Democrats: Obama gets an A, Republicans an F

by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Today marks President Obama’s 100th day in office and Democrats congratulated Obama but also took the chance to grade Republicans.

“Someone asked me what mark would I give the president in his first 100 days, I definitely give the president an A,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) also praised the president saying, “President Obama’s leadership has been like that of a world class chef. He is able to keep all these different, complicated, intricate issues cooking at once, giving steady attention to each without letting any of them boil over and so far the American people have
liked what he is serving up.”

During the conference both Democrats and Republicans were voting on the budget blueprint and Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that with the president’s support and signature, good things will come.

“We’re creating and saving millions of jobs for those who face a losing paycheck in the time when they need one the most. With his help we guaranteed equal pay for millions of American workers and guaranteed healthcare for millions of American children. With his leadership we’re cutting taxes for hard working families, we’re investing in affordable healthcare, clean energy and education, and we’re punishing the predators who take advantage of those desperate just to hold on to their homes,” said Reid.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) called the Obama administration’s first 100 days a “model of forceful, coordinated action” and said that Obama has worked with Congress to meet challenges “together.”

“We have not yet seen as positive of a response as all of us would like but all of us including the president, will continue to be reaching across that aisle.... The Republican party by contrast unfortunately has continued to live down to its reputation as the party of no,” said Hoyer.

Reid also expressed his disappointment in the Republicans saying that it would have been good for the country if they had chosen to work with the Democrats and said that Democrats will continue to “extend an open hand across the aisle.”

“We still reserve Republicans a seat at the table. We want together, Democrats and Republicans, to put the jobless back to work, and make sure that those who need care the most can afford to stay healthy. We want to work not as partisans but as partners to preserve the American dream, but what will endure will define this Congress and this presidency is how we will choose to write the next story, the next part of the story of our recovery, of our prosperity and our security,” said Reid.

Schumer said that President Obama has given confidence back to America and that his 100th day doesn’t mark the end to his momentum.

“The president is smart, active, moderate and caring, just what the country needs.... He’s placed this country on the right track and we all look forward to working with him and our colleagues to continue to move the country forward,” concluded Schumer.

Iraqi Refugees need U.S. help, advocates say

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

America must invest more time, money, and human resources to help those displaced by the ongoing Iraq War, according to human rights advocates from the Washington, D.C.-based Refugees International.

The presence of 2.6 million displaced Iraqis persons is overwhelming to neighboring Middle East countries and is “undermining” to the social fabric of Iraq, said Ken Bacon, President of Refugees International, at a speech made today at the National Press Club.

President Barack Obama talked about displacement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during his surprise visit to Iraq on Tuesday.

Bacon is happy at what is being seen as a distinct change from the “little attention” that the Bush Administration paid to Iraqi displacement.

It is estimated that since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, 2.6 million Iraqi’s have lost their homes and have fled other parts of the country. An additional 2 million have fled to neighboring countries, including Syria, Jordan and Egypt.

Bacon said that greater American and international support in receiving refugees and providing financial-aid can help stop the crisis.

Displacement of that many people “affects the whole region”, said Bacon, which results in educated citizens and specialized workers fleeing the country.

There are only 18,000 practicing doctors in Iraq, down from 32,000 doctors in 2002. There are more Iraqi doctors in Jordan than in Iraq’s capitol city of Baghdad, Bacon said.

Last year Democratic Senators Robert Casey (PA) and Benjamin Cardin (MD) introduced a bill to increase aid to Iraqi refugees and allow more of them to enter the United States. Since the FY2010 Budget has been approved by Congress, any appropriated funds to help Iraqi citizens would have to come through additional legislation, Bacon said.

A spokesman for Senator Cardin said it has not been decided yet if similar legislation would be introduced in this Congress.

Refugee International’s Field Report on the Iraqi refugee situation said that the Iraqi government is trying to keep more of its citizens from fleeing their homeland. It is feared by the Iraqi government that the existence of so many refugees tarnishes the image of overall security within the country.

The report also said Iraq violated international refugee laws in 2007 by asking Syria not to accept any more Iraqi refugees.

Many refugees have fears of returning home, the report says, because many of those that returned already have been killed.

Kristele Younes, an advocate with Refugees International, says that security is a major issue in Iraqi neighborhoods, with each little borough acting as its own walled off “fiefdom”.

Younes said that the United Nations is trying to place a tourniquet on the flow of persons out of the country by the end of the year, but significant challenges remain in Iraq, including budgetary shortcomings due to low oil prices, corruption within the government and sectarianism.

The Refugees International’s report on Iraq can be found here.