From Denny: Yesterday, the country of Chile experienced a mind-numbing 8.8 magnitude earthquake. It tore apart over 1.5 million homes, bridges and highways in central Chile. Over 90 aftershocks followed. The 8.8 earthquake was felt 1,800 miles away in Sao Paulo, Brazil to the east.
In the capitol city of Santiago, 200 miles away and to the northeast from the epicenter (which was out at sea off the coast), there was damage:
Santiago airport with smashed windows, collapsed walkways, torn ceilings
Fine Arts Museum, badly damaged
several hospitals, no details as to damage
Chile's main seaport, in Valparaiso about 75 miles from Santiago:
two oil refineries shut down production - to restart large plants like this can take a month.
copper mines shut down production
The city of Concepcion was hardest hit along with the major port city of Talcahuano. With a major port damaged like this it could be difficult to get supplies to those most in need.
Haiti's was a 7.0 magnitude. The point spread doesn't sound like much until you realize that the difference is 500 times greater in ferocity. It's amazing any buildings are standing and more people were not killed. Right now that's about 708 in estimates because the Chilean Navy did not warn coastal villagers of an impending tsunami right after the earthquake. They did not have time to flee to the hills and many died needlessly.
Chile's coastal areas devastated by the large waves:
San Juan Bautista village on Robinson Crusoe Island
The port of Talcahuano
Vichato in the BioBio region
The surge of Pacific Ocean water affected 53 nations as they posted tsunami warnings. Hawaii dodged the negative effects of tsunami waves but they were prepared. They warned and evacuated for the "just in case" scenario. Hilo International Airport was closed as a precaution because it is located on the shore.
By today, it was estimated that over two million people have been displaced from their homes. They have not yet given figues on how many businesses are shut down and how many people are out of work. Like in Haiti, these may prove to be dire times for Chile. Why does the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, not accept immediate help from other countries like America who are standing by with rescue teams and relief efforts? As it has proven difficult in Haiti to setup and feed three million displaced people, so it will prove a problem in Chile in the coming weeks. It's best to jump on that problem now rather than wait.
For those with electricity in Chile, this is the news they awoke to find about the earthquake, raw news footage:
Assessing the damage done to historical sites:
From ITN News an aerial view of the devastation:
Here is video of looting. Do you think these people watched all the news coverage about Haiti and realized it will be weeks - if ever - before help arrives? Most people would loot for food and supplies too, knowing help may not come in time.
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Funny Political Cartoons: Political Olympics, Broken Government, Lampooning Toyota - 27 Feb 2010
From Denny: This week the cartoonists were bearing down on the corruption in our politics - mainly from Big Business, Big Banks, Big Health Insurance and the Republicans. The President's Health Summit fizzled because of the silly Republicans who thought they were endearing themselves to the insurance companies. They did not endear themselves to the American public.
See: Republicans Smash Health Care Summit, Snub Prez Obama
Toyota - and their cavalier attitude toward public safety - did not escape their scorching pens either. When Toyota's President Akio Toyoda finally showed up to testify and apologize before the American Congress, there were actually newscasters in Japan questioning that Toyoda's predicament was the result of American politics. Are they crazy? Toyota's own emails and memos denounced them as the conniving deceitful greedy businessmen they truly are. They have been hiding evidence of serious defects for decades from the American government and the public who trusted them and their product.
So, my question back at the so-called journalists in Japan: How many of you are bought and paid for by Toyota or the Japanese government? Toyota made their mess all on their own. They just regret finally getting caught and having to answer for their crimes against the public. Lives have been lost due to their cavalier attitude.
Olympic cartoons still abound, especially in regard to Obama and The Party of No! and what a feat it is to medal gold around this cantankerous bunch. Politics really is an Olympic sport: you have the reckless thugs and those trying to display some classy attitude as they compete.
Tiger Woods still roasts on the fire of most people's lips and the cartoonists' furious pens. His third sponsor dropped him this week: Gatorade. Tiger is watching his $500 million in sponsor deals do a slow motion evaporation in spite of his half-hearted insincere efforts.
The man is obviously mentally or emotionally ill and in need of a long rest away from the spotlight. I have yet to hear of a cure for narcissism so the jury is still out on whether he can regain any one's trust now that he was outted by his mistresses. It's a lot less about sex and more about trust and good character as to why so many people are now turned off to him. Usually, when you see a celebrity fall apart all at once like this it's because the longer it goes on the more difficult it is to hide the issues.
Broken Government:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Politics and the Olympics metaphor:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
The Chinese and American governments continue to spar over Taiwan and the Dalai Lama. Hey, they wanted to be our credit card bankers, buying up that humongus debt, what more do they want? Google sex toys?
China Dragon vs. American Eagle
Toyota is spinning out of control in America. They parade out apologies instead of real solutions because they are too cheap to pay for them. They are arrogant enough to believe they will dominate the American auto market again. Uh, guys, news flash: You are toast. Pack up your cars and go home. Toyota used car sales are plummeting and will remain so for years as a result of your idiot strategies. Glad I don't own one. Any one who does had better ride it until the wheels fall off or trade it quickly for something far more road worthy.
Toyota Ads:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Wait for it... wait for it... here it is: The Tiger Woods Apology Cartoons:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
And from the regular guys' perspective - you know, all of us who feel our government and business we work for just don't hear us - these cartoons are for you:
The Olympic cartoons are not yet out in full force but this one recounts the time when there was not a dry eye in the house when this Canadian skater, Joannie Rochette, won the Bronze medal in ladies' figure skating after her mother suddenly died of a heart attack just two days before the event. It really shows an Olympic fortitude you have to admire even if she didn't receive the gold. She got the gold in so many people's hearts all around the world.
Best Olympic moment:
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
See: Republicans Smash Health Care Summit, Snub Prez Obama
Toyota - and their cavalier attitude toward public safety - did not escape their scorching pens either. When Toyota's President Akio Toyoda finally showed up to testify and apologize before the American Congress, there were actually newscasters in Japan questioning that Toyoda's predicament was the result of American politics. Are they crazy? Toyota's own emails and memos denounced them as the conniving deceitful greedy businessmen they truly are. They have been hiding evidence of serious defects for decades from the American government and the public who trusted them and their product.
So, my question back at the so-called journalists in Japan: How many of you are bought and paid for by Toyota or the Japanese government? Toyota made their mess all on their own. They just regret finally getting caught and having to answer for their crimes against the public. Lives have been lost due to their cavalier attitude.
Olympic cartoons still abound, especially in regard to Obama and The Party of No! and what a feat it is to medal gold around this cantankerous bunch. Politics really is an Olympic sport: you have the reckless thugs and those trying to display some classy attitude as they compete.
Tiger Woods still roasts on the fire of most people's lips and the cartoonists' furious pens. His third sponsor dropped him this week: Gatorade. Tiger is watching his $500 million in sponsor deals do a slow motion evaporation in spite of his half-hearted insincere efforts.
The man is obviously mentally or emotionally ill and in need of a long rest away from the spotlight. I have yet to hear of a cure for narcissism so the jury is still out on whether he can regain any one's trust now that he was outted by his mistresses. It's a lot less about sex and more about trust and good character as to why so many people are now turned off to him. Usually, when you see a celebrity fall apart all at once like this it's because the longer it goes on the more difficult it is to hide the issues.
Broken Government:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Politics and the Olympics metaphor:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
The Chinese and American governments continue to spar over Taiwan and the Dalai Lama. Hey, they wanted to be our credit card bankers, buying up that humongus debt, what more do they want? Google sex toys?
China Dragon vs. American Eagle
Toyota is spinning out of control in America. They parade out apologies instead of real solutions because they are too cheap to pay for them. They are arrogant enough to believe they will dominate the American auto market again. Uh, guys, news flash: You are toast. Pack up your cars and go home. Toyota used car sales are plummeting and will remain so for years as a result of your idiot strategies. Glad I don't own one. Any one who does had better ride it until the wheels fall off or trade it quickly for something far more road worthy.
Toyota Ads:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Wait for it... wait for it... here it is: The Tiger Woods Apology Cartoons:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
And from the regular guys' perspective - you know, all of us who feel our government and business we work for just don't hear us - these cartoons are for you:
The Olympic cartoons are not yet out in full force but this one recounts the time when there was not a dry eye in the house when this Canadian skater, Joannie Rochette, won the Bronze medal in ladies' figure skating after her mother suddenly died of a heart attack just two days before the event. It really shows an Olympic fortitude you have to admire even if she didn't receive the gold. She got the gold in so many people's hearts all around the world.
Best Olympic moment:
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
President Obama: Executive Order 13532, Historically Black Colleges and Universities
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 26, 2010
Executive Order 13532-- Historically Black Colleges and Universities
EXECUTIVE ORDER
- - - - - - -
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY
AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
- - - - - - -
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY
AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to advance the development of the Nation's full human potential and to advance equal opportunity in higher education, strengthen the capacity of historically black colleges and universities to provide the highest quality education, increase opportunities for these institutions to participate in and benefit from Federal programs, and ensure that our Nation has the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by the year 2020, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have made historic and ongoing contributions to the general welfare and prosperity of our country. Established by visionary leaders, America's HBCUs, for over 150 years, have produced many of the Nation's leaders in business, government, academia, and the military and have provided generations of American men and women with hope and educational opportunity. The Nation's 105 HBCUs are located in 20 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and serve more than 300,000 undergraduate and graduate students. These institutions continue to be important engines of economic growth and community service, and they are proven ladders of intergenerational advancement for men and women of all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds, especially African Americans. These institutions also produce a high number of baccalaureate recipients who go on to assume leadership and service roles in their communities and who successfully complete graduate and professional degree programs.
Sec. 2. White House Initiative on HBCUs.
(a) Establishment. There is established the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative), to be housed in the Department of Education (Department).
(b) Mission and Functions. The Initiative shall work with executive departments, agencies, and offices, the private sector, educational associations, philanthropic organizations, and other partners to increase the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest-quality education to a greater number of students, and to take advantage of these institutions' capabilities in serving the Nation's needs through five core tasks:
(b) Mission and Functions. The Initiative shall work with executive departments, agencies, and offices, the private sector, educational associations, philanthropic organizations, and other partners to increase the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest-quality education to a greater number of students, and to take advantage of these institutions' capabilities in serving the Nation's needs through five core tasks:
(i) strengthening the capacity of HBCUs to participate in Federal programs;
(ii) fostering enduring private-sector initiatives and public-private partnerships while promoting specific areas and centers of academic research and programmatic excellence throughout all HBCUs;
(iii) improving the availability, dissemination, and quality of information concerning HBCUs to inform public policy and practice;
(iv) sharing administrative and programmatic practices within the HBCU community for the benefit of all; and
(v) exploring new ways of improving the relationship between the Federal Government and HBCUs.
(ii) fostering enduring private-sector initiatives and public-private partnerships while promoting specific areas and centers of academic research and programmatic excellence throughout all HBCUs;
(iii) improving the availability, dissemination, and quality of information concerning HBCUs to inform public policy and practice;
(iv) sharing administrative and programmatic practices within the HBCU community for the benefit of all; and
(v) exploring new ways of improving the relationship between the Federal Government and HBCUs.
(c) Administration. There shall be an Executive Director of the Initiative. The Department shall provide the staff, resources, and assistance for the Initiative, and shall assist the Initiative in fulfilling its mission and responsibilities under this order.
(d) Federal Agency Plans. (1) Each executive department and agency designated by the Secretary of Education (Secretary) shall prepare an annual plan (agency plan) of its efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs through increased participation in appropriate Federal programs and initiatives. Where appropriate, each agency plan shall address, among other things, the agency's proposed efforts to:
(d) Federal Agency Plans. (1) Each executive department and agency designated by the Secretary of Education (Secretary) shall prepare an annual plan (agency plan) of its efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs through increased participation in appropriate Federal programs and initiatives. Where appropriate, each agency plan shall address, among other things, the agency's proposed efforts to:
(i) establish how the department or agency intends to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements and to encourage HBCUs to participate in Federal programs;
(ii) identify Federal programs and initiatives in which HBCUs may be either underserved or underused as national resources, and improve HBCUs' participation therein; and
(iii) encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement in improving the overall capacity of HBCUs.
(ii) identify Federal programs and initiatives in which HBCUs may be either underserved or underused as national resources, and improve HBCUs' participation therein; and
(iii) encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement in improving the overall capacity of HBCUs.
(2) Each department and agency, in its agency plan, shall provide appropriate measurable objectives and, after the first year, shall annually assess that department's or agency's performance on the goals set in the previous year's agency plan.
(3) The Secretary shall establish a date by which agency plans shall be submitted to the Secretary. The Secretary and the Executive Director shall review the agency plans in consultation with the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs, established in section 3 of this order, and shall submit to the President an annual plan to strengthen the overall capacity of HBCUs.
(4) To help fulfill the objectives of these plans, the head of each department and agency identified by the Secretary shall provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director for purposes of communicating with HBCUs concerning program activities of the department or agency and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.
(5) To help fulfill the goals of this order, each executive department and agency identified by the Secretary shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the department or agency head with respect to that department's or agency's activities under this order, and to serve as liaison to the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs and to the Initiative.
(3) The Secretary shall establish a date by which agency plans shall be submitted to the Secretary. The Secretary and the Executive Director shall review the agency plans in consultation with the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs, established in section 3 of this order, and shall submit to the President an annual plan to strengthen the overall capacity of HBCUs.
(4) To help fulfill the objectives of these plans, the head of each department and agency identified by the Secretary shall provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director for purposes of communicating with HBCUs concerning program activities of the department or agency and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.
(5) To help fulfill the goals of this order, each executive department and agency identified by the Secretary shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the department or agency head with respect to that department's or agency's activities under this order, and to serve as liaison to the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs and to the Initiative.
(e) Interagency Working Group. There is established the Interagency Working Group, which shall be convened by the Executive Director and that shall consist of representatives from agencies designated by the Secretary, to help advance and coordinate the work of Federal agencies pursuant to this order, where appropriate.
Sec. 3. President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs.
(a) Establishment. There is established in the Department the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (the Board). The Board shall consist of not more than 25 members appointed by the President. The President shall designate one member of the Board to serve as Chair, who shall coordinate with the Executive Director to convene meetings and help direct the work of the Board. The Board shall include representatives of a variety of sectors, including philanthropy, education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and private foundations, as well as sitting HBCU presidents.
(b) Mission and Functions. Through the Initiative, the Board shall advise the President and the Secretary on all matters pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs. In particular, the Board shall advise the President and the Secretary in the following areas:
(b) Mission and Functions. Through the Initiative, the Board shall advise the President and the Secretary on all matters pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs. In particular, the Board shall advise the President and the Secretary in the following areas:
(i) improving the identity, visibility, and distinctive capabilities and overall competitiveness of HBCUs;
(ii) engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives;
(iii) improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in reaching its goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020;
(iv) elevating the public awareness of HBCUs; and
(v) encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs.
(ii) engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives;
(iii) improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in reaching its goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020;
(iv) elevating the public awareness of HBCUs; and
(v) encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs.
(c) Administration. The Executive Director of the Initiative shall also serve as the Executive Director of the Board. The Department shall provide funding and administrative support for the Board to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law. Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), may apply to the Board, any functions of the President under that Act, except for those of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Secretary, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services.
(d) Report. As part of the annual report of the Initiative, the Board shall report to the President and the Secretary on their progress in carrying out its duties under this section.
(d) Report. As part of the annual report of the Initiative, the Board shall report to the President and the Secretary on their progress in carrying out its duties under this section.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) For the purposes of this order, "historically black colleges and universities" shall mean those institutions listed in 34 C.F.R. 602.8.
(b) This order shall apply to executive departments and agencies designated by the Secretary. Those departments and agencies shall provide timely reports and such information as is required to effectively carry out the objectives of this order.
(c) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall assist and provide information through the White House Initiative to the Board, consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Board. Each executive department and agency shall bear its own expensesof participating in the Initiative.
(d) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(b) This order shall apply to executive departments and agencies designated by the Secretary. Those departments and agencies shall provide timely reports and such information as is required to effectively carry out the objectives of this order.
(c) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall assist and provide information through the White House Initiative to the Board, consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Board. Each executive department and agency shall bear its own expensesof participating in the Initiative.
(d) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(e) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(f) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person
(g) Executive Order 13256 of February 12, 2002, is hereby revoked.
(f) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person
(g) Executive Order 13256 of February 12, 2002, is hereby revoked.
BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 26, 2010.
February 26, 2010.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Beyond the Olympics: Canadas Strong Sense of Duty Beyond Self
From Denny: Canada's population - in such a vast country - is only 34 million compared to its southern neighbor America of 300 million. Canada is a place where a strong sense of duty toward others, once called small town values in America, still prevails.
Many Americans are unaware of how much Canada has worked shoulder to shoulder with us over the decades. American media also has done a lousy job of covering consistent news about Canada - so much so that Americans have no clue about their neighbor to the North unless they live along the border.
Fortunately, since Canada has hosted this Winter Olympics, American news crews have been crawling all over the place to find out "just who are these people called the Canadians?" Well, it's about time, guys! This news segment was a wonderful tribute to the military who have served with our military. What is also notable is the public who acknowledge and respect their sacrifices. Take a look:
Canada's strong sense of military duty and sacrifice:
Last Canadian World War I Veteran, John Babcock, Dies:
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
Many Americans are unaware of how much Canada has worked shoulder to shoulder with us over the decades. American media also has done a lousy job of covering consistent news about Canada - so much so that Americans have no clue about their neighbor to the North unless they live along the border.
Fortunately, since Canada has hosted this Winter Olympics, American news crews have been crawling all over the place to find out "just who are these people called the Canadians?" Well, it's about time, guys! This news segment was a wonderful tribute to the military who have served with our military. What is also notable is the public who acknowledge and respect their sacrifices. Take a look:
Canada's strong sense of military duty and sacrifice:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Last Canadian World War I Veteran, John Babcock, Dies:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
President Obama: Executive Order 13532, Promoting Excellence, Innovation, and Sustainability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 26, 2010
Executive Order 13532 -- Promoting Excellence, Innovation, and Sustainability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to advance the development of the Nation's full human potential and to advance equal opportunity in higher education, strengthen the capacity of historically black colleges and universities to provide the highest quality education, increase opportunities for these institutions to participate in and benefit from Federal programs, and ensure that our Nation has the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by the year 2020, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have made historic and ongoing contributions to the general welfare and prosperity of our country. Established by visionary leaders, America's HBCUs, for over 150 years, have produced many of the Nation's leaders in business, government, academia, and the military and have provided generations of American men and women with hope and educational opportunity. The Nation's 105 HBCUs are located in 20 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and serve more than 300,000 undergraduate and graduate students. These institutions continue to be important engines of economic growth and community service, and they are proven ladders of intergenerational advancement for men and women of all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds, especially African Americans. These institutions also produce a high number of baccalaureate recipients who go on to assume leadership and service roles in their communities and who successfully complete graduate and professional degree programs.
Sec. 2. White House Initiative on HBCUs.
(a) Establishment. There is established the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative), to be housed in the Department of Education (Department).
(b) Mission and Functions. The Initiative shall work with executive departments, agencies, and offices, the private sector, educational associations, philanthropic organizations, and other partners to increase the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest-quality education to a greater number of students, and to take advantage of these institutions' capabilities in serving the Nation's needs through five core tasks:
(i) strengthening the capacity of HBCUs to participate in Federal programs;
(ii) fostering enduring private-sector initiatives and public-private partnerships while promoting specific areas and centers of academic research and programmatic excellence throughout all HBCUs;
(iii) improving the availability, dissemination, and quality of information concerning HBCUs to inform public policy and practice;
(iv) sharing administrative and programmatic practices within the HBCU community for the benefit of all; and
(v) exploring new ways of improving the relationship between the Federal Government and HBCUs.
(c) Administration. There shall be an Executive Director of the Initiative. The Department shall provide the staff, resources, and assistance for the Initiative, and shall assist the Initiative in fulfilling its mission and responsibilities under this order.
(d) Federal Agency Plans. (1) Each executive department and agency designated by the Secretary of Education (Secretary) shall prepare an annual plan (agency plan) of its efforts to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs through increased participation in appropriate Federal programs and initiatives. Where appropriate, each agency plan shall address, among other things, the agency's proposed efforts to:
(i) establish how the department or agency intends to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements and to encourage HBCUs to participate in Federal programs;
(ii) identify Federal programs and initiatives in which HBCUs may be either underserved or underused as national resources, and improve HBCUs' participation therein; and
(iii) encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement in improving the overall capacity of HBCUs.
(2) Each department and agency, in its agency plan, shall provide appropriate measurable objectives and, after the first year, shall annually assess that department's or agency's performance on the goals set in the previous year's agency plan.
(3) The Secretary shall establish a date by which agency plans shall be submitted to the Secretary. The Secretary and the Executive Director shall review the agency plans in consultation with the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs, established in section 3 of this order, and shall submit to the President an annual plan to strengthen the overall capacity of HBCUs.
(4) To help fulfill the objectives of these plans, the head of each department and agency identified by the Secretary shall provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director for purposes of communicating with HBCUs concerning program activities of the department or agency and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements.
(5) To help fulfill the goals of this order, each executive department and agency identified by the Secretary shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the department or agency head with respect to that department's or agency's activities under this order, and to serve as liaison to the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs and to the Initiative.
(e) Interagency Working Group. There is established the Interagency Working Group, which shall be convened by the Executive Director and that shall consist of representatives from agencies designated by the Secretary, to help advance and coordinate the work of Federal agencies pursuant to this order, where appropriate.
Sec. 3. President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs.
(a) Establishment. There is established in the Department the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (the Board). The Board shall consist of not more than 25 members appointed by the President. The President shall designate one member of the Board to serve as Chair, who shall coordinate with the Executive Director to convene meetings and help direct the work of the Board. The Board shall include representatives of a variety of sectors, including philanthropy, education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and private foundations, as well as sitting HBCU presidents.
(b) Mission and Functions. Through the Initiative, the Board shall advise the President and the Secretary on all matters pertaining to strengthening the educational capacity of HBCUs. In particular, the Board shall advise the President and the Secretary in the following areas:
(i) improving the identity, visibility, and distinctive capabilities and overall competitiveness of HBCUs;
(ii) engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives;
(iii) improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in reaching its goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020;
(iv) elevating the public awareness of HBCUs; and
(v) encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs.
(c) Administration. The Executive Director of the Initiative shall also serve as the Executive Director of the Board. The Department shall provide funding and administrative support for the Board to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law. Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), may apply to the Board, any functions of the President under that Act, except for those of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Secretary, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services.
(d) Report. As part of the annual report of the Initiative, the Board shall report to the President and the Secretary on their progress in carrying out its duties under this section.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) For the purposes of this order, "historically black colleges and universities" shall mean those institutions listed in 34 C.F.R. 602.8.
(b) This order shall apply to executive departments and agencies designated by the Secretary. Those departments and agencies shall provide timely reports and such information as is required to effectively carry out the objectives of this order.
(c) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall assist and provide information through the White House Initiative to the Board, consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Board. Each executive department and agency shall bear its own expenses of participating in the Initiative.
(d) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(e) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(f) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person
(g) Executive Order 13256 of February 12, 2002, is hereby revoked.
BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 26, 2010.
February 26, 2010.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Republicans Smash Health Care Summit, Snub Prez Obama
*** The high stakes reason the Republicans and insurance companies are fighting so hard to obliterate the health care public option plan - and any kind of reform.
From Denny: The President gave the Republicans their 7 1/2 hours of fame to pony up to the bar and deliver a realistic compromise on health care. With the whole world watching, Senator McCain grandstanded and acted like a fool, looking for votes in his re-election bid. Other Republicans offered no offers for real health care, caring only to continue to reassure their insurance company lobbyists the GOP is still on the job to help them keep their gargantuan profits and greed intact.
After watching an hour of this travesty, I decided one thing. It's time to impeach a lot of Senators. House Speaker Pelosi has done her job this year. She delivered 290 bills to the Senate for vote. How many have the Senate voted upon or passed? Zero. How obnoxious is that?
Today's summit was good for one thing: it finally drove home to the President to quit placating the GOP and start leading on this health care front. Today he acknowledged it is evident there is no compromise possible between the political parties.
The dastardly Republicans continue to push the notion of starting all over again on this reform, knowing full well it will sink the effort. It could take years to come to a vote, if ever. These puppets of the lobbyists just reek in their corruption.
After hosting this marathon TV special debate, Obama has come to the conclusion that he must do what is best for the American people. To accomplish that he knows his way is clear: use the controversial Senate budget rules - that would not allow the Republicans to use filibusters - in order to pass the health care reform.
The President and the Democrats need to quit believing the polls, claiming by a slim margin the country is against the Democrats pushing this bill through on their own without the Republicans. Duh. Most polls these days are paid for by lobbyists with an agenda just like so-called drug studies paid for by drug companies making the exaggerated claims they do. Trust me; create real health care reform and the country will settle down to the business of choosing their best plans and move on to something else.
The only way to get this contentiousness out of the house is to take the vote off the table with a decision to move ahead without the folks who are cavalier toward the health of others. Oh, and while you are at it, Mr. President, sign a Presidential directive and take away the great government "public option" health care plans "The Party of No" politicians use every day to their benefit. If that health care plan isn't good enough for the public then they don't need it either. We taxpayers no longer wish to pay for their health care. They can pay for their own damn health care plan just like the rest of us.
Here's the real rub with the insurance companies: If a public option plan is available to Americans, then it would force them to lower their profits. Already, insurance companies are wildly increasing premiums by as much as 40% to their customers. They have repeatedly increased premiums with no one to stop them or slow the pace. At some point people can no longer afford the premiums and that time is here.
The biggest reason lobbyists and the Republicans are fighting this reform effort is one reason: If America goes to a single payer system like in Canada, then insurance companies are abolished. Yes, no more insurance companies! Wouldn't that be a dream. The Republicans are fearful they would lose their best campaign contributors and lose political seats in Congress with no one to finance them. So, you see, it all comes down to money: insurance companies and their greedy profits would be a thing of the past and the Republicans would have to compete just like the Democratic candidates, with a lot less money in the coffers.
Canada's single payer health system works well for 34 million people. Could the same model also work for 300 million Americans, providing a far larger pool of healthy people to spread the risk?
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email!
From Denny: The President gave the Republicans their 7 1/2 hours of fame to pony up to the bar and deliver a realistic compromise on health care. With the whole world watching, Senator McCain grandstanded and acted like a fool, looking for votes in his re-election bid. Other Republicans offered no offers for real health care, caring only to continue to reassure their insurance company lobbyists the GOP is still on the job to help them keep their gargantuan profits and greed intact.
After watching an hour of this travesty, I decided one thing. It's time to impeach a lot of Senators. House Speaker Pelosi has done her job this year. She delivered 290 bills to the Senate for vote. How many have the Senate voted upon or passed? Zero. How obnoxious is that?
Today's summit was good for one thing: it finally drove home to the President to quit placating the GOP and start leading on this health care front. Today he acknowledged it is evident there is no compromise possible between the political parties.
The dastardly Republicans continue to push the notion of starting all over again on this reform, knowing full well it will sink the effort. It could take years to come to a vote, if ever. These puppets of the lobbyists just reek in their corruption.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
After hosting this marathon TV special debate, Obama has come to the conclusion that he must do what is best for the American people. To accomplish that he knows his way is clear: use the controversial Senate budget rules - that would not allow the Republicans to use filibusters - in order to pass the health care reform.
The President and the Democrats need to quit believing the polls, claiming by a slim margin the country is against the Democrats pushing this bill through on their own without the Republicans. Duh. Most polls these days are paid for by lobbyists with an agenda just like so-called drug studies paid for by drug companies making the exaggerated claims they do. Trust me; create real health care reform and the country will settle down to the business of choosing their best plans and move on to something else.
The only way to get this contentiousness out of the house is to take the vote off the table with a decision to move ahead without the folks who are cavalier toward the health of others. Oh, and while you are at it, Mr. President, sign a Presidential directive and take away the great government "public option" health care plans "The Party of No" politicians use every day to their benefit. If that health care plan isn't good enough for the public then they don't need it either. We taxpayers no longer wish to pay for their health care. They can pay for their own damn health care plan just like the rest of us.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Here's the real rub with the insurance companies: If a public option plan is available to Americans, then it would force them to lower their profits. Already, insurance companies are wildly increasing premiums by as much as 40% to their customers. They have repeatedly increased premiums with no one to stop them or slow the pace. At some point people can no longer afford the premiums and that time is here.
The biggest reason lobbyists and the Republicans are fighting this reform effort is one reason: If America goes to a single payer system like in Canada, then insurance companies are abolished. Yes, no more insurance companies! Wouldn't that be a dream. The Republicans are fearful they would lose their best campaign contributors and lose political seats in Congress with no one to finance them. So, you see, it all comes down to money: insurance companies and their greedy profits would be a thing of the past and the Republicans would have to compete just like the Democratic candidates, with a lot less money in the coffers.
Canada's single payer health system works well for 34 million people. Could the same model also work for 300 million Americans, providing a far larger pool of healthy people to spread the risk?
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
*** THANKS for visiting, come back often, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers - and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email!
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