A Historic Trip to Asia

Since taking office, President Obama has noted that the United States is a Pacific nation — and that Asia will play an increasingly important role in the future of world events. On a historic trip, his fifth to the region, President Obama is making the first-ever visit by a U.S. President to Burma and Cambodia.

Before the trip, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes put together a video to give us an overview of President Obama’s trip to Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia.

Watch the video to find out more about the President’s trip to Asia.

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of the top stories from the White House blog:President Obama Promises Support for the People of Burma
President Obama arrives in Rangoon and becomes the first sitting president ever to visit Burma.

President Obama’s First Stop in Asia Is in Thailand
The first nation on the itinerary for President Obama’s Asia trip is Thailand — America’s oldest friend on the continent, with diplomatic ties stretching back nearly 180 years.

Weekly Address: Working Together to Extend the Middle Class Tax Cuts
In this week’s address, President Obama urges Congress to act now on one thing that everyone agrees on — ensuring that taxes don’t go up on 98 percent of all Americans and 97 percent of small businesses at the end of the year.

We have PBO’s BACK

 

Voters sent a clear message to Republicans in the election: we must stand up for the middle class and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share.

It’s critical that we stand with President Obama in this fight. Will you add your name in support of ending reckless tax cuts for the rich before Congress returns to work next week?

Help us reach 100,000 strong backing up President Obama’s call to end the Bush Tax Cuts for the top two percent >>

Add your name right now to tell House Republicans to pass the middle class tax cuts right away.

http://dccc.org/Bush-Tax-Cuts

Thank you,

Nancy

Three people you should listen to

Hello –The conversations happening right now in Washington are going to set a course for the middle classin this country for years to come.And that’s a discussion that you should be part of. Unless our leaders can come up with a solution, 98 percent of American families are looking at a tax increase — with a typical family of four paying $2,000 more starting on January 1. So it’s time for you to step up. We know from experience that when real people come together to speak with one voice, their perspective becomes impossible to ignore. Here are three Americans who have taken that first step. Listen to them, then keep the conversation going by telling us why you think it’s important to keep taxes from going up on the middle class. Right now, there’s reason to be hopeful. This has the potential to be one of those moments in our politics when lawmakers from both parties come together to do what’s best for the country. You know where President Obama stands when it comes to tackling our nation’s deficits. He’s committed to doing it in a balanced way, but not at the expense of the middle class. Time and time again, he’s argued that we have to combine spending cuts with asking the wealthiest Americans to pay a little more in taxes. And leaders ranging from the heads of labor unions to the CEO of Walmart are saying that it doesn’t make sense to drag this out and leave the middle class uncertain about what they’ll be asked to pay in taxes. If that’s a position that you agree with, then we’re asking you to make a statement of your own. I can tell you that no one makes that argument better than real people who have to wrestle with paying bills and juggling family responsibilities every day. It’s on you to add your voice and bring your friends and neighbors into the debate. Watch this video, then tell us what you think: http://www.whitehouse.gov/engage/join Thanks, David David Plouffe Senior Advisor White House

First Lady Honors National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award Recipients.

 

Twelve exemplary after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities program are honored by FIrst Lady Michelle Obama as recipients of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. November 19, 2012.

President Obama Speaks at the University of Yangon

President Obama Speaks at the University of Yangon

bywhitehouse

On the first visit to Burma by an American president, President Obama speaks about the process of democratic reform in the country. November 19, 2012

the Progress Report

By ThinkProgress War Room

Today’s Top Three

The Progress Report is on hiatus for the rest of November. In the meantime, check out three important posts from ThinkProgress you don’t want to miss today:

1. Hostess To Pay $1.75 Million In Executive Bonuses After Blaming Unions For Bankruptcy

2. Members of Congress Implore Feds To Back Down On Marijuana Prosecution

3. Marco Rubio Flirts With Creationism, Says He’s Unsure How Old The Earth Is

Toxic T-shirts?

ZARA is using cancer causing chemicals and polluting the world’s waters. It’s time Zara cleaned up its act. Send a message now urging it to detox by 2020!

For months, Greenpeace conducted research into many of the world’s top clothing brands and found disturbing news — ZARA, along with several other retailers — is polluting waters in China with hazardous chemicals.

Those chemicals then wash into our waters when we rinse our clothes. Most of the fashion industry is treating public waterways like its own private sewers.

It’s time we eliminate hormone-disrupting chemicals from the world’s waters before it’s too late. That’s why we’re challenging some of the most popular clothing brands to eliminate toxic chemicals from its process by 2020 — and we need your help.

If 40,000 of us send a message to ZARA in the next 48 hours it will encourage the company to take the pledge to detox its clothing and stop the use of hazardous chemicals.

www.greenpeaceusa.org 

Let’s face it, beautiful fashion shouldn’t cause toxic pollution. H&M and British retailer Marks & Spencer know that. These companies have committed to eliminating all toxic chemicals from its supply chains and products. But ZARA, one of the world’s biggest fast fashion retailers, remains silent.

ZARA is famously responsive to trends and keeps a close watch on buzz about its brand. If all of us can pressure the company to follow in the footsteps of those who have committed to clean up its act, this is one trend it won’t be able to ignore.

We know it’s possible to clean up the toxics, we’ve seen it happen before. Thanks to you, the detox campaign secured commitments from Puma, Adidas and other sports apparel makers to clean up their practices and detox their line by 2020. So it can be done, but we’ll need your help.

Reach out to ZARA right now with an urgent message to clean up its practices and detox today.

 http://www.greenpeaceusa.org

As consumers your voice is critical to convincing ZARA and other companies to do the right thing. If the company responds the rest of the industry could follow, so it’s urgent we act now.

Thanks for your help,

John Deans
Greenpeace Toxics Campaigner

the daily share

 

Bernie Sanders Doesn’t Often Agree With Ronald Reagan, But When He Does . . . I Fight Back The Truth About Bottled Water That You’re Not Supposed To Know

giving thanks …

 

There are so many things to be thankful for -being alive having children alive well and feisty as ever, my family which is huge all know  people we consider extended family are all alive and doing well, though we all know life is not normal yet as that fiscal cliff curb hill … you fill it in comes closer and closer. The weather is giving off winter is coming vibes with a sharp drop in the temperature and a possibility of snow and while the skies were white and the temperature did, drop the rain trumped the snow ,but we have a whole weekend to deal with and apparently, the mountains have been getting some snow.

Though the morning it is very crisp and the sky is blue while the rain decided to make life miserable for all here. So, it is good to know that as we slide into Thanksgiving a whole lot of sports are on its way and maybe drown out some of the nasty Republican comments about the people they are using as political footballs due to Election2012.

The media is spending a lot of time beating,  the what ifs” meme for any chance a clean deficit/debt deal can be made while Republicans exert their disdain over the re-election of President Barack Obama. As a citizen and taxpayer I expect the people in Congress to do the work of the people and so far the Republican Party NO since 2008 is still making the choice to act irresponsible with a whole lot of malice behind every interview and comment. The Mandate is being ignored.  I ask myself every time some so-called representative from the right tries to sell their reasons for the Bush tax giveaways that even the original architect believed in September that they should be allowed to lapse for everyone, warns of budget deficit -the difference between bad and catastrophic outcomes given we have never been in a situation like this before,

So, the choice is easy to me -The Middle Class V the deficit!! Suffice it to say… I give thanks that Americans voted en masse , with courage and vive for President Barack H Obama

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. “- Margaret Mead

MercyCorps

 

November 2012 Newsletter

Holiday 2012: Why I give Mercy Corps Gifts You and your loved ones are a part of the Mercy Corps story when you give gifts that truly change lives. Hear from Mercy Corps Gifts shoppers about why they choose a more rewarding holiday experience: “I would love to see people give up the shopping frenzy. Kick that habit and get back to the true meaning of giving.” Read more ▸

Give Hope. Give a goat. Mercy Corps Gifts are a great way to show someone you care, while helping someone in need. These unique gifts symbolize Mercy Corps’ work around the world — from helping young girls receive an education, to providing clean water to families. Shop now ▸

Top stories

Guatemala: Speeding relief to earthquake survivors Mercy Corps is providing emergency food and coordinating further relief for families affected by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Guatemala last week.

Gaza: Voices of youth As hostilities between Israel and Gaza bring increased airstrikes and escalating violence, members of our youth leadership program in Gaza are sharing how the conflict is affecting their lives.

Haiti: Funds will help thousands rebuild after Sandy Our teams are rushing insurance payments to women entrepreneurs who suffered devastating losses during Hurricane Sandy’s historic deluge on Haiti.

Somalia: A little light goes a long way Mercy Corps teamed up with LivingSocial and d.light design to send 1,000 solar lamps to students in rural Somalia. Why is this important? Let Fadumo tell you.

Follow us on Instagram! See the latest photos ▸

From the Field Lebanon: “Here, I feel safe” Yemen: The promise of youth Iraq: From protest to power

Video: Why I Give What inspires you to give your time, your energy or your money to support a cause? Tell us with a photo and celebrate generosity around the world.

Latest Photos Niger: Women farming more food Ethiopia: A little laughter, a lot of water Niger: One more meal