Last night, President Obama addressed the American people about the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom, our military’s exit from Iraq and what influence American military will have over the government and people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

“So tonight I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country. This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office.”

Watch President Obama’s full address below. For those who cannot watch the video, a full transcript is below.

Transcript:

Good evening. Tonight, I’d like to talk to you about the end of our combat mission in Iraq, the ongoing security challenges we face, and the need to rebuild our nation here at home.

I know this historic moment comes at a time of great uncertainty for many Americans. We’ve now been through nearly a decade of war. We’ve endured a long and painful recession. And sometimes in the midst of these storms, the future that we’re trying to build for our nation — a future of lasting peace and long-term prosperity — may seem beyond our reach.

But this milestone should serve as a reminder to all Americans that the future is ours to shape if we move forward with confidence and commitment. It should also serve as a message to the world that the United States of America intends to sustain and strengthen our leadership in this young century.

From this desk, seven and a half years ago, President Bush announced the beginning of military operations in Iraq. Much has changed since that night. A war to disarm a state became a fight against an insurgency. Terrorism and sectarian warfare threatened to tear Iraq apart. Thousands of Americans gave their lives; tens of thousands have been wounded. Our relations abroad were strained. Our unity at home was tested.

These are the rough waters encountered during the course of one of America’s longest wars. Yet there has been one constant amidst these shifting tides. At every turn, America’s men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve. As Commander-in-Chief, I am incredibly proud of their service. And like all Americans, I’m awed by their sacrifice, and by the sacrifices of their families.

The Americans who have served in Iraq completed every mission they were given. They defeated a regime that had terrorized its people. Together with Iraqis and coalition partners who made huge sacrifices of their own, our troops fought block by block to help Iraq seize the chance for a better future. They shifted tactics to protect the Iraqi people, trained Iraqi Security Forces, and took out terrorist leaders. Because of our troops and civilians — and because of the resilience of the Iraqi people — Iraq has the opportunity to embrace a new destiny, even though many challenges remain.

So tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country.

This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office. Last February, I announced a plan that would bring our combat brigades out of Iraq, while redoubling our efforts to strengthen Iraq’s Security Forces and support its government and people.

That’s what we’ve done. We’ve removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. We’ve closed or transferred to the Iraqis hundreds of bases. And we have moved millions of pieces of equipment out of Iraq.

This completes a transition to Iraqi responsibility for their own security. U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq’s cities last summer, and Iraqi forces have moved into the lead with considerable skill and commitment to their fellow citizens. Even as Iraq continues to suffer terrorist attacks, security incidents have been near the lowest on record since the war began. And Iraqi forces have taken the fight to al Qaeda, removing much of its leadership in Iraqi-led operations.

This year also saw Iraq hold credible elections that drew a strong turnout. A caretaker administration is in place as Iraqis form a government based on the results of that election. Tonight, I encourage Iraq’s leaders to move forward with a sense of urgency to form an inclusive government that is just, representative, and accountable to the Iraqi people. And when that government is in place, there should be no doubt: The Iraqi people will have a strong partner in the United States. Our combat mission is ending, but our commitment to Iraq’s future is not.

Going forward, a transitional force of U.S. troops will remain in Iraq with a different mission: advising and assisting Iraq’s Security Forces, supporting Iraqi troops in targeted counter-terrorism missions, and protecting our civilians. Consistent with our agreement with the Iraqi government, all U.S. troops will leave by the end of next year. As our military draws down, our dedicated civilians — diplomats, aid workers, and advisers — are moving into the lead to support Iraq as it strengthens its government, resolves political disputes, resettles those displaced by war, and builds ties with the region and the world. That’s a message that Vice President Biden is delivering to the Iraqi people through his visit there today.

This new approach reflects our long-term partnership with Iraq — one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect. Of course, violence will not end with our combat mission. Extremists will continue to set off bombs, attack Iraqi civilians and try to spark sectarian strife. But ultimately, these terrorists will fail to achieve their goals. Iraqis are a proud people. They have rejected sectarian war, and they have no interest in endless destruction. They understand that, in the end, only Iraqis can resolve their differences and police their streets. Only Iraqis can build a democracy within their borders. What America can do, and will do, is provide support for the Iraqi people as both a friend and a partner.

Ending this war is not only in Iraq’s interest — it’s in our own. The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people. We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. We’ve persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people — a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility. Now, it’s time to turn the page.

As we do, I’m mindful that the Iraq war has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it’s time to turn the page. This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one can doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I’ve said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hopes for Iraqis’ future.

The greatness of our democracy is grounded in our ability to move beyond our differences, and to learn from our experience as we confront the many challenges ahead. And no challenge is more essential to our security than our fight against al Qaeda.

Americans across the political spectrum supported the use of force against those who attacked us on 9/11. Now, as we approach our 10th year of combat in Afghanistan, there are those who are understandably asking tough questions about our mission there. But we must never lose sight of what’s at stake. As we speak, al Qaeda continues to plot against us, and its leadership remains anchored in the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. We will disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda, while preventing Afghanistan from again serving as a base for terrorists. And because of our draw down in Iraq, we are now able to apply the resources necessary to go on offense. In fact, over the last 19 months, nearly a dozen al Qaeda leaders — and hundreds of al Qaeda’s extremist allies — have been killed or captured around the world.

Within Afghanistan, I’ve ordered the deployment of additional troops who — under the command of General David Petraeus — are fighting to break the Taliban’s momentum.

As with the surge in Iraq, these forces will be in place for a limited time to provide space for the Afghans to build their capacity and secure their own future. But, as was the case in Iraq, we can’t do for Afghans what they must ultimately do for themselves. That’s why we’re training Afghan Security Forces and supporting a political resolution to Afghanistan’s problems. And next August, we will begin a transition to Afghan responsibility. The pace of our troop reductions will be determined by conditions on the ground, and our support for Afghanistan will endure. But make no mistake: This transition will begin — because open-ended war serves neither our interests nor the Afghan people’s.

Indeed, one of the lessons of our effort in Iraq is that American influence around the world is not a function of military force alone. We must use all elements of our power — including our diplomacy, our economic strength, and the power of America’s example — to secure our interests and stand by our allies. And we must project a vision of the future that’s based not just on our fears, but also on our hopes — a vision that recognizes the real dangers that exist around the world, but also the limitless possibilities of our time.

Today, old adversaries are at peace, and emerging democracies are potential partners. New markets for our goods stretch from Asia to the Americas. A new push for peace in the Middle East will begin here tomorrow. Billions of young people want to move beyond the shackles of poverty and conflict. As the leader of the free world, America will do more than just defeat on the battlefield those who offer hatred and destruction — we will also lead among those who are willing to work together to expand freedom and opportunity for all people.

Now, that effort must begin within our own borders. Throughout our history, America has been willing to bear the burden of promoting liberty and human dignity overseas, understanding its links to our own liberty and security. But we have also understood that our nation’s strength and influence abroad must be firmly anchored in our prosperity at home. And the bedrock of that prosperity must be a growing middle class.

Unfortunately, over the last decade, we’ve not done what’s necessary to shore up the foundations of our own prosperity. We spent a trillion dollars at war, often financed by borrowing from overseas. This, in turn, has short-changed investments in our own people, and contributed to record deficits. For too long, we have put off tough decisions on everything from our manufacturing base to our energy policy to education reform. As a result, too many middle-class families find themselves working harder for less, while our nation’s long-term competitiveness is put at risk.

And so at this moment, as we wind down the war in Iraq, we must tackle those challenges at home with as much energy, and grit, and sense of common purpose as our men and women in uniform who have served abroad. They have met every test that they faced. Now, it’s our turn. Now, it’s our responsibility to honor them by coming together, all of us, and working to secure the dream that so many generations have fought for — the dream that a better life awaits anyone who is willing to work for it and reach for it.

Our most urgent task is to restore our economy, and put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work. To strengthen our middle class, we must give all our children the education they deserve, and all our workers the skills that they need to compete in a global economy. We must jump start industries that create jobs, and end our dependence on foreign oil. We must unleash the innovation that allows new products to roll off our assembly lines, and nurture the ideas that spring from our entrepreneurs. This will be difficult. But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people, and my central responsibility as President.

Part of that responsibility is making sure that we honor our commitments to those who have served our country with such valor. As long as I am President, we will maintain the finest fighting force that the world has ever known, and we will do whatever it takes to serve our veterans as well as they have served us. This is a sacred trust. That’s why we’ve already made one of the largest increases in funding for veterans in decades. We’re treating the signature wounds of today’s wars — post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury — while providing the health care and benefits that all of our veterans have earned. And we’re funding a Post-9/11 GI Bill that helps our veterans and their families pursue the dream of a college education. Just as the GI Bill helped those who fought World War II — including my grandfather — become the backbone of our middle class, so today’s servicemen and women must have the chance to apply their gifts to expand the American economy. Because part of ending a war responsibly is standing by those who have fought it.

Two weeks ago, America’s final combat brigade in Iraq — the Army’s Fourth Stryker Brigade — journeyed home in the pre-dawn darkness. Thousands of soldiers and hundreds of vehicles made the trip from Baghdad, the last of them passing into Kuwait in the early morning hours. Over seven years before, American troops and coalition partners had fought their way across similar highways, but this time no shots were fired. It was just a convoy of brave Americans, making their way home.

Of course, the soldiers left much behind. Some were teenagers when the war began. Many have served multiple tours of duty, far from families who bore a heroic burden of their own, enduring the absence of a husband’s embrace or a mother’s kiss. Most painfully, since the war began, 55 members of the Fourth Stryker Brigade made the ultimate sacrifice — part of over 4,400 Americans who have given their lives in Iraq. As one staff sergeant said, “I know that to my brothers in arms who fought and died, this day would probably mean a lot.”

Those Americans gave their lives for the values that have lived in the hearts of our people for over two centuries. Along with nearly 1.5 million Americans who have served in Iraq, they fought in a faraway place for people they never knew. They stared into the darkest of human creations — war — and helped the Iraqi people seek the light of peace.

In an age without surrender ceremonies, we must earn victory through the success of our partners and the strength of our own nation. Every American who serves joins an unbroken line of heroes that stretches from Lexington to Gettysburg; from Iwo Jima to Inchon; from Khe Sanh to Kandahar — Americans who have fought to see that the lives of our children are better than our own. Our troops are the steel in our ship of state. And though our nation may be traveling through rough waters, they give us confidence that our course is true, and that beyond the pre-dawn darkness, better days lie ahead.

Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America, and all who serve her.

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This 10-point lead, which is based on aggregated data from registered voters surveyed August 23rd to 29th, is unprecedented in Gallup’s history, which dates back to 1942 and before this 10-point lead, the highest gap in which Republicans were leading over Democrats was five points which occurred both in July 1994 and June 2002.

2010 could very well hold another Republican wave, especially since Republican voters have also been polled as being more enthusiastic as Democrats to cast their vote. While these could be promising for Republican candidates and right-wing Americans, Gallup is reminding people not too get too set on the poll numbers, warning that Democrats moved ahead in Gallup’s generic ballot for several weeks earlier this summer, meaning some swaying in the numbers is very possible between now and Election Day. Still, this 10-point lead is making some people wonder just how far right we’ll see Congress go this year.

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Gender discrimination lawsuits are said to usually be brought to court by one employee at a time, but the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco voted 6 to 5 to uphold the class action status of the lawsuit originally filed by six women back in 2001. The lawsuit claims that Walmart has engaged in gender discrimination by paying female employees less than male employees and passing women over for promotions that ultimately were given to men, despite women’s higher performance ratings.

If this lawsuit is not blocked by the Supreme Court, it will be the largest class-action employment lawsuit in history. California has upheld the creation of the massive class of plaintiffs, which include all women who have worked in any of Walmart’s 3,400 stores across the country from 1998 to present. Lawyers for Walmart have stated that the class action process will undercut Walmart’s ability to defend itself against charges that they intentionally discriminated against each of the 1.5 million women who are plaintiffs in this case, who, as the chief judge added have “held a multitude of jobs, at different levels of Walmart’s hierarchy, for variable lengths of time, in 3,400 stores, sprinkled across 50 states, with a kaleidoscope of supervisors (male and female), subject to a variety of regional policies that all differed depending on each class member’s job, location and period of employment.”

A decision by the justices seeing over this case is not expected until sometime next year so it may very well be decided that the 1.5 million women will not be able to sue Walmart as part of a class action lawsuit. However, if all, or even a percentage of these women decide to sue Walmart on their own for discrimination, Walmart could find themselves in court quite often for a lengthy period of time for each lawsuit.

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Here is a list of six upcoming blogging events from August to December that you, as a blogger and as a voice, can take part of in order to help make a difference in the world. As we know, the voice of one blogger can soon reach the computer screens of millions.

• Women’s Equality Day — August 26, 2010
  On August 26th, 1920, the 19th Amendment was signed into the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote. However, even after the Amendment was signed, some states refused to officially go on record in favor of the Amendment until as late as 1984. August 26th is a day that gives us the opportunity to recognize the struggle women faced when it came to being given the right to vote, as well as the ways in which women continue to struggle to have their equality recognized all over the world.
  » Join the Women’s Equality Day blogging event

• International Literary Day — September 8, 2010
  September 8th was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17th, 1965 and was first celebrated in 1966. International Literacy Day aims to highlight the importance of literacy to people, communities and to the world. Approximately 774 million adults (1 in 5) lack minimum literacy skills; two-thirds of those people are women. September 8th is a day to remind the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally.
  » Join the International Literacy Day blogging event

• World Suicide Prevention Day — September 10, 2010
  On average, almost 3,000 people commit suicide every day. The International Association for Suicide prevention has been sponsored by the World Health Organizations and others to advocate for the prevention of suicidal behavior, provision of adequate treatment and follow-up care for people who attempted suicide, as well as responsible reporting of suicides in the media. September 10th is a day to raise awareness of what must be done on a global and local level to prevent suicide.
  » Join the World Suicide Prevention Day blogging event

• International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — November 25, 2010
  At least 1 in 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime; the abuser is usually someone known to her. Violence against women continues to persist as one of the most heinous, systematic and prevalent human rights abuses in the world. It is a threat to all women, and an obstacle to all out efforts for development, peace and gender equality in all societies. The UN General Assembly designated November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and on that day governments, international organizations and NGOs are invited to organize activities on the day to raise public awareness of the problem.
  » Join the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women blogging event

• World AIDS Day — December 1, 2010
  HIV/AIDS has been a global epidemic for more than 27 years. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published national HIV incidence that showed much higher numbers than previous estimates. Individuals and organizations will recognize World AIDS Day on December 1st and this year’s theme is leadership–from all sectors, including government, but also leaders among individuals and families, communities, non-profits and other organizations.
  » Join the World AIDS Day blogging event

• Human Rights Day — December 10, 2010
  Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted on December 10th, 1948. UDHR set down the basic principles at the very heart of the human rights movement and has enabled remarkable progress in human rights, inspiring international human rights standards, laws and institutions that have improved the lives of many around the world.
  » Join the Human Rights Day blogging event

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Do Something is currently accepting applications from teens all over the country who are committed to serving with Do Something on their Youth Advisory Council. Do Something is looking for teens who are committed to helping mobilize their peers and provide valuable insight only teens today can provide. If accepted, that teen will remain on the Do Something Youth Advisory Council for a period of two years. In that time, they will connect with other YAC members in annual in-person meetings and monthly conference calls, as well as email correspondence. Teens will have the opportunity to participate in focus groups and having the power to influence the organization’s direction, keeping Do Something updated with what’s hot and what they feel most passionately about.

Just a few examples of the impact that the Youth Advisory Council has are:

• Representing the Do Something Advisory Council at meetings, conferences and in the community at large by acting as official youth ambassadors.
• Helping with the selection of Do Something grant winners by reading applications for grants and flagging their favorites.
• Assisting in the creation of logos, images and campaign concepts.

Do Something relies heavily on their Youth Advisory Council, utilizing the input of the teens involved and essentially giving youth the opportunity, as well as the platform for participate in changing the world.

Check out Do Something’s Youth Advisory Council if you would like to participate and submit your application to be part of the 2010-2011 class!

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Markoff’s trial was expected to take place in March after being charged with a shooting death in a hotel of a masseuse and the robbery of another woman; both of these women had advertised their services on Craigslist.

Sources have told ABC News that Markoff had attempted suicide at least twice since his arrest. A law enforcement source said that Markoff “used his medical expertise” and “clearly knew what he was doing” by using a razor to slash his wrists and femoral artery in his leg. After making the cuts, he wrapped his leg wound in a garbage bag to conceal the blood and put another garbage bag over his head.

Inmates are allowed disposable razors, but it seems a little weird to me that he would have one because of his previous suicide attempts. Information for how he acquired the two garbage bags has not been released but in the statement that has been released on this case, it states that “a comprehensive investigation will be conducted to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding his death.”

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In a 9-2 decision on Tuesday, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that all 31 states in Mexico must recognize the same-same marriages that have been and continue to be performed at the capital. An article of Mexico’s constitution requires all states to recognize legal contracts that have been drawn up elsewhere, so for marriage contracts to not be recognized throughout Mexico would be unconstitutional.

This is most definitely a victory of sorts for the GLBT community, friends, family and allies in Mexico and while the marriages of people who love each other in the country will be recognized, the ruling does not state what degree of recognition must be granted to the married couples. This could potentially pose a problem for people living in a state in Mexico that is not GLBT-friendly and who could recognize their marriage, but look for ways to not extend rights given to them by their marriage.

Same-sex couples were granted the right to marry in Mexico in March. Currently, the rights extended to these married couples are the right to adopt children, to jointly apply for bank loans, to inherit wealth and to be covered by their spouses’ insurance policies.

One of the most detrimental of those rights that could come under fire in some states of Mexico is the right for same-sex couples to adopt children. Justice Sergio Aguirre argued against adoptions by married same-sex couples, saying that children might suffer.

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The NGA “synthesizes satellite imagery, using everything from the number of electric lines a city has to the density of the soil, to create three-dimensional, interactive maps of every spot on the planet.” These maps are used, most notably, by troops who must gauge whether a country’s roads or deserts can handle tank tracks and oil spill cleanup crews who must decide where to deploy resources.

According to Wendy Morigi, a spokeswoman for the Director of National Intelligence, women represent just 38% of the total U.S. intelligence work force.

Long has had a 32-year career containing a number of senior management positions after earning a degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech and a masters in mechanical engineering from the Catholic University of America. She has been employed as the deputy director of Naval Intelligence, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence and second in command at the Defense Intelligence Agency.

This is wonderful news for the advancement of women in the intelligence agency workforce, but the fight for gender equality and equal representation is far from over. Unlike what most people will say about equality in the workforce, women are still very much underrepresented. Intelligence executive and former Air Force officer Carrie Bachner worked as the legislative adviser to Charles Allen when he held the position of the top intelligence official for the Department of Homeland Security. According to her, when she walked into a room of intelligence officials or congressional staff with Charles Allen, people would automatically ignore her, assuming that she was present as a mere note taker or executive assistant, when in reality she advised the intelligence official daily on how to deal with the 86 congressional committees responsible for the DHS oversight.

Women like Long are most definitely showing young women today that it is possible to break into the boy’s club that is politics and to hold an executive position in an arena where women make up just a small fraction of the populace.

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Since the Prop 8 constitutional amendment took effect, those within the GLBT community, as well as their allies, friends and families have been spreading the message that a state’s court system should protect the people’s Constitutional rights and finally, Judge Vaughn Walker heard them loud and clear yesterday when he ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutional, finding that it violates the Constitution’s due process and equal protection clauses while failing “to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license.”

Judge Walker heard 13 days of testimony and arguments dating as far back as January during the first trial in federal court to examine if states can place a ban on gay marriage and prohibit same sex partners from marrying. This ruling is a victory for California and can potentially truly extend the same right and privilege of marriage that is currently being enjoyed by heterosexual couples, to all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation. Judge Walker’s ruling puts him at the forefront of the gay marriage debate and is only the latest high-profile legal decision accredited to the longtime Republican judge.

When the announcement that Prop 8 had been ruled unconstitutional, many celebrities, like Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin and Milla Jovovich, took to their Twitter accounts to announce their excitement about the ruling.

For more celebrities tweets about Prop 8, check out Women’s Eye on Media.

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So, remember the other day when I wrote about Fox News and NPR both actively vying for the front row center seat in the White House press briefing room? Well, the announcement of who would get that very important, best seat in the room took place yesterday.

Much to the surprise of practically anyone familiar with both Fox News and NPR, Fox News was given the seat recently vacated by veteran journalist Helen Thomas. The decision, made by the White House Correspondents Association, was unanimous, and Fox News will now join popular broadcast networks and CNN up front. The WHCA stated that its decision to move Fox News to the front seat was due to their length of service and commitment to the White House television pool.

Fox News moving to the front of the room will make room for The Financial Times, who previously did not have a regular seat, along with the foreign press pool, but U.S. News & World Report lost its seat in the process. Politico and American Urban Radio Networks moved up to the third row in the briefing room, and The Washington Times will be moved to the fourth row.

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It was announced earlier this week that President Obama would appear on The View and in no time at all, pundits were throwing their notes together, writing their speeches and coming up with silly metaphors to accurately portray how crazy they think it is for Barack Obama to be the first sitting U.S. president to ever appear on a morning talk show. A segment on Nightline concluded with a voice-over booming on over a picture of Obama with his wife and two daughters saying “After all, being constantly surrounded by women is well within Mr. Obama’s comfort zone.” Dylan Rattigan of MSNBC showed a picture of the five co-hosts of The View, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Barbara Walters, and asked “Which of these lovely ladies–each of them lovelier than the next–will actually ask the president a difficult or challenging question?” Of course Dylan Rattigan is forgetting that during the 2008 presidential election, the ladies of The View were the only form of media to outright accuse John McCain of lying during his campaign and asked him very difficult questions. In fact, New York Times columnist Frank Rich called that interview “the hardest-hitting interrogation McCain has yet faced on television.”

So what did Barack Obama speak with the five co-hosts of The View about? Well, Barbara Walters asked what the high points and low points as of late, where President Obama spoke a bit about his recent vacation to Maine and also about the economy, as it was when he was voted into office and how it is now, the progressions we have seen as far as the economy and job creation and sustainability. The president was also asked about why his presidency thus far is seen as a failure, despite his list of accomplishments–and there have been quite a few. Joy Behar asked bluntly where the “attack dog” of the left is when “The right wing, through Fox News … seem to be hijacking the narrative.”

For an even more detailed recap of the president’s interview on The View, check out Broadsheet and you can also watch two short clips of the show. The first clip is a fun one, talking about pop culture, what the president has on his iPod, if he has an iPhone (he doesn’t) and if he knew Lindsay Lohan was in jail (he did.) He however did not know who Snooki was and I have to admit, I kind of respect the man a little more for that.

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NPR is a public radio network that regularly reaches 27 million listeners with its news programming. They report on the facts in an unbiased manner, making it one of the few news sources you can frequent without having someone’s agenda pushed on you. Fox News on the other hand, is a conservative, right-wing network that features and discusses recent news from a conservative, right-wing perspective only. To give the front row center seat of the White House press briefing room to a biased news source, whose own anchors have come out saying that they are in the business of entertainment and ratings rather than reporting on real news, seems like a waste of the best seat in the White House to me.

There is a petition circulating accumulating signatures from those who feel strongly about the front row seat of the White House press briefing room going to NPR, who has had a full time White House correspondent since the 1970s. The petition reads:

“FOX News is a right-wing propaganda operation, not a legitimate news organization. Award the seat vacated by Helen Thomas to NPR, which has provided public interest coverage of the presidency and the White House for almost four decades.”

The Board of the White House Correspondents Association will make the final decision on who will be sitting in the seat during an upcoming board meeting on Monday, August 2nd. To make sure your voice is heard, sign the petition before then.

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As I sat here going about my business, like I always am, I was finishing up some work and starting in on another workload for another project I have when my power went out. It came back on immediately, I rebooted my computer, started in on my work again and the power went out again. It took a few minutes for it to come back on this time and by the time everything came back on, it was a matter of seconds before it went out for a third time. A few minutes passed, again I started in on my work, obviously completely agitated with the damn weather, but it wasn’t very much unlike the weather we had been having all week and it didn’t just come out of nowhere, there was a warning. I had been warned! It went out a fourth time and then that was it. Afterward I sat here, thinking I was jinxing the weather by starting in on my work again and again. The work gods were obviously angry with me and that is why the power kept going out. I was causing it! Me and my workaholic nature were ruining the city!

In seemingly no time at all after the power decided to stay on–finally!–there were tweets, articles and news segments dedicated to the fact that we just may have had a tornado. After an hour, the story was that we had two. Yesterday an article appeared all about the fact that we ended up having three tornadoes last Friday night. Well, that surely explains why my power couldn’t stay on.

I am very lucky though, looking back on that night now. My partner had been sleeping when I was looking out the window, feeling the worst rain I have ever seen around here pour into the screen of my window, seeing trees lose branches outside and hurling themselves around. I probably should have done… something. I’m not very good in difficult situations, though. I either panic or freeze. Freeze or panic. Either way, I’m not going to end up saving people’s lives or really not even able to reassure people or comfort people in difficult or scary situations. I’m usually the one in need of comfort. Bet you’re lucky this isn’t a post on my life-long desire to join the National Guard.

While having three tornadoes rip through an area in the span of about 47-minutes surely is very scary stuff and not something that we’re very used to. At least I didn’t think we were used to tornadoes in Northeastern, Pennsylvania. Turns out though, we are.

According to National Weather Service statistics, Pennsylvania experiences 12 tornadoes every year. Northeastern, Pennsylvania typically has one tornado a year and it’s usually pretty minor. Last Friday night’s tornado however, damaged an estimated 60 to 80 structures and took down hundreds of trees.

This was not the most severe tornado we have had though. On May 31, 1998, nine tornadoes were confirmed, four of them being in Pike County alone. Just two days later, two others were reported, including one tornado that killed two people in Wyoming County.

A senior meteorologist at the National Weather Service, Mike Evans, claims that there is no evidence of tornadoes becoming more prevalent in Northeastern Pennsylvania, but it is less likely for tornadoes to go without being recognized today.

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Within just the past year, it seems as if we have experienced more severe weather and natural disasters than anyone can remember happening over the past decade. Also, more now than ever before, you cannot predict where severe weather will strike because the weather isn’t making much sense as of late. I live in Northeastern, Pennsylvania and just last week we had two tornado warnings and an actual tornado. That doesn’t happen in Northeastern, Pennsylvania; it has been pretty unheard of, but last week there it was, all over the news with headlines practically jumping off the page about how tornadoes do not happen here and yet, there it was.

It’s important to remember now that natural disasters can affect you wherever you live and it’s important to make sure you’re prepared if you are affected. That is what PLAN!T NOW hopes to help people do. Their mission statement:

“PLAN!T NOW advocates the empowerment of people through information and connection, and creates dialogue between people living in hurricane- and severe storm-affected areas and those who prepare coastal regions of the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean to withstand those storms. Operating with the understanding that no matter where you live, a natural disaster can happen at any time, PLAN!T NOW advocates the power of preparedness.”

Morgan Freeman, whom has come to be called The Great Narrator of Everything in this house, has recently been worked in coordination with PLAN!T NOW to help educate people on how to be better prepared when faced with the threat of hurricanes and tornadoes and how preparedness could help save us from untimely death and terrible destruction. He recently filmed a CNN video to raise awareness about being prepared for severe weather, a video that is incredibly timely as the threat of Tropical Storm Bonnie, what is now being called a Tropical Depression, targets to affect the Gulf Coast and could trigger an immense amount of damage.

This cause is not new to Morgan Freeman; in 2004 he published a cookbook, Morgan Freeman and Friends: Caribbean Cooking for a Cause, to help raise money and awareness for the Grenada Relief Fund.

Check out Morgan Freeman’s short video below and visit PLAN!T NOW to learn how to prepare yourself for natural disasters and how to support their cause.

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Early this morning at around 2am in eastern India, a speeding express train, the Uttarbanga Express, collided with the Vananchal Express, a passenger train, as it left the platform at Sainthia station. The collision destroyed two passenger cars and a luggage car and killed 56 people.

This train collision comes two months after Maoist rebels were blamed for a derailment that killed 145 people, making this the second major train crash in the state of West Bengal, India. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee disclosed that when she and top officials rushed to the scene to investigate, that the possibility of this being another case of sabotage was not out of the question.

In addition to the 56 people who were pronounced dead, the two drivers of the Uttarbanga Express being among them, 125 others were also injured.

Sadly, accidents like these are common, even when Maoist rebels are not being blamed for sabotage in the country. India’s sprawling rail network is one of the largest, but is also being blamed on poor maintenance.

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The Do Something Awards focus on social change and honoring the best young world-changers who are 25 years of age and under. The people being honored by Do Something are making the world a better place and Do Something is making sure that they get the credit they, and all of their hard work, deserves.

The Do Something awards aren’t like the awards shows you usually see. There are no violins, no tuxedos and no almost-wedding-like dresses in sight. This awards show is loud and awesome and truly representative of the rock stars that are behind social change.

This year, the Do Something Awards will be hosted by Jane Lynch, who we all know and utterly adore from Glee. They will air live on VH1 on Monday, July 19th at 9PM EST.

This is also a great time to make your voice heard. You can cast your vote for who you think should walk away with a Do Something Award. Choose from categories like the overall ‘Do Something Award’, which will be awarded to a young do-gooder under the age of 25. There are also movie stars, television shows, comedians, charities on Facebook and even a Twitter category (where @BPGlobalPR is nominated and you should vote for them because that Twitter account is hilarious, but in that really very sad kind of way.)

So, do something and cast a vote for your favorite do-gooder and then tune in on Monday, July 19th on VH1 at 9PM EST. to see if who you voted for won.

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The French Parliament recently approved banning the burqa, a loose dress and veil that is worn by some Muslim women.

According to Wikipedia, the burqa is an enveloping outer garment worn by women in some Islamic traditions for the purpose of hiding a female’s body when out in public. It is worn over the usual daily clothing (often a long dress) and removed when the woman returns to the sanctuary of the household, out of the view of men that are not their husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles, sons and grandsons.

The burqa ban was supposed in a landslide vote of 336 to 1 and also holds the support of around 80% of French citizens. Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie stated after the votes were in that the ban is a “victory for humanitarian values that are the foundations of the greatness of France.”

Amnesty International’s expert on discrimination in Europe feels a great deal differently than the lower house of Parliament on the burqa ban, saying “A complete ban on the covering of the face would violate the rights to freedom of expression and religion of those women who wear the burqa or the niqab in public as an expression of their identity or beliefs.”

From here, the ban will need to be approved by the full Parliament, but it is still likely to face challenges. The French Council of State has already advised that “no incontestable legal basis can be found for an outright and generalized ban on the wearing of the full veil.” If the ban is passed by the full Parliament, it will result in making those wearing the burqa pay a fine of approximately $200. If a man is found forcing a woman to wear a burqa against her will, that man will also face some steep consequences, including a $40,000 fine and a year in jail.

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Alderman Shane Cohn introduced Board Bill 67 in late May, which will add gender identity to the list of people protected by the anti-discrimination law. Since the bill’s introduction, it gained many co-sponsors and passed through the court with unanimous support.

Mayor Slay will sign the legislation as early as next week. When the bill did so well within the court, Alderman Cohn stated, “In order to remain competitive in today’s marketplace and respect every member of the Saint Louis community, I am proud to have sponsored this bill.” PROMO Executive Director A.J. Bockelman also said, “This is a great step forward not just for Saint Louis, but for all of Missouri. As we increase the number of people covered by basic protections, we will reach a tipping point where the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, extending these same protections to all LGBT Missourians, becomes the natural next step.”

If you live in the St. Louis area, you can send an email to thank Alderman Cohn at cohns@stlouiscity.com.

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No injuries or potential damage from the earthquake have been reported. The most damage that is said to have occurred because of the earthquake is the country’s economy that has seen a rise since its recovery from the global financial crisis which peaked at the end of 2009.

Calama is one of the country’s most popular tourist centers and is also one of the driest locations in the world, located in the middle of the Atacama desert. While the earthquake’s strength is said to have been “medium strength”, it is being said that the situation in Chile has normalized.

Back at the end of February, a 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile which sparked a huge tsunami, killing 521 people, sweeping away entire villages and causing somewhere around $30 billion in damage. Luckily, Sunday’s earthquake was not as massive as the one that struck in February and Miguel Ortiz, the shift manager at Chile’s National Emergency Office said that because the most-recent earthquake hit very close to Argentine territory, ruling out the possibility of a tsunami being caused by the earthquake.

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Walmart has had more than just a few problems in terms of their image and being a corporate blanket that moves into cities and bankrupts local businesses and families. Throughout the past few years they have taken many measures to soften their image and this year the company is focusing on revitalizing small and mid-size farms in the US.

Walmart’s new Heritage Agriculture program [PDF] will build up smaller farms in order to get local produce into stores. That means that not only will Walmart be receiving their produce from local farmers, but they will also be assisting farmers to reach the standards they need to be at in order to be able to distribute at a higher level than they have in the past.

Walmart’s decision to utilize local farms has a definite advantage for everyone involved. Walmart will of course be saving money by doing this because they will be spending less on paying for trucks on produce to be delivered to their locations, the scaling back on delivery trucks will reduce carbon emissions and has a positive reaction on the environment and Walmart and their customers will be supporting local farmers in their communities.

While the Heritage Agriculture program is merely in its beginning stages, this is definitely a step in the right direction, especially for such a heavy-hitter on the corporate food chain. My assumption is that after some tweaking and attention paid to the issue of seasonality, this could be something that more businesses could want to look into.

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The Microsoft co-founder and billionaire investor have approached a handful of the country’s billionaires over the past year to donate at least half of their wealth to charity. They are asking these people to pledge to donate either at some point during their lifetime or at the time of their death. Philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad are two of the handful of people who have been approached; they have already announced their pledges to donate.

Former Gates Foundation CEO, Patty Stonesifer spoke to The Associated Press about the campaign, telling them that of the handful of the billionaires approached so far, they have all embraced the campaign to share the wealth and help those less-fortunate than themselves.

This is a really awesome campaign. I can’t wait to see more news break about this and see who the country’s other big givers are.

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Democracy for America has been leading a boycott against BP since the company has time and again attempted to shift the blame for the recent oil spill in the Gulf away from themselves. They have launched a multi-million dollar campaign to help save their name instead of spending that same amount of money on technology to help clean up the oil catastrophe.

Democracy for America claims that BP has proven their bottom line is more important than cleaning up the damage they have caused in the Gulf and because of this, anyone and everyone should boycott the company in order to send a direct and clear message to BP in a language they can understand–profits. In the organization’s own words, “BP must take full responsibility for the cleanup of this unprecedented disaster. They need to know we’re not buying their spin or their gas until they get the job done and the disaster is completely cleaned up.”

Since the boycott, Convenience Store News has reported that three BP-branded stations in Philipsburg, PA have decided to debrand. Sean Lay, vice president of operations in the area, said:

“We are debranding BP. We will no longer be associated with BP by the end of the month. We are doing this because of the backlash and had publicity from the handling of BP’s catastrophe.”

Obviously, people are listening to the backlash caused by BP’s publicity and Democracy for America’s boycott BP initiative is moving people to act by buying gas from other companies.

You can pledge to buy from anyone but BP at AnyoneButBP.com.

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This is a phenomenally cool find. Archaeologists have recently discovered the world’s oldest known leather shoe. It was found while scientists were excavating in a huge cave in Armenia and the shoe was perfectly preserved under layers of sheep dung.

The shoe is said to date back about 5,500 years, which makes this shoe older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The cave itself was discovered in 1997 and is said to have been used mainly by “high-status people, people who had power.” In addition to the leather shoe, scientists found evidence of an ancient winemaking operation and what may be the oldest known intentionally dried fruits, including apricots, grapes and prunes.

Even more amazingly, three adolescent skulls were also discovered in ceramic vessels, suggesting ritualistic or religious practice. Dr. Gregory Areshian, one of the lead scientists of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said one skulls even contained desiccated brain tissue that is older than the leather shoe at about 6,000 years old.

The shoe contains leather laces that crisscross through numerous leather eyelets and was worn on the right foot–the left shoe has not been found and may not ever be, since this particular shoe was deliberately placed in a pit that had been carefully lined with yellow clay and was covered by layers of sheep dung; although no one knows exactly why this care and consideration was taken for preserving it.

The shoe was most likely worn by a woman with roughly size 7 feet and you can also see an imprint of a big toe. This is really amazing!

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Their mother, Damita Devonna Peak and stepfather, Norris Lazarus Walker had handcuffed the 13-year-old boy to a clothes bar in a small closet while naked, where he was also forced to sleep every night, and use a plastic jug as a toilet. His mother also used pepper spray on his face and his stepfather had shot him with plastic pellets. When the boy was asked by a prosecutor why his parents did those things to him, he replied saying that he had lost his privileges because he “stole” a honey bun out of the kitchen pantry.

When the boy’s 7-year-old brother was asked about the abuse, he said that he had seen his mother handcuff his brother inside the closet, and recalled the times when his mother had pepper-sprayed his brother’s face.

The parents are originally from Florida but had relocated to Georgia in 2007. When asked about the relocation, the defense stated that they had moved away from the dangerous Miami slum where the children were born. When asked about the abuse, the attorneys of these parents maintained that their clients weren’t able to make the 13-year-old boy behave and they punished him so “he wouldn’t grow up to be a criminal like his older brother, who has been shot and is in jail, and his biological father, who is in federal prison for drug trafficking and aggravated assault.”

The abuse is said to have begun while the family was living in Clarke County, Georgia, where they are also being charged in.

I had first learned about this devastating story from Delightful Chaos, and felt very compelled to share it with anyone in or around Georgia, specifically in Oconee and Clarke Counties.

Before the children testified, they were intimidated by family members residing in Miami, Florida, to not incriminate their mother and stepfather. Luckily, they chose to testify and their testimony helped Judge Steve Jones dole out 40 years of prison time for each offender in this case.

The children were thankfully not placed with the family members in Miami who had intimidated them before the case went to trial and they have been placed in a local foster home in Georgia. But while the 13-year-old abuse survivor and his younger brother are out of the care of the people who abused this poor boy terribly, there are still hard times in their immediate future.

The foster mother who took in both boys is not being funded by the state of Georgia in any way. Emily Duncan, a University of Georgia graduate, has recently been raising awareness of the boys’ case in an effort to collect clothes, toys, and other goods for the boys. A fund for the boys has been set up at a local bank by the Western Judicial Circuit’s Victim Witness Assistance Program, but the boys were placed in this foster home with nothing but two pairs of clothes to their name–and nothing else.

This past Thursday, the Victim Witness Assistance Program and Oconee County Sheriff’s Office stepped forward to take donations for these boys and if you are in a position to help in any way, or know someone who is, please consider donating clothes, toys, and anything else you think these children may need.

The 6-year-old boy wears size 8 clothes, size 4 shoes. He likes basketball, football, swimming, fishing, water activities, and superheroes. The 13-year-old boy wears a size 28 pants, adult medium size shorts, and has similar interests as his younger brother.

Clothes, toys, and other donations may be brought to the Witness Victim Assistance Program’s office, room 370 at the Clarke County Courthouse, 325 E. Washington St.

You may also drop off donations at the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office at 1140 Experiment Station Road, Watkinsville, Georgia.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to the boys, you may do so by making a donation to the Healing Heart Fund at any branch of Athens First Bank & Trust. Your financial contributions will be used for directly caring for the boys and meeting their needs.

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This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NAVTEQ. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today has been the first really nice, warm and humid day in a very long time; possibly since last summer. If the weather keeps this up, we can start believing that summer is in fact well on its way. Summer brings upon so many good things–family gatherings, graduations, camping, laying by the pool, vacations, barbeques, theme parks and fond memories.

It’s May and it is during this month when a great deal of people will be planning their upcoming summer vacations, outings and gatherings. For most families, this summer will involve at least a moderate amount of traveling and most will do this traveling by car. If you don’t have a GPS or other in-car navigation system, you may be picking one up to make traveling easier without having to carve out more time for yourself to get lost and get found again. If you have an in-car navigation system, you may think you’re good to go, but think again. Your in-car navigation system could be tragically out of date and some pertinent information could be missing from your route, which could potentially cause a great deal of unnecessary chaos.

May is also NAVTEQ’s Map Update Month and at www.mapupdatemonth.com, you can find all of the information on how to make sure the maps within your GPS or in-car navigation system of any kind are completely up-to-date.

As soon as the weather starts to get nice, we can see the amount of roadwork that starts popping up all over our own communities; when thinking about the amount of work being done to create new highways, which create new routes used by travelers over the summer months, the amount of maps that change just because of that are tremendous. By having up-to-date maps, you will be able to plan out the easiest and fastest route possible to get to your destination and also find out what restaurants you will be near, where to stop for gas and where the nearest ATM will be, regardless of where you are.

GPS and in-car navigation systems also make extremely great gifts for new graduates. A great deal of newly-graduated young adults feel the need to flex their freedom and independence before entering the college ranks as freshmen. After graduation, many young adults will be headed on vacations or cross-country trips of their own and to make sure they are safe and efficient on the road, be sure to head to www.mapupdatemonth.com to make sure your new graduate’s in-car navigation system is up-to-date with all of the information they will need when driving to a great new spot during the summer and to college for the next four years while they plan out what will encompass their life’s work.

There have been several times in my life where having an up-to-date in-car navigational system would have saved me a great deal of frustration and even fear. When I was a teenager of maybe 16, my boyfriend at the time had just gotten his driver’s license and told me to pick somewhere I desperately wanted to go so we could take a real trip in his new car. I was ecstatic and very into the singer/songwriter Conor Oberst. I picked to travel a few hours’ distance and see him play live in Philadelphia. We did fine getting there and didn’t get lost at all, but getting home was severely frightening and frustrating. We got lost several times, completely turned around and wound up going in the opposite direction we needed to for several hours wondering why we never saw the turn we were supposed to take. What should have been a few hours worth of driving turned into an all night ordeal and I still remember the panicked feelings I had at the time when I finally got home and then had to go right to school so I didn’t miss my pre-SAT testing.

I wouldn’t wish those kind of feelings on anyone, so having an up-to-date in-car navigation system is imperative to your life and to your happiness while traveling. Traveling should be a fun, adventurous and eye-opening experience and to let it get ruined by anger, frustration and confusion just isn’t necessary when you have access to the kind of technology we are seeing and utilizing today.

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