Mike Rady (and others) Are Ready for a Treaty to Reduce Global Warming Emissions

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held in Copenhagen this upcoming week (Dec. 7-18th). President Obama is going to the conference to support the case for an international treaty to reduce global warming emissions. My good friend, and Melrose Place star, Mike Rady (SJP '99) joined several other celebrities in this PSA from Environment America encouraging people to support this initiative. "We're ready" for this global treaty and we only need to look at what some states like California and New Jersey are already doing to be a catalyst for something on a larger scale.

Others in the video: Cedric the Entertainer, Simon Baker, Alanis Morrisette, Chevy Chase, Amy Smart, Jason Mraz, Jake Mclaughlin, Frances Fisher, Ollivia Wilde, Kevin McHale, Emily Van Camp, Dana Delany, Ed Begley Jr. and Diana Agron

I Bet This Gets Stuck in Your Head

This song by Blakk Rasta is being called the "theme song for Obama's Ghana visit" by the New York Times.  I know it's well intentioned, but I think it's absolutely hilarious.  Not only did I have to re-watch it 3 times this morning, I know for sure that I will not stop singing it all day :)

Obama Displays Class to the Graduating Class of 09

President Obama gave the commencement address at Arizona State yesterday.  

{Quick side note/bragging: It so awesome to have a President (sitting or former) give your graduation speech.  Here's an article about President Clinton's speech at my Syracuse graduation in 2003 :)}

Back to Obama.  For those who don't remember, there's been a bunch of hoopla over this ASU speech since the university decided not to give the President an honorary degree.  Fats forward to the speech, Mr. Obama -- not surprising at all -- took the high road when he addressed the university's decision: 

"In all seriousness, I come here not to dispute the suggestion that I haven't yet achieved enough in my life. I come to embrace it; to heartily concur; to affirm that one's title, even a title like President, says very little about how well one's life has been led - and that no matter how much you've done, or how successful you've been, there's always more to do, more to learn, more to achieve."

I cannot imagine any other President in recent history admitting that having the title of "Most Powerful Person in the Free-World" says a little about how well they've led their life.  Is there any one on this planet with more humility than this guy?  He's amazing. 

Another great excerpt from his speech: 

"Many of our current challenges are unprecedented. There are no standard remedies, or go-to fixes this time around.

That is why we are going to need your help. We'll need young people like you to step up. We need your daring and your enthusiasm and your energy.

And let me be clear, when I say "young," I'm not just referring to the date on your birth certificate. I'm talking about an approach to life - a quality of mind and heart.

A willingness to follow your passions, regardless of whether they lead to fortune and fame. A willingness to question conventional wisdom and rethink the old dogmas. A lack of regard for all the traditional markers of status and prestige - and a commitment instead to doing what is meaningful to you, what helps others, what makes a difference in this world."

The full speech can be found here.

An Inside Look at Obama's White House

The White House posted 293 official photos from White House Photog. Pete Souza online today.  There are so many wonderful shots.  I love these types of photos from inside politics.  I still occasionally peruse coffee table book I have of the Clinton White House.

I haven't looked through all 293 yet, but bonus points to anyone who can find my old boss Gene Sperling -- he's in at least 2 of the shots.

Give Me A Break

I can't believe the right -- especially Dick Cheney -- has the nerve to criticize President Obama's handshake with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.  In an interview with Fox, the former Vice President of Evil said that the way Mr. Obama handled himself at the meeting with South American leaders "Set the wrong standard."  What standard should he have set?  One that continues the arrogance notion that we're always right and you're always wrong no matter what.  Mr. Obama is showing that his campaign promise of "Change" was not just a good slogan.  I guess Cheney thinks that Mr. Obama should have greeted Chavez with a smile and some light waterboarding.

An actor who likes politics...I smell a trend

How cool is this story??  Kal Penn -- of Harold and Kumar fame -- gave up his job as a cast member of FOX's House to take a position in the Obama Administration.  Penn will be an associate director in the public liaison office.  Maybe I will find myself moving back to politics one day after all?  But we all know my liberal ass will be in the Alec Baldwin/Sean Penn category rather than Ronnie Reagan/Governator one.

Another Reason to LOVE Barack

He picked Syracuse to make it to the Elite 8. YES WE CAN!!! Just remember what happened the last time we were a 3 seed after missing the Big Dance the year before :)