I woke up to the last official day of my Christmas break before I'll have to head off back to school teaching the next generation of Americans....
I noticed the headline on the website....the Barrack quote, "I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington, I'm asking you to believe in yours..."
When all is said and done there have been far to many pleadges, promises, and persuasive speeches that have beeen designed to tickle the ears of the voters. The words have been carefully crafted to try to win elections and secure positions of power.
When has there been a candidate that has inspired THE PEOPLE to do what has been our RIGHT for as long as we have existed as a nation? WE HAVE A VOICE. We have the FREEDOM to pursue happiness. We have been given gifts by our Creator to make this nation the BEST PLACE TO LIVE.
A safe place for kids to grow up, to learn, to succeed.
A place where we HONOR those who have made sacrifices to ensure our FREEDOMS.
A place where we VALUE hard work.
A sociecty that places an importance on THINKING.
Mr. Obama, you haven't made a Democrat out of me. I have no interest in being alligned with any other democratic candidates. I'm not ultra conservative, but I'm close. I disagree with your stance on abortion and the war. BUT....I do believe that you are our best HOPE for the nation.
I do believe that you will listen to the people. More importantly, I believe you will LEAD us.
We don't want someone who just wants the position and the popularity. We want a man who wants the JOB. THE OFFICE. A man who will place his personal life on the line for the next 8 years and give this country everthing he's got. A man who will inspire the YOUTH of American to BE MORE, READ MORE, GIVE MORE, LISTEN MORE.
Can we really change? Have we gone too far? Is it possible for us to turn around?
We can, but it's going to take ALL of US.
Happy New Year from the Republican Christian Conservative Southern Mom who's ready to follow OBAMA!!!
BECA
I believe 100% that Barack Obama won the You Tube Debate...
I wasn't crazy about the format. Maybe it was just me but some of the antics just seemed a bit out of place in a presidential debate. I think it's probably because I'm more serious by nature...but c'mon...the talking snow man, the "Red State Update," and the guy with the semi-automatic? ok....
Barack spoke with purpose and clarity. I think Hillary looked and sounded edgy.
The other candidates paled in comparison to Obama....(literally and figuratively.) :)
Barack gives me something I can look forward to, some thing I can believe in....
I don't trust H.C., and I DO NOT want her for a President. Shoot, I wouldn't have voted for her for Senate...but more power to you guys from NY....at least she's not in Arkansas anymore...
I had a former fondness for facebook, and a previous love for myspace...now I find myself totally captivated by this website! I keep watching the total number of dontation/people donating go up and up and I'm like--- YA HOO!!!! GO OBAMA!
It is exhilerating to see the energy behind this movement! It's more than just money...it's the people. We are all so unique, but we all have so much in common. All of us are sharing just a little piece of ourselves when we invest in Obama '08...but really I think deep down the reason we are investing in Obama is because we know it is an investment in ourselves!
We can bring about the change in this country that people have been waiting for "them" to do! It's our government, let's do it! We need to wake up and realize that it's about personal responsibility, hard work, and looking out for each other. Let's stop being so closed off to other people! God has given us each unique talents/gifts that we can use to make our communities better places. Barack Obama is going to be a great President. Let's use his example as a servant leader to make a difference. If it's to be, it's up to me.
Hmm, that's new. How often do you feel...inspired? Does a political campaign make you feel inspired?
Well, this one does. WHY? Because even with our HUGE differences we are all coming together to try to elect what will be the greatest President we have ever had.
Me, a Republican mom, a southern Baptist :) (I heard all those audible gasps out there in the blogosphere), a teacher, a conservative, a daughter of a former Seargent in the US Army, the daughter of a preschool teacher, the wife of a college student, singer, runner, pro-Life, All-American Girl....and then there's all of you with YOUR backgrounds and stories and here we are...united for a common purpose.
Barack Obama is all about finding common ground. I was talking with someone who noticed my book (Audacity of Hope) today. She's completely tuned out of the entire political process because she's covinced that once people get into office they are out of touch with the rest of the country. She and so many others think that they don't have a voice.
Let's share our "Hope" everywhere we go. I refuse to conceed my vote and say that it doesn't matter who we elect, that they are all the same.
Ok, so here it goes: WHY do I feel inspired by Barack Obama?
Barack's story is one that could only be written in the United States of America. I am in awe of his perserverance, his integrity, and his wisdom. He makes me want to think. He makes me want to figure out what "my story" is. He makes me want to read and study the constitution again. I am proud to live in the land of opportunity, where we our fates are not decided by who our parents are or the color of our skin. I am inspired to express my faith, and not shy away from who I am in Christ, just because it might make liberals squirm, if I say, "Hey you, I'm into Jesus!" I really do want Barack Obama to be our next President. He is absoloutely ready for the job and he will inspire Americans to be more, give more, care more.
That was the highlight of my week! Some supporters were invited to a conference call because we were not selected to dine with Mr. Obama. I feel so priveledged that Senator Obama took the time out of his busy schedule to address some of the questions that his supporters had.
I'm a little further into my reading of the book "Audacity of Hope." I'm still in the chapter called "Republicans and Democrats." Obama talks about the appeal that Ronald Reagan had with the American people. He said that he "spoke to America's longing for order, our need to believe that we are not simply subject to blind, impersonal forces but that we can shape our individual and collective destinies, so long as we rediscover the traditional virtues of hard work, patriotism, personal responsibility, optimism and faith."
Who knows that better than BARACK OBAMA? Coming from the circumstances of his birth many would have written him off. Many would not have believed he would ever be able to rise to the prominence of national leadership as he has. He's beating those odds right now, and he's going to be the best President we've ever had.
Why? Because he's not caught up in special interest groups, he doesn't want the money from those kind of contributors. He truly is in this as a PATRIOT, and a STATESMAN. In the tradition of our founding fathers, he's sacrificing personal gain, personal safety, and the rest of his life to LEAD our nation in a very critical time. He sees what needs to be done, and he's willing to do it.
Barack Obama is different. He's not in this for himself, for power, to sell a book (he's already done that!) Barack Obama is in this for YOU, for ME, for the American people that he obviously loves. He wants us to be better together! He wants to move us beyond petty politics and greed. He wants our nation to be what is has always been destined to be. A place where all men are created equal and are endowed with inalienable rights. A nation that embraces diversity, but celebrates it's heritage. A nation where children are safe in their beds asleep. A nation where a family is valued. One natiion, under God, with LIBERTY and JUSTICE, for ALL.
I'm sure many of you have read this book, but I'm new to the Obamamania(?) and I just checked it out from the public library today...I was only the 4th person to check it out!
I'm just past the prolouge and halfway into the first chapter. I've been amazed at how a keep knodding my head in agreement. On politics: "A government taht truly represents these Americans--that truly serves these Americans--will require a different kind of politics......and we will need to remind ourselves, despite all our differences, just how much we share: common hopes, common dreams, a bond that will not break."
I was so amused to hear about the struggles he faced as he ran for Senate. I'm impressed at his determination in spite of the odds. I smiled when I saw how tenderly he spoke of his girls at the US Capital on the day that he was sworn in.
Future President Obama has the energy and vibrancy of a young cadidate, but he has been well seasoned with age. He writes with clarity, humor, and intelligence.
Isn't it slightly ironic...(for all you who know me, I'm not a Democrat, so I was never a Bill Clinton fan....) Bill Clinton came from HOPE, AR. He was from Hope. Just a place on the map. Barak Obama is Hope. He's offering it to the American people. He's going to be a great President, and he will truly lead us to a place called Hope.
The polls show Hillary with a slight lead over Barak Obama...ok, so she was the first lady, she was married to Bill Clinton, she's been elected to her second term a Senator of New York. Whoopee. I know there are a lot of H.C. fans out there, but for every 1 have met I have met 3 who are NOT.
Is she really electable? Maybe, maybe not. She got "the money machine" in her corner.
Is she likable? Not in my opinion. When I see her on tv, I actually cringe. I know Mr. Obama has been very gracious in reference to Hillary, but maybe it is time for some of us who REALLY have strong feelings of dislike for Mrs. Clinton to speak out.
I know that B. C. is a smooth talker...his wife doesn't ooze the charm that he has. Of course, I was never taken in by the kind of charm that he's offering... She comes off as condescending and pious.
Ok, I know we want to keep the blogs positive for Barak and not really get into other candidates issues, but I seriously can not stomach another 4 or even 8 years of the Clintons...is anyone else with me here?????????
Most democrat politicians that I've seen either shy away from any expression of faith or use only general fleeting references to spice up a speech here or there. I recently listented to Mr. Obama's speech about reconciling faith and politics. He spoke candidly about his own conversion, and honestly about his questions about the Bible and religion.
Every time I listen to this guy speak I'm a little more drawn to him. He's not just using the Bible to gain points with Christians, and he's not denying his faith in Christ in order to save face with the non-believers. He's really very rationale, sees a nation where people of all relious beliefs have equal voice.
I think this guy is going to take the nomination from the Democratic party, and I think he's going to win the whole election.
If you haven't take the time to actully watch one of Mrs. Obama's speeches on YOU TUBE...you are missing out....
Take the time to look them up....she's fantastic!
Her words absolutely resonate...she understands women and she is very down to earth...what a woman.
Link
Most of you that know me...and for anybody that doesn't....Obama probably seems like an unlikely choice for me. I mean, in the last three presidential elections I've voted for a Republican. Seriously, I'm almost what they would call die-hard...well, can you really be die-hard at 30?
So what is it I like about Barak Obama? Is is the charm? the charisma? I hesitate to put too much stock into those qualities...after all B. C. was the master charmer/snake oil salesmen...and we see where that got us.
Honestly there are things that I disagree with Mr. Obama about as well.
There is something about him that speaks common sense. He's not a ranting/raging lunatic liberal. He's pro-family and is sensitive to the average person's need.
I don't expect you to take my word for it...look it up. Do the research, listen to what he and his competitors have to say.
MOST IMPORTANT: VOTE. You have a voice! Use it.
Yes, I think it's pretty safe to say that most Americans are anti-war. No one wants to put our troops in harms way if it is a useless exercise. I do feel that the war that they are fighting on our behalf right now is worth fighting. We can't stick our heads in the sand and pretend that if we leave them alone that they won't bother us. I'm sorry, but if you understand "jihad" you will be able to understand why we are taking the war to them.
It's a National Security Issue...
Ahmed Hikmat Shakir — the Iraqi Intelligence operative who facilitated a 9/11 hijacker into Malaysia and was in attendance at the Kuala Lampur meeting with two of the hijackers, and other conspirators, at what is roundly acknowledged to be the initial 9/11 planning session in January 2000? Who was arrested after the 9/11 attacks in possession of contact information for several known terrorists? Who managed to make his way out of Jordanian custody over our objections after the 9/11 attacks because of special pleading by Saddam’s regime?
Saddam's intelligence agency's efforts to recruit jihadists to bomb Radio Free Europe in Prague in the late 1990's?
Mohammed Atta's unexplained visits to Prague in 2000, and his alleged visit there in April 2001 which — notwithstanding the 9/11 Commission's dismissal of it (based on interviewing exactly zero relevant witnesses) — the Czechs have not retracted?
The Clinton Justice Department's allegation in a 1998 indictment (two months before the embassy bombings) against bin Laden, to wit: In addition, al Qaeda reached an understanding with the government of Iraq that al Qaeda would not work against that government and that on particular projects, specifically including weapons development, al Qaeda would work cooperatively with the Government of Iraq.
Seized Iraq Intelligence Service records indicating that Saddam's henchmen regarded bin Laden as an asset as early as 1992?
Saddam's hosting of al Qaeda No. 2, Ayman Zawahiri beginning in the early 1990’s, and reports of a large payment of money to Zawahiri in 1998?
Saddam’s ten years of harboring of 1993 World Trade Center bomber Abdul Rahman Yasin?
Iraqi Intelligence Service operatives being dispatched to meet with bin Laden in Afghanistan in 1998 (the year of bin Laden’s fatwa demanding the killing of all Americans, as well as the embassy bombings)?
Saddam’s official press lionizing bin Laden as “an Arab and Islamic hero” following the 1998 embassy bombing attacks?
The continued insistence of high-ranking Clinton administration officials to the 9/11 Commission that the 1998 retaliatory strikes (after the embassy bombings) against a Sudanese pharmaceutical factory were justified because the factory was a chemical weapons hub tied to Iraq and bin Laden? Top Clinton administration counterterrorism official Richard Clarke’s assertions, based on intelligence reports in 1999, that Saddam had offered bin Laden asylum after the embassy bombings, and Clarke’s memo to then-National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, advising him not to fly U-2 missions against bin Laden in Afghanistan because he might be tipped off by Pakistani Intelligence, and “[a]rmed with that knowledge, old wily Usama will likely boogie to Baghdad”? (See 9/11 Commission Final Report, p. 134 & n.135.)
Terror master Abu Musab Zarqawi's choice to boogie to Baghdad of all places when he needed surgery after fighting American forces in Afghanistan in 2001?
Saddam's Intelligence Service running a training camp at Salman Pak, were terrorists were instructed in tactics for assassination, kidnapping and hijacking?
Former CIA Director George Tenet’s October 7, 2002 letter to Congress, which asserted:
Our understanding of the relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda is evolving and is based on sources of varying reliability. Some of the information we have received comes from detainees, including some of high rank.
We have solid reporting of senior level contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda going back a decade.
FROM: National Review Online
Andrew C. McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor, is a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
