On Twitter he said, "America, I'm honoured that you have chosen me to lead our great country."The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans - whether you voted for me or not."I will keep the faith that you have placed in me."
And in a statement he said it was “time to heal.”
“I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris. In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America,” he said. "With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It's time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there's nothing we can't do, if we do it together."
Greece ordered a nationwide lockdown on Thursday for three weeks to help contain a resurgence of Covid-19 cases, its second this year after a sharp increase in infections this week. “I’ve chosen to take drastic measures sooner rather than later,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.
The Italian government announced Wednesday night that it would lock down a significant portion of the country, including the northern regions that are its economic engine, in an effort to stop a resurgent wave of coronavirus infections.
At home here in Malaysia, we are in the third phase, that's right, and sadly more and more clusters of infections are showing up every day and worse, for the past few days we've had deaths every day.
Of all the states, Sabah on the island of Borneo is hardest hit immediately after state elections were held on September 26. Then infections increased here in the peninsula as people came back after the election campaigning and such. No quarantine was required when they touched down back at the peninsula. Horrors! Right. No one saw the impending danger. Now we are getting the brunt of that action or inaction, rather. Below is current status:
Here's some advice found online..
What food should you avoid during COVID-19?
• When cooking and preparing food, limit the amount of salt and high-sodium condiments (e.g. soy sauce and fish sauce).
• Limit your daily salt intake to less than 5 g (approximately 1 teaspoon), and use iodized salt.
• Avoid foods (e.g. snacks) that are high in salt and sugar.
• Limit your intake of soft drinks or sodas and other drinks that are high in sugar (e.g. fruit juices, fruit juice concentrates and syrups, flavoured milks and yogurt drinks).
• Choose fresh fruits instead of sweet snacks such as cookies, cakes and chocolate.
Are smokers at higher risk of contracting the coronavirus disease?
Smoking any kind of tobacco reduces lung capacity and increases the risk of many respiratory infections and can increase the severity of respiratory diseases.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease that primarily attacks the lungs. Smoking impairs lung function making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other respiratory diseases. Available research suggests that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes and death.
How to eat healthy in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Consume enough fibre because it contributes to a healthy digestive system and offers a prolonged feeling of fullness, which helps prevent overeating.
To ensure an adequate fibre intake, aim to include vegetables, fruit, pulses and wholegrain foods in all meals. Whole grain foods include oats, brown pasta and rice, quinoa and whole-wheat bread and wraps, rather than refined grain foods such as white pasta and rice, and white bread.
Good hydration is crucial for optimal health. Whenever available and safe for consumption, tap water is the healthiest and cheapest drink. It is also the most sustainable, as it produces no waste, compared to bottled water.
Can I drink alcohol during the coronavirus disease pandemic?
In particular, alcohol compromises the body's immune system and increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. Therefore, people should minimize their alcohol consumption at any time, and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is associated with mental disorders; people at risk or who have an alcohol-use disorder, are particularly vulnerable, especially when in self-isolation.
How long should I exercise for in self-quarantine?
WHO recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week for adults, or a combination of both. The guidance is intended for people in self-quarantine without any symptoms or diagnosis of acute respiratory illness.
Just an idea of the Covid-19 spread worldwide. Details on individual countries can be obtained on Tracking the spread of Covid-19..
In the earlier post on Barack Obama's final address. I said I would follow up with Michelle Obama's speech at the White House. So here it is, emotional and inspiring..
First Lsdy Michelle Obama delivered her final remarks as First Lady of the United States at the 2017 School Counselor of the Year, an event recognizing the 2017 School Counselor of the Year.
School Counselor of the Year is an annual White House tradition started in 2015 as part of her Reach Higher initiative.
I've always enjoyed Barack Obama's speeches - both for the content and the way he delivers it. Thought I'd blog-document this one, his farewell address made two days ago at where it all began, in Chicago.
A very energizing, very inspiring speech. Give it a listen. Better yet, I've also included the full text in case you want to refer back to some of the meaningful phrases/ideas. I know I would.
Yes, We can.
CHICAGO, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama gave his final former speech as leader of the United States on Tuesday night (Jan 10) in Chicago, offering his thanks to Americans.
The full transcript of his speech, as prepared by the White House, is as follows:
Hello, Chicago! (Applause.) It's good to be home! (Applause.) Thank you, everybody. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you so much. Thank you. (Applause.) All right, everybody sit down. (Applause.) We're on live TV here. I've got to move. (Applause.) You can tell that I'm a lame duck because nobody is following instructions. (Laughter.) Everybody have a seat. (Applause.)
My fellow Americans -- (applause) -- Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well wishes that we've received over the past few weeks. But tonight, it's my turn to say thanks. (Applause.) Whether we have seen eye-to-eye or rarely agreed at all, my conversations with you, the American people, in living rooms and in schools, at farms, on factory floors, at diners and on distant military outposts -– those conversations are what have kept me honest, and kept me inspired, and kept me going. And every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man. (Applause.)
So I first came to Chicago when I was in my early 20s. And I was still trying to figure out who I was, still searching for a purpose in my life. And it was a neighborhood not far from here where I began working with church groups in the shadows of closed steel mills. It was on these streets where I witnessed the power of faith, and the quiet dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss.
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: I can't do that.
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved and they get engaged, and they come together to demand it.
After eight years as your President, I still believe that. And it's not just my belief. It's the beating heart of our American idea –- our bold experiment in self-government. It's the conviction that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It's the insistence that these rights, while self-evident, have never been self-executing; that We, the People, through the instrument of our democracy, can form a more perfect union.
What a radical idea. A great gift that our Founders gave to us: The freedom to chase our individual dreams through our sweat and toil and imagination, and the imperative to strive together, as well, to achieve a common good, a greater good.
For 240 years, our nation's call to citizenship has given work and purpose to each new generation. It's what led patriots to choose republic over tyranny, pioneers to trek west, slaves to brave that makeshift railroad to freedom. It's what pulled immigrants and refugees across oceans and the Rio Grande. (Applause.) It's what pushed women to reach for the ballot. It's what powered workers to organize. It's why GIs gave their lives at Omaha Beach and Iwo Jima, Iraq and Afghanistan. And why men and women from Selma to Stonewall were prepared to give theirs, as well. (Applause.)
So that's what we mean when we say America is exceptional -- not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change and make life better for those who follow. Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard. It's always been contentious. Sometimes it's been bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all and not just some. (Applause.)
If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history -- (applause) -- if I had told you that we would open up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Iran's nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, take out the mastermind of 9/11 -- (applause) -- if I had told you that we would win marriage equality, and secure the right to health insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens –- (applause) -- if I had told you all that, you might have said our sights were set a little too high. But that's what we did. (Applause.) That's what you did.
You were the change. You answered people's hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started. (Applause.)
In 10 days, the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy.
AUDIENCE: Nooo --
THE PRESIDENT: No, no, no, no, no -- the peaceful transfer of power from one freely elected President to the next. (Applause.) I committed to President-elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me. (Applause.) Because it's up to all of us to make sure our government can help us meet the many challenges we still face.
We have what we need to do so. We have everything we need to meet those challenges. After all, we remain the wealthiest, most powerful, and most respected nation on Earth. Our youth, our drive, our diversity and openness, our boundless capacity for risk and reinvention means that the future should be ours. But that potential will only be realized if our democracy works. Only if our politics better reflects the decency of our people. (Applause.) Only if all of us, regardless of party affiliation or particular interests, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now.
That's what I want to focus on tonight: The state of our democracy. Understand, democracy does not require uniformity. Our founders argued. They quarreled. Eventually they compromised. They expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity -– the idea that for all our outward differences, we're all in this together; that we rise or fall as one. (Applause.)
There have been moments throughout our history that threatens that solidarity. And the beginning of this century has been one of those times. A shrinking world, growing inequality; demographic change and the specter of terrorism -– these forces haven't just tested our security and our prosperity, but are testing our democracy, as well. And how we meet these challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our kids, and create good jobs, and protect our homeland. In other words, it will determine our future.
To begin with, our democracy won't work without a sense that everyone has economic opportunity. And the good news is that today the economy is growing again. Wages, incomes, home values, and retirement accounts are all rising again. Poverty is falling again. (Applause.) The wealthy are paying a fairer share of taxes even as the stock market shatters records. The unemployment rate is near a 10-year low. The uninsured rate has never, ever been lower. (Applause.) Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years. And I've said and I mean it -- if anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we've made to our health care system and that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it. (Applause.)
Because that, after all, is why we serve. Not to score points or take credit, but to make people's lives better. (Applause.)
But for all the real progress that we've made, we know it's not enough. Our economy doesn't work as well or grow as fast when a few prosper at the expense of a growing middle class and ladders for folks who want to get into the middle class. (Applause.) That's the economic argument. But stark inequality is also corrosive to our democratic ideal. While the top one percent has amassed a bigger share of wealth and income, too many families, in inner cities and in rural counties, have been left behind -- the laid-off factory worker; the waitress or health care worker who's just barely getting by and struggling to pay the bills -- convinced that the game is fixed against them, that their government only serves the interests of the powerful -- that's a recipe for more cynicism and polarization in our politics.
But there are no quick fixes to this long-term trend. I agree, our trade should be fair and not just free. But the next wave of economic dislocations won't come from overseas. It will come from the relentless pace of automation that makes a lot of good, middle-class jobs obsolete.
And so we're going to have to forge a new social compact to guarantee all our kids the education they need -- (applause) -- to give workers the power to unionize for better wages; to update the social safety net to reflect the way we live now, and make more reforms to the tax code so corporations and individuals who reap the most from this new economy don't avoid their obligations to the country that's made their very success possible. (Applause.)
We can argue about how to best achieve these goals. But we can't be complacent about the goals themselves. For if we don't create opportunity for all people, the disaffection and division that has stalled our progress will only sharpen in years to come.
There's a second threat to our democracy -- and this one is as old as our nation itself. After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America. And such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. Now, I've lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10, or 20, or 30 years ago, no matter what some folks say. (Applause.) You can see it not just in statistics, you see it in the attitudes of young Americans across the political spectrum.
But we're not where we need to be. And all of us have more work to do. (Applause.) If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and an undeserving minority, then workers of all shades are going to be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves. (Applause.) If we're unwilling to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they don't look like us, we will diminish the prospects of our own children -- because those brown kids will represent a larger and larger share of America's workforce. (Applause.) And we have shown that our economy doesn't have to be a zero-sum game. Last year, incomes rose for all races, all age groups, for men and for women.
So if we're going to be serious about race going forward, we need to uphold laws against discrimination -- in hiring, and in housing, and in education, and in the criminal justice system. (Applause.) That is what our Constitution and our highest ideals require. (Applause.)
But laws alone won't be enough. Hearts must change. It won't change overnight. Social attitudes oftentimes take generations to change. But if our democracy is to work in this increasingly diverse nation, then each one of us need to try to heed the advice of a great character in American fiction -- Atticus Finch -- (applause) -- who said "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
For blacks and other minority groups, it means tying our own very real struggles for justice to the challenges that a lot of people in this country face -- not only the refugee, or the immigrant, or the rural poor, or the transgender American, but also the middle-aged white guy who, from the outside, may seem like he's got advantages, but has seen his world upended by economic and cultural and technological change. We have to pay attention, and listen. (Applause.)
For white Americans, it means acknowledging that the effects of slavery and Jim Crow didn't suddenly vanish in the '60s -- (applause) -- that when minority groups voice discontent, they're not just engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness. When they wage peaceful protest, they're not demanding special treatment but the equal treatment that our Founders promised. (Applause.)
For native-born Americans, it means reminding ourselves that the stereotypes about immigrants today were said, almost word for word, about the Irish, and Italians, and Poles -- who it was said we're going to destroy the fundamental character of America. And as it turned out, America wasn't weakened by the presence of these newcomers; these newcomers embraced this nation's creed, and this nation was strengthened. (Applause.)
So regardless of the station that we occupy, we all have to try harder. We all have to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do; that they value hard work and family just like we do; that their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own. (Applause.)
And that's not easy to do. For too many of us, it's become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods or on college campuses, or places of worship, or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions. The rise of naked partisanship, and increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste -- all this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable. And increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether it's true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that is out there. (Applause.)
And this trend represents a third threat to our democracy. But politics is a battle of ideas. That's how our democracy was designed. In the course of a healthy debate, we prioritize different goals, and the different means of reaching them. But without some common baseline of facts, without a willingness to admit new information, and concede that your opponent might be making a fair point, and that science and reason matter -- (applause) -- then we're going to keep talking past each other, and we'll make common ground and compromise impossible. (Applause.)
And isn't that part of what so often makes politics dispiriting? How can elected officials rage about deficits when we propose to spend money on preschool for kids, but not when we're cutting taxes for corporations? (Applause.) How do we excuse ethical lapses in our own party, but pounce when the other party does the same thing? It's not just dishonest, this selective sorting of the facts; it's self-defeating. Because, as my mother used to tell me, reality has a way of catching up with you. (Applause.)
Take the challenge of climate change. In just eight years, we've halved our dependence on foreign oil; we've doubled our renewable energy; we've led the world to an agreement that has the promise to save this planet. (Applause.) But without bolder action, our children won't have time to debate the existence of climate change. They'll be busy dealing with its effects: more environmental disasters, more economic disruptions, waves of climate refugees seeking sanctuary.
Now, we can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem. But to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations, it betrays the essential spirit of this country -- the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our Founders. (Applause.)
It is that spirit, born of the Enlightenment, that made us an economic powerhouse -- the spirit that took flight at Kitty Hawk and Cape Canaveral; the spirit that cures disease and put a computer in every pocket.
It's that spirit -- a faith in reason, and enterprise, and the primacy of right over might -- that allowed us to resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression; that allowed us to build a post-World War II order with other democracies, an order based not just on military power or national affiliations but built on principles -- the rule of law, human rights, freedom of religion, and speech, and assembly, and an independent press. (Applause.)
That order is now being challenged -- first by violent fanatics who claim to speak for Islam; more recently by autocrats in foreign capitals who see free markets and open democracies and and civil society itself as a threat to their power. The peril each poses to our democracy is more far-reaching than a car bomb or a missile. It represents the fear of change; the fear of people who look or speak or pray differently; a contempt for the rule of law that holds leaders accountable; an intolerance of dissent and free thought; a belief that the sword or the gun or the bomb or the propaganda machine is the ultimate arbiter of what's true and what's right.
Because of the extraordinary courage of our men and women in uniform, because of our intelligence officers, and law enforcement, and diplomats who support our troops -- (applause) -- no foreign terrorist organization has successfully planned and executed an attack on our homeland these past eight years. (Applause.) And although Boston and Orlando and San Bernardino and Fort Hood remind us of how dangerous radicalization can be, our law enforcement agencies are more effective and vigilant than ever. We have taken out tens of thousands of terrorists -- including bin Laden. (Applause.) The global coalition we're leading against ISIL has taken out their leaders, and taken away about half their territory. ISIL will be destroyed, and no one who threatens America will ever be safe. (Applause.)
And to all who serve or have served, it has been the honor of my lifetime to be your Commander-in-Chief. And we all owe you a deep debt of gratitude. (Applause.)
But protecting our way of life, that's not just the job of our military. Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So, just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are. (Applause.)
And that's why, for the past eight years, I've worked to put the fight against terrorism on a firmer legal footing. That's why we've ended torture, worked to close Gitmo, reformed our laws governing surveillance to protect privacy and civil liberties. (Applause.) That's why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans, who are just as patriotic as we are. (Applause.)
That's why we cannot withdraw from big global fights -- to expand democracy, and human rights, and women's rights, and LGBT rights. No matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem, that's part of defending America. For the fight against extremism and intolerance and sectarianism and chauvinism are of a piece with the fight against authoritarianism and nationalist aggression. If the scope of freedom and respect for the rule of law shrinks around the world, the likelihood of war within and between nations increases, and our own freedoms will eventually be threatened.
So let's be vigilant, but not afraid. (Applause.) ISIL will try to kill innocent people. But they cannot defeat America unless we betray our Constitution and our principles in the fight. (Applause.) Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world -- unless we give up what we stand for -- (applause) -- and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors.
Which brings me to my final point: Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. (Applause.) All of us, regardless of party, should be throwing ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. (Applause.) When voting rates in America are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should be making it easier, not harder, to vote. (Applause.) When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. (Applause.) When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our congressional districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes. (Applause.)
But remember, none of this happens on its own. All of this depends on our participation; on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power happens to be swinging.
Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But it's really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power. (Applause.) We, the people, give it meaning. With our participation, and with the choices that we make, and the alliances that we forge. (Applause.) Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms. Whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law. That's up to us. America is no fragile thing. But the gains of our long journey to freedom are not assured.
In his own farewell address, George Washington wrote that self-government is the underpinning of our safety, prosperity, and liberty, but "from different causes and from different quarters much pains will be taken...to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth." And so we have to preserve this truth with "jealous anxiety;" that we should reject "the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties" that make us one. (Applause.)
America, we weaken those ties when we allow our political dialogue to become so corrosive that people of good character aren't even willing to enter into public service; so coarse with rancor that Americans with whom we disagree are seen not just as misguided but as malevolent. We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others; when we write off the whole system as inevitably corrupt, and when we sit back and blame the leaders we elect without examining our own role in electing them. (Applause.)
It falls to each of us to be those those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we've been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences, we, in fact, all share the same proud title, the most important office in a democracy: Citizen. (Applause.) Citizen.
So, you see, that's what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when there's an election, not just when your own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life. (Applause.) If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. (Applause.) If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. (Applause.) Show up. Dive in. Stay at it.
Sometimes you'll win. Sometimes you'll lose. Presuming a reservoir of goodness in other people, that can be a risk, and there will be times when the process will disappoint you. But for those of us fortunate enough to have been a part of this work, and to see it up close, let me tell you, it can energize and inspire. And more often than not, your faith in America -- and in Americans -- will be confirmed. (Applause.)
Mine sure has been. Over the course of these eight years, I've seen the hopeful faces of young graduates and our newest military officers. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers, and found grace in a Charleston church. I've seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch. I've seen wounded warriors who at points were given up for dead walk again. I've seen our doctors and volunteers rebuild after earthquakes and stop pandemics in their tracks. I've seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other. (Applause.)
So that faith that I placed all those years ago, not far from here, in the power of ordinary Americans to bring about change -- that faith has been rewarded in ways I could not have possibly imagined. And I hope your faith has, too. Some of you here tonight or watching at home, you were there with us in 2004, in 2008, 2012 -- (applause) -- maybe you still can't believe we pulled this whole thing off. Let me tell you, you're not the only ones. (Laughter.)
Michelle -- (applause) -- Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the South Side -- (applause) -- for the past 25 years, you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. (Applause.) You took on a role you didn't ask for and you made it your own, with grace and with grit and with style and good humor. (Applause.) You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. (Applause.) And the new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. (Applause.) So you have made me proud. And you have made the country proud. (Applause.)
Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful, but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful and you are full of passion. (Applause.) You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad. (Applause.)
To Joe Biden -- (applause) -- the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son -- you were the first decision I made as a nominee, and it was the best. (Applause.) Not just because you have been a great Vice President, but because in the bargain, I gained a brother. And we love you and Jill like family, and your friendship has been one of the great joys of our lives. (Applause.)
To my remarkable staff: For eight years -- and for some of you, a whole lot more -- I have drawn from your energy, and every day I tried to reflect back what you displayed -- heart, and character, and idealism. I've watched you grow up, get married, have kids, start incredible new journeys of your own. Even when times got tough and frustrating, you never let Washington get the better of you. You guarded against cynicism. And the only thing that makes me prouder than all the good that we've done is the thought of all the amazing things that you're going to achieve from here. (Applause.)
And to all of you out there -- every organizer who moved to an unfamiliar town, every kind family who welcomed them in, every volunteer who knocked on doors, every young person who cast a ballot for the first time, every American who lived and breathed the hard work of change -- you are the best supporters and organizers anybody could ever hope for, and I will be forever grateful. (Applause.) Because you did change the world. (Applause.) You did.
And that's why I leave this stage tonight even more optimistic about this country than when we started. Because I know our work has not only helped so many Americans, it has inspired so many Americans -- especially so many young people out there -- to believe that you can make a difference -- (applause) -- to hitch your wagon to something bigger than yourselves.
Let me tell you, this generation coming up -- unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic -- I've seen you in every corner of the country. You believe in a fair, and just, and inclusive America. (Applause.) You know that constant change has been America's hallmark; that it's not something to fear but something to embrace. You are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward. You'll soon outnumber all of us, and I believe as a result the future is in good hands. (Applause.)
My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you. (Applause.) I won't stop. In fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my remaining days. But for now, whether you are young or whether you're young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your President -- the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. I'm asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change -- but in yours.
I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes, we can. (Applause.)
Yes, we did. Yes, we can. (Applause.)
Thank you. God bless you. May God continue to bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
Upcoming post: Michelle Obama's final speech at the White House
November 9, a milestone date for the United States. Donald Trump is the next President, the 45th.
If you are interested..
Hillary Clinton addresses staff and supporters at the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan following her loss to Donald Trump in last night's presidential election. Streamed live on Nov 9, 2016
WHEN Air Force One lands at the RMAF base in Subang this afternoon, it will truly be a historic moment for both the United States and Malaysia. The President will be in Malaysia from April 26 to 18, 2014. He flies in from Japan and his next stop is The Philippines.
US President Barack Obama’s trip, originally scheduled for October last year, will be the first by a sitting US President since 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson landed at the same airport on Oct 30.
What started out as a celebration at the Boston Marathon turned into a bloody scene of destruction as two simultaneous explosions ripped through the crowd at the finish line killing two people and injuring dozens on a day when tens of thousands of people pack the streets to watch the world famous race. Among the two killed is an 8-year-old boy.
Runners continue to run towards the finish line of the Boston Marathon as an explosion erupts near the finish line of the race in this photo exclusively licensed to Reuters by photographer Dan Lampariello after he took the photo in Boston, Massachusetts, April 15, 2013. REUTERS/Dan Lampariello
It was also Patriot's Day, commemorating the opening battle of the Revolutionary War. The Boston Marathon has been held on Patriot's Day, the third Monday of April, since 1897. The event, which starts in Hopkinton, Massachusetts and ends in Boston's Copley Square, attracts an estimated half-million spectators and some 20,000 participants every year.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra cancelled Monday night's concert and the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins cancelled their home game against the Ottawa Senators.
Earlier on, Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa and Kenya's Rita Jeptoo won the men's and women's events, continuing African runners' dominance in the sport.
At least 10 of the dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School were children, the source said.
A parent who was inside the school at the time of the attack said she heard what sounded like at least 100 rounds being fired. She said she saw two school employees who had died.
. Knife attack at Chinese school wounds 22 children Beijing (CNN) -- Twenty-two primary school children were wounded in a knife attack Friday in central China, authorities said. The attack took place at the entrance to the Chenpeng Village Primary School in Henan province, according to the public information department of Guangshan county, the area where the school is located. An adult was also wounded, it said. Several of the children are in critical condition.
. Justin Bieber's murder, castration plotted, police say (CNN) -- A New Mexico inmate, an ex-convict on probation and his nephew are under investigation for plotting to castrate and murder pop singer Justin Bieber, police said Thursday. Their unsuccessful scheme called for targeting Bieber and his bodyguard while in New York City in mid-November, and their motive grew from the inmate's quest for notoriety and his infatuation with Bieber, said a New Mexico State Police affidavit.
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Let's not even touch on what's happening in the Middle-east..
It's hot today. Humid too. Outside there is not even a hint of a gentle breeze as there is no movement in the trees. It would feel like a pressure cooker outside but thanks to the aircond, indoors is a much-preferred space to be.
Still, the heat and humidity is nothing compared to what New Yorkers or residents of the U.S. east coast regions are going through at this moment.
A rare, hybrid "super storm", Sandy, as it is called has hurled a record-breaking 13-foot (43-feet) surge of seawater at New York City on Monday, roaring ashore after washing away part of the Atlantic City boardwalk. On CNN last night, the camera showed New York City was deserted as people have been asked to stay safe.
U.S. stock markets were closed for the first time since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and will remain shut on Tuesday. The government in Washington was closed and school was cancelled up and down the East Coast.
This image from The Star shows Hurricane Sandy, one of the biggest storms ever to hit the United States, battered the densely populated East Coast on Monday, shutting down transportation, forcing evacuations in flood-prone areas and interrupting the presidential election campaign.
Meteorologists say Sandy is a rare, hybrid "super storm" created by an Arctic jet stream wrapping itself around a tropical storm.
This one is primarily for US readers...a call for action.
For the rest of us, it carries a message that we could all benefit if we also have this kind of gesture in our own country.
The US government is collecting feedback on what losing 40 dollars a paycheck would mean to you. Respond by going to WhiteHouse.Gov, or use the hash-tag #40dollars on Twitter. Watch video
Update: The aircraft carrier will be here for 4 days in which Sailors will have the opportunity to volunteer their time at several local community service projects, including work in two children’s homes and a senior citizen’s home. -Source
Sometimes I wish Kuala Lumpur is situated by the coast where you can see boats, yachts or even ocean-liners gliding by, or at least located alongside a huge body of water such as a lake or a river where you can enjoy watching people sailing or watch fishing boats go by. Lovely!
Not sure whether the vessel is still at Port Klang but the American aircraft carrier, USS John C. Stennis, made a scheduled port call yesterday. The name doesn't ring a bell?
This same aircraft carrier was used in movies including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Executive Decision and others. It also responded to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Indonesia.
Update on Hurricane Irene.. here's CNN Live on the situation. Hurricane Irene has made landfall at North Carolina dumping heavy rain resulting in floods.
This still being the Chinese New Year, it is probably not a good time to bring up something as inauspicious as personal injury but then again, accidents don't pick their dates to happen. Accidents happen anytime they want.
If you are in Texas, USA, and have been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, but due to someone else's negligence, and are looking for an attorney who will fight for your rights, you may want to contact an Austin Personal Injury Attorney of the The Law Firm of O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath.
They have committed and experienced lawyers that provide their clients with superior client service and legal representation. These professionals are experts in personal injury and auto accident law and will vigorously fight for your full recovery. O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath is a Law Firm that prides itself on being approachable to their clients and aggressive toward their adversaries. Call them today for a free initial consultation.
O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath – Personal Injury Lawyers – 808 West Avenue, Austin, TX. 78701 – 512-494-9949
Here in Malaysia lottery or casino winnings are not taxed unlike in the US. If you win a million Ringgit here, you get to keep that cool million, not having to pay any tax for it.
Whereas in the US, when you win in lotteries or in casinos or even come into any financial gains, the winnings or gains is subjected to a 30% withholding tax. All is not lost, however.
Canadian and International visitors to the US can make a claim of the 30% withholding tax which is a good thing to offset one's gaming losses. You could recoup at least some or all of the gambling winnings tax.
One company that provides U.S. Gambling Tax Recovery services is http://www.casinotaxrebate.com/. As an IRS authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent (ID # 98-0337122) they can get you an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and provide you with all the necessary service to help you with the US tax recovery. If you don't get your casino refund cheque they don't charge a fee.
According to Wikipedia, Arizona experiences great variations in climate. Arizona is the state which has both a metropolitan area with most days over 100°F (38°C) (Phoenix), and another metropolitan area with a low temperature below freezing (Flagstaff, in northern Arizona).
Because of the extremes in temperature, many homes are equipped with heating and cooling systems for families to remain comfortable in their homes. If you are in Arizona and require heating and cooling solutions, such as repair and installation, Jay's Comfort Team would be the company you will want to contact.
This Arizona heating and cooling company offers complete and expert air conditioning repair and installation services in the Phoenix, Arizona Metro area including Scottsdale. As is apparent in the many testimonials and online informational resources, they have a lot of expertise and knowledge in the service of air conditioners and with the technological expertise required for today's heating and cooling systems, including geothermal systems which are gaining popularity today. Geothermal systems are not only eco-friendly and energy-independent, they can help you realize substantial savings and also qualify you for rebates and credits.
If you were to make a comparison of Arizona air conditioning contractors, Jay's Comfort Team company would stand out among them. They are highly specialized and provide world-class technical support on an ongoing basis. All work is done by their own employees as they do not use subcontractors. They service all makes and models, with service available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. With advice and support from this Arizona air conditioning service company, I believe your choice of air conditioning and cooling system won't be wrong.
Through the years, many teams have tried to copy the Dallas Cowboy's success and grab the title America's Team, but it still resides in Dallas. The Dallas Cowboys has had great stars throughout the years, which has been part of their mystique. With names like Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Drew Pearson, Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith leading the way the Dallas Cowboys continue to be America's Team. Even when we fast-forward to 2010 names like Tony Romo, Roy Williams, and Dez Bryant are defining the next century of the Dallas Cowboys.
Just as legendary as the players have been, so have the coaches as well. Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson both have won Super Bowls and help keep the Dallas Cowboys America's Team. Now the Cowboys have one of the newest and biggest stadiums around and continue to break new ground as America's Team. Watching them on satalite TV is just as much fun now as it was years ago. The Dallas Cowboys have been a part of many people's lives and that will not change anytime soon. Owner Jerry Jones loves the Dallas Cowboys and does whatever it takes to bring a winner to the field. You have to love an owner like that who wants to win so badly. It looks like America's Team will be around for a very long time no matter how others would hope for their demise.
What is it about summer that perks up the spirits. It must be (among others) the sunshine, the flowers in the garden, the vacation time coming up not forgetting the round or two of golf for some of us!
Talk about golf, avid golfers would not pass up on that round of golf whenever they travel on business. Top class Myrtle Beach golf courses are among the best in the US and there are over 80 of them in Myrtle Beach
Making reservations is easy . It's just one phone-call away or you can book one of their Myrtle Beach golf packages online at http://www.myrtlebeachgolf.net. The best part is, they let you book your tee times and accommodations at the same time. One of their popular golf packages include a course that legendary players and course designers, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, play in. You'd be walking among the greats when you play there.
For those who don't play golf, there are lots of other attractions to keep you busy. You can visit the many museums available, have a thrilling time at the amusement parks, take in a show or two at the theatres or go shopping! Myrtle Beach has a lot to offer holidaymakers, young and the young at heart.
Now that the weather is getting warm again, it is time to once again plan those summer outings. Last summer, I took a trip to San Francisco with a friend and we visited Chinatown. I do not live too far away from there, so it was an easy trip to make. I got up early, set my best home security in my house, and went to pick up my friend for a great day.
After a few stops in San Francisco, we made our way to Chinatown. There is so much to do there that we could not do it all, but there were a few things that stand out as being worth the trip. One of these was the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Here, visitors have the opportunity to watch fortune cookies being made right in front of them. A mid-afternoon snack was just what we needed to give us the energy to get to the next awesome place: The Bank of Canton.
The Bank of Canton may not sound like the most exciting place to visit, but it is almost like a museum. It is a very authentic Chinese-looking building which will give you a feel for real Chinese culture. Aside from these places, there are many hotels and restaurants to visit. Take a trip to Chinatown and see for yourself.
I was looking at Barack Obama last night on CNN and realised he has a lot more white hair now than when he first took office. I missed checking out the wrinkles though.
And in today's papers, there is news that eight months after taking office, the Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, would step down over broken campaign pledges to remove an American base from Okinawa.
All this goes to show that it's not only lonely at the top, as cliched, it's a tough job up there. Politics sure is not fun, but somebody's got to do it.
Thanksgiving Day is here again. It is wonderful there is a day that is set aside for giving thanks, not that people don't on other days, of course.
Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. There are other cultures in the world that also set aside a day or a period for thanking the gods for a bountiful harvest. While this western Thanksgiving is perhaps religious in origin, it is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, which is today, Nov 26. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members and friends. A Thanksgiving dinner would be something like this in the 1500s as depicted by this painting depicting the First Thanksgiving painted by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863-1930), courtesy of Wikipedia.
Here I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you ..
..and All Good Things come your way.
Btw, Thanksgiving Day for 2010 will be
- October 11, 2010 (Canada);
- November 25, 2010 (U.S.)
In the US, Thanksgiving weekend is almost never complete without the shopping mad rush and bargain-hunting the following day.
Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving and is observed in the United States alone. Black Friday marks the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season.
The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day but more recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers go from being in the red (i.e., posting a loss on the books) to being in the black (i.e., turning a profit).
Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many employees have the day off with the exceptions of those employed in retailing, health care, and banking.
Black Friday shopping is a much anticipated annual affair whereby most retailers open extremely early, as early as 5:00am or even earlier. Depending on the location, some of the larger retailers, such as Sears, Best Buy, Macy's and Walmart have been reported to open as early as midnight on the start of Black Friday in localized areas and remain open for 24 hours throughout the day until midnight the following Saturday.
This year, retailers will be extra careful and are stepping up crowd control following last year's incident at Walmart in New York in which an employee was trampled to death in the stampede.
If you are in the US, you would be spoilt for choice as to the countless Black Friday bargains available. A Top Ten guide would be helpful to zero in on the real deals and not waste time on the worst or even weird Black Friday deals. Both of these can be found on this BlackFriday2009 website.
Just in case you are planning ahead, Black Friday will fall on Nov 26 next year, but we're not going that far, are we? Or are we?!
