WASHINGTON, D.C., September 8, 2011 — Dan Danner, the president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business, issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress this evening.

“Small-business owners needed to hear something bold from President Obama tonight, but instead just heard more of the same. His plan does not address the fundamental problems facing small business today. In addition, recent history tells us that a huge federal stimulus program is the wrong approach, and again sends the message that the president thinks he can spend his way out of this recession.

“The truth is that small businesses need the government out of their way. Tax breaks are always a welcome help to small businesses, especially in these tough economic times. But those outlined tonight by the president are temporary, and avoid the question of meaningful business tax reform. Lack of sales is still a major concern and there is a great deal of uncertainty among small businesses thanks to the threat of higher taxes and the thousands of pending federal regulations. The president’s speech did little to ease those concerns.”

A planet with two suns was discovered, no longer making Luke Skywalker’s home of Tatooine a place of fiction. Here’s your Roundup: 

Great news for Husker Nation last night: Coach Osborne sacked TransCanada!

That is right,  the legendary former head coach (and Member of Congress) Tom Osborne told TransCanada their ads are no longer welcome at Memorial Stadium.

This morning a fellow Nebraskan named George called me.  He told me he is calling Bold Nebraska because he does not do computers, but has a message he wants to get out on the internet.  He is worried about pipeline. 

I told him we definitely do computers and would post his message for him. He thanked me and read me his call to action, which is below.

TransCanada's up to their old tricks, trying to entice Nebraskans to support their dirty pipeline with the promise of jobs and energy independence. While we've seen their ads play during Husker games, we've also received complaints about a new robocall that they're running in Nebraska.

We've got the full text of the call below, but the gist is that TransCanada is trying to show Sect. Clinton that Nebraskans support the pipeline. They're desperate to demonstrate that they have real grassroots support.

Sunday marks the ten-year anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies known to our nation. We’re encouraging folks to donate to the 9/11 Memorial. Here’s your Roundup:

The Dalai Lama, State Senators Haar and Avery and each of you have all taken action this week to stop the risky TransCanada pipeline.

President Obama received a letter signed by fellow Nobel Laureates urging him to deny the permit to TransCanada. The letter, authored by the Dalai Lama, Bishop Tutu along with seven others, specifically mentions Nebraska and how we are fighting to protect the Ogallala Aquifer. You can read the full letter here. 

We couldn't have said it better:

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is some of the most important legislation to affect Americans in years. While dissatisfaction existed among some about what was left out or what must still be modified in the bill, the important thing to realize is that as it stands, the bill benefits Americans in a major way.

Eating locally isn't about being some hippie who only eats organic apples. Instead, the local food movement is all about community and sustainability. Produce in the big supermarkets is sometime shipped from halfway around the world (which means burning lots of fuel), so it's not as fresh or nutritious as the stuff that comes from your local farmer or your own backyard.