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Liberal Democrats challenged President Obama on Tuesday over his willingness to cut Social Security benefits. At a meeting that lasted just less than 90 minutes, Obama was peppered by questions from Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), among others, who challenged Obama on adopting “chained CPI” — a less generous formula for adjusting benefits under Social Security and other programs for inflation. Obama has said he is open to chained CPI as part of a “grand bargain” that would include spending cuts as well as new revenue. And he didn’t back down from that support during a closed-door...

In an effort to try to make the sequestration as painful as possible, The Administration announced that the White House would be closed to tourists for the duration. White House Visitors Office Director, Ellie Schafer explains that “in this time of fiscal crisis everyone must do his or her fair share of sacrifice.” The estimated annual savings to be attained by canceling visitors’ access to tours of the White House is a little over $900,000. This is less than the million dollars the Administration spent on a single Presidential golf outing with Tiger Woods in February. Schafer contended that the...

I did some searches on tours, so far Onboardnewyorktours.com looks to be a possible choice with their "See the Best" tour... I like Revolutionary War history and American history in general. (I also like pubs.)

As he travels the Gulf Coast on Friday, President Obama is trying to reinforce the message he pushed during a White House news conference Thursday: that he and his administration are "fully engaged" in trying to fix, and clean up, the increasingly devastating oil spill. "I take responsibility," Obama said. "It is my job to make sure that everything is done to shut this down." Obama needs to reinforce the message that he's accepting responsibility for the Gulf mess — especially since recent polls show that the public is increasingly dismayed over his handling of the catastrophe. But stepping forward...

Illinois banks on Obama buzz to boost tourism By CARLA K. JOHNSON – 13 hours ago CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago's tourism Web site beckons visitors to "experience the city the Obamas enjoy." The Illinois Bureau of Tourism plans to launch a three-day getaway promotion featuring Barack Obama sites. And tour guides at the Old State Capitol in Springfield may get new scripts to stress two important speeches the president-elect made as a candidate. It's all part of Illinois tourism officials' rush to capitalize on the Obama buzz.

FORT HUACHUCA — Residents of historic military homes on this Southern Arizona Army post are opening their doors to visitors from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 2 for the annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. For the past 17 years, the fort has marked the beginning of the holiday season with the special tour. The “Old Post” area, a national historic landmark, will be lit by the soft glow of luminaries as the public is given a rare glimpse at the interior of these homes. The tour is organized the fort Huachuca Community Spouses’ Club. Proceeds from the tour...

TOURS, 732

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2007 – As it has for the past two years to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Pentagon will open its doors Sept. 8 and 9 for brief public tours. The tours, part of Sept. 11 commemorative events that include the Sept. 9 America Supports You Freedom Walk, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 8 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 9, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Hodgin, director of the Pentagon’s tour program, said. America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and...

A Reporter Embarks on a Decidedly Nonpedestrian Tour of the Nation's Capital : Celeste Bagert was incredulous when she learned that her husband had signed them both up for a $65 tour of Washington on Segway scooters. "Those," she said disdainfully, "are the dorkiest things, ever." She told him the money would have been better spent on a sushi dinner. Oh well. The duo is part of a group of friends I've joined for a tour via the iconic transportation device that was supposed to revolutionize the commute, but instead became the province of law-enforcement officials and ... urban tourists....

Riyad Aldahas, director general of the State Company of Fertilizers in Northern Iraq, gives his thanks to Paul A. Brinkley, deputy undersecretary of Defense for Business Transformation, for visiting the facility Jan. 10, 2007, at the Bayji Fertilizer Plant. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua R. Ford Undersecretary Tours Salah Ad Din Fertilizer Plant U.S. leaders, industry executives meet to discuss bringing the plant to full capacity. By Spc. Joshua R. Ford 3rd Brigade Combat Team 82nd Airborne Division BAYJI, Iraq, Jan. 16, 2007 -- Paul A. Brinkley, deputy undersecretary of defense for Business Transformation, and Brig. Gen. Francis...

RALEIGH, N.C. - When introducing former vice presidential candidate John Edwards at a book signing this week, a family friend mentioned a bumper sticker she'd seen around town: "Edwards-Obama." The giddy audience roared with approval. Both Edwards and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama insist they have yet to decide whether they are running for president, but both are drawing big crowds as they follow the modern script of a White House candidate and head out on nationwide book tours. The self-promoting promenades give both an excuse to tour early 2008 primary states — without having to publicly commit to a campaign....

The Battle of Tours Charles de Steuben's Battaile de Poitiers en Octobre 732 depicts a triumphant Charles Martel (mounted) facing Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi (right) at the Battle of Tours. Date: October 10, 732 Location: near Tours, France Result: Decisive Frankish victory CombatantsCarolingian Franks v. Umayyad Caliphate Commanders Charles Martel v.Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi Abd er Rahman Strength 15,000-75,000 v. 60,000-400,000 Casualtiesabout 1500 reported in western history, but probably far heavier unknown, but reported massive, notably Emir Abd er Rahman. The Battle of Tours (October 10, 732), often called Battle of Poitiers and also called in Arabic بلاط الشهداء...

1,300 years after decisive Battle of Tours, Muslims still wonder why they lostBy Mary Jo Anderson TOURS, France – Frederic Guesdon won the 100th edition of the Paris-Tours classic on Sunday. The picturesque valley where cyclists whooshed uphill toward their prize no longer bears the scars of the ferocious Battle of Tours. But in this valley, Oct. 10, A.D. 732, Frankish chieftains and Gallic forces led by Charles Martel defended their homeland from Abd-er-Rahman and his Muslim raiders. ...Historians calculate that the Umayyad Caliphate – that met its match at the Battle of Tours – was the mightiest military power...

‘Why We Serve’ Program to Connect Servicemembers, American PublicBy Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2006 – Thirteen servicemembers recently returned from deployments in the Middle East will fan out across the country beginning today to share their experiences and motivation for serving in uniform as they launch the Defense Department’s new “Why We Serve” program. The program has one simple goal: to help connect returning military members with the general public and give them an opportunity to tell their personal stories, explained Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. The servicemembers, representing the...

No end to fighting as Rice tours Middle East By Patrick Bishop and George Jones, Political Editor (Filed: 25/07/2006) Condoleezza Rice arrived in Israel last night with no sign that America's belated diplomatic intervention would bring an early end to the violence in Lebanon. The US secretary of state had earlier visited Beirut where she said she was "deeply concerned" by the plight of the Lebanese people who have been suffering the consequences of two weeks of Israeli attacks. Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora greets Condoleezza RiceThe White House announced that it was sending helicopters and ships to provide humanitarian...

After a helicopter tour of the U.S.-Mexico border here, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched a broadside yesterday against House Republican leaders for threatening to scuttle a sweeping overhaul of immigration laws. “It would be totally inexcusable for them to say, 'This year we couldn't do it,'” Schwarzenegger said at a news conference minutes after landing near the border fence, yards away from Tijuana, on a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter. The Republican governor had just completed a 23-minute aerial tour that took him from Brown Field east nearly to Otay Mountain and then west to seaside Border Field State Park. After landing...

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2006 – Reigning Miss America Jennifer Berry had nothing but good to say about servicemembers she met in a tour of the Pentagon today. Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry poses in front of the Pentagon with her famous crown March 23. Berry toured the Pentagon to meet with service members. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. "It was absolutely wonderful and such an honor for me," the 22-year-old Tulsa, Okla., native said. Berry visited with soldiers after a briefing on Army operations and later met with sailors working down the hallway....

A quick vanity to all... I am beginning to plan a 1-week or so family vaction (experienced cyclists / hikers) "Up North" next summer to get out of Arizona heat. We are looking primarily at Alaska, Glacier National Park (Montana), Yellowstone. We are looking at hiking, kayaking/rafting, bicycling, horseback riding; and prefer camping to hotel stays. Does anyone have any recommendations as to the best tour company or ones to avoid? Could anyone give pointers on dumb things to avoid or things which really added to their experience? Cheers!

November 11, 2005Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop Psalm: Friday 48 Reading IWis 13:1-9 All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God,and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is,and from studying the works did not discern the artisan;But either fire, or wind, or the swift air,or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water,or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods.Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods,let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than...

The Battle of ToursOctober 10, 732 AD marks the conclusion of the Battle of Tours, arguably one of the most decisive battles in all of history. A Moslem army, in a crusading search for land and the end of Christianity, after the conquest of Syria, Egypt, and North Africa, began to invade Western Europe under the leadership of Abd-er Rahman, governor of Spain. Abd-er Rahman led an infantry of 60,000 to 400,000 soldiers across the Western Pyrenees and toward the Loire River, but they were met just outside the city of Tours by Charles Martel, known as the Hammer, and...