We humbly
Ask for the prayers
Of the Saints,
And ALL good people (everywhere),
The favor of the Almighty,
And the Powers Round the Throne,
The work of the people,
Efficient Organization,
Good Communications,
And Iowa Voters
Happen.
I was probably the only woman in central Iowa to attend yesterday’s event who didn’t really care what Oprah Winfrey had to say about Barack Obama.
Don’t get me wrong. There was a time when I considered myself a tried and true Oprah fan. She was the girlfriend who sat down for a chat five days a week, while my babies were napping. I was one of the faithful who listened to her words and valued her opinion. But, somewhere along the line, maybe it was after going through a personal trial-by-fire experience; maybe it was finally getting past the sleep-deprivation stage of parenthood, I began to think for myself again. Oprah’s opinion on what books were worth reading and what should be considered as “favorite things”, were just that. Her opinion, nothing more.
In the end, I did listen to Oprah’s eloquent endorsement of the candidate and was surprised by her words. She and I know that we, the American people, have not lost our greatness. The fine reputation of America has, however, been squandered and tarnished in the world’s eye by the current administration. We both want a leader with the courage to tell the truth, minus the varnish and spin, about the tough issues facing our nation. She urged Iowa voters—and America—to think! Think.!
RSVP and attend the Caucus For Change houseparty in Waukee 3 on December 13th.
Caucus for Obama on Thursday, January 3, 2008.
Michael Blake is the Obama campaign's Iowa Director of Faith Outreach
Yesterday Reverend Joseph Lowery, one of the cofounders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and The Coalition for the People’s Agenda, and a close friend of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, spoke at Corinthian Baptist Church in Des Moines. Reverend Lowery also heads up the Lowery Institute. He has been honored by the NAACP, the National Conference of Black Mayors, the Progressive National Baptist Convention and many other organizations for his role in the civil rights movement. Hearing one of the leaders of the civil rights movement talk about why he supports Barack Obama and what his candidacy means for our country was an incredibly moving experience. Check out this video Greg put together:
Why I Support Barack Obama
Hillary represents the past. Barack represents our hopes and dreams for the future.
Hillary is associated with many of the failed policies, initiatives, excesses, or actions of the past:
Briefly:
Bill Clinton bombed Iraq throughout his presidency, sowing the seeds of hatred and animosity toward the United States. He decimated the Iraqi people with trade restrictions, embargoes, the dismemberment of the country into “Kurdistan,” the middle, and the south. He “teed-up” the country for George W. Bush, with his advocacy of “Regime Change,” meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation.
The decimated and stricken children and infants bear witness!
When Hillary voted to label the Quds Force a “Terrorist Organization,” she crossed the line, and did something which is TOTALLY unforgivable!
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!” She was “burned” by George W. Bush, with her vote for The Iraq War! So, what does she do? She does the very SAME thing again!!!
So, yet again, her vote will be used by Dick Cheney, George Bush, and the Neocons in any pretext for an Iran War!
Hillary lacks integrity. Or maybe she just lacks good judgment, or wisdom. How could anyone trust the Neocons, and the proponents of this measure?
My fellow Americans, let us lay the groundwork, and create the blueprint for our future. We must take control and command of our government.
George Washington once said, (concerning our foreign policy), “Beware foreign entanglements.” We must re-examine our domestic and foreign policies, and maintain policies that serve the best interests of what is right, just, and good for the United States.
In conclusion, Senator Hillary Clinton appears to be opportunistic, ambitious, cold and calculating, with very poor judgment.
On the contrary, Senator Barack Obama comes across as measured, moderate, thoughtful, pragmatic, and idealistic.
He is rising! And it’s not just a Presidential Campaign; Obama has created a movement.
So, don’t stand idly by:
Get on board, and
Join this movement:
Keep “hope” alive,
We have to save the children!
So the “Joshua Generation” can lead us
Into the Promised Land.
The opinions above are strictly my own, and not those of any organization, campaign, or political party.
Jim Robinson,
11/23/07
Chicago
Here is an NPR story on 2 real people in IOWA who met the cantidates and share their reactions!!
- the differences are telling
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16099751
Here are some of our many experiences along the road of our 40 Days of Faith and Family Tour:
Walterboro: The Faith Forum tour rolled in to Walterboro last night on the campus of the University of South Carolina, Salkehatchie. It’s named after the river that runs through each of the five counties that support the campus. We met in the main building and got to mingle with several members of the community. There's a lot of Obama love in the area; the crowd broke out in a round of applause after seeing a brief biography of the senator on DVD. We had an engaging conversation about the issues facing Walterboro and Colleton County. Mrs. Taylor spoke of the downturn in business given the high cost of gasoline that hinders tourism in her part of the state. She works as an artist weaving sweetgrass baskets made solely from natural materials indigenous to the Low Country. Bishop Taylor (no relation) expressed his worry over the growing appeal of gangs and drugs to so many young people. Mrs. Callender expressed the anxiety of many over the outsourcing of jobs and diminishing opportunities for employment. But we also spoke of the values of our beliefs that spur us to remain hopeful in spite of the weighty issues we face in our communities and in our country. We made a wish list of qualities we want to see in our next president: honesty, integrity, compassion and a person who lives their values instead of simply talking about them. Next stop: the College of Charleston on Thursday! College of Charleston On Thursday we visited the College of Charleston --home of the Cougars and the oldest university in South Carolina. We were blessed by the school’s gospel choir who opened this Faith Forum up with song. Folks from all over the community came together and shared in our discussion. The lack of healthcare again was at the forefront of the conversation. Dee who works on peace initiatives in Charleston spoke of her desire to see a sustained focus on creating a more peaceful community and country and promoting values that lead to less conflict and strife in our society. Sumter Somewhere along Route 378 we took a wrong turn and ended up arriving late to our forum in Sumter. We were as anxious as the crowd to begin the dialogue; however, once we did our guests did not disappoint. We heard of the need to ensure safety in our communities. Mrs. Taylor spoke of the increasing gang activity and violence in Sumter that needs to be addressed. Mr. Davis spoke frankly of his pessimism that the president would be able to get anything done without the support of Congress. We all agreed that it's imperative our next president be a uniter in the truest sense of the word. Ms. Bohanon, a veteran, shared her story of working with Tricare -- the military version of Medicare -- and the steep drop off in coverage and benefits once she reached 65. Camden Last night were in Camden at the historic Price House. The conversation touched on several of the issues that we’ve been hearing about: healthcare, the war in Iraq, education and the affordability of higher education. Audrey spoke of the need for education to break the cycle of poverty in American families. As a beneficiary of parents who saw the need for higher education she considers it crucial that a college education or some vocational training be made available for all. We also talked about our collective desire to see our country once again viewed by the world as a force for cooperation and international goodwill. Lancaster Tonight’s forum was, in a word, unusual. We shared the Lancaster Community Center with the Barr Street Seniors and their “Everybody’s Birthday” program. There was prayer and selections by the Bright Light Choir. Before the keynote speaker of the program began she gave Joshua a few minutes to speak about Senator Obama and what he’s bringing to this campaign. We walked away with a committed group of seniors ready to work to advance this movement for change. The forum was unusual because it was occurring simultaneously in a room connected to the banquet hall. We had a great discussion and new folks were constantly joining the conversation with plates of food in hand. We left Lancaster with some great ideas and full stomachs. Tomorrow morning we’ll be in Rock Hill for a forum at the Freedom Center.
