Earlier today, President Obama issued a statement revealing that the last American convoy has exited Iraq, effectively ending the Iraq war. Get the deets inside…..
On Thursday, U.S. soldiers were photographed rolling up the flag of American forces in Iraq and slipping it into a camouflage-colored sleeve, symbolically ending the Iraq war.
And in a statement on his website today, President Obama said,
Early this morning, the last of our troops left Iraq. As we honor and reflect on the sacrifices that millions of men and women made for this war, I wanted to make sure you heard the news. Bringing this war to a responsible end was a cause that sparked many Americans to get involved in the political process for the first time. Today’s outcome is a reminder that we all have a stake in our country’s future, and a say in the direction we choose.
Thank you.
Barack
Although nearly 170,000 American soldiers were on the 500 bases across the country, only around 150 U.S. soldiers will remain after Dec. 31 at the U.S. Embassy near the Tigris River.
Our thanks go out to all of our soldiers for their hardwork and dedication.
In a not-so-shocking turn of events, Republican Presidential candidate, who has grabbed the lead a few times in the polls, Herman Cain has suspended his Presidential campaign. Check out what he had to say today inside…
As the Cainwreck rolled into Atlanta today, Presidential semi-hopeful donned his sunglasses as he spoke to his supporters. And his wife was on stage to support him.
As new allegations of a possible 13-year affair with a woman named Ginger White have emerged, Hermain Cain’s campaign has taken hit after hit. So he has decided to suspend his 2012 campaign for the White House with lack of funding, sagging poll ratings, lack of foreign policy knowledge, and bad staffing cited among his major issues.
No clue what "suspending" your campaign means. Maybe he thinks everyone will forget about all his allegations until he decides to come back. Or if he is planning to come back at all. Who knows…
The Obamas got cutesy and giggly on the sidelines of the NCAA Oregon State Beavers and Towson Tigers game yesterday. The First Couple spent Small Business Saturday shoppng with Sasha and Malia, then sitting courtside to cheer on Mrs. O’s head coach brother.
Pics inside…
The President and First Lady hopped on Helicopter 1 to head to Maryland to watch their brother Craig Robinson, Oregon State’s head coach, beat out Towson yesterday afternoon. First Daughters Sasha and Malia were there a few rows behind mom and dad to cheer on their uncle as well.
First Lady Michelle looked cute in her orange heart sweatshirt and hair bun, and clearly her hubby thought so too.
The Obamas kicked it with actor Bill Murray.
And waved to the crowd.
Gota have some eats.
When members of the Towson University team spotted the First fam, they swamped them at halftime.
Loves them.
Earlier in the day, The Prez stopped by a small book store in D.C., Kramerbooks, to celebrate Small Business Saturday with his daughters:
He picked up a hardback copy of Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. The book, by Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid, critiques America’s foreign policy and ‘failed war on terror’ following the September 11 attacks.
And the girls kept it light with the picture book Everyone Poops and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever.
How lovely. First Lady Michelle Obama just revealed her brand new official portrait in the White House Garden, which she aptly created and calls the Kitchen Garden. Check out her new pic with First Dog Bo, plus what she’s revealing about her brand new book about her signature project of a garden….
Mrs. Obama and Portuguese Waterdog Bo sat for the first official portrait in the White House Garden recently. All in preparation of the First Lady’s new book about the very garden her family eats from.
First Lady Michelle is well known to pick fruits and vegetables from the garden with school kids and chefs as she continues her mission of health and fitness across the country.
She created the garden as part of a change of eating habits and health for the First Family, and the White House chefs use ingredients from the garden everyday. In her upcoming book releasing April 2012, she speaks on the joy and productivity her new creation has brought people’s lives.
According to the publicity blurb from Crown Publishing Group, First Daughters Sasha & Malia "were the catalysts for change for their family’s eating behavior which inspired her national initiative to address childhood obesity and resulted in the idea to plant a vegetable garden on the South Lawn."
On why she chose Bo to pose in the official portrait with her:
“It is me and Bo and we’re in the garden. And one of the reasons we did this picture is because we get so many letters from kids, mostly, who want to hear about the garden, they want to see it, and they also want to see Bo. Bo is really the most popular…We’ve heard so many great stories from kids who’ve been inspired and doing things like changing the way their families do things. And those letters are always just a joy to get. So we want to have something a little more tangible than just a letter to give to kids, because often it’s the visual thing that makes it real.”
She told the NY Times about the First Family’s involvement in their Kitchen Garden:
"Virtually the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull weeds, “whether they like it or not,” Mrs. Obama said with a laugh. “Now Grandma, my mom, I don’t know.” Her mother, she said, will probably sit back and say: “Isn’t that lovely. You missed a spot.”
By the way, Bo just turned 3 a couple of weeks ago. Cute!
MC Hammer is putting his political bandana on and putting his 1991 hit song "2 Legit 2 Quit" to good use. In addition to hitting the streets to Occupy Oakland, check out the hilarious remix video he just did with celebs like will.i.am in support of San Francisco mayoral candidate Ed Lee inside….
San Francisco Giant Brian Wilson, will.i.am, and plenty others threw on their Hammer pants to support interim mayor Ed Lee becoming the official mayor of San Fran.
MC Hammer remixed "2 Legit 2 Quit"…complete with the dancers and all. Peep the video above that took ,000 to make (but everyone involved did it for free). By comparison, 1 week tv air spots cost 0,000 for candidates. So Hammer is also working with politicians and tech folks in Silicon Valley (Twitter co-founder Biz Stone also appears in the vid) to prove internet technology is more impactful than other media, especially when content goes viral.
Here’s his latest tweets about the Occupy Oakland movement:
The unabated abuse of the PEOPLE can never be tolerated! They were expressing systemic frustration and pain, peacefully. #OOAK
You knew this would happen. You cannot eliminate the middle class and expect quiet resolution. #occupyoakland
The unification of the poor, the underserved and the middle class has begun … The forgone conclusion is at hand. #occupied
Now is the time to define who is the 1% There are many who are successful and give to Causes that impact the community directly.
While on a three-day bus tour through North Carolina and Virginia, The President and First Lady stopped off to pick up a few pumpkins from a roadside farmer in Hampton, VA.
See the pics inside and find out the advice The President gives to unmarried men about how to choose the perfect wife…
During a 3-day bus tour through North Carolina and Virginia, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stopped by the Joint Base Langley-Eustis in VA yesterday.
As The President gazed lovingly at Michelle, The FLOTUS spoke about a new private sector commitment to hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013.
And when he made his way to the podium and embraced his wife, The President said,
‘I hate following Michelle. She’s so good. See for you men out there who are not yet married, let me explain. The whole goal is to marry up – to try to improve your gene pool!
And while commenting on Michelle’s work with military families, he said, "..she does all this and she looks cute."
Awww! Gotta love a man who recognizes how hard it is to be an all-around fab chick.
Then the couple stopped off at a roadside market in Hampton, Virginia to pick pumpkins or the fall.
By the way, the white pumpkin was reportedly 70 lbs, and The First Lady lifted it by herself!
Will First Lady Michelle use them to decorate her garden…or perhaps make some pumpkin pies. I’m sure First Granny Marian could put her foot in some pumpkin pie….
As their movement gains nationwide attention, the Wall Street protestors have also caught the attention of several celebs who have popped up downtown in the Financial District to lend their support AND and get some face time with the throngs of media. See pics of Kanye West and Russell Simmons occupy Wall Street inside…..
The Wall Street protestors have gained the attention of the White House and……
The attention of Hip-Hop heavyweights Russell Simmons and Kanye West. Russ has been in and out of the protest meditating with the folks who are standing strong for their cause. And he brought Kanye along today:
And Uncle Rush let the world know that he supported the protests later tweeting,
The ny post has crossed the line framing the protesters as criminals. They are peace loving activists whose education level is far beyond average tea party people
Before they left, Russell and Kanye spoke about the protests with Rev. Al Sharpton on his radio program. And Russell told the listeners, "I’m happy to pay a little more taxes if it means better education for our children. I don’t pay enough taxes and I know it."
Good to know….
And in case you’ve been wondering exactly what the Occupy Wall Street (and beyond) folks are protesting about, here’s a summary:
The participants of the event are mainly protesting against social and economic inequality, corporate greed, and the influence of corporate money and lobbyists on government, among other concerns.
Liberal commentator Michael Moore had suggested this protest represents a variety of demands with a common statement about government corruption and the excessive influence of big business and the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans on U.S. laws and policies.
All hail the Chief! President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama made a stunning appearance at Saturday night’s Phoenix Awards at the Washongton, D.C. Convention Center to finish out the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference.
Pics of the celebs and politicians who came out to be seen, plus video of the President’s stirring speech, inside….
The Obamas hit the stage Saturday night to an elite room of over 3,800 politicians, celebs, lobbyists, businessmen, and more. The president himself was one of the 2011 recipients of the Phoenix Award-an award, according to the CBCF President & CEO Dr. Elsie Scott, that is presented to those whom have made significant contribution to society and symbolizes the immortality of the human spirit.
FLOTUS donned a gorgeous long black sequin skirt with a wide black sash to cinch the waist and a 3/4 sleeve black top. Fabulous.
Mr. President, looking dapper in his black suit, gave his speech mainly about the jobs bill and its importance:
Gabby Union was spotted at the dinner with boyfriend Dwyane Wade rocking a long white Rachel Roy dress:
Peep a little raw footage of Gabby & Mr. Wade schmoozing it up.
Monica & Shannon Brown popped up.
Rev. Jesse Jackson kicked it with Cuba Gooding, Jr.
George Foreman was also a 2011 Award recipient.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson posed it up with the ladies.
The U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin posed with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation President & CEO, Dr. Elsie Scott.
And at the end of the dinner, The Obamas caused a madhouse when they shook hands with crowd:
Check out the President’s speech here:
Fab times.
The Randomness:
1. Deion Sanders refutes reports that he filed from divorce from his wife Pilar. He posted on his Twitter amidst rumors of a split:
Ladies and gentlemen I never address IGNORANCE but I must at this point. I’ve never filed 4 divorce and hadn’t made a statement to ANY media
Could you imagine doing your usual Target run and seeing First Lady Michelle Obama in your checkout line?! She was spotted looking incognito today in Alexandria, VA while shopping it up.
Pics inside…
Looks like Mrs. Obama’s security threw on their street clothes to blend in because no suits with earbuds were spotted in the store.
Right outside of D.C. in Alexandria, VA, FLOTUS decided to grab a few things for 30-40 minutes with her assistant at the local Target. She was dressed in a floral button down, black pants, a Nike baseball cap, and shades. But of course, she was still somewhat noticeable. The Associated Press reported that Secret Service arrived 30 minutes before her and blended with the other customers. The only person who recognized the First Lady was her cashier!
In case you’re wondering if it was really her, the White House confirmed it this afternoon saying,
"It is not uncommon for the First Lady to slip out to run an errand, eat at a local restaurant or otherwise enjoy the city outside the White House gates," said Kristina Schake, communications director for the First Lady.
CBS News reports the pics were snapped by an Associated Press photographer who says he was tipped off that she would be there.
Sometimes you just want to do things yourself and without all the hoopla…
The Randomness:
1. Time is almost up to enter YBF’s RACHEL Rachel Roy+Amar’e Collection fashion Giveaway! ENTER NOW!
Time for a break from all the heat and hoopla the White House has been involved in lately. President Obama and the First Family headed to Martha’s Vineyard for the weekend. Mr. President, First Lady Michelle, Sasha, & Malia were all spotted out and about in the town and around their rented estate.
We’ve got the pics inside…
President O and daughters Sasha and Malia were all spotted buying some goodies at Bunch of Grapes bookstore today. The fam left out yesterday via Air Force 1–along with First Dog Bo–and plan to stay for 10 days.
Mrs. Obama was spotted leaving out on her way to the Vineyard–she and the girls left a few hours ahead of the President and Bo.
And if you’re wondering the type of spot the Fam usually rents for their vacay:
It’s a sprawling compound called Blue Heron Farm that goes for K a week.
In a recent interview with CNN, the President claimed progress on the current economic and unemployment catastrophe was being made. He said:
‘When I came into office, I knew I was going to have a big mess to clean up and, frankly, the mess has been bigger than I think a lot of people anticipated at the time. We have made steady progress on these fronts, but we’re not making progress fast enough. ‘Ultimately, the buck stops with me. I’m going to be accountable. ‘I think people understand that a lot of these problems were decades in the making. ‘People understand that this financial crisis was the worst since the Great Depression. ‘But, ultimately, they say, look, he’s the president, we think he has good intentions, but we’re impatient and we want to see things move faster.
He’s set to reveal his new plan for unemployment in September.
