Combating Epidemic Ignorance

Today's column by Joe Conason is good. Here's an excerpt:

In the turbulent imagination of the hard-core conservative, American foreign policy should be about telling off the rest of the planet. According to the right-wing mind-set, a manly foreign policy would curtail any effort at seeking influence abroad, cut off assistance to developing countries, forget about improving our global image and, above all, withdraw from the existing international organizations, especially the United Nations, which is nothing more than a gargantuan waste of money and a hive of parasitic bureaucrats. Only if we brusquely and even violently dismiss the obnoxious foreigners who annoy us can we vindicate our political and moral superiority.

Then there is the real world, where we regularly encounter threats like swine flu — and where we must depend on the other people who live in this world to help protect our nation and our families. Certainly that is the outlook of America's new presidency, confirmed with profound urgency after 100 days by the sudden prospect of pandemic disease.

...At moments of actual peril, such as now, it is important to remember that the World Health Organization (WHO) is humanity's bulwark against catastrophe. Many Americans may not even be aware that the WHO, which has succeeded in protecting us, eradicating disease and reducing suffering for more than six decades, is an agency of the United Nations. As the worldwide coordinator for public health officials in every country when a pandemic looms, the agency plays an essential role — analogous to the Centers for Disease Control in the United States — that simply would not be performed otherwise. Without the WHO, this planet would be far sicker, poorer and more dangerous.

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President Obama in Arnold, Missouri

Gov. Beshear announces $5M award to Covington

Governor Steve Beshear issued this press release today:

COVINGTON, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear today announced that the city of Covington has been awarded $5 million from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to help combat the area’s high percentage of foreclosed and abandoned homes in the wake of the country’s economic crisis.

Joined by Virginia Peck, director of Community Planning and Development Division for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Louisville Field Office, Gov. Beshear said the emergency assistance will allow the city to acquire, rehabilitate and sell foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities.

“Many areas across the Commonwealth have suffered from the effects of foreclosures and declining property values, but Covington has been especially hard hit,” said Gov. Beshear. “The city has put together a great plan to help clean up communities, put families back in these abandoned homes and stabilize neighborhoods and I’m pleased to support them.”

Kenton County has the second-highest need in the state behind Jefferson County, based on the number or percentage of foreclosures, subprime mortgages and mortgage defaults and delinquencies.

According to Covington Mayor Denny Bowman, there is no question these funds will have a positive impact not only on the most severely affected communities, but the ripple effect will be felt in all 18 neighborhoods of the city.

“We’ve seen a reduction in the enrollment of our city schools in excess of 1,000 because families are losing their homes, being forced to move in with relatives or go elsewhere. This affects economic growth and job opportunities,” said Mayor Bowman. “These NSP funds will help put these homes back on the market, bring back the residences and students, create opportunities for jobs, boost small locally owned businesses and eliminate blight.”

The mayor said the investment of dollars will also boost the local economy through the purchase of building supplies and create skilled and unskilled jobs to assist with the renovation and new construction.

Kentucky’s NSP total statewide allotment of $37.4 million is funded through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Program under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The program, administered by the Department for Local Government (DLG), received more than $115 million in applications statewide.

“We know there were many applicants for such a limited pool of money so we are very grateful to Gov. Beshear and DLG for supporting our efforts,” said Mayor Bowman. “And we’ve always maintained a great relationship with HUD so we’re anxious to get our plan underway.”

Once the city purchases and makes any necessary repairs to foreclosed homes, families with a household income not exceeding 120 percent of the area median income may buy, or in some cases rent them, at a reduced rate. The NSP plan seeks to protect potential buyers by requiring that they obtain a mortgage loan from a lender who agrees to comply with sound lending practices. Homebuyers must also receive at least eight hours of housing counseling from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

Covington intends to contract with Catholic Charities and Brighton Center to provide training on the process of purchasing a home, available mortgage products and developing and maintaining home budgets. Under the program’s guidelines, a family of four in Kenton County with a combined income of up to $83,050 will be eligible.

Congress has directed that these grant funds be obligated for specific activities within 18 months.

Analysis: Specter leaves a shrinking GOP tent

The Associated Press has a good analysis of Arlen Specter's decision to switch parties. Here's an excerpt:

With Sen. Arlen Specter's switch to the Democrats, the Republican Party is increasingly at risk of being viewed as a mostly Southern and solidly conservative party, an identity that might take years to overcome.

Specter's move, which rocked Congress and the political world Tuesday, is the latest blow to Republicans, especially in the Northeast, once a GOP stronghold. The region's Republicans now have been reduced to a scant presence in the House and a dwindling influence in the Senate.

..."This is now officially a Republican Party where moderates need not apply," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Kaine Welcomes Specter to Democratic Party

The DNC issued this press release today:

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine Welcomes Arlen Specter to Democratic Party with "Open Arms," Praises Senator's Ongoing Support for President's Efforts to Turn Economy Around

Specter Switch, Election of Scott Murphy in Republican Leaning Congressional District in New York, Shows Republican Party Has Lost Touch with the American People, Kaine Says

Washington, D.C. – Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement on Senator Arlen Specter’s decision to join the Democratic Party and work with Senate Democrats to achieve the President’s vision for a strong and growing economy.

“I am pleased to offer Senator Specter my sincere congratulations on his decision to join the Democratic Party and I welcome him with open arms,” said DNC Chairman Kaine. “Over nearly three decades in the United States Senate, Senator Specter has represented the people of Pennsylvania with honor, conviction, and an allegiance to deeply held principles that I know will continue to inform his decisions as a member of the Democratic caucus. Senator Specter courageously supported the President's economic recovery package while most Republicans played politics with our nation's economy. The Senator's willingness to set politics aside and be part of finding solutions to our nation's problems will find a welcome reception in the Democratic Party. Coming on the heels of Democrat Scott Murphy's victory in a Republican leaning congressional district in New York state, Senator Specter's decision is additional proof that the Republican Party is in serious trouble because it has lost touch with the American people and their desire for change which was so on display in November.

“As Senator Specter noted, the Republican Party has drifted far to the right and seems more interested in ideology, conflict and obstruction than in working constructively to address the nation's problems, and no longer appeals to moderates, including Senator Specter. I commend Senator Specter on his decision to work with President Obama and Senate Democrats to help turn our economy around, create jobs and put the country back on the right track. We are thrilled to welcome Senator Specter into the Democratic fold and he can count on our full support."

Biden on '60 Minutes'

Did you miss Vice President Joe Biden's appearance on 60 Minutes last night? Here's the video:

Obama's first 100 days

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President Obama's weekly address

This week the President reiterates a theme that has been a hallmark of his career, namely that "old habits and stale thinking" will simply not help us solve the new and immense problems our country faces. Listing off several specific changes he intends to bring, he describes his guiding principle: "To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative."