Anyone else think that this woman was trying to give birth to a reality TV show?
This whole situation is incredible. I saw part of the mother's interview and her story sounded like crap from the start. If she didn't have a good childhood, why is she relying on her parents to help care for the children? Why would she use her disability settlement to implant embryos? I just don't get it. The fact that she has a publicist is weird too.
http://news.aol.com/article/octuplets-mom-web-site/334503?icid=200100397x1218904284x1201217022
Showing posts with label In the news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In the news. Show all posts
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Be glad you're alive
I don't get this. Why does the airline have to pay the passengers when it was their quick calm thinking pilot who saved their lives? As long as the crash wasn't due to equipment failure or human error, the passengers should be reimbursed for lost baggage only. Maybe they should find the relatives of the geese and sue them.
Is $5,000 for US Airways Fliers Enough?
By Gary Stoller,
USA Today
(Jan. 27) -- Many US Airways passengers who endured a crash landing in the Hudson River 12 days ago say they appreciate the $5,000 that the airline has offered — but some say it's not enough.
Joe Hart, a salesman from Charlotte who suffered a bloody nose and bruises, says he "would like to be made whole for the incident."
It's too soon after the accident to determine what emotional distress he has suffered, he says.
He's one of 150 passengers who were dramatically rescued Jan. 15, when the Charlotte-bound Airbus A320 jet safely ditched into the frigid river off Midtown Manhattan. A pilot on the plane told air-traffic controllers that birds struck the plane before both engines failed after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport.
After the crash, US Airways sent passengers a letter of apology, a $5,000 check to assist "with immediate needs" and reimbursement for the ticket.
Exactly how much compensation is appropriate is a question after crashes.
The National Air Disaster Alliance & Foundation, a safety advocacy group, says $5,000 is not enough.
"We're grateful everyone survived, and the captain on the plane was so marvelous," says Gail Dunham, the group's executive director. "But passengers lost luggage, briefcases, cellphones, BlackBerrys and business documents, and went through a terrific ordeal."
Like many, Hart says he left a lot of items behind and doesn't know which ones may be lost.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates aviation accidents, wants to examine baggage and belongings, and determine how much they weighed on the plane, says spokesman Peter Knudson.
It could take "weeks or months" before they are returned to passengers, he says.
Hart and another passenger, Dave Sanderson, say they each left more than $5,000 worth of items on the plane.
Sanderson, a sales manager in Charlotte, says US Airways' letter and checks were "a nice gesture," and the airline's personnel "have treated me like gold since the incident."
US Airways Vice President Jim Olson says that an insurance claims specialist is contacting passengers and that they'll be reimbursed for expenses or losses above $5,000.
The airline wants to ensure no passenger is "losing money for the inconvenience or anything lost during the accident," he says.
Under Department of Transportation regulations, airlines are liable for up to $3,300 per passenger for checked bags that are lost or damaged on a domestic flight. Most airlines disclaim liability for carry-on bags unless a crewmember stowed the bag, says Bill Mosley, a department spokesman.
In addition to recovering losses, Hart says he's concerned about having trouble flying. He's flown on six planes since the accident, and each flight has gotten "progressively more difficult."
He says he was tense, sweated and "felt every bit of turbulence" on a Los Angeles-to-Philadelphia flight last week, though it wasn't that turbulent a flight.
Hart says he has talked to a lawyer in North Carolina but hasn't decided whether to take any legal action.
"I want to see how things play out with US Airways," he says. "I'm hopeful US Airways understands the significance of the incident."
Kreindler & Kreindler, a New York law firm that has represented plaintiffs in crashes, says it has been contacted by several passengers on the US Airways flight.
The firm's lawyers are determining what injuries and emotional distress passengers may have suffered, and what parties might be liable under New York state law, says Noah Kushlefsky, a partner in the firm.
In many aviation accidents, survivors have claimed post-traumatic stress disorder. To recover damages, plaintiffs have to prove that injury or distress was caused by negligence, or the jet or its engines not performing as they should, Kushlefsky says. New York law requires a lawsuit to be filed within three years of an incident, he says.
Sanderson, a father of four, says he's thankful he could celebrate his 48th birthday on Friday and has no reason to talk to an attorney.
"US Air has been doing the right thing," he says. "Everyone is acting in a responsible way."
Fred Berretta, who suffered a small cut on his head during the crash landing, says US Airways representatives have called frequently and treated him very well. He says that a few personal mementos from his father were left behind but that the money sent by US Airways covers the value of his belongings.
Berretta, who works for a financial services company, was flown home to Charlotte after the crash on his company's jet.
"I'm a private pilot, and I'm sure I'll be flying again," he says. "But it might be a little while before I fly for pleasure again."
Amber Wells of Charlotte says she's so thankful to have survived and to be with her 9-month-old daughter, Rayley, that she hasn't had time to think about her belongings.
She says she lost $2,000 of nursing equipment and a laptop computer, as well as a checked bag and a carry-on bag.
"Everything that's gone can be replaced," says Wells, 34, a senior manager for NASCAR. "My life cannot be replaced."
Copyright 2009 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved.2009-01-27 09:09:03
Is $5,000 for US Airways Fliers Enough?
By Gary Stoller,
USA Today
(Jan. 27) -- Many US Airways passengers who endured a crash landing in the Hudson River 12 days ago say they appreciate the $5,000 that the airline has offered — but some say it's not enough.
Joe Hart, a salesman from Charlotte who suffered a bloody nose and bruises, says he "would like to be made whole for the incident."
It's too soon after the accident to determine what emotional distress he has suffered, he says.
He's one of 150 passengers who were dramatically rescued Jan. 15, when the Charlotte-bound Airbus A320 jet safely ditched into the frigid river off Midtown Manhattan. A pilot on the plane told air-traffic controllers that birds struck the plane before both engines failed after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport.
After the crash, US Airways sent passengers a letter of apology, a $5,000 check to assist "with immediate needs" and reimbursement for the ticket.
Exactly how much compensation is appropriate is a question after crashes.
The National Air Disaster Alliance & Foundation, a safety advocacy group, says $5,000 is not enough.
"We're grateful everyone survived, and the captain on the plane was so marvelous," says Gail Dunham, the group's executive director. "But passengers lost luggage, briefcases, cellphones, BlackBerrys and business documents, and went through a terrific ordeal."
Like many, Hart says he left a lot of items behind and doesn't know which ones may be lost.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates aviation accidents, wants to examine baggage and belongings, and determine how much they weighed on the plane, says spokesman Peter Knudson.
It could take "weeks or months" before they are returned to passengers, he says.
Hart and another passenger, Dave Sanderson, say they each left more than $5,000 worth of items on the plane.
Sanderson, a sales manager in Charlotte, says US Airways' letter and checks were "a nice gesture," and the airline's personnel "have treated me like gold since the incident."
US Airways Vice President Jim Olson says that an insurance claims specialist is contacting passengers and that they'll be reimbursed for expenses or losses above $5,000.
The airline wants to ensure no passenger is "losing money for the inconvenience or anything lost during the accident," he says.
Under Department of Transportation regulations, airlines are liable for up to $3,300 per passenger for checked bags that are lost or damaged on a domestic flight. Most airlines disclaim liability for carry-on bags unless a crewmember stowed the bag, says Bill Mosley, a department spokesman.
In addition to recovering losses, Hart says he's concerned about having trouble flying. He's flown on six planes since the accident, and each flight has gotten "progressively more difficult."
He says he was tense, sweated and "felt every bit of turbulence" on a Los Angeles-to-Philadelphia flight last week, though it wasn't that turbulent a flight.
Hart says he has talked to a lawyer in North Carolina but hasn't decided whether to take any legal action.
"I want to see how things play out with US Airways," he says. "I'm hopeful US Airways understands the significance of the incident."
Kreindler & Kreindler, a New York law firm that has represented plaintiffs in crashes, says it has been contacted by several passengers on the US Airways flight.
The firm's lawyers are determining what injuries and emotional distress passengers may have suffered, and what parties might be liable under New York state law, says Noah Kushlefsky, a partner in the firm.
In many aviation accidents, survivors have claimed post-traumatic stress disorder. To recover damages, plaintiffs have to prove that injury or distress was caused by negligence, or the jet or its engines not performing as they should, Kushlefsky says. New York law requires a lawsuit to be filed within three years of an incident, he says.
Sanderson, a father of four, says he's thankful he could celebrate his 48th birthday on Friday and has no reason to talk to an attorney.
"US Air has been doing the right thing," he says. "Everyone is acting in a responsible way."
Fred Berretta, who suffered a small cut on his head during the crash landing, says US Airways representatives have called frequently and treated him very well. He says that a few personal mementos from his father were left behind but that the money sent by US Airways covers the value of his belongings.
Berretta, who works for a financial services company, was flown home to Charlotte after the crash on his company's jet.
"I'm a private pilot, and I'm sure I'll be flying again," he says. "But it might be a little while before I fly for pleasure again."
Amber Wells of Charlotte says she's so thankful to have survived and to be with her 9-month-old daughter, Rayley, that she hasn't had time to think about her belongings.
She says she lost $2,000 of nursing equipment and a laptop computer, as well as a checked bag and a carry-on bag.
"Everything that's gone can be replaced," says Wells, 34, a senior manager for NASCAR. "My life cannot be replaced."
Copyright 2009 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved.2009-01-27 09:09:03
Friday, January 23, 2009
Obama Plans to Reverse Abortion Policy
I first heard about this back in 2000 when Bush took office. Apparently, this aid flipflops depending on who is in office. The Republicans cut off funding and the Democrats restore it. I think it's stupid that 3rd world health clinics lose funds used for day to day operations just because they discuss abortion as an option.
Obama Plans to Reverse Abortion Policy
By LIZ SIDOTI and MATTHEW LEE, AP
WASHINGTON (Jan. 23) - President Barack Obama plans to sign an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that promote or perform abortions, officials told The Associated Press on Friday.
The move, long expected in the Democratic president's first week in office, will be welcomed by liberals and criticized by abortion rights foes.
The policy bans U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of U.S. Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibits taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy.
Also known as the "Mexico City policy," it has been reinstated and then reversed by Republican and Democratic presidents since GOP President Ronald Reagan established it in 1984. President Bill Clinton ended the ban in 1993, but President George W. Bush re-instituted it in 2001 as one of his first acts in office.
The Democratic official and senior U.S. official who disclosed the plans did so on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to pre-empt Obama's announcement.
Obama was expected to sign the executive order at a low-key event, one day after the 36th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion.
The move was not a surprise as both Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who will oversee foreign aid, had promised to do away with the gag rule during the presidential campaign. Clinton is to visit the U.S. Agency for International Development, through which much U.S. foreign aid is disbursed, later on Friday.
Obama has spent his first days in office systematically signing executive orders reversing Bush administration policies on issues ranging from foreign policy to government operations. But, save for ending the ban, Obama has largely refrained from wading into ideological issues, perhaps to avoid being tagged a traditional partisan from the outset after his campaign promises to change "business as usual" in the often partisan-gridlocked capital.
Rather, Obama has chosen to focus initially on issues in which there is consensus across the political spectrum and support from the public, such as closing the prison camp for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to making government documents more accessible.
Organizations that had pressed Obama to make the abortion-ban change were jubilant.
"Women's health has been severely impacted by the cutoff of assistance. President Obama's actions will help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, abortions and women dying from high-risk pregnancies because they don't have access to family planning," said Tod Preston, a spokesman for Population Action International, an advocacy group.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-01-23 10:51:44
Obama Plans to Reverse Abortion Policy
By LIZ SIDOTI and MATTHEW LEE, AP
WASHINGTON (Jan. 23) - President Barack Obama plans to sign an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that promote or perform abortions, officials told The Associated Press on Friday.
The move, long expected in the Democratic president's first week in office, will be welcomed by liberals and criticized by abortion rights foes.
The policy bans U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of U.S. Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibits taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy.
Also known as the "Mexico City policy," it has been reinstated and then reversed by Republican and Democratic presidents since GOP President Ronald Reagan established it in 1984. President Bill Clinton ended the ban in 1993, but President George W. Bush re-instituted it in 2001 as one of his first acts in office.
The Democratic official and senior U.S. official who disclosed the plans did so on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to pre-empt Obama's announcement.
Obama was expected to sign the executive order at a low-key event, one day after the 36th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion.
The move was not a surprise as both Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who will oversee foreign aid, had promised to do away with the gag rule during the presidential campaign. Clinton is to visit the U.S. Agency for International Development, through which much U.S. foreign aid is disbursed, later on Friday.
Obama has spent his first days in office systematically signing executive orders reversing Bush administration policies on issues ranging from foreign policy to government operations. But, save for ending the ban, Obama has largely refrained from wading into ideological issues, perhaps to avoid being tagged a traditional partisan from the outset after his campaign promises to change "business as usual" in the often partisan-gridlocked capital.
Rather, Obama has chosen to focus initially on issues in which there is consensus across the political spectrum and support from the public, such as closing the prison camp for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to making government documents more accessible.
Organizations that had pressed Obama to make the abortion-ban change were jubilant.
"Women's health has been severely impacted by the cutoff of assistance. President Obama's actions will help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, abortions and women dying from high-risk pregnancies because they don't have access to family planning," said Tod Preston, a spokesman for Population Action International, an advocacy group.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-01-23 10:51:44
Monday, January 19, 2009
The American President
Tomorrow Barack Obama will be sworn in as our new president. I voted for him. I would have preferred Hillary but I would have voted democrat no matter what or not vote at all. To be honest, back when the democratic primary was decided, I felt like I'd be voting AGAINST McCain and not FOR Obama. As time went on I became more comfortable with a vote FOR Obama.
I'm feel hopeful about the new presidency. This country needs a change and I don't think there's any way a republican president could pull it off. I was born after the Kennedy administration so this is the first time I'm seeing youth in the White House. I also think it's wonderful that whatever bigotries some of our citizens have demonstrated in the past have subsided enough to be able to elect a black president. 50 years ago, a black person couldn't sit in the front of a bus or restaurant in many parts of the country. When my parents drove from New York to Florida in 1962 for their honeymoon, they saw the "colored" water fountains and restrooms.
One thing that does bother me is that the news coverage, at least what I'm seeing, is portraying Obama as the Black President instead of simply as the President. I don't think Obama is creating the image himself, it's all the press. Watching the Today Show this morning, there was an interview of 2 people from the DC police/security forces. At the end of the interview, Meredith felt the need to ask the man, who happens to be black, what his personal feelings were about a black man becoming president. She didn't ask the white woman that question. I don't think the question should have been asked at all.
Hopefully after tomorrow we can get past this and just get down to the business of helping the US economy recover and start moving forward again. We have issues to deal with that affect citizens of every race and creed.
I'm feel hopeful about the new presidency. This country needs a change and I don't think there's any way a republican president could pull it off. I was born after the Kennedy administration so this is the first time I'm seeing youth in the White House. I also think it's wonderful that whatever bigotries some of our citizens have demonstrated in the past have subsided enough to be able to elect a black president. 50 years ago, a black person couldn't sit in the front of a bus or restaurant in many parts of the country. When my parents drove from New York to Florida in 1962 for their honeymoon, they saw the "colored" water fountains and restrooms.
One thing that does bother me is that the news coverage, at least what I'm seeing, is portraying Obama as the Black President instead of simply as the President. I don't think Obama is creating the image himself, it's all the press. Watching the Today Show this morning, there was an interview of 2 people from the DC police/security forces. At the end of the interview, Meredith felt the need to ask the man, who happens to be black, what his personal feelings were about a black man becoming president. She didn't ask the white woman that question. I don't think the question should have been asked at all.
Hopefully after tomorrow we can get past this and just get down to the business of helping the US economy recover and start moving forward again. We have issues to deal with that affect citizens of every race and creed.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Israel vs Gaza gets personal
Something I began to notice in the spring of 2007 when I came into contact with some newly discovered cousins is that the US coverage of events in Israel and Gaza seem to be lopsided. Maybe I was naive or maybe it just wasn't personal enough for me to notice. I saw it again this morning while watching the Today Show. The only news they reported was the details about Israel's bombing of Gaza, how many buildings were destroyed, how many people were killed. Not once did they mention that Hamas is still firing missiles into Israel, damaging property and hurting people there. In order to get the complete story, I follow the news on http://www.jpost.com/, the English version of the Jerusalem Post.
I have cousins in Ashkelon which is about 10 miles from the Gaza border, well within range of the Hamas missiles. My cousin Ella lives in Lod with her boyfriend Boris who is still in the army and received a call at 11:30pm on December 31 to report for duty at 7am the next morning. Ella told me that he is not part of the fighting force but will still be serving on, or close to, the border. His parents live in Ashdod, also within range of the Hamas missiles. When the warning sirens sound, they have 45 seconds to run from their 3rd floor apartment to the bomb shelter in the basement.
Ella told me this morning that she convinced her parents to move from their home in Ashkelon to her apartment in Lod. Her younger sister has already moved in with a friend in Rehovot. Ella's grandmother Rita and her boyfriend are staying with his family in Bat Yam. I'm glad everyone was able to move further north.
Unfortunately, terrorist groups like Hamas only seem to understand one thing...violence. They see the world in black and white (usually black) with no grey area, no middle ground. In my personal opinion, the only solution to this problem is for Israel to pound Hamas into the dirt and end it once and for all.
I have cousins in Ashkelon which is about 10 miles from the Gaza border, well within range of the Hamas missiles. My cousin Ella lives in Lod with her boyfriend Boris who is still in the army and received a call at 11:30pm on December 31 to report for duty at 7am the next morning. Ella told me that he is not part of the fighting force but will still be serving on, or close to, the border. His parents live in Ashdod, also within range of the Hamas missiles. When the warning sirens sound, they have 45 seconds to run from their 3rd floor apartment to the bomb shelter in the basement.
Ella told me this morning that she convinced her parents to move from their home in Ashkelon to her apartment in Lod. Her younger sister has already moved in with a friend in Rehovot. Ella's grandmother Rita and her boyfriend are staying with his family in Bat Yam. I'm glad everyone was able to move further north.
Unfortunately, terrorist groups like Hamas only seem to understand one thing...violence. They see the world in black and white (usually black) with no grey area, no middle ground. In my personal opinion, the only solution to this problem is for Israel to pound Hamas into the dirt and end it once and for all.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Hanukkah Reception at White House
I wonder if anyone else noticed that the menorah was lit from left to right. It should have been lit from right to left. The decision must have been made by the same person who designed the invitations with the Christmas tree.
Copied from Baltimore Jewish website
President Bush Hosts Hanukkah Reception at White House
by Greg on December 16, 2008
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush hosted a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Monday night, December 15, 2008. President Bush opened with a short speech, followed by the lighting of the menorah (see transcript and video below; the person who lit the candles said “Hashem Elokeinu” in the bracha). President Bush mentioned the 60th anniversary of the State of Israle and that the menorah used was given to President Harry Truman by David Ben Gurion in 1951, in thanks for the United States’ support of the State of Israel in 1948. The menorah was lit by Truman’s and Ben Gurion’s grandsons, Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer. The Kol Zimra choir, who also performed at the 2004 White House Hanukkah reception, performed, singing a few Hanukkah classics.
In attendance were Sentaor Joe Lieberman and his wife Hadassah, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Sallai Meridor, Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, and business mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife, along with about 600 total guests.
The White House kitchen was kashered for the occasion by a team of Lubavitch mashgichim; this is the fourth time in history that the White House’s kitchen has been made kosher.
THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Welcome to the White House. You may have heard I’ve had a pretty eventful weekend. (Laughter.)
So I slipped out Saturday night to Andrews Air Force Base, boarded Air Force One, and landed in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sunday afternoon. It was an unbelievable experience, it really was, to stand next to the President of a democracy and hold my hand over my heart as they played the national anthem in front of one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. I then had — (applause) — and then I had the honor to thank our brave troops who have helped make the transformation in Iraq possible.
This morning we landed in Afghanistan. I spoke to American forces serving courageously to make sure that Afghanistan never becomes a safe haven from which the killers could launch attacks on the homeland.
And then I met with President Karzai, who is determined to help the young democracy survive. And so he said, why don’t you hang around for a while? And I said, well, you don’t understand. (Laughter.) I need to get back to the White House for an important event. (Laughter.) The Hanukkah reception is always one of the most special events of the season. Laura and I are pleased to be with so many friends. And we are honored to gather with leaders of the Jewish community to celebrate our final Hanukkah here in the White House.
I want to thank our Attorney General for joining us. General, I appreciate you and Susan joining us. I am proud to be here with one of America’s great United States senators, Joe Lieberman — (applause) — his greatness made possible by his wife Hadassah, I might add. (Laughter.) And one of the young leaders of the United States Congress, Eric Cantor, and his wife Diana. (Applause.) And we’re proud to be here with Kol Zimra, as well, who will perform later.
The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights. Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah. Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for His greatest gift — freedom.
This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory — the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing Israel in May of 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive. Yet from the first days of independence, the people of Israel defied dire predictions. With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil. They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth. Like the Maccabees, Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction. And today, Israel is a light unto the nations — and one of America’s closest friends.
This evening, we have the great privilege of celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary and Hanukkah in a very special way. Thanks to the generosity of the Truman Library, we are fortunate to light the menorah presented to President Truman in 1951 as a symbol of friendship by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
A decade after President Truman received this gift, he visited Prime Minister Ben-Gurion for one of the last times. As they parted, Ben-Gurion told the President that as a foreigner he could not judge President Truman’s place in American history, but the President’s courageous decision to recognize the new state of Israel gave him an immortal place in Jewish history. Those words filled the President’s eyes with uncharacteristic tears. And later, Ben-Gurion would say he rarely had seen somebody so moved.
And so tonight I’m deeply moved to welcome the grandsons of these two great men — Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer — to light the Truman menorah together.
Laura and I wish all the people of Jewish faith a happy Hanukkah and many joyous Hanukkahs in the years ahead. Thank you. (Applause.)
Copied from Baltimore Jewish website
President Bush Hosts Hanukkah Reception at White House
by Greg on December 16, 2008
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush hosted a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Monday night, December 15, 2008. President Bush opened with a short speech, followed by the lighting of the menorah (see transcript and video below; the person who lit the candles said “Hashem Elokeinu” in the bracha). President Bush mentioned the 60th anniversary of the State of Israle and that the menorah used was given to President Harry Truman by David Ben Gurion in 1951, in thanks for the United States’ support of the State of Israel in 1948. The menorah was lit by Truman’s and Ben Gurion’s grandsons, Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer. The Kol Zimra choir, who also performed at the 2004 White House Hanukkah reception, performed, singing a few Hanukkah classics.
In attendance were Sentaor Joe Lieberman and his wife Hadassah, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Sallai Meridor, Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, and business mogul Sheldon Adelson and his wife, along with about 600 total guests.
The White House kitchen was kashered for the occasion by a team of Lubavitch mashgichim; this is the fourth time in history that the White House’s kitchen has been made kosher.
THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Welcome to the White House. You may have heard I’ve had a pretty eventful weekend. (Laughter.)
So I slipped out Saturday night to Andrews Air Force Base, boarded Air Force One, and landed in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sunday afternoon. It was an unbelievable experience, it really was, to stand next to the President of a democracy and hold my hand over my heart as they played the national anthem in front of one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. I then had — (applause) — and then I had the honor to thank our brave troops who have helped make the transformation in Iraq possible.
This morning we landed in Afghanistan. I spoke to American forces serving courageously to make sure that Afghanistan never becomes a safe haven from which the killers could launch attacks on the homeland.
And then I met with President Karzai, who is determined to help the young democracy survive. And so he said, why don’t you hang around for a while? And I said, well, you don’t understand. (Laughter.) I need to get back to the White House for an important event. (Laughter.) The Hanukkah reception is always one of the most special events of the season. Laura and I are pleased to be with so many friends. And we are honored to gather with leaders of the Jewish community to celebrate our final Hanukkah here in the White House.
I want to thank our Attorney General for joining us. General, I appreciate you and Susan joining us. I am proud to be here with one of America’s great United States senators, Joe Lieberman — (applause) — his greatness made possible by his wife Hadassah, I might add. (Laughter.) And one of the young leaders of the United States Congress, Eric Cantor, and his wife Diana. (Applause.) And we’re proud to be here with Kol Zimra, as well, who will perform later.
The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights. Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah. Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for His greatest gift — freedom.
This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory — the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing Israel in May of 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive. Yet from the first days of independence, the people of Israel defied dire predictions. With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil. They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth. Like the Maccabees, Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction. And today, Israel is a light unto the nations — and one of America’s closest friends.
This evening, we have the great privilege of celebrating Israel’s 60th anniversary and Hanukkah in a very special way. Thanks to the generosity of the Truman Library, we are fortunate to light the menorah presented to President Truman in 1951 as a symbol of friendship by Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
A decade after President Truman received this gift, he visited Prime Minister Ben-Gurion for one of the last times. As they parted, Ben-Gurion told the President that as a foreigner he could not judge President Truman’s place in American history, but the President’s courageous decision to recognize the new state of Israel gave him an immortal place in Jewish history. Those words filled the President’s eyes with uncharacteristic tears. And later, Ben-Gurion would say he rarely had seen somebody so moved.
And so tonight I’m deeply moved to welcome the grandsons of these two great men — Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer — to light the Truman menorah together.
Laura and I wish all the people of Jewish faith a happy Hanukkah and many joyous Hanukkahs in the years ahead. Thank you. (Applause.)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Drew Peterson Engaged
I can't understand why any woman would get involved with this asshole!
CHICAGO - (Dec. 17) - A publicist for the former Illinois police sergeant suspected in the disappearance of his wife says the ex-officer is engaged to be married again.
Publicist Glenn Selig says 54-year-old Drew Peterson proposed within the last week after dating the woman for about four months.
Selig says the woman is 23 — the same age as Stacy Peterson when she disappeared in October 2007.
"I guess he's got to get divorced," said Peterson's attorney, Joel Brodsky, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Peterson was upset about the initial information leak, the Sun-Times reported. "I can't believe this is happening. How the f--- did this get out?" he asked. "Last time I had a relationship, you guys screwed it all up," he said of ex-girlfriend Kim Matuska, 22. "The police had her, the grand jury had her. I'm not putting her through all that."
Illinois state police call Peterson a suspect in the disappearance of Stacy, his fourth wife, but no charges have been filed against the former officer from the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook. He claims she left him for another man.
His third wife, Kathleen Savio, was killed in an unsolved March 2004 homicide.
Selig wouldn't give any details about Peterson's new fiance.
CHICAGO - (Dec. 17) - A publicist for the former Illinois police sergeant suspected in the disappearance of his wife says the ex-officer is engaged to be married again.
Publicist Glenn Selig says 54-year-old Drew Peterson proposed within the last week after dating the woman for about four months.
Selig says the woman is 23 — the same age as Stacy Peterson when she disappeared in October 2007.
"I guess he's got to get divorced," said Peterson's attorney, Joel Brodsky, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Peterson was upset about the initial information leak, the Sun-Times reported. "I can't believe this is happening. How the f--- did this get out?" he asked. "Last time I had a relationship, you guys screwed it all up," he said of ex-girlfriend Kim Matuska, 22. "The police had her, the grand jury had her. I'm not putting her through all that."
Illinois state police call Peterson a suspect in the disappearance of Stacy, his fourth wife, but no charges have been filed against the former officer from the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook. He claims she left him for another man.
His third wife, Kathleen Savio, was killed in an unsolved March 2004 homicide.
Selig wouldn't give any details about Peterson's new fiance.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Shooting at William Floyd HS
I received an IM from my niece Stacy this morning. She told me there was a shooting at her high school last night. My first questions were if she was at the school and if anyone was killed? I immediately jumped the Newsday website. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-lishot1213,0,2801774.story
The shooting took place outside while some awards were being handing out after a basketball game. Thankfully no one was killed. One injury, a 9th grade boy was shot in the leg. Also good news that neither of my nieces were there at the time. Their cousin was attending the game and told Stacy that it was crazy there, no one was sure what to do and the school went on lock down to make sure the shooter wasn't still there. The school says that they have good video surveillance in the area where the shooting took place so they will hopefully be able to get a good picture of the shooter.
I'm watching the story to see who the shooter is and why he/she did what they did. Based on what I'm used to seeing in the news lately, this was probably just another act of violence over something silly. This story is doubly scary for me because my nieces could have been there.
The shooting took place outside while some awards were being handing out after a basketball game. Thankfully no one was killed. One injury, a 9th grade boy was shot in the leg. Also good news that neither of my nieces were there at the time. Their cousin was attending the game and told Stacy that it was crazy there, no one was sure what to do and the school went on lock down to make sure the shooter wasn't still there. The school says that they have good video surveillance in the area where the shooting took place so they will hopefully be able to get a good picture of the shooter.
I'm watching the story to see who the shooter is and why he/she did what they did. Based on what I'm used to seeing in the news lately, this was probably just another act of violence over something silly. This story is doubly scary for me because my nieces could have been there.
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