Something we can do even in this short week to help the cause of Health Care Reform is to contact the local unions in the following states to thank them for their support of HIR and to ask them to please hold large rallies in these states:
Please contact these local unions and ask them to hold rallies in the following states:
Louisiana (Mary Landrieu)http://www.unions.org/home/umap18-.htm
Connecticut (Joe Lieberman) http://www.unions.org/home/umap7-.htm
Arkansas (Blanche Lincoln)http://www.unions.org/home/umap4-.htm
Nebraska (Ben Nelson)http://www.unions.org/home/umap27-.htm
Also SEIU is asking us to Adopt A State to help get HIR passed.
Adopt a State:
Team Arkansas (Lincoln) Team Connecticut (Lieberman) Team Louisiana (Landrieu) Team Nebraska (Ben Nelsonhttp://www.seiu.org/a/healthcare/adopt-a-state.php
Thank you!
At 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET), September 8, 2009, President Barack Obama will deliver a national address to the students of America. (Please note that this is a change from the originally scheduled time.) During this special address, the president will speak directly to the nation’s children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning.
The U.S. Department of Education invites students of all ages, teachers, and administrators to participate in this historic moment by watching the president deliver the address, which will be broadcast live on the White House Web site (http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/) and on C-SPAN at 12:00 p.m., ET. We also encourage educators to use this moment to help students get focused and inspired to begin the new academic year. The Department of Education offers educators a menu of classroom activities—created by its teachers-in-residence, the Teaching Ambassador Fellows—to help engage students in the address and stimulate classroom discussions about the importance of education.
Jobless man, pregnant wife and two dogs hit the road looking for work
Pocono Record Writer
July 17, 2009
BRODHEADSVILLE — There was no work in Frank Knight's home state of Vermont, but he had a sure-fire job waiting for him in Florida by the fall.
The only problem was he didn't have a car. Or money for plane or train tickets for him and his wife, Terrie, who is three months pregnant. Or family to help out.
A bus was out of the question — if they traveled that way, he'd have to leave behind his two young Siberian huskies, Maya and Sweetie.
"I'd die before I left these dogs behind," Frank Knight, 43, said.
"So would I," Terrie Knight, 45, agreed.
So they did the only thing they could do.
They started walking.
Two weeks after the couple left Burlington, Vt., they've made about 500 miles, both on foot and picking up rides. They and their two dogs finally rested Wednesday and Thursday nights at the Silver Valley Campsite near Brodheadsville.
Frank Knight, who works as a migrant farm worker, said they travel anywhere from 30 to 70 miles a day, hoping to make it to Florida by mid-September for the citrus-picking season.
"That's all we can do, is walk to the work," he said. "People forget, in the old days, in the Old West, in the Great Depression, this is what people did. And it's what we have to do."
Things have gone from bad to worse for the couple this year. Frank had been employed by a carnival company, but he was laid off in February when the company was traveling through Maryland.
He was forced to go back home to Vermont — only the carnival company had a rule to take back laid off employees to the state where they were hired, so they were taken to Florida.
They walked much of the Appalachian Trail back to Vermont for two months, only to find out the farming jobs in Vermont — including one he had been promised — had dried up because he couldn't get back in time.
Then he got the work offer in Florida, so he and his wife started back out on the road, again on foot, hoping a car or two along the way will help out with a ride.
"As much as this is to get work, it's also a test," Frank Knight said. "I want to see how nice people still are out there."
They haven't been terribly lucky so far in Pennsylvania, which, along with New York, he said are the two hardest states to walk through because there are so few side roads that lead anywhere, and they can't walk on interstates.
They've only been picked up for rides twice so far after getting seven rides through New York.
Terrie has developed some nasty blisters on her feet, but said she's able to "wrap them up and keep going."
Plus, they've lost their traveling companions, two friends who also were making the walking trip with them, but took off in Honesdale while the Knights were sleeping in a tent next to them.
"So if you see a couple walking along the road with an orange tent on their backs and they don't have two dogs," Terrie said, "that's probably them."
Money is an issue. Frank Knight says they live day-by-day, and everything they own is on their backs.
Actually, it's only on Frank's back. He doesn't allow his pregnant wife to carry anything other than dog food.
The money for the campsite was provided by workers at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Brodheadsville, where the couple wandered into Wednesday looking for help, according to church officials.
Workers at the campsite then took the couple grocery shopping Thursday morning.
The two don't have family they could contact because of arguments on both of their sides of the families.
"This trip is by the grace of God," Frank Knight said. "It depends on the kindness of people along the way. Sometimes we have it, sometimes we don't."
There is still another 1,100 miles to go. One way or the other, Frank Knight said, they're going to get there.
"I know people think we're insane," he said. "A teacher who picked us up in New York said that to us, but said 'I admire you, at least you're not sitting around feeling sorry for yourself.' This is all we can do, so we have to do it."
The inauguration of President Barack Obama was celebrated in various ways by Americans and people throughout the world Tuesday night, but for people who could afford the tickets—which cost anywhere from $250 to $1,000—the place to be was an inaugural ball hosted by Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor in Oxon Hill.
Approximately 2,300 people turned out for the event, a who's-who of Prince George's and state officials that included County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), County Council members and state legislators, called "The Africa & International Friends Inaugural Ball: The Ancestors Dream Realized."
Cars lined up at the hotel's front entrance for most of the night, and the rooms were packed with attendees dressed in tuxedos and ball gowns, many of whom said the ball was their chance to be part of the historic inauguration.
Wearing a bright orange robe and hat, Kemi Fadojutimi stood out from the flock of reporters who checked in at the gate. A Nigerian immigrant who now lives in Fort Washington, Fadojutimi said she is an independent television producer covering the ball for African countries and immigrants in America.
"It's like this is the moment that we've all been waiting for," Fadojutimi said with a smile. "This is history."
Many of the guests said they hoped the event would draw national attention to National Harbor and other parts of Prince George's.
"I think [the ball] is really taking the county to another level," said Maryland Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Dist. 23) of Bowie, who was standing on the 18th floor in the hotel's VIP lounge, where waiters served drinks and hors d'oeuvres on silver trays and guests enjoyed a panoramic view of Washington, D.C. "This whole development has really taken us to another level," he said.
Jwajiku Korantema, an author from New York who attended the event, said she was not able to go to the inauguration, but going to the ball made her feel like she was part of the historic day.
for more stories and pictures: www.lithophotoprints.com, www.gazette.net
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 05:05pm
BY Amy Hamblin
Whistle Stop Tour Event Details Announced
We just released more details about the events along President-elect Obama’s Whistle Stop Tour from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. on January 17th. Tickets already have been distributed for the first event in Philadelphia, while the other events in Wilmington and Baltimore will be open to the public.
The train tour marks the final leg of the President-elect’s incredible journey that began on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Illinois and will end on the steps of the United States Capitol. The President-elect and the Vice President-elect – who will be joining him in Wilmington – will travel alongside a group of everyday Americans with extraordinary stories. Read about Rosa Mendoza and Mark Dowell, whom we’ve profiled on the blog.
Here’s all the event details…
Philadelphia, PA Event Begins: 10:05 AM Tickets: Tickets are required and have been distributed to the public.
Wilmington, DE Where: Back of Wilmington Train Station, 100 South French Street, Wilmington, DE Doors Open: 9:30 AM Event Begins: 1:00 PM Tickets: Event is open to the public
Baltimore, MD Where: War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St., Baltimore, MD Doors Open: 1:00 PM Event Begins: 4:15 PM Tickets: Event is open to the public
And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. – Barack Obama, Election Night 2008
The present economic crisis is the only argument needed to support Reason and Cause for the currency board for the American working Class. Get a copy of the constitutional lawyers letter of opinion regarding the currency board for the American working class.
It creates consumer demand for United States Treasury notes for the general circulation money supply: M0, M1... This will establish a unit account for the public obligation paper - Federal ReserveBank notes; U.S. Banknotes. Consumer confidence will grow.
It is structured to restore unit of account to the monetary base of the economy. Taxable revenues are generated by the local community bank sector and the Federal Reserve Bank. The currency board drives taxable revenues from the financial service sector of the economy. The U.S. government just needs to collect the taxes from the banks and the Federal Reserve Bank.
This act by 50 million American workers will break the liquidity trap. The revenues generated for the banks will enable them to loan credit to the local community they service. The demand deposits will increase adding more liquidity to loan credit to the local community.
The general circulation money supply for the American working class becomes permanent and readily accessible via the currency board.
The currency board officially opened effective November 11, 2008. American workers can register through www.my.barackobama.com
Just Google the phrase slogan… “POPLUV THE PAYGO”
Join the group “POPLUV THE PAYGO” and receive additional information how to create jobs. The currency board is an instant job creator for the security service industry; the human service business industry; the not-for-profit charitable foundation industry.
“POPLUV THE PAYGO” promotes the currency board for the American working class. The currency board is structured with one or more free enterprise trust organizations in simple estate. The currency board offers a home-based business opportunity to the American working class to develop and expand the monetary base of the economy.
The currency board will drive local community-based community focused small business development that will employ more people; expand the human service business industry to employ more people that pay good wages with health and retirement benefits indexed to inflation and other cost of living indicators.
The act of 50 million American workers will wipe out unemployment. The currency board is structured for 50 million American workers. It is fixed. First come first serve. It’s an equal opportunity. That’s what free market capitalism is supposed to do… create competition.
At the National Council for Research on Women, interesting dialogues are taking place on the topic of the role of women in the new Administration. I wanted to share this fruit for thought and dialogue.
"Wouldn’t it be wonderful, given that women determined this victory, that all of the photo-ops we are beginning to see included as many women as men—as many people of color as non. The early signals about an Obama administration are crucial. This is not the time to reflexively turn to the “old hands” of previous administrations. New ideas are needed, fresh thinking is needed. The “old hands” have brought us to the brink of economic collapse........." (read more)
What an amazing time in which to live! I am truly hopeful for my country and genuinely feel like I belong here for the first time. What's more - the whole world is as elated as we. Let's keep our enthusiasm for OBAMA 2012!!!!
HOLAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
I don't know what the plan is for the future of the Obama-Biden Web Site....I think it should be kept going, just as I think the huge grassroots movement Barack built should be kept going. After all, four years is a short time and its not too early to be thinking about reelection!
Tim & Joyce Wheeler
I spent election night with my siblings at my parents' house. We watched the returns. At 11pm when I heard President Elect Obama and Vice President Elect Biden pronounced the winners, I just cried tears of joy and thanked God. Finally our country is moving in a new direction. We are one big family. This entire nation needs to heal as one.
As I look back over my life and the year I came to the United States, I never thought that in my wildest dreams, I could actually one day say that the dreams Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of so eloquently, would one day be brought to reality for me to witness. As I watched the election results coming in smooth with no major drama and no major inaccuracies, I began to receive calls from other family members, equally anxious and excited to get closer to the reality we all have been waiting for.
Soon enough we got the news! President Elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as President of this United States of America!My family in Suriname called me, the Minister of Health sent congratulations, the President of the Chamber of Commerce in Suriname sent congratulations letting me know that a big load has been lifted off the shoulders of this small Caribbean country, where oil production, gold, bauxite, wood and other natural resources are being produced with a strong emphasis on foreign relations to increase the economic opportunities to contribute to the world economy.
My 88 year old aunt and my 74 year old aunt were proudly telling me how they paraded the streets with their Barack Obama T-shirts I had sent them earlier this year. Everyone was living the dream, everyone prayed and everyone realized their prayers had been answered.
Now as the new President has said with lots of eloquence like his former leader, we have work to do, not I, but WE. It is my hope that in a country so divided by politics, economics, race and education, we can finally come together to roll up our sleeves and make this country back to the reason many of us immigrants turned to come here in the first place....the American dream of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, not black, white, not poor, rich, but UNITED. Nothing happens overnight and there are short term and long term goals, short term and long term realities and not to forget a war we should not have began in the first place, people who lost respect for us, people who thought we no longer deserved their attention, people who gave up on the United States. Together we came this far, and together we can do it!God Bless America and God Bless the Obama/Biden Team and their families. May God wrap His arms of mercy around them and protect them at all times, ordering their steps in His Word. In God We Trust!
Mr. Obama my prayers are truly with you and your family.
It is through my words I will extend my heartfelt connection I have to this very issue. My mother died four days before christmas when I was only 12 years old. My grandmother died before I graduated from college in 1995 from cancer. I was the first to graduate in my family and the woman who got me out of high school could not be there.
I believe when people like you are called to greatness you will pull through this time and in the process heal and lift many others by your strength and courage. Your greatness is apparent, your eloquent nature, and your over all strength to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders is proof you can handle this. Your tears were so pure I cried along with you. Take refuge in your family and the millions of people who can see your greatness. I had to become a teacher in order to answer my call to greatness. I hope my students see in me what millions of us see in you. This is your time. God bless you and your family. Thank you for inspiring my inner city students to soar in my classroom. They try harder, talk smarter, and behave better because of you. Your grandmother did a fine job! You have revoluntionized public school classrooms all across the country.
MARYLAND VOTER CHECKLIST...Vote As If Your Life Depends On It!
(Feel free to pass this checklist to other States and customize it for that State!)
1. VERIFY YOUR REGISTRATION AND POLLING LOCATION.
2. REVIEW THE 2008 BALLOT QUESTIONS. There are 2 Statewide Constitutional Amendments that will appear on the November 4th, 2008 General Election ballot. Local ballot questions may appear on the ballot in certain counties.
3. REVIEW AND FILL OUT YOUR SPECIMEN BALLOT. Every registered voter should have received a specimen ballot in the mail approximately five to ten days before the general election. In addition, a sample ballot is available online through the polling place locator (http://www.elections.state.md.us/voting/where.html ).
4. REVIEW THE FREQUENTLY ASKED ELECTION DAY QUESTIONS AREA. It covers everything you should know from identification needed to accessibility.
5. REVIEW THE DEMO FOR MARYLAND'S VOTING SYSTEM ONLINE. Make sure you know how to use the machine.
6. CALL/E-MAIL FAMILY MEMBERS! Make sure they know where to vote and have a way to get there.
TO VOLUNTEER IN PERSON or MAKE CALLS for OBAMA:
Here is another page just for making calls:
7. TAKE THE DAY OFF. If you cannot let your boss know that, you may be in late or have to leave early.
DO YOU GET TIME OFF TO VOTE? Below is a link to a partial list of states that mandate time off from work to vote. Know your rights and don’t be afraid to exercise them.
8. GET READY FOR VOTE DAY! Set your alarm clock, charge and take your cell phone, pack some snacks/water, medicine, a small amount of cash and a portable chair to sit in. The lines will be long, so please be prepared and dressed for the weather.
9. GET UP, GET OUT AND VOTE!
“Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights! Get up, stand up: don’t give up the fight!” –Bob Marley
10. ANY ISSUES! Let the poll workers do their job. Any issues that you feel are not correct or illegal...here are some voter hotline numbers. (Print and take with you!)
11. LAST MINUTE HUMOR! Humor my be the best medicine, so here are some hot ones to watch!
Again, feel free to add to this list and pass it on.
Obama08!
Reggie Smith III, Policy
Administrator
Maryland for Obama Group
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/MarylandforObama
Check out this article!
Let's Just Say You Had $700 Billion to Spend
I watched our ad at 8pm. It was beautiful I am so glad we did it. Barack presented himself as a man for the people. I am off on Tuesday. If you cannot be off, do your part and please make sure you vote.
