Privacy Act Statement - Us Navy Hosting: Fill & Download for Free

First, a bit of context for those unaware of the story in question.Bloomberg published a barn-burner of a piece this morning, alleging a Chinese conspiracy to insert “stealth doorways” (in the form of rogue microchips) onto hardware produced by Super Micro, “one of the world’s biggest suppliers of server motherboards”.These compromised motherboards were allegedly purchased for use on highly sensitive installations, including “[DoD] data centers, the CIA’s drone operations, and the onboard networks of Navy warships”.It’s alleged that affected hardware was discovered by Amazon and Apple (separately) in mid-2015, which accelerated/focused a “top-secret probe, which remains open more than three years later”.While neither company were accused of any wrongdoing, it’s implied by context that their security measures were lax enough for infected hardware to have been put into production via an AWS data center in Beijing and 7,000 of Apple’s Siri-supporting servers.Within a few hours of this story going live, Amazon, Apple, and Super Micro all emailed in statements to Bloomberg, protesting more or less all the major points at issue.In the face of those objections, Bloomberg reiterated that they had 17 sources, including “six current and former national security officials”, “two people inside AWS, and “three Apple insiders”.Why This MattersOne of two things is true: either (1) Bloomberg was misled and has ultimately published BS likely to harm Apple and Amazon, or (2) said companies aren’t telling the full truth in response, and this really is a major, major story.To be clear, these were not generic “we disagree with elements of the reporting and look forward to an opportunity to clarify our side” responses. These were fiery denials, outlined in significant detail.To quote from Apple’s:Over the course of the past year, Bloomberg has contacted us multiple times with claims, sometimes vague and sometimes elaborate, of an alleged security incident at Apple. Each time, we have conducted rigorous internal investigations based on their inquiries and each time we have found absolutely no evidence to support any of them. We have repeatedly and consistently offered factual responses, on the record, refuting virtually every aspect of Bloomberg’s story relating to Apple. […]In response to Bloomberg’s latest version of the narrative, we present the following facts: Siri and Topsy never shared servers; Siri has never been deployed on servers sold to us by Super Micro; and Topsy data was limited to approximately 2,000 Super Micro servers, not 7,000. None of those servers has ever been found to hold malicious chips.At first blush, I thought it plausible that if Apple and Amazon did indeed volunteer to cooperate with investigations that may still be ongoing, that they might now be subject to some form of gag order. If so, how could we tell? While I don’t know of any conclusive form of proof either way, I wondered whether this response was consistent with past denials when the presumed cause of said denials was some form of government prohibition.An Imperfect ParallelThe closest case I could think of that involved similar actors was PRISM, the NSA-led surveillance program whose existence was leaked to the public via the Edward Snowden disclosures of 2013.While PRISM involved Apple, the briefing notes that formed the backbone of the Snowden leak suggested that “98 percent of PRISM production [was] based on [data from] Yahoo, Google and Microsoft” (i.e., the major email providers back in 2013). As such, I thought it useful to consider the statements issued by those companies at the time, particularly in light of what we know about PRISM now.GoogleGoogle cares deeply about the security of our users’ data. We disclose user data to government in accordance with the law, and we review all such requests carefully. From time to time, people allege that we have created a government ‘back door’ into our systems, but Google does not have a ‘back door’ for the government to access private user data.MicrosoftWe provide customer data only when we receive a legally binding order or subpoena to do so, and never on a voluntary basis. In addition we only ever comply with orders for requests about specific accounts or identifiers. If the government has a broader voluntary national security program to gather customer data we don’t participate in it.YahooYahoo takes users' privacy very seriously. We do not provide the government with direct access to our servers, systems, or network.As to how honest those statements were, this is where we get outside my paygrade. I’ll outline the little that I understand, while opening the door to those closer to the topic to chime in.This roundup from various security experts suggested that none of those statements were quite lies, but that all were carefully worded to sidestep realities that none were at liberty to disclose.Example 1 - “In accordance with the law” is fairly meaningless, as the Protect America Act of 2007 and the FISA Amendments Acts of 2008 gave legal cover for loads of data aggregation/inspection schemes.Example 2 - “Direct access” was very likely never provided, in the strict sense of unfettered access to raw production data. But that didn’t rule out NSA access to a dedicated server that hosted cloned data for all users that the government deemed covered by various FISA warrants.(A 196-page report was released by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board in 2014. The relevant bits about how PRISM data was collected begin on document page 32. To the degree that I follow the language, the NSA provided a “selector” like an email address, and then partners like Google would clone any data related to said address onto an NSA-accessible server. But that’s just my cursory reading, so corrections/clarifications are welcome.)The (Partial) VerdictI’ve mostly written this answer as an opening volley to give context to the question, thus lessening the explanatory burden for others who might have more insight. It doesn’t seem that any of the corporate statements re: PRISM involved the level of detail present in the rebuttals offered today by Apple and Amazon. While none of this proves or disproves anything in itself, I’m left wondering why said companies would be so aggressive/specific in their denials if their only motivation was providing cover for some ongoing investigation.This leaves a few open questions for those who care to dig deeper:Are there closer analogues than the PRISM case? Especially ones in which tech companies (or utilities like Verizon/AT&T) went to similar lengths in their rebuttals?Has Bloomberg ever gotten a story this wrong before (relative to what would be the case if Apple and Amazon are telling the truth)?If Bloomberg is right, did/does the US government have some duty of care to inform affected customers? Say a business had IP stolen because of said program, would they be eligible to sue the government or to apply for some form of financial relief?If Bloomberg is wrong, does this give cause to the named parties to sue?(To be clear, these are genuine questions. I really don’t know. I look forward to answers from others who can shed more light.)EDIT:Wanted to link the longer rebuttals by Amazon (here) and Apple (here).A few comments about said statements:Apple went so far as saying “we are not under any kind of gag order or other confidentiality obligations”.While Apple’s statement was issued by their Director of Comms, Amazon’s was from their Chief Information Security Officer (and was subsequently retweeted by their CTO, twice).Some are debating whether it’s possible that the C-suites at both companies are simply out-of-loop by legal necessity (with the government only dealing with a select handful who have TS/SCI clearances). Whether that’s at all likely is beyond me.EDIT 2:More denials have come in with the new week.The UK’s National Cyber Security Center (part of the GCHQ): “We are aware of the media reports but at this stage have no reason to doubt the detailed assessments made by AWS and Apple.”The US’s Department of Homeland Security: “Like our partners in the UK, […] at this time we have no reason to doubt the statements from the companies named in the story.”Apple went so far as sending a letter to three US congressional committees, signed by their VP of Information Security. They haven’t conceded an inch.Bottom line: either this is a 1950s-style national security cover-up deemed so important that Apple has been given carte blanche to lie, blatantly and in detail, to whomever they want — or Bloomberg got played, hard.

CNN)Legendary broadcaster Regis Philbin has died, according to a statement shared by his family on Saturday. He was 88 years old.“We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday," said the statement sent to CNN Saturday. "His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him -- for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about.""We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss," the statement said.Philbin was the host of numerous television shows, including the morning talk show "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee," which he co-hosted with Kathie Lee Gifford. Co-hosting duties were later taken over by Kelly Ripa and the show was renamed "Live with Regis and Kelly."Over the years, Philbin also hosted Miss America pageants and game shows like ABC's "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."Philbin was nominated for 37 Daytime Emmy Awards throughout his career and won six, and he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. In 2006, Philbin was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Television Academy Hall of Fame.Philbin holds the world record for most hours on US television, according to Guinness World Records, with more than 16,700 hours on air.In a tribute posted to Instagram, Philbin's longtime co-host Kathie Lee Gifford said there were "no words to fully express the love I have for my precious friend, Regis.""I smile knowing somewhere in Heaven, at this very moment, he's making someone laugh," she wrote. "It brings me great comfort knowing that he had a personal relationship with his Lord that brought him great peace."There has never been anyone like him," Gifford said. "And there never will be."Ripa and her current co-host, Ryan Seacrest, said in another post on Instagram that they were "beyond saddened" to learn of Philbin's death."He was the ultimate class act, bringing his laughter and joy into our homes everyday on Live for more than 23 years," the statement said. "We were beyond lucky to have him as a mentor in our careers and aspire everyday to fill his shoes on the show."Regis Philbin: 50 legendary years in TVA long careerRegis Francis Xavier Philbin was born in New York on August 25, 1931, to Frank and Florence Philbin. He was named after Regis High School, a Jesuit school in Manhattan attended by his father.He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1953 with a degree in sociology before going on to serve in the US Navy.Philbin got his start in show business as a page on NBC's "The Tonight Show." He later hosted "The Regis Philbin Show" out of San Diego before joining "The Joey Bishop Show" as Bishop's sidekick.After a stint as the host of a local Los Angeles TV talk show, Philbin became the co-host in 1983 of "The Morning Show" on WABC.Gifford became Philbin's co-host in 1985, and in 1988 the show was syndicated and renamed. The duo continued hosting together until 2000, at which point Philbin hosted the show alone -- then dubbed "Live with Regis" -- until he was joined by Ripa in 2001. He finally left the show in November 2011.Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa attend a press conference on Regis's departure from their TV talk show at ABC Studios on November 17, 2011, in New York City.Philbin had been married since March 1970 to Joy Philbin, with whom he had two children, Jennifer and Joanna.An earlier marriage to Kay Faylan lasted from 1957 to 1968. Philbin had two children with Faylan, Danny and Amy.Tributes to Philbin poured in on social media, including from President Donald Trump, who wrote on Twitter, "One of the greats in the history of television, Regis Philbin has passed on to even greater airwaves, at 88. He was a fantastic person, and my friend."Fellow longtime TV and radio host Larry King shared a picture with Philbin on Twitter, calling him "such a prolific talent.""He could do it all, and we loved him for it," King wrote. "I will miss him every day."

I was actually going to pass on this question because I rarely spend time on hypothetical impossibilities in politics as it tends to eat up a lot of time sourcing citations that rarely have any effect on the reader opinion . Until I saw the only answer was an empty cut out response, most like made by the epitome of a Faulkner antagonist.I would easily vote for Obama again. I would support Hillary running with him as Vice President .Unlike the other answer that just uses argument ad hominem as rational reasons:So let me respond first to exactly how feckless President Obama was :His First Term:Nobel Peace PrizeOverhauled American Foreign PolicyExpanded Health Care InsurancePass a Stimulas Bill that actually workedProvided a tax cut for small business, working poor and lower middle class and first time home buyersfought pirates in SomaliaCreated new consumer protection regulations that created more wealth in the middle classLoosened the Ban on Stem research which is important since we are pretty far behind the game internationally in bio tech which is going to be the science of the 31 st centuryHis Second Term:Killing Osama bin Ladenstopped chemical attacks in Syria without resorting to invasionCreated the Iran Nuclear deal that was the best chance and de-escalating and he;ping re-stabilize the area by allowing Iran to demonstrate that it could be a resposnible state in the region rather than increasing the polarization between the two extremes of middle eastern statesSanctioned Russia against military expansionRe-opened CubaPassed the ACAPassed the Budget Control ActRisked his popularity defending the NSA and Foreign Intelligence community. Think what you would like I know first hand these guys save servicemen lives on a daily basis.Repealed Don;t ask Don’t tellLegalized Gay MarriageIndia Nuclear Agreement again very important for stabilization of a region most likely to be the cause of a world war.Clean Air AgreementParis AgreementGun ControlYou can disagree with the politics and you can disagree with the policies but feckless is not the word to describe is presidency.However, “Almost” is an apt description of DJT: He almost built a wall, he almost reformed immigration, he almost added a census question, he almost destroyed the economy, he almost destroyed the Agriculture Market.There is still time though I am sure he will be able to at least destroy American Farmers and lead us successfully back to inflation before he finishes his first term, I have absolute faith in his leadership skills.I would list Hillary Clinton’s accomplishments as a lawyer, a first lady, a senator and a secretary of state but seems little reason to since the only reason why I am writing this answer is because the only other answer was a single sentence utilizing taglines and describing her as lawless and since something like a quarter century of investigations has resulted in right around zero indictments, I would say its actually less since most of those involved have either been publicly shamed by their own actions are indicted. All I have to say is ..well .. not lawless. Just a woman who does not apologize for her accomplishments or being herself. I mean she is no Sarah Palin but how many do we really want..The following is from : Barack Obama at biogrpahy.com many might not recognize it because its well you know a proper accredited objective source and not a podcast from some ones basement or imaginary organization:Between Inauguration Day and April 29, 2009, the Obama administration took action on many fronts. For his efforts during his debut in office, the Nobel Committee in Norway awarded Obama the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.In his first 100 days in office, Obama coaxed Congress to expand health care insurance for children and provide legal protection for women seeking equal pay. A $787 billion stimulus bill was passed to promote short-term economic growth. Housing and credit markets were put on life support, with a market-based plan to buy U.S. banks' toxic assets. Loans were made to the auto industry, and new regulations were proposed for Wall Street.Obama cut taxes for working families, small businesses and first-time home buyers. The president also loosened the ban on embryonic stem cell research and moved ahead with a $3.5 trillion budget plan.Obama undertook a complete overhaul of America's foreign policy. He reached out to improve relations with Europe, China and Russia and to open dialogue with Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. He lobbied allies to support a global economic stimulus package. He committed an additional 21,000 troops to Afghanistan and set an August 2010 date for withdrawal of nearly all U.S. troops from Iraq.In more dramatic incidents, Obama ordered an attack on pirates off the coast of Somalia and prepared the nation for a swine flu outbreak. He signed an executive order banning excessive interrogation techniques and ordered the closing of the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba within a year (a deadline that ultimately would not be met).2012 Re-ElectionAs he did in 2008, during his campaign for a second presidential term, Obama focused on grassroots initiatives. Celebrities such as Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker aided the president's campaign by hosting fundraising events."I guarantee you, we will move this country forward," Obama stated in June 2012, at a campaign event in Maryland. "We will finish what we started. And we'll remind the world just why it is that the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth."In the 2012 election, Obama faced Republican opponent Mitt Romney and Romney's vice-presidential running mate, U.S. Representative Paul Ryan. On November 6, 2012, Obama won a second four-year term as president by receiving nearly five million more votes than Romney and capturing more than 60 percent of the Electoral College.Second TermBarack Obama officially began his second term on January 21, 2013, when U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office. In his inaugural address, Obama called the nation to action on such issues as climate change, health care and marriage equality to a crowd gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol building.2014 Midterm ElectionsIn November 2014, Obama had to cope with new challenges on the home front. Republicans made an impressive showing on Election Day and gained a majority in the Senate, meaning that Obama would have to contend with Republicans controlling both houses of Congress for the final two years of his term.Killing Osama bin LadenOn April 29, 2011, Obama gave the green light to a covert operation in Pakistan to track down the infamous al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who was the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks and had been in hiding for nearly 10 years. On May 2, 2011, an elite team of U.S. Navy SEALs raided a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and within 40 minutes killed bin Laden in a firefight. There were no American casualties, adn the team was able to collect invaluable intelligence about the workings of al-Qaeda.The same day, Obama announced bin Laden’s death on national television. “For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda,” Obama said. “As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam.”Chemical Attacks in SyriaObama found himself grappling with an international crisis in late August and September 2013 when it was discovered that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons against civilians. While saying that thousands of people, including over 400 children, had been killed in the chemical attacks, Obama called Syria's actions "a serious national security threat to the United States and to the region, and as a consequence, Assad and Syria needs to be held accountable."The president worked to persuade Congress and the international community at large to take action against Syria, but found a majority on Capitol Hill opposed to military involvement. Obama then announced an alternative solution on September 10, 2013, by stating that if al-Assad agreed with the stipulations outlined in a proposal made by Russia to give up its chemical weapons, then a direct strike against the nation could be avoided. Al-Assad acknowledged the possession of chemical weapons and ultimately accepted the Russian proposal.Iran Nuclear DealIn September 2013, Obama made diplomatic strides with Iran. He spoke with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the phone, which marked the first direct contact between the leaders of the two countries in more than 30 years.This groundbreaking move by Obama was seen by many as a sign of thawing in the relationship between the United States and Iran. "The two of us discussed our ongoing efforts to reach an agreement over Iran's nuclear program," reported Obama at a press conference in which he expressed optimism that a deal could be reached to lift sanctions on Iran in return for that country’s willingness to halt its nuclear development program.In July 2015, Obama announced that, after lengthy negotiations, the United States and five world powers had reached an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program. The deal would allow inspectors entry into Iran to make sure the country kept its pledge to limit its nuclear program and enrich uranium at a much lower level than would be needed for a nuclear weapon. In return, the U.S. and its partners would remove the tough sanctions imposed on Iran and allow the country to ramp up sales of oil and access frozen bank accounts.As the administration began its effort to lobby Congress to endorse the deal, Obama made his first trip as president back to his father’s homeland of Kenya. In addition to having dinner with three-dozen relatives, some of whom he met for the very first time, Obama proudly proclaimed to a packed arena, “I am proud to be the first American president to come to Kenya—and of course I’m the first Kenyan-American to be president of the United States.”President Trump’s Withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear DealIn 2018, President Donald Trump, Obama's successor who was elected in November 2016, withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal put in place by Obama. He argued, with some evidence, that the country was exploiting the terms of the deal to build up its military and militias in the region, and that it would emerge with greater resources to make a nuclear weapon once the deal expired. He then began a campaign of “maximum pressure” economic sanctions to force Iran to accept permanent, comprehensive restrictions.Iran responded by gradually increasing its uranium enrichment. In mid-2019, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iran had surpassed the uranium enrichment levels agreed on in 2015, bringing the nation closer to the development of an atomic bomb. European countries might in turn restore their own sanctions. Experts say the moves could push the U.S. and Iran closer to military confrontation.Ukraine and RussiaEchoes of the Cold War also returned after civil unrest and protests in the capital city of Kiev led to the downfall of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's administration in February 2014. Russian troops crossed into Ukraine to support pro-Russian forces and the annexation of the province of Crimea.In response, Obama ordered sanctions targeting individuals and businesses considered by the U.S. government to be Ukraine agitators or involved in the Crimean crisis. "In 2014 we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders," Obama stated. The president said the sanctions were taken in close coordination with European allies and gave the U.S. "the flexibility to adjust our response going forward based on Russia's actions.”ISIS Air StrikesIn August 2014, Obama ordered the first airstrikes against the self-proclaimed Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, which had seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria and conducted high-profile beheadings of foreign hostages. The following month, the U.S. launched its first attacks on ISIS targets in Syria, although the president pledged to keep combat troops out of the conflict. Several Arab countries joined the airstrikes against the extremist Islamic militant group."The only language understood by killers like this is the language of force,” Obama said in a speech to the United Nations. “So the United States of America will work with a broad coalition to dismantle this network of death."Diplomatic Relations with CubaObama flexed his presidential power in December 2014 by moving to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba for the first time in more than 50 years. He and Cuban president Raul Castro announced the normalizing of diplomatic relations for the first time since 1961.The policy change came after the exchange of American citizen Alan Gross and another unnamed American intelligence agent for three Cuban spies. In a speech at the White House, Obama explained that the dramatic shift in Cuban policy would "create more opportunities for the American and Cuban people and begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas."In renewing diplomatic ties with Cuba, Obama announced plans "to increase travel, commerce and the flow of information to and from Cuba." The long-standing U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, however, remained in effect and could only be removed with the approval of Congress. Leading Republicans—including Boehner, McConnell and Florida Senator Marco Rubio—all spoke out against Obama's new Cuba policies.On March 20, 2016, Obama became the first sitting American president to visit Cuba since 1928 as part of his larger program to establish greater cooperation between the two countries. Obama made the three-day visit with Michelle and their daughters Malia and Sasha.At the top of the agenda during the milestone meeting between the two leaders were human rights, the U.S.’s economic embargo on Cuba and Guantanamo Bay. Following their first conversation at the Palace of the Revolution, Castro and Obama held a joint press conference broadcast on state television during which they fielded questions from the press. While they acknowledged its complexities, both also professed a shared optimism about the road ahead.President Trump's Travel Restrictions to CubaTravel to Cuba from the United States began to surge, with the U.S. becoming the second-largest source of travelers to the island nation behind Canada. In June 2019, President Trump banned ship and commercial airline travel into Cuba. The restrictions effectively banned all tourist travel to Cuba by prohibiting people-to-people educational travel.The Trump administration said the move was in an effort to pressure the Cuban government to stop supporting Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Experts said it could cripple the economy and might therefore be an attempt to overthrow the regime of President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the hand-picked successor of Fidel Castro who took office in 2018.India Nuclear AgreementIn 2015, Obama traveled to India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to several news reports, Obama and Modi had reached a "breakthrough understanding" regarding India's nuclear power efforts.Obama told the Indian people in a speech given in New Delhi that "we can finally move toward fully implementing our civil nuclear agreement, which will mean more reliable electricity for Indians and cleaner, non-carbon energy that helps fight climate change." This agreement would also open the door to U.S. investment in India's energy industry.Meeting with Canada Prime Minister Justin TrudeauOn March 10, 2016, Obama met at the White House with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the first official visit by a Canadian leader in nearly 20 years.Central among the topics addressed during their meeting—which also included trade, terrorism and border security—was climate change, with the two leaders promising a commitment to building an international “low-carbon global economy.”Trudeau’s apparent concern for environmental issues and generally liberal agenda stand in contrast to his predecessor, Stephen Harper. Obama had strained relations with Harper due in part to Obama’s unwillingness to allow for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.President Obama’s Affordable Care ActIn spite of opposition from Congressional Republicans and the populist Tea Party movement, Obama signed his health care reform plan, known as the Affordable Care Act, into law in March 2010. The new law prohibited the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, allowed citizens under 26 years old to be insured under parental plans, provided for free health screenings for certain citizens and expanded insurance coverage and access to medical care to millions of Americans.Supreme Court Ruling on Individual MandateObama gained a legal victory in June 2012 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, which required citizens to purchase health insurance or pay a tax. In a 5-4 decision, the court decided the health care law’s signature provision fell within the taxation power granted to Congress under the Constitution.Congressional Challenges to “Obamacare”Opponents of the Affordable Care Act, which foes dubbed "Obamacare," asserted that it added new costs to the country's overblown budget, violated the Constitution with its requirement for individuals to obtain insurance and amounted to a “government takeover” of health care.In October 2013, a dispute over the federal budget and Republican desires to defund or derail the Affordable Care Act caused a 16-day shutdown of the federal government. After a deal had been reached to end the shutdown, Obama used his weekly address to express his frustration over the situation and his desire for political reform: "The way business is done in Washington has to change. Now that these clouds of crisis and uncertainty have lifted, we need to focus on what the majority of Americans sent us here to do—grow the economy, create good jobs, strengthen the middle class, lay the foundation for broad-based prosperity, and get our fiscal house in order for the long haul."The Affordable Care Act continued to come under fire in October after the failed launch of Get 2019 health coverage. Health Insurance Marketplace , the website meant to allow people to find and purchase health insurance. Extra technical support was brought in to work on the troubled website, which was plagued with glitches for weeks.The health care law was also blamed for some Americans losing their existing insurance policies, despite repeated assurances from Obama that such cancellations would not occur. According to the Chicago Tribune, Obama insisted that the insurance companies—and not his legislation—caused the coverage change. "Remember, before the Affordable Care Act, these bad-apple insurers had free rein every single year to limit the care that you received, or used minor pre-existing conditions to jack up your premiums, or bill you into bankruptcy,” he said.Under mounting pressure, Obama found himself apologizing regarding some health care changes. In an interview with NBC News, he said of those who lost their insurance plans, "I am sorry that they are finding themselves in this situation based on assurances they got from me." Obama pledged to find a remedy to this problem, saying, "We are going to do everything we can to deal with folks who find themselves in a tough position as a consequence of this."In 2014, Speaker of the House John Boehner launched an effort to sue Obama for overstepping his executive powers with some of his actions regarding the Affordable Care Act.Supreme Court Ruling on Health Care Tax SubsidiesIn the summer of 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld part of the president's Affordable Care Act regarding health care tax subsidies. Without these tax credits, buying medical insurance might have become too costly for millions of Americans.Obamacare Repeal Attempts Under the Trump AdministrationThroughout his 2016 presidential campaign, candidate Trump repeatedly promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act. In 2017, Congressional Republicans dropped the individual mandate tax penalty, which imposed a tax for not signing up for health insurance, to zero.Texas and 17 other Republican states quickly sued to strike down the Affordable Care Act, mainly based on their opposition to its individual mandate. The 2012 Supreme Court ruling found that the individual mandate in and of itself was unconstitutional, but it could be allowed in this instance because the law as a whole was part of Congress’s right to impose taxes.A Texas federal judge ruled in favor of the suit, saying that because there was no longer a tax, the law was unconstitutional. The case was sent to an appeals court.As of 2019, polls suggested that the majority of Americans don’t think Congress should revamp the entire health care system. Analysts say that the demolition of the law could prove to be detrimental to Republicans in the 2020 elections.Budget Control Act of 2011Obama worked to steer the country through difficult financial times in the second part of his first term as president. After drawn-out negotiations with Republicans who gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2010 midterm elections, he signed the Budget Control Act of 2011 in an effort to rein in government spending and prevent the government from defaulting on its financial obligations. The act also called for the creation of a bipartisan committee to seek solutions to the country's fiscal issues. The group failed to reach any agreement on how to solve these problems.NSA Wiretapping ControversyIn June 2013, Obama had suffered a significant drop in his approval ratings to 45 percent following new revelations about the extent of the U.S. National Security Agency’s surveillance program, allegations of the Internal Revenue Service targeting conservative political organizations seeking tax-exempt status, and accusations of a cover-up in the terrorist killings of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three others at a diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.Obama defended the NSA's email monitoring and telephone wiretapping during a visit to Germany in June 2013. "We are not rifling through the emails of German citizens or American citizens or French citizens or anyone else,” he said. "The encroachment on privacy has been strictly limited." Obama stated that the program had helped stop roughly 50 threats.In October 2013, German Chancellor Angela Merkel revealed that the NSA had been listening in to her cell phone calls. "Spying among friends is never acceptable," Merkel told a summit of European leaders.Obama saw his approval rating drop to a new low in November 2013. Only 37 percent of Americans polled by CBS News approved of the job he was doing as president, while 57 percent disapproved of his handling of the job.Trayvon Martin ShootingAfter a Florida jury’s decision in 2013 to acquit George Zimmerman in the murder of African-American teen Trayvon Martin, Obama spoke out about the outrage that followed. "When Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son,” the president remarked at a White House press conference. “Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martincould have been me 35 years ago."Obama explained that this particular case was a state matter, but he discussed how the federal government could address some of the legislative and racial issues highlighted by the incident.Obama’s Record on LGBT RightsRepeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”In 2011, Obama signed a repeal of the military policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which prevented openly gay troops from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. In March 2011, he approved U.S. participation in NATO airstrikes to support rebels fighting against the forces of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi.Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S.On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to overturn an earlier 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that same-sex marriage bans in several states were constitutional. By reversing this earlier decision, the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal throughout the country.Obama, who became the first president to voice support for same-sex marriage in May 2012, praised the court for affirming "that the Constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they've reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law. That all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love."In his speech, Obama also said that the court's decision "is a consequence of the countless small acts of courage of millions of people across decades who stood up, who came out, who talked to parents—parents who loved their children no matter what. Folks who were willing to endure bullying and taunts, and stayed strong . . . and slowly made an entire country realize that love is love."President Obama’s Record on Climate ChangeClean Power PlanIn August 2015, the Obama administration announced The Clean Power Plan, a major climate change plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the first-ever national standards to limit carbon pollution from coal-burning power plants in the United States. The plan became the administration’s main tool to meet the emissions reduction target from the Paris Climate Agreement.Obama called the plan the "single most important step that America has ever made in the fight against global climate change." It called for aggressive Environmental Protection Agency regulations, including requiring existing power plants to cut carbon dioxide emissions 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 and use more renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Under the regulations, states were allowed to create their own plans to reduce emissions and are required to submit initial plans by 2016 and final versions by 2018.Critics quickly voiced loud opposition to the plan. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader, sent a letter to every governor in the United States urging them not to comply with the regulations. States and private companies, which rely on coal production for their economic livelihoods, are also expected to legally challenge the plan.Despite the backlash from those sectors, Obama remained steadfast in his bold action to address climate change. "We've heard these same stale arguments before," he said in an address from the White House. "Each time they were wrong."He added: "We're the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it."Business groups, companies and 27 states continued to fight the legislation in court. In February 2019, a newly conservative-majority Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to block Obama’s Clean Power Plan by putting a hold on regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, mostly from coal power plants.President Trump's Replacement for the Clean Power PlanIn June 2019, President Trump effectively killed Obama’s Clean Power Plan, replacing it with the Affordable Clean Energy rule. The new legislation was much weaker and only proposed to lower power sector emissions by 11 million tons by 2030 (about 0.7 to 1.5 percent). Some researchers said that the new plan could increase greenhouse gas emissions, and the EPA estimated it could lead to thousands more deaths from air pollution.Paris Climate AgreementIn November 2015, Obama was a primary player in the international COP21 summit held outside of Paris, France. Addressing the gathered representatives of nearly 200 countries, Obama acknowledged the United States’ position as the second-largest climate polluter and the nation’s primary responsibility to do something about it.The resulting Paris Climate Agreement required all participating nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to limit the rise of global temperatures over the ensuing century and also to allocate resources for the research and development of alternative energy sources. Obama praised the agreement for establishing the “enduring framework the world needs to solve the climate crisis” and pledged that the United States would cut its emissions more than 25 percent by 2030.In September 2016, the United States and China, the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, announced that their countries would ratify the Paris Agreement. One month later on October 5, 2016, the United Nations announced that the agreement had been ratified by a sufficient number of countries to allow it to take effect starting on November 4, 2016.Speaking from the Rose Garden at the White House, Obama said: "Today, the world meets the moment, and if we follow through on the commitments that this Paris Agreement embodies, history may well judge it as a turning point for our planet.”"One the reasons I ran for this office was to make America the leader in this mission," he continued, adding he was hopeful the historic agreement could make a difference. "This gives us the best possible shot to save the one planet we've got.”Trump’s Withdrawal from the Paris Climate AgreementOn June 1, 2017, President Trump made good on his campaign promise to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. With his decision, the United States joined Syria and Nicaragua as the only three countries to reject the accord.“In order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord but begin negotiations to re-enter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States,” Trump said in a speech from the White House Rose Garden. "We're getting out. And we will start to renegotiate and we'll see if there's a better deal. If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine.”Former president Obama responded in a statement: “The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created. I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack. But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got.”Barack Obama’s Supreme Court NomineesDuring his presidency, Obama filled two seats in the Supreme Court: Sonia Sotomayor(confirmed in 2009) and Elena Kagan (confirmed in 2010). Both justices were confirmed under a Democratic-majority Senate.In March 2016, Obama held a press conference at the White House to present 63-year-old U.S. Court of Appeals chief judge Merrick Garland as his nominee for the Supreme Court seat vacated with the unexpected death of conservative stalwart Antonin Scalia. Garland was considered a moderate “consensus” candidate.Garland’s nomination was immediately rebuffed by leaders of the Republican Party. They stated their intention to block any nominee put forward by Obama, fearing that such a confirmation would tip the balance toward a more liberal-leaning court.In an allusion to the political standoff, Obama closed his remarks about Garland by saying, “I am fulfilling my constitutional duty. I’m doing my job. I hope that our senators will do their jobs, and move quickly to consider my nominee.”President Obama on Gun ControlSandy Hook School ShootingOn December 14, 2012, nearly one month after Obama's re-election, the nation endured one of its most tragic school shootings to date when 20 children and six adults were shot to death at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Two days after the attack, Obama delivered a speech at an interfaith vigil for the victims in Newtown and discussed the need for change in order to make schools safer while alluding to implementing stricter gun-control measures."These tragedies must end," Obama stated. "In the coming weeks, I'll use whatever power this office holds to engage my fellow citizens—from law enforcement, to mental-health professionals, to parents and educators—in an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this, because what choice do we have? We can't accept events like these as routine. Are we really prepared to say that we're powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard?"Obama achieved a major legislative victory on January 1, 2013, when the Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved a bipartisan agreement on tax increases and spending cuts, in an effort to avoid the looming fiscal cliff crisis (the Senate voted in favor of the bill earlier that day). The agreement marked a productive first step toward the president's re-election promise of reducing the federal deficit by raising taxes on the extremely wealthy—individuals earning more than $400,000 per year and couples earning more than $450,000, according to the bill.Prior to the bill's passage, in late 2012, tense negotiations between Republicans and Democrats over spending cuts and tax increases became a bitter political battle until Vice President Joe Biden managed to hammer out a deal with Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Obama pledged to sign the bill into law.Boston Marathon BombingsTerrorist bombings of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, killed three people and left more than 200 injured. At a memorial service in Boston three days after the bombings, he told the wounded, "Your country is with you. We will all be with you as you learn to stand and walk and, yes, run again. Of that I have no doubt. You will run again." And he applauded the city’s response to the tragedy. "You’ve shown us, Boston, that in the face of evil, Americans will lift up what’s good. In the face of cruelty, we will choose compassion."In the same month, Obama also found his efforts for gun-control measures thwarted in Congress. He had supported legislation calling for universal background checks on all gun purchases and a ban on sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. When the bill was blocked and withdrawn, Obama called it “a pretty shameful day for Washington.”Gun Control Executive OrdersIn early January 2016 Obama held a press conference to announce a new series of executive orders related to gun control. Citing examples such as the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school, the president shed tears as he called on Congress and the gun lobby to work with him to make the country safer.His measures, which were met with vehement opposition from members of both the Republican and Democratic Parties, as well as gun advocacy groups such as the NRA, would have implemented more thorough background checks for gun buyers, stricter government oversight and enforcement of gun laws, better information sharing regarding mental health issues as related to gun ownership and investment in gun safety technology.President Obama’s Notable Speeches2010 State of the UnionOn January 27, 2010, Obama delivered his first State of the Union speech. During his oration, Obama addressed the challenges of the economy, proposed a fee for larger banks, announced a possible freeze on government spending in the following fiscal year and spoke against the Supreme Court's reversal of a law capping campaign finance spending.Obama also challenged politicians to stop thinking of re-election and start making positive changes. He criticized Republicans for their refusal to support legislation and chastised Democrats for not pushing hard enough to get legislation passed.He also insisted that, despite obstacles, he was determined to help American citizens through the nation's current domestic difficulties. "We don't quit. I don't quit," he said. "Let's seize this moment to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more."2015 State of the UnionIn his 2015 State of the Union address, Obama declared that the nation was out of recession. "America, for all that we've endured; for all the grit and hard work required to come back . . . know this: The shadow of crisis has passed," he said. He went on to share his vision for ways to improve the nation through free community college programs and middle-class tax breaks.With Democrats outnumbered by Republicans in both the House and the Senate, Obama threatened to use his executive power to prevent any tinkering by the opposition on his existing policies. "We can’t put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance, or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street, or refighting past battles on immigration when we’ve got to fix a broken system," he said. "And if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things, I will veto it."2016 State of the UnionOn January 12, 2016, Barack Obama delivered what would be his final State of the Union address. Diverging from the typical policy-prescribing format, Obama’s message for the American people was centered around themes of optimism in the face of adversity, asking them not to let fears about security or the future get in the way of building a nation that is “clear-eyed” and “big-hearted.”This did not prevent him from taking thinly disguised jabs at Republican presidential hopefuls for what he characterized as their “cynical” rhetoric, making further allusions to the “rancor and suspicion between the parties” and his failure as president to do more to bridge that gap. But Obama also took the opportunity to tout his accomplishments, citing the Affordable Care Act, diplomatic progress with Iran and Cuba, the legalization of gay marriage and profound economic recovery as among them.Farewell AddressOn January 10, 2017, Obama returned to his adopted home city of Chicago to deliver his farewell address. In his speech, Obama spoke about his early days in Chicago and his continued faith in the power of Americans who participate in their democracy.“Now 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,” he told the cheering crowd. “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.”The president went on to address the accomplishments of his administration. “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 — 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 — 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 — if I had told you all that, you might have said our sights were set a little too high,” he said. “But that’s what we did. That’s what you did. You were the change. The answer to people’s hopes and, because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started."Obama also expressed his commitment to the peaceful transfer of power to President-Elect Trump, and called on politicians and American citizens to come together despite their differences.“Understand, democracy does not require uniformity,” he said. “Our founders quarreled and compromised, and 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 are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one.”He also appealed for tolerance and to continue the fight against discrimination: “After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America," he said. "Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. All of us have more work to do. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves.“If we decline to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they don’t look like us, we diminish the prospects of our own children – because those brown kids will represent a larger share of America’s workforce,” Obama continued. “Going forward, we must uphold laws against discrimination . . . But laws alone won’t be enough. Hearts must change.”He also quoted Atticus Finch, the main character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, asking Americans to heed his advice: “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.”In a tearful moment, Obama addressed his wife, Michelle, and then spoke about being the proud father of his daughters, Malia and Sasha, and expressed his gratitude for Vice President Biden. Obama concluded his farewell address with a call to action: “My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you,” he said. “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 am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change — but in yours.”Last Days in OfficeOn January 19, 2017, Obama's last full day in office, he announced 330 commutations for nonviolent drug offenders. The presidents granted a total of 1,715 clemencies, including commuting the sentence of Chelsea Manning, the U.S. Army intelligence analyst who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking classified information to WikLeaks.In his last days in the Oval Office, Obama also presented Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction.He shared these parting words at his last press conference with the White House press corps. “I believe in this country,” he said. “I believe in the American people. I believe that people are more good than bad. I believe tragic things happen. I think there's evil in the world, but I think at the end of the day, if we work hard and if we're true to those things in us that feel true and feel right, that the world gets a little better each time. That's what this presidency has tried to be about. And I see that in the young people I've worked with. I couldn't be prouder of them.”“And so, this is not just a matter of no drama Obama, this is what I really believe. It is true that behind closed doors, I curse more than I do publicly...and sometimes I get mad and frustrated like everybody else does, but at my core, I think we're going to be okay. We just have to fight for it, we have to work for it and not take it for granted and I know that you will help us do that.”Barack Obama’s Life After the PresidencyAfter leaving the White House, the Obama family moved to a home in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C., to allow their youngest daughter Sasha to continue school there.Obama embarked on a three-nation tour in late fall 2017, meeting with such heads of state as President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.National Portrait GalleryOn February 12, 2018, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery unveiled its official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama. Both rendered by African-American artists, Kehinde Wiley's work featured Barack in a chair surrounded by greenery and symbolic flowers, while Amy Sherald depicted the former first lady in a flowing dress, gazing back at viewers from a sea of blue.Netflix ContractIn March, The New York Times reported that Barack and Michelle Obama were in advanced negotiations with Netflix to produce exclusive content for the streaming service. It was not known exactly what sort of content would be developed, though sources familiar with the discussions said that the former president and first lady were interested in producing shows that highlight inspirational stories. The multi-year deal was later finalized in May."President and Mrs. Obama have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire," said an adviser. "Throughout their lives, they have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better. As they consider their future personal plans, they continue to explore new ways to help others tell and share their stories."Barack Obama and Donald TrumpSince his election to the presidency in 2016, Trump has worked to overturn many of Obama’s signature achievements in office. These include withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal; backtracking on the loosening of travel restrictions to Cuba; attempting to abolish the Affordable Care Act by repealing the individual mandate; overriding Obama's Clean Air Act; and pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement.Travel BanOn January 30, 2017, the former president released his first statement after leaving office in support of the widespread demonstrations protesting President Donald Trump’s executive order that called for "extreme vetting" to "keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America."The order banned immigrants from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen for at least 90 days, and temporarily suspended the entry of refugees for 120 days. As a result, immigrants and refugees from predominantly Muslim countries traveling to the U.S. were detained at U.S. airports, sparking protests around the country.Obama's office released a statement in which a spokesman said that "The President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion."The statement also underscored Obama's support of American citizens getting involved in the country's democracy: "President Obama is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country. ... Citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble, organize and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake."Think Before You TweetIn fall 2017, journalists took note of his seeming swipe at Trump with his "think before you tweet" comment. A few days later, at a private event in Paris, the former president noted that more women should be promoted to positions of power as men "seem to be having some problems these days."Climate ChangeIn December 2017, Obama spoke at a Chicago gathering of mayors and municipal officials from around the world who pledged to sign the Chicago Climate Charter, part of efforts to push back against Trump’s declaration that he would withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement."In this environment right now, it's easy sometimes to feel discouraged, and feel as if people are talking past each other," said Obama. "This is where the particular talents of mayors come in. Because first of all, you are used to dealing with folks who can sometimes be unreasonable. You are accustomed to having to deal with the realities in front of you and take action, not just talk about it."South African AddressIn July 2018, Obama delivered a speech in Johannesburg, South Africa, to mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth. Decrying Trump's methods without mentioning him by name, Obama warned of the ascendancy of "strongman politics" and the lack of fact-based arguments in political discourse. Underscoring his belief in "Nelson Mandela's vision," he urged his audience to maintain hope in the face of troubling times. "Things may go backwards for a while, but ultimately, right makes might," he said. "Not the other way around."