Full Text: Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio State of the State, January 28, 2009 | Ohio’s Economic Future & A New Plan for Education

(Source: Office of the Governor)

Governor Strickland’s 2009 State of the State address

I’d like to first recognize that one of Ohio’s great leaders, Senate President Bill Harris, was not able to be with us today. I know that he is in all of our thoughts and prayers, and we wish him a very speedy recovery.

Speaker Budish, Senate President Pro Tem Niehaus, Leader Batchelder and Leader Cafaro, Lt. Governor Fisher, statewide elected officials, members of the Cabinet, members of the General Assembly and the Supreme Court, distinguished guests, First Lady Frances Strickland, and my fellow Ohioans…

There was a time when Ohio State University played its football games on a dusty field surrounded by a humble collection of wooden bleachers.

Back then, OSU played teams from universities and small private colleges. They even scheduled a game against the soldiers from an army camp in Chillicothe.

Just after World War I came to an end there was a painful combination of high inflation and high unemployment that produced economic misery in Ohio and across the nation.

It was a truly frightening moment – hardly the time for a bold new idea.

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Full Text: President Barack Obama Inaugural Address | January 20, 2009

(Source: McClatchy Newspapers – As Prepared for Delivery)

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

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Text: Pastor Rick Warren, Inauguration Invocation | January 20, 2009

(Source: Christianity Today)

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.

History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven. Read more

Text: Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury | Christmas Message | from The Daily Telegraph

Editors Note: First published in the Daily Telegraph (U.K.) December 21, 2008

Unconditional Loyalty to a System Not Worth the Human Cost

Forty years ago this month, one of the greatest religious thinkers of the 20th century died. In his long career in Switzerland and Germany, he had published millions of words, played a crucial role in inter-church discussions across Europe, denounced nuclear weaponry – and, before the war, done most of the work in drafting for the German churches a statement of open defiance against the Third Reich. Some of his most powerful lectures were delivered in the bombed-out ruins of the theological department in Bonn when the war had ended and he was able to return to Germany after being driven out by Hitler.

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Text: President-Elect Obama’s Weekly Radio Address | Putting Science Back in Its Rightful Place | December 20, 2008

(Source: Office of the President-Elect)

Over the past few weeks, Vice President-Elect Biden and I have announced some of the leaders who will advise us as we seek to meet America’s twenty-first century challenges, from strengthening our security, to rebuilding our economy, to preserving our planet for our children and grandchildren. Today, I am pleased to announce members of my science and technology team whose work will be critical to these efforts. Read more

Text: Rod Blagojevich Statement to the Media | December 19

(Source: Chicago Tribune)

“Thank you very much. I’m here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight. Until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong.   “And I’m not going to quit a job the people hired me to do, because of false accusations and a political lynch mob. Now that’s what I’m going to do. Let me tell you what I’m not going to do. I’m not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing. And that is talk about this case in 30 second sound bites on ‘Meet the Press’ or on the TV news. Now I’m dying to answer these charges, I am dying to show you how innocent I am. And I want to assure everyone who is here and everyone who’s listening that I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum, in a court of law, and when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated.

“Rudyard Kipling wrote, if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, and blaming it on you, if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, and make allowance for their doubting too, if you can wait, and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, or being hated, don’t give way to hating. Now I know there are some powerful forces arrayed against me. It’s kind of lonely right now. But I have on my side the most powerful ally there is, and it’s the truth. And besides, I have the personal knowledge that I have not done anything wrong. To the people of Illinois, I ask that they wait and be patient. Sit back and take a deep breath. And please reserve judgment. Afford me the same rights that you and your children have. The presumption of innocence. The right to defend yourself. The right to your day in court. The same rights that you would expect for yourselves.

“And one last thing. To all of those, to those of you who have expressed your support of Patti and me during this difficult time, I’d like to thank you for your thoughts, I’d like to thank you for your prayers and I’d like to thank you for your good  wishes. Patti and I cannot express to you how grateful we are for your kindness. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.”

Text: President Bush Statement on Whitehouse Bailout Deal with U.S. Automakers | December 19, 2008

(Source: White House Press Office)

 

9:01 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. For years, America’s automakers have faced serious challenges — burdensome costs, a shrinking share of the market, and declining profits. In recent months, the global financial crisis has made these challenges even more severe. Now some U.S. auto executives say that their companies are nearing collapse — and that the only way they can buy time to restructure is with help from the federal government.

 

This is a difficult situation that involves fundamental questions about the proper role of government. On the one hand, government has a responsibility not to undermine the private enterprise system. On the other hand, government has a responsibility to safeguard the broader health and stability of our economy. Read more

Text: Obama Speech Announcing Environment & Energy Key Personnel

Stephen Chu, Energy Secretary, Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, Carol Browner, Energy Policy Coordinator

Remarks as prepared for delivery (Source: Office of the President-Elect)

Good afternoon. Over the past few weeks, Vice President-Elect Biden and I have announced key members of our economic and national security teams. In the 21st century, we know that the future of our economy and national security is inextricably linked to one challenge: energy. So today, we’re pleased to introduce the team that will lead our efforts on energy and the environment. Read more

Full Text: President-Elect Obama Weekly Radio Address | Mortgage Crisis and HUD Appointment | December 13

(Source: Office of the President-Elect)

Good morning.

Earlier this week, we learned that the number of Americans filing their first claim for unemployment insurance rose to a nearly 30-year high. This news reflects the pain that’s been rippling across our entire economy. Jobs are being cut. Wages are being slashed. Credit is tight and people can’t get loans. In cities and towns all across this country, families enter a holiday season with unease and uncertainty. Read more

Text: White House Statement on Auto Bailout | December 12

(Source: White House Press Office)

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

It is disappointing that while appropriate and effective legislation to assist and restructure troubled automakers received majority support in both houses, Congress nevertheless failed to pass final legislation. The approach in that legislation provided an opportunity to use funds already appropriated for automakers, and presented the best chance to avoid a disorderly bankruptcy while ensuring taxpayer funds go only to firms whose stakeholders were prepared to make the difficult decisions to become viable, competitive firms in the future. Read more

Full Text: President-Elect Obama Weekly Address | The Economy | December 6, 2008

(Source: Office of the President-Elect)

Good morning.

Yesterday, we received another painful reminder of the serious economic challenge our country is facing when we learned that 533,000 jobs were lost in November alone, the single worst month of job loss in over three decades. That puts the total number of jobs lost in this recession at nearly 2 million.

But this isn’t about numbers. It’s about each of the families those numbers represent. It’s about the rising unease and frustration that so many of you are feeling during this holiday season. Will you be able to put your kids through college? Will you be able to afford health care? Will you be able to retire with dignity and security? Will your job or your husband’s job or your daughter’s or son’s job be the next one cut? Read more

Text: GM CEO Rick Wagoner Testimony to Senate Banking Committee | Big Three Bailout | December 4

Click Here for Wagoner’s Testimony (PDF)

Text: Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli Testimony to Senate Banking Committee | Big Three Bailout | December 4

Click Here to Read Nardelli’s Testimony (PDF)

Text: President-elect Barack Obama Statement on Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

(Source: Office of the President-Elect)

“President-elect Obama strongly condemns today’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and his thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of India. These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism. The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks. We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks,” said Brooke Anderson, Chief National Security Spokesperson.

Full Text: PM Manmohan Singh Address to Indian People Regarding Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai

(Source: Office of the Prime Minister, India)

Dear Citizens,

The dastardly terror attacks that took place in Mumbai last night and today leading to the loss of many precious lives and injuries to many others have deeply shocked the nation. I strongly condemn these acts of senseless violence against innocent people, including guests from foreign countries. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and sympathies to those injured. The Government will take all necessary measures to look after the wellbeing of the affected families, including medical treatment of injured.

 The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners. Read more

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