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    ‘President Obama’


    By: Kelly Holleran

    News Round-Up: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

    Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

    Julian Assange brings his extradition case to Britain’s Supreme Court; Mitt Romney, Chrysler, and the health care industry see gains. Also, Pfizer recalls one million birth control packets, and Pakistan is allegedly helping the Taliban. Meanwhile, ‘Soul Train’ creator Don Cornelius is dead after an apparent suicide, and ‘Seinfeld’ jumps into the Super Bowl commercial fray.

    Kelly + Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Julian Assange Starts Extradition Trial In UK Supreme Court, http://huff.to/wb9IuZ
    Julian Assange continues his extradition battle in Britain’s Supreme Court, arguing that sending him to Sweden would violate “fundamental principles of natural law.” Assange’s case teeters on whether Sweden’s public prosecutor can properly issue a warrant for Assange’s arrest on charges of sex crime allegations. Lawyers in Assange’s case argue that only judges can issue arrest warrants and that the prosecutor does not qualify for judicial authority. If Assange were to be sent to Sweden and effectively charged and convicted, he would face fines and as much as six years in prison.

    Jobs Increase as Health Care Eclipses Factories, http://bloom.bg/zPAQP8
    America’s readiness to take care of a growing number of aging Americans has spurred job growth in the health care market. The health care market was one of the few sectors to add jobs during the secession, as demand for nursing aides to surgeons rose. Almost 87 million Americans will be 65 or older by 2050. Health care is expected to add four million employees and be the second-biggest job gainer by 2018.

    Pakistan helping Afghan Taliban – NATO, http://bbc.in/ytoYMc
    According to a secret NATO report, derived from thousands of interrogations, the Taliban remains active and has wide support from the Afghan people and Pakistani security services. Pakistani officials are denying the report’s allegations that they know the locations of senior Taliban leaders. The report is based on 27,000 interrogations with more than 4,000 captured Taliban, al-Qaeda foreign fighters and civilians.

    Two Years After Rescue, Chrysler Posts First Profit Since 1997, http://bit.ly/xqbWZi
    After President Obama’s bailout of the auto industry in 2008, Chrysler is showing a comeback, posting its first operating profit and first net profit since 1997. CEO Sergio Marchionne said Chrysler expects to earn a profit of $1.5 billion this year. Since the rescue, Chrysler has added 9,400 jobs and plans to announce it will add 1,600 more in Illinois.

    Contraceptive pill recalled in US, http://bbc.in/x5bOQ9
    Pharmaceutical company Pfizer says a “packaging error” led to the mislabeling of one million packets of birth control. Fourteen lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets have been recalled. The company advises that the doses in these packages are not correct, and while there are not any health dangers, there is the risk of unintended pregnancy.

    Florida primary: Mitt Romney wins decisive victory, http://wapo.st/yyFTgy
    With superior fundraising and resources, Mitt Romney dealt a major setback to opponent Newt Gingrich by sweeping the Florida primary last night, leading by double digits. While Romney lost in Florida four years ago, effectively ending his previous campaign, his support last night came from a range of Florida supporters. Santorum, who came in third as he tended to his hospitalized daughter, has moved on to Nevada already, presenting himself as the Gingrich alternative. Ron Paul, who came in fourth place for the second time straight has also started campaigning in Nevada.

    Tech World Buzzes With Word That Facebook’s IPO Filing is Imminent, http://n.pr/yNbB91
    Facebook is taking its first step toward going public today. The Facebook IPO will be the biggest tech offering and one of the biggest on the market. Facebook’s revenue doubled from $2 billion in 2010 to $4.2 billion in 2011. AP reports that the company, when ready for public sale, will be valued at $75 billion to $100 billion.

    CULTURAL:

    Don Cornelius Dead: Apparent Suicide, http://bit.ly/zsZTnJ

    ‘Star Trek’ Star Popped for DUI, http://bit.ly/ylpyUu

    Acura Super Bowl ad brings back Seinfeld, Soup Nazi, http://thedc.com/yfI3hC

    Argentina calls Prince William a “conquistador” over Falklands mission, http://tgr.ph/zkLfgr

      Kelly Holleran
      Bio:

      Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

      Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
      Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »


      By: Aaron Ghitelman

      News Round-Up: Tuesday, January 30, 2012

      Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

      Europe continues to try to reign in its debt; House GOP members propose a transportation bill; Obama has been introduced to Google+; and Joe Nocera has continued his pointed assault on the hypocrisy of the NCAA. Elsewhere, “Key and Peele” debut their much anticipated sketch comedy show, and Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger leave ‘The X-Factor.’

      Aaron + Caitlin

      CRUCIAL: 

      European leaders adopt treaty pledging debt reduction, http://wapo.st/zBExjM
      25 of 27 European Union governments have ratified a treaty intended to limit the growth of national debts. With the backdrop of Greece’s recent bankruptcy and the specter of other defaults, European leaders feel the need to increase confidence in their system. Critics, however, think that the bill is all talk since the EU already has un-enforced debt limits. Additionally, some feel the short term goals of the EU should be to stimulate growth and not work on austerity.

      House Republicans to unveil transportation bill, http://wapo.st/AvYvPK
      Republicans have proposed a transportation bill that would spend roughly $50 billion a year maintaining America’s roads, bridges and highways over the next five years. The plan would give states more jurisdiction on spending while still keeping an eye on states’ budgets. The House bill appropriates about $5 billion less a year than the similar bill bouncing around the Senate. Both bills, however, include no more than one fifth of the spending that transportation experts claim are needed to maintain much of the nation’s infrastructure. Included in this bill is a requirement that drunk drivers use ignition interlock devices for a year after their convictions.

      Federal Election Reform Commission Advocated Voter Photo ID, http://bit.ly/AdN6XT
      The Carolina Journal News is reporting that a bipartisan committee from 2005 both recommended and supported the new voter ID laws that have caused a recent uproar. The committee included Democratic Former President Jimmy Carter and Republican Former Secretary of State James Baker. Both argued that mandating photo IDs would enfranchise more than disenfranchise, but that belief is being questioned by minority rights groups.

      Eye of Newt: Songwriter sues Gingrich for using ‘Eye of the Tiger’ music, http://trib.in/ycHAK7
      Survivor lead guitarist Frankie Sullivan has filed an injunction to block Gingrich’s use of “Eye of the Tiger,” the theme song from “Rocky III.” According to Sullivan’s lawyer, the issue is a copyright one and not a political one. Sullivan would have no problem with Gingrich using the song if he were to legally pay for its usage. Infamously, in 1984, New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen requested that Ronald Reagan not use his harsh critique of America’s treatment of veterans, “Born In The USA,” as a campaign song, and earlier this cycle Tom Petty requested that Michelle Bachmann stop using “American Girl” at campaign events.

      Obama Google+ chat gets personal, http://politi.co/wVWfua
      Obama used Google+, America’s newest social media network, on Monday to keep in touch with his constituents. The President has previously held chats on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and is continuing to stay up-to-date by using Google+. One awkward moment during the conversation came when Obama spoke with the wife of an unemployed man. Obama stated that maybe if he were in the engineering field he would have better job prospects, unbeknownst to the president, the woman’s husband was in fact an unemployed semiconductor engineer.

      Joe Nocera again sharply critiques the policies of the NCAA in “Saving Freshman Ryan,” http://nyti.ms/AoRzeW

      CULTURAL:

      Paula Abdul & Nicole Scherzinger Leave The X Factor, http://bit.ly/AkmCpe

      Rumer Willis Was Present During Demi Moore’s Emergency, http://eonli.ne/xa0Sf7

      Jack White announces solo debut album; M.I.A. confirms Super Bowl appearance, releases new single, http://wapo.st/ymofyg

      ‘Key & Peele’ stars talk racial sketch comedy in the Obama era, http://lat.ms/yozuxI

        Aaron Ghitelman
        Bio:

        Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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        Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »


        By: Kelly Holleran

        News Round-Up: Wednesday, January 25, 2012

        Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

        U.S. Navy SEALs who killed Osama bin Laden save two people in a Somali raid; Obama’s State of the Union address shows poll approval, but commentators are largely critical; and Michelle Bachmann will seek another term in the House while Gabrielle Giffords will not. Meanwhile, Demi Moore has been hospitalized, and Alex Ovechkin pulls out of the NHL All-Star game.

        Kelly + Caitlin

        CRUCIAL:

        U.S. military raid in Somalia frees Dane, American, http://usat.ly/yjMnKT
        The same team of U.S. Navy SEALs that killed Osama bin Laden have rescued one American and one Dane hostage in Somalia. Nine Somali kidnappers were killed during the raid and both hostages remained unharmed. Obama, after giving his SOTU, called the American hostage’s father to let him know his daughter was finally safe.

        Gabrielle Giffords bids an emotional farewell to Congress, http://lat.ms/wrtYga
        Amidst a standing ovation and a heart-felt hug from Obama, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords graced the House floor one last time last night. Giffords was shot in the head one year ago when a gunman opened fire at a public event outside of a Tucson grocery store. Giffords will cast her final vote on a bill that will give the Homeland Security Department greater ability to go after ultralight planes suspected of transporting narcotics from Mexico.

        Bachmann says she’ll seek fourth term in House, http://usat.ly/A6qjki
        Despite her failed presidential bid, Michelle Bachmann announced that she will seek a fourth term in the U.S. House. Bachmann’s announcement came out during a critical interview over Obama’s State of the Union Speech.

        Christie Wants Voters to Decide on Gay Marriage, http://nyti.ms/zzWgdy
        Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey announced that he would veto a bill legalizing same-sex marriage and instead has asked NJ’s state legislature to put the issue on the ballot for voters to decide.

        (via ThinkProgress) Missouri House Committee Passes Voter ID Bill, Republicans Hold Near Veto-Proof Majority, Missouri may soon join a growing group of states that have enacted laws requiring citizens to present a certain form of photo identification before being permitted to cast a ballot. On Tuesday, the Missouri House Committee on Elections voted 7-3 in favor of Rep. Shane Schoeller’s (R) voter ID bill. The party line vote now sends the legislation to the floor, where it will almost certainly pass the Republican-controlled House with ease, http://bit.ly/xg9u8p

        Scotland: Let 16-year-olds vote on independence, http://bit.ly/wTn71C
        Scotland First Minister has announced that 16 and 17-year-olds should be eligible to cast ballots in a referendum on Scottish independence from Britain.

        CULTURAL:

        Demi Moore Rushed to Hopital for Substance Abuse, http://bit.ly/y0Wra9

        Alex Ovechkin pulls out of NHL All-Star game: ‘I got suspended, so why I have to go there?’ http://thedc.com/yiNMGG

        Vanessa Paradis Addresses Johnny Depp ‘Rumors,’ http://bit.ly/xDowak

        Music has a greater presence at Sundance festival, http://bit.ly/xKA4VF

          Kelly Holleran
          Bio:

          Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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          Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »


          By: KristinKenney

          Last Night’s State of the Union

          Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

          Tonight was the first time I actually sat down and watched a State of the Union speech.  At first, I thought it would be like any other somewhat dull and self-serving speech that you hear from a politician.  However, I was surprised to find myself immediately in rapt when President Obama began the State of the Union speaking about the war in Iraq and the veterans that have come home or are in the midst of returning.  Hearing the President talk confidently about the end of the war in Iraq and welcoming home our troops confirmed that veterans like myself and my friends and family members that did not make it home were truly being honored by our fellow Americans.  Veterans have been through so many trials and tribulations; it was humbling to hear the President tell America, “[i]magine what we could accomplish if we followed [the military’s] example.”  It truly felt good to have the President state that America could learn something from little ole’ me.

          The issue of college affordability and student loans also struck a chord with me.  The President even challenged college presidents “to stop tuition from going up” and that “Congress needs to stop the interest rates on student loans from doubling in July.”  I know how hard it is to find not only a job that pays the bills — especially when you choose to serve rather than to go to college — but also to obtain an education that provides the skills that employers need.  Hearing that it might be easier to pay for college and obtain the job skills needed to survive in the 21st century workforce really resonated with me.  There are just so many obstacles that veterans have to overcome to re-enter civilian life, and all of that felt a little less burdensome when I heard the President say he had plans to take action on these issues.

          The President also spoke about the importance of staying in school and “call[ed] on every State to require that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn eighteen.”  Speaking for myself, I truly wish that my home state had required me to graduate from high school.  I wish I could have walked across the stage to receive my high school diploma instead of just obtaining a GED.  With no other option but to stay in school, I would have strived harder and made more out of the education at my fingertips.  I know we all have regrets, but none of those regrets should include anything about one’s education.  The President’s right; youth shouldn’t be given the option to just drop out when things get tough. I think a mandate like that would be better for the youth of tomorrow, don’t you?

          During the end of the State of the Union, the President spoke again about service and mentioned the importance of unity within the service and the United States. It was touching when he spoke about what the American flag from the Navy SEALs meant to him.  As the President said, when we serve, we are a family, and it’s imperative that we have each other’s “backs.” In the army, we worked hard and as the old service proverb goes, we truly “rise and fall together and no one is left behind!” According to the President, that kind of unity will keep America on top.  Do you think these are the basic values that we have been missing for much of this past decade?  Let’s hear from you, America — now is the time to speak up!

            KristinKenney
            Bio: Kristin is an intern with Rock the Vote.

            Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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            Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »


            By: Caitlin Maguire

            News Round-Up: Friday, January 20, 2012

            Friday, January 20th, 2012

            France threatens to remove troops from Afghanistan; Iran shuts down toy stores for selling Barbie dolls; Gingrich releases his tax returns; and time to start paying for Showtime and HBO, the U.S. government has shut down Megaupload. Meanwhile, President Obama makes our “entertainment” section again this week – this time for singing Al Green at a fundraiser.

            Caitlin

            CRUCIAL: 

            France threatens to pull its troops out of Afghanistan early, http://usat.ly/x55oyw
            France has threatened to pull its troops out of Afghanistan after an Afghan troop killed four French NATO personnel. The deaths bring the number of French casualties in Afghanistan to 82. “The French army is not in Afghanistan so that Afghan soldiers can shoot at them,” President Sarkozy said. Afghan President Hamid Karzai will meet with Sarkozy in Paris next week. Six NATO soldiers were killed in a separate helicopter crash early this morning. Early signs indicate that they were Americans.

            Iran shuts down shops selling Barbie dolls, http://apne.ws/wct2rX
            Iran has confiscated Barbie dolls and shut down dozens of toy stores for selling them. An unnamed Iranian police official said that this marks a “new phase” in the country’s crackdown against “manifestations of Western culture.” Iran has banned the sale of Barbie dolls since the mid-1990s.

            Gingrich paid just under $1M in taxes for 2010, http://usat.ly/yvNyHC
            Gingrich kept his promise and released his tax return for 2010 during last night’s GOP debate. He paid taxes of $994,708 on an adjusted gross income of $3,142,066. On Wednesday, Gingrich said he paid an effective tax rate of 31% while Mitt Romney admitted earlier this week that he pays “closer to 15%.” Gingrich also said that if he were to debate Obama, it would be a battle of knowledge and a teleprompter. After being booed, Romney said he would release his tax returns once he’s the nominee. Ron Paul noted that he’s too embarrassed to show his numbers next to Romney and Gingrich while Santorum said his taxes are on his home computer.

            Treasure haul as N.Z. police raid Megaupload guru, http://bit.ly/wSPIGB
            Yesterday, New Zealand police raided the fortified mansion of Megaupload founder “Kim Dotcom,” who is now being accused of online piracy in one of the largest cases of of copyright theft in U.S. history.  Armed officers arrested Kim Schmitz, a 37-year-old German citizen with New Zealand and Hong Kong residency, denying him bail with three other men on Friday in a court appearance. Police seized a pink Cadillac, a sawed-off shotgun, and froze millions of dollars in cash after raiding Schmitz’s mansion. The U.S. government shut down Megaupload yesterday causing a hacking sweep of government websites.

            Senior al Qaeda figure killed in drone strike, http://reut.rs/wdbxtT
            U.S. officials said Thursday that a “senior operations organizer” for al Qaeda was killed by a drone strike in Pakistan last week. Aslam Awan was the last member of a Pakistan-based al Qaeda cell that Pakistani police have been trying to eliminate since 2008.

            Wildfire Near Reno Destroys More Than 20 Homes, http://nyti.ms/z5bt5P
            More than 10,000 people had to evacuate their homes Thursday after a brush fire became out of control in Reno, Nevada. The fire started Thursday and has already damaged several homes. 82 mph winds caused the brush fire to become fast-moving. The area had gone a record 56 days without rain before a snowfall occurred earlier this week.

            (via POLITICO) The Supreme Court has thrown out the Texas redistricting maps drawn by a San Antonio federal court. “Because it is unclear whether the District Court for the Western District of Texas followed the appropriate standards in drawing interim maps for the 2012 Texas elections, the orders implementing those maps are vacated,” the court wrote in its decision.

            CULTURAL: 

            President Obama sings Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together,’ http://usat.ly/xNdcME

            Elton John’s Husband Backtracks On Madonna Statements, http://on.mtv.com/zFAsXQ

            Lana Del Rey: ‘I Don’t Love Live Television,’ http://on.mtv.com/wUXnFP

            This year’s Sundance shorts go online, http://usat.ly/xAkgnT

              Caitlin Maguire
              Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
              @caitlinmagu
              Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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              Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

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