Hawaiian Vacation: Obama Style

The Obama family is vacationing in Hawaii. They arrived the day before Christmas. Palin family copycats? No! The Obamas' vacation plans have been known for some time; the Palins slipped out of Alaska unannounced. In Hawaii eyes boost to tourism as Obama's vacation brings attention, we're told that Hawaii's tourism industry is hoping to get a boost from the Obama family's visit. A rush of vacationers isn't expected, but with much of the country experiencing cold weather, photos of the Obamas enjoying Hawaii's warm, sunny weather might appear in the media, reminding people that Hawaii offers great vacation experiences. In Taking Work Home (Even When Home Means Hawaii), we learn that, so far, Obama has been staying out of sight. Yesterday, he went to a Marine base, where Michelle worked-out and he played golf.

Before he arrived, Obama was concerned that he might not be able to go body surfing, like he did last year, due to Secret Service concerns. The President did say, however, "I will definitely be enjoying some sun." The Coast Guard has setup a security zone around the Obamas' vacation home, so there is yet some hope that he will be able to enjoy the water. Obama low-profile on Hawaii vacation, but security isn't, provides additional information about the security implications of the President's visit.

President Obama was born in Hawaii. In June of this year, the Obamas hosted a luau at the White House, and, during an earlier visit to Hawaii, the Obamas enjoyed some Waiola Shave Ice.

The Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau has setup a website, Barack Obama's Hawaii, which may post news and links to the First Family's visit. It has an extensive collection of photos and links to stories about his life in Hawaii. The Honolulu Advertiser already has Obama Ohana Comes Home 2009 up, with photos, links and news; it may be the best place to find news and photo updates.

Despite all the gawkers and paparazzi out, trying to get a glimpse of the Obamas, it's doubtful that they'll quit their vacation. We shall see. The vacation ends January 2, 2010.

Lie of the Year

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PolitiFact, a 2009 Pulitzer Prize winner, has given each of these statements a False or Pants-on-Fire rating. One of them will receive Lie of the Year award:

"When one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft."
-- Joe Biden on Thursday, April 30, 2009, in an interview on The Today Show

Preventive care "saves money."
-- Barack Obama on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in a speech to Congress

"You lie!" (in response to President Obama saying health reform would not insure illegal immigrants.)
-- Joe Wilson on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in the audience at a joint session of Congress

Seniors and the disabled "will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care."
-- Sarah Palin on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in a message posted on Facebook

John Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, "has proposed forcing abortions and putting sterilants in the drinking water to control population."
-- Glenn Beck on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, in his TV program

An amendment to the House health reform bill "puts new restrictions on women's access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market even when they would pay premiums with their own money."
-- Nita Lowey on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in a speech on the House floor

A birth certificate shows Barack Obama was born in Kenya.
-- Orly Taitz on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, in an attachment to a lawsuit

Page 92 of the House health care bill "says specifically that people can't purchase private health insurance after a date certain."
-- Michele Bachmann on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, in an interview on the Fox News Channel.

The rating for each statement can be found at PolitiFact, along with an explanation of the lie. If you can't decide which is Lie of the Year, here is the spoiler.

Bonus: This story will be on NPR's All Things Considered, which may be available here.
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