Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. -Martin Luther King Jr.
I reflected on this quote for a minute. I was very hesitant before I decided to become political. I felt I was not experienced or educated enough when it comes to politics. President Obama was the first person I ever voted for--I'm 32.
Before Mr. Obama became president, I honestly did not have faith in our GOVERNMENT for obvious reasons (The last 8 years). I took the FIRST step of faith, became a registered voter, and decided to make change in my own life. Maybe it was Mr. Obama's powerful & very moving speeches or the drive of other volunteers during his campaign that sparked the flame that is burning within me to serve as a volunteer for HEALTH CARE reform.
I'm learning! I anticipate to learn more for I believe all Americans should support our LEADER and our great NATION. My prayers goes out to President Obama, his family and staff.
God bless us ALL.
Thanks for reading. ^_^.
I'm learning. After Camp Obama, I became full of hope. The stories of the people warmed my heart. I am fairly young and as my last blog stated, "Not so political". But for the problems ahead, it is compassion that is needed. I'm pleased with the outcome so far and appreciate the knowledge of the OFA workers. We all are passionate about serving. I never thought a girl like me would have an interest in POLITICS...
Summer? Becoming political? YES. ^_^
Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century - The World Water Crisis.
Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel.
Interviews with scientists and activists intelligently reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale, and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the water grab, while begging the question “CAN ANYONE REALLY OWN WATER?”
Beyond identifying the problem, FLOW also gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a successful global and economic turnaround. (Excerpt from main website)
Please visit the official website for more information: http://www.flowthefilm.com
Click the Fullscreen Button for a larger version.
http://politicalpete.com/forum/index.php
http://politicalpete.com/
Randi Payton
rpayton@onwheelsinc.com
President Barack Obama may be doing a good job of repairing the nation’s economy but behind the scenes his strongest political base is eroding due to major setbacks in corporate diversity. African Americans reached into their pocketbooks to make unprecedented contributions to Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign last year. However, if the current trend of cutting diversity efforts continues, African Americans will not have the resources to financially support the president’s bid for a second term. When there’s the no work, there’s no money.
Thousands of African American small businesses, automotive dealers and suppliers, minority –owned media outlets and their employees are feeling the brunt of the recession. Businesses cannot get loans, corporations are laying off employees at an alarming rate and domestic automakers, the second largest employer of African Americans outside of the federal government, don’t see diversity as a priority during this economic crisis.
Minority car dealers and minority automotive suppliers who had the funds to support President Obama’s first run for the presidency will almost disappear because of the current economic crisis. Automakers have been corporate leaders in diversity for at least a generation. But diversity is not being considered in the restructuring plans of the domestic automotive industry.
Automakers that championed diversity and encouraged their ad agencies to support it, but did not require those same agencies to practice it, are now dropping diversity advertising and marketing altogether or making significant cuts. Corporations are too concerned with their survival to focus on diversity advertising and marketing which should be an essential part of restructuring. However, it has been looked at as affirmative action instead of a need to reach more than 30 percent of American consumers.
Minority dealers and suppliers who represented a huge financial support base for President Obama during his presidential campaign cannot get financing to operate their businesses and they have lost the support of larger companies that cannot get credit themselves. Not only has progress on this front ceased but all these businesses are closing at an alarming rate.
Small minority businesses experienced huge growth; their owners who often used equity in their homes to finance their start-ups can no longer do so and SBA and VA backed financing is frozen. The banks simply will not loan, although the Obama Administration has pumped money into them to free up the secondary finance markets. Banks either don’t have the cash or they are using the federal money to generate interest payments and to repay the government to escape federal oversight. But small minority-owned businesses have been left out of this equation.
African American employees, who were making inroads into upper management positions when diversity was a corporate priority, are now the first to be cut during tough times. Their input was never really valued; even those who have proven track records of success.
One 30-year senior executive at General Motors told me that this is the worse time that she has ever seen for diversity. Progress in that area is quietly being set-back. President Obama needs to appoint a diversity czar to protect the interests of minority consumers.
Other black politicians as well as President Obama should also be worried because they all need financially healthy voters to support their political campaigns. The ultra conservatives have yet another trick up their sleeve to destroy the economic base of minority consumers. They have one goal in mind – force the domestic automakers into bankruptcy and destroy the unions and the middle class. The current trend is having a devastating impact on African American middle class workers and it would make it difficult for all African American office seekers and incumbents, not just the president, to get future financial support from the black community.
Randi Payton is the CEO & President of On Wheels Media, which publishes African Americans On Wheels, Latinos On Wheels and the www.onwheelsinc.com web site. On Wheels will launch DECISIVE magazines and web hub summer of 2009, a consumer media to help consumer in multicultural market make decision on products and services. Get free digital copies of On Wheels magazines at www.onwheelsinc.com
Since January 20th 2009 Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States of America, a very historic inauguration day. Think back to 1963, when Martin Luther King held his famous speech, saying "I have a dream...", and see what a positive change has allready been made since then. With Barack Obama the first African American president in US history is in the White House, Martin Luther King`s dream is about to come true and that´s really great ! - Shop America supports Barack Obama and wishes him all the best for his future, hoping that he can really perform the "Change" for America and the world ! - Visit our Barack Obama section and check out "Yes We Can" and other political designs on t-shirts, buttons, stickers and more: BARACK OBAMA DESIGNS - YES WE CAN
BARACK OBAMA DESIGNS - YES WE CAN
I STACKED THESE 3 e-MAILS ON TOP OF EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY ARE RELEVANT TO THE SEASON, WALL ST, & MAIN ST.
I HAVE SENT THEM TO SOME WHO WERE NOT IN THE ORIGINAL e-MAIL... START AT BOTTOM OF PAGE # 1 2 3 4 Something to think about during this Holiday Season4I too long to return to Israel, however that will again be God's timing. Distinctly, John the Apostle, the last one alive to speak said only one vitally important thing, at the beginning of his revelation of Jesus Christ
God gave us servants a revelation
The revelation is of what must soon take place (history from 100ad to present)
An angel brought the message (angel message)
John would testify everything he saw (all visions)
That what he saw was the word of God (John1:1)
That it was the complete Testimony of Jesus Christ (The only Issue)
Ok, Now the literal Greek translation is: Happy is he who IS reading, and those hearing, the words of the Prophecy, and KEEPING the things written in it -- for the time is near Revelation 1:3NO mention of the issues, SPECIFIC mention of the ProphecyAll the things in the Living Prayer text and the text below were occurring in Christ's and John's time or had already occurred when John was guided to write.Now notice in the list above there is NO mention of the issues - Political-Social-Financial-Religious, only the Prophecy
The assignment is to read the Prophecy
To hear the Prophecy
To take to heart what is written in the prophecy, because the time is near Revelation Chapter 1 verses 1 to 3
Now we can do whatever we want, but when the time comes to say good and faithful servant, I think HE will as HE did before praise the servant who used the talents wisely and therefore was found obedient and righteous. 99% of the church DO NOT know what is in the Prophecy: Because they are too busy with the issues.Brief EXAMPLEDURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 2007Most Christians are clueless as to knowing in whom they have believed,
that Christ celebrated Hannukah what garment was touched that healed the woman with the issue of bloodwho made the Garmentwhat is the 4th commandmentthat the as eagles flying (AirForce Attack), lead by Allenby during WWI fulfilled Isaiah 31:5that Bethlehem is currently over 80%+ Islamicthat a Jewish guy wrote most accurately about Christ, as he lived during the Holocaust years and concluded we (Jew and Christian) had but one destiny (Sholem Asch)the correct spelling of Christ’s name in Hebrew, his languagethat Isaac Newton studied scripture and concluded it was chronological, solar, lunar, calendar and historicthat Newton concluded NO rapture, But Harvest as the Bible states, "swing the Sickle"*that Christ has commanded the reading and understanding of the book of Daniel, Matthew 24:15 that it is only the hour and day which is unknown, the season was explained to the disciples in detail Mathhew 24 – has been known since John wrote Revelation and must be known since Daniel was assigned to provide the answer to Matt 24:3, the disciples question of WHEN&HOWthat the possession of the land (of Israel) is the very basis of the Covenant of Promise, land possession required for Messiah return THAT THOUGH THREE FAITHS HONOR ABRAHAM, someone has to be the enemy, whose head is crushed, there has to be a seed of Satan
DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 2008Most Christians are clueless as to knowing in whom they have believed,
*12 that the 99% NEVER considered the Fig Tree, Matthew 24:32-35, never read nor understood Jeremiah 24 "Two Fig Baskets", major sign of Coming and End of Age 13 THAT 1948, rebirth of Nation of Israel fulfilled Isaiah 66:814 That you will observe SABBATH, Isaiah 66:2315 that Mt. Zion not Mt Moriah (Dome of Rock location) will be the spiritual metropolis of NEW JERUSALEM Isaiah 60:5, 60:1416 that the Golden Dome was designed and erected by a Gentile Arab, not Abraham 17 that ISAIAH SCROLL, entire book of Isaiah in Hebrew from time of Jesus, even exists or where to find it 18 don't know who the only known human to have held Messiah as a baby, is OR STUFF YOU CAN'T LEARN ON SUNDAYThe Reason for the SeasonN.., You and I were good partners over-there, in IsraelLOVE .......................M memanni at msn.com
www.hebrewheritage.com
3 From: @aol.comDate: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:16:58 -0500Subject: Merry Christmas!To: memanni at msn.com
Good morning!! I hope all is well with you and your family.
I personally believe that we (the USA) got just what we deserved in the election...I also believe that God is taking His hand away from us..we have chosen to ignore Him, take Him away from the schools and homes. The saying "God bless America" is ridiculous because God has been blessing us, it is time we should turn that saying around and say "we the people of the US should bless God." Instead we elected a man that is 100% for abortion which is murder in God's eyes, 100% for same sex marriage, and is 100% for giving away the Land that God gave to Moses and the children of Israel. I am not saying that we had a choice at all on the election..we did not..both sides are not Christians. All we can do now is pray for them, that they will have their eyes open and come to the cross.
I pray that you and yours have a wonderful Christmas. I am going to be working at the Salvation Army.
I would absolutely love to go to Israel again with you..think about it.
Love, N
___________________________________________________________________________
From:
memanni at msn.com
Sent:
Tue 12/23/08 11:22 PM
To:
@aol.com;
Just two remarks: I thought it was the lost sheep we were going after whether they call themselves Pastor, President-Elect, Live Prayer, or christian; note: Mystery Babylon is made up of christians who knew of the bridegroom and bride Rev 18:23, who was called out of her; but became the many He did not recognize; as their garments were not correct, they were naked; they lacked knowledge and were perishing; not because of civil ,social or political issues but because they knew not the Son and the Father.What will the author and LivePrayer committee and most christians say when the Prophet Daniel does the same kind of rant about those who have not studied his book as directed in Mathhew 24:15; the Bride cannot be without spot, with oil and in white garments without knowing and understanding these things according to Jesus, Daniel, Gabriel and the Apostle John. BTW the first 4 paragraphs below seems to be very similar to what Warren is being accused of.ANYHOW Happy Holy-Days
1 From: @aol.comDate: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:12:36 -0500Subject: Fwd: Daily Devotional (Tue. 12/23/2008) Liveprayer.com 178689 *_*-*_*-*_*-*To: overcomer1 at att.net
If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member that would like to start receiving this daily word. You can forward this to them, and they can use the following link to subscribe. http://www.liveprayer.com/signup.cfmDAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY DECEMBER 23, 2008(Matthew 14:1-12)***NEW LIVEPRAYER VIDEO DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON CELL PHONES!!! Get thisexciting new daily FREE ministry right on your cell phone. Fresh 3-4 minuteVideo Daily Devotional each day. Send prayer requests via text messagingand receive a personal response to your request back by text message.Simply go to the Liveprayer.com homepage and put your 10 digit cell numberin the box and hit SEND. You will receive a text message with a speciallink that will take you to the Liveprayer Video Daily Devotional homepage onyour cell phone. Please tell everyone you know about this cutting edge FREEministry via cell phones from Liveprayer.***LivePrayer Church!!! Haven't been to church this week? Join me for thisweek's service of the new LivePrayer Church. This week's relevant andapplicable message is, "The Second Coming and our Gift to God." Pleasevisit the new website and watch the worship service. Each Sunday there willbe a new service at 12:01am EDT at: www.liveprayerchurch.com***JONAH PROJECT UPDATE: Help me lead this nation back to God and Biblicalvalues. This is your chance to take a real stand for Christ with your life.How can you help? Sign up and become part of the Jonah Project. God iscalling you to make a difference. Watch the vision video and get signed upat: Liveprayer.com and click on the Jonah Project link***LIVEPRAYER TV! "Live" every Monday thru Friday from 10-11pm EST (9-10CST, 8-9 MST, 7-8 PST). Tune in and speak to Bill Keller during the programeach night by calling 1-727-546-8888. Also, don't forget, the most recent 5programs are available for On-Demand viewing at Liveprayer.com under the"Show archives" link.Rick Warren and President-elect Obama use each other for credibility. Letme say up front, the ONLY reason Pastor Rick Warren, Senior Pastor ofSaddleback Church in suburban Los Angeles and the author of the PurposeDriven Life, should deliver the invocation at Barack Hussein Obama'sinaugural is to pray for the following: Obama's salvation, that this nationwill stop slaughtering innocent babies, that ALL states will quit pervertingGod's Holy Institution of Marriage by allowing same-sex couples to wed, andthat this nation will turn from its sins and back to the God of the Bibleand faith in Jesus Christ.Now let's deal with reality. I guarantee you that Warren will pray for NONEof those things. Do you think for a second that President-elect Obama wouldinvite him to do the invocation if he was going to pray for the REAL needsof Obama and this nation? Warren became famous for selling his "PurposeDriven" marketing strategy designed to fill pews with warn bodies, notconverts to the faith, to churches and pastors around the nation who weretoo lazy to get their own vision from God. He has become the poster childfor the word COMPROMISE.Let me deal right away with the outrage from the homosexual community overObama asking Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. They are soblinded by their sin that they don't realize Warren is the last person theyneed to fear or worry about. Yes, I am well aware that Pastor Warrensupported Proposition 8. For the record, that only happened a few daysbefore the election after he was shamed and forced by those brave me andwomen who championed that stand in California for God's Holy Institution ofMarriage.Warren made national news during the recent Presidential election when hehosted a debate between Senators Obama and McCain. The event was widelypromoted as a Warren/Saddleback event, however it was originated andco-sponsored by the liberal social justice group Faith in Public Life, whoseboard president is Meg Riley, a Unitarian Universalism minister whopreviously ran the denomination's homosexual advocacy office. Warren alsospoke at one of Robert Schuller's Institute for Successful Church Leadershipconferences. In attendance at that Institute were 80 gay and lesbianministers from the now Jesus Metropolitan Churches which cater tohomosexuals and lesbians. Many of the clergy of these churches arepracticing, unrepentant homosexuals!I do credit Warren for being consistent in his public comments (whenpressed) against the sin of homosexuality and that marriage is to be betweena man and a woman as God dictated. However, he takes ZERO leadership on keyspiritual issues like abortion or gay marriage, and is quick to join forceswith the homosexual community and those in the cults and false religions ofthe world to advance his personal agenda. He was at a Muslim conventionthis past weekend, where Melissa Ethridge, an openly lesbian activist andmusic artist performed. Warren said the two had a "wonderful conversation"and that he is a huge fan who has all her albums.At that event, Warren told the Muslims, "You don't have to see eye to eye towalk hand in hand." Listen, Rick Warren is a PASTOR. He is supposed to bea messenger of the GOSPEL. He is NOT a politician!!! The Gospel of JesusChrist is not something you water down or compromise. It is not about beingpolitically correct because the eternal souls of men are at stake. There isno "walking hand in hand" with Muslims! They are on the wide road todestruction while born-again Believers are on that narrow road to Glory!Muslims need to understand that they have bought a 1400-year-old lie fromhell, and when they die, their souls will burn in the flames of hell for alleternity unless they turn from the lies of Islam and embrace faith in JesusChrist and the Truth of the Bible!!!Warren is a case study in the word "compromise." He embraces the damnableecumenical movement that seeks to unite people of all beliefs, meaningChristians are expected to "compromise" and abandon the Absolute Truth ofthe Bible! His infamous book, The Purpose Driven Church, was endorsed byLeonard Sweet, a firm New Age Movement advocate. Warren hired Ken Blanchardto come to Saddleback to help train people how to be effective leaders.Blanchard is a huge advocate of the New Age philosophies. He wrote theforeword to Jim Ballard's books Mind Like Water and What Would Buddha Do AtWork? He was on the front cover of Corporate Mystic and the back cover ofDeepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and wrote the Foreword toEllen Ladd's (clairvoyant) book, Death and Letting Go. Blanchard makes noapology when he says much can be gained from Buddhism. He and his wife bothencourage the practice of yoga and mantra meditation.Why does a self-professed Baptist evangelist associate with these types ofpeople? Not to preach the Gospel to them, but to use his association forhis benefit! Sadly Warren decided that he could make his impact by pursuinga worldwide social agenda. That is fine. We need people to lead the efforton global poverty, AIDS in Africa, and other social causes. But you can'tpursue this social agenda and ignore the pressing issues that are destroyingthis nation like killing babies, gay marriage, and family issues. IT IS NOTACCEPTABLE AT ANY TIME TO COMPROMISE THE GOSPEL AND THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLEIN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH ANY PURSUIT, NO MATTER HOW WORTHY! While thesesocial issues are worth bringing attention to and fighting for, the fact isall men will die one day and at that moment the only thing that matters isif they know Jesus as their personal Savior by Faith.I love you and care about you so much. It is easy to see whyPresident-elect Obama asked Warren to deliver the invocation at hisinauguration. It was payback for Warren compromising once again andallowing this enemy of God to stand in his pulpit at a recent conference onsocial issues. Actually, Warren desecrates his pulpit often with every kindof heretic and blasphemer you can name in the pursuit of his global socialagenda. He even boasted about having Obama in his pulpit!By accepting this invitation, all Warren has done is give credibility toObama, further proliferating the lie that he is a Christian, when the factis he takes stands in opposition to the Christ he proclaims and the Truth ofthe Bible on EVERY key spiritual issue that faces our nation. By giving theinvocation at the upcoming inaugural, Rick Warren is giving his blessing toObama's rebellion to God and the Bible. Sadly, Warren's agenda is moreimportant than God's agenda! His appearance and compromise actually onlyemboldens those who live in rebellion to God and His Word.For Pastor Rick Warren to bless and give the invocation at the upcominginauguration of a man who will help insure millions of babies around theworld are slaughtered, and force US taxpayers to fund this legalizedinfanticide, is no different than if Adolph Hitler had asked him to give theblessing and invocation when he became Chancellor of Germany!!!True men of God like John the Baptist, the prophets in the Old Testament,literally gave their lives to stand for God's Truth with the politicalleaders of their day. Sadly, Rick Warren is not a great man of God, butsimply a man who has compromised his faith and the message of the Gospel inorder to advance his agenda. I will be praying for Pastor Warren, and askyou to as well, that he will let the Holy Sprit speak the words this comingJanuary 20th. I pray that out of his lips will come a prayer calling thisnation back to God, condemning this culture of death and all who support it,proclaiming that God's plan in the Bible for marriage and family is thefoundation of our culture, and inviting President-elect Barack Hussein Obamato ask God to forgive his sins and accept by faith Jesus Christ as Hispersonal Savior and lead this nation as a man of God, not an enemy of God!THAT IS THE ONLY PRAYER A TRUE MAN OF GOD COULD POSSIBLY DELIVER!In His love and service,Your friend and brother in Christ,Bill KellerIf I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:bkeller at liveprayer.com***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you willdie one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord orbe cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator. To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm***I am excited to let you know that the Liveprayer Daily Devotional is nowavailable via AUDIO each day. Simply go to http://www.liveprayer.com/Audio.cfmAlso, you can now listen to the Daily Devotional by phone by calling,1-727-342-5673 or 1-845-510-2722.***TO GIVE A GIFT TO LIVEPRAYER, you can use your major credit card on oursecure server at: www.liveprayer.com under the "Donation" link, you can give using your PayPal account using my email address: bkeller@liveprayer.com , oryou can mail your gift to:Liveprayer6660 46th Ave. NorthSt. Petersburg, Fl 33709All gifts to Liveprayer are 100% tax deductible.(C) Copyright 2008, Bill Keller Ministries. All rights reserved.*_*-*_*-*_*-*This was sent to: @aol.comTo stop getting this Devotional, simply visit the url below withyour web browser:http://www.liveprayer.com/removeme.cfm?i=178689&r=54202Contact us at:LivePrayer6660 46th Avenue North.St Petersburg FL 33709
There have been many "Yes We Can" songs and videos out there and most have not risen to the quality of will.i.am
But this NEW VIDEO, see link below to "Yes We Can (Change our Destiny)", has that same potential to inspire millions to act, to be involved, to re-engage.
Read on and help this video get to the inaugural to be played via videotape or live. I want no fame or fortune. I just want to make a difference and I know this song and video can. You'll see when you watch it.
The “Yes We Can (Change our Destiny) Project” was created to help ensure that the collective energy of 10’s of millions of people who were inspired by President Elect Barack Obama will be re-kindled on inauguration day to even greater heights (because our world needs us now more then ever).
Watch the Video and help Change Our Destiny. Be inspired.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwspAagg8uw&feature=channel_page
Inspire millions more by passing this video on. Make it go viral. Help it be played at the inaugural.
This video is the output of a singularly special experience created on a single day in Chicago by a group of people who are as talented as they are inspired.
Inspiration is the most powerful force in the world. You can help re-ignite it. We’ve seen that simple actions multiplied by millions can create real change. Your one simple action of sending this video to everyone you know, and they in turn sending it to everyone they know, will once again, inspire millions.
As President Elect Obama said on November 4th at Grant Park, we have an opportunity to put our hands “on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope for a better day.”
Join the movement. Send the video to everyone you know and ask them to do the same.
Yes We Can.
Change our Destiny.
---
The Yes We Can Change Our Destiny song and video was written, produced, directed and performed by Steven Miles Sulkin and with nearly 40 of Chicago’s and the nation’s top musicians, filmmakers and engineers. It was recorded (interestingly, though accidentally) on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7th, 2008 at The Chicago Recording Company and written on November 2nd, 2008. It is our hope (but a hope that can only be possible with your help) that this song will be played live or via video at the inaugural, so as to re-inspire 10’s of millions that “Yes We Can” wasn’t about winning an election, it was about winning back our world and shaping a new destiny.
(note: The President Elect Barack Obama footage from Grant Park is legally and fully licensed from a stock footage source).
Peace,
Steven Miles Sulkin
I’m finished with the Reagan Democrats of Macomb County in suburban Detroit after making a career of spotlighting their middle-class anger and frustrations about race and Democratic politicians. …
For more than 20 years, the non-college-educated white voters in Macomb County have been considered a “national political barometer.” … After Ronald Reagan won the county by a 2-to-1 margin in 1984, … I conducted focus groups that “found that these working-class whites interpreted Democratic calls for economic fairness as code for transfer payments to African-Americans.” So what do we think when Barack Obama, an African-American Democrat, wins Macomb County by eight points? …
Before the Democratic convention, barely 40 percent of Macomb County voters were “comfortable” with the idea of Mr. Obama as president, far below the number who were comfortable with a nameless Democrat. But on Election Day, nearly 60 percent said they were “comfortable” with Mr. Obama. About the same number said Mr. Obama “shares your values” and “has what it takes to be president.”
Given Macomb’s history, this story helps illustrate America’s evolving relationship with race. … But focusing on the ways that Macomb County has become normal and uninteresting misses the extraordinary changes taking place next door in Oakland County — a place that played a bigger role in Mr. Obama’s success and perhaps in an emerging national Democratic ascendancy.
While Macomb County is home to the white middle class that America’s auto industry made possible, Oakland County is home to the affluent, business-oriented suburbanites of Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, some of the richest townships in America. Just a quarter of Macomb County residents have college degrees, but more than 40 percent do in Oakland. …
Oakland County has formed part of the Republican heartland in Michigan and the country. … Over the past two decades, Oakland County began to change, as an influx of teachers, lawyers and high-tech professionals began to outnumber the county’s business owners and managers. Macomb has been slow to welcome racial diversity, but almost a quarter of Oakland’s residents are members of various racial minorities.
These changes have produced a more tolerant and culturally liberal population, uncomfortable with today’s Republican Party. … On Tuesday, Oakland County voters gave Mr. Obama a 57 percent to 42 percent victory over John McCain. … That helped form one of the most important new national changes in the electorate: Mr. Obama built up striking dominance in the country’s growing, more diverse and well-educated suburbs.
So, good riddance, my Macomb barometer. Four years from now, I trust we will see the candidates rush from their conventions to Oakland County, to see the new America.
(end of excerpts)
Here is the letter I sent to the NY Times.
Will The Fairness Doctrine Silence The Conservative Voice?
Listen to the Ed Meese Radio SpotFreedom of Speech Our 1st Amendme... I have just taken action to stop the attacks on our Free Speech Rights, and I'm asking that you join with me by clicking here: Will The Fairness Doctrine Silence The Conservative Voice? + + Will The Fairness Doctrine Silence The Conservative Voice? Will 2009 usher in a fanatical push to re-instate the so-called Fairness Doctrine? Such a move would effectively silence the conservative voice and remove the last conservative stronghold against a fast-moving liberal agenda. James & Lydia, One need only read the words of Dianne Feinstein to see the true threat to conservative speech that is brewing on the horizon!" Talk radio tends to be one-sided. It also tends to be dwelling in hyperbole. It's explosive. It pushes people to, I think, extreme views without a lot of information ... I'm looking at the [Fairness Doctrine]... Unfortunately, talk radio is overwhelmingly one way." Recognizing this threat, the Media Research Center has created the Free Speech Alliance which is a coalition of organizations and citizens strongly opposed to any such move to limit or undermine our Free Speech Rights! Please take a moment right now to join the hundreds of thousands of Americans who oppose the Fairness Doctrine and all that it stands for by clicking here: Will The Fairness Doctrine Silence The Conservative Voice? Thanks for joining with me. Mr. & Mrs. James & Lydia Everitt P.S. If the liberal voice in America has their way, the Fairness Doctrine will end conservative talk--including Rush, Sean, Laura, Mark, and a host of others. Take action today by clicking here: Will The Fairness Doctrine Silence The Conservative Voice? Hey, President-Elect Obama is hard at work getting this country back on track, but he’s counting on all of us to get involved.I just signed up to learn more about the presidential transition, and I thought you might want to do the same. Just visit Presidential Transition, and enter your e-mail address in the top right corner. Thanks. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Amendment I, The Bill of Rights Freedom of Speech - Our 1st Amendment - Our Sacred Right! Posted by Better Home Business at 9:04 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: biden, blueprint, Bush, commercial, Congress, economy, Election, energy, gotcha, grassroots, independence, kennedy, McCain, News, Obama, outreach, palin, pickensplan, political, senate
News reporters keep saying that America is a ‘center-right’ country and that the Democratic Congress should not pursue an aggressive agenda. Please don’t listen to them! These lies are being told by conservatives and being generously broadcast by the corporate media who don’t want liberal legislation.
Barack Obama ran on a progressive platform and the American people voted for him overwhelmingly! This is a clear mandate that voters want a progressive change in America.
We The People want an economic plan that creates new jobs and puts more money in the pockets of the middle class. No more bailouts for the people at the top who created this mess! (I personally think the Fed should be nationalized and we should go back to a tariff system. No more bad free trade deals!)
We The People want universal healthcare. (I personally support HR 676)
We The People want a sustainable energy plan. (If we would have just stuck to Jimmy Carter’s plan…)
We The People want a quick end to the Iraq war. (Let’s spend that money at home instead)
We The People want equality in America. (Repeal DOMA!)
We The People want our civil rights back. (Fix FISA!)
Let’s keep the pressure on! If we don’t act right away, the hope and excitement in America will turn to disappointment. If this happens, we may lose seats in 2010 and it will be downhill again from there.
President-elect Barack Obama, speaks during the election party at the Grant Park in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 (NAM Y. HUH, ASSOCIATED PRESS / November 4, 2008)
Text of Senator Barack Obama's speech upon winning the presidency of the United States.OBAMA: Hello, Chicago.If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.
Your thoughts on Barack Obama winning the 2008 presidential election:
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It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.We are, and always will be, the United States of America.It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain.Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him; I congratulate Governor Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton ... and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years ... the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady ... Michelle Obama.Sasha and Malia ... I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us ...to the new White House.And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe ... the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.To my chief strategist David Axelrod ... who's been a partner with me every step of the way.To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics ... you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy ... who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.This is your victory.And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you, we as a people will get there.AUDIENCE: Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!OBAMA: There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.AUDIENCE: Yes we can.OBAMA: When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.AUDIENCE: Yes we can.OBAMA: She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.AUDIENCE: Yes we can.OBAMA: A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.Yes we can.AUDIENCE: Yes we can.OBAMA: America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.
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Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.
I had a dream: We are writing the year 2016, America has left behind the economy crisis of 2008 and developed to a green, social and prosperous society. The unemployment rate is down at 2.3 %, the number of poor people dropped from 37 to 9 million, the national deficit is only a fourth of that in 2008. Every American has affordable health care now, and Obama`s tax cuts have put more money into the pockets of the middle-class American, which led to higher consumption, re-fueled the economy, and created millions of new jobs. Above all 5 million new created green collar jobs and a better, more effective environmental policy with solar, wind and other renewable energies dropped America`s energy bill, air pollution and CO 2 balance by 25%, making the country cleaner and almost independent of foreign oil. America´s is about to become the world leader in green technology, especially due to the broad-scale introduction of US built hybrid cars. In foreign politics America has restored faith and regained respect in the world community of nations as a wise and peaceful mediator in all conflicts. This and other measures also led to an improvement of the national security. The dark Bush years are history and America has made the real CHANGE to a better future - YES WE COULD - And due to the great achievements of Barack Obama`s successful 8 years in national and international politics a committee was founded, proposing the extension of his presidency for 4 more years, as applied during the Roosevelt administration.
Was all of this just a dream ? - No, you can make it happen by voting for OBAMA next Tuesday - It is now up to you, America !
SHOP AMERICA SUPPORTS OBAMA
Good-Morning Senator Barack & Michelle Obama,
We were pleased to receive your letter October 25, 2008, which was yesterday. So I would like to share with you why we are happy to get involved. We are hard working community participants, that’s part of my family’s life.
I was reading this morning, and thought about you. So I would like to share this with you and your wife.
With 7 days left I pray you will continue to get your strength from the Lord. With my life He gives me His Strength. “He went up on a mountainside by Him self to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.” Matthew 14:23.
Christ Jesus in His humanity felt the need of complete solitude-to be entirely by Himself, alone with Himself. Each of us knows how draining constant interchange with others can be and how it exhausts our energy. As part of human kind, Jesus knew this and felt the need to be by Himself in order to regain His strength. Solitude was also important to Him in order to fully realize His high calling, His human weakness, and His total dependence on His Father.” Streams in the Desert. L. B. Cowman. P.p.403-October 26 2008.
I understand a little about your mom, and these are a few reasons that I stay close to God. I was a single a mom for 15 years of my sons’, Keith & Kevin, life before I remarried. I quit a good job in Buffalo N.Y., so I could better our life by going to Talladega College, when I was 32 years old. At that time 1974, only the youth were on campus, so I was a big joke. I had to get on welfare and food-stamps. It made my sons hide when I had to use food-stamps instead of money, I was happy for the help. A big $80.00 a month plus food-stamps and our apt. was 200.00 a month plus utilities. HUD would not let me qualify for a $50.00 apt. because I was not getting enough money from welfare. It’s been hard for all of us who have been single moms. Thank God for grandparents and friends.
I am from Huntington W.VA, so I cast my vote by way of California City, Ca. For these reasons:
My husband Marvin, a builder, completed two homes and lost both of them in December 2007. Built two fourplex’s, which we live in one of them, and they are trying to take these. My husband has worked so hard to make our life better, and because of Bush, we just keep hitting bottom.
God has blessed us, because a few years ago a doctor did foot surgery, I was in pain for four years he kept me coming back almost every week, sending me to all of his colleague, and it came to the point they said it was all in my head. When I was able to change insurance, the new Doctor let me know that what was wrong with my foot had never been removed. So I took my old doctor to court and he admitted that he knew he done surgery in the wrong place. When asked why he did not correct his mistake, he just shrugged his shoulders and said he didn’t know. This happen in Glendale Ca. courts; I lost the case, out of work for four years with no income from me, and was in to much pain to take care of my daughter Joy, that we adopted. They said I lost case because too much time had passed. I found an attorney the next day when I read my report that when I requested an out side doctor, he reported that the doctor had not remove the matter, and the surgery needed to be done over. This was three months later, but the old doctor did not share this with me.
After four years of pain I was able to return to my teaching position, in six weeks. I am looking forward to your insurance plan, because we have not had insurance in years. My son Joshua, just yesterday had to pay out $200.00 for x-rays, he does not have the money because he in college finishing up his Masters this spring but because he can’t afford insurance he had to pay.
I know you can help us in our community, because of the type of service you have given through out the years.
My husband and I went to a community hospital when we were living in Pomona Ca. Because his mother was in the hospital, it was a day after Christmas, and the hospital had call to say they were getting ready to take his mother back to the nursing home, and we had plans to meet her there.
The hospital and the nursing home were only a few blocks away from our home, but in 15 min they called back, to say it was now a code blue. we could not understand this because it was an in and out procedure that was to take place, she was not even suppose to spend the night, and when we asked why she was spending the night, to start with, they said that they wanted to keep an eye on her. My husband showed concern that she was out of it, and she didn’t know we were there. After getting the code blue call, we and the children rush to the hospital only to sit in the waiting room for hours, because they were working on her. It was getting late so we made arrangements with my son Kevin to take care of the younger children.
We returned to the same door that we had been using so we could find our way back to her room. It was raining cats and dogs that Friday night, so as we enter the door where the security guard asked us to sign in at front desk, so I did. I could hear the voices in the background, so I ran to see what was going on, because my husband was in the area. I don’t know why the guard was yelling about us signing in I told him that the desk clerk said I could sign in for both of us, but he was still yelling as we started to his mother’s room.
He started poking his finger in my husband back as we were walking up the halls. My husband kept walking with his mind on his dying mother. We had walked a long ways to the elevators with this guard still poking my husband. I finally turned to him and said you are acting like a punk, please stop poking him. At that moment, he grabbed me by my neck in a chock-hold I could not breathe, I was trying to free my self, but he had my feet off the ground.
He carried me, in a choke-hold, a long ways back before he threw me to the ground, placed me in handcuffs and he and another man sat on me to the point I was suffocating. Bystanders were trying to tell them to stop, but they had dogs which kept them back. The Pomona Police came, I was glad to see them until they jerked me by my handcuffs and tried to make me stand. When they saw that I couldn’t they dropped me to the ground. I was bleeding, I was bruised, I could not talk and I was hurting so bad that all I could do was whisper.
One man picked up my purse and the contents, which was a Bible and a cell phone. When the man brought me my purse while I laid on the floor, he said, “Joy, is that you?” at first I did not recognize him, then he reminded me he was the social worker in the hospital and I that I had followed the ambulance to the medical center, a young male child had been hit by a car, and the family had not arrived and I did not want him to die alone. I stayed to pray and to be with the family, and that’s how he remembered me. He said he knew I had not done anything wrong.
The hospital would not treat us, they would not get any help for us, and they were putting us out of the hospital. After about 3 hours the head of the security came and took me for treatment, also told me how sorry he was. The lady in X-ray slammed me on the cold metal table. I just did not know people could be so cruel.
After we were able to be wheeled to his mother’s room, I asked my husband why he did not help me. He replied that every time he would break lose, two mussel men would grab him and twist his arms tearing at his rotator cuffs. We were all night trying to make a report about the matter. They kept saying there was nobody in charge.
His mother never regained conscious. She died the following day; we still don’t know what happened to her. Sometimes we feel that we were beaten to distract us, so we wouldn’t ask questions concerning his mother.
We both were out of work seems like forever. We went for treatment everyday. We lost that case, because they said we were trying to steal a baby.
I know if that had been your community Obama you would had helped us, because you know how the big boys mess over the little people who don’t know what to do.
America for Change.
Thank you. Joy G. Anderson Hodges. joyfullspirit8.wordpress.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osj4PEI-ELQ
A film by Anthony Gatto and Jim Slonina. Sound engineering by MironRaf.com. A group of artists and circus performers come together in speak their mind and represent their support for Barack Obama. Featuring visual artist Robin Barcus-Slonina, Guinness World Record-holding juggler Anthony Gatto, dancer Danielle Gatto, musician Jim Lutz, contortionist Natasha Patterson, Broadway star Cinda RamSeur, and actor/clown Jim Slonina.
Here is a new campaign song made into a music video. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQMbCo2bwWQ
My initial reaction to the Debate was to call it a draw ... I've never considered Obama to be a great debater. But, Barack held his own on Foreign Policy issues with John McCain. I believe Barack missed out on some major opportunities to press McCain on the failure of Trickle Down economics which has hurt the American Middle Class; However the Longer debate format gave Obama an opportunity to talk about the issues in substantial ways ... which is his strong suit.
According to Instant Polls after the debate ... viewers from MSNBC and CNN Obama won the debate 70% to McCain's 30%. Msnbc indicated that Barack Obama's Debate performance succeeded in winning over Two major demographics Indie Women and the elderly.
So why do the debate polls indicate Obama was the winner ?
If anything ... McCain lost this debate because he tried to distort both his and Obama's records on the issues. But worst of all John McCain never once had the courtesy to make eye contact with Mr. Obama that kind of body language indicates to me both contempt and dishonesty. The recent Financial Meltdown was in the back of everyone's mind and McCain's inconsistent message has created alot of mistrust among voters so when McCain talks about reforming Big government (The Bush Administration ?) most voters just don't believe him.
The McCain camp has No consistent message. Ten Days ago John McCain's positions on the U.S. economy was it is fundamentally sound then when the Financial Bailout proposal is announced he takes on the mantle of a reformer because the economy is bad... people aren't buying this marlakey....because its like a bad re-run of the last 8 years of Bush and Cheney.
We have alot to be proud of .... our candidate Barack Obama has shown the political establishment and pundits that a candidate can run a clean campaign by strictly focusing on the issues and do well.
Thanks to all of you ... for your incredible enthusiastic support for our candidate.
For the First time in a long time I feel truly optimistic that real change is coming.
BR,
-Vince ;-)
Barack / Biden '08 .... Real Change is coming.
Ok, I am sure there is going to be some mudslinging tonight! Look at those faces, making their points and standing their ground...
But... I have an alternate attitude... From my Friend Marty. Here is her email from the other day."In addition to participating in grassroots efforts (registering and phoning voters, etc.) and making financial contributions (if you can), repeat this affirmation: "President Obama, President Obama, President Obama". Say it every day. See him in the White House. See Michelle as our First Lady. Look at photos like the ones below to strengthen this vision. Don't strengthen the opponents by giving them undue attention. Shift your focus towards who and what we want, not towards what we don't want. "
Boy Does she ever have it right! Watch the debate tonight, but be sure to send as much positivity to the participants, the nation and the world that you can muster!
Enjoy the Adventure!
Here is a link to cnn and its coverage
Join Stitchers for Obama! or see some ASL American Sign Language Tees.
Li
