....presidency:

Obama and family hand out food at a Chicago church
By SARA KUGLER, Associated Press Writer


CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama and his wife took their daughters
to work at a food bank on the day before Thanksgiving, saying they
wanted to show the girls the meaning of the holiday, especially when so
many people are struggling.

Ten-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha joined their parents to shake
hands and give holiday wishes to hundreds of people who had been lined
up for hours at the food bank on Chicago's south side.

Sasha wore a pink stocking hat over her pigtails and Malia had on a
purple striped hat as the family handed out wrapped chickens to the
needy in the chilly outdoor courtyard. Those seeking food on Wednesday
at St. Columbanus also received boxes with potatoes, oranges, fresh
bread, peanut butter, canned goods, oatmeal, spaghetti and coffee.

The president-elect, dressed casually in a leather jacket, black scarf
and khaki pants, was in a jovial mood, calling out "happy thanksgiving"
and telling everyone "you can call me Barack."

He told reporters that he wants the girls "to learn the importance of
how fortunate they are, and to make sure they're giving back."

The soon-to-be first lady said the Obamas wanted to give their children
"an understanding of what giving and Thanksgiving is all about."

The Obama family's activities in the courtyard quickly drew the
attention of schoolchildren whose windows overlooked the courtyard. They
put up a sign against the glass that read: "We love our prez" and
screamed when the president-elect waved to them.

Obama then turned to his wife and suggested they go visit the kids.
Secret Service agents, looking surprised, disappeared inside the
building to accommodate his request.

Minutes later, hundreds of children were brought down to the school
auditorium, and Obama loped onstage as they screamed and cheered.

"I just wanted to come by and wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving," he
said. He then asked the children what they would be eating for
Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey? Stuffing? Green beans? Sweet potato pie?

Perhaps it was a hint at the planned menu for the Obamas, who are
planning to host a holiday gathering at their Hyde Park home.

The president-elect then took questions from the children, one of whom
wanted to know what it was like to be followed around all the time. It
is a topic that seems to touch a nerve in Obama, who has lamented the
lack of privacy that comes with his new job.

"I gotta admit, sometimes it's kinda strange ... you just want to go
take a walk or go out and ride your bike or something, and you always
have someone with you," Obama said. "So you don't have a lot of privacy
and that's one of the things you have to sacrifice in order to run for
president."

This was terrific!!

- During a visit to a local charity, President Bush called on
Americans to support charities of all kinds, especially during the
holiday season. The Corporation for National and Community Service
website (www.nationalservice.org) has been updated to provide
information for all Americans who are interested in supporting a
charity -- either with financial support or by volunteering.
- The President also announced more than $1 billion in new grants to
help the homeless through the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.

- The President encouraged Congress to pass legislation enacting his
Armies of Compassion initiative to significantly expand incentives for
charitable giving, provide equal treatment for non-governmental
organizations and support those Americans most in need.

Background on the President's Visit
- The President visited So Others Might Eat, a Washington, DC
interfaith charity that provides food, medical, rehabilitative and
other assistance to the homeless. The President met with the group's
volunteers, who help to serve more than 300,000 meals per year to the
homeless.

- To support efforts by community organizations to aid the homeless,
the President announced more than $1 billion in grants through the
Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants, part of HUD's
Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant programs, will help the
homeless to find emergency shelter, transitional housing and a
permanent home. These funds will go to state and local governments and
non-profit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

- The President's Armies of Compassion initiative is designed to
improve the federal government's efforts to support and encourage the
good work of community-based non-profits. Many of America's charities
have been hit hard in the aftermath of September 11 due to the effects
of a weakened economy. A recent survey by the Independent Sector found
that 48% of Americans will reduce their charitable giving in the next
six months if the economic slowdown worsens. The survey also found
that 26% of Americans will stop giving or reduce the size of their
donations to the charities they normally support due to their recent
donation to September 11-related charitable causes.

- For many of the nonprofits providing vital, ongoing services to our
communities, a 25% reduction in contributions during the most
significant fund-raising period of the year would force the reduction
or even elimination of services to some of our neediest individuals
and families.

- President Bush wants to expand the resources available to charities
of all kinds by making it easier for individuals, businesses and other
organizations to donate money and resources to charitable
organizations nationwide. The House of Representatives has already
passed bipartisan legislation to support these efforts - and leading
Senators are preparing to introduce an Armies of Compassion bill.

The Armies of Compassion initiative includes:
(1) Programs aimed at increasing charitable giving through tax
incentives.

- Allow individuals to make tax-free distributions from their IRAs to
charities;
- Provide enhanced deductions for farmers and restaurants to donate
food to food banks; and
- Allow an estimated 84 million taxpayers who do not itemize to deduct
their charitable contributions;

(2) Equal treatment for all non-governmental organizations ? sacred or
secular.

- Require non-discrimination against non-governmental organizations
based on religious grounds, including religious iconography,
governance, and experience with government contracts;
- Create 501(c)3 "EZ Pass" process so community-based groups can get
tax-deductible status more easily; and
- Establish a Compassion Capital Fund to educate and empower community-
based organizations.

wrote in message
...
This was terrific!!

- During a visit to a local charity, President Bush called on
Americans to support charities of all kinds, especially during the
holiday season. The Corporation for National and Community Service
website (www.nationalservice.org) has been updated to provide
information for all Americans who are interested in supporting a
charity -- either with financial support or by volunteering.
- The President also announced more than $1 billion in new grants to
help the homeless through the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.

- The President encouraged Congress to pass legislation enacting his
Armies of Compassion initiative to significantly expand incentives for
charitable giving, provide equal treatment for non-governmental
organizations and support those Americans most in need.

Background on the President's Visit
- The President visited So Others Might Eat, a Washington, DC
interfaith charity that provides food, medical, rehabilitative and
other assistance to the homeless. The President met with the group's
volunteers, who help to serve more than 300,000 meals per year to the
homeless.

- To support efforts by community organizations to aid the homeless,
the President announced more than $1 billion in grants through the
Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants, part of HUD's
Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant programs, will help the
homeless to find emergency shelter, transitional housing and a
permanent home. These funds will go to state and local governments and
non-profit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

- The President's Armies of Compassion initiative is designed to
improve the federal government's efforts to support and encourage the
good work of community-based non-profits. Many of America's charities
have been hit hard in the aftermath of September 11 due to the effects
of a weakened economy. A recent survey by the Independent Sector found
that 48% of Americans will reduce their charitable giving in the next
six months if the economic slowdown worsens. The survey also found
that 26% of Americans will stop giving or reduce the size of their
donations to the charities they normally support due to their recent
donation to September 11-related charitable causes.

- For many of the nonprofits providing vital, ongoing services to our
communities, a 25% reduction in contributions during the most
significant fund-raising period of the year would force the reduction
or even elimination of services to some of our neediest individuals
and families.

- President Bush wants to expand the resources available to charities
of all kinds by making it easier for individuals, businesses and other
organizations to donate money and resources to charitable
organizations nationwide. The House of Representatives has already
passed bipartisan legislation to support these efforts - and leading
Senators are preparing to introduce an Armies of Compassion bill.

The Armies of Compassion initiative includes:
(1) Programs aimed at increasing charitable giving through tax
incentives.

- Allow individuals to make tax-free distributions from their IRAs to
charities;
- Provide enhanced deductions for farmers and restaurants to donate
food to food banks; and
- Allow an estimated 84 million taxpayers who do not itemize to deduct
their charitable contributions;

(2) Equal treatment for all non-governmental organizations ? sacred or
secular.

- Require non-discrimination against non-governmental organizations
based on religious grounds, including religious iconography,
governance, and experience with government contracts;
- Create 501(c)3 "EZ Pass" process so community-based groups can get
tax-deductible status more easily; and
- Establish a Compassion Capital Fund to educate and empower community-
based organizations.



Gee. A President acting like a president and not your local community
organizer.
What a concept.

Eisboch

Eisboch wrote:
wrote in message
...
This was terrific!!

- During a visit to a local charity, President Bush called on
Americans to support charities of all kinds, especially during the
holiday season. The Corporation for National and Community Service
website (www.nationalservice.org) has been updated to provide
information for all Americans who are interested in supporting a
charity -- either with financial support or by volunteering.
- The President also announced more than $1 billion in new grants to
help the homeless through the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.

- The President encouraged Congress to pass legislation enacting his
Armies of Compassion initiative to significantly expand incentives for
charitable giving, provide equal treatment for non-governmental
organizations and support those Americans most in need.

Background on the President's Visit
- The President visited So Others Might Eat, a Washington, DC
interfaith charity that provides food, medical, rehabilitative and
other assistance to the homeless. The President met with the group's
volunteers, who help to serve more than 300,000 meals per year to the
homeless.

- To support efforts by community organizations to aid the homeless,
the President announced more than $1 billion in grants through the
Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants, part of HUD's
Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant programs, will help the
homeless to find emergency shelter, transitional housing and a
permanent home. These funds will go to state and local governments and
non-profit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

- The President's Armies of Compassion initiative is designed to
improve the federal government's efforts to support and encourage the
good work of community-based non-profits. Many of America's charities
have been hit hard in the aftermath of September 11 due to the effects
of a weakened economy. A recent survey by the Independent Sector found
that 48% of Americans will reduce their charitable giving in the next
six months if the economic slowdown worsens. The survey also found
that 26% of Americans will stop giving or reduce the size of their
donations to the charities they normally support due to their recent
donation to September 11-related charitable causes.

- For many of the nonprofits providing vital, ongoing services to our
communities, a 25% reduction in contributions during the most
significant fund-raising period of the year would force the reduction
or even elimination of services to some of our neediest individuals
and families.

- President Bush wants to expand the resources available to charities
of all kinds by making it easier for individuals, businesses and other
organizations to donate money and resources to charitable
organizations nationwide. The House of Representatives has already
passed bipartisan legislation to support these efforts - and leading
Senators are preparing to introduce an Armies of Compassion bill.

The Armies of Compassion initiative includes:
(1) Programs aimed at increasing charitable giving through tax
incentives.

- Allow individuals to make tax-free distributions from their IRAs to
charities;
- Provide enhanced deductions for farmers and restaurants to donate
food to food banks; and
- Allow an estimated 84 million taxpayers who do not itemize to deduct
their charitable contributions;

(2) Equal treatment for all non-governmental organizations ? sacred or
secular.

- Require non-discrimination against non-governmental organizations
based on religious grounds, including religious iconography,
governance, and experience with government contracts;
- Create 501(c)3 "EZ Pass" process so community-based groups can get
tax-deductible status more easily; and
- Establish a Compassion Capital Fund to educate and empower community-
based organizations.



Gee. A President acting like a president and not your local community
organizer.
What a concept.

Eisboch



Bush tries to act like a president but he's a lousy actor.

On Nov 26, 9:30*pm, Boater wrote:
...presidency:

Obama and family hand out food at a Chicago church
By SARA KUGLER, Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama and his wife took their daughters
to work at a food bank on the day before Thanksgiving, saying they
wanted to show the girls the meaning of the holiday, especially when so
many people are struggling.

Ten-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha joined their parents to shake
hands and give holiday wishes to hundreds of people who had been lined
up for hours at the food bank on Chicago's south side.

Sasha wore a pink stocking hat over her pigtails and Malia had on a
purple striped hat as the family handed out wrapped chickens to the
needy in the chilly outdoor courtyard. Those seeking food on Wednesday
at St. Columbanus also received boxes with potatoes, oranges, fresh
bread, peanut butter, canned goods, oatmeal, spaghetti and coffee.

The president-elect, dressed casually in a leather jacket, black scarf
and khaki pants, was in a jovial mood, calling out "happy thanksgiving"
and telling everyone "you can call me Barack."

He told reporters that he wants the girls "to learn the importance of
how fortunate they are, and to make sure they're giving back."

The soon-to-be first lady said the Obamas wanted to give their children
"an understanding of what giving and Thanksgiving is all about."

The Obama family's activities in the courtyard quickly drew the
attention of schoolchildren whose windows overlooked the courtyard. They
put up a sign against the glass that read: "We love our prez" and
screamed when the president-elect waved to them.

Obama then turned to his wife and suggested they go visit the kids.
Secret Service agents, looking surprised, disappeared inside the
building to accommodate his request.

Minutes later, hundreds of children were brought down to the school
auditorium, and Obama loped onstage as they screamed and cheered.

"I just wanted to come by and wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving," he
said. He then asked the children what they would be eating for
Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey? Stuffing? Green beans? Sweet potato pie?

Perhaps it was a hint at the planned menu for the Obamas, who are
planning to host a holiday gathering at their Hyde Park home.

The president-elect then took questions from the children, one of whom
wanted to know what it was like to be followed around all the time. It
is a topic that seems to touch a nerve in Obama, who has lamented the
lack of privacy that comes with his new job.

"I gotta admit, sometimes it's kinda strange ... you just want to go
take a walk or go out and ride your bike or something, and you always
have someone with you," Obama said. "So you don't have a lot of privacy
and that's one of the things you have to sacrifice in order to run for
president."

Still campaigning.

I rest assured he is taking full advantage of every photo-Op, as well.

On Nov 26, 10:39*pm, wrote:
On Nov 26, 9:30*pm, Boater wrote:


Still campaigning.

I rest assured he is taking full advantage of every photo-Op, as well.

Of course... it's a story and situation designed to appeal to the
simple-minded among us. Every pol has done this stuff since the
beginning of time. Funny how it captured a certain person's
attention. "It's terrific!" ~snerk~

On Nov 26, 9:46*pm, wrote:
On Nov 26, 10:39*pm, wrote:

On Nov 26, 9:30*pm, Boater wrote:

Still campaigning.

I rest assured he is taking full advantage of every photo-Op, as well.

Of course... it's a story and situation designed to appeal to the
simple-minded among us. *Every pol has done this stuff since the
beginning of time. *Funny how it captured a certain person's
attention. *"It's terrific!" *~snerk~

"And he stuck in his thumb, and he pulled out a plumb; and..."

You know the rest.

wrote:
On Nov 26, 10:39 pm, wrote:
On Nov 26, 9:30 pm, Boater wrote:


Still campaigning.

I rest assured he is taking full advantage of every photo-Op, as well.

Of course... it's a story and situation designed to appeal to the
simple-minded among us. Every pol has done this stuff since the
beginning of time. Funny how it captured a certain person's
attention. "It's terrific!" ~snerk~


Speaking of simple minded, *you* voted for Palin.

Boater wrote:
wrote:
On Nov 26, 10:39 pm, wrote:
On Nov 26, 9:30 pm, Boater wrote:


Still campaigning.

I rest assured he is taking full advantage of every photo-Op, as well.

Of course... it's a story and situation designed to appeal to the
simple-minded among us. Every pol has done this stuff since the
beginning of time. Funny how it captured a certain person's
attention. "It's terrific!" ~snerk~


Speaking of simple minded, *you* voted for Palin.

You voted for Biden the American gaffmaster. At least we wont have to
listen to his pompous arrogant ass for the next four years. The
nomination of Hillary as SoS has put Biden out to pasture.

"BAR" wrote in message
...
Boater wrote:
wrote:
On Nov 26, 10:39 pm, wrote:
On Nov 26, 9:30 pm, Boater wrote:


Still campaigning.

I rest assured he is taking full advantage of every photo-Op, as well.

Of course... it's a story and situation designed to appeal to the
simple-minded among us. Every pol has done this stuff since the
beginning of time. Funny how it captured a certain person's
attention. "It's terrific!" ~snerk~


Speaking of simple minded, *you* voted for Palin.

You voted for Biden the American gaffmaster. At least we wont have to
listen to his pompous arrogant ass for the next four years. The nomination
of Hillary as SoS has put Biden out to pasture.


I heard he is also going to be appointed Amtrak railroad Czar.

Eisboch