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Obama On How US Should Respond To Unemployment

July 9, 2011 by Michael McIntee DC, Economy/Jobs Comments Off

President Obama On June Job Numbers

Click Picture To View video Of President Obama On June Job Numbers

President Obama responds to reports that job growth slowed in June with a suggestion of how America can get out of its economic slump.

“There are a few things that we can and should do, right now, to redouble our efforts on behalf of the American people.

“Let me give you some examples. Right now, there are over a million construction workers out of work after the housing boom went bust, just as a lot of America needs rebuilding. We connect the two by investing in rebuilding our roads and our bridges and our railways and our infrastructure. And we could put back to work right now some of those construction workers that lost their jobs when the housing market went bust. Right now, we can give our entrepreneurs the chance to let their job-creating ideas move to market faster by streamlining our patent process. That’s pending before Congress right now. That should pass.”

Transcript of President Obama’s remarks on June job numbers
… Continue Reading

President Obama’s Twitter Town Hall

July 6, 2011 by Michael McIntee DC Comments Off
President Obama Opens The Twitter Town Hall With A Twitter

Click Picture To View Video Of President Obama Twittering

President Obama answers questions in the first ever Twitter Town Hall at the White House.

Transcript:
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! (Applause.) First of all, everybody can sit down. (Laughter.) It’s much easier to tweet from a seated position. (Laughter.)

MR. DORSEY: And I understand you want to start the conversation off with a tweeter yourself.

THE PRESIDENT: I’m going to make history here as the first President to live tweet. So we’ve got a computer over here. (Types in tweet.)

MR. DORSEY: It’s only 140 characters. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: All right, I think I have done this properly. But here’s the test.

MR. DORSEY: And you tweeted.

THE PRESIDENT: How about that? Not bad. (Applause.) Thank you.

View twitter questions as they were asked and read transcript of the town hall.
… Continue Reading

Obama: Defense Of Marriage Act Is Unconstitutional – Time To End It

July 2, 2011 by Michael McIntee DC, LGBT Issues Comments Off

President Obama marks LGBT Pride Month

Click picture To View President Obama's Speech

President Obama observes LGBT Pride month by recounting the progress gay, lesbian, bisexual and transexual people have made in the last several years. But he says the job isn’t done.

The President is setting his sights on ending the so called “Defense of Marriage Act”.

Key quote from President Obama: ” I told you I was against the Defense — so-called Defense of Marriage Act. I’ve long supported efforts to pass a repeal through Congress. And until we reach that day, my administration is no longer defending DOMA in the courts. The law is discriminatory. It violates the Constitution. It’s time for us to bring it to an end. (Applause.) ”

Full text of President Obama’s address observing LGBT Pride Month … Continue Reading

Obama: Get Rid Of Tax Breaks For Billionaires

July 2, 2011 by Michael McIntee DC, Economy/Jobs Comments Off

President Obama talks about eliminating tax breaks for billionaires

Click picture to watch President Obama's weekly address

President Obama speaks to the American people about reducing the nation’s deficit and creating jobs across the country. The President emphasized the need for Government to live within its means— just as families do—in order to put the nation on a fiscally sustainable path which is critical to long-term economic growth and job creation.

The President says to solve the deficit problem, Democrats and Republicans must make tough choices and look at every tax loophole and program for opportunities to save money.

President Obama stressed the importance of trimming the budget while also making critical investments in education, research, and technology to spur job growth and invest in our future.

As families and friends join together to celebrate Independence Day, the President reminded Americans that since our founding, we have overcome challenges by coming together to solve our nation’s problems.


Full text of President Obama’s weekly address
… Continue Reading

Obama – Making America Best Place To Create Middle-Class Jobs

June 29, 2011 by Michael McIntee DC, Economy/Jobs, Iowa Comments Off

President Obama speaks to Alcoa workers in Bettendorf, Iowa

Click to watch Obama's speech

President Obama speaking at the Alcoa plant near Bettendorf, Iowa:

“I believe in an America where our government lives within its means while investing in things that will help us grow, like a world-class education system and cutting-edge innovation and the best transportation and communication systems anywhere in the world. That’s how we’re going to make America the best place to create good, middle-class jobs. That’s how we’re going to win the future — by doing the smart things right now to help the middle class grow and feel more secure.”

Full text and video of President Obama’s speech in Iowa … Continue Reading

Obama: Time For Nation Building At Home

June 25, 2011 by Michael McIntee DC, Economy/Jobs, Pennsylvania Comments Off
President Obama talks about manufacturing jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Click To Watch Video

President Obama says ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are in the “best interests” of US Security and our economy.
“Now is the time to focus on nation building here at home,” said the President in his weekly address to the nation.

President Obama says that realizing our nation’s potential requires more than simply cutting spending; we have to foster development at home, so that the United States will continue to grow and attract the world’s best talent, ideas and job-creating technologies.

Manufacturing and opportunity for the middle-class, transcript and video of President Obama’s weekly address … Continue Reading

Minneapolis Seeks Tornado Damage Help

June 21, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler DC, Environment, Minnesota Comments Off

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) met with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Minneapolis City Council President Barbara Johnson in Washington, D.C. to discuss the aftermath of the tornado that hit North Minneapolis on May 22 and caused millions of dollars in damage and resulted in the death of two Minnesotans. The officials talked about the recovery effort, the possibility of federal aid, and the Mayor’s and City Council President’s meeting with the Obama administration. Sen. Franken also reiterated his commitment to do whatever he can to help with the recovery process.

Daily Kos Blogger Kaili Joy Gray Grills White House’s Dan Pfeiffer

June 20, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler DC, LGBT Issues, Netroots Comments Off

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Daily Kos blogger Kaili Joy Gray served White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer anything but softball questions when she interviewed him on stage at Netroots Nation this weekend. Questioning what President Obama has done for the progressive movement was a constant theme during the conference, and that reached a fever pitch between Gray and Pfeiffer. Among other uncomfortable questions, Gray asked Pfeiffer why President Obama wouldn’t come out and support marriage equality after he had apparently done so as an Illinois state senator. Watch The UpTake’s interview with Kaili Joy Gray afterward.

Van Jones Distinguishes Between the American Dream and the American Fantasy

June 20, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler DC, Economy/Jobs, Environment, Netroots Comments Off

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Green activist Van Jones delivered a thrilling speech at Netroots Nation on Saturday, rolling out his new organization, “Rebuild the Dream” which will kick off this summer and culminate in a rally in Washington in October. Jones, who has become a staple at Netroots, distinguished between the American Dream and the “American Fantasy” propagated by the right. He called the latter “Dream killers, who have a wrecking ball agenda for our country. A wrecking ball for America.” Jones also challenged right-wing Fox News commentator Glenn Beck to a debate. (Beck declined the offer yesterday, calling Jones, an “unrepentant Communist revolutionary”.

Here’s an excerpt from Van Jones’ speech (and watch The UpTake’s exclusive interview with Van Jones).

Now, some of you all are liberal, you might have a few progressives in here, so let me make sure you understand what I mean when I say killing the American Dream. I’m not talking about killing the American “Fantasy”, okay? The American Fantasy: everybody’s gonna be rich, you buy a lot of things, you’ll be happy? No, that’s an American Fantasy, which means it’s the American nightmare. That needs to go. That needs to go. We don’t believe in that. We don’t believe in that at all.

I’m talking about something much, much deeper than that. Something that we had in this country until the commercializers turned it into something else. The American Dream was simply the idea that hard work should pay in our country. That you should be able to get up in the morning in America, and if you willing to and are able to work, walk out your front door, go to a dignified job, put in a good day’s work and come back home with a paycheck that you can feed your family with and give your children a better life. That’s the American Dream. That’s what our parents fought for and our grandparents fought for and we should not let it be taken away from us on our watch. That’s the American Dream.

And we have Dream killers. Dream killers, who have a wrecking ball agenda for our country. A wrecking ball for America. But they painted that wrecking ball red, white and blue. And they think we’re going to salute their red, white and blue wrecking ball? They got another thought coming in the United States of America. No. It’s time for the deep patriots to stand up to the cheap patriots. It’s time for the deep patriots who love this country and who love everybody in this country, no matter what color you are or who you want to marry or what kind of piercing you got in your nose, we love everybody, we are the deep patriots. They’re the cheap patriots and I’m tired of them questioning us and what we stand for.

So are we going to stand together?

Kaili Joy Gray: Why Did Obama Retract Support for Gay Marriage?

June 19, 2011 by Jacob Wheeler DC, LGBT Issues, Netroots Comments Off

Daily Kos blogger Kaili Joy Gray interviewed White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer on stage at Netroots Nation and asked him several stinging questions about President Obama’s positions with respect to certain progressive policies. Some of the questions stumped Pfeiffer. The UpTake interviewed Gray afterward, in particular about Obama’s apparent retraction of his support for marriage equality after speaking out in favor of gay marriage rights before he arrived in Washington as an Illinois Senator.

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Click on photo to watch Senator Al Franken's news conference on college financial aid reform

Sen. Franken Announces “True Cost Of College” Act

Senator Al Franken announces the “Understanding The True Cost Of College Act” that would require colleges to use easier to understand language in their financial aid package offers to students.

Click this picture to play video.

First Somali Delegate Headed to Democratic National Convention

Hindia Ali, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator at Somali Action Alliance is a delegate the the 2012 National Democratic Convention, the first Somali-American to be a delegate.

Click photo to watch President Obama's speech

Obama Rips GOP’s “Radical Vision” For US

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, President Obama ripped into Republicans for their lack of compromising and for the first time mentioned his likely Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, by name.

Click on Photo to View Women's Discussion About Health Care and the Affordable Care Act

“Being a Woman Shouldn’t be a Pre-existing Condition”

Minnesota women in healthcare predicaments met with with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Betty McCollum and Governor Mark Dayton on Friday — the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

Click photo to watch President Obama's weekly address

Obama:Fraud, Middle East Conflict, Driving Up Gas Prices

President Obama says many of the factors that are driving up gas prices are out of our control such as unrest in the Middle East. However, he points out there are some things that are in our control such as fraud and manipulation that can cause prices to spike even further.

Click photo to hear President Obama speak about alternative energy

Obama Makes Case For Alternative Energy

President Obama talks about an all-of-the-above American energy strategy at a Daimler manufacturing plant in North Carolina that’s making trucks that run on natural gas.

No recount this time. Click photo to watch the MN Congressional Cookoff

Another Close One For Sen. Al Franken- Ties In Hotdish Cookoff

Senator Al Franken is used to close elections. This time he didn’t beat his opponents, but had to settle for a tie with Representative Chip Cravaack in the second annual Minnesota Congressional delegation hotdish cookoff.

Click photo to watch President Obama address business roundtable in Washington, DC

Obama:Tax Reform Like “Pulling Teeth”

President Obama would like to reform taxes so we reward companies that invest in the US, not ones that send jobs overseas. But there are some barriers, such as Congress.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama

Israel-US United Against Iran Says Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu uses his photo op with President Obama today to talk up how the US and Israel are united against Iran, which is suspected of trying to create a nuclear bomb.

President Obama speaks to the American-Israel Lobby

Obama:Military Force Against Iran Possible To Thwart Nuclear Program

President Obama warns that “loose talk” of war was only helping Iran, while pushing back against charges from GOP presidential contenders that he has been less than a loyal ally to Israel.

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MN

Click on Photo to Hear Interview with Northside Resident Anthony Strong

Lack of Liquor Store Reduces Crime in North Minneapolis Neighborhood

One year after the tornado that ravaged North Minneapolis, things are looking up for Anthony and Shemeika Strong. The absence of the Broadway Liquor Outlet has also been a blessing for their neighborhood.

99 pct Mall

Boisterous Protests At Local Banks Stay Non-Violent

Occupy coalesced activists from many neighborhood and civic groups to protest bank actions: Home foreclosures, refusing Somali funds transfer, voter photo ID, anti-immigrant actions.

Click Image to View Video

“Vikings Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!”

Members of the Welfare Rights Committee disrupt the signing of the Vikings Stadium Bill. They claim, “Vikings Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!”

Click on this photo to see video of conference.

Minnesota Somali Women And Men Discuss Infertility Issues

Somali women and men gather to discuss the many aspects of female infertility with medical and social experts.

3M Demo

MN Activists Call on 3M to Remove Corporate Funds From Politics

3M shareholders at annual meeting were asked to stop all corporate contributions to political campaigns and to disclose corporate political lobbying efforts. As expected, the resolutions were voted down, but the activists pledged to continue efforts.

Click on Image to View Video

Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Wins Loan Modification, Keeps House

Occupy backed homeowner successfully re-negotiated her loan with MN based US Bank.

Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

Healing Minnesota’s Darkest Period: Pardoning a Dakota Indian

After the six-week US-Dakota War of 1862, 38 Dakota men were hung in one of the largest mass executions in US History. Many argue that the trials were a sham, that is was the largest injustice in the nation’s history. Today, Representative Dean Urdahl, Chair of the Legacy Committee in Minnesota and the Civil War Task Force, seeks to, “rub a little salve in the wound,” by seeking a pardon for one of those warriors who was hung on that fateful December day. His name is Chaska.

Rep. Ryan Winkler on the House Floor before 2011 Special Session

Stadium Opponent Rep. Winkler Decides To Vote For Stadium.

Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL) decides to support the Vikings stadium because of the jobs it will create.

Governor Dayton and Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf

Vikings Stadium Bill Sent To Governor Dayton

The Minnesota House and Senate have each approved different versions of a Vikings stadium proposal. So now it is up to a conference committee to reconcile the differences.

Governor Mark Dayton Vetos GOP Tax Bill

Dayton Tax Veto Imperils Vikings Stadium Says GOP

Principle or politics? On Friday, Governor Mark Dayton went heavily with principle and imperiled the politics of his top legislative priority — thousands of jobs from building a new Vikings football stadium.

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Sustaining Solutions

Click on Photo to Hear Interview with Northside Resident Anthony Strong

Lack of Liquor Store Reduces Crime in North Minneapolis Neighborhood

One year after the tornado that ravaged North Minneapolis, things are looking up for Anthony and Shemeika Strong. The absence of the Broadway Liquor Outlet has also been a blessing for their neighborhood.

Click on Image to View Video

Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Wins Loan Modification, Keeps House

Occupy backed homeowner successfully re-negotiated her loan with MN based US Bank.

Click Photo to Hear Opinions on How the City Should Help North Minneapolis

Does North Minneapolis Need Pie in the Sky Ideas or Roofs Overhead?

Nearly a year after the tornado that ripped through North Minneapolis, opinions vary greatly on what the poverty-stricken community needs most from local and state government. Should the City introduce “pie in the sky” ideas or focus on more immediate problems?

Click photo of Rep. Bobby Jo Champion  to View Video Interview

Rep. Bobby Jo Champion Touts Legislation to Rebuild North Minneapolis

Representative Bobby Jo Champion talks about the challenges facing some of his constituents in North Minneapolis almost a year after a devastating tornado.

Click photo to watch video about how tornado damaged North Minneapolis is being rebuilt right.

Rebuild It Right in North Minneapolis: Quality Design Isn’t Just For Rich People

Rebuild It Right, an organization made up of architects and designers from Minneapolis, is helping homeowners advocate for quality design in the wake of the May 22nd Tornado.

Don Samuels Talks Jobs

New Stadium Deal Promises Jobs for North Minneapolis Residents

The Vikings stadium deal got the support of Minneapolis City Council members. Council member Don Samuels says that this is a good deal for his constituents. It will provide jobs to a part of the city that has the highest rate of unemployment.

Click photo to watch how Urban Homeworks is helping homeowners in north Minneapolis

Urban Homeworks: Fighting Foreclosures in North Minneapolis

Local, Minneapolis non-profit Urban Homeworks works with banks and other community organizations to fight foreclosures.

Monique White celebrates a delay on evicting her from her home. Click photo to watch video.

Occupy-Backed Homeowner Monique White Seeks Jury Trial

Embattled homeowner Monique White took one more step Friday toward what could become an improbable victory that would let her stay in her North Minneapolis home. Judge Mark Labine will decide on Monday whether White will get a jury trial in District Court.

Click on Photo to View Video of Northside Economic Opportunity Network

Northside Economic Opportunity Network Boosts Business in North Minneapolis

The Northside Economic Opportunity Network works with small businesses and micro-businesses in North Minneapolis to help them achieve success.

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2011 UpTake Stories With The Most Impact

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  • Sunday, May 20, 09:00 AM
    Through negotiations and persistence and the good will of all, Phil Freshman and Jim Roth have worked with Beth El Synagogue and obtained a weekend (5/18-20)in residence of a Torah Scholar, Rabbi Kahn-Troster, on the issue of human rights and torture. The issues will be addressed from religious, legal, medical, ethical and practical perspectives. Open to the […]
  • Saturday, Jun 02, 09:00 AM
    DFL State Convention-Day 1- Rochester, MN Saturday, June 2 – Sunday June 3, 2012 Mayo Civic Center (30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904) […]
  • Sunday, Jun 03, 09:00 AM
    DFL State Convention-Day 2- Rochester, MN Sunday June 3, 2012 Mayo Civic Center (30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904) […]

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