Anderson@Large

Obama on Coding is Fundamental

 

2013 #SOTU Address

In case you missed it ...

Obama Calls on Americans to Reach Higher

In his second inaugural address, President Obama said “our journey is not complete.”

Obama called on Americans to “reach higher”:

We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time. So we must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, reach higher.

Obama told the nation why STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) matters:

We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries, we must claim its promise. That’s how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure -- our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snow-capped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

The Philly Phresh Start Project intends to answer Obama’s call. We will empower underrepresented minorities to reach for their star.

In doing so, we will help black youth complete their journey to a brighter future.

Barack is Back in the White House

It's official. Shortly before 12 Noon ET in the Blue Room of the White House, Barack Obama was sworn in for a second term.

Barack is back in the White House.

Save the Children

In his remarks at the Sandy Hook Interfaith Prayer Vigil, President Barack Obama said:

It comes as a shock at a certain point where you realize, no matter how much you love these kids, you can’t do it by yourself. That this job of keeping our children safe, and teaching them well, is something we can only do together, with the help of friends and neighbors, the help of a community, and the help of a nation. And in that way, we come to realize that we bear a responsibility for every child because we’re counting on everybody else to help look after ours; that we’re all parents; that they’re all our children.

Obama added:

We will have to change… We can’t tolerate this anymore. These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex, and that is true. No single law – no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world, or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society.

Stop the gun madness. Save the children.

What's the Matter with Republicans?

I would like to share an excerpt from my BlogHer post about the Republicans and their fixation on United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice:

I have watched with bewilderment as Republicans ratchet up their attacks on United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice.

To be sure, Congress should investigate what happened in Benghazi. After all, four Americans were killed, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens who reportedly had expressed concern about the “security vacuum” around the consulate.

But a quick glance at the State Department’s organization chart shows that embassy and consulate security is not included in Rice’s portfolio.

Why haven’t Republicans hauled Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Under Secretary for Management Patrick F. Kennedy before Congress? If Sen. Lindsey Graham wants answers, why not ask the person directly responsible for “ensuring that the United States can conduct diplomacy safely and securely around the world,” Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Eric J. Boswell.

Read more: Why Do Republicans Keep Picking on Susan Rice?

Barack Obama Wins Reelection