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Being Biden Vol. 7: Gems of Wisdom

feed — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:02:48 +0000

Being Biden Vol. 7: Gems of Wisdom

Fri, 05/17/2013

A class of third graders from North Philadelphia recently wrote to Vice President Biden about reducing gun violence. This week, the Vice President sat down to share some of these children's words with you — and an expression that belonged to his mom: "out of the mouths of babes come gems of wisdom." Take a listen.

Visit WhiteHouse.gov/BeingBiden to check out all of the episodes and to sign up to receive email updates when new stories are posted.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/17/being-biden-vol-7-gems-wisdom

West Wing Week: 05/17/13 or “We the Geeks”

feed — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

West Wing Week: 05/17/13 or “We the Geeks”

Fri, 05/17/2013

This week, the President honored fallen officers and top cops, spoke on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, invited both the Prime Minister of England and of Turkey to the White House, and kicked off a new Google hangout series on science and technology.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/16/west-wing-week-051713-or-we-geeks

David Simas: "A gesture that means something"

feed — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:20:41 +0000

David Simas: "A gesture that means something"

Thu, 05/16/2013

This afternoon, David Simas sent the message below to the White House email list, asking people to speak out in favor of the health care law. If you didn't get the email, be sure to sign up.

Hi all --

Today, Republicans in the House of Representatives are going to come together, cast a vote, and try to repeal the Affordable Care Act just as they've done nearly 40 times before.

Don't expect much to come of it.

The health care law was passed by Congress, signed by the President, and upheld by the Supreme Court. It's been the law of the land for more than three years. It's not going anywhere. We know that, and so do the lawmakers on Capitol Hill. But instead of creating jobs and growing the economy, some of them want to make yet another gesture of protest -- even if it's meaningless.

So we're responding with a little gesture of our own, and we need your help.

We're asking people like you to speak out, to let us know if you're one of the 85 percent of Americans who've already benefitted from the health care law, and make a public stand in support of Obamacare.

Lend your name now.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/16/david-simas-gesture-means-something

President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey Hold a Press Conference

feed — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:35:40 +0000

President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey Hold a Press Conference

Thu, 05/16/2013

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey hold a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House, May 16, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Following their bilateral meeting this morning, President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey held a press conference in the Rose Garden this afternoon.

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey hold a bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, May 16, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The President highlighted three areas of focus the two leaders discussed: expanding trade and investment between the U.S. and Turkey, mutual security, and the issue of Syria.

Read the remarks here or watch the press conference below.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/16/president-obama-meets-prime-minister-e...

President Obama Discusses the Internal Revenue Service

feed — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:16:51 +0000

President Obama Discusses the Internal Revenue Service

Wed, 05/15/2013

Just after 6:00 PM ET, President Obama spoke from the East Room of the White House about the Treasury Department's review of the Internal Revenue Service.

"I’ve reviewed the Treasury Department watchdog’s report, and the misconduct that it uncovered is inexcusable," he said. "It’s inexcusable, and Americans are right to be angry about it, and I am angry about it. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in any agency, but especially in the IRS, given the power that it has and the reach that it has into all of our lives. And as I said earlier, it should not matter what political stripe you’re from -- the fact of the matter is, is that the IRS has to operate with absolute integrity. The government generally has to conduct itself in a way that is true to the public trust. That’s especially true for the IRS."

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/15/president-obama-discusses-internal-rev...

President Obama Honors Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

feed — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:15:18 +0000

President Obama Honors Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

Wed, 05/15/2013

President Barack Obama bows his head after placing a flower in a wreath during the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty in the previous year, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. May 15, 2013. Chuck Canterbury, National President, Fraternal Order of Police and Linda Hennie, President, FOP Auxiliary stand with the President. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today, President Obama spoke at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, an annual ceremony honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the previous year.

The President said that the 143 officers honored today “exemplified the very idea of citizenship -- that with our God-given rights come responsibilities and obligations to ourselves and to others.”

They embodied that idea. That’s the way they died. That’s how we must remember them. And that’s how we must live.

We can never repay our debt to these officers and their families, but we must do what we can, with all that we have, to live our lives in a way that pays tribute to their memory.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/15/president-obama-honors-law-enforcement...

President Obama Meets with Prime Minister David Cameron

feed — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:02:17 +0000

President Obama Meets with Prime Minister David Cameron

Mon, 05/13/2013

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House, May 13, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Today President Obama welcomed British Prime Minister David Cameron to the White House, where the two leaders discussed issues ranging from economic development to the unfolding conflict in Syria.

"[T]he great alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom is rooted in shared interests and shared values, and it’s indispensable to global security and prosperity," President Obama said. "But as we’ve seen again recently, it's also a partnership of the heart."

The President thanked the people of the United Kingdom for their support in the wake of the bombings in Boston. In London, marathoners observed a moment of silence and dedicated their race to the victims in Massachusetts.

Prime Minister Cameron echoed the President's sentiments on the strength of the alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.

"[The] relationship between Britain and the United States is a partnership without parallel," the Prime Minister said. "Day in, day out across the world, our diplomats and intelligence agencies work together, our soldiers serve together, and our businesses trade with each other."

In his remarks today, Prime Minister Cameron made a point to focus on three issues under discussion: the economy, the G8, and Syria. The United Kingdom currently holds the presidency of the G8 and will host the group's next summit in June -- in Northern Ireland.

Watch the full video of the press conference here:

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/13/president-obama-meets-prime-minister-d...

First Lady Michelle Obama Delivers the Commencement Address at Eastern Kentucky University

feed — Sun, 12 May 2013 20:06:32 +0000

First Lady Michelle Obama Delivers the Commencement Address at Eastern Kentucky University

Sun, 05/12/2013

First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks during the Eastern Kentucky University commencement at the EKU Alumni Coliseum in Richmond, Ky., May 11, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

First Lady Michelle Obama yesterday celebrated a new class of graduates from Eastern Kentucky University.

"You all went through so much to make it to this day -- the highs and the lows, the triumphs, the challenges, the celebrations, the devastations -- and I'm not just talking about your love lives, either," the First Lady told the graduates. "I'm talking about all those papers you poured your heart into; all those caffeine-fueled all-nighters; those moments of anxiety as you set out on your own, looking to find new friends you clicked with and a new community to call your own."

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/12/first-lady-michelle-obama-delivers-com...

President Obama Celebrates a New Group of TOP COPS

feed — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:19:12 +0000

President Obama Celebrates a New Group of TOP COPS

Sat, 05/11/2013

President Barack Obama honors the 2013 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award winners during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Saturday, May 11, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today President Obama welcomed a group of the nation's best police officers to the White House to celebrate their service and heroism.

"We don't always get that opportunity to stand and applaud the men and women who keep us safe," he said from the East Room. "But they're out there, hundreds of thousands of you, patrolling our streets every single day. And we know that when we need you most, you’ll be ready to dash into danger, to protect our lives even if it means putting your lives on the line. That's what these folks are all about."

The President celebrated more than 40 law enforcement officials -- including Lieutenant Brian Murphy, who was one of First Lady Michelle Obama's guests at the State of the Union earlier this year. Lt. Murphy was the first officer on the scene in response to the shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin last August.

"He fought back until help arrived and ordered his fellow officers, who are here today, to protect the safety of the Americans worshiping inside -- even though he was lying there bleeding from 12 bullet wounds," President Obama said. "When he was asked how he did it, he said, 'That’s just the way we’re made.'"

The TOP COPS are chosen by the National Association of Police Organizations each year after being nominated by their colleagues for noteworthy service.

Read President Obama's full remarks here.

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/11/president-obama-celebrates-new-group-t...

Weekly Address: Growing the Housing Market and Supporting Our Homeowners

feed — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Weekly Address: Growing the Housing Market and Supporting Our Homeowners

Sat, 05/11/2013

President Obama discusses the housing market, and urges Congress to confirm Mel Watt to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency and take action to give every responsible homeowner the chance to refinance and save money on their mortgage.

Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3

Story URL:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/11/weekly-address-growing-housing-market-...

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Being Biden Vol. 7: Gems of Wisdom

West Wing Week: 05/17/13 or “We the Geeks”

David Simas: "A gesture that means something"

President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey Hold a Press Conference

President Obama Discusses the Internal Revenue Service

President Obama Honors Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

President Obama Meets with Prime Minister David Cameron

First Lady Michelle Obama Delivers the Commencement Address at Eastern Kentucky University

President Obama Celebrates a New Group of TOP COPS

Weekly Address: Growing the Housing Market and Supporting Our Homeowners

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