Obama speaks about the situation in Egypt and his National Wireless Iniative in Marquette; Photo Miriam Moeller
During a brief visit to Marquette, to tout his National Wireless Initiative, President Obama responded to news that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak plans to resign as peaceful protests grow in size.
Mubarak plans to step down and give control to his close vice-president Omar Suleiman. This allows Mubarak to retain his role as president and keep a close eye and control on impending reforms during the transition process, a type of transition the Obama administration has hinted support for, but is widely opposed by most Egyptians.
“What is absolutely critical is that we are witnessing history unfold,” said Obama. “It’s a moment of transformation that’s taking place because the people of Egypt are calling for change.”
“Going forward we want those young people and we want all Egyptians to know America will continue to do everything that we can to support an orderly and genuine transition to democracy in Egypt.”
Obama greets supporters at Sawyer International Airport; Photo Teresa Bertossi
Shortly after arriving at Sawyer International Airport Obama ordered lunch at Donckers candy store, a local institution of sorts that has helped define downtown Marquette for the last century. According to Donckers’ staff Obama ordered some candies for his children and Valentine’s Day-themed chocolates for his wife. As Obama left a crowd outside cheered, while one woman with foils still in her hair ran out of nearby Salon Salon to catch a glimpse.
Some Marquette residents organized a "Great Lakes Clean Water & Welcome Rally" for the President; Photo Eeva Miller
Obama’s trip from Donckers to Northern Michigan University took him down Lakeshore Avenue, with broad views of Lake Superior. According to a brief report from White House Press Pool reporter Michael Memoli the President rode by signs welcoming him to the Upper Peninsula, as well as regionally-themed signs, such as one saying “Great Lakes. Clean Water. National Treasure.”
Click here for video of a “Great Lakes Clean Water & Welcome Rally” held in honor of Obama’s visit.
President Obama discusses his National Wireless Iniative, using some Marquette businesses and NMU as a model; Photo Miriam Moeller
In a prepared address Obama compared the nation’s presumed need to expand broadband internet access to the historic building of the nation’s rail, electric, and highway systems; each of these advancements assisted by federal government initiative and spending.
“When it comes to high-speed Internet, the lights are still off in one-third of our households,” said Obama. “For millions of Americans, the railway hasn’t come yet.”
Obama cited South Korea as a country where 90 percent of residents have access to high-speed Internet service. In the U.S. roughly one-third of Americans lack such access.
“We are physically isolated from just about everywhere,” said Michael Broadway, NMU’s Dean of Arts and Sciences. “But I guess through technology it is possible to overcome distance.”
According to Obama his goal is for 80 percent of Americans to have access to high-speed rail within the next 25 years and, within five years, to expand broadband access to 98 percent of Americans.
Obama shakes hands with audience members after his speech, accepting a regionally-made "stormy cromer" hat from one attendee; Photo Miriam Moeller
Obama touted NMU’s initiative to expand broadband access to off-campus students, partnering with nearby municipalities to expand service to students, as well as police and emergency response systems. NMU is the first college in the nation to install a 4G wireless system for its students and faculty to use.
“It’s crazy that we’re such a small school in the north and we’re so highly technological,” said Ashleigh Norris, who studies public relations at NMU.
Before his speech Obama sat in on a broadband demonstration linking him with students in Negaunee and Big Bay. Obama also touted Getz’s Clothiers, a third-generation Marquette business he says is taking advantage of broadband access, with over two-thirds of its business online.
Some detected in Obama’s speech a tone of concern for the region’s natural setting, which the President described as “beautiful.”
Joanne Thomas & Sandy Gayk following Obama's speech; Photo Gabriel Caplett
“He seemed so receptive to the environment that he is here experiencing,” said Joanne Thomas, a member of the Houghton County Democratic Party. “I think we have a window to communicate with him the importance of protecting our fresh waters and our Lake Superior.”
Peter Adams, a sociology student, questioned the “Winning the Future” background Obama spoke in front of. “I’d really like to see what President Obama means by ‘winning the future’,” said Adams. “I didn’t know we were having a contest.”
“Who’s winning what?,” questioned Adams. “Will there be a loser here, that’s what I’m concerned about. I hope there are no losers. I hope we all tie for the future . . . if rural areas can connect with the world that means anyone can start to connect with the world and calls into question single nation nationalist pride to me.”
This post was written by
Gabriel Caplett – who has written 106 posts on Headwaters - Community Journalism for the Great Lakes.
Gabriel Caplett is a writer and market farmer from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
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Peter Adam’s has made an important observation here. Words do have power, and how they are arranged can have unintended consequences.
“Single nation nationalist pride” may very well be the intention of ‘winning the future’, but I would guess, and hope that it is not. I would like it to mean that we will be successful in solving our national and international problems.
I applaud the global vision of our youth – and that their voice is loud, and is heard.
I support an initiative to take Adam’s concern to this presidential administration, and ask that their messaging be reconsidered.
Great article! I am so pleased that President Obama came to Marquette. It was very exciting indeed. What an honor that many of us will never forget.
I believe his phrase “winning the future” was a call to each of us to stand up and be the best person we can possibly be, be invovled in the new age of technology in a meaningful way, and mostly to make sure one is contributing humanity (and the natural world).
What a pleasure to read this article as a yooper who lives so far away from “home.” It is extremely refreshing to see that in the midst of international chaos that our president still acknowledges the U.P. as an intregal part of the United States. It is even more faschinating to see how he takes time out of his schedule to compliment the UP’s residents on the outstanding example they are setting for others in terms of making technology available to all. As an expat, my relationship to my friends and families in the U.P. relies 95% on technology, and I value its importance in keeping us all connected in this global society immensely. Excellent article, Gabriel!