President Barack Obama wishes all moms a happy Mother’s Day as he reflects on the influence his mother and grandmother had on him, as well as why First Lady Michelle Obama is the best mom he knows.
On Wed., May 9, President Barack Obama announced his support of same-sex marriage during an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, which will air in full on Thursday’s Good Morning America. The President described his thought process as an “evolution” which led him to his decision, based on conversations with First Lady Michelle Obama, their daughters, Sasha and Malia, as well as gay and lesbian staff and service members.
I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.
While 30 states have banned same-sex marriage, the President stressed that his views are a personal position and he supports states’ rights to decide on the issue. He adds, though, that he thinks more Americans will grow more comfortable with same-sex marriage, commenting on his daughters’ take on it: Continue
On Sat., May 5, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off the Obama re-election campaign with rallies at Ohio State University in Columbus and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
Speaking at the rallies before introducing her husband, Mrs. Obama said: “This journey is going to be long and hard. But that’s how all change happens in this country.”
Barack cannot do this alone. And fortunately, he never has. We have always moved this country forward together. And today, more than ever before, Barack needs your help…He needs every single one of you — every single one of you to give just a little part of your life each week to this campaign…We have come so far, but we have so much more to do. And if we want to keep on moving forward then we need to work our hearts out for the man that I have the pleasure of introducing here today.
On Tues., May 1, President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on the one-year anniversary of the death of Osama bin Laden where he signed an agreement with Afghanistan pledging commitment to the country and the eventual withdrawal of troops.
After meeting President Hamid Karzai, President Obama met with U.S. troops at Bagram Air Base, thanking them for their service and sacrifice:
When we see our homeland violated, when we see our fellow citizens killed, then we understand what we have to do. And because of the sacrifices now of a decade, and a new Greatest Generation, not only were we able to blunt the Taliban momentum, not only were we able to drive al Qaeda out of Afghanistan, but slowly and systematically we have been able to decimate the ranks of al Qaeda, and a year ago we were able to finally bring Osama bin Laden to justice.
That could have only happened because each and every one of you, in your own way, were doing your jobs. Each and every one of you — without a lot of fanfare, without a lot of fuss — you did your jobs. No matter how small or how big, you were faithful to the oath that you took to protect this nation. And your families did their job — supporting you and loving you and remembering you and being there for you.
[audio:http://cdn.concreteloop.com/wp-content/uploads/Lupe-Fiasco-Around-My-Way-Freedom-Aint-Free-BMF.mp3]♫ Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)
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