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Subscribe to RSSAfter his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Obama today addressed the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting, where he called for an end to human trafficking.
The president also unveiled new initiatives aimed at combatting the practice -- which the administration says impacts more than 20 million people around the world.
Reuters, Getty Images
In the final push in the 2012 presidential election, candidates Mitt Romney and Barack Obama make their last appeals to voters.
“It ought to concern every person,” Obama said, “because it is a debasement of our common humanity. It ought to concern every community because it tears at our social fabric. It ought to concern every business because it distorts markets. It ought to concern every nation because it endangers public health and fuels violence and organized crime."
Among the initiatives announced today:
-- prohibiting federal contractors from engaging in specific trafficking-related activities
-- establishing a process to better identify industries that have a history of human trafficking
-- improving training measures aimed at cracking down on the practice.
“Human trafficking is not a business model; it is a crime, and we are going to stop it,” the president told the CGI crowd.
The president, who addressed the crowd a few hours after Mitt Romney did, also talked about new efforts to help victims of human trafficking, and he implored the crowd to follow suit, calling on business leaders, faith leaders, and individual citizens to get educated and join the fight against trafficking.
In a more emotional moment, Obama shared the real-life stories of a few women who survived the “unspeakable horror” -- including Sheila White, a Bronx woman.
“Fleeing an abusive home, [Sheila] fell in with a guy who said he'd protect her. Instead, he sold her -- just 15 years old, 15 -- to men who raped her and beat her and burned her with irons. And finally, after years, with the help of a nonprofit led by other survivors, she found the courage to break free and get the services she needed. Sheila earned her GED. Today she is a powerful, fierce advocate who helped to pass a new anti-trafficking law right here in New York.”
The audience cheered and applauded as Sheila and several other survivors stood to be recognized.
The president ended his speech on a hopeful note -- and with a direct message to those who are still victims. “We hear you. We insist on your dignity. And we share your belief that if just given the chance you will forge a life equal to your talents and worthy of your dreams.”
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We need Michelle "Bat Crazy "Bachmann and Ricky " Religious Extremist" Santorom at da U N Meeting on Loud Speakers Screaming "Babies and Gawd"......"Babies and Gawd" every 15 Seconds.
You BetCha....Fer Sure.
or Uncle Joe sayin', "Put ya'll back in chains!"
"You didn't build that!!" fer sure
@Urban,
"It's not my job to worry about 'those people'."
Fer sure.
justdafax, if you could spend a little less time masterbating to romper room maybe you could go and scream for them, du mb a s s!!
Maybe Moochelle will run in 2016....you Demotards would buy that hook, line, and sinker.
Really? Who you gonna run?
This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. In Southern California it is a Republican that has taken the lead by spearheading ads be posted on all transit vehicles. I applaud the President for raising the profile of a serious concern from young girls and some boys caught in this cycle of violence and exploitation.
Now Urban, no need to sink to the age-old tactic of smearing the spouse.
Besides, it's Hillary's turn in 2016....and 2020. Michelle, as a good mom, will be happy simply to parent her girls through the difficult teen years.
funny...I'll admit. Apparently, even a disbarred @!$%# lawyer can be president.
LMAO @ U . Your Crap has been dis proven a few Thousand times
Lord , I will no longer do your home work for you . Google works .
It appears the urban Roman isn't paying attention. President Obama, assuming that is who you are talking about, DID speak before the UN General Assembly. He didn't meet with world leaders as none requested a meeting and there was nothing to discuss that hadn't been discussed by diplomats and leaders already. It would seem that it is not Obama that is the dumbass but.....well look in the mirror and you'll see who is.
Adler, I'm sorry you're so slow. ADHD? Common among your tribe. O@!$%#4brains only responded because he had to, it was all over the press that he was the only president o ever skip the UN completely. Once he found out it was going to be a bad news story for him, he brought his teleprompter to say a few words (pun intended). It is important that a president at least appears to be concerned about world affairs. He has the entire ME so screwed up, he is sending cash to keep them quiet until after the election. He is buying of EU with bond buys until after the election. He is buying up DJIA until after the election. scam, inc.
You tell em Adler. You go boy. Dear Leader also met with the world leaders of 5 places. Cmon you teaconrepuklitaliban. Dear Leader met with David Letterman, Joy Behar, Jay-Z, Whoopi Doopi Goldberg, and Beyonce. The nerve of you teaconbaggingtalicons. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Romney, show us your taxes. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, Romney show us your magic underwear, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
YO Urbs Mittens will not be able to have a teleprompter in the Debates either .
This is gonna be Hilarious . Not so much for Mittens though .
Every time Romney speaks extemporaneously he winds up with one or both of his $2000.00 Italian leather loafers lodged firmly in his mouth. His past record at the GOP debates against a gaggle of crackpots, cranks, and criminals was not encouraging and his GOP handlers are worried sick. Mitt is in big trouble and the debates are a make or break opportunity for him to salvage his train wreck of a campaign, so I expect him to pull out all the stops. President Obama, on the other hand, enjoys a strong lead so his goal is to take the high road and appear presidential, something Willard cannot hope to do.
The bottom line is that Romney will push all his chips in the middle of the table and go for broke at the debates. He has no other choice and the odds makers are giving 4 to 1 against Romney pulling it off. I think those are damned generous odds, too.
Gee, a bunch of us were sitting around earlier and talking about the football game last night, and all of a sudden our thoughts turned to human trafficking and how large a problem it is, especially here in the United States. We talked about all the people we had bought and sold, and the hardships we endured smuggling them to Somalia, We then had a moment of silence and thanked the druids that our President is such a stately and beautiful man, that he is full of passion and hope and change. Then we all agreed to turn ourselves over to federal authorities and to ask for the firing squad because of crimes against humanity. We were pardoned, and were allowed to go free with the promise not to watch football for 57 weeks. We all then came to NBC to read the compassionate posts by all of the liberal, progressive communist mushrooms. We all agreed that Our Dear Leader, Mr. President Obama was the man that saved the world, regardless of what Harry Reid said. We got in compassionate fetal positions and cried out to the human traffikers throughout the world, Stop human traffickers, you are not as passionate as Mr. President, Dear Leader. Pffffffftttttttttttt. See how utterly ignorant you democrat-communists sound. LMAO at the vomit you communists spew.
EXACTLY! Democons...the new world order party...we say @!$%# and it happens.
I just wish we could all hold hands and sing the Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Obama song and then just melt. I just think I am going to cry, especially after reading the opening statement by desperately seeking sanity. pfffffttttttttttt, not really, really. hahahahahahahahahaha
Jeez, you right wingers aren't happy with ANYTHING, LOL. What crybabies!!!
Just pay back the money you owe me, I'm a taxpayer.
I'm retired at 53 with NO WORRIES, YOU?
I tried retirement back when I was 45. I built a very successful company that still pays me dividends today (taxed at a low rate! hahaha). (I already paid 40% taxes the first time around). Retirement..eh..not good for a critical thinker like me. But you sheeple, it's good for you, no doubt in my mind. I've never seen someone without worries. How is living in the Yukon, and single?
Well then "try", you OWE ME for your retirement at 53. After all, it's just "fair", "redistribution", and "social justice" that EVERYONE be able to retire at 53 just like YOU.
Now, please get off your retired butt and go EARN ME my contraceptive care, my child care, my health insurance, my welfare, my food stamps, my housing, my utilities, and a job for me, and MY RETIREMENT too.
After all, that's what Sandra Fluke, who people like YOU gave a standing ovation to just two weeks ago, says that YOU OWE to every woman in this nation.
Excellent, Marsha. Someone that types "NO WORRIES" in caps either has no clue (prolly) or REALLY HAS WORRIES!
Yeah give me the money I have paid in for 40 Years , Plus interest . Go ahead and talk silly stuff .
He's "calling" for this stuff?
The Army's been doing it for YEARS already, as required by the Dept of Defense.
You mean our "Commander in Chief" is just now catching up to something that's been required since the BUSH ADMINISTRATION?
And you on the left say Romney's out of touch? This guy has been our "leader" for almost FOUR YEARS and apparently doesn't know that the Federal Government already has trafficking LAWS in place that do MORE than what he's calling for.
What a buffoon.
Buffoon does not cover it. Scam, inc. does.
cheryl: As you well know there are all kinds of laws in place that never get enforced.
President Obama has the compassion to talk about the difficult issues facing millions of people world-wide.
Actually , I doubt Cheryl , Does know that . Un informed Is un informed .
Hey Mitt....you want to be President yet you double your invetments in foreign countries in 2011....what kind of person who is running for president does that??? That is what you and the other 1% would do with more tax cuts.....invest overseas....not in America.
Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, more than doubled their investment income from foreign sources in 2011 versus 2010, i ncluding some sources in tax havens around the world, according to tax returns released by the Republican presidential nominee's campaign
'That means the Romneys last year derived just over a quarter of their income from non-U.S. investments, such as funds and entities in Bermuda, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the Cayman and British Virgin Islands, the returns showed.'
Yet, we're supposed to believe that he wants to invest in America as President, although he didn't do it as a businessman, which is the bases of his whole campaign stump.... riiiiight.
Obama should get right on this. Find out where this trafficking is originating and immediately move there to combat is first hand. Hurry! Not a second to waste.
And Romney gives a campaign speech at the CGI - this man has no judgement! He is a bigger idiot than Sarah Palin.
How gusty of the President, coming out against human trafficking.
Standing up against the pro-human trafficking lobby...
And the mindless Obama lemmings zombies think this is an accomplishment...
I guess you didn't understand what he said. He listed all of the thing his administration is doing about human trafficking. I was thinking it might be a little too complicated for many on the right.
So when, oh when, does Obama talk specifically about his economy?? Ever??
Seems the left is doing all it can to deflect people's attention from the economy. I think, by now, even the dumbest voters would have wised up to the fact that we are not recovering under this failed leadership, and never will.
The thrill is gone.
American Jobs Act - 2,000,000 jobs and it was paid for. Blocked by republicans in the house and senate.
Veterans jobs bill last week - filibustered in the senate.
If you had any clue what is going on with our government, he wouldn't have to talk about it. I'm sure you haven't heard much about what he has been trying to do on Fox. I have heard several speeches about both. Maybe you should learn to listen so you don't have to shoot your mouth off and look like a fool.
lmao
So are you folks gonna come out with THIS Years talking points ? Or is it yet more " Birth Certificate , Muslim Kenyan stuff ?
BTW Donald trump wears a Squirrel on his head , and "Sheriff Joe " is going to serve hard time . ANY WAGERS ????
This Odumbo is nothing but a useless jellyfish, with no backbone! Does anyone believe that anyone would take seriously, what this bozo says! He is the laughing stock of the world and needs to be sent back to wherever he came from! Tell him to be sure to take his litter with him. Carney says that Moochelle looks better with the Monica mask on., a present from Bill Clinton.
Drawing a line in the sand on slavery and youtube videos.... the Courage!
How about a few lines from the prompter on Islamic Fundamentalist Terrorism?
Meanwhile we will hear more about Bill Clinton and his taking advantage of young women.
Free Cigars for all the young girls.
So... If Obama is against Human Trafficking... How long can it be until supporting Human Trafficking is part of the Party of Stupids official platform?
President Obama is the worst offender for human trafficking. How many of our parents, our brothers, our sisters, our friends and our neighbors has Obama sent to other countries and returned them back to our country in body bags?
Obama needs to practice what he preaches.
And I'm referring to those serving in the military.
How many children are smuggled into the United States every day, week, month, and year? Why are we giving sanctuary to these children rather than finding out who they are and where they're from? Why are we not sending them home with their parents or sending them home to their parents? When will these children be able to tell us without fear for their families in their own country? Just recently there was a 12 year old girl caught by immigration officers being smuggled into the United States. I want to know why and is she still in the United States or is she back home with her family?
You certainly won't hear Mitzy talk against human trafficking: he believes whole-heartedly in it. Those who are trafficked are either low-end, disposable employees, whose jobs can be trafficked to someone in another country, or it involves women, who he believes are not second-, but third-class citizens, deserving of all the mistreatment white men of privilege can heap upon them.
You are making stuff up as you go along because you know that Obama has been a failure,one that will go into the history books.Obama is the worst president since Jimmy Carter,who at least I admire for his Habitat For Humanity work.