First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hosted a special Mother's Day tea to honor military mothers and show their appreciation and thanks for all the important work they do as well as the sacrifices their families have made in service of our country.
Dr. Biden spoke first and thanked the military moms in attendance: While our sons and daughters serve so selflessly, having a community share the burden makes all the difference in the world. Today I am here to say thank you for all that you do, for your selflessness and for your sacrifice on behalf of our country. The First Lady echoed Dr. Biden's sentiments:
And that’s what military moms do every day. You all help people soar. You help our country soar. When somebody needs you, whether it’s your family, or your community, or your country -- you lift them up. You answer the call every single time.
Then, while kids prepared gifts for their moms in the State Dining Room, the First Lady and Dr. Biden showed up with a special guest, Prince Harry of Wales, to help them create Mother’s Day cards and other crafts.
WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama called on Congress to work together on a balanced approach to reduce our deficit and promote economic growth and job creation. Our businesses created 2.2 million jobs last year, and we just learned that our economy created more jobs over the last few months than economists originally thought. Our economy is poised to expand in 2013 if Washington politics doesn’t get in the way, and the President called on Congress to work together to keep moving us forward.
The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, February 2, 2013.
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
February 2, 2013
Hi, everybody.
In the coming weeks, we face some important decisions about how to pay down our debt in a way that grows our economy and creates good jobs – decisions that will make a real difference in the strength and pace of our recovery.
We began this year with economists and business leaders saying that we are poised to grow in 2013. And there are real signs of progress: Home prices are starting to climb again. Car sales are at a five-year high. Manufacturing is roaring back. Our businesses created 2.2 million jobs last year. And we just learned that our economy created more jobs over the last few months than economists originally thought.
But this week, we also received the first estimate of America’s economic growth over the last few months. And it reminded us that bad decisions in Washington can get in the way of our economic progress.
We all agree that it’s critical to cut unnecessary spending. But we can’t just cut our way to prosperity. It hasn’t worked in the past, and it won’t work today. It could slow down our recovery. It could weaken our economy. And it could cost us jobs – now, and in the future.
What we need instead is a balanced approach; an approach that says let’s cut what we can’t afford but let’s make the investments we can’t afford to live without. Investments in education and infrastructure, research and development – the things that will help America compete for the best jobs and new industries.
Already, Republicans and Democrats have worked together to reduce our deficits by $2.5 trillion. That’s a good start. But to get the rest of the way, we need a balanced set of reforms.
For example, we need to lower the cost of health care in programs like Medicare that are the biggest drivers of our deficit, without just passing the burden off to seniors. And these reforms must go hand-in-hand with eliminating excess spending in our tax code, so that the wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations can’t take advantage of loopholes and deductions that aren’t available to most Americans.
2013 can be a year of solid growth, more jobs, and higher wages. But that will only happen if we put a stop to self-inflicted wounds in Washington. Everyone in Washington needs to focus not on politics but on what’s right for the country; on what’s right for you and your families. That’s how we’ll get our economy growing faster. That’s how we’ll strengthen our middle class. And that’s how we’ll build a country that rewards the effort and determination of every single American.
Money and Business show Radio Shalom 1650AM In Montreal Presents Richard G DeWolf, P.Eng listen live
Introduction
Should a pipeline be built across the United States through the Canadian border to carry oil from the tar sands of Albertato refineries in Texas. We are talking about a project of the northern leg of the keystone XL pipeline that has to be approved by the state department and its fate lies with the president of the United States Barak Obama citing environmental concerns.
While we have talk about the oil pipelines and gas issues like shale, one of the issues that keep’s coming up is the whole issue surrounding oil and gas developments (exploration, development and pipelines) is consultation and communications by the industry and government with local stakeholders (landowners, aboriginals, and environmentalists).
It seems to me and others that the industry and governments are always on the defensive and reactive rather than being proactive when it comes to communication and consultation with stakeholders regarding oil and natural gas developments."
photograph (ANDRE FORGET/QMI AGENCY)
Obvious with the "Idle no More" movement one of the key issues is "communication, even The Green Party of Canada is encouraging Canadians to engage in an informed and helpful discourse on Indigenous Rights and fundamental Canadian values of sustainable development, peace, freedom and equality for all Canadians.
phtograph THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Green party sais “The Idle No More Movement is an opportunity for people in Canada to join in solidarity on key issues like the protection of water and provision of clean drinking water for all in this country. It is creating awareness of how Canadais exposing us to a free-for all through the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPA) with China. Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act FIPA undermines sovereignty at all levels and infringes on the treaties with First Nations," said Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands and leader of the Green Party of Canada.
My name is Samuel Ezerzer, your host to the Money & Business show on Radio Shalom, CJRS 1650 AM. Thank you for tuning in live with our Business studios headquarters in Montreal, the financial capital and the home to the greatest hockey team, the Montreal Canadians. We have another great show for you today and as always, you can call if you have any questions, comments, or criticisms on today's topic. Please call us direct at 514 738 4100 ext 200 or email me at moneyandbusinessshow@gmail.com if you have any inquiries. You can also visit our website at http://www.radio-shalom.ca/ – all our shows are archived there
Biography
Rick DeWolf is a Professional Engineer and independent energy consultant. Rick has been consulting to most sectors of the oil and natural gas industry for over 20 years, while being involved in the oil and natural gas industry for nearly 35 years.
Rick is a noted energy consultant which considerable experience respecting oil, liquid and natural gas pipelines in Canadaand the US
Development issues related to new and proposed oil and natural gas pipelines
Regulatory and legislative issues related the development and operations
Rates, tolls and tariff analysis and design, including the development of revenue requirement and tolling models
Cost Allocation and affiliate transfer pricing
Transportation and storage portfolio evaluation
Rick has testified before the NEBon numerous occasions related to the construction, and economics related to all the major energy pipelines in Canada.
Question WATCH VIDEO AS WELL
A What would you say is one of the most important issues affecting the development of new petroleum infrastructure like new pipeline?
o Early and effective communication between all affective parties.
§ Between the government (all levels), but particularly between the Federal Government and First Nations
§ The petroleum industry and First Nations and other land owners
A Could you elaborate of each of these areas?
o First of all I believe that if there is early and effective communications between the various parties, many of the issues can be resolved prior to the regulatory process which tends to be somewhat litigious and lines in the sand tend to be struck.
o Secondly it is vital that the Federal Government, given its obligation to consult with First Nations regarding new infrastructure, undertake to ensure that communications with First Nations meet the legislative obligations. There remain a number of land claims in area where new pipelines are proposed and hence it is paramount that these land claims be resolved.
o Thirdly, what I mean by early and effective communications regarding major new petroleum infrastructure, particularly new pipeline, is that the proponents (Petroleum) need to meet with First Nations and other land owners prior to the announcement of new major infrastructure.
§ No one appreciates hearing the news of a new project that will affect their property from a new release without having some prior knowledge of the project.
§ Prior to any announcement of a new project, the proponents need to sit down with affected parties and explain the project in a manner that lay people can understand. It is one thing to communicate to industry participants and another to communicate to groups and individuals that may not have the same level of knowledge.
§ Effective communication is the need to be upfront of both the risk, and rewards of a project and most importantly how the proponents will mitigate or resolve concerns of the affected parties.
clips
Published onJan 22, 2013
U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Victoria Nuland leads the Daily Press Briefing at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on January 22, 2013. [Go tohttp://video.state.govfor more video and text transcript.]
Keystone pipeline and Nebraskais giving a nod for different route
"Idle No More" is a worldwide indigenous movement started by the First Nation Tribes of Canada as a way to help protect the Constitutional Treaty Rights of the Indian Act. These rights are being threatened by the proposed C-45 Bill. The Bill will significantly decrease tribal leader and community control over decisions related to the land and water use on Indian Reserve lands, the tribal peoples of Canada will have little to no control over how corporations make use of untapped natural resources, specifically on indigenous territory protected under Sovereignty treaties.
Attawapiska Chief Theresa Spence began a hunger strike on Dec. 11, 2012. She is asking Prime Minister Stephen Harper to attend a discussion regarding the Bill and treaty rights. Harper has yet to respond. Spence is willing to die for her people's rights.
This film documents one of the many events worldwide in support of the Idle No More movement. This event was held in Seattle Washington De. 29, 2012.
The film was Directed by Dave Wilson (Brother Ali, FrankOcean, Atmosphere, Yelawolf, Evidence), Produced by Tulalip tribal member and independent recording artist Brodie Stevens "Redskin" with footage by cameraman Ben Hampton. The film is narrated by author Gyasi Ross and elder Ramona Bennett. The gathering was organized by Lawerence Miguel and James Ole Coyote Sacred Water. Additional music by "Redskin."
A Do you believe that there has been early and effective communication in the past?
Yes and no. As we can see from the significant opposition to many new pipeline projects, there is much more government and industry needs to do educate and increase the knowledge of the public. The increase over the past number of years regarding “social media” has resulted both in the level of activeness by the public, but also in the dissemination of erroneous information and facts. The industry needs to ensure that information regarding both the benefits and how the proponents will mitigate and deal with potential concerns be outlined early on in the process rather than appearing to be on the defensive.
Listen to Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune
A Will early and effective communication resolve all of the potential problems?
o Obviously no, since there are stakeholders that will oppose new infrastructure regardless of what the Government or Petroleum industry does to ensure that there are solutions to mitigate the stakeholders concerns and that is the reason there are regulatory processes to adjudicate the different opinions.
o However, as I pointed out, one of the most important issues is that with early and effective communication between all parties, many issues can be resolved and all parties can become better educated and knowledgeable of the others’ point of view and concerns.
