Obama Promises to Bring Iraq War to "Responisble End"

President Barack Obama spoke today in Atlanta to the Disabled American Veterans, an event effectively marking the end of combat operations in Iraq, which is officially set to end on August 31.  Obama praised the troops and asked the nation to show respect for their sacrifice.  The president emphasized that his administration has “brought more than 90,000 of our troops home from Iraq,” making good on his campaign promise to bring the war to a close.  However, as the war in Iraq winds down, the war in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly more deadly to American troops.  Obama asked for support for the war in Afghanistan, saying, “if Afghanistan were to be engulfed by an even wide insurgency, al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates would have even more space to plan their next attack,” and that “as President of the United States, I refuse to let that happen.”

-Philip Bunnell

Fed. Judge Refuses to Dismiss VA Healthcare Lawsuit

A federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Virginia Republican Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli II which challenges the constitutionality of the recent healthcare reform bill signed into law in March.  The lawsuit was filed immediately after President Obama signed the bill on March 22, citing that the federal law conflicts with a Virginia law which mandates that residents do not have to buy health insurance.

By Philip Bunnell

Obama To Speak To Veterans On End of Iraq Combat Ops

President Obama will discuss the end of combat operations in Iraq during a speech to the organization Disabled American Veterans today in Atlanta.  Combat missions in Iraq end on August 31, but Obama will say that troops stationed there will still “face likely danger.”  The speech marks the scaling back of US prescense in one theater of operations, Iraq, and a sharp increase in another, Afghanistan.

by Philip Bunnell

Obama Announces He Will Sign The Tribal Law and Order Act Thursday

Previously passed by the House on Wednesday, July 21 a major piece of legislation affecting law enforcement within tribal communities will be signed by the President tomorrow, Thursday July 29th.
The Tribal Law & Order Act of 2009 grants Tribal Courts the authority to impose harsher sentences and requires U.S. Attorneys to keep a better record of declinations involving Indian Country among other provisions. The Act also grants Tribal Courts the authority to impose a sentence of three years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000 for a single count. Those are raised from the previous maximums of one year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine as outlined in the Indian Civil Rights Act.

President Obama said in a statement after it’s initial passing through the house, “The federal government’s relationship with tribal governments, its obligations under treaty law, and our values as a nation require that we do more to improve public safety in tribal communities.  And this Act will help us achieve that.”

 
-Alexa Gitler


Presidential Statement On Devastating Pakistan Plane Crash

The White House just released the following statement from President Barack Obama regarding a plane crash in Pakistan early this morning that killed all 152 people aboard, including two Americans:

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of all who died in today’s tragic crash of Air Blue flight ED202 near Islamabad. Among those who were lost were two American citizens. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those touched by this horrible accident.  The American people stand with the people of Pakistan in this moment of tragedy.”