Blog: Obama's Changes

by redjade Fri Jan 23, 2009 09:54

'President Barack Obama on Thursday signed several executive orders that alter the Central Intelligence Agency's protocol for detaining suspects and interrogating them.

The move also ends the practice of secret CIA prisons -- but an Obama spokesman told the New York Times that this won't prevent the CIA from capturing suspects and holding them in temporary detention -- leaving CIA policy slightly open-ended.'

• more at http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_to_alter_CIA_interr....html

by redjade Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:24

'In a flurry of telephone calls from the Oval Office, he reached out to leaders in the region and vowed to engage immediately in pursuit of a permanent Arab-Israeli settlement.

The spokesman for President Abbas revealed that Mr Obama had told the Palestinian leader that their conversation was his first with a foreign statesman since taking office. Mr Obama also spoke to President Mubarak of Egypt, Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, and King Abdullah of Jordan.'

• more at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_amer...0.ece

by redjade Fri Jan 23, 2009 13:31

In the past Obama has said is supportive and open to Medical Marijuana state laws...

'Focusing scarce law enforcement resources on these patients who pose no threat while many violent and highly dangerous drug traffickers are at large makes no sense.'

• http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2008/nov/06/wi...marij

but today, three days after the inauguration, the Ghosts of Bushism are alive and well - sabotaging the new president....

'Oakland, CA -- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided a medical marijuana dispensary today in South Lake Tahoe, California, in the first days of the new Obama Administration. Even though President Barack Obama had made repeated promises during his election campaign to end federal raids in medical marijuana states, many high-ranking Bush Administration officials have yet to leave office. For example, still at the helm of the DEA is acting Administrator Michele Leonhart, who has been responsible for numerous federal raids in California, following in the footsteps of her predecessor Karen Tandy. Neither Eric Holder, President Obama's pick for U.S. Attorney General, nor a new DEA Administrator, have taken office yet.'

• more http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=5654

• read more and discussion at http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/23/45131/7071/553/...87966

by redjade Fri Jan 23, 2009 13:55

Quote: 'Barack Obama supports tough and direct diplomacy with Iran without preconditions'

I made a screen shot and dated it January 23 2009 - in case this policy changes.

Now, we have to find out what 'tough and direct diplomacy' means in reality.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/foreign_policy/

I did a search on the whitehouse.gov website and, so far, I couldn't find an Obama position regarding Cuba.

'diplomacy with Iran without preconditions'

by ec Fri Jan 23, 2009 14:20

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by redjade Fri Jan 23, 2009 14:40

Sung by the 80-something Pete Seeger!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Seeger

In 1936, at the age of 17, Pete Seeger joined the Young Communist League (YCL), then at the height of its popularity and influence. In 1942 he became a member of the Communist Party itself....

"I still call myself a communist, because communism is no more what Russia made of it than Christianity is what the churches make of it. But if by some freak of history communism had caught up with this country, I would have been one of the first people thrown in jail."

by redjade Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:43

President Obama will direct federal regulators on Monday to move swiftly on an application by California and 13 other states to set strict automobile emission and fuel efficiency standards, two administration officials said Sunday.

The directive makes good on an Obama campaign pledge and signifies a sharp reversal of Bush administration policy.

• more at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/us/politics/26calif.html

by dunk Mon Jan 26, 2009 17:31

Firstly Redjade, thanks for setting up this thread, always appreciate your ability to dig stuff out, as ever you provide excellent resource...

Regarding Obamas energy and environment policy: http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/energy_and_environment/
New Energy for America plan will:

# Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
# Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

meanwhile...

Obama Lifts Abortion “Global Gag Rule”

President Barack Obama has lifted the global gag rule that banned US funding for any international healthcare organizations that perform abortions or advocates for the legalization of abortion, even if those activities are funded by non-US money. The global gag rule was seen by many as a major global barrier to access to crucial women’s health services. Gill Greer of the International Planned Parenthood Federation praised Obama’s decision. She said, "For eight long years, the global gag rule has been used by the Bush administration to play politics with the lives of poor women across the world.”

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/26/headlines#2

Iirsh Times: Obama lifts ban on funding for abortion information, Saturday, January 24, 2009
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0124/...5.htm

RTE: Vatican critical of Obama abortion ruling
http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0125/vatican.html

by dunk Tue Jan 27, 2009 16:52

Visions of change
By Eleanor Smeal, publisher, Ms. magazine

In choosing the cover for this special Inaugural issue, Ms. wanted to capture both the national and feminist mood of high expectations and hope as the 44th President of the United States takes the oath of office.

Expectations have only grown since the election, with President-Elect Obama now enjoying over 80% of the public’s support. Most people wish him well, and indeed hope he does “save” us from economic disasters, unending war and occupation, global warming, the decline in our international reputation, and relentless attacks on women’s rights, civil rights, human rights, science, privacy…the list goes on.

When the chair of the Feminist Majority Foundation board, Peg Yorkin, and I met Barack Obama, he immediately offered “I am a feminist.” And better yet, he ran on the strongest platform for women’s rights of any major party in American history. Feminist Karen Kornbluh, the platform’s principle author, ensured women’s rights, opportunities, advancement, and issues were addressed throughout the historic document...

http://www.msmagazine.com/winter2009/VisionOfChange.asp

from Democracy Now!:
Ms. Magazine On Barack Obama: “This is What A Feminist Looks Like”

It’s not surprising to see President Obama gracing the cover of a magazine, except perhaps in one case. The latest issue of Ms. Magazine features an illustration of President Obama tearing open his dress shirt and tie to reveal a t-shirt reading “This is what a feminist looks like.” Obama is the first male to appear on the cover in over a decade. Critics have questioned the decision to put Obama on the cover, especially at so early a stage in his presidency.
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/27/ms_magazine_on_ba..._this

not sure if im embedding the correct vid file from BLIP.TV, hope so.
http://democracynow.blip.tv/file/1708555/

Now, for yez!

Visions of change

Ms. Magazine On Barack Obama: “This is What A Feminist Looks Like”

by dunk Tue Jan 27, 2009 17:26

From Democracy Now!
Women’s Health Advocates Praise Obama for Lifting Global Gag Rule

The Global Gag Rule was seen by many as a major global barrier to access to crucial women’s health services...
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/27/womens_health_adv...a_for

AMY GOODMAN: And when Barack Obama was inaugurated, what happened in Kenya? Were there celebrations?

DR. SARAH ONYANGO: There were lots of celebrations. For us in Kenya, Kenyans see Barack Obama as one of us, you know? He’s really considered a son of this country. And so, it was a great thing. We started celebrating on the 4th of November, straight after the elections. And this week of the inauguration in the United States, there were many functions that were in front of the birthplace in western Kenya. There were many celebrations in the big city of Kisumu in western Kenya. And I think it’s been an opportunity for Kenyans. Kenyans see that change is possible, and it’s possible to have a fair and open election. You know, these are significant social and political issues just raised by the fact that Obama was elected president of the United States...
(SARAH ONYANGO has the same name as Obama´s Kenyan grandmother, but is not a relation)

Telegraph - Kenya declares national holiday in celebration of Barack Obama's presidential victory
The election of America's first black president, Barack Obama, has a special resonance in Africa – the home continent of his father.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/....html

Guardian: Barack Obama's Kenyan family celebrate victory
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/05/barackobama...kenya

National Holiday In Kenya To Celebrate President Obama's Victory (NBC coverage of when Obama won)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzkegVdO5C8

Barack Obama Celebration in Kenya (expresses the Kenyan feeling very well)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K89cf7NxHBc

Women’s Health Advocates Praise Obama for Lifting Gag Rule

"Kenyans see Barack Obama as one of us"

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by canseewolvesinsheepsclothing Sun Feb 01, 2009 02:14

by Jeremy Schaill

Susan Rice
Former Assistant Secretary of Sate Susan Rice, who served on Bill Clinton's National Security Council, is a potential candidate for the post of ambassador to the U.N. or as a deputy national security advisor. She, too, promoted the myth that Saddam had WMDs. "It's clear that Iraq poses a major threat," she said in 2002. "It's clear that its weapons of mass destruction need to be dealt with forcefully, and that's the path we're on." (After the invasion, discussing Saddam's alleged possession of WMDs, she said, "I don't think many informed people doubted that.")

Rice has also been a passionate advocate for a U.S. military attack against Sudan over the Darfur crisis. In an op-ed co-authored with Anthony Lake, she wrote, "The United States, preferably with NATO involvement and African political support, would strike Sudanese airfields, aircraft and other military assets. It could blockade Port Sudan, through which Sudan's oil exports flow. Then U.N. troops would deploy -- by force, if necessary, with U.S. and NATO backing."

Barack Obama campaigned on a pledge to bring change to Washington

"I don't want to just end the war," he said early this year. "I want to end the mindset that got us into war." That is going to be very difficult if Obama employs a foreign policy team that was central to creating that mindset, before and during the presidency of George W. Bush.

"Twenty-three senators and 133 House members who voted against the war -- and countless other notable individuals who spoke out against it and the dubious claims leading to war -- are apparently not even being considered for these crucial positions," observes Sam Husseini of the Institute for Public Accuracy. This includes dozens of former military and intelligence officials who spoke out forcefully against the war and continue to oppose militaristic policy, as well as credible national security experts who have articulated their visions for a foreign policy based on justice.

Obama does have a chance to change the mindset that got us into war. More significantly, he has a popular mandate to forcefully challenge the militaristic, hawkish tradition of modern U.S. foreign policy. But that work would begin by bringing on board people who would challenge this tradition, not those who have been complicit in creating it and are bound to continue advancing it.