Shuttle Launches Over Downtown Tampa

By dajalu (youtube)

Discovery took off from Cape Canaveral at 7:43 p.m.on March 15, 2009. Here’s the view from Tampa.

Steinbrenners Named 2008 Outstanding Family Business

The Steinbrenner family of New York Yankees fame will be named the 2008 Outstanding Florida Family Business in an award ceremony on Friday, March 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in The University of Tampa’s Vaughn Center.

George M. Steinbrenner III is principal owner and chairperson of Yankee Global Enterprises, but the business team also includes his wife Joan Steinbrenner, and children Harold Z. Steinbrenner, Henry G. Steinbrenner, Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, and Jessica Steinbrenner. The New York Yankees enterprise is not just a baseball team, but a
memorabilia company, a cable television network, and a real estate business.The Florida Family Business of the Year Awards were created in 2001 to recognize the best of Florida’s family-owned, family-operated businesses. The awards are sponsored by Hill Ward Henderson and GenSpring Family Offices and presented by the John H. Sykes College of Business at The University of Tampa. They are part of the college’s Florida Entrepreneur and Family Business Program. In 2004, then-Gov. Jeb Bush declared “Florida Family Business Day” to coincide with the award.

Award criteria include the innovation of the business’s strategies and practices, expression of positive family values in the business, the quality of the link between the family and the business, contributions to the community, and overall growth and viability.

Tickets are $45 per person, or $300 for a table of eight.

Greg McCann, J.D., CPA and author of When Your Parents Sign the Paychecks, will give the keynote address. A panel discussion will follow, featuring McCann, Reid Haney from Hill Ward Henderson, Gene McNichols, CEO of the McNichols Company and past Family Business Award winner; and Stephen G. Salley of the GenSpring Family Offices.

For more information about the Florida Family Business of the Year Awards, or to reserve your seats, contact Angie Ballard at (813) 257-3782 or aballard@ut.edu, or register online at www.ut.edu/centers/fba by Monday, March 2.

Obama Speaks To Congress About Economy

President Barack Obama addresses the economy during a joint session of Congress Feb. 24.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, the First Lady of the United States — (applause) — she’s around here somewhere.

I have come here tonight not only to address the distinguished men and women in this great chamber, but to speak frankly and directly to the men and women who sent us here.

I know that for many Americans watching right now, the state of our economy is a concern that rises above all others. And rightly so. If you haven’t been personally affected by this recession, you probably know someone who has — a friend; a neighbor; a member of your family. You don’t need to hear another list of statistics to know that our economy is in crisis, because you live it every day. It’s the worry you wake up with and the source of sleepless nights. It’s the job you thought you’d retire from but now have lost; the business you built your dreams upon that’s now hanging by a thread; the college acceptance letter your child had to put back in the envelope. The impact of this recession is real, and it is everywhere.

But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken, though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before. (Applause.)

The weight of this crisis will not determine the destiny of this nation. The answers to our problems don’t lie beyond our reach. They exist in our laboratories and our universities; in our fields and our factories; in the imaginations of our entrepreneurs and the pride of the hardest-working people on Earth. Those qualities that have made America the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history we still possess in ample measure. What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more. (Applause.)

Now, if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that for too long, we have not always met these responsibilities — as a government or as a people. I say this not to lay blame or to look backwards, but because it is only by understanding how we arrived at this moment that we’ll be able to lift ourselves out of this predicament.

The fact is our economy did not fall into decline overnight. Nor did all of our problems begin when the housing market collapsed or the stock market sank. We have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new sources of energy. Yet we import more oil today than ever before. The cost of health care eats up more and more of our savings each year, yet we keep delaying reform. Our children will compete for jobs in a global economy that too many of our schools do not prepare them for. And though all these challenges went unsolved, we still managed to spend more money and pile up more debt, both as individuals and through our government, than ever before.

In other words, we have lived through an era where too often short-term gains were prized over long-term prosperity; where we failed to look beyond the next payment, the next quarter, or the next election. A surplus became an excuse to transfer wealth to the wealthy instead of an opportunity to invest in our future. (Applause.) Regulations were gutted for the sake of a quick profit at the expense of a healthy market. People bought homes they knew they couldn’t afford from banks and lenders who pushed those bad loans anyway. And all the while, critical debates and difficult decisions were put off for some other time on some other day.

Well that day of reckoning has arrived, and the time to take charge of our future is here.

Now is the time to act boldly and wisely — to not only revive this economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity. Now is the time to jumpstart job creation, re-start lending, and invest in areas like energy, health care, and education that will grow our economy, even as we make hard choices to bring our deficit down. That is what my economic agenda is designed to do, and that is what I’d like to talk to you about tonight.

It’s an agenda that begins with jobs. (Applause.)

As soon as I took office, I asked this Congress to send me a recovery plan by President’s Day that would put people back to work and put money in their pockets. Not because I believe in bigger government — I don’t. Not because I’m not mindful of the massive debt we’ve inherited — I am. I called for action because the failure to do so would have cost more jobs and caused more hardship. In fact, a failure to act would have worsened our long-term deficit by assuring weak economic growth for years. And that’s why I pushed for quick action. And tonight, I am grateful that this Congress delivered, and pleased to say that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is now law. (Applause.)

Over the next two years, this plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. More than 90 percent of these jobs will be in the private sector — jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges; constructing wind turbines and solar panels; laying broadband and expanding mass transit.

Because of this plan, there are teachers who can now keep their jobs and educate our kids. Health care professionals can continue caring for our sick. There are 57 police officers who are still on the streets of Minneapolis tonight because this plan prevented the layoffs their department was about to make. (Applause.)

Because of this plan, 95 percent of working households in America will receive a tax cut — a tax cut that you will see in your paychecks beginning on April 1st. (Applause.)

Because of this plan, families who are struggling to pay tuition costs will receive a $2,500 tax credit for all four years of college. And Americans — (applause) — and Americans who have lost their jobs in this recession will be able to receive extended unemployment benefits and continued health care coverage to help them weather this storm. (Applause.)

Now, I know there are some in this chamber and watching at home who are skeptical of whether this plan will work. And I understand that skepticism. Here in Washington, we’ve all seen how quickly good intentions can turn into broken promises and wasteful spending. And with a plan of this scale comes enormous responsibility to get it right.

And that’s why I’ve asked Vice President Biden to lead a tough, unprecedented oversight effort — because nobody messes with Joe. (Applause.) I — isn’t that right? They don’t mess with you. I have told each of my Cabinet, as well as mayors and governors across the country, that they will be held accountable by me and the American people for every dollar they spend. I’ve appointed a proven and aggressive Inspector General to ferret out any and all cases of waste and fraud. And we have created a new website called recovery.gov so that every American can find out how and where their money is being spent.

So the recovery plan we passed is the first step in getting our economy back on track. But it is just the first step. Because even if we manage this plan flawlessly, there will be no real recovery unless we clean up the credit crisis that has severely weakened our financial system.

I want to speak plainly and candidly about this issue tonight, because every American should know that it directly affects you and your family’s well-being. You should also know that the money you’ve deposited in banks across the country is safe; your insurance is secure; you can rely on the continued operation of our financial system. That’s not the source of concern.

The concern is that if we do not restart lending in this country, our recovery will be choked off before it even begins.

You see — (applause) — you see, the flow of credit is the lifeblood of our economy. The ability to get a loan is how you finance the purchase of everything from a home to a car to a college education, how stores stock their shelves, farms buy equipment, and businesses make payroll.

But credit has stopped flowing the way it should. Too many bad loans from the housing crisis have made their way onto the books of too many banks. And with so much debt and so little confidence, these banks are now fearful of lending out any more money to households, to businesses, or even to each other. And when there is no lending, families can’t afford to buy homes or cars. So businesses are forced to make layoffs. Our economy suffers even more, and credit dries up even further.

That is why this administration is moving swiftly and aggressively to break this destructive cycle, to restore confidence, and restart lending.

And we will do so in several ways. First, we are creating a new lending fund that represents the largest effort ever to help provide auto loans, college loans, and small business loans to the consumers and entrepreneurs who keep this economy running. (Applause.)

Second — second, we have launched a housing plan that will help responsible families facing the threat of foreclosure lower their monthly payments and refinance their mortgages. It’s a plan that won’t help speculators or that neighbor down the street who bought a house he could never hope to afford, but it will help millions of Americans who are struggling with declining home values — Americans who will now be able to take advantage of the lower interest rates that this plan has already helped to bring about. In fact, the average family who refinances today can save nearly $2,000 per year on their mortgage. (Applause.)

Third, we will act with the full force of the federal government to ensure that the major banks that Americans depend on have enough confidence and enough money to lend even in more difficult times. And when we learn that a major bank has serious problems, we will hold accountable those responsible, force the necessary adjustments, provide the support to clean up their balance sheets, and assure the continuity of a strong, viable institution that can serve our people and our economy.

I understand that on any given day, Wall Street may be more comforted by an approach that gives bank bailouts with no strings attached, and that holds nobody accountable for their reckless decisions. But such an approach won’t solve the problem. And our goal is to quicken the day when we restart lending to the American people and American business, and end this crisis once and for all.

And I intend to hold these banks fully accountable for the assistance they receive, and this time, they will have to clearly demonstrate how taxpayer dollars result in more lending for the American taxpayer. (Applause.) This time — this time, CEOs won’t be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks, or buy fancy drapes, or disappear on a private jet. Those days are over. (Applause.)

Still, this plan will require significant resources from the federal government — and, yes, probably more than we’ve already set aside. But while the cost of action will be great, I can assure you that the cost of inaction will be far greater, for it could result in an economy that sputters along for not months or years, but perhaps a decade. That would be worse for our deficit, worse for business, worse for you, and worse for the next generation. And I refuse to let that happen. (Applause.)

Now, I understand that when the last administration asked this Congress to provide assistance for struggling banks, Democrats and Republicans alike were infuriated by the mismanagement and the results that followed. So were the American taxpayers. So was I. So I know how unpopular it is to be seen as helping banks right now, especially when everyone is suffering in part from their bad decisions. I promise you — I get it.

But I also know that in a time of crisis, we cannot afford to govern out of anger, or yield to the politics of the moment. (Applause.) My job — our job — is to solve the problem. Our job is to govern with a sense of responsibility. I will not send — I will not spend a single penny for the purpose of rewarding a single Wall Street executive, but I will do whatever it takes to help the small business that can’t pay its workers, or the family that has saved and still can’t get a mortgage. (Applause.)

That’s what this is about. It’s not about helping banks — it’s about helping people. (Applause.) It’s not about helping banks; it’s about helping people. Because when credit is available again, that young family can finally buy a new home. And then some company will hire workers to build it. And then those workers will have money to spend. And if they can get a loan, too, maybe they’ll finally buy that car, or open their own business. Investors will return to the market, and American families will see their retirement secured once more. Slowly, but surely, confidence will return, and our economy will recover. (Applause.)

So I ask this Congress to join me in doing whatever proves necessary. Because we cannot consign our nation to an open-ended recession. And to ensure that a crisis of this magnitude never happens again, I ask Congress to move quickly on legislation that will finally reform our outdated regulatory system. (Applause.) It is time — it is time to put in place tough, new common-sense rules of the road so that our financial market rewards drive and innovation, and punishes short-cuts and abuse.

The recovery plan and the financial stability plan are the immediate steps we’re taking to revive our economy in the short term. But the only way to fully restore America’s economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries, and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world. The only way this century will be another American century is if we confront at last the price of our dependence on oil and the high cost of health care; the schools that aren’t preparing our children and the mountain of debt they stand to inherit. That is our responsibility.

In the next few days, I will submit a budget to Congress. So often, we’ve come to view these documents as simply numbers on a page or a laundry list of programs. I see this document differently. I see it as a vision for America — as a blueprint for our future.

My budget does not attempt to solve every problem or address every issue. It reflects the stark reality of what we’ve inherited — a trillion-dollar deficit, a financial crisis, and a costly recession.

Given these realities, everyone in this chamber — Democrats and Republicans — will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me.

But that does not mean we can afford to ignore our long-term challenges. I reject the view that says our problems will simply take care of themselves; that says government has no role in laying the foundation for our common prosperity.

For history tells a different story. History reminds us that at every moment of economic upheaval and transformation, this nation has responded with bold action and big ideas. In the midst of civil war, we laid railroad tracks from one coast to another that spurred commerce and industry. From the turmoil of the Industrial Revolution came a system of public high schools that prepared our citizens for a new age. In the wake of war and depression, the GI Bill sent a generation to college and created the largest middle class in history. (Applause.) And a twilight struggle for freedom led to a nation of highways, an American on the moon, and an explosion of technology that still shapes our world.

In each case, government didn’t supplant private enterprise; it catalyzed private enterprise. It created the conditions for thousands of entrepreneurs and new businesses to adapt and to thrive.

We are a nation that has seen promise amid peril, and claimed opportunity from ordeal. Now we must be that nation again. That is why, even as it cuts back on programs we don’t need, the budget I submit will invest in the three areas that are absolutely critical to our economic future: energy, health care, and education. (Applause.)

It begins with energy.

We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century. And yet, it is China that has launched the largest effort in history to make their economy energy-efficient. We invented solar technology, but we’ve fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in producing it. New plug-in hybrids roll off our assembly lines, but they will run on batteries made in Korea.

Well, I do not accept a future where the jobs and industries of tomorrow take root beyond our borders — and I know you don’t, either. It is time for America to lead again. (Applause.)

Thanks to our recovery plan, we will double this nation’s supply of renewable energy in the next three years. We’ve also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history — an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in medicine and science and technology.

We will soon lay down thousands of miles of power lines that can carry new energy to cities and towns across this country. And we will put Americans to work making our homes and buildings more efficient so that we can save billions of dollars on our energy bills.

But to truly transform our economy, to protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America. That’s what we need. (Applause.) And to support — to support that innovation, we will invest $15 billion a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power, advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more efficient cars and trucks built right here in America. (Applause.)

Speaking of our auto industry, everyone recognizes that years of bad decision-making and a global recession have pushed our automakers to the brink. We should not, and will not, protect them from their own bad practices. But we are committed to the goal of a retooled, reimagined auto industry that can compete and win. Millions of jobs depend on it. Scores of communities depend on it. And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it. (Applause.)

None of this will come without cost, nor will it be easy. But this is America. We don’t do what’s easy. We do what’s necessary to move this country forward.

And for that same reason, we must also address the crushing cost of health care.

This is a cost that now causes a bankruptcy in America every 30 seconds. By the end of the year, it could cause 1.5 million Americans to lose their homes. In the last eight years, premiums have grown four times faster than wages. And in each of these years, 1 million more Americans have lost their health insurance. It is one of the major reasons why small businesses close their doors and corporations ship jobs overseas. And it’s one of the largest and fastest-growing parts of our budget.

Given these facts, we can no longer afford to put health care reform on hold. We can’t afford to do it. It’s time. (Applause.)

Already, we’ve done more to advance the cause of health care reform in the last 30 days than we’ve done in the last decade. When it was days old, this Congress passed a law to provide and protect health insurance for 11 million American children whose parents work full-time. (Applause.) Our recovery plan will invest in electronic health records and new technology that will reduce errors, bring down costs, ensure privacy, and save lives. It will launch a new effort to conquer a disease that has touched the life of nearly every American, including me, by seeking a cure for cancer in our time. (Applause.) And — and it makes the largest investment ever in preventive care, because that’s one of the best ways to keep our people healthy and our costs under control.

This budget builds on these reforms. It includes a historic commitment to comprehensive health care reform — a down payment on the principle that we must have quality, affordable health care for every American. (Applause.) It’s a commitment — it’s a commitment that’s paid for in part by efficiencies in our system that are long overdue. And it’s a step we must take if we hope to bring down our deficit in the years to come.

Now, there will be many different opinions and ideas about how to achieve reform, and that’s why I’m bringing together businesses and workers, doctors and health care providers, Democrats and Republicans to begin work on this issue next week.

I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. Once again, it will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and our conscience long enough. So let there be no doubt: Health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year. (Applause.)

The third challenge we must address is the urgent need to expand the promise of education in America.

In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity — it is a prerequisite.

Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma. And yet, just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation. And half of the students who begin college never finish.

This is a prescription for economic decline, because we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow. That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education — from the day they are born to the day they begin a career. (Applause.) That is a promise we have to make to the children of America. (Applause.)

Already, we’ve made an historic investment in education through the economic recovery plan. We’ve dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life. We’ve made college affordable for nearly seven million more students — seven million. (Applause.) And we have provided the resources necessary to prevent painful cuts and teacher layoffs that would set back our children’s progress.

But we know that our schools don’t just need more resources. They need more reform. (Applause.) That is why this budget creates new teachers — new incentives for teacher performance; pathways for advancement, and rewards for success. We’ll invest in innovative programs that are already helping schools meet high standards and close achievement gaps. And we will expand our commitment to charter schools. (Applause.)

It is our responsibility as lawmakers and as educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. So tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country — and this country needs and values the talents of every American. (Applause.) That’s why we will support — we will provide the support necessary for all young Americans to complete college and meet a new goal: By 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. That’s is a goal we can meet. (Applause.) That’s a goal we can meet.

Now, I know that the price of tuition is higher than ever, which is why if you are willing to volunteer in your neighborhood or give back to your community or serve your country, we will make sure that you can afford a higher education. (Applause.) And to encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations, I ask Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch, as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country — Senator Edward Kennedy. (Applause.)

These education policies will open the doors of opportunity for our children. But it is up to us to ensure they walk through them. In the end, there is no program or policy that can substitute for a parent — for a mother or father who will attend those parent/teacher conferences, or help with homework, or turn off the TV, put away the video games, read to their child. (Applause.) I speak to you not just as a President, but as a father, when I say that responsibility for our children’s education must begin at home. That is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. That’s an American issue. (Applause.)

There is, of course, another responsibility we have to our children. And that’s the responsibility to ensure that we do not pass on to them a debt they cannot pay. (Applause.) That is critical. I agree, absolutely. See, I know we can get some consensus in here. (Laughter.) With the deficit we inherited, the cost — (applause) — the cost of the crisis we face, and the long-term challenges we must meet, it has never been more important to ensure that as our economy recovers, we do what it takes to bring this deficit down. That is critical. (Applause.)

Now, I’m proud that we passed a recovery plan free of earmarks — (applause) — and I want to pass a budget next year that ensures that each dollar we spend reflects only our most important national priorities.

And yesterday, I held a fiscal summit where I pledged to cut the deficit in half by the end of my first term in office. My administration has also begun to go line by line through the federal budget in order to eliminate wasteful and ineffective programs. As you can imagine, this is a process that will take some time. But we have already identified $2 trillion in savings over the next decade. (Applause.)

In this budget — in this budget, we will end education programs that don’t work and end direct payments to large agribusiness that don’t need them. (Applause.) We’ll eliminate — we’ll eliminate the no-bid contracts that have wasted billions in Iraq — (applause) — and reform — and — and reform our defense budget so that we’re not paying for Cold War-era weapons systems we don’t use. (Applause.) We will — we will root out — we will root out the waste and fraud and abuse in our Medicare program that doesn’t make our seniors any healthier. We will restore a sense of fairness and balance to our tax code by finally ending the tax breaks for corporations that ship our jobs overseas. (Applause.)

In order to save our children from a future of debt, we will also end the tax breaks for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. (Applause.) Now, let me be clear — let me be absolutely clear, because I know you’ll end up hearing some of the same claims that rolling back these tax breaks means a massive tax increase on the American people: If your family earns less than $250,000 a year — a quarter million dollars a year — you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: Not one single dime. (Applause.) Not a dime. In fact, the recovery plan provides a tax cut — that’s right, a tax cut — for 95 percent of working families. And by the way, these checks are on the way. (Applause.)

Now, to preserve our long-term fiscal health, we must also address the growing costs in Medicare and Social Security. Comprehensive health care reform is the best way to strengthen Medicare for years to come. And we must also begin a conversation on how to do the same for Social Security, while creating tax-free universal savings accounts for all Americans. (Applause.)

Finally, because we’re also suffering from a deficit of trust, I am committed to restoring a sense of honesty and accountability to our budget. That is why this budget looks ahead 10 years and accounts for spending that was left out under the old rules — and for the first time, that includes the full cost of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Applause.) For seven years, we have been a nation at war. No longer will we hide its price. (Applause.)

Along with our outstanding national security team, I’m now carefully reviewing our policies in both wars, and I will soon announce a way forward in Iraq that leaves Iraq to its people and responsibly ends this war. (Applause.)

And with our friends and allies, we will forge a new and comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat al Qaeda and combat extremism. Because I will not allow terrorists to plot against the American people from safe havens halfway around the world. We will not allow it. (Applause.)

As we meet here tonight, our men and women in uniform stand watch abroad and more are readying to deploy. To each and every one of them, and to the families who bear the quiet burden of their absence, Americans are united in sending one message: We honor your service, we are inspired by your sacrifice, and you have our unyielding support. (Applause.)

To relieve the strain on our forces, my budget increases the number of our soldiers and Marines. And to keep our sacred trust with those who serve, we will raise their pay, and give our veterans the expanded health care and benefits that they have earned. (Applause.)

To overcome extremism, we must also be vigilant in upholding the values our troops defend — because there is no force in the world more powerful than the example of America. And that is why I have ordered the closing of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, and will seek swift and certain justice for captured terrorists. (Applause.) Because living our values doesn’t make us weaker, it makes us safer and it makes us stronger. (Applause.) And that is why I can stand here tonight and say without exception or equivocation that the United States of America does not torture. We can make that commitment here tonight. (Applause.)

In words and deeds, we are showing the world that a new era of engagement has begun. For we know that America cannot meet the threats of this century alone, but the world cannot meet them without America. We cannot shun the negotiating table, nor ignore the foes or forces that could do us harm. We are instead called to move forward with the sense of confidence and candor that serious times demand.

To seek progress towards a secure and lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors, we have appointed an envoy to sustain our effort. To meet the challenges of the 21st century — from terrorism to nuclear proliferation; from pandemic disease to cyber threats to crushing poverty — we will strengthen old alliances, forge new ones, and use all elements of our national power.

And to respond to an economic crisis that is global in scope, we are working with the nations of the G20 to restore confidence in our financial system, avoid the possibility of escalating protectionism, and spur demand for American goods in markets across the globe. For the world depends on us having a strong economy, just as our economy depends on the strength of the world’s.

As we stand at this crossroads of history, the eyes of all people in all nations are once again upon us — watching to see what we do with this moment; waiting for us to lead.

Those of us gathered here tonight have been called to govern in extraordinary times. It is a tremendous burden, but also a great privilege — one that has been entrusted to few generations of Americans. For in our hands lies the ability to shape our world for good or for ill.

I know that it’s easy to lose sight of this truth — to become cynical and doubtful; consumed with the petty and the trivial. But in my life, I have also learned that hope is found in unlikely places; that inspiration often comes not from those with the most power or celebrity, but from the dreams and aspirations of Americans who are anything but ordinary.

I think of Leonard Abess, a bank president from Miami who reportedly cashed out of his company, took a $60 million bonus, and gave it out to all 399 people who worked for him, plus another 72 who used to work for him. He didn’t tell anyone, but when the local newspaper found out, he simply said, “I knew some of these people since I was seven years old. It didn’t feel right getting the money myself.” (Applause.)

I think about — I think about Greensburg — Greensburg, Kansas, a town that was completely destroyed by a tornado, but is being rebuilt by its residents as a global example of how clean energy can power an entire community — how it can bring jobs and businesses to a place where piles of bricks and rubble once lay. “The tragedy was terrible,” said one of the men who helped them rebuild. “But the folks here know that it also provided an incredible opportunity.”

I think about Ty’Sheoma Bethea, the young girl from that school I visited in Dillon, South Carolina — a place where the ceilings leak, the paint peels off the walls, and they have to stop teaching six times a day because the train barrels by their classroom. She had been told that her school is hopeless, but the other day after class she went to the public library and typed up a letter to the people sitting in this chamber. She even asked her principal for the money to buy a stamp. The letter asks us for help, and says, “We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day president, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world. We are not quitters.” That’s what she said. We are not quitters. Applause.)

These words — these words and these stories tell us something about the spirit of the people who sent us here. They tell us that even in the most trying times, amid the most difficult circumstances, there is a generosity, a resilience, a decency, and a determination that perseveres; a willingness to take responsibility for our future and for posterity.

Their resolve must be our inspiration. Their concerns must be our cause. And we must show them and all our people that we are equal to the task before us. (Applause.)

I know — look, I know that we haven’t agreed on every issue thus far — (laughter.) There are surely times in the future where we will part ways. But I also know that every American who is sitting here tonight loves this country and wants it to succeed. I know that. (Applause.) That must be the starting point for every debate we have in the coming months, and where we return after those debates are done. That is the foundation on which the American people expect us to build common ground.

And if we do — if we come together and lift this nation from the depths of this crisis; if we put our people back to work and restart the engine of our prosperity; if we confront without fear the challenges of our time and summon that enduring spirit of an America that does not quit, then someday years from now our children can tell their children that this was the time when we performed, in the words that are carved into this very chamber, “something worthy to be remembered.”

Thank you. God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you. (Applause.)

College papers cut staffs, Friday editions due to lagging ad sales

By Renee Sessions (UWIRE)

Although student newspapers long seemed immune to the budget troubles of the newspaper industry, many now face the same economic hardship as their professional counterparts.

All over the country, university newspapers are scaling back to accommodate flagging funds, from slashing staff to going online.

Below is a list of the most recent cutbacks, from most severe to least severe, and how their editors either explained or justified the situation.

Washington Square News
School: New York University
What’s Being Cut: Friday issues online only; circulation reduced by 30 percent; reduced staff pay; reduced summer issues; culture magazine online only
Why: “Because of severe revenue loss, a proposal to make significant cuts to the paper was being considered by the newspaper’s managing board. The managing board of WSN voted to approve that proposal.” Read more.

The California Aggie
School: University of California–Davis
What’s Being Cut: Friday print publication eliminated; office on Fridays closed; staff pay reduced or eliminated; circulation number reduced; other expenses scaled back
Why: “Historically, The Aggie’s expenses have been fairly even with advertising revenue. For the past several years, however, ad sales, The Aggie’s only source of revenue, have been in sharp decline. This year marks a new low.” Read more.

Minnesota Daily
School: University of Minnesota
What’s Being Cut: Friday print publication eliminated; bonuses slashed; staff pay reduced; sports and news sections combined
Why: “Advertising had been declining steadily, and in September, ‘everything blew up,’ said Vadim Lavrusik, the paper’s editor-in-chief and one of three co-publishers.” Read more.

Daily Californian
School: University of California–Berkeley
What’s Being Cut: Wednesday print edition eliminated; staff pay and staff size reduced
Why: “Falling print advertising revenue coupled with steadily rising costs are affecting newspapers across the nation and those effects have, without question, reached Berkeley.” Read more.

Daily Nebraskan
School: University of Nebraska–Lincoln
What’s Being Cut: Number of pages per paper reduced
Why: “Simply put, fewer advertisements being printed equals fewer pages being published in our industry.” Read more.

Daily News
School: Ball State University
What’s Being Cut: Friday publication eliminated
Why: “Instead of sitting in a corner lamenting the glory days of print media, we’re going to do something we should have done a long time ago: Use our Web site for what it was intended and be a true, daily news source.” Read more.

The Daily Free Press
School: Boston University
What’s Being Cut: Friday print publication eliminated
Why: “The Daily Free Press made drastic cutbacks in fall 2007 because of a decline in ad revenue, and although our situation has improved, it is not fully remedied. In order to maintain our status as a purely student-run and independent newspaper, we must take care to cushion ourselves against a debt that could threaten that status in the future.” Read more.

Columbia Missourian
School: University of Missouri
What’s Being Cut: Weekend issues eliminated
Why: “The Columbia Missourian has reached an agreement with MU administrators to scale back the number of its weekly print editions in order to ensure its future as a community paper and a teaching lab for young journalists.” Read more.

Sidelines
School: Middle Tennessee State University
What’s Being Cut: Entire paper potentially moved to online only
Why: “A work group responsible for reviewing non-academic units at the university has proposed a restructuring of Sidelines that would save $100,000.” Read more.

Daily Orange
School: Syracuse University
What’s Being Cut: Friday print publication eliminated
Why: “The Daily Orange will no longer publish a print edition of its newspaper on Fridays because of a series of financial setbacks that make printing and distributing a paper on the week’s slowest day impractical.” Read more.

Daily Utah Chronicle
School: University of Utah
What’s Being Cut: Friday print publication eliminated
Why: “Chronicle Editor in Chief Dustin Gardiner says the paper started the year with a $40,000 deficit and a decrease in ad sales this year has added another $20,000.” Read more.

The Spartan Daily
School: San Jose State University
What’s Being Cut: Friday print publication eliminated
Why: No reason given.

The Spectator
School: University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
What’s Being Cut: Position eliminated; staff salaries cut
Why: “Because of multiple factors, including economic concerns and lowered advertising revenue…”

Looking for love? Take it from those who know best: college sex columnists.

UWIRE asked an illustrious group to sound off on what mere mortals should do and not do on Valentine’s Day in order to score at the end of the night.

General Tips

DO These Things: Sex columnists’ tips for a successful Valentine’s Day
DO — discuss your sexual fantasies. Chances are you’re both feeling lovey-dovey, which also means you’re more apt to be open with one another. Use this time to discuss a fantasy you’ve kept to yourself. Maybe you can finally get her to dress up like your teacher and discipline you? Or vice-versa? Read more.

DON’T Do These Things: Sex columnists’ tips for avoiding Valentine’s Day pitfalls
DON’T — use this holiday as a way to pressure your significant other into trying something new in the bedroom. On a holiday that is all about love and romance, asking to knock on the backdoor for the first time might not go over so well. Read more.

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Read more tips from the columnists

Advice to get laid on Valentine’s Day
For the love of lube, don’t give me chocolate. If I want candy, I’m sure there will be Valentine’s sweets a-plenty all up in my face at work and in my classes; I’ll find some, don’t worry. Read more.

Get a late-night reward for your Valentine’s Day gift
Consult your loved one’s friends before buying them a gift. Girls gab, a lot, so they know what the other one dislikes, loves and has to have. And sharing clothes means her friends know her sizes, i.e., you can avoid the possible minefield of buying her large sized lingerie when she needs a medium. Read more.

Don’t expect, make a grand gesture on Valentine’s Day
Though this is one of the big holidays that screams go big or go home, don’t expect your guy to show up with a diamond necklace. It’s college. Most people barely bring in enough money to enjoy a few beers on the weekend. Whatever your lover concocts – they made the effort, and that really is what should count. Read more.

Tips to spice up Valentine’s Day
Everyone talks about what to do on Valentine’s Day for newly happy couples, but what about those couples who have been together for so long that Valentine’s Day is getting kind of boring. Want to spice it up? Read more.

Tips to survive Valentine’s Day unscathed
I am not a hopeless romantic so I always greet the Valentine’s holiday with a tinge of cynicism. So the following are a few do’s and don’ts for those of us that are single or attached to make it through the day unscathed. Read more.

Don’t push sex boundaries only because of St. Valentine
On a holiday that is all about love and romance, asking to knock on the backdoor for the first time might not go over so well…and you don’t want this holiday to turn into a horror story that gets passed around to all of her friends! Read more.

How to become the ultimate stud on Valentine’s Day
One tip: Take your date somewhere unique, like a place with stellar food, exotic decor and ultimate class. Trust me, the next morning, she’ll be recounting every single detail of her night to all her friends, and you want to make sure you give her a good story to share, thus making you the ultimate stud in the eyes of her and all her girlfriends. Read more.

Be careful with lingerie on Valentine’s Day
Keep in mind that if you expect her to wear lingerie for you (because it’s really not a gift for her as much as it is for you), be prepared to wear some of your own… fair is fair after all. Read more.

UT Offers Domestic Partner Benefits, Ending Long Struggle

By Journalism I

A week after Hillsborough County commissioners shot down a similar idea and two months after Florida voters rejected gay marriage, the University of Tampa agreed Wednesday to begin offering domestic partner benefits for homosexual couples.

Beginning April 1, UT will allow same-sex domestic partners to secure health insurance and other employee benefits. The offer does not apply to heterosexual domestic partnerships because those couples are allowed to marry under state law.

“It’s about time,” said Matt Gould, president of the Gay Lesbian Transgender Straight Bisexual Alliance, a UT student group. “I think it’s great that UT is implementing [benefits], but I think it’s wrong that the entire county won’t.”

Last week, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner asked his colleagues to consider having the county offer domestic partner benefits. His request was rejected 5-2, and commissioners declined to even allow county staff to study the issue further. In 2004, commissioners also declined to offer benefits to gay couples.

In December 2007, The Minaret reported faculty dissatisfaction with the lack of benefits at UT, characterizing the quest for same-sex benefits as “a 15-year administrative shell game in which the biggest losers are progress, equal rights and the university’s reputation.”

Faculty voted twice in four years to endorse the benefits but claimed their requests were being ignored by President Ronald L. Vaughn.

UT’s new benefit plan was announced Wednesday in an e-mail to faculty members:

“The decision to offer same-sex domestic partner benefits was made after a lengthy, thorough and deliberate analysis.  In 2008, the University hired an independent consulting firm, Sibson Consulting, to analyze issues and assess the feasibility of offering benefits to domestic partners.”

The plan listed four requirements:

·     Be made available to employees who are in long-term, committed relationships and cannot marry according to Florida state laws;

·      Offer equity with married employees to the extent permitted by federal laws;

·      Be financially responsible; and

·      Not jeopardize the tax-favored status of any of UT’s programs.

“Because of the first condition, Sibson’s study focused on the potential design and implementation of a same-sex domestic partner (SSDP) benefit program,” the email continued. “Their research and recent presentation of findings helped us determine that offering same-sex domestic partner benefits is feasible and beneficial to the UT community.

Officials said more details would be available soon on the school’s employee Web site.

Reaction on campus was mixed.

Michael Burns, a Spartan Club employee, called the vote “a good thing. I think people that have been together so long, they deserve it.”

“I don’t think (homosexual employees) should get special treatment,” said Shanney Myers, a sophomore criminology major. “Benefits are given to a husband or wife when their husband or wife work here. This is not a good thing.”

Linda LaComb-Williams, who teaches a nursing lab, disagreed.

“It’s a progressive step in taking the stigma away from people who need equal rights,” she said.

Gould also thinks UT’s decision is a positive change – especially in a state where 62 percent of voters amended the constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

“It’s not like people in gay relationships are going around trying to convert their heterosexual friends,” said the sophomore English major.

ELSEWHERE

Other private universities, including Lynn, Nova Southeastern and the University of Miami, offer domestic partner benefits, as do approximately 80 percent of U.S. News & World Report’s top 50 colleges and more than half of Fortune 500 companies, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

UT is not alone in the benefits debate that has been brought up in recent news. The University of New Hampshire has already gone through this process, and by law in New Hampshire, a civil union must be forged in order to share benefits. The University System of New Hampshire has just ruled that same-sex partners will lose their health benefits unless they are legally in a civil union by July.

In Texas, state-funded schools are prohibited by the state from offering benefits to same-sex couples. Texas Christian University, a private school, has offered benefits to homosexual couples since 2005. According to the university, each party must sign a domestic partnership affidavit and submit it to Human Resources for it to be a considered for domestic partnership benefits. This year, a bill is to be addressed that will overturn laws preventing the University of Texas-Austin from extending benefits to homosexual employees.

College Columnists: Rick Warren, Excessive Spending Among Top Inauguration Woes

By Renee Sessions (UWIRE)

On Jan. 20, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States. Aside from its historical significance, however, the inauguration is kindling a host of other concerns for college opinion writers.

From using ‘God’ in the oath of office to the lavish parties during an economic crisis, college opinion pages are abuzz with Inauguration Day debate. Click below for some of the most heated topics.

Is choosing divisive Warren a snub to gays?

Rick Warren the wrong reverend for invocation
Source | Michigan Daily
Barack Obama and reverends just don’t mix. An interview with Beliefnet.com epitomizes why some want Obama to choose another pastor. In this interview, Warren makes the conclusion that marital incest, polygamy and “an older guy marrying a child” is equivalent to same-sex marriage. But what surprised me is that before he made this gay-marriage, older-guy marrying-a-child comparison, he asserted that he believes in “full equal rights for everyone in America,” including partnership benefits. Warren has abused his mantle in the public arena to a degree that is reprehensible, and I cannot stand behind him as the invocation speaker. Read more.

Rick Warren an unjust choice for inauguration
Source | The Oracle
By choosing Rick Warren, tt is unforgivable for Obama to put political posturing above eliminating divisiveness between groups. Inviting a polarizing figure flatly opposed to taking into account the opinions a minority of the population does nothing to further inclusiveness or tolerance. Appealing to the majority rather than applying universal principles of justice and equality is no more reasonable in the hypothetical than it is in Obama’s very real invitation to Warren. Read more.

A choice reflecting post-partisan Christianity
Source | Harvard Crimson
While some have charged that Obama is merely pandering to the Religious Right with his selection of Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation, the truth is that Warren’s selection symbolizes Obama’s hopes to move into a post-partisan dialogue for Christian believers and skeptics alike. By reaching out to evangelicals on these broader economic and social issues, secular liberals can create a much larger coalition behind a progressive agenda, and evangelicals can feel like they are not compromising the Biblical roots of their faith. Read more.

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Is using ‘God’ in oath a breach of The Constitution?

First Amendment upholds God’s place in government functions
Source | Daily Illini
The value of someone’s oath under the name of God is deemed by some to be a solid and grave commitment to whatever the oath is pertaining to. This sort of bond primarily derives from the thought that God will oversee all doings related to the oath and will, consequently, hold people responsible for their actions. The fear of God’s judgment pressures many people to remain conscious of courtroom oaths, public office commitments and any other pledges they make under God. With the help of this continual fear of judgment, I believe it is perfectly sound and entirely supported by the First Amendment for people to have the right to take judicial oath, public office or other commitments under the name of God, if they so choose. Read more.

Government’s use of ‘God’ not a sin
Source | Daily Bruin
A lawsuit filed on Dec. 30 demands that the phrase “so help me God” not be added to the end of the president’s oath of office. Michael Newdow, who filed similar suits over the 2001 and 2005 inauguration ceremonies, is joined by groups advocating atheism and religious freedom. The new lawsuit argues that “there can be no purpose for placing ‘so help me God’ in an oath or sponsoring prayers to God, other than promoting the particular point of view that God exists.” This argument is overblown and interprets a formality in speech as an attack on personal rights. While Newdow believes that there can be no other purpose to the utterance of “God” but the affirmation of God’s existence, I am inclined to believe that there is a symbolic significance in such an invocation. Read more.

Religious oaths are unconstitutional
Source | Kansas State Collegian
According to the Constitution of the United States, the president must swear or affirm dedication to the office. The term ’swear’ correlates with ‘oath,’ which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as a “declaration invoking God … or other object of reverence.” An object of reverence can be anything, religious or not, and the Constitution clearly does not require any religious text be involved. Every president except Theodore Roosevelt has sworn an oath over the Bible in the public inauguration ceremony. Such interference of religion in politics should not be tolerated and is a direct violation of the Constitution. The people of the government, while governing, must use the Constitution and not the Bible as their text of reference. Read more.

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Are planned inaugural festivities too excessive during recession?

Inauguration excess better spent elsewhere
Source | The Daily Athenaeum
The economy is in chaos, bailouts are afoot and hopeful senators are vying for seats left and right. But through all of our country’s various issues, we still can never quite resist a good party. For Obama’s inauguration celebration, Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty has estimated that it will cost the city some $47 million, while Maryland and Virginia have estimated their outlay at $12 million and $16 million respectively, according to the Association for Financial Professionals. Indeed, excess has always been a part of America’s DNA. America: the land of plenty, so on and so forth. Read more.

Inaugurating on a shoestring budget
Source | The Pitt News
It seems the presidential inauguration ceremony is above this economic recession, or somehow important enough that the American taxpayers should spend $40 million on what is clearly a second-rate Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. According to the Associate Press, the inauguration ceremony has employed quite a staff, including 432 staff members of the elusive Presidential Inaugural Committee. The origins of this shadowy group are difficult to track down, though I suspect it’s largely comprised of rejected contestants from “The Bachelor” who are desperately trying to relive the extravagance of their champagne and roses days. Only a former contestant of the “The Bachelor” would realistically request not one, not two, not even five, but 10 inaugural balls. Read more.

George Washington U. pays $85,000 for inaugural parade float
Source | The GW Hatchet
If you watch the inaugural parade next Tuesday, you’ll see the new president, marching bands, a JROTC group or two and a float that represents GW. Only, when I look at said float, I won’t just see the confusing mess everyone else will. I’ll see the $85,000 price tag. Obama promises to bring change to Washington, and I think we should be a part of that. Instead of an inauguration float, why not an inauguration scholarship? There would be no better way to support Obama’s “A New Birth of Freedom” theme than by giving the $85,000 to a deserving student who wants to be a part of that at GW. Read more.

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Would it be better to attend the ceremony or watch from home?

Watching the inauguration, minus the mittens
Source | The Northeastern News
The Founding Fathers did a great job putting together the Constitution, if I do say so myself. But I cannot wrap my head around why they decided to make the Presidential Inauguration a ceremony held outdoors, in January. I can imagine George Washington addressing the Constitutional Convention, saying something like, “Well, sure I’ll lead your country, but you’re not swearing me in here in Philadelphia during this absurdly hot summer. Let’s wait a few months, until it really could not possibly be any colder.” Read more.

Top reasons not to go to the Inauguration
Source | Daily Illini
Almost every four years, Jan. 20 brings monumental transition for the nation, and this upcoming inauguration is obviously no exception. People have been counting down the hours to Inauguration 2009 since Nov. 2, 2004. Assuming this campus is no different, since Obama captured two-thirds of the 18-29 vote, I find it my responsibility to convince you why going to the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20 will be a colossal waste of time, energy and money. Read more.

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A mini college holiday, dorm subletters and other inaugural issues

Give students a mini-holiday for Obama’s inauguration speech
Source | Daily Bruin
For our country, and for 53 percent of us collectively, our New Year’s celebration begins on Jan. 20, the day President-elect Barack Obama will take his oath, deliver his inaugural address and enumerate his New Year’s resolutions for the nation. In the spirit of these resolutions-to-come, and in celebration of this new beginning for our country, I think we should have a mini-holiday from school. I propose that professors across campus cancel their classes during the hours of President-elect Obama’s inaugural address and give their students a chance to witness history as it’s happening. This would not just be a chance for students to skip out on class; instead, it is an opportunity to see the culmination of a campaign that changed the face of politics by acknowledging that we, the youth, and our ideas, really matter. Read more.

Students shouldn’t sublet dorm rooms for Inauguration
Source | The Eagle
With President-elect Barack Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration looming nearer, D.C. is preparing itself for record numbers of tourists. While the nation’s excitement is good news for the country, it poses a logistical challenge for those needing a place to stay — and profit-seeking residents are taking notice. If students try to sublet their dorm rooms and apartments to these travelers, they face serious risks. Rooms, houses and apartments are already posted on Craigslist and some have fetched thousands of dollars. Most hotels have stopped taking reservations; potential tenants are desperate and willing to pay. Students need to understand that renting out their apartments or dorm rooms to these random travelers is an absolutely terrible idea. Read more.

Inauguration Day should move to November
Source | Daily Toreador
Before 1937, Inauguration Day was March 4. According to CNN economic commentator, Barry Eichengreen, Hoover and FDR failed to cooperate during the president-elect period from November 1932 to March 1933. The depression was allowed to worsen in the power vacuum. As a result, a constitutional amendment was passed to move Inauguration Day to Jan. 20 which went into effect in 1937. Inauguration Day needs to move to November to prevent such presidential overlap. Read more.

This story was originally published by UWIRE

Inspired Student Watches Inauguration Day in D.C. While Others Head to TVs

By Journalism I

Thousands of University of Tampa students gathered around television sets and computer screens Tuesday to watch the inauguration of America’s first black president, Barack H. Obama.

Ironically, they saw more of the 44^th president than one U.T. student who was actually on the Mall. Although Stefanie Emrith was far from the president, she was also far from disappointed.

“Just being there was enough,” she said, her voice still brimming with excitement eight hours after seeing the speech.

“It was freezing, but nobody complained. Everybody came out: old, disabled, all different races, all different walks of life,” said Emrith, who went to the inauguration as part of a leadership conference. “The town really was buzzing. It was Obama-mania.”

She said the scenes gave her hope for Trinidad, where racial discrimination is common.

“To see a country come together with all races, I was just so glad to be there. Although I’m not American , it was amazing to witness all these people come together to make history.”

Emrith watched the events from the Lincoln Memorial and from near Seventh Street, but eventually the cold forced the Caribbean native to retreat to a hotel lobby.

“We didn’t even get close enough, but nobody complained,” she said. “People were so happy to just witness it that they were chanting his name.”

UT Viewers

Even back in Tampa, sophomore Samantha Saplholz said she could feel the enthusiasm.

“The positive energy of the crowd was overwhelming,” she said.

Allie Taylor said the excitement spread well beyond the inauguration’s estimated 2 million attendees.

”President Obama is an inspiration to the nation,” she said.

Obama’s much anticipated speech recognized the national crisis but offered hope and encouragement, calling on people to take responsibility and to shape a more positive future for the nation.

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America,” Obama said. “For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.”

Since his election, the former community organizer has stressed service, a message that resonates with UT’s P.E.A.C.E. office, which coordinates volunteerism.

Organizers, like Molly Murphy, anticipate Obama will spur interest.

“I think we’ve found he is an influence on our generation,” said Murphy, who is ready for waves of volunteers.  ”If there is an abundance of student volunteers, we are prepared to facilitate them.”

Obama said Americans had made a critical decision.

“On this day we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord,” said Obama, asking Americans to do what they could to make the nation great again.

“This is the price of citizenship,” he said. “This is the source of our confidence. This is the meaning of our liberty and creed.”

Looking forward

With his daughters by his side, Obama said he wanted to ensure the nation’s ideals were passed on to future Americans.

“With fixed eyes on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried fourth the great gift of freedom and deliver it safely to future generations,” Obama said.

While Obama was hopeful in his speech, he said he sees the challenging times ahead.

“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real,” he said. “Change has come to America.” Obama said.

UT student Katelyn Goodwin said she feels the transition.

“I think big changes are coming,” she said. “He spoke like a leader.”

Conservative Support

Even those who didn’t vote for Obama said they support the new president. Some are even ready to go to war for him.

Two ROTC students, Ryan Enix and Tony Gaeta, were eager to give their opinion about the inauguration, as well as the campaign.

“We followed the campaign throughout, however, voted for McCain,” said Enix and Gaeta. Both students felt that McCain would lead the country better in a time of war due to McCain’s strong military background, which Obama lacks. However, “As Commander in Chief, we support Obama and would follow orders if put into that situation in the future,” said Enix.

Jason Bass, a sophomore, said in his predominantly conservative hometown, Obama had won over a number of supporters.

“He connects with the younger generation,” he said.

Bass watched the Inauguration in his English 102 class and was assigned to write a paper on the format and content of the speech.

“I thought the speech was very well done and very powerful,” he said. “I hope he will act on his words.”

Freshman Alex Caraballo agreed.

“It’s about time to move towards a progressive agenda. He needs to establish America as
a moral authority and come together as one.”

Watching the Inauguration

Most students who had class during the events watched them on television. Senior Stephanie Whitehall watched during her screenwriting class.

“It was such a historical moment,” Whitehall said. “When future generations ask you where you were during Obama’s inauguration, you don’t want to say you were just in a room doing nothing. Just by watching it, we became a part of history.”

A few students who didn’t watch the speech reasoned that with today’s technology the full broadcast would be streaming instantly. One student, John Dolan, was waiting until later to watch it on his computer. Junior Deja Smith was waiting too.

“I have it recording at home,” she said. “It comes to show you how America is changing.”

Many UT professors let their students out early to watch the event.

“Right when I got out of class, I turned it on,” said junior Bryan Cormier, who was at first underwhelmed. He had recalled John F. Kennedy’s stirring inauguration speech in which he famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

But soon, the president’s speech had won Cormier over.

“As I reflected on Obama’s overall message, I got more excited.”

The Obama supporter said he once saw him in Boston.

“His theme of unifying our country and breaking down the Republican/Democrat barriers is inspiring,” he said.

Nicole Sicignano, senior, watched the inauguration in her criminology class.

“Everyone was really excited to watch it,” Sicignano said. “They loved everything he said and had to offer.”

Sicignano, who has been an Obama supporter since he started his campaign, liked his speech.

“I loved what he said about equality and education,” Sicignano said.

Junior Ashley Whitney was also excited to watch Obama’s speech, but the classmates in her Racial and Ethnic Relations class thought differently.

“In the beginning, they were making fun,” said junior Ashlea Whitney, who voted for Obama in her very first presidential election.

Inauguration Bits & Bytes: Sick Senators, Security, Poets and Pomp

By Journalism I

Senators Become Ill

Today’s inauguration ceremonies ran smoothly until two U.S senators both required medical attention.

Senator Ted Kennedy (D- MA), 76, suffered a mild seizure during the inauguration lunch, and Senator Robert Byrd (D-VA), 91, required medical attention after being distraught over Kennedy’s seizure, CNN reported.

Byrd has since recovered, and Kennedy was transported to Washington Hospital Center.

“After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue,” neurologist Edward Aulisi said. “Senator Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well.”

Kennedy is expected to be released Wednesday.

In May of 2008, Kennedy suffered his first seizure, later determined to be caused by a malignant brain tumor, which was removed in June. Throughout his treatment, Kennedy continued his staunch support.

Earlier around the Mall, the frigid temperatures hospitalized roughly 20 people before 10 a.m., MSNBC reported.

Inaugural Poem Gets Mixed Reviews

Obama chose his friend, poet Elizabeth Alexander, to read the inaugural poem “Praise Song for the Day.” The Yale University professor of African-American studies is a former faculty colleague from Obama’s teaching days at the University of Chicago.

Within hours of the reading of the inaugural poem there were already comments posted on the Internet.

The majority of people feel that the poem was too simple and slowly delivered, lacking appropriate depth and passion for the moment.

Others loved it and believed the poem was true and faithful, its simple words creating complex and detailed pictures.

Safety and Security by the Numbers

• 170 million – Estimated dollar amount the inauguration cost
• 20,000 – National Guardsmen ready to respond if there was an emergency
• 10,000 – National Guardsmen on site
• 8,000 – Police officers from the District of Columbia
• 5,000 – Portable restrooms (Yes, that’s safety)
• 1,000 – FBI personnel
• 150 – Number of multi-agency intel teams in the region
• 5 – Number of inches thick “The Beast” (Obam’s limo) is
• 1- P-3 Reconnaissance plane overhead (aka “The Rover”)
• 1 – Number of limousines named “The Beast”
• 0 – Number of vulnerabilities “The Beast” has. RPGs, chemical and biological weapons don’t even stand a chance.

Office Space

To ensure an early start and good seats, Jordan Conrad, a 22-year-old Concordia student and his Canadian friends spent the night in a D.C. office building.

He said the scene at the mall was “post apocalyptic.”

“It was like the world had just ended and the only place life existed was on the Mall,” he said. “Some streets were completely desolate, blocked off by Greyhound buses while others were filled with people who were literally neck to neck.”

Inaugural Traditions

Obama’s inauguration had several allusions to Abraham Lincoln at the bicentennial anniversary of  Lincoln’s birth. Obama swore to “preserve, protect and defend”  the country with his  hand  on the  same  Bible  that  Lincoln used.

The oath included the same 37 words spoken since the time of George Washington. It comes from Article II , Section I  of the U.S. Constitution. It’s the only sentence in the document that is in quotation marks: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

According to the US Senate website, George Washington added “So help me God”, and  so has every president since.

Obama marks the first president since John F. Kennedy to bring children into the White House.

Calvin Coolidge had the first radio cast, and Harry S. Truman had the first television  broadcast.

The post-oath celebrations have evolved into their own tradition, all planned by the a committee. The inaugural parade began with Washington’s travel from his home in Mount Vernon, Va. to New York City.

The inaugural balls have been part of the celebration since James Madison’s 1989 inauguration. Bill Clinton’s second inauguration set the current record of 14.

Sources: cnn.com, inaugural.senate.gov/2009/, http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/pihome.html