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Pres. Barack Obama's Next Move - Page 82

President Obama says the attack in San Bernardino, California, was "Was an act of terrorism designed to kill innocent people."

Speaking to the nation from the Oval Office, the President said the U.S. Will not give into fear in the face of terrorism.
"The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it. We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us," he said.

He called on Congress to approve use of military force.

"I think it's time for Congress to vote to demonstrate that the American people are united and committed to this fight," he said.

He also said "Congress should act to make sure no one on a no-fly list is able to buy a gun." Ref. CNN

Move Obamas Barack Pres

Obama issues 95 commutations, 2 pardons

President Obama made Christmas-time commutations of 95 federal prisoners Friday, while issuing pardons to two others, the White House announced. Ref. USAToday

Pres. Barack Obama's Next Move History & Civil Business Politics

Americans are divided on whether President Barack Obama brought positive or negative change to the United States, and express broad dissatisfaction with government and anger about the way things are going in the nation generally.

According to a new CNN/ORC poll, 75% of Americans say they are dissatisfied with the way the nation is being governed, and 69% are at least somewhat angry with the way things are going in the U.S., both metrics about as negative as they were in fall 2014.

While majorities across party lines express dissatisfaction and anger, Republicans are most likely to feel that way. Both sentiments are particularly strong among those Republicans who back Donald Trump in the GOP race for the nomination. Overall, 90% of Republicans are dissatisfied with the way the nation is being governed, and 82% express anger with the way things are going in the U.S. Today. Among Trump backers, 97% are dissatisfied with government, 91% at least somewhat angry. Ref. CNN

Page 82 Move Obamas Barack Pres

President Barack Obama bypassed Congress on Tuesday, unveiling a unilateral initiative designed to curb gun violence in the U.S. Through a series of executive actions.

The new executive actions do not conflict with the Second Amendment, Obama said from the White House at an event with gun violence victims and their families. "But I also believe that we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment."

In an effort to expand background checks for buyers, the White House introduced a new requirement for individuals "In the business of selling firearms" to register as licensed gun dealers, effectively narrowing the so-called "Gun show loophole," which exempts most small sellers from keeping formal sales records.

The initiative also provides more funding for mental health treatment, FBI staff and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives agents. Ref. CNN

Move Obamas Barack Pres

President Barack Obama answered a gun executive, a sheriff, a rape survivor and a widow who oppose his actions at the "Guns in America" town hall event sponsored by CNN Thursday night.

Obama also rejected the "Imaginary fiction" that he wanted to take away the guns of law-abiding Americans.

"The way it is described, is that we are trying to take away everybody's guns," Obama said, charging that his opponents had twisted his plans on gun safety measures.

"Our position is consistently mischaracterized," Obama said. "If you listen to the rhetoric, it is so over-the-top, it is so overheated."

Obama also took questions from people who agreed with his proposal to expand background checks, including former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, who have been fierce advocates of increased gun control since Giffords was seriously wounded in a 2011 shooting in Tucson, Arizona.

The President also said that he would be happy to meet with representatives of the National Rifle Association, which declined to take part in the town hall meeting even though other gun rights advocates did attend. Ref. CNN

Pres. Barack Obama's Next Move

President Obama issued a stern warning about political rhetoric that targets Muslims during his final State of the Union address. "It betrays who we are as a country," he said.

Obama acknowledged that political rancor has gotten worse in recent years and called it "One of the few regrets of my presidency."

Obama defended his strategy to contain ISIS and argued the terrorist network does not pose an existential threat to the U.S. He also defended his foreign policy of engagement, citing the nuclear deal with Iran and his efforts to normalize relations with Cuba.

Talk of American economic decline is "Political hot air," Obama said, dismissing concerns that the country has grown weaker. "America is the most powerful nation on Earth. Period," he said.

And he promised to spend the last year of his presidency pushing electoral reform and finding ways to "Make voting easier, not harder, and modernize it for the way we live now." Ref. CNN.

Pres. Barack Obama's Move - Page 82

Obamas to remain in D.C. After presidency so daughter can finish high school

President Obama cast some light on his post presidency plans Thursday, telling lunch companions in Milwaukee that he plans to remain in Washington so that his youngest daughter can finish high school. "We're going to have to stay a couple of years so Sasha can finish. Transferring someone in the middle of high school - tough," he said. Ref. USAToday.

Pres. Barack Obama's Move Politics Business Civil & History - Page 82

The lack of adequate persons trained in the diagnosis of Autism prompted the project

President Obama, in comments at the tech-centered South by Southwest event in Austin, obliquely addressed the controversy over Apple's objections to being compelled to help the FBI break into a San Bernardino terrorist's iPhone data. Apple says the government's efforts would force the creation of a "Backdoor" into personal data in general. If a smartphone or other gadget's encryption is so strong that "There's no door at all, then how do we apprehend the child pornographer, how do we solve or disrupt a terrorist plot?" Obama asked. Ref. USAToday.