Obama 'Pardons' Sea Turtles

While us fools toil away, fighting off the Monday morning blues...

(NEWSER) - If the president isn't working, we don't have to, right? It only seems fair, considering Obama is taking an extra day of vacation. Instead of returning from shaved-ice paradise on Sunday, the president will leave Monday evening and arrive Tuesday afternoon, reports the Wall Street Journal . "After the extended lame duck and five-day delay of his trip here, he's just trying to squeeze in more time with his family before returning to Washington," said his deputy press secretary yesterday. Or perhaps he's just not too eager to return to this reality... More»

As Congress heads toward overtime, the president may be stuck in DC

(NEWSER) - Someone break the news to Sasha and Malia: They may have to body surf the Hawaiian waves without dad this year. With Congress’ lame duck session likely headed into overtime, President Obama has resolved to stay in Washington to sign anything it passes, meaning he may not find himself en route to the Aloha State this weekend for his annual Christmas break as planned. “If Congress is here, the president will be here,” Robert Gibbs says, telling the press corps, “I think you’ve got a few extra days to pull together those Christmas presents that you put off buying.” More»

But Detroit bomber, busy agenda made sure he never left

(AP) - President Obama ended his Hawaiian vacation last night to return today to the Washington he never really escaped. Obama and his family boarded Air Force One for an overnight flight, capping off an 11-day trip that would be remembered more for an al-Qaeda affiliate's botched attempt to bring down a plane on Christmas Day than the hours spent on golf courses or at luaus. Asked if the Obamas were ready to return, Michelle Obama responded , "‘No! Let's stay. We'll all stay. Are we all in? I'm trying to mount a coup." More»

(AP) - Barack Obama ventured from his Hawaii vacation hideaway on Christmas Day to thank Marines and sailors at the nearby military base for their service. He spent more than an hour at the dining hall, posing for pictures between the ham, roast beef, and turkey on the buffet and lingering a few moments at each table. The trip came well after the evening network news programs had aired, allowing him to visit without the suggestion of exploiting the military to get on TV. More»

Obama tour operators say business is slow

(NEWSER) - The Hawaii tourist trade is doing its best to spin some dollars out of Obamania, Politico reports. Tour companies are hyping visits to the president-elect's old Honolulu neighborhood, and the Baskin-Robbins where Obama worked as a teen is selling a new "Swirl of Change" flavor: chocolate, caramel, and nuts in vanilla ice cream. More»