Obama Today will follow President Obama's initiatives and policy directions.
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Obama Today will follow President Obama’s initiatives and policy directions. We’ll look at new presidential orders, policies on the economy, alternative energy and foreign affairs, and his use of new media. We’ll review the new president’s progress and governing style, take a look at the challenges of governing the United States, and keep you informed about the fun moments as well. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the president’s job. Read More
This is Obama’s first day waking up in the White House, and he’s likely got a lot on his mind. So many challenges lie ahead – a global financial crisis, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, climate change – it will be difficult to tackle everything at once.
What should Obama’s priorities be? Share your ideas in the comments field below.
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Afghanistan and Iraq, Barack Obama, Economy, International Relations, National Security328 Comments
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Kirsten Salyer loves listening to people’s stories. From Houston, Texas, the U.S. State Department intern studies journalism and international studies at Northwestern University. She enjoys traveling and meeting new people. Full Biography
Ned Collins-Chase is an intern with the U.S. Department of State, and a student at Colgate University in New York, studying International Relations and Chinese language. Full Biography
Comments (328)
faheem ur rehman
Location: pakistan
26 November 2009 at 02:12 EST
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i think obama’s priorities should be to bring the peace not only in america or other effected countries but he should performe himself in the whole world like an ideal man so in my views obama is the best but when he will do a great job in bringing of peace in the world. thanks
faheem ur rehman
Location: pakistan
26 November 2009 at 02:13 EST
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please send me some great spechess of obama becz he is my ideal man
Mark
Location: New York
24 December 2009 at 01:47 EST
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Obama is very good at what he is doing. Promo CodesIdahoagbellGeneral WordPress WeblogFarnsworthonbroadway
Blessing Mandiopera
Location: Zimbabwe Harare
9 January 2010 at 03:57 EST
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America should try and use dialogue rather than war where posibble.
Rick Muchacha
Location: Zimbabwe
9 April 2010 at 23:55 EDT
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Hi Blessing,
I was wondering…are you related to a Samuel Mandiopera? I used to be good friends with him in Mutare between late 70s and early 80s. He was a good friend and I always wonder about his whereabouts.
The last I saw him was in Dangamvura, Mutare around the 1981-83.
Thanks!
Rick
Nwokedi Nworisara
Location: Port Harcourt
29 January 2010 at 03:34 EST
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BLUEPRINT FOR A NEW NIGERIA
By Nwokedi Nworisara
As Nigeria move irretrievably towards fundamental changes occasioned by recent events-a sick absentee President, a Constitution that is self contradictory leading to a vacuum in power despite the fact that there exists a willing Vice President and a National Assembly with hands seemingly tied; a ruling party unable to rise above sectional interests in resolving national problems and failing state unable to abide by the multilateral and bilateral agreements with the international community, the strident calls for change resounds.
As it is customary, many schools of thought are emerging by the day as to what the outcome of protests in the street, hedging of the ruling junta will bring to a fragile nation. Some surmise that Nigeria will disintegrate into tribes; others think the military will intervene once again to forcibly keep her together, Still a section prefers that the President continue ruling in absentia rather than envisage the unknown consequences of change. Fear has become the game changer. But it need not be so. .
Why can’t our intelligentsias spend more time designing a win- win situation out of this quagmire instead of giving fuel to those outcomes we fear and loath. I will take the lead here but I invite all others to debate the new that will emerge with a view to making it even better. Remember that we have to design a nation where: “Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand. Nigerians all are proud to serve our sovereign mother land…where no man is oppressed”
Let us go to work immediately. The outlines of our work are clear. We need a nation standing within today’s borders, under same internationally accepted foundations at peace with itself and the world and prospering competitively in every sphere within the comity of nations in today’s global world. Any other design may spell confusion.
Now let us take a peek at the New Nigeria that will emerge from the present rubble. It will be inclusive of all cultural, religious, ethnic, nationalities and sundry interests at the primary and secondary levels of organization and governance. However, at the tertiary level organization will be secular. Only performance will get you to the tertiary level. Yes, performance in tune with the realization of the national vision; the tenets of the union, goals of the “brotherhood”. Without performance Nigeria cannot compete with other Nations for scarce global resources.
It is important that these tenets will not be at variance with the internationally accepted legal basis for the rule of law as enunciated in 1960 during Nigeria’s independence from Britain. No Nation can exist in isolation in a global world. The component units must be capable of resolving their differences only at the lower levels of governance. The units will relate positively with the centre. The Nigerian brotherhood will be sustained at the top not by sharing but rather by vigorous input from component units.
The criterion for the constitution of units will be the ability to contribute something uniquely to the brotherhood, to the union whether it is food, money clothing, land, tourism, power, etc, It must be voluntarily and cheerfully given up to the whole. Every unit must be self sustaining materially but seeks union to further boost its advantage of scale. Every input to the federation must be quantified and quantifiable vis-à-vis the input of other units in cash or kind.
The units, in putting themselves together must work out ways in line with prevailing religion, culture or ethnic requirements to fulfill its tax obligation to the federation. Whether it would allow federal tax agents to tax its citizens or prefers to pay en-block while on its own taxing the people will be a matter of style.
On the other hand, federal government must work out, in line with international standards and values, inputs of units and therefore whatever commensurate returns may accrue to the units annually, monthly or weekly for proper for proper administrative devolution. This formula must differ from unit to unit in accordance with input.
The other dimension is the attainment of citizenship. The new Nigerian citizenship must be merited by all who seek it both Nigerians and immigrants. For instance, to qualify to vote in a general election will entail having two levels of citizenship is expected. The first level of citizenship must pass through the units. You may be a citizen of Nigeria but you are subject to the unit you belong if you are not rated by performance level, as capable of voting at the National level. To be capable of voting, you must have attained a requisite education and training to enable you appreciate what you are doing; you must not be bound by religion, ethnicity or retain cultural inhibitions in performing your duty at national level.
You must hold an ‘A’ Nigerian passport or papers or identity and you must have a skill or you have a job; a Housing permit and tax papers. With this you can live in the designated federal urban areas or reside abroad with dual or single citizenship .For those with ‘B’ passport, they can be unemployed or employed within the units; engage in social, political, cultural or religious roles in line with the culture or administrative convenience of these units designed to achieve efficiency within the unit so that each locality is enabled to contribute competitively to the whole.
Residents of the units without a passport may be required to obtain identification papers when traveling outside their unit to other parts of Nigeria. For instance before a Moslem Shari a adherent travels to predominantly Christian neighbor hood or unit, he or she may obtain and sign papers accepting to abide by cultural or socio-economic requirements of the place he or she intends to travel or stay and these data are valuable for security and welfare also to prosecute him or her where such a situation arises. Conversely, when a Christian practitioner wishes to visit or live in a Muslim neighbor hood, he must agree to abide by demands of the Shari a law in this place and subject himself or herself to appropriate punishment in case of a breech of the legal codes here. However, the down side is that any unit that closes itself by employing rigid draconian laws may also obtain less tourism revenue as its price for undue internal restriction and may also become less competitive among other units.
The federal Government will be responsible for External Affairs, Environment, Economy, Law and Order, Immigration, etc. On the other hand the units will have both concurrent as well as exclusive list of functions. The unit for instance may be responsible for law and order within their jurisdictions, both judiciary and enforcement arms. Every citizen will be offered two levels of security. First level is individual-all citizens with the Nigerian ‘A’ passport can apply to carry firearms. On the collective level, a well trained, educated and trained police Force will be maintained at the Federal and unit levels. Other
Responsibilities of the units include: Economy, sanitation and environment, land and transport, Education, Taxation, Power, Trade and Industry.
If for instances, a unit specializes in power generation, it may be required to supply power to the federal Government and its urban centers as its contribution, quantified and paid for as if it is competitive with international market situation. In addition, its ‘citizens’ will pay tax for which a percentage goes to the centre in like proportion. Furthermore, the Federal Government may chose to conduct International Affairs through a particular unit if such a step would reduce cost and also for other advantages this decision may confer on the socio- economic system as a whole.
In a general election, Open ballot voting will be conducted electronically especially for Federal positions such as the legislature and for Executive positions. Qualification is in terms of higher education and spiritual maturity [secularity] for those who will vote and be voted for in this election. Staggered election dates and continuous opinion polls together with parliamentary system of government will ensure free and fair elections as well as good governance at both the centre and in the units.
In the new dispensation, such absurdities as a Minister abandoning duty to pray 5 times a day or proceeding on pilgrimage will never occur. Anyone who abandons his duty is sacked and the waiting list activated, while those who are very passionate about their religion or traditions will not progress from the units into Federal positions because mankind the most important stakeholder of today’s configuration expects efficiency from the Federal Government and its officials plying their trade in a global world.
Mr. Nworisara, Presidential Aspirant of the defunct Social Democratic Party [SDP] wrote from Port Harcourt.
www.racingpad.com
Location: India
4 February 2010 at 01:38 EST
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America should try and use other peaceful method to resolve conflicts rather than war
www.racingpad.com
Location: mumbai
4 February 2010 at 03:21 EST
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i dont think any praise needed here to do for Mr.Barak Obama….bcoz whole world is seeing the changes after his arrival…we cant stop war with war only there is one anather option which is piece & Mr.Obama prooved it….as everyone expected he has done his best..i think everyone shud support him special for muslim countries bcoz he has done lot of work for their rights……….n nw i think he became ideal for everyone………keep it up sir …..the whole world are with you…
Mike
Location: Indonesia
12 February 2010 at 18:19 EST
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It has been one year since Obama’s inauguration and I believe that the nation will be getting better and better.
Mike
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sam
12 February 2010 at 19:42 EST
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The Capitalist wrote: “Obama has lost favoritism with the American people because of immaturity, lies and, most importantly, blatant socialist values”
Actually, the people still favour Obama although his ratings have dropped. The people actually distrust/dislike Congress (both Democrats and Republicans) more than anything. They are playing a tug-of-war with our livelihoods, and frankly are behaving in their own self interest. I could give a s*&t less about partisan values. I just want a government that is going to do something, anything to show us the light at the end of this tunnel we are in. Greeting , Sam
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Albu Dany
Location: Romania
20 February 2010 at 08:46 EST
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It is an enormous relief to have a US President who seems like such a nice man!
He is addressing the concerns and issues of the wider world, whatever his thoughts may be, however different they may be from ours (not that they have been.) That alone is wonderful!
I wish him, and the American People, the very best of luck!
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lawinsasy
Location: Madagascar
7 March 2010 at 20:59 EST
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The response level to local and national disasters is awesome but it’s a damn shame that so many citizens take advantage of the negative situations.
I mean everytime there is an earthquake, a flood, an oil spill - there’s always a group of heartless people who rip off tax payers.
This is in response to reading that 4 of Oprah Winfreys “angels” got busted ripping off the system. Shame on them!
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/19/crimesider/entry5251471.shtml
NightWalker
8 March 2010 at 20:47 EST
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Pretty nice site you’ve got here. Thanx for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more on that blog soon.
Best regards
Albu Dany
Location: Spain
16 March 2010 at 14:16 EDT
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Actually, the people still favour Obama although his ratings have dropped. The people actually distrust/dislike Congress (both Democrats and Republicans) more than anything. They are playing a tug-of-war with our livelihoods, and frankly are behaving in their own self interest. I could give a s*&t less about partisan values. I just want a government that is going to do something, anything to show us the light at the end of this tunnel we are in.
Rengenx
26 March 2010 at 11:02 EDT
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Боян.. Уже читал.
brookstone
2 April 2010 at 10:46 EDT
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This is one of the pernicious effects of affirmative action. In our PC/affirmative action enlightenment, we tend to discern the achievements and promotions of minorities as a consequence of affirmative effectiveness policies in lieu of of solitary diligence and talent. This undermines these rather achievements.
Another problem here is that it sets human honesty at odds with the higher splendid morality. If the higher morality is contemporary to jurist the Mass murder, ruinous disease outbreaks, etc, as advantageous, while benignant propriety will adjudicator them criminal, then the ‘fair’ in each of these moralities are different. Good on the higher morality is not what we mean around good.
SYED HAIDER ASAD
Location: ISLAMABAD. PAKISTAN
6 April 2010 at 02:02 EDT
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I REALLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF OBAMA FOR ENGAGING THE MUSLIM WORLD.WE AS BUSINESSMAN WOULD LIKE TO HELP USA AND OBAMA TO HAVE GOOD RELATIONS IN BUSINESS AS WELL.I WILL REQUEST MR.OBAMA TO ASK THERE I.T COMPANIES LIKE MICROSOFT,INTEL AND OTHER POPULAR BRANDS AND COMPANIES TO INVEST IN PAKISTAN’S FAST GROWING MARKET.AS WE ARE HAVING LOT OF TALENT,BUT DUE TO LACK OF RESOURCES WE ARE DENIED THE ACCESS IN THE WORLD.
HOPE MY BRIEF IDEAS WILL BRING TWO NATIONS AND THE BUSINESSMEN TOGETHER IN FUTURE.
Bird
Location: Thailand
8 April 2010 at 10:41 EDT
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It’s such a great to have a US President who seems like such a nice man!
He is addressing the concerns and issues of the wider world, whatever his thoughts may be, however different they may be from ours (not that they have been.) That alone is wonderful!
I wish Obama, and the American People, the very best of luck!
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Эдуард
Location: Россия
9 April 2010 at 07:31 EDT
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Спасибо, что просветили, и, главное, как раз вовремя. Подумать только, семь лет уже в инете, но про это первый раз слышу.
fadi
9 May 2010 at 01:46 EDT
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Thanks, I’ll keep reading and recommending your words!
and in arabic </
Sammy
9 June 2010 at 08:42 EDT
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I’m really happy that the Obama administration is going in the right direction.
Sammy
Landscaping For Beginners
Danny Williams
Location: USA
23 June 2010 at 08:36 EDT
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1. Stop the oil
2. Stop the oil
3. Stop the oil
4. Stop SPENDING our children’s future
5. Get a Congressional Budget this year
6. Cut taxes on small businesses
7. Show leadership with your troops on the ground
8. Show the USA you can be a leader. Instead of an excellent orator!
9. Leaders are not afraid to stand out in a crowd.
10. Leaders act not REACT. Leaders develop others to lead.
11. Leaders are the 1st to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.
People want to believe in you, they want to follow you and they want to trust you. So please step up and be the man God made you to be.
Honestly, Mr. President, actions speak louder than words. Words got you elected but it is action, leadership, character and proving you have what it takes that will get you re-elected!
Danny of: Florida loan modification
Promoafaceri
Location: Bucharest, Romania
27 June 2010 at 07:18 EDT
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Economic measures should be first. Measures of economic growth, economic recovery must be taken with care and responsibility, both American citizens and for others. America’s economy directly influences the world economic policy.
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ALETH M. SAYSIP
Location: Pagadian City, Republic of the Philippines
9 July 2010 at 07:46 EDT
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I think United States of America will consider non-violent solution in handling conflict among nations by a war without the guns and the bullets by promoting parallelism. Parallelism which will start by criminalizing prizefighting to suppress sadistic pleasure brought by violent contact sports such as boxing, football and all other contact sports. Games and sports are models and patterns of real life. While its true that human beings are by nature aggressive especially men, we can possibly convert this struggling pattern through race games by starting in the same springboard and going and speeding in one direction and avoid actual physical confrontation in order to avoid jealousy, hatred and revenge pattern. It is better to run with endurance in a race rather than being so furious, brutal and violent in a fight. After all life is not a fight, it is a race instead. Let us all play race games in all sports competition such as World Olympic Games. We should start suppressing the fighting in our sports and games and later on we will suppress fighting in our real life.
Jack Milbur
Location: http://real-vigrx-plus-reviews.com/
13 July 2010 at 04:13 EDT
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Well it’s a little past day one and Obama has definitely been tried and tested since he took office.
The wars are still going on, the oil is loose in the Gulf, the economy is shot…I would not want his job…the stress of trying to fix what Americans have been breaking for years is not an easy job.
I don’t think it’s a job he can fix though…it’s a job only we as Americans can fix, as a nation. There’s no one man miracle that’s gonna save us from running ourselves into the ground. Sadly.
Robert
Location: USA
26 July 2010 at 14:21 EDT
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It’s a really good thing to see that the Obama administration is finally going in the right direction!
Internet Markeitng Guy
Location: USA
30 July 2010 at 20:01 EDT
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All I can say is please stop spending, please stop spending….
It is sad to see how many Americans are hurting but Congress does not even have a budget and the Hill continues to spend like crazy!
Please for the future of my children and this great country….cut up the Washington DC credit cards of all politicians!
John560
Location: USA
1 August 2010 at 21:02 EDT
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Very nice site!
David Williams
Location: Florida
3 August 2010 at 23:19 EDT
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Mr. President,
Please listen to the people and help small businesses without raising taxes. We are just trying to pay rent or mortgage payments but the leaders in Washington need to tighten their belt as well.
Please help us little guys that are paying or going to pay massive taxes!
David from: Florida Internet Marketing
yussif
Location: Ghana
5 August 2010 at 15:40 EDT
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OBAMA IS A PERSON GOD SEND HIM TO UNITED THE ALL WORLD..
David Williams
Location: Florida
9 August 2010 at 10:52 EDT
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I wanted to add to my prior post:
Mr. President, you too have children, please remember their future as you are recommending and passing legislation.
If you feel it will benefit your daughters, your grandchildren and great grandchildren then go ahead a sign the bill….
David from: Florida Internet Marketing
Ritoban
Location: India
14 August 2010 at 12:36 EDT
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Mr. OBAMA please work like peace ambassador… my dear sir u already taken NOBEL PRIZE…
amit
Location: india
16 August 2010 at 12:38 EDT
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I believe that the nation will be getting better and better all the things with peaceful manner.
thanks
David
16 August 2010 at 15:22 EDT
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I believe that the US will be getting better and better in future and Us economy will improve . he is trying to create employments and tryingto syop jobs going out to india and china etc..
David
Jaqes
Location: FL
18 August 2010 at 01:42 EDT
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Obama’s first priority should be economic growth of america and good job opportunities for youngsters.
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