President Obama pays tribute to veterans at Arlington National Cemetary, saying the following:
In this time of war, we gather here mindful that the generations serving today already deserves a place alongside previous generations for the courage they have shown and the sacrifices that they have made.
In an era where so many acted only in pursuit of narrow self-interests, they've chosen the opposite. They chose to serve the cause that is greater than self, many even after they knew they would be sent into harm's way.
For the better part of a decade they have endured tour after tour in distant and difficult places. They have protected us from danger and they have given others the opportunity for a better life.
So, to all of them, to our veterans, to the fallen, and to their families, there is no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice.
Rep. John Boehner issued the following statement:
This is a particularly somber Veterans Day, as tragedy has focused our attention on the tremendous sacrifices the members of our Armed Forces have made to protect this nation. We honor the memories of the fallen and keep faith with their loved ones, whose quiet courage sets an example for all of us.
One generation of Americans after another has answered the call of duty without fail. These brave men and women call themselves veterans. We call them heroes. Today, we renew our commitment to repaying the debt we owe them knowing we can never fully do so except to cherish the blessings of freedom they have preserved for us and stand with the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who carry on in their stead.
On the Senate floor, Senator Max Baucus said:
Our fallen heroes fought and died for our great nation and all that it represents. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. We must honor their legacies by remembering their sacrifice as we carry on with our lives.
As the November 3 elections are upon us, we thought it appropriate to take a look at a few of this year's candidates who are quite literally putting it all on the line. From a 26-year-old student mother to a "Rent Too High" party candidate, get the names and platforms of those going against the grain -- and perhaps even the vote -- during this election season.
Kenneth Kaplan - Candidate for Governor of New Jersey
Party: Independent
Plan: Taxes - "We need to move away from broad based taxes in favor of user fees." Gay rights - A marriage equality law is needed in New Jersey to allow same sex couples to marry. Housing - The state must enact legislation to supersede local zoning ordinances, removing zoning barriers which currently prevent owners of single family homes from converting them to two family homes and the owners of two family homes from converting them to three families.
What You Didn't Know: Kaplan worked as a real estate broker for six years before founding his own realty company.
Quote:
"Every adult should have the right to make his or her own choices as to what to ingest—be it alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or cherry pie. Let our drug laws continue to protect children, but let adults have freedom of choice."
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Joshua Leinsdorf- Candidate for Governor of New Jersey
Party:
Independent
Plan: Legalize and tax marijuana
Collect sales tax on internet sales
Abolish county government
Abolish the Council on Affordable Housing
What You Didn't Know:
In 1968, Josh left Columbia University to work on Eugene McCarthy's presidential campaign as the national travel coordinator.
Quote: "I favor entirely abolishing county government, the source of most of the corruption, incompetence and waste in government, consolidating local governments, and prohibiting gerrymandering."
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Gary Stein, Candidate for Governor of New Jersey
Party:
Independent
Plan / Focus:
Boycotting Cancun
Border security
Illegal immigration
What You Didn't Know: Stein doesn't care so much about even being governor. His objective is to draw media attention to immigration problems and corruption south of the border. "I can't even lead the people of my own household," says Stein, "so how could I lead the state?"
Quote:
"The solution to this immigration nightmare is really quite simple. A boycott by us of Cancun for starters..."
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Joseph L. Dobrian, Candidate for Mayor of New York
Party:
Libertarian
Plan:
The repeal of malicious and punitive taxes, onerous regulations, and laws that penalize private conduct. Also, he aims to make New York fun again, and he would like to make smoking in bars legal.
What You Didn't Know:
Designs his own suits
Quote:
"As Mayor, I will leave you alone."
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Jimmy McMillan, Candidate for Mayor of New York
Party: Rent Is Too High
Plan:
Tenants will pay $550 per month in rent in buildings built before 2001, and $750 per month in buildings built after 2001.
What You Didn't Know: McMillan has a 10th-degree black belt in karate.
The arrest of two Chicago men on charges of involvement in overseas terror plots has left many Windy City residents on edge. These arrests follow not far behind the recent arrest of Najibullah Zazi in a possible intercepted New York City terror plot.
For the full story, click here. But first, let us know your thoughts:
Do you find yourself fearful or worrisome about possible threats to the nation on a daily basis, or do you tend to not give it much thought?
A major priority of President Obama has been to engage in diplomacy with adversaries like Iran and North Korea, and to pursue a vigorous diplomatic strategy between the Israelis and Palestinians. The militaristic tone of the Bush administration has been replaced (and Nobel Peace Prize rewarded)by one of engagement.
Which makes it all the more puzzling why the White House seems unwilling to talk to Fox News, and has accused it of not being a real news organization. The first salvo was fired by the White House Director of Communications, who apparently isn't very good at living up to her title. The Obama administration has reached out repeatedly to Republicans and conservative Democrats to achieve a consensus on healthcare reform and other issues. So why not talk to Fox News?
As a regular guest on The Strategy Room at foxnews.com, I have had the pleasure and privilege of engaging in spirited but respectful discourse with pundits from the left, right and center. Each show is hosted by a skilled reporter from Fox News, who I may sometimes vehemently disagree with, but always respect their journalistic integrity. To insinuate that these hard working journalists are not part of a real news organization is offensive and completely offbase. As a liberal political comedian, I can find comedic fodder with some of the opinion/entertainment hosts at the channel, but they are clearly not part of the news gathering and reporting operation at Fox News.
Even if one accepts The White House assertion that Fox News coverage is unfair to the President, what better way to counter that than to have Obama and other White House officials appear on Fox News to get their message across in their own words? If the Obama administration can talk to Iran and North Korea, they can surely sit down with Chris Wallace or Bill O'Reilly, as Obama did during the campaign.
And when President Obama appeared on Fox News during the campaign, he probably gained some votes from the many independents who view the channel. Which flies in the face of the comments by Robert Gibbs and others that there is no point in trying to reach out to Fox viewers. As a comedian, I know the importance of knowing your audience. You would think that the politically savvy White House would take the time to know the Fox News audience, and not completely write them off.
President Obama and his entire White House team should stop beating on Fox News, and start being on Fox News.
SenateFinanceCommittee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., left, shakes hands with committee member Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, as Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is seen at center, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington, after a committee vote regarding the health care reform bill.
Tell us what you think about the Committee's vote to send its version of the bill to the Senate floor!
FOX News Channel's "Team Washington" is about all things politics. Check back daily for web exclusives from Special Report's Bret Baier, quotes of the day, viewer votes and more.
