I report to you that our country is challenged at home and abroad: that it is our will that is being tried and not our strength our sense of purpose and not our ability to achieve a better America.

One of the consequences of the Iranian revolution has been an explosion of history. A country once known only from British consular reports and intrepid travelogues is now awash with historical documents letters diaries grainy video weblogs and secret police files of questionable authenticity.

No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then and it is misremembered now.

In my view far from deserving condemnation for their courageous reporting the New York Times the Washington Post and other newspapers should be commended for serving the purpose that the Founding Fathers saw so clearly.

The study also included the disturbing revelation that most of the troops who reported having mental health problems also reported that they did not seek or did not receive care for their problems.

My home State of North Carolina ranks 12th in the United States for increased aging population and according to a national report 41st in overall health. According to this same report individuals aged 50+ are the least healthy.

As the GAO report recognizes the long-term health of our forests relies on additional fuel reduction options and funding to reduce the risks that catastrophic fire poses to our nation's ecosystems communities and federal budgetary resources.

As long as I have my health I want to be reporting somewhere.

But if you - if what - the reports are true what they're saying is is that as a consequence of us getting 30 million additional people health care at the margins that's going to increase our costs we knew that.

I'm sad to report that in the past few years ever since uncertainty became our insistent 21st century companion leadership has taken a great leap backwards to the familiar territory of command and control.