Sometimes I think Morning Reaction is too doom and gloom. That is probably because, as I'm reading the news, I usually choose to highlight issues that outrage me in some form or another... so you get lots of my outrage, and maybe a few funny items thrown in here and there. So today, in honor of the fact that we only have one week left with Bush as our President, I am only going to highlight good things.
Sometimes it's nice to focus on the good stuff every once while... especially these days, you know?
Obama has picked Julius Genachowski (what a name!) to head the FCC, according to the Washington Post:
Obama's pick for the nation's head telecommunications regulator has served as the president-elect's chief technology counsel and was classmates with Obama at Harvard Law School. Genachowski is credited for spearheading Obama's online campaign strategy, which used social networking and other tools to spread Obama's campaign message and raise record campaign contributions.
Free Press welcomed the news, saying that "under Julius Genachowski's leadership, the FCC's compass would point toward the public interest." They also point out that he is committed to providing fast and affordable internet for all Americans (whoohooo!).
Genachowski reportedly turned down the role of Chief Technology Officer in the administration because it did not have enough of a regulatory role.
Genachowski's position on net neutrality is unclear, but one would assume that his position would be similar to Obama's. TMCNet finds a clue in a recent blog posting:
Only time will tell where Genachowski, should be appointed, stands on pressing matters such as broadband deployment and net neutrality. We may find a clue here: in the way Genachowski introduces Obama’s technology plan in that blog entry from more than a year ago:
“I recently heard this summary of the core principles of the Obama Technology & Innovation Plan: Open Government. Open Networks. Open Markets,” Genachowski writes. “The plan is the most comprehensive and detailed tech & innovation plan put forward by any candidate. But also bold, and simple at its core.”
Also, Nuisance Industry has more in his diary.
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And in more positive news making the rounds today... This is change I can believe in:
President-elect Barack Obama plans to issue an executive order on his first full day in office directing the closing of the Guantánamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, people briefed by Obama transition officials said Monday.
More-you guessed it-change I can believe in:
In addition, people who have conferred with transition officials said the incoming administration appeared to have rejected a proposal to seek a new law authorizing indefinite detention inside the United States. The Bush administration has insisted that such a measure is necessary to close the Guantánamo camp and bring some detainees to the United States.
I was so hoping this would be one of his first acts in office. I know that Bush has made this thing into an incredibly complicated and twisted situation, and it will take some time to actually close it, but this is very encouraging. Steve Benen also thinks issuing the order on his first day will send the right signal and at the very least, get the process moving. Hopefully the order will include a clear timetable on their plans.
Russ Feingold also tells Politico that Obama is "serious about reversing the abuses of the Constitution," and will support Feingold's legislation that would make public the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel's opinions on executive power. Feingold says he has been told that executive orders reversing Bush policies will come fast and furious once Obama takes office. Oh, it's going to be good.
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Can you believe that our government could actually create a stimulus that may assist needy Americans?
More than 7 million poor people who are elderly, blind or disabled and receive cash benefits averaging $477 a month could get an extra monthly payment as part of President-elect Barack Obama's $800 billion economic recovery plan.
Bob Greenstein from the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities thinks an extra payment to these low-income Americans would have "one of the highest bangs for the buck."
Several said the emerging legislation likely will provide at least $70 billion over the next two years to help states meet the demand for Medicaid, which provides health care for low income people, and another $25 billion more to help individuals who cannot afford to pay for private, post-employment health benefits.
An estimated $35 billion is tentatively ticketed for additional unemployment benefits.
The stimulus is also rumored to include an extra $140 billion for education, with a $500 annual increase for Pell Grant recipients.
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Could we actually see a kinder, gentler IRS this year? I know, it seems like a contradictory sentence...
For taxpayers who owe back taxes the IRS is relaxing some of the rules.
"We need to ensure that we balance our responsibility to enforce the law with the economic realities facing many American citizens today," Shulman said. "We want to go the extra mile to help taxpayers, especially those who¹ve done the right thing in the past and are facing unusual hardships."
Crazy, huh? IRS employees now have more latitude to call off collection action, especially for instances of job loss or high medical bills. In addition, those who pay their taxes in installments may be able to skip a few payments or reduce their monthly payment if they clear it with the IRS.
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And here is something you don't see everyday. I had to shake my head a few times to make sure I was processing this right... the country's highest-ranking military figure is advocating for more funding for diplomacy and economic development in our foreign policy, and less militarization. Have we entered some kind of alternate universe? The headline: Top Officer Urges Limit on Mission of Military
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that senior officers must work to prevent the militarization of American foreign policy, and he urged generals and admirals to tell civilian leaders when they believed the armed forces should not take the lead in carrying out policies overseas.
Adm. Mike Mullen, who as chairman is the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, also called for more money and personnel to be devoted to the civilian agencies responsible for diplomacy and overseas economic development.
and:
“I believe we should be more willing to break this cycle, and say when armed forces may not always be the best choice to take the lead,” he said.
The Bush administration has always felt the armed forces are the "best choice" to take the lead, so this would be a pretty radical departure. It also echoes statements Gates has said recently about urging more funding for the State Department. I can get behind that!
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Can you believe we are down to Bush's last week in office? Is it really possible? Just one week from today, Obama will be inaugurated. And speaking of the inauguration, the 10-year-old reporter that HuffPo has been following will get his press credentials after all:
Ten-year-old elementary school cub reporter Damon "The Future of Journalism" Weaver has successfully hurdled one of his Inauguration Week obstacles:
MSNBC is reporting that Damon Weaver, whose quest for an inaugural press credential to interview Barack Obama we previously chronicled, has been granted one by the Inaugural Committee.
Still no word on whether he will actually be able to interview Obama, but Damon is just too cute. I bet he would do a better interview than most reporters...
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Speaking of "reporters," could Joe the Faux Plumber's 15 (neverending) minutes of fame finally be drawing to a close? Even the Weekly Standard is giving his "reporting" bad reviews:
After a few days of watching Joe fumble through interviews and issue his awkward opinions, it’s clear the guy is in over his head...
First, if the media shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a war, what are you doing there, Joe? And why did PJTV send you?
Even though a faux plumber would be a perfect fit for Faux News, maybe this will damage his chances for adding television host to his always-expanding resume.
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Finally, if you haven't seen them already, you have to check out Scout Tufankjian and her pictures of the Obama campaign. I could have spent hours going through her website today. She has pictures starting from before Iowa...
... all the way up to Grant Park.
She also has just released a photographic book called Yes We Can. And, if you are in New York she has a gallery show of her Obama photographs at the powerHouse Arena through February 9th. Her shots are stunning - check 'em out.
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So has any news made your day today?