United States: Blood for Money Scheme

17 December 2009
by HRM Deborah

US Federal officials visited the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Illinois, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of Chicago on the 16 November 2009. The Obama administration officials are considering the now minimum security Illinois prison as a possible location to house alleged foreign terrorism suspects moved from the Guantanamo Bay Concentration Camp in Cuba.

The plan being considered for the Thomson Correctional Center, pitched by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn in a recent meeting with US President Barack Obama, calls for the Federal Bureau of Prisons to operate it as a maximum-security “prison” and lease a portion to the US Defense Department to house an estimated 200 Guantanamo detainees. The plans could include a purchase of the facility by the federal government, Quinn said.

Which this comes at a time when the small economic depressed town of about 600 people seems excited towards a minute opportunity to work at the facility if it does comes into reality for the contention that the US military as in Guantanamo Bay will still be the overseers, which such as this on US soil brings once again into International legal focus of not just an actual populated concentration camp there and not a normal prison setting; but the continued noncompliance of the majority of innocent political hostages being held not just currently on Cuban soil; but now possibly within the US itself.

It also stands into question of the same practices of torture, religious discrimination, murder and other human rights violations will be initiated at Thompson and when will the US Concentration Camp system cease.

Obamanomics: 1 in 6 Americans live in poverty, revised estimates say

20 October 2009
By Hope Yen

The level of poverty in America is even worse than first believed.

A revised formula for calculating medical costs and geographic variations show that approximately 47.4 million Americans last year lived in poverty, 7 million more than the government's official figure.

The disparity occurs because of differing formulas the Census Bureau and the National Academy of Science use for calculating the poverty rate. The NAS formula shows the poverty rate to be at 15.8 percent, or nearly 1 in 6 Americans, according to calculations released this week. That's higher than the 13.2 percent, or 39.8 million, figure made available recently under the original government formula.

That measure, created in 1955, does not factor in rising medical care, transportation, child care or geographical variations in living costs. Nor does it consider non-cash government aid when calculating income. As a result, official figures released last month by Census may have overlooked millions of poor people, many of them 65 and older.

According to the revised NAS formula:

--About 18.7 percent of Americans 65 and older, or nearly 7.1 million, are in poverty compared to 9.7 percent, or 3.7 million, under the traditional measure. That's due to out-of-pocket expenses from rising Medicare premiums, deductibles and a coverage gap in the prescription drug benefit.

--About 14.3 percent of people 18 to 64, or 27 million, are in poverty, compared to 11.7 percent under the traditional measure. Many of the additional poor are low-income, working people with transportation and child-care costs.

--Child poverty is lower, at about 17.9 percent, or roughly 13.3 million, compared to 19 percent under the traditional measure. That's because single mothers and their children disproportionately receive non-cash aid such as food stamps.

--Poverty rates were higher for non-Hispanic whites (11 percent), Asians (17 percent) and Hispanics (29 percent) when compared to the traditional measure. For blacks, poverty remained flat at 24.7 percent, due to the cushioning effect of non-cash aid.

--The Northeast and West saw bigger jumps in poverty, due largely to cities with higher costs of living such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The Census Bureau said it expedited release of the alternative numbers for this month because of the interest expressed by lawmakers and the Obama administration in seeing a fuller range of numbers. Legislation pending in Congress would mandate a switch to the revised formula, although the White House could choose to act on its own.

Arloc Sherman, a senior researcher at the nonprofit Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said that because the revised formula factors in non-cash government aid, the amount of increase in poverty from 2007 to 2008 was generally smaller compared to the current measure.

"Food stamp participation rose during the first year of recession and appears to have softened what could have been an even greater increase in financial hardship," he said.

Sherman said the revised formula could take on greater importance in measuring poverty for 2009 as more Americans take advantage of tax credits and food stamps under the federal stimulus program. Food stamp assistance currently is at an all-time high of about 36 million.

Obamanomics: Social Security Freeze Means Seniors Must Scrimp

Retired US truck driver Frank Ferrira, 90, talks about social security Thursday, 15 October 2009 at the Pembroke Pines, Fla. Southwest Focal Senior Center. There will be no cost-of-living increase for more than 50 million Social Security recipients next year, the first year without a raise since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975.


16 October 2009
By MATT SEDENSKY

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – If her check were bigger, 76-year-old Agnes Conti might be able to spring for a better cut of meat for her pot roast. She could afford to send her nine grandchildren more than $20 for their birthdays and Christmas. She'd be able to buy some nice new clothes, like she sees on QVC, not what she settles for at Walmart.

If only. The government has said the Social Security checks Conti and tens of millions of other seniors rely on as their primary source of income will not increase next year as consumer prices have fallen overall. And while the retired hospital clerk will get by, she'll be watching her spending even closer, knowing she can't expect the annual raise she's been accustomed to.

"We were good citizens all our lives. We went to work, we lived by the book, we weren't on welfare, we didn't ask the city for anything," Conti said while taking a break from crafts at a senior center here. "And what do we get?"

At the Southwest Focal Point Senior Center in this Fort Lauderdale suburb, seniors lamented the cost-of-living freeze and praised a White House plan for $250 checks to soften the blow. But they took all of the news in stride, saying they've had a lifetime of experience living on a fixed income and would manage with the money they currently receive.

Frank Ferreira sits in the center's lobby, near a decorative fireplace and an autumn centerpiece. The 90-year-old retired truck driver loves to sing, even practicing on a karaoke machine at home, and loves to dance even more. He gets about $890 a month from Social Security, most of which he hands over to his daughter to help pay his share of the bills.

The money isn't the biggest issue, Ferreira said. It's the message the government is sending about caring for seniors.

"I could use a little more, but that's all right, I get along," he said. "But I think that we deserve it, the elderly. You can't just discard them. You've got to help them."

Nearby, 89-year-old Miriam Danzinger is shuffling along with a walker. She gets about $1,300 monthly in Social Security, and after rent and other expenses, including a MediGap plan, she has little to spare. Her daughter helps pay her bills.

When her Chevrolet Cavalier broke down a few months back, Danzinger was forced to give it up. When she goes to the store, she's thrifty, having learned how to cut grocery costs when she ran a coffee shop. She lives as simply as possible.

"Listen, there's no money. People are going hungry," she said. "But what can I say? I'm only a little ant."

The freeze in next year's checks is the first since automatic Social Security cost-of-living increases were adopted in 1975, and follows a 5.8 percent increase in January, the largest since 1982. By law, the adjustments are pegged to inflation, which is negative this year because of lower energy costs.

The Obama administration plan to send $250 stimulus payments to about 57 million seniors, veterans, retired railroad workers and people with disabilities, would amount to a roughly 2 percent raise for the average Social Security recipient. If approved, the checks would cost about $13 billion, though there is no plan yet how to finance them.

While seniors here have grown used to the annual raises, many of them said they're willing to cut the government some slack given the recession and the federal deficit.

"When they have the money, they give us the raise. If they don't have it, they don't have it," said Lucy Polieto, a retired waitress who lives in Southwest Ranches. She wears a glittery gold sweater and chains around her neck, and walks with a spry bounce that belies her 94 years. "Sometimes, I'm so surprised when I look at the check and I get a raise."

The news this week that checks would be stagnant is buffered by some positives: Seniors won't be getting any less than they already do, most recipients' Medicare part B premiums will freeze as well, and the president's plan could soften the blow. But because the one-time stimulus payments won't be a lifetime raise, it means many seniors will never see what amounts to thousands of dollars.

For those in poverty, the raise could have made a huge difference. But for the average senior simply living on a fixed income, it is seen less in dollars and cents, and more in the tangible costs they might be more careful with.

Polieto cooks eggplant, chicken cacciatori and pasta fazool. A raise could have given her more leeway with her grocery bill.

"Then I could buy some steaks, maybe," she said. "But I'd rather have a pork chop."

Carter the International Grifter

Former US President Jimmy Carter gives the old 'Grifter' signal as he is leaving by the back door of the White House after a morning meeting with current US President Barack Obama in Washington on 18 March 2009.

Since that day, Carter has made his share of trips to the Middle East; especially Israel with the US unscrupulous foreign policies tacked as grib notes to the loop of his belt; instead of the US making their peace with the Muslim and Jews throughout the world and even going so far now to focus or attack Muslim and Jewish youth with this unacceptable behavior.

Doesn’t the US think 109 years of this unscrupulous shady behavior of war, lies and death is enough; apparently, not or did they ever here the phrase, ‘Conquest is futile?”

To yet, the idea, that the Middle East is wise, to a bad US con job and even we know a good Grifter wears a suit.

But as to Carter’s variety of ‘shell game,’ he is an ‘enforce intimidator;’ if something is not going in the direction the US wishes for instance of forcing US democracy ideals on a country that doesn’t wish this form of political system or cram the US brand of Middle East policies down the throat; send Carter.

Crime Actually Doesn't Pay

The Bonnie (Parker) and Clyde (Barrow) car riddled with bullet holes after the ambush on 23 May 1934 on a highway near Sailes, Louisiana by US law enforcement officers; as bank robbers, even they knew they would be eventually caught one day or killed; but they where bent to defy US federal laws and the crime statistics of the 1930’s.

Also, in US history of the 1930’s Great Depression, the ‘Grifter’ was a dime a dozen, from every type of con, bank robbery to racketeering one could imagine, to even by some be romanticized in ‘Americana’ and while this has not actually diminished so much since that time; with the current US financial crisis this type of criminal activity is hitting the status of vogue within the American society once again as it did in the 1930's; which must be keeping the 'bunko' section of the police department, it is assured very busy.

Who's Got the Tar?

There is also a time in US and European history where a person who was very unacceptable would be tar and feathered upon the majority of the person; to be further, either ridden out on a 'rail' (railroad rail) or just forced out of town in this condition, usually by an angry mob. A very unpleasant way of saying, one was not only a criminal or extremely immoral; but tremendously unacceptable or unwelcome in a particular town, city or in Carter‘s case; country.

As to how to apply, the rather warm tar was usually applied first, so the feather's (a lot of chicken feathers were used) would adhere to the person in question. As to the removal, it was very difficult and uncomfortable.

As to where crime leads a person as far as Paradise (Heavens) is concerned, they do not even reach the 'heavily guarded front gate' of the firmament; but yet, the gates to hell is assured to be open and waiting.

Pakistani Sunni Condemns US for First Atomic Bomb

Activists of Pakistan's hardline Sunni party Jamaat-e-Islami shout slogans at a rally in Karachi on 6 August 2009 condemning the United States for dropping the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima 64 years ago.

Japan marked 64 years on 6 August, since Hiroshima was hit with the world's first atomic bomb attack; with a questionable call for a nuclear-weapons free world, by the current US President Barack Obama.

A second atomic bomb was dropped by the United States on 9 August on Nagasaki, which the death toll of these two attacks is estimated at 220,000 dead and the effects are still causing health issues to people in Japan.

Their has not been one atomic bomb attack since, what the US did to the people of Japan.

"Obama, NO you Can't"

An ultra-nationalist Israeli holds up a sign against US pressure, during a protest; on 27 July 2009 in Jerusalem.
The United States under the current President Barack Obama has threatened an illegal violent physical aggression towards Muslims and Jews not just within Israel Proper, but the United States and globally; it was reported.

Obama, the Islamophobic Anti-Semite

At the back dropped of a road sign, two agreeable men stand next to posters showing US President Barack Obama dressed in a Canaanite Qufiyyeh headdress which is reminiscent of the late global terrorist mass murderer Yasser Arafat and which the posters designated Obama as an ‘anti-Semitic, Jew-hater;’ due to Obama’s constant bombardment of anti-Semitic remarks on 14 June 2009; near the town of Bethlehem.

On into the late evening, anti-Obama protests from every facet of the Jewish and Muslim community resonated their feelings of Obama’s Nazi-style mistreatment, genocidal tendencies towards an ancient people and there country.

This comes at a time with the ever growing heat of animosity towards the continuous tyrannical US foreign policies of the Obama administration, but the outright racism and religious persecution of the Jewish people and the Islamic Ummah; not just in Israel herself, but across the whole spectrum.

As to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to have delivered his foreign policy speech at Bar-Ilan University on the same day in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv; had nothing to do with the protests nor the posters, it was strictly coincidental and nothing more.

As Muslims and Jews are apart of the fabric of the world, we have the same human right’s as everyone else; to live in peace, without threat’s, lies or bloodshed by the US and there conspirator’s.

Homeless and Starving in America

6 June 2009
by HRM Deborah

As the statistics came out on Friday, 5 June 2009 of US Unemployment reaching a staggering rate of 9.4%; which is about 1.4% higher then the 1930’s Great Depression and even staggering figure has came foreword of 12.4 million US children are at risk of starvation.

Some of these children are being equated of the countless photograph’s seen twenty years ago of what was occurring in Ethiopia of children so underfed that they where literally skin and bones, with the possible borderline of rickets; with some case's of fly’s embedded in some children’s eyes, as was reported by a children’s aid worker.

While some of these malnourished families are now homeless and some are living in homeless shelters; it is an ever increasing problem of not just single person’s; but whole families finding homeless on the street and the ever increasing tent cities.

While US President Barack Obama had pledged assistance by 2015, for the majority of these improvised American’s this is way to late for so many; especially with the further decrease of the American dollar and the ever rising cost of just basic necessities.

Update:

Climbing Unemployment Continues to Beat US

19 June 2009

The unemployment rate in the West jumped over 10 percent in May.

The Labor Department reported Friday that 48 states and the District of Columbia saw employment conditions deteriorate last month. The fallout from the longest ‘recession’ which the US claims in historical error as being “since World War II,” was the worst in Michigan as automakers cut tens of thousands of jobs. Its unemployment rate rose to 14.1 percent. With California at 11.5 and Nevada came in at 11.3 percent it was recorded; while Eastern states set record high's, like Vermont which claimed to be just bottomed out.

As quoted from Associated Press, “Joblessness is rising as companies lay off workers and turn to other cost-saving measures, such as trimming hours and freezing or slicing wages, to survive the recession. Housing, credit and financial problems — the worst since the 1930s — have sent the economy into a tailspin.”

“Factories, construction companies, retailers and financial companies are among the industries that have slashed the most jobs. U.S. manufacturers have suffered a double whammy: customers in the U.S. have pulled back along with foreign customers, who are dealing with their own economic troubles.”

As to US President Barack Obama’s Health Plan which with the ever increasing unemployment problems, because most American’s where covered by their employer and in some cases due to rising cost; employers in some cases dropping employee health care all together; this makes Obama’s plan a major bust, along with the fact that most American’s can not afford health care on their own; especially the elderly who have been suffering with this problem for years, with the ever increase of prescription cost. Which some elderly American’s have had to either pay for prescriptions and not buy food or buy food and do without needed medicines or health care.


The World Health Organization (WHO), in 2000, ranked the U.S. health care system as the highest in cost and it has continued to skyrocket especially in the last year due to the economic downturn, it goes without saying that the average American with the continuous economic collapse and increase, may have to forgo health care all together; which was also a critical situation in the 1930‘s, where home remedies where being more used to circumvent a doctor’s visit or in extreme only for emergency cases, which many still died over the debate of cost and some doctor‘s ill-efficiency.

As to the old argument that one on a good day in the 1930‘s, such as the instance of an American doing farm labor for a dollar a day with "luck" (because this type of employment was either temporary due to seasonal or not as common as people may think due to some US geographical locations); one need’s to remember a single loaf of bread was five cent’s and most people had to squeeze a little less money for the hope of flour to bake their own bread, because the average American even with the dollar wages could ill-afford the five cent loaf of "store-bought" bread. Which is so similar to the cost of living burdens the average American is facing today.

"Beep, Beep, Get out of the way; you road hog!"

Nevertheless, as Obama seems to thrive on his popularity or lack of with his alleged polls especially if people disagree with him; one has yet to be reminded of the promises never kept, the inept manner he has handled the variedness’ of circumstances both global and domestic in such a bumbling Mr. Magoo manner; one is yet, to wonder how he has kept from bumbling out a White House window only to find himself, face down on the lawn?

United States Awarded the Medal of "Oops"

Obama's "New Beginning"

Obama Disrespects Saudi King

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud (C-R) and US President Barack Obama (C-L) review an honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at the King Khaled international airport in Riyadh on 3 June 2009.

In which Obama showed disprect towards the Saudi King by walking briskly in front of him, instead of staying beside the King or walk behind him; which is royal protocol.

This was found to be appauling by many within the Islamic world for Obama's lack of respect towards Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud; who also is the caretaker of the two holiest sites in Islam, Makkah and Medina.

The Lost Bird that Flew Out the Window

As to US President Barack Obama's claim to ties within the Islamic world because he had family that where Muslim, according to Islamic law the moment he became a Christian all ties where not only broken within the religion of Islam itself, but also his family; due to the fact he is not only classified as a dead person within Islam, but a traitor to the Islamic faithful.

As to Obama's claim of being for anything towards the Islamic world or the Middle East with the US's war-torn foreign policies, has proven to be just as false as though's who came riding in with sword before him.

If There was a Global 'Poll' Sack?

US President Barack Obama, would be sitting at the bottom of the burlap sack with former US President George W. Bush; trying to decide for the 100th time who will get out first due to there unpopularity.

No Man is an Island

"No man is an Island, entire of it self; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main."-John Donne

New US passport rules take effect today

1 June 2009

United States authorities today began implementing laws requiring all travellers entering the country to possess a valid passport.

The new rules are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires all Canadian and American citizens entering the US from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean to produce passports or approved travel documents to US customs and Border Protection.

Previously, a photo ID or driver's licence was required.

Caribbean countries had earlier indicated that the new measure would severely affect their tourism sectors.

Approved travel documents include a regular passport, a new passport card, a trusted traveller card or an enhanced driver's licence proving citizenship of every traveller over the age of 16.

The new travel requirements are part of a wider initiative outlined by the Bush administration in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

Have Rodent Will Travel in Washington DC

US President Barack Obama greets dinners at a Five Guys restaurant before ordering lunch 29 May 2009 in Washington, DC.

Five Guys responds to Inside Edition rodent expose

15 May 2009

After a visit from Inside Edition's Rat Patrol showed mice and rodents at two Washington, D.C.-area Five Guys locations, owners of the brand have shut down the stores until the problem can be addressed.

The television show was visiting the District this week taking aim at area restaurants frequented by the Obama family. Michelle Obama had taken her staff members to lunch at one of the locations in February.

The television program said it found a pack of rats outside the back door of the Dupont Circle restaurant two nights in a row, and at the second location, on Wisconsin Ave., a mouse was observed crawling through sacks of potatoes kept inside the front window. The mouse also was observed two nights in a row.

The Black Death or the Bubonic plague, which spread rapidly mostly throughout Europe (between 1347 and 1351) from rodent fleas; after the rodents where said to have came off of docked ships down the ropes. The estimated death toll was 4 to 7 million, due to the various sources and areas of infestation. Another more common malady of today, is that especially in the United States; that rodents are high carrier's of Rabies, among other contagious problems, which can be found not just the rodents themselves; but there droppings. Which this event in history is a reminder, of how serious a rodent infestation can be on a person's health and well-being; which this problem is not just in eateries in Washington D.C., but serious health risk across the US.

In response to the program, Five Guys released a statement:

"The health and safety of our customers and employees is of primary importance at Five Guys. As such, we have three, independent, third-party, precautionary programs in place to prevent health or safety risks at all of our restaurants. Previous to being notified by Matt Meagher of Inside Edition, we did not have any indicators of rodent infestation at the (Georgetown, D.C.) nor (Dupont Circle, D.C.) locations from our store management or from our third party oversight vendors including the D.C. Health Department.

"We thank Matt Meagher and his team for sending the still photos of a mouse at the Georgetown location and of rodent activity in the dumpster outside of our Dupont location. As a result, we took the most aggressive approach and closed the locations immediately on 5/12/09 and 5/13, respectively. In addition, we scheduled an immediate appointment with our pest control vendor to further investigate the claim. We will not reopen the locations until our pest control services and the local health department reconfirm that we are rodent free.

"Prior to this incident, we proactively scheduled routine visits from independent pest control companies along with a third-party, independent food safety and quality assurance brand protection company. We also receive regular inspections from the local health departments. The first two programs mentioned were started on our own accord to act as a proactive step to protect our customers and our brand. The pest control program has been in place since the opening of the restaurants and our auditing program has been in place, system wide, for over a year. We will use this experience with Inside Edition as an opportunity to research the programs that are in place and to determine where we need to make adjustments to make them more effective."

Loving Your Fellow as Yourself*

Ultra-Orthodox Jews walk past Muslim street vendors selling fresh vine leaves at the landmark Damascus Gate in east Jerusalem upon their return from overnight prayers and Torah reading at the Western Wall on the occasion of the Jewish harvest holiday (1) of Shavuot, early on 29 May 2009.

The annual religious festival, which began at sunset on 28 May; marks the day Moses gave the Torah to the Jews (from Mount Sinai) after their exodus from Egypt.

A Jewish boy looks at a Muslim man reading the daily Arabic newspaper 'Jerusalem' early on 29 May 2009 as ultra-Orthodox Jews passed through the landmark Damascus Gate in east Jerusalem upon their return from overnight prayers and Torah reading at the Western Wall on the occasion of the Jewish harvest holiday of Shavuot.

This comes at a time that only yesterday, US President Barack Obama in Washington DC; was again trying to destabilize the peaceful unity between Muslims and Jews, due to the US war that has been ongoing for over a hundred and nine years towards Israel and her people.

This also comes under the old US foreign policy ( known originally, as the "The Wind and the Lion" War Campaign; started by then US President Theodore Roosevelt ) towards Israel with Obama's continued enforcement of the unacceptable two-state solution (using in collaboration with the non-citizen Canaanites under PLO global terrorist, Interpol fugitive Mahmoud Abbas and his terrorist organization), which is detrimental to all the inhabitants of the country and the further necessity for desegregated housing towards every one's benefit .

Which Obama himself, is just another old hand of the same tired US oppressive story; which has no future (Judges 5:31).

* Leviticus 19:18

(1) Harvest Holiday, Chag ha-Katzir (Harvest Festival); also Yom ha-Bikurim (Day of First Fruits) usually characterized here as being the end of the barley harvest.

Obama Attacks Jewish Center and Synagogue

NEW YORK - David Winter, executive director of the Riverdale Jewish Center, stands outside of the center following the foiling of a terrorist plot on 21 May 2009 in Bronx borough of New York City.

Four suspects were arrested last Wednesday night on charges of plotting to detonate explosives near a synagogue and Jewish center in the Bronx borough of New York City and to allegedly shoot down military planes located at the New York Air National Guard Base at Stewart Airport in Newburgh, New York; which came only days after Jewish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah's visit with US President Barack Obama in Washington DC.

While this is another case by the US government under US President Barack Obama, to put four people in place instead of the usual three black males which was common under the Bush Administration; in this particular case, to appear as Islamic Extremist’s and commit an Anti-Semitic terrorist attack; this time the main objective was a Jewish Center and synagogue.

Previous attacks and murder's which has occurred before by the US government towards Muslims and Jew's is still ongoing within the boundaries of the US, as with some of these previous ventures; with the aid of US agencies.

No to Obama's Two State Plan

A Jewish youth holds up a poster condemning US President Barack Obama's Middle East peace plan as he passes the US Consulate on the way to the Old City on 21 May 2009 in Jerusalem, Israel; as thousands celebrated Jerusalem Day.

Obamanomics: U.S.S. Economy

Ensign: "For once can't we focus on something besides the environment (tailpipe exhaust), I think we have a much more serious problem, here?"

Abortion clouds Obama event at Notre Dame

A student and an activist express views near the campus of Notre Dame University on May 16, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. Pro-life activists from around the country have been gathering in South Bend to protest the university's decision to invite US President Barack Obama, who supports abortion rights, to deliver the commencement address tomorrow and to award him an honorary degree.

17 May 2009

Washington-President Barack Obama speaks at America's foremost Roman Catholic University on Sunday, where deep divisions over abortion and stem-cell research have rammed to the forefront in a country fighting two wars and battling a withering economic recession.

A storm broke out immediately after Notre Dame invited Obama to address commencement exercises and he accepted. It still rages, with anti-abortion activists promising to disrupt the new president's appearance at the ceremony, where he also is to receive an honorary degree.

Obama, a liberal Democrat who supports abortion rights but who says the procedure should be rare, finds himself caught in the so-called "right to life" whirlwind that has riven U.S. society for decades, especially since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that states may not ban abortion. Recriminations against Obama's appearance in South Bend, Indiana, are zinging across the Internet, on cable television and the editorial space of newspapers. A debate that is electric and fundamental to American political and moral tenets. The Catholic church and many other Christian denominations hold that abortion or the use of embryos for stem cell research amounts to the destruction of human life, is morally wrong and should be banned by law.

The contrary argument holds that women have the right to terminate any pregnancy and that unused embryos created outside the womb for couples who cannot otherwise conceive should be available for stem cell research, which holds the promise of finding treatments for some of mankind's most debilitating ailments. Within weeks of taking office, Obama eased a Bush administration executive order that limited such research to a small number of stem-cell strains that existed when the former president issued the directive.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama in his commencement speech "obviously would make mention of the debate that's been had" over abortion, while emphasizing that "this is exactly the kind of give and take that is had on college campus all over the country."

Obama's appearance at Notre Dame would appear to be complicated significantly by new polls that show Americans' attitudes on the explosive issue have shifted dramatically toward the anti-abortion position.

A Gallup survey released on Friday found that 51 percent of Americans call themselves "pro-life" on the issue of abortion and 42 percent "pro-choice." This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as "pro-life" since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.

It's a dramatic shift from just a year ago when Gallup found that 50 percent of those polled termed themselves "pro-choice" while 44 percent described their beliefs as "pro-life."

A Pew Research Center survey found a similar, if less dramatic, shift, with public opinion about abortion more closely divided than it has been in several years.

Pew said its latest polling found that 46 percent of Americans say abortion should be legal in most (28 percent) or all cases (18 percent). Forty-four percent of those surveyed were opposed to abortion in most (28 percent) or all cases (16 percent). Gallup said shifting opinions on the divisive issue lay almost entirely with Republicans or independents who lean Republican, with opposition among those groups rising over the past year from 60 percent to 70 percent. "There has been essentially no change in the views of Democrats and Democratic leaners," the Gallup organization said.

The abortion issue, meanwhile, also is front and center as Obama vets potential nominees to fill the vacancy left by the retirement this summer of Justice David Souter. Abortion opponents are determined to see Roe v. Wade overturned, but only four court justices out of nine have backed that position. Souter has opposed arguments for overturning the key ruling.

The Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, has not joined the fiery debate that erupted after Obama's invitation, but it has produced extraordinary blow back among some students, faculty, alumni and at least 70 Catholic bishops. A leading Catholic scholar, citing the Obama invitation and honorary degree, declined the school's most prestigious award, making this year's commencement the first time that the Laetare Medal hasn't been awarded since 1883. "It is clear that Notre Dame didn't understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation," Cardinal Francis George of Chicago said shortly after the university announced Obama's appearance.

Friends and colleagues say Jenkins has listened to the criticism but is confident in his decision. "He respects people who differ, but he's resolute in his decision because he did it based on conscience and what he really believes in," said Richard Notebaert, chairman of Notre Dame's board of trustees.

Notebaert said Jenkins, who is in the fourth year of a five-year term, has the "full support" of the trustees. That hasn't soothed critics, who question whether Notre Dame has lost touch with its Catholic roots. Calls for Jenkins' ouster have grown louder amid protests by abortion opponents, who have flown pictures of aborted fetuses over campus and paraded dolls smeared in fake blood outside a recent trustees' meeting. Dozens of anti-abortion activists have been arrested, and more arrests are likely as protesters converge on the campus for commencement weekend.

A Notre Dame graduate walks past protestors near the campus of Notre Dame University on 16 May 2009; in South Bend, Indiana.

Update:

Obama: "Stop Killing Our Children"

An anti-abortion protestor shouts slogans, interrupting US President Barack Obama as he speaks during the commencement ceremony in the Joyce Center of Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana; on 17 May 2008.

Ahead of Obama's address, at least 27 people were arrested on trespassing charges. They included Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff identified as "Roe" in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. She now opposes abortion and joined more than 300 anti-abortion demonstrators at the school's front gate.

More than half held signs, some declaring "Shame on Notre Dame" and "Stop Abortion Now" to express their anger over Notre Dame's invitation to Obama.

Obama entered the arena to thunderous applause and a standing ovation from many in the crowd of 12,000. But as the president began his commencement address, at least three protesters interrupted it. One yelled, "Stop killing our children."

United States: Taxpayers to Get Rude Surprise

1 May 2009

by Stephen Ohlemacher

WASHINGTON - Millions of Americans enjoying their small windfall from President Barack Obama's "Making Work Pay" tax credit are in for an unpleasant surprise next spring.

The government is going to want some of that money back.

The tax credit is supposed to provide up to $400 to individuals and $800 to married couples as part of the massive economic-recovery package enacted in February. Most workers started receiving the credit through small increases in their paychecks in the last month.

But new tax-withholding tables issued by the IRS could cause millions of taxpayers to get hundreds of dollars more than they are entitled to under the credit, money that will have to be repaid at tax time.

At-risk taxpayers include a broad swath of the public: married couples in which both spouses work; workers with more than one job; retirees who have federal income taxes withheld from their pension payments and Social Security recipients with jobs that provide taxable income.

The Internal Revenue Service acknowledges problems with the withholding tables but has done little to warn average taxpayers.

"They need to get the Goodyear blimp out there on this," said Tom Ochsenschlager, vice president of taxation for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

For many, the new tax tables will simply mean smaller-than-expected tax refunds next year, IRS spokesman Terry Lemons said. The average refund was nearly $2,700 this year.

But taxpayers who calculate their withholding so they get only small refunds could face an unwelcome tax bill next April, said Jackie Perlman, an analyst with the Tax Institute at H&R Block.

"They are going to get a surprise," she said.

Perlman's advice: check your federal withholding to make sure sufficient taxes are being taken out of your pay. If you are married and both spouses work, you might consider having taxes withheld at the higher rate for single filers. If you have multiple jobs, you might consider having extra taxes withheld by one of your employers. You can make that request with a Form W-4.

The IRS has a calculator on its Web site to help taxpayers figure withholding. So do many private tax preparers.

Obama has touted the tax credit as one of the big achievements of his first 100 days in office, boasting that 95 percent of working families will qualify in 2009 and 2010.

The credit pays workers 6.2 percent of their earned income, up to a maximum of $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples who file jointly. Individuals making more $95,000 and couples making more than $190,000 are ineligible.

The tax credit was designed to help boost the economy by getting more money to consumers in their regular paychecks. Employers were required to start using the new withholding tables by April 1.

Some retirees face even bigger headaches.

The Social Security Administration is sending out $250 payments to more than 50 million retirees in May as part of the economic stimulus package. The payments will go to people who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, railroad retirement benefits or veteran's disability benefits.

The payments are meant to provide a boost for people who don't qualify for the tax credit. However, they will go to retirees even if they have earned income and receive the credit. Those retirees will have the $250 payment deducted from their tax credit - but not until they file their tax returns next year, long after the money may have been spent.

Retirees who have federal income taxes withheld from pension benefits also are getting an income boost as a result of the new withholding tables. However, pension benefits are not earned income, so they don't qualify for the tax credit. That money will have to paid back next year when tax returns are filed.

More than 20 million retirees and survivors receive payments from defined benefit pension plans, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. However, it is unclear how many have federal taxes withheld from their payments.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union raised concerns about the effect of the tax credit on pension payments in a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in March.

Geithner responded that Treasury and IRS understood the concerns and were "exploring ways to mitigate that effect."

Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan, the top Republican on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, said Geithner has yet to respond to concerns raised by committee members.

"So far we've got the, 'If we don't address this maybe it will go away' approach," Camp said.