By Franklin Katunda
Washington DC -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was asked a very central question on US economic interests in Central Africa at a forum in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Unfortunately, an inquiry most Congolese have called insightful in regards to the US-Congo relations got “lost in translation”. Not only, had it lost its significance in the media coverage, but worst, given their slacking pleasure not to look into news tips and details, US media networks condensed it into another Clinton’s “saut d’humeur” sound bite.
A “key” question stolen by just another “sound bite”
This was, indeed, a very momentous question ever asked to a top US official in public by a citizen of Congo about the US-Congo relationship: China’s government economic engagement in the DR Congo, in the light of what the US-Congo cooperation should had been. The question was put out of context by a staffer who (apparently) did not understand the Congo’s accent of the student who spoke the French language, and provided a bad translation to Madam Secretary.
First, it is a shame for the State Department to recruit a language poorly-skilled staff to the highest US diplomatic affairs’ cabinet, regretfully. Than the media coverage of the forum was curtailed in the frenzy that always worships and longs for the Clinton buzz. Newscasters focused more on what they think Madam Secretary wanted to convey to Africans on her abilities vs. former president Clinton to bring about a new era in US-Congo relationships.
Result: The “I’m the Secretary of State, not my husband” was headlined on front pages of newspapers and 30 seconds “sound bite” played all day on every American TV network. The Daily News and the New York Post and others quickly “Xeroxed” the AP breaking news for their morning (August 11th) cover page. American listeners and viewers were unfairly fed with a sound bite played on almost every network, even though US journalists recognized the incident turns out to be a wrong translation of what the student’s question really meant. Interesting, business TV channels such as CNN-Money, CNBC and others Bloomberg News should have had interest in covering the story but all seem to have missed the ball… Or simply did not elaborate on another China’s gain over the US in the world’s business competition we have been losing at every inch of the way.
The release of the recorded-translation clearly casts a (female) voice translating the question by University of Kinshasa’s student (a young man), and it reads: (about the China and Congo’s relationships…)”What does Mr. Clinton think through the mouth of Mrs. Clinton, and what does Mutombo think about?” instead of translating: “What does Mr. President think through the mouth of Mrs. Clinton, and what does Mutombo think about?” The real argument here that one can make sense out of is to just think this: What if the incident played good for the US diplomat who happened lucky to not even dodge the question? Students from all over the world like President Obama, and students in Congo understand their aspirations in regards to the current US Administration. Any reference to Bill Clinton to reflect on China-Congo relationships won’t even cross their minds a beat, given the former president’s background on the Great Lakes conflict since the 90s.What strikes me, as I write this opinion piece here, is that the media did not extensively comment on Madam Secretary’s response, even after a clarification was made about the true meaning of the question.
Just as many Americans have not learned any consistent news on Congo’s fate in past decades. Meanwhile, China has gain significant economic interests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, as reported several informed-organizations. The US has been on the side lines, had timidly and sometimes just rhetorically referred to their will to “work with” these war-torn nations in order to help them recover, instead they did not effectively engage them economically.
The US government failed, to a large extent, to support them with conflict resolution during the invasion of the Eastern Congo region, the horrific mass killings in both Sudan’s Darfur region and Congo while complaining, for more than a decade, about the violence borne of sequences of civil unrests. America talked “human rights” when it comes to consequences of the war (rape and violence on civilians) but did too little when it comes to put pressure on the governments of Congo and Sudan, while China did none of these things and would never even refer to the observance of human rights when they strike a business deal. In facts, it’s not a secret to anyone that China, still a totalitarian regime, has made huge progress in economic development and diplomacy although a “red” regime. China seats on the UN Security Council without being questioned too much on plans it has to protecting and respecting the rights of its own citizens.
A call to US Media to factually and objectively report on African Affairs
A Huffington Post website writer critiqued the lack of depth in facts by US media coverage of the Congo’s conflict that required 17,000 UN peacekeepers to intervene, and yet unsuccessfully pacified. Georgianne Nienaber wrote that we (reporters) “owe Africa the same kind of attention to detail and accuracy in reporting. There is a certain sloppiness that happens in reports from Africa, and we can all do better”, she said.
A few newspapers like the NYT which report on DR Congo every other 6 weeks, sometimes with just a few short articles lost in pages 6 or 10; reporters negligently write without really attracting US scholars and citizens’ curiosity on the Congo’s crisis when, ironically, this war has been called the “worst armed conflict involving many countries since the World War II”. Radio, TV commentators and producers turn away from citizens’ calls and emails when contacted to speak out and to contribute in news analysis about the Congo during their show casts.
I personally was a guest-contributor on US-African Affairs with Voice of America (VOA) in Washington DC, and I sat down on a radio/web-TV panel that debated on the post-Congo’s 2006 presidential elections. My opinions on the topic, as always, were so pointed and my account of facts very challenging versus the scripted version they had. It’s safe to say that they did not align with the producers’ talking points on the DRC crisis, and (reason why) I never got invited again, despite my calls, emails and offers to contribute in months that followed. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and reporter Lisa Ling for the Oprah Show played a praised but risky role when reporting stories of rape, violence and genocide in the Eastern Congo during the Bush Administration.
Anderson went with President Obama to Ghana to report on the history at slave trade site, but Anderson’s CNN remained silent on Hillary Clinton’s trip to the DR Congo… No special report, not even a press correspondent was seen to be on Clinton’s plane to Congo… Why? MSNBC only played that sound bite over a “lost in translation” question, without reporting or calling for a news analysis on the question and the town hall’s highlights. Chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell invited on three shows in two days following Monday’s forum just elaborated on what may have gone wrong with the secretary of state as a person.
What a shame to reap a worst news spotlight with such unfairness in journalism, when so many human rights advocates, bloggers, Congolese and American scholars in US, activists like Kambale Musavuli of Friends of the Congo, Jean Kamba, Abraham Luakabuanga, John Pendergast or my-self; book writers, freelance photographers and even lawmakers like former GA Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney worked hard and took risks of their careers, calling for years for an exclusive spotlight on Congo since the war started?
Recent developments on the ground
The bigger Congo’s picture here is that investigative journalists in US still ignore the magnitude of the civil unrest and violence between militias, and more the illicit exploitation of minerals in Congo’s conflict zones. A recent government “launch of the operation Kimia II in the DR Congo has seen a spike in the number of sexual assaults against the women of the Kivu’s”, wrote in an editorial, Scott Morgan, web-editor of the “Confused Eagle.” One key problem, he wrote, is that the “FARDC (Government of the Democratic Congo’s Armed Forces) is not able to sustain combat operations against the Rwanda’s FDLR.
As part of the Peace Accord, the Government in Kinshasa has instructed its army (FARDC) to integrate some of the former Militia Groups into the Regular Armed Forces. The FDLR have had bases in the region since they were driven out of Rwanda, after the horrific genocide of 1994.” The FDLR (Hutu Rwandans) “have a tactical advantage of knowing the terrain” in the Kivu provinces compared to the Congolese government forces, writes Morgan.
A columnist in LA Times, Helen Winternitz, said that the Eastern region of Congo has been set by civil wars for a decade, a horrifying symptom of breakdowns through the entire government. The undisciplined Congolese army and the various militias combating the FDLR use rape as a weapon of war. As many as 200,000 women and girls have been raped, some men mutilated to the point of death in what is described as the world's worst episode in mass killing and sexual violence.
Meanwhile, on an unprecedented twist since August 1998, Rwanda and Congo’s heads of state orchestrated a quick meeting in Goma, Kivu to normalize their diplomatic relations (under US’ recommendations?) … What do the two leaders discuss when they met in Goma, days before Clinton’s trip in Congo? Not much consistent is known about. The Tutsi General Laurent Nkunda (a Rwandan-born rebel), who terrorized the Kivu’s civilian population under Congo’s “laid up” President Kabila’s watch (his accomplice), was arrested a few days before the inauguration of Barack Obama, after he benefited with an impressive military logistic support from Rwandan President Paul Kagame (his mastermind). So many unreported happenings, news stories out there…
Congolese Bloggers and Web-news critiqued some of Hillary Clinton sayings
Although Mrs. Clinton was overwhelmingly welcomed in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital city, the Agence France Press (AFP) reports that she faced “some tough questions from students.” Questions from students at a forum in Kinshasa were worth being reported in western media, and of course only a few European and Congolese local newspapers commented on.
The American public and even some high government officials don’t know the history and the recent happenings in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), and if the conventional media won’t help with the matter, perhaps “citizen journalism” took over with tools like i-report, twitter, you tube, facebook, hundreds of Congolese news websites and many other independent blogs are beginning to help build networks of African news sharing in US. I’m not sure this can fight the coalition of powerful press agencies like the well-known AP, Reuters, AFP, Belga, Xinhua… But it’s been making a whole difference in shaping the public opinion.Signs of progress in social networking being noticed in Congo; residents of Kinshasa by-passed some of these traditional media who either report for either side of the story and just missed the point.
One web-twitter present at the forum (August 10th at 8:39 AM our time) wrote: “Town Hall ended a short while ago, that was pretty exciting, seeing HRC, Fox News, Secret Service and Mutombo in one room.” Another person twitted on Clinton’s address to Congolese students, reporting what she said at that very moment: “I came here to talk to you students before anyone in your government; I expect more transparency from your government” US News media would not broadcast even on a 30 seconds sound bite that: “A student told Clinton, to applause from the crowd, that underdevelopment (of DR Congo) stemmed from a long history of Western exploitation in the resource-rich nation, once notoriously the private fiefdom of Belgium's King Leopold II…”, as reported the AFP here.
Digging deep on the forum’s aftermath, one of the US top diplomat’s answers to Congolese created an outrage in many circles in Kinshasa; when Mrs. Clinton refused to “look back to the past”, saying she (the US) wants to “work with people who are seeking for a good future, not those who refer to the past.” An online blogger for hinterland wrote an open-letter back to Clinton saying: “This one sentence from your answers to the forum in Kinshasa is very saddening, and brings wordiness among the Congolese people, which is still traumatized by a 13 years-long war.
Your country, the US, wrote Roger Puati, wants to work with the Congolese people while suggesting that we live by your way of thinking: Never refer to the past… Meaning forget the humiliation we have endured for 10 years and even more for the past 50 years?” An expert on Central African Affairs and author of “East along the Equator”, Helen Winternitz writes in an Op-ed that “When Congo emerged from the vicious colonial rule of Belgium; the United States empowered and, as a Cold War tactic, supported Mobutu Sese Seko. Utilizing the dictator was considered a legitimate tool by American policymakers who did not worry about the long-term consequences. Mobutu fathered the corrupt and dysfunctional mode of governing that now plagues the country.
”Another Congolese appalled by Clinton’s remarks, Jean-Pierre Mbelu writes on a French/Flemish language website Congoforum.be: “In our faces, Mrs. Clinton asks us (Congolese) to turn the page on a past that holds more than 5 millions of lost lives ! “What about this? Secretary Clinton calls for trials on soldiers who raped in war zones without referring to their foreign chief-allies, past US administration’s officials and multinationals involved in secretly supporting or carrying out the invasion in the DR Congo to be tried as well or called on for their wrong deeds… Is that how the US will work with us?”
What if anything the Department of State should learn from this?
“Obama, who took an interest in Congo when he was in the Senate, has inherited the moral responsibility to make amends and help the Congolese build a government that actually works on their behalf”, says in an Op-Ed, Winternitz. The Senate bill S. 2125 from the 109th US Congress on the Democratic Republic of Congo happened to be the only foreign policy, Mr. Barack Obama (then US Senator) initiated with a bi-partisan support from twelve other US Democrat and Republican Senators. In the light of that 2006 congressional law signed by George Bush, the Obama administration cannot afford lose its “own” message.
Madame Secretary Clinton should be commended for meeting with students “before” meeting Congo’s officials (good move); she is to be saluted for clearly “voicing up” ( government officials including President Kabila) on the resolutions that borne from the last spring US Senate hearing on the DR Congo. A key message was to stop and prosecute the rape, used as weaponin conflict zones. This is the 111th congress senate hearing on Congo/Sudan where (as I reported earlier in Spring) California Senator Barbara Boxer (D) and the audience could not resist a heart breaking to the horrific account of scenes of rape and violence by among many, Mrs. Chouchou Namegabe, a Kivu-based Journalist and Activist.
In an open letter to Sec. Clinton, another Congolese US-based website’s owner urges, on the post Congo’s trip, the US to be practical if “work with” Congo is what they want, and get all rapists be tried in criminal courts. He proposes Clinton’s cabinet to “… send DNA technical experts to DRC to help collect DNA samples from former militias and soldiers who fought in the east of Congo and from children born out of rapes. By matching the DNA samples of children and militias in a DNA data center, wrote the web-writer, the paternity of these fatherless children will clearly be established.”
Editor Sylvester Ngoma believes that “… The criminals will then be excluded from the national army and brought to justice. Even new victims will be able to report to these data centers for DNA collection to help catch rape criminals. This approach will have several positive effects. Some soldiers will leave the national army on their own just by knowing that their DNA will be collected and kept in a data center. The parliament will need to pass a law mandating all soldiers who fought in the east of the country to comply to the "DNA as a Rape Deterrence Plan" (from Congovision)At the end of the dayHaving say all that, Secretary Hillary Clinton still needs to carefully do an unscripted facts check on Congo since the Rwanda genocide of 1994, and attentively review the history about the after 1997 invasion of the DR Congo by Rwandan and Ugandan militias (when Bill Clinton was President).
The State Department’s African Affairs division must sincerely determine what the public opinion in regards to the US responsibility in the conflict is, and then apply President Obama’s own policy. The Congo Senate Bill (as they call it) will empower Secretary Clinton to pressure on President Joseph Kabila’s governance style. Only the S2125 bill would help them to measure up the progress in security and the observance of human rights towards the people of Congo, and then she can finally masterfully avoid alienate, frustrate the Congolese people, but would preach the message of “Hope”, accompanied with an engaging economic and bi-lateral cooperation the US failed in the past 8 years.
It has to be known that above and beyond the differences of cultures, languages and the issue of proximity, Congo shares a common history with the US, citing the past “Cold War” as an illustration; Congo (ex-Zaire) has gone out of the way to contribute through the generosity of its people, the use of its territory militarily, its strategic resources, minerals and intelligence to strengthen US national security and preserve its interests not only in the Continental Africa, but here at home and around the world.
Fifty years since Congo’s independence, and considering the potential level of cooperation both countries can still develop, our commitment at Congoboston.com to write ( please read: to accurately translate) the opinion of the Congolese people from their French heritage to English, and into the American mainstream media, I strongly hope that today’s message of “Hope” to Congo will NOT be lost in translation again.
An Opinion Editorial by Franklin Katunda, in Washington DC
Franklin is a freelance web-writer; chief-editor for Congoboston.com. Barack Obama surrogate, expert in US politics and foreign Affairs, he actively worked for 2 years within the presidential campaign and is member of OFA, Organizing for America.
© August 18th 2009, Congoboston.com
We begin with an email letter from a friend=advocate for the DR Congo to web-editor Franklin Katunda:
Hi Franklin,
I saw that you are advocating for the Congo and enjoyed reading what you wrote. I lived in Goma, DRC, and worked with HEAL Africa (www.healafrica.org) for two years. It is an organization started by a Congolese orthopedic surgeon and has over 200 Congolese on staff. There are four of us here in the States now working for HEAL Africa and getting the word out about what our Congolese colleagues are doing amidst war. I also saw that you mentioned Friends of the Congo and they are one of our partners here in the States. I will actually be moderating a panel at their event this Sunday after the performance of the play "Ruined" in NYC. You can find more info here:http://www.friendsofthecong...
Anyways, just wanted to make the connection. Hope that you are doing well and continuing to spread the word about the hope and potential in the Congo.
Take Care,
Harper
harper@healafrica.org
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Response from Franklin
Thank you so much Harper for what you are doing in the DR Congo, helping with the Congolese surgeons.
I will be publishing more and will share it with Organizing for America" members of my group. President Obama said during the campaign: " We are the change we have been waiting for", and I strongly believe it is as we move forward with the foreign policy agenda of our country towards Africa in general and the DR Congo in particular. The US-Africa foreign policy was too long tainted while dealing with the conflicts in Sudan and the DR Congo. We were not able to help resolve these conflicts for too long.
President Bush supported for the past 4 years term, a Rwandan president whose troops invaded a sovereign country (the Democratic Republic of Congo). Kagame spoke at a DC press conference, called by "Voice of America" government radio that " it was necessary" for Rwanda (his troops) to go into (invade) the Congo", because he believed his own people, "Hutu tribe members" who found refuge in the eastern province of Kivu (DR Congo). According to him, the hutu were preparing attacks in Rwandan territory (which never happened).
Since the invasion of the DR Congo, Rwanda curiousely produces and sells minerals such the 3 T's and other gold, diamonds they don't produce(officially). Most of their shipments started their journey from the Congo's cities (where the war takes place) in route these convoys head to Kigali International Airport, Rwanda where they are cargoed overseas to Asia, Europe and US corporations. Supplies from the Congo's war zones help manufacturers make electronics components, jewelry and weapons...
Kagame = Saddam Hussein as far as being a terrorist; he is also a war criminal and a sponsor of terrorism in DR Congo. The only difference in between the two is that the later invaded Kuwait, was punished by the US, and removed by force. The first one has been a friend of the Bush administration. He is still in power even after he invaded the DR Congo, he always had a free pass from the US, even after a UN account established his troops raped and killed many and caused the mass killings of thousands of inoncent civilians in Congo's cities.
Madam Secretary Clinton and President Obama should be held accountable in the way they will enforce the senate-enacted policy in regard to the DR Congo; i'm talking about the S-2125 Senate Bill on Security, Devevelopment and Governance in DR Congo; Activists have to push a pressure and checks, as far as to see if they (the administration) will be diligently helping to stop this humanitarian disaster, the violation of human rights and human dignity.
We, supporters of the campaign that elected President Obama have a solemn obligation to establish a "check-and-balance" on the current administration and Congress in order to change our foreign policy towards Congo and Sudan. I said it before: the appointment of Johnnie Carson at the State department's african affairs, the appointment of a new US ambassador to China, was, to my sense a key to enleash a new strategy in dealing with instability in these two countries in which China has strenghten diplomatic and economic relationships. Sudan welcomed chinese businesses at an increasing level, while the chinese entrepreneurs are road and infrastructure builders in the DR Congo. Where is the United States "economically" and "strategically" in these countries?
How would the Obama administration through its State Department engage China in regards to Sudan and Congo? How would Clinton deal with strong-tied US corporations that are playing the same role as China in these countries economies? What is the fine line between opening business deals with governments of Sudan and Congo that are violating human rights?
The Sudan's region of darfur and the Eastern Congo's conflicts have been out there for too long. It's time to end them by obtaining a firm commitment from China to play a crucial role to substantiate our cooperation and aid to sound governance, and observance of human rights.... America needs to turn the page on its past mistakes dealing with Africa. Secretary Clinton should really take advantage of her trip to Africa and really come back with a clear differentiation between the Continent as a whole and its Respective Nations (52 countries) , its economic realities, our interests within each one of them, and the geopolitics and various cultures Africa has. Those who committed crimes should not be in power, they should be prosecuted in court, and the Obama administration should acknowledge the ICC (International Court) for its role in doing just that in Africa.
We are watching this 11 days trip to 7 African countries: (KENYA, SOUTH AFRICA, ANGOLA, DR CONGO, NIGERIA, LIBERIA AND CAPE VERDE)....Not a mention about RWANDA and SUDAN amazingly...but happily Cape Verde long time ignored, Cape Cerde has been on the growth's path and has observed sound democracy... This small African island-country with powerful lobbying immigrant networks in most American cities. Nigeria and Angola's economies deserve support from the US and conflicts in Kenya and DR Congo should appaul the world and South Africa should be teamed up with to help prevent HIV/AIDS and apply some better application models in prevention in other African nations as well.
I'm Franklin Katunda, an Obama surrogate and I approve this message.
Check my latest news article on the DR Congo news at www.congoboston.com
"Change in US-AFRICA relationship"?
Comments by Franklin Katunda, group's administrator
Would the US become more engaged in the African Continent in the Obama era? Too long western corporates (including many US firms and merecenaries) have been part of networks of sponsors for weapons dealings with African military leaders, whom for most are despot, dictators. The illicit exploitation of mines and other precious gems in the old continent have caused wars, coup d'Etats and genocides. Most civil wars and genocides happened by the hands of armed leaders with connections with financiers and merceneries from US, Europe and even communist nations like Iran, Lybia, China, Russia and Korea.
The African continent became since the 60s a place when our national security was at risk with the initial East-West Cold War to end up with post democratization of most african regimes in the 80s to become a terrain of easy money for these outlaws. The 1990 to 2000s horrific happenings in Africa (Sudan, Congo Democratic, Rwanda, Nigeria and others Somalia, Kenya) and the motives behind their actors could fragilize our national security, if political instability, civil unrest, economic crisis and poor governance can still prevail.
Too long the foreign policy of the United States towards Africa has been timid, our diplomacy mode has been even accomplice, sold out to the dictat of the Europeans (former colonists of all African nations to the exception of Liberia). The French, the British, Portuguese and the Belgians have no power but an historical advantage over the US in Africa; the European Union is running the show in the old continent, and more it leads the US in every area of interest: economy, geopolitics, education, cultural identity and more the choice of leaders to become heads of states. It is time the United States of America become the ally, once of african countries that make progress in the observance of human rights, good governance and economic growth.
Here is the question: Now that Africa has been neglected too long ... Can Obama make the difference in Africa? How would he proceed when nominating Amb Carson, a longtime Intelligence officer and a 37 years diplomat in a continent that shifted from being a cold war terrain in the 60s to become "presumably" a barn to a few Al qaeda elements, to numerous illegal "western" predators and "communists" outlaws?
What do you think Amb. Carson could bring to the process to improving a positive and active presence of the United States in Africa; to the benefit of both the welfare of the African people and our country's national security?
Please read, and leave your comments at the bottom.
****
<article from All Africa Dot com, white housedot gov>
JOHNNIE CARSON NAMED AFRICAN AFFAIRS UNDERSECRETARY AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT
President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, State Department.
Ambassador Johnnie Carson is currently the National Intelligence Officer for Africa on the National Intelligence Council. He joined the NIC in September 2006 after a 37-year career in the Foreign Service. Prior to this appointment, Carson served as the Senior Vice President of the National Defense University in Washington D.C. (2003-2006).
Carson's Foreign Service career includes ambassadorships to Kenya (1999-2003), Zimbabwe (1995-1997), and Uganda (1991-1994); and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs (1997-1999). Earlier in his career he had assignments in Portugal, Botswana, Mozambique, and Nigeria. He has also served as desk officer in the Africa section at State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research; Staff Officer for the Secretary of State (1978-1979), and Staff Director for the Africa Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives (1979-1982).
Before joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Carson was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Drake University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the School of Oriental and Africa Studies at the University of London.
Ambassador Carson is the recipient of several Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State and a Meritorious Service Award from Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The Centers for Disease Control presented Ambassador Carson its highest award, "Champion of Prevention Award," for his leadership in directing the US Government's HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Kenya.
<end of article>
Dear Members of “Africans and Americans for Obama” group,
Before hand, I would like to follow up on my yesterday’s email to tell you how sorry I am about the incident involving a “member” called “MARY KARGBO, ESQ” also known on the campaign’s website as “MARY from OKLAHOMA CITY, OK”.
This has been a hurt to most of you as this member incited a series back and forth emails, fueled a spread of hateful messages using very demining callings in a debate that violated the spirit, the vision and the goals of our group. More, she has disturbed more than one member by sending spams to the entire list-serv at a proportion of about 3 to 5 emails a day.
I understood, after reading the responses to my email when I suggested Mary to “remove her-self” from the group that Mary Kargbo, Esq (from the so called “Kargbo Law Office”—see the email’s title) has one mission in her mind: Distract and discourage Obama group’s members from staying involved in the work we have now and ahead of us, now that Barack Obama has been sworn in President.
Don’t ask me how a member (who according to the group’s records has joined on February 22nd 2007, under an email: KARGBOLAWOFFICE@GMAIL.COM became as trivial figure as she has been now, only when we just begun the work we pledged to support and toil for in past 2 years. All I can say is that she (if ever it is a “she”) has aligned herself as someone who preaches hate, intolerance and defamations while she is a Christian who claims her faith without showing the values that come with the epithet, a believer who makes stories about President Obama, hoping that sticks in our minds another story that characterizes President Obama as a Chicagoan that would try to perpetuate a “fairy tale”.
Well, after the flow of more responses and emails from Mary Kargbo Esq, today ( March 19th, 09) still inciting hate and defamation against the President and his agenda; after I have received many listserv and private email messages from members (among whom many asked to be removed if ever Mary was called on to just leave “freely”; given my duties as the Group’s administrator of the group “Africans and Americans For Obama”; considering the sensitivity of the moment when the American people hope that “We the People” – the organizers MUST help to bring and to keep a focus on bringing “real” debates to the table of discussions on issues like Healthcare, Education and Dependence on Foreign Oils -- I have decided 4 following elements and have acted upon immediately:
1. I have reported “Mary from Oklahoma City, OK” to the BarackObamaDotCom as an intruder with the purpose to disturb and to derail the vision and the work done by the group.
2. I have removed (March 19th 2009, at 7:30pm EST) from the group, “Mary Kargbo, Esq. of Oklahoma City”, OK from the group without any further delay.
3. I have instructed an investigation to detect the email used in connection with the mailing to prevent more incidents, and results are to come.
4. I call upon all remaining members to send me a direct email, if ever we do suspect another “Mary” has disguised her/him-self as another “deceitful” member within the group.
Dear Members,
Again, I do apologize to all those who were annoyed, appalled and offended by the comments and actions from this member (who is no longer one, as of now).
I ask you to reconsider, if ever you had decided to eminently unsubscribe from the group. The time is neither to quit nor to be distracted from meeting head on the challenges we face as a country; while we are working on bringing the process of change in action in Washington DC, the Republicans and the “racists” associated to the same right-wing talking points have constituted a bloc against the President’s agenda. They are being promoted by the masterminds of the “old ways” of doing business across both sides of the Capitol Hill political divide and have decided more than ever to exclude the American people becoming once again actors in public affairs.
They hope AIG’s bonuses be honored without challenge, without the American expressing their outrage; they hope they turn our online groups and the entire website into an inadequate instrument, in order to weaken the job we are doing to “Organize for America”.
Well, we know better than that. I’m sure all of you agree that it will take us more efforts to accomplish the will of the American people expressed in every recent election our country has held from 2006-2009 today than when we all worked hard to elect an “instrument” that would bring change in America: Barack Obama.
I’m glad that several groups are still active and involved: that why several SEIU members within continue to rally in Washington and lobby the DC’s insiders to push for the Employee Free Choice Act; many of them have protested the AIG and Bank of America’s embarrassments in Boston, today. This website still makes it possible to organize in precincts around debates such as the Healthcare forums and it is a great tool that helps inform members about the White House’s execution of the campaign’s agenda.
We would never lose sight of it, that my prayer, we will always remember what Barack Obama said about bringing change to Washington DC. I am happy we don’t have a “dictator” like Mary and those alike suggested but he is the man who asked us to believe in our abilities to bring change, not just in his abilities as candidate (today President).
“… The way to change will be long and it won’t be easy! ”-- he warned before the DNC convention, to finally promise on the Victory night that: “…We, as a people, we will get there!” Let no “Republicans-with-no-agenda” distract us from remaking America, starting in our backyard, our launch pads, in our group’s blogs
I’m Franklin Katunda, an Obama Surrogate, and I approve this message!!!
STAY TUNED AND PLUGGED INTO THE CHANGE PROCESS IN AMERICA
1. To learn more about the Inauguration events: http://www.pic2009.org/
2. About the Transition and How You Can continue being involved: www.change.gov
3. About the ongoing "My Barack Obama's Network" at: www.mybarackobama.com
Young and Powerful for Obama Presents a Collection of Inaugural Events that Mimic the Obama/Biden Message of:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
***VISION***
Young & Powerful Group Launch EventMore Info/Purchase Tickets: www.yp4obama.com/launchSaturday, January 17, 2009Time: 7:00pm-11:00pmHoliday Inn Capitol - Columbia Ballroom550 C St. SWWashington, DC 20024www.hicapitoldc.com**1 block from L'Enfant Plaza Metro - Maryland and 6th St. Exit (green, yellow, blue, & orange lines)Advanced Ticket Sale Price: $50Includes: Heavy Hors D’oeuvres, Cash barHosted by Jeanie Jones of WKYSMusic by DJ Premonition_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
***HOPE***
Young & Powerful MLK Presidential Brunchin conjunction w/ IMPACTMore Info/Purchase Tickets: www.yp4obama.com/brunchSunday, January 18, 2009Time: 11:00am - 2:00pmCity Club 1300 I Street, NWWashington, DC www.clubcorp.com
**One block from McPherson Square Metro (blue and orange line)A message of Hope from Dr. Michael Eric DysonKeynote Speaker: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.Hosted by: Radio One's Sheila Stewart Advanced Ticket Sale Price: $44.00 *For our 44th PresidentIncludes: Full Service Brunch & BeveragesHost Organizations:NAACP - DC Chapter, The Greater Baltimore Leadership Association Young Professionals, Thursday Network , Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network, Howard University - Student Bar Association
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
***CHANGE***
Young & Powerful Political Forum & Roundtable Discussionin conjunction w/ IMPACT More Info/Purchase Tickets: www.yp4obama.com/forumMonday, January 19, 2009Time: 1:00pmHoward University - Blackburn CenterWashington, DC **Five minute walk from Howard University Metro (green line)Hosted by: IMPACT and The Political Roundtable_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Young & Powerful Black Tie Gala & Awards Ceremonyin conjunction w/ IMPACTMore Info/Purchase Tickets: www.yp4obama.com/galaMonday, January 19, 2009Time: 8:00pmL'Enfant Plaza Hotel 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SWWashington, DC 20024www.lenfantplazahotel.com
**1200 Underground Parking Places and Underground Metro that Opens in Hotel (green, yellow, blue, & orange lines)Surprise Celebrity Performance!Hosted by: EZ Street of 93.9 WKYSMusic by: DJ Premonition"Socialize with us as we dine, dance and toast President Obama's victory.Have Fun, Stay Warm, and Celebrate the Obama Presidency"Advanced Ticket Sale Price: $125.00Includes: Open Bar from 9pm - 11pm, Heavy Hors D'oeuvres, and Live Band _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*** The Civil Rights Presidential Inaugural Gala will be taking place on January 20th at 480 L'Enfant Plaza in Washington, DC.
To contact and know how to attend please see enclosed here, the site for more information to reach the organizers:
http://www.thedreamcometrue...
***REDEMPTION***
Young & Powerful Inaugural CelebrationA Semi-Formal Affair in conjunction w/ IMPACTMore Info/Purchase Tickets: www.yp4obama.com/semiformalTuesday, January 20, 2009Time: 8:00pmIreland's Four Fields3412 Connecticut Ave NWWashington, DC 20008
**1 block from Cleveland Park Metro(red line)Hosted by: Olivia Fox of Majic 102.3 Music by: DJ Premonition "Celebrate this historical day with other Obama enthusiastsand network with Young and Powerful members as wecommemorate a day to remember for a lifetime."Advanced Ticket Sale Price: $100.00Includes: Complimentary Champagne Toast, Dinner Buffet, and special Young & Powerful token of appreciation for all guest!For more information about our events please contact. yp4obama@gmail.com _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Be Seen...Be Heard...Be Powerful_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Young and Powerful for Obama: http://www.yp4obama.com/
Dear Friends,
The following website has been set to iform you on inauguration day events, volunteer and job opportunities, etc. Please visit it:
http://www.pic2009.org
Thanks for continuing to read me on your in-box after our historical win on November 4th 2008. Hopefully some of you would confirm me you will be coming to DC. I live in the city currently and I am more likely to be there !!!!
Best Regards,
God Bless,
Franklin Katunda. An Obama Surrogate
GOTV Phone Banking Experience on Nov 4th:
(At 9:22 pm) -- We just broke one million calls for the day, once again showing the power of this movement, but polls are still open in critical battleground states like Montana and Nevada and the night is still young. Supporters around the country keep calling to ensure voters know where to go to vote. The calls you make in the next hour could make the difference in the outcome of these states.
We are closing in on our goal for 1.2 million calls for Election Day and these are the calls that will bring us to victory. Make calls to Montana and Nevada now.
(Later on ... before the anouncement)
We're still awaiting the final results tonight (As of Nov 4th 2008 later at night), but one thing is clear -- this grassroots movement can never be underestimated.
Thank you to everyone who helped us make an astounding 1,053,791 calls today!
I know it wasn't easy and many of you kept calling long after you were tired and your voice had grown hoarse, but your calls to get our supporters out the polls helped tip the scales in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.We've shut down our calling campaigns for the night, incredibly proud of the record amount of calls made today. You gave it your all and we couldn't have asked for more.Thank you again for everything you've done. You've been with Barack Obama every step of this journey. This is your night.
Obama For America
+++
PS. I joined the GOTV phonebanking organized by the Obama campaign along with the Local Union UNITE HERE! at 33 Harrisson Ave, Chinatown (downtown Boston). We made calls to Virginia towns of Yorktown, Newport News, Poquoson, Hampton, Petersburg and Kilmarnorck and to New Hampshire towns of Exeter and Hudson from 9am to 4pm
Results: Obama won both Virginia (52% to 47) and New Hampshire (55% to 44)
OBAMA-BIDEN 08'
By Franklin Katunda 36 seconds ago (Updated 36 seconds ago in the website's main page)
Hello Obama Supporters,Thank you for reading my thoughts this morning on the "D DAY Nov. 4th 2008"-- I'm glad I made it from Virginia where I work to Boston my home place yesterday, Monday. I escaped ably the traffic caused by the Manassas, VA Obama's Last Rally when driving to DC Reagan Airport... I got on the Anerican Airlines RJet plane at 7:30 flight and by 8 pm I was in Boston Logan. This morning (fired up), I am getting ready to go vote two blocks away from my sister's place in my little town of Revere, Massachusetts than I will ride the metro to downtown Boston where the Obama Team has assigned me and Brad, a friend of mine to work on GOTV in "ChinaTown"... Chinatown? First time campaigning in such neighborhood doing field organizing; I have one day to learn "Hands-on" about it and I;ll surely do it with all the excitement it brings! My friend, Brad (young white fellow) is preparing to travel to China next year for a temporary work. You can read how happy he is to experience first-hand the feeling of working in a community other your own. For me, nothing particular! All I know is that I am a young African-American Community Organizer and I am campaigning for Change in Chinatown for the first time on November 4th. That's what makes it exciting to be in the Obama Team: "A campaign by ordinary folks like you and me working for change on the behalf the American people"Here is the picture: A Black young man in his thirties, wearing an Obama styled-sweater and PIN written in Hebrew (Israel) that reads Barack Obama 08' campaigning in Chinatown -- About the pin: A campaign person gave it to me last weekend in Boston...She said they got them from Florida where a "Get-Out-The-Vote" in the Jewish community has been successful. Well, for my first time, I am canvassing in Chinatown, downtown Boston on an important election day. Considering I worked for "Obama for America" in Goffstown NH, Arlington TX, Washington DC, Jamaica Plain MA, and Charlotte NC... The question is - How more surreal this campaign can be... Hein?I hope you are blessed by this story. Lets get out and win this election; lets organize our neighborhoods and change the world!I am Franklin, an Obama Surrogate and I approve this message!
Dear Members of "AFRICANS and AMERICANS FOR OBAMA" online group,
Fellow Americans, Congolese and Friends of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire),
I'm Franklin Katunda, community leader and organizer. Since 2001 I'm been president and editor of the Congoboston Network --that helps thousands of African immigrants to social networking online and through events. I learned about Senator Barack Obama after the 2004 DNC Convention, have learned about his judgement and character during his US Senate during the War in Iraq. I endorsed Barack Obama for US Senate Re-election in December of 2006 after he adressed my "Class of 2006" at the Universirty of Massachusetts-Boston. I did not know he was going to run for the higher office, but I have watched his US senate's moves to pass bills working with both sides of the aisles and ... I discovered the Man's mind.
I knew Obama is the "Man with the Plan", not a follower! Now, soon as he announced his candidacy in February of 2007, It was easy for me to back someone that I as a role model, a leader, a charismatic visionary; young and refreshing politician like I would like to be. I knew which candidate, against all odds of backing a least experienced candidate, to choose from Clinton, Biden, Dodd, Edwards bids, and I decided to believe and to back Barack Obama (D. Illinois) in the 2007 pre-primaries.
Currently I am a Non-paid Field Organizer, and an Online Group Coordinator; I am working on an ambitious current project to rally a voter's registration that supports and raises awarness in politics from newly African Naturalized US-Citizens. I work in campaigning for and in helping to elect Barack Obama as President of the United States of America. This year has been busy for us since the launch of the campaign in February of 2007, so we put our Congoboston's activities on hold to make sure the Illinois Senator is elected "President of the United States of America", first.
Why Barack Obama? Well, it is not because he is running for office and has a better chance at winning, but because the United States of America is seen and wanted as a strong ally by African countries, and particularly to the Congo. (Second), because among all US Senators from the 109th US Congress, Democrat Senator, Barack Obama is the only one who dared to introduce a bill that was passed and signed into law to require the Bush Administration to eefectively act on protecting the new Congolese Nation's choice of governance.
After a five years period of civil war and a coslty, unprepared and yet rigged election in 2006 in Congo, the US Senate and US House's bill was needed in DC to ensuring the welfare of not less than 40 millions of desperate Congolese, entrapped in a series of civil wars and social misery, as a result of a four decades reign of Mobutu. This is a vast and war-torn country that continues to provide to US and European Corporations tons of minerals such as the Coltan, the Uranium, the Cupper, Diamonds, and Gold. The Congo produces also a dozen of more unheard of minerals (exploited even during the recent killings that resulted in the loss of more than 5 million souls. [Read about the bill here] http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-2125
In December 2006 when the bill was introduced, passed and signed into law, Senator Barack Obama, works in a bi-partisan way to make sure this bill also called the " S.2125" : Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006, could be used by both the Executive Branch of the US government and Congress as a test piece to measure how the Bush foreign affairs' cabinet would handle this country's fate. The bill tells where the US stands in its diplomatical efforts to help to prosperity and peace in Congo. Response: The US government has done almost nothing since 2006 to ensure the bill was acted upon. The War (another insurrection) has started again in the eastern Congo, President Kabila of Congo has violated human rights on numerous occasions; his operatives (army, security agencies and presidential guards) continue to persecute and/ or to murder opposition leaders; Congolese protests are being shut out, when manifestants are being killed at every occasion without our embassy getting involved in checking facts; More than ever, I strongly believe that the future of this vast country in the heart of Africa is on the 2008 US presidential ballot.
Facts About US- DR Congo Foreign Affairs
The Bush GOP Cabinet had all the diplomatical tools to run a better foreign policy in regards to the DRC, [ ...and we had not need to sit with "hostile" leaders in order to save these innocent lives], but acted timidly, according to most US and Congo's politicians, newsmedia makers and well-informed human rights and citizen's networks in the DRC and here in US. How do we know it? Check facts on the ground: The Democratic Republic of Congo has plunged once again (September 2008) into another civil unrest in the eastern region where thousands of citizens are being bodily-mutilated with machettes and displaced by dissident troops of the war lord and domestic terrosist; Sir Nkunda Batware.
This man is well-known for his fame in killings and terrorism on civilians by the US State Department's African Affairs Office in Washington DC; His prouesses are well-acknowledged by the UN's Mission and its "Bush Friend" Mission's coordinator -- Mr William Swing. Yet Kunda Batware is being ignored by our embassy officials while he should be arrested as he is the most dangerous war criminal to be "deported" to the the Hague's Court. This former rebel and Kagame's army dissident is backed by current authorities of Rwanda (Congo eastern-border neighboring country). Amazingly, Sir Batware has been a close friend and a former political ally to the current Congo's president Joseph Kabila. [Bush supports Kabila who made it to the White House for official visits more than twice in less than four years of Bush re-elect term in the Oval Office.] Both Congolese President Kabila and Rwanda's president Kagame (another beloved-Bush ally in North Eastern Africa's region) have not done enough to crack down on dissident Nkunda Batware's operatives in the Kivu Eastern Region of the Congo; a pre-condition in restoring peace and democracy in Congo, and to ensure welfare of citizens in the region.
How long are we going to count our failed US diplomacy deeds, while a clear foreign policy was pushed by a known US senator on a bi-partisan way? Why do we have to continue another four years-period of uncertainty in the Congo if the United States has a chance to elect democrat candidate to wipe the republican failure? When issues of lack of consistency and involvment in our relationships with African countries are clearly established in the current GOP agenda -- the Congo has been flagged as a threat to national security and our strategic position in Africa. Congo is a strong ally to the US since the 60s when the country became politically independent from the Belgian Kingdom.
The DR Congo had aligned itself as one of the most pro-American philophical "stronghold" in Central Africa for three decades while the country has been surrounded by socialist colors; (pro-former USSR, pro-China, pro-North Korea and even ... because of its African roots, pro-Cuba) .... The regime of Kinshasa has resisted ideals and ties to African military regimes in countries like its neighbors: the people's republic of Congo-Brazzaville, the people's republic of Angola and some left progressist leaders such as the Zambian president Kaunda (in South) or the mighty President Machel of Mocambique; far the Congo secured America's presence in southern Sudan in efforts to stop the Khartum socialist agenda, their push in Ethiopia, Guinea and so forth etc...
The Congo ( known as Zaire) has been a reliable US "pied-a-terre", serving as a US military runway (the Kamina military base) to face and to deter both the rise of a communist ideology during the 30 years long civil in the war-torn country of Angola (South-Western border) and to help the US diplomacy to reign in isolating and rallying other African countries in the region to help end the threat to human rights, segregation and racism in the South Africa's Racist White-Supremacist regime of Peter Botha.
Minerals and components used in most US weaponry and the world's telecommunication devices are put together for decades with resources extracted from the Congo's soil. Congo has offered a best terrain to most US Presidents like Jimmy Carter (D), Ronald Reagan (R), Bush Sr (R) and Bill Clinton (D) to execute very complicated but vital national security decisions in regard to the stabiltity of Africa, by establising our intelligence in the region, a competitive market and intelligence strategy that helped the US to compete with Europe and Asia. The sin about our relationship with Africa, and for this case the DR Congo, is that we often benefited from all of the above for a less sustainable cooperation tools of diplomacy in regard to how African leaders offer a better governance, a sound fiscality, and the observance of citizens' human rights.
No doubt the DR Congo should remain a strong US ally in the Central African region where the French and the Belgians did nothing to disengage the "former" Soviets-aligned "Eastern-European Regimes" to establish their strong holds and networks in Africa. Now How in the world, with today's rise of another Russia's "impulse" with Georgia and its attempts to raise fears of an imminent "cold war", are we going to afford another war-torn Congo in the midle of Africa?
Distabilized - the Congo still produces tons of extractions of its massive "Uranium", very essential to make nuclear weaponry. That we cannot afford... remaining silent in America after it has been established that many Al-Qaeda and other terrorist operatives have been seeking to exploit and engage in illicit trade of these highly dangerous materials that can provide them with real weapons of mass destruction. The world knows it, President Bush does and Congress (with what I call Obama bill) warns it too!
Breaking the Silence (0n the behalf of Congo)
Many NGOs and associations around the world are observing a "Seven-Days" or the "Congo's Week". It is an Awarness Campaign with a theme: BREAKING THE SILENCE on the behalf of the DR Congo across the US and around the world. They have gotten the attention of several media cells in Western countries: France, Belgium, US, Australia etc to learn and advocate for the Congo, at least by talking about theese atrocities that took place when elections are taking place in US. One of them, I currently hold a membership, is the "Friends of The Congo" - FOTC [please visit their website] : www.FriendsoftheCongo.org
I cannot tell you enough how important and timely right it has been for US citizens who long for justice, equality and peace and the world; for those US-born Congolese, Americans and Friends of the Congo to rein in with their vote and support only "15 days" left before the 2008 elections to pass on this message. With this November 4th's Countdown to US elections, let all remember that the 109th Congress in its Democratic Majority with the help of 12 senators: 4 prominent Republicans and 8 Democrats had joined to co-sponsor a bill initiated by Senator B. Obama (D, Illinois). This 2006 bill had unanimousely (with few amendments and fewer objections) passed, and was signed into law to ensure better foreign policy , security, development, better governance in the Congo, and yet "nothing" consistent [ in other words "just a little"] has been done to follow through.
So, I am inviting those who are willing to visit the webpage that features that ONE-week (Sunday, October 19th through Saturday 25th 2008) event at this link: http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/time_critique.php for your own knowledge, to participate or donate if you cannot attend. Students, Capitol Hill's news professionals, Graduates-Interns, Human Rights Organizers...This is a great moment to raise awarness of the American public! Overhaul, lets remember that the 2008 US presidential elections is an answer to the failures the US developped in Africa.
One among our failed approaches in diplomacy with AFRICA
The GOP's last eight years continues to prophecy without actions for the US to rely on the Department of State's reports and on our European Allies' out-of-touch lines of diplomacy towards Africa; our current foreign service envoys are still using those heavily-biased and politically-partisan lines of policies that are ( ... as old as Pres. Nixon's talking points on African Affairs; demoded in their essence like the pre-Berlin Reagan's views on our relationships with Africa; our policies have been much of the former French president Mitterand's philophy; he forecasted a "pro-but-fake" democratic way of governance in Africa) -- And no wonder we cannot be relevant in solving most crisis in Africa where the United States have common strategic and national security interests as the Europeans, but where we still lagging in being equally involved economically like the Europeans are, and even the Chinese, the Russians and South-Koreans have been.
The US cannot afford being less politically and diplomatically involved in Africa in 2008, and expect our relationships to be economically sound in trades and to earn respect from the African People. News stories and real facts on the ground show that the Russians, the Chinese, and even South-Africans are developing sound trade deals and back-door deals with or without the Congo's approval in its soil. All this is happening far ahead of Washington's less aggressive approach in its African Affairs agenda. We are talking about the Congo in a vast continent, the one Historian Frantz Fanon said: (Africa) "...It has the map-shape of a gun with its trigger located in the Congo"
[ Please check the Africa's map and the Congo's location on in to better understand the metaphore].
The DR Congo is located at the (trigger)- the heart of the African Continent (in Yellow)
He was right because like I said before, the strategic plan to position in the region comes a sustained stability, peace and democracy in the Congo. This is an African country where, if there is not a strong leadership in Washington DC, our national security interests in the region will be in a permanent danger for real. Congo's strategic location on the Africa's regional map is economically a better market to engage and invest in, and with respect to the US intelligence and our military overahaul strategies in the region, the next president of the USA should do better than "all" his predecessors.
Change We Need in our relations with AFRICA
Where have we been all this time? Good question. I will tell you what? We always have developped that mentality that to deal with Africans, we ought to be careful on who (public officials) we send out to carry the message in Africa; we are always careful in choosing our "envoys", we emphasize on their ethnic and religious backgrounds; we base our selection of diplomats or State departments Officers on what is their knowledge of the region as we anticipate "wrongly" that our African counterparts (presidents, royalties or their ministers) would line up with how Europeans lines of diplomacy would dictate our stance, given the history of Africa colonists in the 1960s. For e.g. countries like Portugal, Spain, England, France, and even smaller numbers of Germans and Italian adventureers in Africa have marked their foot-prints, cultural landmarks and have shaped political philosophies in Africa.
In 2008, just like in other continents where colonists have no longer dictate the way business should be conducted, countries and territories like Hong-Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Brasil, India and many other lands where colonists left their foot prints, citizens and their government decided to "admit" they are ready to be on their own, and to embrace new ideas, new horizons, new opportinities -- to launch new markets of the 21th century. What Can the US do at this point? It is the role of the USA, I believe, to engage a new quality diplomatic approach that restores confidence from the African People's stand point. The US have to guarantee two aspects with a new and successful diplomacy tactic in its relationship with Africa: Engaging in Economic and Strategic Security Initiatives in the Continent and to Restoring democracy and a regulated and fiscally-sustained system of governance.
The African Affairs Office at the Department of State ( during the next Obama Administration) should actively work in exploring ways to offer "sticks and carrots" to hold African leaders "accountable" to respect of their signed-and-agreed upon treaties, their local politics dealings and issue promises, their binding bi-lateral agreements with the United States. We should compete with other countries like China, South-Korea or Argentina where African leaders are NOT being asked much to qualify in dealings. Economically speaking , it is about securing America, in one hand, our trades and investments' operatives (guarantying peace and stability) for "highly" profitable African markets. On the other hand, the US should ensure civil liberties are respected, they should reward fiscally-sound governance and encourage the enactment of national laws that promote the eradication of the culture of corruption as a way to monitor the improvement, to re-enforce the laws and ensure the respect of rule of law overahaul, as the 2006 Congo's "Obama Bill" outlined.
Besides many other failures to enforcing our treaties and bi-lateral accords in the African Affairs office at the Department of State, there are these US Governemt's weak actions that did not do much US initiative to Africans in terms of reenforcing the presence with the peace corps, humanitarian organizations and educational and relief organizations on the ground to work with local networks that canvass their communities.
The US should engage pre-emptively the health and human services approach in Africa in order to prevent diseases, pandemies and better nutrition for the population. To denounce and to stop adverse trends in ways of governance that leed to recent African Nation's cases of Genocide, such as Darfour (In Sudan) , Rwanda and the Eastern-Congo. Our relationships with African Leaders have to go beyond just helping them to stay capable militarly but to offer them logistic assistance when it comes to dealing with conflict resolution of hot national topics.
Our embassies in Africa should double efforts like do their couterparts in middle-eastern regions with bi-cultural and bi-lingual envoys to deal with and to clearly decongest the national political apparatus in every country where foreign service officers are assigned to. We need to learn how culture, history and tribal aspirations can shape and benefit US present and future relationships; they have to be active, as intelligence becomes available, to not only report, but to repudiate violations of human rights and to work in these countries' educational settings. Our cooperation in education should promote an agenda that eradicate sentiments of hate and philosopies that oppose the US...
The US should assist and reward only those countries that offer a progress report with fiscally-sound ways of governance; the observance of democracy and human rights. They haven't been doing so in the last decades, because we buy into fallacious French "Mitterand" ideas that because there: "... was election in a given African country, means that country's regime is "democratic".
It's Time to Turn the Page !
The 2008 elections is a time to change course in our foreign policy and to recognize our moral and historical responsibility in regards to Africa; It is an opportunity to raise awarness to the facts that the US has crucial need of a solid "diplomatic machine", made of a new generation of effective "foreign service" officials, effective appointed-government officials, foreign affairs officers in DC and in our consulates. Paramount, the US should show a stronger leadership in the White House that will level with a better diplomacy and will apply a "Peace-and-Democracy" philosophy versus the current "Our interest-Only" approach in Africa.
Like never before there is a need of a US President and an Administration in DC that hold a pro-democracy and human rights-compliant agenda in Africa. Senator Barack Obama (author of S. 2521) has the record to prove it, maybe did not articulate much about it, but worse John McCain never been vocal (not even once) for such an agenda in Africa. He won't do it, won't promise he would look into it. We can't even hold him accountable in doing some thing about it because I doesn't KNOW much about !
Barack Obama is the only alternative to save millions of lives who die in civil conflicts, of diseases and pandemies, of lack of economic development, because of political persecutions or ethnic cleansing! I will be launching a "MySpace Outreach Page" to continue rally efforts from Americans, Congolese-Americans, Africans, Friends of the Congo and Organizations that work for peace, prosperity and the economic development of this nation. We want to help solidify and organize thousands more entities for this humanitarian cause.
I believe that Africa and the Congo's fate are definetely tied to the outcome of the US Presidential Elections.
Barack Obama, a real President in theWhite House; Change for a better World.
I'm Franklin Katunda - Barack Obama Surrogate, and I approve this Message.
Thank You !
Dear Obama-Biden Supporters,
McCain has forgotten he has a link to ACORN as well, while he is accusing Obama to being close to the organization that offers community organizing and housing advocacy efforts that supports low-income people( Acorn has endorsed Barack Obama for president in this presidential election). The Mccain campaign has charged our campaign of serious allegations that we are tied to the allegedly voter registration's fraud. Now lets look at the facts about this Organtization, ACORN.
For more knoledge on what ACORN is and what they have been doing for the low income citizens for many years ( citizens whom by the way are mostly African-americans, Hispanics, Asians and other ethnics and who tend to vote "democrat") click here: www.acorn.org , and you can learn more from an aired video on CSPAN, [ in spite of a recent CNN report that members of ACORN were no where to be found for interviews ].
This is a video of a "Q&A Session" that features questions from the press newsmakers with a high level ACORN's representative. Director Bertha Lewis for NY ACORN was guest for a long interview on CSPAN, last weekend. She responded to questions related to allegations and explain her version of facts from the Interim Organization's stand point. (Video on the following link) http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=281747-1
... And this week ( today , Oct. 14 2008) directors, representatives, volunteers, and advocates from ACORN responded to questions from a various press corp at the National Press Club in Washington DC, to respond to the McCain Campaign allegations of fraud. (Video on the following Link)
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&tID=5&src=atom&atom=todays_events.xml&products_id=281772-1
More than just informing the public about the true mission of ACORN, executives from the organization have expressed that ACORN has been attacked for organizing the most successful 2006 elections' voter registration, which operation was done in the bi-partisan way.
They said registrations that show signs of fraud or are illicit are flagged and sent to the Commission of Elections for triage. The report on CNN was just an fact not well explained to the viewers to make Americans believe there was a fraud condonned by the organization. They stressed the organization always in its rules of conduct helps authorities to prosecute those who violate the law, if involved in voter fraud or forgering of documents. The Commission's worker interviewed by CNN in last week newscast was talking about cases of flagged the ACORN has the authority of turning them to the Commissin anyways.
ACORN wrote in their website a letter that clearly shows the organization has bi-partisan goals which both members of major parties always endorsed. Lately senator McCain was one among the to applaude their efforts to help citizens help themselves with issues that affect them: Low income, immigration, voter registration, housing vs. redlining, etc. Letters from the ACORN site tells the public the GOP candidate is being hypocrite, playing a game of accusing ACORN for doing just what it has been asked by the government's elections commission to do in case of irregularities.
Beyond these incidents, they stressed the fact that they have been successful doing what is a challenge, help regular citizens to get involved in the political process by registriing for vote. In a response to the ACORN letter, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis made the challenge in a statement released in response to Tuesday morning's letter. http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=12439&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=22386&tx_ttnews[backPid]=12387&cHash=5706e23a2f
They are decided (ACORN) to fight back the smears and false allegations they know the GOP has good reason to put out there, because the huge numbers turnout of voters in many states and the awarness most people in the country have shown to prevent vote suppression that happened in both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.
" As recently as February 20, 2006, Senator McCain was the keynote speaker at an ACORN-sponsored Immigration Rally in Miami, Florida at Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus." - tells the ACORN letter ... And they added more as saying: " We expected Senator McCain to support our efforts to give voice to millions of Americans who have never participated in an election before. We are surprised at his efforts to vilify an organization that, until recently, he saw as an ally. Maybe this surprise attack and change of heart is indicative of his state of mind, and the way he would govern."
Well, it just another effort to distract the American voters, especially the independents (who are not aligned with Sarah Palin's Choice for VP); the lack of McCain consistent economic proposals for America; his bad policy as far as foreign affairs and the fate of the War in Iraq. The McCain-Palin ticket is hoping to make "ACORN" what they portrayed "MOVEON" as tied to John Kerry not later than the past recent elections and the Iraq War protests. The McCain Campaign says in a TV ad that Obama worked for ACORN in Chicago which is false according to Director Bertha, and the same added that ACORN has forced banks to give risky loans to low income citizens while ACORN officials argue the organization has fought for the low income from being "red-lining" (when banks shut out some citizens in minority neighborhoods because they are low income or because of their color of skin/ background).
ACORN says it that it has registered 1.3 million new voters this year as a community organizing and housing advocacy group that supports low-income people. Over the previous week the McCain presidential campaign and the Republican National Committee have accused ACORN of voter fraud and pushing banks into making risky home loans. On Thursday, October 9, 2008, Senator McCain called for a federal investigation of ACORN and on Friday Senator McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, said that Senator Obama's ties to ACORN should be investigated. After the interview, the reporters discussed her responses with the host.
The Director argued that the deregulation of the financial system, the greed in part of banks have contributed in an allocation of loans to customers who could not afford them; practices her organization has been monitoring and demanded the banks and loaners to make sure citizens are informed before buying decisions. Most of methods used were: First time home buyer's seminars in minority neighborhoods.
What do We Learn from this whole thing?
- ACORN linked to VOTER REGISTRATION FRAUD and possibly to the BANKING CRISIS/MORTGAGE;
- OBAMA mocked for being a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
The whole allegation shows the GOP's plan to undermine the effort of an organization that bring in more voters to the polls, and an effort from McCain campaign to link "minority" homeowners to the cause of the CRISIS in Wall Street. What an insult to the American people !!!
Obama Friends, (Canvassers, Obama Call-Center Operators, Field Organizers and Precinct Captains) Let stay aware of their tactics!
Please talk about to our friends and relatives. Bring more out there to vote!
I'm Franklin, an Obama Surrogate;
And I approve this message!
Dear Obama Friends,
We are at 23 days of the November victory; at the finish line of this long lasting campaign in the history of US. Our economy is in crisis in Wall Street as a result of less oversight of our market system and the deregulation some politicians called (among them John McCain) for our financial institutions; The executive and legislative branches and now our financial market suffer of a known seed of corruption and the influence from the lobbyists in Washington DC.
We are reminded of many scandals of our government such as the firing appointed officials without cause; 2008 reminds voters that our government has been violating our fundamental rights as citizens, violating in many instances the constitution of the United States. Barack Obama (D, Illinois), first time black candidate with a serious chance to win the election, has run a good campaign which has been all inclusive and diverse; focused on the issues and only on the issues. First, he run agaisnt Hillary Clinton (a long time democratic opponent during the primaries) and succeeded to overcome the obstacles in his way in order to deliver to the american people.
Sen. Obama got tested and was vetter for two years and responded to various issues the country is facing. He came out with early proposals such as Healthcare for All...A first and inclusive version that would bring the country to universal healthcare plan. He also at a personal level, underwent scrutinity that ordinary candidates don't go through given he was new to the manistream. His race and background helped and hurt him in various ways compared to Sarah Palin whom McCain spoke to only twice before he picked her. Fox News and other right wing outlets spent time screaming and obssessing on some facts surrounding Obama's vetting process. Today, only a few pundits and syndicated radio fanatic talk shows agree with the same media's argument that Governor Sarah Palin has been vetted lesser than was her other fellows like Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and other Huckabee...
The McCain-Palin campaign, on the other hand, has run a poor race addressing important issues since the primaries; a negative campaign in the final days of the election, injecting by their rhetoric (both McCain and Palin) the race, the smears in their speeches and ads, and igniting hate and violence among their right-wing supporters.
Given the poll numbers and the gains Obama Camp is enjoying, the Economy but more the rhetorics developed in recent weeks, it is safe to suggest that John McCain has made a wrong choice to the ticket as far the vice-president pick at the moment when the US is facing the most critical financial crisis in the history.
His choice for Gov. Sarah Palin might just frustrate their electorate, (which shos signs now) because all she does (energizing negatively the base of the Republican Party) radically alienates the American in their majority.
She did not convince the independents, and far is she still to convince the Democrats (men or women), - disaffected Clinton's supporters to go her way. Two reasons why Sarah Palin was a wrong choice for the job: Republicans ( like John McCain) think this election is about personality because of the aura Hillary and Barack have displayed with their supporters and voters during the primaries. Sarah Palin (a woman) has positions on issues and philosophy that are fundamentally not in line with the NOW American people's aspirations.
She also has been a bad case of "Mavericks", especially when the troopergate and some of her comments on the US constitution define her as an elected official with most flawded understanding about the use of the power in the executive branch: Palin calls for expanded power to the Vice President (while Americans see Dick Cheney as a portrait of an official who abused his authority in many instances). Her gubernatorial past dealings in Alaska has proven she can overuse her power to get what she needs done. This is an example that reminds Americans of George Bush's bad handling of foreign affairs and our decision to occupy Iraq.
All she got in her agenda (which she does well is spread among fearful voters), is a seed that fuels the language of hate, violence and animosity towards the opposite candidate. Using past happenings to smear and portray Obama as an unpatriotic is just wong; misrepresent facts on issues and positions he stands for are a pure failure in debating skills. Sarah Palin happens to be a debater who avoids questions and speaks of her opponent with a desdaigning and condescending attitude. That's about all she can offer to the McCain's bid.
The first McCain choice (the VP pick) after being nominated by his party was wrong, and America while apparently excited just about her first introduction, now rejects her pick all together when it comes to the issues and more her personality!
Now and unto victory!
I'm Franklin, and I approve this message!
Electorate Democrats Are Likely to Win in 2008
1. The Education (Parents and Teachers) Vote: (Joan, Joe Biden’s wife is a devoted teacher who supports Barack’s Plan of 4,000 tuition credit for college students )
2. The Union Vote (Vice-President Joe Biden is a Friend a PA, IO, NH, OH, FL union voters to whom he appeals to. Other Democrat surrogates Dodd, Richardson and Al Gore have appealed as well.
3. The Working Class Vote (Obama-Biden is advocating for a tax cut to 95% middle class working Americans whose average salary is under 250K per year. Versus Bush-McCain tax cut to big companies that ship the jobs overseas)
4. The Woman Vote (Hillary Clinton’s 18 Million voters were not just women, but also men who believed in her strong Leadership on working Americans issues, which Mc Cain has hard time defending on the behalf of independents and Reagan Democrats). Sen. Hillary and Pres. Bill Clinton fully endorsement at the DNC solidified this base) .Biden with a Women Protection Act Against Violence gives him more appeal to women than Republican VP Palin; new to the process, empty in her stances for women, and has no women’s concerns record that would sway a left-and-center political constituency . This year’s agenda on women’s issues which is clearly focusing on the Economy: Working women issues are more at stake instead of Women and family values and country’s pride issues in time of war (2004).
5. The Anti-War Vote (Obama opposed the war from its beginning while McCain refuses to end it; Sen. Obama made along with senator Biden tough decisions in senate’s foreign relations committee to deal with the complexity of funding our troops necessary to keep them from harm’s way, but repeatedly called from a time table to draw down the troops from Iran.
6. The Healthcare For All is crucial to most middle income Americans and McCain-Bush’s plan will leave Million of Americans uninsured, a burden to emergency rooms and hospitals, an national social issue that impact the American taxpayers at the macro-level.
7. The National Security Vote is a disputed concern by all Americans (Democrats, Republicans and Independents) when a question must be answered: Who better to protect America? A war veteran incumbent party senator paired with Novice Alaskan VP or A charismatic Young Leader/ Experienced Foreign Relations Senator. Given the bad handle of our diplomacy and our foreign policy in the world and our military strength which are questionable, Democrats have all reasons to win in November 2008.
Dear Obama Supporters,
Gooood Mooorning! We finally have the democratic VP, and like I said in my past blog post, we need to embrace Barack Obama's choice, knowing that the campaign is well informed on strategies we need to put in place in order to win the elections in November.
Joe Biden represents the steadfast strenght of the Democrtic Party that leads by principles, not by opportunity. He is an embodiement of foreign policy allied to sound experience; judgement in leadership when it comes to the Iraq pull out, the war on terror and diplomacy with foreign leaders.
Joe Biden has been in DC for decades, but have shown a unique personality to stay ordinary while everyone loses their cool. Biden resonates well with the middle class America. The guy rides the train every day back and forth between wilmington DE and washington DC. He remained apart from all other folks who make money in bundling gifts, lobbying gratification transactions, earmarks that build "bridges out of no-where"
Joe Biden and Barack Obama are a combination of the OLD America and its YOUTH, a balanced embrace to Technology and the Traditional, the marriage between the rural America versus the urban one, the renewed relationship between races in America reenforcing the notion and tradition of diversity in the democratic party that will bring CHANGE in mentality, personality and leadesrhip in Washington DC.
A hard worker in US senate committees, and a respected US leader in the world.
Congratulations Obama Camp!
Just a few more hours, maybe days, we will know by text message, the name of the democratic pick for vice-president candidate for democrats. The VP pick is a very crucial episode that will determine the energy and the chances our campaign will need to stay on the message and win with the same determination we started with back in february 2007.
I personnally joined the Obama For America campaign the day I heard the profound words and his inspiring stances on the challenges America faces, and when I watched senator Barack Obama at the historical steps of the Illinois capitol building, speaking on that cold day in Springfield, Illinois.
This Saturday, another event will forcast the future of our campaign at the same steps to report to the same people: grassroots organizers, democrats and independents voters that came to listen to our message for a new America. Senator Obama, despite McCain's poor tactics, is working at the community level and is still strong with that "active" electorate like never before in the history od our nation. We remember that Senator Obama came back to Iowa after securing the nomination to report to his supporters and keep them proud of what they have started with less bets of success. The whole thing shows a symbol of leadership in Obama not just a crowd he enjoys. Obama is an American leader who remebers every step of his journey: He goes back to the people and report the camp's level of progress; reason why we had crowds in Iowa twice, in NH, now in Springfield IL. And tomorow....in Virginia and Denver.
Whether he chooses Senator Joe Biden (D, Delaware), Evan Bayh (D,Ind), Gov Tim Keane (D,Virginia) or Gov. Kathleen Sibelius (D, Kansas) for VP, I wish and am asking the Obama supporters and volunteers to be supportive and trusting of the Senator's decision, which will be reflecting the realities of who can bring a good set of VP skills, the needed electorate to the polls, the enthusiasm American needs to turn from Bush's shame; who will be confortable to carry and inspire the message of change with the new realities it is facing in the general elections. The realities of our challenges to win would even require at some point, a Hillary Clinton (D, NY) pick (if necessary) to solidify our base against McCain cynical and aggressive approach in the ways of negative campaign he enjoys now.
We know the message of change reflected better with most Americans in the primaries (democrats, leftists, independents and some republicans), but in the pursuit of the general elections against the GOP machine, unlike the experience we had vs. Clinton's past race in the primaries, the theme "Change vs. Experience" once again on display on the trail will need a boost from the theme: "Good Judgement to Lead" with or without "clean and articulate" or just "popular" DC insiders; reason why Obama's VP choice may be nuanced and well calclated to uphold those realities when our campaign has the hard job ahead to prove the Iraqi War has to end and our troops to be out in 16 months, that we need to refocus in Afghnistan-Pakistan borders, that we need to tackle with dignity, leading by example and principles, other countries' relationships where diplomacy is needed to change the face of America in the world.
The Obama camp would need at the same time to sell a good face and good faith of America to the world )cr Obama 200,000 crowds in Berlin, his middle-eastern and european tours) while we will stay on message, solidifying its commitment to rebuild the economy, to jobs creation, to healthcare for all, to energy independence plan that would cut our dependency on foreigh oils, will respect an US environment's commitment...and free us from the new factor we have to pay attention to in order to win on the war on terror. Our Oil producers and lobbyists will resist Obama and they have done it so wihen we listen to McCain's stance about his "no-immediate-results" offshore-fuel drilling plan to pander to middle class voters.
Barack Obama will need to rally and win the independents and republicans from McCain campaign's out-of-touch unreal policies, his camp's lies, demeaning racial slurs in TV ads (Paris Hilton) in books (Mr Corsi's), on television (Fox News), by way of its swift-boating surrogates, on the Radio (Sean Hanity and Rush Limbaugh) and on the internet search engines and in voters' emails.
Obama has the choice to champione his message of change by still appearing as the presidential candidate "ready to lead on day one" alone as president, and also by sticking for the sake of winning a confused electorate, sceptic americans in their government, reluctant conservatives and hillsupporters with either New Faces in the White House: Keane and Bayh or DC's Insiders: Clinton or Biden or just a New Face Female: Gov Sebelius. Senator Obama can still win over McCain with the help of his VP choice, our strong grassroots organization we have, a good team of campaign managers and strategists we already have.
So, with one mind, determination we need to stay the course in grassroots actions and on the message and to brace up hard for a tough battle in all 50 battleground states.
Saturday in Springfield IL, Monday in Denver, CO and by the 28th of August, we must all hit the road and do the very same thing we did in the primaries to win door-to-door, call after call, email after email. The Manchester NH' experience (May 17th 2007) is a good illustration of what a kick off for a general elections campaign can be once again.
With the convention's energy, the VP choice, the help of the surrogates (inclunding the Clintons, superdelegates), our Campaign field organizers, our valuable precinct captains and our thousands of volunteers nationwide, we will prevail in these 2008 Elections.
I'm Franklin Katunda, an Obama Surrogate and I approve this message.
Thursday, Aug 21 2008
Cancun,Mexico, May 25th 2008 -- Hillary Clinton said she regrets referencing to the 1968 Robert Kennedy’s assassination in her remarks, but failed to explain why she made them, as the Bosnia sniper shots, repeatedly at two different occasions according to (May 23 2008) questions by CNN anchor, Wolf Blitzer to the Clinton’s campaign advisor Maggie Williams.
Senator Robert Kennedy, who was running for office in 1968 was shot at the latest (June) primary contest in a Los Angeles Hotel. For Senator Clinton to mention that historical fact on the campaign trail as a way to explain why she is staying in the race five days before June 2008 raises eye brows to anyone who knows the history of the Kennedy and our country.
The focus in these remarks, as many opinions now suggest, was targeted (not to John McCain) but to a fellow Democrat, Senator Barack Obama who is the only hopeful democrat with a clear chance to win the 2008 nomination, and a man who is enjoying the Kennedy family endorsements ( JFK’s daughter Caroline, Brother Ted- the Capitol Hill’s most Senior Senator, the young Senator Patrick and the RFK’s son, Max Kennedy whom I lately met while working with Fort-Worth/Dallas field organizers for Obama before theTexas primaries).
Making a comment referring to the Kennedy’s assassination in context to explain why Hillary Cinton stays in the race, clearly, shows that the Clinton camp is waiting and ultimately is hoping for any possible occurrences (from gaffes to health reasons, possibly death by assassination) in the course of the nominating process. She is suggesting to the super delegates anything could happen to the “inevitable” and viable African American nominee for president of the United States of America.
I don’t think the Clintons realized they lost the popular black vote and the trust Bill and Hillary (taken separately) enjoyed from the larger part of the American people few weeks before South Carolina, only because the American voters refused to share their racially- stained comments in this 2008 contest. Hillary lost an important bloc, she absolutely need as a Democrat to win the White House. Unlike her, Barack Obama can still win larger electorate (Jews, Whites over McCain in the general elections than Hillary can do with what I call now the new majority vote = from minorities: A larger proportion voters from new demographics made of Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and other nationalities)
Though, Barack Obama underwent a damaging right-wing radio talks and biased press attacks from Fox News he has proven as polls can read he still appeal steadily in large numbers to the American voters. What can be damaging more than the Republican pundits, calculatedly, suggesting the senator was Muslim because of his grand parents’ middle name, before they flipped tactics to “admit” he was a Christian for 20 years in an African American local church. The short of their smears to finally associate Obama’s views on America to the ones of Louis Farrakhan or his former pastor end up backfiring on McCain’s Evangelical Ministers Haggee and Parsley’s endorsements. If candidates are to be judged based on who they can be associated to or those endorsed them, than McCain Endorsers’ views on “The Jews and the Holocaust”, the “Islam Vs. America” and the “Catholic Church called the Anti-Christ Sect… The Great Whore”, are more than compromising by the same standards.
Attacks made headlines for about a year with what they called Rev. Wright’s racially charged or anti-American comments on YouTube and Fox-“Noise”, yet the Obama Camp weathered down those storms with eloquence and wisdom, speaking to the past experiences our country knows better and has still to deal with; He commended the urgency for change in the ways we, racially and culturally, see one another as a country; that we should surpass these old talks on gun rights in a challenged economy, religious values in a diverse society that we call to be and to focus on what will bring healthcare, good education, good economy and paying jobs to Americans.
In one word, these attacks do damage candidates, but mostly distract voters’ CHOICE and unfavorably weaken the voters’ VOICE in the White House. Thank God a few more millions of Americans understand that. Yet, for Hillary Clinton to say “anything” –here suggesting a likelihood of harm’s way on a fellow opponent on the trail to win a nomination is beyond the known tactics in the American history. It’s beyond the outrage and makes its author very unscrupulous as a Democrat politician.
As we watched the 2008 race unfolding, we noticed candidates who bravely suspended their campaign with a possibility for a re-launch if a presumptive nominee defects or is later found incapable to assume the functions as a possible nominee or future president: Democrat John Edwards, Republican Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and many others are just a few to cite in a very recent presidential election. Sen. Barack Obama with his 1969 pledged delegates he won nationwide became the candidate with the majority of pledged delegates needed and required by the DNC for the 2008 democratic nomination; he is the only party’s hopeful to that 2,026 magic number to win the nomination.
If the Clinton Camp can politically grasp this in order to explain why Republican Romney said while dropping out: “I’m stepping aside for the sake of the party and for our country… ” Or why John Edwards conceded to his powerfully “anti-poverty” campaign’s message on the ruins of the New Orleans 9th ward? If the Clinton can resist the other candidates’ arguments while dropping out, and has invoked a horrible memory as a reason to stay in race then they can be sure about one thing: They are not ordinary politicians…They are not a political machine, but disgrace .Not to mention that Edwards who now backs Senator Obama had won but conceded to his 13 delegates stripped in Florida because the local DNC had broke the party’s rules, yet Sen. Edwards never voice up on a possible re-run in Michigan and Florida where they all agree not to campaign in.
The Clinton Camp forgets to understand there is a political dignity to preserve here; and while other candidates suspend their campaigns, they have also better reason not to leave. John Edwards gave a clear and acceptable argument that he wishes not to be an obstacle to the history making when two clear frontrunners immerged after his South Carolina loss.
In her quick trial to rebut from remarks perceived as another attempt by her campaign to entertain fears of possible assassinations on a viable African American US President, and after Bill Clinton’s Jesse Jackson embarrassing commentary, the Geraldine Ferraro’s unfortunate racial observations on Senator Obama, (not to include) all of her 12 months-long high-pitched surrogates’ demeaning comments about Obama’s past use of drugs, his religion affiliation, his church membership … or his middle name… Hillary Clinton, desperate and running out of tactics, money, possibilities and time, had still failed to tell us why she regrets only for referring (twice, I might add) in different appearances that the Kennedy assassination can be an event we might possible face as democrats.
Hillary Clinton regrets her comments did not reflect how she “feels” about the Kennedy and the Massachusetts Senator, battling with a tumor cancer, now at his Hyannis Port/Cape Cod home, but still senator Clinton cannot explain the correlation she makes between the two suggestions; why does she thinks or hopes a similar 1968 Bob Kennedy ill-fated criminal scenario might happen (again); and why to her only direct opponent (Senator Obama)?
Slip in tongue, a stupid mistake, a set of ill-chosen words? I don’t think any of these suppositions apply: She was explaining a thinking here that suggests that in a political “unlikely” happenings can take place while in the process of a nomination; one of which her only left hope is likely a bad happenstance.
Clinton recently who capitalized her wins in densely white and small town states of Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Indiana proved she can be trusted when it comes to exploit her opponents’ remarks. The ad and media coverage she got on “bitter” comments made by Obama, played the race card in the minds of voters, more than we could imagine. The Clintons have by doing so suggested what in 2008 most Americans do not believe in; because they know we are a country of a more diverse population with now fast growing economic interest groups and immerging electoral demographics.
Far more, Americans are lesser and lesser inclining, as suggest the latest polls, to base their high office’s choice on candidate’s race or gender. By the way, John Edwards would be a better 2008 democratic nominee, as a white man/champion of working class Americans, if the assertion were true. Senator Obama is enjoying endorsements from former fellow candidates because they can rely on proposals he has for America: Chris Dodd (D, Conn), Bill Richardson (D, NM); John Edwards (D, NC) while Hillary has not succeeded to demonstrate any form of credibility to these formidable 20 to 30 years experienced-fellow senators and governors; she has failed to really make the case she will deliver in what they believe in.
Hillary, playing her “last” card, five days before June 2008, to court super delegates, cannot ensure them like she failed with her former Democrat hopefuls that, as Democrats, despite of her place next to Bill Clinton in “his” past 8 years in the oval office, she can deliver a viable Democratic Administration that can bring the country together. The same feeling is true for the super delegates, when in an attempt to “court” or to “panic” them, she succumbed into unfortunate remarks that reminded us her million more ideas they have always played: “Two for the price of One”, she had tried to sell before. “You have me, you got Bill… sold before the SC primary…. “He Can’t Win” after Gov. Richardson initiated a big switch “move” in super delegates. I am in all the way to the nomination, after North Carolina and Indiana. Speaking out of their own electoral campaign’s playbook she says: “I am the candidate who can win the most white / female voters…” she unashamedly implied about her opponents to voters in West Virginia.
The latest idea behind her Kennedy remarks: “ You have me… We don’t have to fear another 1968 tragedy”. Now, what’s next before the nomination?
A Column by Franklin Katunda.
An Obama Surrogate, vacationing in Cancun Mex. May 25th 2008
Why Still Canvassing for Obama in North Carolina?
Charlotte, North Carolina May 2nd 2008 – Even after a double-digit loss for Obama in Pennsylvanian primaries, I decided still to head back on the road to work for his campaign and to get out the vote in the remaining contests. I flew in from Washington DC to Charlotte NC, on weekends of April 28th and May 3rd for a final push; this was about 3 days before the crucial North Carolina and Indiana May 6th primaries.
Canvassing for Obama, listening to FOX NEWS radio...
During the first week, I worked under enormous pressure as I canvassed in the streets of the city of Charlotte; in places like Albermarle Rd, Central Ave and Sharon Amity Areas. I remember listening to Fox News (very popular radio on the Carolinians’ waves) while it run tirelessly its daily “breaking news” at every other top of the hour: “The Rev. Jeremiah Wright appearance at the DC’s National Press Club”. Wow… I had to hear that unpleasant propaganda and still be encouraged in my rental car around. I definitely was embedded with hope that I can convince and to talk to voters about Senator Barack Obama in spite of what I know they might have heard before I got to their door steps.
How in the world a press organization can go that low, making a non-political figure’s speech a campaign trail’s headline and even more a daily “every top of the hour” breaking news for the entire day. Fox News gave that Wright’s appearance in DC the same amount of attention they gave with a media frenzy to Paris Hilton Arrest’s episode or the Anna Nicole Court’s Case … Even more, Fox wanted us to believe that the Rev. Wright’s conference was all they had to cover for the day.
Well, Senator Barack Obama and the campaign made it clear, thank God, that moving forward, that although him being his former pastor at the Trinity Church of Christ, Jeremiah. Wright’s relationship to the candidate won’t be the same and that he does not speak for our campaign nor does he represent the Senator’s views. That weekend’s trip in Charlotte NC was my biggest challenge in my entire canvassing experience for Barack Obama. Keep in mind here that I have been in the cold streets of Candia, Manchester, Nashua, NH; I organized and called volunteers and voters in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhoods; I planted yard signs along streets in Virginia and helped register thousands on the Virginia Primary Baloot for Obama; I took a high attitude and poised look while talking, at their door steps, to resilient Texans, even those who say to me they will never vote for a black man. Driving around the streets of Charlotte for a door-to-door visit to voters seemed hard because I personally had to hear the whole Jeremiah Wright’s live-speech and a bogus post-speech news commentator’s analysis that went on for the day.
What do North Carolinians know about this 2008 election?
Yet, North Carolinians seem, from my talks with many, to be more thoughtful than the right-wing media pundits suggest and were more leaning towards Senator Obama than the Clintons have calculated. In every household, there is this belief that it’s time for North Carolinians to exercise their judgment in voting after many early contests took place (41 already). They are concerned about the Economy (particularly the gas price and the unemployment); they are looking for a government that John Edwards promised some of them to fight for. Can Obama carry the fight on poverty they so much believed the Senator from Chapel Hill with? In any case it seems to be just an Obama’s fight now. Many voters I talked to are doubtful about the Clintons’ message regarding fighting for the working men and women…for fighting poverty in America; also most voters lost trust in them given their deceiving showing for the last 2 months (Bill and Hillary) on the campaign trail.
There is that lack of discipline among the Clintons’ surrogates that seem to bother most voters here in NC; their choices to use negative ads against their party’s fellows to bait voters on TV, their SNL show’s characterization and their many evening TV appearances before the primaries were not well welcomed by southern voters here, although seen as a fair game by the media.
The long fight between Democrats has become a disservice to the American People. Voters are also very critical of the lies they heard (the Hillary landing in Bosnia under sniper attacks) and promises made in order to pander to voters (gas tax from summer to labor day) in order to win an election. In deed, Hillary Clinton has poorly sold that ineffective idea to the voters while the Washington Post was reporting last week that “this gas tax would save to an average American household only 18$ of their pocket money, according to a study made by an independent organization on the proposal. Republican John McCain who inspired Clinton on his first vocal economic idea of the 2008 decision, cannot at this time be counted as that so-called “Maverick” people got used to see from the 2000 elections; he has given many voters many reasons to believe he cannot deliver on those economic solutions given the stakes.
He and Hillary have launched the proposal to continue gaining terrain after they unfairly attacked Obama about his former pastor’s comments (not his) and mischaracterized what he said about voters who are frustrated with their government’s business dealings. So, calling the straight talk bus rider a maverick in 2008 is like comparing the so-aligned with the distrust that the American people have towards their government to a fresh face senator who can still pull in a 35 thousands people’s rally in Philadelphia on a night while trailing in the polls, and it is like ignoring what the libertarian and registered-republican candidate Ron Paul has to offer as far as patriotism, suppression of big government and his anti-war sentiments as to compare them to a John McCain’s line of speech on Iraq and his so-out of touch views of our economy.
I have made these costly trips to Charlotte NC, knowing and still believing that we will prevail, even if the status quo will continue to resist. I still see as many other Obama canvassers I met there from SC, Georgia and Texas and the wonderful staff at the Elizabeth Ave/ Hawthorne Office: Santiago or Molly… that we can deliver a victory all the way to the democratic nomination. From my past experience with the Obama Camp, I would challenge those supporters who feel like giving up on this journey. I have got one thing to say: I have canvassed for a half-year in the cold and icy streets of New Hampshire and I’ve organized voters in high-crime quarters and corners of Metro stations in Boston Massachusetts; I have planted lawn signs along local streets and have supported in Virginia and collected petition’s signatures for Obama. 30 thousands signatures were needed for to put the canditate’s name on the Virginia ballot; I also canvassed in Arlington and Fort-Worth, Texas.
During all these episodes, I have always in mind that if we can win a state primary or a state caucus, it is not just because of the candidate’s message but because of the hard work we can as campaign staffers and volunteers put forth at the grassroots level. That civic engagement alone has been effective and powerful in convincing the undecided voters. So, I say to these fellow supporters, hold your head up, suit your gear back up and run; continue the fight!
We are in fact the backbone of this campaign; a movement that enlists Americans who are determined to see change in the ways our politics affects our citizenry. We are citizens who want to challenge the status quo in place in Washington DC and in our home states leadership. By the status-quo I also mean: people (voters) who will always wait until the last minute hoping to be helped (the old school way) in their choice for a candidate: The old school way suggests that a campaign was properly laid out on the issues, voters ought to be fed with some last minute negative ad; people who do not vote based on sound judgment, facts and candidate’s profile, but by name recognition, who are proud to be fanatics or who vote for a contender based on age group, racial or gender preferences…. The only way to win against the political establishment represented by Hillary Clinton and John McCain is to go after them with a coalition of voters (all racial backgrounds) like we have been doing since the beginning in Iowa and New Hampshire. The reason why people campaign and vote for Obama is not because somehow America now wants a black candidate as a symbol of change…
Our Movement is not about color or gender, It's the American Deal for Generations
The reason I met a bunch of Irish-Americans in New England, campaigning with me for Obama, the reason why 85% of the staff and volunteers at the Manchester NH Office were Whites; the reason why we won states with working class citizens like Wisconsin, Virginia, Maryland, Washington State by big margins; the reason why we conquered many other majority-white states like Utah, Nebraska, Idaho, North Dakota versus states with whites-blacks demographic splits like Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama or New Orleans… The reason why we won states with urban, suburban and rural working class population like Illinois, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware is because Americans want a new face in the oval office to set the country in a new direction. The reason why we delivered states with large percentages of anti-war activists like Vermont, Minnesota, Maine… and Virginia is because the American people have decided to turn the page for a new chapter in the American foreign policy and diplomacy..
Now Americans abroad (Europe, Africa, Asia etc.) are all for Barack Obama results indicate; He won in off-the continental USA…In Alaska, Hawaii and in the US territories of Virgin Islands and in Guam. I would like to thank my friends from Charlotte and Raleigh who made my trip easier and pleasant. Thanks to the Lubamba family for their hospitality… And with a little bit more of these moments of challenge like the North Carolina’s episode, we won’t just win an election but will transform this country.
I’m Franklin Katunda, An Obama Surrogate.
I am writting this note a day before the April 22 primary election in Pensylvania,serious as it is il will like to believe the polls seen on TV, telling Obama trailing by 5% versus Hillary Clinton and with about 9% of the undecided. This tells me after many weeks of her loosing ground in the poll, that the even the undecided are more likely to be slpit, if not to favorabily tip to onw or another side on these two candidates.
I still believe that a 48% Hillary VS Obama 43%, there is still that 9% that can help either to close the gap, up to even Hillary and maybe to egde up to 52% if we get another 4 % of the undecided to flock to him in the last 2 weeks he pushed a "On Track for Change" and "Whistle Stop" at various train stations and the remarkable 35,000 people gathering in downtown Philly, tells a lot to explain why this can happen.
The same scenario is true on the Clinton's side too. She might just capitalize on the undecided who will than be the reflection of the PA trend in this 08 race: which is to claim that with the help of Ed Rendell, the activist governor and popular figure, the endorsements of prominent PA politics like Representative John Murtha (D), Hillary can easily get the half of those 9 % of the undecided and make it with 53 to 57% of votes (a win that will remain to be seen as unsignificant in her case to stay in the race til June 3rd.
Barack Obama, ahead on delegates, on votes and number of states won, will still lead, accorning to Davis Shuster (MSNBC) the race in number of delegates if Clinton wins with a 10% or less margin.
Polls versus Momentum in PA and given the back and forth barbs betweeen the candidates, it is bizzare to see the media, not even raising a possibility of such a thing. Well, I guess we might end up with the New Hampshire's example on the favor of Barack Obama.
I am ready, however, to make a projection, given my analysis and experience as a field organizer for the Obama Camp in NH, MA, VA and TX past primaries that against of the odds, Barack Obama will carry the state of Pensylvania on Tuesday 22 and the Hilary camp will be forced to start thinking about pulling out.
Maybe there aren't Bubbas driving around in pickup trucks with the classic bumpersticker "God, Guns and Guts Made America Free" where Obama's detractors live, but here in rural Pennsylvania that line may as well replace "e pluribus unum" as the motto on the national currency. I live in western Pennsylvania, and I can tell you, people here are bitter and angry. Poverty is prevalent. People hunt squirrels and eat them, along with racoon stew. People also hunt deer here, not for sport, but so they can put meat in their freezer so they can feed their families. They cut wood in the forests and heat their homes with wood stoves because they can't afford to pay the gas bill. I know a guy who goes to old landfills to dig up old milk and beer bottles to sell on eBay. He uses the proceeds to buy clothes for his family at the Salvation Army (and to pay for his dial-up connection). Racism and prejudice are ever-present here. A friend of mine is part-owner of bar in a small rural town south of where I live. I meet up with him there occasionally and watch as down-and-out people come in with their disability and welfare check money and drink it away. It's a pretty depressing place, but it does serve as the social center for a town that has seen its few industries shut down and the local people's jobs eliminated or shipped off elsewhere. I hear the usual rants there, that it's all the fault of gays and minorities and immigrants (although those aren't the terms used, but rather the usual, virulent slurs). A black man walked in the last time I was there, and a guy near me at the bar muttered in a not-so-quiet way, "What's he think he's doing in here?" When I brought up the presidential race and Obama with another man at the bar, his response was, "there ain't no way America is ever going to vote for a black guy." Later on my bar-owner friend told me about his experience talking about Obama with another woman at the bar, and her angry response was that "it's because of half-breed n*****s like him that America is in such bad shape today."Prejudice, racism and fear do run rampant in areas like this. People are poor. They are in bad health, overweight from a deep-fried diet, and toothless from the lack of dental care. They are unemployed. They are uneducated. They do cling to their hunting rifles and to their religious beliefs. For many, it is about all that they have. The towns around here are full of decaying, boarded up buildings. People live in rundown old trailers with abandoned cars in the front yard. I have seen people using an old car as a stable, with their goat tied to and living in it. I could drive you by a least three old houses that have Conderate flags in the windows.So go ahead and discount Obama's talk of how bitter and angry that some of the people of rural Pennsylvania are. Call him elitist for taking the time to pass through areas such as this to listen to what the people have to say, and to then relate what he has heard to people in more prosperous parts of the country when he is asked about it. I have lived in San Francisco, and let me tell you, there is a marked difference between the general attitude there and the attitude here in the "rust belt". Go ahead and dismiss everything that Obama said as political posturing. Let Hillary and McCain "pick him apart" and parse his words. But please keep in mind that when Obama said:"it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."that he is 100% accurate in his assessment. I know, because I live here, my family and my friends' families have lived here for generations, and we see it every day, all around this region. There is a very fine line between poverty and prosperity here, where making above $20,000 a year puts you in the realm of the "haves", but also knowing that you're one contract termination away from joining the ranks of the "have-nots". I come from a family of dairy farmers. I know what it's like to spend up to 12-16 hours a day sitting on a tractor for three dollars an hour, which I did through high school and every summer until I was fortunate enough to head off to college. Many of my friends were also fortunate and went to school, and then relocated to other parts of the country. Some of us were able to come back under better circumstances, but the large majority of people here are not as fortunate. Thirty years worth of the right wing dismantling our public education system has taken its toll. Thirty years worth of mismanagement of the economy, of shutting down factories and shipping jobs out of the country, of subsidizing corporate farms and taxing family farms out of business, has taken its toll. Yes, people are angry, and bitter, but Obama never said that they aren't resilient, opitmistic or hard-working. Those are Hillary and McCain's twisted words, and for them to stand up and suggest that rural Pennsylvanians aren't fed up with the way things are, only reveals how out of touch they really are with at least this part of the country. Of course, all McCain has to do is suggest to poor rural folk that the party of gun-control, gay marriage, and NAFTA is going to take away what little they have left, and rural conservatives will vote for him, just as they did for Reagan, Bush I and Bush II. As for Hillary, the more she "takes apart" Obama's message, the more she does the GOP's work for free. If Hillary can't see that the people of rural Pennsylvania are bitter, and angry, and mad as hell about the way things are, then she needs to step down from that one hundred million dollar platform of hers and take a real look around. In western Pennsylvania I hear two things: the "God, Guns and Guts" crowd see John McCain as the heir-apparent to the mantle of rural conservative values; and the people who hope for some kind of change see Barack Obama as the person who understands the situation that we are in, and maybe is the one who can lead us in a new direction. What I don't hear is anyone talking about whatever and whomever it is that Hillary claims to stand for.
The Most Shocking Story You Will Ever Read!"
-- Why Clinton's National Enquirer Strategy Is Bound to Fail
John Eskow
Wed Apr 2, 6:24 PM ET
When an outhouse-supply rag like The National Enquirer trumpets a headline like "The Most Shocking Story You Will Ever Read!", as it does in its current issue, its 7-11 readers have every right to expect something truly juicy -- hard-core proof that Elvis' ghost impregnated Katie Couric during a Satanic orgy in Dick Cheney's dungeon, at the very least. After all, the Enquirer has a reputation to maintain.
But alas, tucked in between "Mary-Kate Olsen's Drunken Binge" and Steve-O from Jackass snorting coke off some woman's thigh, "The Most Shocking Story You Will Ever Read!" -- or TMSSYWER, for short -- turns out to be a classic bait-and-switch job on a number of levels. It's the very same cynical and dehumanizing strategy that Harold Ickes is running on behalf of Hillary Clinton -- just keep drearily rehashing the non-existent "Reverend Wright scandal" and hope for the best (or the worst). And, just as the Enquirer's readership continues to plunge, so too does the future of Clinton's political campaign, in a colossal twin belly-flop. It's a marriage made in tabloid heaven.
I wrote last week about this "Obama Fathers Two-Headed Gay Terrorist Baby" strategy -- a last-ditch attempt by the sleaziest hacks in the media (and the campaign) to squeeze out a few more pitiful bucks (and votes) from the dregs of the Jeremiah Wright story. In the Enquirer's case, TMSSYWER -- delightfully subtitled "Destroy All White People!" -- turns out to be a noxious piece of journalistic three-card-monte. Too tedious and absurd to recount in detail, basically it says that Reverend Wright is admired by a Union Theological Seminary professor named James Cone, who in turn has written some incendiary black-power books -- and that Obama has "failed to speak out" about this utter non-story. It then stretches this very thin gruel even further: "Cone's chilling rhetoric finds a home in the hate speech of other radical leaders, including the Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan. He has referred to Jews, Koreans, Vietnamese, and others as 'bloodsuckers'..."
Following this so far? It's Obama-to-Wright-to-Cone-to-Farrakhan -- sounds like a triple-play combo in a UN softball game. But it doesn't stop there. Once the Enquirer has hopscotched from Obama to Wright to Cone to Farrakhan, without bothering with the pesky business of making actual connections, they jump not one but two more spaces: "During a speech at Howard University -- where the Rev. Wright received his bachelor's and master's degrees -- Khalid Abdul Muhammad, then a spokesman for the Nation of Islam, lauded the actions of mass murderer Colin Ferguson. 'I love Colin Ferguson, who killed all those white folks on the Long Island train,' he said."
So -- there's your real TMSSYWER: National Enquirer links Obama to mass murderer Colin Ferguson!
By that tabloid "logic," I too have a scoop for Huffington Post readers: a TMSSYWER of my own.
"Hillary Clinton was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1947 -- the very same city in which psycho-killer Richard Speck would brutally murder eight nurses...only nine years later! Some Internet posters even claim that Clinton 'spoke admiringly' about Speck -- but so far, despite the links, Clinton has refused to denounce him!"
Of course, as slime-meister Harold Ickes told Time magazine about the Reverend Wright scandal-that-isn't: "Nobody thinks that Barack Obama harbors those thoughts. But that's not the issue. The issue is what Republicans will do with them." By openly appealing to the lowest form of mob rule, Ickes has finally said what many of us have suspected for some time: that Clinton has abandoned any hope of winning on merit, and can only hope to appeal to what's lowest and most vile in the electorate.
It must drive the aptly-named Harold Ickes, and others of his Ickes-ilk, absolutely crazy that the American public has been so dignified and rational in refusing to snap at the Reverend Wright bait. It's like some terrible sudden breakdown in the Pavlov Machine! Damn! We flashed the Scary-Black-People signal, and the voters aren't barking in fear! So even after the Reverend Wright news-cycle has passed, Clinton strategists have nothing more positive or uplifting to offer than this straw-man fear of the Right-Wing Attack Machine.
Maybe they don't want to believe that Americans have become a little more tolerant and a little less fearful when it comes to race-baiting. But I'm starting to believe they have. And, if my hope is confirmed, that will truly be The Most Shocking Story That I Have Ever Read.
