Thank God for Obama

1. 61

   theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

   Good morning,
   
   The applications are in.  The public ratings have been tallied.
   
   Now it's time to announce which school will have President Obama as its graduation speaker.
   
   Watch this video from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to find out which school won:
   
   
   
   
   The President launched the Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge back in February to give the nation's public high schools a chance to demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence, personal responsibility, and ability to prepare students to graduate ready for college and a career.  The response was overwhelming. Over 1,000 schools submitted outstanding applications, and more than 170,000 people weighed in on the six finalists. 
   
   I couldn't be prouder of these schools.  Each of the finalists represents the best that American public education has to offer and has demonstrated tremendous dedication and grace throughout the competition.  Thank you for all of your hard work.
   
   This was a tough competition.  The six finalists -- Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, KS, Clark Montessori in Cincinnati, OH, Denver School of Science and Technology in Denver, CO, Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale, CA, Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, MI and MAST Academy in Miami, FL -- are extraordinary schools, and each has done a tremendous job over the past few months to demonstrate the unique aspects of their school.
   
   In recognition of their extraordinary achievements, we will work to provide a Cabinet secretary or senior Administration official to deliver the commencement address at each of the five schools not selected as the national winner.
   
   Ultimately, there could only be one winner, and I'm thrilled about the President's final choice. 
   
   WhiteHouse.gov/Commencement
   
   Getting a good education is critical to each student's future and to the future of the country.  That's why President Obama has made unprecedented investments in education reform through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Race to the Top.
   
   These investments are designed to raise the bar and spur innovative techniques to help schools and students achieve success.  The winner of the Commencement Challenge and all of the finalists are excellent examples of these kinds of innovations and creative problem solving.
   
   Thank you to all of the schools who participated in the first annual Commencement Challenge and congratulations to our winner!
   
   Sincerely,
   
   Melody Barnes
   Director, Domestic Policy Council

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2. 56

   Sab Ohposted 13 years ago

   Will students at the 'winner' be forced to train in some North Korean style display of adoration for the 'Dear Leader'?

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3. 61

   theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

   I just hope there are cheer leaders

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4. 61

   theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

   Dollar strong against the Euro is Obama making America work?

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      LegendaryHeroposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Nope. Europe's just failing.

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5. 61

   theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

   Greece appears to be in real trouble followed by Spain and Portugal......difficult times a head

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      LegendaryHeroposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, check out these:
      
      http://beforeitsnews.com/news/39334/The … ut_It.html
      
      http://seekingalpha.com/article/202699- … c-collapse

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6. 56

   Sab Ohposted 13 years ago

   What's the magic number of economies that have to implode before the Euro gets the ax?

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      LegendaryHeroposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      9

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      1. 56

         Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I was thinking 6

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7. 61

   theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

   American industrial out put is up in the first quarter

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8. 61

   theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

   Obama may lead world recovery?

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9. 50

   dirtdiggerposted 13 years ago

   Health core reform is definatly needed making health care more affordable.With that said untill we take the power away from the insurance industryit wont happen.I seen an article on nbc news were a baby needed a formula to continue living as normal and was denied coverage by the insurance she had. This is Crazy. Maybe we should write Obama and  tell him to get a hold on this NOW.

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10. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    The Health Care debate seems to have taken a back seat

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11. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Trade on the up according to the markets

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12. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Obama may yet have to help Europe as the Euro plumets

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13. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    If the Euro fails will the dollar follow

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    1. 56

       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       On the contrary...

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          earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          It won't just follow, it will drop like a stone in free fall!

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14. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Sab you are like a young trout in the early morning Irish waters - always ready to jump up from the waters below to hook onto the biting questions of the day

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    1. 56

       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Is "trout" considered a personal attack? Mackerel or Flounder would be for sure, but then Salmon or Marlin would have to be considered compliments. Trout, I dunno...

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15. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Trout in Ireland is a compliment - a fish of great knowledge and wisdom - much mythology written about the trout - so be at peace it was a compliment

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       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Well, ok. Better than a Bass I suppose

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16. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    In Celtic mythology, trout are often linked to sacred wells and springs, places of physical healing and spiritual rebirth.

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       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Do you have anything in a dragon, or a unicorn?

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17. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Sorry St Patrick drove them out along with the snakes

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    1. 56

       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Well, can I at least get some of those apples from that island?

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18. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Apples we can manage - would you like them wrapped

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    1. 56

       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Do the wrappers say 'Avalon' right on them?

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19. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    King Edwards - great to mash

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20. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Is Obama supporting the Euro bail out for Greece

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    1. 56

       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       If it involves spending other people's money he's generally all for it.

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    2. 60

       outdoorsguyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I read some where that the US gave a billion or more. but I cant find the source so Im not sure if I remember it right.
       
       Trout... LOL.   but did he burn his tongue first.
       
       what was the saying My Greatmother used to say..  but I think it was... an open mouth often catchs a closed fist.  she insisted that was an Irish Proverb LOL
       
         heard that alot just before getting switched LOL

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21. 67

    bonnebartronposted 13 years ago

    Yeah right, Thank God we have another frontman in office, too bad it's the same bullshit in a different way. We are paying into a tax right now that won't even go into effect until it's time for Mr. Obama to try and get reelected. Come on America, we are not this dumb!

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22. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Good to see Obama appointing friends to high places

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    1. 56

       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Too bad his friends suck.
       
       
       Typical Chicago corruption

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23. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    The European Commission is now to view all national budgets before they are inacted in law - is Europe becoming a Nanny State or a United States

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24. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Peace

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25. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    American companies continuing to invest in Ireland - thank you America

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    1. 56

       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Don't thank us. They wouldn't be doing it if they didn't think they could make money from it sooner or later.

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26. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Is America stronger under Obama leadership

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    1. 61

       TMMasonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       No we are not. We are a bunch of pandering p*ssies.
       
       I am ashamed of this country for even electing the man.

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27. 56

    Sab Ohposted 13 years ago

    Yeah, insulting our allies and begging forgiveness from our enemies is a sure path to greater strength...

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28. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    nepiticism - we have it here in the bucket load

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29. 50

    paarsurreyposted 13 years ago

    Hi friends
    
    What is the remedy or solution?
    
    Thanks
    
    I am an Ahmadi peaceful Muslim

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30. 65

    Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

    Tax rate in 2009 far below the historic average of 12% and the lowest since 1950. Thanks to Obama. [Actually thanks to George Bush who cut taxes on the richest Americans.]
    
    BUCKS STOPPING HERE: Americans paid lowest level of taxes last year since Truman.
    
    Federal, state and local taxes -- including income, property, sales and others -- consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported last week.
    
    That rate is far below the historic average of 12% for the last half-century. The overall tax burden hit bottom in December at 8.8% of income before rising slightly in the first three months of 2010.

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    1. 59

       Dan Smithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, and revenue generated by taxes for the federal government is the lowest in several years,  Why?  Not because the administration lowered taxes in any way, but because many Americans are now unemployed and many businesses have gone out of business.
       
       You can't bail out banks, bail out Greece and pass Healthcare reforms with increasing the tax burden.
       
       Please don't take statistics out of context just to support your opinion.  I'm all for giving the president a fair shake, but let's keep our heads and be objective.

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31. 60

    outdoorsguyposted 13 years ago

    All the perplexities, confusion and distress in America arise, not from defects in their Constitution or Confederation, not from want of honor or virtue, so much as from the downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit and circulation.
    John Adams
    
    A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.' -Thomas Jefferson
    
    
    Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
    George Washington

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32. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    The Dollar is improving against the Euro - maybe Obama is doing good

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33. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Praise the Lord

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34. 60

    outdoorsguyposted 13 years ago

    Ill only say Ralph thats not even close to accurate.
    
    as far as the Dollar vs the Euro. the Euro lost ground due to the Euro zone Bail out. 
    
    it bounced back monday.. but fell and then went stagnant late monday. 
    
    Marketwatch article reported-
    
    ""Global asset markets are effectively turned on their head as the week gets under way, but the full scale of the E.U. rescue and the details of who pays what will need careful examination before we conclude whether there is some longevity and scope for full recovery beyond the initial relief," Broux said.
    
    The aid program announced Sunday will see the E.U. and IMF offer loans and guarantees of as much as 750 billion euros to debt-strapped countries in the euro zone. The amount is equal to 24% of gross domestic product of the countries that make up the PIIGS fraternity of high-debt euro-zone countries -- Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain, said Jennifer McKeown, senior European economist at Capital Economics.
    
    That's "proportionately smaller" than the 110 billion euro rescue package provided by the euro-zone and the IMF for Greece, but is still "way bigger than anything envisaged before the weekend," she said. "Likewise, the ECB's decision is uncharacteristically decisive."
    
    forcasts for the dollar are not so great.. but not so bad. depending on the actions of the Fed.   its expected that the dollar will weaken to 1.62 against the Euro this year.  due to the interest rates being kept close to zero.
    
    initially they predicted 1.50, so its a plus. Currently its at 1.43.
    
    the Fed and the Government can drasticaly change it depending on the policys they enact and how the market reacts to them.  remember health care it passed and the market dropped and the dollar fell.
    
      Bloomberg-
    
    "U.S. rates at an all-time low make the dollar attractive to sell in so-called carry trades, in which investors use the greenback to fund purchases of higher-yielding currencies such as the Australian dollar and Norwegian krone. The greenback also weakened this year as central banks increased the percentage of foreign reserves held in euros at the expense of the dollar."
    
    so in a way its good news.. but not that great. any kind of market shock from policy, natural disaster or Terrorist attack could send it tumbling again.

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35. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    dollar getting stronger against the Euro - is Obama doing a good job

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       Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       No, the EU is coming apart at the seams

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    2. 67

       alternate poetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       No - the Yuan is revaluing and this reduces the huge US debt.

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36. 76

    lovemychrisposted 13 years ago

    Yes, we are turning around after 8 years of theft.

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    1. 60

       outdoorsguyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       lovemychris.. you didnt bothe to read what I wrote did you.   this has nothing to do with Bush, his policies or for that Matter Obama and his policies.
       
       The losses the dollar sustained havent changed much at all.  its the Euro falling in Value that brough the dollars value on the market up. 
       
       another thing that might help the economy is the 18 % drop in crude prices, if its sustained it should lead to lower consumer prices which will spur growth and income.  assuming no new taxes and regulations that will result in it being passed along to  we the people as a price raise.
       
       currently gas prices in the US are projected to rise to an average of 3.50 a gallon this summer.
       
       if that happens look for prices to sky rocket and sales to falter. and a few more lay offs.

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37. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Yes Obama can do it

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38. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Euro still weak as dollar gets stronger

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39. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    America we need you to recover

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40. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Can Obama take America out of recession

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41. 65

    Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

    Here's a Republican candidate for the House from Idaho, Vaughan Ward, who knows a good speech when he hears one.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCF3Vpf6iCg

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       LegendaryHeroposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I can't believe someone would be stupid enough to actually think that they could get away with that.
       
       Actually, I take that back. I can believe it. Politicians...

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42. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Obama may yet lead the economic recovery

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       LegendaryHeroposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       The economy will do that for itself. It naturally cycles and the government can do nothing about it.

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43. 65

    Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

    Where does the GOP dig up these clowns?
    
    http://www.alan.com/2010/05/23/gop-cong … nt-matter/

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44. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Ralph - I just dont know

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45. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Ireland needs America to recover - we have a population of 4 million in the Republic - we have 430,000 unemployed and 32,000 home owners in mortgage arrears - we need American investment

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46. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Govt in Ireland now selling off State owned Health Care firm - VHI - soon there will be nothing left in the cupboard

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47. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    Obama is on his way to the oil spill in the Gulf - thats ok then

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48. 67

    bonnebartronposted 13 years ago

    you really try to promote your hubs huh? Does it work for you?

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49. 61

    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    I dont have any hubs about Obama - sorry - you have got that wrong - I just enjoy the chat on the forums

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       bonnebartronposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Ah ha! I see. Good chats for sure!

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    theirishobserver.posted 13 years ago

    bonnebarton - how are you today - hope you are well - Irish

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