Journalist Roland Martin, host of TV One’s “Washington Watch,” suggests that President Obama get tougher against Wall Street, to get a little “George W. Bush” on them in efforts toward improving American confidence in the stalled economy.
Turkey Pardoning at the White House 11/26/2009
During the ceremony Wednesday, the president acknowledged that despite having reasons to be thankful, many families, this year, are also hurting financially.
“There’s no question this has been a tough year for America,” he said. “We’re at war. Our economy is emerging from an extraordinary recession into recovery. But there’s a long way to go and a lot of work to do.”
In an era of “new perils and new hardships,” Obama said Americans are “a people of endless compassion, boundless ingenuity, limitless strength. We’re the heirs to a hard-earned history and stewards of a land of God-given beauty. We are Americans. And for all this, we give our humble thanks — to our predecessors, to one another, and to God.”
Historic Election Recalled 11/04/2009
I wasn’t born yet when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, but I do remember where I was when the Challenger space shuttle exploded or when planes slammed into the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001 or when then-Sen. Barack Obama was officially elected the 44th president of the United States of America.
On Election Night ‘08, I was working as an online producer at a Nashville television station. A few weeks earlier, Obama and McCain appeared in Music City for one of a handful of presidential debates held around the country. As an online producer, I was charged with writing stories, taking and editing pictures and video and posting all of them before, during and after four nightly newscasts. On Election Night, everything moved more quickly and thankfully I worked alongside dear friend and skilled colleague Angela Gardenhire.
As the election returns came in – Ohio, the Carolinas, the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) then the polls across the Midwest and finally the West Coast, people started calling the newsroom. Angela and I hurriedly monitored blog posts and filed updates along with our usual tasks. But, at one point, after ABC anchor Charlie Gibson called the election for Obama, I stopped. I excused myself and went into a conference room and cried. When I returned to my desk among the people who called me was my mother. Initially I didn’t recognize her voice, but the caller ID confirmed the source. She was crying, saying she wished my grandfather was alive to witness this feat. She also said she wasn’t sure months ago if she’d ever see this day, but she was glad for it. I added that I was very proud of fellow Americans who stepped away from fear to elect the nation’s first black president.
Last night, HBO aired a documentary produced by actor Edward Norton that provided behind-the-scenes access to the Obama campaign. I enjoyed reliving Election Night as well as learning about how the campaign affected staff and volunteers.
Senate Confirms Xavier, Morehouse School of Medicine Graduate as Surgeon General 10/30/2009
On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Dr. Regina Benjamin as the nation’s newest top doctor.
In July, President Barack Obama announced her as his Surgeon General nominee because “health care reform is about every family’s health and the health of our economy. And if there’s anyone who understands the urgency of meeting this challenge in a personal and powerful way, it’s the woman who will become our nation’s next Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin. I look forward working with her in the months and years ahead.”
She founded Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala. Last year, she was named a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellow and received a $500,000 fellowship grant to support her efforts to provide medical care to underserved communities. She has served as associate dean for rural health at the University of South Alabama’s College of Medicine and as president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.
“Regina Benjamin has been a key member of our board leadership at Morehouse School of Medicine, and we are proud, though not surprised, to see her named Surgeon General,” Morehouse School of Medicine President Dr. John E. Maupin Jr., said in a statement. “Her work on our board has demonstrated a real commitment to improving the health of our communities and reducing healthcare disparities, and I have no doubt her public service as Surgeon General will be a benefit to all Americans.”
“Dr. Benjamin has been a leader in healthcare at the local, state and national levels, bringing with her an expertise and perspective based on her own rural medical practice in Bayou LaBatre, Alabama,” said Dr. Jorge Alsip, president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.
“Dr. Benjamin’s diverse clinical and healthcare policy experience will prove to be valuable assets as she helps Americans understand issues vital to their health,” Alsip said in a statement, “We’re convinced she will be a strong and effective advocate for preventive medicine and other public health initiatives and will make a significant impact as Surgeon General.”
U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions said Thursday that the”American people will undoubtedly benefit from her knowledge and unwavering dedication to improving the public’s health and wellness.”
“I applaud President Obama for his nomination of Dr. Benjamin, and I greatly appreciate the work of Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Leader, for making this vote possible tonight. This is indeed a proud day for the people of Alabama,” said Sessions of Alabama.”
The Senate unanimously approved Benjamin’s nomination.
