Obama team unveils exciting federal logo to make you eat less of what you like and more of what you don't

Just in time for county fair and picnic season, President Obama's administration has unveiled a brand-new, colorful, exciting logo designed to fill what it feels is a disturbing national shortage of reminders for Americans to eat healthier.

The MyPlate logo (see super-sized version above) will be widely distributed by your federal government to replace the familiar food pyramid design as the examining room poster least-read-by-impatient-patients-sitting-in-their-underwear-awaiting-a-tardy-doctor.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who comes from Iowa and has downed his fair share of corn dogs, cheesesteaks and elephant ears over the years, unveiled the new logo.

"With so many food options available to consumers," Vilsack opined, "it is often difficult to determine the best foods to put on our plates when building a healthy meal."

Who could possibly oppose healthy meals, right? Especially if someone else has to eat them.

And especially given what medicine is going to cost individual Americans under the president's massive healthcare plan that everyone will be required to buy unless they can wangle a waiver from the Health and Human Services Department because they're a well-connected union, large corporation or run AARP?

And who is closer to the American people, cares more about their perceived needs, thinks they know more about everything that they think matters and is better able to impose such well-meaning propaganda reminders than federal government bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.?

"MyPlate is an uncomplicated symbol to help remind people to think about their food choices in order to lead healthier lifestyles," Vilsack added.

For increased news interest, the Ag department had on hand Michelle Obama, who's made the fight against obesity her first lady cause.

"I can already tell how much this is going to help parents across the country," said Mrs. Obama, who served six kinds of pies at her last Thanksgiving dinner.

"When mom or dad comes home from a long day of work," she stated, "we're already asked to be a chef, a referee, a cleaning crew. So it's tough to be a nutritionist too. But we do have time to take a look at our kids' plates. As long as they're half full of fruits and vegetables, and paired with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, we're golden. That's how easy it is."

Also on hand Thursday to help serve up the warning about healthier face-stuffing was Regina Benjamin, President Obama's selection as the nation's health-driven surgeon general (see photo above).

She said:

"This new tool can be a fun way to help individuals and families make healthier meal choices. I encourage all Americans to follow the new dietary guidelines and become familiar with the new icon because it will serve as a compass to a healthy and fit nation."

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Christina House / Los Angles Times (Benjamin).

Donald Trump and Sarah Palin have a pizza summit in New York

Donald Trump and Sarah Palin dined on cheese and pepperoni pizza Tuesday evening in Manhattan, flanked by reporters and several loved ones.

According to news reports (yep, this is news), Palin invited the real estate mogul and his wife to La Famiglia, a pizza chain that can be found in several airports around the country and even at Six Flags.

The former Alaska governor, who had spent the day traveling in a bus from Pennsylvania with some of her family, arrived at the tycoon's 30,000-square-foot penthouse via a chauffeured SUV.  After a short visit, the pair emerged with Palin's daughter Piper, husband, Todd, and Trump's wife, Melania.

Once at the eatery, a section of the restaurant was cordoned off for the Palin-Trump party.

Palin ate her pizza with her hands, the billionaire used a fork, it appears, in photos snapped by NBC.

Other than how they eat pizza, the media-savvy Republicans say they have a lot in common in regards to improving the country.

"What do we have in common? Our love for this country, a desire to see our economy put back on the right track," Palin told reporters. "To have a balanced trade arrangement with other countries across this world so Americans can have our jobs, our industries, our manufacturing again. And exploiting responsibly our natural resources. We can do that again if we make good decisions."

Would Trump, who recently announced that he would not seek the GOP nomination, give his support to Palin if she ran?

"She's a great woman, a terrific woman and a terrific friend. I'd love her to run," Trump said.

In April, Palin defended Trump's questioning of President Obama's birth certificate.

"He's merely answering reporters' questions about his view on the birth certificate, and then reporters turn that around and say that's all he's got," the former Alaska governor said on the "Hannity" show.  "Donald Trump is running on the issue, bottom line, that President Obama is so far over his head."

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-- Tony Pierce
twitter.com/busblog

Was President Obama really chewing gum during the memorial service for Joplin's tornado victims?

Barely returned from his four-nation trip to Europe, President Obama flew to Missouri on the holiday weekend for the memorial service to the victims lost in the area's mammoth storms last week.

Then, in this video clip, after the sermon the television cameras turned to the president sitting in the front row.

And many distracted viewers immediately began wondering, what ....

... in the world was Obama eating or chewing during the memorial service for more than 113 dead?

What do you think?

An outraged Thomas Lifson here speculates that the president might have been chewing Nicorette gum to combat his ongoing struggle with cigarette smoking. Chewing is arguably better than lighting up during the service. And gum-chewing during public meetings fits with this president's more casual attitudes about some things, such as the tradition of wearing a tie and coat in the Oval Office.

Lifson also points out that this is not the first time Obama has been spotted chewing something during public meetings.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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The G-8's declaration on the Arab Spring

 

Declaration of the G-8 on the Arab Spring, as provided by the French government

1) The changes under way in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are historic and have the potential to open the door to the kind of transformation that occurred in Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The aspiration of people for freedom, human rights, democracy, job opportunities, empowerment and dignity, has led them to take control of their own destinies in a growing number of countries in the region. It resonates with and reinforces our common values.

2) We, members of the G8, strongly support the aspirations of the “Arab spring” as well as those of the Iranian people. We hear the voice of the citizens, support their determination for equality and stand by their legitimate call for democratic, open societies and inclusive economic modernisation. We particularly commend the role played by young people and women in these transformational movements.

3) Today we launched the “Deauville Partnership” with the people of the region, based on our common goals for the future, in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Egypt and Tunisia, the two countries that originated the movement, and of the Secretary General of the Arab League.

We stand ready to extend this long term global Partnership to all countries of the region engaging in a transition towards free, democratic and tolerant societies (“Partnership Countries”), beginning....

According to Obama, the Guinness in Ireland is much better than the stuff they sell in the U.S.

It was a happy occasion Monday during President Obama's hasty visit to Ireland to see what is deemed his ancestral hometown of Moneygall and stop by Ollie Hayes' pub for a pint.

Yes, during all the official hoo-hah in Dublin the president's motorcade had a limo problem that paralyzed its movement briefly, driving the security folks crazy for a few minutes (See full video below) because a POTUS is not supposed to be exposed to unsecured public like those who videoed the accident.

Thousands had waited hours in Moneygall (Pop. 298) to see the Dunham descendant and Obama worked the crowd's perimeter several times. Obama is a beer fancier and has flown in some favorite Chicago brews at times. And remember when he tried to patch up that confrontation between a Cambridge cop and professor? That wasn't a Tea Summit.

Monday it's what happened inside the Moneygall pub that may not go down too smoothly with the American distributors of Ireland's world-famous Guinness.

The president got to reminiscing good-naturedly about a previous encounter with the tasty liquid.

"The first time I had Guinness," Obama said, "is when I came to the Shannon airport. We were flying into Afghanistan and so stopped in Shannon. It was the middle of the night. And I tried one of these and I realized it tastes so much better here than it does in the States."

Oops.

Then the commander-in-chief blithely added: "What I realized was, is that you guys are -- You’re keeping all the best stuff here!”

And now the video.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Pool, Getty Images

Obama warns White House party crowd: 'You do not want to be between Michelle and a tamale'

El president Obama meant it as a joke for his latest White House party tonight, one to mark Cinco de Mayo.

The crowd laughed.

But Mr. Obama may pay for this public quip later tonight up in their private quarters. Since Primera Esposa Michelle Obama has been talking healthy eating and combating obesity for muchos meses, Even as her husband continues to be photographed downing junk food at most any opportunity..

No 'Cinco de Cuatro' gaffe this year. Obama learned his lesson two years ago; you can read this year's version in full by scrolling down. Americans politicians and many of their constituents mark May 5 as a celebration of Mexican-Americans and their heritage, especially the year before an election. In parts of Mexico the fest actually has more to do with a thumping they gave French soldiers 149 years ago (and not in soccer).

The president was clearly in a jolly mood despite a somber day of 9/11 wreath-laying at New York's ground zero. He promised the crowd a short speech and sort of delivered (11 minutes), unless you were hungry.

He thanked the usual long list of attendees, who can never get enough POTUS shoutouts. And he also thanked "my band," although the musicians on hand actually belong to the United States Marine Corps.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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President Obama's Cinco de Mayo remarks, as provided by the White House

THE PRESIDENT:  Gracias, gracias. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. Gracias. Buenas noches. (Applause.) Bienvenidos. Welcome to the Cinco de Mayo at the White House.  (Applause.)   

Nothing ruins a good fiesta like a long speech from a politician. (Laughter.) So I'm going to keep it short.

MRS. OBAMA: Keep it short.(Laughter.) 

THE PRESIDENT:  Keep it short. I just want to acknowledge a few proud Latinos and friends of Latinos who are here with us tonight:  A great friend to me and to the United States, Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan is here, from Mexico, with his lovely wife Verónica.  (Applause.)  Interior....

Chicago ban on homemade school lunches packs much more than sandwiches

Maybe it's a Chicago thing, persons in positions of authority believing they know better what's best for others.

No, we're not talking about President Obama, who happens to be in Chicago today to bag up $17 million in takings from his three reelection campaign fundraisers last night.

We're talking this time about a school principal on the West Side there who has banned homemade lunches at Little Village Academy.

No more brown bags or lunchpails filled with a handmade meal from home because Principal Elsa Carmona thinks the nutrition in her school's cafeteria is better than the parental stuff.

"It is better for the children to eat at the school," she announced to our Chicago Tribune colleagues.

Here's the deal: Many Americans feel they've endured the first 815 days of the Obama administration's drive to spend more, borrow more and regulate more.

They notice the oncoming federal requirement to purchase healthcare insurance. They see the president sign the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act last December, giving the feds increased power over the content of local school lunches and vending machines.

And they seem to be growing a tad touchy about being told what to do in....

Late-night's best: Harry Houdini, Hillary Clinton and Kenya speaks out on Obama's birthplace

As The Ticket's 62,000-plus Twitter followers here and 6,600 Facebook fans here know, we regularly share our daily picks of the late-night jokes of interest, usually before broadcast each night. Feel free to pass them on to friends using the Share buttons above.

Here's the usual Monday morning collection:

Letterman: So now the CIA is arming the Libyan rebels. Great! You know what that means? In 10 years we'll be fighting THEM.

Fallon: Big show biz news: TLC will air new episodes of ‘Kate Plus 8’ starting this week. And they’re going to KEEP airing them until Kadafi steps down.

Fallon: President Obama says the U.S. has ‘clear and focused’ goals in Libya. Says he will share those goals with us as soon as Hillary shares them with him.

Conan: President Obama reportedly scheduled his speech on Libya so it would not interfere with “Dancing With the Stars.” So as of now the Obama policy is: “Willing to embroil us in a third war, but not willing to interrupt the Karate Kid’s Macarena.”

Fallon: Yes, Obama's Libya speech was timed to avoid DWTS. That's ridiculous. It's a major historical event that affects millions. I can't believe that show was nearly interrupted by Obama's speech.

Leno: So, finally President Obama addressed the nation on Libya. This changes his previous policy on Libya, which was "don't ask, don't tell.'

Leno: I love this part: Instead of calling our mission in Libya a war, the White House is calling it "a kinetic military action."  Which sounds better than "potential endless quagmire."

Letterman: Speaking of Libya, Obama says we're staying only....

Late-night's best: Arnold returns, Trump's trick, Obama's call and Michelle's diet

As The Ticket's 60,000-plus Twitter followers here and 6,600 Facebook fans here know, we regularly share our daily picks of the late-night jokes of interest, usually before broadcast each night. Feel free to pass them on to friends using the Share buttons above.

Here's the usual Monday morning collection:

Fallon: A Russian airline now has clowns and musicians performing in-flight. 'Cause with crowds and crying babies my first thought is, there should be clowns here.

O'Brien: Arnold Schwarzenegger is returning to the movies. In a 'Terminator' sequel he'll travel back in time to kill the person who suggested he run for governor.

O'Brien: According to Forbes magazine, the richest man in the world is now a man from Mexico. He’s Oprah’s gardener.

O'Brien: Donald Trump denies pretending to run for president just to gain publicity for his TV show. Trump said:....

Obama family health update: Smoking, hair dye, Facebook and his awful shirts

Michelle Obama.

Because the American public, at least as represented by television interviewers, wants to know details about what's really none of its business in the lives of its political royalty, Michelle Obama was on TV this week spilling the beans about all kinds of personal things.

It is, of course, ridiculous to suggest that such TV-friendly moments have anything to do with humanizing her aloof husband's public image for his 2012 reelection campaign, especially among women voters.

We watched so you don't have to. But if you want to, there's a video below.

In no particular order the first lady told NBC's interviewer:

Yes, she claims, her husband really has quit smoking.

No, the Democrat, who turns 50 this summer, doesn't dye his hair.

But she sure wishes he'd pay more attention to his dress. And she'd also really like him to buy some brighter-colored shirts.

Well, yes, the White House's Super Bowl party menu as detailed here was a little overboard in terms of fat, calories and carbs and completely violated the healthy eating guidelines she's been suggesting during her yearlong fight against obesity.

But, she said, she's not really been pushing total abstinence from junk food, just more balance with healthier items more often. Plus, of course, more exercise, especially among young people.

"This isn't an all-or-nothing proposition," Mrs. Obama said, "and it's important for families not to get caught up in that, not to think that I can never indulge."

Also her daughters, Sasha and Malia, do not have Facebook pages due to age and Secret Service restrictions. But even without those, she wouldn't allow them to have such pages anyway. "It's not something they need," she added. "It's not necessary right now."

Making the New York City TV rounds, Mrs. Obama later told "Regis and Kelly Live" that, of course, she'd go to the upcoming British royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

If she'd been invited.

Which she wasn't.

For whatever reason.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Peter Kramer / NBC