How many times are you stereotyped or stereotype on another? With stereotyping being such an everyday thing to 87% of the United States society I have only daydreamed for the last 16-18 years for my nation to have the ability to vote for a minority let-alone a black president? In 2008 my first year that I am able to vote I feel blessed to be able to vote for the great senator Barack Obama. Mr. Obama stands for pride in his country, a good American life for all working classes, he stands for negotiations to lower day-to-day cost of living for American citizens, and he stands for universal health care for the middle class. I feel as if Mr. Obama is the Martin Luther King of our time, the way that both of them speak to crowds of thousands maybe millions at rallies were kids from 5-50 want to hear him speak his bone chilling arm hair standing words. I feel Mr. Obama has such a great out look on our all around economy, middle class witch 75% of the United States is classified under, “That means 7 out of 10 people that you know or 10 people in any given room is labeled middle class”.  Mr. Obama’s outlook on universal health care is real very primitive. He feels the middle class that struggles should not struggle no more in the health care department and not worrying about “either paying your health bill, heat, electric, or the car note.” (CNN.com) I feel that Mr. Barack Obama stands for what this United States of America is looking for or else needs after the “Damage” that the bush administration has done to our country’s economy; First of all gas is up 71 dollars a barrel from a mere $65 a barrel that no more then two years ago we were only paying on a bad day $1.56 a gallon. Gran has sky-rocketed 1/3 (7-10%) just in this last year (2008), Milk has jumped these last 3 years from $1.40 a gallon to over $3.

     I had the chance to finally be apart of history last night at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI when me and my girlfriend were blessed to be able to see our next President, Sen. Barack Obama. We had to wait in line with the other 20,000 inspired fans on June 16, 2008 for an hour and a half witch 50% of the time I was to excited to care the rest of the time it was seeing and hearing the ample crowds talking other times departing critical views that were all later touched on. Its was something that was so moving that I seen a few people fainting, crying, just yelling cause others were, and other people that were there that was focused on every word that the yelling just exploited out of them. Barack speech and seeing Al Gore and his speech were just breath taking. I feel what most moved and inspired me was the wide sort of supports “With faces of every color and ages spanning fair a wide” from black to white, Chinese to Arabian, from Italian to all five in one, it was a part of history that I was blessed to be apart of “All races coming together to be an United State’s Of America” as Mr. Obama said he wanted for the future.  It was really something to see what you are supporting so strongly coming true/together right in front of you is really something. After the waiting stopped and it was 6:00pm it was time to start packing the arena with the 20,000+ fans/supporters the excitement in the air could have made a man loose his mine and his wallet with all the personal venders walking around I know I did. An hour and a half later when my girlfriend and I finally made it to the doors and the secret service had searched me is when I realized that we are going to be apart of history tonight and felt like a kid in a candy store trying to find a set, sometime I lost my girlfriend and the other times she was ahead of me trying to find the best set in the house that was still available. So we final found our set’s kind-of far from the stage then I thought that “It doesn’t matter how far we were to me I am apart of a such a historical time/event right now” it was the first time ever that the United States has had a black Democratic or presidential candidate and was the biggest crowed for a presidential rally.

     His speech was very moving and factual; he touched on all of the major issues that me and Michigan are having right now such as, our over sea job concern’s, from the 15,000 jobs that were taken away from our home town of Lansing Mi. he talked about college tuition, he has wrought out a plan that includes $4,000 for each college student a year that means all the hard work that we are pushed to in high school and in community colleges will finally be rewarded/recognized the our hard work. Sen. Obama and Al Gore both touch briefly on our global warming problems. But the two big things that he talked about bring jobs back to Michigan and how there will be absolutely no more/funding received from the government. Since January 2007, Obama has raised more than $272 million, including nearly $31 million in April. During that time period, McCain has raised less than half that amount, roughly $100 million. In April, the Arizona Republican brought in about $18 million. Obama told supporters in an e-mail message Thursday that he would not accept about $85 million in public funds when he becomes the Democratic presidential nominee. What is such moving steps that President / Sen. Barack Obama has already taken in his long path breaking barrier in all fields, the recent challenge in news of June 20, 2008, not accepting 18 million dollars of public financing in the fall campaign race will land him once again in another first to accomplish categories of not accepting Public Financing since that was established during the water gate era’s. I feel with a Democratic Nominee with such strong morals already in his race it is very inspiring to see/be apart of the time and the movement to change. I have felt these effects already in my life and within our community. After the Detroit, Mi Joe Luis Arena Rally of once again 20,000 I had dropped a shirt that I had bought and a woman told me of what had happen and I made a comment such as “Why did you tell me” and she told me “It is time for change” (A key subject that Barack Obama spook on just moments ago.) It’s great to see that our president is changing his nation code of ethics/principles instead of letting them just go down the drain and out of our/mine young generations lives.  

     With this blog/insight that I have put together I feel very blessed and great full to have been apart of a very historical night when Sen. Obama addressed 20,000 people and I had the chance to be apart of the largest rally he has held year to date. I feel the events that has happened in the last 18 months and in the future 5 months on the campaign trail that is left in the race I will have the chance to tell my children about the first African American Presidential Candidate and hopefully tell them how good the first African American President in such a historical time.                  

There is a video floating around the tubes where Barack Obama gives a post nomination speech to his staffers. You can see it here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bnhmByYxEIo

 I just wanted to note here my reaction. I wanted so badly to be in that room, for my sweat and tears to have contributed a year's worth of work to this nomination. I wasn't there, but I would have liked to been...

 I immediately signed up to volunteer, in reaction to the things that he says here. I want very badly to help. That is why I am here - A video of him speaking to his staff, explaining why we have to work. He spoke to me, and I am going to be putting a lot of energy into this campaign from now on.

David In Dewitt 

First of all, thank you to the people that have accepted my friend request. I enjoy the interaction and hearing various points of view.

Having said that, who does everyone think Obama's new group ought to recomment for VP? Lets say if you could pick three would they be in order? My votes:

1. John Edwards - My pick mostly because his energy and enthusiasm seem appropriate. He might be able to pick up delegates in FL or MI even more so than Hilary. He seems of good chracter, has a great smile (like every VP needs) and if called upon would be a suitable Commander-in-Chief

2. Joe Biden- He didn't put up much in terms of results in the Iowa Caucus, but he brings a lot to the table as well.

3. Hillary Clinton- Lord knows after this week I've lost a bit of admiration for Senator Clinton. However, she does have a good following. Traits she processes like courage, ambition, and determination are crucial for the VP. Not sure the role Bill would have if she were elected. Hence my number 3 pick.

What do you guys think?

     Barack Obama has once again proven that he is the leader for our future. Mr. Obama proposes to actually meet one-on-one with nations such as Iran. He understands that the defacto twin Republican policies of isolationism and imperialism have been disasterous for our nation. This is true of King George II's shameful Iraq War. John McCain has made all too clear his intention of continuing these failed policies.

      Mr. Obama, on the other hand, proposes an open dialogue. Any human being with an ounce of intelligence and an education can tell you that open communication is the only way to resove issues between two parties. Mr. Obama represents a shining example of intelligence among a field of hawks who seem determined to feed the war machine with no regard for the lives of their own people or for the lives of the people of other nations. Will the American people continue to blindly follow along behind King George and his Parliament of warmongers?

      The choice is up to you and I. We must be certain that those in a position of power will not go quietly. Perhaps it is naive of me to assume that the majority of Americans understands the urgency of our present situation. In my opinion, it has never been more obvious, the time is now. The only candidate that represents an intelligent path to understanding and dealing with our real problems is Barack Obama. My own lifetime has never presented me with such a clear example of the right path vs. the wrong path. Our nation can not continue to charge ahead like a bull destroying everything in our path. To do so is to rush headlong into our own destruction. Mr. Obama wants us to stop and think. Please join me in building support for a movement of intelligent dialogue in world politics. The path of this nation must be determined by a leader who understands that positive change is the number one mandate. Vote Barack, but more importantly spread the movement.

I will be leaving Lansing tomorrow at 4:15pm and heading to Grand Rapids to see Obama speak at the Van Andel arena.  I have room for two people in my car.  If you would like to car pool or catch a ride e-mail me before 8am Wednesday, May 14th or call me at 906-250-0653. 

The event begins at 7pm and we will be coming back to Lansing late (probably around midnight).  For those of you who would like to go earlier with the chance of getting better seats- there is a group leaving from the Gone Wired Cafe at 12:30 p.m. The address is 2021 W. Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI.

"...It's time for us as a people to start makin' some CHANGES, Let's CHANGE the way we eat, Let's CHANGE the way we live and Let's CHANGE the way we treat eachother..."         

 -Tupac Amaru Shakur, Changes

Tupac was calling for CHANGE, TEN years ago. Tupac did have an ability to always know what lay ahead, even his own fate.  

Are we going to finally listen?

Regardless of what your musical preference may be, you CANNOT deny the words Tupac was saying.  It's time we start looking past our differences on every level and truly STAND UNITED!

Thank you.

"...Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races, WE UNDER I wonder what is takes to make this, ONE BETTER PLACE let's erase the wasted..."

-Tupac Amaru Shakur, Changes

Come out and help us kick off our first big statewide canvass for Sen. Obama so we can win the nomination and TURN INDIANA BLUE!  We will be meeting on Saturday morning, April 12 at 9 AM on at the:

Plumbers and Steamfitters
2930 W Ludwig Rd
Fort Wayne, IN 46818

Bring your friends and be ready to spread some HOPE!

Here's a great way for social workers in Michigan to spread the good news about Obama while making positive changes in our communities NOW!  Watch the video http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF0098A0C600170098DA45/ or visit the website at http://www.whyobamaworks.org/involved.html.

I will try to organize such an event in the Lansing area in the coming weeks.  Anyone with project ideas or who would like to help organize- please let me know! 

Gwen Storm, LLMSW

Michigan Social Workers for Obama

gwyn_34@hotmail.com

The news media continues to play blistering, angry tirades from Reverend Wright.  Conversely, Senator Obama has in the past credited Reverend Wright with partial inspiration for his views on hope and a vision of "One America".  This tells me two things. One, that we are only seeing the worst of Wright on TV now and that his best is a whole other story.  Second, that Obama took from the Reverend-just that,  his best.

Barack could have taken the anger and frustration we hear underpinning the excerpts that are now making the news and broadcast them and amplified them and become a new angry Black leader.  He did not, instead he chose to carry forth, expand and amplify a different message, one of hope, unity and a better America. In doing that he became not just a Black leader but an American Leader.

We all are the products of multiple and varied influences, experiences and associations.  What we become and what our world becomes is depended on which of those things we choose to take into our own hearts, to make our own and to carry forth.  If we each took only the best from each other and passed only that on, our world would be infinitely better.  This episode again shows us that this is exactly what Barack Obama is doing.  I pray we are ready to follow in the footsteps of his example.

I haven't been blogging much - too busy moving and making calls to folks in OH.  I do want to add my 2 cents on Michelle's supposed "mistake," saying that she's proud of her country for the first time in her adult life.  Here's the note I sent to her:

Dear Michelle,

I know you're being hassled for what you said the other day, for the first time in your adult life being proud of your country.  I wouldn't be suprised if Barack comes out to elaborate or if the point is dropped, but I wanted to tell you that I appreciate your having said it out loud for everyone to hear.  I feel the same way.  Since college I've been disappointed time after time with our foriegn policy and with the way we've let down our own children. 

Now, I won't say I've NEVER had moments of pride.  I am proud of our troops, even though they've been sent to fight an unjust war.  I am proud of the help we've offered other countries in times of national disaster.  But in general, I've been ashamed of our egotism, ashamed of the ineptitude of our government to solve basic problems, ashamed of our unwillingness to listen, and most of all ashamed that my generation has failed to act. 

For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my peers' willingness to discuss and participate rather than sit back and whine.  Thank you for giving my position a voice, even if it does make life on you more difficult.

Katie Price

Barack's one state at a time strategy is working.  It is also making the voters feel enthused and turned on to this election.  We can help him.  We need to hit Wisconsin and Hawaii hard.  If each of us could make 30 calls, that would be a good thing for the campaign.

http://mybarackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmap

Numbers are on it now.

Also , write letters to the editors in the upcomming primary states supporting Barack:

http://www.usnpl.com-ListofusNewspapersByState

They are broken down into counties and cities.

Also, join our contest at:

http://mybarackobama.com/page/group/MichiganNursesandAdvocatesforObama or our co-sponsor

http://mybarackobama.com/page/group/NursesForObama!

If your group would like to be a co-sponsor please contact me.  You can also join solo.

These are the only sites, I know of where you can donate as low as $10, have your donation matched, and walk away with a prize.  See sites for complete list of contest rules or e-mail me @ RobinLaurain1@yahoo.com.

There is also a contest for our International friends to participate in.

Check out the events calander at the site if you would like to join groups to canvas in Wisconsin and Ohio.  There are several State-wide events planed.  Check it out! Attend, get fired up!

Even the little kids can get involved! Have them have a hot chocolate sale on March 15th to raise money for the campaign.  This is going to be a National event sponsored by, Women United for Responsible Family Policy called Choco-bama.

Join the Michigan Democratic party and become a delegate in the event we need to switch to PlanB in Michigan.  If you don't live in Michigan, call the Michigan Democratic Party and let them know the delegates should remain stripped in Michigan. 517-371-5410.

Even our dogs are getting involved-"Dogs for Obama" is looking for ideas to make bumper stickers to sell at pet stores, doggy day cares, wets, etc. to raise money for Obama.  We have several clever ideas.  If you have any send them to the group-"Dogs for Obama" One of my favorite is-"I am a hope mongrel"!

May is National Children's Health Month. The Michigan Nurses and Advocates for Obama is having a food and clothing drive, voter registration drive, and other family-friendly activities at Edmore Park in Lansing.  They will be collecting the items and the, Michigan Association for Children's Mental Health Care will be distributing the items to families in need who have a child experiencing a severe emotional disorder. twenty people have signed up to help with this event and we can use more help.  If you know of a family that can benefit from this effort, in any State, please e-mail me.  Everything is confidential.

You can still help if you don't live in Michigan.  Send a gas, food or gift card and MACMHC will send it to a family in need, in your designated county and state.  You will be notified of the number of the group it was given to for verification.  Also, this is tax deductible and you can become a member of the organization for 2 years free!  The MACMHC endorses no political candidate, but will work with all political parties to improve the lives of families who have children experiencing a mental health disorder. Send the card, your name and address, along with a note to where it should be used to: MACMHC, P.O Box 7041, NMU, Marquette, MI 49461.  Att: MK. You will be notified by mail to which family organization in your state the card was sent to and a tax receipt mailed back to you with a membership card.

Our international friends can be involved by donating to your local children's mental health agency in the name of Barack Obama and yourself.  If you need help locating a group in your country, please e-mail me.

There is so much we can do to help Barack and at the same time help others. No one said the political process couldn't be fun as well as helping to leave someone a bit better because you were there.

"Social change doessn't happen over night, it happens one family at a time."-MACMHC

Yes We Can!

Hillary and Michigan have something in common.  Wait ten minutes and they both will change.  Hillary is now saying caucus States don't matter.  If that is the case, Michigan should not caucus and waste the DNC's money or our time.  If she thinks we are just going to hand her our delegates after she made a pledge not to campaign here, I am here to tell you Gansders are a tough breed.

We will not take this lying down.  Sen. Carl Levin is leading the push to seat the delegates.  Jennifer Granholm states Hillary would be good for Michigan.  Why is that?  It is also known if she delivers Michigan, Jenny is headed to Washington.  It saddens me that I have spent hard, earned cash to support all of the above financially as well as emotionally.

Jenny and her gang of deperados are playing Robin Hood and robbing our delegate bank, trying to give it to Hillary.  If this happens, you will see an exodus from the Democratic party.

Hillary can't keep the party together.  She will never be able to bring the country together, let alone the world.  I hope all of you follow Obaa's lead and demand that the delegates not be seated. Remember once sunny Hillary is now partly cloudy saying that caucus States don't matter.

Please write to Jenny and the gang and tell them to learn how to follow rules.  Let Howard Dean know he needs to hold Michigan they need to be held accountable for their playing games with our primary.

We should be outraged that the Michigan Legislature took this upon themselves to pull such a bone headed stunt.  We are the ones we have been waiting for.  Let us come together and make them do the correct thing.  We can vote in the National election and our voices will be heard!

The Michigan Nurses and Advocates for Obama group is having a community activism event in May to educate people about Barack Obama and to help the Michigan Association for Children's Mental Health Care kick off, National Children's Mental Health month.  Even if you do not live in Michigan, you can help families who have children experiencing a severe emotional disorder by sending gift cards for food or clothing to MACMHC.  The cards will then be turned over to your state parent organization to disperse in the county you choose, in your State.  MACMHC endorses no political candidate , but encourages it's families to get educated on the issues affecting them, register to vote, and provides transportation for those who need it, to vote.  At the May event, supporters of Obama will be collecting used clothing and non-perishable food to disperse throughout the State of Michigan.  Food and clothing cards will be sent to each State parent organization and dispersed in the county of the donor's choice. Your donation is tax deductible.  Families who have children experiencing a chronic, mental health disorder are often unemployed or underemployed due to the demands of caring for a child who experiences mental illness.  Often, adequate child care is not available for the family because providers do not understand the child's behaviors.  Often, school will call parents home from work to pick their child up from school when they begin to exhibit acting out behaviors.  This eventually leads to problems at work for the parents.  Please consider helping MACMHC reach this population of kids and also educating people about Barack Obama. For more information contact MACMHC at MACMHC2@aol.com or call 989-233-6829 after 7 p.m.

As we are all learning (Hey, you may have known, but I just found out last night) there are such a thing as Superdelegates which are party officials and elected officials who have a significant portion of the delegate count that we cannot control with our primary and caucus votes.  But as they are ELECTED OFFICIALS we should be able to influence them.  An Endorsement is not permanent email, call or snail mail your rep and get their support!

http://thehill.com/endorsements-2008.html

THANKS!!!!

Stay Positive Do Positive.  Donate Time and Money to Obama and Give the Truth to Clinton!