Health reform is finally within grasp. Opponents are spending millions every day to destroy it. We cannot let this happen. We voted for change in '08 and we must see it through.On Saturday, August 29, 2009, New Yorkers will walk from all parts of the city for the first ever United We Walk for Reform Rally in support of the historic health reform legislation before Congress.It's our health care. It's our time. Save the date to make your voice heard.MID-MORNING, ACROSS THE CITY: Grassroots groups will meet in front of hospitals and health clinics across the city to walk to rally at Times Square. Check out mybarackobama.com for meeting locations in the next week (or set up one of your own).
2 - 3:30 PM - UNITY RALLY: Rally for health care at Times Square, 42nd St. and 7th Avenue
Yes. I wanted to speak out on this, to the world. I have been speaking to myself for the past 17 years. Not a single day, i have gone to bed without speaking to myself on this, in the past 17 years.I could not find an answer.I have been asking God to give me an answer. I still hope, He will not let me down.Now, i will speak out on this, to the world.I am sure, i am not alone.Like me, thousands are waiting to speak.I will speak on their behalf.I will tell my story, to the world.It was a typical arranged marriage. Her Indian grand mother living in our neighbourhood, one day in 1991, brought her Pakistani grand daughter's photograph to my home, showed my parents and proposed the alliance. My parents gave me the photograph and looked for my response. I liked. I never bothered, whether she will like me or not but took it for granted that she is going to like me, in my photograph. My photograph and message went back to her parents, living in a Gulf country. The strange photo chemistry worked. They all came, except the girl, we all liked each other and finally the marriage was held in that Gulf country, registered in the court and we were legally declared and registered on our respective passports by our embassies as husband and wife.Little we realised that there are unwritten taboos between India and Pakistan.Little we realised that we can NOT simply assume that we are just humanbeings, created by God.Little we realised that we can not simplify things. We can not take things for granted.Little we realised that we are breaking the "holy code of conduct" written on our behalf by Jinnah, Gandhi and Nehru.Little we realsied that we belong to born enemies.Little we realised that we are supposed to hate each other.Little we realised that there is an invisible wall, greater than the great wall of China and mightier than the mightiest is standing between us.Since then we are living in Gulf. In the past 17 years, I have never visited Pakistan. She had visited my home in India, just 2 times in the past 17 years. The fear of the "unknown" is haunting us.I wonder how many readers of this sad story, have Hindu/Muslim/Sikh families across the border?. How many of them have found their spouse or sweet heart across the border? Can they understand the anguish and pain of such divided hearts and millions of divided families?.We are told that there can only be either black or white. Every one says that India and Pakistan are like south pole and north pole. But, we can NOT choose one over the other. We love both and we need both. The "better half" of us, is holding either an Indian or Pakistani identity. In my case, my children hold Indian identity. We love our nation and will NEVER giveup this identity. But we can NOT hate each other's homeland, as expected by our homeland. We have all the greatest icons of love. Taj Mahal, Laila-Majnu and what not?. But in reality, we prefer to watch them from a distance. We are living in the non existing Indo-Pak world, which REALLY existed before 1947. We are a living anachronism. We are living Veer-Zara's. We are a living tragedy, no one wants to listen or talk about including our own selves.But i have one answer. If i were reborn and God gives me another chance to decide, I WILL DO IT AGAIN. Will she do it again...?. I do not want to ask.
My advice to others - NEVER do it.The question i would like to ask is:Is it possible for me to settle with my family in India, without changing my wife's Pakistani nationality?. She will never change it and i have no right even to talk about that. I respect her decision.My constitution does not prohibit marriages between Indian and Pakistani nationals.My constitution does not take away my right to work, study, practice my profession ,serve my nation and pursue better life because my spouse is a Pakistani national.My constitution gives me full guarantee and freedom to marry whom i like and live peacefully in my nation.It's all too good in paper but in reality looks like a nightmare.I do not know, what others think about me?.I do not know, what my friends think about me?.I do not know, what my NATION thinks about me?.I do not know, what my mom, brother, sisters and relatives think about me?I do not know, what my wife, who trusted me, thinks about me?I do not know, what my children will think about me?I do not know, what YOU think about me?For some strange reason, i feel very light today. I think, i can sleep well today.Even i can CRY well today.Is there a solution for such "undivided and indivisible" Indo-Pak families?.What is our crime?. Do we have a place on this earth to live ?.
An open invitation to join : President Barack Obama Inauguration Day 2009 - Washington, DC Group!!!
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/InaugurationDay2009
Make plans to be in DC on this historical day!
Make plans to be tuned in with TV and/or the Internet.
Be out in public with friends and fellow citizens.
A Grand and Wonderful Celebration!
I think it is time to pressure Barack Obama to pardon Leonard Peltier. Send message via link at www.change.org.
Jeff Garrison
Dear Friends,
The largest German Newspaper Bild opend this morning on the first page with:
"YES. WE CAN BE FRIENDS !" , Yes, We can Freunde sein ! in the original tekst a mix of English and German language.
Germany is gratulating the new US-President.
Kommentar by Mr. Mathias Dopfner, chairman of the Board of Axel Springer AG, the owner of Bild Magazine:
Germany is in love with the new president of the USA, who represents the new, the good America. We have to be greatfull to the USA for the Marshal Plan, the Airbridge to Berlin, the united Germany, the peace in Kosovo, the defence against terrorists. Obama will ask his new German friends more help than Bush II did. Money for the War on Terror or soldiers in Afganistan. Our solidarity could become expensive. Perhaps not the bad Bush II will be the test for the friendship between Germany and the USA, but he nice Obama. You get to know your friends best when the weather is bad. Not in the flashlights of the TV crews.
Greetings from Metelen in Germany ,
Henk van Aalderen
The people (speaking charitably) behind the ultra-sleaze smear campaign, claiming that Vietnam veteran and triple amputee Max Cleland was a friend of Osama bin Laden, are at it again. Through the well-worn techniques of Republican vote suppression (http://www.gregpalast.com/the-steal-you-wont-see), Saxby Chandliss, winner of that "election", is ahead in this year's Georgia Senate race against Democrat Jim Martin.
But not enough ahead. He has fallen short of 50%, with the result that this contest is going to a runoff on Dec. 2. I don't know whether that is enough time to reregister those who were illegally thrown off the rolls, or to get a court to reinstate them, as in other states this year. I mean to find out, because Chandliss may well be the final obstacle to Democrats getting over 60 votes in the Senate and a filibuster-proof majority without Joe Lieberman.
This is where you come in. Just as we phonebanked all of the swing states in the Presidential election, now we have a new task:
Phonebanking Georgia
Bring the good ol' iPod folks! We'll sing another song,Sing it with a spirit that will start the world along,Sing it like we used to sing a hundred thousand strong,While we were phonebacking Georgia Hurrah! Hurrah! We bring the Jubilee.Hurrah! Hurrah! The ballot makes you free,So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea,While we were phonebacking Georgia. "Barack's all-inclusive crew will never make the coast!"So the saucy sleazeballs said and 'twas a handsome boastHad they not forgot, alas! to reckon with the HostWhile we were phonebanking Georgia.So we made a thoroughfare for freedom and her train,Sixty miles of latitude, three hundred to the main;Oppression fled before us, for resistance was in vainWhile we were phonebanking Georgia.
Hello all,
I know we're busy helping get Sen. Obama elected to the White House. However, as Barack has said himself so many times, this movement isn't about him, its about US! In that vein, I wanted to let all of you know about an opportunity to build better communities by leveraging our diversity. As people committed to bringing positive change to our communities, I thought you'd be interested in the event below.
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (www.vicpp.org) is bringing Dr. Eboo Patel to Richmond on Thursday Nov. 13th. Dr. Patel is a young Muslim intellectual who is active in the interfaith youth movement. I'm pasting his bio below FYI. I want to invite you all to attend two events on Thursday Nov. 13th. - 3:30PM Book Signing at VCU Barnes & Noble - 7:00PM Va Interfaith Center Annual meeting at Library of Virginia The reason I think this event is so important for us is because Dr. Patel's work focuses on interfaith community service. I believe this is the most important part of interfaith work, and really interfaith dialogue is totally irrelevant unless it results in joint action that improves the world around us. Check out the video news clip below. It describes in detail what Dr. Patel's work involves and the message he brings: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1033/profile.html Please forward to other people of faith you think would be interested!
------------------
Dr. Eboo Patel
is founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international nonprofit that promotes interfaith cooperation. His blog, The Faith Divide, explores what drives faiths apart and what brings them together. He is the author of Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation. An American Muslim of Indian heritage, Eboo has a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship. He is on the Religious Advisory Committee of the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Committee of the Aga Khan Foundation and the Advisory Board of Duke University's Islamic Studies Center. Eboo is an Ashoka Fellow, part of a select network of social entrepreneurs with ideas that could change the world.
http://www.ifyc.org/about_core/staff
About the Virginia Interfaith Center
The Virginia Interfaith Center is a nonpartisan coalition of faith communities working to create change through education and public policy. We bring together people of faith in Virginia and unite the volume of their voices throughout the public square, including the General Assembly. By partnering with organizations and across the state and mobilizing our grassroots network, we empower faithful advocates to LEARN about the issues challenging our communities, PRAY for guidance and discernment, and ACT to make Virginia a more just and compassionate commonwealth.
http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/6823
The fotos of DATurkey's Presidential Debates fotos from the meet-up at Sek Sek on Saturday are uploaded: http://flickr.com/groups/demsabroadturkiye/
Rabbis for Obama Considered a First in American PoliticsSeptember 18, 2008
Eric FingerhutJewish Telegraphic Agency WASHINGTON
Saying it is their duty to "fight for the truth and against lashon hara," more than 400 rabbis have joined to back Barack Obama's presidential bid in what is believed to be a first-of-its-kind effort. Rabbis for Obama, officially unveiled last week, is a grass-roots organization formed when two Chicago-area rabbis came to the Democratic candidate's campaign wanting to help counter the many false rumors that have been spread about him. "What makes this unique is the lies and smears" were "targeted to the Jewish community," said Rabbi Sam Gordon of Congregation Sukkat Shalom of Wilmette, Ill., citing the e-mails that falsely claimed Obama was a secret Muslim and educated at a madrassa. "Those of us who knew him felt we had to respond." "These attacks that he's not supportive of Israel are just not true," said Rabbi Steve Bob of Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, Ill. Jonathan Sarna, the Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University, said he believes Rabbis for Obama is a first in the Jewish community. "I certainly can remember many newspaper ads that rabbis would sign" backing a candidate, Sarna said, but "I can't remember another organization with this kind of title." Partisan Times Given the increased mix of religion and politics that the United States has seen in the past 20 to 30 years, he added, it is much more likely for such a group to spring up now than it would have been early in the 20th century. Bob said that he and other members of the organization are interested in publicly speaking -- under the Rabbis for Obama banner -- on behalf of the Democratic candidate across the country and are currently discussing how to become more involved in key swing states. The letter the rabbis signed states that the group backs Obama because "he will best support the issues important to us in the Jewish community." In addition to writing that the Democrat is "inspired by Jewish values such as Tikkun Olam and the pursuit of justice," it states that Obama's "longstanding, stalwart support for Israel is a testament to his own principles" and that "attempts by some to use Israel as a wedge issue against him -- unjustifiably -- is dangerous in that it politicizes the pro-Israel position" and has "completely distorted Sen. Obama's record." "We are fully aware that a smear campaign against Sen. Obama has been waged in the Jewish community, and we feel it is our duty as Jewish leaders to fight for the truth and against lashon hara," reads the missive, using the Hebrew term for evil gossip. "Sen. Obama has been viciously attacked using innuendoes, rumors and guilt by association, and we urge our fellow American Jews to judge Sen. Obama based on his own record and the clear statements he has made about his personal beliefs and principles." A Republican Jewish leader found that passage of the letter particularly objectionable. "It's irresponsible and unprofessional as rabbis to give a hechsher in accusing us of lashon hara," said Matt Brooks, the executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition. Brooks said the reference to "guilt by association" seemed to be referring to the RJC's criticism of Obama's links to his longtime pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and some who have been listed as the Democrat's foreign policy advisers -- two topics that Brooks believes are fair game in the debate over Obama's record. Rabbis for Obama membership includes rabbis from every denomination, although one independent observer said he noticed only a couple of Orthodox rabbis on the list. More than 300 rabbis were part of the group initially, and Bob said another 125 signed on since it became public last week -- including Michelle Obama's rabbi cousin, Capers Funnye. A number of rabbis from the Philadelphia have also lent their support. The Democratic Party and the Obama campaign have made a special effort to reach out to faith groups, but Jewish Democratic operative Matt Dorf said the organization and its missive is better seen as part of another strategy. The Democratic goal is to reach persuadable Jewish voters through the testimony of people in "positions of influence" in the Jewish community -- rabbis, Jewish members of Congress and other well-known Jewish figures, such as former New York Mayor Ed Koch. Anti-Defamation League national director Abraham Foxman, who has been critical of mixing religion and politics, said he was okay with the group. Rabbis don't have to give up their rights, he said. As long as they're not endorsing candidates from the pulpit, Foxman said, "I don't have a problem with it." Not all rabbis feel comfortable with publicly endorsing a candidate. "I feel my personal political views are personal," said Rabbi Steve Wernick of Adath Israel in Merion Station, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia. Wernick said he is happy to discuss his views with congregants privately, because he already has a relationship with them, but he doesn't feel it necessary to broadcast his views to those who don't know him. He stressed, though, that he has no problem with colleagues who signed the letter. "It's the way our system is supposed to work," he said. Church-State Conundrum One Republican was critical of the rabbis for what he believed was a blurring of the church-state barrier. "By linking their rabbinical position to a political campaign, they risk the charge of politicizing their positions and erasing the boundaries between church and state, which they typically seek to defend," said Noam Neusner, a communications consultant who served as liaison to the Jewish community during part of the Bush administration. Neusner said the Bush campaign did not encourage such a letter or organization of rabbis "because of the sensitivity of the church-state issue." Rabbis for Obama may be the first, but not the last, rabbinical effort backing a presidential candidate this election cycle. Fred Zeidman, co-chair of the Republican Victory Jewish Coalition, said he spoke to some rabbis earlier this month -- and a few days before the unveiling of Rabbis for Obama -- who were interested in putting together a similar effort backing GOP candidate Sen. John McCain.
Is it better to curse the darkness, or to teach people to make candles?
Here is my idea of what we should be doing. Would you care to join me?
I just submitted an earlier form of this ad idea to DFA at https://democracyforamerica.com/contribution_pages/67-video-ideas/contributions.
Why don't you send them an idea, and maybe a contribution at the same time?
[Video: jobless workers waiting in lines. Church food and job training programs.]
Voice over: Barack Obama took a job on the South Side of Chicago, working with the churches there. He saw the problems that the community faced first-hand, when steel mills closed and thousands lost their jobs. He did something about it then, and in the Illinois legislature and the Senate. He is ready to do much more about it today, if we support him doing it. But some people don't want us to do that.
[Video: Rudy Giuliani at Republican Convention]
Giuliani: He was a community organizer. (laughs) What's that?
[Video: Delegates pumping fists and jeering]
Republican delegates: Ze-ro! Ze-ro!
[Video: Obama bio, selections]
Voice over: Senator Obama has indeed been a community organizer, like millions of other Americans concerned about their communities and their country. He was a practicing lawyer, a professor of Constitutional law, and a State senator, too, before he was elected Senator from Illinois.
[Video: Giuliani scandal headlines, "rich get richer, poor get poorer" headlines, cutting veterans' benefits and vetoing children's programs, Katrina,...]
Voice over: The Constitution, the community, and the country. Those are jokes to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the Republican party's elite. When they laugh and jeer at Senator Barack Obama's record, they are making fun of you, your friends, and your neighbors. They have no interest in your hopes and aspirations for yourself and your children. They don't want you to know this, but they just said, out loud in public, that they aren't going to give people in your community a shot at the American Dream.
You figure it out.
Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies … Community organizing is the foundation of the civil rights movement, the women's suffrage movement, labor rights, and the 40-hour workweek. And it's happening today in church basements and community centers and living rooms across America.
To be quick: I am shooting a set of 10-12 Obama commercials, loosely modeled after the Mac vs. PC commercials.
My last film got over a million viewers, was a viral hit on youtube, and was licensed by the State Department. I am confident these videos--by nature of their content and their entertainment value--will also be successful and influence hundreds of thousands of people.
I am requesting any support in terms of funding or distribution that you can offer. I am in need of about $2,000 for 10 commercials, but anything would help.
I am a graduate of UCLA Film School and have worked at prestigious production companies such as Participant Productions and Valhalla Motion Pictures. The donations are not yet tax deductible, but I can provide a receipt for what the money was used for if requested.
This may sound informal, but this is the type of grassroots effort I believe is necessary to help Obama get elected and to help our country. Media like this offers information on 10 different issues (at least) in an easy to understand format and in an entertaining way that entices people to see it. I will be spending two weeks after the videos are made (early October) doing nothing but publicizing them online and through alternative media outlets everyday - I will be treating this as my regular job and will not be working during that time.
If you cannot support as an organization, please at least forward this email to your membership. They can privately donate by sending money to lenakhan@gmail.com through paypal, or by emailing lenakhan@gmail.com a pledge amount and then sending a check to Lena Khan/ Regarding:"Obama vs. McCain", 10247 Wilson Ave., Alta Loma, CA 91737-2317.
I am hoping we can work toward this similar end together.
Thank you, Lena Khan
In honor of the month of Ramadan, Senator Obama made the following statement:
Today marks the beginning of Ramadan, a special time for American Muslims. This is not only a month of fasting and prayer -- it is also a time to reflect on the needs of those who are less fortunate. In the weeks to come, Michelle and I want to wish all American Muslims our very best wishes. We hope Ramadan brings you happiness, good health, and a sense of renewal.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE www.democracynow.org
September 1, 2008
Contact: Dennis Moynihan Mike Burke
ST. PAUL, MN—Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfuly detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman’s crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sherrif Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman’s office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0).
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amenmdent rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism’s top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation’s leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
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