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Show CampusNews Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 Page 3 OATH: Obama, Biden take oath of office Campus & Community *From page 1 not succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it," he said in a speech that argued for a central role for government in Americans' lives, a core Democratic Party principle. "We believe that America's prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class." Obama spoke of a need to make the hard choices," on health care, the "long and sometimes difficult" road to tackling climate change, and he made glancing references to upcoming fights over gun control and immigration. National unity, he said, will be crucial to meeting those challenges. The president said the word "we" more than 60 times in his remarks, often pausing after the word, and repeatedly argued for a more inclusive union with direct calls for equal pay for women, rights for gay couples, and opportunities for immigrants. "You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time — not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals," he said. Even as he called for unity, Obama exhorted the nation to rise up against the political deadlock in the nation's capital that might frustrate his secondterm efforts. "We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate," the president said. "We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect." Obama spoke for 20 minutes after being sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts against a backdrop of red, white and blue bunting and American flags, with his family looking on. The nation's first black president took his official oath yesterday during a 30-second ceremony at the White House — to meet the constitutional requirement that the president be sworn in by noon on Jan. 20. Because the official start on the presidential term fell on a Sunday, Obama's inaugural festivities were held Monday, on the federal holiday marking the birthday of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Roberts administered the oath using King's traveling bible and President Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural bible, the same one Obama used for his swearing in four years ago. The president saved detailed discussion of policy proposals for his Feb. 12 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. Still, his speech offered a map for his priorities over the next four years, positioning himself as a champion of core social programs while pledging to update them at a time of tight budgets. "The commitments we make to each other — through Medicare, and Medicaid, and Briefs Service-learning grant announced " VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN takes the oath of office Monday from the Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor as his wife, Jill, holds the Biden family Bible. Bloomberg News photo Social Security — these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us," Obama said. "They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great." His speech highlighted the twin challenges Obama sees for himself in his second term: guarding mainstay Democratic programs while pressing forward on more modern goals, including expanded rights for gays, immigrants and women. I lir I ou and I have the obligation to shape the debates of our time — not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals." "He has become the firewall progressive," said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian at Rice University in Houston. "He's the protector of programs from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal through Lyndon Johnson's Great Society." Brinkley is part of a group of historians who periodically meet with Obama, most recently over dinner Jan. 10. Patriotic songs rang out from the west front of the Capitol. National leaders past and present — including former Presidents Bill Clinton and PoliceBlotter Friday, Jan. 11 • USU Police responded to Mountain View Tower on a report that several individuals were running through the third floor shooting people with rubber bands. One rubber-band shooter was confronted by several people and was assaulted. Police are still investigating. Saturday, Jan. 12 • USU Police received a report of a damaged right-side mirror on the complaintant's vehicle. It is believed the damage may have been caused by a snow plow. Jimmy Carter — were on hand to witness the traditional pomp of Obama's second inauguration. Grammy Award-winning R & B artist Beyonce sang a rousing rendition of the national anthem, in a star-studded line-up that also included Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor. Yet the occasion was muted compared with four years ago. The crowd was about half of the record 1.8 million who attended in 2009. Obama's signature hope-and-change theme of that event has been overtaken by the political battles with Republicans in Congress over the last four years. The partisanship was put on hold at least temporarily today as Republican lawmakers offered the president good wishes and the prospect of collaboration in the days to come. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio — who has had a frequently rocky relationship with Obama over the last two years — sat next to first lady Michelle Obama and the two clinked glasses at the start of a congressional luncheon after the swearing-in ceremony. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia used Twitter to congratulate Obama an instant after he took the oath, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Obama's second term "represents a fresh start" on such issues as "unsustainable federal spending and debt." "Republicans are eager to work with the president on achieving this common goal," McConnell said in an emailed statement. The president has presided over an economy that is still recovering from the worst recession in a generation. While the world's largest economy grew at a 3.1 percent rate in the third quarter, this year will bring growth of just 2 percent, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Over the next two months, his administration will engage in a fiscal debate with Republican lawmakers who hold the majority in the House over raising the government's $16.4 trillion borrowing limit, steps to shrink the deficit and funding federal operations. Obama made only brief mention of issues of war and peace in his speech, praising the contributions of the U.S. military and saying that strong national security doesn't require "perpetual war." "We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully — not because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear," Obama said. As a reminder of the risks for the United States abroad, the State Department said Monday that three Americans were among the hostages killed at an gas complex stormed by Algerian forces after it had been seized by terrorists. Obama disputed the notion that the country is in decline, asserting that the U.S. still plays the central role on the global stage. "America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe, and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation," he said. The day wasn't all pomp, circumstance and bipartisanship. Before striding out to the platform outside the Capitol to take his oath, Obama signed the nominations of his picks for secretaries of Defense, State, Treasury and the Central Intelligence Agency, at least three of which are likely to engender tough confirmation fights. — With assistance from Gail DeGeorge, Roger Runningen, Angela Greiling Keane, Mark Drajem and Roxana Tiron in Washington. Contact USU Police at 797-1939 for non-emergencies. Anonymous reporting line: 797-5000 EMERGENCY NUMBER: 911 and was transported to the hospital by medical personnel. Sunday, Jan. 13 • USU Police received a report of an assault in the Student Living Center. The investigation is ongoing. • USU Police responded to an assault complaint at the Stan Laub indoor field. One individual stated he was head-butted by another after a verbal altercation during a non-USU soccer game. Monday, Jan. 14 • USU Police responded to a medical call on Old Main Hill. A female sledder's tube spun around and hit a tree. The patient refused medical assistance and was transported to Logan Regional Hospital by some friends. • USU Police responded to the Fieldhouse where a 21-year-old female said she felt like she was about to pass out. Paramedics responded and assessed the student, who was monitored and later released at the scene. • USU Police responded to a medical incident at Old Main Hill. A sledder hit a tree • USU Police responded to a cigarette smoke odor from an underage tennant's room in Mountain View Tower. There was no evidence of any underage person smoking at the time. • USU Police assisted with a fraternity group's alcohol presentation. Tuesday, Jan. 15 • An engagement ring was lost somewhere around Old Main Hill and Aggie Station at 1400 North and 800 East. • USU Police responded to a fraud incident from the USU job board. Wednesday, Jan. 16 • USU Police responded to a suspicious activity incident. A male individual walked into the TSC with a Richard Nixon mask on. Police determined everything to be OK. A report was filed with USU Police. *Compiled by Tavin Stucki The USU Service-Learning Program has created the Service-Learning Mini Grant for the Spring 2013 Semester. Service-learning faculty and instructors, students enrolled in servicelearning classes, and Service-Learning Scholars completing capstone projects are eligible to apply. The ServiceLearning Mini Grant will cover up to $500 in expenses related to service learning. Applications are due 5 p.m. February 8 to the USU Student Involvement and Leadership Center in TSC 326. Applications can be found at www.usu.edu/asusu/servicelearning. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on basis of community impact, visibility and relevance to service-learning. The USU Campus Service Steering Committee will review the applications in February 13 and will forward their recommendations onto Service-Learning Program staff for approval. All applicants will be notified concerning the status of their application by February 22. All mini grants will be awarded on a cost reimbursable basis and awardees will need to provide receipts and travel logs. Expenses for all awards must be incurred before May 3. For questions contact Sheldon Browning at 435-797-1740 sheldon. browning@usu.edu or Sean Damitz at 435-797-8134 sean.damitz@usu.edu . Merlin Olsen ice rink opening soon The Merlin Olsen Central Park Ice Rink, located at 300 East and Center Street, is under construction. Crews are in the process of spraying the ice sheet to increase thickness and establish a smooth surface suitable for a great ice skating experience. The ice rink is projected to open next week. It is critical that the public stay off the ice during rink construction to protect the integrity of the existing ice sheet. For more information concerning this or other Logan Parks and Recreation Department programs or facilities contact us at 435-716-9250, in person at 195 South 100 West, Logan or online at www.loganutah.org. Acrobats to take Kent Hall stage Event organizers promise that the Aerial Angels will amaze with its performance as part of Arts Week at Utah State University. The aerial, acrobatic group performs 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Kent Concert Hall. The Aerial Angels is a circus arts and aerial theater company based in Michigan. The mostly-female group specializes in aerial silk, trapeze, fireeating, contortion, comedy and partner acrobatics. The company performs throughout the United States and different countries, including Italy, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and England. The group performs with the assistance of a 24-foot free-standing hot pink aerial rig that holds the aerial silk, trapeze and hoop. Tickets for Aerial Angels are $10 adults, $8 seniors and youth, free for USU students with ID. For information and tickets visit the CCA Box Office located in room 139-B in the Chase Fine Arts Center, call 435-7978022 or online at arts.usu.edu . Football team to display trophies The USU football team will host an autograph session at 6 p.m. and be honored during halftime of the basketball game Saturday against La. Tech. The WAC and Famous Idaho Potato Bowl trophies will be on display during the autograph session. Tickets can be purchased online at utahstateaggies.com ClarifyCorrect The policy of The Utah Statesman is to correct any error made as soon as possible. If you find something you would like clarified or find in error, please contact the editor at 797-1742, statesman@ aggiemail.usu.edu or come in to TSC 105. *Compiled from staff and media reports |
