Before we begin today, there was a terrible tragedy in France with this plane.

WHITEHOUSE: THE WHITE HOUSE

Before we begin our beverage service, take a moment to identify which of the 15 cup holders is nearest to you.

WSJ: Dan Zevin: Driving in the Car With Dad

Before we begin, I'd actually like to say a few words about something that is of interest to the broader public.

WHITEHOUSE: President Signs Bill to Expand Veteran Benefits

Before we begin discussing this morning's topic, I want to congratulate Japan on the superb job it did in hosting APEC in 2010.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Welcomes Leaders at APEC Summit

But at this time, a lot remains to be seen about how this situation develops before we begin to assess questions like that.

WHITEHOUSE: Aboard Air Force One, En Route New York, New York

And before we can begin contending with its challenges, we must first consider the legacy of the peace treaty that then prime minister Menachem Begin signed with then Egyptian president Anwar Sadat on March 26, 1979.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The legacy of a teetering peace

Before we can begin to play with any technology in this low-tech way, a fairly deep knowledge base needs to be in place (think about how much we needed to know about computers before real hackers could be born).

FORBES: The Future of Power: The Low-Tech Solution To Our High-Energy Problem

And that is, back in December of 2009, as part of the policy and approach and strategy that he laid out for Afghanistan, he said that we would, after ramping up our troop presence in Afghanistan, adding another 30, 000 troops, in addition to the troops he had added before, that we would begin a transition and we would begin to draw down our troops.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

But just to be on the safe side, we never begin the program before nine.

FORBES: Body Language for Global Business

The achievement gaps we see in elementary school and beyond begin before children enter kindergarten--the quality of child care and educational settings in the years preceding matter.

FORBES: U.S. Rep. George Miller