Happy Thanksgiving, all! I'm very thankful for your support of this diary. I hope you are having a wonderful day.
(Don't miss Blackwaterdog's Thanksgiving blog post.)
Today's report features:
• Thanksgiving buffet: Weekly Address: the President's Thanksgiving greeting; The First Family hands out holiday meals at Martha's Table; two turkeys get Presidential pardons, and the Bidens host wounded veterans.
• International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: The UN asks business leaders to fight violence against women; in October, the Obama Administration observed Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• VPOTUS calls for START ratification: The Vice President's Op-Ed in The Wall Street Journal .
• Of Thee I Sing: Loren Long talks about illustrating the President’s children’s book.
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• THANKSGIVING BUFFET •
From the White House, Nov. 25, 2010:
Weekly Address: Giving Thanks for Those Who Serve
The President expresses gratitude to America's military men and women and their families, and discusses the steps his administration is taking to help create jobs so that next Thanksgiving, Americans can give thanks for a stronger economy.
From the Office of the Press Secretary, November 25, 2010:
Weekly Address: President Obama Delivers Thanksgiving Greeting
THE PRESIDENT:
.... This is not the hardest Thanksgiving America has ever faced. But as long as many members of our American family are hurting, we’ve got to look out for one another. As long as many of our sons and daughters and husbands and wives are at war, we’ve got to support their mission and honor their service. And as long as many of our friends and neighbors are looking for work, we’ve got to do everything we can to accelerate this recovery and keep our economy moving forward.
And we will. But we won’t do it as any one political party. We’ve got to do it as one people. And in the coming weeks and months, I hope that we can work together, Democrats and Republicans and Independents alike, to make progress on these and other issues.
That’s why, next week, I’ve invited the leadership of both parties to the White House for a real and honest discussion – because I believe that if we stop talking at one another, and start talking with one another, we can get a lot done.
For what we are called to do again today isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It’s not about left or right. It’s about us. It’s about what we know this country is capable of. It’s about what we want America to be in this new century.
A vibrant nation that makes sure its children are the best-educated in the world. A healthy, growing economy that runs on clean energy and creates the jobs of tomorrow. A responsible government that reduces its deficits. An America where every citizen is able to go as far as he or she desires.
We can do all this, because we’ve done it before. We’re made of the same sturdy stuff as the travelers who sat down to the first Thanksgiving, and all who came after – who worked, and sacrificed, and invested, because they believed that their efforts would make the difference for us.
That’s who we are. We shape our own destiny with conviction, compassion, and clear and common purpose. We honor our past and press forward with the knowledge that tomorrow will be better than today. We are Americans. That’s the vision we won’t lose sight of. That’s the legacy that falls to our generation. That’s the challenge that together, we are going to meet.
To every American, I am thankful for the privilege of being your President. To all our service members stationed around the world, I am honored to be your Commander-in-Chief. And from the Obama family to yours, have a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you.
From Associated Press, November 24, 2010:
First Family Volunteers at Martha's Table
Pres. Obama and his family passed out Thanksgiving meals Wednesday at Martha's Table, a charity that provides food and other community services. It was a return visit for the 1st family, who also worked at the pantry during last year's holiday. (Nov. 24)
Earlier, the President had pardoned two turkeys, an annual tradition at the White House.
From the White House, Nov. 24, 2010:
President Obama Pardons Turkey
From the White House, Nov. 23, 2010:
Office of the Press Secretary, November 24, 2010:
Remarks by the President Pardoning the National Thanksgiving Turkey
THE PRESIDENT:
.... Before everybody heads home for Thanksgiving, there is one official duty I am sworn to uphold as the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth. Today, I have the awesome responsibility of granting a presidential pardon to a pair of turkeys. Now, for the record, let me say that it feels pretty good to stop at least one shellacking this November. (Laughter.)
This year’s national turkey goes by the name of Apple, and his feathered understudy is appropriately named Cider....
Now, Apple and Cider came to us from the Foster Farms Wellsford Ranch, just outside of Modesto, California. Out of about 20,000 turkeys born at Foster Farms this summer, 25 were selected for a final competition ....
Only one pair would survive and win the big prize: life -- (laughter) -- and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, where they’ve been living it up on corn feed at the W hotel.... And after today, Apple and Cider will spend their retirement at the same beautiful place our first President spent his –- Mount Vernon, Virginia.
So later this afternoon, our family will also deliver two turkeys who didn’t quite make the cut to Martha’s Table, which is an organization that does extraordinary work helping folks who are struggling here in D.C. And I want to thank the good people at Jaindl’s Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania, who have now donated these turkeys two years in a row.
This, of course, is what’s truly meant by Thanksgiving -– a holiday that asks us to be thankful for what we have, and generous to those who have less. It’s a time to spend with the ones we love, and a chance to show compassion and concern to people we’ve never met. It’s a tradition that’s brought us together as a community since before we were a nation, when the ground we’re standing on was nothing but wilderness.
Back then, the simple act of survival was often the greatest blessing of all. And later, President Lincoln declared the first national day of Thanksgiving in the midst of the Civil War. During the depths of the Great Depression, local businesses gave donations and charities opened their doors to families who didn’t have a place to celebrate Thanksgiving. In times of war, our military has gone through great lengths to give our men and women on the front lines a turkey dinner and a taste of home.
So in America, we come together when times are hard. We don’t give up. We don’t complain. And we don’t turn our backs on one another. Instead, we look out for another and we pitch in and we give what we can. And in the process, we reveal to the world what we love so much about this country.
That’s who we are. And that’s who Thanksgiving reminds us to be. So I hope everyone takes some time during this holiday season to give back and serve their community in some way. And I also want to take a moment to say how grateful I am to the men and women who are serving this country bravely and selflessly in places far away from home right now. You and your families are in our thoughts and in our prayers, and you make me so very proud to be your Commander-in-Chief....
God bless you and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
From ap0127a, May 2, 2009:
Martha’s Table
Martha's Table in Washington DC is one of many non-profit organizations that have mobile soup kitchen programs feeding the homeless and low income families in the community. This video shows the workers and volunteers in action, preparing McKenna’s Wagon (mobile soup kitchen) for its evening stops.
From MarthasTable.org, Nov. 24, 2010:
Martha’s Table Hosts the First Family for Thanksgiving: President Obama Celebrates Thanksgiving by Distributing Food Baskets and Volunteering with Area Children
As you may have heard (Wednesday) morning during the Presidential Turkey Pardon, Mr. Obama mentioned, "This afternoon, our family will deliver 2 turkeys, who didn't quite make the the cut, to Martha's Table, an organization that does extraordinary work helping folks who are struggling in DC." Martha's Table, will host the first family of the United States and 29 of their family members today at its facility on 14th Street NW. President Barack Obama will distribute Thanksgiving food baskets to Martha's Table families and staff, while extended family members volunteer with children in its daycare and after-school programs.
"On behalf of our families in our education programs, staff and volunteers, we are honored that the First Family has chosen to spend their Thanksgiving with Martha's Table again this year," Said Lindsey Buss, President and CEO of Martha's Table. "Their example of service and the spotlight they bring to the challenge of hunger and nutrition, especially for children, is a tremendous asset for all of us working to find solutions to poverty."
Thanksgiving baskets will be filled with fresh produce donated from the community; the food was filled in reusable bags donated and decorated by the River School; turkeys were donated by Poor Roberts Charities, Little Flower Church and the PAX neighborhood association; fresh produce from Philadelphia Regional Produce; and delicious homemade pies were made by Sheila Whitney and volunteers from the National Cathedral Church.
From the Office of the Press Secretary, Nov. 23, 2010:
Presidential Proclamation--Thanksgiving Day
A beloved American tradition, Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity to focus our thoughts on the grace that has been extended to our people and our country. This spirit brought together the newly arrived Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe -- who had been living and thriving around Plymouth, Massachusetts for thousands of years -- in an autumn harvest feast centuries ago. This Thanksgiving Day, we reflect on the compassion and contributions of Native Americans, whose skill in agriculture helped the early colonists survive, and whose rich culture continues to add to our Nation's heritage. We also pause our normal pursuits on this day and join in a spirit of fellowship and gratitude for the year's bounties and blessings.
Thanksgiving Day is a time each year, dating back to our founding, when we lay aside the troubles and disagreements of the day and bow our heads in humble recognition of the providence bestowed upon our Nation. Amidst the uncertainty of a fledgling experiment in democracy, President George Washington declared the first Thanksgiving in America, recounting the blessings of tranquility, union, and plenty that shined upon our young country. In the dark days of the Civil War when the fate of our Union was in doubt, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day, calling for "the Almighty hand" to heal and restore our Nation.
In confronting the challenges of our day, we must draw strength from the resolve of previous generations who faced their own struggles and take comfort in knowing a brighter day has always dawned on our great land. As we stand at the close of one year and look to the promise of the next, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, for one another, and for our Nation. This Thanksgiving Day, we remember that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These patriots are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and they and their families deserve our profound gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
This harvest season, we are also reminded of those experiencing the pangs of hunger or the hardship of economic insecurity. Let us return the kindness and generosity we have seen throughout the year by helping our fellow citizens weather the storms of our day.
As Americans gather for the time-honored Thanksgiving Day meal, let us rejoice in the abundance that graces our tables, in the simple gifts that mark our days, in the loved ones who enrich our lives, and in the gifts of a gracious God. Let us recall that our forebears met their challenges with hope and an unfailing spirit, and let us resolve to do the same.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 25, 2010, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all the people of the United States to come together -- whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors -- to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
From the Department of Defense, Nov. 23, 2010:
Wounded Warrior Dinner
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden hosted wounded warriors November 22 for an early Thanksgiving meal.
From the Department of Defense, Nov. 23, 2010:
Bidens Celebrate Thanksgiving with Wounded Warriors
By Cheryl Pellerin, American Forces Press Service
Nine wounded warriors joined Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden for a Thanksgiving dinner last night in their home at the U.S. Naval Observatory here.
"There’s no way of really thanking you all for the incredible sacrifices you’ve made on behalf of your country," Biden told the troops.
"This is our humble attempt to say thanks," he added. "Our only regret is that we can’t have 10,000 of your comrades here who have made similar sacrifices."
The troops -- from the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps -- and family members sat with the Bidens at two long tables placed in the observatory’s dining room.
The vice president, quoting English poet John Milton, said to the military family members, "‘They also serve who only stand and wait.’"
"Your loved ones, when you were in harm’s way, every single day they served this country too," he told servicemembers in attendance. "So we owe the families a debt of gratitude."
Five of the Bidens’ guests were in wheelchairs and many had prosthetic arms and legs.
The vice president said the United States "has only one truly sacred obligation, and that is to keep the commitment to those we send into harm’s way, that when they came back whatever their needs were we would make sure they were met.
"As time goes on (prostheses0 are going to get better and better," he continued. "You’re entitled to and we’ll make sure you have available to you whatever the most modern and most significant prosthesis capabilities are, not just in the next year or two but ... as long as you live."
Dr. Biden also welcomed the troops to her home, noting that her son, a captain in the Delaware Army National Guard, had been deployed to Iraq for nearly a year in 2008.
"I know what it means to all those thousands of families who look down their table this Thanksgiving," she said, "and someone they love is missing because that loved one is in Iraq or Afghanistan."
The Bidens hosted a similar event on Nov. 23, 2009.
• INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN •
Office of the Vice President, November 24, 2010:
Statement by Vice President Biden on the Anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Nov. 25, 2010
"Around the globe, violence against women is an epidemic. Violence robs women and girls of their full potential and causes untold human suffering. Violence against women impedes economic development, threatens peace and prosperity, and inhibits full participation in civic life. For every woman who has been beaten in her own home, for the millions of women who have been raped as a weapon of war, for every girl who has been attacked on her way to school, for all of the children - girls and boys - who have witnessed this brutality, we must do better. On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we join with the world community in calling for an end to these abuses. Our Global Development Policy makes clear our commitment to investing in the health, education and rights of women. Today, we are working to reduce gender-based violence in schools, provide care for rape victims, and train health workers. The U.S. government is committed to continuing our efforts to respond to, reduce, and work toward eliminating gender-based violence worldwide.
From the United Nations, Nov. 24, 2010:
Call to action: UN rallies support for its campaign to end violence against women
The corporate sector must engage more closely in the fight against the global pandemic of violence against women and girls, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, stressing the importance role of business leaders in eliminating the scourge.
Mr. Ban's comments came during an address at UN headquarters in New York to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is observed annually on 25 November.
From UN.org, Nov. 23, 2010:
UN calls on corporate sector to help eliminate violence against women
The corporate sector must engage more closely in the fight against the global pandemic of violence against women and girls, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, stressing the importance role of business leaders in eliminating the scourge.
Mr. Ban’s comments came during an address at UN headquarters in New York to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is observed annually on 25 November.
"Today is a call to action – action to eliminate Violence against Women," he said. "More and more people realize that gender-based violence is everybody’s problem and that everybody is responsible for stopping it."
This year’s International Day focuses on promoting leadership by the corporate sector in ending gender-based violence, a theme Mr. Ban emphasized in his meeting earlier today with a number of business partners. He also used the occasion to highlight his ‘UNiTE to End Violence against Women’ campaign.
Launched by the Secretary-General in 2008, the campaign calls for all countries to put in place strong laws, action plans, preventive measures, data collection, and systematic efforts to address sexual violence by 2015.
The campaign also includes a specific target of raising $100 million annually for the UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women by 2015, including through private sector contributions. Resources for the Fund – which gives grants to support innovative regional, local and national initiatives – fall drastically short of meeting the vast demand.
Last month the Trust Fund completed its 14th grant-making cycle, delivering a total of $20.5 million for 26 projects in 33 countries and territories.
Mr. Ban invited governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as UN Country Teams, to apply for funding to support innovative projects that will help end violence against women.
In a separate message for the International Day, the Secretary-General noted that the business community is playing an important role by developing projects and providing financial support to organizations working to end violence against women.
"Yet much more needs to be done," he stated. "In homes, schools and the office, in refugee camps and conflict situations, the corporate sector can help us to prevent the many forms of violence that women and girls continue to face."
One in every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime, according to UN statistics. Speaking at today’s event, the Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, said women and girls are at risk of violence throughout their lives and that violence is usually perpetrated against them by those closest to them.
"The [UNiTE] campaign places the issue at the top of the UN agenda," she later told a news conference. "The Secretary-General has made ending violence against women and girls one of his top priorities and it will be a major focus of UN Women.
"This issue cannot be resolved without adequate resources. And that is why the Secretary-General through his UNiTE campaign has set the target of raising $100 million annually by 2015 for the UN Trust Fund to end violence against women," she said.
"The international community and the corporate sector can demonstrate their commitment to the cause by contributing to the Fund in order to create a reliable source of funding."
Yesterday the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) began a week of events to mark the International Day, including conferences, exhibitions, round tables and films highlighting the issue of violence against women and the efforts underway in different regions of the world to prevent it.
"UNESCO is committed to protecting and promoting the rights and freedoms of women. One way of doing this is to ensure women’s full and equal participation in development and in peace-building processes at all levels," said Irina Bokova, UNESCO’s Director General.
"Violence against women is a violation of the rights and fundamental freedoms of women. It is unacceptable in any of the forms it takes – and there are many," she added.
In a related development, Cambodia has become the 100th country to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) – a key international treaty that allows women who have been denied their rights in their own countries to have their claims reviewed directly by a UN committee of independent experts.
From the White House, Oct. 27, 2010;
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
President Obama and Vice President Biden speak about the unprecedented efforts across the Federal Government to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence in an event marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month. October 27, 2010.
Office of the Press Secretary, October 27, 2010:
Remarks by the President at Domestic Violence Awareness Event
THE PRESIDENT:
.... I want to begin, obviously, by recognizing my Vice President for the unbelievable leadership that he has shown for more than two decades on this issue -- fighting alongside all the advocates who are here today. (Applause.) Great work.
He started holding hearings on domestic violence back in 1990. He wrote and gathered the support to pass the Violence Against Women’s Act -- a law that has saved countless lives, transformed how we address these all-too-pervasive crimes. And as Vice President, he hasn’t let up. He is helping us to step up our efforts across all the relevant federal agencies. So nobody feels more passionately about this than Joe, and I am grateful to him for all of his leadership. We're really proud of him. (Applause.) ....
.... how cruel, how menacing domestic violence can be -- because it happens at home, the place where you should feel safe. Because the abuse comes at the hands of the people who are supposed to love you and trust you. Because escaping domestic violence is not only associated with a great deal of fear but also incredible financial and legal challenges that often leave victims of abuse feeling trapped.
That’s what we have to change. And I say that not only as a President, but as a son, as a husband, as the father of two daughters....
We’re helping the victims of violence to overcome the financial barriers they often face getting back on their feet. And Lori’s experience serves as an example. Lori had not only -- had suffered abuse at the hands of her husband physically, he also destroyed their credit. And she had to spend her limited savings on legal representation to keep custody of her children.
So we’re going to start taking steps to connect survivors with jobs, to help them save, to make it easier for them to rebuild their credit, to make sure that no one has to choose between a violent home and no home at all. (Applause.)
Secretary Donovan at the Department of Housing and Urban Development is releasing new rules today to prevent the victims of domestic violence from being evicted or denied assisted housing because a crime was committed against them. That’s not right. And we’re going to put a stop to it. (Applause.)
We’re also doing more to help the victims of domestic violence access legal services and protections. So today, the Justice Department is releasing new tools and best practice to judges, to advocates, to law enforcement to help ensure that protective orders are issued and enforced. And the Vice President and the Justice Department are launching a new effort to help victims of domestic abuse find lawyers to represent them pro bono. You heard Joe talk about that. That's critical. That's important. (Applause.)
.... We need to make sure that we’re doing everything we can ... to ensure that folks who are seeking help and protection get that help and get that protection. That’s our responsibility....
From the Council on Women and Girls, Nov. 11, 2010:
White House Discussion on Ending Domestic Violence Across America
Posted by Lynn Rosenthal, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women
Last Friday, Tina Tchen, Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, and I met with 13 groups working to combat domestic and sexual violence at the national, state and local level. These groups represent a broad and diverse approach to ending violence against women in this country. The meeting was a fantastic opportunity to hear from the front lines about the needs of communities and to talk about the Obama Administration’s new initiatives. The groups in attendance drew our attention to all the ways domestic violence and sexual assault touch women’s lives.
Kim Teehee, Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, led a discussion on implementing the historic Tribal Law and Order Act, which brings new resources to Indian Country to address the shockingly high rates of domestic and sexual violence against Native American women. The Tribal Law and Order Act helps Tribes hold perpetrators accountable and reduce crime.
We discussed the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and its protections for victims of domestic violence. Not only does the landmark health care reform bill prohibit discrimination against victims, it also intervenes early to break the cycle of violence by providing help to pregnant women and new mothers who are being abused. There’s still more we can do to meet the physical and mental needs of victims and improve the capacity of the public health system to respond to violence.
The groups told us about other critical issues, such as the profound impact violence has on children. Without intervention, children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to suffer emotional and behavioral problems and sometimes end up in the juvenile justice system. We also talked about the need for solutions that respect religion, culture and family. Rape and abuse touch the lives of women, men, and children in every corner of our nation and we need responses that make sense for every unique community. We agree, which is why the Obama Administration recently announced unprecedented coordination and cooperation across the entire government to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence and enable survivors to break the cycle of abuse.
We always appreciate the privilege of meeting with people who are working every day to help end domestic violence and sexual assault. But you don’t have to come all the way to Washington, DC to give us your input. You can email us at vaw@ovp.eop.gov and tell us what you think.
Unfortunately we are unable to provide direct assistance to individuals – please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) if you need help or information.
• VICE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR START TREATY RATIFICATION •
From the Office of the Vice President, Nov. 24, 2010:
The following op-ed, written by Vice President Joe Biden, was published in the Nov. 24 Wall Street Journal:
The Case for Ratifying New Start
President Obama has shown that missile defense and arms control can proceed hand-in-hand.
By JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
.... It's hard to remember how much relations between the United States and our European allies had frayed before this administration took office. U.S. leadership was viewed negatively by many foreign publics, and U.S. policies often met with opposition from our traditional partners. The positive atmosphere in Lisbon—and the substantial progress on priorities like missile defense, arms control and the Russia reset—simply would not have been possible without nearly two years of intensive diplomacy.
NATO's adoption of territorial missile defense as a new mission shows that President Obama has rebuilt the alliance's underlying consensus about the threats we face and how to meet them. Once considered an insurmountable political, technical and financial challenge, NATO's decision to embrace territorial missile defense demonstrates the alliance's determination to meet 21st-century threats.
The ballistic missile threat to our allies, partners and deployed forces is real and growing, particularly from Iran. Unlike previous approaches, this NATO missile-defense system will protect all NATO allies in Europe, not just some. And it will protect more European territory sooner than the system it replaced. The capability will improve over time, addressing existing and near-term threats first, then expanding to provide greater coverage and protection as the threat and technology evolve.
The U.S. contribution to this effort will be the European Phased Adaptive Approach, which will include Aegis ships capable of ballistic missile defense, a forward-based radar, and land-based SM-3 interceptor sites in Romania and Poland. Our European missile-defense system will employ cost-effective and proven technologies, using a distributed network of sensors and shooters, making it far more flexible, adaptable and survivable than earlier proposals. This system demonstrates America's enduring commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty—that an attack on one is an attack on all.
NATO missile defense also provides the opportunity for further improvements in both NATO-Russian and U.S.-Russian relations. NATO and Russia agreed at Lisbon to carry out a joint ballistic missile threat assessment, to resume theater missile-defense exercises, and to explore further cooperation on territorial missile defense—things that were nearly unimaginable two years ago.
These agreements underscore the strategic importance the alliance attaches to improving its relationship with Russia. But trust and confidence in our relationship with Russia would be undermined without Senate approval of the New Start Treaty, which reduces strategic nuclear forces to levels not seen since the 1950s, and restores important verification mechanisms that ceased when the first Start Treaty expired last December.
The U.S. has been conducting on-site inspections in Europe since the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty of 1987, which banned medium-range missiles. That treaty showed how U.S.-Russian arms control can make Europe more secure, and New Start continues that tradition.
European leaders understand that New Start advances their security as well as America's, and that is an important foundation for future negotiations on conventional forces and tactical nuclear weapons in Europe. That is why all 27 of our NATO allies expressed their desire to see the treaty's early ratification....
New Start is also a cornerstone of our efforts to reset relations with Russia, which have improved significantly in the last two years. This has led to real benefits for U.S. and global security. Russian cooperation made it possible to secure strong sanctions against Iran over its nuclear ambitions, and Russia canceled a sale to Iran of an advanced anti-aircraft missile system that would have been dangerously destabilizing. Russia has permitted the flow of materiel through its territory for our troops in Afghanistan. And—as the NATO-Russia Council in Lisbon demonstrated—European security has been advanced by the pursuit of a more cooperative relationship with Russia. We should not jeopardize this progress.
The Lisbon summit showed that American leadership in Europe remains essential. It also reminded us why the stakes of the New Start Treaty are so high. Our uniformed military supports it. Our European allies support it. Our national security interests are at stake. It is time for the Senate to approve New Start.
From Associated Press, Nov. 18, 2010:
President Obama: Ratifying START Treaty a U.S. Imperative
• OF THEE I SING •
From Kids at Random House, Nov. 17, 2010:
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, by Barack Obama
Go behind the scenes with the illustrator Loren Long to see how he illustrated the President’s book.
And don't miss reviews from discerning young readers, via The Obama Diary.