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Thursday, January 12, 2017
United States President Barack Obama gave his official farewell address on Tuesday night from McCormick Place in Chicago, reflecting on personal and national accomplishments. This is expected to be his last major speech before officially handing the reins to president-elect Donald Trump on January 20.
| “Its why GIs gave their lives at Omaha Beach and Iwo Jima; Iraq and Afghanistan – and why men and women from Selma to Stonewall were prepared to give theirs as well.” |
Obama’s speech was wide-ranging. He thanked his family and the nation, spoke of the need for unity, noted the country’s accomplishments and need for improvement in areas like education and civil rights, and spoke about the need for pride in U.S. accomplishments, citing milestones of U.S. history and of his presidency specifically. “It’s why GIs gave their lives at Omaha Beach and Iwo Jima; Iraq and Afghanistan – and why men and women from Selma to Stonewall were prepared to give theirs as well.”
The president also addressed his country’s troubled history with race and racism, an issue many black citizens feel he has avoided. Despite this, Chauncy Devega of Salon described the president as “a role model of calm, cool reflective black masculinity: a man utterly at home in his own skin.” Obama described the concept of a post-racial U.S. “unrealistic” and particularly cited the need for reform in education and the criminal justice system and greater acceptance of scientific evidence, particularly evidence supporting action to counteract climate change.
However, publications including The Washington Post and Salon have given particular focus to another aspect of the president’s address: the country’s increasing political tensions and controversies involving access to news and information, both accurate and inaccurate. “We become so secure and our bubbles,” said Obama, “that we start accepting only information, whether it’s true or not, that fits our opinions instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that is out there,” calling this trend “a third threat to our democracy.”
The Washington Post characterized Obama’s comment, “If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hard-working white middle class and an undeserving minority, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves,” as a “not-so-subtle jab” at the campaign tactics of President-elect Donald Trump. The Telegraph describes Obama’s warnings about the need to protect democracy as “a thinly veiled slight to the divisive rhetoric of Donald Trump’s election campaign, which included attacks on Muslims, the disabled, women and immigrants.” The president went on to call on the public to “reject the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties that make us one America. We weaken those ties when we allow our political dialogue to become so corrosive […] We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others when we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt and when we sit back and blame the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them. It falls to each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy.”
Despite this, when the mention of Donald Trump brought boos from the crowd, Obama reiterated the importance of the long history of peaceful transfers of power from one president to the next: “No no no no no. […] I committed to President-elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me.” However, this was not unaccompanied by a call to action. Near the end of the speech, he insisted citizens dissatisfied with elected officials should “lace up your shoes, grab a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself.”
Overall, the departing president’s speech focused on accomplishment, echoing the “Yes we can” slogan from his 2008 campaign: “If I have told you eight years ago, that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history. If I had told you, that we would open up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Iran’s nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, take out the mastermind of 9/11[…] If I had told you that we would win a marriage equality and secure the right to health insurance for another twenty million of our fellow citizens. If I had told you all that, you might have said our sights were set a little too high. But that’s what we did.”
But when the crowd began shouting “Four more years! Four more years!” Obama, with a small laugh, answered, “I can’t do that.”
Top 5 Key Attributes of a Good Property Manager
by
smartweb
Property management is a profession like any other. A property administrator is a person who has the responsibility of running and managing the real estate property when the owner is not able to handle it. As a property manager, you will be given the responsibility of dealing with the tenants. It will also be your responsibility to evict them if the need arises.If you are looking to be a property manager, there are different skills that you need to have which include:1. Must have good communication skillCommunication skills are essential in this profession. Such skills will enable things to run smoothly. It is important for you to have proper communication among you, the owner and the tenants. You also need to provide communication channels that other people can use to get in touch with you. Keep in mind that familiarity with any other foreign language is a plus. 2. Should like working with the Public Dealing with the public will be a big part of your job. It is, therefore, important for you to know how to handle the public. You will be dealing with different issues, like late rent payment, different defects in the house, etc. So you need to be able to handle people with dignity. You will also be interrupted at odd times of the day. So you need to be ready for facing such difficulties in orderto be the top professional in this field.3. Must like to read and conduct research There are different leases and agreements that you must know about if you want to be successful in this field. It is important for you to be updated with new laws and regulations that are introduced every once in a while. If you like to read and conduct research, you will find it easy to learn and gain proper knowledge on property management. You also need to guide people in understanding different agreements.4. Must have a sense of duty and commitment As a property manager, you need to ensure that the tenants in the different properties are treated with respect. You also need to ensure that they have been provided with all the different amenities for them to live a decent life. You need to do this so that they are not subjected to committing illegal activities. It is the manager’s obligation to maintain peace and order in the estate.5. Must be an excellent follow-up person As a manager, you need to take care of the tenants yourself. You need to ensure that all the tenants are living in well maintained houses. By following up, you will be able to know if there are any repairs that need to be done. This is an important skill for you to possess if you want to make the most out of this venture.Conclusion As mentioned above, a property manager is involved in a profession like any other. But to be successful in this field, you need to possess the above-mentioned skills.
Real Property Management service in San Diego provided by Walters Management. Walters Management provides the essential services to maintain, protect and enhance the value of your home and community.
Article Source:
eArticlesOnline.com}
byAlma Abell
Going on a vacation is something that nearly everyone looks forward to. What most people do not look forward to, however, is all the planning that needs to take place beforehand and the budgeting to determine exactly what you can do, without spending too much.
The fact of the matter is that going on a vacation to an exciting and beautiful tourist destination such as Myrtle Beach is something that needs to be planned out carefully. This way, you can experience the best of what this thrilling city has to offer, without breaking your budget. Of course, one of the biggest considerations to make is where you will stay. If you need a Myrtle Beach vacation rental, then there are numerous possibilities open to you.
What Kinds Of Vacation Rentals Does Myrtle Beach Have To Offer?
The great thing about a place like Myrtle Beach is that whatever type of accommodation you require for your stay, you are certain to find it.
If you want a vacation filled with plenty of comfort, in order to have the very best experience, then a vacation rental may be a better option than a hotel.
You will have plenty of room for everything and everyone you have brought with you. They are private, clean, spacious and luxurious, making for a wonderful stay. Myrtle Beach vacation rentals can have 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms. You can rent a suite, a villa or a condo. Vacation rentals are located in many convenient places in Myrtle Beach, making it easy to do everything you want to do during your trip.
Saving With A Vacation Package
Although staying in a Myrtle Beach vacation rental sounds excellent to most people, this can also be pretty expensive. This is why it is a good idea to check out vacation packages when you are planning your trip.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A gold mine collapse in Copiapó, Atacama Region, Chile has trapped 33 miners since last Thursday. Another collapse occurred on Saturday, that provoked temporary suspension of the rescue works.
Rescue efforts were first focused on a ventilation shaft, but attempts to reach the miners failed. Rescuers have been drilling into the mine since Sunday. “The situation is very complex, the mine continues to have collapses because there is a geological fault-line,” said Sebastián Piñera, President of Chile, who “pledged to do everything possible to get to the trapped miners,” but acknowledged he was pessimistic.
There is no certainty that the miners, who are trapped about 400 meters (1300 feet) below the ground, are still alive.
Friday, May 11, 2007
NASA has unveiled the new telescope that will replace the Hubble Space Telescope in Washington D.C. called the James Webb Space Telescope [JWST]. Currently, NASA has a life-sized model on display to the public which is as tall as a two story house and weighs several tons.
Researchers at NASA say that the Webb telescope will be able to see farther than Hubble “to the beginning of time.”
“It will find the first galaxies and will peer through dusty clouds to see stars forming planetary systems, connecting the Milky Way to our own Solar System,” said a statement posted on NASA’s website. It will be sent into space where it will orbit nearly 2,000,000 miles from Earth.
JWST will have a large mirror, 6.5 meters (21.3 feet) in diameter and a sunshield the size of a tennis court.
Northrop Grumman is contracted to build the telescope and will be jointly operated by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. It is scheduled to launch in 2013 from Arianespace’s ELA-3 launch complex at European Spaceport located near Kourou, French Guiana.
Friday, September 14, 2007
The Kennedy Center announced that its 30th presentation of the Kennedy Center Honors would go to pianist Leon Fleisher, comedian Steve Martin, singer Diana Ross, director Martin Scorsese and musician Brian Wilson. The Center was opened to the public in 1971 and was envisioned as part of the National Cultural Center Act, which mandated that the independent, privately-funded institution would present a wide variety of both classical and contemporary performances, commission the creation of new artistic works, and undertake a variety of educational missions to increase awareness of the arts.
In a statement, Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman said that “with their extraordinary talent, creativity and perseverance, the five 2007 honorees have transformed the way we, as Americans, see, hear and feel the performing arts.”
Fleisher, 79, a member of the Peabody Institute‘s music faculty, is a pianist who lost use of his right hand in 1965 due to a neurological condition. He became an accomplished musician and conductor through the use of his left hand. At 67, he regained the use of his right hand. With the advent of Botox therapy, he was once more able to undertake two-hand performances in 2004, his first in four decades. “I’m very gratified by the fact that it’s an apolitical honor,” Fleisher said. “It is given by colleagues and professional people who are aware of what [an artist] has done, so it really is apolitical — and that much more of an honor.”
Martin, 62, a comedian who has written books and essays in addition to his acting and stand-up comedy career, rose to fame during his work on the American television program Saturday Night Live in the 1970’s. Schwarzman praised his work as that of a “renaissance comic whose talents wipe out the boundaries between artistic disciplines.” Martin responded to the honor saying, “I am grateful to the Kennedy Center for finally alleviating in me years of covetousness and trophy envy.”
Ross, 63, was a product of Detroit‘s Brewster-Douglass Projects when as a teeager she and friends Mary Wilson and Florence Ballardis formed The Supremes, a ground-breaking Motown act. She portrayed singer Billie Holiday in the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues, which earned her an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe award. “Diana Ross’ singular, instantly recognizable voice has spread romance and joy throughout the world,” said Schwarzman. Ross said she was “taken aback. It is a huge, huge honor and I am excited to be in this class of people.”
Scorsese, 64, is one of the most accomplished directors the United States ever produced, whose work includes Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, GoodFellas, Cape Fear, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Departed, for which he won a 2006 Academy Award for Best Director after being nominated eight times. Scorsese said, “I’m very honored to be receiving this recognition from the Kennedy Center and proud to be joining the company of the very distinguished individuals who have received this honor in years past.”
Wilson, 65, along with his brothers Dennis and Carl, formed the Beach Boys in 1961. They had a series of hits that included “Surfin’ U.S.A.” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Their 1966 album Pet Sounds is considered one of the most influential recordings in American music. “This is something so unexpected and I feel extremely fortunate to be in the company of such great artists,” said Wilson, who is currently on tour.
The Kennedy Center’s board of trustees is responsible for selecting honorees for “lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.” Previous honorees, including Elton John and Steven Spielberg, also submitted recommendations. A wide variety of people were under consideration, including Emanuel Ax, Evgeny Kissin, Renee Fleming, Laurence Fishburne, Francis Ford Coppola, Melissa Etheridge and Kenny Chesney.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush will attend the center’s presentation at its opera house on December 2, 2007, which will broadcast on December 26 on CBS.
Friday, January 12, 2007
The iPhone only made its appearance as a prototype and there have been controversies aroused.
The dispute has come up between the manufacturer of the iPhone (which was resented on Wednesday for the first time) – Apple Inc. – and a leader in network and communication systems, based in San Jose – Cisco. The company claims to possess the trademark for iPhone, and moreover, that it sells devices under the same brand through one of its divisions.
This became the reason for Cisco to file a lawsuit against Apple Inc. so that the latter would stop selling the device.
Cisco states that it has received the trademark in 2000, when the company overtook Infogear Technology Corp., which took place in 1996.
The Vice President and general counsel of the company, Mark Chandler, explained that there was no doubt about the excitement of the new device from Apple, but they should not use a trademark, which belongs to Cisco.
The iPhone developed by Cisco is a device which allows users to make phone calls over the voice over Internet protocol (VoIP).
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byAlma Abell
Modern hair salons no longer cater only to hair and nails. Some salons are full-service and provide spa services including facials, massage therapy, makeovers, hair removal (waxing), and packages for a day of beauty or a special occasion. The following will describe the spa package treatments you can expect from full-service Hair Salons in Louisville, KY.
Spa Day Package
A basic spa day will begin with a relaxing body massage in a comfortable, tranquil environment. Once you are relaxed, you will enjoy a facial to get rid of impurities in your skin. The next treatment is a manicure so your fingernails will look well-groomed and healthy. You cannot neglect your toes and feet, so your manicure will be followed by a spa pedicure. Finally, you get to end your experience with the professional application of makeup.
Beauty Package
Just like the basic spa day, you start your day with a relaxing massage and facial. After these treatments, you get a break to enjoy a gourmet lunch with your choice of tea or coffee. Next, you will have a manicure with hot oil treatment followed by a spa pedicure. An additional treatment with this package that is not included with the basic spa day is a shampoo and hair-styling service before you end your day with professional makeup services.
Ultimate Package
Just like all the spa packages you start your ultimate day spa package with a body massage. After your massage you will enjoy a skin glow body buff. Once you are relaxed and buffed, you will take a break for your gourmet lunch with champagne. Following your lunch break, you will have your facial, manicure with hot oil and paraffin wax treatments and spa pedicure. Your ultimate spa package experience ends with a shampoo, hair-styling service, and professional makeup application.
These are a few of the spa packages you can expect from quality Hair Salons in Louisville, KY. You can also choose from the many spa services provided by The Chopping Block Day Spa & Salon for a custom package suited to your needs. You can mix and match facials and skin care treatments, hair treatments, massage therapy styles, manicure and pedicure treatments, hair removal, and cellulite treatments for your custom spa day.