I know I have not been active on this site for some time now and I am sorry about that. I can give you a long list of reasons why I have not been active but in the end does it really matter? I am back and ready and willing to get busy keeping doing my part.
I know Obama won Georgia last night and I am happy about that because now I do not have to ask myself if I did enough or not... I just want to give a hand to all those in Georgia who did take time, energy and money to make our victory in Georgia happen.
God Bless you all for all your hard work.
I am so happy with the meeting that I hosted on March 27th!
The turnout was less than I expected but that turned out to be a good thing because that gave us a chance to really talk and make some plan of action for the next few months.
One of the things that we got done was deciding to get organized for Sen. Obama's visit to Georgia in April by either car pooling Middle Georgians or getting a bus depending on the number of people who want to attend.
We also came up with a location and time for the Kickoff podcast on the 31st.
It was a great group of motivated inspired people and I look forward to having other meetings to get more people on board.
I encourage everyone to get involved as much as they possibly can.
I know it was a last minute event…
I know that the communications process was less than perfect…
But all things considered it was a success.
How can I say this when so many things went ‘wrong’?
I can say it was a success because it brought to light some areas that we, as an organization and as Obama supporters, could improve upon and I can say that it was a success because our short- term goal was met despite our errors…people were made aware of Obama’s website and www.georgiaforobama.org presence as an organization designed to assist other Georgians to get help in their efforts Obama elected president.
Thanks to everyone who took the their time, energy and resources to make this event happen. And I for one look forward to working with everyone on future events so we can start saying President Obama.
Let us stay positive and move forward.
Like Sen. Obama says….”Let’s get to work.”
Wow....what a trip.
I made it up there in time to get tickets before they were all taken for the Columbia event but not in time for the Orangeburg event. I figure that was ok at least I got to see him. I should not be greedy. :)
What struck me about the event was how the people who attended were a cross section sample of America....50/50 black and white......old and young...Prada shopers and Wal-Mart shopers.
I was standing by a very talkitive lady that had a habit of slapping my arm when she was making a point (my arm was slapped alot...but I found it sweet)
I was positioned infront of a lady who was older and shorter than myself....so I switched with her so she could see better(she was close enough to shake his hand and say hi at the end...but I could not be mad when I saw how happy she was after)
There was a mother who held her daughter on her shoulders so she could hold up a sign standing on the other side of me. (she made a point of letting her down so those in back could see)
Last but not least there was this little frail woman with long gray hair pulled in a pony tail....she caught my interest after Obama started speaking. She was so focused on what he was saying and when he said some inspiring thing she would look around trying to make eye contact with anyone....just to see that they were hearing the same thing and we were in this together a team and she was not alone in her excitement. I know this lady came by herself....I did not want her to feel like she was alone I looked at her and smiled in agreement often. Afterward I was pulled into a conversation with the lady who brused my arm slightly....and when I turned around to introduce myself to that frail lady who came alone she was gone. I may not know her name but I made a connection.
I think we miss that in America.....connections. We are so busy with our own lives and doing our own things that we forget we are not alone. The world is bigger than our own group of family and friends.
I guess what I am saying is I thought I was going to the rally because I wanted to see Sen. Obama but in reality anyone can watch him speak the words on TV or the internet. I discoverd that going is importaint because of the connections that you feel with others who dare hope that we can see a change in goverment, that we will be able to heal from the inside out as a country.
I got there at 2:00 and stood in line with others till the doors opened at 4:30 I stood in the crowd with others till Obama started speaking at 6:00 I stood in awe and screaming my agreement and support with others till he exited around 7:00 I went to my car at the end alone but with others in my heart.
I was starting to really get worried when I did not see no official notice of his visit to SC on the website....then tonight I saw it. I am relieved because I already paid for the room.
I was wondering if any of you all were planning on traveling up there....if so message me so I we can try to meet up.
What a great start on a wonderful adventure….
I was amazed at the variety of backgrounds that were represented…. on one hand we had people with PhDs (one worked for CNN) we had a member of a Biker Club (she goes by the handle Pinky) and we had people who have never actively participated in the political process along with people who have campaigned before.
Despite all the things that should of polarized the group it was united and had one common goal, despite the fact we had different reasons why we were there.
This clearly proved that the picture that Sen. Obama had the audacity to propose to the nation is just crazy enough to work.
The energy was overwhelming … they had one thing on their minds, “What can I do.”
Voter registration cards were handed out left and right (so they could hand them out)
People were networking and planning meetings of their own…
What more can I say? With this type of energy at the start…. I cannot imagine Sen. Obama not being president in 2008.
Well I did it I wrote an article for the MSC paper. I am going to copy what I wrote at the bottom.....
As you read you will see I was not promoting Sen. Obama. I will submit other opinion peices in the future....for now I thought it wise just to get people interested.
Where is the Interest?
By: Billie Zahir
You cannot read the paper, get on the computer or watch television without being aware that the political battle for president is going on. I, like no other time before in my life, interested in the direction that our country is going and who I believe will take us in that direction. Even though I have made my selection, my personal beliefs are not at issue here. Instead I am concerned that we are not seeing more political involvement on campus, despite the upheaval of the times we live in. What I want this article to address is the fact that there are clear signs that we are not seeing more political involvement on campus.
I am not talking about just talking about what is either right or wrong with this country, I am talking about exploring and standing up for your political views and supporting the path you believe that needs to be taken to get there in the form of supporting either a party or person who represents your views.
In all fairness I believe it is not a conscious decision on the part of each one of the campus student body members. I believe the “it is someone else’s problem” attitude is because in part we live in such an apathetic society. While it is true that people of different ages attend MSC, the majority of the students are under the age of 35. We are the generation that missed the times when participating in the political process was a given for everyone. We do not remember the times when people had to fight for the right to vote. We as a general rule do not treasure our privilege to vote like past generations did.
Another possible reason for the apathy that you see is the fact that politics seems complicated and time consuming. I am sure it seems daunting to busy individuals like us. After all there is only 24 hours in a day and after you budget your time between class, studying, work, family and friends, it is hard to find the time to spare for yourself and sleep… much less time for what presidential hopefuls have to offer and take the time to actively support them.
The worse thing we could do is do is continue on the path we are now on. We have a duty to future generations to preserve our democracy by taking part in the process. Some things that you can do is express interest in The Young Democrats or Macon State Republicans, student recognized organizations that are available to students at MSC. As it stands right now neither club has members. You can also take some time and surf the web to find out what the presidential candidates’ background and voting history is. You can go to political blogs to see what some other’s viewpoints are. If you are really passionate about the person you decided to back you can find other groups who share your beliefs and volunteer to help get them elected. In the very least you should make a point to gather enough information to be willing to vote.
We need to get interested. What we face in the world is not someone else’s problem…it is our problem. The sooner we accept the responsibility of being part of the democracy that we enjoy the benefits from the sooner we can work together to find a solution. It is worth your time and attention.
Boy there is a whole lot of red tape to get an organization recognized by your school. :(
I am in the process right now at Macon State and I have to fill out all these forms, get signitures, and an Advisor (this is the hard part no one wants to take on extra work)
But in the long run it will be a good thing I will have the use of facilities and bilboards and other perks....for now I face red tape.
Any advice on what other steps I can take?
I am all ears. :)
I watched the interview...and I have to say it was impressive.
I really liked the way how Obama handled himself on the inexperience issue. And how he pointed out that he knew him being a good speaker would only go so far and he realized he will have to be tested...and he is up to the challenge.
I was left feeling confident about others seeing what we all see in the future. How can they not when he consistantly backs up all his ideals with plans of action?
I look forward to every interview and every word that comes out of his mouth....so much in fact I commented to a friend I felt a little like a stalker. :) I have decided that instead of using that passion for evil I will use it to do my best to see him as the next President.
I guess I am not alone in this passion because I hear the same anticipation for every word that he has to say and I see the same passion in being some part of getting him elected.
Well the announcement was made and I was unable to attend in person...I really wanted to but time and finances would not allow. :(
But the party that we had in Atlanta was the next best thing.
I was impressed with the diverse group of individuals that were there and I was impressed with the fact that we were diverse we all agreed that Barack would take this country in the direction that we all wanted it to go. That just proves Obama's point we are not as seperated as we thought we were. Any doubts that I might have had about it was dispelled when I met all those great people. (granted I did not have many doubts to start with)
I loved the way he ended the speech with "let's get to work" That was very motivating to me like it was to so many others.
I am really looking forward to living in the nation that he paints a picture of so vividly.
