A Star rising from the Atlantic… Fabulous Women

A 56 yr old petite woman swims the Atlantic. From the western coast of Africa to a sandy beach in Trinidad, Jennifer Figge became the first woman of record to swim the 1200 mi trip across the Atlantic.

DETAILS OF JENNIFER’S AMAZING FEAT:

From time to time, I will digress from the serious business conducted by Madame Secretary to herald a new Champion who represents women accomplishing amazing feats never done before .

A FIRST in our Special Edition of  “First Time Ever”  for Fabulous Women.

A dream she’d had since the early 1960s, when a stormy trans-Atlantic flight got her thinking she could don a life vest and swim the rest of the way if needed.

The 56-year-old left the Cape Verde Islands off Africa’s western coast on Jan. 12, battling waves of up to 30 feet (9 meters) and strong winds.

David Higdon, a friend of Figge who kept in touch with her via satellite phone, said she had originally planned to swim to the Bahamas, but inclement weather forced her to veer 1,000 miles (1,610 kms) off course to Trinidad, where she arrived on Feb. 5.

Figge plans to continue her odyssey, swimming from Trinidad to the British Virgin Islands, where she expects to arrive in late February. The crew won’t compute the total distance Figge swam until after she completes the journey, Higdon said.

Then it’s home to Aspen, Colo. — where she trained for months in an outdoor pool amid snowy blizzards — to reunite with her Alaskan Malamute.

“My dog doesn’t know where I am,” she told The Associated Press on Saturday by phone. “It’s time for me to get back home to Hank.”

The dog swirled in her thoughts, as did family and friends, as Figge stroked through the chilly Atlantic waters escorted by a sailboat. She saw a pod of pilot whales, several turtles, dozens of dolphins, plenty of Portuguese man-of-war — but no sharks.

“I was never scared,” Figge said. “Looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can always swim in a pool.”

Her journey comes a decade after French swimmer Benoit Lecomte made the first known solo trans-Atlantic swim, covering nearly 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) from Massachusetts to France in 73 days. No woman on record has made the crossing.

Figge woke most days around 7 a.m., eating pasta and baked potatoes while she and the crew assessed the weather. Her longest stint in the water was about eight hours, and her shortest was 21 minutes. Crew members would throw bottles of energy drinks as she swam; if the seas were too rough, divers would deliver them in person. At night she ate meat, fish and peanut butter, replenishing the estimated 8,000 calories she burned a day.

Figge wore a red cap and wet suit, with her only good-luck charm underneath: an old, red shirt to guard against chafing, signed by friends, relatives and her father, who recently died.

The other cherished possession she kept onboard was a picture of Gertrude Ederle, an American who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

“We have a few things in common,” Figge said. “She wore a red hat and she was of German descent. We both talk to the sea, and neither one of us wanted to get out.”

Figge arrived on Trinidad’s Chacachacare Island, an abandoned leper colony, at 5:20 p.m. She plans to leave Trinidad on Monday night. During this brief respite, she has avoided the hotel pool and nearby ocean, opting instead for the treadmill.

…LINK…

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Hillary official swearing in ceremony…

Hillary’s official statement:

“Thank you all very much. Thank you. It is an overwhelming honor to be sworn in to assume this position on behalf of our country. I thank my dear friend, Vice President Biden, and I thank President Obama for investing the trust and confidence in me during a particularly challenging time in our nation’s history. I look out and see so many friends and colleagues. I particularly want to thank the Speaker and the Majority Leader, Speaker Pelosi and Leader Reid for being here and for providing the leadership that you both are doing in the Congress.

I also want to thank my colleagues in government and my former partners in the Congress. I am very grateful to all the members of the House who are here today, and particularly those with whom I served over eight wonderful years who represent New York. And I’m very grateful to all of you.

And to my friends in the Senate,  I see the faces of people with whom I have shared so much, and I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you. But I have to single out the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee who, after all, presided over my confirmation, for which I am very grateful,  Senator Kerry. (Laughter and Applause.)

And I look forward to working with all of you, particularly the appropriators – (laughter) – who are here this afternoon. We have a lot of work to do and it is such important work that lies ahead. I also want to thank two wonderful friends of mine, governors, Governor Corzine from New Jersey, and Governor O’Malley from Maryland who are here. (Applause.)

And I am particularly honored to have four of my predecessors with us today. I have sought their advice and their counsel and I have to publicly thank each and every one of them.

With us today, Secretary Kissinger and  Secretary Baker and  Secretary Eagleburger and, of course, my dear friend and fellow Wellesley alum Secretary Albright. (Applause.)  And I also want to thank Secretary Rice and Secretary Powell and Secretary Shultz, with whom I had a wonderful visit just last week when he came to the seventh floor, and Secretary Haig – all of the former secretaries of state who have been so generous with their time. And I think I can predict I will be asking for advice as we move forward.

Because this ceremony takes place at a real hinge of history time, there is so much that lies ahead in terms of challenges, but also opportunities. When I came into this building for the first time a week or so ago now, I told the assembled State Department employees, and then repeated it again at USAID, that we are all on the same team, and it is America’s team.   And we have, in the leadership of President Obama, someone who wants us to reach out to the world, to do so without illusions, understanding that the difficulties we face will not be wished away, but meeting them forthrightly and smartly, and that we want to seize the opportunities that exist as well.

I talked in my confirmation hearings about smart power. Well, smart power relies on smart people, and we have an abundance of them in this building and at USAID.  But I’ve also told my teammates in the State family that we’re going to have to be smarter about how we do what we must for our country. There are many ways that we can improve on what we do on a daily basis. And I want to work with my friends in Congress on behalf of our Administration to really look for those efficiencies and those changes that will make what we do more effective, more cost-effective, so that we can be out there around the world delivering America’s message, certainly doing all we must to protect and defend our security, but also advancing our interests and furthering our values.

So for me, this has been an amazing personal journey. As Joe laughingly referenced, neither one of us thought that we would be standing here together, doing what we are now doing together.   Life has a funny way of unfolding and politics is even stranger. So we are joined in this incredible mission on behalf of our President and our country.  And it’s one where it’s not only those of us holding positions, whether elected or appointed, must perform to the very best of our ability. We’re asking everyone in our country to think about how each of you can make a contribution so that we ensure that America’s future is even brighter than our storied past.

I’m excited by seeing so many familiar faces. There are friends in this audience who have known me my entire life.   And there is the next generation,  you know,  my niece and my two nephews who are here.  I get up every morning thinking about what I must do to make this world of ours safer and more prosperous and to make our country all that it can be.   As difficult as the times are, I am an optimist. I believe that we can do what we set our minds to do.   And so it is the power of our ideals and the intelligence and dedication of our people.

I could not be standing here before you today without all of you,  but in particular,  the three people who stand with me on this stage.   It’s literally true I wouldn’t be here without my mother. (Laughter.)   And so I – (applause) – I’m especially delighted that she can be with me.    And to my daughter, who I am just bursting with maternal pride over,   but who I look to also for advice and,  frankly, for some cultural cues that I might otherwise miss. (Laughter.)

And finally, to my husband, who understands so well the awesome responsibilities resting on the shoulders of President Obama and Vice President Biden and all of us who serve with them. I am so grateful to him for a lifetime of all kinds of experiences – (laughter) – which have given me a – (applause) – which have given me an extraordinary richness that I am absolutely beholden to and grateful for.

So now, let me thank Gladys and her crackerjack protocol operation that put this together.   We had to schedule it around two schedules that were hard to mesh:   Vice President Biden and Chelsea Clinton. (Laughter.)   When we finally got a time when both of them could be in the same place,   we rushed to fill it. (Laughter.) So if you’re wondering why you didn’t get an invitation until Thursday,   Friday,   Saturday or Sunday,   it’s because we just had to make sure that we had the main people here.

But I do want to greet all of you individually,  and obviously,  my family wants to say hello as well.   So we’re hard at work already,  and we’re working hard with a great team of people here in this building and at USAID. And we’re looking forward to fulfilling the excitement and the promise that the Obama Administration represents here at home and around the world.

Thank you all very, very much.”

(Applause.)

[…]

A humble and graceful  speech as only Hillary could deliver (sans teleprompter).  Speaking for all your loyal supporters,  we wish you well,  dear Hillary.  The world embraces your intelligence and forthrightness for the good of all countries.  Best wishes and God speed in all the challenges you meet head-on unbowed and strong in your determination to make this world a better place for all of us!

Kennedys’ calling in favors for Caroline’s support ?…

$$$$ is one thing- Favors are quite another. Favors are the invisible commodities that are the more powerful of the intangibles having the power to move mountains.

Now, see what happens when you are not too eager to jump to and openly support a controversial candidate, even if she is a Kennedy?

Key legislator to back Kennedy

Albany, N.Y.

“Despite early reservations, New York state’s most powerful legislative leader said he’ll support Caroline Kennedy for the U.S. Senate if the governor names her to the seat expected to be vacated by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told the New York Post he’s rethinking his views on Kennedy because he thinks Gov. David Paterson will soon pick her to replace Clinton, President-elect Obama’s choice as secretary of state.”

However, Silver is not tipping his cards just yet as to the reason for his sudden change of heart. Where suddenly, seemingly overnight, he has developed a firm grasp framing the debate how his prior concerns have been alleviated… We are left to speculate. Does this mean Paterson has confided in Silver that he actually intends on naming Caroline as the new Senator from NY? So, it is safe for Silver to openly support Caroline because she is inevitable? Or has Paterson demanded he have outside support before he makes his announcement official, Caroline WILL BE the new Senator filling Hillary’s seat?

Seattle Times

And this for backup: (amazingly, the most qualified candidate Carolyn Maloney’s name is curiously missing from the lengthy role of candidate possibilities.)

“Two people close to Paterson told The Associated Press they believe the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy will be Paterson’s choice. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak on the matter. Kennedy’s supporters include New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent who is another important ally for Paterson.

Silver had previously suggested that Bloomberg and his supporters had hijacked the selection process for their own political gain. Many of Kennedy’s advisers have close ties to Bloomberg.

Paterson has sole authority to name someone to the Senate seat for the next two years. Under state law, there would be an election to fill the last two years of Clinton’s term in 2010 and another for a full six-year term in 2012.

Other hopefuls for the seat include a half-dozen members of Congress and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo.”

NewsDay

Caroline… sequesters her assets! Where’s the Transparency?

NY lawmaker questions Kennedy charity’s exemption

More of the same ole, same ole, Obama personals, shrouded in mystery.

Where is the Transparency?

No one had a problem asking for Hillary Tax Returns, Campaign Contribution’s list, President Clinton’s Library Donors List.. AND, they gladly complied!

But, Caroline? Unable and unwilling to do what she needs to do…. and that is…fight for this job. She is waiting to have it handed to her as she has become accustomed to, getting what she wants without demonstrating in earnest, she is a serious contender… Caroline’s personal policy is UNDemocratic!

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York’s Assembly will examine whether a charity that U.S. Senate hopeful Caroline Kennedy helps run was properly granted an exemption that allows her and other officials in the organization to avoid disclosing details about their finances.

Democratic Assemblyman James Brennan questions the decision by the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board to exempt The Fund for Public Schools from a state law aimed at airing the financial dealings of charities.

Kennedy, who hopes to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate, is vice-chairwoman of the not-for-profit organization.

The law requires most volunteer directors of charities working with state and municipal governments to disclose investments, outside pay and other financial connections. It was passed partly to assure that charities aren’t shadow agencies of the governments they support.

On Dec. 10, the city board told Brennan’s Assembly committee that Kennedy’s charity would be exempt from disclosure. The board decision came two days after Mayor Michael Bloomberg enthusiastically boosted Kennedy as New York senator should Clinton be confirmed as President-elect Barack Obama’s secretary of state.

“I think it’s a matter of concern as to whether the statute applies to them or not,” Brennan said. “Certainly this needs to be rethought … we’ll check into it.”

Kennedy spokesman Josh Isay didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

If the Assembly determines the exemption was improperly granted and it can’t negotiate a solution with the charity, it could sue for disclosure. It also could try to amend the law to eliminate the city’s argument for exempting the charity.

The effort led by Brennan means there is likely support for action by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the state’s most powerful leaders.

AP link

PS…Please keep Betty Jean King in your thoughts… She has had a terrible unthinkable tragedy happen to her daughter. Betty Jean’s Blog and Tragic Story

Please Everyone, …Sign Ricki Lake’s petition..

NY Needs a Work Horse…Not a Show Horse. Caroline is UNqualified for NY Senate Seat

Please sign the Petition… Over 520 signatures since yesterday…HELP our NY Brothers and Sisiters STOP another preOrdained Senate Seat Give-A-way!

PETITION TO GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON:

—-PETITION TO GOVERNOR PATERSON—-

you can leave a comment if you wish… or read the reasons and sentiments left behind at:

Caroline is NO Hillary Clinton!

and here:

Caroline, The Red Queen

Is Caroline Kennedy the right replacement for Hillary Clinton?

BY ELIZABETH MOORE
December 14, 2008

Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, JFK’s only surviving child, has spent a lifetime on one podium or another, but has never sought elected office, a gap in her resume that is leading some fellow Democrats to ridicule the notion of naming her as Hillary Rodham Clinton‘s replacement in the U.S. Senate. As noted in this scathing article “Caroline, The Red Queen.”

But others say the Manhattan attorney, author and head of the Kennedy Library Foundation may hold even more valuable qualifications as the keeper all these years of the Camelot flame.

Through the decades, as male kin made headlines about drug use and scandals involving women and alcohol, Caroline was quietly attending Harvard University, raising a family, and leading educational reform projects and charitable endeavors that exemplified that Democratic dynasty’s creed of public service as the highest calling.

“Any time a Kennedy is on the list, they’re always at the top of the list,” said state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli last week, calling her “an outstanding choice” for the Senate.

Just because Caroline acted responsibly like we all do when we are goal oriented. Has nothing whatsoever to do with her worthiness as the Best choice for the vacating senate seat of NY Senator, Hillary Clinton. The question is this :

“Who is Best suited to represent NY in the years ahead?”

But the idea has stirred resentment in career political circles, and little enthusiasm among Clinton loyalists when Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama for president this year.

“She has not made the case that her record matches the other prospects,” said Democratic national committeeman Robert Zimmerman of Great Neck, a top Clinton fundraiser. As many of us voiced our opinions that “Nepotism IS ALIVE and WELL” amongst the Kennedys’, Cuomos’ and Bidens’. We are in full agreement with Zimmerman.

Kennedy’s most significant personal achievement may be her part in the movement to reform and upgrade New York City’s public schools. She served two years as chief executive of the Office of Strategic Partnerships, raising more than $65 million in private funds for city schools. She is vice chair of the Fund for Public Schools and on the board of New Visions for Public Schools, a longtime school-reform nonprofit.

In a NutShell… Fund Raising is a far cry from the skills necessary for working towards passage of legislative issues concerning the Public Welfare. Or crafting legislation in terms your colleges will support. Having the knowledge and the expertise convincing those Senate colleges who object to the legislation, persuading them in strategic terms within your senatorial quiver agreeable to both parties in the Art of the Deal. Has nothing whatsoever to do with Fund Raising experience.

Caroline has NEVER had to compromise or settle for less than she originally requested. For all intents and purposes; Caroline choosing Obama over Hillary is a strong indication to Senate colleges, LOYALTY and TRUST are not two of Caroline’s strong suits.

NewsDay Link

Caroline, The RED QUEEN

Caroline doesn’t just express interest through the grapevine.. as the customary way of showing you “might” be interested in a date, buying a car or hinting through a friend: ….

“You Hate Surprise Birthday Partys!”

It’s called diplomacy… finesse- having a certain amount of cachet, savoir-faire, selling ice to the Eskimos (no offense Sarah Palin) with an astute understanding of the importance of impeccable social skills…

Can you tell? As much as I loved JFK and RFK… loved what they stood for and what they accomplished in their all too brief lives… no matter what… if they rubbed us the wrong way or said something we weren’t too happy about; at least they would meet the challenge spending time convincing us of their point of view and wouldn’t quit until we got it….. It’s the art of persuasion, personified in a politician who believes and has a vision, a better idea of how to get things done for creating a better quality of life for the world… [sheesh]

Fast forward 50 years later and the jaded remnants of what once was thought of as the vaunted idyllic world of Camelot- our dreams of Camelot are no more.. the beautiful child, Caroline, we watched grow up alongside her younger brother affectionately called…John-John… has raised her hand as if in the persona of the “Red Queen” and demanded she be considered above ALL others for the position of the state of NY Senate seat. Very soon to be dispatched by Governor Paterson’s appointment replacing the vacancy created by Senator Clinton’s “RISE, Hillary, RISE” to the ascendancy of the Secretary of State position!

The sweetness and light has gone out of the little blond headed child who’s love for her father, no one can deny. And been replaced with a silent arrogance of…

I’M CAROLINE KENNEDY – I’m here and I want that…

Oh, well.. honey, read some of your mother’s books. She would be rightly mortified at your behavior indicative of how well or unwell YOU turned out. Yes, we understand the social grooming and political lessons your brother John received from his ever graceful, societal super star, your mother.

I have to ask, where were you when your mom was instructing John in the ways of the world and how he has to earn his own way and prove himself by his own merit? How many times did she reinforce to you, just because you come from a family of privilege doesn’t give you the Right to trample and ride over people when you want something that is an open entitlement to anyone!

Do you realize the damage you’ve done to yourself bursting the public’s perceived bubble of this lovable responsible child grown into this pushy broad with name recognition that isn’t about to accept the word “NO” — If in fact, Gov Paterson, possesses a modicum of sense and sensibility, recognizes New Yorkers need and require a Work Horse NOT a Show Horse to steward one of the most complicated states in the Union through the next of the most financially critical two years?

I didn’t think so…

Go to your room with a knapsack full of books written by your mom… you might take her advise and return a better person for all her insights and experience expressed in a way that may resonate with you in the ways of humanity, the human spirit and politics as an animal you may not yet understand or control.

RISE.. Hillary… RISE.. as the failed msnbc propaganda goes to work..

Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman, Rachal Maddow, Mika Brzezinski, Arianna Huffington, all of them should resign or be fired. The overpaid over exposed pundits of propaganda couldn’t deliver Hillary DOA-to the Democrats!

This pathetic group of lobotomized news readers failed to convince the American people Hillary was unfit for office, any office. Eighteen million strong remain standing behind their girl and I can’t even conceive her monumental star quality will lie stagnant in the wake of a World in a state of perilous crisis.

Sandy Berger, a life long friend and former national security adviser of the Clintons had this to say :

“I think this is a sensational appointment,” said Samuel R. “Sandy” Berger, who served as Bill Clinton‘s national security adviser. “She brings intellectual firepower. She brings a high energy and a credibility in the world, which will be very valuable. Obama has shown great leadership in putting this team together.”

Hillary’s good friend and mentor Madeline Albright seems pleased Obama saw the light:

“She is very keen on having America’s leadership restored in a way where we are respected, where we are capable of talking to countries we don’t like,” Albright said. “That would be her modus operandi, and it fits with what Obama has said.”

However, my worry is this … Obama has a reputation for throwing people under the bus when he feels he no longer needs their influence or skill to further accomplish a step-up. The proof in this statement is evident in the frowning, seething resentment roiling from the Far Left.

The MSNBC may be watching and waiting with malicious intent to entrap Hillary and finally put this thorny firebrand to rest … Well, so are 18 million prs of eyes watching and documenting every step they take if they think we’ve gone quietly into the night … Rise Hillary Rise …

Dr. Maya Angelou: “Rise, Hillary. Rise.”

” You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”

Dec 1st. Obama names Clinton to top role in his team.

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama is filling his Cabinet at record speed, choosing loyal friends and one-time foes to guide his wartime foreign policy decisions.

Obama on Monday announced Democratic primary rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as his secretary of state and said that President George W. Bush’s defense secretary, Robert Gates, is staying on.

Obama also named Washington lawyer Eric Holder as attorney general and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary. He also announced two senior foreign policy positions outside the Cabinet: campaign foreign policy adviser Susan Rice as U.N. ambassador and retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones as national security adviser.

The announcements rounded out the top tier of the team that will advise the incoming chief executive on foreign and national security issues in an era marked by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorism around the globe.

“The time has come for a new beginning, a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century,” Obama said as his Cabinet picks stood behind him on a flag-draped stage.

“We will strengthen our capacity to defeat our enemies and support our friends. We will renew old alliances and forge new and enduring partnerships.”

Obama said his appointees “share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America’s role as a leader in the world.”

Obama also has settled on former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle to be his secretary of Health and Human Services and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be Commerce secretary. Last week, he named key members of his economic team, including Timothy Geithner, president of Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as Treasury secretary.

The decisions mean Obama has half of the 15-member Cabinet assembled less than a month after the election, including the most prominent positions at State, Justice, Treasury and Defense. With the world grappling with war, recession and terrorist threats that erupted this week during coordinated attacks in India, Obama was moving swiftly to try to bring reassurance and continuity in the federal government when he takes over in less than two months.

Concessions by former President Clinton
Clinton’s nomination is the latest chapter in what began as a bitter rivalry for the Democratic presidential nomination.

To make it possible for his wife to become secretary of state, party officials said, former President Bill Clinton agreed to:

• Disclose the names of every contributor to his foundation since its inception in 1997 and all contributors going forward.
• Refuse donations from foreign governments to the Clinton Global Initiative, his annual charitable conference.
• Cease holding CGI meetings overseas.
• Volunteer to step away from day-to-day management of the foundation while his wife is secretary of state.
• Submit his speaking schedule to review by the State Department and White House counsel.
• Submit any new sources of income to a similar ethical review.

Speaking at the news conference Monday, Clinton pointed to recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai and elsewhere, saying, “America cannot solve these crises without the world and the world cannot solve them without America.”

Gesture of goodwill?
Obama’s choice of Hillary Clinton was an extraordinary gesture of good will after a year in which the two rivals competed for the Democratic nomination in a long, bitter primary battle.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27983003/