Posts with the tag Dreams

Health Care Reform - Selling False Dreams to America

z0rr0 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:44:34 EDT

We Americans seem to live in a dream world ! There is no such things as "preventable death".

In the real world, the operative phrases are "inevitable death" and "prolonged life".

In the real world, those who insist on prolonging life need to be ready to pay for it too. If they think they can impose life syles on others, then they should be ready to foot the bill for those others as well.

It is simple, in the dream world, immortality comes free. In the real world longevity cost more.

What Obama's inauguration means to me!

mrcsmitty — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:40:31 EST

This inauguration to me means that we have hope for an Honest Government ! That ideas and Facts will be real and not just based on what the highest bidder wants to be fact. That trampling our "lesser" citizens to fill certain pockets with wealth by lies and greed will stop! That ruining our great planet with petroleum products and chemicals only because of bias studies and greed will come to an end! That thousands of Law Enforcement and Border Guards can stop losing their lives over lies and greed! That thousands of Innocent-Honest-Hard Working Americans won't have their Lives and Families ruined by unfair laws funded by lies and greed! That America will be what our Founding Fathers intended it to be, FREE! That our Economy can Flourish with Savings from our bias War on our own people if it were to stop! That Millions of Jobs can be created and sick could have natural relief! That we can end our current failed wars on our people and stop the injustice! That prohibition on our rights will end! That prohibition will end! I know we can do it! YES WE CAN!!! We can be back to an America that's government is OF the people, BY the people, FOR the people and not OVER the people! YES WE CAN!!!

Amazing People of the Community

TSpangler — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:01:49 EST

I am ever so humbled by the amazing talents we have in our communities. These talents my be retired, unemployed, in career transition... they may be moms, stay at home dads, they are young, they are over 50, they have a variety of passions and they, WE, are all connected by one single, simple thread... the thread of change.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

WEBMASTER — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:26:14 EST

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

individuals and organizations understand that alternative energy technology exists and
when people see the economic benefits of using alternative energy technologies

Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.

Alternative Energy
Source: David Apperson

url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy

Watched Barack Obama Accept Democratic Nomination

Pam Hayes — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:03:00 EST

I wrote this on August 29th.

Who would ever have thought we'd get this far, and here we are! It'll be an exciting time between now and the US presidential election. If Obama wins, so many people can keep their dreams alive. If he loses, countless dreams will die. The taste of a McCain victory would be a bitter one. It is said that you get the government you deserve, but we do NOT deserve the government we currently have. If only the people who voted for our current leader had to live under his policies, life would be more just, but that is only a fantasy.

Living with belief

Misha — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:03:04 EST

Its been more than a week since history was made. 8 days since millions of Americans got together in a tidal wave of reform, and refused to be budged by the insinuation of the past spilling into the present. 8 days since the possibility of change and of dreams being fulfilled, reinforced by example. 8 days of watching President elect Barack Obama start off rapidly on his transitionary phase.

In his victory, a world full of doubting youngsters, compelled sometimes to clip their own wings and fearing to believe in the unthinkable, have been exposed to the results of unerring, persuasive belief, hard work and determination.

And most of all, the fact that every single person can and SHOULD contribute towards bringing about the change they desire.

This is to President Barack Obama; a living inspiration, a father, a dreamer and a true American.

Closing in on being done - my thoughts...

Dylan Bost — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:59:28 EDT

Not sure if the rest of you are tired of this race, but I can't wait till Wednesday. Either way let's not kid ourselves, our Country is in for a ride. "Reform" is this case is such a large word that its' shadow easily looms over the entire continent. I believe in this ticket more so than any other vote I have cast, but I type this with my fingers crossed...

Senators - We the people are asking much from both of you, but we are also giving you much. I implore you to use the power you could attain to stand up for what America founders stood for. Be honest, just and make us proud. I recently heard a great quote...

"You job ahead will be very hard, you will experience many challenges, CHANGE is SLOW, but CHANGE will come, I believe in you." -AG

-Dylan

Dreams of Barack Obama

Thomas from San Francisco, CA — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:04:35 EDT

2:14AM Friday October 31st

For the third time in the last six months I have awoken in the middle of the night from a dream where I am serving candidate Barack Obama in his quest for the American Presidency. In each dream, the last thing I remember before waking up is working for the man who I now fully expect to the next president of the United States. It is unusual for me, a fairly heavy sleeper, to be so awoken. It is unusual for me to wake up from any dream except when, in the dream itself, I am very disturbed. In these dreams of Obama, I am not disturbed, I am excited. I am excited about Obama’s chances for remaking America. I am so excited in fact that I am thrust from the dream into reality, and awoken with a mission, a mission to serve this country and Barack Obama.

RFK and the fierce urgency of now ...

Martin Edwin "Mick" from Churchton, MD — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:36:07 EDT

For those who, looking around unsatisfied with things as they are, share Robert F. Kennedy's challenge to dream of things as they never were, and say, why not?

Obama-Biden '08!

Terrorist Combining Skills (Dream)

Josh and Kade — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:38:01 EDT

This is a friends dream.

September 2008

[I use to dream terrorist were black/gray in color, part police dog (newer breed not shepard) and timber wolf.

Approx: 16 months ago the wolf figure converted into Lions, Tigers, Leapords and Sharks. Meaning of conversion? Means terrorist are regrouping, coming together and utilizing each others strengths. Terrorist are adapting to each others differences, embracing differences in order to work together as one, This means Shiit, Sunni, Palestinian, Lebanese etc are coming together as one whole unit.. to show their power and strength to America.

Terrorist strategy is to strike as an individual, unknowing to infidels, the group is working as a team.

Goal is to create confusion, confusion to throw off infidel defense]

end of dream

Quotes to Live By

Amanda Thompson — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:39:57 EDT

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.
Edgar Cayce

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Abraham Lincoln

Ideologies separate us. Dreams and anguish bring us together.
Eugene Ionesco

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?
Abraham Lincoln

The battle for the individual rights of women is one of long standing and none of us should countenance anything which undermines it.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.
Calvin Coolidge

Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose - and you allow him to make war at pleasure.
Abraham Lincoln

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Abraham Lincoln

Dreams From My Future

Meghan from New York, NY — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:28:58 EDT

Dreams from My Future

He was the culmination of historical tide; the tidal wave; the catalyst. He could not have been without those who had come before him. He was the legacy and the dream realized. Many who would come after would not have been, but for him. He was the teacher, the sustenance.

When he arrived, the world had turned all the shades of gray. The radiant spectrum of color had been dulled by the onslaught and ascendance of mediocrity. It had been attacked by the judgmental hands of those whose certainty about the unknown frightened and belittled those who questioned and challenged and experimented to bring light to the darkness. It had been smeared by concentration of all into the pockets and guns of a few.

He stood apart. He watched himself speak and act, from both within and without. He was as much an outsider to his own being as he was to the communities he sought to join.
He did not connect because he was not the same. He did not fit neatly into the packaged story of the known and traditional. Ironically, his was the common path, though few understood it.

In a land easily persuaded by charlatans and heavy with missteps, it was his duty to pierce the beast of hubris and decay. As one who others denied belonged to their history, it was his task to return the land to its humble origins to reignite the source of its energy and recreate the path to its destiny. So it was he who brought hope and faith in what can be achieved back to a land's heart and soul.

Before he arrived, the vulture death was hovering overhead. The fire of industry and creativity had suffocated and its embers smoldered. Possibility and achievement lay unnurtured, cold and shivering, fighting for breath. It seemed the fire and its children were only able to thrive on other sides of the world.

He was not a savior and he was not a hero. He was simply a moment. There was a choice between a sunset and a sunrise. A choice between a well-travelled road's end and an open path to anywhere… to everywhere. He was a guide to the unexplored.

Time teaches that these choices come at critical moments. When the light is fading and the doubt growing, the opportunity for rebirth always presents itself. Sometimes that choice is made; sometimes habit and suspicion are too cumbersome to overcome.

He was the moment. The coming together of what was and what should be. The ignition. The fruition.

The encroaching desert receded and verdant life flourished. The land, through its choice to change, became again the promise… kept.

Obama for change!

Unknown user — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:09:06 EDT

The American Constitution is based on freedom and liberty for all people. And this means litterally ALL.

When we know that not all Americans has got this, it is

BLACK MIDDLE CLASS

ICLIGHTNOW — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:52:34 EDT

Although I grew up in the Black middle class of America, it didn't take long for my dreams to vanish.

As a child, between the age of 4 and 7, I wanted to be President of the United States. Shortly after being summoned into the house to learn about the assasination of Dr. King, that thought turned towards Indian Chief, policeman and or fireman. My early teens prompted the desire to own my own business. Upon graduating from a prestigious 100 year old military boarding highschool, as their first Black Battalion Commander and Valedictorian, it did not take long after my first year of college for me to drop out. While battling alcoholism and drugs, I simply settled for a job.

It became quite clear to me, although I blame no one for my failures and thank God for my successes, that the playing field was not equal, fair, nor touted for me to even play. Quickly I lost hope in myself, my community and my country.

At the age of 43, and finally coming to terms that being who I am is just fine and that assimilation is dangerous, I am victorious in life.

Now seeing someone who is tangible and has overcome the same obstacles fills me with joy!

Today, I can see the light. And I am committed to do whatever I can, with God by myself, to make that light available to future generations both here and abroad.

Thank you Barack, your LIGHT is burning bright, and I want the world to see it, right here, right now from my hometown (Detroit) and from D.C.

Dorian P. Harvey, Founder

AfricanTown Worldwide, LLC

There are no limits to your Dreams

pservelle — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:59:51 EDT

The Congress? The White House? What else?

Paul,

How is it going? A friend just sent me a link to this website, and you are all over it, is this really you? www.News3Online.com

cheers,

Madeline

Dreaming The Reality of Obama

Miss-fit — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:21:08 EDT

We will either tell the world that all that has happened in the past 7 years was 'okay' OR we will inform the world that the USA has finally spoken out against all the injustice and havoc wreaked upon this world in our name! We will shout out that Our Constitution may have been battered and scarred during the present administration but we intend to repair it with loving care. We will broadcast that the welfare of other countries and their citizens' human rights as well as the health of this Earth will become our priority. With Barack Obama human dignity will improve as he firmly believes that no child should ever grow up without medical care or a complete education; that senior citizens should not have to worry that their income from Social Security or retirement packages will be diminished by a reckless investment into the volatile stock market; that working citizens should be able to invest their best talents and loyalties into their companies without fearing that they will later be sold out and lost everything they worked for; and, the citizens of this country will NEVER again be forced to stand on a rooftop for days, ducking TV helicopters, while begging for help that never arrives, or struggling with a state burning up because of the drained manpower sent to die in a war built on lies. The citizens of our once-proud USA will stand anew with all heads held higher and higher, hand in hand, as we actively reach across ALL the aisles of life with a new respect, understanding, and love for our neighbors.
Oh, Yes, I too have my dreams, and with Obama I will not be afraid to wake up.

Why I support Obama, Thoughts on Dreams from My Father

Bob — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:44:52 EDT

I am an 18 year old college student from the U.P. of Michigan. I am white, very white, half German, and Half Finnish to be precise. I am supporting Barack Obama because I believe that he is our best chance to bring respect back to these United States. I think that we need to get out of Iraq to focus on Afghanistan,and to free up the trillions of dollars that this useless war in Iraq is costing. November 4th baby! We will show the world what America is all about! The American Dream is real.

I bought Dreams from My Father recently and am in the process of reading it. So far I love it, I'm on chapter 17 and am advancing rapidly in it. My favorite chapter so far was chapter 14 when Barack first met Rev. Jeremiah Wright and went to church at trinity united. I loved the fact that those people in the church still had the desire to sing/shout praises to the Lord, even though many of them were in bad situations with scarcely a way out. Kudos to Mr. Obama on his excellent writing ability. I'm really pulled into the story of his life. After I am done with Dreams from My Father, I am going to begin to read The Audacity of Hope, which I picked up at the same time.

The reason I joined MyBarackObama

Dylan's Mom — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:32:38 EDT

My friend Candace, who expresses views on the campaign through poetry, recently posted her reaction to the treatment Michelle Obama has received from the press. I found it to be a mind-invigorating read:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/consciousempress/gG5jrj

It speaks beautifully to the hopes and dreams of our ancestors for who their progeny could be.

To live the dream that ancestors slept is a phrase in particular that hangs with me as a clear illustration of a core function of hope. Though the challenges and struggles we endure and face in this time are obviously different from She Who of Candace's poem, our responses to them NOW are nonetheless mightily vital to our own progeny's future well-being as we face down the (I'll say it) enslavement to Greed that has seized large hold of our precious nation's highest offices.

We must never give up, never surrender our own dreams of a peaceful, sharing, healthy and prosperous land. In loving obligation to our ancestors, and to those for whom WE are the ancestors, We the People must remain steadfastly committed to our obligation in continuing to do whatever little bit MORE we can, every day -- working WITH our duly-elected leaders as we reasonably can -- to keep our eyes on the prize of that More Perfect Union we hope to deliver to our Future Ones.

And so I want to thank Candace for the imagery of She Who's dreams for her own Future Ones. She's helped me to articulate one of the main reasons I enjoy participating in MyBarackObama: A belief that a Really Good Head Start to benefitting our progeny is to get Barack & Michelle and the kids moved into our White House !

Wednesday - Acting Upon The Dream

Cammi317 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:04:42 EDT

After the last few months of cheering for Obama and giving small donations here and there over the internet, yesterday I finally got actively involved. I went to my first meeting and signed up to process voter registration information. It was a surreal experience.

We were to meet at Davido's Pizza in Lithonia at 6 p.m. I was so excited that I arrived 45 minutes early. I ordered a small meal and watched the news as I waited for everyone to arrive. About 30 minutes, later people began to slowly trickle into Davido's. Soon there was a crowd of enthusiatic supporters buzzing about. We began the meeting with each person telling the group a little about themselves and why they are supporting Obama. The recurring sentimment was "for the children". Not just the black children, not just for the white children, but for all of the children of America. We had a mixed group and we were united for a common cause...Change.

We were broken off into groups according to the areas in which we lived, and began the business of assigning tasks for each member. We had people who were originally at Davido's to just grab a bite to eat decide to join as well. People who were just passing buy and looked through the window and saw the Obama items decided to sit in on the meeting as well. I was experiencing the overwhelming power of this grass roots campaign. I finally understood why my mother and sister were so gung ho to do more once they became involved.

I was excited to know that a voter's registration drive is held at Davido's every saturday morning. I plan to participate as often as I can. My daughter is away at Girl Scout camp this week, but once she gets back I know that she will want to help as well. We are not new to volunteering, only new to volunteering for Obama.

I looked around the room at the groups of people gathered around individual tables. Some were mapping out group plans, some where tallying up recently collected voter registration forms, others were talking and laughing and just getting to know each other, and their were little children looking around and taking it all in. I began to think about all of the powerful pictures that I have seen over the years taken back during the civil rights movement of the groups of people meeting and planning. As I looked out of the glass front of the store, I wondered if the people walking by and glanced in would one day look back into their memories and remember this snap shot in time. I know that I will.

Welcome to the table

Crystal Harris Blount — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:51:07 EDT

While I have always been a political junkie, the product of two civil rights activists born in Montgomery, AL, this year I have stepped up my game. No longer a CNN spectator, I have risen (or descended... depending on your perspective) to level of active participant.

First, I gave a small amount of money which is a huge feat for anybody who has even seen the stipend of a graduate student. Then I wrote to the lady who matched my donation. Next, I volunteered to call some people. After voting in the primary, I was clearly addicted (in the healthy sense, of course). I gave again. I called some people who really had money or who at least had jobs! They gave too! WOW!! A few minutes ago I signed up to attend an event, and I am also planning to host an event. So what happened? Why do people, like me, move from sideline to center line of a cause like this?

For me, it's complicated. This cause moved both my mind and my spirit. My mother and many of my family members dreamed about a time in America when children of color could do anything they dreamed of. While they are not here to witness this, I am, and my children are. I am here for them, and for myself, because hope has been recsued in the hearts and minds of young people all over this world!

YES WE CAN!

Today - Reflections of Change

Cammi317 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:00:58 EDT

I have so many thoughts jumbled in my head and have been trying to put them into perspective. I am still trying to grasp my mind around the fact that he is really going to do this...it is really going to happen..... Barack will become the first African American POTUS. This is a real game changer, in that he will have achieved the highest office in the land.

I grew up believing anything is possible and have passed that belief on to my daughter. Being black has never been a hinderance to me or my goals. I always tell my daughter that as long as she studies hard in school the sky is her limit. Of course, my usual dreams for her are happiness, love and, of course, a lucrative career as a doctor, lawyer or even an astronaut. Admittedly, POTUS never crossed my mind. In all of my 36 years, it has never occured to me that an African American nor a woman would ever hold the position. It's not that I believed it was impossible, the thought just simply never crossed my mind one way or another. Of course there was the Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton attempts, but I never took their candidacies seriously from the beginning. It was not until Barack decided to run that I realized, it could happen.

Honestly, in the beginning I figured we have a white man, woman and a black man running and the obvious winner is the white man. I mean, that's the way it has always been. Little did I know that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would step up to the plate and change the face of this country forever. Their candidacies shot beyond the limitless sky to the stars in the far outer regions of space. Accordingly, my dreams for my daughter have changed and the sky is no longer her limit...it's just a layover stop between here and her ultimate goals and dreams.

Regaining Power

Karen Runnels — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:18:40 EDT

Writing my first post in my own blog is an emotional moment for me, a joyous moment! For just as my rights as an American citizen have been trampled by the Bush administration, so were my rights as a human being trampled by my abusive husband.

But no more! I am taking back my power, both as a person and as an American citizen. I will no longer tolerate oppression and abuse in any form. I will no longer suffer any denial of my rights by any person or government.

I am finding my voice and my strength. I've saved myself, and now I am ready to help save America, by doing everything I can to help Obama become our next President.

Another Step Closer to Glory

Earthbound — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:50:13 EDT

I feel some gain here with this weeks developments. I feel sorry for Hillary, I really do. She has fought hard to be part of the democratic answer and I respect her for her tancity. I have great hopes for our nation with Obama at the helm. I hope WHEN he is elected that he can cross this gap of left and right in the politcal realm. The hate is pretty thick around here. I don't know if we can clean it up.

I live in a republican state, Arizona, and I live in the heart of a right wing predominently wealthy upper middle class, mostly mormon community. It is frightening how much this community hates Obama. I have heard some out right racist comments and a lot of stupid cracker type comments from people in the community this week, all who will vote for McCain. I just can't believe that this very religious right wing community that I live and work in can be so filled with hate towards Obama.

I've been thinking of Hunter S all week. Wishing he were still with us. Would he have fun with Obama. Guess he's up in heaven with Ed Bradley kicking over cans and pointing fingers. I miss you Dude.

So Back to my dreams. I drempt about Clintons fancy pants and now I drempt that Obama named Condi Lesa Rice as his VP and she formerly having been ademocrat accepted and they shook up the republicans party and got elected. Except then Condi un-zipped her power suit and morphed (it wasn't a big strech) into anti-christ bridezilla and mated and ate most of the world rulers. Good news in the dream after she ate Chaves of Venezuela gas prices went down to .13 cents a gallon. Who loves you Condalezza. My big SUV thats who.

Greetings

Believer1982 — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:56:42 EDT

Welcome to my first blog post! Thank you for reading.

Barack Obama is the first politician in whom I truly believe. He is also the first politician for whom I have chosen to dedicate my life and livelihood. I just today received an e-mail inviting me into the position of Obama Organizing Fellow. I am excited for this for three reasons. First, I will have an opportunity for six weeks this summer to organize for the campaign in the important battleground State in which I live, Wisconsin. Second, I am excited to gain the experience of a community organizer that so changed Barack himself, and that I respect a great deal. Third, I am very excited to gain this opportunity of getting an "in" into the campaign. My dream is to use my skills to better the world. While I am excited to use my human skills of organizing, I want in the future to use my more specific skills of data analysis that I have learned in my three years of graduate school. I believe that my data analysis skills could be of immense importance to the campaign. For example, I am educated in experimental design, survey research, and forecasting.

Well, this blog sounds more like a job application than a blog. So let me quickly rectify that. I'm joining this campaign because I believe in Barack and his message. This is exactly what I had hoped for out of my life... that I could dedicate myself, my time, and my skills to make a positive difference for our nation and our world.

Any comments welcome and appreciated!

I have a dream.....

Elidet — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:40:22 EDT

I had a dream last night that Hilary finally threw in the towel. Unfortunately, I woke up to the reality that she is still there! The funny thing here is that both McCain and Obama just seem to ignore she's even in the race and are apparently going head to head as if Obama was already the presidential nominee.

I signed up for a few events near my hometown in order to do my part by spreading the word, educating voters that are on the fence as well as registering the non-registered.

Obama has a lot of hope and dreams for this country, but he won't be able to do it all without the help of supporters like you and me. I really hope that Obama is the winner once the dust settles, so I guess I have my work cut out for me!

Are You Down With This

Zo — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:07:58 EDT

Has this been the longest five weeks of your life or what. Looking at my first post here, I can't believe the tests—test after test after test—faith has been through. Least my shreds of. I don't know about you, but I wobbled, I withdrew, I detached—I did all the things people do when they fear. When they care about something so deeply, have allowed themselves to dream—and watch that dream get shoved around. Dragged real low. Sullied, even, by some of the shabbiest human behaviors, when that is not where a dream is supposed to go.

Dreams are genuinely precious. Dreams are pure hope—pure child. And who, really, can bear to carry anything so vulnerable into this world. I don't suppose anyone can, or does … without some kind of faith.

And what if the dream remains unanswered? Hopes go unfulfilled?

I begin to see, I would have made a terrible black person, like around the time of the Civil Rights marches. I begin to see the ways in which, as a white woman, I get to stay home.

Maybe this is what happens when someone inspired grabs hold of your heart and your hopes, especially after such a long time of national despair—I mean, torture, can America sink any lower—and says, “I'm asking you to believe in you.”

Someone like Barack, who—despite all the crap politicians go through, despite the crap Black Americans go through—somehow both Obamas manage to exemplify faith. Somehow Barack has managed to stay on-path through some truly cringe-worthy trashings—times that make me wonder if the Republicans can possibly do worse—without giving up, without trashing back. Okay, he tried trashing back a time or two, but his heart wasn't in it, it was pretty damn feeble, as trash-backs go.

Here's the hard thing: he may lose. And of course, that's what it looked like, during this agonizing … has it really only been a month?

I still don't have any answers. I can see what the Obamas have that I do not, and that is a working faith. One that carries hopes and dreams past the idea of wins and losses—and apparently, at the same time sustains your ability to go for it, in the present, as if it's a done deal.

Why, as a white woman, am I so invested. Why do I want to see a black President in the White House so much it scares me. Why is this the most exciting thing to come down the road since the Sixties …

In April, I had pure Obama-bliss. Looking back, boy, was that easy. Now we get down to it. To the ugliness. Racism, in all its profound discouragement. The swift-boat thinking that has so gripped the American mind. To hope anyway. To find one's way of working for Obama, towards the dream. Perhaps that's the key. Perhaps faith is the working-towards.

And of course, working-towards never stops.

Madama Reads Obama--Dreams From My Father--Origins

Madama Ambi — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:14:06 EDT

If you haven't already read Barack Obama's memoir, Dreams From My Father, here is an introduction to the book. Madama reads from Part One, Chapter One, a section of the book that Obama has titled "Origins." This is a lyrical, moving account of his multicultural childhood. Dreams From My Father published by Three Rivers Press, 1995.

Click here to go to Interview4Obama...

Dreamers, Shapers Singers and Makers

Ron from South Elgin — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:53:22 EDT

I just joined the Science Fiction Fans for Obama today. I was reading a post by "Mom for Obama". She said she had been reading how we supporters of Barack Obama are all "doe eyed idolaters worshipping at the feet of our dreamer leader." Of course, those who would make such comments don't really "get it" about the vast desire for change to which Obama is speaking. But folks who would use such a phrase to describe Barack Obama and his supporters also don't understand the power of dreams.

As a teenager, I had a quotation from another politician posted on the wall: "Some [people] see things as they are and ask 'Why?' I dream things that never were and ask, 'Why not?'" As President Kennedy understood, some ideas only come from dreaming.

Some think that dreaming is impractical, but a surprising number of space scientists grew up reading and being inspired by science fiction. Dreaming can inspire action. The dreamers among us have inspired some of the really meaningful changes in our history.

There are those who think that making and building, doing, is all that is important. But a lot of doing has been inspired by dreams. A great deal of concrete change and progress has been inspired by dreams. Hopefully, Barack's dream is about to change our politics forever.

TO "BUILD" AN AMERICAN - Lessons in Manhood: by Dad and Wolves

Rick — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:36:48 EDT

I was 11 years old in 1964 and proud of being the latest New Yorker promoted to the 8th grade. The familiar smells of my mother’s Spanish cooking added to the comfort of being included in the monthly gathering of my father, an “old-world” Puerto Rican, and his two brothers and their families. My father was the elder and, for as long as I could remember, like clockwork, these men met at my house, every month, to discuss politics, the month’s novelties, my cousin Nancy’s first Holy Communion, Uncle Oscar’s new job, who would be on Ed Sullivan, and so that everyone could tease my mom about her ongoing obsession with feeding my dad and I to death. This "five-foot-dumpling" of a wife and mother was convicted in her certainty that the measure of a woman’s worth, was found in the girth of her family's waistlines! As the kids ran about to the sporadic heralding of “…if you make me get up from here…” and the women discussed Lucy Ricardo's latest dress, the talk at the smoky table… where the men sat…always seemed to turn to HONOR. It was a subject spoken of in "broken English" by those who clutched the fierce objective of arriving at these shores, not merely to live in America... but to BECOME IT. HONOR: At that table, it was measured by how well each man there cared and provided for his family; how well each had repaid America’s hospitality and, each was accountable to the other two for compliance. It was, they said, what gave our family name its worth. HONOR; it was a word that seemed to be a big deal to these men and any one of them would grow by two inches when acknowledged with it by the others, but specially by the women of the clan. They were larger than life, those men, and as they donned their fedoras and left, I was always left with a yearning to somehow...one day, grow up to be just like them. Most of all, I wanted to grow up to be like my dad; the patriarch. On this particular night, just as he closed the door behind the last to exit, he turned to me and asked “Are you a man of HONOR, son?” I was startled... I wasn’t expecting the question! Searching for what I felt he was expecting as the “right” answer, I said “SURE, dad!” Pleasing him was my life's purpose. “Why," he asked. "Well... because I’m your son.” This must certainly be the right answer. A silent moment ensued, as he seemed to study me with an unsettling scrutiny that I had never before seen in his eyes. It made me uneasy…like being on stage…and forgetting your lines. “Then, you won’t mind explaining… what honor IS.” As I fumbled and scoured my brain for an answer, he stopped me in mid “fidget” and said... with something between a smirk and a smile,“You cannot be that which you do not know. Honor is different things to different people but, to all, it is the thing that, when choosing which fork to take when life’s road splits, compels a person to DO THE RIGHT THING. So from today forward, because you are my son, I will ask that you begin to reflect on the things that you are... and on things that you would like to become... so that you may grow into what you are meant to be. Whatever that may be, son, I need for you to become it…like your uncles and like me; as one of the "Basora men" who always try, no matter what, to DO THE RIGHT THING.” "You know..." he said, starting down the hall, "...the best gift that I can ever give your mother... and this country... is to build them AN AMERICAN."

Thirty three years later, mom succeeded and fed him to death. In my arms and surrounded by love; his two favorite Shepherds, like sentries, flanking his bed, I had never wished so hard for anything in my life, as I wished for that day; that he could speak to me from beyond this thing, this coma...just one more time...just one more time before he left me. "You're my best friend," I muttered. "I still need you. How can you even be certain that I've become this... man of HONOR?" His eyes parted slightly; mom, a nurse and my wife gasped... wide, reddened eyes... hands cupped to their mouths... as if frozen. "Because... it was you that compelled me... to never... ever... stop being one," he whispered... and died.

It has taken those 33 years of a work-in-progress to write this. It found its origins in the ways of my father and inspired, yet further, by the ways of WOLVES; the noble, social creatures that they are; a species that forsakes the frenzied existence of "the individual," living solely to amass "THE MOST THINGS" in favor of caring for their old... for their injured and disabled; of raising their young in a culture with no ORPHANS; of insuring the survival of THE PACK and in embracing a wondrous commitment by ALL… to doing THE RIGHT THINGS.

                                              The Way of the WOLF
                              Doctrines and Covenants of the Alpha Male
Honor is the inherent dignity of the doctrines and covenants by which one lives and the values that compel you to embrace them.
To live with honor fulfills a life. To die with honor fulfills a destiny.
Respect is the premium owed only to those with the courage to earn it.
Nothing good will be written of the coward, the tyrant or the mediocre.
Courage is not found in the absence of fear. It is found in the ability to step forward in spite of it.
The tyrant orders the charge. Only the leader will head it.
The tyrant fights all…to appear to be right. The leader fights for all…and for all that is right.
Power not tempered by wisdom and compassion defines tyranny.
Love with your heart; commit with your soul; believe with your gut; lead with all three.
The true measure of strength is found in the ability to choose not to use it.
                                                                    But…if you must…
Hurt before you injure; injure before you maim; maim before you kill; choose DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR.
To ignore abuse is to endorse it.
Love is the unselfish pursuit of the happiness of the beings you cherish.
If you cannot express love, no one will know that you do.
As you give of yourself, you will give to yourself.
At the point of arrogance does pride lose its virtue.
True partnership can only be achieved by separate and whole beings that retain their uniqueness even as they unite.
A friend’s worth is measured by the stature of the person you become when they enter your life.
Accept your relatives. Choose your family.
A man’s honor can only repose in the heart of a woman whose strength and virtue proclaim and confirm the substance that it took to earn her.
When life is allowed to yield less than its best, it will.
Put mind in gear before mouth in motion.
Dreams are the children of hope that whisper of all things that can be…in words that were never written…yet refuse to remain silent.
Dreams are the blueprints of a better reality.
Those who howl at the stars will be heard, at least, on the moon.
For a pack without a destination, no trail is favorable.
To solve a problem, you must first acknowledge that you have one.
Doing nothing means nothing will change.
Those who believe their own lies have fools as their witnesses.
Pursue what you wish to do until summoned by what you are meant to do.
Evil, like the blackest of nights, is the necessary darkness without which the magnificent aurora of virtue could never appear as splendid.
Goodness is but a choice.
Even the minions of the morally bankrupt are no match for one child clad in virtue and armed with truth. Nurture and proclaim him for in his spirit rests the seed of the alpha male, the heart of the pack, KING OF THE WOLVES.

                           Rick F. Basora, son of Fil Basora, an Alpha Male

An English teacher reflects on Dreams from My Father

Jean Locicero from Milford, NH — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:29:46 EDT

I was for Barak in NH before it was cool. I snow shoed out onto the 4 foot deep snow drift that was my front lawn and pushed in my Obama sign. At Christmas dinner in another state, one relative came up with a great idea at a family gathering: let's all say who we want to win the next Presidential election. Someone a little less filled with Christmas cheer said, "Ah, let's make it a secret ballot." When the votes were counted, 4 Obama votes showed up, which I learned in the ride home all came from my house. Well, in front of the Christmas fire, after every vote was counted, the snowball began to roll: "Well, if I thought he could win, I would have voted for him...." and "Do you really know anything about him..."

By the time the primaries rolled into their state, Barak did win. Maybe the Christmas ballot game did win a few hearts and minds. But the question, "Do you really know him?" rankled me a bit because I realized that I knew his speeches and positions, I had seen him march in a parade in front of the school where I teach, but I wanted to feel I could answer critics because I had really done my homework. Borders bookstore helped. They displayed the books by all the major candidates on a table at the front of the store. So I bought Dreams from My Father.

While my PhD poli sci husband read Audacity of Hope, I preferred Dreams. A memoir should do the trick, I thought. I read it. And I will read it again and blog here the ways it has informed my views of the primaries.

Let's start on p. 5, "...as a child I knew him only through the stories that my mother and grandparents told. They all had their favorites, each one seamless, burnished smooth from repeated use." How many families have those stories? What do we cling to about the ancestor/relative/strangers in our photos on the mantles? Do we look long and hard at the pictures trying to see into the eyes to know who those people are that we came from?

On my mantle stand 2 framed pictures of my grandparents, one from their wedding day and one from their 50th anniversay. He immigrated in 1917 from Sicily; she was born in a little NH town, and they were lifelong, voting Democrats. In summers, when I came up to NH from MA with my parents and siblings, Grandpa marched us off to Democratic picnics. He talked about how he could vote and how we were Americans. His burnished tales were those of relatives in the "Old Country." So we always knew we weren't quite whole here, no matter how proud he was to be a citizen.

Is that enough to say I think I understand Barak's lines on p. 5? Is it enough to feel strongly about immigration?

Back to the Dream!

Easy Does It — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:17:24 EST

Bring back the dreams, Barack! Forget about addressing all the details Sen. Clinton and the GOP bring up. That's what they want you to do - be dragged onto their playing field where they can beat you (because they are more experienced at that type of election).

Your strength is your inspiration. Our power is awakened by it. The distractions you denounce are working - Don't let them! Focus exclusively on Hope! New Ideas!

Ignore the bullshit, let's hear your heart, Barack!

Dreams

Amy Gordy — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:18:38 EST

My husband gave me "Dreams From My Father" for my birthday. I wanted the book just to know more about this man who has given me hope and inspired me to think beyond myself. I knew it was a book about his life. What I didn't know, couldn't know, was that I would find in those pages a real link; that I would find answers to my own life questions.

As a 33-yr old adult, being biracial is a gift. It gives you, in my opinion, more freedom and ability to think outside the color box. As a child, this wasn't a consideration for me. I grew up military, so for a good part of my life, those questions of who I was and where I fit in didn't float across my consciousness very often. I was a military brat; THAT'S where I fit in. We were our own community. But my sophmore year of high school, I moved in with my Dad and his family in San Antonio. That was a much bigger culture shock than moving to Germany when I was 10, or moving back to the States at 14. For the first time, I didn't have any idea where I belonged. I got along just fine with the white kids and the mexican kids. But the black kids.... That was my first real taste of racism. And I couldn't understand, couldn't BELIEVE that all of the racism I experienced was from the BLACK KIDS! The boys were the worst; gang-bangers who were angry and blames "the man" for everything. And "the man" wasn't just white. He was white, brown.... anything but black. I was harrassed daily by these people who insisted I should not be listening to heavy metal, wearing "white" clothes, talking "white". I didn't understand why it mattered. I wasn't raised that way, and could not comprehend their irrational anger and hate. And what did all that hate get them? The satisfaction of seeing the fear in the unfortunates who "crossed" them? Most of them ended up in trouble at some point, whether it was drugs, fighting, guns.

Over time I accepted the gift I had been given. I don't have to pick and choose. I see it as my right to point out the stupidity on both sides of the fence. I don't care what anyone says, in MY experiences, the black people have always been, by far, more racist than whites. I've lived in southern Mississippi, Illinois, Cape Cod, Texas, and Germany. And it's always the same. I meet black people who have "pride" in their skin color; they'll talk about Malcolm, and Dr. King. They want me CHOOSE my race. I don't buy it. Malcolm wouldn't make me choose. Dr. King wouldn't make me choose. They would be proud of my confidence. They would be proud that I think everyone has a responsibility to themselves to be the best they CAN be, regardless of their color or ethnicity. I expect everyone to work as hard as I do, as hard as my father does, as hard as my very dark uncle does. And I'm not trying to "lump" all black people together and say they are ALL racist. That's not any more true than all white people are racist. I'm just relating what it's been like being half-white, half-black.

Nobody can hold you down but yourself. THIS is the message I have received from Senator Obama. That we are ALL responsible for bringing about the changes necessary to be great; to be one Nation; a Nation of immigrants, colors, and accents. We all have something to offer, but it's up to us to find what that is. It's up to each and every one of us to refuse to be defined by our outward appearance or by our history.

"WE are the ones we've been waiting for."

Hope is a duty

John D — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:54:49 EST

“Hope is a duty, not just a nicety. Hope is not a dream, but a way of making dreams become reality.

Happy those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them become true.”

L.J. Cardinal Suenens

Nov. 1970

Sitting around the TV last night, my parents and I witnessed an incredibly inspiring speech by Senator Obama as we celebrated the campaign’s ninth consecutive victory. After the speech was over, my mother told me about an inspiring quote about hope that she remembered from her childhood. She memorized this quote from her church bulletin thirty five years ago and Senator Obama’s speech brought her back to that moment where she knew the inspirational power of hope to bring about change.

Now We all have the chance to fulfill our dreams and prove to ourselves that we are worthy of our potentials.

Wilddreamers — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:25:25 EST

I watch the news everyday and see Senator Obama's face on the TV screen and something in me say yes, the time has come for us to remember who we really are because we are being giving the chance to prove ourselves to ourselves and to the world that we can be all we are mend to be.

It hurts me that I cannot vote because am not an American and I cannot participate or neither can I volunter my time and energy in making sure that we all the dreams lurking deep in our hearts which Obama is now encouraging us to stand for come true, by actively supproting the Obama's campaign.

Am somehow torn apart but the same time am also happy. Am happy because for once in our lives, we now have somebody that is ready to inspire us to stand for what we believe in, to stand for all the dreams we've being made to suppress all through our lives.

We are all capable of achieving anything if olny we believe in ourselves and if we are giving the chance and oppurtunity to develop our potentials and rigth now, right here, Obama is giving us all this hope and visions to prove to ourselves and all that, we are what we proffess to ourselve that we are.

Obama is not only giving the Americans hope, he is also giving hope to millions of deprived people all over the world. He is telling us all around the globe that, yes a better life is ahead of us all if we are all willing to believe in it, work for it. Obama is telling those immigrants that left their families behind in their home country to seek for a better life else where that they can become anything they want to become no matter where they are or who they are if they are able to believe in themselves and their dreams enough to stand for themselves.

like I said earIier on on this post, I can't vote for Obama becuase I myself am not not an American but I can blog here to let you all know that the time has come for us all wilddreamers to dream and rediscover our potentials.

The Difference

Zachary — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:47:27 EST

I come from a long line of staunch Republicans. Growing up, my parents, my school, and my peers all believed that the Republican Party and Christianity went hand-in-hand. And now for the first time in my life, I'm willing to vote for a Democrat.

Can Mere 'Hope' Change Things?

Jack Schultz — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:39:42 EST

Supporters of Senator Clinton like to say that we need an experienced politician in the White House, someone who knows how the machinery of goverment works, who knows how to get things done. They say they admire Senator Obama, but find his call to hope and civility and overcoming interest group politics naive and even dangerous. Such an argument shows how much they've forgotten about how the Clintons, themselves, got to where they are.

I can't remember a time since the 60's when so many for so long not apart of the active political life of this country became so hopeful, so alive, and so committed to renewing our public life.

Utopia didn't arrive in those other days just because we who were young had hope and dreams and were willing to work to achieve them. It won't arrive this time, either. But, my oh my, didn't we shake things up for a while! Didn't we set in motion forces for renewal that though "pressed to earth" have continued to rise again whenever hope kindled begins to burn?

Do not become your parents and say "hope is for children." Do not believe that hope isn't tough enough or experienced enough for the "real world." It was hope and the belief that we could make a difference that DID make a difference. We did not invent the dreams, we did not own them, but the hope they gave was ours.

When in the past it was thought that real change for justice, for humaneness, for civility, for authentic peace were the stuff of fairy tales, those unrealistic fairy tale dreams of our youth nevertheless changed the world because they first changed us. Whether in Memphis or LA or Chicago or Paris or Prague or Mexico City the dreams crushed by 68's henchmen were not killed but buried as seed in the soil of human consciousness. In 20 years they rose to bloom in Seoul, Rangoon, Manila, Tiananmen Square and in Warsaw, Berlin, Budapest, and dear Prague once again. And also once again, the reasoned parental voices chided the foolish dreamers who placed flowers in rifle barrels, stood in front of tanks, or mounted them. Yet, it was those dreams that nourished Nelson Mandela, prisoner for almost three decades, and now Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma, enabling them to reject the temporizing calculations of cynical reason that urges surrender or revenge.

And now, after another 20 years, as strange forces in our country take those dreams and twist them into labels to hide the nightmares of injustice, meanness, lies, torture, and war without provocation or end, our once-youthful dreams rise in a new generation of youth to become real and powerful once again. And this should not surprise. For, finally, what is more experienced, what is more realistic, what is more powerful than the dream that changes a people and gives them hope and courage to withstand the onslaught of lies and terror from the entrenched powers of earth?

Those of us lucky enough to be young in ‘61 heard the dream from a flawed inexperienced young President. We had always been asked to vote for the professionals who knew how to work the machinery of State. But now we were asked not to support a pro to do the hard work for us, we ourselves were called to that work. And my oh my! Did we respond! Oh Yes! We responded. We were inspired, we were changed, and we changed our country. As the whole world watched and cheered, inspired by the promise of America, those hopes changed the world.

And so now as I watch a new generation filled with the joy of possibility I remember Jack. I remember Bobby. I remember Martin. I remember three little girls in Birmingham. I remember the tear-gas and the policemen's billy-clubs in the night, and I not only remember but feel again for the first time since that time the surge within me that knows that hope outlasts fear, and that temporizers lie forgotten, without issue.

And besides. My oh my! Amidst the beatings and the shootings and the dogs, amidst the teargas and the jailings, the burnings and funerals and wiretaps, my oh my! Didn't we sing, oh! yes, didn't we sing! And my oh my! didn't we have fun! Ah! Yes, we had fun!

And now, yes, we can do it again! Together we can do it again-- Yes we can!

Vote for the future, pass the torch to a new generation of Americans and vote for Senator Barack Obama.

Jack Schultz (Gordon)

Two Dreams

Terry From Rome, NY... A Team Member Welcoming Rivals For The Betterment of All. — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:13:50 EST

Two Dreams

As a young girl, I dared to dream that we could one day elect a woman president based on her own merits.

Along the way I found that beneath the color, all hearts beat the same. It was then that I added a second dream, that one day we could vote for a candidate based on their character and not their race.

How ironic it is now that I have both dreams to pick from...

One dream is tugging at my gender but she has needed her spouse to bolster her bid.

The other dream has no national name recognition yet he is now standing on the stage beside her, pulling me in to the future. And doing it based solely on the content of his character.

Sorry Hillary, it just isn’t your time. Barack Obama is my choice in the New York State democratic primary Feb 5th.

Hillary's State, Obama's Country, Our United States of America!

Tomorrow El Dorado

Pat Kohler — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:41:32 EST

Tomorrow I will be arriving in El Dorado anxious to see Barack Obama. Kathleen Sebelius is rumored to be there, as well, to give her endorsement to Barack Obama.

These last few days have shown us the Kennedy's supporting Obama. A overwhelmingly decisive win in South Carolina. And a turn by Hilary Clinton looking to talk about the issues, knowing that the attacks only embolden Obama's resolve to bring about a change in politics in the United States.

With just 1 week left I want to say what I feel is my right decision to support Barack Obama.

These last few years I have looked at our species and felt sadness. I have seen us bickering with one another. I have seen us divide from one another. I have seen us feel hatred towards one another. These last few years I have seen an ever growing rift between nations, neighbors, and rivals. For the reasons of race, religion, and creed.

I have seen nations fall and rise. I have seen nations trying to get on their own two feet. I have seen nations trying to make themselves relevant in this world.

I have seen neighbors squabble over differences in belief. I have seen people fill with hatred because their neighbor does not see the world in the exact same way as they do.

I have seen rivals glare in each others eyes, refusing to blink for fear that the other may strike when they briefly close their eyes. The taunting and jeering of rivals. The speeches that aim to unite their people under the fear that their rival is their enemy in order to bring back the pride that was once lost because their creed was unable to change with ever changing people of this planet.

There is change on the horizon. There is a change coming that will change the creed of this country. An undeniable belief that there is hope for the people of this planet. The hope that we as a species, as a people, as citizens of this planet can come together and unite under our common causes. Change is in sight.

I now believe in our people of this planet. I believe that we can come together under common causes. We do not need to glare unblinkingly in our rivals eyes. We can close our eyes and smile. We can reach forward and embrace our rivals, neighbors, and friends. An embrace of acceptance of our differences, an embrace for the hope of today and tomorrow, an embrace for our future upon this great Earth.

I feel when I listen to Barack Obama, that these hopes and dreams can come true. I feel that we share these ideals. I hope that you too can share these ideals with us. I hope that you too can express to your neighbors, friends, family, and rivals that you want to stay away from these petty differences and unite as one to achieve a common goal.

In all your endeavors may you be successful,

Patrick Kohler

Why New Year's Resolutions are Important

Ms CYPRAH — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:20:31 EST

Every New Year's day I do my ritual of looking back at the past year to see how many of my resolutions I achieved. This year I counted 8 out of 12, over 66%. Some were not really applicable any more, so my success rate could be interpreted as even better than that. I felt very pleased with myself and have promptly made new resolutions for 2008.

I HAD A DREAM.....

John Lewis-Dickerson, Atlanta — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:28:52 EST

I HAD A DREAM, BUT PRESIDENT CLINTON DERIDED IT AS A "FAIRY TALE". I GUESS THERE IS NO POINT IN MY VOTING. I GUESS I'LL JUST EAT SOME WORMS (ESCARGOT) !

Caroline Kennedy Endorsement of Senator Obama

Wordman — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 07:53:04 EST

Hearing of Caroline's endorsement touched my heart in a special way. My generation had its inspirational leaders, John, Bobby and Martin, tragically taken away from us and lost our way. Senator Obama has once again given me hope of realizing our dream of a unified America capable of meeting any challenge and reclaiming it's place as a beacon of hope for the world.

Our dreams unlock the door
To a place we once called home
Where full of life’s sweet promise
Our spirits freely roamed
Back to a time when we still believed
In all of life’s possibilities
Our dreams can lead us
To a future all our own

bjw

Glen Miller Story

Claudette Milner — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:16:31 EDT

While flipping through the stations last night I saw the Glenn Miller Story. I immediately clicked select and sat back to watch the movie. Of course I have seen this movie several times but his story is very inspirational. I noticed something this time around though. Glen Miller had a dream, he was looking for a sound that would continue throughout time but it was his wife that wouldn't let him quit. When other girls were dreaming about their wedding, I was dreaming of a ranch with six horses. I would get up every day ride and then sit down by the water and write. Sometimes I would pull out my sketch pad and create wonderful scenic pictures. Years have gone by and I am still holding on to that dream. This year has been a journey of faith for me. I have put book three on hold so I can find a second job. Sometimes it seems that life interrupts our dreams, crushing our creativity, deferring what we know God has promised us. There are times that I question my genre. My nephew tells me I should write urban fiction, sex, drugs and violence. My mom saids that Tyler Perry must be a genius because he has made millions. I respect Tyler Perry the man. I have seen him on many shows and I have much admiration for his story and his journey. I understand his mission but I don't like his plays. My daughters say I am hating. I come from the old school so I have read Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Richard Wright, James Weldon Johnson,just to name a few of the great writers that wrote using symbolism. I wonder what they would say about African American writers of today. When I look at great movies I always ask myself the question. Why can't we as African Americans make great movies on a consistent basis. Movies that I will look at for years over and over again. It seems that there are a small group of actors that I see in every African American movie. There is so much talent in our community but we must create strong roles, great roles that project our inner strengh and creativity. I have always wanted John Singleton to direct my tv series. No he has never heard of me but I have loved his work since Higher Learning. Today I am just sad and tired of being sick and tired, tired of shifting around the finances to make ends meet, tired of deferring my dreams. Since I don't have a trust fund and I don't have money to waste on the lottery I guess life is what it is so I will spend the day under the cover, have a pitty party, get up tomorrow go to work and spend my lunch hour finding that second job. I guess my bloging time is over.

Kansas City Rally

Lisa — Sat, 12 May 2007 22:02:16 EDT

Every time I hear Barack Obama speak he moves me. He speaks my dreams... unity, peace, equality, stabilization, intelligent leadership. All things that I thought would never occur in my lifetime.

The world he envisions is the world I want to live in, when I hear him speak I can see those dreams as a potential reality. Can you imagine an America like that? Now I think I can.

The rally was great, to see all those people exhilarating, to see the diversity of all those people overwhelming. Imagine.....

But making dreams a reality requires a lot of time and money. Mine is dedicated to this cause like no other, I can see the POSSIBILITY. Imagine...

Lisa

Book Review - Dreams from My Father

Marty — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:03:34 EST

In a deeply personal yet remarkably emotionless memoir, Barack Obama in Dreams From My Father uniquely captures the trials and tribulations that he endured as a child, a teenager and finally as a young man in search of his true identity. Leading a life strewn around the world in haphazard randomness during his formative years, Obama describes in astonishing detail how he managed to attain the strength of character and purpose that enabled him to eventually define himself, his race and in a touching first trip to his father’s country of Kenya, his true familial origins. It is an introspective self-examination into the life of a young man who would eventually be elected a United States Senator from Illinois and is currently a leading contender for the Presidency of the United States.

Obama divides the book into three parts, Origins, Chicago and Kenya, going along with the three major phases of his life, which were inimitably different from one another. The book begins on the day when a young Obama gets the news that his father, the person he had seen only twice in his life, had just passed away in a car accident. His thoughts are thrown back to his childhood and in the first part of the book, as the section name implies, he writes about his humble origins from Honolulu, Hawaii. He tells us about his grandparents who allowed their white daughter to marry a black man from Kenya, of his father leaving to attend Harvard and eventually moving back to Kenya, of his stepfather Lolo, an Indonesian who tried in his own way to make a man out of little Barack and finally of his experience of going to a private school and being one of the only black kids in class. He continues on to describe his own internal tussle as he searched for his identity in college, first at Occidental and then at Columbia, and of his decision to be a community organizer in the South Side of Chicago.

He then moves on to the second part of his book, Chicago, where he seemed to discover his true purpose in life, that of helping those who have no one else to help them. His interactions with people who have had the flame of hope extinguished from their very souls provide some of the most touching narratives in the whole book. And it was during this time that Obama first attended the Trinity United Church of Christ, a church that he is a member of to this day, and comprehended the power of faith and of a belief in a higher power that the most fundamental traits of his character are entrenched in.

The final part of the book, and perhaps the most important to understand Obama as a man, is entitled Kenya and describes the first time when he visited his family and relatives in his father’s country. Despite petty family feuds, he writes about how he truly felt a sense of belonging in Kenya with the African side of his family. While profusely crediting his mother and his grandparents for instilling the values that he grew up with, Obama felt at home in Kenya where people knew his father and his last name was readily recognizable. It was here that he finally made peace with himself and even after learning of the harsh truth of his father’s life, understood the deep-rooted principles and tradition of the culture that his father was raised in. As he concludes in the Epilogue, the visit to Kenya reconciled him with his whole family, the family that made him a complete individual, having at last found the answer to who he really was.

Dreams from my Father is perhaps one of the best memoirs to have ever written by a politician. Through it, we get a glimpse into someone who has a unique personal story, who overcame an unsettled and often dynamic childhood to become one of the most thoughtful, intelligent, capable and accomplished young leaders of our generation. Senator Barack Obama is one of the most refreshing Presidential candidates to have come along in a while and his first book is a perfect reason for all Americans to believe in his character, his values and of his ability to lead the greatest Nation history has ever known.

reading list

Ian Dehmel — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:50:33 EST

Just got Dreams from my Father. It's pretty good.It sure doesn't sound like he's glossing over anything important. It's pretty raw. Parental fights and high school anger, drug use and bad decisions. Sorry if I'm cheerleading. I am excited about this guy. He seems to tell it straight. Probably not entirely, but then, neither do I.

"I have a dream...

mswa — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:52:21 EST

...that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men* are created equal.'"

Thank you, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for these words and for your dreams that have inspired generations of Americans. Alas! Unfortunately, some of your dreams have yet to be realized while others which have been have since been compromised.

Now, forty-four years later, Senator Barack Obama is our country's hope to carry on your visions and mine and those of millions of Americans.

I pledge to work with and for Sen. Obama to ensure that our Constitional rights are reclaimed and protected for all.

*My feminist self insists that women be included.

Fever?

Beth C. — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 07:48:44 EST

I can honestly say that I have never felt this excited about a presidential candidate, a president, or a campaign before in my life. This doesn't seem like saying a lot, since I'm only just under twenty years old, but it's a long way from shouting at the television when pro-Bush ads came on to honestly considering volunteering my time to a candidate now.

I've read and researched about presidential campaigns and candidates in classes for much of my life - the two years of American History classes in high school taught me something, after all - but I've never felt the deep need to get involved that I have for this campaign.

Barack Obama represents the hopes that I have for my country - hopes that I very nearly lost when I, only a few months away from the legal age to vote, watched President Bush be sworn in for the second time and despaired. His gaining the presidency is the only way that I see for our country to revive itself to what it should be - what it is supposed to be.

Years ago, a television show called The West Wing made me care about politics - I started paying attention, I joined the site Rock the Vote, and I changed my career plans to include a degree in Political Science. A month ago, I heard about a candidate named Barack Obama who addressed the very issues that I felt were important, and in many of the same ways I had hoped someone would. I joined up to support right away.

This - this energy, these dreams - have energized me, and given me a new hope and new drive towards my goal of working in politics myself.

I have high hopes, and if Barack Obama doesn't make the White House - though I believe in my heart that he will - well... I suppose Canada is as good a place to live as any.