Americans Away From Home

Justice David H. Souter                                       Photo: Matthew Cavanaugh/European Pressphoto Agency

It's a big deal.

President Obama may get to name the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice. There are only 9 people who make U.S. Supreme Court decisions. One of them, David Souter, may be retiring by July, according to four sources (according to the New York Times).

Why is this such a big deal?

Laws are laws (ok, that's obvious) and there are only a few ways laws get made in the United States. One way is for towns, cities, states, to pass rules or laws - but these are the little fish. What they do can be overturned and overruled (= thrown out) by courts with more authority, in each area, state, region. Ultimately, it can get to the big guns, which is the U.S. Supreme Court.

The main way laws get made is - Congress, the legislature of the United States, passes a law. Congress is both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Did you know that many people outside the U.S. cannot understand what "Congress" means? I'm asked this question all the time by people in the U.K. In fairness, few Americans understand how laws get passed in the U.K. or other countries, so the lack of understanding and presence of questions is pretty much mutual.

The other main way law gets made in the U.S. - or unmade, undone, let go, tossed out, becoming a true artifact of yesterday; here, then gone today - is when the U.S. Supreme Court says so.

The Supreme Court said so in 1954, in one of the most important cases in U.S. history, Brown versus The Board of Education, a crucial decision in making education available for people of all colors in the U.S. The Supreme Court said so again in Roe versus Wade, the case that protected a woman's right to choose to have an abortion.

And the Supreme Court said so again in 2000, when the Court determined the course of history and the lives of Americans and many other people worldwide when they ended counting votes for President between Al Gore and George Bush. The decision was determined by one vote - one vote! - effectively declaring George Bush President.

Justice Souter bitterly dissented. He wrote, “There is no justification for denying the state the opportunity to try to count all disputed ballots now."

When the Supreme Court "refuses" to hear a law case, it has the effect of permitting current law to stand. So by their decision to not take action, the Supreme Court effectively takes action to affirm laws or decisions to keep laws made by courts which are lower on the legal totem pole.

Clear, then, how one vote can count? And Obama gets to choose that potential one vote.

For the first time in 15 years, a Democratic President will get to appoint a Supreme Court Justice.

Names float. Will Obama appoint a woman, given that the only woman on the Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is 76? Perhaps Elena Kagan, Obama's Solicitor General? Sonia Sotomayor or Diane Pamela Wood, judges of federal appeals courts?

Maybe Kim M. Wardlaw or Kathleen M. Sullivan, the first a federal appeals court judge in California, the second a former dean of Stanford Law School?

(He wouldn't, would he? He could even appoint Michelle! She's a lawyer...)

Barack Obama said he would look for judges “who hopefully have a sense of what real-world folks are going through,” in a campaign debate, saying the appointment would be "One of the most consequential decisions of the next president."

And what would David Souter be doing instead of making history? His friends say he wants to go back to New Hampshire while he's still young enough to enjoy climbing mountains and other outdoor activities.   (NY Times story here).

Carole

Tomorrow will be President Obama's one hundredth day as President. The election was 175 days ago!

Have you had a chance to catch up yet? ;-)

Barack has, and then some. He's done an amazing amount of good, and already has made a real difference.

Today in London, I met a young man from Atlanta. I asked if he was happy with Obama. He didn't smile. I asked softly, "Did you vote for him?" "No."

I asked if he thought Obama had done some good things. He admitted yes, and that he'll "wait and see."

No need to wait! Take a look at this!

The Obama team has created an intriguing map, with each state showing what Obama has already achieved for that state. Please click on the links in the email copied below, or paste the URL into your browser, then click on your state or any state you're interested in.

What he's done in 100 days is breathtaking.

True, there are many supporters who range from quietly disappointed to being up in arms about some things Obama has - or has not - done.

But take a look at what he's done.

Give *yourself* some credit - for supporting the man who has, in a short 100 days, already brought change to America.

Email from Obama aide David Plouffe, his campaign manager, is copied below.

Carole
____________________________________________________________________________

Carole --

Tomorrow will mark the President's hundredth day in office. A lot of attention will be given to this largely symbolic day, and the truth is that what we do every day after it will be just as important -- if not more. But our accomplishments in this time have been remarkable, and they're having real effects on people and communities throughout the country.

You built the movement that made this possible, and it's up to you to show Americans that real change can happen when ordinary citizens work together.

Explore this interactive map to learn about the progress we've made in the last 100 days and the stories of real Americans whose lives have already been touched. Then spread the word by passing it along to your friends and family.

With the country in crisis, the President took office and acted quickly to restore confidence and stability to our economy. But just as important were the steps we've taken toward building a new foundation for our prosperity, so that we never go back to the system that led us to crisis in the first place.

In just one hundred days, we've made crucial investments to create jobs and improve education, energy, and health care. All of this is a down payment for a new economic vision -- one where skilled workers fuel our economy rather than debt and speculation; one where American leadership on clean energy fuels 21st century innovation; and one where families and businesses are no longer weighed down by crushing health care costs.

Delivering on the promise of change is the reason we built this movement. Now, President Obama is counting on all of us to build support for this foundation and create a lasting recovery for America.

Take a look now at these critical first steps we've taken together and pass it on for others to see:

http://my.barackobama.com/100days

This new direction would not have been possible without you. But our biggest tests are yet to come, and the future is ours to shape. Let's seize this moment together so history will show that, at this defining crossroads, a generation of Americans put their country on the path to long-term security and prosperity.

Thank you,

David Plouffe

At InfoSecurity Europe! Talk about feeling secure.

How many security guards do you think they'll have at the biggest Security Trade Fair of the year, or is that too fanciful a thought?

At Internet World 2009! Happening at the same time, this year, so close to the InfoSecurity event that you don't even have to go outside.

Security. Spies. Internet. Malware. A seminar on hackers where security's so high they won't even tell the names of the panelists in advance, for security reasons.

More Americans from home will be at both fairs. More computer people from all the Silicon Valleys and Alleys in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Ah! Now, does this sound interesting or like work?

Perhaps there'll be an entertaining report on these two if you watch this space.

Carole

At the London Book Fair!

With so many other Americans, who came here from the U.S.  (My accent doesn't sound so funny to people here anymore).  Also with people from everywhere, S. Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India, India, India, the theme of the show.

I'm meeting so many interesting people and learning so much and working so so hard that it seems an afterthought to admit how much fun this is!

Perhaps you'll be entertained by my report coming soon.

Carole

Ah, it's Tuesday. To be President, what's it like?

The Usual

Has it become mundane yet? Barack Obama gets his daily briefing, early in the morning. As usual. The economic daily briefing, and meetings with senior advisors? Later in the morning.

Meet with a King

Ho-hum. Meet King Abdullah of Jordan. Where? In the Personal Dining Room. This must be a particular honor. Of sorts.

Football + Military Together

Ah! The Commander-in-Chief gets to give the Commander-in-Chief's trophy to a football team. Not just any: It's the Naval Academy's football team. Where? The rose garden. Of course.

Want more?

Meeting with Senator Ted Kennedy and former President Clinton in the Oval Office to discuss national service. Travel to The SEED School in Washington, D.C. Why? It's innovative, serves underserved students. What's he doing there? He'll call on all of us to serve our communities. And then! The President signs the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, opening up new ways for Americans to serve. Who else is there? FLOTUS (The First Lady); Vice-President Biden; Dr. Jill Biden; former President Clinton; and former First Lady Rosalyn Carter.

Is it a wrap?

Not so fast. The President and the First Lady will do community service in Washington, D.C.

Carole

President Obama and Venezuela President Hugo Chávez Friday.  They're smiling!  (Pool photo by Mariamma Kambon)


Ever wondered how a President passes the time at a Summit? One requirement: get up early.

Here's President Obama's weekend:

8 am           attending a multilateral meeting with The Union of South American countries UNASUR
(In Spanish, it's the Unión de Naciones Suramericanas - UNASUR)

9:30 am      attending Plenary Session 1

12:00 am    taking official photo for heads of State

12:30 pm    attending Summit working lunch

2:30 pm      attending Plenary Session 2

4:15 pm      attending Plenary Session 3

8:00 pm      attending official dinner and cultural show

Sunday, April 19

8:00 am      attending a multilateral meeting with SICA
(In Spanish, it's the Centroamérica or América Central -SICA)

9:10 am      participating in the Leaders Retreat

11:45 am    holding a news conference

1:00 pm      flying home to Washington

6:00 pm      arriving at Andrews Air Force Base

6:05 pm      leaving Andrews

6:15 pm      hugging Bo and the family at the White House

Carole

Overheard (can you say that?) on Twitter (Miami Herald):

1. is flotus coming to trinidad for soa? trinis wanna know.5:29 PM Apr 15th from web  
2. we can now confirm that flotus will be in trinidad for soa. trinis want to know: will she be bearing arms?1:17 AM Apr 16th from web
3. MiamiHeraldSOA has learned that flotus will in fact not be bearing arms at the #soa. she has decided to skip it.about 13 hours ago from web
4. With flotus staying in washington, trinis are wondering which spouse to watch at the #soa. Argentina's Nestor Kirchner?

Carole

President Obama's on a four-day Latin America tour. He arrived in Mexico City yesterday afternoon.

After meeting with President Felipe Calderón, he met U.S. Embassy employees. Last night, he attended a reception and working dinner at the Museo Nacional de Antropología.

Here's the flavor of his comments at the dinner:

"Let me begin by expressing my deepest thanks to President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala for their gracious welcome. And thank you for the spectacular setting. I can't imagine a more magnificent evening. This is my first trip as President to Mexico, and it's one that I will always remember fondly for the hospitality and the warmth that has been provided to me during my brief visit.

"More than 60 years ago, at a moment when our world was consumed with war, one of my predecessors came here to Mexico to reaffirm the relationship between our two nations. In a speech to the people of Mexico, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, '[Our] peoples are finding that they have common aspirations. They can work together for a common objective. Let us never lose hold of that truth.'

"That was President Roosevelt's message then. That is my message now."

On the agenda in Mexico: immigration (of course) and stopping illegal weapons trafficking.  (NY Times story here).

Next stop: Trinidad and Tobago for The Summit of The Americas.

Carole


President Barack Obama bids farewell to the family of Mexican President Felipe Calderon following their
meeting in Mexico City, Thursday, April 16, 2009. (White House Photo/Peter Souza)

Did you know:

1. Who named the puppy?

Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.

2. Why name the puppy Bo?

Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley. The Obama daughters chose the name Bo because of their grandfather's nickname, according to the Washington Post. The Washington Post reported in its online editions Saturday night that Obama's daughters chose the name Bo for the pup because first lady Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley. The name for the dog was an apparent reference to the singer "Bo" Diddley.

3. When did Bo arrive?

Tuesday, after the girls came home from school.

4. Why this breed?

The Portuguese water dog was chosen because of Malia Obama's allergies. Bo has a non-shedding coat.

5. How many places has Bo lived?

Bo was born in Texas, lived with a family in Washington, D.C., but had to leave; then he spent a month with a trainer in Virginia. The White House is Bo's fourth home.

6. How much did the Obamas pay for the dog?

Nothing. Bo was a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife.

7. Will the Obamas have to deal with training Bo?

Nope! Ted Kennedy knows how to give a gift! He sent Bo for a month of training with his own personal dog trainer in Virginia before Bo was ready for the White House.

8. Is Bo a rescue dog?

Quasi-rescue dog, according to Wayne Pacelle, chief exec of The Humane Society of the United States.

Bo was given up by his first owner because things didn't work with the family's other dog. His second owners are the Obamas. So Bo never was in a shelter or with a rescue group.

Yes, Bo's a rescue dog:

Bo might be a "rescued" dog, according to Cesar Millan, host of the National Geographic Channel's "The Dog Whisperer" and co-founder of a nonprofit foundation to help abused dogs.

No, Bo's not a rescue dog:

Martha Stern, Bo's breeder, said she does not consider Bo a rescued dog, since owners of dogs from her kennel sign contracts requiring them to return the dog if it doesn't work out.

Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama, said the Obamas started their search with shelter dogs. "Because this gift came before their pound search sort of was completed, they made a gift to some of the places they were looking." She added that the Obamas are making a donation to the Washington Humane Society.

The Humane Society's view? Their website says, "Thanks, Mr. President, for giving a second-chance dog a forever home."

9. What are Bo's political beliefs?

Unknown. However, Bo's breeders are Obama fans. They named Bo's litter "The Hope and Change" litter.


10. Who'll walk the dog?

Everyone in the family, including the President. "We all have to take turns walking the dog."

11. Where will Bo dog sleep?

When asked, President Obama said, "Not in my bed."

Carole

This President, what he can do.

He can go from meeting The Queen to friending with Gordon Brown to chumming with the troops; he's brave enough to take questions head-on from international students (not scripted, and definitely not pre-approved); he meets with conservative journalists, dances on TV, and has a Passover Seder at the White House.

Can you imagine, being one of his daughters and having this man, this man, for your father? Imagine it! Here he is, braving it again, at ease in his skin reading a story to thousands of kids on the White House lawn.

Obama read "Where The Wild Things Are" to children of all ages, and to you, on Easter Sunday.

He reads it with gusto.  What do you think?

Carole