ONN PAYDAY BAR EDITION
We're calling this the "Payday Bar Edition" because it's a Friday payday for many of us, and that provides us with the opportunity to use some of that cash to donate to the Obama campaign instead of spending it in a bar. (Yes, that was nutty.) We need your help to keep the machine rolling because if President Obama is a clear winner before election day, his coattails will help elect Democrats from the United States Senate to the local city council. Please, please, please give what you can.
Here's some original research to think about as you consider a gift: Koch Industries generates revenue of approximately $100B each year. Koch-related PACs have indicated they will donate $400m this cycle to elect Republicans. What is that relative to a donation from a person grossing $30k per year? What about a family that makes $50k? The following list shows what you can do to keep pace with the Kochs:
Family earning $25,000 per year: $100
Family earning $30,000 per year: $120
Family earning $40,000 per year: $160
Family earning $50,000 per year: $200
Family earning $75,000 per year: $300
That's how we beat the Kochs. That's how we beat the Republicans. Even though you can bet that Koch Industries is managing to pay a lower tax rate than you and I, we can still out-pace their campaign spending. Please give what you can.
The President's day included briefings, two official letters, one of which dealt with official notification of the movement of combat forces to protect Americans in Libya, a very solemn ceremony, a celebratory meetup with the American Olympic and Paralympic teams, four Presidential Proclamations and an evening fundraiser. We'll start with the Transfer of Remains Ceremony for the Benghazi Victims. What follows is the complete transcript of the President's remarks:
THE PRESIDENT: Scripture teaches us “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Glen Doherty never shied from adventure. He believed that, in his life, he could make a difference -- a calling he fulfilled as a Navy SEAL. He served with distinction in Iraq and worked in Afghanistan. And there, in Benghazi, as he tended to others, he laid down his life, loyal as always, protecting his friends. Today, Glen is home.
Tyrone Woods devoted 20 years of his life to the SEALs -- the consummate “quiet professional.” At the Salty Frog Bar, they might not have known, but “Rone” also served in Iraq and Afghanistan. And there, in Benghazi, he was far from Dorothy and Tyrone Jr., Hunter and little Kai. And he laid down his life, as he would have for them, protecting his friends. And today, Rone is home.
Sean Smith, it seems, lived to serve -- first, in the Air Force, then, with you at the State Department. He knew the perils of this calling from his time in Baghdad. And there, in Benghazi, far from home, he surely thought of Heather and Samantha and Nathan. And he laid down his life in service to us all. Today, Sean is home.
Chris Stevens was everything America could want in an ambassador, as the whole country has come to see -- how he first went to the region as a young man in the Peace Corps, how during the revolution, he arrived in Libya on that cargo ship, how he believed in Libya and its people and how they loved him back. And there, in Benghazi, he laid down his life for his friends -- Libyan and American -- and for us all. Today, Chris is home.
Four Americans, four patriots -- they loved this country and they chose to serve it, and served it well. They had a mission and they believed in it. They knew the danger and they accepted it. They didn’t simply embrace the American ideal, they lived it. They embodied it -- the courage, the hope and, yes, the idealism, that fundamental American belief that we can leave this world a little better than before. That’s who they were and that’s who we are. And if we want to truly honor their memory, that’s who we must always be.
I know that this awful loss, the terrible images of recent days, the pictures we’re seeing again today, have caused some to question this work. And there is no doubt these are difficult days. In moments such as this -- so much anger and violence --even the most hopeful among us must wonder.
But amid all of the images of this week, I also think of the Libyans who took to the streets with homemade signs expressing their gratitude to an American who believed in what we could achieve together. I think of the man in Benghazi with his sign in English, a message he wanted all of us to hear that said, "Chris Stevens was a friend to all Libyans. Chris Stevens was a friend."
That’s the message these four patriots sent. That’s the message that each of you sends every day -- civilians, military -- to people in every corner of the world, that America is a friend, and that we care not just about our own country, not just about our own interests, but about theirs; that even as voices of suspicion and mistrust seek to divide countries and cultures from one another, the United States of America will never retreat from the world. We will never stop working for the dignity and freedom that every person deserves, whatever their creed, whatever their faith.
That’s the essence of American leadership. That’s the spirit that sets us apart from other nations. This was their work in Benghazi, and this is the work we will carry on.
To you -- their families and colleagues -- to all Americans, know this: Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. We will bring to justice those who took them from us. We will stand fast against the violence on our diplomatic missions. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect Americans serving overseas, whether that means increasing security at our diplomatic posts, working with host countries, which have an obligation to provide security, and making it clear that justice will come to those who harm Americans.
Most of all, even in our grief, we will be resolute. For we are Americans, and we hold our head high knowing that because of these patriots -- because of you -- this country that we love will always shine as a light unto the world.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
The flag they served under now carries them home. May God bless the memory of these men who laid down their lives for us all. May God watch over your families and all who loved them. And may God bless these United States of America.
CELEBRATING TEAMS U.S.A.
The President, Vice President and the First Lady served as hosts to the United States Paralympic and Olympic teams today. They celebrated the incredible athletic accomplishments and more. The President:
"And one of the great things about watching our Olympics is we are a portrait of what this country is all about -- people from every walk of life, every background, every race, every faith. It sends a message to the world about what makes America special. It speaks to the character of this group, how you guys carried yourselves. And it’s even more impressive when you think about the obstacles that many of you have had to overcome not just to succeed at the games, but to get there in the first place."
First Lady Michelle Obama, who led the United States delegation to the London Olympic Games, added her own inspirational remarks, including the following:
"I want you to know how inspired we are by all of you -- your passion, your dedication, your courage. This summer, people across the country -- including some of the young people with us today -- watched you compete and thought to themselves, you know what, if they can set a goal and work hard to reach it, maybe I can too, and maybe I can go a little farther and do a little better than people think I can. They saw all of you out there giving 100 percent, overcoming all kinds of obstacles, representing our country with such determination and pride."
White House Photo cropped to show my favorite President, V-P, FLOTUS and Tyson Gay!
In preparing diaries for ONN, I've found myself misty-eyed more often than not. Today was no exception. A great Civics exercise for any high school or college student would be to follow the President and his Wife for one week, through the ups and downs, the sublime and the Republican noise machine. To combat the misty-eyes, I'd like to end on an upbeat note. And so, here is the latest "MMORPG" or Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game for your Xbox:
Link to Transcripts and Documents.
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