image: Zuma Press

Obama and his wife, Michelle, will be traveling to Copenhagen, Denmark to pitch to the International Olympic Committee which will be the first time a U.S. president actually showed up in person to beg on behalf of the host city.

“President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama symbolize the hope, opportunity and inspiration that makes Chicago great, and we are honored to have two of our city’s most accomplished residents leading our delegation in Copenhagen,” Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said in a statement. “Who better to share with members of the International Olympic Committee the commitment and enthusiasm Chicago has for the Olympic and Paralympic Movement than the President and First Lady.”

I’d like to see Chicago win the bid but, to be honest, I think they all could be great host cities.

Post from: EveryJoe

Obama Boosting Chicago’s 2016 Olympic Bid

In the interview, the discussion started heading towards the idea of a potential government bailout or other options for the newspapers. President Obama said he hadn’t seen any detailed proposals, but would be open to options to help the struggling papers.

We’re advancing technology right? Why do we need to support an industry that doesn’t need to be saved? I believe the reason they’re failing is because the newspapers haven’t adjusted to the changing of media and the economic impacts of those changes.

Barack says he’s concerned that if there were no newspapers or other official media outlets, and all the news was left up to the blogosphere we’d be at a loss. I find that a bit interesting since the blogosphere is what he used so effectively in his campaign.

Why can’t the newspapers exist purely online and in a digital format? Why can’t the same people that have been writing for print media, just write for the web? Advertising they sold for the print edition can now be sold in their digital format and they can get an even wider subscriber base. For example, I’d love to be able to subscribe to my little hometown paper from the tiny city I grew up in. It’s not worth them printing and mailing me a copy of the paper, but to give me access to it electronically or all the stories on their website. That’s a great deal!

Bailing out the newspapers to keep printing birdcage carpet isn’t a great idea!

We might as well go ahead and bailout candle makers, blacksmiths and typewriter companies?

Post from: EveryJoe

Is Obama Open to Newspaper Bailout?

People are objecting to the new rules of the Obama administration on the border laptop searches which is similar to the Bush administration policy. In the Bush administration, Homeland Security Department are allowed to seize traveler’s laptops and other digital gears with no question and no guarantee of return and no explanation when remained unreturned.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has issued a new directive about the electronic border searches. While the new directive isn’t as suffocating and scary as that of the Bush administration, the Homeland Security would still be able to seize the laptops and gears but this time they have set boundaries on the things they can look at and how long they can hold the devices.

This law is shady and the Homeland Security could easily step over boundaries of whether materials found in the laptop relates to National security or not. Earlier this week, a man got arrested for smuggling child pornography over the Canadian border, while this action is not right, the DHS doesn’t have jurisdiction on this. Well, they can always argue it’s for the National Security.

Anyways, one scary thing are the security personnel who could misjudge your behavior and see you as a potential suspect where they seize your electronic gadgets and laptops.

I could remember in one of my travels in recent years I was wearing shorts, slippers, and a cap with a not so friendly logo. The next thing I knew I was being escorted in a covered corner and security personnel were searching all over my things. That was an inconvenient experience for me and I could imagine the power of the DHS to see people’s behavior differently and make their lives hell.

Would you agree on this new policy? I would suggest that every time you travel, look at the mirror and make sure you look good in front of security personnel.

Image from Homeland Security.

Post from: EveryJoe

Clean you Laptops, double check them up before leaving

The article I read about his statement says that the Obama household living in the White House is a Wii family. Was he taking sides? Why didn’t he mention the Wii specifically instead of the Xbox?

Now I’m not saying we should read too much into this. Who really knows why he mentioned Xbox initially instead of the game console he’s familiar with on a personal level. The more I think about it though the more I’m wondering what happens. You think he throws down some Wii bowling to relax from a long day in the Oval Office? Why wouldn’t he?

How do you manage your kid’s time spent on gaming consoles, computers, tv, cellphones, etc.? How are your kids doing with their grades and school activities? Do you find a balance? How do you manage that balance?

Post from: EveryJoe

Obama Supports the Wii-House

Image: EA SPORTS

From Peter Moore:

Of course, I can’t resist pointing out that while I’ve always wholeheartedly endorsed moderation in anything you do, including playing games, it may be time for the President and his family to put their Wii to good use and fire up the 30-Day Challenge with EA SPORTS Active. This is a “game” even the President may not want to “step away” from.

…

Mr. President, here is my challenge to you: Try EA SPORTS Active and I guarantee you’ll need aides saying “Yes You Can!” to finish your first workout.

So what do you think? With President Obama step up to President Moore’s challenge and start to get active with EA SPORTS Active? Have you tried this Wii video game yourself?  You can read about the participants in the Wii 30 Day Fitness Challenge and check out their results at easportsactive.com.

Post from: EveryJoe

EA Sports Boss Challenges Obama

Harrison, who set a record during the Super Bowl with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, said he will skip the customary visit with the President of the United States. Why will Harrison pass on the invite to meet Barack Obama?

This is what Harrison told Andrew Stockey of WTAE Channel 4 Action News: “This is how I feel — if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don’t win the Super Bowl. As far as I’m concerned, he would’ve invited Arizona if they had won.”

Wow. Just wow.

Harrison apparently doesn’t get the concept that the team that wins the Super Bowl gets an invite from the President to meet at the White House.

Wow.

Barack Obama Thinks This James Harrison Story is Funny (Image: Flickr)

Post from: EveryJoe

James Harrison to Skip Barack Obama Invite

image: Newscom

Apparently, the American President loves to watch Entourage (me too!) which is about an up-and-coming actor and his group of friends (and brother) after he moves out to Hollywood.  It’s based loosely on the life of Mark Wahlberg, who produces the series.  I didn’t know that the character of Ari Gold (a talent agent played perfectly by Jeremy Piven) is actually based on Endeavor’s Ari Emanuel, who is actually the brother of Obama’s chief-of-staff, Rahm Emanuel.  That’s got to make Ari’s antics even more hilarious.

How much does Obama like the show?  One White House mouthpiece claims that the campaign schedule was rearranged so that he never had to miss an episode.  WOW!

He also admitted to liking The Wire and ESPN’s “Sportcenter” (I watch it almost every night too!).

Post from: EveryJoe

What TV Shows Does Obama Watch?