Bush Commutes Sentences Of Former Border Patrol Agents
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
The two individuals, Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos, are former border patrol agents who have spent two years in jail in connection with the shooting of a Mexican drug dealer.
The pair had been given sentences of more than ten years, but should now be released on March 20, 2009. They were sentenced in November 2008 and have been in jail about two years.
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Obama Paints Walls At Teen Homeless Shelter
(CBS)
"The upstairs temporary shelter is in need of a renovation," Presidential Inauguration Committee Communications Director Josh Earnest said in a statement. "Currently, it has the feel of an orphanage or hospital. The goal is to transform it into a space that encourages positive attitudes, social activity and awareness by installing curtains, energy-efficient light fixtures and desk assembly, and painting walls and lockers."
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Mr. Obama said during his service that "everybody's going to have to pitch in" during the economic crisis, as the Associated Press reports, adding that there can't be "idle hands" at a time like this.
Though the event inevitably had the feel of a photo-op, Mr. Obama tried to get some real work done. At one point, after painting a wall with a roller, Mr. Obama said, "I think I've got this wall covered."
UPDATE: The AP reports that Michelle Obama, her daughters, and Jill Biden helped assemble care packages for U.S. troops as part of today's day of service. They did the work at RFK Stadium in Washington.
Bush Bids Goodbye To World Leaders
(AP)
According to the White House, Mr. Bush spoke to Prime Minister Putin and President Medvedev of Russia; President Peres of Israel; Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy; Prime Minister Brown of the United Kingdom; Former President Fox of Mexico; President Lula da Silva of Brazil; Prime Minister Aso of Japan; President Lee of South Korea; President Saakashvili of Georgia; and Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark.
Spokesman Gordon Johndroe said that in all the calls the leaders thanked Mr. Bush for his work, cooperation, and friendship. He said the president thanked the leaders for their hospitality and said how much he enjoyed working with them.
Mr. Bush is planning to make more calls as the day goes on.
UPDATE: President Bush has now also spoken to President Sarkozy of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany.
Obama Pushes Service On MLK Day
(CBS)
"Today, we celebrate the life of a preacher who, more than forty-five years ago, stood on our national mall in the shadow of Lincoln and shared his dream for our nation," Mr. Obama said. "His was a vision that all Americans might share the freedom to make of our lives what we will; that our children might climb higher than we would."
"Dr. Martin Luther King's was a life lived in loving service to others," he continued. "As we honor that legacy, it's not a day just to pause and reflect - it's a day to act. Today, ordinary citizens will gather together all across the country to participate in the more than eleven thousand service projects they've created using USAservice.org. And I ask the American people to turn today's efforts into an ongoing commitment to enriching the lives of others in their communities, their cities, and their country."
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Gates To Be Designated Successor On Inauguration Day
(AP Photo/Scott Olson)
"In order to ensure continuity of government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been designated by the outgoing Administration, with the concurrence of the incoming Administration, to serve as the designated successor during Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20th," White House press Secretary Dana Perino said.
According to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, if the president is unable to fulfill his duties, the Vice President succeeds him, followed by the Speaker of the House, the President pro tempore of the Senate (traditionally the senior member of the majority party), The Secretary of the Treasury, and then the Secretary of Defense. (The succession order continues from there – You can see the full list here.)
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Poll: Positive Feelings For Michelle Obama
(AP)
Forty-six percent of those surveyed say they have a favorable opinion of Michelle Obama, while just seven percent say their opinion is not favorable. An additional 45 percent are undecided or do not have an opinion.
Compare that with first ladies past: Laura Bush had a 30 percent favorable rating when she entered the White House, while Hillary Clinton's favorable rating stood at 38 percent. Barbara Bush's favorable rating at the start of her husband's term was 34 percent, and Nancy Reagan's was 28 percent.
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Obama: "Our Road Will Be Long"
(CBS)
Looking out over the assembled crowd, which was packed from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial all the way to the Washington Monument, the president-elect suggested there is nonetheless reason to have hope.
"Never forget that the true character of our nation is revealed not during times of comfort and ease, but by the right we do when the moment is hard," he said. "I ask you to help me reveal that character once more, and together, we can carry forward as one nation, and one people, the legacy of our forefathers that we celebrate today."
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Biden: There Is Dignity In Work
(CBS)
"In my family, we were taught to live our faith and to treasure our family," Biden said. "We learned the dignity of work, and were told that anyone could make it if they were given a fair chance. That's how I came to believe, at the very core of my being, that work is more than a paycheck. It's about dignity. It's about respect. It's about whether you can look your child in the eye and say, 'honey, it's going to be all right.'"
In his brief remarks, Biden said that the country was "built by men and women who believe in the dignity of work." The "grace and grandure that surrounds us," Biden said from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, is the "work of American hands."
He said working men and women around the country are owed "the chance to go to work each day knowing they have the thanks of a grateful nation."
Biden's remarks were followed by a performance by John Mellencamp, who performed the song "Little Pink Houses."
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Lincoln Memorial Event Kicks Off
(CBS)
You can watch it live here.
Actor Denzel Washington first addressed the crowd, referencing the historic locale and moment. A huge crowd, packed tight around the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, cheered as he spoke.
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Obamas Attend Baptist Church
(AP Photo )
The Associated Press reports that the congregation "erupted in applause" when the Obama family walked into the church. The Obama clan, which included Barack, Michelle, Malia, Sasha, and Michelle Obama's mother Marian Robinson, sat in the second row.
The church is "is the oldest and among the most historic African American churches in the District of Columbia," according to Joshua DuBois, Mr. Obama's Director of Religious Affairs. It is known for homeless outreach and helping people with HIV/AIDS.
Summers Won't Say If Bush Tax Cuts Will Be Repealed
4732106On CBS' Face The Nation this morning, host Bob Bob Schieffer asked Lawrence Summers, the incoming director of the National Economic Council, whether the administration of President-elect Barack Obama will move to repeal so-called Bush tax cuts for wealthy Americans.
During his presidential campaign, Mr. Obama suggested that he would repeal the tax cuts soon after coming into office. Recently, however, his administration has signaled that it will simply let the cuts expire as scheduled at the end of 2010, citing the need not to increase taxes during a difficult economic time. The cuts benefit Americans making more than $250,000.
Summers declined to clarify how the administration will proceed.
"The Bush tax cuts, as you know Bob, are scheduled to expire in two years in any event, just by law," Summers said. "Just what the timing will be is something that's going to be worked out."
Pressed by Schieffer, Summers again said the question of repealing the tax cuts is "something that will get worked out in the legislative process."
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been "urging" Mr. Obama to repeal the cuts, reiterated her position on "Fox News Sunday" this morning.
"I don't want them to wait two years to expire because they have to prove their worth to me," she said, noting that Democrats campaigned on promises to repeal the cuts.
During his presidential campaign, Mr. Obama suggested that he would repeal the tax cuts soon after coming into office. Recently, however, his administration has signaled that it will simply let the cuts expire as scheduled at the end of 2010, citing the need not to increase taxes during a difficult economic time. The cuts benefit Americans making more than $250,000.
Summers declined to clarify how the administration will proceed.
"The Bush tax cuts, as you know Bob, are scheduled to expire in two years in any event, just by law," Summers said. "Just what the timing will be is something that's going to be worked out."
Pressed by Schieffer, Summers again said the question of repealing the tax cuts is "something that will get worked out in the legislative process."
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been "urging" Mr. Obama to repeal the cuts, reiterated her position on "Fox News Sunday" this morning.
"I don't want them to wait two years to expire because they have to prove their worth to me," she said, noting that Democrats campaigned on promises to repeal the cuts.
Summers: Stimulus Will Pass Within A Month
4732106Lawrence Summers, the incoming director of the National Economic Council under President-Elect Barack Obama, said this morning on CBS' Face The Nation that he expects the new administration's $825 billion stimulus package to pass "within a month."
"Some of the adjustments can take place almost immediately" after the plan passes, Summers told Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer. He predicted that people will "more income in their paychecks [and] state and local governments will get support so they can prevent layoffs of teachers, policemen, other essential personnel."
"And there are a ton of shovel-ready projects that are out there that are being cancelled right now that aren't going to have to be cancelled when this program passes," Summers added, in reference to planned infrastructure projects.
He also reiterated the Obama administration's prediction that the stimulus package will create between three and four million jobs.
"Some of the adjustments can take place almost immediately" after the plan passes, Summers told Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer. He predicted that people will "more income in their paychecks [and] state and local governments will get support so they can prevent layoffs of teachers, policemen, other essential personnel."
"And there are a ton of shovel-ready projects that are out there that are being cancelled right now that aren't going to have to be cancelled when this program passes," Summers added, in reference to planned infrastructure projects.
He also reiterated the Obama administration's prediction that the stimulus package will create between three and four million jobs.
Obama Lays Wreath At Tomb Of Unknowns
(AP)
The president-elect, who was accompanied by Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Gen. Richard Rowe, made no comments at the cemetery.
Mr. Obama is scheduled to go to church following this morning's ceremony. He will then go to the Lincoln Memorial for the 2:30 pm Eastern Time "We Are One" concert and event that officially kicks off inauguration festivities.
Watch:
Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Obama
A Wisconsin man named Steven Joseph Christopher has been arrested for threatening to kill President-elect Barack Obama on the Internet.
Christopher, who was arrested by the Secret Service in Mississippi, has been charged with threatening to kill Mr. Obama for "the country's own good," according to prosecutors.
The 42-year-old Christopher reportedly made the threats on Jan. 11, 15, and 16 in a chat forum on the site www.alien-earth.org. He is being held until a bail hearing scheduled for next Thursday.
Below are three of Christopher's alleged postings on www.alien-earth.org. The postings are drawn from an affidavit filed by special agent Kelly Adcox with the United States Secret Service – parts of which were provided in a Department of Justice press release.
The alleged postings have not been edited by CBS News and are reproduced here as they appeared in the press release. Although the Department of Justice excised expletives and racial slurs, the postings still contain offensive content.
Christopher, who was arrested by the Secret Service in Mississippi, has been charged with threatening to kill Mr. Obama for "the country's own good," according to prosecutors.
The 42-year-old Christopher reportedly made the threats on Jan. 11, 15, and 16 in a chat forum on the site www.alien-earth.org. He is being held until a bail hearing scheduled for next Thursday.
Below are three of Christopher's alleged postings on www.alien-earth.org. The postings are drawn from an affidavit filed by special agent Kelly Adcox with the United States Secret Service – parts of which were provided in a Department of Justice press release.
The alleged postings have not been edited by CBS News and are reproduced here as they appeared in the press release. Although the Department of Justice excised expletives and racial slurs, the postings still contain offensive content.
ok we have 6 days until my Presidential Assasination.
Yes, I have decided I will assasinate Barack Obama. It's really nothing personal about the man. He speaks well, has a loving although controlling wife and two cute daughters. But I know it's for the country's own good that I do this. And I'm not racist either, my family is a little, but isn't all Italian and european families? I mean how many times have you heard the word (racial slur) in the comforts of your home? I have a lot, and it really bothered me and I would confront them about it. No, it's not because I'm racist that I will kill Barack, it's because I can no longer allow the Jewish parasites to bully their way into making the American people submit to their evil ways. How many of you Obama supporters are now disappointed after some of his arm-twisted Jewish appointee decisions??? Make's you think he's not really in charge(which he isn't). No it's the same old, same old filthy (expletive) (racial slur) who are poisoning America, who have murdered thousands of innocent lives on 9-11-01, and are thinking that they are going to get away with it again.
Barack, I view more as a sacrificial lamb, but the sacrifice MUST take place. He had good intentions, but like the Steve Taylor song goes, "a politician next door, swore, he'd set the Washington arena on fire, thinks he'll gladiate them, but they're gonna make him a liar."
So, I'm stuck here in Mississippi, and I'll need bus fare or some way of getting to Washington. I don't own a gun, so maybe someone can give me one. And I'll need a leak in the secret service to get a close up shot, somewhere close to the podium, since I've never fired a gun, so I need to get an easy shot off. Wattdysay fellas? Any help?
You all know we can't live with the jewscum anylonger, dont cha? You got a better solution? I'm all ears.
Stevie
RE: ok we have 6 days until my Presidential Assasination.
Why is your heart so wicked?
I can get away with actually murdering Barack Obama OR just threatening to do it.
hth
To those who still think I'm a nobody, who antagonize me, who seek for my capture and arrest.....
I wll have you found, arrested and executed, if you push me too far.
487 Days At Camp David For Bush
(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
He will likely miss the place: According to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller, today's trip marks Mr. Bush's 149th visit to the presidential retreat. The planned three-day stay, during which the president is being joined by family and former and current aides, will bring his total time spent at Camp David to all or part of 487 days.
Yes, that's 487 days. And Camp David is not even where the president has spent the most time when not at the White House: Knoller reports that Mr. Bush has made 77 visits to his ranch in Crawford during his presidency, and spent all or part of 490 days there.
