Politicals News Updates
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks at the White House - Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:46:04 +0000
Every seat of the White House Movie Theater was taken by, in Tom Hanks' memorable words, "some sort of honcho and big shot" on Thursday evening for a screening of the first episode of HBO's new miniseries The Pacific. Produced by Hanks and Steven Spielberg, the 10 part series tells the story of the brave Americans who fought in the Pacific theater of World War II, a story not told by Hollywood as frequently as the European front. We've got a a behind-the-scenes video with the producing duo as they prepare to show the first hour of their work to a First audience. See an Academy Award winning producer and director turn his hand-held camera on us and the President:
President Barack Obama delivers remarks before a screening of the HBO ten-part World War II miniseries "The Pacific" in the Family Theater of the White House, March 11, 2010. Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, the two executive producers of "The Pacific", sit in the front row.
Weekly Address: Education for a More Competitive America & Better Future - Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000
The President discusses his blueprint for an updated Elementary and Secondary Education Act to overhaul No Child Left Behind, the latest step from his Administration to encourage change and success in America’s schools at the local level.
The Vice President in the Middle East - Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:03:39 +0000
Yesterday, Vice President Biden spoke at Tel Aviv University in Israel about the partnership between the United States and Israel:
Israel’s unique relationship with the United States means that you need not bear that heavy burden alone. Our nations’ unbreakable bond borne of common values, interwoven cultures, and mutual interests has spanned the entirety of Israel’s history. And it’s -- it’s impervious to any shifts in either country and either country’s partisan politics. No matter what challenges we face, this bond will endure. As a result, generations of Israelis and Americans and American-Israelis have kept a foot in each country, enriching both our nations and peoples. I met with some of your leading high-tech leaders earlier, prior to coming to the stage. And they have a foot in both countries, many of them.
While these close relationships span the realm of commerce and education, medicine and technology, culture and the arts, at its core is an ironclad commitment to security -- Israel and my own country’s. Every day, Israel faces bravely threats no country should have to endure. No parent should their child to schools equipped with air raid sirens in the year 2010. No government should be expected to turn a blind eye while an enemy calls for its destruction.
I am here to remind you, though I hope you will never forget, that America stands with you shoulder-to-shoulder in facing these threats. President Obama and I represent an unbroken chain of American leaders who have understood this critical, strategic relationship. As the President said recently, “I will never waver from ensuring Israel’s security and helping them secure themselves in what is a very hostile region."
To watch the full speech, click here.
Earlier this week, the Vice President also spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at Ramallah and with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
