Saturday, April 11, 2009
ASU apologizes and names a scholarship program after President Obama
Man, what bad publicity does to make you flip your decision in 48 hours.
After a day of withering criticism over its decision not to award President Barack Obama an honorary degree, Arizona State University announced on Saturday that it would expand a scholarship program in the president's name.
In a press release sent out by ASU spokeswoman Sharon Keeler, the university "apologized" for the "confusion" over the past few days. Its president Michael Crow, meanwhile, framed the "President Barack Obama Scholars" program as a higher honor than the honorary degree, one that would "affect the lives of thousands of students" and be "an honor befitting, not only the president's exceptional achievements, but also his values as an individual."
Crow also suggested that the school had never ruled out the degree for Obama - something that earlier statements suggested - but merely had yet to make a determination as to what honor would suit the president best.
"It has always been our intention to recognize and honor President Obama's accomplishments during his visit," said Crow, "but we had not yet determined the best or most appropriate way to do so."
ASU undoubtedly faced an intense amount of media and political scrutiny for its decision to not offer Obama an honorary degree. In particular, the message from many alumni of the university, as gathered by dozens of emails to the Huffington Post, was one of disappointment and anger.
The expansion of the scholarship program is an effort to temper these emotions. But for the cynics, the fact that the announcement came only after a day of vocal complaints - and didn't include giving the degree from the president - is not likely to go unnoticed.
Press Release from ASU"I apologize for the confusion surrounding our invitation to President Obama to address ASU students at commencement," said ASU President Michael M. Crow. "The entire ASU community has been electrified with excitement since we learned of his participation in our commencement ceremony. We hope that the recent discussion of honorary degrees will not detract from the honor and thrill that ASU - and indeed all of Arizona - is experiencing in anticipation of his visit. I am honored, as are our faculty, staff and students, that President Obama will give his first commencement speech as president of the United States at ASU."
In recognition of President Obama's commitment to educational access and to an entire career dedicated to public service, ASU is naming and expanding its most important scholarship program in his honor. Going forward, this program will be called the President Barack Obama Scholars and will offer thousands of students with the greatest financial need the opportunity to go to college.
"It has always been our intention to recognize and honor President Obama's accomplishments during his visit," said Crow, "but we had not yet determined the best or most appropriate way to do so. Although the focus and attention of the media and others has been on an honorary degree, we never felt that was the only--or even the best--means of honoring his tremendous service to our country. Naming this scholarship program after President Obama that will affect the lives of thousands of students is an honor befitting, not only the president's exceptional achievements, but also his values as an individual. The President Barack Obama Scholars program will be a legacy that will endure and inspire others for generations to come."
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona USA
See what backlash and mockery does to organizations....
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The White House Easter Egg Roll
The Official Photo from the White House, signed by the President and First Lady:
Ah, it looks nice and sweet. Many of us have fond memories of our childhood Easter Egg Hunts. Growing up we had a huge backyard and every year we would dye and color our eggs for the hunt. My mother used to make her own coloring liquid and came up with come crazy colors, but it was my father who got up very early in the morning and would hide all the eggs in the backyard. We all had our baskets and ran around like crazy looking for eggs, my sister was the youngest and would cry because she could not find any eggs, but my father always saved her, picked her up and guided her to finding the eggs. Our German Shepard, Princess, even went out sniffing for the eggs. Ah, sweet memories....
Egg hunts are traditional as having a Christmas tree for many Americans. But for the White House, The Annual Easter Egg Roll is a big event for many. This year, the Easter Egg Roll is not just confined to those who have the priviledge of living in the Washington, D.C. area to participate, it was opened up for families to participate all over this country.
For the first time the ticketing bid went on line and families were selected through that metric. Of course, there were families, mostly in the D.C. area angered because they were used to standing in line to receive tickets, but opening it up on-line brings families to Washington, D.C. from all over the country.
Monday is the day of the Annual Easter Egg Roll and for all "annuals" there is history behind it. More details from East Wing Rules:
There is no doubt Executive Chef of the White House, Cristeta Comerford, could whip up lip-smacking egg rolls. Plenty of ingredients will be organically grown right on the South Lawn. But this pertains to the tradition of the annual White House Egg Roll with the meticulous planning the entire event entails. This is Mrs. Obama's first time at the helm of such a high powered East Wing choreographed event. First, she sends a sizzling shock to the DC area's local citizenry jolting their plans to sleep out at the Ellipse to corner an early place in line to guarantee admittance. Instead, the electrifying new first lady decided everybody would procure egg roll event tickets online from the comforts of their local coffeehouse or wifi in the laundry room at staggered times. Military families and some overlooked DC residents would have tickets set aside for them. It cracked open the entire process to garner participation from over 40 states and Canada.
Note to those still DC denizens still crackin on the infringement of their egg roll entitlements by outsiders - These tourists are bringing American dollars while staying overnight, inducing a wee boomlet in some nest eggs. Also, the White House is hosting a 2009 Spring Garden Tour encompassing the Rose garden, Jaqueline Kennedy Garden and the Children's Garden on April 18 & 19th. So for those who missed the line tango over eggs, have an opportunity to get in line at the Ellipse Visitor Pavillion as it is on a first come first served pending weather. read more here.....
Purchase the 2009 White House Easter Egg Here
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President Obama's Weekly Radio Address, April 11, 2009 (Video and Transcript)
Passover & Easter
Republican Response, Governor Tim Pawlenty, R-MN
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Friday, April 10, 2009
Fake Republican Governors (Video)
These governors, Sanford of South Carolina, Jindal of Louisiana, and Palin of Alaska proudly stated they would reject some stimulus money. Well, when you have unemployment like South Carolina does over 11%, folks hurting and in need of unemployment extensions as in Louisiana, pressure comes in all forms. These governors state legislators and the constituents are putting the pressure on these governors, they appear to play politics over governing. Well, like deers in the headlights, they all BLINKED. From MSNBCs Countdown with David Shuster sitting in.
If you want to know why folks are standing with Obama, read this, "Republican Leaders: What Recession?"
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Arizona State University (ASU) backpedaling, now they MAY give President Obama the Honorary Degree
I mean, WTF is totally warranted here at ASU. How the hell can you invite a sitting president and the first African-American President of this country to give the commencement speech but say, "Sorry, ain't givin' you the honorary degree, you have not done enough." This school needs to be laughed at, as it is currently being laughed at all over the media.
I don't know who decided this, but this was one of the worst media moves, ever. Sorry, but you can't help but say, what constitutes body of work? Obama's accomplishments are stellar and got him where he is now. For Arizona State to say, basically, "you can come here and talk but not good enough for the degree" too much.
Now, damage control, because they need it.
Michael M. Crow, president of Arizona State University, tells POLITICO that the school is reconsidering its widely mocked plans not to give President Barack Obama an honorary degree when he speaks at commencement on May 13 and will “honor him in every way possible.”
“There was no intended slight,” Crow said by telephone from his office in Tempe. “We had not yet talked about what honors we might give him as our commencement speaker, and we still have a month to work all that out. We don’t want anyone to think we do not recognize what he has achieved and what he means in America.”
A formal decision has not been made, but it was clear from Crow's comments that the university is headed in that direction. ASU risked becoming a national punch line if it did not quickly retreat from its policy against conferring honorary degrees on a sitting politician.
Hell, yeah, Obama should get the honorary degree, this is a joke, a pure joke. This school was on its way to a lifetime of mockery, and I am being nice here. And the media is blasting this school and not in a good way.
GET IT TOGETHER, ASU.......I MEAN QUICK, FAST AND IN A HURRY...
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This teabag crap.....with videos.....
Fox News is pushing the TEABAGGIN PARTIES scheduled for April 15, 2009, that the Republican Party is pushing. This is what the intent is meant to be:
"All across America on Tax Day, Republican members of Congress are lining up to speak at teabag tea party events. Even Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina is getting in on the hot teabagging action," Maddow joked. "Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana, previously most famous for his self-admitted very serious sin with prostitution services - he wants to give teabagging the Senate seal of approval. He has asked the Senate to commemorate the day of anti-Obama protests in law.'
Fox News in particular has offered the protesters unusually enthusiastic coverage. "Specifically, Fox News has in dozens of instances provided attendance and organizing information for future protests, such as protest dates, locations and website URLs," noted Media Matters. "Fox News websites have also posted information and publicity material for protests. Fox News hosts have repeatedly encouraged viewers to join them at several April 15 protests that they are attending and covering; during the April 6 edition of Glenn Beck, on-screen text characterized these events as 'FNC Tax Day Tea Parties.'"
Well, I just think it is stupid. Who cares? So, here is what Jed @ Daily Kos put together:
Of course, my girl, Rachel Maddow slammed this in true Rachel form, from her show last night:
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Thursday, April 9, 2009
White House Seder
President Obama hosts a traditional Seder dinner in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House on Thursday night, April 9, 2009. Some friends and White House employees and their families joined the Obama family.
from whitehouse.gov
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Lawrence O'Donnell takes Pat Buchanan DOWN on Hardball (Video)
I have written several times about Lawrence O'Donnell, if you don't have your i's dotted and your t's crossed he will make you look like a jackass. This is one of the best takedowns of that gas bag, Pat Buchanan on the fake outrage of President Obama delivering the commencement address at Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.
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ASU withholds Honorary Degree to President Barack Obama
TOO INEXPERIENCED?
Barack Obama. Former President of the Harvard Review (first African-American to achieve that), former Law Professor, former State Senator of Illinois, former U.S. Senator to the State of Illinois, a writer of two NY Times best sellers, a winner of two grammy awards and President of the United States.
And he is too inexperienced for a honorary degree? What the Phuck!!!!
And how many degrees did former President George W. Bush get? And we know he was and still is not the brightest light bulb in the building.
ASU, come on. You are wrong here, out of bounds.
Universities typically confer an honorary degree on commencement speakers, particularly those who have reached the pinnacle of their career or achieved the top of their field. Arizona State University (ASU), though, says it will not confer an honorary degree on this year's commencement speaker, President Barack Obama, because "his body of work is yet to come."
ASU Media Relations Director Sharon Keeler says, unlike other universities, the processes for selecting commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients are independent. She says that honorary degrees are given "for an achievement of eminence" and that Obama was not considered for an honorary degree because his body of achievements, at this time, does not fit within that criteria.
Writing two best-sellers? Not outstanding. Developing one of the largest grassroots organizations in the world? Nothing special. Becoming the first African American President of the United States? Good, but nothing to write home about.
AMEN.
ASU you are wrong. Totally wrong.
Arizona State University has handed out honorary doctorate degrees to pioneering scientists and college presidents, titans of oil and computer microchips, newspaper publishers and generous donors, a foreign communist educator and a successful movie director.
But others had much still to accomplish. Barry Goldwater received his honorary degree in May 1961, three years before his Republican nomination for president and only eight years into his three decades as a U.S. senator. Sandra Day O'Connor was similarly recognized just three years in her 25 years on the U.S. Supreme Court.
This is the President of the United States of America. While Pat Buchanan is faking rage on Obama receiving his honorary degree from Notre Dame in South Bend, ASU should be above this. If George W. Bush, who will go down as one of the worst presidents in history, can stand on podiums and receive honorary degrees from learning institutions all over this country, ASU should honor President Barack Obama the same.
HE DESERVES IT. ASU, YOU ARE FOUL.
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Obama: The Movie (Video)
This is the Edward Norton documentary movie that has tracked Obama since he was elected to the Senate in 2006. Sony Pictures purchased the rights. This movie will not be out immediately, but ups to Ed Norton who was mesmerized by the 2004 Obama speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston and decided to capture the lighting in the bottle. He most certainly did.
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FLOTUS, Michelle Obama out plantin' in that garden
First lady Michelle Obama and students from a public elementary school in Washington are planting the first fruits and vegetables in the new White House garden.
They helped break ground for the plot on the South Lawn last month.
Spinach, salad greens, herbs and berries are among the crops being planted.
The fifth-graders from Bancroft Elementary tend to a similar garden at school. They will return to the White House for the harvest and to help cook some of the produce in the White House kitchen.
Some of the crops also will be served at the White House and donated to a local soup kitchen.
Mrs. Obama said her family has discussed planting such a garden since they moved to the White House in January.
White House Garden Diagram
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