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Saturday Morning Rant On Disrespecting The President [VIDEO]

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Jake Tapper

President Obama is really a class act. He has been faced with incredible challenges as the leader of the United States. It was necessary for the President to carefully consider his actions and reactions during his first term in office. To some extent that holds true now but since the President is in his last term, I think he needs to go 'Chris Christie' on some folks when putting them in check.

Case in point, Jake Tapper of ABC News (he has since moved to CNN). In referring to gun control during a recent press conference, Tapper had the audacity to ask President Obama 'where've you been?' Don't get me wrong, the President checked Tapper and he was still very respectful in his retort. As a matter of fact he was more respectful of Tapper than Tapper was of him.

I'd like to have seen President Obama respond something like this, "Dude, where have I been? The real question is why did you ask such a lame-brained question? You know what's transpired in this nation and globally, or at least you should --- you're the media. The next time you have the opportunity to ask a question at a press conference, don't waste my time, nor that of the other folks present. Most important, show some respect, I am your President whether you like it our not."

Now, I know President Obama would not say that, at least not publicly, he's too cool. He's also as shrewd as he is cool so he's really not someone to be messed with. It is the responsibility of Tapper and other correspondents to ask tough questions when necessary but professionals are not expected to be disrespectful when doing so.

A couple of days after the press conference, it was announced that Jake Tapper is moving to CNN and he'll have his own show. It's also my understanding that the deal was cut before Jeff Zucker took over the reins at CNN.

While President Obama is admired by many, he is also the most disrespected President of the United States by his own countrymen. Many people complained to ABC News about Tapper. More of that needs to be done in the future when our President is disrespected.

Posted on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 07:26 AM in Barack Obama, Commentary, Politics, President Obama, Video | Permalink | Comments (0)

President Obama on the Newtown Massacre [VIDEO and FULL TRANSCRIPT]

Friday, December 14, 2012

President Barack Obama delivers solemn message on shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

It goes without saying that today is one of those days that we will remember forever. The nation has been saddened by the murders of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Details of the sequence of events are still developing but it appears that the shooter also killed his mother who was a teacher's aide at the school and his brother.

From earlier reports, Newtown was the kind of place that families in citites moved to so their children would grow up in a safe and peaceful environment. How sad. Because of this latest tragedy, there will be discussions on gun control and mental illness. When all is said and done, will anything really be done to make sure a tragedy of this magnitude never occurs again? Let's make sure it does by contacting our elected officials. This. Must. Stop.

President Barack Obama fought back tears as he delivered the speech below regarding the incident.

Here are his full remarks:

This afternoon, I spoke with Governor Malloy and FBI Director Mueller. I offered Governor Malloy my condolences on behalf of the nation, and made it clear he will have every single resource that he needs to investigate this heinous crime, care for the victims, counsel their families.

We've endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. And each time I learn the news I react not as a President, but as anybody else would -- as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there's not a parent in America who doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief that I do.

The majority of those who died today were children -- beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers -- men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.

So our hearts are broken today -- for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost. Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors as well, for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children's innocence has been torn away from them too early, and there are no words that will ease their pain.

As a country, we have been through this too many times. Whether it's an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago -- these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods, and these children are our children. And we're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics.

This evening, Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter and we'll tell them that we love them, and we'll remind each other how deeply we love one another. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight. And they need all of us right now. In the hard days to come, that community needs us to be at our best as Americans. And I will do everything in my power as President to help.

Because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need -- to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories but also in ours.

May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of Scripture, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.

The President also issued a proclamation honoring the victims of the tragedy, ordering U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on December 18.

Posted on Friday, December 14, 2012 at 08:43 PM in Barack Obama, Crime | Permalink | Comments (0)

World AIDS Day 2012

Saturday, December 01, 2012

President Obama recognizes World AIDS Day 2012 by adorning The White House with a huge red ribbon.

Today is the first day of December. It is the birthday of some famous people such as comedian-actor-writer Richard Pryor; singer-actor Bette Midler; actor-writer-director Woody Allen and Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet's daughter, Zoe Kravitz. It is also World AIDS Day, the day citizens around the world unite to advocate for an end to HIV/AIDS. Since the groundbreaking announcement 27 years ago that actor Rock Hudson had become infected with AIDS and the shocking announcement just six years later, in November 1991, that Magic Johnson had also become infected, there is far too little coverage of this devastating disease.

Many people such as Johnson, live with HIV/AIDS and continue to live productive lives. They follow the advice of their physicians and other health professionals which includes taking the appropriate medication and following a healthy lifestyle. Inspite of tremendous advances, far too many people in the United States and around the world are still dying from HIV/AIDS. Let's do what we can to help stop HIV/AIDS starting with education about the disease.

Do you know your HIV/AIDS status? If not get tested. Do not engage in unsafe sexual activity. Use a condom. Please. Know that You are worth more than AIDS.

For more information on HIV/AIDS and what you can do to help put an end to it, visit the World AIDS Day website. Thank you.