2010 September 24 - The Gaea News

LONDON - The king of Swaziland, who has 14 wives, has sacked his justice minister after the politician was caught red-handed having sex with one of the women in the southern African kingdom, media reports here said.

NEW YORK - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon Friday condemned “in no uncertain terms” remarks made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad alleging a US government role in the Sep 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

AP-GfK Poll: Both parties disliked, Democrats struggle to overcome election enthusiasm gap

Federal judge OKs 1st Calif execution since ‘06 after state revises lethal injection procedure

Queen sought funds aimed at Britain’s poorest to pay for heating at Buckingham Palace

Former DOJ official says department won’t prosecute minorities for voting rights violations

IED beams Added to U.S. Joint Forces ‘will change the face of this war’

Website to rally Sarah Palin supporters behind candidates she is endorsing goes online

JUNEAU, Alaska — A website has gone up that is dedicated to rallying voters behind candidates Sarah Palin has endorsed.

New Nevada poll has Democrat Reid, Republican Angle tied at 43 percent in US Senate race

Federal judge in Washington state orders lesbian flight nurse reinstated to Air Force

Readout of the Ministerial Meeting on Sudan by NSC Chief of Staff Denis McDonough

MR. HAMMER: Good afternoon, everybody. Denis McDonough, our National Security Council Chief of Staff, just came from the Sudan meeting and we thought it’d be useful for him to give you a brief readout and take some of your questions specifically on that topic.

Senate winners in Delaware, Illinois, West Virginia will take office 2 months early

Bayh says fellow Democrat Ellsworth is right person to replace him in US Senate from Indiana

Clinton to see Abbas as US prods Israel, Palestinians on talks as settlement issue heats up

Sudanese diplomats scuffle at Iranian delegation hotel during UN General Assembly

Fact Sheet: U.S. Assistance to Kyrgyzstan

The United States responded immediately to the appeal of President Otunbayeva for assistance in the aftermath of the April 7 uprising. Just days after Bakiev’s ouster, Assistant Secretary of State Blake led an interagency team to Bishkek to offer immediate U.S. diplomatic and financial support for the new government. Following events in April the U.S. re-targeted a significant portion of its existing $53 million assistance budget for Kyrgyzstan to address new priorities; following the eruption of ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan in June the U.S. doubled its assistance, adding another $58 million. Assistance funds are addressing various needs in Kyrgyzstan, including the humanitarian help for victims of violence, community level economic support, aid to address food shortages, support for democratic processes and institutions, and programs to begin the process of reconciliation.

Presidential Proclamation–National Hunting and Fishing Day

As Americans, the bond we have with our land is traceable to our earliest ancestors and etched into the character of our Nation. From the rocky shoals of New England to the rugged mountains of the West, the natural beauty and great diversity of our open spaces draw millions to the outdoors every year for sport, play, and relaxation. On National Hunting and Fishing Day, we recognize the Americans who engage in these timeless pursuits, and we reaffirm our commitment to conserving our native lands, waters, and wildlife for generations to come.

Presidential Proclamation–National Public Lands Day

From majestic mountain ranges to beloved neighborhood parks, Americans enjoy the natural places our ancestors have celebrated and protected for centuries. Our public lands represent the American spirit and reflect our shared experience our history, our culture, and our deep love for wild and beautiful places. Every September, thousands of Americans volunteer their time and talents to protect our parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands. National Public Lands Day is an occasion to join together in honor of our Nation's unique natural treasures.

Read-out of President Obama’s Meeting with Kyrgyzstani President Roza Otunbayeva

President Obama met with Kyrgyzstani President Roza Otunbayeva in New York today to discuss ways to deepen our relations based on mutual interest and mutual respect. President Obama expressed his admiration for President Otunbayeva’s courageous efforts to rebuild democratic institutions in Kyrgyzstan over the last several months. Under Otunbayeva’s leadership the Kyrgyz government removed restrictions on independent media, drafted a new constitution, which was ratified by a referendum on June 27, 2010, and will hold elections for a new parliament next month. President Obama also praised President Otunbayeva’s actions to end the tragic violence that exploded in southern Kyrgyzstan last June. He urged the Kyrgyzstani president to take further steps to prevent renewed violence, including approving the deployment of a Police Advisory Group (PAG) – a 52-member team assembled and supported by the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) — and the commencement of a credible international commission of inquiry to investigate the causes of the tragic loss of life and property, which occurred last June. The two presidents also discussed our common security and development objectives in Afghanistan, and President Obama thanked President Otunbayeva for Kyrgyzstan’s contributions towards meeting these shared objectives.

Read-out of President Obama’s Call with German Chancellor Merkel

President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke today as a part of their ongoing consultations and close partnership. The Chancellor provided an update on her engagement in support of the President’s efforts to advance peace in the Middle East. The two leaders emphasized their support for the direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians and agreed that all sides should make every possible effort to sustain the talks. The President and the Chancellor agreed that Israel should extend its moratorium on settlement activity and that the negotiations should press on until completed, and they agreed to stay in close touch at this critical juncture of the process. They also discussed Afghanistan and agreed to consult further on these and other global issues on our shared agenda.

Presidential Proclamation–Gold Star Mother’s and Families’ Day

In a long line of heroes stretching from the greens of Lexington and Concord to the mountains of Afghanistan, selfless patriots have defended our lives and liberties with valor and honor. They have been ordinary Americans who loved their country so profoundly that they were willing to give their lives to keep it safe and free. As we pay tribute to the valiant men and women in uniform lost in battle, we also recognize the deep loss and great strength of those who share in that ultimate sacrifice: America's Gold Star Mothers and Families.

Joint Statement of the 2ND U.S.- ASEAN Leaders Meeting

1. We, the heads of State/Government of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United States (U.S.), held our Second ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Meeting on September 24 in New York. The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Nguyen Minh Triet, President of Viet Nam, in his capacity as Chairman of ASEAN, and H. E. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.

Read-out of President Obama’s Working Luncheon with ASEAN Leaders

Today President Obama met with the Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This was the first time such a meeting has been held in the United States, and follows the first ever such meeting last November in Singapore. The Leaders issued a Joint Statement reviewing the continued deepening of relations between the United States and ASEAN and the growing strategic importance of the region and our relationship. Going forward, the U.S. – ASEAN partnership will build upon the Administration’s initiatives to deepen engagement in the region:

Remarks by the President in a Ministerial Meeting on Sudan

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. Mr. Secretary General, on behalf of us all, thank you for convening this meeting to address the urgent situation in Sudan that demands the attention of the world.

Iranian leader says Tehran would consider halting enrichment if it gets nuclear fuel

NEW YORK — Iran would consider ending uranium enrichment, the most crucial part of its controversial nuclear activities, if it world powers send Tehran nuclear fuel for a medical research reactor, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told reporters Friday.

US plans to strengthen relations with breakaway Somali republics to fight radical Islamists

McCourt lawyers begin negotiations in divorce case that could determine Dodger ownership

UN chief hits radicals for fostering tension between West and Islamic world

Yemeni official says army has driven al-Qaida militants out of besieged town in south province

Read-out of President Obama’s meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev

President Obama met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in New York today to discuss issues of shared interest and ways to further strengthen relations between our two nations.

Amid tight polls, Dems hope to pull off Texas shocker, reclaim gov.’s office after 16 years

Readout of President Obama’s Meeting with President Santos of Colombia

Earlier today, President Obama met with President Santos of Colombia on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Building upon the strong, historic partnership between the United States and Colombia, the Presidents engaged in a wide-ranging discussion regarding bilateral, regional, and global issues.

Facebook CEO on giving $100M to Newark, NJ, schools: ‘Every child deserves a good education’

Arab League chief: No peace talks if Israel continues building settlements

Israelis, Palestinians search for way to resolve settlement crisis, salvage Mideast talks

Remarks By President Obama and President Triet Of Vietnam at Opening Of U.S.-ASEAN Leaders Meeting

THE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon, everyone. To all the leaders who are here as well as the delegations, welcome. I want to thank my fellow leaders for being here and for making this the first U.S.-ASEAN leaders meeting to take place in the United States. This reflects ASEAN’s growing importance and the unprecedented cooperation between ASEAN and the United States.

Remarks by the First Lady at United Nations General Assembly Spousal Luncheon

12:51 P.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA: Well, good afternoon. I hope you all enjoyed the tours. It’s a beautiful, beautiful place.

I want to start by thanking a few people. Of course I want to thank Jill Isenbarger who is right over there. Jill, thank you so much for all your hard work. (Applause.) And also to the entire Stone Barns Center staff, everyone here who has helped make this morning, this day, a very special one. Let’s give them a hand. (Applause.)

And we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the Rockefeller family. This is their home, and they have put a lot of love and energy into making this center such a special one. And we want to thank them, as well. (Applause.)

And of course to Dan Barber and his brother, David. Dan is the executive chef here. Is that your title? Yeah, well, he’s the head cook guy. (Laughter and applause.) And I have to say that Dan — I met Dan before we came to the White House. And he actually cooked for my husband and I, and he didn’t know why he was being called to Chicago, but it was one of the best dinners, and after that I fell in love with Dan, I knew that we would want to partner with him if we had the opportunity. He is serving on the President’s Fitness and Nutrition Council, so he’s one of the major players in our efforts to encourage healthier living around the country. So I want to thank Dan for all you’re doing. We love you very much. You’re doing a great job. (Applause.)

And those cute little precious people that were out there, the third graders, they are terrific. They come from Pocantico Hill School here in the area and JFK Magnet School. And I know that this facility is known for its educational component. Having those kids out there wasn’t anything new. They really rely on young people to keep this facility up, to learn and grow from it, and you can see, by the excitement on their faces, that it’s working. So we want to thank all those students for just being so eager. And they also helped to prepare the lunch, so they’re our chefs, as well.

And last but not least, I want to thank and introduce you to some of our — the most important people in the President and my family’s life, are the people who feed us. We have today with us Cris Comerford, who’s our executive chef at the White House, Bill Yosses, who’s our executive pastry chef, and Sam Kass, who’s a chef, as well, but he also wears a policy hat, and he has been working on the “Let’s Move” initiative. So let’s give them a round of applause. They flew here to help cook, as well. (Applause.)   We love them, we’re very proud of the work that they’re doing.

These chefs are among the thousands that are volunteering to work in schools to try to help schools do a better job of figuring out how to make their school lunch meals a little tastier and healthier. And our chefs have adopted a school, and they’re leading the way, and it’s going to be very exciting to see the work that they do. Thank you all so much.

This all started — why we’re here — many of you probably know me as a gardener because when I first came into the White House, we developed the White House kitchen garden, which was probably one of the first since Eleanor Roosevelt. And we didn’t know whether we could even grow anything on that plot of land.

But we began to grow some wonderful things, and we worked closely with students in the Washington, D.C. area. They helped us every step of the way. They helped us till the soil. They helped us plant. They helped us harvest. They helped us eat. And what we learned from the mere planting of that garden was that we could use this simple tool to engage children in a conversation about their own health and nutrition. And that experience led us to develop one of the strongest initiatives that I have, one that I’m very proud of. It’s called “Let’s Move.”

“Let’s Move” is a national-wide campaign — a nationwide campaign — to focus our country on the epidemic of childhood obesity. Our goal is to ensure that children born today grow up at a healthy weight, understanding how to eat and live in a healthy way. And we’re working with kids because oftentimes it’s easier for them to develop new habits than it is for us to try to change old habits as they get older.

And with this initiative, we’re trying to do a number of things. We’re trying to provide parents with better information. We want to get family physicians involved in really screening and checking children for obesity, and helping them very early on figuring out ways to prevent it and deal with it. We’re trying to improve access in communities. Many communities in this country don't have sufficient access to fresh produce and healthy living. That's why Stone Barns is so important, because many of these kids may never learn that ketchup comes from a tomato, or that French fries actually come from a potato, because they’re very disconnected from the food that they eat. So we’re trying to improve that.

We’re also trying to — there’s a physical education component to this, and we’re working to ensure that our kids are more active. We have become a very sedentary society in so many ways, with computers and the Internet, and sometimes it’s not safe for kids to play in their own communities, so we have to find ways for our kids to actually move.

But one of the more important components is the school education piece. Children are getting a lot of their calories in school and they’re getting most of their information about how to eat from their schools.

And again this is why Stone Barns Center is so important. It is an example of what can be done with local businesses, local farms, and neighborhood schools, of the kind of energy that comes from children having a hands-on experience on the farm. And when they grow it and they touch it and they taste it, they believe in it more than anything that we could tell them.

And I’ve seen this in my own child. I told the story to Dan. Sasha — now, we have wonderful tomatoes grown on the White House Garden. Sasha doesn’t like tomatoes — or so she says — not until she took a cooking class at her school and made a tomato-pesto-basil-mozzarella sandwich.

So she comes home and she says, Mom, have you ever heard of these “hair” potatoes — tomatoes? And I was like, what are you — are you talking about heirloom tomatoes? She says, yeah, that's it. She said, now those are good tomatoes. (Laughter.) I was like, you eat those everyday. No, these were different, Mom. These were different. (Laughter.)

And the point is, is that, yeah, it was different for her because it was her discovery. It wasn’t something that her mother was telling her to do. She had discovered it. She made the sandwich. She made the pesto. And it was good. And now she’s a fan of tomatoes. We can do that with our children.

So I want to thank you all not just for coming, but I know many of you here are focused on this issue in your own countries, and that's the thing that it’s important for the media to understand. Childhood obesity is not just an American challenge. As I talk to these spouses, I’m understanding that we’re seeing — many of you are seeing these same issues in your own countries. And you’re working very hard on nutrition and education. And my hope is that we can continue to partner and have conversations so that this local campaign becomes a national conversation in so many ways.

So I thank you all for your leadership on this issue. Thank you all for taking the time to spend this afternoon focused on an issue that is near and dear to me. I am always grateful for your friendship and your kindness. It makes these gatherings even more special, to be able to share these ideas and to share in fellowship and toast and all that good stuff.

So thank you all. And it is my pleasure now to introduce you to Dan Barber who will tell you more about the programs here. And then we get to eat.

So thank you so much. And Dan, you have the floor. (Applause.)

END
1:00 P.M. EDT

Commonwealth Games head sees improved in conditions in New Delhi but calls for continued work

Remarks by President Obama and President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón of Colombia Before Bilateral Meeting

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I want to welcome President Santos here. This is the first time that we’ve met face to face, although we had a wonderful conversation on the phone.

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