President Obama, back from his multi-million dollar vacation on Martha's Vineyard (and Sean Hannity, you have got to *stop* attempting a Boston accent)and has now made a speech calling on people to get more involved with volunteer organizations.
Well, presumably he's talking to the youth of the country, since the older generations have always volunteered. (Of course when I say the youth of the country, that was generally theee generations removed from the old folk. But now that so many 13 year olds are having babies, the youth of the country actually consists of 2 generations. (babies, teenage parent(s), young adult, middle age, senior) and teenagers and young adults aren't volunteering because they've got their babies to care for on no money and of course no education...).
Well, that's a rant for another time. Point is, if you're going to call for somebody to give up their time and money to help others, it might be more politic not to do it after you've just come back from a vacation (think of how many starving mouths the cost for your vacation would have fed....) and of course 20% of the US is out of work anyway. Put them on workfare, says I. If they're able bodied, make 'em work for their money.
A guy a couple of weeks ago called for the re-founding of the WPA and the CCC (Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps.) Those were two organizations founded by Roosevelt during the Depression. Rush scoffed at this several times on his program, but I wonder...is it really such a bad idea? Get those able-bodied folks on welfare to go out and clean grafitti off of places, pick up trash on the sidewalks, mow the lawns in abandoned lots, etc. Would that be so bad?
Anyway, here's the text from Obama's speech today.
Obama Invokes 9/11 In Call To Volunteer Service To Country
In just two weeks, we’ll come together, as a nation, to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. We’ll remember the innocent lives we lost. We’ll stand with the families who loved them. We’ll honor the heroic first responders who rushed to the scene and saved so many. And we’ll pay tribute to our troops and military families, and all those who have served over the past ten years, to keep us safe and strong.
We’ll also recall how the worst terrorist attack in American history brought out the best in the American people. How Americans lined up to give blood. How volunteers drove across the country to lend a hand. How schoolchildren donated their savings. How communities, faith groups and businesses collected food and clothing.
We were united, and the outpouring of generosity and compassion reminded us that in times of challenge, we Americans move forward together, as one people.
This September 11th, Michelle and I will join the commemorations at Ground Zero, in Shanksville, and at the Pentagon. But even if you can’t be in New York, Pennsylvania or Virginia, every American can be part of this anniversary. Once again, 9/11 will be a National Day of Service and Remembrance. And in the days and weeks ahead, folks across the country—in all 50 states—will come together, in their communities and neighborhoods, to honor the victims of 9/11 and to reaffirm the strength of our nation with acts of service and charity.
In Minneapolis, volunteers will help restore a community center. In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, they’ll hammer shingles and lay floors to give families a new home. In Tallahassee, Florida, they’ll assemble care packages for our troops overseas and their families here at home. In Orange County, California, they’ll renovate homes for our veterans. And once again, Michelle and I look forward to joining a local service project as well.
There are so many ways to get involved, and every American can do something. To learn more about the opportunities where you live, just go online and visit Serve.gov. Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost; a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.
"On this 10th anniversary, we still face great challenges as a nation. We’re emerging from the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes. We’re taking the fight to al Qaeda, ending the war in Iraq and starting to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. And we’re working to rebuild the foundation of our national strength here at home.
"None of this will be easy. And it can’t be the work of government alone. As we saw after 9/11, the strength of America has always been the character and compassion of our people. So as we mark this solemn anniversary, let’s summon that spirit once more. And let’s show that the sense of common purpose that we need in America doesn’t have to be a fleeting moment; it can be a lasting virtue—not just on one day, but every day."
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My Schedule of Regular Posts:
*Monday through Friday morning - schedules of President, VP and Secretary of State and her diplomats
*Monday through Friday afternoon - List of topics Limbaugh discussed on his program that day
*Monday through Friday throughout the day - My posts on anything that I feel like talking about. At least one or two a day, sometimes more.
*Saturday through Sunday morning - An addition to my booklist of political books - covering Democrats, Republicans and other interested parties.
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