I'm not embarrassed by my President any more

In fact, I'm pretty darn proud.

Obama to reverse 'global gag rule' on family planning organisations
Daniel Nasaw in Washington
guardian.co.uk, Friday 23 January 2009 16.23 GMT
Article history
...The rule change "would be huge," California Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado told National Public Radio. "By the US restricting women's rights to reproductive planning internationally, it really destroys their lives. Because they can't control the size of their family, that affects their use of resources and food and child nutrition and so many other things. The way to increase the stability in Third World countries, frankly, is for sensible family planning."


Obama Reaches Out to the Muslim World
Not only was Obama the first President to mention the word "Muslim" in an inauguration speech, he did it with his hand out instead of with his fist clenched (to borrow a Presidential phrase).

Appointing Emissaries, Obama and Clinton Stress Diplomacy
...Mr. Mitchell, a former Senate majority leader, helped broker a peace agreement in Northern Ireland. Mr. Holbrooke, a longtime diplomat who was the American ambassador to the United Nations, played a central role in drafting the 1995 Dayton peace accords, which ended the war in Bosnia...

Obama's stimulus proposal advances in Congress
The bill moves forward in the House over Republican efforts seeking deeper tax cuts.
Associated Press
January 23, 2009
Washington -- Amid grim new evidence of economic weakness, legislation at the heart of President Obama's recovery plan advanced in Congress on Thursday over the persistent opposition of Republicans seeking deeper tax cuts.


Senate passes wage discrimination bill
By JIM ABRAMS – 17 hours ago
...Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid predicted that "the first bill that President Obama will sign will be this piece of legislation." He said the bill would send an important message because "this administration stands for equality and fairness."

Obama strongly backs the measure and invited Lilly Ledbetter, the retired Alabama tire company worker whose lawsuit inspired the legislation, to accompany him on the train trip bringing him to Washington for the inauguration...

The Freedom of Information Act is Back
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
By Barack ObamaPresident of the United States
January 21, 2009

I did not know I could cry so many happy tears. I've noticed an uptick in hits on my blog from other countries. It's nice to not feel like a pariah simply because I'm an American.

Do I credit my new President?

Yes I do.



Here's the squirrel pic, they're out today.