While some planned protests against “death panels” that don’t exist, others began lining up as early as 3:00 pm on Wednesday for what many believe is simply “a cool thing to see”. A sitting President doesn’t often visit any part of Montana, let alone the small town of Belgrade.
But mostly they were like Kathie Lehman of Belgrade who works at the Flying J and got in line after her 3 a.m. shift, still dressed in her work uniform. ‘I was 65th in line,’ she said. ‘At 5:30 a.m., there were about 135 people in sleeping bags sleeping.’ She gave up her dual Japanese citizenship in order to vote for the President, “I think he gives us so much hope.”
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Department of State announces the recipients of the third annual Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage. This is the only award within the Department of State that pays tribute to outstanding women leaders worldwide. It recognizes the courage and leadership shown as they struggle for social justice and human rights.This year, the Secretary of State will pay tribute to honorees representing Afghanistan, Guatemala, Iraq, Malaysia, Niger, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. They are among over 80 exceptional women nominated by U.S. Embassies worldwide for their extraordinary work in advancing human rights. The women will be in Washington from March 8 – 12 for a program of meetings with government officials, NGOs and the media. The Office of International Visitors is partnering with the Office of International Women’s Issues on this project.
Lisa Jackson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced a new initiative to further measure levels of toxic air pollution near many schools across the country for better protection. EPA and its state partners will prioritize and monitor schools for more extensive air quality analysis, looking closely at schools located near large industries and in urban areas.
If you haven't heard the good news let me be the first to tell you about the great upcoming fundraiser for Senator Obama.
On the weekend of April 18th through the 19th we're asking that all you great Obama supporters get out to your local bowling alley and 'Bowl for Obama'.
Invite friends, family, neighbors and strangers to come out and support Obama. We would like all the bowling parties to be held during the weekend before the PA primary to show everyone just how involved we really are. This is a way for us to reach out to people in a fun friendly environment. We all saw how far the bowling story spread after Sen. Obama bowled in PA. Imagine what an impact we can make if we ALL do it together.
Even if your unable to plan an all out fundraiser it's still a great time to get out in you Obama gear and go bowl a few frames. And if you just happened to have some information about the campaign on had to pass out to your fellow bowlers, who's gonna mind, lol.
GET OUT AND BOWL FOR OBAMA!
Although I hate the idea that the votes of a selct few individuals have the possibility of wielding more power than the voices of millions, I think I agree with Sen. Obama.
My confidence in the elected democrats of this country could be misplaced, but I don't think they'll vote against the masses. I think that they will follow the vote of the nation. I understand that a few of them might be full of themselves enough to think that they know what's better for us, but I wouldn't say that for the majority of them. Especially since some of them are starting to voice that they shouldn't even have to vote and that Sen. Clinton should just step down.
Now that's something I don't agree with. I think that if at the end of the primaries she doesn't have the most delegates then she should step down. She shouldn't even put her hope in the superdelegates because then she'll just be showing the nation that the popular vote means nothing to her and that she will truly win at any cost.
And although we know that to be true, I think she's still got a couple people fooled and she might not want to mess that up. I'm sure she plans on running in 2012.
So I think we need to just worry ourselves with making sure that Obama is the clear winner after the primaries and before the convention. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I just had to share with everyone the great changes that this election have brought about in my community. I have never seen so many people getting involved or even up to date on the issues the way they are now. Especially young people.
Just yesterday I was approached at a gas station by a young man urging everyone to register to vote. He had clipboards, pens and all the info needed right on hand to get folks registered. This might not be a big deal for some, but coming from where i'm from, it's HUGE! I come from an area where if a young man like the one I spoke with yesterday approached my car, I would lock the doors. And i'm no meek miss.
Since i'm already registered to vote we began talking about other things and I was pleased to learn that he's an Obama supporter. Which of course put me on Cloud 9. Isn't it wonderful the way this man has inspired so many from so many different backgrounds.
I remember being so excited when I was old enough to vote. But I soon came to realization that I was definitely one of very few. If I had a nickel for every time I tried to stress to one of my friends how important voting is, and how every voice and vote counts. My grandmother always told me that if you don't vote you can't complain. And I got a whole bunch to complain about so I still get excited about getting out there and putting in my vote. And thanks to Obama my friends are finally starting to get excited about the role they'll play once this great man is in office.
Thanks Obama, your making changes already!
Wondering what you can do to help?
There are many of ways to help Senator Obama get elected for President: *DONATE to the OBAMA campaign (barackobama.com)*REGISTER New Voters*GET CONNECTED with a local OBAMA groups and their events *MEET UP in your area! SPEAK for OBAMA in your neighborhood or community. *ORGANIZE an OBAMA Playgroup*FUNDRAISE Online for OBAMA (barackobama.com)*Recruit 5 friends or family to support OBAMA *Paste an OBAMA bumper-stickeron your car, laptop, stroller, etc.*WEAR your OBAMA shirt when you run your errands, shuttle the kids to school/activities, walks, at the gym, at your next family or friend reunion, etc. *WEAR your OBAMA button everyday - put on your purse or hat *ADD an OBAMA website or message as your EMAIL signature *ADD OBAMA as your 1 Friend on MYSPACE *POST OBAMA comments and bulletins for your friends in your ONLINE Community *BLOG about OBAMA *POST an OBAMA sign on your front lawn or in your front window of your home *HOST an OBAMA House Party *Post OBAMA articles and flyers on community boards at school or in your community Name recognition and knowledge about Obama will gain votes. Your personal story of why you support Obama is the sincerest way to communicate why Barack Obama should be our next president.Thank you for all your efforts,Louise
Moms for Obama gear available www.cafepress.com/momsforobama proceeds are donated to campaign.
Just 2 Moms are two single mothers who want to inspire other single mothers and women to follow their dreams. Women are the backbone of society and with your support we can help be the driving force in Obama's campaign! Please visit our website to purchase your t-shirts today: www.myspace.com/just2moms.
A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the Obama for America campaign.Thanks in advance for your support and don't forget to REGISTER TO VOTE!
I believe that most things are possible.I believe that I can do anything I put my mind to. I believe in entrepreneurship.
Unfortunately, I also believe in road blocks.And, I believe there are some people out there who want to protect the status quo. It is not shocking to me that the 'haves' want to keep what they have. What is surprising is that the 'haves' don't accept the fact that there is more than enough to go around.
I believe in Obama and know that people are people and we all have dreams and desires for our families. But, to our current President-- how can you really understand how the price of gas hurts me, if you have never been affected by the price of gas---while your family is in the oil business?How can you really understand how it feels to lose a brother, sister, mother or father to a war I don't agree with when all your family members are home with you?
A man can do a lot with other peoples money, other peoples children and other peoples dreams when he feels no attachments, no obligations or respect for them. I am glad that our future President, Barak Obama knows what it's like to not have a father in the home. He knows what it's like to be judged, to struggle and work hard. I believe he will not lose touch with people who just want to live in peace. I look forward to him as President.
The contractors accessed information in the file in an unauthorized way, he said.
Two contractors were fired and one was disciplined by the contractor's company, McCormack said.
He said the contractors are not linked.
The State Department hires contractors to design, build and maintain their systems and help employees with searches. McCormack said two of the contractors in the Obama case were "low-level" personnel and the other was in a mid-level position with no management role.
The breach seems like "imprudent curiosity" among the contract workers, said McCormack, adding that senior management at the State Department was not aware of the incidents until Thursday afternoon. Breaches occurred January 9, February 21 and March 14.
Obama's campaign is asking for a complete investigation to find out who looked at Obama's passport file and why.
"This is an outrageous breach of security and privacy, even from an administration that has shown little regard for either over the last eight years," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton in a statement.
"Our government's duty is to protect the private information of the American people, not use it for political purposes."
Doug Hattaway, a spokesman for Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, said, "If it's true, it's reprehensible, and the Bush administration has a responsibility to get to the bottom of it."
The White House declined comment Thursday evening, just hours after the State Department upper management learned of the breach.
State Department officials say Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was told Thursday what happened and that she told her staff she wanted a full investigation.
The department would not speculate whether the information had been shared with anyone else.
"That obviously is something we are investigating," said Under Secretary of State Pat Kennedy. "I have no reason to believe they did, but I certainly am not going to be dismissive of what is a serious and valid question."
Kennedy said he will brief Obama's senior staff on Friday.
The news was reminiscent of a breach of Bill Clinton's passport information during the 1992 presidential campaign. The FBI launched an investigation after the State Department reported that someone had ripped out pages from his passport file from the late 1960s and '70s.
The department concluded that a search of Clinton's passport records was an attempt to influence the presidential election, reportedly by trying to show that Clinton tried to seek citizenship in another country to avoid the draft. Clinton was running against President George H.W. Bush.
Then-State Department Inspector General Sherman Funk found no evidence the White House ordered department staffers to dig for political dirt in Clinton's passport files. However, Funk said the White House probably knew it was happening.
Sen. Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement late Thursday.
"I am deeply troubled that State Department contract employees sought access to Sen. Barack Obama's passport files. Firing or disciplining those responsible is an important first step. But we need to understand why these employees had access to this information in the first place, why they sought the information, and why it took over two months for this matter to come to light. I urge the Secretary of State to promptly refer this matter to the State Department Inspector General for investigation."
You know, it seems very interesting to me that thr focus on Hillary's win seems to underplay the fact that Barack won the caucus and actually came out with more delegates than Hillary? What is with the media that Barack's win and eventual delegate is not a media sensation.
Just a thought.
Barack today in MS... Video Available later today at www.barackobama.com ..He is running to be PRESIDENT, NOT VP..!
http://www.dailykos.com/sto...
It is now clear that the Clintons are for the dream team suggestions that have been toying around for awhile now. Hillary on 2 occassions has been questions about the idea and on both occasions has hinted that that would be an ideal situations. Today, Bill himself when queried on the same subject said that that would be best situation for the democrats.
Now ,wait a minute, remember that Barack "lacks experience and has nothing to offer apart form his big speeches"....You would thgink that Hillary would rather choose someone who has more than just words to offer, right?..Well, when I digress for a minute, I basically come to 2 conclusions. First is, that a lot of what shse says is all politics and strategies to win the nomination: bottom line, she knows what all of us know: that Barack Obama is the better candidate. Second, she has a sense that she is not going to get the Democratic nomination; and being the ambitious self she always been, she would not mind being the Vice President....It is better than none, she would have made history either way,thus reached self-actualization....
Well people these are my musings...feel free to post a comment.
When Barack Obama wins the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States, he will be giving his acceptance speech to the Democratic National Convention on August 28th.
The significance of that particular date you ask?
August 28th will be 45 years to the exact day that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his now world famous "I Have A Dream" speech!
