Archive for the ‘January 2011’ Category

January 17, 2011 – Ottawa

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Today is Martin Luther King Day in the United States.  It is a day to honor the work and the memory of a great American.  His legacy – always fighting for change peacefully – is as relevant today as it was when he lived.

There was an article I read the other day that asked, “what would Dr. King think if he were alive today?”  Would he be discouraged by the tone of the debate?  Would he be dismayed by the violence in our society?

As I reflect on this day, I can’t help but think he would retain the hope and the optimism that he lived for.  And he died for.

I am reminded of two of President Obama’s speeches.

Last week in Tucson, he said “we may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another, that’s entirely up to us.”

And in Philadelphia during the campaign in his famous speech on race in America he explained: “This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation — the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.”

I believe that if Dr. King were alive today he would be as hopeful as our President.  As hopeful as I am.  As hopeful as most Americans.

DJ

Tags: ,
Posted in January 2011 |

January 11, 2011

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Over the past year, I have followed first the tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti and then the steps that Haitians, working with the international community, have taken in rebuilding their country.  The enormity of the disaster began to unfold while I was at Rideau Hall for dinner with former Governor General Michaëlle Jean and her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond. The Governor General’s compassion during that “evening of anguish” as she has called it has stayed with me. 

The generous assistance from the American and Canadian people and governments has been monumental.  I am particularly proud of my colleagues at the United States Consulate in Montreal (both American and Canadian citizens) who volunteered to assist in Haiti during the darkest days.

The long-term U.S. strategy for reconstruction assistance in Haiti is built on four areas of greatest concern:  infrastructure, agriculture, health and rule of law.  Although progress isn’t always visible, progress has been made.  For example, in the ten months after the earthquake, more rubble has been removed in Haiti than was removed in the 2 ½ years following the tsunami, in Aceh, Indonesia.  More Haitians have access to clean water than they did before the quake.  But so much is left to do.

An end of year message from my friend, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, Ken Merten and his wife, Susan, was full of extraordinary stories of Haitians as they have tried to put their lives back together.  As Ambassador Merten said in his January 9 op-ed in the Washington Post, progress in Haiti may be slow, but it is real.

DJ

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in January 2011 |

January 11, 2011 – Ottawa

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

I am sickened and horrified by the senseless tragedy in Tucson in which Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others were shot.  This is not what my country stands for.  It is not what should happen to decent public servants.  Or anyone else.  Ever.

Yesterday, we in the Embassy and all Americans observed a moment of silence to reflect on these events and to honor those killed and wounded.  Congresswoman Giffords was doing what elected officials should do when this unspeakable act occurred — listening to the hopes and concerns of her neighbors.  That is the essence of what our democracy is all about.  And, as the President has said, that is why this is more than a tragedy for those involved.  It is a tragedy for Arizona and a tragedy for our entire country.

I want to thank Canadian Foreign Minister Cannon, the Government of Canada and the many Canadians who have reached out to us with messages of condolence to friends and family of the victims. Minister Cannon is right when he says attacks against democratically elected officials, regardless of where they occur, affect and undermine the safety of us all.

The President has issued a Proclamation that Federal Government flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on January 14th.

In the meantime our hopes and prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords and her family, as well as the other victims and their families.

DJ

Tags: , , ,
Posted in January 2011 |

January 8, 2011 – Ottawa

Monday, January 10th, 2011

I finally did it.  I went skating on the Rideau Canal.  Last year I went out and bought skates on a Saturday (it’s been a while since my hockey days) and I was going to go out on the canal.  Then someone told me there were a bunch of bumps and cracks and maybe I ought to go skating once or twice on a regular rink to make sure I had my legs under me.  I took their advice and everything was fine.  I was going to go skating the next weekend.  Then it got warm and the canal never opened again.  Since then I have probably had 100 people ask me if I have skated on the canal.  And each time I have to tell them my tale of woe.

Ambassador Jacobson Ice Skates at the Rideau Canal

Ambassador Jacobson and Mrs. Jacobson on the Rideau Canal

I was not going to make the same mistake two years in a row.  As soon as we had our chance – today – Julie and I went out skating.  While I’m sure no one who saw me mistook me for Wayne Gretzky at least I didn’t fall.  It was great fun.  We will do it again soon.  Next time with hot chocolate and beaver tails.

DJ

Tags: ,
Posted in January 2011 |

January 7, 2011 — Ottawa

Monday, January 10th, 2011

I get a lot of questions about the White House.  I thought the President’s decision yesterday to pick Bill Daley to serve as his new Chief of Staff was a good excuse to talk a little about what it’s like there.

Actually there are about 460 people who work in the White House.  They are the hardest working and most able group of people I have ever had the honor to work with.  They range from the President, the Vice President, and the Chief of Staff to researchers, staff assistants and analysts. 

A tiny handful have offices in the West Wing.  The rest are in the Old Executive Office Building next door or in a couple of other buildings scattered around Pennsylvania Avenue.

Everyone in the Executive Branch of the Government, all 4 million of them, work for the President.  The White House Staff acts on behalf of the President to interact with the Cabinet Departments, the Administrative Agencies, the Military, the Boards and Commissions, and other agencies and instrumentalities of the Executive Branch. 

The Chief of Staff manages the 460 people on the White House Staff and in turn the rest of the 4 million members of the Executive Branch. 

So if you have business with the President and the Executive Branch of Government, you have business with the Chief of Staff.  It’s a crushing job.  The Chief of Staff must be both a manager and an advisor – he works with the President to identify people to staff the government, controls the flow of people and paper into the Oval Office and often serves as an honest broker between the White House, the Executive Branch, the Congress, and the rest of the world.  Above all, he serves the interests of the President. 

It is not unusual for a President to change his Chief of Staff.  Both Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan had four chiefs of staff.  Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush each had two. 

With Bill Daley, President Obama has called on a seasoned and experienced person.  A person who is respected by Business and Labor.  By Republicans and Democrats on the Hill.  He’s a great guy who – as the President noted yesterday – has politics in his blood. He’ll bring a lot to the White House….even if he is a White Sox fan!

DJ

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in January 2011 |