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WASHINGTON, DC
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
White House Council of Economic Advisers
WASHINGTON— The new report of the White House Council of Economic Advisers is emphasizing the importance of extending unemployment benefits of Americans during the holiday season, but states no means for paying for the support.THEWHITEHOUSESPIN.COM
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WASHINGTON, DC
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2010_________________________________________________
"White House Council of Economic Advisers"
Posted and Written by Karen Ann Carr
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Two million adults will lose the temporary support to survive during December 2010 and seven million more Americans over the course of the year 2011. But the decision to extend benefits or not extend unemployment benefits is in the hands of the Congress of the United States of America.
CEA Chairman Austan Goolsbee said, “Extending this support to those hardest hit by this crisis is not only the right thing to do, it's the right economic policy.”
But benefits for jobless Americans requires assets that the U.S. simply does not have. American families tend to spend more during the holiday season, however, given the economic environment this year persons receiving unemployment are more likely to save money as their benefits dwindle.
“Letting millions more Americans fall into hardship will hurt our economy at this critical point in our recovery and immediately undermine consumer spending," Goolsbee said.
Allowing the unemployed and under-employed to work for the benefits, by providing needed services to the Federal Government would help people in many ways. The people would be able to tell potential employers that they are not long-term unemployed persons. The Federal Government would gain a workforce that is needed to complete real task. The human sense of being a valuable employee would be gain by those workers involved.
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THEWHITEHOUSESPIN.COM
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WASHINGTON, DC
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama and White House Pastry Chef Bill Yosses laugh as
young visitor tastes her decorated cookie during a holiday craft demonstration
with the children of military personnel in the State Dining Room of the White
House. White House Photography ByLawrence
Jackson, December 1, 2010.
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The First Lady Previews White House Holiday Decorations
December 01, 2010 | 14:51 | Public Domain
WASHINGTON, DC- First Lady Michelle Obama welcomes the press and military families to the White House to preview the 2010 White House holiday decorations.
Download mp4 (142M| mp3 (14M
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"GOLDEN TREASURE IN THE WHITE HOUSE"
Posted and Written by Karen Ann Carr
_________________________________________________________ WASHINGTON, DC- Providence acted on behalf of humanity and gave Americans a jewel of a First Lady, at a time when values such as: morals, ethics, common-sense and genuine love are to be valued more than gold.
The U.S. First lady Michelle Obama continues to give her all to the citizens of the United States of America and the Global community at-large. Today, there was another gathering at the White House that should not be under-estimated. Again Mrs. Obama was surrounded by enthusiastic children and youth on a family-centered mission.
As a very focused administrator, Mrs. Obama continues to erode the lack of prosperity in all its forms throughout the global community, but especially here in the United States of America. Fortunately, her team of producers and workers understands her mentality and continues to support her efforts to erode human frailness, while lending a hand.
As you may know, Toys-For-Tots is an outstanding operations of the U.S. Marines, which continues to, year-after-year, helps people hold their heads up high when faced with the reality of a toy-less Christmas morning. With grace and discretion Marines work to make sure that children are not crying on Christmas day because they did not get a toy.
Many adults learned to not be excited about Christmas because of disappointments that they experienced as children on Christmas day. Children living during the Great Depression produced many such adults. It is important to note that this year many adults may need a gentle-hand sharing to get gracefully through the coming weeks.
Remember people living in big beautiful houses, they may not be having a gift-giving Christmas this year but need non-judgmental financial support. Let's make this a year when even adults are able to smile again.Consider Mrs Obama, Toy-for-Tots and other ethical organizations that are helping children and adults throughout the year and especially at Christmas and Hanukkah (the Festival of Lights; which is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the Second Holy Temple in Jerusalem when the limited amount of oil didn't fail (or run out).
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IN THEIR OWN WORDS: from the White House
AT THE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA'S HOLIDAY PRESS PREVIEW White House East Room
GENERAL OSMAN
GENERAL OSMAN:______________________________
"Our First Lady made a difference and certainly as she has pointed out so many times, our military service members today are making a difference, certainly Marines amongst them."
"Marines have an opportunity though to make a difference in a very different way, not only in the protection of our country, but also in helping those less fortunate families and particularly less fortunate children at Christmas time through the “Toys for Tots” program. Those of you who don’t know it, the Marine Corps has been doing “Toys for Tots” for 63 years. And over those 63 years, the Marine Corps together with the thousands of volunteers have been able to distribute over 400 million toys to almost 200 million children. What an accomplishment."
"But it couldn’t be done alone. It really is the generosity of the American people that make it work. So I once again appeal to that generosity of our American public to step forward and once again buy that toy, drop it in one of our barrels. If it’s more convenient, go online to “Toys for Tots” and make that online donation. It will make a difference. In fact, a $25 or $30 donation goes a long way in helping a less fortunate child at Christmas time."
"And let me share just a quick story with you that will show you an example of what I’m talking about."
"A couple of years back, there was a wonderful family in D.C. -- Mom, Dad, five kids. Happy family. And unfortunately, tragedy struck. The father took ill and quickly passed away. The mom, who had been a stay-at-home mom, all of a sudden found herself having to find a job while still raising her five children. She realized she was going to have to make some tough choices, and she did. I mean, she had a house payment to make, utilities, food to buy, clothing and all that, and she said, “We’re going to have to cut Christmas this year.”
"Now, she had to make this decision early on, probably in the October time frame. And she was comfortable with it. But as Christmas drew nearer and nearer, she became very concerned. In fact, on Christmas Eve, she was distraught. She was beside herself with the thought on Christmas morning her children were going to come downstairs and there weren’t going to be any gifts under that little Charlie Brown Christmas tree that they had."
"Fortunately, the knock at the door came, and standing there were two Marines, a couple of volunteers, and a bunch of boxes full of toys. So needless to say, for the Johnsons the next morning, they had a wonderful Christmas."
"But that’s not the end of the story. Interesting thing was one of the toys was a big old red fire truck. And one of her sons really took a liking to that fire truck. That became his favorite toy that day and for the rest of the next year and actually to years after that. And as you would have it, that fire truck had an impact. Today, that man is one of D.C.’s finest. He’s a firefighter with the D.C. Fire Department."
"So if you don’t think that toy makes a difference, just remember this story. And the great thing is, is there are thousands of stories just like that out there."
"So I once again ask the American public to dig deep, be the generous Americans that you always are, buy that toy, put it in one of our barrels, make that online donation. Believe me, it will make a difference."
"Work together with our Marines, our thousands of volunteers, and certainly the First Lady in bringing the joy of Christmas and sending a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children."
"One last thing. It’s only 24 days ‘till Christmas. Thank you all very much." (Laughter and Applause.)______________________________ _________
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WASHINGTON, DC
U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, GENERAL COLIN POWELL & VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
After a meeting, President Obama and General Colin Powell make the case
for the urgency of the Senate ratifying the New START treaty with Russia. White House Photography By Pete Souza, December 1, 2010
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"U.S. Government's Mitigates Unlawful Disclosure of Classified Information"
Posted and Written by Karen Ann Carr
_______________________________________________________________ WASHINGTON, DC- Today the federal government has released detailed information about efforts to regulate the publishing of classified U.S. documents. In light of the disgraceful publishing of Wikileaks.
International law and national laws prevented the United States of America from ceasing control of U.S. Government documents given to the Wikileaks corporation. What makes matters worse is that the documents were not under the protection of copyright laws, but these kinds of options may change in light of recent developments.
For your educational advancement TheWhiteHouseSpin.com is publishing the information provided by the government of the United States of America. Considering the deplorable efforts of the Wikileaks corporation to work with the U.S. Government concerning the public release of Classified U.S. Documents; Wikileaks may be facilitating a breach of U.S. security and U.S. policy and U.S. administration.____________________________________
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U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
President Barack Obama discusses the START treaty, during a phone call with President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia in the Oval Office.
White House Photo by Pete Souza, March 26, 2010.
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FACT SHEET
U.S. Government Mitigation Efforts in Light of the Recent Unlawful Disclosure of Classified Information
As part of an integrated federal government approach to respond to the unlawful and irresponsible disclosure of classified information by Wikileaks, the National Security Staff has been coordinating an inter agency effort to examine the policies and practices surrounding the handling of classified information, and to put in place safeguards to prevent such a compromise from happening again.
"The 9/11 attacks and their aftermath revealed gaps in intra-governmental information sharing. During the past decade, departments and agencies have tried to eliminate those gaps, resulting in considerable improvement in information-sharing. At the same time, federal policies underscore the importance of the existing prohibitions, restrictions, and requirements regarding the safeguarding of classified information. Our national security requires that sensitive information be maintained in confidence to protect our citizens, our democratic institutions, our homeland and our partners. Protecting information critical to our nation’s security is the responsibility of each individual and agency granted access to classified information.
NATIONAL SECURITY STAFF INITIATIVES
On December 1, 2010, the National Security Advisor named Russell Travers to serve as the National Security Staff’s Senior Advisor for Information Access and Security Policy. Travers will lead a comprehensive effort to identify and develop the structural reforms needed in light of the Wikileaks breach. His responsibilities will include:
• Advising the National Security Staff on corrective actions, mitigation measures, and policy recommendations related to the breach.
• Facilitating inter-agency discussions and developing options for Deputies, Principals, and the President regarding technological and/or policy changes to limit the likelihood of such a leak reoccurring.
Additionally, the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIA) will take an independent look at the means by which the Executive Branch as a whole shares and protects classified information. While the PIAB’s traditional mandate is the examination of intelligence issues, the members’ requisite security clearances, deep understanding of the wider United States Government national security mission and appreciation of the scope and complexity of classified government computer networks, make it particularly well-suited to immediately undertake this U.S. Government-wide review. As a part of this undertaking, the PIAB will:
• Work with departments and agencies across the government to ensure they gain a comprehensive appreciation of all relevant challenges and requirements necessary to safeguard classified information and networks.
• Examine the current posture of the whole of government with regard to leaks of classified information.
• Examine the balance between the need to share information and the need to protect information.
• Review the degree to which the government is organized to achieve information handling goals, consistent with our interests in security, information sharing, and transparency.
These efforts by the National Security Staff and the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board will complement actions being taken across the Federal Government. The Office of Management and Budget (OM) has directed each department or agency that handles classified information establish a security assessment team consisting of counterintelligence, security, and information assurance experts to review the agency’s implementation of procedures for safeguarding classified information against improper disclosures. The Office of Management and Budget has directed that each review should include (without limitation) evaluation of the agency’s configuration of classified government systems to ensure that users do not have broader access than is necessary to do their jobs effectively, as well as implementation of restrictions on usage of, and removable media capabilities from, classified government computer networks. The Office of Management and Budget , the Information Security Oversight Office, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will stand up processes to evaluate, and to assist agencies in their review of security practices with respect to the protection of classified information.
Prior to the issuance of this Office of Management and Budget Directive, several agencies had proactively initiated measures to further safeguard classified information and networks. The following are examples of the numerous mitigation efforts underway across the inter-agency.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE INITIATIVES
The Secretary of State has commissioned a review of State Department security procedures. The Under Secretary for Management has assembled a team of senior management professionals in all related areas to conduct a thorough review of current policies and procedures to ensure that they are fully abreast of the challenges faced. Their efforts will be coordinated with the Bureau of Intelligence and Research to ensure that a measures taken strike the correct balance between the critical need to protect classified information and the equally compelling requirement to ensure that it is shared with those who need it in their work to advance our national security.
This review has already reaffirmed the Department’s policy of deploying “thin client” computer units without removable media options and limiting the ability to download material from classified terminals to only approved and controlled circumstances.
The Department will also deploy an automated tool that will continuously monitor the classified network to detect anomalies that would not be readily apparent. This capability will be backed up by a professional staff who will promptly analyze these anomalies to ensure that they do not represent threats to the system.
The mandatory annual training and recertification requirement that all employees must satisfy is being reviewed to see if additional material needs to be added to bolster this on-going effort.
In the interim, the Department has suspended access to the Net Centric Diplomacy (NCD) database of diplomatic reporting , and its classified “ClassNet” web sites and SharePoint sites previously accessible through the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet), while retaining access via the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System..
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DoD) INITIATIVES
On August 12, 2010, Defense Secretary Robert Gates commissioned two reviews to determine what policy, procedural and/or technological shortfalls contributed to the unauthorized disclosure to the Wikileaks website. He specifically directed an assessment to determine if the Department of Defense had appropriately balanced restrictions associated with information security and the need to provide our front-line personnel with the information needed to accomplish their assigned missions.
As a result of these two reviews, a number of findings and recommendations are in the process of being assessed and implemented, including the following:
• Disabling and controlling use of removable storage media on Department of Defense classified networks to prevent download from classified networks.
• Developing procedures to monitor and detect suspicious, unusual or anomalous user behavior (similar to procedures now being implemented by credit card companies to detect and monitor fraud).
• Conducting security oversight inspections in all Combatant Commands.
• Undertaking vulnerability assessments of Department of Defense networks.
• Improving awareness and compliance with information protection procedures. Specific examples being undertaken at the Combatant Command level include:
• Increased “insider threat” training focusing on awareness of associated activity.
• Multi-discipline training between traditional security, law enforcement and information assurance at all echelons.
• The establishment of “Insider Threat Working Groups” to address the Wikileaks incident and prevent re-occurrence.
• Component-determined restricted access to the Wikileaks site to prevent further dissemination or downloading of classified information to unclassified DoD networks.
• Restating of policy to all personnel regarding restrictions on downloading to government systems and cautionary advice regarding personal IT systems.
Individual Department of Defense components are taking additional action as relevant and appropriate, ranging from random physical inspections to enabling new security features on networks. Leadership reinforcement of workforce responsibilities and new initiatives to safeguard information are key components of Department of Defense’s mitigation efforts. Department-wide, the Pentagon is accelerating its publication of policy issuances related to the information security program as well as focusing increased attention on detecting potential insider threats.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE (ODNI) INITIATIVES
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is working as part of the integrated whole of government approach to assist agencies in their review of security practices.
In coordination with the larger OMB effort, Office of the Director of National Intelligence is developing recommendations to enhance security within the Intelligence Community (IC), to include:
• Insider Threat Assessment Inspections: Departments and Agencies will establish inspection teams, with assistance provided by Office of the Director of National Intelligence/ONCIX, consisting of Counterintelligence (CI), Security, and Information Assurance (IA) experts to identify removable media policies and their implementation.
• Enhanced Automated, On-Line Audit Capability: Systems will monitor user activity on all IC classified computer systems to detect unusual behavior. Additionally, a fully staffed analytic capability will put a human eye on the suspect activity.
• Removable Media Policies Review: Department and Agencies will review current policies and procedures to reduce risk posed by removable media within each organization.
• Policy Compliance Action Plan: Departments and Agencies will assess the level of compliance with existing Counterintelligence, Security, and Information Assurance policies to identify discrepancies and will establish a plan to track and report improvements.
• Information Assurance Training: Departments and Agencies will conduct mandatory regular trainings for all employees on the handling of classified information.
• Review Secure Device Settings: Departments and Agencies will mandate a compliance review of secure system configuration settings."
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WASHINGTON, DC
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2010
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA & VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with bipartisan Congressional leadership in the Oval Office Private Dining Room, Nov. 30, 2010. Attending the meeting, clockwise from President Obama are: Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Majority Leader; Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Republican Leader; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Assistant Majority Leader; Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., Republican Whip; Vice President Biden, Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., Republican Whip; Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., Majority Leader; Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, Republican Leader; and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
White House Photo by Pete Souza, November 30, 2010
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______________________________ "BEYOND THE PALE: Extended Unemployment Insurance Expires"____
Posted and Written by Karen Ann Carr
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WASHINGTON, DC- For many Americans unemployment insurance benefits expired today, notwithstanding the stand-off of U.S. President Barack Obama and Congressional Leaders at the White House. Meanwhile, the White House was being decorated for the holidays and the unemployed and under-employed listening for real leadership.If todays face-to-face meeting garnered anything, hopefully clear-cut strategies to develop long-term employment and economic balance was included.
This time President Obama and Congressional leaders had a face-to-face meeting without cameras videoing ever remark. To focus on very serious challenges spot-lights needn't be present. The needs issues included increasing taxation on hard-working Americans,
Millions of Americans ended their unemployment insurance benefits today, notwithstanding the continued stand-off of U.S. President Barack Obama and a bipartisan group of congressional leaders meeting at the White House. The question is what empirically got accomplished that will help people earn a living?
public safety and national security.
President Obama said, "we are Americans first, and we share a responsibility for the stewardship of our nation. The American people did not vote for gridlock. They didn’t vote for unyielding partisanship. They’re demanding cooperation and they’re demanding progress. And they’ll hold all of us –- and I mean all of us –- accountable for it."
The question is did today's dialogue between President Obama, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders produce real gains, or did it produce more noisy and spin.
Taxes will, likely, go up on hardworking middle-class and wealthy Americans come January 1st, 2011 by thousands of dollars as Congressional leaders continue to disagree. There seems to be no common-ground for both parties to stand on, which will limit President Obama's prestige during the 2012 elections. However, increased taxation may be the best thing that can happen for all Americans. The country needs money, just like all of us, to reasonably move forward without regret.
Increased taxation might be inevitable despite what President Obama said. The cost to run the U.S. Government must be paid for; even if taxation would in the short-run be "disastrous for . . families" and "crippling for the economy." The U.S. economy is almost in a sustained-coma. The infusion of money is no longer the issue. The issue is that the United States of America is, literally, bleeding value. Everyone means well, but Americans are looking for and listening for common-sense leadership, not pie-in-the-sky discourse or taxation-candy to distract us from the real world. The global community needs the American legislature and U.S. administration to wake up and smell the roses.
In this case, American "value" is being defined as common-sense actions on how to move forward. If it cost 'x' amount of dollars to effectively operate the U.S. government, 'x' amount of dollars needs to be collected not borrowed for China or the Federal Reserve Bank.
Yes, people living in the United States of America want U.S. leaders focusing on job creation, strategies to accelerate economic recovery, safety and security; but not at the cost of extra-long term deficits or perceived gains rather than real gains. It is interesting how real assets correlate with real jobs, real economic recovery, real regional safety and real security. There is something about not acting within the realm of fear. The lack of a fear-factor in life makes a difference.
Permanently extend tax cuts for middle-class families and the wealthiest of Americans does not make sense. If the Obama administration and the U.S. Congress want to maintain their normal rate of spending, the American economy needs real earned cash to develop into a surplus. The value of American ingenuity, American education, American technology, American ethics, and even American thinking is, now, being weighed in the balances of global logic; not economic and financial theory. The American global paradigm of life and prosperity is rooted in wisdom and love, not foolishness debt or fear.
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BO AND PRESIDENT OBAMA'S (PALA) ACHIEVERS
Bo, the Obama family dog, is greeted by several of the President’s Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) achievers in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.
White House Photo by Samantha Appleton, Nov. 29, 2010.
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U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SASHA OBAMA & MALIA OBAMA
President Barack Obama talks with daughters Sasha and Malia in the Oval Office before pardoning a turkey named Apple in the Rose Garden.
White House Photography by Pete Souza, November 24, 2010.
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YOUNG BOY
Young boy listens as President Barack Obama speaks at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio.
White House Photography by Pete Souza, October 31, 2010.
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President Barack Obama and President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea walk together following a bilateral meeting at the Blue House in Seoul, South Korea.
White House Photo by Pete Souza, Nov. 11, 2010.
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FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA AND CHILDREN
First Lady Michelle Obama joins students for a Let's Move! Salad Bars to Schools launch event at Riverside Elementary School in Miami, Florida.
White House Photography by Chuck Kennedy, November 22, 2010
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President Obama Attends the NATO and U.S.-EU Summits in Lisbon, Portugal
U.S. President Barack Obama, joined NATO allies and partners in historic meetings to address current and future security challenges around the globe. President Obama reaffirmed U.S. cooperation and partnership with leaders of the European Union.World leaders participated in the North Atlantic Council opening session on the first day of the Summit in Lisbon, Portugal.
White House Photo by Pete Souza, Nov. 19, 2010.
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