Bieber Fever will take Philadelphia by storm when platinum-selling pop singing sensation Justin Bieber performs live at Wells Fargo Center on Sunday, November 4, as part of his 2012 “Believe” Tour. The “Believe” Tour, featuring Carly Rae Jepsen as a special guest, is in support of Bieber’s fourth studio album, Beileve.
Tickets will go on sale on Saturday, June 2 at 12 p.m. exclusively through ComcastTIX online at www.ComcastTIX.com, by phone at 1-800-298-4200 or in person at the Wells Fargo Center box office. As part of the “Believe” Tour, customers ordering tickets online will have the opportunity to pre-order a digital copy of Bieber’s Believe album with every ticket purchased.
Bieber’s Fan Club Presale will begin at noon on Wednesday, May 23. Through joining BieberFever.com, fans will receive a pre-sale access code which allows the purchase of up to 4 tickets for up to 4 shows on the tour plus some exclusive Bieber merchandise. For more information, go to www.bieberfever.com.
A number of VIP packages will also be offered on the upcoming tour. In addition to great seats, VIP packages can include Meet & Greets and photo opportunities with Bieber, autographed memorabilia, exclusive VIP merchandise and much more! For more information on VIP packages, please visit http://www.aeglive.com/.
Additionally, $1.00 from each ticket will be donated to Pencils of Promise, a charity which works to build schools and increase educational opportunities in the developing world. The goal is to build 15 schools around the world for needy children.
Believe takes flight on the wings of worldwide smash single, which hit #1 at iTunes the second it was released, and set a world-record for debuting #1 on iTunes in 32 countries. The “Boyfriend” video has shattered all YouTube records since its MTV premiere (on May 3rd). The clip generated 8 million views in its first 24 hours, and has garnered over 44 million views to date. BELIEVE is Executive Produced by Scott "Scooter" Braun and Usher Raymond IV, and track producers include Max Martin, Mike Posner, MdL, Diplo, Hit-Boy, The Messengers, Zedd, Rodney Jerkins and Bieber’s vocal producer, Kuk Harrell. The album features guest appearances by Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, Drake and Big Sean.
Comcast-Spectacor (comcast-spectacor.com) is the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment company which owns the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), the home arena for both the Flyers and the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, the Wells Fargo Center, and four Flyers Skate Zone community ice skating and hockey rinks. In addition, Comcast-Spectacor is also the principal owner of Global Spectrum, the fastest growing firm in the public assembly management field with more than 100 facilities throughout the United States and Canada; Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage service provider; New Era Tickets, a ticketing and marketing company for public assembly facilities; Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company; FanOne, a digital fan marketing company; and Paciolan, the leading provider of venue enablement, ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions.
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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Will Joe Go? Biden A Drag In Swing States
We've been saying it all along: Joe Biden is a buffoon. And he's coming off as an embarrassment to our nation.
People are catching on.
A new USA Today/Gallup Poll says Americans are "divided" on whether they like or dislike the vice president – 42% said they had a favorable opinion, 45% said unfavorable – not exactly a ringing endorsement.
But it gets worse. Much worse. In the 12 swing states that many believe will determine the outcome of the November election, only 40% of registered voters view Biden favorably, while 54% view him unfavorably.
You got that right: That's a 14 negative percent gap.
These numbers are worse than President Obama's who is seen favorably by 50% of registered voters in those same states and unfavorably by 49%. And even Obama's numbers aren't exactly encouraging as they may simply reflect a one-point "likeness" for the man himself while not reflecting voters' willingness to chuck him anyway because of his policies and the failed economy.
But Biden's doing nothing to help the embattled Obama. Nothing.
Will Joe go?
Will he leave quietly?
Will he simply be dumped?
Or is Obama stuck with him?
Stay tuned.
People are catching on.
A new USA Today/Gallup Poll says Americans are "divided" on whether they like or dislike the vice president – 42% said they had a favorable opinion, 45% said unfavorable – not exactly a ringing endorsement.
But it gets worse. Much worse. In the 12 swing states that many believe will determine the outcome of the November election, only 40% of registered voters view Biden favorably, while 54% view him unfavorably.
You got that right: That's a 14 negative percent gap.
These numbers are worse than President Obama's who is seen favorably by 50% of registered voters in those same states and unfavorably by 49%. And even Obama's numbers aren't exactly encouraging as they may simply reflect a one-point "likeness" for the man himself while not reflecting voters' willingness to chuck him anyway because of his policies and the failed economy.
But Biden's doing nothing to help the embattled Obama. Nothing.
Will Joe go?
Will he leave quietly?
Will he simply be dumped?
Or is Obama stuck with him?
Stay tuned.
McDonnell: Romney's Plan Will Expand School Choice
Today, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell made the following statement on Mitt Romney’s proposals for reforming education:
“While President Obama has expressed some positive ideas on how to reform our schools, he refuses to challenge the unions that will do anything to protect the status quo. We need a president who is more concerned with creating opportunities for students than saving his own job. Governor Romney understands the importance of charter schools in expanding school choice and giving low income and special needs students a fighting chance to succeed. Instead of being beholden to special interests, as president he would fight tirelessly for higher standards of transparency, offering families the information they need to hold schools accountable. Governor Romney’s policies would also facilitate the recruitment of the best teachers by rewarding merit and abolishing certification requirements which discourage potential new teachers. At a moment when we face a crisis that reaches beyond the classroom, Governor Romney offers common sense, practical solutions designed to ensure that we continue to be a nation of innovators.”
“While President Obama has expressed some positive ideas on how to reform our schools, he refuses to challenge the unions that will do anything to protect the status quo. We need a president who is more concerned with creating opportunities for students than saving his own job. Governor Romney understands the importance of charter schools in expanding school choice and giving low income and special needs students a fighting chance to succeed. Instead of being beholden to special interests, as president he would fight tirelessly for higher standards of transparency, offering families the information they need to hold schools accountable. Governor Romney’s policies would also facilitate the recruitment of the best teachers by rewarding merit and abolishing certification requirements which discourage potential new teachers. At a moment when we face a crisis that reaches beyond the classroom, Governor Romney offers common sense, practical solutions designed to ensure that we continue to be a nation of innovators.”
Romney Proposes Sweeping Education Reforms
Today in Washington, D.C., Mitt Romney delivered a speech on education and presented his plan for reform that will provide a chance for every child. Romney criticized President Obama’s preference for increased spending over genuine reform, and emphasized the unproductive role that teachers’ unions have played for decades.
“I believe the President must be troubled by the lack of progress since he took office. Most likely, he would have liked to do more,” said Romney. “But President Obama has been unable to stand up to union bosses, and unwilling to stand up for kids.”
Romney outlined a vision for restoring the promise of America’s education system and guaranteeing every student the opportunity to succeed. For the nation’s K-12 schools, his policies will provide more choices for parents, further emphasize responsibility for results, and place a quality teacher in every classroom. For higher education, Romney will ensure that all Americans have affordable options to prepare them for successful careers.
“As president, I will pursue bold policy changes that will restore the promise of our nation’s education system,” said Romney. “Dramatically expanding parental choice, making schools responsible for results by giving parents access to clear and instructive information, and attracting and rewarding our best teachers — these changes can help ensure that every parent has a choice and every child has a chance.”
Romney presented the details of his plan:
Education Reform That Will Provide A Chance For Every Child
As president, Mitt Romney will pursue genuine education reform that puts the interests of parents and students ahead of special interests and provides a chance for every child.
He will take the unprecedented step of tying federal funds directly to dramatic reforms that expand parental choice, invest in innovation, and reward teachers for their results instead of their tenure. These policies will equip state leaders to achieve the change that can only come from commitment and action at the local level.
He will also ensure that students have diverse and affordable options for higher education to give them the skills they need to succeed after graduation and that, when they graduate, they can find jobs that provide a rewarding return on their educational investment.
K-12: Promoting Choice And Innovation
Giving students trapped in bad schools a genuine alternative requires four things: (1) such alternatives must exist, (2) parents must receive clear information about the performance of their current school and of the alternatives, (3) students must be allowed to move to a new school, and (4) students must bring funding with them so that new schools can afford to serve them.
Romney’s reforms achieve each of these objectives:
Allow Low Income And Special Needs Students To Choose Which School To Attend. Make Title I and IDEA funds portable so that eligible students can choose which school to attend and bring funding with them. This plan will allow the student to choose from any district or public charter school, or a private school where permitted by state law, or to use funds toward a tutoring provider or digital course.
Provide Incentives For States To Increase Choices For Parents And Develop Quality Alternatives.
Require states to adopt open-enrollment policies for students receiving Title I and IDEA funds, and to eliminate caps on charter and digital schools.
Build On The Success Of Effective Charter And Digital Schools.
Amend the federal Charter School Program so that successful school management organizations can receive funding to replicate their efforts, serve more students, and take their programs to scale.
Expand The DC Opportunity Scholarship Program To Serve As A Model For The Nation.
Reverse President Obama’s efforts to eliminate this popular and effective program. Increase funding and raise caps on participation to allow more families to benefit.
K-12: Ensuring High Standards And Responsibility For Results
Currently, there is little easily-available data for parents about their children’s schools. Providing better information for parents will empower them to hold districts and states responsible for results and, when combined with increased parental choice, give them more control over their children’s education. Romney’s reforms will improve transparency and give parents the information they need:
Reform No Child Left Behind By Emphasizing Transparency And Responsibility For Results.
Replace federally-mandated school interventions with a requirement that states create straightforward public report cards that evaluate each school on its contribution to student learning.
K-12: Recruiting And Rewarding Great Teachers
A school is only as strong as its teachers, but the most promising teachers often find it difficult to reach the classroom door or receive recognition for their efforts once inside. Romney’s reforms smooth the path for talented individuals to join the profession and shape the next generation.
Attract And Reward Great Teachers Through Increased Flexibility And Block Grants.
Consolidate the numerous and overlapping federal teacher quality programs.
Offer states flexible block grants if they adopt policies to advance and reward teacher quality, such as eliminating or reforming teacher tenure and establishing evaluation systems that focus on effectiveness in advancing student achievement.
Eliminate Unnecessary Certification Requirements That Discourage New Teachers. For instance, the federal “highly qualified teacher” requirement, while well-intentioned, only serves to reinforce hurdles that prevent talented individuals from entering the teaching profession in the first place.
Higher Ed: A New Vision Of Affordable And Applicable Learning
America’s traditional community and four-year colleges are the heart of our nation’s higher education system. However, a flood of federal dollars is driving up tuition and burdening too many young Americans with substantial debt and too few opportunities.
Meanwhile, other models of advanced skills training are becoming ever more important to success in the American economy, and new educational institutions will be required to fill those roles.
Romney’s reforms spur the access, affordability, innovation, and transparency needed to address all of these challenges:
Strengthen And Simplify The Financial Aid System.
Consolidate duplicative and overly complex programs within the Department of Education.
Focus the Department on giving students and families with financial need the appropriate information about completion and persistence, loan repayment rates, future earnings, and other indicators to intelligently weigh the risks and benefits of the many options available to them, rather than limiting choices through punitive regulations.
Welcome Private Sector Participation Instead Of Pushing It Away.
Reverse President Obama’s nationalization of the student loan market and welcome private sector participation in providing information, financing, and the education itself.
Replace Burdensome Regulation With Innovation And Competition.
Encourage market entry by innovative new education models, emphasize skill attainment instead of time spent in the classroom, and support research and development.
Repeal confusing and unnecessary regulations that primarily serve to drive costs higher, and replace them with common-sense reforms that ensure appropriate student outcomes.
“I believe the President must be troubled by the lack of progress since he took office. Most likely, he would have liked to do more,” said Romney. “But President Obama has been unable to stand up to union bosses, and unwilling to stand up for kids.”
Romney outlined a vision for restoring the promise of America’s education system and guaranteeing every student the opportunity to succeed. For the nation’s K-12 schools, his policies will provide more choices for parents, further emphasize responsibility for results, and place a quality teacher in every classroom. For higher education, Romney will ensure that all Americans have affordable options to prepare them for successful careers.
“As president, I will pursue bold policy changes that will restore the promise of our nation’s education system,” said Romney. “Dramatically expanding parental choice, making schools responsible for results by giving parents access to clear and instructive information, and attracting and rewarding our best teachers — these changes can help ensure that every parent has a choice and every child has a chance.”
Romney presented the details of his plan:
Education Reform That Will Provide A Chance For Every Child
As president, Mitt Romney will pursue genuine education reform that puts the interests of parents and students ahead of special interests and provides a chance for every child.
He will take the unprecedented step of tying federal funds directly to dramatic reforms that expand parental choice, invest in innovation, and reward teachers for their results instead of their tenure. These policies will equip state leaders to achieve the change that can only come from commitment and action at the local level.
He will also ensure that students have diverse and affordable options for higher education to give them the skills they need to succeed after graduation and that, when they graduate, they can find jobs that provide a rewarding return on their educational investment.
K-12: Promoting Choice And Innovation
Giving students trapped in bad schools a genuine alternative requires four things: (1) such alternatives must exist, (2) parents must receive clear information about the performance of their current school and of the alternatives, (3) students must be allowed to move to a new school, and (4) students must bring funding with them so that new schools can afford to serve them.
Romney’s reforms achieve each of these objectives:
Allow Low Income And Special Needs Students To Choose Which School To Attend. Make Title I and IDEA funds portable so that eligible students can choose which school to attend and bring funding with them. This plan will allow the student to choose from any district or public charter school, or a private school where permitted by state law, or to use funds toward a tutoring provider or digital course.
Provide Incentives For States To Increase Choices For Parents And Develop Quality Alternatives.
Require states to adopt open-enrollment policies for students receiving Title I and IDEA funds, and to eliminate caps on charter and digital schools.
Build On The Success Of Effective Charter And Digital Schools.
Amend the federal Charter School Program so that successful school management organizations can receive funding to replicate their efforts, serve more students, and take their programs to scale.
Expand The DC Opportunity Scholarship Program To Serve As A Model For The Nation.
Reverse President Obama’s efforts to eliminate this popular and effective program. Increase funding and raise caps on participation to allow more families to benefit.
K-12: Ensuring High Standards And Responsibility For Results
Currently, there is little easily-available data for parents about their children’s schools. Providing better information for parents will empower them to hold districts and states responsible for results and, when combined with increased parental choice, give them more control over their children’s education. Romney’s reforms will improve transparency and give parents the information they need:
Reform No Child Left Behind By Emphasizing Transparency And Responsibility For Results.
Replace federally-mandated school interventions with a requirement that states create straightforward public report cards that evaluate each school on its contribution to student learning.
K-12: Recruiting And Rewarding Great Teachers
A school is only as strong as its teachers, but the most promising teachers often find it difficult to reach the classroom door or receive recognition for their efforts once inside. Romney’s reforms smooth the path for talented individuals to join the profession and shape the next generation.
Attract And Reward Great Teachers Through Increased Flexibility And Block Grants.
Consolidate the numerous and overlapping federal teacher quality programs.
Offer states flexible block grants if they adopt policies to advance and reward teacher quality, such as eliminating or reforming teacher tenure and establishing evaluation systems that focus on effectiveness in advancing student achievement.
Eliminate Unnecessary Certification Requirements That Discourage New Teachers. For instance, the federal “highly qualified teacher” requirement, while well-intentioned, only serves to reinforce hurdles that prevent talented individuals from entering the teaching profession in the first place.
Higher Ed: A New Vision Of Affordable And Applicable Learning
America’s traditional community and four-year colleges are the heart of our nation’s higher education system. However, a flood of federal dollars is driving up tuition and burdening too many young Americans with substantial debt and too few opportunities.
Meanwhile, other models of advanced skills training are becoming ever more important to success in the American economy, and new educational institutions will be required to fill those roles.
Romney’s reforms spur the access, affordability, innovation, and transparency needed to address all of these challenges:
Strengthen And Simplify The Financial Aid System.
Consolidate duplicative and overly complex programs within the Department of Education.
Focus the Department on giving students and families with financial need the appropriate information about completion and persistence, loan repayment rates, future earnings, and other indicators to intelligently weigh the risks and benefits of the many options available to them, rather than limiting choices through punitive regulations.
Welcome Private Sector Participation Instead Of Pushing It Away.
Reverse President Obama’s nationalization of the student loan market and welcome private sector participation in providing information, financing, and the education itself.
Replace Burdensome Regulation With Innovation And Competition.
Encourage market entry by innovative new education models, emphasize skill attainment instead of time spent in the classroom, and support research and development.
Repeal confusing and unnecessary regulations that primarily serve to drive costs higher, and replace them with common-sense reforms that ensure appropriate student outcomes.
Obama's Week Of Bad Headlines Rolls On
This Morning, President Obama Woke Up To More Headlines On His Own Party’s Continued Reluctance To Attack Free Enterprise:
The Washington Post: “President Obama Wants It Both Ways On Private Equity” (The Washington Post, 5/22/12)
The Washington Examiner: “Bain Bungles Prove Obama Doesn't Get Capitalism” (The Washington Examiner, 5/22/12)
Politico: “More Dems Struggle On Bain” (Politico, 5/23/12)
The Hill: “Democrats Balk At Obama Campaign’s Sustained Attack On Bain Capital” (The Hill, 5/22/12)
Fox News: “Obama's Anti-Romney Bain Ads Dividing Dems” (Fox News, 5/22/12)
Boston Herald: “Deval Patrick Says Bain ‘Not A Bad Company’” (Boston Herald, 5/23/12)
Mediaite: “MA Gov. Deval Patrick Is Latest Democrat Refusing To Attack Bain Capital” (Mediaite, 5/22/12)
The New York Times: “Biden Presses Bain Attack As Prominent Democrat Urges Caution” (The New York Times, 5/22/12)
And President Obama Received Even More Embarrassing Headlines After Struggling In The Kentucky And Arkansas Primaries:
Politico: “Obama Struggles In Kentucky, Arkansas” (Politico, 5/22/12)
Louisville Courier-Journal: “42 Percent Of Kentucky Democrats Reject Obama” (Louisville Courier-Journal, 5/22/12)
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: “Challenger Gives Obama A Run” (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/23/12)
Yahoo! News: “‘Uncommitted' And Unknown Score Points Against Obama” (Yahoo! News, 5/23/12)
The Associated Press: “Primary Protest Votes Show Displeasure With Obama” (The Associated Press, 5/23/12)
NBC News: “Obama Suffers Defections In Ark. And Ky. Primaries” (NBC News, 5/22/12)
The Hill: “4 In 10 Democrats Desert Obama In Arkansas, Kentucky Primaries” (The Hill, 5/22/12)
The Associated Press: “Arkansans Pledge Lukewarm Support For Obama In Primary; Many Back Democratic Challenger” (The Associated Press, 5/22/12)
The Washington Post: “Obama Challenged In Arkansas Primary” (The Washington Post, 5/22/12)
ABC News: “Romney Wins Arkansas, Kentucky Primaries, Outperforming Obama In Both States” (ABC News, 5/22/12)
The Washington Times: “Romney Outpaces Obama In Kentucky, Arkansas Primaries” (The Washington Times, 5/22/12)
The Washington Post: “President Obama Wants It Both Ways On Private Equity” (The Washington Post, 5/22/12)
The Washington Examiner: “Bain Bungles Prove Obama Doesn't Get Capitalism” (The Washington Examiner, 5/22/12)
Politico: “More Dems Struggle On Bain” (Politico, 5/23/12)
The Hill: “Democrats Balk At Obama Campaign’s Sustained Attack On Bain Capital” (The Hill, 5/22/12)
Fox News: “Obama's Anti-Romney Bain Ads Dividing Dems” (Fox News, 5/22/12)
Boston Herald: “Deval Patrick Says Bain ‘Not A Bad Company’” (Boston Herald, 5/23/12)
Mediaite: “MA Gov. Deval Patrick Is Latest Democrat Refusing To Attack Bain Capital” (Mediaite, 5/22/12)
The New York Times: “Biden Presses Bain Attack As Prominent Democrat Urges Caution” (The New York Times, 5/22/12)
And President Obama Received Even More Embarrassing Headlines After Struggling In The Kentucky And Arkansas Primaries:
Politico: “Obama Struggles In Kentucky, Arkansas” (Politico, 5/22/12)
Louisville Courier-Journal: “42 Percent Of Kentucky Democrats Reject Obama” (Louisville Courier-Journal, 5/22/12)
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: “Challenger Gives Obama A Run” (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/23/12)
Yahoo! News: “‘Uncommitted' And Unknown Score Points Against Obama” (Yahoo! News, 5/23/12)
The Associated Press: “Primary Protest Votes Show Displeasure With Obama” (The Associated Press, 5/23/12)
NBC News: “Obama Suffers Defections In Ark. And Ky. Primaries” (NBC News, 5/22/12)
The Hill: “4 In 10 Democrats Desert Obama In Arkansas, Kentucky Primaries” (The Hill, 5/22/12)
The Associated Press: “Arkansans Pledge Lukewarm Support For Obama In Primary; Many Back Democratic Challenger” (The Associated Press, 5/22/12)
The Washington Post: “Obama Challenged In Arkansas Primary” (The Washington Post, 5/22/12)
ABC News: “Romney Wins Arkansas, Kentucky Primaries, Outperforming Obama In Both States” (ABC News, 5/22/12)
The Washington Times: “Romney Outpaces Obama In Kentucky, Arkansas Primaries” (The Washington Times, 5/22/12)
Meet Valerie Jarrett, The De-Facto POTUS
Edward Klein the author of the new book The Amateur has a wonderful column in the Daily Caller about the alarming power of Valerie Jarrett, President Obama's ever-present muse -- and that's putting it kindly. Here's an excerpt:
"Jarrett is the president’s trusted watchdog. She protects the vainglorious and thin-skinned Obama from critics and complainers who might deflate his ego. No one gets past Jarrett and sees the president if they have a grievance, or a chip on their shoulder, or even an incompatible point of view. That goes for such high-profile supporters as Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy, who have been largely frozen out of the White House because Jarrett believes they would use the opportunity of a meeting with Obama to push their own competing agenda."
Click here to read the entire column.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Rendell Joins Others In Rebuking Obama
“Two days after Mayor Booker first called President Obama’s attacks on free enterprise ‘nauseating,’ another leading Democrat – former DNC Chair and former Governor Ed Rendell – is rebuking the president. Governor Rendell and Mayor Booker are among those who recognize this election is about the 23 million Americans who are struggling to find work, not desperate political attacks from a president who doesn’t have what it takes to get our economy moving again.” – Andrea Saul, Romney Campaign Spokesperson
This Morning, Former Pennsylvania Governor And Former DNC Chairman Ed Rendell “Joined The Chorus Of Criticism Of Obama’s Attacks” On Free Enterprise:
Former Governor And Former DNC Chair Ed Rendell, On President Obama’s Attacks On Free Enterprise: “Very Disappointing.” “And Rendell joined the chorus of criticism of Obama’s attacks on finance, whose leaders have written checks to many members of both parties. ‘I think they’re very disappointing,’ Rendell said of the ads attacking Bain.” (Zeke Miller, “Is This Obama's Party?,” BuzzFeed, 5/22/12)
Governor Rendell Is Not The Only Democrat Criticizing President Obama’s Assault On Free Enterprise:
Former Representative Harold Ford (D-TN), On President Obama’s Attacks On Free Enterprise: “Private Equity’s Not A Bad Thing. … Private Equity Is A Good Thing In Many, Many Instances.” “Former Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford said Monday that he would not have walked back New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker’s surprising comments criticizing the Obama campaign for attacking private equity. ‘I would not have backed off the comments if I were Mayor Booker,’ Ford, a Democrat, said on MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe.’ ‘The substance of his comments on ‘Meet the Press,’ I agree with the core of it. I would not have backed them out… private equity’s not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, private equity is a good thing in many, many instances.’” (Tim Mak, “Ex-Rep. Ford: Booker Was Right,” Politico, 5/21/12)
Mayor Cory Booker (D-Newark, NJ): “If You Look At The Totality Of Bain Capital’s Record, They've Done A Lot To Support Businesses, To Grow Businesses, And This To Me, I’m Very Uncomfortable With.” BOOKER: “I have to say from a very personal level I'm not about to sit here and indict private equity. To me, it’s just, we're getting to a ridiculous point in America. Especially, I know, I live in a state where pension funds, unions and other people are investing in companies like Bain Capital. If you look at the totality of Bain Capital’s record, they've done a lot to support businesses, to grow businesses, and this to me, I’m very uncomfortable with.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 5/20/12)
Former Obama Economic Adviser Stephen Rattner: “I Think The [Obama] Ad Is Unfair… I Don’t Think There’s Anything Bain Capital Did That They Need To Be Embarrassed About.” “Former Obama administration auto czar Steven Rattner said Monday that the Obama campaign's renewed attack on Mitt Romney's time in private equity was ‘unfair.’ ‘I think the ad is unfair.’ Rattner said. … ‘[Bain Capital] did it superbly well, acting within the rules, acting very responsibly,' Rattner said. ‘This is part of capitalism, this is part of life. I don't think there's anything Bain Capital did that they need to be embarrassed about.’” (Byron Tau, “Ex-Obama Adviser: Latest Anti-Romney Ad Is 'Unfair',” Politico, 5/14/12)
Obama Supporter And Bundler Don Peebles: “Any Type Of Attack And Vilification Of A Particular Industry Is Not Okay To Begin With.” “Peebles, who is sometimes described as the largest-scale African-American real estate developer in the country, told BuzzFeed that he was wary of the ads by the Obama campaign and the pro-Obama Super PAC Priorities USA which have attacked Bain Capital. ‘Any type of attack and vilification of a particular industry is not okay to begin with,’ he said.” (Zeke Miller, “Obama Bundler Decries ‘Villification’ Of Private Equity,” BuzzFeed, 5/15/12)
Why Are Democrats Rebuking President Obama’s Attacks? Because There Are More Important Issues Facing The Country – Like The Nearly 23 Million Americans Struggling For Work:
During President Obama’s Time In Office, The Nation Has Lost 572,000 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased To 8.1%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 5/21/12)
Nearly Twenty-Three Million Americans Are Unemployed, Underemployed, Or Have Stopped Looking For Work. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 5/21/12)
In April, “More Than 340,000 Workers Dropped Out Of The Labor Force.” “April's jobs report was, in a word, disappointing. The economy added only 115,000 jobs. Hiring slowed. More than 340,000 workers dropped out of the labor force.” (Charles Riley, “Why Obama Can't Match The Reagan Recovery,” CNN Money, 5/4/12)
“More Than 5 Million Americans Have Been Unemployed For Six Months Or Longer…” “More than 5 million Americans have been unemployed for six months or longer, an astonishingly high number almost three years into a recovery.” (Christopher S. Rugaber, “US Hiring Slows Sharply With Just 115K Jobs Added,” The Associated Press, 5/4/12)
This Morning, Former Pennsylvania Governor And Former DNC Chairman Ed Rendell “Joined The Chorus Of Criticism Of Obama’s Attacks” On Free Enterprise:
Former Governor And Former DNC Chair Ed Rendell, On President Obama’s Attacks On Free Enterprise: “Very Disappointing.” “And Rendell joined the chorus of criticism of Obama’s attacks on finance, whose leaders have written checks to many members of both parties. ‘I think they’re very disappointing,’ Rendell said of the ads attacking Bain.” (Zeke Miller, “Is This Obama's Party?,” BuzzFeed, 5/22/12)
Governor Rendell Is Not The Only Democrat Criticizing President Obama’s Assault On Free Enterprise:
Former Representative Harold Ford (D-TN), On President Obama’s Attacks On Free Enterprise: “Private Equity’s Not A Bad Thing. … Private Equity Is A Good Thing In Many, Many Instances.” “Former Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford said Monday that he would not have walked back New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker’s surprising comments criticizing the Obama campaign for attacking private equity. ‘I would not have backed off the comments if I were Mayor Booker,’ Ford, a Democrat, said on MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe.’ ‘The substance of his comments on ‘Meet the Press,’ I agree with the core of it. I would not have backed them out… private equity’s not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, private equity is a good thing in many, many instances.’” (Tim Mak, “Ex-Rep. Ford: Booker Was Right,” Politico, 5/21/12)
Mayor Cory Booker (D-Newark, NJ): “If You Look At The Totality Of Bain Capital’s Record, They've Done A Lot To Support Businesses, To Grow Businesses, And This To Me, I’m Very Uncomfortable With.” BOOKER: “I have to say from a very personal level I'm not about to sit here and indict private equity. To me, it’s just, we're getting to a ridiculous point in America. Especially, I know, I live in a state where pension funds, unions and other people are investing in companies like Bain Capital. If you look at the totality of Bain Capital’s record, they've done a lot to support businesses, to grow businesses, and this to me, I’m very uncomfortable with.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 5/20/12)
Former Obama Economic Adviser Stephen Rattner: “I Think The [Obama] Ad Is Unfair… I Don’t Think There’s Anything Bain Capital Did That They Need To Be Embarrassed About.” “Former Obama administration auto czar Steven Rattner said Monday that the Obama campaign's renewed attack on Mitt Romney's time in private equity was ‘unfair.’ ‘I think the ad is unfair.’ Rattner said. … ‘[Bain Capital] did it superbly well, acting within the rules, acting very responsibly,' Rattner said. ‘This is part of capitalism, this is part of life. I don't think there's anything Bain Capital did that they need to be embarrassed about.’” (Byron Tau, “Ex-Obama Adviser: Latest Anti-Romney Ad Is 'Unfair',” Politico, 5/14/12)
Obama Supporter And Bundler Don Peebles: “Any Type Of Attack And Vilification Of A Particular Industry Is Not Okay To Begin With.” “Peebles, who is sometimes described as the largest-scale African-American real estate developer in the country, told BuzzFeed that he was wary of the ads by the Obama campaign and the pro-Obama Super PAC Priorities USA which have attacked Bain Capital. ‘Any type of attack and vilification of a particular industry is not okay to begin with,’ he said.” (Zeke Miller, “Obama Bundler Decries ‘Villification’ Of Private Equity,” BuzzFeed, 5/15/12)
Why Are Democrats Rebuking President Obama’s Attacks? Because There Are More Important Issues Facing The Country – Like The Nearly 23 Million Americans Struggling For Work:
During President Obama’s Time In Office, The Nation Has Lost 572,000 Jobs And The Unemployment Rate Has Increased To 8.1%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 5/21/12)
Nearly Twenty-Three Million Americans Are Unemployed, Underemployed, Or Have Stopped Looking For Work. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 5/21/12)
In April, “More Than 340,000 Workers Dropped Out Of The Labor Force.” “April's jobs report was, in a word, disappointing. The economy added only 115,000 jobs. Hiring slowed. More than 340,000 workers dropped out of the labor force.” (Charles Riley, “Why Obama Can't Match The Reagan Recovery,” CNN Money, 5/4/12)
“More Than 5 Million Americans Have Been Unemployed For Six Months Or Longer…” “More than 5 million Americans have been unemployed for six months or longer, an astonishingly high number almost three years into a recovery.” (Christopher S. Rugaber, “US Hiring Slows Sharply With Just 115K Jobs Added,” The Associated Press, 5/4/12)
Romney: NO Welcome To Castro's Daughter
Mitt Romney today made the following statement on the Obama Administration’s decision to allow Raul Castro’s daughter to travel to the United States:
“I am greatly disturbed by the Obama Administration’s decision to allow Mariel Castro, daughter of Raul Castro, to travel to the United States. We shouldn’t be extending an open hand to a regime engaged in the systematic and flagrant denial of basic human rights. While the Cuban regime engages in a fierce crackdown on dissent and continues to unjustly imprison one of our own citizens, Alan Gross, the Obama Administration should not be welcoming the daughter of a dictator. The United States should be standing up for those on the island who are risking their very lives fighting for freedom.”
Mitt Romney hoy hizo la siguiente declaración sobre la decisión de la Administración de Obama de permitir que la hija de Raúl Castro viaje a Estados Unidos:
“Estoy sumamente alarmado por la decisión de la Administración de Obama de permitir que Mariel Castro, hija de Raúl Castro, viaje a Estados Unidos. No debemos de estar extendiéndole una mano a un régimen dedicado a la sistemática y flagrante privación de los derechos humanos básicos. Mientras que el régimen cubano esta llevando acabo una represión feroz contra los disidentes y continua encarcelando de forma injusta a uno de nuestros ciudadanos, Alan Gross, la Administración de Obama no debe de estar dándole la bienvenida a la hija de un dictador. Los Estados Unidos debe de estar del lado de los que en la isla están arriesgando hasta sus propias vidas luchando por la libertad”.
“I am greatly disturbed by the Obama Administration’s decision to allow Mariel Castro, daughter of Raul Castro, to travel to the United States. We shouldn’t be extending an open hand to a regime engaged in the systematic and flagrant denial of basic human rights. While the Cuban regime engages in a fierce crackdown on dissent and continues to unjustly imprison one of our own citizens, Alan Gross, the Obama Administration should not be welcoming the daughter of a dictator. The United States should be standing up for those on the island who are risking their very lives fighting for freedom.”
Mitt Romney hoy hizo la siguiente declaración sobre la decisión de la Administración de Obama de permitir que la hija de Raúl Castro viaje a Estados Unidos:
“Estoy sumamente alarmado por la decisión de la Administración de Obama de permitir que Mariel Castro, hija de Raúl Castro, viaje a Estados Unidos. No debemos de estar extendiéndole una mano a un régimen dedicado a la sistemática y flagrante privación de los derechos humanos básicos. Mientras que el régimen cubano esta llevando acabo una represión feroz contra los disidentes y continua encarcelando de forma injusta a uno de nuestros ciudadanos, Alan Gross, la Administración de Obama no debe de estar dándole la bienvenida a la hija de un dictador. Los Estados Unidos debe de estar del lado de los que en la isla están arriesgando hasta sus propias vidas luchando por la libertad”.
Alaska: Vast Would Be A Gross Understatement
Vast.
Huge.
Mammouth.
All of these words have been used to describe Alaska and yet they do not do justice to the incredible size and scope of the state, its landscape and its natural wonders.
We've only been here a day and yet we can already tell you that Alaska is positively breathtaking in its sheer, untamed grandeur.
This is a land of extremes and a place of varied cultures, customs, peoples and history. It is unique in so many ways one almost doesn't know where or how to begin to catalogue its "specialness."
Alaska defies any simple explanation or quick conclusion. There can be no thumbnail sketch of such an epic natural wonder of such a rich, lush palette.
Yes, we will post pictures here as we move along but even our very best pictures will be mere feeble attempts to convey the majesty of Alaska.
The great naturalist John Muir said this a long time ago: "To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world."
It's still true.
In his book detailing the exploration of Alaska, Corey Ford describes how the state got its name. Here's what he says:
“The name Alaska is probably an abbreviation of Unalaska, derived from the original Aleut word agunalaksh, which means 'the shores where the sea breaks its back.' The war between water and land is never-ending. Waves shatter themselves in spent fury against the rocky bulwarks of the coast; giant tides eat away the sand beaches and alter the entire contour of an island overnight; williwaw winds pour down the side of a volcano like snow sliding off a roof, building to a hundred-mile velocity in a matter of minutes and churning the ocean into a maelstrom where the stoutest vessels founder.”
No matter what, the force and power of nature -- in all ways, in all its manifestations -- reign supreme in Alaska.
For this alone, Alaska is worth the experience.
Stay tuned as we take you along on our Alaska journey!
Our Arrival In Fairbanks - Open Skies
So now we've arrived in Fairbanks with a view of mountains and big skies. If there's an actual city here, we haven't seen it yet.
Our bags have been placed in a truck and we've been placed on a bus and we're all headed for The Westmark Hotel.
We've been in transit for about 12 or 13 hours so it's actually 1 AM our time but it's only 9 PM here in Alaska. And of course the sun is still shining here and it will be bright most of the night. In fact, on June 21 there will be only two hours of darkness here.
We've already been told: Don't wait for darkness. Go to bed and get a good night's sleep.
We will have a bit of a break tomorrow before we begin serious touring on Wednesday. We've allowed ourselves this break to recuperate from the journey and acclimate ourselves to this new environment.
Fairbanks is called the "golden heart city" because of the gold rush that took place here and there is still gold here.
BTW: Gas is $4.35 a gallon here.
Our bags have been placed in a truck and we've been placed on a bus and we're all headed for The Westmark Hotel.
We've been in transit for about 12 or 13 hours so it's actually 1 AM our time but it's only 9 PM here in Alaska. And of course the sun is still shining here and it will be bright most of the night. In fact, on June 21 there will be only two hours of darkness here.
We've already been told: Don't wait for darkness. Go to bed and get a good night's sleep.
We will have a bit of a break tomorrow before we begin serious touring on Wednesday. We've allowed ourselves this break to recuperate from the journey and acclimate ourselves to this new environment.
Fairbanks is called the "golden heart city" because of the gold rush that took place here and there is still gold here.
BTW: Gas is $4.35 a gallon here.
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