The Republicans have made an incredibly potent maneuver in the choice of Michael Steele to head the RNC. Placing a black Republican in such a position of power and prominence in the wake of the Barack Obama victory signals a return to politics after a brief excursion in the lane of emotionalism and racial unity.
The Republicans are not fooled by the overwhelming black support of the Barack victory, nor are they willing to believe that the movement has reached its zenith just because a black man has been elected president. This party is looking beyond the ebony mirage to tap the resources of pleuralism within the black community and the American public at large. The Steele move seems to be aimed at diluting the accumulated energy of the African- American constituency still caught up in the rush of the Obama ascension.
Add to this timely move, the recent jabs thrown by the defeated John McCain in regard to the upcoming Senate consideration of the bailout bill. Senator McCain is positioning himself as the point man to take the momentum away from Barack Obama and give the Republicans a voice with which to stand against the rushing tide of Obamanism which seeks to create a bipartisan unity in government. The potential losers in this chess match are the victims of this ailing economy who must wait for political horseplay to run its course before getting much needed relief.
A decisive overturn of the Democratic majority in the mid-term elections; a highly visible Black RNC chairman, and a Democratic Party caught off guard in 2012 spells darkness for the Obama sunrise. As I mentioned earlier, 2008 is not sufficient to establish the success of Barack Obama as a black American president. Defeat in 2012 will erase a lot of the meaning from the victory of 2008. Winning in 2012 is more important than winning in 2008 in many ways.
The Repubilcans are on the move as should be obvious to anyone smelling the coffee. I only hope that concerned Democrats, undistracted by the pressing concerns of running this country and saving it from complete economic collapse on their watch, will set their sights not just on mid term elections but on 2012. It is not too early. Soon enough, it may be too late.
President-Elect Obama Discusses an Inauguration for All Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, with record crowds expected in the nation's capital for the 56th Presidential Inauguration, President-elect Barack Obama discussed his plans for open and accessible inaugural events designed to allow the participation of Americans across the country.
"Unprecedented numbers of Americans are planning to join us in Washington," said President-elect Obama. "That will mean long lines, a tough time getting around, and most of all, a lot of walking on what could be a very cold winter day. Fortunately, you don't have to brave the crowds and commotion in order to participate in this celebration, because we've made this Inauguration open and accessible to communities across our nation."
President-elect Obama also announced that anyone can text the word "open" to 56333 to receive official Inauguration news updates, transportation notices, and opportunities to participate, both in Washington and in communities across America.
The text of the address, as delivered, is below:
Remarks of President-Elect Barack ObamaWednesday, January 14, 2009Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, with a simple oath that's marked the renewal of our nation's democracy for more than two centuries; I will take office as the forty-fourth President of the United States.
But this Inauguration isn't about me. It's about all of us. At this defining moment in our history, it serves as our opportunity to come together in common purpose, united in our resolve to renew the promise of this nation and meet the challenges of our time.
Now, you've probably heard the reports that unprecedented numbers of Americans are planning to join us in Washington. That will mean long lines, a tough time getting around, and most of all, a lot of walking on what could be a very cold winter day.
Fortunately, you don't have to brave the crowds and commotion in order to participate in this celebration - because we've made this Inauguration open and accessible to communities across our nation.
Just text the word "open" to 56333 for news, transportation updates, and ways you can participate.
We're kicking off inaugural week events on Sunday afternoon with a free celebration at the Lincoln Memorial that's open to the public. And to allow Americans across the country to join us, HBO will broadcast the event for free that evening.
Monday night, Michelle and Jill Biden are hosting a free Kids' Inaugural concert to honor the children of military families, which the Disney Channel will broadcast live on television and their radio network.
On the evening of the Inauguration, Michelle and I will attend the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball, and we want you to be right there with us - wherever your neighborhood is.
ABC will broadcast it on television, we'll webcast it on the Internet and post updates from the ballroom, and if you visit pic2009.org, you can even sign up to host your own neighborhood ball at home.
But that's just the beginning when it comes to ways you can get involved. I'm also asking for your active participation.
Next Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. And to honor the legacy of a man who lived his life as a servant to others, I will ask all Americans to make a renewed commitment to serving their communities and their country.
Dr. King once said, "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve." You don't have to wear a uniform. You don't have to be a community organizer. You don't even have to run for President. At a time when there is so much need, we are blessed with endless ways to contribute something to the life of this nation.
On Monday, my family and the Biden family will spend time volunteering in neighborhoods around Washington. I am asking you to join us in that same spirit of service to others - no matter where you live.
And we've unveiled a new tool to make it easy.
Just visit USAservice.org to find service projects in your community, or even organize your own around the causes you care about.
Log on and you'll see that thousands of events involving millions of Americans have already been set up across the country next Monday and beyond.
Because I'm not just asking you to take part in one day of service. I am asking you to make a lasting commitment to make better the lives of your fellow Americans - a commitment that must endure beyond one day, or even one presidency.
At this moment of great challenge and great change, I am asking you to play your part; to roll up your sleeves and join in the work of remaking this nation. And if you do, then I truly believe a new and better day is within our reach.
Thank you.
Barack Obama
source: http://women.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbBh
On Saturday, December 13, 2008 I hosted a Victory Now Change house party at my home. While I only had 5 guest, we had a very good discussion on a broad range of issue that we felt will have the greatest impact on our community and our country.
We discussed reaching out to our Republican counterparts during future house meetings since the issues being discussed affect all Americans and not just Democrats. We also believe it may be wise to join forces with the members of house party groups in our surrounding area to add emphasis of like type issues.
Our top 4 issues include:
i. We believe that the federal and state government to should limit new home construction if there is more than a certain percentage of available houses in the area. Continued building is causing the market to be oversaturated and is driving down the value of existing homes. New homes could still be built if the construction would replace an existing home.
ii. We believe that banks should be encouraged to loans in default to extend the loan term and set a fixed interest rate. An entry should be made on the borrower’s credit reporting to reflect this renegotiation of terms.
iii. We would also like to ask that these borrowers who are in default be required to have their finances reviewed by a non-profit credit counseling agency prior to being considered for restructuring to see if the default is as a result of bad lending or poor personal financial management.
i. Americans who can afford it should be provided additional options to pay for an upgrade to their coverage which would include addition service.
ii. We think there should be a not for profit organization designated to oversee this universal healthcare program. As long as for profit insurance companies are involved medical care in America will continue to deteriorate.
iii. We would like to see these benefits limited to citizens who are paying their far share (taxes) to support the needs of our country. We cannot continue to provide people (non-resident and non-tax paying Americans) a free ride.
iv. We would like to see an overhaul of the Medicare/Medicaid that would streamline the program and provide patients with the proper treatment for their doctor’s diagnosis.
v. We would like to see oversight to speed the implementation of online medical record that would speed patient treatment and reduce cost.
i. Period of Transition from deployed troops from Combat to Civilian
ii. Medical care
iii. Job Training and Placement
iv. Housing Assistance
i. Need to inventory and replace inadequate, worn and outdated equipment
1. Provide the manufacture of MRAPs assistance to speed production and deployment of MRAPs to combat zones to replace the outdated and inadequate HUMVEEs.
a. Perhaps as a condition of an auto industry bailout the big 3 auto makers could be enlisted to improve production
ii. Need to immediately return all National Guard troops to the U.S. These troops are designed to protect and defend our homeland.
1. Many of our troops currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have been over-utilized and need to be replaced.
2. Need to consider at least a limited draft that would require young men to serve a period of two years in what could be called a non-deployable ready reserve. At least a percentage of these draftees would elect to re-enlist and would then be deployable. The others would incur a 5 year inactive reserve commitment.
a. In return we should offer them a 4-year college education at one of their state’s universities.
i. Home or neighborhood officing
1. Using broadband to perform administrative duties from home or community office.
2. Create jobs converting uninhabited buildings that are available in nearly all communities to be used as individual office space with IT support and an office environment.
a. Worker or employer would basically rent an office space within the community.
3. Reduce daily commute times from 2 or more hours to just a few minutes.
a. Reduce carbon emissions
b. Reduce Fuel Consumption
c. Reduce Highway and public transportation congestion.
d. Reduce employee stress
e. Increase involvement in the family and community
ii. Four day work weeks
iii. Limiting businesses and retail to 6-day weeks
i. Mandatory conversion of truck stops with in window power/heat/air and communications.
ii. Change from Interstate trucking to Regional trucking using increased rail transportation of goods.
iii. Development of more efficient trucks
As a group we agreed that during this holiday season that it would be difficult to develop and conduct a public service project other than those we are already involved in. We did discuss contacting our respective cities to see what committees or boards have openings and submitting an application to serve on one or more of these committees.
· Salvation Army Angel Tree
· Operation Care Dallas – Christmas Gift 2008(Worlds Largest Homeless Christmas party) http://www.operationcaredallas.org/
· Projected for 2009
o MS Walk in Fort Worth – Team Txnerd
o Salvation Army
o Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
Andrew Bacevich offers an approach to Afghanistan that makes a lot of sense to me . . . more in line with available resources, both Afghanistan's and ours, than the present course.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/171254
OBAMA FOR AMERICA
In the months and years ahead, we're going to accomplish amazing things together. No president has ever had the support of such a powerful grassroots movement, and Barack and Joe will need you to continue fighting alongside them. But before we take the next step, we need to get our house in order. The DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE poured all of its resources into building our successful 50-state field program. And they played a crucial role in helping Barack win in unlikely states like North Carolina and Indiana. We even picked up an electoral vote in Nebraska. The DNC took on considerable debt to make this happen. Make a donation of $30 or more now to help the DNC pay for these efforts, and you'll get a commemorative 2008 Victory T-shirt.
The DNC began building a 50-STATE ORGANIZATION in 2005. The infrastructure they put in place over the last four years opened up a new batch of battleground states where a Democratic nominee hadn't been competitive for a generation. In the final few months, the DNC went above and beyond to expand our ground efforts and ensure victory. We couldn't have won this election without their support. As we start laying the groundwork for real change, we need to help the DNC recover the resources it took to win. Please make a donation today and get your 2008 Victory T-shirt. This movement for change is just getting started, and we look forward to working with you to bring the change this country needs. Thanks for everything you did to elect Barack and Joe,
Powerful Network Coverage from the Moment We Made History ...
I helped Barack Obama take Indiana, going Blue for the first time since the 60s.
Change is good.
Election Day in Chicago and Indiana ...
The day began early with a call from the Obama campaign and a special request to help get out the vote in Indiana. I called my good friend Chris, a native Hoosier from Bloomington, and we headed out to Merrillville to canvass for voters and hang door knockers. A flood of early support, and many volunteers finished up their routes by noon. Nearly all of the people on our canvassing route voted when the polls opened at 6 a.m. One voter in his 80s said he only missed one vote, when he was serving overseas in WWII. He didn't tell us who he supported, but he was happy to see us out talking to voters on election day. It was a gorgeous and beautiful day, warm weather, and plenty of sun.
At the end of our route, at one of our last houses, we met Sonny, an elderly African American man who didn't have a ride to the polls. He had surgery scheduled for the next day and was struggling with cancer. His polling station was 25 minutes away, and we got to hear much of his story. He worked 30 years in the steel mills, fought in Vietnam, missed the primary because he was in the hospital, and is receiving a stem cell treatment for his cancer. He wore a bright yellow Obama tee shirt, and fought valiantly to maintain his strength during the trip. Some of his friends and neighbors worked at the polling station. They rushed out with assistance (we had to cover his Obama tee shirt), and there was a huge outpouring of support for his effort. There were tears, and lots of hugs. Everyone gave us their prayers, and about 30 poll workers applauded as we drove him back to his home. An astounding and courageous moment.
In Chicago, too many impressions and feelings. We joined the gathering of volunteers and supporters in Grant Park. It was all anybody could talk about on the train. "They called Ohio," one person said. "What is the news on Indiana," asked another. It was a carnival atmosphere. At the main event, surrounded by video monitors and people sending text messages that read "wow" and "amazing," everything was happening so quickly. A ripple came over the crowd and we reacted immediately to the news. Was this really happening. Pandemonium and joy, respect and awe, hope and exaltation, and so much more. We have a lot to be thankful for. November 04 was a day for all of us. I have some photos and videos to share from the event (please see below). This is my postcard (and one person's story) from Chicago.
Photos:
My Videos:
When Indiana turned blue in this election and the margin was close, I am so glad I chose to call Indiana voters to help get out the vote there.
I hope a few of my calls made the difference in an Obama victory in Indiana.
I couldn't make as many calls as I wanted to because my home phone is currently turned off (I hope to be able to pay the bill this month) and I broke my old cell phone making so many calls on it. I didn't get my new one until election day. I had to order it online to get the phone that will work best for me free of charge since I was due for an upgrade. My old phone was 3 years old and I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. It wasn't completely free. I had to pay $1.87 in sales taxes even though I didn't have to pay for the phone.
It worked out in the end anyway. Now I've got to get online and see what I can do about the phone bill...
OneWorld:
"After almost eight years standing outside the White House with a bullhorn and screaming at someone who wouldn't listen who's totally impervious to popular opinion, I think it's going to be great having someone in there who hopefully will be interested in what we have to say," said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the group CODEPINK: Women for Peace. Since the Sep. 11 attacks seven years ago, members of CODEPINK have been a regular presence on Capitol Hill -- opposing the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, decrying a proposed American attack on Iran, and pushing for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney for illegally manipulating intelligence reports to justify the Bush administration's attack on Iraq. Recently, the group has also organized demonstrations throughout Washington and the country to protest the $700 billion bailout of financial firms and demand new regulations on those companies and economic relief for families facing bankruptcy and foreclosure. ..."We certainly want to start out in a softer tone," she said, "in terms of trying to get meetings not only with members of Barack Obama's administration, [but also] trying to influence members of his team who are going to be influential in his policies in the Middle East. We know a lot of them; they're Clinton leftovers and they're going to need a lot of pushing, but they'll be a lot more willing to listen than the folks we have now." ...Longtime peace activist, politician, and writer Tom Hayden says the Obama presidency puts antiwar advocates in much the same position that the presidency of John F. Kennedy put the early civil rights movement. He also compares it to the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and those who wanted to abolish slavery. Both leaders were in favor of progressive change, Hayden says, but had to be pushed by grassroots Americans to take significant action. "The task is ours to build a social movement and create a climate that organizes the pressure that will enable [Obama] to do the right thing," explains Hayden. "I don't know of any political leaders who will go beyond what their base has made possible."
"After almost eight years standing outside the White House with a bullhorn and screaming at someone who wouldn't listen who's totally impervious to popular opinion, I think it's going to be great having someone in there who hopefully will be interested in what we have to say," said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the group CODEPINK: Women for Peace.
Since the Sep. 11 attacks seven years ago, members of CODEPINK have been a regular presence on Capitol Hill -- opposing the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, decrying a proposed American attack on Iran, and pushing for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney for illegally manipulating intelligence reports to justify the Bush administration's attack on Iraq.
Recently, the group has also organized demonstrations throughout Washington and the country to protest the $700 billion bailout of financial firms and demand new regulations on those companies and economic relief for families facing bankruptcy and foreclosure. ..."We certainly want to start out in a softer tone," she said, "in terms of trying to get meetings not only with members of Barack Obama's administration, [but also] trying to influence members of his team who are going to be influential in his policies in the Middle East. We know a lot of them; they're Clinton leftovers and they're going to need a lot of pushing, but they'll be a lot more willing to listen than the folks we have now." ...Longtime peace activist, politician, and writer Tom Hayden says the Obama presidency puts antiwar advocates in much the same position that the presidency of John F. Kennedy put the early civil rights movement. He also compares it to the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and those who wanted to abolish slavery. Both leaders were in favor of progressive change, Hayden says, but had to be pushed by grassroots Americans to take significant action.
"The task is ours to build a social movement and create a climate that organizes the pressure that will enable [Obama] to do the right thing," explains Hayden. "I don't know of any political leaders who will go beyond what their base has made possible."
Certainly my hope has been to elect somebody more receptive to our ideas, even if he's not the perfect anti-war candidate. I'm happy that our efforts using the electoral process have paid off so well and look forward to engaging the president we helped get into office.
Plenty of extra-electoral ways to apply pressure if necessary, though...
ntodd
I wanted to print this t-shirt four years ago. Well, not exactly this one, because the design I had ready then used Kerry's campaign font instead of Obama's, but you get the idea. I have to say my happiness has been a bit muted today by the passage of Prop 8 and the fact that voters in at least two states seem to be happy to re-elect criminals to represent them, but we still made a huge step forward and out of the darkness last night. I was at the Mark Warner victory party, and I have to tell you that I saw a couple thousand people from every imaginable walk of life who were sharing an amazing moment with each other.
I am so happy to have a president who is intelligent and thoughtful. I am so happy that my state of Virginia has made so much progress in the past few years.
Today our future looks so much brighter than it did yesterday. I may wear this shirt every day until the inauguration.
Also, a small bit of trivia I discovered while looking up the font Obama used for his campain. It turns out that it's the same typeface used on the cornerstone at the Ground Zero construction site. I wonder if the campaign were aware of this?
With the hope, unity and excitement of Barack Obama's victory, many have commented that we're feeling a sense of both national and spiritual renewal that's almost like a revival.
To that end, please take a look at a design I created:
www.cafepress.com/teachers4peace
It is a history an immigrant has made to white house. American is multicultural country black, white, African, Asian , Hindus, Muslims and Christians live together happily and it is a land of opportunity. Martin Luther king the civil rights activist who has fight for the rights of black may be happiest person if he would have lived. From nothing, a black leader Barack Husain Obama has become the president of United States of America, born to Kenyan Father and American mother. People of America want change, did not bother about the cultural issues and want to live happily with dignity. With recession gripping up, many banks are declared bankruptcy, energy crisis, climate change, three trillion dollar Iraq war, people fear to lose house in subprime crisis, with these problems every American wants a change. American wants happy living and show the world that American are not against any race and religion. They want peace and happiness and good living. A virtual unknown until his stirring keynote address at the 2004 Democratic Convention, the President-elect’s meteoric rise to the White House has personal style, a gift for stirring oratory and a commanding ability to deploy new technology to raise funds and organize supporters "Americans have sent a message to the world," Barack Obama, the man who would be the United States' first African American president, "If there is anyone out there that still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible... who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer." He said it was the answer told "by lines that stretched around schools and churches..." as they waited for hours to vote. It was the answer, he said, spoken by the young and old, rich and poor, Hispanics and Asians, Democrats and Republicans” With the United States having its first African-American President in Barack Hussain Obama and the Democrats got full control the Senate and the Congress. Ever one in the world seeing towards USA for change and in India the group of techies from Bangalore have collected money for funding the election in USA they formed an association Barack Obama association. In Coimbatore people have conducted “homa and puja” and have shown the birth chart of Barack Obama to astrologers, and they were sure of his victory and this happened. Obama has taken donations even two dollar and five dollars from the individuals and has funded election expenditure, there is a transparency in election funding. What are the challenges to new president? •His first task is to revive economy of USA, economy is in a grip of recession •Subprime crisis, every American wants a shelter and the prices housing sector should not fall any t more. •The greatest three trillion war with Iraq, which is the tax payer money America has spent on Iraq war. Withdrawing of troops from Iraq. •Energy crisis, USA is biggest consumer of energy and it has not signed Kyoto Protocol,(Climate Change) many American wants that USA should go to green technology and save the energy and sign the Kyoto protocol. •Control of terrorism is one more problem the new president may face. •Tackling of unemployment problem and out sourcing is some more big issues.
India has to learn lot of lessons from US election •We have to see Americans who have elected an immigrant and half Muslim to the white house, Indian are not tolerating the fellow Indians the recent Maharashtra riots is example. •The funding of elections is transparent in USA, the election expenditure is audited, where as in India the election expenditure is all unaccounted money there is no proper records maintained. •American election campaign is transparent, Obama has used internet, text messages, Utube, and media. Indian election campaign is not transparent. •Obama is nothing four years back, today he is a President of USA, which shows even a new person, can become USA president which is not possible inIndia.
Congratulations to Barack Obama who has written a new chapter for race relations in our country
and has set an example for other countries to follow. Barack has shown all Americans that
you don't have to allow others to tell you that "you can't be a CEO, the President, an astronaut
or whatever" because Barack just proved that anyone can do anything.
We did it people! We got the vote out for Change and Barack Obama.
Thanks to all the Long Beach volunteers who made the phone calls, made the trips out of state and made a difference in this election.
I am amazed by all the energy and dedication we had this campaign and look forward to a future filled with Hope, Peace and Progress.
Let's keep this thing together!
Eric
Together and united for one cause is how this election was won. We must not forget that and we must not forget the people we have met along the way. For me this journey began May 1, 2007 during a volunteer meeting at the SC OFA main office. It lead to being a Volunteer Leader and directing the work of Runners and Poll Checkers during the SC Primary and it ended working in the SC Boiler Room Field Desk ensuring ground work was going smoothly.
My campaigning included canvassing in North Carolina, visitng National HQ, and working in the main IL HQ office. My journey was higlighted with the opportunity to meet top National Staff and drive in a Secret Service motorcade. It also included meeting and talking to Senator Obama on a few occassions and laughing with a fellow Chicagoian now future First Lady Michelle Obama. And even though meeting powerful people was exciting making connections and friends from around the world has been an additional reward.
But outside of the glory it meant hard work to get to this point. It meant looking inside myself to find strength that I didn't realize I had. Long hours were spent ensuring citizens were registered to vote and that they actually voted. And for me it included standing exactly 7 hours in line to vote for Barack H. Obama.
And finally it meant realizing that different people from different backgrounds had the same common goal. We all wanted to change Washington, DC and the politics of today. And now it means that children who once thought themselves invisible can truly see themselves living in the White House.
God Bless to everyone that worked so hard for this change. The winds have shifted in a better direction and we must continue to keep progress moving.
Joyce Rose-Harris
