Donald Trump didn't get a chance at the podium at the White House Correspondents Dinner Saturday night, but his mere presence in the audience spoke volumes about what kind of president he would be.
President Obama poked fun at himself and the First Lady, and they both laughed when Seth Miller of "Saturday Night Live" made jokes at their expense.
The Donald, however, was stone-faced throughout the evening as both Obama and Miller needled him. Obama praised Trump's credentials and breadth of experience, referring to a recent episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" in which Trump had to decide whom to fire when steaks weren't cooked properly. "These are the kinds of decisions that would keep me up at night," Obama said.
Trump also didn't laugh when Miller cracked that he was surprised to hear that Trump was running for president as a Republican. "I thought he was running as a joke," Miller said.
Trump got a little taste of his own medicine and it's clear he can dish it out but he can't take it. Wait until he gets into a real campaign (if he does).
Showing posts with label Michelle Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michelle Obama. Show all posts
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Putting Children's Health Ahead of Corporate Profits
Saying no to anything and everything associated with Barack Obama is what passes for deep thought in conservative circles these days. The conservative reaction is such a knee-jerk reflex that usually they end up looking ridiculous.
A case in point is the conservative attack on Michelle Obama for her campaign against obesity.
The focus on obesity among health professionals is not about how people look. It is not driven by a desire to have everyone look like anorexic super models. It's about wanting people to live longer, healthier lives. Obesity raises a person's risk for multiple diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, several forms of cancer, stroke, joint problems, sleep apnea, and gallstones.
Leaders of the Republican Party such as Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin have jumped all over Mrs. Obama. Limbaugh attacked Mrs. Obama for being too fat to pose for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and Palin accused her of trying to ban desserts. The underlying message is that Mrs. Obama is trying to use the government to force Americans to be healthy and that is the big, bad "nanny state."
Conservatives say what people eat is none of the government's business. But government does have a stake in having healthy citizens. People with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other problems associated with obesity may be less productive on the job. They may miss work more often than someone who is not sick. They usually require more health care, a cost that is shared by other Americans, whether they are insured privately or covered by Medicare or Medicaid. And unhealthy citizens make poor soldiers. This is not a new problem. In World War II, so many draftees had to be rejected due to malnutrition that the nation started the National School Lunch program. And malnutrition and obesity often are linked, as people may consume the wrong foods even though they take in more calories than they need.
In the conservative world view, government and important opinion leaders outside of government would stay silent and people would just be "responsible." Corporations would be free to "supersize" portions and push high-sugar and high-fat foods at children day in and day out. People, including impressionable children, would supposedly just make up their own minds.
But with no other information in the marketplace of ideas to counteract the message contained in billions of dollars in corporate advertising, people would hardly have a free, informed choice. And that appears to be just fine with conservatives who would sacrifice children's health on the altar of corporate profits.
A case in point is the conservative attack on Michelle Obama for her campaign against obesity.
The focus on obesity among health professionals is not about how people look. It is not driven by a desire to have everyone look like anorexic super models. It's about wanting people to live longer, healthier lives. Obesity raises a person's risk for multiple diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, several forms of cancer, stroke, joint problems, sleep apnea, and gallstones.
Leaders of the Republican Party such as Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin have jumped all over Mrs. Obama. Limbaugh attacked Mrs. Obama for being too fat to pose for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and Palin accused her of trying to ban desserts. The underlying message is that Mrs. Obama is trying to use the government to force Americans to be healthy and that is the big, bad "nanny state."
Conservatives say what people eat is none of the government's business. But government does have a stake in having healthy citizens. People with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other problems associated with obesity may be less productive on the job. They may miss work more often than someone who is not sick. They usually require more health care, a cost that is shared by other Americans, whether they are insured privately or covered by Medicare or Medicaid. And unhealthy citizens make poor soldiers. This is not a new problem. In World War II, so many draftees had to be rejected due to malnutrition that the nation started the National School Lunch program. And malnutrition and obesity often are linked, as people may consume the wrong foods even though they take in more calories than they need.
In the conservative world view, government and important opinion leaders outside of government would stay silent and people would just be "responsible." Corporations would be free to "supersize" portions and push high-sugar and high-fat foods at children day in and day out. People, including impressionable children, would supposedly just make up their own minds.
But with no other information in the marketplace of ideas to counteract the message contained in billions of dollars in corporate advertising, people would hardly have a free, informed choice. And that appears to be just fine with conservatives who would sacrifice children's health on the altar of corporate profits.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Proud To Be An American
This week end as I watched the pre-Inaugural festivities, I remembered the flak that Michelle Obama took during the election campaign because she said that “for the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country…” I knew what she meant because I felt so proud of my country. I had tears in my eyes as I watched thousands of young people singing with Pete Seeger “This Land Is Your Land” at the Lincoln Memorial. How did we ever forget that this is “our land”?
I guess I’m a softie because the recent military funerals of my brothers-in law brought the tears, too. Taps is perhaps the saddest and most plaintive melody ever played and that may pushed my sadness over the brink. But more than that, the military salute recognizes the service and valor of these men, who grew up in the Depression, left as frightened boys to fight wars in lands that they would never have dreamed of visiting, had battlefield experiences that they didn’t want to talk about, and returned home, older, wiser and patriotic. Then they set about building peace and America.
We forgot what service to our country meant when we were told to go shopping after 9/11. Instead, I felt shame as we invaded Iraq for no good reason, anger and fright that Americans were being spied upon and even imprisoned on suspicion with no right to legal counsel, and horror at our mounting deficits, trade policies, and alienation of world opinion. I wondered what our Senators and Representatives were thinking as they went along with waging war, bad fiscal policies and all the rest we’ve suffered in these past years.
I have always been an American, however outrageous the actions of our government were. I never claimed Canadian citizenship, as some did, during the Bush years when traveling abroad. Patriotism can be painful when one’s government is scorned by the rest of the world.
To quote Thomas Paine:
‘THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. ‘The American Crisis’, Thomas Paine, 1776
On the other hand, It’s easy to be American when times are good, the economy is growing, there are no wars, the world loves us, and our biggest complaint is that the government is taking our money by taxing us.
I hope and pray that we are on a new road with a government that functions with American ideals and asks sacrifice and service from ALL Americans. It is assuring to see so many young people filled with enthusiasm and the energy to make a new United States. I pray that they and the rest of us will not lose our zeal to turn America around in the tough years ahead.
I guess I’m a softie because the recent military funerals of my brothers-in law brought the tears, too. Taps is perhaps the saddest and most plaintive melody ever played and that may pushed my sadness over the brink. But more than that, the military salute recognizes the service and valor of these men, who grew up in the Depression, left as frightened boys to fight wars in lands that they would never have dreamed of visiting, had battlefield experiences that they didn’t want to talk about, and returned home, older, wiser and patriotic. Then they set about building peace and America.
We forgot what service to our country meant when we were told to go shopping after 9/11. Instead, I felt shame as we invaded Iraq for no good reason, anger and fright that Americans were being spied upon and even imprisoned on suspicion with no right to legal counsel, and horror at our mounting deficits, trade policies, and alienation of world opinion. I wondered what our Senators and Representatives were thinking as they went along with waging war, bad fiscal policies and all the rest we’ve suffered in these past years.
I have always been an American, however outrageous the actions of our government were. I never claimed Canadian citizenship, as some did, during the Bush years when traveling abroad. Patriotism can be painful when one’s government is scorned by the rest of the world.
To quote Thomas Paine:
‘THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. ‘The American Crisis’, Thomas Paine, 1776
On the other hand, It’s easy to be American when times are good, the economy is growing, there are no wars, the world loves us, and our biggest complaint is that the government is taking our money by taxing us.
I hope and pray that we are on a new road with a government that functions with American ideals and asks sacrifice and service from ALL Americans. It is assuring to see so many young people filled with enthusiasm and the energy to make a new United States. I pray that they and the rest of us will not lose our zeal to turn America around in the tough years ahead.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Obama, Biden, Spouses in Detroit Sunday!
Yes, You Can see the entire Democratic ticket in Detroit this coming Sunday (Sept. 28, 2008)!
And no, you don't need tickets.
Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, and Jill Biden in Detroit will be at a "Change We Need Rally" in front of the Detroit PUblic Library, in the 5200 block of Woodward Avenue. Gates open at 11 a.m. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For security reasons, do not bring bags. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.
Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. Limited public parking will be available at Wayne State University parking facilities.
And no, you don't need tickets.
Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, and Jill Biden in Detroit will be at a "Change We Need Rally" in front of the Detroit PUblic Library, in the 5200 block of Woodward Avenue. Gates open at 11 a.m. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For security reasons, do not bring bags. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.
Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. Limited public parking will be available at Wayne State University parking facilities.
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