Friday, July 29, 2011

West Wing Week 07/29/11 or "Mutual Disposition"



This week, The President held a town hall, met with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, honored the world series champions, spoke to Hispanic community advocates and addressed the Nation on the importance of compromising on a balanced approach to reduce the deficit. That's July 22nd to July 28th or "Mutual Disposition".

Newsy Now: News Round-Up

New GOP Hosts New Vote on Debt; Fort Hood Attacker Stopped; Libyan Rebel Commander Killed; Celina Cass Search Continues; Ochocinco Traded to Pats.



Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Jim Flink
Anchor: Jim Flink

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Libyan Rebel Commander Killed: Inside Job or Gaddafi Hit?

Libyan rebel General Abdel Nasser Younis is killed after being summoned from the battlefield, setting off fears of a fracturing rebellion.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Jim Flink
Anchor: Jim Flink

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Register to Vote, Get Free Pot

A medical marijuana dispensary in Lansing, Michigan offered free marijuana for those registering to vote.



Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Mallory Perryman
Anchor: Megan Murphy

Video provided by Newsy.com

Inmate Makes Bond With Jail Phone Glitch

A Florida inmate used a glitch in the prison phone system to bond himself out of jail.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Lexa Deckert
Anchor: Ana Compain-Romero

Video provided by Newsy.com

U.S. Senators to Saudi King: Let Women Drive

Fourteen female U.S. senators wrote a letter to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah asking him to lift the ban on women drivers.

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Jing Zhao
Anchor: Megan Murphy

Video provided by Newsy.com

Jobless Claims Drop Below 400,000

Fewer people than expected filed for jobless benefits last week, dropping the figure below the magic number of 400,000.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By George Dumontier
Anchor: Christina Hartman

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Thursday, July 28, 2011

White House Launches Government Accountability and Transparency Board

Leaders in Cutting Waste, Fraud and Abuse Named to New Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Today, the Obama Administration is announcing the launch of the Government Accountability and Transparency Board. The Board, first announced by the President and Vice President in June as part of the Campaign to Cut Waste, will focus on rooting out misspent tax dollars and making government spending more accessible and transparent for the American people.

The President named several of the nation’s top watchdogs and leaders on government accountability to the board, which will be led by interim chairman Earl Devaney. The Board is holding their first meeting this morning to begin developing plans toenhance transparency in federal spending and root out and stop waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs.

“Cutting Waste, fraud and abuse has been something Washington has talked about for decades, but now more than ever, what the American people need is action,” said Vice President Biden.

“That’s why we are tapping the top leaders across government who have been most aggressive in cracking down on waste to drive change and make the government work for our nation’s families. With our nation’s top watchdogs at the helm, we will deliver the kind of transparency and accountability for Federal spending that the public deserves and expects.”

Today, the President announced the appointment of the following federal officials to the Board: Ashton B. Carter - Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitionm Technology & Logistics, Department of Defense, W. Scott Gould - Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Allison C. Lerner - Inspector General, National Science Foundation, Daniel R. Levinson - Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, Ellen Murray - Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources and Chief Financial Officer, Department of Health and Human Services, Calvin L. Scovel III - Inspector General, Department of Transportation, Kathleen S. Tighe - Inspector General, Department of Education, Daniel I. Werfel - Controller, Office of Management and Budget, David C. Williams - Inspector General, United States Postal Service, and Neal S. Wolin - Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, Department of the Treasury.

The Board will recommend a broad range of strategies to make spending data more reliable and accessible to the American people. They will also make recommendations to broaden the Administration's use of cutting edge technology to crack down on fraud, and focus on integrating data systems and using data for better decision-making.

In doing so, the Board will offer a comprehensive vision for the management of federal spending that will fundamentally change how government works. And it will ensure that this vision is executed in the most cost-effective, efficient and logical manner.

“From the first day of this Administration, the President and the Vice President have outlined a vision of government that is more open and more accountable to the American people,” said Federal Chief Performance Officer Jeffrey Zients.

“We’ve made tremendous progress to date, cutting costs, cracking down on fraud, and opening up the government’s books for all to see and scrutinize. The Government Accountability and Transparency Board is a critical next step in this ongoing effort.”

The Campaign to Cut Waste is an effort to identify and eliminate misspent tax dollars in every agency and department across the federal government. The Campaign builds on the Administration’s ongoing effort to make government more efficient, effective and accountable to the American people. You can read more about that work here.

Image courtesy of http://www.pureclipart.com.

Report: Cancer Not Linked to 9/11 Toxic Debris

A new government report suggests cancer -- should not be covered under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Tracy Pfieffer
Anchor: Megan Murphy

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Atheists Sue Over WTC Memorial Cross

American Atheists say that "government enshrinement of the cross is an impermissible mingling of church and state."


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Steven Hsieh
Anchor: Megan Murphy

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DOJ Prepares a Discrimination Lawsuit Against Wells Fargo

The largest home mortgage lender in the U.S., Wells Fargo, is accused of discrimination. The bank neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

Anchor: Austin Kim

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U.S. Postal Service Delivers Closure News

The USPS announced their plans Tuesday to look at closing nearly 3,700 post offices across the country. Eliminations could come as early as January.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Kylie McGivern
Anchor: Christina Hartman

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World News: UK Expels Pro-Gaddafi Diplomats, Recognizes Rebel Govt

The United Kingdom now recognizes the National Transitional Council and not Col. Muammar Gaddafi's regime.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Jing Zhao
Anchor: Austin Kim

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'Richard Estrada Chavez Fought for Basic Labor Rights and Worked to Improve the Quality of Life for Farm Workers'


President Obama Statement on the Passing of Richard Estrada Chavez

Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Estrada Chavez yesterday. Richard spent his life in the service of others alongside his brother Cesar and his wife, Dolores Huerta, co-founders of the United Farm Workers. It was Richard who designed the UFW's iconic eagle, a symbol of hope that has helped carry the struggle for the rights of farm workers forward for almost five decades.

Throughout his years of service, Richard fought for basic labor rights but also worked to improve the quality of life for countless farm workers. And beyond his work, Richard was a family man. I was honored to have Richard visit the Oval Office last year on Cesar Chavez Day with other family members, and will never forget the stories they shared. Richard understood that the struggle for a more perfect union and a better life for all America's workers didn't end with any particular victory or defeat, but instead required a commitment to getting up every single day to keep at it.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Richard's family and loved ones. We take comfort in knowing that the work he was passionate about will be continued by all he helped to inspire.

Image courtesy of the following link:

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

2011 Wounded Warriors Basketball Game


President Obama welcomes Wounded Warriors to the White House for a game of basketball.

White House Briefs

Newsy Now: News Round-Up

Boehner Bills Faces GOP Opposition; USPS to Close 3700 Offices, Taliban Kill Kandahar Mayor; 32 Dead in S. Korea Landslides; Fox TV Paywall


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Erik Shute
Anchor: Jim Flink

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Peninsula Hospital Center Targeted for Closure

Rockaway-Based Hospital Recently Received Perfect Score from Consumer Reports Health

Far Rockaway, New York - The management of Peninsula Hospital Center and the MediSys Health Network Inc. have been working with the New York State Department of Health and other parties to try and find a workable solution to the deep financial crisis facing Peninsula Hospital Center.

Peninsula has been struggling financially for several years prior to its sponsorship by MediSys, the Queens and Brooklyn based network that has attempted to make Peninsula financially viable in the current difficult economic market.

A series of meetings were held recently that included discussions with St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, Local 1199, and State officials, among others, to develop approaches to meet the health care needs of the Rockaway communities. Without a long-term solution that puts Peninsula Hospital Center on the path to fiscal recovery, an organized closure may be the only option.

"Everything possible is being done in the best interest of the communities’ healthcare needs and we will continue to work with the State DOH and other parties during this process," said Ole W. Pedersen, Vice President of Public Affairs for Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is a part of the MediSys Health Network.


According to information cited on the MediSys website, a recent Consumer Reports Health (CRH) report stated that Peninsula Hospital Center is the only hospital in the entire metropolitan area to successfully prevent patients from acquiring an infection while in the hospital, particularly a bloodstream infection, which is a problem faced by many facilities across the country.


"Several years ago, Peninsula Hospital Center made a concerted effort to cut our hospital-acquired, critical care bloodstream infection rate to zero by instituting new standards of practice in critical care where central line bloodstream infections are most often acquired," said Eunmi Kim, RN, Director, Critical Care Units at Peninsula Hospital.

"Hospitals report their own statistics, which is then verified by the New York State Department of Health. In our case, the investigators were here for two days going through charts and medical records thoroughly to validate and verify our results before releasing them to the public."

CRH compared the infection rates for 1,119 U.S. hospitals, 178 were in New York. Most New York City hospitals received an "average" rating, while a few others received "worse than average" rating. According to the report, the most deadly bloodstream infections are most commonly associated with central line catheters inserted directly into a large vein. These type of infections kill 90,000 Americans every year.

Peter A. Galvin, M.D., the Hospital Center's Chief Medical Officer, was quick to point out the commitment of the hospital's nursing staff.

"They took it upon themselves to set a goal of a zero central-line infection rate. They educated themselves as well as the attending and resident physicians and the results are a reflection of their diligence and dedication to excellent patient care. As evidenced by the statistics reported by Consumer Reports Health, Peninsula Hospital Center achieved a goal that none of the larger, well-known and well-endowed hospitals throughout the City of New York could achieve. That speaks directly to the commitment and expertise of our staff, as well as our commitment to patient safety."

From The G-Man contacted the offices of New York State Senator Malcolm Smith and Assemblywoman Michelle Titus -- who represent the district where the ill-fated facility is located -- for comments regarding the hospital's closure. No comments were provided by the elected officials.

Image courtesy of http://medisys.typepad.com.

Politics in Action: H.R. 2587

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

H. R. 2587 – Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act

(Rep. Scott, R-SC, and 18 cosponsors)


The Administration opposes H.R.2587 because it undermines enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRA establishes the legal rights of employers and employees with respect to workplace organizing and collective bargaining. The NLRA does not restrict the location of company operations, provided companies comply with the law. H.R. 2587 would leave employees no meaningful recourse in certain situations where an employer has violated the NLRA.

Image courtesy of http://www.clker.com.

Federal Government Looks into Operation 'Fast and Furious'

The ATF program "Fast and Furious" is in a downward spiral after drug trafficking heightens and a border patrolman is killed during the operation.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Justin Whaley
Anchor: Christina Hartman

Video provided by Newsy.com

PTSD? There's an App For That

There are now apps available to help those suffering with PTSD learn to cope in daily life.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Lexa Deckert
Anchor: Jim Flink

Video provided by Newsy.com

David Wu Resigns, Race for Seat Begins

Wu will hold his place until the debt ceiling issue is resolved -- leaving his last day unknown. That has not slowed the race for his seat, though.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Lexa Deckert
Anchor: Gary Cotton

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World News: Hamas Executes Two Palestinians for Israeli Collaboration

After the father and son were killed, some say the execution wasn't legal because it did not have approval from the Palestinian president.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Alejandra Quintela
Anchor: Christina Hartman

Video provided by Newsy.com

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

White House Briefs

Joining Forces at Naval Air Station Oceana


First Lady Michelle Obama visits Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana and tours NAS Oceana's youth program summer camp. Also, as part of the Joining Forces Movie Series, Mrs. Obama welcomed local military families to a special screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2.

Newsy Now: News Round-Up

Obama's Talks Debt to the Nation; California Passes Dream Act; Norway Killer Claims Insanity; Somalia Famine Continues; Fake Apple Stores in China.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Erik Shute
Anchor: Jim Flink

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Male Oral Contraceptive Almost a Reality?

"The pill" -- it might not be a single-sex affair anymore.

Sources:WPIXInternational Business TimesWNWOFirst ThingsBabyCenterMedical News Today

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Lexa Deckert
Anchor: Allie Spillyards

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Analysis: World Watching as the U.S. Fails to Compromise

The media speculate America's reputation will crash if debt negotiations don't end soon.


Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Allie Spillyards

Video provided by Newsy.com