Its been a busy week for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Monday, April 5
The week started with the First Family's Second Easter Egg Roll, in which the Obama's invited 30,000 Americans from across the country into their backyard. The theme of the Easter Egg Roll was "Ready, Set, Go!", centered around First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative.
Special guest included J.K. Rowling, the cast of Glee, Reese Witherspoon, Cole & Dylan Sprouse, BO Obama, and a host of others. Moreover, there were tours of the garden, basketball, healthy cooking lessons, and even science had a place at the Easter Egg Roll.
AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
The President also showed us once again why he should never be underestimated.
After the festivites the President made his way to the Nationals' Stadium to throw the first pitch of their season.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
We also received an update on the Cash for Clunkers (CFC) program from Christina Romer,Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Christopher Carroll, Senior Economist at the Council of Economic Advisers. Once again, the critics were wrong (of course this won't make MSM). CFC turned out to be a larger success than was an anticipated.
Americans also learned of the horrific 2007 shooting in Iraq.
Tuesday, April 6
A tragic (and maybe criminal) explosion at a mine in West Virgina. And President Obama wants answers!
President Obama privately spoke with and publicly offered his condolences to the families of those killed.
Before I begin, I want to send my deepest condolences, our thoughts and prayers to the families and the friends of the workers who lost their lives after an explosion took place in a West Virginia mine yesterday. At this moment, there are still people missing. There are rescue teams that are searching tirelessly and courageously to find them.
I spoke with Governor Manchin of West Virginia last night and told him that the federal government stands ready to offer whatever assistance is needed in this rescue effort. So I would ask the faithful who’ve gathered here this morning to pray for the safe return of the missing, the men and women who put their lives on the line to save them, and the souls of those who have been lost in this tragic accident. May they rest in peace, and may their families find comfort in the hard days ahead.
The President and his national security team announced the conclusion their Nuclear Posture Review and took some historic steps in changing how America thinks of and uses these God-awful weapons of mass destruction.
First, and for the first time, preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism is now at the top of America’s nuclear agenda, which affirms the central importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
snip
Second, we are further emphasizing the importance of nations meeting their NPT and nuclear non-proliferation obligations through our declaratory policy. The United States is declaring that we will not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapons states that are party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and in compliance with their nuclear nonproliferation obligations. This enables us to sustain our nuclear deterrent for the narrower range of contingencies in which these weapons may still play a role, while providing an additional incentive for nations to meet their NPT obligations. Those nations that fail to meet their obligations will therefore find themselves more isolated, and will recognize that the pursuit of nuclear weapons will not make them more secure.
Finally, we are fulfilling our responsibilities as a nuclear power committed to the NPT. The United States will not conduct nuclear testing and will seek ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The United States will not develop new nuclear warheads or pursue new military missions or new capabilities for nuclear weapons.
President Obama placed a call to Coach Mike Krzyzewski to congratulate Duke on their victory.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Wednesday, April 7
While Gov. McDonnell of Virgina was busy marking April as slavery celebration confederate history month, The First Lady and Dr. Biden were busy marking April as Military Child Month.
First Lady Michelle Obama also hosted a Let's Move townhall in her efforts to bring awareness and to combat childhood obesity.
Image by Jim Young / Reuters
The administration announced each department and agencies plans to increase transparency.
Thursday, April 8
President Obama and Russian President Dimitri Medvedev signed the START Treaty.
Photo by DMITRY ASTAKHOV/AFP/Getty Images
Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy
A snippet of President Obama's remarks at the signing.
...nuclear weapons are not simply an issue for the United States and Russia -- they threaten the common security of all nations. A nuclear weapon in the hands of a terrorist is a danger to people everywhere -- from Moscow to New York; from the cities of Europe to South Asia. So next week, 47 nations will come together in Washington to discuss concrete steps that can be taken to secure all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years.
And the spread of nuclear weapons to more states is also an unacceptable risk to global security -- raising the specter of arms races from the Middle East to East Asia. Earlier this week, the United States formally changed our policy to make it clear that those [non]-nuclear weapons states that are in compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and their non-proliferation obligations will not be threatened by America’s nuclear arsenal. This demonstrates, once more, America’s commitment to the NPT as a cornerstone of our security strategy. Those nations that follow the rules will find greater security and opportunity. Those nations that refuse to meet their obligations will be isolated, and denied the opportunity that comes with international recognition.
That includes accountability for those that break the rules -- otherwise the NPT is just words on a page. That’s why the United States and Russia are part of a coalition of nations insisting that the Islamic Republic of Iran face consequences, because they have continually failed to meet their obligations. We are working together at the United Nations Security Council to pass strong sanctions on Iran. And we will not tolerate actions that flout the NPT, risk an arms race in a vital region, and threaten the credibility of the international community and our collective security.
While these issues are a top priority, they are only one part of the U.S.-Russia relationship. Today, I again expressed my deepest condolences for the terrible loss of Russian life in recent terrorist attacks, and we will remain steadfast partners in combating violent extremism. We also discussed the potential to expand our cooperation on behalf of economic growth, trade and investment, as well as technological innovation, and I look forward to discussing these issues further when President Medvedev visits the United States later this year, because there is much we can do on behalf of our security and prosperity if we continue to work together.
When one surveys the many challenges that we face around the world, it’s easy to grow complacent, or to abandon the notion that progress can be shared. But I want to repeat what I said last year in Prague: When nations and peoples allow themselves to be defined by their differences, the gulf between them widens. When we fail to pursue peace, then it stays forever beyond our grasp.
(emphasis are the diarist)
Friday, April 9
Justice Stevens officially announces his retirement from the Supreme Court.
The MSM couldn't be any happier. They've proven they thrive off drama. Just see Mr. George Snuffleupagus shrill for Sarah Stoopid.
Nicely done Mr. President.
First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Pentagon, where she was hosted by Secretary Gates and Mrs. Becky Gates. Since last year she has been touring each federal agency, serving as a liaison between the President and government workers.
The First Lady also held a Childhood Obesity summit at the White House.
The White House announced the finalist for the Race to the Top High School Commencement challenge. In which schools are challenged to submit concrete steps on improving the way they educate our secondary students, and the winning high school will have none other than President Obama as their commencement speaker!!!!
And finally, the inspiration for my diary. This is the White House's West-Wing mash-up for this week. Enjoy!
P.S. That thud sound you've been hearing all week is from Eagles fans, such as myself, fainting from the news Donovan McNabb traded in his Gang Green uniform for the Dead Red. :-/
P.P.S. It's a family affair. So please feel free to add in the comments any events that stuck out to you this week, both positive and negative.