Here is a press release from the White House that I received today about our presence in Iraq.  What are your thoughts about President Obama's strategic plan for the region?


______________________________________________________________________

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2009

Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq

"The United States will pursue a new strategy to end the war in Iraq through a transition to full Iraqi responsibility...As we carry out this
drawdown, my highest priority will be the safety and security of our troops and civilians in Iraq. So we will proceed carefully, and I will
consult closely with my military commanders on the ground and with the Iraqi government. There will surely be difficult periods and tactical
adjustments. But our enemies should be left with no doubt: This plan gives our military the forces and flexibility they need to support our
Iraqi partners, and to succeed."

--President Barack Obama

February 27, 2009 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

On his first day in office, President Obama ordered a comprehensive review of United States Iraq policy by military commanders on the
ground, the Joint Chiefs, Secretary Gates, and his national security team. That review led to the President's February 27, 2009 announcement
at Camp Lejeune of a plan to responsibly end the war in Iraq. The three-part strategy he announced will make our country more secure by
transitioning to Iraqi responsibility and by allowing the United States to focus on a broader set of national priorities. The Administration
will pursue broad support for this plan and other major national security priorities by consulting closely with the Congress, on a
bi-partisan basis, and by working closely with friends and allies.


Responsible Removal of Combat Brigades

Based on the recommendations of his military commanders and national security team, the President has chosen a timeline that will remove all
U.S. combat brigades from Iraq over the next 18 months. By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end and Iraqi Security Forces will
have full responsibility for major combat missions.

After August 31, 2010, the mission of United States forces in Iraq will fundamentally change. Our forces will have three tasks: train, equip,
and advise the Iraqi Security Forces; conduct targeted counterterrorism operations; and provide force protection for military and civilian
personnel.

The President intends to keep our commitment under the Status of Forces Agreement to remove all of our troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.

Sustained Diplomacy

Iraq's future is now its own responsibility and the long-term success of the Iraqi nation will depend upon decisions made by the Iraqi people. A
strong political, diplomatic, and civilian effort on our part can advance progress and help lay a foundation for lasting peace and
security. A new American Ambassador will be supported by the courageous and capable work of American civilian personnel, diplomats and aid
workers.

We will work to support Iraqi national elections in 2010, help improve local government, serve as an honest broker for Iraqi leaders as they
resolve difficult political issues, increase support for the resettlement of Iraqi refugees, and help strengthen Iraqi institutions
and their capacity to protect rule of law, confront corruption, and deliver services.

Comprehensive Engagement Across the Region

The future of Iraq is inseparable from the future of the broader Middle East. It is time for Iraq to be a full partner in a regional dialogue
and for Iraq's neighbors to establish productive and normalized relations with Iraq. Going forward, the United States will pursue
principled and sustained engagement with all nations in the region, including Iran and Syria. We have already begun to renew our diplomacy
in the region, to refocus on: eliminating al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan; preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon; and actively
seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Arab world.

Finally, the President made a commitment to give our men and women in uniform the resources and clear direction they deserve and to build our
civilian national security capacity so that we can use all elements of American power to achieve our objectives in the world.


##

After eight years of mismanagement, misinformation and poor communication about the state of American crisis, a new chapter in American History began last night. 

During his address to Congress and the American people, President Obama clearly articulated a call for economic recovery and responsibility for America, and he did it in a tone that resonated with the American people.  Last night, our President demonstrated that he is in tune with the needs of his countrymen.  He began with a critical acknowledgment of the depth of our crisis by recognizing how every day Americans are being impacted by the recession.  Once he established his understanding of the crisis, and the freeze in the credit markets, he explained how we will inch towards job retention and job creation by investing in ENERGY, HEALTHCARE and EDUCATION. 

In the face of this incredible economic downturn, President Obama could have acted as President Herbert Hoover did after the stock market crash in 1929 - doing too little, too late.  Initially, Herbert Hoover underestimated the financial crisis and did not take immediate action.  He did not act decisively, nor did he provide timely communication to the American people about the impact of the financial downturn.  As the crisis deepened and the unemployment rate ballooned out of control, leaving Americans homeless and hungry, Hoover appeared aloof and out of touch with the needs of his constituents.  Then, by the time Americans were living in shantytowns with Hoover's namesake ("Hoovervilles"), Hoover initiated some federal spend and volunteer projects that were poorly timed and of inadequate scale to make an impact.   President Hoover failed to act quickly and to connect with American people to discuss the humanity of the crisis. 

Conversely, President Obama has taken swift and bold action by signing The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, and communicating frankly with the country about the hardship that they are enduring.  He recognized that inaction would have meant greater loss and collateral damage for our economy.  With the stimulus in place, the President is now positioned to deliver on many of his campaign pledges; 1) tax cuts for 95% of Americans as of April 1st, 2) $2,500 tax cuts a year for college students - for all four years of college, 3) Invest heavily in the Green Energy Economy to create jobs and minimize our reliance on foreign oil, and 4) Raise military pay and veterans benefits.  The act will also provide services that are imperative to surviving this economy; extended unemployment insurance, and he has created a fund to provide loans to students and small businesses. 

President Obama is also proactively managing the difficult task of transparency around the allocation of federal funds through the historic Recovery Act legislation.  He has; 1) Appointed VP Biden to personally oversee the management of the Recovery Act expenditures, 2) warned governors and mayors that they will be held accountable, 3) primed the Inspector General to watch the process like a hawk, and 4) launched Recovery.org.

If President Obama ended his address there, it would have been sufficient to exceed my expectations, but in true Obama style - he did more.  Most impressive was the President's call to Congress and the American people to step up their efforts, and to take responsibility for their actions.  President Obama asked Congress to send him legislation to; 1) tackle carbon emissions through a cap and trade system, 2) begin the difficult work of comprehensive healthcare reform and 3) to pass the Hatch-Kennedy Act that will expand national service programs like Americorp that empower Americans to volunteer for their country and receive a stipend, or offset college tuition. (After high school, I participated in the Americorp program and benefited greatly from the civic education and the college assistance it afforded me).  

It was also incredible to hear President Obama raise the bar for accountability for all Americans, including himself.  He has publicly committed (at least twice) to reduce the national deficit by half by the end of his first term!  He also pledged to terminate wasteful, no-bid federal contracts, and end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.  Most poignant, was his challenge to parents - to parent their children (turn-off the t.v., turn-off the video games, and encourage your kids to study), and to students - every high school graduate should pursue post-secondary education. 

Please do your part to support the noble and ambitious efforts of our president.  If you are a parent, stay connected with your children and push them to work hard.  If you are a student, commit to higher-education after high school and take advantage of opportunities to volunteer in your community.  And to all Americans, monitor the actions of your Congressmen to ensure an unswerving commitment to President Obama's plan for America.

Have you achieved your full potential?

I think we all ask that question of ourselves at different points in our lives.  It is not uncommon for us to look back on our personal histories, our achievements and mistakes while wondering if we are en route to fulfill our divine purpose.  Each and every one of us wants to achieve our full potential - to do something meaningful and good in life.  Many of us are also fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family members who have helped us along life's path and share great aspirations for us.    

I think that our country is no different.  I believe that many Americans contemplate the history of our nation and ponder whether it will achieve its full potential.  When the founding fathers of our country convened to draft the constitution, they had high hopes for our nation.  They took incredible pains to study natural rights philosophy, Greek and Roman history, religion and the rule of law - all in an effort to craft a just society that would be a moral beacon to the world.  Thomas Jefferson and others hoped that under the guidance of our constitution, our nation would "Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity..."  I wonder what the founders would think about how their child, our young nation, has fared in defending its values and ideals? 

Since the founders of our country laid the ambitious corner-stone for our society, there have been many moments in our nation's young history when we have strayed from greatness, like a troubled teenager rebelling against authority.  Our government's authorization of Japanese-American Internment Camps, the era of McCarthyism, the Bay of Pigs, the Tuskegee Experiment and the Vietnam War are just a few examples of periods when our country fell short of its potential.  These were times in history where a lapse of judgment by our government (often by Congress and the Commander and Chief) led to the moral decline of our society.  In each case, raw emotion and ideological extremes eclipsed rationality and led to the injury of America's reputation in the world, and an assault on American ideals.

The last eight years have witnessed similar challenges in American history that may have kept the founders up at night as our nation grappled with its moral bearings; Abu Ghraib prison, "enhanced interrogation techniques" (also known as torture), declining international opinion, erosion of public trust, no bid war contracts that have cost Americans billions in tax payer money, a failed response to Hurricane Katrina and other infractions too numerous to mention.  Like most parents, I suspect our founders were deeply troubled by the errant behavior of their offspring.  They probably would have called America to the carpet or taken him to the wood shed, reminding him of his potential in life, and his responsibility to his citizens - and the world.

Tonight, as I listened to President Obama address both houses of Congress, I felt strongly that the nation had returned to a righteous path, towards its full potential.  If the founders had been in the gallery, sitting next to Michelle Obama, staring down into the well of the House, listening intently to our 44th President, they would have felt that their efforts to seed a great nation were not in vain.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog entry called Best Practices: Transparency in Government.

I linked my blog to a CNN Clip that profiled two freshman legislators from both sides of the aisle.  CNN has posted the second and third chapters of their profile about Freshmen on the Hill.  Click here to check out the new clips featuring Rep. Jared Polis (D), from Colorado's 2nd Congressional District and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) of Utah.  

These clips provide an interesting peek into the world of our Congressmen, and give insight about the challenges and privileges of their position.

Today, President Obama signed the $787 billion Economic Stimulus Bill (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) into law at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, just blocks from my house.  As the ink dries, the work begins to rebuild our nation.

Most people will remember where they were when Barack Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States,  but I believe we should also take note of where we were today when the landmark legislation was penned that will define Obama's Presidency and impact Americans for generations.

I wish I could say that I was there in the museum, looking through the large museum windows that open to Denver's City Park, the downtown Denver skyline and our purple-mountain majesty, as President Obama lifted his pen to ink history.  The deft movement of his pen did not just trace his signature, he inked the lines of bridges and roads that will be built across the country, he drew the lines of school repairs and solar panels, of wind farms and of a brighter future for the country. 

Over the last couple of weeks, I have received several calls and emails from friends who have recently lost their jobs.  They contact me in the hopes that I might know of some job opening that will get them back on their feet, or help them to take care of their families.  I always feel helpless and unable to respond to their needs.  While the Recovery Act is not a instant fix, I am comforted by the fact that many Americans will find their way back to work because our government has taken action.  I have no illusions that it will take time for us to emerge from this crisis, but today President Obama did his part to help us right our path. 

I regularly receive press releases from the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

While the frequency prevents me from posting them all to my blog, I try to relay big announcements that catch my attention.  Here are President Obama's extended remarks that he made at the House Democratic Caucus meeting this week:
____________________________________

For Immediate Release February 5, 2009

Remarks of President Barack Obama - AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY
House Democratic Caucus
Williamsburg, Virginia
February 5, 2009

It's great to be here with so many friends. I'm glad to see the House Democratic Caucus is getting by just fine without my Chief of Staff. I
want to thank John Larson for inviting me here tonight. This is John's first conference as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, so we're both new at this.

I want to acknowledge the great Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who has proven to be an extraordinary leader for the American people. I want to thank Nancy, Steny Hoyer, Jim Clyburn and the entire caucus for your hard work in passing an economic recovery plan that is so desperately needed for our country. You acted with a discipline that matches the urgency and gravity of the crisis we face. Because you know what's at stake. Every weekend you go home to your districts and you see factories that are closing and small businesses shutting their doors. You hear from families losing their homes; students that can't pay tuition; seniors who worry about whether they can retire with dignity, or see their kids and grandkids lead the better life that must be America's promise.

So you went to work, and you did your job. For that, you have my appreciation and admiration. As we meet here tonight, we know there is
more work to be done. The Senate is still acting. And after it has its final vote, we will still need to resolve differences between the House
and Senate bills. I urge you to complete that work without delay.  Look, I value the constructive criticism and healthy debate that is a foundation of American democracy. I don't think any of us have cornered the market on wisdom, or that good ideas are the province of any party. The American people know that our challenges are great. They're not expecting Democratic solutions or Republican solutions - they want American solutions. And I have said that to those who have criticized the plan.

But what I have also said is - don't come to table with the same tired arguments and worn ideas that helped create this crisis.
We're not going to get relief by turning back to the very same policies that in eight short years doubled the national debt and threw our
economy into a tailspin. We can't embrace the losing formula that offers more tax cuts as the only answer to every problem we face, while
ignoring critical challenges like our addiction to foreign oil, the soaring cost of health care, failing schools and crumbling bridges,
roads and levees. I don't care whether you're driving a hybrid or an SUV - if you're headed for a cliff, you have to change direction.

The American people are watching. They did not send us here to get bogged down with the same old delay and distractions. They did not vote for the false theories of the past. They did not vote for the status quo - they sent us here to bring change, and we owe it to them to act. This is the moment for leadership that matches the great test of our time.

If we do not move swiftly to sign the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, an economy that is in crisis will be faced with
catastrophe. Millions more Americans will lose their jobs. Home will be lost. Families will go without health care. Our crippling dependence on foreign oil will continue. That is the price of inaction.

This isn't some abstract debate. Last week, we learned that many of America's largest corporations are planning to layoff tens off tens of
thousands of workers. Today, we learned that last week, the number of new unemployment claims jumped to 626,000. And tomorrow, we're expecting another dismal jobs report on top of the 2.6 million jobs we lost last year.

For you, those aren't statistics. They are constituents you know and families that you care about. Now, I believe that legislation of such
magnitude deserves the scrutiny that it's received, and you will get another chance to vote for this bill in the days to come. But I urge all
of us to not make the perfect the enemy of the absolutely necessary. The scale and scope of this plan is right.

So just as past generations of Americans have done in trying times, we can and must turn this moment of challenge into one of opportunity. The plan that you've passed has at its core a simple idea: let's put Americans to work doing the work that America needs done.  This plan will save or create over three million jobs - almost all of them in the private sector.  This plan will put people to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges; our dangerously deficient dams and levees.

This plan will put people to work modernizing our health care system, not only saving us billions of dollars, but countless lives.
This plan will put people to work renovating more than 10,000 schools, giving millions of children the chance to learn in 21st century
classrooms, libraries, and labs - and to all the scientists in the room today, you know what that means for America's future.
This plan will provide sensible tax relief for the struggling middle-class, unemployment insurance and continued health care coverage
for those who've lost their jobs, and it will help prevent our states and local communities from laying off firefighters, teachers, and
police.

Finally, this plan will begin to end the tyranny of oil in our time. It doubles our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy like
wind, solar, and biofuels in three years. It saves taxpayers billions of dollars by making federal buildings more energy efficient, and it
saves the average working family hundreds on their energy bills. After decades of empty rhetoric, that is the down payment that we need on energy independence.  You know, there's a lot about running for President that is difficult - I don't miss sleeping in a different bed every night, or not seeing my kids as much as I'd like. But the best thing about being a candidate is that you get to see the country, and you get to know the character of the American people.

Over the last two years, I visited almost all fifty states. I've been in so many of your districts. I've passed through towns and cities, farms
and factories. I know that people are hurting. I've heard their stories, and I've sensed their deep frustration. But I also know that these
struggles have not diminished the strength and decency of the American people.

We hold within our hands the capacity to do great things on their behalf. It starts with this economic recovery plan. And soon, we will
take on big issues like addressing the foreclosure issue, passing a budget, tackling our fiscal problems, fixing financial regulation and
securing our country. We must not approach these challenges as Democrats - we must overcome them as Americans. That is why we must work in a serious, substantive, and civil way to build bipartisan support for action.

I promise you that my door is open, and my Administration will consult closely with you - the peoples' representatives - as we take on pressing priorities like energy and health care; education and infrastructure.

Already, you have made a difference. I'm pleased that in my very first days in office, I signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to make sure that all of our daughters have the same opportunity as our sons. I signed the Children's Health Insurance Program to provide coverage to 11 million children, and to make a down payment on comprehensive health care reform. I know it wasn't easy - it was a long time coming, and I appreciate your hard work over several years on behalf of America's children.

Tonight, I am confident that if we continue to work together, we can fulfill the promise of health care that is affordable for all Americans.
We can create that new energy economy. We can provide a world-class education for our kids. We can unleash the talent, and innovation of the American people to compete in the 21st century. We can do all of that.  Now, we have a choice to make. Future generations will look back, and they will ask what we did when we confronted this crisis. What will they say?  Will they say that - once again - we failed to make the tough choices that lead to progress? Or will they say that this was the time that we came together, that we found our stake in one another as Americans, and that we voted for bold and aggressive action?

Together, we hold in our hands enormous responsibility. We also have an enormous opportunity. We can write that next great chapter in American history. If we stay focused on the big picture; if we never forget the people who we are fighting for; if we represent the strength and dignity of the American people, then I know we can answer's history's call and renew America's promise.

Thank you.
_______________
Remarks of President Barack Obama

I believe that the inner-workings of government are cryptic and confusing for most Americans . 

Attempting to decipher the complexities of our three branches is often difficult.  Most people have to work for a living, raise their children, and juggle the challenges of their daily lives.  I think that many Americans are hard pressed to find the time to monitor and trace the dealings of our government.  Tracking our legislative process, executive orders and judicial decisions is further limited by the narrow stream of media  that filters, simplifies and reports government highlights.   As a result, most of us only have the time and resources to maintain a minimal awareness of how we are being represented by our elected officials.  Our greatest hope is that we have elected responsible trustees of our policy to make informed decisions on our behalf while we lead our lives.

I salute efforts to bring more transparency to our government.  The internet has become a great equalizer to inform citizens.  Blogs, podcasts, and other e-tools are providing more resources to stay abreast of critical issues.  These solutions offer convenient access to the activities in our public trust, while easing the burden on law makers and elected officials to communicate their actions - and needs.  Don't forget that just as our elected officials have a responsibility to survey our needs and act for the "greater good," we have a responsibility to help our elected officials govern by monitoring their needs and decisions and providing feedback and support. 

I have highlighted a few best practices below.  President Obama has set an expectation for transparency in government.  Beyond the traditional weekly radio address, he has leveraged the technology platform that he created during his campaign to share pertinent information about his priorities.  Check out his weekly podcast at WhiteHouse.Gov.  Our President and his administration are bringing communications in to the 21st century.  Bookmark this site, put it in your favorites - and do your part to support your President by staying informed.

Next, I have gained great respect for U.S. Representative Jared Polis, a freshman legislator for Colorado's 2nd Congressional District.  He appears to be leveraging a number of outlets to share his efforts with his constituents, and to orient Americans about the process of government.   He is making an effort to peel back the layers that shroud the process of government, and make it less intimidating and accessible for every day people.  I saw Rep. Polis at Thornton High School this week, as he came in to speak with high school students in his congressional district about his "new job."  One of his staffers was following him around with a small web cam so they could post the day on his website.  While I haven't seen that footage yet, he has done a number of web and other interviews that reflect his efforts to nurture a culture of transparency:

Towleroad Interview

CNN Video

CNN Article

Here are a few more photos for your review.  Complete with the military escorts.  Great honor and tradition were displayed on this day.

 


 


 


 

 

 

 



 

Obama-mania was all over the city after the inauguration.

 

  






 

I have been invited to talk about my experience at the Inauguration on Progressive Talk Radio 760 AM this afternoon at 4 p.m. MST on the Dr. Daddi-o Show.  If you have time, please tune in and join the conversation.

760 AM Progressive Talk

I was thinking about posting more photos from my week in Washington, but few can top the amazing photos posted on the Boston Globe website.  Click the link below. 

As a first hand observer of the miracle that happened on January 20, 2009, I believe that these photos capture the spirit of the Inauguration of our 44th President.

A friend of mine also sent me a link to a high definition panoramic photo.