A year ago, on this blog I have been so privileged to participate in, I posted an entry posing the question, ‘Wouldn’t Abraham Lincoln be proud today?’ Now, on this February 12, 2009, the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, we can say that, indeed, he would.
If Lincoln could return to visit us, what he would find most surprising about Barack Obama’s election to the highest office in the land would most likely be the capital ‘D’ next to his name. In Lincoln’s day, ‘Republican’ and ‘Democrat’ meant something very different from what they do today. The G.O.P. was initially sparked and founded by the anti-slavery movement, as many amateur political historian readers will be aware. It was long after Lincoln was called ‘Home’, precipitated by an assassin’s bullet, that the Democratic Party came to represent the down-trodden and others who in so many ways have been marginalized, disadvantaged or neglected by the larger society. Yet, on this date in 1809, the nation's first Republican president was born to, let's face it, a poor family in a backwoods Kentucky log cabin.
In all fairness to history, Lincoln might also be initially shocked by Barack Obama’s skin color as a President of the United States. Lincoln was, after all, a man of his time. At the outset of the Civil War, his prime objective was to hold the Union together. Only later, amid all the fraternal bloodletting of that conflict did he see the fundamental need to take his country to a higher place and emancipate the slaves throughout the land. But, it wouldn’t take sharp-minded Lincoln long to convert that shock into amazed delight. I would add that it might also, in his case, give him a sense of great humility that his own quest to create a more perfect union could result in a man who would have been held in chains in the Confederacy now occupying the seat of the leader of the United States of America that Lincoln saved. In fact, I contend that it is in that very humility combined with an extraordinary compassion cited by those who knew him and can be seen so clearly in the face that stares back at us from the portrait photos we have of Lincoln that the true greatness of ‘Honest Abe’ lies.
As a supporter of Barack Obama before the Iowa caucuses and even before he took to the same steps of the Old State House in Springfield, Illinois to declare his candidacy for President of the United States where Lincoln began his own long journey to the White House, I feel honored to be a witness to the service of a President Obama during our historic time we all share today.
Abraham Lincoln would be proud of his country today, yet, at the same time, humbled by his own significant role in charting its course to come closer to fulfilling the promises contained in the creed put to paper by the Founding Fathers. Furthermore, like President Obama is now from the same office Lincoln held nearly 150 years ago, he would be well aware of the many great tasks, unfinished and yet-to-be-begun, that lie ahead.
Obama team you did it, congratulations, we can finally start turning the page on the disastrous Bush era.
And the people around the world are happy we can move forward once more. So fellow citizens of the world let's thank all the people who worked and voted for Barack Obama.
THANK YOU AMERICA FOR CHOISING OBAMA
Let's collect a whole lot of thank yous from around the world, upload your thank you picture at http://www.globalthankyou.com/
Peace out
Where will you be the night of November 4th, when Obama wins the race to become the 44th President of the United States of America? We hope you will celebrate his victory with Democrats Abroad at the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid! We'll start the night off with a cocktail at 11pm, then enjoy live music featuring Guns 'N' Butter, Amelia Ray, and Doghouse. We'll also be tuned in to CNN to watch LIVE election returns! Bring your friends, and dress up like Sarah Palin! A flier is attached to distribute to your friends and/or proudly display at your home, school, or place of work. Please continue reading below for ticket information.
Pre-sale tickets to US Citizens by Democrats Abroad cost only €10 – with all proceeds going to help fund chapter activities in the upcoming year. Sales to non-US Citizens at the Círculo de Bellas Artes Box Office cost €15 until November 1st and €20 after that, including sales to US citizens and non-US citizens at the door on the night of the party.
Buy your tickets in advance from DA -- save money and help finance the future of our organization! DNC regulations allow us to collect money from US Citizens only (and permanent US residents/green card holders). Each US citizen can buy a maximum of two guest tickets (and may NOT be reimbursed by non-Americans).
There are three simple ways to buy your tickets in advance:
1. In person at upcoming DA Events: Tuesday, October 28, Young Democrats Abroad and Wednesday, October 29, DA Tertulia with guest speaker Pierre Schori, place TBA.
2. In person Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm at English Systems, c/Alberto Alcocer, 32 1º, Madrid (tel. 91 457 9222).
3. By bank transfer, send payment to DA Madrid treasurer: Dean Walter Jannone BANKINTER - account number 0128/0051/22/010.0029603 Make sure to put the name of purchaser on the transfer form where it says concepto. Then pick up your tickets at the Democrats Abroad desk at the door on the night of the party.
A limited number of VIP TICKETS will also be available for purchase for €100 with profits going to fund future Democrats Abroad events. These special tickets allow access to the President's Chambers and the chance to mix with other Dems and dozens of Spanish VIPs invited by the president of Círculo de Bellas Artes. The group catering the VIP room at has prepared a menu that is absolutely top rate. An exquisite array of delectables, together with an all-night open bar makes the VIP "lounge" at Bellas Artes THE "IN" PLACE to be on Nov. 4th. At €l00 per person it is a real bargain for you and a friend. But hurry. Tickets are limited and we are sure they are going to go fast. Don´t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity! Once again, DNC rules permit sales only to US Citizens. To purchase VIP tickets or obtain more information contact Leslie Freschet by email and put "VIP TICKETS" in the subject line: lfreschet@hotmail.com
Missed the screening of the Palin-Biden debate? See how it went:
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=lN2Gb-VwGO4
Check out the video an Obama supporter put together from the Rally and Mail-In!
Obama Rally Madrid
www.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-UGNV2rd1lY
Worried that the Spanish Correos won't get your ballot in on time?
Speedy transport of your ballot via the Express Your Vote initiative of Overseas Vote Foundation (supported by FedEx Express). Between15 September and 29 October, overseas voters in 89 countries can take advantage of reduced rates for FedEx courier service of their ballots, including track and trace capabilities and proactive proof of delivery through OVF. For full details see: www.overseasvotefoundation.org.
I've set up a fundraising page for Americans in Spain for Obama. If you want your donation to get credited to our group, go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/maingroup/AmericansinSpainforObama or go to the group page, scroll down to the fundraising announcement, and click on "view".
PLEASE NOTE: If you use the "Donate Now" button from our group's site, we will NOT get credited for your donation.
We've got just two weeks left to register to vote and request our absentee ballots -- have you and everyone you know taken care of it yet?
If not, go to www.votefromabroad.org/6. And spread the word!
The Obama Bridge Project arrived in Hawaii, just as Barack returned to his home-state for a holiday.
While he was resting on Oahu, on Kauai over 100 Americans--residents and tourists--gathered at one of the island's most historic bridges, Hanalei, for a giant photo op.
To see the final pix, visit our Flikr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23556339@N05/
[Somebody tell me how to embed photos on this blog !!] :-/
The Hawaii group has posted over 50 pix of their event on Bridges for Obama Yahoo site in the Kauai Photo Album:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/obamasbridges/
Local radio & TV covered the story--plus an article with color photo made the front page of the newspaper, which reportedly was handed to Barack Obama with his breakfast the next day.
http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?s=8829758
Aloha, Barack--happy birthday from Hawaii!
Hawaii isn't the first state to do their own Obama Bridge Shoot--Minnesota and California also have done photos but none approaching the scale of Kauai.
Bravo Kauai for Obama OBAMA committee!
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/KauaiforObamaOne of the organizers wrote:
We're very pleased with many things about our event. We attracted many media persons, got a radio interview and a TV photo. We had over 100 attendees which is great considering our tiny population here on Kauai....We hung out for about an hour, got lots of attention from honking cars, and walkers and river kayakers. It was really, really fun.
Please join the grassroots initiative--wherever you live!
Lets see Obama Bridge shoots from the Golden Gate to the Brooklyn Bridge!
It's a great way to energize Obama groups, attract new members, create media buzz.
Yes, we span!
BTW, Hamilton, Canada has a bridge shoot set for tomorrow! This will be Canada's 4th bridge shoot.If you have friends in Hamilton, tell them to contact Ken Sherman: k_e_sherman@yahoo.ca.
Still no news from the convention team about whether they will use the photos in Denver or not.
Meredith Wheeler
Obama Bridge ProjectYes, we SPAN!
Please pass the word about this new DA video aimed at persuading U.S. citizens abroad--especially the younger contingent--to register to vote.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=amukRM9SSoo
Academy-award-winning actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, (based in London) is one of the many Americans in the clip encouraging American abroad to register for their absentee ballot.DA is asking ALL Democrats everywhere to pass on this video (viral marketing) and to BLOG about it. On the first day, over 150,000 people viewed it.More importantly, in 24 hours we registered voters in 87 different countries, voting in 45 different states.Please FORWARD this to your friends and family.
Barack Obama was handed a DVD of the Obama Bridge Project today at his birthday party in Boston.
Connie Borde, Executive Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad in France put the DVD into his hands.
She phoned me from the party immediately afterwards (it was almost midnight in France) to say
he GOT it!
Hurrah! Yes We Span!
MORE cities are doing Obama Bridge shoots.
Why not in your neighborhood?
Dems Abroad in Chapala, Mexico will be doing an Obama Bridge shoot at 3pm this Sunday, August 3rd.
If you have friends or family in that area who might be interested, please tell them to contact
Sandra Loridans at sotouch@prodigy.net.mx.
Si, se puede !
This project got going in April 2008. Since then, over 75 bridges with Obama supporters have been photographed in 37 countries around the world.
Keep it going! Spread the word.
PHOTOS in this series:http://www.flickr.com/groups/bridgesforobama/pool/New York Times Political Blog on this project:http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/democrats-abroad-say-yes-we-span/The Washington Post Political Blog on this project:http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/05/14/obams_international_following.htmlObama Campaign Official Blog, by Amy Hamblin:http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amyhamblin/gGxymS/commentary#MAP with participating bridges plotted:http://www.flickr.com/photos/23556339@N05/map?&fLat=13.5819&fLon=52.7343&zl=16LIST of bridges taking part: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pvmab7tp2AwW8csp8_uASQA
I thought that the speech given by Barack Obama was an important history lesson in the Cold War, the defeat of communism was also an achievement of Europeans, including Pope John Paul II. However, this is just that, history. The defeat of communism in Europe and around the globe was not just an American feat. What Barack pointed out to Berliners and Europeans is the role of immigrants and minorities and their struggles and contributions. From the opening, Barack opened up by pointing out that his father was a Kenyan goat keeper and there was a wonderful African cheer from the crowd. What made this spectacular and pointed – was this was in the backdrop of what is currently occurring in Europe – the harsh "Return" Directive which would allow EU Member States to lock up undocumented immigrants for 18 months and then ban them from the European Continent for five years. What is missing in Europe is that people do not choose to undertake the dangers and struggles to migrate from Africa and South America to Europe for freedom, but for a better life and to feed their families. Barack included this stoy about his father in the backdrop the building of Fortress Europe and the coming of harsh immigration policies sweeping the continent.
Barack mentioned a partnership between Europe and America. American needs partnership that are real partnership, where America is willing to give something, not just take, and to listen to partners, not just arrogantly dictate terms. These partnerships include other nations and regions of the world, not just Europe. This includes the idea that America accepts criticism of its policies from others, including the so-called “war on terrorism” and “Guantanamo Bay” and the death penalty, poverty in America and torture, among others. I was disappointed in that Barack continued with the same ol’ “what America did for Europe,” without what Europe has done for itself and the achievements of the European Union. Again, Europe and European nations must be free to decide their own security, defense and foreign policy apart from the dictates of Washington. Barack’s speech was again full of messages that “America rules Europe” and failed to acknowledge the achievements of Europeans in the name of their own peace and security – and the creation of the greatest project of human kind, the European project, the European Union. Europe must be "allowed" to continue in its own path, which will take it away from "American leadership." America must accept that the future will be without America “leading Europe” – but an independent European superpower.
Another note: My father took part in the Berlin Airlift and served in the military all over Europe in the Cold War.
Hi!!
Do you know about the new discussion group for people around the world?
Democrats_Worldwide - has members in Afghanistan, Thailand, Serbia, Korea, England, France....Virgin Islands, etc.
If you are an American away from the U.S., please come talk.
This is not a typical chatlist. It's for intelligent conversation with Democrats. No personal attacks are allowed. Not too many messages, we have 57 members.
Democrats_Worldwide-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
If you are outside the U.S., please come talk to other Democrats out of the U.S.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Carole
www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com
