Blog of a Genius

OBAMA ORGANIZING FELLOWS - HELP!

Chris J the Genius — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:17:29 EDT

I was recently informed that I have been accepted to the Obama Organizing Fellows program. I am excited, but now I am faced with a dilemma. On the FAQs it says that there are no stipends for food or transportation. Also, there is no guaranteed housing. I really can't afford to travel, live, or work under those conditions. Can anyone offer some clarity as to what options I may have if any? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I would really like to participate, but I won't be able to if there are no guarantees.

Another Barack Obama News Brief

Chris J the Genius — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:32:02 EDT

It's been awhile ladies and gentlemen, but I'm back with another Obama news story. This one's from psxextreme.com, a gaming website. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Everyone wants a piece of Grand Theft Auto IV these days. And while we normally don't talk politics on this site - it's just so freakin' boring - this is something that's worth mentioning.

Leading Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama talked about GTAIV in a speech yesterday, and for once, it wasn't a Thompson-esque rant about how video games are killing our children. It was was a calm, steady, relatively informed set of statements that actually surprised us. For the first time, we saw a politician admit a game was designed specifically for adults - which GTAIV is, of course - and didn't immediately assume that games in general were evil. However, Obama did say he believed that kids would still get their hands on Rockstar's blockbuster (and he's right), and that games and entertainment are "raising our kids." (source, MCVUK, GamePolitics)

"I was just catching the news this morning about Grand Theft Auto, this video game, which is gonna break all records and make goo-gobs of money for whoever designed it. Now, this isn't intended for kids, although I promise you there are kids who are playing it, but these video games are raising our kids... Across the board, middle-class, upper-class, working-class kids, they're spending a huge amount of their time not on their studies, but on entertainment."

And so part of our job is going to have to be to inspire the entire country to say, 'How are we giving our kids a thirst for knowledge?' And turning off the TV set, and getting them to be engaged and interested, like their future really does matter on how well they do in school."

We're not promoting Obama and we're not saying everything he says is 100% accurate (far from it), but we have to agree completely with everything in those quotes. ...since when do gamers agree with politicians? What's the world coming to?

Sign This Petition and Keep Hillary Honest

Chris J the Genius — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:01:53 EST

Hillary is still fighting to seat delegates from FL and MI despite the fact that the DNC ruled those delegates would not count and SHE HERSELF agreed to these rules- that is, until she realized that her winning wasn't 'inevitable'.

But we played by the rules and so should everyone else. It would be unjust not to mention undemocratic and just plain un-American to seat delegates where no campaigning was allowed, where voters were told beforehand that their delegates wouldn't count so many didn't vote, and in the case of Michigan Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot.

Sign the petition here. It takes only 2 seconds. And PASS IT AROUND!

We have almost 2,000 signatures so far, but we want thousands.

http://www.thepetitionsite....

This is very important! This race will come down to delegates and if she gets away with changing the rules mid-stream it could push her over the top- not to mention seriously damage the democratic party as a whole.

Please take the time - This is not the time to sit with apathy.

I'll Go If I Have To Go By Myself

Chris J the Genius — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:13:54 EST

I'm hearing a lot of Obama supporters, campaign big-wigs, and even Obama himself say that he expects to win less states than Hillary Clinton. Are we giving up? I sure hope that we haven't come this far to stop now. Am I the only one who feels like I feel?I WANT TO SEE HIM WIN!
I am a little disappointed to hear him and his campaign advisors saying that they expect Hillary to win more states. I have the audacity to hope that he can actually beat her and any other candidate who stands in his way. He and those involved in his campaign have to feel the same way. Americans have shown that they like to vote for a winner. If he and those around him don't believe he can win, then why should America's voters? I know what the polls and analysts are saying. I know what those who study demographics and their effects are saying. I also know that Hillary Clinton has been established for longer and has made more connections because of her longer time in the public eye. I don't care because none of this has ever stopped the Obama campaign before. Let's not get wrapped up in the polls and whatnot. If we're really fired up and ready to go, let's be fired up and ready to go until the end! I believe that we can win because if Barack Obama wins, AMERICA WINS! They counted the Giants out, too. In spite of this, look what they did on Super Bowl Sunday. I believe that what took place there will set the tone for Super Tuesday.
YES WE CAN! OBAMA '08

Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest) supports Barack Obama

Chris J the Genius — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:25:20 EST

Once again, originally posted on hiphopdx.com

Q-Tip (Kamaal Ibn John Fareed) of A Tribe Called Quest fame officially endorsed Illinois Senator Barack Obama in his bid for the presidency with an impassioned statement. Q-Tip officially joins the ranks of many people in the hip-hop community who have endorsed Senator Obama's campaign for President of the United States. The statement truly embraces Sen. Obama's campaign slogan of being "Fired Up" for a change in the Oval Office. Q-Tip's announcement came right before "Super Tuesday", the date when the United States is swept up in virtually a national primary. Twenty-two states have their primaries (along with American Samoa) and historically "Super Tuesday" is the deciding factor in which candidates receive each party's nomination. With Senator Obama and Senator Hilary Clinton in basically a dead heat, this day holds even more significance. Here is Q-Tip's statement in its entirety:

"We are in the midst of a very important time in our history. The world is fixated on an American election for many obvious reasons. Abroad, young Americans are dying in a poorly managed and ill-conceived war. America's prestige as a moral leader has suffered as a result of a divisive approach to foreign policy. Unfair trade practices have resulted in the loss of countless jobs and toxic products for children have reached our shores. Untold millions are unable to pay their mortgages and afford the cost of gas. Global warming and its effects are spreading at an unchecked pace, and special interests have frozen the nation¹s governance into inaction. Given this disturbing climate at home and abroad, it is imperative that we break out of old habits and politics as usual. It is time we endorse real change. This is why I endorse Senator Barack Obama for President. I have been blessed with the opportunity to be apart of a great American culture with the Hip Hop movement. The music that I created was inspired by fresh, new ideas in expression. I have always strived to let that sentiment live in my music. Hip Hop continues to be a mighty voice for the disenfranchised, the disillusioned and poor. Senator Obama offers the best opportunities for all of us who fit these descriptions. A large amount of us still remain unregistered to vote, and Barack Obama not only represents unification of our communities by his presidential platform but the ignition of the light that remains untouched by any political figure.

Hip Hop culture was the product of the impoverished who found strength and solace in this music phenomenon. It is a transformational art form born of neighborhoods where crime and drugs were on the rise and self-esteem was sinking. The education system was failing, and the odds were against us. But as a people, we persevered. I know about having true substance, new ideas and a desire for fundamental change like Senator Obama. This is not an emotional decision, although I am moved by Obama¹s American story. I am endorsing Barack Obama because I feel that we can benefit greatly from a leader that offers sound judgment and experience rooted in the lives of real people. We can change our economy. We can change our health care. We can change the course of the Iraq war. We can change our neighbor¹s minds about nuclear weapons. The only way we can have this renaissance is with the Senator from Illinois as President of the United States. We are on the brink of moving past our stigmas and preconceived thoughts to make a substantive decision for change... The change is Barack Obama."

Reported By Jake Spilman Jr.

Talib Kweli supports Barack Obama

Chris J the Genius — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:14:59 EST

Originally posted at hiphopdx.com

On his song "Say Something," Brooklyn emcee Talib Kweli said that he "speaks to the people like Barack Obama." That waving name-check might not have been an endorsement. But if there was any question who the emcee and label-owner was supporting in this year's primary election, Kweli wrote an open letter to voters just hours before Super Tuesday.

"It is the last year of the Bush Administration and thank God. I usually rail against being described as simply 'political rapper,' and I haven't voted since Bill Clinton first ran for president. I was following the tradition that black Americans have had of voting for Democrats since we got the right in 1964 (temporarily). Then, Clinton, as president's go, seemed better than Bush Sr., but I did not like his policies in Sudan or the constant bombing of Iraq. I also did not like the way our government dragged us through the Lewinsky Scandal. I felt betrayed by the system, and I stopped voting, no longer accepting of the lesser of two evils. I knew the two party system was designed to fail us. I knew that politicians must lie for a living, because it would be impossible to make good on their promises. I knew about the lobbyists and the PAC. I did not make it my issue, but if someone asked me, I would explain why I didn't vote. Most of the time people talked to me like I lost my mind, but every once and awhile someone understood. I knew that our ancestors fought and died for the right to vote, but I didn't feel like voting for the lesser of two evils in a broken system was the proper way to honor them. It was pageantry, and I wasn't with it. I wasn't with Vote or Die, because I knew that voting itself, with no real knowledge of who is paying these candidates to run million dollar a day campaigns, is far from a revolutionary act. I haven't even started to talk about the electoral college that they taught us about in grade school. In this republic, delegates votes are counted, and states with more land have more votes. You can technically have more votes, but lose the election. When the verdict is in question, the Supreme Court decides, as they did when Al Gore clearly won the election but lost due to bipartisan bullshit. The bankers of the world pay our politicians, and often tailor laws and regulations to line their own pockets. I have often stated that I cannot participate in a system that not only is designed to see me fail, but corrupts itself as well.

This was all before Barack Obama threw his hat in the ring. I, like many, appreciated his effort from the sidelines, watching him do the dance on the news. I found myself relating to him and enjoying hearing him speak, but I still remained distrustful of politicians in general. I felt like I could serve my community in many ways on a grassroots level that proceeded politics. I started to see the Obama campaign doing that grassroots work. I hear him speaking about poor people, the environment, things that I haven't heard from politicians who have electability. My criticism of the political system is that it siphons out rational thought because who have to be all things to all people. You can't stand for anything doing that. I remember when Obama spoke out against the war, early. I think the time he spent as a civil rights attorney on Chicago's South Side gives him a unique perspective. I often hear about his lack of experience, but his experience is one that I most closely identify with. I'm not saying I could be president, but I am saying that our government could use a new energy. In order for a revolution to happen, you need revolutionary writers, soldiers, teachers, poets, musicians, garbage-men, cab drivers, politicians, across the board. Everyone will not always agree, but the things we agree on, we should strengthen. When I was younger, none of this really mattered. Now I have two beautiful children, and Barack Obama is an incredibly positive influence on them. I want them to know they can be anything they want.

With that said, I still feel the same as I do about the political system, and one man can't change it. But this man deserves our support nonetheless. I appreciate what he's doing, and there comes a time in history when change is necessary for all of us to prosper. I can't be critical of a society that is scared of change, but be stubborn in my ways for the sake of it. I support Barack Obama and encourage others to take a real look at his campaign so they can come to their own conclusions. I am not delusional about what the office of the president represents, but my support for him is just that, support for someone speaking my language amidst an ocean of double-talk. Thank you for you time." - Talib Kweli, artist/CEO, Blacksmith Music

Hip-Hop and Obama: A Good Look? (Pt. 1)

Chris J the Genius — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:35:30 EST

Yo, Check out this blog post from Drjays.com - an urban clothing retailer.

Back on January 3, when presidential hopeful Barack Obama walked triumphantly into his victory party after the Iowa caucus, the entrance music playing was Jay-Z’s raucous “99 Problems”.

The New York Post reports that “some listeners took it as a not-so-sly reference to Hillary.”

“We didn’t know he used that,” a shocked Clinton spokesperson said.

Obama has cited acts like Jay, Beyoncé and Eminem as just a few of his favorites – even though Em, he says, “curses sometimes”.

Do you think Obama’s acknowledgement of hip-hop will help or hurt his campaign?

That's the end of their post.

What do you think?

Just Play Your Game, Barack!

Chris J the Genius — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:32:13 EST

After watching yesterday's debate (and trying to do my homework), I came to the probably-biased but still true conclusion that Barack Obama did a wonderful job. This was especially true of his answer to the audacious question that they aimed at him about whether Bill Clinton was the first Black president (I probably would've added something about the fact that Lincoln did a lot for Blacks yet no one raises the same question about him, even though this would not have been a popular response). However, there are concerns that arose in my mind as I watched Hillary Clinton and remembered the inflammatory remarks made by her husband and former president, Bill Clinton. Some political analysts even spoke of this. The Clintons, (yes, I do mean BOTH of them) seem to be trying to engage Barack into a battle. He should be advised not to let this continue. He did a good job of defending himself and pointing out the weaknesses of the other candidates, but there is definitely a strategy to get him away from the politics of hope, the audacity of hope, and the crucial concept of Change. He should avoid the pitfalls that the Clinton regime hopes that he will succumb to, defending himself when necessary, but also shifting the focus from himself and back onto the issues that most concern and affect the American people. Nevertheless, I was proud to see him on stage holding his own against both Edwards and Clinton, proving that he is the major threat to both candidates and should note (as he did in yesterday's debate) that this means that he is doing many things right. Today, Hillary has said that Barack is frustrated. I think this is actually true of her and her husband (of course we all saw how Bill handled the question about the Clinton campaign's involvement with the lawsuit in Nevada AND the fact that Hillary frequently interrupted Barack in attempts to defend herself or maybe just to drown out the truth). At any rate, I say the Obama campaign can make both Clintons more frustrated if he continues to address their attacks in a way that shows composure and keeps the focus on the Audacity of and Politics of Hope. We all know that the haters (in this case the Clintons) will keep doing their thing. Despite what they do (and like the title says), just play your game!