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
Here is a new campaign song made into a music video. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQMbCo2bwWQ
Dear team,
I have a recommendation to DP and BO. One that will help you guys knock out the angry grandpa and Sarah Kissinger. Why don't you guys put together commercials, even if for online viewing only, of McCains daily lies? Do it and do it now and do it often. The american public is starting to believe that McCain is running a nasty campaign and is often lying. The undecideds are on the verge of making a decision and the last thing they will vote for is another liar. Much like the website you put together to debunk the lies, do the same thing via video. McCain is flip-floping and lying and he is starting to get called out on it. Now use that against him. Make the commercials simple and to the point. Make them funny if you have to. You have 26 years of material to work with. Go for it. The past month should keep you busy. Try it. It will be fun.
Also, explain that Bidens statement about taxes and patriotism was that no one has helped fund the war via taxes and that for those of us who are not in Iraq, it is the patriotic thing to do.
Come on guys, this is a battle.
Republicans fight the fight, the Dems fight the morality of the fight. and we always lose.
You have made a killing in the stock market, make millions playing football, etc., have a good salary as a CEO and don't want to pay taxes on your income, and don't want your company to pay taxes on it's earnings, and don't want to pay taxes on your profits from investing...
IN OTHER WORDS, YOU DON'T WANT ANY MONEY/PROFITS TRICKLING DOWN OUT OF YOUR POCKET via paying taxes to the government, aka the general public good,
then Vote for McCain but....
YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T BE ASKING TAXPAYERS TO BAIL YOU OUT!!!
We know you donate a lot to charity to lower what taxes you do have to pay, and that those charities and foundations do a lot of good, but they barely do enough to really make a dent in improving the overall welfare of citizens of the USA. Charities incomes fluctuate at whims of private donors.
And if you do get taxpayers help, then do your patriotic duty after our sons and daughters who make a whole lot less money as soldiers put their lives on the line for the capitalistic system to have safe markets, transfer of goods and resources and pay some TAXES for our soldiers to get decent health care and the citizens who work for your companies, and build the roads, and teach in the schools can make enough money to save and maybe buy some of your products or invest in your company. Don't ask taxpayers to subsidize building fancy football stadiums either and your players don't want to pay taxes and say so on national television.
Don't call it socialism, liberalism and communism when you are asked to pay taxes and give back something to the government (all the people of the USA) and call it free enterprise capitalism when you rip off the public at the gas pump and usurious interest rates, get in a financial bind when the fraud backfires and ask the government to help and do not want to pay taxes on top of that by sending your corporate offices overseas in the Middle East or Cayman Islands!!!! .. The same government which you despise its oversight and monitoring .. as McCain said "too much alphabet soup - SEC, FDA, FICA, SPIC. Yet the current complaint in reality is there has not been enough monitoring of all the fancy new products - derivatives and mortgage backed securities packaged by hedge funds, or usurious interest rates and fraudulent practices causing foreclosures on millions of homeowners. You don't want taxpayers aka "the Government" to protect taxpayers aka "the general public and citizenry of the USA" by passing legislation to create oversight on business dealings like it will cramp your style - you won't be able to make money. Yet Exxon Mobil has made the largest profit of any company in corporate history, billions, but don't ask them to pay any windfall taxes, that would just hurt their ability to do research and development and weather the lean years. But taxpayers have to clean up their oil spills and rescue their crews at sea and fight wars to protect their economic interests with their "taxpayers" blood and treasure.
Our government on George Bush's watch with only a 50/50 Congress has been gridlocked and has done nothing to prevent this financial meltdown even though the President was warned on many accounts this was going to happen years ago. It started with his best friend Kenneth Lay, ENRON, was making energy policy for the USA secretly behind closed doors with Dick Cheney. The discussions have been under Executive Order banned from scrutiny for perpetuity. So the FOI Act, won't apply to find out how they hammered out ripping off Americans for charging electricity at exorbitant rates and monopolizing the energy grid. AIG has been in trouble for years for scandalous practices, but no real oversight kicked in under this Republican Administration. We need to get a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress to turn this mess around and get to the bottom of it. All investigations have been stonewalled by the Republican Congress, Senate and Courts.
Gov. Scwarzenegger, a Republican governor, over the 8th largest economy in the world, the state of California, refuses to increase taxes and has a bankrupt state. Electing McCain would be more of the same mindset. This attitude of Bush/Cheney, and many republicans all over the nation who need the government to bail out their states who are flooding, and destroyed by hurricanes, and need infrastructure to their state like Alaska, but don't want to pay taxes, but have their hands out for earmarks and pork... well, put something in the pot so you can get something back and stop taking, taking, taking, taking. Rebuilding burnt down cities, towns, asking firefighters to volunteer from different cities and states... that is funded by taxpayers money. Using prisoners in CA as firefighters that is an efficient use of taxpayers money, as taxpayers pay for these people to be housed in jail at the tune of avg $40,000/year.
And definitely don't ask the general public to PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY WHICH IS PAID DIRECTLY BY TAXPAYERS OUT OF THEIR PAYCHECKS when you can't even run companies without getting bailed out by the very government you put down; can't run a business, can't make a good healthcare system, even the auto industry got bailed out remember - Chrysler and Lee Iaccoca.
I guess the government could take its hand at universal health care and probably do a better job than the private sector - looking at the private sector's track record leaving 47 million uninsured, medicare/medicaid rip-offs and turning down people who need life saving operations. If you haven't seen SICKO, by Michael Moore, we as Americans can really do a lot better with our tax money to do something directly for us like giving us decent healthcare as in other civilized nations like France, Canada, Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, etc., etc.. as well as decent infrastructure, etc. Today the news was cost for gas heat is going up 125% this winter. How has technology been used to keep the cost of anything down recently? It's a dog eat dog economic world we live in. The pigs and the dogs have taken over the Animal Farm. And if we elect a pig that wears lipstick, it still is what it is.
A vote for Sen. Obama is a vote for a common sense, and fair policy which can be hammered out with the best minds in government on both sides of the aisle and in the business community. Sen. Obama can comprehend the details and talk to people with the expertise in these fields coherently and make changes in our economic system that will propel this nation forward to stability with integrity. Yes, he will ask for taxes to be paid for by the top 5% which have had tax cuts the last eight years. Did the Bush tax cuts really work? No.
So a vote for Sen. Obama makes sense and paying taxes is patriotic and makes sense for the overall prosperity of America for all Americans.
Is Hawaii really part of America?Is Alaska really part of America?
Charismatic star power when speakingDitto
Sometimes sounds like an egg-headSounds like a ditto-head
Opponents try to paint spouse as not patriotic (“Proud“ statement) Ditto (Alaska Independence Party)
Opposes more drilling for oil in AlaskaAsked churchgoers to pray for a natural gas pipeline in Alaska
His former church pastor doesn’t always watch his tongue In her church they speak in tongues
Has somewhat rigid position on abortion Has extremely rigid position on abortion
Believes in faith-based initiatives Practices faith-based politics
Is Obama less patriotic than you and John McCain? Does he keep country behind his party and his family? Are his decisions, views and values based on sexism? Is he a liberal and leftist who, should not be allowed to be the president of the United States of America?
The religious, or nationalist, or right or left fundamentalists accuse those people as liberals, who accept the diversity of beliefs and thoughts. Don't you think that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers of America were liberals of their times? Abraham Lincoln was a liberal of his time. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a liberal for his times. Do you think they were conservatives? The conservatives swear by the constitution created by the liberals and they accuse that the liberals do not believe, or follow the constitution by the letter. Most of the liberals follow and believe the constitution and the holy books by its spirit rather than by its letters. I think the fundamentalists don’t understand the spirit of the constitution or the holy books. So they try to go by the letters and they want others to be like them.
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As a daughter of a disabled Vietnam Veteran, I saw my father suffer for years with appalling medical and mental health care- despite how we tried to fight for his care, he recently died an untimely death under the care of the VA Hospital system. I have seen so many veterans and their families suffering in the VA system. I am disgusted with what is being promoted as Patriotic and Country First! PLEASE PEOPLE WAKE UP and VOTE FOR CHANGE. WE cannot have another whole generation of veterans be treated how Vietnam Veterans where and are still being treated.
I am sick and tired of seeing the McCain and his supporter say they are patriotic and flashing scenes of John McCain as a POW. On Tuesday at the RNC, Thompson went on and on with images, and details of McCain's captivity and how his arms had balls as big as basketballs. The constant life story of this POW experience does absolutely ZERO to help troops at war, soldiers, or veterans. Do they really think he is the only one who suffered or came home a hero from the Vietnam War?
(*added edit: I find it hard to believe but after I wrote the above sentence I found out that McCain's daughter is in a video saying," My father's obviously a famous war hero. NO ONE knows what war is like other than MY family, period." video here )
To top it off and show 'how out of touch' this party is with the real world the excessive retelling and videos that they are using re-traumatizes many veterans and makes their lives a hellish nightmare, does anyone really care about that fact?
Senator McCain has not voted in ways that shows support for soldiers or veterans. He has a poor rating from several veterans organizations(see resources below). He also prefers to keep sending troops back to combat mission in stop loss (see movie http://www.stoplossmovie.com) which increase the suffering of military families with redeployments and boosts the chances that the soldiers will come home with mental health issues, some which are never healed. Barack Obama voted to YES to limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
Obama has fought for soldier and veterans rights and is working to find ways to improve their health care. Obama voted for the NEW GI BILL, The Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act, for increased mental health care for returning soldiers with ptsd and traumatic brain injury, McCain did not vote to support soldiers in these ways.
Veterans who are in VA hospitals have been denied access to register to vote, how patriotic is that? This is a serious misjustice- THE VA has banned voter drives at VAs. Disabled veterans are being denied assistance in voting. Read more here info on how to contact politicians to say it not ok to deny veterans in VA hospitals voting rights and more here Veteran Affairs Department Won't Help Ex-Soldiers Register to Vote
Furthermore, our present government is treating soldiers who have combat related mental illness by sending them back to the field while on psychiatric medications. "When it comes to fighting wars, though, troops have historically been barred from using such drugs in combat." says Time magazine, not so anymore- soldiers who have symptoms are given pills and send back out. Iraq war Soldiers have mental illness, medication, and suicide rates that are alarmingly high. Read more here Time article: America's Medicated Army Mccain and Palin etc... whose sons are now serving in Iraq, are still out of touch and have no idea what is like for enlisted soldier or their families. Mccain had 'top of the line' rehab services, a luxury not many injured soldiers do not get. Most families would not even decent medical care and certainly not have access to top the line treatment when their son or daughter comes home with a traumatic brain injury or other illness. in additon families are put in a position to drive miles to the VA to see their injured soldiers, often losing their jobs while trying to be there at the hospital with their wounded soldier. Veterans I saw wait on average of 3 hours to pick up their prescripitions- I doubt that would be the case for their sons. I also saw veterans die in the VA while waiting over two months for the VA to 'find time' to start their chemotherapy, cancelled appointment are the norm, veterans being discriminated against or riduled at by staff due to their 'war related' mental illness, staff are not trained and are often ignorant about illness combat veterans face. Sadly, I saw many others who died to suicide due to lack of decent mental health care- the VA is underfunded to cope with returning troops, too busy, and over run to care for soldiers.Please don't vote for more of McSame- Palin Because if your last name is Palin or McCain your soldier children will not have to wait for care, be denied care, given substandard care, or find themselves homeless on the streets due to their war related disability. It is far too easy for people, who because of their political position tonot be in touch with the REAL story of soldiers families. I say this as a Vietnam veteran soldier's daughter who lived it. The life I grew up in, a father with ptsd, a family stuggling and trying to fight for decent care for their own father, and so many other families I saw who suffer everyday of their lives, by being poorly treated in the failed system like my Dad. Most of the families I know are Vietnam Veterans, but I also got know many WW2 veterans, Iraq war Veterans and their families who are not getting the heros treatment by the system. We failed Vietnam Veterans in many ways that is not 'patriotic' or exusable and now we are doing to the same to Iraq veterans, but we have chance to vote for change! Please think about so that more soldiers and their families will not suffer the life my father did and so many other veterans do everyday.
It is easy for politicians to start wars and parade 'hero stories' and giant screen with American flags on TV, say they are "patriotic" and support the troops, but I have not seen the action to support it. Soldiers are dying in IRAQ and soldiers are dying in failed VA system. I would rather see movies about what is being done to help soldiers rather than old movies of Mccain as POW. As a disabled veterans' daughter I take great insult by seeing images of a National Veterans Cemetary be used during the RNC, and POW this footage time and time again, not to mention how this would trigger my father's ptsd symptoms, as it does also to many veterans.
The soldiers who come home to live in a failed system, are failed by the care at the VA for their whole lives and the families who live with this everyday are the real patriotic heroes. But, they are not EVER done with their mistreatment, the nightmare, or the war in 5 years. The real heroes are these men and families, but you never see their life stories on tv. I am shocked that Americans would even consider voting for anyone who has not voted to support veterans and their families by a track record of voting NO to funding for traumatic brain injured soldiers, mental health care, suicide prevention, and a decent GI Bill to go college, which some of the negative actions of this kind of 'patriotism'. Rather than see photos of McCain as a pow for the millionth, it would be patriotic to show a movie showing the faces of the veterans who are homeless and what these "patriotic people" are doing to help them. One of every three people who are homeless on America's streets are veterans! More info about homeless American Veterans here It is all words at the RNC, as it has been for years. It is the soldiers and their families who suffer when we vote for this brand of shallow patriotism. How can people be tricked into thinking this is 'patriotic' or Country First to vote for more of this? The real heroes are the veterans and families who survive the negligent VA system, look out for one another, and all the old time veterans who tell me everyday that they don't want the Iraq war soldiers to come to a life like they had to live. True heroes are everyday people and 'some' politicians who take action to support the troops, work to end the war, bring the troops home, vote for veterans issues, take a stand for veterans rights, and work to improve the funding, and treatment for veterans.
Actions show more than words how patriotic we truly are and how we appreciate and respect all the soldiers and veterans:
McCain voted AGAINST the Webb G.I. Bill. Obama voted FOR the bill. 5/2008
McCain voted AGAINST bill to minimize periods of time between deployment of units sent to Iraq. Obama voted FOR the bill. 9/2007
If people are fooled again by this charade of patriotism and vote for more of this so many more soldiers and families will suffer like they have while president Bush was in office. I don't trust anyone to be in office and claim to support our wounded warriors when they consistently fail to vote for legislation that will actually help soldiers or veterans, wave their flag, 'pray for troops' but won't give decent benefits or health care to soldiers or disabled veterans (Think Walter Reed Scandal- most VA's I have seen have same issues as that hospital). Please think about who you are voting for and don't let this kind of flag waving patriotism with no action for the troops or veterans fool you or other young soldiers will die and suffer with substandard care like Vietnam Veterans, and many Iraq war veterans and their families live with everyday. The Vietnam War NEVER ended for my family, my father was not given the care that McCain got when he got home from Vietnam and I speak in the hopes that my story will help people to vote in election 08 for the candidate who really does support veterans with their actions. In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator McCain a grade of D. In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Obama a grade of B+. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America- IAVA has list here of the top actions for the next president. Before you vote in November, please look into how candidates have voted to support the troops and wounded veterans. I am voting for Obama- Biden!
My father lived the last 5 years life re-traumatize by the ongoing Iraq war, everyday of his life. It got him mad as wildcat and also broke his heart to see veterans being given the same 'run around' and lack of decent medical care he was given when got home from Vietnam. BUT we have a chance NOW to change this for soldiers and veterans if we vote for people who support veterans. From my perspective, as a disabled soldiers' daughter, those are the people who are truly patriotic.
I am asking for help to make your vote one that will help veterans and their families.
Feel free to use my story and spead the word to encourage others to please vote for a candidate that will help America's veterans - vote for change! Vote for Obama- Biden
"McCain's daughter wrote a book, 'My Dad, John McCain', she told NBC's Meredith Vieira."Obviously I think my father gets it more than anyone.""I have two brothers serving in the military--one that's about to redeploy to Iraq," she went on. "My father's obviously a famous war hero. NO ONE knows what war is like other than my family, period." Well I think many military families would strongly take offense to that statement- I know I do! She really thinks ONLY her family knows about war, Period! See video of statement> http://rawstory.com/news/2008/McCain_daughter_No_one_knows_what_0909.html
The group VoteVets is launching a toughly worded, $1.3 million ad campaign today, largely targeting veterans in Virginia.The television spots that will appear in several Virginia television markets feature an Iraq war veteran, standing in front of his pickup truck, expressing disdain for what he says was Sen. John McCain's decision to attend a campaign fundraiser instead of casting a vote for the GI Bill. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10 ...Link to VetVotes if you want to donate to help them air more ads like this- http://www.votevets.org/index_html
Article 'How did the RNC Insult Troops and Veterans? Let Me Count the Ways...' from VetVoice
Watch this video find out how McCain refused to meet with Iraq veterans or ackowledgetheir letter at the RNC and hear a soldier describe how tried to kill himself and was punished by his unit. He also tried to get help on Ft Stewart for months- he says, "this is not acceptable"
Iraq Veterans Against the War- At RNC Protests Video- Veterans Issues McCain
Great article and video at VetVoice Senator McCain "This is Walter Reed Hospital" John McCain may not be able to find the right Walter Reed, but we sure can. Watch this new video from Americans United for Change.
Video Vietnam Medic Veteran protest at RNC - telling protest police off. 'The administration is murdering our Iraq troops with multiple deployments.'
Video Vietnam Veterans Protest McCain at RNC
Information-Resources -Links
Troops deployed abroad give 6:1 to Obama
Vote Vets Video
Video John McCain lies when questioned about voting record by Vietnam Veteran
Watch video: McCain getting grilled on news for lack of support for veterans.
Iraq Veterans Against the War protest at RNC video
Video Why veterans do not support- will not vote for McCain
See list here: McCain's voting Record on Veterans Issues
Veterans for Common Sense - McCain's Voting Record for Veterans
Barack Obama supports and works for veterans and their families:
Improve veterans' mental health treatment & PTSD benefits. (Feb 2008)
Unacceptable to have veterans drive 250 miles to a hospital. (Feb 2008)
Address the deficiencies in the VA system. (Jun 2007)
The cost of the Iraq war should not shortchange VA benefits. (Jun 2007)
Make sure the outpatient facilities work for veterans. (Jun 2007)
Comprehensive plan for our veterans healthcare. (Mar 2007)
Veterans’ Affairs Bill Incorporates Obama Proposals to Improve Veterans’ Health Care and Benefitshttp://obama.senate.gov/press/070627-veterans_affa ...Obama Condemns Drug Trials On Veterans- "It is outrageous and unacceptable that our government would irresponsibly endanger veterans who have already sacrificed so much for our country," Obama said in a statement. "I will immediately be asking for a full and thorough investigation of how our government could yet again let down our veterans and their families who have given so much to their country, and who have paid so much for the failures of civilian leadership in Washington." http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/fishwrap/20 ...Obama-Biden page about veterans issues: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/veterans/
VAWatchDog.com has links to topics relate to the candidates and veterans here http://www.yourvabenefits.org/
Veterans for Obama http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/vetshomeVet for Obama http://vetsforobama.org/
Other resources
Bravenew Films- interview with IAVA, McCain's lack of support for GI BILL. How concerned are you concerned about McCain on Veterans issues. "McCain's got to take a Uturn"
Video of McCain -on we'll 'muddle through Afghanistan':
McCain says F*#X you video clip Fox News
McCain video temper- my dad had PTSD and he had a temper similiar to McCains and believe me 'they' would have never let my dad run for office!
Veteran's thoughts on Mccain
IAVA
Vietnam Veterans that do not support McCain for president
New Veterans Issues fact: McCain's newest proposal is to begin distributing VA Cards, which would serve as a voucher to receive care at private, for-profit hospitals. In essence, he is seeking to cut off the universal health care that the government has guaranteed to veterans for generations. He states that he wants to "relieve the burden on the VA from routine health care" so that the attention will be refocused to the "grievous wounds of war." The National Director of the VFW has been quoted as saying that this VA Card would "undermine the entire system.
I am just my father’s daughter speaking up for all veterans care in his memory and to maybe help other soldiers and veterans to not have to live the life he and so many veterans lived since they were in the Vietnam War.
*If my story or links are useful to encourage others to vote for change feel free to repost part or whole of it.
Latest news- updated October 8th:
Why NO McCain- Palin if you care about soldiers, veterans and the future.
Cindy McCain recently said,"Let me tell you just a little something that I was not so happy about. My son, like so many others, and today like the Palin's son, have served on the front lines, helping keep peace and helping freedom for other people. I'm a blue star mom, just like Gov. Palin is. I'm proud of my sons, but let me tell you, the day that Sen. Obama decided to cast a vote to not fund my son when he was serving sent a cold chill through my body."
"But Cindy, let me ask you a few things, blue star family to blue star family. Did you get a cold chill when your husband FLAT OUT REFUSED to support the new GI Bill?
Did you get a cold chill when your husband was voting AGAINST troops' safety equipment for Iraq and Afghanistan on 3 separate occasions? Did you feel even a cool breeze when your husband opposed mandatory downtime for our troops instead of continuing the endless swinging door of war theater tours?" Read more here Navy Blue Wife Open Letter To Cindy McCain
October 8 Latest news Palin's Soldiers and Veterans Issues - at Veterans for America
I loved Barack Obama's speech tonight. Rarely have I been so moved and inspired by a poltical speech. The only other time had been watching Bill Clinton's same speech in 1992.
On 9/11 I hung a flag in front of my home just like much of America. But since that time I have felt ashamed of our government's actions at home and abroad. Like many American's, I felt my faith in the greatness of this country eroding.
I am inspired. I feel we as a people have a clear purpose. A vision. A Leadership team to help us redeem our standing in the world.
I live in Washington State but grew up in Virginia. I moved here to be around more people like me. But my goal this election season, although I've NEVER been politically active--will be to get my 100% Republican family to at least LISTEN to Barack's vision. And if they listen--some will hear. And it is my hope that some, if not all of them will vote for Obama as the next President of the United States.
It is my hope that this blog will track the Obama/Biden progress and culminate with his hand on the Bible in January, 2009.
History is now. History is happening to us. We need to get on board, America.
Do you remember how you felt on the morning of September 11, 2001? Do you remember the thoughts that you had as you watched our Twin Towers crumble to the ground? As the Pentagon was burning? As you looked at the gaping hole in the earth in Pennsylvania?
Did you ever stop to wonder if the firefighters that ran into the towers just before they fell happened to be Democrat or Republican? Do you think anyone cared whether the firefighter or other Good Samaritan who helped them out of the WTC was white or black, Christian, Jew, Muslim or Atheist? Would YOU have cared? On that day and the few weeks after, we were all Americans. Just simply and beautifully, Americans.
On November 4th, you have the opportunity to be - just simply and beautifully, an American. After 8 years, our country is in dire straits. Don’t vote race, don’t vote smears, and don’t vote lies. This Iraq war was a lie, WMD was a lie, 4100 troops died for a lie. These lies have continued on and on for 8 years in part due to distractions. Some have counted on distractions, not truth to further their cause and they continue to do so. Stop. Listen. Learn. We have a candidate who wants to fight and win the RIGHT war and avenge the deaths of 3,000 Americans and bring Bin Laden to justice. One who was for the right war, and against the wrong one from the beginning. One who has people around the world waving American flags again instead of burning them. If you have been honest with yourself, and you discover after much soul-searching that this decision will come down to race for you, I ask you this: Imagine that you are stuck on the 65th floor of the WTC on the morning of 9/11 and someone is there just on the other side of the door ready to help you and bring you to safety. They are kicking at the wall and you hear their voice getting closer and closer. All the sudden, the person breaks through and reaches through ready to pull you to safety. They say, “Grab my hand!” You look, and the outstretched hand is brown. You hear glass shattering around you, the heat of the fire suffocates you, the screams of people dying rings in your ears. You look down at your own hand, close your eyes, and then…..well, the choice is yours.
This November 4th, I hope that you will vote the issues. I hope that you will reject the politics of fear, lies and distractions. I will cast my vote for Barack Obama, and I am stretching out my hand, grasping for yours, asking that you do the same. This November 4th, I will vote American.
Time for the status quo, East Coast media power base to get familiar with a "Chicago" attitude when it comes to smears. We are so common sense here in the heartland, you know? The manic media coverage of the New Yorker cartoon is a perfect example of today's HUGE elephant... "some people still don't get it".
Historically, discrimination has ALWAYS been "cloaked" in "humor" and satire. Mocking people with exaggerated, stereotypical imagery that encourages internal, knee-jerk ignorance is so twentieth century, such old news really. But don't take my word for it: simply "google" and review some of the cartoons from before the civil rights movement; the stereotypical, cartoonish characterizations of African Americans has insulted folks and encouraged racists since the dawn of America's "peculiar institution". On what planet is stereotyping people of color ever funny?
To continue to insult the achievements of the first African-American presidential candidate and his wife, using humor or "buzz" as a justification, simply does not compute. Last week, Mike Barnicle (Morning Joe) used the words "too academic" as a CRITICISM of Sen Obama's persona. Aren't all of our problems today the direct result of 28 yrs of Republican anti-intellectualism and a lack of scholarship and research-based decision-making?
Ignorance is alive and well, and living on the East coast under an assumed name, New Yuck!er magazine.
I invite you to listen to this song, "America, I believe in You" at http://www.believebarack.com/ . A song that exemplifies pride in our country.
When I wrote this song 5 years ago, I thought it was for a time when America was recovering from the great 911 aftermath, a time when many people were concerned with the state of our country. Even so, I was still inspired to write "America, I Believe in You". While I had forgotten all about this song, it was one day when something spoke to my heart and said this song was for such a time as this.
You can visit http://www.http//my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/AMBR .
According to the media, Obama is going to win the election in 2008. I have decided to move. England is my first choice. How are things there? Can I bring my pets? How is the economy? And will I ever fit in?
Like everything about Obama, I love his reasons for not wearing a flag pin. I also think he’s being singled out by the nincompoop brigade, when for example John Edwards didn’t wear it either.
I’m not sure that all these folks will ever be won over, but some will be and others could be – at least in time for the general election. But more importantly, it also worries main street Republicans considering switching parties to vote for him, and those right of center Hillary Democrats who are looking for a reason to stay home in the general.
Sure, it’s way past time for truth and like many Obamamites I yearn for it. But first, we yearn for an Obama win. Symbols are fine, but words and deeds are better.
Explain why you haven’t been every single time you get an opportunity, and make opportunities when there are none. And go on to explain why you’re wearing it again now – to take away the cheap shot and to show that you know when you’ve been a bonehead. And if Americans think wearing a flag in your lapel means a person loves America, you want them knowing you do. And voting for you.
In case you missed it, here's proof that McCain doesn't always wear a flag pin, either.
There has been plenty of talk this election cycle about wellness in our nation through the benefits of universal health care, who and how many will pay what when under this plan or that plan, or if pre-existing conditions will be covered. This election cycle has also exposed a national issue of a different sort that has not been thoroughly addressed. That is the sickness of isms. Some exploratory research of has been started on this category of diseases with the controversy surrounding the Pastor Wright sermons, the national debate over immigration and the talk of a glass ceiling as it relates to women. Over the next few months together we will explore, research, look for a cure to treat these “life as we know it” threatening diseases….of isms. Racism is a sickness. Jingoism is a sickness. Nationalism is a sickness. Chauvinism is a sickness.
Are U Sick?
