whoops!

I found this article and thought it was interesting at how someone could be so niave.

Obama speechwriter Favreau learns the perils of Facebook
Posted: 02:40 PM ET

This photo of Favreau and Clinton appeared on Facebook Friday.
(CNN) — Jon Favreau, future White House director of speechwriting, has so far been at a loss for words over Facebook pictures of him at a recent party.

Pictures of Favreau, 27, at a recent party appeared on Facebook Friday. In one of the photos, Favreau, who served as President-elect Barack Obama’s chief speechwriter during the campaign season, was dancing with a life-sized cardboard cut-out of future secretary of state Hillary Clinton. In a second photo, a friend was offering the cutout a bottle of beer while Favreau stood beside the likeness with his hand on the cardboard New York senator’s chest.

The picture was reportedly up for a scant two hours or so before Favreau removed it, along with every other picture of himself beyond his profile photo — but there’s no getting the Facebook genie back in the bottle.

Favreau wasn’t talking to reporters about the incident, but transition officials said he had offered an apology to Clinton.

The Clinton camp reaction? "Sen. Clinton is pleased to learn of Jon's obvious interest in the State Department, and is currently reviewing his application," Clinton aide Philippe Reines told the Washington Post.

Post Election Apathy

I can see that every one is kind of apathetic about these blogs now that the election is over and i'm glad i'm not the only one. No one seems to be commenting anymore and the stories about who Obama is choosing for his cabinet seem to be increasing. With all the craziness that inhabited the media and nation for that matter during this election it's hard to find excitement in writing about the days leading up to Obama's inauguration. Instead of finding myself reading stories on Obama's cabinet choices and which white house pup they will choose, I have been astonished by the events in Mumbai this last week. It is completely devastating the toll these terrorist attacks are taking. Maybe with all the election stuff settling down people can focus more on the World events that come to effect our nation just the same.

Obama's daughters pick a school

Economic Hope

In this hard economic time, President elect Obama is under a lot of pressure to assemble an intelligent resourceful team to meet the challenges of today. Here's an article that shares who has been chosen and who is still in the running for a place on the team.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, who lost out to New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner for the Treasury post, is expected to be the top economic adviser in the Obama White House, according to two sources close to the transition.
Lawrence Summers served as Treasury secretary under former President Bill Clinton.

Lawrence Summers served as Treasury secretary under former President Bill Clinton.

Selection of the Obama economic team comes as President-elect Obama offers an outline of his economic recovery plan to create 2.5 million jobs by 2011. Obama, in the weekly Democratic address Saturday, said American workers will rebuild the nation's roads and bridges, modernize its schools and create more sources of alternative energy.

Summers, who served as Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, will be named chief of the National Economic Council by President-elect Barack Obama at an event in Chicago, Illinois, on Monday, the sources said.

Geithner's nomination to be Treasury secretary, the top economic post in the Cabinet, will also be officially announced at Monday's event, the sources said. Video Watch panelists weigh in on possible Cabinet choices »

The Obama transition team on Saturday announced several key appointments to his communications team.

Ellen Moran, the executive director of EMILY's List, will serve as Obama's communications director. Moran worked for the AFL-CIO, coordinating "Wal-Mart corporate accountability activities," before returning to EMILY's -- an organization dedicated to helping Democratic women get elected to office.

Robert Gibbs, an Obama campaign spokesman who also has acted as spokesman for the transition, will become Obama's press secretary -- one of the most highly visible roles in the administration.
Don't Miss

* Obama outlines job-creation plan

Gibbs, an Auburn, Alabama, native who has worked for Sen. Fritz Hollings, the Democratic Senatorial Committee and Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, was communications director, then a senior strategist, for the Obama campaign.
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Dan Pfeiffer, current communications director with the transition team, will be Obama's deputy communications director. He began work with the Obama campaign in January 2007 as traveling press secretary before returning to Chicago to work as communications director.

"These individuals will fill essential roles, and bring a breadth and depth of experience that can help our administration advance prosperity and security for the American people," Obama said in a written statement. "This dedicated and impressive group of public servants includes longtime advisors and a talented new addition to our team, and together we will work to serve our country and meet the challenges of this defining moment in history."


We need this!

He is the next President. Period.

I am so sick of receiving these nasty forwards about Obama being president and how the next four years will be filled with devastation and disaster. I recieved these texts after Tuesday night when the decision was final. I don't care if you necessarily agree or disagree with Obama, HE IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT of the United States and if our country is going to get through these troubled times it won't happen as a divided nation. It's time to come together.

McCain Pictures

Here's McCain rally photos

The next President of the United States

They just elected Barack Obama as the next president of the United States. I am so amazed and in awe and as they pan over the audience I can tell that there is so much hope in this country right now. God Bless America

obama photos

i finally uploaded my Obama pictures onto my computer and hopefully i can get my mcCain ones up soon.

yessss

OHIO and PENNSYLVANIA! excellent! This is such an exciting night and it is so great to see that our country has for the most part come far enough to possibly see a black president. :)

Red Pom Poms and Toby Keith

Today I attended the John McCain rally with Kiah, and Katie Lewis. We arrived at the rally at seven o'clock and were only about the thirtieth or fortieth people in line so we knew we would be guaranteed good seats. I really wanted to go so that no matter what I could say that I had seen the next president of the United States. I had three Obama buttons in my sweatshirt that I had planned on wearing but not wanting to have any confrontation that is where they stayed. They let us in at 8:30 out of the drizzling rain and we found our spots at the front by the stage! Right next to it! I thought we had been close at the Obama rally when we were twenty feet away but it was nothing in comparison to the five feet we were from the stage today! So after five hours of waiting and being handed red pom poms, listening to way too much country music and seeing my fair share of NObama shirts it was almost time for him to arrive. A man that was volunteering came over to us and asked if we were high school students and we replied that we were, he asked if there was a large Obama following at our high school and we said yes at told him that we were Obama supporters, then he asked if we could vote and we said no and he said good. It was really funny and I could definitely sense the uncertainty of McCain becoming president. When McCain's plane pulled up and him, Cindy, his mother, and Libermann stepped out there was pandemonium.I can honestly say that the rally for McCain was much more enthusiastic and crazy than the Obama rally. I was actually very pleased to see that in his speech John McCain did not speak negatively of Obama but rather focused on himself and how much he needed everyone to vote today and the fight he would put up for America. He only spoke for about ten minutes which was really disappointing after waiting five hours but I'm glad we went. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to be in the presence of two presidential candidates and who knows when the next time a presidential candidate should come to Grand Junction. Unfortunately, we walked away right before he came to shake our hands, to try and beat traffic. Now im going to sit back and watch the election results come in on this historic day!

McCain

I'm going to see McCain tomorrow! I don't agree with him at all on his policies but I think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and although I was much more enthusiastic to see Obama, I am excited to see him tomorrow! I have RSVP'd and I will quietly rep Obama with my buttons. Yay for Grand Junction having some importance in this election!

Election Day!

Election Day is in five days! With all the news media being focused on the campaign world news has really taken a back seat. In fact today was one of the first days in a while were I have heard world news on the tv. 48 people were killed in India after consecutive blasts from where they are still trying to determine. It's amazing how little we focus on anything else during general election. I can't wait for this election to be over, and for Americans to start focusing on solving issues rather than just talk about them. 5 DAYS

Scarrryyy Stuff

The men charged with plotting to kill Obama, was a scary story to read today. I knew this would be an issue but it's so sad to think that our country is still a long way from the racist past we've had. Check out the whole story on CNN, I'm technology challenged and every time I try to link things on here it doesn't work so I'm just telling you to check it out. :(

Dirty with a capital D

I am so sick of the negative campaigning from both sides, but it seems in these last three weeks before election day, John McCain's campaign and the Republican Committee have really been pulling out all the stops. Not only have there been an abundance of new negative ads circulating through the media, but now these nasty robo calls, and we received a brochure yesterday that made me a little sick. I have to laugh at John McCain's comment in the last debate about Obama having spent the most money on negative campaigning in history.....hmmmm CNN may want to fact check that one. Anyway the brochure we received from the Colorado Republican Committee was appalling. It was all about William Ayers and his "close" friendship with Barack Obama. It included quotes from Ayers about not regretting setting the bombs, next to a picture of Obama. It was absolutely ridiculous and I would hope that anyone who sees that would have the common sense to see the absurdity and the nasty game the republican committee puts on during elections, unfortunately there are still people ignorant enough to look at that and believe every word.....

I'm so incredibly ready for this election to be over. It has been such a nasty one and these last efforts by the Republicans are really putting it over the edge for me.

Contrasting Debate

So I was very pleased when the presidential debate actually took place despite earlier skepticism that it wouldn't be happening due to the halt in John McCain's campaign. I thought the debate started out actually pretty slow with both candidates kind of dancing around a direct answer to the first question, 'would you vote yes in favor of the 700 billion dollar bailout?' both candidates never really gave a straight forward answer, although Obama did address what he would do to solve the economic crisis, McCain focused more on the past and the reasons that caused the economic crisis. I would have liked to see more of a direct answer although both eluded that they would vote yes in favor.

This debate was mainly focused on foreign policy, which is supposed to be McCain's strong subject but I think Obama did more than hold his own. McCain reinforced to the American people that he has experience. He used a lot of personal stories and name dropping with one slip up on Ahmadinejad’s name. Obama is never going to have the kind of experience John McCain has with foreign policy, that's just how it's going to be and McCain focuses too much on that, on the past, when the American people want to hear about solutions to the future. Obama is never going to have that past experience John McCain has, but he showed incredible knowledge and confidence on the issue last night. There were very few times where Obama was even slightly flustered and delivered his stance and knowledge with the confidence that made people listen.

During the debate they have an audience reaction meter which showed the reactions of the very important independents, the democrats, and the republicans. I found this sometimes to be more interesting to watch than the actual debate. Whenever a negative comment or stab was made toward the other candidate the independents line would fall negatively. In this election, the independents are going to be those deciding votes in choosing the next president of the United States. Everytime John McCain would say condescendingly, "Sen. Obama doesn't understand," the independents line would fall negatively. Obama did a very good job in not talking condescendingly or sarcastically to McCain, who I can't say the same for throughout the debate. Whenever there was a bipartisan comment all the parties, republican, democratic, and independents reaction would be positive. I hope that Joe Biden and Sarah Palin were watching that and can take that knowledge to their debate on Thursday.

I hope that with their debate Joe Biden won't be condescending and that he will have watched the way Obama handled things and he will also conduct himself that way. When they interviewed him afterwards he said I hope I can do as well as Obama did and I think he can if he watched what the audience liked and what they thought negatively of. I found it humorous that CNN got an interview with Biden after the debate yet when they tried to get one from Sarah Palin to have opinions from both sides, she was unavailable. Does she know she has to debate on Thursday? It may not be a bad idea to do some unscripted press interviews before she is thrown into a debate with someone who has much more experience than she does. That will be one to watch.

Overall, I thought that the debate was fairly even in most areas but I definitely think Obama had the edge, even turning a quotation by McCain's own campaign advisor, Kissinger against him when talking about meeting with foreign leaders without preconditions. The follow debates about Energy solutions and the economy will be very interesting and if McCain couldn't get the victory last night that he needed in his strong suit, I would say it's unlikely he will come away with a victory in the next two debates. I hope that everyone watches the following debates, especially those very opinionated people, as well as watch the VP debate! This is important people!

Debates

Everyone watch them! I think that the debates are really going to tell a lot about these candidates and help sway those undecided voters. So whether you are a an undecided voter, a strongly opinionated non voter or anyone in between....watch them!

Obammmaaa :)

So now that I am finished with the homework I would just like to say a few words on what I experienced today. I'm sure that everyone who went today has blogged about it but oh well! I was absolutely in awe today! I have watched MANY Obama speeches and even though he had the aid of teleprompter, I am so impressed with his eloquence and presence...even more so in person! It was a once in a lifetime experience and the four hours of standing were completely worth seeing who I hope is the next president of the United States. He addressed all of the issues in summary, but made a point of talking about the news today of the Lehman brothers bankruptcy and the drop in DOW which has the stock market in a crisis. Events like this and the recent destruction of hurricane Ike make me realize that much more how important it is that this country see change. Obama offers change, not only economically which is issue number one for voters, but environmentally, in education, in foreign dependency. I hope that those who are independents unsure of who they are supporting, saw his speech or at least highlights because I believe the solutions he offers are beneficial to everyone. We all are aware that Colorado and particularly Grand Junction and Pueblo are going to be vital in putting him in office.

Let's do it Colorado!

Formal and Informal Amending Processes

When the framers of the Constitution were in the process of creating it, they also created a process by which they could alter and change it. This process is called the amending process and there are two different categories by which amendments come to exist. These are formal amending and informal amending, and both are designed to alter or change the constitution according to topical national necessity.

Formal amending has a two stage process before it can become an amendment, proposal and ratification. There are two routes through government that the proposal and ratification must travel before they become amendments. The first route is a proposition to Congress by a 2/3 vote in each house. It then is sent onto the State Legislatures who can ratify the amendment by a vote of 3/4 of the states. This is the procedure by which all but one amendment has been ratified, except amendment twenty one. Amendment twenty-one was proposed to Congress and then sent onto State Conventions to ratify it. This was because it was a repeal of the eighteenth amendment and those proposing it doubted they could persuade the State legislatures to ratify it and so they called on the state conventions who ratified it.

In similarity to amendments, which change or alter the Constitution, the "unwritten constitution," is created to be a form of accepted ideas and processes, regardless that they are not in the constitution. The unwritten constitution is designed to be a form of accepted ideas that is based on custom and precedent. These ideas and processes become so regular in the governing of the United States that although there are no legal documentation in the Constitution stating there importance they are regularly carried out. Many Americans are not even aware of which processes are part of the unwritten constitution and the actual constitution.

Another form by which amendments are ratified is informal processing. This processing is carried out through four ways: Judicial Interpretation, Changing Political Practice, Technology, and Increasing demands on Policymakers. Judicial Interpretation is used when the Supreme Court has to decide how to interpret the Constitution when an issue presents itself. This is implied but never explicitly stated in the Constitution. Changing Political practice is used to bend, stretch and give the Constitution new meaning. It has altered the electoral college, to prevent giving too much power to the uneducated majority, so that there is no popular vote for president instead it was the state legislatures who would select "competent" electors. Technology plays a part in the ratification of amendments is through the media aspect. It plays an important part in elections through bias reports and supporting. The media can help to shape peoples political opinions. Increasing demands on policymakers is also part of the process in ratifying amendments. The demands of the country in response to national needs have created the informal processing of amendments. According to certain circumstances there may be need to call for demands to policymakers in the presidency to meet the necessity.

Formal, Informal, and Unwritten Constitution are all important in the changing of the constitution. They are important because the Constitution allthough basic guidelines for the running of the country is not a detailed document for the many areas of government that change as time goes on. The amendments are important to keeping the structure of our government modern and functional according to many aspects. With these processing helping to change and alter the constitution when necessary, the government the framers were so careful to create can continue to run as a superpower on earth.

Obama In Grand Junction

Obama speaking in Grand Junction is a once in a lifetime experience as we all know. I recommend everyone try and attend his speech, even those who may not agree with his politics. It is a great way to truly understand his message. I am an Obama supporter but if John McCain were to come to Grand Junction I would be at his speech too. So sorry Mr. Coit but I won't be in your class on Monday.....I'll hopefully be watching the next President of the United States speak!

Madisonian Model Essay

James Madison realized that the framing of the country had to be devised, in a well thought out plan when the creation of the Constitution was in effect. The very flawed Articles of Confederation, were his jumping off point in creating a plan for government that held principals for a successful government. Madison believed in limiting majority control, separating the powers of different institutions, and constructing a system of checks and balances to set power against power. His model is based on theory that to prevent tyranny by majority most of the government had to be kept beyond their power. He created this model with a series of powers that were interlinked to keep the separation of powers.
Madison's model consists of the majority (voters) with limited electoral influence. Their opinions were heard by the electoral college, state legislatures, and their representatives within the House of Representatives. Those opinions are then carried to the three branches of government, the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The Legislative branch contains the Congress; House of Representatives, and Senate. This branch confirms the president's nominations and controls national budget. Legislative Branch can also pass a law vetoed by the President and impeach the President and judges from the Judicial Branch. The Executive Branch contains the President and the executive office of the president. They have the power to nominate judges and veto congressional legislation. The third branch, the Judicial Branch, contains the supreme court; courts of appeal, and district courts. They can declare presidential acts and laws unconstitutional.
This model set a plan that included Madison's principals in a well laid out, thought out plan. The three branches included separation of powers and limited majority control, while constructing a system of checks and balances. This model is still greatly in effect in the structure of our modern day American Government. The separation of powers is the main reason a democracy runs as it does, no one power has ultimate power in making decisions. Checks and Balances also is major part of a working democracy it allows for the decisions made to be beneficial for the American People ultimately. This basis of government allowed for a democratic republic to become the government and foundation for a growing country. As the country continued to grow immensely this plan remained a solid foundation for which the rest of the nation was based upon.

Palin Obama Experience

There has been a lot of skepticism throughout the past year about Obama's experience in politics. It has been a major negative campaign focus for the republicans and has even caused some Hillary supporters to look the other way. I wish that all of those people not willing to give him a chance because he may not have as much political experience on a large scale, compared to John McCain, would look at the nominee for the GOP vice president. The new campaign ads are calling both McCain AND Palin the original mavericks and I think it's a real stretch to call McCain an original maverick let alone Palin. Experience is definitely not the strong suit for Palin and yet all those excited about her becoming the VP are most of the same people criticizing Obama for his "inexperience." Let's not be so quick to judge.