arab descent. But it sure is fun watching them get all upset at my screen name, even though I'm 100% American.
Que Pasa?
Notice he still wants the "Dream Act" passed-----do any of you progressive have any concept of the repercussions involved:
For any of those illegals who want to attend college----we will have to provide "free" government money for them----but at the expense of our current U.S. citizens who do not the money to be able to attend college--remember the Pell Grant money (provided by the Feds has its limits) Guess who will step to front of the line.
We have huge unemployment numbers now----just how will that number be reduced with new illegals given amnesty? Will they also be put on unemployment, when they cannot find a job after they enroll in college? ( or drop out of college)
I also continue to wonder just how Obama was able to pay for college with Federal Financial Aid Grants---remember his grandmother (his primary source of financial aid) was the vice president of the largest bank in Hawaii. Is this just another example of "knowing how to work the system?"
Obama keeps talking about all of these poor, young kids must be given amnesty-----the proposed law goes up to age 35 (poor, young kids????)
Fascinating how the party of the the Christian right completely forgets all about Matthew 25 when it comes to these KIDS (and yes, the DREAM Act applies to the KIDS of illegals who were brought here and are NOT at fault for being here). Yes, they might be pretty old at this point. And apparently you are forgetting your OWN immigrant past, because unless you are of Native American descent, YOU are not indigenous to this land yourself.
A reminder for you UNCOMPASSIONATE conservatives:
Matthew 25: 35-40.
WWJD? And what would YOU do? Oh, that's right - you'd kick them out. And Jesus too. Nice. THAT'S what a "Christian" nation looks like? WOW. You people are unbelievable.
STOP LYING.... READ..... To all of you who just want to listen to talking heads, the DREAM Act does NOT give Pell Grant money to immigrants:
(3) Services under such title IV (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), subject to the requirements for such services.
lets pass one more thing be for the new year comes, give us a button to vote whiner, with the other choices[ no value, inflammatory, and advertising, then whiner] !!!
I have to admit that I have never seen John McCain whine so hard , and Lindsey Graham, looked like he was not used to working more than two hours at a time!!!
Jose, I am a Christian, but surely you must not endorse government-mandated religion. Those bible verses you quote apply to the individual, NOT the government. If, for instance, all individuals would take heed of those important passages, I would most certainly agree with you that the world and this country would be a better place. But, I don't want the government mandating it...I happen to enjoy that First Amendment (the one Christine O'Donnell doesn't believe is part of the Constitution).
And, as far as the DREAM Act goes, I would agree with Obama that those kids who serve our country probably do deserve citizenship.....but I do NOT agree that attending college is serving our country. If the DREAM Act would have been limited to military service or Peace Corps service, I would absolutely support it.
As far as the things that have been accomplished this lame-duck session, I am in complete agreement with Obama. The car is out of the ditch and our government is working, i.e., compromising, just as it should. I stand by my belief that neither party has all the answers and that the best solutions are concocted from a mix of the best ideas from the left AND the right.
Merry Christmas to all!!!!!
But... but... Jill, we're told CONSTANTLY by the religious right that we ARE a Christian nation, that our Constitution and government is FILLED with references to God and Jesus, and that our Founding Fathers were all devout Christian men who only did things exactly like the religious right would today. So.... if that's true, where's the compassion? The religious right doesn't care about church/state issues - they think that's not even a Constitutional question! So if it's not, WHERE IS THE COMPASSION? Where is the help for the stranger?
And furthermore, the DREAM Act has nothing, nada, zero, zip to do with "establishing a state religion" anyway! There's NOTHING in there stating, "You must follow the religion of the U.S. Senate as established by the DREAM Act" so your conflation of the issue of "compassion" and "government mandated religion" strikes me as a weak, pathetic attempt to make a counter argument, and one with no substance at that. Sorry, but that wouldn't even get slot on the docket of this current pro-conservative SCOTUS.
Oh, and last I checked, we are a government "of, by and for the people" so this individual vs. government crap is well, a load of crap. Nice try though.
And I have no idea why we wouldn't want to educate these kids - what's wrong with sending them to school to be more productive and intelligent members of society? Are you afraid of smart, brown-skinned people or something?
I also believe no party has a monopoly on answers with respect to how to run things. But I find it fascinating when members of one party who WHOLLY supported the DREAM Act in the past (John McCain comes to mind) now are against it completely. This bill has been around for a long time, and has a lot of good ideas in it from both parties ALREADY. Just pass it.
Merry Christmas to all the Christians (that includes me), and Happy Festivus for the rest of us. A donation to the Human Fund has been made in your name.
Wow, Jose, you really took my statements and did a lot of work to twist them. You attribute my statement that the government does not and should never mandate that we follow a bible verse, which isn't all that crazy, and then went on some rant about how Republicans (which I'm not) all believe that this is a Christian nation (demographically, we are, but that's quite different than declaring this country a theocracy) and that the separation of church and state is not even a constitutional consideration (which MOST Republicans don't believe anyway).
Then, you try to say that I'm conflating the idea of religion with the DREAM Act, when, in fact, that's what YOU were doing. If you take another look at my post, you would realize that my comments regarding the DREAM Act were clearly set apart from my comments to you about state-mandated religion.
I was saying that religious bible verses apply to the actions of an individual, not the actions of government, and that if everyone professing to hold such beliefs would follow them, the world would be a better place. I was saying that the government should not mandate legislation by relying on religious scripture.
As far as your attack on my character saying that I am "afraid of intelligent brown-skinned people", you're really just displaying your anger and intolerance for someone who may hold a different idea than your own. I really just feel sorry for you. Your hatred for others and intolerance for contrary ideas has somehow stopped the rational part of your brain from working. I have zero problem with "brown-skinned people" (I'm marrying one, as a matter of fact), but I DO have a problem with awarding citizenship to people for merely attending college, which is really self-serving as opposed to serving the country. I'm sorry that you can't grasp that distinction, but it's not really my problem.
And, by the way, the problem I have with "sending" illegal kids to college is that I don't feel that this government should foot the bill for wrongful actions. And, yes, perhaps they were brought into this country through no fault of their own, but when they reach adulthood, they should be aware that they are here illegally and at that point, they become complicit in the illegal actions of their parents. By limiting the DREAM Act to military service only, they can make a choice: if they want to stay in this country and experience all that it has to offer, they can enlist in one of the branches of the military. If they don't want to do that, then they can begin the process to becoming a legal citizen through the proper channels.
The Media reported how Obama will not do anything for the people during the lame duck session. Again the media was wrong as usual. Many Americans would rather suffer with unemployment, lose their homes, get taxes increased and even starting a War and conflict with the World again is ok as long as it destroyes the President and the United States. Obama did what he was hired to do as the people voted him to do. This is not about him but about what's best for the American people and those who have no voice or representation. Republicans fought tooth and nail for the Wealthy, Banks and Corporations as we saw. Like or dislike Obama he is the President and is working for the people. He will have alot more work to do as we watch for the second time the Republican conrol Congress will increase the National Debt higher and say it was all Obama's fault. The United States and the American people won, the employee Barack Obama did his job that he was hired to do. Now in 2011 Republicans will work for the Banks/Corporations as Obama continues to work for the people even those who hate him.
At least, something has been done via this President and Congress before the Christmas. We may disagree with them. But, they all go home for a Christmas on time.
Obama says the crisis is over. The world is doing fine. Uh huh, yeah.
One thing I think everyone got for Christmas this year and that is " rid of Sara Palin, even she must know by now that she doesn't have a chance to become President, and hardly anyone showed up for her Book signing!!!