peopleslounge: Checking out http://bit.ly/bq19M

peopleslounge: celebrating the fact that Membership at The People's Lounge reached 1000+ folks yesterday!!!

peopleslounge: Learning that Mr. Obama is going to "step it up" in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He plans to offer more civilian support throughout.

peopleslounge: welcoming to The People's Lounge: USA, Netherlands, Congo, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Uruguay, Jamaica, Cuba, Hungary, Kuwait, Germany and UK.

peopleslounge: Just learned that the mega-monster, GOOGLE will be laying off 200 souls.

peopleslounge: trying to reconcile the notion that the Dem led Congress just passed the largest pork-filled and earmarked spending bill in U.S. history.

peopleslounge: ... listening to a Republican Senator explain why all but 1 Republican, and 11 Dems had all voted against the just passed spending bill.

peopleslounge: ... wondering why anyone in their right minds would seriously consider George W. Bush guilty of war crimes, and/or crimes against humanity.

peopleslounge: just learned that a dentist is suing a family she served for posting a negative review about her on yelp! YIKES!!!

peopleslounge: Just learned that a peanut plant in Georgia is responsible for the recent and serious salmonella outbreak.

Welcome to the White House Partnerships Blog

Friends,

It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Partnerships blog, the blog of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships!

President Obama established the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships to connect the Federal government to local nonprofit organizations and community leaders – both faith-based and secular – that are serving individuals, families and communities in need.  We form partnerships between government and nonprofits on a range of issues, from public health to disaster response and everything in between, in order to better serve all Americans.

This blog will highlight the work of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, along with the activity at Centers for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships that we coordinate at several Federal agencies. 

But we don't just want to focus on what government is doing.  We also want to highlight the efforts of local nonprofits in communities across the country.  So we’ll be spotlighting local organizations and leaders that are meeting community needs, in order to learn from their great work.

In the coming days, you can expect this blog to:

Provide more information about the day-to-day work of the White House Office and Centers at Federal agencies; Highlight the latest work of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships; Point nonprofits to federal resources that can help them implement effective programs; and Spotlight innovative local organizations that are strengthening our communities

I’m looking forward to using this blog to communicate important information to local organizations and community leaders.

And I’m even more excited about working with you to make an impact on our communities together, as the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships implements this important element of President Obama’s vision for our country.

Warmly,
Joshua DuBois

Joshua DuBois is the Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Classical Music Workshops Warm the White House

Last Wednesday, the White House welcomed 120 middle and high school music students from all over the country to participate in four different engaging workshops.  From the Blue Room to the Map Room and the East Room to the Diplomatic Reception Room, beautiful music and instructors' guiding voices echoed through the halls of this historic home.  Aspiring students plucked their bows and strummed the strings of their guitars, while picking up tips and queues from their instructors, renowned classical musicians Awadagin Pratt on the piano, Joshua Bell on violin, Sharon Isbin with classical guitar, and Alisa Weilerstein on cello.

In her session, Ms. Weilerstein posed a question to her students. "How do we get someone excited about classical music?" she asked.  Bright young minds quickly offered up a number of ideas. "Use classical instruments to play modern pieces," said one young lady. "Play Classical music for people who've never heard it," said another. As the students listened to each other’s ideas, they also talked about the opportunities they had to discover magic through music; they discussed the importance of keeping music education in schools and communities, where all children would have an opportunity to discover these great art forms just like they did.

As the workshops concluded, everyone gathered in the historic East Room for a concert put on by their four instructors.  First Lady Michelle Obama made a special visit, and told the students that through music, "You'll learn that if you believe in yourself and put in your best effort, that there's nothing you can't achieve; and those aren't just lessons about music, these are really lessons about life."

It was a privilege to welcome so many young musicians living such talented and full lives on a beautiful fall day at the people's house.  The White House is honored to share these experiences with all students. Check out all the video:

Classical guitarist Sharon Isbin performs Isaac Albeniz's Asturias and Agustin Barrios Mangoré's Waltz Op. 8, No. 4:

Concert pianist Awadagin Pratt performs J.S. Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582:

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein performs Zoltán Kodály’s Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8 and III. Allegro molto vivace:

Cellists Alisa Weilerstein and 8 year-old Sujari Britt perform Luigi Boccherini's Sonata for Two Cellos in C Major, 1st movement: Allegro moderato:

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein and 16 year-old percussionist Jason Yoder perform Camille Saint Saëns' The Swan:

Joshua Bell and Awadagin Pratt perform Maurice Ravel's Tzigane:

Joshua Bell and Sharon Isbin perform Niccolò Paganini's Cantabile:

Joshua Bell, Awadagin Pratt, and Alisa Weilerstein Perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49 and the finale, Allegro assai appassionato:

Kalpen Modi and James Schuelke are with the Office of Public Engagement 

A Washington that is More Reflective of All of America

Just a quick post to report on a meeting today with a group of lobbyists and others who currently chair Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs). The group had objected to the Administration's new policies barring the appointment (and reappointment) of federally registered lobbyists to agency boards and commissions. Although we have previously addressed their views here and here, we feel it important to meet with those with whom we disagree to discuss their concerns face to face. Much of the discussion focused on the arguments offered in the letter the group sent us (pdf) and our response letter (pdf). Click here (pdf) for the list of attendees.

We explained to the ITAC chairs that this issue is not about the few corrupt lobbyists or specific abuses by the profession, but rather concerns the system as a whole. For too long, lobbyists and those who can afford their services have held disproportionate influence over national policy making. The purpose of the President’s agenda to change the way business is done in Washington is to level the playing field to make sure that all Americans and not just those with access to money or power are able to have their voices heard and their concerns addressed by Washington.

We explained that in deciding to limit the ability of lobbyists to serve in government positions, including as members of agency advisory boards and commissions, we considered various arguments and counterarguments. We weighed the options, and considered the alternatives. In the end, we decided that while lobbyists have a right to petition the government, it would best serve the interests of a fairer and more representative democracy if we limited their ability to do so from special positions of privileged access within the government.

The result will be a Washington that is more reflective of all of America. We have already begun the process of recruiting new voices to advise the government through these agency boards. We believe small- and medium-sized business owners will be excited by the opportunity to help serve their country and advocate for their interests.

To make it even easier for those with valuable insight and expertise to offer to join this process from outside the Beltway, the Administration is working to develop tools to utilize internet technologies to make federal advisory committee proceedings accessible online. For example, the most recent meeting of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) was watched online by 5000 people. This Administration is committed to seeking out those voices and bringing the change they represent into the decision making process in Washington.

We explained this to the ITAC chairs and asked for their help in reaching out to broaden and diversify these boards and commissions. We informed them that while we will always seek ways to improve good policies, we do not intend to rescind this decision. The ITAC chairs, although expressing their disagreement, are willing to assist in finding qualified replacements and we thank them for their commitment to working together to make the system work better for everyone.

Finally, we also replied to a letter from the American League of Lobbyists on this subject today-ALL's letter is here (pdf) and our reply is here (pdf).

Norm Eisen is special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform

Vice President Biden Leads Discussion on Middle Class Families in D.C.

On Thursday at the Center for American Progress in Washington D.C., Vice President Biden moderated an in-depth discussion focusing on the long-term, structural challenges facing middle class families in today’s economy. Joined by a panel of policy experts, the group focused on broader issues such as the overall labor market in recent decades; shifting gender roles and the need for work-life balance in today’s economy; economic inequality and mobility; the increased gap between productivity and wages, and much more. 

Going forward, the Middle Class Task Force will continue working with these panelists, among other outside experts, developing policy ideas to help lift the living standards of working families.  As the Vice President put it Thursday: "That dynamic—where the economy’s moving forward as middle class families fall back—that just doesn’t work for the president, for me, and, certainly, for millions of families who are finding the system to be working against them, not for them."

Check out the video below:

Terrell McSweeny is Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President.

Wounded Warriors at the White House

The President hosted a remarkable group of wounded veterans a few weeks ago on the White House basketbal court. These "Wounded Warriors" from Walter Reed Army Medical Center showed President Obama a thing or two about wheelchair basketball. Check out the impressive moves that can be performed on four wheels:

 

 

Word from the White House: Passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act

It's no secret that institutions of all stripes focus their communications on certain messages day to day. We thought it would all be a little more open and transparent if we went ahead and published what our focus will be for the day, along with any related articles, documents, or reports.  Today we publish our second batch.

Supporting website: "Affordable Health Care for America Act," Speaker.gov

Talking Points: Passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act

Saturday night, in an historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people. The Affordable Health Care for America Act provides stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don't; and brings down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government while strengthening the financial health of Medicare.  It is also fully paid for and will reduce our long-term federal deficit. Thanks to the hard work of the House, we are just two steps away from achieving health insurance reform in America. 

Talking Points: Closer to Reform than Ever Before

The House of Representatives' historic step brings us far closer to comprehensive health insurance reform than ever before. Now it's time for the United States Senate to follow suit.  We are absolutely confident that it will and President Obama looks forward to signing reform into law by the end of this year. Thanks to the long hours and hard work the Senate has already put in, it too is close to passing reform legislation. And the level of agreement between the House and Senate versions of reform is remarkable. Like the House bill, the Senate legislation would provide unprecedented security and stability for Americans with insurance.  It would provide quality, affordable options for Americans without insurance.  And it would lower costs for families, businesses, and the nation as a whole. And like the House version, the Senate proposal is also fully paid for and would reduce our national deficit.

 

History: The House Debates Health Reform

Today the House reaches another major milestone in the effort to pass health insurance reform, and effort decades in the making. 

Predictably, opponents of reform are taking their misleading claims to new heights.  For example, they claim that CEA Chair Christina Romer has said that reform would cost millions of jobs.  This is flatly false, as demonstrated by the independent watchdog Politifact and Romer's own statement.

Opponents of reform have also manufactured a chart attempting to depict reform as some sort of maze of bureaucracy.  This is also false.  Here is a chart that accurately reflects the President's plan:

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Weekly Address: Tragedy at Fort Hood

The President condemns the "despicable" attacks at Fort Hood, honoring those who were killed and injured.  He also commends those who stood up to help and console those affected: "even as we saw the worst of human nature on full display, we also saw the best of America."

 

Secretary Solis: Combating Unemployment

This morning the Department of Labor released its Employment Situation report for October and while the numbers are disappointing, they are not surprising. Analysts have known for some time that the unemployment rate could reach this level, but it remains an unacceptable situation.

When this administration began its work in January 2009, the economy was in a freefall, shedding 700,000 jobs a month. We met these challenges head on by immediately putting a plan into action to create jobs and drive economic growth. As a result, housing markets are now showing signs of recovery, credit is flowing again and just last week we saw that the economy is growing, rather than shrinking, for the first time in a year.

Unfortunately, there are still millions of Americans who want employment but cannot find it. We are committed to supporting these Americans as they look for work and struggle to raise their families and pay their bills. 

Earlier today, the President signed legislation that expands unemployment benefits as well as provides an additional tax cut for struggling businesses to help save and create jobs. Extended UI benefits will strengthen our economy further. By helping struggling families pay for groceries and other household needs, economists say that these benefits are one of the best ways to stimulate economic activity.

In addition to this extension, we’ve worked over the past months to revolutionize the unemployment insurance (UI) system. The Recovery Act made $7 billion available in incentives to states to modernize their UI systems. As a result, more workers, including part-timers, and people upgrading their skills are now eligible for benefits for the very first time. These efforts have not only have strengthened the safety net but make it possible for unemployment insurance to be a stepping stone to a better future for millions of Americans.  

To be sure, we have a long way to go.  There are still millions of Americans who need and want work but can’t find it.  There are still too many families struggling.  But you can’t have job growth until you have growth in economic output. That is what the policies of this Administration are designed to create and I will make sure that the Department of Labor is supporting workers every step of the way.

Hilda Solis is the Secretary of Labor

Half-Staff

This morning the President gave some brief remarks in the Rose Garden, and before discussing the news on job numbers that also concern all Americans, gave an update on his response to the tragic incident at Fort Hood yesterday:

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning.  I want to begin by offering an update on the tragedy that took place yesterday at Fort Hood.

This morning I met with FBI Director Mueller and the relevant agencies to discuss their ongoing investigation into what caused one individual to turn his gun on fellow servicemen and women.  We don't know all the answers yet and I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all the facts.

What we do know is that there are families, friends and an entire nation grieving right now for the valiant men and women who came under attack yesterday in one of the worst mass shootings ever to take place on an American military base.  So from now until Veterans Day I've ordered the flags at the White House and other federal buildings to be flown at half-staff.  This is a modest tribute to those who lost their lives even as many were preparing to risk their lives for their country.  And it's also recognition of the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our safety and uphold our values.  We honor their service, we stand in awe of their sacrifice, and we pray for the safety of those who fight and for the families of those who have fallen.  And as we continue to learn more about what happened at Fort Hood, this administration will continue to provide you updates in the coming days and weeks.

 

UPDATE: The President has just issued the following proclamation:

Our Nation's thoughts and prayers are with the service members, civilians, and families affected by the tragic events at Fort Hood, Texas. The brave victims, who risked their lives to protect their fellow countrymen, serve as a constant source of strength and inspiration to all Americans. We ask God to watch over the fallen, the wounded, and all those who are suffering at this difficult hour.

As a mark of respect honoring the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA