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.
President Barack Obama you were perfect in the delivery and content of your speech on the 24th of Feb, 09. You are doing the best job anyone could ask for. You and your team have developed a very good plan to get us out of the financial mess we are in. And you have explained your plan and intentions to the fullest. No other President has been so open in the explanation of the plans for our country. I believe you will be successful in achieving the goals you have made for the improvements we need in this country. Mostly because it's a good plan but also because when you put your mind, heart and soul into something your level of success rates go up. And I can see that you believe what you are telling us and together we will fix the nation. Thank You for being who you are. Thank You for the HOPE you have given us all. Thank You for the wise decisions you have made for the betterment of our nation. Just Thank You, President Barack Obama I will pray for you, your family and your cabinet to be safe, make future good choices and to be successful.
Unless you're in a bubble, You can alway's find people talking politics as if it were the norm, comparing Republican's and Democrat's. At times they'd be arguing,bullying,all sort's of stuff. But the big buzz around the Dem's corner(I'm a member,of course) is, Obama/Biden not being tough enough,they have so many fact's they can dwell on(unlike the lies the republican's continously report about our Obama, or conscrew his word's). They say we need a more aggressive team to show them were no sloutches. What do you all think? Should they be more aggressive? Or should they play it cool, like they're doing and not play old politic's?
Read The Article:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_10285600
Watch The Video:
http://www.weneedapresident.com
Eklectyk Creative Media has released an innovative music video for the group, Napalm Clique, in support of Barack Obama. The video begins with an excerpt from his "A More Perfect Union" speech, and launches into a multimedia celebration for the political candidate. The video-editing and creativity behind this video have truly raised the bar for independent Hip Hop artists. In this production, real Hip Hop is used as a vehicle to inspire youth to vote and become involved in national politics.
Check it out: "We Need A President" by Napalm Clique
WE NEED YOUR HELP-- We're looking for ways to make this video go viral, as we feel that this "anthem" could help to fuel the efforts of organizers and campaign supporters until November. If you have any blogs, websites, or mailing lists, please post this video and help us get the word out.
Thank You,
Trevor Parham
Imus comments come out as another racist statement.
The arrest of Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Adam Jones, sparked criticism on Don Imus's radio program. While recording the show, set to air on Tuesday, Imus commented on the unfair treatment of African Americans. "What people should be outraged about is that they arrest blacks for no reason," Imus said Tuesday. "I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. Maybe he did something once, but everyone does something once." The latest comments by Imus were aired on Monday's broadcast. During a conversation about Jones' arrest, Imus asked, "What color is he?" Sports announcer Warner Wolf said Jones - formerly known as Pacman - is "African-American." Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."
Imus said in a public statement, that the remarks were meant to be sarcastic.
He called the flurry of criticism surrounding the comments "ridiculous" and said that his program's cast is now more diverse than ever - and includes a black producer and two black co-hosts, a man and a woman."How insane would I have to be? What would I be thinking?" Imus wondered aloud.
Now I would like to know if you thought that the comments made by Imus were racist or not?
Ali
Virginia Teens Against Racism
Southern California Native
caligirl00241@aol.com
(Story found on AOL)
Received via e-mail
Some leaders in the Democratic Party are playing with fire. They think that they can betray the will of millions of voters and choose Hillary Clinton as the nominee, regardless of whether or not she is the choice of the voters. We can't let this happen. It would be the largest disenfranchisement in modern history, and it would mean the Democratic Party giving their stamp of approval to a clear and consistent pattern of race-baiting by the Clinton campaign.
If we make our voices heard, we can stop it. Please join us in signing an open letter to leaders in the Democratic Party -- DNC Chair Howard Dean, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and all superdelegates -- demanding that they reject an outcome that involves trampling voting rights and legitimizing the politics of division and fear:
http://colorofchange.org/dems/?id=1647-309967
By the time the last vote is cast on June 3rd under the rules of the Democratic Party, it's unlikely Hillary Clinton will beat Barack Obama among voters.1 But there's a chance that superdelegates will hand Clinton the nomination anyway. This would be a shocking attack on democracy, and it would destroy the Democratic Party's credibility on protecting the right to vote. Black people have a long history of fighting against voter suppression, and now the Democratic Party will be the enemy in that fight. As bad as that would be, there's another reason that a coup by party insiders would threaten racial progress.
Senator Clinton's plan to have superdelegates hand her the nomination relies on a parallel strategy -- she has to stoke enough division and race-based fear among Democratic voters to convince superdelegates that white voters will not vote for Senator Obama in the general election.2 One of Clinton's key arguments to superdelegates is that America won't elect a Black man, and therefore she's the better choice for Democrats to beat John McCain.3,4 While she makes that argument in private to superdelegates, in public, Clinton's campaign and her surrogates are doing everything they can to damage Barack Obama by ginning up fear and division and playing to the worst instincts of our society. It's an insult to Black people and all Americans, Obama and Clinton supporters alike.
The pattern has been clear and consistent to some party leaders. Last week, according to the Washington Post, James Clyburn -- who as House Majority Whip remains neutral and is the highest ranking Black member of Congress -- accused the Clintons of marginalizing Black voters.5 Referring to this strategy in another interview, Clyburn said that "Nothing in this campaign has been by accident."6
Congressman Clyburn warned that "black people are incensed" over the divisiveness of the Clinton strategy and that it threatens an irreparable breach between Black people and the Democratic Party.7 He's right. And if superdelegates hand Clinton a victory despite her defeat among voters, they will be condoning and rewarding that strategy.
Some party leaders have expressed strong concern about superdelegates overruling voters.8,9 But as a whole, superdelegates have not made it clear that they will respect the will of voters. Today, we want to send a clear, unequivocal message to superdelegates and other party leaders: Reject the idea that the nomination can be won with a strategy that preys on racism, sows division, and disenfranchises millions of voters.
Please join us:
-- James, Van, Gabriel, Clarissa, Mervyn, Andre, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team May 2nd, 2008
References:
1. "Analysis: Time, delegate math working against Clinton," AP, 04-18-2008 http://tinyurl.com/3rzn45
2. Keith Olbermann Special Comment on Clinton Campaign, MSNBC, 03-12-2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ2JtUmB3kc
3. "Mark Halperin Explains the Clinton Argument for Staying In," Mark Halperin on FOX News, 03-28-2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ3Gyum4434
4. "Clinton ally: Some whites 'not ready' for Obama," AP, 02-12-2008 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23134717/
5. "Party Fears Racial Divide," Washington Post, 04-26-2008 http://tinyurl.com/4aoj6h
6. "Vexing Issue for the Clinton Campaign: What to Make of Bill?," New York Times, 04-29-2008 http://tinyurl.com/475g5b
7. "Black Leader in House Denounces Bill Clinton's Remarks," The Caucus, 04-24-2008 http://tinyurl.com/3hn8aj
8. "Brazile: I'll Quit DNC Position Over Superdelegates," News & Notes, 02-11-2008 http://tinyurl.com/4emgl3
9. "Brazile: Howard Dean And Other Party Leaders Should Be Prepared To Step In," TPM Election Central, 03-05-2008 http://tinyurl.com/3dfm6s
I am a democrat who refuses to buy into dogma because I am told to do so. I think that exercising the rights that we have is as important as it is to help others. That being said, I found it sad that Obama felt compelled to say that Americans in small towns "cling to guns".
I refuse to bow to fear, and Obama's views on gun control amount to fear-mongering to me, and his recent comments concern me more. People have differing political views, but what I have never understood is why those that so dearly love the 1st amendment can so passionately hate the 2nd amendment. Is it not the 2nd that secures the right to the 1st?
I am not convinced that any of the candidates in the race can truly change this country, and that is a shame. Obama was the one who I thought might cut through all the crap and tell it like it is. But that is not the truth. The truth is that Obama is playing politics like any other candidate, and will act accordingly once elected.
I guess this should come to no surprise, considering that the wealthy tend not to understand common concerns. I would love to see a average american run for president... not this long and weary line of wealthy politicians.
In November I may vote for my dad, since I can write in whomever I want. At leas then I know that I won't be voting for a candidate I don't beleive in.
A couple songs I put on to get fired up before working on the campaign:
1. Steve Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
2. 3 Doors Down - Kryptonite
3. Hope - Lighthouse
4. Ohene - Barack 4 America
5. Suzie McNeil - Believe
6. India.Arie - Hope
7. Etta James - At Last
8. Random - Push
9. Sarah McLachlan - World on Fire
10. Kanye West - Stronger
11. Michael Jackson - Man In the Mirror
12. Trek Life - Price I've Paid
13. Dixie Chicks - I Hope
14. Ohene - I Put A Spell On You
15. K-Os - Highway 7
I guess Hillary Clinton has been too busy (trying to find dirt to throw at Senator Obama and attempting to change the DNC rules) to keep her stories straight. The odds of her "mispeaking" about her trip to Bosnia years ago are slim to none. Like being shot at and running for cover is somehow cool and makes you more qualified to be commander in chief... Thank God for the video proving that her "coming under sniper fire" was a straight up lie. Makes you wonder how many more lies have come out of her mouth during this campaign and during her entire political career in an effort to pander to certain interests just to further her career (as well as her husband's). Her candidacy is a problem. It is evident that she is playing the "divide and conquer" game using and pandering to race, gender and "class" issues and attempting to attack Senator Obama on "substance" when its clear that she's the one that ain't got it. It just shows us all that she is power hungry and desperate to win at all costs, that she is willing to sacrifice the Democratic Party and the future of America in her quest for the presidency. We don't need four more years with just another liar in that oval office not giving a damn about none of us. We don't need Hillary Clinton. (And we don't need Bill as vice president neither).
A good buddy of mine, Ohene, penned a song in support of Obama - an excellent marketing tool for drawing in the youth. He's based out of Philly, so if anyone wants to book him for a rally or other event, let me know and I'll pass along the message.
Check it out, it's a free download on MySpace: myspace.com/ohene.
I am pretty sick still - trying to decide whether going to work this morning will just exacerbate my illness, or will staying home exacerbate my unholy mound of backlogged work worse? It's a tough call - I guess I'd better decide when I wake up. Although, I have a history of siding with staying home after waking up to the alarm clock.
Another consideration; I'd like to be home to watch the primary coverage on Tuesday, so if I can struggle through work today I'll also demonstrate that I'm really ill to my boss and co-workers and not a faker or an exaggerator.
Not to be so off-topic: Go Obama! Kick some Clinton ass in Wisconsin! My family is from Wisconsin (before I was born); they lived in Milwaukee and all three of my sisters were born there. My brother and I were born in Lansing, Michigan, where we lived until I was four years old. Then we lived in Connecticut until I was ten, and since then we've lived in Maryland. Well, Obama took Maryland, Connecticut, and he would have taken Michigan had his name been on the ballot. I'm pretty confident he'll take Wisconsin. My family's good at picking the Obama states :)
I've reposted below the reply I wrote to Millie from Florida, who was upset about the image from a Houston Fox station of Che Guevera in a volunteer office. She is very clear in describing why this is a problem, making me aware of the insensitivity of honoring that man. Here's the original post:http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/millie/C4fY
Here's my reply:
You're absolutely right. To be honest, I was ignorant of this aspect of Cuban history and culture. That ignorance is widespread in America due to the embargo; it's gone on longer than many of us have been alive. It's certainly not taught in public school US History. Without free movement to Cuba, there is no way many American youth could have known this.
Here's the hope: as English-only white male, I do not associate with many Spanish-speaking people, much less Cubans. But Barack's message is one of Unity, and it's brought the two of us together. By following his example of listening, I understand now why this image is so powerful. There's no way I could have known that without you.
Please, accept my apologies on behalf of every WASP kid who's been denied an opportunity to learn about the proud and beautiful Cuban culture and history. I know it's hurt your work for this campaign, but I believe it is not fatally wounded.
I understand your anger. But I have to call you to be responsible as well. I reject your argument that it is the volunteer's responsibility to "educate herself" about the issues of Cuban Americans before opening an office. How could she ever learn everything there is to know about every cultural subsegment of American society? How many Cubans has she had meaningful interactions with in her life?
This the core of the argument for unity, including a shared language and cultural integration into the US, a topic many immigrants resist. It's ultimately unfair to maintain a separate society, enforced with language, and yet be insulted when someone outside your culture makes a stupid mistake.
I can't speak for your family, but I know that every person can ultimately only control their own behavior. Your choice now is to retreat, insulted, away from this campaign, or engage, commit, and ultimately educate America.
You've taken the first step. Your message has reached me. I pledge to fight the "pop" usage of this image anywhere I see it in my everyday life. I get it now, and I didn't before. I think that should give you hope that this campaign really can change America. Barack challenges us to speak up, because he knows speaking honestly can heal.
I'm a volunteer, and don't speak for the campaign. I believe this campaign stands for the values honesty, empathy, and personal responsibility.
Two words of recent history: New Hampshire.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/11/91158/5807/161/454432
T-minus four hours to Super Bowl kickoff. The great news of endorsements and polls CANNOT distract us from the work to be done. I believe this is how we lost New Hampshire. We must do all we can!!!!
Take a minute, go to the Action Center, and do ONE round of phone calls for the campaign, at least. We must talk to as many people as possible. There is a huge swell of support for Barack, and talking to people will further energize you.
I'm going to a watch the game, so no calls after kickoff. I'd guess for many Americans (especially in the NY/NE area), calls will not be welcomed during the game. Take this time to write an email to your addressbook, or call a friend you know won't be watching the game.
On blogs, I'm seeing Obama detractors dismissing "soaring rhetoric" and "pretty speeches." They insist that getting legislation passed is something best left to the "experienced." I'm sorry, I must disagree.
You think a politician jumps when he gets a call from a donor? He jumps twice as high when he's getting a hundred calls a day from constituents. There is still fear in the Washington establishment of the power of the people. They call it the "bully pulpit" for a reason.
Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we?
Name me an initiative G. Washington "managed through the process" as president that's read in a U.S. history class the way his Farewell Address is.
Can you name legislation Lincoln signed or failed to sign that is regarded higher than the Gettysburg Address? I'm sorry, the slaves were freed by executive order. Thanks for playing!
How many of your grandfathers can name more New Deal programs than they have teeth? How many of those same grandfathers can tell you exactly how they felt during at least one of FDR's fireside chats?
Republicans worship Reagan, but not because he slashed welfare and funded Contras. It's "Morning in America" and "Tear Down this Wall" that cast such a long shadow over their current candidates.
America IS an ideal. We started the whole idea of liberal democracy. It DIDN'T EXIST before us. Our contribution to humanity is NOT that people had a parliament and a vote. It's that the government was embodied in a DOCUMENT, in words, and not a MAN.
Is it a coincidence that democracy is faltering around the world today: in Pakistan and Kenya, in Iraq and Russia? Could it be because WE have faltered in leading the world with the conduct of our OWN democracy?
And some people want to go back to Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Deny the power of a President's words? Only someone who debated The Meaning of "Is" can get away with that.
