text:
Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt Medium Mattress, Split Cal King Size
*Check our Delivery Policy. *Conditions apply.
Product Details
Product Details
Our TEMPUR-ProAdapt® soft-feel mattress, built with our TEMPUR-ES® comfort layer, works in combination with other materials to offer support and relaxation.
- Comfort Level: Medium
- Mattress Type: Memory Foam
- Removable Cover: Yes
- Temperature Regulation: Yes
Mattress Cover:
- Cooling 4-Way Stretch Knit Zipper Cover
Comfort Layer:
- Original TEMPUR® Comfort Layer - 5cm
- Advanced, all-night adaptability for truly personalized comfort and support
Support Layer:
- TEMPUR-APR™ Support Layer - 5cm
- Our most pressure-relieving material ever — made for deeper, more rejuvenating sleep.
- Twin: 74"x38"x12.2"H Weight: 57 Lbs.
- Twin XL: 80"x38"x12.2"H Weight: 61 Lbs.
- Full /Double: 74"x53"x12.2"H Weight: 77 Lbs.
- Queen: 80"x60"x12.2"H Weight: 92 Lbs.
- King: 80"x76"x12.2"H Weight: 115 Lbs.
- Cal. King: 84"x72"x12.2"H Weight: 113Lbs.
- Split Cal. King: 84"x36"x12.2"H Weight: 124 Lbs.
Free Outside Drop-Off
Opt for our Free Outside Drop-Off service. Your items will be delivered at the exterior entrance of your residence or building on the ground floor. Appointment required; does not include assembly, demonstration, or cleanup.. |
Room of Choice Delivery
For just $19, choose any room for delivery within Texas*. Appointment required. Service does not include assembly, demonstration, or cleanup. |
White Glove Delivery
Experience our premium White Glove service for $129, exclusively in Texas*. Includes delivery to your room of choice, assembly, demonstration, and cleanup. Appointment needed. |
* For detailed information, please check our Delivery Policy
Financing / Lease to own
Financing / Lease to own
For detailed information, please check Financing / Lease to Own page
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is my order number?
Once the order is placed, order confirmation email will be sent to your email.
2. What are the accepted payment methods?
We accept debit, credit, cash, and financing payment methods. Please see a list of the accepted payments here:
Apple Pay
Google Pay
Shop Pay
3. Do you offer Financing?
Surely, we do. Luna Furniture has partnered with several companies to offer our customers a lot of great financing options. Please see your options HERE
4. How do I know if the item is available/ in stock?
While browsing for your product, if you see a label:
1. In-Stock | Ready to Go : This Means that the item is ready for delivery.
2. In-Stock: This Means that the item will be available in around one week.
3. Shipping Time may vary: Please contact us to get to know the estimated time (usually 4-8 weeks)
5. Can I see the furniture in person?
Luna Furniture has two locations in the Houston area, offering a wide variety of display products of your liking for you to see.
Harwin Store: 7010 Harwin Dr. Unit A, Houston, TX 77036 | Store Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 am-8 pm & Sunday 12 pm-6 pm
Dallas Store: 2945 Walnut Hill Ln, #108
Dallas, TX 75229 | Store Hours: Monday to Sunday 10 am-8 pm
*Call us to see if a specific item is available in one of our stores!
6. Will you take my old furniture?
Luna Furniture will not take your old furniture/or disassemble it.
7. Where do I leave my old furniture?
If the item is in good/usable condition, we highly recommend donating it to a charity. However, you can always dispose of your old furniture. Please contact your city or town to know about your options.
8. Will the item look the same as in the picture?
We proudly offer high-quality pictures for you to see the furniture of your liking. There are a few factors that might affect the look of the furniture. Please note that the color of the item might look brighter/darker than in the pictures.
• Ensure you look at high-quality images of the furniture from multiple angles, as provided on the website. Look for images that show the furniture in a room similar to yours, so you can better understand how it will fit in.
• Carefully read the furniture description carefully to ensure you understand the materials and finishes used, as well as any special care instructions. This can give you a better idea of how the furniture will look and hold up over time.
• Review the dimensions and make sure it will fit comfortably in your space. You can use measuring tape or a piece of string to measure the area where you plan to put the furniture.
9. How long will it take to receive my order?
The delivery date may vary depending on the availability of the products from vendor companies, destination, weather conditions, shipping volumes, and force majeure.
• Houston Area: We offer next-day delivery in the Houston area for most items. Next-Day Delivery is not available Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays.
• Austin, Bryan, College Station, Dallas, Fort Worth, Killeen, San Antonio, Temple, Waco, and their areas & surroundings: It usually takes 1 to 10 business days to receive your delivery.
• Out of State (includes El Paso and surroundings): It usually takes 1 to 6 weeks to receive your delivery for the other states.
• Changes in inventory or delivery capacity, as well as unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, may delay the delivery of your order.
*Please note that unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, such as changes in delivery capacity and shipping volumes, may delay the delivery of your order.
10. Which delivery method should I select?
Luna Furniture offers 4 methods of delivery:
1. Free outdoor drop-off: We will bring your delivery inside the front door of your home. You must assemble the item on your own.
2. In-Room Delivery: Want us to bring the item to the room of your choice? This is the right option for you. You must assemble the item on your own.
3. White Glove Delivery: Want us to take care of everything? We will deliver in the room of your choice. We will professionally unpack and assemble your new furniture and put it exactly where you want it. YES, we will remove all packaging materials and put them back on the truck for recycling & disposal.
4. Curbside Delivery: This option is the only available option for out-of-state (out of Texas) customers. We will bring your delivery to the curb at the end of your driveway.
*** Threshold, In-Room, and White Glove Delivery are not available for customers outside of Texas and or NOT located in Austin, Bryan, College Station, Dallas, Fort Worth, Killeen, San Antonio, Temple, Waco, and their areas & surroundings
Please review our delivery policy.
11. I want to know the exact time of when the delivery will occur!
We will make sure to notify you one day prior to the delivery. You will receive a three-hour timeframe of when the delivery is expected to arrive in your residence. Luckily, our drivers will call you 15-30 minutes ahead to notify you that they are almost there.
12. How can I help to ensure a smooth delivery process?
There are steps you can take to help us provide you a satisfactory delivery process, such as:
• Review the delivery method that you have selected.
• Provide an accurate address during checkout.
• Provide any notes that you feel it might be beneficial for the delivery team to know.
• There is s a gate code? Let us know prior to your delivery
• Please confirm the delivery via text/email/or call.
• Ensure to be home during the three-hour timeframe, as the driver will only wait 10-15 minutes ONLY.
• Watch out for a call from the delivery team and answer accordingly.
• Have your ID ready for confirmation, and note that a signature will be required.
13. I was not home when the delivery team showed up. What can I do?
Please call us immediately to schedule another delivery date. Please note that you will be responsible for a second delivery fee.
14. Can I upgrade my delivery method?
Absolutely! Call us so we can assist you in upgrading/changing the delivery method selected.
15. I do not like the item delivered or the item did not fit in my home. What can I do?
We strive for your complete satisfaction with every purchase. If you are not happy with your order, you may return eligible items within 30 days of delivery for a refund, subject to the following conditions:
Eligibility Requirements:
- You have 30 days from the date of delivery to initiate a return.
- Items must be in new, unused condition and in their original packaging with all accessories.
- Items should be unassembled and unmodified.
- A Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained before returning any item. Contact us via email to request an RMA.
- Exclusions: Some items are non-returnable, including:
- Final Sale or Special Order items
- Mattresses, foundations, bedding, linens
- Individual portions of sectionals
- Cordless power packs
Refunds and Fees:
- Restocking Fee: A 30% restocking fee applies to returned items.
- Return Shipping: You are responsible for return shipping costs. We can arrange a pickup for an estimated fee of $2.50 per pound.
- Additional Fees: Fees may apply for missing parts, refused deliveries, or invalid addresses.
16. I have received a defective/damaged item. What can I do?
CLICK HERE to report the damage right away!
We understand that sometimes things can go wrong, and an item may arrive damaged. If you receive a damaged item, it is essential to report it to us as soon as possible because we have a strict policy that requires customers to report any damage within 24-49 hours of delivery. Please note that we will not be able to process any claim that is reported after 48 hours of delivery. We strongly encourage you to inspect your items as soon as they arrive and notify us of any damage immediately.
In the event that a product is damaged and deemed fixable by our manufacturer, we will assign a technician to your residence to repair the item at no cost to you. We want to ensure you are completely satisfied with your purchase and will do everything we can to make it right. Ensure to keep the original packaging of damaged merchandise as required if the manufacturer accepts replacement.
17. I have received a missing item. What can I do?
Bummer!!! Please contact us immediately so we can resolve the issue. Most likely, if the item is available, you will receive the missing item on the next available delivery date. You will not be charged a second delivery fee.
18. Can I pick up my furniture?
Please call us to see about your pickup options.
19. Why is Luna Furniture requesting additional information to fulfill my order?
Our system may flag your order as a medium or high-risk order, meaning we need to take extra measures to confirm your identity and protect you and our company from possible fraudulent activity. In order to do so, we kindly ask for your cooperation in providing us with a screenshot of your ID, the card used on the checkout, and a screenshot of the payment authorization from the bank. We understand that this may be an inconvenience, but please know that these measures are necessary to ensure your transaction's security and prevent any potential issues. We take the security and privacy of our customers very seriously, and we want to ensure that you can shop confidently with us. Rest assured that any information you provide will be kept confidential and secure and only used for verification purposes.
20. Can I cancel my order?
In the event that an order must be canceled, we highly encourage you to review our refund and return policy.
Please note that our policy varies depending on the order date, processing time, payment authorization, and item availability.
In some cases, we may be able to cancel an order before it has been processed, and a full refund will be issued to you in a timely manner. However, once an order has been processed, we may be unable to cancel it, and a refund may not be possible.
If an item you have ordered is unavailable, we will make every effort to inform you as soon as possible and issue a full refund if requested. Additionally, if there are any issues with payment authorization or other factors that prevent us from fulfilling your order, we may need to cancel the order and issue a refund.
We understand that cancellations can be disappointing, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be assured that we will do our best to process any cancellations and refunds promptly and efficiently.
21. How long does it take to receive my refund?
If the order cancellation has been confirmed, depending on your payment method, it will take three to five business days for the amount to show on the original payment method. We are not able to process cash, check, or refunds in a different payment method.
22. I want to know more about your policies!
Please review our policies here:
Delivery Policy
Refund & Return Policy
Privacy Policy
23. What should I do if I receive the wrong item?
If you receive the wrong item, please report it to our customer service team as soon as possible within 24 hours of receiving the item. Please do not dispose of it.
24. How can I report a wrong item?
You can report a wrong item by contacting our customer service team through email or phone. Please provide your order number, a description of the wrong item, and any relevant photos.
25. What happens if I don't report the wrong item within 24 hours?
We cannot guarantee a refund if you do not report the wrong item within 24 hours of receiving it. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can resolve the issue promptly.
26. What should I do with the wrong item?
Please do not dispose of the wrong item until our customer service team has instructed you to do so. In some cases, we may ask you to return the wrong item to us.
27. Can I still get a refund if I dispose of the wrong item?
No, we cannot refund you if you dispose of the wrong item without reporting it to us.
28. Can I exchange the wrong item for the correct one?
Yes, we are able to exchange the wrong item for the correct one. Please contact our customer service team to discuss this option.
Enjoy Free Shipping on All Orders.
We ship nationwide, right to your location.


text: "And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about." ― Haruki Murakami

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Your dentures are an investment and require care and attention to maintain their optimum performance. The fit of your dentures will have a profound affect on your oral tissues and health. An annual examination by Dr. Frickman will help ensure your denture is functioning properly.
Medical and Dental History Update
Updating your medical and dental history with any significant changes is critical to maintaining your oral health and well-being. A variety of medical and dental conditions can alter a dentures fit.
Annual Oral Exam
Annual examinations can assist in detecting oral abnormalities including cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions. Early detection of these conditions is generally beneficial for treatment.
Tissue and Bone Assessment
Ill-fitting dentures may cause bone and tissue changes and need to be corrected for your oral health. Our practice can determine and recommend solutions to suit your personal needs.
Comfort, Fit, and Integrity of Dentures
Bite problems, speech impediments and tissue irritations can be caused by an ill-fitting denture and should be remedied. Leaving this condition unchecked can lead to complicated situations in the future. Dr. Frickman can assess your dentures for cracks, chips, and broken or loose teeth and suggest solutions.
Denture Exam Overview
- Update of medical and dental history chart
- An examination of your oral cavity
- Tissue and bone assessment
- Cleaning and polishing of your denture
- Oral hygiene review


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Royal blue t-shirt embroidered with nursery logo.
Shoulder to shoulder taping. Front cover seaming on collar. Tubular body construction for shape retention. Twin needle hem and sleeves.
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Phone Number
Postage and Packing Cost Each purchase is dispatched using DPD and ParcelForce. The cost of delivery is £5.99. You will see the delivery charge before you give your card details. If however you require deliveries to outside of this area then we will need to inform you of the specific rate as this does vary. The full order can still be refunded if you do not accept this charge.
Click here to see full delivery details.
If you are not completely satisfied, or have changed your mind with keeping your purchase, do not worry - simply return it to us as soon as possible. We will refund or exchange any purchase, subject to it being in re-sellable condition in its original packaging complete with labels and with proof of purchase within 60 days. Please note we do not accept returns or exchanges outside this date.
Please note that we cannot accept blouses/shirts, socks or tights back if the packaging has been opened, unless they are faulty.
Simply fill in the returns details on your order form. The return needs to be sent/taken back to the address on the top left hand corner of your returns form.
This does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.


text:
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Willy's First Order of Business
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Wow, it sure IS "fun to be one" when you have a tombstone for a candle! Yessirree, Willy, urine for a treat with this little number (two)!!
This does look kinda familiar, though. Huh. Now where have I seen this before....?
Oh, now I remember:
Well, if you're going to use the yellow and brown color scheme, you might as well "go" all the way, eh? A "royal flush" of cakedom for a real "whiz kid", if you will?
Caroline S. & Amy G., John and I are trying to eat better. This post may be our first step on the path to skipping many meals.
35 comments | Post a Comment
- Valerie Phoenixfire said...
Lion King reference? :) These cakes are gross.
- June 6, 2009 at 9:36 AM
- Etiquette Bitch said...
hmmm, not sure that the wreckerator can be blamed for cw1 -- seems to me that mommy or daddy or whomever served the cake plopped the tombstone candle in there.
- June 6, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Thanks, you just made my diet easier today. And probably tomorrow, too. And probably every day until this post slides off of the front page. Ew.
(Yes, I've been known to indulge in some cake after reading your blog.) - June 6, 2009 at 9:58 AM
- Queen-Size funny bone said...
I don't know if I could eat something that reminded me of poo.
- June 6, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Wow, the candle on the first one is almost as big as the cake!
The second one - all I can say is, "What the heck were they thinking?!" - June 6, 2009 at 10:04 AM
- WendyB said...
I laughed out loud at the "tombstone." It really DOES look like one. Grey is so appetizing.
- June 6, 2009 at 10:07 AM
- Zhoen said...
I suspect, deeply, that the Happy Poo Year is for a resident doing general surgery. Which is to say, gut surgery. Which is to say, well, poo. All year long.
- June 6, 2009 at 10:21 AM
- Another Face said...
Jen, I'm supremely disappointed. You did not even mention that the poo cake was a CCC! Where are your eyes??????
- June 6, 2009 at 10:23 AM
- Half Assed Kitchen said...
Is that second one chocolate?
Angie (from over at www.HalfAssedKitchen.com) - June 6, 2009 at 10:45 AM
- Unknown said...
Those cakes have given me the best idea . . . birthdays are one thing, but finally being able to say your kid is successfully potty trained? Now that deserves a cake!
- June 6, 2009 at 10:50 AM
- iris said...
who's the sadistic wierdo that decided "yes..a cake that reminds me of my feces. sounds delicious!" hella funny though.
- June 6, 2009 at 10:55 AM
- Amanda M. said...
I work at a party store, and I can assure you that the "Fun to be one" candle by Amscan looks nothing like a tombstone in real life. That's just an unfortunate angle... they are, however, ridiculously bulky and not *that* cute to begin with!
- June 6, 2009 at 11:11 AM
- Laurie said...
Happy "POO" year? that's just NARSTY.
- June 6, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Actually, if you look closely at William's cake, it says "Happy 15th Birthday" on it. It would seem that the candle was an afterthought and that was all they had.
- June 6, 2009 at 12:04 PM
- Unknown said...
No, it's just "1St" with an oversized "s." Pretty sure Willian is just one.
- June 6, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I don't think it's '15th' birthday, it looks like a very badly written '1st' to me. The S just looks like a 5.
- June 6, 2009 at 12:42 PM
- Catherine said...
It looks like they wrote the inscription on the first cake _around_ the candle. So someone planned that. oookaaaayyy
- June 6, 2009 at 12:43 PM
- Andrea said...
Before the poop theme sank in, I thought that the first one looked like a giraffe color scheme. Girrafes are certainly a popular nursery decor theme. Perhaps those people love their jungle animals.
- June 6, 2009 at 12:47 PM
- Dorci said...
Maybe it's a subliminal message meant to ready young toddlers of their impending potty training and their freedom from diaperhood.
- June 6, 2009 at 12:48 PM
- Morgan the Muse said...
Happy... 'Poo' year?!?
- June 6, 2009 at 1:07 PM
- GJC said...
And here I was, all ready to Pollyanna up the joint with "Maybe this is just a misspelling--maybe it was "Pooh" Year, and they just had a fondness for A.A.Milne, Christopher Robin, and the relentlessly twee...
But...no. There are.....DOOTS...on that cake. There is no way around this interpretation; those are very clearly meant to represent doots. And fellow Wreckerators, we have now discovered a rarity among rarities: a cake in which I could not be persuaded to indulge. I have fairly flexible standards, but by one principle I shall stand forever and always: I do not eat food items meant to represent body wastes. I don't and you can't make me, and also: frickin' EEEEEWWWWW!!!! - June 6, 2009 at 2:52 PM
- Kate said...
Winnie the Pooh is my guess. The yellow is right for that.
- June 6, 2009 at 2:55 PM
- Kristi said...
- June 6, 2009 at 4:42 PM
- Pink said...
I think it must be to celebrate the fun beginning of potty training or something.
- June 6, 2009 at 4:57 PM
- Haiku Joy said...
Cakes forsee their own future
and pity GM. - June 6, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Did anyone else notice that the cake says 'Happy 25th (actually that 2 could also be a 1, I can't tell) Birthday William' while the tombstone claims he's only one? How old is William anyways?
- June 6, 2009 at 6:37 PM
- Robin said...
I know the woman who made the second cake; she rescues kittens and one day seven puppies unexpectedly fell into her care, so two friends of hers bravely stepped up and took care of the puppies, which involved (as she put it) "cleaning up Fort Poo umpteen times a day". So she made and brought them that cake to give them a laugh and thank them. :)
- June 6, 2009 at 7:44 PM
- Unknown said...
Yikes! Scattalogical humour cakes. LOL
I thought of urine the minute I saw that first cake.
~Amy B. - June 6, 2009 at 10:14 PM
- Kimberly said...
Yup - thanks Robin!
I made that cake for my friends Mary and Casey who took on the daunting task of fostering 7 young puppies. They did it with humor and grace - which is really what you need to do when you're cleaning up pee and poo nearly 24/7!
Their whole life was pee and poop those couple of weeks - the cake was a bit of humor meant to make light of the work at hand.
It was a cupcake-cake, and was quite tasty, even with highly questionable decorations ;)
--Kimberly Jennery
(http://kimberlyskakes.com where USUALLY the cakes aren't so gross ;) ) - June 6, 2009 at 10:26 PM
- Kimberly said...
Also - I forgot to mention - it was the first week of January, thus the "clever" caption ;)
--Kimberly - June 6, 2009 at 10:31 PM
- Rachael said...
Ahhhh! The second cake is one of Kimberly's!!!
I love her so much. She's an angel on this planet. What a wonderful woman.
I'd be over the moon to get a poo cake from Kimberly.
:) - June 6, 2009 at 10:41 PM
- Kimberly said...
Oh look - here's photographic proof of why they needed this cake:
And now, I'll go back to obscurity and enjoy my cake-related moment of non-obscurity ;)
--Kimberly - June 6, 2009 at 11:18 PM
How apt! The WV today is clogi -- as in, well, no, it didn't go down right the first time.
- June 7, 2009 at 3:26 AM
Yeah, animal people are as blase about poo humour as nurses and paramedics are. My mother is a vet tech... you should hear the dinnertime conversations.
ZOMG puppies. Are they pittie puppies, even? *melts* - June 8, 2009 at 1:59 PM
- Maddy said...
Well that is kind of the way it is at that age I suppose. Love the t-shirt AND I have that exact same oven mit.
Cheers - June 9, 2009 at 8:48 PM
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A Cake Wreck is any cake that is unintentionally sad, silly, creepy, inappropriate - you name it. A Wreck is not necessarily a poorly-made cake; it's simply one I find funny, for any of a number of reasons. Anyone who has ever smeared frosting on a baked good has made a Wreck at one time or another, so I'm not here to vilify decorators: Cake Wrecks is just about finding the funny in unexpected, sugar-filled places.
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text:
One Panel #777: Pullin' a Batman
5 seconds ago
"There are worlds out there where the skies are burning; where the seas sleep and the rivers dream. There are people made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there is danger, somewhere there is injustice. Somewhere else the tea is getting cold. Come on Ace, we've got work to do."


text:
Note to FedSmith readers: Please take our survey at the bottom of this page to express your opinion on the President's speech. (Be sure to scroll down on the side of the survey to see all four questions and then click on the "done" button to register your response. Feel free to add your comments in the comments section at the end of the article.)
Tonight I want to begin by congratulating the men and women of the 112th Congress, as well as your new Speaker, John Boehner. And as we mark this occasion, we are also mindful of the empty chair in this Chamber, and pray for the health of our colleague – and our friend – Gabby Giffords.
It's no secret that those of us here tonight have had our differences over the last two years. The debates have been contentious; we have fought fiercely for our beliefs. And that's a good thing. That's what a robust democracy demands. That's what helps set us apart as a nation.
But there's a reason the tragedy in Tucson gave us pause. Amid all the noise and passions and rancor of our public debate, Tucson reminded us that no matter who we are or where we come from, each of us is a part of something greater – something more consequential than party or political preference.
We are part of the American family. We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed; that the dreams of a little girl in Tucson are not so different than those of our own children, and that they all deserve the chance to be fulfilled.
That, too, is what sets us apart as a nation.
Now, by itself, this simple recognition won't usher in a new era of cooperation. What comes of this moment is up to us. What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow.
I believe we can. I believe we must. That's what the people who sent us here expect of us. With their votes, they've determined that governing will now be a shared responsibility between parties. New laws will only pass with support from Democrats and Republicans. We will move forward together, or not at all – for the challenges we face are bigger than party, and bigger than politics.
At stake right now is not who wins the next election – after all, we just had an election. At stake is whether new jobs and industries take root in this country, or somewhere else. It's whether the hard work and industry of our people is rewarded. It's whether we sustain the leadership that has made America not just a place on a map, but a light to the world.
We are poised for progress. Two years after the worst recession most of us have ever known, the stock market has come roaring back. Corporate profits are up. The economy is growing again.
But we have never measured progress by these yardsticks alone. We measure progress by the success of our people. By the jobs they can find and the quality of life those jobs offer. By the prospects of a small business owner who dreams of turning a good idea into a thriving enterprise. By the opportunities for a better life that we pass on to our children.
That's the project the American people want us to work on. Together.
We did that in December. Thanks to the tax cuts we passed, Americans' paychecks are a little bigger today. Every business can write off the full cost of the new investments they make this year. These steps, taken by Democrats and Republicans, will grow the economy and add to the more than one million private sector jobs created last year.
But we have more work to do. The steps we've taken over the last two years may have broken the back of this recession – but to win the future, we'll need to take on challenges that have been decades in the making.
Many people watching tonight can probably remember a time when finding a good job meant showing up at a nearby factory or a business downtown. You didn't always need a degree, and your competition was pretty much limited to your neighbors. If you worked hard, chances are you'd have a job for life, with a decent paycheck, good benefits, and the occasional promotion. Maybe you'd even have the pride of seeing your kids work at the same company.
That world has changed. And for many, the change has been painful. I've seen it in the shuttered windows of once booming factories, and the vacant storefronts of once busy Main Streets. I've heard it in the frustrations of Americans who've seen their paychecks dwindle or their jobs disappear – proud men and women who feel like the rules have been changed in the middle of the game.
They're right. The rules have changed. In a single generation, revolutions in technology have transformed the way we live, work and do business. Steel mills that once needed 1,000 workers can now do the same work with 100. Today, just about any company can set up shop, hire workers, and sell their products wherever there's an internet connection.
Meanwhile, nations like China and India realized that with some changes of their own, they could compete in this new world. And so they started educating their children earlier and longer, with greater emphasis on math and science. They're investing in research and new technologies. Just recently, China became home to the world's largest private solar research facility, and the world's fastest computer.
So yes, the world has changed. The competition for jobs is real. But this shouldn't discourage us. It should challenge us. Remember – for all the hits we've taken these last few years, for all the naysayers predicting our decline, America still has the largest, most prosperous economy in the world. No workers are more productive than ours. No country has more successful companies, or grants more patents to inventors and entrepreneurs. We are home to the world's best colleges and universities, where more students come to study than any other place on Earth.
What's more, we are the first nation to be founded for the sake of an idea – the idea that each of us deserves the chance to shape our own destiny. That is why centuries of pioneers and immigrants have risked everything to come here. It's why our students don't just memorize equations, but answer questions like "What do you think of that idea? What would you change about the world? What do you want to be when you grow up?"
The future is ours to win. But to get there, we can't just stand still. As Robert Kennedy told us, "The future is not a gift. It is an achievement." Sustaining the American Dream has never been about standing pat. It has required each generation to sacrifice, and struggle, and meet the demands of a new age.
Now it's our turn. We know what it takes to compete for the jobs and industries of our time. We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. We have to make America the best place on Earth to do business. We need to take responsibility for our deficit, and reform our government. That's how our people will prosper. That's how we'll win the future. And tonight, I'd like to talk about how we get there.
The first step in winning the future is encouraging American innovation.
None of us can predict with certainty what the next big industry will be, or where the new jobs will come from. Thirty years ago, we couldn't know that something called the Internet would lead to an economic revolution. What we can do – what America does better than anyone – is spark the creativity and imagination of our people. We are the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers; of Google and Facebook. In America, innovation doesn't just change our lives. It's how we make a living.
Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation. But because it's not always profitable for companies to invest in basic research, throughout history our government has provided cutting-edge scientists and inventors with the support that they need. That's what planted the seeds for the Internet. That's what helped make possible things like computer chips and GPS.
Just think of all the good jobs – from manufacturing to retail – that have come from those breakthroughs.
Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik¸ we had no idea how we'd beat them to the moon. The science wasn't there yet. NASA didn't even exist. But after investing in better research and education, we didn't just surpass the Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs.
This is our generation's Sputnik moment. Two years ago, I said that we needed to reach a level of research and development we haven't seen since the height of the Space Race. In a few weeks, I will be sending a budget to Congress that helps us meet that goal. We'll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology – an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people.
Already, we are seeing the promise of renewable energy. Robert and Gary Allen are brothers who run a small Michigan roofing company. After September 11th, they volunteered their best roofers to help repair the Pentagon. But half of their factory went unused, and the recession hit them hard.
Today, with the help of a government loan, that empty space is being used to manufacture solar shingles that are being sold all across the country. In Robert's words, "We reinvented ourselves."
That's what Americans have done for over two hundred years: reinvented ourselves. And to spur on more success stories like the Allen Brothers, we've begun to reinvent our energy policy. We're not just handing out money. We're issuing a challenge. We're telling America's scientists and engineers that if they assemble teams of the best minds in their fields, and focus on the hardest problems in clean energy, we'll fund the Apollo Projects of our time.
At the California Institute of Technology, they're developing a way to turn sunlight and water into fuel for our cars. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, they're using supercomputers to get a lot more power out of our nuclear facilities. With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.
We need to get behind this innovation. And to help pay for it, I'm asking Congress to eliminate the billions in taxpayer dollars we currently give to oil companies. I don't know if you've noticed, but they're doing just fine on their own. So instead of subsidizing yesterday's energy, let's invest in tomorrow's.
Now, clean energy breakthroughs will only translate into clean energy jobs if businesses know there will be a market for what they're selling. So tonight, I challenge you to join me in setting a new goal: by 2035, 80% of America's electricity will come from clean energy sources. Some folks want wind and solar. Others want nuclear, clean coal, and natural gas. To meet this goal, we will need them all – and I urge Democrats and Republicans to work together to make it happen.
Maintaining our leadership in research and technology is crucial to America's success. But if we want to win the future – if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas – then we also have to win the race to educate our kids.
Think about it. Over the next ten years, nearly half of all new jobs will require education that goes beyond a high school degree. And yet, as many as a quarter of our students aren't even finishing high school. The quality of our math and science education lags behind many other nations. America has fallen to 9th in the proportion of young people with a college degree. And so the question is whether all of us – as citizens, and as parents – are willing to do what's necessary to give every child a chance to succeed.
That responsibility begins not in our classrooms, but in our homes and communities. It's family that first instills the love of learning in a child. Only parents can make sure the TV is turned off and homework gets done. We need to teach our kids that it's not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair; that success is not a function of fame or PR, but of hard work and discipline.
Our schools share this responsibility. When a child walks into a classroom, it should be a place of high expectations and high performance. But too many schools don't meet this test. That's why instead of just pouring money into a system that's not working, we launched a competition called Race to the Top. To all fifty states, we said, "If you show us the most innovative plans to improve teacher quality and student achievement, we'll show you the money."
Race to the Top is the most meaningful reform of our public schools in a generation. For less than one percent of what we spend on education each year, it has led over 40 states to raise their standards for teaching and learning. These standards were developed, not by Washington, but by Republican and Democratic governors throughout the country. And Race to the Top should be the approach we follow this year as we replace No Child Left Behind with a law that is more flexible and focused on what's best for our kids.
You see, we know what's possible for our children when reform isn't just a top-down mandate, but the work of local teachers and principals; school boards and communities.
Take a school like Bruce Randolph in Denver. Three years ago, it was rated one of the worst schools in Colorado; located on turf between two rival gangs. But last May, 97% of the seniors received their diploma. Most will be the first in their family to go to college. And after the first year of the school's transformation, the principal who made it possible wiped away tears when a student said "Thank you, Mrs. Waters, for showing… that we are smart and we can make it."
Let's also remember that after parents, the biggest impact on a child's success comes from the man or woman at the front of the classroom. In South Korea, teachers are known as "nation builders." Here in America, it's time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect. We want to reward good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones. And over the next ten years, with so many Baby Boomers retiring from our classrooms, we want to prepare 100,000 new teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
In fact, to every young person listening tonight who's contemplating their career choice: If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference in the life of a child – become a teacher. Your country needs you.
Of course, the education race doesn't end with a high school diploma. To compete, higher education must be within reach of every American. That's why we've ended the unwarranted taxpayer subsidies that went to banks, and used the savings to make college affordable for millions of students. And this year, I ask Congress to go further, and make permanent our tuition tax credit – worth $10,000 for four years of college.
Because people need to be able to train for new jobs and careers in today's fast-changing economy, we are also revitalizing America's community colleges. Last month, I saw the promise of these schools at Forsyth Tech in North Carolina. Many of the students there used to work in the surrounding factories that have since left town. One mother of two, a woman named Kathy Proctor, had worked in the furniture industry since she was 18 years old. And she told me she's earning her degree in biotechnology now, at 55 years old, not just because the furniture jobs are gone, but because she wants to inspire her children to pursue their dreams too. As Kathy said, "I hope it tells them to never give up."
If we take these steps – if we raise expectations for every child, and give them the best possible chance at an education, from the day they're born until the last job they take – we will reach the goal I set two years ago: by the end of the decade, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.
One last point about education. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not American citizens. Some are the children of undocumented workers, who had nothing to do with the actions of their parents. They grew up as Americans and pledge allegiance to our flag, and yet live every day with the threat of deportation. Others come here from abroad to study in our colleges and universities. But as soon as they obtain advanced degrees, we send them back home to compete against us. It makes no sense.
Now, I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration. I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows. I know that debate will be difficult and take time. But tonight, let's agree to make that effort. And let's stop expelling talented, responsible young people who can staff our research labs, start new businesses, and further enrich this nation.
The third step in winning the future is rebuilding America. To attract new businesses to our shores, we need the fastest, most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information – from high-speed rail to high-speed internet.
Our infrastructure used to be the best – but our lead has slipped. South Korean homes now have greater internet access than we do. Countries in Europe and Russia invest more in their roads and railways than we do. China is building faster trains and newer airports. Meanwhile, when our own engineers graded our nation's infrastructure, they gave us a "D."
We have to do better. America is the nation that built the transcontinental railroad, brought electricity to rural communities, and constructed the interstate highway system. The jobs created by these projects didn't just come from laying down tracks or pavement. They came from businesses that opened near a town's new train station or the new off-ramp.
Over the last two years, we have begun rebuilding for the 21st century, a project that has meant thousands of good jobs for the hard-hit construction industry. Tonight, I'm proposing that we redouble these efforts.
We will put more Americans to work repairing crumbling roads and bridges. We will make sure this is fully paid for, attract private investment, and pick projects based on what's best for the economy, not politicians.
Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80% of Americans access to high-speed rail, which could allow you go places in half the time it takes to travel by car. For some trips, it will be faster than flying – without the pat-down. As we speak, routes in California and the Midwest are already underway.
Within the next five years, we will make it possible for business to deploy the next generation of high-speed wireless coverage to 98% of all Americans. This isn't just about a faster internet and fewer dropped calls. It's about connecting every part of America to the digital age. It's about a rural community in Iowa or Alabama where farmers and small business owners will be able to sell their products all over the world. It's about a firefighter who can download the design of a burning building onto a handheld device; a student who can take classes with a digital textbook; or a patient who can have face-to-face video chats with her doctor.
All these investments – in innovation, education, and infrastructure – will make America a better place to do business and create jobs. But to help our companies compete, we also have to knock down barriers that stand in the way of their success.
Over the years, a parade of lobbyists has rigged the tax code to benefit particular companies and industries. Those with accountants or lawyers to work the system can end up paying no taxes at all. But all the rest are hit with one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and it has to change.
So tonight, I'm asking Democrats and Republicans to simplify the system. Get rid of the loopholes. Level the playing field. And use the savings to lower the corporate tax rate for the first time in 25 years – without adding to our deficit.
To help businesses sell more products abroad, we set a goal of doubling our exports by 2014 – because the more we export, the more jobs we create at home. Already, our exports are up. Recently, we signed agreements with India and China that will support more than 250,000 jobs in the United States. And last month, we finalized a trade agreement with South Korea that will support at least 70,000 American jobs. This agreement has unprecedented support from business and labor; Democrats and Republicans, and I ask this Congress to pass it as soon as possible.
Before I took office, I made it clear that we would enforce our trade agreements, and that I would only sign deals that keep faith with American workers, and promote American jobs. That's what we did with Korea, and that's what I intend to do as we pursue agreements with Panama and Colombia, and continue our Asia Pacific and global trade talks.
To reduce barriers to growth and investment, I've ordered a review of government regulations. When we find rules that put an unnecessary burden on businesses, we will fix them. But I will not hesitate to create or enforce commonsense safeguards to protect the American people. That's what we've done in this country for more than a century. It's why our food is safe to eat, our water is safe to drink, and our air is safe to breathe. It's why we have speed limits and child labor laws. It's why last year, we put in place consumer protections against hidden fees and penalties by credit card companies, and new rules to prevent another financial crisis. And it's why we passed reform that finally prevents the health insurance industry from exploiting patients.
Now, I've heard rumors that a few of you have some concerns about the new health care law. So let me be the first to say that anything can be improved. If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I am eager to work with you. We can start right now by correcting a flaw in the legislation that has placed an unnecessary bookkeeping burden on small businesses.
What I'm not willing to do is go back to the days when insurance companies could deny someone coverage because of a pre-existing condition. I'm not willing to tell James Howard, a brain cancer patient from Texas, that his treatment might not be covered. I'm not willing to tell Jim Houser, a small business owner from Oregon, that he has to go back to paying $5,000 more to cover his employees. As we speak, this law is making prescription drugs cheaper for seniors and giving uninsured students a chance to stay on their parents' coverage. So instead of re-fighting the battles of the last two years, let's fix what needs fixing and move forward.
Now, the final step – a critical step – in winning the future is to make sure we aren't buried under a mountain of debt.
We are living with a legacy of deficit-spending that began almost a decade ago. And in the wake of the financial crisis, some of that was necessary to keep credit flowing, save jobs, and put money in people's pockets.
But now that the worst of the recession is over, we have to confront the fact that our government spends more than it takes in. That is not sustainable. Every day, families sacrifice to live within their means. They deserve a government that does the same.
So tonight, I am proposing that starting this year, we freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. This would reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade, and will bring discretionary spending to the lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was president.
This freeze will require painful cuts. Already, we have frozen the salaries of hardworking federal employees for the next two years. I've proposed cuts to things I care deeply about, like community action programs. The Secretary of Defense has also agreed to cut tens of billions of dollars in spending that he and his generals believe our military can do without.
I recognize that some in this Chamber have already proposed deeper cuts, and I'm willing to eliminate whatever we can honestly afford to do without. But let's make sure that we're not doing it on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens. And let's make sure what we're cutting is really excess weight. Cutting the deficit by gutting our investments in innovation and education is like lightening an overloaded airplane by removing its engine. It may feel like you're flying high at first, but it won't take long before you'll feel the impact.
Now, most of the cuts and savings I've proposed only address annual domestic spending, which represents a little more than 12% of our budget. To make further progress, we have to stop pretending that cutting this kind of spending alone will be enough. It won't.
The bipartisan Fiscal Commission I created last year made this crystal clear. I don't agree with all their proposals, but they made important progress. And their conclusion is that the only way to tackle our deficit is to cut excessive spending wherever we find it – in domestic spending, defense spending, health care spending, and spending through tax breaks and loopholes.
This means further reducing health care costs, including programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which are the single biggest contributor to our long-term deficit. Health insurance reform will slow these rising costs, which is part of why nonpartisan economists have said that repealing the health care law would add a quarter of a trillion dollars to our deficit. Still, I'm willing to look at other ideas to bring down costs, including one that Republicans suggested last year: medical malpractice reform to rein in frivolous lawsuits.
To put us on solid ground, we should also find a bipartisan solution to strengthen Social Security for future generations. And we must do it without putting at risk current retirees, the most vulnerable, or people with disabilities; without slashing benefits for future generations; and without subjecting Americans' guaranteed retirement income to the whims of the stock market.
And if we truly care about our deficit, we simply cannot afford a permanent extension of the tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. Before we take money away from our schools, or scholarships away from our students, we should ask millionaires to give up their tax break.
It's not a matter of punishing their success. It's about promoting America's success.
In fact, the best thing we could do on taxes for all Americans is to simplify the individual tax code. This will be a tough job, but members of both parties have expressed interest in doing this, and I am prepared to join them.
So now is the time to act. Now is the time for both sides and both houses of Congress – Democrats and Republicans – to forge a principled compromise that gets the job done. If we make the hard choices now to rein in our deficits, we can make the investments we need to win the future.
Let me take this one step further. We shouldn't just give our people a government that's more affordable. We should give them a government that's more competent and efficient. We cannot win the future with a government of the past.
We live and do business in the information age, but the last major reorganization of the government happened in the age of black and white TV. There are twelve different agencies that deal with exports. There are at least five different entities that deal with housing policy. Then there's my favorite example: the Interior Department is in charge of salmon while they're in fresh water, but the Commerce Department handles them in when they're in saltwater. And I hear it gets even more complicated once they're smoked.
Now, we have made great strides over the last two years in using technology and getting rid of waste. Veterans can now download their electronic medical records with a click of the mouse. We're selling acres of federal office space that hasn't been used in years, and we will cut through red tape to get rid of more. But we need to think bigger. In the coming months, my administration will develop a proposal to merge, consolidate, and reorganize the federal government in a way that best serves the goal of a more competitive America. I will submit that proposal to Congress for a vote – and we will push to get it passed.
In the coming year, we will also work to rebuild people's faith in the institution of government. Because you deserve to know exactly how and where your tax dollars are being spent, you will be able to go to a website and get that information for the very first time in history. Because you deserve to know when your elected officials are meeting with lobbyists, I ask Congress to do what the White House has already done: put that information online. And because the American people deserve to know that special interests aren't larding up legislation with pet projects, both parties in Congress should know this: if a bill comes to my desk with earmarks inside, I will veto it.
A 21st century government that's open and competent. A government that lives within its means. An economy that's driven by new skills and ideas. Our success in this new and changing world will require reform, responsibility, and innovation. It will also require us to approach that world with a new level of engagement in our foreign affairs.
Just as jobs and businesses can now race across borders, so can new threats and new challenges. No single wall separates East and West; no one rival superpower is aligned against us.
And so we must defeat determined enemies wherever they are, and build coalitions that cut across lines of region and race and religion. America's moral example must always shine for all who yearn for freedom, justice, and dignity. And because we have begun this work, tonight we can say that American leadership has been renewed and America's standing has been restored.
Look to Iraq, where nearly 100,000 of our brave men and women have left with their heads held high; where American combat patrols have ended; violence has come down; and a new government has been formed. This year, our civilians will forge a lasting partnership with the Iraqi people, while we finish the job of bringing our troops out of Iraq. America's commitment has been kept; the Iraq War is coming to an end.
Of course, as we speak, al Qaeda and their affiliates continue to plan attacks against us. Thanks to our intelligence and law enforcement professionals, we are disrupting plots and securing our cities and skies. And as extremists try to inspire acts of violence within our borders, we are responding with the strength of our communities, with respect for the rule of law, and with the conviction that American Muslims are a part of our American family.
We have also taken the fight to al Qaeda and their allies abroad. In Afghanistan, our troops have taken Taliban strongholds and trained Afghan Security Forces. Our purpose is clear – by preventing the Taliban from reestablishing a stranglehold over the Afghan people, we will deny al Qaeda the safe-haven that served as a launching pad for 9/11.
Thanks to our heroic troops and civilians, fewer Afghans are under the control of the insurgency. There will be tough fighting ahead, and the Afghan government will need to deliver better governance. But we are strengthening the capacity of the Afghan people and building an enduring partnership with them. This year, we will work with nearly 50 countries to begin a transition to an Afghan lead. And this July, we will begin to bring our troops home.
In Pakistan, al Qaeda's leadership is under more pressure than at any point since 2001. Their leaders and operatives are being removed from the battlefield. Their safe-havens are shrinking. And we have sent a message from the Afghan border to the Arabian Peninsula to all parts of the globe: we will not relent, we will not waver, and we will defeat you.
American leadership can also be seen in the effort to secure the worst weapons of war. Because Republicans and Democrats approved the New START Treaty, far fewer nuclear weapons and launchers will be deployed. Because we rallied the world, nuclear materials are being locked down on every continent so they never fall into the hands of terrorists.
Because of a diplomatic effort to insist that Iran meet its obligations, the Iranian government now faces tougher and tighter sanctions than ever before. And on the Korean peninsula, we stand with our ally South Korea, and insist that North Korea keeps its commitment to abandon nuclear weapons.
This is just a part of how we are shaping a world that favors peace and prosperity. With our European allies, we revitalized NATO, and increased our cooperation on everything from counter-terrorism to missile defense. We have reset our relationship with Russia, strengthened Asian alliances, and built new partnerships with nations like India. This March, I will travel to Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador to forge new alliances for progress in the Americas. Around the globe, we are standing with those who take responsibility – helping farmers grow more food; supporting doctors who care for the sick; and combating the corruption that can rot a society and rob people of opportunity.
Recent events have shown us that what sets us apart must not just be our power – it must be the purpose behind it. In South Sudan – with our assistance – the people were finally able to vote for independence after years of war. Thousands lined up before dawn. People danced in the streets. One man who lost four of his brothers at war summed up the scene around him: "This was a battlefield for most of my life. Now we want to be free."
We saw that same desire to be free in Tunisia, where the will of the people proved more powerful than the writ of a dictator. And tonight, let us be clear: the United States of America stands with the people of Tunisia, and supports the democratic aspirations of all people.
We must never forget that the things we've struggled for, and fought for, live in the hearts of people everywhere. And we must always remember that the Americans who have borne the greatest burden in this struggle are the men and women who serve our country.
Tonight, let us speak with one voice in reaffirming that our nation is united in support of our troops and their families. Let us serve them as well as they have served us – by giving them the equipment they need; by providing them with the care and benefits they have earned; and by enlisting our veterans in the great task of building our own nation.
Our troops come from every corner of this country – they are black, white, Latino, Asian and Native American. They are Christian and Hindu, Jewish and Muslim. And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love. And with that change, I call on all of our college campuses to open their doors to our military recruiters and the ROTC. It is time to leave behind the divisive battles of the past. It is time to move forward as one nation.
We should have no illusions about the work ahead of us. Reforming our schools; changing the way we use energy; reducing our deficit – none of this is easy. All of it will take time. And it will be harder because we will argue about everything. The cost. The details. The letter of every law.
Of course, some countries don't have this problem. If the central government wants a railroad, they get a railroad – no matter how many homes are bulldozed. If they don't want a bad story in the newspaper, it doesn't get written.
And yet, as contentious and frustrating and messy as our democracy can sometimes be, I know there isn't a person here who would trade places with any other nation on Earth.
We may have differences in policy, but we all believe in the rights enshrined in our Constitution. We may have different opinions, but we believe in the same promise that says this is a place where you can make it if you try. We may have different backgrounds, but we believe in the same dream that says this is a country where anything's possible. No matter who you are. No matter where you come from.
That dream is why I can stand here before you tonight. That dream is why a working class kid from Scranton can stand behind me. That dream is why someone who began by sweeping the floors of his father's Cincinnati bar can preside as Speaker of the House in the greatest nation on Earth.
That dream – that American Dream – is what drove the Allen Brothers to reinvent their roofing company for a new era. It's what drove those students at Forsyth Tech to learn a new skill and work towards the future. And that dream is the story of a small business owner named Brandon Fisher.
Brandon started a company in Berlin, Pennsylvania that specializes in a new kind of drilling technology. One day last summer, he saw the news that halfway across the world, 33 men were trapped in a Chilean mine, and no one knew how to save them.
But Brandon thought his company could help. And so he designed a rescue that would come to be known as Plan B. His employees worked around the clock to manufacture the necessary drilling equipment. And Brandon left for Chile.
Along with others, he began drilling a 2,000 foot hole into the ground, working three or four days at a time with no sleep. Thirty-seven days later, Plan B succeeded, and the miners were rescued. But because he didn't want all of the attention, Brandon wasn't there when the miners emerged. He had already gone home, back to work on his next project.
Later, one of his employees said of the rescue, "We proved that Center Rock is a little company, but we do big things."
We do big things.
From the earliest days of our founding, America has been the story of ordinary people who dare to dream. That's how we win the future.
We are a nation that says, "I might not have a lot of money, but I have this great idea for a new company. I might not come from a family of college graduates, but I will be the first to get my degree. I might not know those people in trouble, but I think I can help them, and I need to try. I'm not sure how we'll reach that better place beyond the horizon, but I know we'll get there. I know we will."
We do big things.
The idea of America endures. Our destiny remains our choice. And tonight, more than two centuries later, it is because of our people that our future is hopeful, our journey goes forward, and the state of our union is strong.
Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America.


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The news from Egypt, where more than 900 people have died and thousands more have been wounded since the interim government began cracking down on supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi last Wednesday, remains grim:
-- "Suspected militants on Monday ambushed two mini-buses carrying off-duty policemen in Egypt's northern Sinai, killing 25 of them execution-style and wounding two, security officials said." (The Associated Press)
-- The circumstances of 36 other deaths Sunday "are especially murky. Thirty-six prisoners were killed in what the government says was an attempted escape by jailed supporters of Morsi." (Morning Edition)
-- A "wave of attacks" on the country's Christian minority continues. (Morning Edition)
There are, as NPR's David Greene adds, "fears the country might be headed toward a civil war."
William Hague, the U.K.'s foreign secretary, has told the BBC that it will take "years or maybe decades" for the turmoil in the Middle East and Arab world to "play itself out." The situation in Egypt in particular, he says, is "very bleak."
Hague added that it is "hard to overstate the levels of hatred and mistrust between the various sides of politics in Egypt."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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2 Sam 11:1–And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her;…and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David,…
24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
God is now going to send Nathan, the prophet to David to show him his sin. Listen carefully to the words of Nathan.
2 Sam 12:1–And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
Note: because of the sin that David had done, even when the prophet Nathan told David of his sin through a story, David did not recognize that the story was about him, because of the hardness of his heart. Sin spiritually blinds a person.
So it is with most people that sin.
The Lord can give you Scripture that speaks of your sin. The Scriptures may have your name written all over them, so to speak. Yet, like David, you don't recognize that the Lord is showing you your sin, because of the hardness of your heart.
You may think that the Scriptures of correction are for someone else, not yourself.
Nathan had to tell David directly—THOU ART THE MAN.
It is written: Heb 3:13–15–But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.


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Big thanks to Resource Families!
Big thanks to sponsors of the appreciation event!
Social Services Family and Children's Division held their annual resource families Appreciation Picnic at First Christian Church, Kernersville in late May for Foster, Adoptive, Relative (also called kinship) and LINKS families.
The appreciation served 225 people with an evening of fun, food and activities for the entire family. Activities included a family meal, music, face painting, clowns, games, inflatable bounce activities, and relaxation activities for adults. The event was co-sponsored by the Forsyth County Department of Social Services and by First Christian Church's Orphan Care Ministry.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who helped coordinate the event. Resource families such as Foster, Adoptive, Relative and LINKS families help make the lives of children safe and more complete. Additionally, Resource families help social workers bridge gaps and maintain connections to best meet the individual needs of each child. We appreciate our foster and adoptive families who have fostered a child and/or become an adoptive parent. We also thank the unofficial foster families, kinship or relative family members who are family and extended members to children who have parented a child when he or she was in need of a stable home.


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We're little kids when it comes to watching things blow up.
So we're happy to pass along video of the westbound sections of the Blanchette Bridge that connects St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., going boom Tuesday.
Our friends at St. Louis Public Radio say the demolition is part of "a $63 million rehabilitation project."
Missouri's Department of Transportation has posted several clips on YouTube (the project's been going on for a while).
There's also this nice compilation of video by YouTube user Michael Scalera from the Nov. 18 destruction of one section and Tuesday's implosion that took down the rest of the structure.
Some of our previous such posts:
-- Kaboom! Lake Champlain Bridge Is Gone.
-- KABOOM! San Diego's Entire Fireworks Show Ignites At Once.
(H/T to our Missouri buddy Alan Greenblatt.)
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.