Tag Archives: president obama

Obama turns controversy into jokes, lesson at commencement

President Obama on Wednesday turned a flap over his commencement speech at Arizona State University into a joke — then a lesson about never being satisfied with one’s accomplishments. The university said last month that it would not be awarding Obama an honorary degree at the ceremony, saying that “his body of work is yet to come.” Saying he wanted to address “the little controversy everyone was talking about a few weeks back,” Obama said, “we all learned an important lesson.” “I learned to never again pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket,” he said, referring to the school’s basketball team. “It won’t happen again.” “President [Michael] Crow and the board of regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS,” he joked.

Share

Obama orders stop to detainee photo releases

President Obama has ordered government lawyers to object to the planned release of additional detainee photos, according to an administration official. The Defense Department was set to release hundreds of photographs showing alleged abuse of prisoners in detention facilities in Afghanistan and Iraq. “Last week, the president met with his legal team and told them that he did not feel comfortable with the release of the [Defense Department] photos because he believes their release would endanger our troops, and because he believes that the national security implications of such a release have not been fully presented to the court,” the official said

Share

Roxana Saberi: Out of Iranian Prison, Into a Soap Opera

In an unexpectedly swift move, a Tehran court reduced the sentence of Iranian-American reporter Roxana Saberi and released her from prison on Monday, only a day after she appealed her case in court. Last month, Saberi had been sentenced to eight years imprisonment on charges of spying for the United States, causing tension between the two countries at a time when President Barack Obama had declared his Administration’s intention to improve relations with Iran. Just before the official announcement came, Saberi’s parents and lawyers, as well as dozens of reporters, had gathered in front of Tehran’s Evin prison in anticipation of her release

Share

Obama pokes fun of Republicans, Clinton, self at annual dinner

President Obama drew big laughs at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday, taking jabs at his administration, his Republican rivals and even himself. “I would like to talk about what my administration plans to achieve in the next 100 days,” Obama said. “During the second 100 days, we will design, build and open a library dedicated to my first 100 days.” He added later, “I believe that my next 100 days will be so successful, I will be able to complete them in 72 days — and on the 73rd day I will rest.” The Democratic president poked fun at the Republican Party, saying it “does not qualify for a bailout” and conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh “doesn’t count as a troubled asset.” Watch Obama deliver laughs at dinner » Obama touched on a few gaffes during his short time in office, from Vice President Joe Biden’s verbose tendencies to an unfortunate Air Force One photo op that frightened New Yorkers — playfully pointing his finger at his young daughters.

Share

Obama to address Muslim relations in Egypt speech

President Obama will deliver a speech June 4 in Egypt on America’s relationship with the Muslim world, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced Friday. Egypt is “a country that in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world,” Gibbs said.

Share