Hello and happy new year!
Few things from the past couple of days.
1. Remember the president’s reaction when it was announced that he won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009? He was as surprised as anyone, as humble as one can be, and promised that he’ll accept the prize as a “call for action”.
One year later, US combat troops are out of Iraq, there’s a new START treaty between the US and Russia – and the president’s most ambitious and noble vision – A world free from the threat of nuclear holocaust – is actually in practical motion.
Back in April, president Obama was able to convince Ukraine president, Victor Yanukovich, to give up his country’s highly enriched uranium, which can be use to build TWO atomic bombs. And over the holidays – it happened.
The initial scoop belongs to Rachel Maddow, who had a terrific segment on it. DO NOT MISS THIS. IT’S FANTASTIC.
President Obama released this statement:
“I congratulate President Yanukovych on the recent shipment of highly enriched uranium from Ukraine for secure disposal in Russia, which advances a top priority for my administration and for global security. This action brings us all one step closer to securing all vulnerable nuclear materials, as President Yanukovych and I and 45 other world leaders pledged to do this April at the Nuclear Security Summit. The low enriched uranium and nuclear safety equipment provided to Ukraine in connection with this shipment will support Ukraine’s development of safe and secure nuclear energy. These actions represent continued Ukrainian leadership in making sure that nuclear weapons never fall into the hands of a terrorist, and working toward a world without nuclear weapons.”
Sometimes I wish he wasn’t so noble to think that celebrating national security achievements is undignified. I mean, can you imagine what the Bush PR machine would have done with this? Steve Benen – one of my favorites – agrees.
****************************************************************************************************
2. Two Major Health Care Reforms Take Effect TODAY.
A) The first will dramatically clamp down on insurance industry waste, abuse, and excesses. Starting on New Year’s Day, insurance companies will have to spend at least 80 percent of the revenues they receive from premiums on actual health care. Not on salaries or overhead.
B) Seniors who reach the donut hole will now receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs, the first step in a 10 year plan to fill the hole completely. Seniors will also now receive free annual checkups, screenings and other preventive care.
*****************************************************************************************************
3. Everybody read Frank Schaeffer’s latest, right? Just making sure.
******************************************************************************************************
4. No one would suggest that Tim Kaine is objective, but boy, he is right.
On Nov. 5, 2008, the day after Election Day, the big story was Barack Obama’s history-making win. Today, the big story is the many historic changes that he has enacted during his first two years in office. At the halfway point of this term, the president’s list of achievements already dwarfs that of many presidents.
//
…While the political chattering class is consumed with who is up and who is down, the president’s accomplishments transcend such short-term political calculations. They are historic in their own right and likely to have a lasting impact on the well-being of all Americans.
Taken together, these accomplishments represent the most progressive and productive period of U.S. governance since the New Deal. The president has set a new direction, restoring our country to its true path — one that leads to a better, brighter and more prosperous future for ourselves, our children and our nation.
// much more reality-based read
****************************************************************************************************
5. The media in India will say what the MSM here won’t:
….
…. Many of them, such as the Senate Minority whip John Kyl, who voted against the treaty, had been manifestly disingenuous, participating in a lengthy series of discussions and then announcing that it was too late in the Congressional term to debate New Start fully. They have been exposed for their unthinking, reactionary antipathy to anything that has to do with Mr. Obama.
President Obama, for his part, will now be better prepared to handle more Republican hostility and obstructionism in the next Senate, which will start its term with a much smaller Democrat majority than the present one. He emerges from this episode greatly strengthened as a shrewd, tough political negotiator — and as an international statesman.
***************************************************************************************************
6. Ten Democratic Accomplishments You May Not Have Known About
***************************************************************************************************
7. Here’s another Rachel Maddow segment, from the day the president signed the repeal of DADT. “The president was freaking elated to sign the repeal of DADT”. 🙂
**************************************************************************************************
8. Finally, the president’s weekly address (obviously taped a little while back…;)
The only adult in the room 