Tag Archives | Obama administration

Obama administration shoots down the idea of a planet-destroying Death Star — in the most epic way imaginable

By on January 13, 2013 in Obama Administration, Petition

This right here? THIS IS THE COOLEST THING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAS EVER DONE YESIMSHOUTING

On November 14th, a petition was submitted to the White House on their We the People website that said this:

“Those who sign here petition the United States government to secure funding and resources, and begin construction on a Death Star by 2016.

By focusing our defense resources into a space-superiority platform and weapon system such as a Death Star, the government can spur job creation in the fields of construction, engineering, space exploration, and more, and strengthen our national defense.”

The White House policy is to respond to petitions that 25,000 signatures within 30 days. This one has over 34,000 signatures so the White House responded. Their response can be read HERE but, it’s so epic and awesome, I’m reproducing it here on the blog (after the jump.)


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Obama administration goes after China for unfair trade of rare earth metals (Updated with transcript)

By on March 13, 2012 in Uncategorized

It IS a matter of national security, actually

The Obama administration announced this morning that it is requesting a “consultation” with China with the World Trade Organization over unfair export restraints on rare earth metals, as well tungsten and molybdenum, materials used in a wide array of electronics including the burgeoning industry of electric vehicle batteries.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced today that the United States has requested consultations with the People’s Republic of China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning China’s unfair export restraints on rare earths, as well as tungsten and molybdenum. These materials are key inputs in a multitude of U.S made-products and American manufacturing sectors, including hybrid car batteries, wind turbines, energy-efficient lighting, steel, advanced electronics, automobiles, petroleum, and chemicals.…

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Obama administration freezes Iranian financial assets

By on February 6, 2012 in Barack Obama, President Obama

Can you hear us yet?

The Obama adminstration took further actions in sanctioning the Iranian government yesterday, freezing their financial assets.

From his message to Congress:

I have determined that additional sanctions are warranted, particularly in light of the deceptive practices of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of sanctioned parties, the deficiencies in Iran’s anti-money laundering regime and the weaknesses in its implementation, and the continuing and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by Iran’s activities.

The order also implements section 1245(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81) (NDAA) by blocking the property and interests in property of Iranian financial institutions pursuant to IEEPA.

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Major win for rape victims – Obama admin updates definition of rape

By on January 6, 2012 in Barack Obama, President Obama

Today the Obama administration announced that it is updating the formal definition of rape. This move will help many rape victims who were previously unaccounted for achieve justice against their perpetrators and will more accurately reflect the extent of the problem of sexual crimes in our country.

Attorney General Eric Holder today announced revisions to the Uniform Crime Report’s (UCR) definition of rape, which will lead to a more comprehensive statistical reporting of rape nationwide. The new definition is more inclusive, better reflects state criminal codes and focuses on the various forms of sexual penetration understood to be rape. The new definition of rape is: “The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” The definition is used by the FBI to collect information from local law enforcement agencies about reported rapes.…

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Obama admin acts to provide min wage & overtime protections for nearly 2 million in-home care workers

By on December 15, 2011 in Barack Obama

More “We can’t wait” goodness from the Obama adminstration today.

The White House today will announce new rules proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor that would provide minimum wage and overtime protections for nearly two million workers who provide in-home care services for the elderly and infirmed. Many of these workers provide critical in-home health care services such as tube feeding, wound care, or assistance with physical therapy, and deserve the protections provided under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of executive actions the Obama Administration is taking to strengthen the economy and move the country forward because we can’t wait for Congress to act.…

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Obama administration moves aggressively on investing in small business creation

By on December 8, 2011 in Uncategorized

As part of the Obama administration’s ongoing “We Can’t Wait” program, they announced today an aggressive new initiative to spur the creation of job-creating startup companies. It’s a two-pronged approach. First, they are launching a $1 billion Early State Innovation Fund which provides matching capital to small business investment companies. This is part of an existing program called Startup America.

An additional $1 billion investment will be announced later today during the first board meeting of the Startup America Partnership. This consortium of over 50 companies are pledging to provide $1 billion in goods and services such as consulting, computer software and other essential items for new businesses.…


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Obama administration ramps up international efforts to protect the LGBT community

By on December 6, 2011 in Barack Obama, President Obama

This is unlikely to get much fanfare but it’s big new for the fight to protect the LGBT community all over the world. It’s an Presidential Memorandum mandating that U.S. Government agencies step up their efforts to protect the rights and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people all over the world.

The memorandum directs agencies to:

  • Combat the criminalization of LGBT status or conduct abroad.
  • Protect vulnerable LGBT refugees and asylum seekers.
  • Leverage foreign assistance to protect human rights and advance nondiscrimination.
  • Ensure swift and meaningful U.S. responses to human rights abuses of LGBT persons abroad.
  • Engage International Organizations in the fight against LGBT discrimination.

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US Government makes major investment in biofuels

By on December 5, 2011 in Uncategorized

The Obama administration is announcing this week that they are making an historic investment in biofuels by purchasing 450,000 gallons of drop-in biofuel made from waste cooking oil and from an algae-based system. The fuel is called “drop in” because it can be blended with the traditional fuels used now with no need for equipment modifications.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Announce Largest Ever Government Purchase of Biofuel
Biofuel Purchase Advances President Obama’s Energy Security Goals

WASHINGTON, December 5, 2011 — Today, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) signed a contract to purchase 450,000 gallons of advanced drop-in biofuel, the single largest purchase of biofuel in government history.

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Obama administration wants Wall Street banks to help pay for auto company and other bailout losses

By on September 19, 2011 in Uncategorized

This should make progressives VERY happy. In fact, it ought to make the Congressional Progressive Caucus especially happy because the Obama administration is pushing to adopt a key component of their People’s Budget (pdf): forcing the banks that caused our country’s economic crisis to help pick up the pieces by paying for the losses incurred by taxpayers in helping save our domestic auto industry and other emergency measures. The mechanism is a “Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee“.

The Obama administration said Monday it wants to make the nation’s largest banks pay for the losses incurred in the $85 billion auto bailout and other bailout programs.…

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Got an idea for creating jobs that doesn’t involve Congress? Let’s hear it!

By on September 9, 2011 in Uncategorized

Chris Bowers has a fantastic idea at Daily Kos.

While a campaign on behalf of stimulative measures to create jobs is unquestionably worth a try, it will be extremely difficult to convince this Congress to go along with any new legislation other than cutting taxes for the rich, taking away entitlements from everyone, continuing to slash non-military discretionary spending, and granting big corporations more items from their regulatory wish list. That’s just where Congress is right now.

Personally, I’ve had enough of this Congress. The only thing exciting about the legislative branch these days are the protesters swarming around the public events held by its members.

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