Joe Sestak's Statement on Presidential Speech

from the inbox:

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak voiced support for President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. For months, Sestak, drawing from his firsthand experience with counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan as head of the Navy's anti-terrorism unit, has called for a renewed commitment to the crucial mission of eradicating Al Qaeda and its safe haven in Pakistan.

"President Obama has presented a plan that will allow us to finally complete a mission that is as indispensable today as it was eight years ago: the elimination of the Al Qaeda terrorists who struck us on 9/11," said Joe Sestak. "It is a difficult decision. After years of war and with economic challenges at home, the American people are justified in their concern about an increased commitment in Afghanistan. But the President has made the right call. If we leave Al Qaeda behind in a safe haven and are struck again, what can we ever say to those we swore to protect?

"From the outset of this debate, I have called for a strategy that is focused on Al Qaeda in Pakistan, is not overly dependent on nation-building in Afghanistan and is not open-ended. The President stated similar goals. But, while I support the President's overall approach, I will be looking for further details. First, the clear emphasis of our overall goal must remain focused on eliminating the safe haven in Pakistan. And second, we should measure our progress not by a fixed timetable, but by benchmarks of achieving America's security. We therefore must be provided those benchmarks of success and/or failure that trigger an exit or alternative strategy."

Patrick Murphy's Statement on Presidential Speech

From the inbox:

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA, 8th District) issued the following statement tonight following President Obama’s address on the United States ’ continued commitment to Afghanistan :

“I strongly support President Obama for his decision to commit 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan . He has listened to our military leaders on the ground, and has decided, along with our military commanders and civilian leadership, to pursue a strategy that ensures our brave men and women serving overseas have the resources and plan to dismantle, disrupt, and defeat Al Qaeda.

“With these additional troops, our service members and allies can continue to root out and kill the Al Qaeda terrorists who murdered 3,000 Americans on September 11, 2001, and prevent them from destabilizing Pakistan and obtaining nuclear weapons.”

Even the US Senate Likes Mark Zandi

Local boy Mark Zandi who appears so often in the Wall Street Journal, was an economic advisor to John McCain's presidential campaign, and now advises the Obama administration, not to mention being the chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, is testifying before the U.S. Senate:

a hearing by the Senate Democratic Policy Committee on removing barriers to job creation. Specifically, the committee will examine whether banks – particularly banks that received TARP funds – are making needed to loans to small businesses that are ready to hire.

How will we keep him down on the farm once he's seen DC?

SEPTA Now on Google Transit

From the inbox:

SEPTA has entered a new high-tech era, with everything customers need now just a click away.

SEPTA’s bus schedule information is now available on Google Transit – completing an effort to include all of the transit authority’s travel data on the popular website. SEPTA partnered with Google earlier this year to get train schedules up on the site. Now, with an extensive effort to geo-map all of SEPTA’s 15,000-plus bus stops complete, all SEPTA bus, rail and trolley schedules are readily available for anyone using Google Maps to plan a trip in the Philadelphia region.

Google Transit can also be used to plan trips on SEPTA’s website, which has been completely overhauled as part of a recently unveiled redesign. One of SEPTA’s exciting new online features, “Next To Arrive,” allows riders to see their next four available Regional Rail trains by simply entering the start and end points of their journey.

In addition to enhanced trip-planning tools, SEPTA’s new website gives customers more access to real-time travel information and new original content – all wrapped in a fresh, colorful design.

"The number one priority of this redesign was meeting customers' needs," said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey. "We are thrilled to be able to offer our customers a first-class website and online experience.”

Among the new offerings at SEPTA’s website is a “Newsroom,” which includes press releases, a media guide and public reports. This section also contains “News Bites,” which are original SEPTA stories covering everything from news and events to insider features.

To see all SEPTA has available online, visit www.septa.org.

Santarsiero Supporting Red Cross

If you are in Newtown this Sunday, please remember those who are helped by the Red Cross:

State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero, D-Bucks, will be hosting an open house for the holiday season during the Newtown Santa Parade from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 at his district office located at 277 North Sycamore Street in Newtown Township.

All residents are invited to stop in and meet Santarsiero and his staff, and learn more about state programs and the services his office provides. There will also be cookie decorating activities for children and hot chocolate for all visitors.

"I look forward to meeting as many of my constituents as possible as they are out in the community celebrating the Santa Parade," Santarsiero said. "This is also a great opportunity to help those in need right here in our own community."

As part of the open house, Santarsiero will collect supplies for the Lower Bucks Red Cross shelter, which is the only 24-hour homeless shelter in Bucks County and serves more than 350 people every year. The Red Cross shelter is in need of the following donations:

· Paper towels, napkins
· Gently used towels and sheets
· Size 5/6 diapers
· "sippy" cups for children
· 55-gallon trash bags, kitchen trash bags
· Gas gift cards of any denomination
· Checks made out to the American Red Cross Lower Bucks County Chapter

Another Green Business in Bucks

from the inbox:

Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) joined local business owners to announce the expansion of Y-Carbon, Inc. to Bucks County . The CEO of Y-Carbon, James Horan, joined Congressman Murphy to announce a $150,000 Recovery Act grant for the company, and how the green, high-tech business plans to create jobs in Bristol .

The grant comes as part of over $18 million in recently announced funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support small business innovation research, development, and deployment of clean energy technologies. In this first phase of funding, Montgomery County-based Y-Carbon was awarded $149,938 to continue its work developing nanotechnology for breakthrough performance in fields such as energy, water, and medicine.

The King of Prussia-based Y-Carbon is committed to expanding its manufacturing operations to Lower Bucks County and will partner with the Bridge Business Center in Bristol , a nationally recognized green technology hub. The Bridge Business Center is located in a state designated Keystone Innovation Zone and Enterprise Zone targeted to support life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and alternative energy companies in Pennsylvania.

Congressman Murphy has worked tirelessly to turn Bucks County into a green energy hub that will create new, sustainable jobs by attracting cutting edge companies like Y-Carbon. Earlier this year, Congressman Murphy announced the formation of the Green Jobs Academy at Bridge. This effort to bring together academic and private sector leaders in the development of renewable energy has given Bucks County another tool to recruit companies like Y-Carbon that will produce the jobs of the future.

“I’m proud to have helped bring this great company to Bucks County ,” said Rep. Murphy. “While our economy continues to recover, this is a critical step toward ensuring Bucks continues to lead the nation in the clean technology jobs of the future.”

“Thanks to Congressman Murphy’s leadership and foresight, Bucks County has become a green energy hub and a magnet for the jobs of the future,” said Jim Horan. “Because of Murphy’s efforts both here and in Washington , Y-Carbon has the tools it needs to succeed and create jobs for Bucks County residents.”

Anne Lazarus to Join Superior Court

From the inbox:

As you know, the race for Superior Court was extremely close. Over the past couple weeks, each county conducted a recount, as required by state law.

Today, I am pleased to tell you that all of the returns have been submitted and certified, and I have been officially declared the winner of the fourth seat on the Superior Court.

Please know that I could not have gotten here without you. I have been overwhelmed by the support you have shown over the past year.

I look forward to serving the Superior Court with honor and distinction.

Thank you.

Anne Lazarus

This is great news. I think highly of Lazarus.

Pike / Trivedi Dust Up

In case you missed it, the two Democrats running for the open seat in the 6th congressional district, Doug Pike and Manan Trivedi, went at it hammer and tongs today. Or, if you prefer, imagine two cats having a territorial spat and whacking each other on the head.

PA2010.com has the full complement of press releases.

Both candidates were at the Gerber / Onorato endorsement event last night so maybe there was something in the water?

Roll Call: Platts to GAO?

Shira Toeplitz writes in today's Roll Call, "Ambitious Republicans Start Eyeing Platts’ Seat:"

Republicans will likely keep the seat held by Rep. Todd Platts (R-Pa.) if the five-term House Member is appointed to lead Congress’ top watchdog agency.

Platts applied in October to head the Government Accountability Office ­— and the appointment process could take several months before it is complete. But if Platts is selected to be comptroller general, his reliably Republican House seat will be open for the first time since 2000.

Gubernatorial Candidates' Updates

An assortment of updates from Democratic candidates for governor:

State Rep. Mike Gerber endorsed Don Onorato.

The leader of the Democratic Party in Jefferson County today announced his endorsement of Auditor General Jack Wagner for Governor.

Joe Hoeffel called on Attorney General (and GOP candidate) Tom Corbett to support "HB 300 and HB 745 today so that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens of Pennsylvania can have equal protection under the law."

Penn Dems Election Tuesday, Dec. 1

The Penn Dems, the University of Pennsylvania student Democratic organization, is having officer elections tomorrow. If you are a Penn Dem please remember to vote.

Obama Administration Kicks Off Mortgage Modification Conversion Drive

from the inbox:

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today kick off a nationwide campaign to help borrowers who are currently in the trial phase of their modified mortgages under the Obama Administration's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) convert to permanent modifications. The modification program, which has helped over 650,000 borrowers, is part of the Administration's broader commitment to stabilize housing markets and to provide relief to struggling homeowners and is a primary focus of financial stability efforts moving forward. Roughly 375,000 of the borrowers who have begun trial modifications since the start of the program are scheduled to convert to permanent modifications by the end of the year. Through the efforts being announced today, Treasury and HUD will implement new outreach tools and borrower resources to help convert as many trial modifications as possible to permanent ones.

“We are encouraged by the pace at which trial modifications are now being made to provide immediate savings to struggling homeowners,� said the new Chief of Treasury's Homeownership Preservation Office (HPO), Phyllis Caldwell. “We now must refocus our efforts on the conversion phase to ensure that borrowers and servicers know what their responsibilities are in converting trial modifications to permanent ones.� In her new role, Caldwell will lead HPO’s conversion drive efforts.

“Encouraging borrowers to move through the process of converting trial modifications to permanent modifications remains a top priority for HUD,� said HUD Assistant Secretary for Housing and FHA Commissioner David Stevens. “As a part of our continuing efforts to improve the execution of the HAMP program, HUD is committed to working with servicers, borrowers, housing counselors and others dedicated to homeownership preservation to improve the transition of distressed homeowners into affordable and sustainable mortgages.�

With tens of thousands of trial modifications being made each week, the Administration is now working to ensure that eligible borrowers have the information and the assistance needed to move from the trial to the permanent modification phase. (All mortgage modifications begin with a trial phase to allow borrowers to submit the necessary documentation and determine whether the modified monthly payment is sustainable for them.) As the first round of modifications convert from the trial to permanent phase, the Administration has identified several strategies for addressing the challenges that borrowers confront in receiving permanent modifications.

In addition to the conversion drive that kicks off today, the Obama Administration has already taken several steps to make the transition from trial to permanent modification easier and more transparent by:

* Extending the period for trial modifications started on or before September 1st to give homeowners more time to submit required information;
* Streamlining the application process to minimize paperwork and simplify the submission process; meeting regularly with servicers to identify necessary improvement to borrower outreach and responsiveness;
* Developing operational metrics to hold servicers accountable for their performance, which will soon be reported publicly;
* Enhancing borrower resources on the MakingHomeAffordable.gov website and the Homeowner’s HOPETM Hotline (888-995-HOPE) to provide direct access to tools and housing counselors.

The Mortgage Modification Conversion Drive will include the following:

* Servicer Accountability. As part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to hold servicers accountable for their commitment to the program and responsibility to borrowers, the following measures will be added:
o Top servicers will be required to submit a schedule demonstrating their plans to reach a decision on each loan for which they have documentation and to communicate either a modification agreement or denial letter to those borrowers. Treasury/Fannie Mae “account liaisons� are being assigned to these servicers and will follow up daily as necessary to monitor progress against the servicer’s plan. Daily progress will be aggregated by the end of each business day and reported to the Administration.
o Servicers failing to meet performance obligations under the Servicer Participation Agreement will be subject to consequences which could include monetary penalties and sanctions.
o The December MHA Servicer Performance Report will include the data on permanent modifications as well as the number of active trial period modifications that may convert by the end of the year if all borrower documents are successfully submitted, sorted by servicer and date.
o Servicers will be required to report to the Administration the status of each modification to provide additional transparency about situations where borrowers face obstacles to moving to the permanent phase.

* Web tools for borrowers. Because the document submission process can be a challenge for many borrowers, the Administration has created new resources on www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov to simplify and streamline this step. New resources include:
o Links to all of the required documents and an income verification checklist to help borrowers request a modification in four easy steps;
o Comprehensive information about how the trial phase works, what borrower responsibilities are to convert to a permanent modification, and a new instructional video which provides step by step instruction for borrowers;
o A toolkit for partner organizations to directly assist their constituents;
o New web banners and tools for outreach partners to drive more borrowers to the site and Homeowner’s HOPETM Hotline (888-995-HOPE).

* Engagement of state, local and community stakeholders. Through the conversion drive, the Administration is engaging all levels of government - state, local and county – to both increase awareness of the program and expand the resources available to borrowers as they navigate the modification process.
o HUD will engage staff in its 81 field offices to distribute outreach tools. HUD will also encourage its 2700 HUD-Approved Counseling Organizations to distribute outreach information to participating borrowers.
o By engaging the National Governors Association (NGA), National League of Cities (NLC) and National Association of Counties (NACo) the Administration is connecting with the thousands of state, local, and county offices on the frontlines in large and small communities across the country who are hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. These offices will now have the tools to increase awareness of the program, connect with and educate borrowers and grassroots organizations on how to request a modification and take the additional steps to ensure they are converted to permanent status; and serve as an additional trusted resource for borrowers who are facing challenges with the program.
o In partnering with the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators, state regulators will now have enhanced tools to assist borrowers who are facing challenges in converting to a permanent modification and to report to the Administration on the progress and challenges borrowers and servicers are facing on the ground. Regulators will also be empowered to work directly with escalation and compliance teams to ensure that HAMP guidelines are consistently applied.

More information about the Obama Administration’s mortgage modification program can be found at www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov.

Are Your Smarter Than a Former Deputy Speaker?

This Tuesday, State Rep. Josh Shapiro is sponsoring a game of political quizzo. I'm not quite sure what that entails (Mr. DeWeese in the rotunda with a candlestick? or I'll take gerrymandering for $500?) Nor am I sure if Shapiro will be playing himself or just orchestrating. But if you want to test your political knowledge against one of the state's whiz kids, this may be your chance. Details at www.joshshapiro.com

Chris Doherty Campaign Website

One of the many Democrats running for governor, Scranton mayor Chris Doherty, now has his campaign website up and running: www.chrisdoherty.com

Sestak in Philly Mag

The December issue of Philadelphia Magazine has a long profile of Joe Sestak by writer Jason Fagone. Check out Run, Joe, Run, in the print issue or at http://www.phillymag.com/articles/joe_sestak_profile_run_joe_run/

A Brief Personal Note on October and November

This fall seemed more hectic than usual and I’m not sure why. In October I took the kids up to the Poconos for a weekend. On the way someone hit the back of our van. That led to a lot of paperwork and inconvenience. The rest of the weekend had some serious ups and downs as well. The Ford Fusion I had for a week waiting for repairs to be finished was a pleasure to drive, though the rear window could be a little bigger. We will probably be in the market for another car in the next year or so and the Fusion is one on my list to investigate. The car I had included satellite radio and was set to the Coffee House channel which I really enjoyed and the screen readout listed the artist and the song playing. Very cool.

While in Stroudsburg we went to the Christmas shop. Mr. J and I have been looking for a nativity scene for a few years, to add to our household Christmas decorations. I found one that looked like it would fit our tastes and our house. When we unpacked it this past weekend we realized that it didn’t include any animals. Mr. J grew up on a farm and said it just wasn’t right to have the Wise Men, a shepherd, an angel and the Holy Family but no animals. It is a manger after all. We put the shepherd in a tube sock to keep it from getting scratched and went out shopping. After looking around in a few stores we found an ox and a goat (creatively named Ox and Goat) that match the rest of the figures. The scene now seems complete.

In October we started a room overhaul in the house, replacing carpet and getting some new furniture. Every possible thing that could go wrong did go wrong. It was a disaster. About 10 days ago it all got sorted out (except for one chair that is yet to be delivered, and a $700 carpet refund that, for some reason, is being delayed).

We all had a four day weekend over Thanksgiving. We ate, rested, played board games, moved some furniture back, sorted through papers, got used to the new look of the house, planned out Phase II, and admired the nativity scene (including Ox and Goat). We also did some pre-holiday planning which will help make December more peaceful and less hectic.

I hope you and yours had an equally restful holiday, with much to be thankful for.

And now back to politics ….

Sestak on Education

Joe Sestak, current Congressman and candidate for Senate, was one of the CEO's and policy makers the Wall Street Journal invited to discuss four issues, one of them being education. The article "An Educated Work Force" was published in Monday 11/23's special section "How to Rebuild Global Prosperity. Sestak makes four points:

1) Learning is continuous. "No longer can you just learn a trade; that trade is going to change over time."

2) "Early intervention is absolutely critical, too." He points out that for ever $1 spent on pre-K we get $7 back.

3) Need to focus on minorities. "Today, only 3% of all business that have revenues over $1 million are owned by a person who's a minority. And yet, by 2050, they will be 50% of our population." later "Probably about 1 out of every 12 African Americans can do fractions at the age of 17."

4) accountability. Bush was right with No Child Left Behind. We need qualified teachers for math and science.

Here is Sestak's press release on the subject:

Addressing more than 100 of the world’s top CEOs, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) outlined critical improvements needed to prepare our next generation for economy prosperity. Congressman Sestak spoke at The Wall Street Journal CEO Council forum Rebuilding Global Prosperity, which was convened to develop an urgent action plan for ensuring long-term global prosperity, with an emphasis on the shared responsibility of business and government. He focused specifically on training our workforce for the high-value manufacturing jobs for the 21st century, such as green energy technology.

“To compete in the market with other countries, our schools and colleges will need to work with businesses and industries to develop experience-based curriculum that train people for advanced manufacturing fields,” said Congressman Sestak. “In addition to mentorship, this requires an increased focus on improving the performance of our young people in math and science.”

The Congressman referenced a 2005 National Academies of Science report, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, which highlighted the causes of the erosion of the United States advantages in science and technology. Specifically the study found only 68 percent of U.S. eighth grade students received math instruction from a teacher with no math certification or degree and 92 percent of fifth through ninth graders were taught physical science by a teacher with no science degree of certification.

The Congressman advocated for the reports recommendations to: increase America's talent pool by vastly improving K-12 mathematics and science education; sustain and strengthen the nation's commitment to long-term basic research; develop, recruit, and retain top students, scientists, and engineers from both the U.S. and abroad; and ensure that the United States is the premier place in the world for innovation.

“One important area to encourage greater innovation is in alternative energy technology,” said Congressman Sestak. “In 2006 alone, the renewable energy and efficiency industries generated 8.5 million jobs and nearly $970 billion in revenue in the United States. Alternative energy companies will never fully prosper in this nation, however, if we do not prepare our students for the jobs these businesses need.”

In addition, Congressman Sestak discussed the need for a stronger commitment to early education to improve opportunities for our students. He cited studies showing its benefits. For example, in Chicago, students enrolled in pre-K programs were 29 percent more likely to graduate from high school when compared to their peers who did not attend prekindergarten. Moreover, an evaluation of Maryland's early-learning programs showed that fifth-graders who attended pre-K were 44 percent less likely to repeat a grade than those fifth-graders who did not. According to University of Chicago researcher James Heckman, every dollar spent on getting very young children ready to learn saves taxpayers seven dollars in foregone social costs.

“We must enhance our early education programs, such as Head Start, particularly by ensuring that we train well-qualified teachers for pre-Kindergarten jobs and providing them the resources they need to succeed in those jobs,” said Congressman Sestak.

Sestak also released this information on a bill he is sponsoring:

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak announced plans to introduce the Accountable Performance in Schools Act on Monday, which will encourage states to use longitudinal growth models to track individual student achievement, instead of traditional methods of determining average yearly progress (AYP). Under current law, students' high-stakes test scores are measured against the same age group from previous years. This approach ignores differences between cohorts of students and fails to reward or encourage significant progress made by teachers and students during the school year. By contrast, growth models track individual students' progress throughout the school year and between grades, providing valuable feedback to and better evaluation of teachers.

"Only by ensuring real accountability for our nations teachers and students can we truly leave no child behind," Joe said. "By promoting the use of growth models, we will actually measure students' progress, allowing better evaluation of teachers and providing them with useful tools to enhance their ability to teach."

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has recognized the benefits of growth models, starting with a two state pilot program in 2006. USDE has since approved requests from 15 States to utilize growth models as their primary source of measuring AYP. In January of this year, Pennsylvania's request to utilize growth models was approved in January of 2009 for the 2009-10 through 2012-13.

Specifically, Congressman Sestak's legislation will allow States to use the results of longitudinal growth models to satisfy AYP under the No Child Left Behind legislation. To assist in the implementation of these programs, States will be eligible for grants to develop these longitudinal data systems. The growth models would be required to incorporate:

* A unique, statewide student identifier and identifier that remains stable over time;
* Student-level enrollment, demographic, and program participation information;
* The ability to match individual student's test records from year to year;
* Information on untested students, including why they were not tested;
* Information on student attainment in high schools,
* A statewide audit system to ensure the validity and reliability of data;
* A unique statewide teacher identifier that remains stable over time and matches student records to the appropriate teacher;
* Teacher-level education, demographic, and program participation information;
* Information on student participation in and performance on college admissions and/or college-level assessments;

The legislation builds on the Congressman's February 2009 Education Summit where he heard from employers, school administrators, educators, parents, policy directors, and education experts on the benefits and need for expanded growth model programs around the country. At the Summit, experts highlighted a January 2009 USDE report which found that "states can effectively manage longitudinal data and implement growth models," but "are likely to be applied in addition to the existing status model rather than separately alongside the existing status model."

"By establishing a clear definition for appropriate longitudinal growth models-- and providing federal funding-- states will be able to invest in robust state-wide growth model data systems, knowing that the federal government will acknowledge their accountability systems moving forward." Joe added. "Under current law, states that implement growth model systems under the USDE's pilot program, risk losing their authorization when the temporary program ends."

A Thanksgiving Note

Today it is customary to express thanks for all of one's blessings, and I am surely blessed.

As the day ends, however, what is utmost in my mind is that the Grace Kelly version of "High Society" is nowhere near as good as the Katherine Hepburn version. After spending the morning in the kitchen and the afternoon eating I rounded out the evening with TCM and the Kelly version was broadcast. It's just not the same.

But, nonetheless, I am most grateful for all the good fortune and grace that surround me on a daily basis.

Schwartz Lauds Legislation

Catching up, this is from last Thursday:

U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz voted in support of legislation today that will ensure fair and adequate payment for physicians who participate in Medicare. Ensuring fair reimbursement for doctors who accept Medicare is vital to protecting access to doctors for seniors and people with disabilities.

The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009, which passed 243 to 183, prevents a scheduled 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians that would take place at the end of 2009 if Congress does not act.

“As we work to strengthen Medicare, this legislation is a critical component. Our plan permanently reforms the way Medicare pays physicians by repealing a 21 percent pay cut that is both unreasonable and unsustainable,” Schwartz said. “These cuts would lead to significant challenges with seniors being able to access health services. It is imperative that we take a long-term approach to reforming the physician payment formula so that health care providers and their patients will not have to worry about these cuts every year.”

H.R. 3691 replaces the 21 percent cut with a 1.2 percent increase for next year; replaces the current Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula with more realistic and reliable spending targets; promotes access to primary care providers by providing higher growth allowance for primary care services; and integrates care so that doctors can communicate better about the care they provide.

This legislation will also help protect access for our men and women in uniform and their families since physician payment rates in TRICARE are tied to those used by Medicare.

PA Turkeys in DC

The title of this blog post does not refer to any of our elected officials. Please note the bolded sentence in this press release from the White House:

THE PRESIDENT: Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. Welcome to the White House. On behalf of Sasha and Malia and myself, we're thrilled to see you. I want to thank Walter Pelletier, chairman of the National Turkey Federation, and Joel Brandenberger, its president, for donating this year's turkey. His name is "Courage," and he traveled here from Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he was raised under Walter's own precious care.

(Turkey gobbles.)

THE PRESIDENT: There you go. (Laughter.)

Now, the National Turkey Federation has been bringing its finest turkeys to the White House for more than 50 years. I'm told Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson actually ate their turkeys. You can't fault them for that; that's a good-looking bird. (Laughter.) President Kennedy was even given a turkey with a sign around its neck that said, "Good Eatin', Mr. President." But he showed mercy and he said, "Let's keep him going." And 20 years ago this Thanksgiving, the first President Bush issued the first official presidential pardon for a turkey.

Today, I am pleased to announce that thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha -- because I was planning to eat this sucker -- (laughter) -- "Courage" will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate. Later today, he'll head to Disneyland, where he'll be grand marshal of tomorrow's parade. And just in case "Courage" can't fulfill his responsibilities, Walter brought along another turkey, "Carolina," as an alternate, the stand-in.

Now, later this afternoon, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I will take two of their less fortunate brethren to Martha's Table, an organization that does extraordinary work to help folks here in D.C. who need it the most. And I want to thank Jaindl's Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania, for donating those dressed birds for dinner. So today, all told, I believe it's fair to say that we have saved or created four turkeys. (Laughter.)

You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office. And then there are moments like this -- (laughter) -- where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland. (Laughter.) But every single day, I am thankful for the extraordinary responsibility that the American people have placed in me. I am humbled by the privilege that it is to serve them, and the tremendous honor it is to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the finest military in the world -- and I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to every service member at home or in harm's way. We're proud of you and we are thinking of you and we're praying for you.

When my family and I sit around the table tomorrow, just like millions of other families across America, we'll take time to give our thanks for many blessings. But we'll also remember this is a time when so many members of our American family are hurting. There's no question this has been a tough year for America. We're at war. Our economy is emerging from an extraordinary recession into recovery. But there's a long way to go and a lot of work to do.

In more tranquil times, it's easy to notice our many blessings. It's even easier to take them for granted. But in times like these, they resonate a bit more powerfully. When President Lincoln set aside the National Day of Thanksgiving for the first time -- to celebrate America's "fruitful fields," "healthful skies," and the "strength and vigor" of the American people -- it was in the midst of the Civil War, just when the future of our very union was most in doubt. So think about that. When times were darkest, President Lincoln understood that our American blessings shined brighter than ever.

This is an era of new perils and new hardships. But we are, as ever, a people of endless compassion, boundless ingenuity, limitless strength. We're the heirs to a hard-earned history and stewards of a land of God-given beauty. We are Americans. And for all this, we give our humble thanks -- to our predecessors, to one another, and to God.

So on this quintessentially American holiday, as we give thanks for what we've got, let's also give back to those who are less fortunate. As we give thanks for our loved ones, let us remember those who can't be with us. And as we give thanks for our security, let's in turn thank those who've sacrificed to make it possible, wherever they may be.

Now, before this turkey gets too nervous that Bo will escape and screw up this pardon -- (laughter) -- or before I change my mind, I hereby pardon "Courage" so that he can live out the rest of his days in peace and tranquility in Disneyland.

And to every American, I want to wish you, on behalf of myself, Malia, Sasha, and Michelle, the happiest of Thanksgivings. Thank you very much, everybody. (Applause.)

The Demographics of the Fox News Audience

Catching up on some reading and found this, from the Nov. 2, 2009 issue of the New Yorker. In "Talk of the Town," a segment titled "Chin Music"

In 2008, half of the people who watched the Fox News Channel were over sixty-three, which is the oldest demographic in the cable-news business, and, according to a poll, the majority of the ones who watched the most strident programs, such as Sean Hannity's and Bill O'Reilly's shows, were men. All that chesty fulminating apparently functions as political Cialis.