Intern's Perspective: Obama Falls Short of Really Teaching Responsibility

As the first African-American president, Barack Obama has undoubtedly become a role model and a source of inspiration for many young people throughout the United States. He has risen up from hardship and achieved one of the most esteemed of titles that is granted to an individual in our nation.

Obama is aware of his ability to influence the nation’s youth. In some cases, he has taken advantage of this ability in order to try to teach kids some noble lessons. For example, during his September 8th address where in he spoke directly to students, the president reminded the nation’s youth of their need to take responsibility for themselves and their futures.

It seems to me, however, that Obama has forgotten the age old cliché that “actions speak loader than words”. President Obama can tell students that taking responsibility for oneself is important all that he wants, but unless he starts taking responsibility himself, his appeals will fail to be influential. It seems that, nearly a year after his inauguration, the President can rarely get through a speech without reminding the American people of the problems that he “inherited” from a particularly unpopular president.

This Wednesday’s speech in Wisconsin was no exception: Obama sited the inherited “financial crisis that threatened to plunge our economy into a Great Depression, the worst that we've seen in generations," and “record deficits, two wars, frayed alliances around the world," as reason for his administration’s shortcomings at present.

If President Obama really wants to teach the nation’s youth about responsibility, he will need to stop playing the blame game and start fessing up.

Do you think that President Obama is practicing what he preaches when it comes to responsibility? Do you think he’s missing out on an opportunity to teach America’s youth an important lesson?

Steele: Voters Spoke on Obama Policies

Republican leaders have quickly sought to cast their gubernatorial victories in New Jersey and Virginia as the beginning of a resurgence for their party and a sign of trouble for President Obama while the White House argues that the results are not about the president.

Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele said Wednesday that Republican victories in the governors' races demonstrated "a transcendent party" that was on the move again and credited an electorate increasingly fed up with Obama's policies.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday that while voters went to the polls in both states concerned about the economy, they were working through "very local issues that didn't involve the president."

Gibbs denied that Obama failed the first test of his ability to transfer excitement over his presidency to the campaigns of gubernatorial Democratic candidates Creigh Deeds in Virginia and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, who faced a voter backlash over the economy and a notable uptick in the government's would-be role in people's lives.

Both states backed Obama last year.

What do you think about the '09 election results?

'A Simple Christmas'

"A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories That Celebrate the True Holiday Spirit"

By Mike Huckabee

Author of the New York Times bestseller "Do the Right Thing"

"The first Christmas was a simple one. So simple that it had all the makings of a first-class disaster. It's a miracle it turned out well at all. In fact, that's the whole point. It really was, and remains, a miracle-the greatest miracle of all time. And it really was simple."

Christmas has become synonymous with shopping, overindulging, competition, and stress. But according to Mike Huckabee (who was a pastor before getting into politics), that was never God's intention. Going back to the Nativity, Christmas is supposed to be about simple things: faith, love, family, and hope. The hard part, in today's crazy world, is remembering that those simple things are the most precious of all.

Now Huckabee recounts twelve Christmas memories-often funny, sometimes deeply moving-that range from his childhood in Arkansas to his years as a young husband and father to his time as a governor and then a presidential candidate. These true stories will help you smile, take a deep breath, and maybe slow down your own holiday treadmill.

For instance, as kids, Mike and his sister would sneak open their gifts before Christmas, play with them, then rewrap them so their parents wouldn't notice. The plan worked great for several years until one Christmas morning when young Mike unwrapped a brand-new football . . . that was covered in mud. That led to a powerful lesson about patience.

In 1966, like millions of preteens, Mike was obsessed with the Beatles. He dug in his heels, telling his parents that if they wouldn't buy him a guitar for Christmas, he didn't want anything at all. He was selfish, stubborn, and obnoxious, with no idea what it would take for working-class parents to find an extra $99. It took many years for him to understand the sacrifice they made for that life-changing gift-or how it connected to the Lord's own sacrifice.

If you're looking for a little clarity, sanity, and inspiration and at this insane time of year, you're sure to enjoy "A Simple Christmas."

To learn more about the book tour please click here.

BEE-ing a Great American!

VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY EAT FREE AT APPLEBEE’S ON VETERANS DAY

Applebee’s Thanks Military Coast to Coast

LENEXA, KS – (Oct. 20, 2009) Applebee’s is saying thank you to the nation’s veterans and active duty military by inviting them for a free entrée on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.

In recognition of their service to our country, the nation’s military is invited to mark their day of honor with fellow veterans, service men and women, friends and family at any of the nearly 1,900 Applebee’s restaurants nationwide.

“Applebee’s is honored to serve those who serve our country,” said Mike Archer, president of Applebee’s Services, Inc. “It’s our way of saying thank you to the men and women who keep our neighborhoods safe. They are America’s real heroes.”

Last year, a limited number of Applebee’s restaurants tested offering the military a free entrée on Veterans Day. Because the response was so positive, every U.S. restaurant is extending the invitation this year.

Among the comments guests shared after last year’s Veterans Day:

“It’s been 30 years since I have been out of the military and this is the first gesture of appreciation by anyone that I have ever received. Thank you.” – Former SGT. USMC

“We took our favorite veteran (my 88-year-old dad, WWII USAAC vet, Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col.) out to lunch today … Dad was wearing his WWII Veteran ball cap. Our waitress today has a son over in Iraq right now, and another customer came over to say hello and thank my dad for his service. This other man was a Korean War vet who has a granddaughter serving in Iraq as a Marine. It made for a very special Veterans Day for my dad.” – Epping, NH

“My dad is my hero! He served his country bravely in Vietnam. He served so that people like me would never be forced to do so! And today, HE was served by YOU! THANK YOU for taking care of my hero today! Thank you for taking care of my dad!” – Bethel, Park, PA

Military personnel will be able to choose an entrée from six menu favorites.

Guests will be asked to show proof of service, which includes: U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform.

For more information about Veterans Day at Applebee’s, visit www.applebees.com/vetsday.

A complete listing of all Applebee’s neighborhood locations is available at www.applebees.com.