President Obama's Weekly Address 12/19/15: Top 10 Things that Happened in 2015

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, the President celebrated the end of the year tradition of list-making with a year-in-review list of his own. The President offered his roundup of the top 10 things that happened in 2015, all of which should make us optimistic about the prospects for 2016. This past year has been one where we’ve seen unprecedented progress in areas ranging from the Iran deal to marriage equality to concluding a historic trade agreement. The year 2015 brought economic growth, with our unemployment rate dropping to five percent; the normalization of our relations with Cuba and a newly opened U.S. Embassy in Havana; and a historic agreement in Paris to take real action on climate change. The President acknowledged the significant progress of the past year, and looked forward to 2016 and all we have yet to accomplish.

President Obama's Weekly Address 7/18/15: A Comprehensive, Long-Term Deal with Iran

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, the President explained the comprehensive, long-term deal announced earlier this week that will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This agreement cuts off every pathway that Iran could take to develop a nuclear weapon, implements unprecedented monitoring and inspections of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, and ensures that if Iran violates these terms, the strict sanctions previously imposed on the country will snap back into place. This is a good deal that demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change that makes our country, and the world, safer and more secure.

President Obama's Weekly Address 4/4/15: Reaching a Comprehensive and Long-Term Deal on Iran’s Nuclear Program

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President described the historic understanding the United States – with our allies and partners – reached with Iran, which, if fully implemented, will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and will make our country, our allies, and our world safer. The deal, announced on Thursday, meets our core objectives of cutting off every pathway that Iran could take to develop a nuclear weapon. It is both comprehensive and long-term, and includes robust and intrusive inspections of the country’s nuclear program. The President reiterated that the deal is not yet done – and if there is backsliding from Iran in the months to come, there will be no deal. He echoed his belief that a diplomatic resolution is by far the best option, and promised to continue to fully brief Congress and the American people on the substance and progress of the negotiations in the months to come.

Buono: Public Contracts Must Uphold New Jersey Values

New Brunswick, NJ – Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Barbara Buono issued the following statement:

“It is outrageous that Governor Christie's Administration would award a public contract to a subsidiary of a Chinese government-owned business with ties to Iran. This is a violation of the Iran Sanction bill and clearly out of line with New Jersey values. The fact that we even have to question this is troubling.

"The Administration has failed to ensure that this contract was both financially beneficial and morally right. I call on the Governor to clarify the criteria he used to develop the list and confirm that he is not awarding public contracts to foreign companies doing business with Iran."

Send a message to our troops

I found this link while going through the online addition of the Asbury Park Press. The link is from USAToday and it allows individuals to video record a special holiday message to those serving in our military. The video below is an example of what the messages could look like, it is really all up to you. I hope many take advantage of this opportunity.

"This holiday season, many American families are separated by war — some for the second or third time as troops serve repeated tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Now USA TODAY is providing a way for those families to share video messages and for everyone to join the conversation. To send your own message to the troops, simply press record."

President Obama's Weekly Adress 11/20/10: New START Treaty "Fundamental" to Security

The President says ratifying the New START, a pivotal treaty with Russia on nuclear weapons, must happen this year. He explains that failure to ratify the treaty this year would not only mean losing our nuclear inspectors in Russia, but also undermine the international coalition pressuring Iran, put at risk the transit routes used to equip our troops in Afghanistan, and undo decades American leadership and bipartisanship on nuclear security.

President Obama's Weekly Address: 11/21/09 Traveling Abroad for Our Economy at Home

In an address recorded in Seoul, South Korea, the President discusses his trip to Asia. He talks about his push to stop nuclear proliferation in North Korea, Iran, and around the world. He talks about promoting America's principles for an open society in China while making progress on joint efforts to combat climate change. And talks in-depth about the primary objective of his trip: engaging in new markets that hold tremendous potential to spur job creation here at home.

Obama Sends Message to Iran Via Twitter

President Obama sent a message, in Persian, to the Iranian people earlier today via Twitter that links back to the White House blog page .

The White House blog posted the President's opening remarks about Iran during today's press conference.

The President stated "…The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days. I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost...."

The President's message to the Iranian people is a clear sign that he has taken a firmer stance against the violence and authoritaian crackdown of the Iranian government against it's people.

Iran's supreme leader dismisses Obama overtures

Yahoo News-

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's supreme leader rebuffed President Barack Obama's latest outreach on Saturday, saying Tehran was still waiting to see concrete changes in U.S. policy.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was responding to a video message Obama released Friday in which he reached out to Iran on the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian new year, and expressed hopes for an improvement in nearly 30 years of strained relations.

Khamenei holds the last word on major policy decisions, and how Iran ultimately responds to any concrete U.S. effort to engage the country will depend largely on his say.

In his most direct assessment of Obama and prospects for better ties, Khamenei said there will be no change between the two countries unless the American president puts an end to U.S. hostility toward Iran and brings "real changes" in foreign policy.

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The President's Message to the Iranian People

President Obama's special video message for all those celebrating Nowruz, or "New Day." This year, the President wanted to send a special message to the people and government of Iran, acknowledging the strain in our relations over the last few decades. After committing his administration to a future of honest and respectful diplomacy, he addresses Iran's leaders directly