Posts with the tag change

To All The World, Now is the Time.

Patrick — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:47:40 EST

Now is the time for Change. Now is the time for Peace. Now is the time for Unity. Now is the time for the elimination of prejudice of all kinds. Now is the time for the Oness of Humanity. Now is the time for Universal Principles to be applied. Now is the time for overcoming the extremes of wealth and poverty. Now is the time to solve our difficulties. Now is the time to remove our afflictions. Now is the time to redeem our debts. Now is the time to satisfy our needs. Now is the time for science and religion to work in harmony for the benefit of mankind. Now is the time for the rich on Earth to help the poor, and be not intent or content with their own ease. Now is the time for the true purpose of religion to unify mankind to carry forward an ever advancing civilization be fulfilled. Now is the time for the People of the World to recognize the Earth is their Country and They are It's Citizens.

Now is the time to have a Holy, Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year!

The change in ME

SummerLovin77 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:10:05 EST

YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. - Mahatma Gandhi
It has been a tough year, but I can honestly say, "I SEE CHANGE". When I first became a supporter of President Obama -- I knew NOTHING about politics, seriously. I know more about politics now by watching most of President's Obama's videos and reading just about every proclamation he has signed this year. Amazing!
I have faith in our President and believe he carries divine wisdom and is sincere toward the AMERICAN people, as well as the world. I have attended several OFA events and have signed up to just about every social media site to obtain "THE TRUTH" about President Barack Obama & his awesome administration.
I am happy to be apart of this blessed community of supporters and look forward to meeting more individuals like myself who desire not only change, but PEACE.

God bless. Thanks for reading. ^_^.

Health Care ... next step

Unknown user — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:08:45 EST

A very good email to recieve, thanks to all who are making this happen ...

"if enough good people do nothing, the other side will win"

Larry --

This evening, at 11:15 p.m., the House of Representatives voted to pass their health insurance reform bill. Despite countless attempts over nearly a century, no chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform. This is history.

... Tonight's vote brought every American closer to the secure, affordable care we need. But it was also a watershed moment in how change is made.

... In the final phases of last year's election, I often reminded folks, "Don't think for a minute that power concedes without a fight," and it's especially true today. But that's okay -- we're not afraid of a fight. And as you continue to prove, when all of us work together, we have what it takes to win.

... Let's keep making history,

President Barack Obama

Programs in Your Community

Voice of Vision 'Nterprise — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:48:30 EST

There are various programs launched in the school system to teach youth and young adults how to become professionals in their fields of interest. Tell us what community programs are in your area that encourage young people to generate revenue for themselves?

Click For Obama

Click For Obama — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:24:53 EDT

Click For Obama is asking all Obama supporters to help us raise funds by clicking on our website sponsors. Just click, visit the site, and click out. We can raise $100,000 dollars for the month of November 09.

Times are tough and money is tight, but if you Click For Obama we can generate funds without having to pay one penny.

Click here then click around the sites links. Tell your friends and make this link viral.

Thank you,

Click For Obama Team

Our first announcement

Worship from Aiea, HI — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:36:38 EDT

How do you post a blog?

A Matter of Mind Control

Carac�is — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:42:36 EDT

Yeah, probably it's not the most original blog entry of the comunity, but I still wanna bring it up for the gazilionth time: the healthcare reform, you all know is the most dreadfull subject to be spoken about right now. It divides republicans specially, but also democrats, and suddenly everybody starts googleing it and trying to get as much information (true or fake) about it, not to decide their position, not by the inocent curiosity or moral standard of being informed. Nah. To be able to throw a big "Now here you got! Fuck you yeah!" to the oposite side. What the hell are we doing? What do we get? We're not even doing anything to solve it out or help in any way, we're just fighting over some immaginary cup to win God knows what.

So, you see, this is my point: I'm portuguese, am 16 years old and know very little about how the american health care works. I just know it is a private healthcare controled by ensurance companies who don't really give a crap about their clients and only want to get the biggest amount of money they can reach their hand to without loosing much money. That leads to situations like when someone finds out that has cancer and still doesn't have a health ensurance, it becomes extremely hard for him/her to find an ensurance companie that is willing to spend $700 or more a month to save their costumer's life. I know that many people in America don't want to have a health ensurance because they just don't have money to afford it and even if they did, it would still be risky to fully trust in it, as the insurance company could get ridd of the costumer as soon as it realised it was being too dispendious. I don't know if it's because I live in Europe, but I find just impossible to believe that american citizens have pulled this off for decades without a single change, or a will to change. I cant' understand how republicans (like Palin), BEING AMERICAN CITIZENS, can stand in the way of a considerable rising on people's quality of life... it just seems unreal to me. I stoped complaining about Portuguese healthcare system when I heard about the american one. It's crazy.

With all this blah blah blah, I meant to reach this: America needs a change. And I thing that everybody, and I mean everybody, even republicans and conservative people all over America have realized it deep inside, although their old-fashioned and surpassed vision of things still moves them towards nowhere. Politics is about mind-control. It is, and no one can say it isn't because it is. Everywhere. It's about sending a message to people that they know they want to hear, that can make people say without a blink "That's the guy". That was the master reason for Obama's victory; people feel a change inside their hearts and strike to reach it. But republicans keep on filling people's head with bullshit and completely turn reality into whatever it's better to distort the message, and we all see it everyday. In order to be a real change, there must be a real effort to join and start working in a plan to rebuild the world we live in, and everybody can help. It's a question of hope. That's where Obama is definately right.

We are proud

Pastor Jones — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:13:36 EDT

Obama for AmericaPresident Obama Let start by saying it is a great honor to just have you reach out and touch some many of us so personally, However I believe that you send a great message of change that is being felt around the world. I believe we as Americans sometimes take for granted our freedoms and misplace our values. So we have forgot what the fight and struggle for freedom is! But other around the globe believe and see the new horizons coming to view, and I share there view in the window seat of the world, change is not what is seen but it's what is believed and shared in our hearts and mind. Lincoln never saw the freedom that he believe in so passionately, Martin never saw the day we lived last January However they both believed that it was so with all their soul. That's what real change is and the World stage see that in you.. So let the naysayer keep talking because change is coming not only to those of us that believe, also to the those of us that pray and seek this change everyday. Know this Sir we are proud of you and the work that must be done, you will not always we the best liked, most sought after however you will be remembered for your work and dedication to a cause and mission in life. Thank you again for taking time to pen this letter to all of us that support America dream and the work that must be done. Pastor Angelo Jones

Tell them we are rising: OFN-Jax Story

Jerry E Fluellen Jr — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:34:24 EDT

Tell them we are rising: Story of OFN-Jax by Jerry E. Fluellen Jr. Abstract On the weekend of December 13, 2008, 4,000 House Meetings in our nation convened to plan service events. In Jacksonville, Florida, four such House Meetings were held. Of the four, two became official links in Organizing for America, the parent grassroots organization. Of the two, one aimed explicitly at becoming a learning organization. At the heart of The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, Florida (OFN-Jax), is an example of education outside of school. This network of Jacksonville leaders engaged workshops embedded in monthly House Meetings as well as occasional think tanks to learn Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework for learning organizations. So empowered with knowledge about Senge’s framework, leaders have been developing capacities for new thinking and new seeing with an eye on the 2012 Presidential campaign. But for now: how did a group of campaign volunteers for President Obama become a learning organization? Background Most research on Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework rests on Fortune 500 companies and businesses. Rare is the study of a community organization made of campaign volunteers. But that becomes an opportunity to learn more about how an organization, outside of work and school, starts from scratch with the Senge framework. One such organization is The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, Florida (OFN-Jax). A professor and researcher at MIT, Senge says a learning organization is one in which “people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning how to learn together.” OFN-Jax members have been systematically engaging workshops on Senge’s framework since its inception December 2008. Thus, an ethnographic study of OFN-Jax can create a story about another dimension of education—professional development in a grassroots community organization. How did a group of campaign volunteers become a learning organization? This research problem emerged from themes coded in the first set of fieldnotes for OFN-Jax monthly house meetings. Future data collection to create a story addressing the research problem will derive from subsequent coded fieldnotes on House Meetings and observations of blogs in Organizing for America’s web site (June 2009 to December 2009), two leadership think tanks (July 2009 and January 2010), dialogue interviews with at least five leaders in The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, Florida (October 2009), and, finally, one video tape of a professional development workshop on Senge’s fifth discipline framework including a co-generative dialogue session (December 2009). The ethnographic story will add value to reflections about a newly minted group. Early findings suggest that members are knowledgeable about becoming a learning organization. Eight members of the OFN-Jax leadership team participated in a think tank on July 11, 2009. They examined the concept of “learning organization” in depth and wrote responses for two thought demanding tasks. Consider the blog entry for Organizing for America—the national grassroots organization of which OFN-Jax is a member. The blog speaks to the leadership team’s awareness. July 11, 2009 marked a new day for The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville (OFN-Jax). Eight leaders in the network completed a three hour professional development think tank on the core concept in Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework. While each monthly House Meeting for OFN-Jax featured a one hour workshop to explore a core concept in the five disciplines (personal mastery, shared vision, systems thinking, mental models, and team learning), this think tank took time to examine the very concept of learning organization itself. Leaders constructed an individual and collective understanding of learning organization while the membership was on summer recess. In addition to listening to a 10 minute clip from Senge’s audio book on the fifth discipline framework for learning organizations, practicing a 20 minute co-generative dialogue activity, and examining the concept critically in a power point slide show, leaders wrote about the learning organization and engaged six steps for creating one. The writing prompt was this: How do we become a learning organization? One leader made a list of 11 characteristics of a learning organization including “leverage multiple perspectives, skills, ideas and goal,” “discuss possibilities” and “respect all voices,” record our history, progress, and accomplishments” and, finally, “connect thoughts and themes to institutional actions.” Another member wrote, “we become a learning organization by keeping open minds. We respect other view-points in order to incorporate a variety of ideas into the organization. We focus our principles, purpose, and values in order to keep on track. We do now allow the organization to become stagnant or rigid. We remain nurturing and supportive of creative thought, ideas, and actions.” Another leader wrote, “we express our thoughts freely and respect each other’s ideas. We discuss our collective thoughts, mold them into collective aspiration and, then, act on them with one voice. If we do this every time we meet, we will evolve into the type of learning organization we desire.” Finally, a leader wrote, “We become a learning organization through our collective willingness to think new and see new. We value each member and all ideas. We rid ourselves of fear and work to increase individual and collective capacities. We teach and learn. We connect through meaningful dialogue. Because the group of leaders participating in the think tank will become a critical mass to help OFN-Jax evolve into a practicing learning organization, the activity for creating a learning organization was key. Like connecting the pieces of a puzzle, each leader responded to the six steps given in Peter Senge’s fieldbook for the fifth discipline. A completed puzzle emerged from this effort. Step one: If I had a learning organization… People would commit to learning, teaching, and doing. People would have fun. People would start with a blank slate. People would have common values and goals. They would work together to serve others. They would share a common vision. We would listen to each other. People would come with energy. They would feel valued and loved. People would give and grow, serve and reflect. Step two: enhancing the definition of learning organization People will build a vision, seek knowledge, and share ideas. People feel they are doing things that matter to them. People are more intelligent together than they are alone. Step three: what would a learning organization bring me…? If we became a learning organization, we would commit to intellectual engagement and service to others. We will be changed for the better. We would try new thinking. We would create together. We would change from the inside out and grow new capacities. People would feel they are doing something that mattered to them personally and to the larger world. No one would be killed for making a mistake. People would be free to inquire. I will be empowered. I will not be afraid to not know. I will learn. I will be enriched in my service. Every person in the organization is stretching and enhancing their capacities to create. People would share a vision. People would gain a sense of belonging to a great organization. Each member could say, “I am strong, smart, and creative.” Step four: picking and refining the top five characteristics of a learning organization Perhaps the most important characteristic emerging from the puzzle on learning organization for the participating leaders was “shared vision.” So many ideas fold into that one concept which happens to be the next of the five disciplines the overall organization will study when we resume in the fall. Additionally, John Naisbitt’s idea that the new basic skills of the 21st century were thinking, learning, and creating speaks to themes emerging from the collective response of OFN-Jax leaders. In brief, we seem to agree that in learning organizations, people think, learn, and create. As importantly, they create a shared vision. Step five: what stands in our way… Collectively, we identified several barriers to becoming a learning organization. These included fear, time, and energy. One leader said we should not take on too much. Another leader said old ways of thinking could stand in our way of becoming a learning organization. Still another said we could fail to listen. Step 6: I’ll know we’re making progress towards becoming a learning organization if… a cohesive and productive organization still exists, if a plan to move forward is in place, if we become sustainable. One leader summed this evaluative step as follows: If we “continue to gather and communicate, nurture and listen, include and conclude, we will be a learning organization. In all, eight leaders participating in the July 2009 OFN-Jax leadership think tank created a conversation about learning organizations. They will become the critical mass needed to transform the whole system. But the story of OFN-Jax’s growth from group to learning organization is still to come. For example, one month later, the leadership team met with Deirdre Johnson to plan, events, strategically, for the coming year and beyond. On August 22, 2009 at the University Park Library, eight leaders of OFN-Jax reached consensus that four events will be featured every quarter, every year. These events will correspond with four thematic areas, three of which draw directly from President Obama’s pillars of our future economy: health care, education, energy. The fourth area is political process. That means the leadership team elected to deal with themes of national concern and to do so every three months in ways that engages the community. Phillip Miner, who had taken the time to write and distribute a skeleton plan drafting the four themes, suggested political process as a new direction for the organization. Until now individuals from OFN-Jax have been involved (e.g. eight members from OFN-Jax serve on the Democratic Executive Committee), but the organization as a whole did not explicitly engage the public in the political process during its first nine months of life. Almost by accident and to its credit, OFN-Jax did an activity during a House Party held to honor President Obama’s first 100 days. In the midst of doing the electric slide, eating, laughing, and talking with people at 2016 University Blvd North, the old staging site for the last three weeks of the presidential election, OFN-Jax created a carousel game. The walls in the room used for dining featured huge post-its, each with a question inviting a response. The questions helped people to reflect on the first 100 days of President Obama’s administration. At the end of the party, an OFN-Jax member collected the responses and published them for members to examine at the next House Meeting. That suggested a model. OFN-Jax might engage the public in the political process through activities during a House Party. Such an event might become a major fund raiser as well. But to the point, Phillip’s four themes create a skeleton upon which to invite strategic participation in years to come. Thus, the 2009-2010 calendars of OFN-Jax events might include each quarter an event around the one of the themes health care, education, energy, and political process. With a plan in place to present at House Meeting 8, September 19, 2009, all four themes are likely to become strategic action areas of the work. Each of these teams will foster the development of leadership and provides prior knowledge of team learning. When OFN-Jax reaches that point in its study of Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework, members will have experiences with team learning and be better able to understand the more academic concepts of why team learning is vital in a learning organization. Finally, each of the themes relate to the tentative, OFN-Jax strategic vision as follows: “Prepare leaders for the 2012 Presidential campaign.” Less obvious than the co-created themes were the ways the planning session marked a new stage in OFN-Jax’s development as a learning organization. Deirdre opened the meeting with our standing South African greeting “Sawa bona.” Participants responded “Sikhona.” Translated, Deirdre said, “I see you,” and the participants said “I am here.” In that brief exchange, people recognized one another as people—the mark of a learning organization in Peter Senge’s view. Then, the group formed a prayer circle, holding hands and saying some wish for the work of the day. Next, Jerry Fluellen led the group in a Qi Gong exercise to circulate chi in each person’s body as well as the group. Participants experienced silence as well to tap cosmic consciousness. Daryl Sherman started off the check in game. Deirdre had asked each leader to say something about why he or she was at the planning session. Then, Ingrid Fluellen introduced a power point slide show to summarize the history of OFN-Jax in its first nine months of life. Based on fieldnotes for seven House Meetings, reflections on two of three service projects, documents from a leadership think tank, and several blogs in the Organizing for America web site, we now know the organization in the business of creating service projects, professional development, and knowledge. After Ingrid’s power point, Jerry facilitated a 10 minute co-generative dialogue allowing the group to exchange different views of the OFN-Jax history and new directions possible. All this, set the table for Deirdre’s facilitation of the planning session. The discussion that followed illustrated Senge’s view of dialogue featuring honest disagreements and creativity born from the honest differences. The group (Annette Bodie, Deborah Brillo, Ingrid Fluellen, Jerry Fluellen, Phillip Minor, Daryl Sherman, Deirdra Thompson, and Patricia Turintine) successfully created a draft strategic plan to present at House Meeting 8. The new season for OFN-Jax will begin with people working together to create what they truly want—mark of a learning organization.

supporting a good cause

Betty from Redlands, CA — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:53:56 EDT

The only way change can take place is when we take action. Health care reform is an action we all need to participate in-I am.

An Honorable beginning, Attorney General Holder!

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:01:37 EDT

The ACLU is calling Americans to action to urge Attorney General Holder to conduct a thorough examination of the Bush torture program. There's a form letter you can sign and send, and you are urged to personalize it. Here's how I did that:

I am an educator who has been blessed with the opportunity to live and work abroad for a large part of my life, and to see what an impact the American dream has had in places as far apart historically and culturally as Ethiopia and Canada. America's promise shines as a bright light regardless where in the world one may be.

Dark clouds of fear and loathing have briefly dimmed that light, but the election of President Barak Obama has reminded the world that Americans have good hearts and always, ultimately, remember what is right. His presidency has begun to push away the clouds, and we recall the dream of the Founders who established the egalitarian system under which The Law is our only king.

"AT WILL" - KILLS...!

Trish from Jacksonville, FL — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:38:48 EDT

“AT WILL” – KILLS I am a 45-year-old, highly-accomplished, single, Black female (living in Jacksonville, Florida). I am sensible. I am spiritual. I am sane. Yet – I AM MAD AS HELL – and have been driven to uncontrollable levels of RAGE…as if truly a Mad-Man. This state of mind - courtesy of the workforce trauma I’ve experienced since entering “Corporate America” 10 years ago. As a (repeated) direct casualty of my country’s selfish need to exploit, dominate, and destroy “AT WILL” anyone of lesser power – without regard – I have a story to tell. This tale will clearly demonstrate (without bias) exactly what can happen to the hard work, dedication to excellence, and commitment to success of GOOD EMPLOYEES…when unfortunately paired with BAD EMPLOYERS. Also, please be mindful that this “crime against humanity” occurs (quietly) everyday across this “GREAT” nation – BY LAW. More importantly – EMPLOYEES (since the beginning of time) have been conditioned through “Institutionalized Fear” to NOT speak badly of BAD EMPLOYERS – for fear that it will jeopardize future employment opportunities. The ONLY thing such obligatory prudence has produced is the “Perfect Wall of Silence” – brick by slimy brick - for them all. These EMPLOYERS are directly fostered by our government – courtesy of clearly biased “AT WILL” legislation – and therefore made even more arrogant and ruthless by such a level of control. “AT WILL” workforce exploitation in America KILLS! NOT just the Mad-Man…but - YOU – the government…the private industries…the agencies…the law keepers – KILL. IT – IS - ALL – OF – YOU...let there be NO mistake! You stand side by side with each and every gunman…fueling the RAGE…increasing the mania for revenge. The sharp edges of this vicious weapon of destruction slice though America’s complacency like a hot knife – BUT only when tragedy strikes. However “CHANGE” never seems the obvious solution to this critical flaw in human rights protection. Despite fatal circumstances – time and time again – NO CHANGE comes to this extremely critical aspect of society. Such OPPRESSION directly determines a person’s wellbeing and ability to maintain a stable economic base…not to mention this nation’s wellbeing as a whole. However, the stories (before these tragic stories) never get told – never warrants one iota of respect after such senseless retaliation – and therefore does not serve to help or ever heal the obviously broken relationship between GOOD EMPLOYEES and BAD EMPLOYERS. Today…I – SAY – NO! A few FACTS of my story – that has brought me to this horrible and unjust end once AGAIN:

Was NOT a high school dropout – actually graduated 2 years ahead of schedule (one week after turning 16)…
Was NOT raised in a broken home, but instead in a loving 2-parent household (youngest of 8) – with a VERY strong and accomplished father…even STILL – am the ONLY one with a college degree – the ONLY one not suffering from life-long substance abuse – therefore, the ONLY strong link that kept my family together – therefore, the ONLY stable “role model” for my children/nieces/nephews; even STILL – despite the heavy burdens of my life – I MADE IT…
Was NOT an unwed mother – took responsibility and married my first boyfriend after realizing that I was “with child” (during the week of orientation at Georgia Southern University); divorced after 7 years…
Spent the next 7 years being a “positive” single parent and rebuilding my life…returned to college in 1995 at age 31…
Excelled beyond measure – Dean’s List…campus Editor-in-Chief…Newspaper Industry scholarships and internships…Who’s Who of Women…equipped myself with TONS of skills in order to be more marketable (since I was starting SO late in life)…graduated “Magna Cum Laude” in 1999…
Entered “Corporate America” as a Marketing Coordinator for a large White engineering firm – and WOWED them by ALL accounts…
NEVER a write-up or disciplinary action EVER – not even during “pre-Corporate America” employment; always been recognized as one of the MOST respected and well-liked employees on EVERY job I’ve EVER had…
In 2006 – was “cheated” out of that sterling career of 7 years – “AT (the) WILL” of someone who’d GREATLY benefited from my intelligence, efforts, and contributions; leaving that firm EXTREMELY better off than before my arrival; departed as “Creative Director”…
In 2007 – I was brought to Jacksonville (from Georgia) by my new EMPLOYER…”one of my own” this time, which brought me great pride and security; the position of “Marketing Director” was created specifically for me since he’d never established a marketing department in 19 years of business; bypassed several larger White firms (for obvious reasons) to take his offer – and commit myself to his success; again – WOWED them by ALL accounts and was constantly praised by my boss as well as clients…
Was soon being worked for 2 ENGINEERING FIRMS – owned by my new employer; still WOWED them by ALL accounts - with NO help or “assistant” (just promises); repeated requests for Performance Reviews were always shot down as unnecessary – because I was doing SO great; constantly begged to “hang in there with him/them”…
Late last year (Nov./Dec.) – a White, male engineer whose job had ended was brought in and introduced as “help” – great I THOUGHT…
January 2009 – a White, female engineer was hired and introduced as more help until we got some work for her also…
February 17, 2009 – I was “let go” for (of all things) LACK OF WORK, which I immediately challenged; with NO real answer to provide, my employer proceeded to attack me professionally with criterion NOT applicable to my responsibilities – after ONLY praising me to coworkers and clients alike throughout my 2 years of service (up until that very day – literally - up until his office door closed behind me)…
February 18, 2009 – the person sat in my seat (and given my title) THE VERY NEXT DAY was the third friend and former coworker of the previous 2 individuals (let go from a larger firm during this economic downturn)…
The official report (LIE) to The Department of Labor was – LACK OF WORK…
Leaving me – leaving another company…AGAIN…in extremely much better condition than before my arrival; leaving me – ONCE AGAIN – used and discarded “AT WILL”…
The day after I attempted to file an EEOC charge and also report unethical actions by my former employer to gain minority certification – I received a VERY threatening letter (less than 24 hours later) from his attorney…stating that his client was “informed that I’d been to the City of Jacksonville making false claims.” YES – you got it - ALL of my information and allegations were IMMEDIATELY leaked to my former employer by his “connect” within City Hall…
I reported this to the Inspector General and City Attorney – and the culprit was immediately identified to me (as a high ranking department official)…
SO let’s see – we have the “Lack of Work” LIE to the Department of Labor…the leak of my information by my employer’s friend…the direct compromise of City Officials…and numerous threats from attorney – yet STILL I FIGHT ALONE…

Today…I – SAY – NO! If a person of my intelligence, drive, performance, and respect can NOT make it in this workforce – you can…? I get it – maybe I should simply “get it together”…ya know…”take control of my life” (as every other commercial is urging us “slackers” to do)…”get off the couch”…”become a medical technician”…”learn a trade” – REALLY? Maybe I’ll try Tulsa Welding School next…ya know…make something of my life. REALLY…?! I SAY HELL NO…! I took control of my life years ago. I did the hard work – made the sacrifices – took the full loads each semester while ALSO working 2 jobs – wrote the grueling papers – survived the nutty professors - got the 4-year degree (with honors!) – BELIEVED THE DREAM…! I did all of this…only to be kicked back down the ladder – well AFTER proving myself – over and over again…”AT WILL” – BY LAW. throughout my work history and career by ALL accounts, I was deemed a “GOOD Employee” – “GREAT Employee” – “STELLAR Employee”; yet, this is a status so easily striped away “AT WILL” – without cause – BY LAW. Do we do all of these things - JUST for the betterment of employers…? Do parents sacrifice and save for their children’s education and financial security - JUST for the betterment of employers…? Would legislators and government employees prefer abiding under “AT WILL” laws…instead of the cushy arrangements they operate within…? I SAY HELL NO…! Now, I am officially – and finally – a PROUD card-carrying member of “The Disgruntled/Disgraced Employees of America” club. I now fully embrace my new role…as my government has dictated…and now DEMAND justice. And just like the mad-man on the news, I REQUIRE accountability – vengeance – a release for this (all-consuming) RAGE…courtesy of my government. For clarity sake – every “Disgruntled” employee is NOT necessarily “Disgraced” – but every “Disgraced” employee is most certainly “Disgruntled”… So – who helps me – being that I decided to load my gun with TRUTH – and NOT bullets…?! Who talks to me? Where’s my help? After all, even in war, we rebuild the societies ravaged and destroyed by our actions – to ensure world order and balance. If a government is irresponsible enough to allow that this should happen to its citizens, then it should very well be responsible enough to provide “AFTERCARE” – usable tools to repair the lives they help ruin – public defenders for the private workforce industry – psychological counseling – THE WORKS. After all, what good is unemployment compensation…when your career is constantly sabotaged? How sad that as a criminal, I’d have all rights and assistance necessary to defend my honor, but as a “GOOD” citizen and employee – I’m left standing ALONE…to fix my life all ALONE…to fight my government all ALONE…? How is it exactly – that a career can be torn down in an instant “AT WILL” – and the burden of proof be squarely and exclusively on the shoulders of the victim…with destruction imminent and swift. Who listens to my story – before the story? Who cares to pick the brain of a completely positive, productive, kind, compassionate – sane – individual that has been tormented by the VERY same urges for vengeance as the vilified mad-man…? And let’s be clear – this rant in no way concerns BAD EMPLOYEES – for they ultimately “get rid” of themselves. The mountain of employee “dos-n-don’ts” guarantees this. NO – we are talking about the caliber of employees that MAKE employers who they are – FACILITATE their success – ENSURE their professional security and personal prosperity. Yet, should these – GOOD EMPLOYEES – NOT expect to enjoy the same rights, professional securities, and ability to maintain a reasonable standard of living…? I SAY HELL – YES…! Even for the most giving and positive of individuals such as myself, there comes that day when you simply do NOT feel like being bullied and abused any longer – ever again – by ANYONE…government included. I must say these things out loud now…no longer able – or willing - to endure the grueling pain and pressure of repressing such resentments and emotions ALONE any longer. I WANT – NEED – THIS “GREAT” NATION TO ACKNOWLEDGE EXACTLY WHAT CAN BE DONE TO A “GOOD” CITIZEN – “GOOD” EMPLOYEE – WHEN FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT HARD WORK IS THE FOUNDATION TO LIVING THE AMEIRCAN DREAM. As I’ve suffered in silence for the past 6 months while fighting a wrongful termination and discrimination case – AND watching the dominoes of my life fall day by day – I’ve wondered about the individuals (previously in a like state of mind) who elected NOT to suffer alone…NOT to lose everything for someone else’s greed…but instead even the score. Knee-deep in my persecution, I can only wonder if releasing through violence eased their pain – their humiliation – their suffering. As an extremely God-Fearing person…I know that it did not…but as a mere mortal – I can’t help but suspect that it felt rewarding, but if only for a (horrible) split second. I say this – THE TABOO – if no one else will. These are thoughts and emotions that bring great shame upon a sensible, spiritual, sane person…such as myself...but invade my thoughts just the same. A “Disgruntled/Disgraced Employee’s” state of mind, physical wellbeing, and diminished socioeconomic status directly fuels a bottomless well of rage - DAILY. More importantly, the depth of RAGE experienced by a GOOD EMPLOYEE far exceeds that of a BAD EMPLOYEE. The investment is deeper. The loss is deeper. The resentment is deeper. A less than suitable employee already knows their fate – have been on the merry-go-round of jobs all of their lives – has no shame when losing another job and simply moves on to the next. GOOD EMPLOYEES suffer - and demand accountability for the unwarranted destruction to their lives. And just like “global warming” – the loss of GOOD EMPLOYEES in the workforce will be catastrophic and VERY evident one day – SOON – if not already. Like polar ice caps in the Arctic – we are quickly fading…no longer willing to give our all to BAD EMPLOYERS…no longer trusting their integrity…no longer believing the dream. After all – how does GOOD EMPLOYEES sike themselves up to “go out there” again – and again – and again – KNOWING the possibilities/probabilities…? This anxiety and despair – ALL - courtesy of the real “KILLERS”…those that throw the rocks and then hide their hands. FIRST - and foremost - “Unscrupulous, Self-Serving Employers” given the right – BY LAW – to play God with innocent lives. They take advantage of your talents - your drive - your commitment…as if you are simply property to be passed around among them. THIS EQUALS RAGE! Followed closely by “Self-Serving Legislators” with deep pockets and warped agendas for equality in the workforce. THIS EQUALS RAGE!! Then there are the myriad of “Employee Rights Agencies” (supposedly) designed to ensure our wellbeing, but – clearly - only serving to further disqualify and dishearten…as individuals (who enjoy much greater job security) proceed to inform you of the almost carte blanche rights of the employer. Very little of the conversation even centering on the rights you are seeking to preserve. Instead - these agencies/individuals operate more like an “Employer’s Rights Hotline” seemingly trained to inform you of the – MANY – horrible things the employer can do - BY LAW. THIS EQUALS RAGE!!! All of which is then capped-off by the very elusive secret society of (supposed) “defenders of the law” – Employment Attorneys – who seemingly and certainly do NOT bank their prosperity and successes on defending “us” – those in greatest need – the victims. Why – in the midst of having your life instantly thrown into turmoil – would you have $2,500 (or more) to “retain” legal defense to defend your livelihood and professional credibility…? After all, you are too busy trying to “retain” your car – “retain” your home – “retain” your electricity – “retain” your sanity. THIS EQUALS RAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This cast of characters is - without doubt - equally culpable accomplices to many (and likely most) cases of workplace violence in this country. The disregard is systematic - the humiliation complete. The barrage of obstacles set in your path – from the very start of your journey - seemingly insurmountable. The procedures required to attain professional and personal vindication – purposely disparaging. What I am trying to explain to SOMEONE – ANYONE – is that YOU ALL KILL…and as Americans, we are still our own worst enemy. Who among these - “Powers That Be” - are willing to be charged as an “Accessory to Murder” in cases of workplace violence (related to perceived wrongful termination)? Just as expected - none would have that blood on their hands. Yet – all are collectively guilty as if pulling the trigger themselves. It is simply the BAD EMPLOYER that gets the first wave of rage. It is simply the BAD EMPLOYER who is most accessible - when a person gets off the phone totally frustrated and newly enraged by someone sitting behind a desk…far away from their reality – when the foreclosure comes – when the disconnects begin – when friends leave – when relationships break - when the dominoes fall. This horror is NOT simply – and exclusively – the Mad-Man on the evening news…inflicting horrible pain and destruction on innocent lives. That individual – then forever vilified and condemned, but what was their story…? Every “Disgruntled/Disgraced Employee” has a story, which most often includes some level of “At Will” exploitation and systematic destruction of their lives. But who cares to listen to a simple Black woman’s rants…acknowledge my insight…respect my honesty…listen to my warnings…? Who cares to know how being “Wrongfully Terminated – BY LAW” really feels – what it REALLY does to your life – your relationships – your mentality and the overwhelming feeling that you have the right to make your abuser suffer as well? PLEASE understand - anyone who has ever resorted to workplace violence most certainly had “a story” – before the story - that deserved a voice. I’m almost certain of this. Regardless the levels of accountability in each situation, I am almost certain that my very same feelings of manipulation, disregard and humiliation were present in the minds of those who elected to lash out. This form of release is NOT an option for me. I am simply made of “better stuff” than the scumbags that did this to my life. I AM accountable to the many people that know and respect me…so I continue to suffer ALONE. It is customary to classify rage as mental. I’m here to tell you different. It is first physical. You are physically ill – your stomach constantly aching - nauseous. The physical affects of unreleased rage is unbearable. It KILLS you – the good and logical person you know yourself to be inside – yet you can’t seem to fight it. You no longer even breathe properly…in/out, in/out – the pain of your heartbeat literally just that real. Then comes the anxiety – obsessing that every ache and pain is something drastic – more doom. And you become enraged all over again – FURIOUS that you no longer have the luxury of health care…can’t even take care of yourself anymore. Sleep quickly becomes your GREATEST enemy – as the horrors of your situation creep in nightly…haunting your dreams. You awaken hour after hour – after hour – after hour – with your heart LITERALLY beating out of control…then exhaustion steps in to strike the final blow – as you attempt to function (like all is normal), but severely lacking the physical – mental - and emotional capacity needed to complete the most simplest of tasks. Who helps us with this…as we watch our lives slowly die financially, emotionally, and socially? There is none – nothing for those left destroyed. Yet – we are not TO KILL…while enduring such a ruthless and selfishness attack upon our lives. WORKFORCE ABUSE – AT THE HANDS OF OUR VERY OWN GOVERNMENT – MUST STOP…one way or the other! “CHANGE” – must come to this most ugly side of America and its history of bad behavior against its own citizens. Why does ANYONE still have “AT WILL” power over ANYONE – in America – in 2009…? The foundation of “AT WILL” corruption is deeply rooted in the contrived ideology that “WE” (employees and employers) are equal – and therefore have equal loss – equal gain – equal representation – equal ability to function – equal ability to recover - whenever the relationship is broken “AT WILL”…on either part. BULL”CRAP” – I say (and you know what I REALLY mean)…! My employer will NOT lose his home - if I quit “AT WILL”… My employer’s children will STILL be afforded the best opportunities in life - if I quit “AT WILL”… My employer’s domestic tranquility will NOT be instantly destroyed - if I quit “AT WILL”… My employer’s socioeconomic status will NOT instantly plummet - if I quit “AT WILL”… My employer’s professional credibility will NOT be instantly tarnished - if I quit “AT WILL”… My employer will NOT be made to start over from scratch - if I quit “AT WILL”… Need I go on…? Again – BULL”CRAP”…! HOWEVER - it is “AT OUR WILL” (as a GOOD employees) to offer multiple capabilities to the employer, which ultimately saves thousands of dollars and additional manpower. We do this to ensure job security and the very same level of commitment from the employer. There is NO reason (as GOOD employees) that we would EVER jeopardize our livelihood or professional reputation with our employer or within the workforce - PERIOD. After all – EVERYTHING we hold dear (at some level) depends on our jobs/careers and our ability (and right) to acquire and maintain a certain standard of living and domestic tranquility. With relatively COMPLETE power to dominate and control the professional destiny of someone that is dependant on you to survive (and thrive) – is NEVER an equal arrangement – “AT WILL” – BY LAW – OR OTHERWISE! Such an arrangement is not only illogical but – CLEARLY - irresponsible, destructive, and most especially OPPRESSING. So – as mere “Worker Bees” – should the “Private Industry Employee Population” NOT dream the same dream of prosperity as government employees and other sectors of the workforce? Should the “Private Industry Employee Population” NOT teach their kids that hard work and commitment to excellence will ensure them the ability to attain job security and financial stability? Should the “Private Industry Employee Population” NOT assume the right to pursue even the most basic elements of life – cars – homes – investments – families…? Should the “Private Industry Employee Population” NOT deserve to have hard work and commitment translate into job security and individual success? WHO AMONG YOU (“POWERS THAT BE”) HAVE – AT LEAST – ONE GOOD REASON AS TO WHY NOT? “Private Industry EMPLOYERS” benefit GREATLY from various/numerous government programs and incentives…especially minority businesses as my former employer. WHY then – for the sake of humanity – are they NOT required to abide by the same government regulations that ensure the rights of government employees? In turn, government agencies can NOT discriminate or elect to NOT serve Private Industry EMPLOYERS – “AT WILL” – and those employers have every right to challenge the government if so was the case. A pretty good racket if I must say so… My story – considering what could’ve been the “headline” - may not be as interesting now…not having the tragic and senseless end that seemingly has to shock our nation into realizing that much is TERRIBLY wrong with how we must live as citizens of a GREAT nation. My story may not garner the same level of emotional response as a workplace mass-murder, but it is a compelling saga just the same. My story is simply of one person – one GREAT employee – and the abuse suffered within our GREAT nation BY LAW – inflicted by BAD EMPLOYERS – sponsored by (our great and honorable) government – enforced by unethical Legislators – and defended by amoral Law Keepers. These employers - are born and bred directly by this nation. These employers - go unchecked. These employers - DESTROY. Here in America, you can actually be “Wrongfully Terminated – BY LAW – AT WILL”…if the letter of the law is to be understood. This term should actually be incorporated into the (already more than generous) guidelines that employers enjoy. Since - in reality - BAD EMPLOYERS do NOT have to use any level of deceit to “use, abuse, and discard GOOD EMPLOYEES. BAD EMPLOYERS do NOT have to violate any civil rights laws or federal regulations to “use, abuse, and discard GOOD EMPLOYEES. That’s because - BAD EMPLOYERS are NOT required to give ANY credible reason at all. How is this fair – just…? This could mean anything from – possibly giving your position to the child of a long-sought-after client…fresh out of college and needing a job – “BY LAW” – or a myriad of other selfish scenarios. Astonishingly – even when BAD EMPLOYERS violate laws and regulations - the penalty is insignificant…with the burden of proof falling – AGAIN - on the victims. This time I-SAY-NO…and justice will be had! Should I be afraid to tell of my experiences in Corporate America – my TRUTH – for fear that it may hamper future employment? I-SAY-NO! I WILL SPEAK – and fully accept the penalty, which is a VERY sad decision to be forced to make in this GREAT nation. Regardless – I MUST SPEAK – or literally lose my mind from these uncontrollable feelings of betrayal, conspiracy, disregard, and RAGE. SOMEONE – somewhere - MUST focus on just how precisely the employment industry is designed to discourage GOOD employees from fighting back. However - NOT this one…NOT this time. This GREAT employee is MAD AS HELL! This GREAT employee WILL FIGHT until she bleeds. How is it that the most vulnerable (in this great big equation) is the ONLY one that must lose – must suffer – must fight…? I WANT TRANSPARENCY…! I WANT CHANGE…! I WANT BAD EMPLOYERS HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD! I want “MY” hard work – “MY” intelligence – “MY” dedication to employers…TO COUNT IN “MY” FAVOR FOR A CHANGE…! I STAND BEHIND THE ABOVE – UNDISPUTABLE – FACTS 1,000% AND THEREFORE CHALLENGE ANYONE (AND EVERYONE) INVOLVED IN MY CASE TO A POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION. That would certainly introduce greater TRANSPARENCY – greater TRUTH - would it not…? After all, it is utilized extensively for recreational purposes (The Maury Show)…why NOT to shine a brighter light along the halls of justice…? It is my right to fight for my life – my career – my accomplishments. I have worked VERY hard to overcome MANY unfortunate circumstances in my life. Who DARE claim to have the right to snatch it all away – “AT WILL” – BY LAW – or otherwise…? No mere mortal walking this earth… The betrayal I perceive and have endured has been mind-altering. Yet – I’ve chosen NOT to kill. I’ve chosen NOT to bring unjust anguish and despair to my employer’s loved ones by doing the unthinkable. More importantly – I’ve chosen NOT to bring anguish and shame upon the many people who love and respect me. Therefore – I’ve essentially “chosen” to bear the brunt of destruction – bear the brunt of loss – bear the brunt of humiliation – bear the brunt of this RAGE. NOW – after making the “right” choice - who talks to me? Who protects me - my job security – my life security…after I’ve done ALL the work and made ALL the sacrifices to be a productive and valued member of society. Just as society dictated – I went back to school and got my degree – graduated with honors – served employers unconditionally – earned respect and admiration from coworkers and colleagues – chased the dream. Tell me – what good is ANY of this if self-serving “AT WILL” laws are allowed to KILL. Who helps me make sense of a system – a nation – that provides that the smallest and most vulnerable sector of society…the average working man…can be “knocked down” in life over, over, and over again by the biggest and most powerful – “AT WILL” – BY LAW? Does that sound logical to ANYONE? Does it sound – AMERICAN…?! It simply should NOT be so easy to snatch one’s livelihood away – without cause – BY LAW. THINK ABOUT IT…Soldiers must do something EXTREMELY vile and illegal to jeopardize their careers and hard work. Politicians must do something EXTREMELY vile and illegal to jeopardize their careers and hard work. Athletes and entertainers must do something EXTREMELY vile and illegal to jeopardize their careers and hard work. And no need to mention the protections of Government employees again… SO WHY – within the same nation – such varying degrees of accountability and security when it comes to everyone’s right to earn and prosper? More importantly – “Due Process” is given before destroying these individuals’ ability to earn a living. There MUST be safeguards in place to prevent this atrocity on our economic and domestic wellbeing. IT IS CLEAR – how much more information is required…? BAD EMPLOYERS can ONLY resort to underhanded tactics, conspiracies, and blatant disregard of human rights when it comes to “getting rid of” GOOD EMPLOYEES. This should be a crime… I WILL NOT simply be a helpless and compliant victim – EVER - again! NOT this time! NOT Patricia Coppock! I DEMAND CHANGE! WE ALL SHOULD! SERIOUSLY – how far is this mentality from that of “SLAVERY”…? Yes – I SAID IT - we serve a “Master”…who in turn (BY LAW) is allowed to do WHATEVER they please…we on the other hand, have NO alternative but to endure the abuse…because our survival depends directly – and SOLELY – on his generosity…? “AT WILL” – KILLS… It kills your social life – as friends and former coworkers no longer know how to comfort you. You, in turn, isolate yourself from them…as not to force such a burden of support. It kills your personal life – no longer feeling an equal, or an asset – what partner is then willing to take stock in your worth when you have nothing…and the little you had is gone? It kills your hope – everything you’ve believed in and worked for thus far was to ensure - “YOUR” - success and security. And in the midst of MASSIVE trauma and turmoil to your life – the employee MUST keep it together – MUST remain civil – MUST remain just – MUST remain sane. The burden of proof to repair your life and defend your professional reputation becomes overwhelming. You literally walk around in a fog - dazed – displaced from society – suddenly (by “The Will” of one) you are knocked down the ladder again – BY LAW.

One-term President?

Richard in Toronto - Still American After All These Years — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:14:18 EDT

The Press has been very reluctant to look beneath the surface of Obama's falling popularity numbers, and once again the spinmeisters on the right step in and dominate. My own support for Obama began to decline before the election, when he flipped on the FISA issue. The fact that John Yoo is free to teach law at Berkley infuriates me. The constant attempt to appease the nihilist Republicans, or give credit to dinosaurs like Chuck Grassley with anything but obstructionism and dishonesty of the highest, most hypocritical order, just turn my stomach. Where's the change I believed in?

In summary, Obama's falling numbers are due to his turning his back on the progressives who elected him, not the fantasy being perpetrated by conservatives and parroted by the uncritical media. He will continue to slide the further he moves to the center. If there is no public option in health care reform he will almost certainly be a one-term president.

On the other hand, the Republicans would have to find someone to run against him. Unless Meghan McCain suddenly wants to run for president I don't see anyone with any credibility, never mind vision, anywhere on the horizon.

I am currently supporting Anthony Weiner for president in 2012. I certainly hope he'll consider running.

ADD -Attitude Decides Destiny

Unknown user — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:27:32 EDT

It is The Attitude that will change us Attitude is not a simple word Attitude is reltionship management ,is everything How we look at, is attitude How we act, is attitude How we react ,is attitude How we support causes,is attitude And Finally What Lessons we should learn from the mistake (not to repeat)is attitude

Howard Dean threatened with death, Nazi Symbol outside Town Hall: Can we please start organizing a national march or sit in...

Varun from Berkeley, CA — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:09:52 EDT

The Right Wingers are resulting to threats/violence and hate...We need to take charge and not stand there shocked....Take action....Yes, they are winning the attention war....We are losing the facts war because the legends that the RNC spins have become fact.....Thus, the myths become facts

Nazi Symbol AP News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090811/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_protests

Lou Dobbs threatens Dean:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/11/dobbs-apologizes-for-sayi_n_256728.html

I fear where this is going.....we need to stand up....National day of support....contact me people

varun22@yahoo.com

It's Time for Change!

Jill 4 Obama — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:05:28 EDT

Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. speaks with Admin. Jackson and Sec. Donovan on the new green economy. Photo credit: Johnny Simon Green the Block Obama Administration officials and members of the Green the Block campaign discuss opportunities in the new green economy and announce their first major initiative.
Correspondence Video The President's position on health care insurance reform is informed by the ten letters he reads every day. Watch a behind-the-scenes video showing how these letters are chosen from the tens of thousands he receives daily.
White House Photo, Lawrence Jackson, 7/31/09 Weekly Address: The Economy & GDP 8-1-09 The President discusses the state of the economy amidst positive signs from the GDP. Recognizing that is little comfort to those struggling, he offers hope for the time ahead.

Health Insurance Consumer Protections Watch the President's remarks, or get the fact sheet on how 8 fundamental consumer protections in reform can bring you and your family peace of mind.

Correspondence Video The President's position on health care insurance reform is informed by the ten letters he reads every day. Watch a behind-the-scenes video showing how these letters are chosen from the tens of thousands he receives daily.

Let's go change the world...

It's time for Health Insurance Reform!

Are YOU giving up??

Wendy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:47:17 EDT

It seems to me that during the election and right after the election, everyone was excited and ready to get things done. Now it seems like it's hard to even find a meeting in which people can get together and discuss how we can help make changes happen. I am not finding any events in my area or people that would be willing to come to an event if I were to host one.

I have spoken to people (that said they wanted change) who have given up on our president (who they voted for) and everything we have worked so hard to accomplish. Their reason for this - they have not seen any change. This I can not believe is coming out of their mouths... really. It has been what, just months - MONTHS. Do they have any idea what so ever the amount of clean-up that needs to be done?? Do they really and truly think things will change over night?? Especially since they have given up and that means more work for everyone else to do. These people believed in and voted for Barack Obama. How can they give up so easily? How can they not see the work that needs to be done and their roll in it as an individual that wants change? Why dont they understand? These things frustrate me beyond belief. But the answer is, we need to find a way to help them understand. Help them to see what needs to be done to make change happen. Sometimes people just don't get it, they don't understand, they can't see it. So it is our jobs as American citizens to help our fellow Americans understand. We need to be talking to our friends and neighbors. Tell them to call their senators and tell them what they want for their communities. There are many things we can be doing.

People want change, but it's like they want other people to make it happen for them. This is your country, you want change then stand up and say so. Do something to help make it happen. Those people in office are there working for YOU. You put them there to represent YOUR voice. What is it you want them to say that YOU want??? Tell them what you want. It's what being American gives you the PRIVILEGE to do!

So maybe we are all sitting around thinking the same thing. We 'want' to do something, but we might have questions on how to get started, or how to approach things - or whatever the question might be. That is why we get together and talk about it, put our heads together and come up with great solutions. We are Americans and can accomplish great things - together.

Remember we are the UNITED states of America.

Perhaps because we are best when we come together.

http://theroadtohope.weebly.com

Shawn Avellan — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:05:24 EDT

I will be updating the site for all that have filled in the contact section after looking at the site please let me know what you think, this can and will affect all americans at some point in time. Positively of course. Thank You in advance

visit http://theroadtohope.weebly.com

Renegade - 2

Khaidji — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:57:31 EDT

Things done differently make sense, especially when the way they were done before proved insufficient and unproductive. We all wanted to see change but we are not all able to identify with the new turns and twist change requires. Going down a new way means cutting a new path, nothing is paved for you not even broken twigs or crushed grass. There is nothing to follow, just trust and faith. At some time you have to let go.

Renegade - 2

Roads of uncertainty, in fact not even a path

Every step we take, every row of the wrath

Nothing there to guide us but faith and trust

Each decision is his and so we must

Give him the opportunity to lead the way

All our efforts before him had led us astray

Doing things against the grain needs someone who’s not afraid

Electing Barack Obama gives him the chance to be the Renegade

Get an easy Download or a Hardcopy of
” Path To The White House”
Acrostic Poetry on Barack Obama
By Khaidji
The Bajan Poetry Society

Renegade

Khaidji — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:47:40 EDT

We should start calling our leaders name every time they make a decision that we object to. I learnt this lesson early in life. We don’t know the way out of the problem and most of us are not prepared to take on the role of leader but yet we stay at a comfortable distance criticizing every step.

Renegade

Romantic trip on the Jet and they were criticized

Engaged in multilingual talks and he was ostracized

Noticeable hand shake and a smile with Hugo Chavez

Erupted in disapproval now distrust for all he does or says

Going to the Muslim world to speak where he’d never done before

And nominating his Supreme Judge Sonia Sotomayor

Delivering a commensurate speech at a military parade

Every thing President Barack Obama does makes him the Renegade

Get an easy Download or a Hardcopy of
” Path To The White House”
Acrostic Poetry on Barack Obama
By Khaidji
The Bajan Poetry Society

Immigration and social justice

MariaXimena — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:31:47 EDT

Many latin and hispanic people have their hopes up for a change in social justice and fairness for families who have immmigrated to the US and have blended families, what is your view point?

President Obama's health care plans

Marc from Brooksville, FL — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:39:44 EDT

It is important to stand behind the President in his fight to end poor quality health care. There are so many disadvantaged citizens out there that should sign up to vote now in America! I know that there were millions of people that missed out on the opportunity to vote for "Change" last November and it was because they never expected this kind of intelligent leadership in the USA. Now that they can see the dramatic force moving through Congress - shaking up they way government thinks about the average American - everyone should be encouraged to register now and quickly notify all their representatives in Congress of the fact they want Obama's plans passed! Calls or letters to each representatives will mean more than a vote last November. I know that supporters of the President can get out the vote and meet with these new and the current voters to consistantly supply the encouragement to Our Representatives to pass all the bills the President puts before Congress. To understand the serious threat to our country from the poor health care system We are all used to, everyone must be informed on how much money is wasted on current medical procedures and tests lacking any real results. I know the pain and heartache we all must have gone through, going to doctors and spending the time and money only to get no answers while the diagnosis's enable our insurance companies to desert Us! Lets make health care reform happen in a big way now while we can. Marc

BLACK YOUTH AND CRIME

scorpi2000 — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:37:58 EDT

PLEASE COPY AND SEND THIS TO EVERYBODY

IF I HAD A BILLION DOLLARS I,D BUY CNN AND FORCE THEM TO READ THIS OVER THE AIR

HAVE WE ALL FORGOTEN THAT GANGSTER RAP WAS EMBRACED BY THE MEDIA, AND IN TURN EMBRACED BY OUR CHILDREN, THEN ACCEPTED AS A TREND .THEN OK'ED BY PARENTS. LOOKED UP TO AND PROMOTED AS STARS, GLORIFIED AS BEING A WAY OF LIFE THAT MANY YOUTH TRY TO BE LIKE. WITH CLOTHING TO MATCH, MARKETED AND SOLD. BOUGHT BY PARENTS WHO WANT THEIR KIDS TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST TRENDS IN CLOTHING,, BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING PRESSURED BY THEIR KIDS WHO WANT TO BE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE...MUSIC PLAYED ON THE RADIO ,TV, MTV, MUSIC AWARDS ETC. NOW ITS MANIFESTING IN MANY BLACK CHILDREN LIVING OUT THIS FAD IN REALITY, AND EVERYBODIES WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED, AND ASKING THE POLICE TO SAVE US FROM OURSELVES... ARE WE THAT SCREWED UP AS A SOCIETY ?

NEED I SAY ANY MORE... WHY ARE ALL THESE SO CALLED EDUCATED PEOPLE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS AND SAYING DUUH ...I DONT KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING..START FROM THE BEGINNING ..UNDUE THE FAD THAT HAS MANIFESTED THIS REACTION

THE POLICE CANT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ITS AN ENVIRNMENTAL ISSUE.

YES LARRY KING LIFE IS CAUSE AND EFFECT!

SORRY GANGSTER RAPPERS WE DONT WANT YOUR PRODUCT!

A FEW OF YOU HAVE MADE MILLIONS BUT MANY OF YOUR FOLLOWERS ARE LEFT AT DEAD ENDS.

First of all im a nieghbor, of the mother of Blair Holt.We grew up together in the same nieborhood. I am not a perfect person . No one is. BUTThier are too many of our children being killed by other children. Why does this happen? It happens because many of our children have been infuenced by a fad culture that has glorified and lagitimized a gang culture, which has had a very destructive effect on our niebohoods here in Chicago and many other places in the U.S. Do you know how hard it is for a child to go against a popular trend with most of thier peers. In order to survive most parents are at work.Even if they wanted to, they would have to risk thier jobs to stay at home or devote enough time and energy to offset the influence of popular culture.These trends are established and reinforced by companies who make a lot of money creating and selling the latest trend.The parents of these young kids who are in gangs, have missed the oportunity to stop thier children from growing up accepting a destructive trend that makes money for a few and leaves the victoms lifes in turmoil. with hate in thier hearts, and the lack of respect for anothers life. Parents are Too busy at work, in poverty, fathers not there, gangs took over, I did the best I could, can no longer be an excuse. Me, you, us, them, we,the parents are the only ones that can stop this circle of violence. Check your children when they are young and they wont grow up killing other children. Watch what they are being influenced by. Watch who they are being influenced by. Know who the friends are they hang with. use your influence, to influence thier friends and other children. Know what your child is up to and who they are hanging with when they are not at home Dont let children raise children. Work together as a group when they are young, sacrifice if you have too, because the next child that is killed might be your own,killed by your nieghbors child. Or youll be explaining why your child killed someone else.Stop depending on the police or govt. to do our jobs after the fact.We as parents are always responsible for how our children turn out.

BUT WHAT IF ITS AN ENVIRNMENTAL ISSUE?.

OUR ENVIRNMENT INCLUDES THE MEDIA TV, RADIO, MARKETING, FASHOIN ETC.

THANKSSCORPI2000

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-52245#

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-254315#

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-221708#

http://www.myspace.com/scorpi2000radicalroots

SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE, NO HALFWAY

Joseph from Los Angeles, CA — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:06:23 EDT

Like the vast majority of citizens in Western democracies, and many Americans (more to come), I won't accept anything accept a single-payer plan--national health insurance as in all Western Democracies except the United States. Last year I paid over $10,000 in insurance premiums, paid over $30,000 in unreimbursed costs, and received only $2300 in benefit payments from Blue Cross. As I've aged (I'm only 54 now), my medical expenses and health insurance expenses have wiped out a large part of the savings I accrued, over 25 years hard work, for my daughters' college educations and my retirement.

The health care and health insurance system in this country is a national disgrace and is financially ruinous to most Americans and businesses, especially small and medium sized businesses. This is not a time for half-measures and compromise. This is a time for a radical, total revamping of the system and a total nationalization where private enterprise has PROVED over decades that they are a disastrous failure and that the "market" does not and cannot work in this area.

I contributed to and voted for President Obama in both the primary and general elections. But if he wants my support for re-election, he needs to show strong leadership and strength of character on this issue, not just be another politician kowtowing to the special monied interests by adopting inadequate compromises that bring no real change.

The insurance and drug manufacturers and right-wing interests will spend massive money on TV campaigns, as they did with Hillary Clinton 1993, to lie to, confuse and scare the American people. The Democrats need to make itheir own massive television and radio investment to counter this. I strongly suggest in addition that they buy airtime to show Michael's Moore's excellent expose, "Sicko"--or at least create their own similar expose that sets forth the same deeply disturbing and tragic facts, without Moore's arguable smugness putting off the American people.

President Obama needs to use his power to reign in right-wing "Democrats" like Sen.Max Baucus, who has been jailing Americans who have simply attempted to SPEAK about the advantages of a single-payer, nationalized health care system. President Obama promised he would listen to all viewpoints, but he has done nothing to stop Baucus from doing this. Baucus should be stripped of his Chairmanship, and President Obama should support a real Democrat in Baucus's next primary election. If he can support Arlen Spector in a Democratic primary, he can support a progressive opponent to the right-wing Baucus.

Lorraine Cordeiro's Blog

Lorraine from Millis, MA — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:30:30 EDT

I am a disabled RN who volunteered for Barack Obama through Move.On.org from June 2008 through Election Day. President Obama was elected the night before my 55th Birthday. What a wonderful birthday present for me. I am the last person to judge anyone, and I truly believe in Equality. We are, of course, One Race, Human. This is my first post at this website, and my question to others is, "Do you Really Want Change"? I would appreciate any comments! Thank you, Lori Cordeiro RN

Do You Have A Permit?

Tyger from Mineola, TX — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:29:56 EDT

There were only four of us at the Quitman ‘We The People United’ meeting and walk today but we had enough passion for twenty. We didn’t know each other. We had come together, driven by a deep desire to unite at a grass-roots level and campaign for change.

We held up signs to passing traffic. ‘Democrats for Change,’ ‘Republicans for Change,’ ‘We The People United’ and even one, saying ‘I love Jesus, USA and Obama.’

We were part of a nationwide movement for unity which took place on major university campuses today. A show of hands of those who want to stop the bickering and get to work. Perhaps we didn’t make a great impression on the drivers which flitted by in the afternoon lull, but we turned some heads and got a few honks and waves. A couple of times I thought a car would stop. I saw brake lights, but then they chickened out. Perhaps another time…

We had planned to peacefully walk for an hour, but remained stationary instead at the Quitman city park for 45 minutes. Until a police car pulled up. A uniformed police officer stepped out of the car, greeted us and asked politely, “Do you have a permit?”

We didn’t. We were unaware that holding up a few signs required a permit. There we stood, exercising our First Amendment rights, and had no permit. Hmm…

He made us put our signs down. We could go to city hall and request a permit, he said. There was a small fee. City hall would fax the document to the police department and we would be free to hold our signs up until our arms fell off. Or at least as long as the permit permitted.

We chose not to get one. We’d had our 45 minutes of free speech. We had broadcast our message of unity and change. We had met and swapped ideas. We had contributed to the public conversation. It was time to go home.

We exchanged contact information, shook hands and parted, feeling satisfied and justified. Next time, we’ll visit city hall first and ask permission to speak. Then, we might campaign against having to pay to proclaim our message.

Now that would be a good place to start changing things…

This also posted to my blog 'Finger on the Pulse of Life' at http://tiny.cc/FingerOnPulse

Obama's First 100 Days and the Politics of Transformation

N. Julio Barthson - E-Campaign Leader — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:47:58 EDT

A great tribute by former presidential candidate Gary Hart..

Heatlhcare Reform

Cathie Wease Prosser — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:20:31 EDT

Insurance companies and the drug companies have had too much influence. They make the costs of healthcare rise. President Obama's reform plan will make insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions. We have to pay a lot of money to get coverage, and then find out that we are not covered. Covering pre-existing conditions alone, will help improve our healthcare system.

We should have univeral healthcare, something that many stakeholders will fight. There are too many people and organizations who can use their wealth to make it harder on us that are not wealthy. One day universal healthcare will exist here in America, but we need it to happen now!

It's never to late. I am 52 years old and just finishing up my bachelor of science in healthcare administration. I want to make a difference in my community and the entire nation. I have learned some good ideas through my education. I have experience in many areas, but not very much in healthcare. Still, I know that I have learned well. We, together CAN make a difference. Everyone of us needs healthcare and I want to see everyone get quality, affordable healthcare. No one deserves to have to live a intolerable life in misery because they can't afford to seek out care.

Change.....Spectate or Participate

Unknown user — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:54:31 EDT

The election is over, the innaguration actually happend and now it is time to work.

The change that so many worked for, will only take place if the American people change the way they see this country and the world. We cannot sit back and watch as things spiral out of control and expect the President to "fix" everything. As citizens of this great land, we must stay engaged in our communities from HOA's all the way to the Federal Government. The greatest injustice in this country is the lack of understanding that citizens have of how our country HAS operated, so that we can dictate how we SHOULD operate.

As the economic crisis come to light, people are going through great lengths to protect secrets that keep us misinformed and divide us. The greedy do not want to see anything change, because there is nothing wrong in THEIR world. So they use citizens that are afraid of change, even if change is in their best interest, to do their bidding.

For example, how many CEO's, corporate raiders and extremely wealthy people participated in the tea-bag movement? If anyone is going to be affected by the change in tax policy, they will. But intstead, the rank and file citizenry are the ones protesting (in fact, many had to take off work, imagine that) when the reality is that the President's policies will help them in the long run.

There is nothing wrong with protesting or voicing an opinon about out government, but I always wonder if that is a real solution? No one ever suggest alternatives and if you asked people what they want, many could not give you a coherent answer.

Critics of the President often say that our "Change" slogan was a facade for him to get elected, yet they don't realize that the fact that we know what he is doing is a big change and that change is a two-way street. If we want to sit back and let our leaders to change the country for us then we need to establish a Monarchy. I personally do not plan on taking that course of action, I figuring out what I am going to do and then do it!

(On another note if Jeb Bush becomes President one day, we may have to re-define our "free-democracy)

Change This! Gramma Willi's Wish List for Making Change

Gramma Willi — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:08:53 EDT

Original Title: Change This! My Wish List for Accomplishing the Changes We Need By Gramma Willi

Note: I am re-posting this because someone deleted the old one.

It is wonderful to have a chance to reach you. I am known in some circles as a legendary activist. This means that many of you will not have heard of me; to those who have, I pray that you find good ways to share truths, good analysis and facts with the next generation of legendary activists.

Here's my wish list for accomplishing the changes we need:

1. Find a way to value the contributions of legendary activists. It is not enough to solicit our ideas and opinions and simply run away with them, to apply without the benefit of proper context and analysis. Activists are not enemies - they tend to be wise, giving and in need of a thank you every so often... a nice contract now and again would be even better.

2. Place the long term health of the people and the natural environment that we depend on at the top of all priority lists. Long term means the next 7 generations.

3. Always plan for peace - including economic plans. We have to get away from war economies.

4. Move away from reliance on fulltime staff as decision makers for social institutions. They poison social programs because their main priority becomes their personal financial health and not the success of the programs. The best staff will include putting themselves out of a job as their main priority, because this will mean that the goals have been accomplished. The best staff will never undermine volunteer Boards of Directors or Citizen Task Forces.

5. Fire the architects of the failed economic system and their cronies. Replace them with the people who have been predicting the collapse and offer well-thought out constructs for designing our emerging social economy.

6. Find ways to value legendary activists - you will find the best friends of humanity among their number.

All My Relations, Gramma Willi

Thought for Transformation - April 16, 2009

Rev. Nur — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:02:04 EDT

Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a qualitatiive change in our lives. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Latest Way To Support Barack Obama in Louisiana

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:43:50 EDT

Hi Louisiana.

Obama For America is now Organizing For America. The goals have shifted from getting Barack Obama elected to helping make sure his presidency is a success, both politically and policy-wise. You are still needed in this effort.

Last week, Congress voted to pass our president's 2010 budget. Only 2 legislators from Louisiana helped to make that happen: Senator Mary Landrieu and Representative Charlie Melancon. We need help showing that Louisianan's care about how our members of congress vote.

Could you please take a moment and send a letter to the editor of your local paper thanking Senator Landrieu (and congressman Melancon if you are in his district)? There is a great tool on MyBO to help make this really simple:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/ThankCongress

Below I've attached some ideas for letters, but please write from your own heart. And thank you for continuing to support Barack Obama.
Best,
Lynda

Below are a few ideas to guide your letter writing. Visit our website for more additional tips and information http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/ThankCongress

LTE #1
President Obama is talking to us like adults. He doesn’t sugarcoat his message or claim to have the silver bullet. Since taking office, he's encouraged us to be patient and persistent in charting our course - I think his words were, “more ocean liner than speed boat.”
President Obama’s budget is big, but it’s a bold and important down payment on our long-term economic recovery here and across the nation.
And that's why I applaud my congressional representative for voting in support of the President's plan to put our country back on the path to prosperity - a vote all of us can be proud of.

LTE #2
I’m sick and tired of our bubble-driven economy. From the dot.com craze to the housing bubble, I know so many people who have been affected by the constant boom and bust that has made our economy unstable.
President Obama’s budget plan takes on the challenges in our healthcare system, public education and energy policy – and aims to make those things operate better and more efficiently for people just like me here in my town.
I agree with President Obama that now is the time to make significant investments to help our economy develop in a sustainable way, and provide real growth and services the people on Main Street need.
And that's why I applaud my congressional representative for supporting President Obama's plan.

LTE#3
I volunteered for President Obama’s campaign, was thrilled to watch his inauguration, and have been following the early months of his presidency.
These days, all the pundits seem to talk about is President Obama’s budget plan. Is it too expensive? Is it too ambitious?
I am happy to see that President Obama is engaging his supporters - the regular people who elected him to office – to help build grassroots support for his budget blueprint.
Making healthcare more affordable, investing in education, and creating a safer, greener energy policy, are the changes we fought for during the election.
And that's why I was so pleased to see my congressional representative vote in support of the President's plan and give him the help he needs to put a down payment on a more sustainable, economic future for all of us.

Let's talk about OUR First Lady!

Steve Severson — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:32:16 EDT

Ain't she SWEET? We all know the tune...sing along! (see her walkin' down the (now heavily guarded) street/ the kind of girl I'd like to meet/ Ain't she sweet!)

I never before really cared about "First Laidies" until Michelle burst upon the scene. All of the recent ones, with the exception of Hillary, seemed to be either NUTS (witness Barbara!) or hoplessly shallow (you'd have to be to put up with "43"...a number to which he couldn't count; which has been scientifically proven; and we ALL know how much they held science close to their hearts!)

I, of course, cannot bring any of the First Ladies from Jackie-O back into the fray, as THEY all had class and even inluence!

Did you know that 50% of high school graduates cannot pass a GED exam?

Jason M. Christos — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:27:21 EDT

Did you know that 50% of high school graduates cannot pass a GED exam? I myself am a dropout but I passed the test. Education is not the governments job. And with the internet education should evolve. There should be no need for a public school system. Parents should take tutoring classes and teach their kids.

With wiki text book projects and projects like gutenberg.org. All of the necissary knowledge is at your fingertips. Do not resist change. Embrace it.

Buy American company products.

Don from Brighton, MI — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:36:36 EDT

Itisaboutus.com has more info on this subject. Dear Prez you came vary close to suggesting buying from American Co's thank you for that. I hope you can TAX Foreign products and ear mark loan money to be used only on American company products. Thanks

Introduction On Aura Tout Vu

On Aura Tout Vu — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:36:05 EDT

Our Introduction and our team

André de Sà Pessoa – Born in Portugal. Graduated of fine Art School of Lisbon in 1989 – Jewellery master class.Than at FIT-Fashion Institute of Tecnologiy - New York in 1990.
Before joining on aura tout vu he worked as jeweller,and as cristal designer in Portugal and at Dome France. He created also hat collections.

Yassen Samouilov - Born is Bulgaria Graduated at Applied Arts School of Sofia in 1991 –Master class textile design and toys design.Than Fine Arts School of Versailles in 1994.
Before joining on aura tout vu he worked in consulting trends agency and develope accessories, ready to wear collections.

Livia Stoianova -Born in Bulgaria. Graduated at Fine Arts School of Sofia in 1992 – master class Graphic Arts.Than Fine Arts School of Paris in 1996
Before joining on aura tout vu in 1998 she present her art works in France and collaborate in contemporary art galeries in Paris.

Brand history

The company ” ASP “was founded in 1995 and in 1998 under “on aura tout vu” as a brand /a French expression in translation : You think you v’seen it all / and made its name at first by creating and producing exclusive fashion accessories, embroideries, buttons and garments for the famous Haute Couture Brands before starting its own collections of ready-to-wear, accessories and couture clothes.

Organizing For America (OFA) in Alaska

Jonathan Teeters — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:20:21 EDT

Good afternoon,

I just wanted to get active again with my blog, and I wanted to find out if anyone out there is interested in helping me to learn what is going on in Alaska with Organizing For America. I am pretty sure there are things happening...

I am eager to get involved here again continuing all the great work that we accomplished together.

What's going on where you are?

Please leave me a comment, or send me an email to get.at.jonathan@gmail.com.

Talk to you soon!

Jonathan

GM's Chief Exec Fired! Good Move!

Gramma Willi — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:37:27 EDT

I am proud of our Obama's announcement today.

It is wonderful to see a smart, strong young man stepping up to the plate and doing what needs to be done. It is wonderful to see one of my "Change This!" Wish List items getting attended to. (see earlier blog "Change This!")

We have a lot of housecleaning to do - at least it's springtime and time for it anyway. I can't wait to watch this Failed Lead Executive Extirpation Program (FLEE, for short ;) become common practice as we go about our economic recovery. I look forward to courageous, honest and deserving players taking the place of a too-long-entrenched uncaring régime - good thing you have a lot of résumes to choose from.

My prayers are with you folks and, for what it's worth, I'm around for ya.

All My Relations, Gramma Willi

P.S. Bringing the Indian Tribes into the UN is a sheer stroke of genius. Mad props to everyone who is behind it! Suggestion - put some of those savvy Native Elders at the helm of some of these organizations.

Its HardTo Change For Some

LaTease — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:48:06 EDT

I must admit that President Obama has inspired me to now watch presidential press conferences and announcements. Never have I felt compelled to even give any president 5 minutes of my time after an election. Mainly because I felt I had been duped when I voted for my candidate, and all they were going to do was lie to us anyway.

However, since Barack Obama has become president I have changed. I feel fully empowered in the process, in my country.

Yes, I believe that AIG should be held accountable for their loose spending and lack of ethics. I also believe that our congress has to understand they are charged with looking out for the people's interests, and if at any time the president sends a bill over to be voted on, then the congress is responsible for reading everything and speaking up for things they do not understand or object to.

It doesn't do any of us a bit of good to point fingers and accuse either party of not reading the bill. This only causes more and more separation. Enough of that has been done the last 8 years.

This is a time for healing, for change, for making things better and going forward. Otherwise, its just politics as usual.

LaTease

Read my other blog: Teasas World

Good Mother from Bad Mother, My Personal Change

hopeless in martinez — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:04:48 EDT

What I am is the Bad Mother, who only begins her journey transforming into the Good Mother , through it's dark existence. I will expose my life to show the world how change has started. It is my hope others will join in the purpose with their own stories. The world needs to see the whole picture through the individuals "all seeing eye". It is about protecting who we all are, universal beings of life..full of shadows, full of new light emerging.

To be continued...time to rest now.

It's the Constitution, STUPID!!!!

Don't from Henrico, VA — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:24:41 EDT

Real Change comes from the ground up. We need to get the Government out of our lives, to immediatelly repeal The Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act, FISA. We also need to start leaving Iraq NOW, and to close down ALL 58 bases there. We don't just need to get the combat troops out, we need ALL out, and do it responsibly. The longer we stay there, even if its' 50,000 like Obama says he wants to leave there for "non-combat" missions. Does anybody actually believe that these "non-combat" troops will be half soldiers or hold no weapons??? Of course not!!! The numbers would not matter if our country was occupied by 150,000 or 50,000 or even 10,000 foreign troops. We would be pissed off as hell and well should be!!! To create a better economy, we have to STOP THE SPENDING. What we are doing now by spending all this money and "creating jobs" is KILLING our economy. Think about this people, imagine if you get into debt, do you really think that you would get out of debt by buying a brand new house, car, or TV???? It's absolutely INSANE. So people have to wake up, read the Constitution, and start lobbying their local govt to follow the sacred document.

Reveling in Barack Obama

Halford Fairchild, Ph.D. — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:00:13 EDT

Now that the dust has settled from a fascinating campaign, I am reveling in Barack Obama. He is a strong, smart, charismatic leader. He has wasted no time in making fundamental changes in how we relate to each other and the rest of the world. He has inherited a financial problem of nearly unimaginable proportions, yet he has the confidence to lead us out of the morass.

This is Barack's "Perfect Storm." Things couldn't be worse. They can only get better, of their own volition, but under Barack's leadership we can enjoy some optimism about the world we share.

Change for the Long Haul -- Not 100 Days

T Boston — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:01:07 EDT

Let’s stop talking about the first 100 days of the Obama Administration like it's some do-or-die deadline. I did not vote for a President who would perform a 100-day miracle. I voted with the understanding that this would be our country’s leader for at least four years. When President Obama was elected on November 4 my first thought was “now the real work begins,” and it was never my expectation that he or his administration would bring the “change we need” rapidly or alone. This is why I remain committed to working with millions of other Americans – those who voted for Barack Obama and those who did not – to find solutions to the enormous challenges we face together. These challenges did not start with this Administration, many precede even the Bush Administration, and some will not be resolved in four or eight years. The goal is progress towards the change millions of people voted for and to make the investments that will increase our and future generations' capacity to successfully meet the challenges of an increasingly interdependent global community. Even the current outcry against AIG and other large financial institutions is part of the change process. The temptation to maintain the status quo, the resistance to new ways of doing business, and constant reinforcement of change are the norm for how long-term change happens. Let’s take a page from Van Jones, the recently appointed “green jobs Czar,” to acknowledge each small victory, work on the next goal, and stay focused on the larger vision of change that we need and believe in.

Appropriating and Recontextualizing Google Image Search Results

maya escobar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:26:01 EDT

Part 1 of an article I wrote for jewishinstlouis.org

Every art student learns about the fair use principle, granting us permission to use any image in our artwork as long as we transform it so that it conveys new meaning. But beyond that all-encompassing definition, we don’t know what transgressions, if any, we are actually committing.

Recently in the news is the preemptive lawsuit artist Shepard Fairey filed against the Associated Press. According to Fairey the AP threatened to sue him unless he pays royalties for the image that he used as source material for his now famous campaign poster of Barack Obama. Fairey argues that he is protected by the fair use principle. He claims that his intention was not to reproduce any particular image, but instead was to capture a specific gaze representative of the ideas of hope and change.

In an interview on NPR, Fairey declared he was going forward with this suit on behalf of all artists, the thousands of artists that created their own campaign images in the same grassroots manner, pulling images from the web in support of the message of hope, change and a new administration in Washington.

screen shot of: first page of google image search results for "Barack Obama"

I am fascinated by Fairey’s implication that the process of appropriating and re-contextualizing Google image search results might be considered a grassroots action. As an artist, I frequently use images that that I find on Google. Like Fairey suggested, my motivation for using these images is to highlight the search itself, not the derivative image.

Perhaps then, these cyber Robin Hoodian actions—using and transforming Google image search results—are capable of changing the structures that control the dissemination of information. After all, the order that information appears in Google searches is determined by the amount of people searching any given topic. And as a result of the Fairey’s appropriation, his campaign poster may be forever linked to Obama’s presidency.

email from President Obama

Obama’s popularity can be credited to his skillfully constructed presidential campaign that effortlessly linked his name to hope. I was quick to jump onto Obama’s online campaign message of hope. Like many others, I subscribed to his twitter, facebook, and YouTube pages. I now get weekly emails from him and I even have a blog on his site…

The Heart of Wisdom and Change

aaaaa — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:21:50 EDT

"We the People" have a dormant and hidden wisdom that is emerging today that can help us in these difficult times.

In times of need and crisis we can draw on a storehouse of knowledge laid down over many generations.

Our ancestors displayed both noble and ignoble behavior.

These traits are part of our history.In times of crisis these traits or qualities can come to the surface. Dormant wisdom was already noted in deep antiquity in stories, adventures, quests and myths.

Times of danger and crisis were times of heroes and heroines who emerged from obscurity in service to the greater need.

We are in such times today.

Just look around you and you can see ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.

These forces of hidden wisdom emerge when noble, virtuous, and selfless qualities of heart and soul are ignited by recognition of the desperate needs being faced by family, community, nation and our planet.

The over mental, linear and intellectual concentration can result in a loss of access to these hidden forces available to us.

To tap into this reservoir of wisdom and slowly become part of its rhythm requires clear thinking, a quiet calm mind and a heart that embraces the common good selflessly.

Tap into the heart of wisdom for real CHANGE.

God Bless You & Thank You President Obama!

CD57 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:37:48 EDT

My small business was in the brink of bankruptcy failing miserably during Bush era, but since President Obama took over it became an overnight success, my sales jumped from an average $20 a day to over $200 a day, last 5 weekends my daily sales were $600; what a great improvement my outlook for future is brighter now with full of confidence I waited patiently and now my boutique will not bankrupt, what a relief that is!

I look forward to hearing from all concerned readers of my blog please feel free to share your stories & comments, have a bright & wonderful day!

Listening to Republicans and Democrats argue.....

LOL — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:42:24 EST

over whether tax cuts or bigger government are the answer to our economic problems is like listening to the captain and the first mate of the Titanic argue over whether more and smaller buckets or less and bigger buckets are the answer to their situation.

You know what would be to impressive and a confidence builder? If Obama came out and said, “I am not sure how to fix the economy just yet, but we have determined what the problem is. While I can not assure you that I can keep any of you in your homes or keep you from falling into poverty, but I can promise that your kids won’t be in the same situation.” That would signify to me that he actually understands the cause of our current situation.

Throwing money at the big banks and the irresponsible housing lenders and borrower is about as impressive to me as George Jr. bombing camels to protect America from guys with butter knives from taken over airplanes. Neither are actually going to keep the condition from being repeated. At least when it comes to guys with butter knives on a plane, I can trust Americans will rise up and fight off the offending situation. I am not sure that I can count on Americans to stop agreeing to terms they don’t understand, and borrowing more money then they can afford to.

When everybody involved realizes that taxes and incentives are red herrings and economically unsound ways to influence circulation. Lowering taxes on the wealthy doesn’t cause them to start businesses. Lowering taxes on businesses doesn’t cause them to hire more people. By the same token charging hire taxes and redistributing the money to the poor doesn’t make them any less poor. The government creating temporary jobs only gives people false security and unpredictable income.

If the administration could put somebody to work following the money once it reaches the market, I would feel much more comfortable. So you send a stimulus check out. Where does the (in the last case) $1500 go when you send it to them. Obviously they were paying their bills, or maybe they weren’t and for that month they do. If they buy merchandise, how much of it is retained here in the US and how much is spent on places outside the economy.

If Obama announces he has put somebody in charge of following money as it enters and leaves our economy, I will feel much more comfortable with the faith everybody is putting in him.

How your lust and addiction to credit infringes on my rights

LOL — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:50:15 EST

I keep seeing people posting to this forum begging Obama to “force banks to give credit.” Things like “I can’t get a 30 year loan to buy a house.” Or “My credit card company keeps reducing my credit.” When I hear these complaints I am reminded of a crack addict’s pleas that they use the drug “responsibly”. They all feel that if they could just get a little more they would be fine.

The reality is that use of a credit card has a much more profound and expansive impact on those around you then using crack does. Use crack, live 10 blocks over, and I will probably never know or feel the result. However, if you use credit to buy your groceries that you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford, you have increased the market value of groceries.

Basic economics most people have at least heard of tells us that “a market price is set by the highest value at which people are ‘willing AND able’ to buy the product. Credit cards have allowed people who normally wouldn’t have the resources to compete in the market against me to have access to those resources.

Let us say you are browsing the fine objects available for sale at an auction. You spy a great cigar store Indian in the middle of all the other stuff that you feel you must have. When the auctioneer get around to tapping his cane on the Indian you feel that little jilt of excitement that you are about to become the owner of that which you desire. Much to your delight he starts the bidding off at just $10. You raise your hand high. But just like that you notice another bidder raise the hand. Back and forth you go. 15 becomes 20. 20 50, at about $75 you wish the other party would run out of money. Now on it goes until you bid $150. You are starting to feel the excitement of the win when you hear the other bidder’s friend say “OK” to the request to loan out $50. You are not to be outdone, so eventually you win the bid at $210. You think to yourself, “I wish that yutz hadn’t offered her that extra 50 bucks or I would have only paid $150 for this treasure.” Well that is how I feel when I walk into a grocery store or an electronics store to buy a product with cash. I wish credit card companies hadn’t offered so many yahoos credit to buy these products. They would be priced more realistically. That is the way I feel when I look at the going rate for college when trying to save up for my children’s future. I think, “I wish somebody would make it illegal to offer loans for college educations. Schools would have to charge a more realistic price if they actually wanted students to show up. Now you might think, “but they have to charge enough to pay for their teachers”. But can you imagine how much less a teacher would have to ask for as a salary if they could get a big screen TV band new for $200. It is a classic “chicken or the egg” scenario. Do people need paid more because credit has allowed market prices to be bid up or is it the fact that market prices are so high, that people need credit to pay for them and thus need paid more. For some reason bread only used to be 10 cents.

What happened in the housing market is that banks started offering longer and longer terms in order to get more people the ability to afford to “buy” them. A win/ win/ win for financing organizations. They get more buyer, buying at hire sale prices (which they are getting a percentage of), and earning more in interest over the long term. Interest that they charge you up front. The same thing happens with everyday stuff as banks offer credit cards into the market. Credit companies get paid form the vendors and the consumers. (The funniest thing I have ever seen was an annual fee. I have to pay you money for the honor of paying you money? This is worse economics then a strip club.)

So it is the people who are going through “credit withdraws” and are trying to convince the world that “then need it to survive” that are threatening to unravel any chance we have at a wholesome economic recover. So stop it. Your credit card reduced your limit? Good, you will thank them when you loose your job. A mortgage company won’t let you finance a 30 year loan on a $150,000 house that ends up costing you $350,000 with interest? Write them a thank you letter for not letting you make a mistake that will not only damage you but the entire economy for the rest of us who were also promised our government would give us the opportunity to be alive, free, and happy. None of these thing can you be if you are in debt and working 60 hours a week just to make the minimums. And I can’t be if I have to compete in a market were you are capable of doing that.

Change This! My Wish List for Accomplishing the Changes We Need

Gramma Willi — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:56:49 EST

It is wonderful to have a chance to reach you. I am known in some circles as a legendary activist. This means that many of you will not have heard of me; to those who have, I pray that you find good ways to share truths, good analysis and facts with the next generation of legendary activists.

Here's my wish list for accomplishing the changes we need:

1. Find a way to value the contributions of legendary activists. It is not enough to solicit our ideas and opinions and simply run away with them, to apply without the benefit of proper context and analysis.
Activists are not enemies - they tend to be wise, giving and in need of a thank you every so often... a nice contract now and again would be even better.

2. Place the long term health of the people and the natural environment that we depend on at the top of all priority lists. Long term means the next 7 generations.

3. Always plan for peace - including economic plans. We have to get away from war economies.

4. Move away from reliance on fulltime staff as decision makers for social institutions. They poison social programs because their main priority becomes their personal financial health and not the success of the programs. The best staff will include putting themselves out of a job as their main priority, because this will mean that the goals have been accomplished. The best staff will never undermine volunteer Boards of Directors or Citizen Task Forces.

5. Fire the architects of the failed economic system and their cronies. Replace them with the people who have been predicting the collapse and offer well-thought out constructs for designing our emerging social economy.

1. Find ways to value legendary activists - you will find the best friends of humanity among their number.

All My Relations, Gramma Willi

my contrabution to change

Quantae from Sherman Oaks, CA — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:30:27 EST

A lot of time hop is the last thing we have to hang on to there for to ba able to bring some kind of hope is the greatest gift on can posess.....I am a filmmake who bring hope throgh the messages in my short films I hand them out freely all over the country, below is a copy please take the time am see my contrubutionto you.

Endangered Species 14 min http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7727704610263511852

A Fathers Love9 1/2 min http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8522456113773467599

Obamerica

Unknown user — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:22:27 EST

Ditaubi ospita Mattia Diletti, Martino Mazzonis e Mattia Toaldo, autori del volume:

Come cambia l’ America
Politica e società ai tempi di Obama

AMERICA...the Pain Begins...TELL ME YOUR REALITY...tell me your story, I'll listen and reply...someone that really hears you and cares enough to respond to your thoughts, ideas, feelings and concerns...YOUR REALITY that YOU are LIVING WITH TODAY

Citizens for Change in America! — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:57:36 EST

JUST the Beginning... this is just beginning...it will not be going away...more people are hurting than anyone knows...now it is starting to openly show...rich, poor, middleclass, republican, democrat, independent, black, white, tan, red, pink or purple with pink pock-a-dots...it just doesn't really matter...the pain is broad and getting deeper daily...AMERICA must wake up and come out of this stopper... REALITY...America is in REAL PAIN... ALL AMERICANS...tell me your story and I will hear you! If you have a story...tell about the effect on you, your family, friends, neighbors, relatives... tell me about your story and the effect it is having...tell it to me today!

The Change We are Looking for is Competence

John H. Schmitz — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:04:41 EST

Last night I listened to President Obama’s address to the nation and to Governor Jindal’s response on behalf of the Republican Party. The difference between the two was so dramatic that it hardly needs to be elaborated upon. While the president reaffirmed his mantra, “Yes we can,” the governor seemed to be saying “No we can’t, but that is the way it should be.” Jindal was defining the two parties: The Democrats are a party that believes government can solve problems, while Republicans believe government is the problem. I do not object to those characterizations.

In order to illustrate his point, the governor told a story about how a sheriff and he were frustrated after Katrina when government bureaucrats tried to stop private citizens from rescuing their neighbors by using their boats without first showing proof of insurance. It was a mind boggling example of government incompetence. What he failed to point out was that the Bush administration was running the government at the time of the Katrina disaster.

Governor Jindal and other Republicans know what they are talking about when it comes to government incompetence. The past eight years have demonstrated just how incompetent a government can be. But I do not think that the example they set is how government has to be. While the wars and the economy took center stage in the election, I think the incompetence of the Bush administration in governing both is what led voters to vote for change. As much as we hate the war in Iraq, I think the American people would have been fine with it had it actually been waged for a good reason and in a reasonably efficient way that would not have required a surge. Tax cuts for the rich, and deregulated markets would have been fine with most of us if they had actually delivered what was promised.

Now, Democrats also have had their failures. Jimmy Carter is a man I admire greatly, but his presidency was not a great success. But when we look for what Carter accomplished we can see the Camp David Accords, but when we look for what the Bush Administration did right we mostly get “The Surge” that bettered a mess of its own making. It was sad to hear Governor Jindal point to the New Orleans schools as one of his own great successes!

So the Republicans feel that the government can not get anything done, and they have an eight year record to prove their point. I think that the change we all voted for was not about growth in government, socialization, or higher taxes, but simple competence. We want a government that works. I am heartened by the air of competence that President Obama exudes, and the management skills and organization he is bringing to Washington. Everything he has done, from listening to his adversaries to bringing transparency to the budget and government spending shows that change has come to Washington. Competent and effective government comes directly from competent and effective leadership.

The choice we face is not quite the one that Governor Jindal put forward last night: Democrats for more government, Republicans for less. The real choice is effective and competent government, or more of the same ineffective and incompetent government we have had for the last eight years.

Joke

TheNye — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:08:18 EST

When Barack Obama pays for something, he deliberately pays more than he needs to.

Beacause he always wants CHANGE.

Thank you for your time.

THE TRUTH HURTS...reply

Citizens for Change in America! — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:37:56 EST

The Truth HURTS…
This economic problem has always been about choice…what you decided to do with your money in the past and in the future is your choice that you have everyday of your life…AMERICA faces these choices and ALL of the AMERICAN PEOPLE will have to decide…
FACT: you paid off your house
FACT: you paid off your car
FACT: you paid off you credit cards
FACT: you paid off your investments
FACT: you paid off your bills
FACT: you paid off your expenses
FACT: you paid off your children’s educational expenses
FACT: you paid off you children’s college bills
FACT: you paid off your taxes
FACT: you paid off everything
FACT: DID YOU REALLY PAY and then some…so everyone can do WHAT EVER they desire…even for WRONG THINGS…for other peoples houses, cars, sunroofs, tinted glass windows, gas, tires, trucks, options, investments, summer homes, time shares, tips, trips, vacations, heat, electricity, clothing, food, college, medical, insurance, stocks, interest, bank loans, credit card bills, EVEN WRONG business CHOICES…did you…make these choices…take these risks…live this lie of fake prosperity.
The banks, brokerage houses, insurance companies and government offices…
all are having fun making choices with other peoples money…
yes everyone…especially those that might be considered too big to fail?
REMEMBER the BASICS (part of the costs of doing business is loss in theft, shrink and bad accounts…this is in all business models as experts are taught by experts…PROFESSORS teaching MBA’s and CPA’s for CEO’s and Presidents)
All the experts…
take their pay for whatever good or bad decisions and answers they tell you…
TALK IS CHEAP…but YOU PAY for all the CHOICES
YOURS…THEIRS…and everyone else in between…
every person not living by the Facts…
but by the MYTH…
Is sold on the idea to fill up every living Mystical Fantasy and Desire…
that is the Prophecy of EXPERTS…
fed to the people on both ends of AMERICA
Economic and Political
FACE the MUSIC…
BROKE is BROKE…
Do not hand me your meal ticket…I did not eat your lunch!
I did not own your business, bank, brokerage company, bakery, battery company, best shop or basket case…
do not give me your bills…
I didn’t get any of your pleasures, profits or perks…
I didn’t benefit from any of your lavish life style…
I didn’t get any thing before…
I don’t want anything now…especially, not any of your bills!
YOU went broke…not me…
You didn’t pay any of my bills…
You didn’t worry about feeding my children or sending them to school…
YOU KEEP YOUR OWN choices to yourself this time too…
IT'S YOUR CHOICE to keep the TRUTH...
PAIN FREE!

AMERICA...tell me WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Citizens for Change in America! — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:07:56 EST

TELL ME...what are you doing?

I pay my bills...paid off my house and can not sell it...moved because my x-spouse took our child to another state...was not made to bring him back after two years of lawyers, judges and court systems (even though the state had laws against and prohibiting children being moved out of their state)...I had to move to be closer, involved and remain to be an active parent for my child and our society benefiting from this action...faced with having to use some of my retirement/401k funds and pay taxes and penalties because I am not yet 59 and 1/2 years of age...will be penalized for paying off my car…will be penalized for paying off my house...will be penalized now for the actions of needing money to pay bills and do what citizens are supposed to do, but can't sell my house in this tough economy (loose money) and having to sell stocks/investments (loose money) because there is no plan for me, no bailout for me, no help for me...

you have PAID the RICH...PAID the RICHER...PAID the RICHEST

WHAT ARE YOU REALLY DOING...

what did you do...

what will you do...

what do you do?

CALL ME if you really care...I will give you the full story, painful details, hardships and sacrifices I have had to make...

the question is real...the question is important...the question must be answered...

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

The homeowner relief plan is a slap in my face

LOL — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:22:54 EST

I just don’t see the point. This country has become the land of the ignorant, selfish, and greedy. The home mortgage plan only re-enforces that idea. Let us say that you find out your child has a heroine addiction. Do you turn to them and say, “we are going to buy you some this time. But in the future, from here on out, you have to go get treatment for your addiction.” Sounds silly right? So how is that different to people who were addicted to credit, and ignorant of finances that “this time we will help you out” but in the future we need to be more responsible. Oh, but while you are being responsible, we need you to buy things, on credit, to get the economy moving again.

I am going to piss off a lot of people, but I don’t care. It is kind of the same response you get when you tell an addict that they have made bad choices. “but everybody around me were making the same choice.” If you are in a mortgage you can’t afford, it is because you were irresponsible. That is not a disputable fact. However, everybody wants to make “responsibility” a relative figure. It is not. If I should go belly up and be unable to afford my mortgage, well then in the end I was irresponsible. In nature they call that “dead”. In the US we call them “victims”

About US education system...

temberowa — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:24:52 EST

Many here got very good point of public school system not being challanged enough and government becoming "monopolist" in this matter.

Well, as educated overseas person I can point at many ups and downs; generally American education system has opinion of being far behind worldwide standards.

What I see the most challenging is the fact of public schools becoming socializing "pot" with all the cultural conflicts involved, instead of paying more attention to quality of knowledge delivery. Upbringing in most of families don't expose a young person to values and moral choices. Only financial stability seems to be imperative. There is weak communication between family and school officials. With this approach teachers/instructors/educators have mission impossible to be accomplished. I've witnessed myself arogance and total disrespect of many 3,4,5 graders, who simply refuse to improve their lifestyle.

This is a huge factor how the class in handled every day. Separately from it, there is a meritoric part. As European In 2 grade I had to have a geographic general knowledge of the whole world, in 4th I was familiar with not just European or Asian history, but also American one. High school usually introduces everyone to detailed aspect of the ones mentioned above. College level expects students to have wide and detailed knowledge together in general and expertise area.

Every school system has different demands depending how culturaly diversified the country is and this can be considered as very tricky in country like US. First of all, it is a melting pot of different and many times, far apart from each other, cultures. Idea of nationalized versus solely state based educational system is a second concern. Small countries usually don't have problem with establishing scheme, USA is a land of divisions and many differences.

What I see as a shame is bringing people to this country with extensive knowledge and well-rounded individuals who don't get enough credits for their professional past. These are the ones who can bring a lot to the table by educating and coaching others -instead American institutions waste lots of time by sending this 'ready force' back to schools. Reason: no adaptation to US system, although better quality education of foreign candidates....

This needs to change if country full of opportunities like America needs to sustain its existence, according to one's words "country without history and well educated nation is doomed to collapse"

Introduction

Albert from Kula, HI — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:40:30 EST

I started this blog because I believe many of us have reservations and/or valuable suggestions about the Economic Recovery Act. The daily experiences of the average citizen can provide insights that are denied the politicians.The collective wisdom of we, the "silent majority", can contribute guidance denied the politicians in their lofty isolation. Hopefully, President Obama's staff will be monitoring it regularly.

Perhaps our concerns will be addressed by the President and our fears allayed. Maybe our suggestions will be seriously considered or, in some way, influence decision making. In either case, its a chance to have our voices heard.

All I ask is that you set aside your politics and maintain an open mind. Focus on the greater good of our people, our communities, our country and, indeed, the world. And, do it with respect!

"YES WE CAN!"

A stimulus for right now. Wage Reform

LOL — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:14:40 EST

Here is an idea that will work right now. It has to be acknowledged that when we draw ourselves out of this mess we are going to change the way we functioned before or we will end up in the same place all over again. (As it is many of our “stimulation techniques” remind me of the pirates from a few months back that drowned trying to swim to shore with all of their ransom money. Sometimes you got to let go of those things that you hold dear to survive.) One major change that could be enacted right now and have an immediate impact is wage reform.

By wage reform I don’t mean those old worn out ideals of “fair wage” or “living wages”. Those all have the same problem that our current minimum wages does, no relative direct connection between the top and the bottom. What I would propose is that (here come the cheers from the right) we completely get rid of minimum wage. But hold on, (now to re-anger them and confuse everybody else) We should replace it with a “minimum percentage”. What that simply means is that the lowest paid, toilet scraping janitor on your company payroll or any other direct employee would have to get at least X% of the highest paid, probably the CEO, employee on the books.

Right America

P Crawley — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:11:22 EST

I watched an HBO special last night called "Right America" it was quite an insight on the beliefs and reasons as to why certain people especially from the south didn't vote correctly on Nov. 4th (namley voted republican) here are some of the reasons given.

1) He's not a man of God he believes in murder. And will ellect all new supreme court judges to support him.

(obviosly the "God Squad" that don't believe in "free will" and dosen't know how the judical system works)

2) I don't like the fact that our taxes are going to go up.

(this was a school teacher, she must be REALLY rich or just watches fox news)

3) He's not an American, he's going to be sworn in using the Qur'an and since those were Muslims that attacked us on 9/11 I think he's in bed with terrorists.

(I think everyone in the south should be sent a version of the Constitution, then when they get past 3rd grade be made to read it, especially the part about only a natural born citizen can become president!)

4) America isn't ready for a black president.

(notably these were NAS-CAR enthusiasts that think going in circles really fast is cool and they also wanted to repeel the woman's right to vote, nuff said)

5) He'll turn this country Socialist just like Hitler and Marx did to Europe!

(What the ...... BLEEP!)

At this point my interest then laughter turned into utter shock. First, Hitler was a fascist and Marx was a communist, which by the way wasn't even living at the world war two stage, I think the name they were grasping for was Stalin! That would be about as far left and far right as you could politically get. Second, The "Evil" word of "Socialism", thanks to the republicans most people in the US think it means communism, it dosen't, it just means "ecconomic equality".

We have a socialist police force & fire service because it's considered good for everyone, why not a socialist health care system. Basic human rights should be covered by the government, my favorite quote, "A government FOR the people BY the people" should include taking CARE of the people.

Now i'm not saying that ALL socialist things are good, we don't need ALL electric power handled by the government but an option might lower some electric bills and maybe water and gas as an option. It would sure stop some summer price hikes when your air is running or winter gas hikes when you need to be warm. Just a thought.

Back to healthcare, my sister-in-law is a republican and my wife and I democrat, last year my wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it took the administration more than two hours to get her to her room and most of that time was filling out paperwork and waiting around for return phone calls from our insurance provider. I asked my sister-in-law, "wouldn't you like to see a free health care system?", she said, "Hell no we have much better healthcare than other countries", lets see. My cousin in England is doctor, i asked him how long it takes, he sent me the form needed to enter an NHS (National Heath Service) hospital.

Name: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Address: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Date of Birth: xxxxxxxxxxx

NIN: xxxxxxxxxxxxx (stands for National Insurance Number, same as SSN)

Ok, the Dr will be right with you, that's it, done, no phone calls, not more waiting, off to your room.

Everything is on a central database (which no-one has ever hacked by the way, just like a bank, totally secure)

My wife has had her opperation and is now on her chemo and her radiation ($3000 per session, total with insuance $36,000, our insurance paid thank god, total in England $0) She's now taking four perscription drugs everyday one of them costs $105 per pill, thankfully the insuance covers them. I told my cousin what the medication was and he told me, "it doesn't matter what the drug is it's $10.00 per perscription". I asked him what about the $105 pill what if she need 30 of them, he said, "$10.00 per perscription no matter what, 10 pills, 100 pills same price".

"The taxes must be really high to have such a socalist healthcare system?"

5% extra tax and everyone is covered, not even perscription charges for children under 16 and people over 65, they pay nothing at all. I can hear people saying "5%" that's a huge chunk of my money, is it? is it really? think about it, if your employed you pay for a medical plan, A chunk comes out of your pay check each month and your employer pays the difference. Look at your pay stub next time you get paid and calculate how much your paying, it's about on average 2% of your income and your boss foots another 5%, that's 7%, 2% more than what you would pay, 1% on your side plus your employer could pay you more as they save money by not having to insure you!

Just do the math, if you paid a little more your employer could save money and maybe not offshore your job!

Unemployed people pay nothing, small business people get a tax rebate.

I lived and was born in England for more than 30 years, I think the longest i waited was about an hour without an appointment. As for long waiting lists, not true, if you have elective surgery then sure you might need to wait a while but for serious medical needs your seen right away, do Americans really think a heart attack victim has to wait a month before he gets treated?

Don't get me wrong I love this country and England is far from perfect, England is rated 18th best in the world for healthcare but America is listed at 37th?

Most Americans couldn't name 36 countries, Africa isn't a country by the way and neither is Europe:-)

Are we as Americans really sure we wouldn't want to have some free healthcare, sooner or later everyone gets sick, do you want to have to sell your house to pay for it?

Back to the five questions I heard above, one thing sticks out more than anything I heard, dis-information & lies. Any well educated person knows that there are two parties, not people but parties, there was Bush and then McCain, just because McCain is a likable fellow does not mean he thinks different, his "Party", is the same. Most of the people interviewed didn't like Bush alot but thought McCain could be trusted. Now i'm no magical wizz on politics but isn't republican being replaced by republican the same policy? Education, Education, Education. It's not the man/woman it's the policy then the person. If Joe the Plummer was running and won the nomination for the democrates I'd still vote democrat. I must admit though voting for someone that came from nothing make me tingle a little, least he knows how many houses he owns (the words silver & spoon spring to mind for McCain and wife).

A very smart man by the name of "Tony Benn" once said a very profound statment and it's happening right now in America, he said. "There are only two ways to control the people if your in government, fear and lack of education, scare the people and they will let you do anything even if it infringes on there civil liberties. Don't educate the people so they believe what you say"

Think about it, wire taps, getmo, people not knowing the facts, people not asking questions, people looking for WMD, wars started, terror, terror, terror. and the last thing the republicans wanted removed from the stimulus package, less on education. We have become a nation of sheep looking for a leader I hope we have found one, the fat cats in washington have raped this country enough, the private companies have transfered the public funds via a war not needed, American lives have been wasted in the name of corperate greed and the world has become more unstable than ever. Unless we realise that our government is broken we can never fix it. The french did just that several hundred years ago now they are ranked number one in human rights including healthcare. There government is afriad of it's people, Americans seem afriad of it's politicians. I hope we have the right person, I personally think so but like i said the fat cats want to keep there wealth, it's going to be hard to take it from them.

The Power is Yours.

My Story

Shannon from Birmingham, AL — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:04:52 EST

I am a 31 year old student, full-time worker and gay. I cannot seem to make ends meet most months especially when mishaps take place. I am working hard for a degree that will allow me to serve my country to the best of my ability. However, my country does not seem to care about me.

I voted for Obama/ Biden in hopes for change. All I have seen are the same ole Washington cronies being announced to fill cabinet places. I have watched this ticket vote for a stimulus plan that would have worked better if the money would have been invested into the infrastructure of this country to create more jobs. This ticket simply gave a man a fish to eat for a day instead of teaching the man to fish so he could eat for a lifetime.

I truly want change but in order to change, we have to implement it, not pretend we believe in it. I want to believe in this man, and I know he holds the weight of the world on his shoulders, but you cannot change Washington by implementing failed packages and politicians of the past.

I am a homosexual. According to my government I have no more rights than my cat or dog. I want that to change. I want a tax break, I want to claim head of household, because I am! I want to marry, and have legal rights to my partner. After All, someone fought extremely hard for this man of color to even be able to be nominated for president!

Reconstitutional Convention for the Local

Soi Disant — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:45:19 EST

It's fairly clear, in trying to 'fix the economy' that the Obama administration has had its ear finally bent in the direction of the wrong set of (very self-interested) financial and banking crisis advisors.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02132009/watch.html

http://baselinescenario.com/

Still, throughout all the late (and much mourned) macroeconomic 'talkamancy', we've still yet to see acknowledgment of the one economic truth that necessarily must and will fall from the particular set of crises---global lending and trade slow-down, global warming, worldwide natural capital depletion, peak oil---coming onto all of us in the manner of a 'perfect storm'. Much to my surprise, not least because this is an administration led by a president famous for community organizing, we have yet to see serious mention of relocalization, and the simple fact that the future of the US economy will depend more and more upon the making and supplying of things closer to home---in and around the towns and regions where individuals and families live.

This change, which is inevitable, could see a re-transformation of the consumer back into the citizen, or it could see a transformation of free people into subjects. It all depends upon the nature the of relocalization, and the relationship of the people involved to each other and to those responsible for governing. A village or regional collection of villages ruled by a warlord and his cohort of thugs, for their 'protection', who will kill if not obeyed, is a form of relocalization. Organized criminal rings running the local black market distribution of goods and services (and therefore the locality) is a form of relocalization. Just because our future promises that we will be more in touch with local conditions and the local economy doesn't mean that such a future is inevitably better---though it could be, if we make the right moves.

The simple fact that economies---with the end to the era of the 1000-mile-hamburger, and the 4000-mile fruit salad---are expected to be relocalized does not confer anything of promise more than the simple fact that more and more of the things needed and used by people will necessarily come from closer by, rather than as they have, in an era of cheap energy, from far away. (In fact, paradoxically, I suggest, that the more we focus our attention upon 'fixing' the present economic system, rather than changing it according to what lies ahead, and the better we prove at doing so in the short term, over the mid and long term, greater will be the numbers of people everywhere forced, sink or swim, to rely upon raw materials, goods and services found close to where they live, forced to forgo most useful things that might come from farther off---unless they are in a position to pay exorbitant 'fees' and bribes on top of a vastly increased purchase price.)

The problem faced by everyone in relocalization is this: People will fight. (That people will do something else that starts with the letter 'f', too, has something to do with the problem, as rising local and regional population exacerbates the competitive pressure for available resources, increasing the frequency and intensity of the fighting.) The history of the 19th and 20th centuries shows us that concentrated propaganda and other mass mediated pressure upon a population can cause it to hate and to fight and to support a war against a people living far away, even on another continent, or can cause or foster hatred by a majority population toward a minority population living within its midst. Even so, the recent Israeli/Hamas conflict in Gaza vividly points to our dilemma, everywhere: When it comes to actual fighting, people fight with the people at home and nearby.

For a significant number of those who study the history of government, and the formation of systems of governance (something very distinct, by the way, from the social systems of organization and coherence found in band- and clan-based hunter-gatherer or horticultural societies), it is hard to escape the fact that the first governments amounted to little more than a minority subset of powerful, and therefore privileged, people running things for their own benefit---simply ruling that they might have the best things in life. Even under conditions of such 'primitive' governance (of a kind we must hasten to assure everyone we have nothing like now!), the extremes of social unrest---violent competition for resources---proves to be counterproductive. The peasants can't be tilling in the fields if they are allowed to go about bashing and stabbing each other with sticks. The advantages become apparent rather quickly, even for the most self-interested ruling cohort, of enforcing a measure of peace, if not too much peace, as long as there remains some out-group that can be blamed for misfortune.

Beyond this, and more from the point of view of those governed, rather than those who govern, ordinary people often need convincing, or collectively get into a social condition in which they need convincing, that the forces that bind and threaten their lives aren't their neighbors, and aren't even those 'different' people living in the next neighborhood, so that they are able to unite against what truly threatens their well being, e.g. the predators who would enrich themselves by exploiting the situation.

It is just this necessity to which Jesus is reported to have been speaking when he offered a solution in the exhortation to enact 'love' for one's neighbor as one 'loves' oneself [The word translated into English as 'love' from the Greek of the New Testament is agape---"an intentional response to promote well-being when responding to that which has generated ill-being" (Thomas Jay Oord, cited in the Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agape)]. It is this necessity which has authored again and again the many versions of "enlightened tit-for-tat" or the ethic of reciprocity, in the form of the golden rule...

"This is the sum of Dharma [duty]: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you". Mahabharata, 5:1517 "

Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31, King James Version.

"Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you" Analects 15:23

"Do for one who may do for you, that you may cause him thus to do." The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, 109 - 110, 1970 to 1640 BCE, Egypt

"None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths."

"A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated. "Sutrakritanga 1.11.33

"And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself." Epistle to the Son of the Wolf

"...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.", Leviticus 19:18

"Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself." Pima proverb.

"Be charitable to all beings, love is the representative of God." Ko-ji-ki Hachiman Kasuga

...and so on. [For a much longer list of versions of the Golden Rule, from which these were taken, go to http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc.htm .]

We don't need to be exhorted to breed, or to eat, or to defend our own offspring, or to form friendships, or to defend our friends, showing that which we already do, needs no urging. Unfortunately, another of the things we already do is to fall to fighting amongst ourselves. This happens all too easily, hence the necessity for having to state the obvious in the Golden Rule, namely, that which we do to others is likely to redound upon us in return.

This points to the necessity in the changes we face for thinking about and planning the sort of relocalization many of us alive today will begin to experience soon. Americans have for some time grown unused to, and unpracticed in, the art of living in a community, when 'community' is understood to be 'the people with which I must live', rather than, 'the people with whom, through the technology of easy travel and flashy electronics, I exclusively choose to associate'.

So.

If I 'ran the zoo', or more accurately, if I'd recently come into a measure of power, as has President Barack Obama, in my efforts to resist pressure from the status quo along the avenues that yet remained free for me to act, I would quietly and immediately form a long-standing relocalization working group---a Reconstitutional Convention for the Local---in which I would retain a strong personal interest. The group, or convention, would be composed of intelligent, imaginative and experienced people selected from mostly outside the business, government and corporate establishment. I would look for people with personal histories of local and community action and commitment. The group would be charged with discovering and creating specific executive policies and legislative initiatives to foster, protect and enhance the kind of relocalization we'd want, and to guard against the kind of relocalization we would not want. [Isn't this a part of what our nation's founders were about?]

Necessarily, the membership of such a group would have to be unbound by a narrowly defined religious, ethnic, educational or socio-economic background. So, in choosing the people asked to serve, choosing not to consult overmuch the mavens of the mainstream or the bigheads of ordinary politics, would be to choose wisely. The situation we face is not ordinary. Anticipatory, imaginative vision is called for, not the same things done in the same way over the past 64 years.

But us... we, out here... the folk, la gente, the people...

What do we need to do? That would be grist for another essay on another day.

To be an Obamacrat

2morrowKnight — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:50:24 EST

I was asked recently why I refer to myself as an “Obamacrat” when I’m a registered Democrat. And it’s a very good question. From 2000 to 2007, I was a registered independent. During that period, I continued voting for Democrats because I liked their agenda and issues, but I scoffed at the notion of belonging to a party. After all, “issue identification” has always been more important to me than “party affiliation”.

But President Obama really inspired me to change my party affiliation…and ultimately, to believe again. My belief in the concept of the politics of hope has always been strong, but now it's bigger than the boundaries of this planet we inhabit. It was just a matter of time before I knew the word Obamacrat fully applied to me. But it's more than a word, it's a bonafide movement.

Allow me to explain.

To be an Obamacrat is to acknowledge (not dismiss) the color-specific differences that make us unique, while also embracing the color-blind commonalities that bring us together. If you see it this way, then you’re happy that President Obama has assembled a rich, cosmopolitan group of smart people that will advance, improve, and transform lives while "visually reflecting" the diversity of America. In a country of shifting demographics, this is necessary. In fact, Obamacrats will be cheering loudly when President Obama names a Latino and an Asian American to The Supreme Court.

To be an Obamacrat is recognize that nothing, but nothing, trumps grass roots organizing. President Obama beat Hillary Clinton during the Democratic Primary season last year because of his simple community organizing philosophy: city-by-city; block-by-block; person-by-person. But he became the most popular person in the world when he grew his profile using the tools of The New Media: the MySpacing-YouTubing-Facebooking-texting-Twittering component. Obamacrats see this as the smartest way to market your message for a mass audience. And we appreciate how Barack Obama continues to use New Media tools to promote his presidential message.

Obamacrats crave diplomacy, you know, where our country talks to both its friends (like Great Britain and Israel) and its enemies (like North Korea and Iran). In a world that is more connected and inter-dependent than ever before, nations working together can reduce, if not obliterate, the child sex trade; female inequality; global warming; the AIDS epidemic; famine; and never-ending war.

Furthermore, Obamacrats also want a president who can bridge the cultural divide in this country, you know, someone with both BLUE STATE credentials and RED STATE credibility. Indeed, regardless of who voted for him on November 4th, President Obama now represents the evangelical farmer in Montana and the supply-side economist in Mississippi (who probably didn’t support him) as well as the small business owner in California and the union worker in Connecticut (who probably did).

To be an Obamacrat is to believe you can build something as majestic as The Great Pyramids or The Great Wall of China; to believe you can be as historic and life-affirming as P.B.S. Pinchback or Shirley Chisholm; or to believe that regardless of your cultural name (Gupta, Nguyen, Garcia, Omar or, Obama) you can be President of the United States. You know there are limits, but your strong, overpowering belief in the possibilities pushes you, and drives you.

Labeling myself an Obamacrat is a profoundly impressive honor that I take very seriously. I love the fact that President Obama is not only a great communicator, but also an intellectual stud. The Obama Family living in The White House, a building built by African-American slaves, is compelling. Truly earth shattering. But, even more compelling is the fact that slaves also dug foundations, hauled limestone, baked bricks, and cleared timber for The Capitol, where Obama was inaugurated, and for the massive area known as The National Mall, where 2 million people were packed in to witness his swearing in.

Like President Obama, we walk in the spirit of people who championed our rights, who spoke truth to power, and, who even envisioned this great moment in history. Let us all make the most of it.

To be an Obamacrat? Man, right now, nothing even compares to the feeling.

2morrowknight is an internet strategist and community organizer who blogs at 2morrowknight.blogspot.com, and is author of a forthcoming children's book. You can follow him at Twitter.com/2morrowknight and friend him at Myspace.com/2morrowknight.

Extremism: End Of Mankind

Sundarar NM — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:54:18 EST

Is there not a very important lesson to learn from the "Virginia Tech Shootout" of the United States when a single person shot dead thirty two inmates before committing suicide? Was that person a naxalite, a fundamentalist or a terrorist i.e., an extremist in any sense of that term? He was just one of those outcasts who were deprived of interactions with the main stream.

There are socially, politically and economically deprived sections of people in every country. These deprived sections are the breeding grounds for such outcasts. Knowledgeable youngsters amongst the deprived revolt to get their rightful positions in the society. They are suppressed and humiliated by the wealthy dominating neighbors. The rulers, having no concern for their plight, put these revolts down with a heavy hand. Disgusted and demoralized by their woeful environment they leave their birth places and become outcasts.

It is these outcasts who eventually become the building blocks for extremism of every kind on this earth. As birds of same feather flock together outcasts with typical deprivations come together. They are spotted and picked up by established groups and taken to their training centers. They are well received and made to feel at home by the seniors. They instantly become loyal cadres of these groups. By the time they complete their training they are impregnated with a missionary zeal and passion.

They vow to wipeout the establishment and bring in a system which guarantees an equitable status for all. They are ready to undergo any ordeal to make that change happen. Their own dear life seems insignificant and trivial compared to what they would achieve. Their belief that by dying in a battle against hypocritical rulers they attain martyrdom is unshakable.

The rulers have always been busy with more serious confrontations between themselves. Their budgetary allocations are inevitably increasing by leaps and bounds for defense. Their continued apathy and insensitive approach towards the problems of the deprived is resulting in a steady increase of outcasts year after year. The supply lines of human resource for every kind of extremism are thus getting stronger day by day. There can be no denial of the fact that if the present rate of birth of outcasts is allowed to continue for a few more years extremism would gain the potential to bring about the most disastrous terminal wars on earth.

A diametrically opposite approach and hence a mindset towards the deprived sections has to come about urgently. For this change to be effective and lasting it has to emerge from the very top, And there it is required to have the most passionate heart which is inclusive of every single human being born on this earth. Hence the Heads of Nations, forgetting all their mutual misunderstandings and joining hands, possibly under the auspices of the United Nations Organization, should come forward and examine the new scheme spelled herein which would certainly reverse the trend of extremism.

"Each member country volunteers a 10% cut in defense expense and to address the fund so generated to the cause of the deprived. Deprived sections and the kinds of deprivation they suffer are identified in each country. Actions are taken at the highest level to fulfill their needs and aspirations. The progress is reviewed every six months. Resources and expertise are pooled and re-allocated to ensure an equitable level of implementation of the scheme across the countries."

A few years of implementation of this scheme would see that there are no more deprived sections anywhere, no outcasts are born and that extremism as a culture has just vanished.

Instead, treating them as born enemies and spending enormous resources to fight them with more lethal and destructive weapons will result in heavier losses of innocent lives on one hand and an increasing number of cadres becoming hardcore on the other. There will be a steady increase in the spread, frequency, intensity and sophistication of violent outbursts. The life of common man everywhere will become a nightmare. The citizens will press the governments for more stringent proactive actions against the extremists. The governments would become impatient and revengeful.

The Governments naturally feel that they have an upper hand in their battle against extremists and that they would ultimately win. They would be proved wrong on two counts. The extremists' spirit of self sacrifice and the unpredictability of their operations can never be matched by the conventional armies and their methods. The Governments' expansive forces and access to unlimited resources will be of little use under tricky situations. The entry of highly intelligent minds into extremism is now an accepted reality. The chances that this intelligentsia with the daredevil spirit of the hardcore would one day sneak and penetrate into one of those massive stockpiles of warfare and turn the table cannot be ruled out.

In the end, the extremists turned desperados and the rulers turned bravos will fight the most furious uncontrolled wars ever fought on earth, both sides having free access to all kinds of mass destructive weapons. Mankind would get caught in the crossfire and see its last days. The earth would get scorched beyond recognition.

Extremism is extreme violence due to extreme disgust. It cannot be met with another form of violence. Such blind reactions would only spiral the intensity of violence. The only way is to bring down the disgust by attending to the causes of disgust and to dissolve it with compassion and understanding. Where there is no disgust extremism has no place.

No single person, a group, a nation, an ideology, a religion or a race can be identified as responsible for the chaos in which the world now finds itself. It is all of us, every human being - of course not any other creature - is responsible. More powerful one is more responsibility lies on him. More powerful a nation is more responsibility lies on that nation. Hence there is no doubt that the highest- nay the total- responsibility lies on the shoulders of the Heads of powerful nations. They have failed to lead the rest in the proper direction. Now it is they who have got to take the lead in seeing the world in a new light.

Man became unkind and aggressive when he started dividing the otherwise peaceful society on the basis of religion, race and ideology. Though every one of them did come up with laudable intentions of making the man kind and helpful the divisions by themselves created mistrust, intolerance and antagonism. These disintegrating thoughts carried on for hundreds of years through innumerable generations have made the minds of the present man severely conditioned. All his present actions are only reactions of this conditioned mind to the events around him. There is no original, meaningful, trend changing action evolving out of him. With the kind of fragmented, conditioned mind he is unable to solve complex problems related to the total mankind. His actions are only getting retaliated by others with more furious reactions leading to the inevitable end of his existence on earth.

Can man come out of his conditioning and act? Yes, only when he becomes aware of his conditioning. No one can help him to become aware. If he, as he performs his task can constantly observe his feelings with total attention and without any judgements over them he would become aware of his conditioning. The disintegrating thoughts understand and end themselves. Thus all his past falls off. His mind becomes innocent and fresh as just born. He finds love. He does not distinguish between man and man. He sees all as himself - oneself. For him the whole existence is that single self getting presently shattered into pieces due to hatred. With his newly found love he re-establishes peace on this earth.

It is time that the Heads of powerful Nations taking full cognition of their obligations towards the global peace strongly observe, advocate the principle of peaceful co-existence. As the first step they should take the lead and bring all the Heads of Nations without exception for a frank discussion on this scheme.

When the Heads of Nations collectively become aware of their conditioned minds their passionate look at the impending collapse of the mankind would evolve a fresh set of activities bringing an end to the sufferings of the depressed, thus bringing an end to extremism.

Update from 2-8-09 Colville for Change Meeting

Colville for Change — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:25:29 EST

Colville for Change met on February 8, 2009 to discuss ways our group could help bring needed change to Colville and Stevens County. After a bit of brainstorming and discussion, we agreeded to initially focus our energies in the areas of transportation and alternative energy.

Stevens County has one of the highest (if not the highest) unemployment rates in the State of Washington. Besides a lack of good jobs, there is also an issue with transporation in getting to a job site. Some in our group are going to contact STA to investigate what barriers there are to bringing busses from Spokane to Colville, or even to Kettle Falls. We are going to investigate any possible grants there might be for bringing in transportation that operates and runs off of alternative energy.

We will be contacting our state representatives for more information on what Stevens County can hope for from the stimulus bill.

Some in the group are going to investigate what Avista is doing, and plans to do, to help bring more affordable energy into our community. We also want to investigae ways to bring alternative energy jobs to Stevens County, possibly wind power, biodiesel, etc.

Come join us and help us grow a greener, more economically sound, Colville, WA!

Before Affirmative Action

Ivan from Christiansted, VI — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:57:21 EST

I can remember growing up in the 50’s, when our communities were more self-sufficient. To me, Affirmative Action divided and destroyed what semblance of togetherness we had as a people. Affirmative Action was designed to Window Dress, creating a crabs in the barrel black society.

Affirmative Action is kinda like the Pyramid schemes. Most of those educated and skilled, who understood the scam, took advantage of the opportunity. They were the ones, who were serving as role models, that began moving on up and out of the neighborhoods.

When Malcolm talked of self-sufficiency, he was accused of separatism. The reality is that within the 50 states we are many nations in one nation. During this presidential campaign it was made clear that family and social values were paramount in connecting with candidates. We African Americans are a family and it is time that we begin working toward our own families’ interests. “Charity begins at home”, is not separatism nor selfishness. The neglecting of ourselves and relying on others to provide for us, nurtures that negative perception other families have of our community.

Until we as a people take ownership of our own financial, political and social destiny we will be seen as not deserving of others’ respect. Today it is not a whole lot about fighting for our rights: it is more of how we should exercise our rights. For one, making sure that we are being treated fairly with the allocation of government contracts, loans, grants, scholarships, etc. and with the contracting of capital improvement projects. With a unified voice some of these infrastructure projects will be developed and buil[t]d by us in our communities.

This new world market, which can only expand, provides opportunities that abound; we have family and in-laws around the world, and when the companies and industries begin finding that potential clients and customers are looking to patronize businesses that are more reflective of their family members, those qualified will be in high demand and will be represented from the top executives to the receptionist.

Those of us who are more fortunate should become entrepreneurs in revitalizing our communities. We as a family need to get out of debt and pool our resources, and make our children, our elders and the legacy of our Ancestors, Proud!

Ivan Butcher II

We Have To Do Better!

Ivan from Christiansted, VI — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:52:06 EST

As a retired vocational art educator from the V.I. Dept. of Education, St. Croix, I am still trying to have an impact on the vocational curriculum.

The message, I would like to leave is most of the petty and the felony crimes that are committed in our society can be prevented. Today’s educational system is out dated and under funded. We graduate thousands every year and the thousands of dropouts, are sent out into our communities with a certificate / diploma. Some barely able to fill out an application for a job . It leaves and puts a lot of them in a survival mode. Malchom X said, by any means necessary. The youth refer to the crimes committed in the community as, “Street Tax”. All are not college material. To send our children out into society without a viable trade or a marketable skill, we are breeding generations of beggars, criminals, thieves and welfare recipients. No child should leave school without a trade. Those college students with a trade could easily supplement their education without going into deep student loan debt.

The Arts can be the educational catalyst to Change!

Ivan Butcher II

Who is Listening Out There? How many are still involved?

Steve Sulkin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:17:55 EST

As I hear the wind taken out of the sails of our President, as I see people recede back into their homes and away from the civic involvement that was the true phenomenon of the election, i get more energized to cause this video that I produced and the six words, "Yes We Can (Change our Destiny)" to become the catalyst that keeps hope alive and to become the administration's and America's new rallying cry.

Please help me forward this video to everyone you know. If you haven't watched it, it's truly inspiring.

Now that the inaugural is over, hopefully it will become more apparent that I wish nothing, but to help inspire our world. My motive is simply altruism. But I find it hard to give away my video's master tapes to the world as everyone thinks I'm trying to gain something. This is simply not the facts.

I do this because I know that if millions simply listen and watch this video, only 5 minutes of their time, it will energize them to stay involved.

Someone out there must know some in the administration, a famous star of "Oprah" size who can truly get this video out there.

Videos of elephants mating or other sillyness on YouTube must not be our legacy of involvement. Let's make this video and our involvement be the big story out there.

Thanks for your help.

Watch the video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4srDYEPoqo

Become a Local Government Liaison

Kristin from West New York, NJ — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:16:44 EST

Want to see real change for your neighborhood and town? Become a liaison. It's easy.
I happen to live in a neighborhood that is separated demographically by affluence and geographically by a cliff from the rest of our town. There has been a history of corrupt leadership in the town and a general distrust has developed between the two areas. But in this economy, both sections of the town could benefit from interaction. Being a socially-conscious marketing professional, I felt I needed to step up to the plate.
First, I started a <a target="_blank" title="Career Book Club" href="http://www.squidoo.com/careerbookclub">Career Book Club</a> with an open door policy, and established connections with my local library system for book access. The following week, I attended a town hall meeting, and shared the club idea with the Mayor and Council, who arranged for free space in a central location for my club to meet. The council then invited me to join an event-planning committee.
Next, I attended my home owners association meeting, and provided news to the association about what I'd learned at town hall. A couple of the committee members had never been to a town hall meeting, and asked if they could come with me for an introduction to the council.
During this meeting, the property manager asked me for guidance in developing the neighborhood website. The council began to discuss the pros and cons of joint projects between the town and the neighborhood: such as adding features to a nearby park and the cross-promotion of services that the neighborhood desired (such as daycare, housekeeping and dry cleaning) or could provide (like tutoring, personal training, accounting, and legal advice.)
After the meeting, everyone commented on how novel the meeting was...talking about new issues and solutions.
Wheels are turning here...stay tuned. Next Steps: School Council and PTA
Have a similar story? Please post a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kristinreign.com/2009/02/09/become-a-liaison-between-local-associations/#respond">comment</a>!

No One Said Change Would be Pretty

SJ Brown — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:13:36 EST

Our Congress and Press are stuck in disbelief and we need to wake them up to the reality of Change. Change necessarily breaks things and, in the case of President Obama, it shattered the status quo. Conventional wisdom is waiting on President Obama to conform to the political reality that while "we the people" got him in office, "we the powerful and wealthy" really run the country. In fact, they are trying to nudge him into getting back to business as usual. I remember I tried to write a poem, like many, to express the Change movement and I couldn't find an ending:

I. Change Ignited

Change ignited knows few rules;

Invites the sparks to flame.

Change ignited purples the blues,

Transforms reds to confused hues.

Change ignited burns untamed

Fueled by hope and tenacity

Change ignited a healing flame,

Burns with unfamiliar name.

Maybe I was like so many are today, without clarity on what Change would look like. It ceratinly burns with unfamiliar name. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, HR.1 sounded familiar until you read it. Wow. I'm actually impressed that it will provide an investment in the America that voted for President Obama. Imagine that. Nothing is trickling down this time.

It will go to rural areas, Native American communities, all states, and invest in our communities.
It will underpin our safety net by adding to the Food Stamps Program and unemployment programs.
It is smart because it focuses funding on our future--children, technology, and energy.
It takes care of infrastructure that has been neglected for far too long. Infrastructure that supports our military, upgrades our energy delivery systems, ensures safe drinking water, and upgrades our government buildings.
It will assist communities to upgrade education-related infrastructures. I don't quite understand the PELL grant investment.
Highways, housing assistance, and transportation--all good.
Funding for a state stabilization fund. Now that is promising.
It will pay a larger percentage of programs like Medicaid. That is important because it takes some of the burden off of states. That frees funding in state budgets and allows them to pay its employees, like first responders.
There are a number of tax credits for businesses, individuals, and to states. I'm not sure how that works.
Health insurance for unemployed workers is expanded.
Then there is Health IT investment with the idea that it will reduce overall health care costs overtime. I hope they keep their eye on that on.

I'm sure I missed something but overall I think they did a good job. The needs of communities and states vary and HR.1 attempts to affect Americans across the board. We need to stand firm on change. We need to email our representatives and let them know that this time we are standing with the Obama Administration. We are standing with our governors and mayors. We are blue and red states. We are north and south and east and west. We are change and we are ready to break the hold of conventional wisdom. We do not need the John McCain, "the economy is fundamentally sound", rewind of old think. We need to take action to stop the loss of jobs and begin an reinvestment in our America. HR.1 is the first step.

Service and Unity in the Community: Get Involved!

2morrowKnight — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:53:12 EST

As we look ahead, let's all make “connecting, advancing, improving and uplifting the community” one of your top resolutions of 2009. Let’s harness the amazing energy we created to elect the amazing Barack Obama into something amazing for future generations. I believe we are about to witness a period of innovative and unprecedented civic engagement. And why do I believe that?

Because Barack Obama is about to expand existing service programs like Peace Corps and AmeriCorps and put in place new service organizations to confront the ever-evolving needs of this country. According to Obama’s CHANGE.GOV site, this includes the creation of “a Classroom Corps to help underserved schools; a Health Corps to serve in the nation's clinics and hospitals; a Clean Energy Corps to achieve the goal of energy independence; and a Veterans Corps to support the Americans who serve by standing in harm's way.”

This is awesome! Not only is Obama asking all middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of community service a year, but he is going to reward college students who engage in 100 hours of community service a year to receive a fully-refundable tax credit of $4,000 for their education. Yes, Obama is going to make community service a truly desirous component of our national culture.

So encourage your family members, friends, neighbors, and co workers, to participate in some form of service. Before Obama gets started, however, there's a lot we can all do now. You can go to VolunteerMatch.org, which is incredibly effective in matching you to the area you’re passionate about. Or, you can fund classroom projects through DonorsChoose.org, or provide micro-finance loans to entrepreneurs through Kiva.org.

Every year since the age of 9, I’ve found some way to have a positive and measurable impact on my community. I’ve volunteered to hold the infants of drug-addicted parents for area hospitals and given food to homeless families living under freeways. Throughout the year, I go around the community to collect old clothes from my neighbors – clothes to be donated to The Salvation Army and area homeless shelters. And, I also build houses with HABITAT for HUMANITY. So the work one can do is truly endless. I love it!

Right now, the organization Global Green is building home in the area of New Orleans most devestated by Hurricane Katrina - The Lower 9th Ward. These new homes will be more energy efficient for the low income residents set to reside in them.

In this “Age of Obama”, the idea of service will take on something new, something awesome.
We must make a loud declaration of love and community. Word warrior Howard Thurman says it best in his book The Centering Moment:

We must remember those who are close to us by ties of blood and accommodation, whose needs have been exposed to us in the days that are behind; those who are sick and who are moving slowly into a terminal dimension of their illness; those who have fallen upon hard and difficult times, from whose hands have been snatched those symbols of security by which the tranquility of their lives have been measured; those who are dependent upon us for things which we cannot give and we do not know how to say we cannot give them. We remember those men and those women whose private lives are burdened by the responsibilities of others and who find, because of the problems which surround them, that their private lives are inadequate and they are lonely and frightened and dismayed. We remember all those who stand within the shadow of the radiance that belongs to the healthy mind and the vigorous spirit; those who are wrestling with
inner tortures that pull the world out of balance, who find themselves retreating more deeply within in the hope that in the iron-bound security of their inmost privacy they may be
protected from the things that overwhelm and prove unmanageable.

As Thurman's moving passage suggests, we all have a solemn duty to lift each other up. And that means not just being nice to each other. That's not enough. To transform our lives and the lives around us, we must also be thoughtful! Let’s make it happen…and make 2009 the best year yet!

Change is needed!

Unknown user — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:08:08 EST

Hi,

First of all my congrates to Mr. Barack Obama who became the President of US!

As per the situation of the world today, its becoming worst due to increased growth of terrorism and their attacks on different areas of the world...

I, as an Indian, appreciate US President, Barack Obama, who also wants change and who is really serious & taking actions against terrorism and trying to distroy the roots of them.

Like our legend leader, Mahatma Gandhi, we also want only Peace in the world...

I salute to those who died fighting with the terrorists and who gave their valuable lives for their country...

At last my message to the world would be to stop Terrorism and live Peaceful life!

Regards,

Manish, India

Time to move is NOw, not later

Jason — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:51:39 EST

As I write this, the new data is being released on unempoyment reching 7.6%. That number is to easy to direagrd, let's talk PEOPLE ....598,000 of us lost jobs in January alone. 598,00 mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers are now without jobs while the congress talks about stimulous. this is a shameful turn. Isn't it time for the organizers and workers that elected the President to get on to the work of recalling obstructionist congressmen and senators? Each community needs to look at how their congressman votes (or doesn't) and decide if they need to be eliminated in an effort to get things rolling. It would take a few days for this orgraization to get reall petitions filed on every senator and congressman standing in the way of change, that will cause a amjor shift in thinking on "the hill". If they do not immidiately get on the bus, then we need to complete the task of removing them and replacing them with people dedicated to our interests.

How many more kids will come home to a parent crying? How many more people will look desperately for help and find none available? This is the time to change.

And So The Change Begins!

Priscilla from Eden, GA — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:28:23 EST

I am so happy that you were elected as my president. In course of two weeks of your presidency you have managed to change our country for the better more than any other president since Kennedy. Thank you, you are on the right track. Friends in Georgia always behind you

YOUR Two Cents... For some "Change"

AbsoluTILLY — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:08:09 EST

Hello everyone,

I'm a Canadian and though this website may not really be my 'rightful place', I nonetheless very much appreciate the fact you (and myself) are herewith abled to voice our opinions and ideas in this format - How incredibly refreshing!! How genial! A collection of ideas!! A massive Brainstorm! I love it, I absolutely do! I find this brilliant!

I just wanted to voice my thoughts about a few things your fine new President uttered, during his inauguration, last January (2009)...

President Obama spoke of Change, encouraging ALL to participate, to bring forth their bravest ideas... I just wanted to add the following words to his brilliant speech:

One doesn't have to be Mother Theresa or a millionnaire or necessarily anyone in power in order to participate to actual Change.

In a sense, Change is very much like a raging forest fire, where all that is required to start an unstoppable and quite contagious fever is but a single spark!

EACH OF YOU has this power to ignite, to enrapture, to actually be at the very beginning of an enormous - and long-overdue - movement!

Take your pick! What would YOU like to see change in YOUR world?

Make a list!

Seriously, make one and just post THAT somewhere here and wait for someone to come up with an idea, if you don't currently have one!

In doing so, YOU could be that very Spark! The one that ignites a passionate and quite determined fire, so to speak.

You could be the initiator, the Pioneer (and this, without even having tried to do anything at all), of some radical and way overdue change in our world.

Though I would prefer you add your ideas here, where your Fantastic Leader will be able to see these, I would also much appreciate it if you could also come on over to my Facebook page (Here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=546186670&ref=name#/group.php?gid=11023222663) and copy your ideas there as well, be it only to fuel others into doing the same there, as well for, the USA is not the ONLY country requiring Change...

We could ALL, globally, come to benefit from American ideas and ideals.

Awaiting your valuable Input and with warm regards, I leave you with the 4 L's:

Life, Light, Laughter and Love

xox

AbsoluTILLY

Train Ride To Hope (An Inauguration Day Poem)

Sistah Joy — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:42:41 EST

A 7:30 A.M. train ride
Inaugurated by a commemorative fare card
Bearing the likeness of a man
Who believed in hope and change
Maybe the time had come
For a nation whose yesterday
Spurned right at its own peril
A nation that, despite dreams and visions
Proclaimed before broad witness in light of day
Rejected truth 'til civil disarray
Dictated that only change could counter catastrophe
Perhaps this would be the train ride
To usher that nation
To the dawn of a new day

A sea of humanity
Like ants, satellite images would depict dots
Blurred into huddles to become muddled masses
I was proud to be one of the millions
Knowing I had neither ticket nor hope of
Seeing anything more than jumbotrons
I trudged on
Under the 3rd Street tunnel
Loosing, early in the day, Beverly and Jayne,
My comrades in arms
But I moved on
This is my hometown, I know this place
Placing phone calls of reassurance
When intermittent phone service allowed
I pressed on
Moving from one undesignated
Vantage point to another
Both the Blue Gate and the Silver Capital viewing area
Were inaccessible
But how could they close The Mall
The entire Mall?

But my guardian angels were on it!
Like the pride, yearning and desperate belief
Of all who withstood the frigid cold
Even the batteries of Chicky’s hand-held
Neon orange radio knew not to fade
Sylvia’s ungloved hand must have been frozen
As she held the small prize just above our heads
Standing behind me Jasmine asked if I could
Move just a bit to the side
So she too could hear
We each prayed for a clear signal
Sylvia said a glove would restrict digital dexterity
As she deftly rotated the dial with precision
Not chancing to miss a single word
That would mark this moment in history
So it was to be
This anointed neon orange electronic device
Clearly appointed by Divine providence
To appear next to me
Whether held in Sylvia’s hand or God’s
Did the job of unseen jumbotrons

The four of us fellowshipped and communed
We were from DC, Colorado and Texas
Sisters of different generations and races
Silently sharing tears as Aretha sang
Sharing hugs and hopes as we listened
To introductions, oaths and speeches
Believing the words we heard
On a small radio would take us
Beyond Metro stops,
Malls and trains
Knowing that on this day
Hope had transported a people
To a place where they believed
That the time for change had come

pay your taxes

Paul from Holly Springs, NC — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:42:43 EST

He we go again, I voted for, campaigned for and donated to the Obama Biden ticket and already we are betrayed. Same old cronyism as before. If you dont know how to pay your taxes you should not be nominted for the highest posts in America. "The Change We Need" is to hirer the best and brightest people that do not break rules for there own personal profit. It is a disgrace that Tom Daschle and Timothy Geithner are even being considered they should both decline and if they dont then the nomination should be withdrawn. They already approved Holder I dont think you could suck the wind out of a opptimist any quicker than the actions of the last several days. Please call your Congressman today before it is too late! http://www.house.gov/zip/ZIP2Rep.html

Homeless, Due To A Conspiracy To Violate Civil Rights, Obstruct Justice And Harass

VERNON BALMER JR. — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:28:35 EST

I am submitting this to various individuals, agencies, and institutions, in hopes that it will get to someone that can and will do something to bring justice to this matter.

Overpopulation

Zach from Omaha, NE — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:11:59 EST

Here is a copy of a response I posted to another blog discussing overpopulation.

Overpopulation is the biggest problem facing the world today. And I am deeply concerned that very few people seem to realize that this is such a huge problem. Today, there are about 200,000 more people on Earth than there were yesterday. 200,000 net gain, counting births and deaths. It took until about 1800 for the world human population to reach one billion. 123 years later, In 1927, it reached 2 billion. 47 years later, in 1974, we got up to 4 billion. In 1999, 25 years later, the population was at 6 billion. Our population is exploding at a ridiculous rate, and it all comes down to food. From what I have read, almost of the people who recognized this problem think it can be solved with some sort of birth control. This, I think, is very unreasonable as birth control could, at its best, be only a slight delay to our population's seemingly inexorable climb. Population is directly related to food availability. Few people would argue this point when talking about any animal species but we seem to think of humans as excluded from that category. After all, we must be vastly superior to any animal, we're the ones who rule the world. But we're also the ones who are systematically destroying the world, killing anything that gets in our way of complete domination of our environment. This way of life started around 10,000 years ago, with the start of the agricultural revolution. The problem of overpopulation was pretty much inevitable when we took control of our food supply, allowing us to outgrow the restrictions of our environment. Soon, tribes were wiped out and replaced by cities. Today, more than 30% of the world's land is being used to grow crops or raise cattle! There is almost no more room to grow food. But every year we increase our food supply and every year our population grows. By 2050 we are projected to have at least 9 billion people on Earth. It is very unlikely that the planet can support that much biomass as 1 species is already dying each day to support our growth. Im running out of room to type so I will just say this: if the food supply stops growing so will the population. I encourage anyone who reads this to do your own research and specifically, look up Daniel Quinn.

Daschel Car and Driver, Taxes and Change

rwordplay — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:35:51 EST

This isn't about taxes, it's about ethics. It's about encouraging or discouraging, deceptions large and small. What makes me increasingly angry is that the Daschel's advocates are rushing to defend what's truly indefensible. Read today's TIMES http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/us/politics/01daschle.html?hp and pay close attention to Schmer's comment. “We wish this didn’t happen,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat who is on the Finance Committee, “but he’s chosen such quality people that nobody minds taking a bit of an extra step to help get them in.” Senator Schumer has suddenly become very understanding but then he couldn't condemn Daschel without also condemning Rangel's curious management of his real estate or Rahm Emanuel's handsome earning servicing Bruce Wasserstein. Daschel is no Albert Einstein or even an Albert Schweitzer. I'm sure we have someone of equal "quality," but with considerable higher ethical values.

I'm expecting Obama to step in and start inquiring and shut down this revolving pay-to-play door, that open to all Democrats and Republicans who see public service as a means to make their fortune.

the election has won but now the real works begin

Unknown user — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:57:22 EST

First my really heartly congratulations goes to Barack Obama, his family and his hole team. the campagne was a big success, so the election only could be a success, and it was. but now there are coming hard times to the new team of the whitehouse, there are many things to do and Barack Obama has now easy start and for sure no easy job. anyway i think he will make it and the "changes" come true. my best wishes & good luck.

Pay the Bill and Keep the CHANGE

Mark Wiznitzer — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:17:11 EST

Let’s be honest. We didn’t really expect Congress to come up with a "bold" stimulus plan, did we? But do we agree that NO action will only aggravate our current crisis?

The GOP surprised us when it failed to respond more constructively to the bipartisan overture from Barack Obama. I personally witnessed the precedent-setting bipartisan dinner for his defeated opponent (my photo of the President-elect at the dinner honoring McCain, January 19) and noted the subsequent meetings with Congressional Republicans. And what did we get in the way of proposals from the loyal opposition? More of the dogma-driven, supply-side ideology that contributed to our current mess: tax cuts!

On the other hand, GOP critics have a point: the bill that passed the House and was embraced by Obama essentially is an accumulation of favorite Democratic spending proposals.

What is missing is CHANGE. The CHANGE Obama advocated in his campaign for the Presidency. The CHANGE that won him a resounding mandate to govern for four years. The CHANGE from policies that have worked to benefit few and imperil many. Where are the first steps toward affordable health care, a sustainable green economy and alternative energy? And why are we not moving boldly to address the systemic failures that underlie the current crisis in credit markets?

Obama asked for ideas. And Paul Krugman and Robert Reich, among others, obliged. But what these brilliant men offer is predictable: rationales for orthodox Keynesian solutions and concern about labor market distortions, respectively. More is needed, not just in additional spending, but in fresh ideas that advance the President's policy agenda. So, if suggestions are still welcomed, here is my two-cents worth. And please do keep the CHANGE.

Health Care

Obama has promised the nation affordable health care similar to his own Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), to be available to all by the end of his first term. There is no need to back off this goal. Health care is one of the largest drags on our economy and the stimulus bill provides a real opportunity to begin managing its cost. In addition to the bill’s provisions to help state governments fund Medicare and work projects, I suggest that the federal government reimburse all state and local governments for their employer's share of health care for the rest of this year. In exchange, recipients may not fire government workers and must commit to integrating their health care plans with the existing FEHBP starting in 2010. That provides additional and immediate financial assistance to state and local governments, while paving the way for the establishment of a Public Employees Health Benefits Program. By January 2010, the federal government’s negotiated health care program would expand its base and economies of scale. The next step will be to apply the system to businesses, and subsequently to capture the un- and under-insured.

Energy Independence

Most honest leaders recognize that in due course government will have to produce the substantial additional revenue to pay for the stimulus. But good luck finding a politician willing to propose increasing taxes of any kind. So let me suggest instead a hefty tariff on imported oil to fund the “green economy.” A tariff of 50 percent or more on the landed cost of all imported energy (probably with some form of accommodation for our NAFTA partners) can be justified because of national security as well as the external costs to our environment inherent in the use of fossil fuels. And such a levy would promote conservation, subsidize domestic production, and help to fund and protect our investments in alternative energy. This is a measure that should be welcomed by Republicans who advocate "drill, baby, drill” as well as environmentalists interested in promoting clean energy. The windfall earned by American producers could be invested domestically or taxed as profits. And while there may be a marginal increase of fuel cost at the pump, it will pale in comparison with the amounts we forked over to foreign potentates rather than our own Treasury these past few years, when oil was effectively 200% greater than its current price.

Reestablish a ‘Risk-Free’ Investment Benchmark

Explanations for our current credit crisis and financial market meltdown abound, including the Washington Post's excellent series. But absent from all the expert analyses is any mention of the Treasury Department's October 2001 decision to discontinue issuing 30-year Bonds. That decision, on the heels of 9/11 and the cusp of Bush's costly war on terror, both lowered mortgage yields and prompted increased sales of bundled mortgages marketed as alternative 'risk-free' instruments, which in turn fueled the housing bubble and distorted both government and corporate credit point spreads. Treasury Bond auctions have resumed, but a clear provision to finance America’s recovery through borrowing would repair yield spreads – both between short and long term sovereign debt and in relation to all other debt instruments. Transparent budget financing will help re-establish more realistic risk pricing and global confidence in the US economy. But the 30-year Bond will not regain its position as a benchmark for 'risk-free' long-term investment if Fed meddling in the market, as it proposes to do with its planned purchase of Treasuries from troubled banks. In fact, this central-bankers-gone-wild approach will only create a greater Treasury bubble that will seriously aggravate our problems. Once markets are allowed to properly price the cost and risk of our recovery without Fed manipulation, global confidence in the US economy has a chance to be recover.

So Pay the Bill, and Keep the CHANGE

Barack Obama attended his last inaugural event, the Staff Ball, at the DC Armory on January 21. But he arrived after a performance by the opening act, Arcade Fire. So here are some insightful lysircs from their “Intervention”:

You say it's money that we need
As if we're only mouths to feed
I know no matter what you say
There are some debts you'll never pay

The message is relevant to the stimulus bill now before Congress.

We can act responsibly and cautiously if we:

Pay the Bill and Keep the CHANGE.

Mail Delivery

FaFa from Englewood, CO — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:51:25 EST

Listening to tonight's news about changing mail delivery from 6 days to 5 days in order to save money, I would actually be in favor of only receiving mail 4 days a week.

Most of the mail I receive is JUNK mail that I immediately dump into the trash can or carry home later to ultimately meet its demise in my shredder. What a waste of paper and our natural resources.

It's time to change the way we do things! We need to take into consideration the ultimate cost of our actions, not just a quick buck in our pockets. The current economy shows us that the greed of corporate executives has corrupted our system and brought down the strength of our country and probably wide-ranging effects in this world.

The changes that we need to make can start with small steps! One of those steps can be only receiving mail 4 days a week. What would be saved if we did that? How many of those companies could send an email or electronic correspondance and save us all a huge expense? Let's move into the future instead of holding on to the past!!

Change your mind, change your choices, move forward with hope instead of fear and watch the amazing results!!!

BEST OBAMA SONG EVER-Change Is On The Way

Jason from Pittsburgh, PA — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:17:22 EST

This is my way of congratulating our new President, his staff, First Family, and our nation. Please watch, enjoy, and leave comments if you wish. click or paste this link to watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWsXbXTQHj4&fmt=18

Witness to History 1\20\2009

Emilie — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:47:43 EST

I witnessed history....

And if i could put it in to words it would help. The mood in the air was one of hope and safety, in a crowd of almost 4 million I felt safe, I felt like we were a family. Everyone came together to support President Obama and Vice President Biden and I can honestly say yes it did bring tears to my eyes you may see that as funny but its beautiful to see all these people striving for the same thing in the same place is amazing and it is something that i would never change for the world. There was a point where a little girl got lost and everyone in the area i was in was yelling her name to find her, seeing and hearing and being part of thousands of strangers coming together to help a mother many of us didnt know was one thing that amazed me. Looking back at this opportunity I have had I am greatful and proud at the desicion that my country made in choosing its leader.I walked 5-7 miles through D.C and let me tell you it was more than worth it. As a teen who is unable to vote, many people look at my intrest in politics as funny or ironic. Yet, this year i got envolved in the election seeing my country get to the point it is in now I felt I had no choice than be involved. Being at the Inauguration of our 44th President and seeing that I was not alone in feeling the need for change and knowing that it was finally possible brought me hope for my generation, the ones before me and the generations to come. It's time for change, and change has come. YES WE CAN!

A appeal,a request to the US presidant Barak Obama,Please Restore our innocent Brother Canadian Prisoner Khalid Awan who is facing a special modified,false,fabricated case in us since 9/11.

Arifmuhammad — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:24:54 EST

The U.S. terror war as seen through the eyes of a prisoner

When we first began corresponding with Khalid Awan in 2007, we had no idea why he was serving time in U.S. federal prison. We soon discovered Awan was one of the first of thousands of Muslims taken prisoner in the post-9/11 U.S. "terror war." As the story began unfolding in our letters, we began to realize that this honest, humble and sincere man was not only innocent, but the ongoing injustice being done to him provides critical insight into the mindless, meanspirited, bureaucratic-yes-men idiocy fueling the illegal U.S. "war on terror" (and just about everything else that is going wrong in this country). At our insistence, Awan wrote his story and supplied us with whatever documents we requested. And now, after three months of cooperative efforts, the story of Khalid Awan can be told. We have come to know Awan as a peaceful man engaged in peaceful work who has been wrongfully accused, detained and repeatedly convicted of crimes he did not commit because he was a Muslim with international connections and an office in New York on 9/11. We present this to you in faith that you will realize a deeper understanding of the levels of complicity necessary for the "land of the free" to tolerate the phony war on terror year after year and in hope that Awan—and all the other million or more political prisoners being held by this country—will one day be reunited with their families.
By Khalid Awan

My name is Khalid Qayyam Awan. My rights have been eroded in the name of "national security." Since I am a Muslim, my story has been written, produced, directed, choreographed and staged by U.S. government officials.

The Department of Justice and the FBI have been under pressure by the Bush administration to find "terrorists" in this country and to preemptively convict them before they can strike at the U.S. Although there is good evidence that there are few, if any, potential terrorists in the Muslim communities of the United States, U.S. attorneys who are not able to find any real "terrorists," target, prosecute and convict innocent Muslims on phony or inflated criminal charges to show they are politically "loyal to the president," and to avoid being fired for political reasons, as recent news revelations strongly suggest. These prosecutions have destroyed families in a country that is renowned for its human rights activities around the world.

Background

I am a 46-year old Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan. Throughout my life I studied in Catholic Christian schools and read the Bible every morning. I received my Masters Degree in Political Science at the University of Karachi in Pakistan and I am one of the founding members of the Pakistan Human Rights Commission. As a result of my belief in humanity and equality, I moved to Canada in 1993, becoming a Canadian citizen in 1996. In Canada I worked as an immigration consultant and was a member of the Canadian Bar Association. As part of my business, I also had an office in New York, which is where I was on Sept 11, 2001.

October 2001

On October 25, 2001, U.S. government agents entered my house in Garden City, NY, without knocking and yelled at me to drop everything or they would shoot me. They forced me to lie on the ground while they handcuffed me and placed me under arrest.

They claimed they had received an anonymous tip that I was a material witness for the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attack. After my arrest, I was taken in front of New York Judge Michael Mukasey (current U.S. attorney general known for his Israeli sympathies). After a detailed investigation by the FBI and U.S. Naval Intelligence, I was put in front of a Grand Jury. The case was dismissed on November 6, 2001.

Charge #2

Before I was released from custody, on November 5, 2001, the U.S. government imposed new charges: "Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Money Laundering." They alleged that I stole/misused the identity profiles of my clients, people who come to me seeking to obtain Canadian visas and citizenship in the U.S., although there was not a single complaint from any of my clients or any banks.

(Note: Journalist Dr. Paul Craig Roberts stated in his 12/11/06 column, America’s Injustice System is Criminal: "The criminal justice system today consists of a process whereby a defendant is coerced into admitting to a crime in order to escape more severe punishment for maintaining his innocence. Many of the crimes for which people are imprisoned never occurred").

Every defense attorney knows that today prosecutors can purchase testimony against a defendant by paying "witnesses" with money, dropping charges against them or reducing prison sentences to testify against defendants. Jurors tend to trust government prosecutors and are generally unaware that they will withhold exculpatory evidence and suborn perjury and bear false witness to obtain convictions.

Months went by. Then a year had passed and I was still "detained" without a trial for crimes I did not commit. My lawyer advised me to plead guilty. He said it was in my own best interests as I would be "facing 10 years on the money laundering charge" due to the current climate in New York courts and my being a Muslim and a native of Pakistan. By this time I had served 17 months in detention, so I pled guilty to $95,000 of fraud conspiracy, which carried a maximum sentence of 15 to 24 months. The plea agreement—release for time served—was not even honored and I was sentenced to five years, the sentence for approximately $2,400,000 in credit card fraud.

Appeal to Canada

In January, 2005, when I was finally able to apply for a "treaty transfer" to Canada. I learned from my case manager that my citizenship was listed in the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) computer as "Pakistani" instead of "Canadian." All my Canadian documentation—passport, citizenship card, social insurance and health cards and Canadian drivers license—were in the possession of the FBI. I wrote the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo, NY, to request that they fix this problem so I could be transferred back to Canada. On March 30, 2005, the Canadian Consulate sent a letter to the jail to correct my citizenship status, but the FBOP ignored the request and did not correct the computer.

I realize now that the BOP intentionally left my citizenship as "Pakistani" to make me administratively ineligible for transfer to Canada and keep me in the U.S. while the U.S. government prepared new charges against me.

A year later, six weeks before my scheduled release date, I was transferred from Allenwood FCI to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, NY, supposedly in preparation for my deportation back to Canada. I signed the immigration deportation papers, which incidentally, contained my correct citizenship status. Later I learned the Allenwood FCI warden had been given a summons from Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Lawrence Ferazani in January, 2006, requesting for me to appear in federal court in Brooklyn, NY, on February 15, 2006.

Family threatened

Once in Brooklyn, on January 31, 2006, I phoned my family in Montreal. I learned that Officer Buttazzoni from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had contacted my sister regarding the whereabouts of my wife. He was told that she had returned to Pakistan. Buttazzoni left his phone number with my brother-in-law, telling him to please tell my wife to call him back immediately. She called Buttazzoni several times and left messages on his voice mail, after which Buttazzoni told my brother-in-law to tell her not to call him again.

Then on February 17, 2006, I was brought by AUSA Ferazani to an office in New York to be interrogated by the FBI without an attorney present. I was told by AUSA Farazani that if I did not talk they would arrest my sisters in Montreal and my wife, who had returned to Pakistan. He said, "We just have to make a call."

I was surprised and scared that he knew where my family lived. He stated, "If you don’t tell me [what I want to know] I can recommend lethal injection to the court and call the press and tomorrow morning you will be in every newspaper as a big terrorist."

Another federal agent told me that if I did not cooperate, they would turn me over to the Indian government, an enemy of Pakistan, which would treat me as an enemy.

At this time I was certain that my family was in danger because they were living in countries that work closely with U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies. After seeing my liberty evaporate when I was cleared of being a material witness in the World Trade Center tragedy, I had every reason to believe that the overarching power of the government would secure my family members’ arrests and inflict severe punishment on them. I strongly believed the RCMP was working in collaboration with the FBI to harass me to admit to charges of crimes that I did not commit. I thought about how the RCMP officials had played a role in other discrimination cases that included the interrogation and torture of Canadian citizens Mahrar Arar, Abdullah Almalki and Ahmed EI Matti, whose only "crimes" were being Canadian Muslims.

Because I felt I had no other choice, I signed the Miranda Rights waiver forms the agent gave me, waiving my right to an attorney’s presence during questioning and spoke with agents of the U.S. government on Feb. 17 and 20, 2006.

February 17, 2006: Interrogation…and bribe

I was pushed to the edge during this interrogation. Even though I could not answer all of their questions, I was determined to provide anything they wanted, even if the questions made no sense. I tried to give answers so they would be pleased and not give me the death penalty or harm my family.

During this interrogation, the agents offered me the opportunity to work for them in an "under cover capacity" abroad in Pakistan and Canada. They wanted me to testify against a group of Sikh people, on fabricated statements, based on my association with them from when I lived in Pakistan. I refused. So they told me to keep in mind that they wanted me to testify against people who are of the Sikh religion from India, an enemy of Pakistan and, because I am a Muslim, I should not have any concern for them.

I said, "But they are human beings! If they did something wrong and I knew about it, I would be more than happy to help the law, but you are asking me about something which I know nothing about."

The agents waited a couple weeks and then started asking me again, this time through my attorney. Upon my continued refusal, Officer Buttazzoni in Montreal again approached my family. I told them to get an attorney and not to go to his office without a legal written notice from him. They followed my advice and the RCMP stopped calling them—but not before the FBI was able to create a self-incriminating statement based on "evidence" they secured during their interrogation of me without the presence of my attorney. As a result of this, prosecutors were able to go in front of a Grand Jury and indict me, based on my own (fabricated) statements, prepared by federal agents without my signature.

Third charge March 16, 2006

On March 15, 2006, I completed the term of my imprisonment and was to be deported back to Canada. Before I could even go out onto the street I was arrested a third time and charged with "Providing Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist," and "Money Laundering to Support Terrorism," for supposedly providing support to the Sikh organization Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), through a man of the Sikh religion, Mr. Paramjit Singh Panjwar (PMJ), whom I met once when visiting Pakistan.

These charges emerged while I was still in prison and had no capability to provide KCF with any kind of support. It was difficult for me to get enough finances together to pay my legal fees while I was in prison for five years and I could not launder any money because I did not have any. In the plea agreement I signed for my previous "money laundering" charge, it is mentioned that no further money laundering charges would be brought against me, so this was double jeopardy and a violation of the 5th Amendment of the Constitution.

August to December, 2006: administrative detention

I appeared in court and pled "not-guilty" for my second "superseding indictment" on August 2, 2006. Upon my unwavering refusal to work for the government on their fabricated statements against the Sikh people, FBOP officials placed me into the Segregation Housing Unit (SHU), for 210 days of segregation and isolation despite the fact that I was rated as needing low security on the government’s "Male Custody Classification Form."

Segregation was continuous torture as we were not given basic amenities or respect and the building was cold and leaky. I went on a hunger strike for four days and after that I filed various complaints with the FBOP higher authorities, but no action was taken.

October 2006

After my refusal to work for the government on their case against "two individuals" they had identified as "potentially to be joined in this matter, but at this stage we don’t have enough evidence to charge," the government went to them and indicted them and, giving them a lot of benefits, prepared them to testify against me.

During my pre-trial hearing, the first two counts of my indictment were dismissed due to lack of facts and figures. Within two weeks, AUSA indicted me again, probably to cover up for their huge embarrassment. This hastily drawn up indictment was also full of factual errors and creative legal theories.

This time, in the bill of particulars/indictment, AUSA Farazani included the names of the following participants as co-conspirators in this "conspiracy."

1) Khalid Awan—me
2) Paramjit Singh Panjwar—Leader of Sikh Khalisto Commando Force (KFC), residing in Pakistan (not indicted).
3) Gurbax Singh—Indicted as co-conspirator #1
4) Baljinder Singh—Indicted as co-conspirator #2
5) Jatinder Singh—Residing in Texas (not indicted).
6) Dr. Pritpal Singh—Residing in California (not indicted).

Except for me, all the "co-conspirators" are elected leaders of the Sikh religion, a group of people known in Pakistani history books as the worst killers and rapists of the Pakistani nation, having killed, raped, burned and cut into pieces a hundred thousand Pakistani Muslim men, women, girls and infants during the world’s largest migration from India to Pakistan in 1947.

Sikh Background (a little history)

To better understand the game the U.S. government was playing with me and the Sikh people, a brief history is necessary. The mid-1980s to the mid-1990s was a decade of violent political opposition in Punjab, an area divided between India and Pakistan. The pattern of unlawful and indiscriminate arrests and killings during that time has left a lasting legacy of "catch and kill" police practices in the state. In the early 1980s, the Indian army attacked the Sikh Holy place called the Golden Temple in the Punjab State of India. About 10,000 civilian lives were lost while hundreds of people were detained without charge or trial and thousands of "disappearances" and extrajudicial executions were carried out by the police.

As a result, thousands of Sikhs fled to various countries for asylum. Many of the Sikhs who were living near Pakistan took refuge inside Pakistan, having the advantage of speaking the same language and the area being home to established holy places where Sikhs from all over the world came annually to perform their pilgrimage to the Pakistan side of the Punjab state. Pakistan is like a Vatican for the Sikhs, because the Sikh religion was started there and is the birthplace of their holy guru.

Paramjit Singh Panjwar (PMJ)

Among these Sikhs, PMJ also took refuge after members of his family were arrested and killed by the Indian police. In Pakistan he started producing videos about the attacks and killings of Sikhs by the Indian police, and started printing and distributing literature on the Sikh problems at the hand of the Indian government. He also started broadcasting a daily radio program and running various charities for Sikh families in India and Pakistan whose bread-winning family members had been killed by the Indian government.

I met PMJ during a visit to Pakistan when he was living next to my brother-in-law and I invited him to a wedding. He wrote his phone number down for me on a piece of paper. He also wrote down the number for Baljinder Singh, his friend in New York, because he was a community advocate for the Sikh people who might refer clients to me for immigration purposes. I kept the number, but did not call him.

The FBI had been after Baljinder Singh ever since he delivered a speech in front of the White House at the "Sikh Million March" on Washington in 2000. The FBI had called him for interrogation from 2000 to 2006, but was unable to arrest him. When they interrogated me on February 17, 2006, they told me they needed me to testify in court that the Pakistani government was taking care of terrorists in Pakistan and New York. It was Baljinder Singh, and Gurbax Singh, a close relative of PMJ, that they wanted me to testify against, and since they found his and PMJ’s phone numbers during their search of my office in New York after my arrest in 2001, they deputized their paid Sikh informant, Harjeet Singh, into my unit at MDC in 2006.

Harjeet told me he would be released from federal custody in the next six months and he wished to visit Pakistan for the annual Sikh pilgrimage there. He asked me if I knew some Sikhs in Pakistan who might take care of him during his visit. I replied that I did know Paramjit Singh Panjwar, who was there on asylum and introduced them over the phone.

The FBI then went to Baljinder and Gurbax Singh and convinced them to testify that I had transferred $4000 (two $2,000 transactions allegedly conducted between 1998 and 2002) from them to Pakistan on behalf of PMJ. In exchange for this, they dropped the charges they had against them and promised amnesty from the Indian government (for armed attack on Indian police) and U.S. green cards for them and their families.

PMJ has not been indicted by the U.S. nor convicted by the Indian courts of anything. No effort has been spent for his extradition by U.S. "terror war" ally, Pakistan, though the Pakistani government has, according to AI, handed over 700 Muslim citizens to the U.S. government.

According to my attorneys, no American citizen of the Christian faith nor of the Sikh faith has ever been arrested for providing material support to the KCF, even though the KCF is a Sikh organization that draws its support from members of the Sikh community.

I, on the other hand, a Canadian citizen of Pakistan origin and Muslim faith, on Sept 12, 2007, am the only person in the U.S. to be convicted of terrorism, on fake, fabricated and government purchased testimonies of the Sikh’s religious people, for transferring $4000. I was convicted and sentenced on three counts:

1) Conspiracy to provide material support (14 years)
2) Providing material support to foreign terrorists (10 years)
3) Money laundering to support terrorism (14 years)
Total: 38 years to run concurrently (14 more years in prison).
Jail

The government sent me to FCI Terre Haute Prison in Indiana, a "medium" prison with the exception of one isolated unit, called the "Guantanamo Bay on American Soil,"—Unit D, the "dog unit."

According to the history of this jail, this unit was built in the 1930s for Cuban people, after which it was used for convicted members of the Ku Klux Klan. Then it was used for death row inmates until its "permanent closure." It was re-opened with minor repairs for Muslim inmates because they are worse than death-row inmates—not because of their "crimes" but because of their religious beliefs.

We are denied many privileges according to BOP policy because we are Muslims. Visits must be through glass and phone calls and outgoing mail are routed through Washington D.C. The buildings are old and leaking so it’s cold in the winter, flying insects in the summer and air circulation is poor year round. Lead is seeping out of the walls and many inmates suffer chronic joint pain.

The government is trying to goad us to act violently so they can justify their claim that we are dangerous, but they have failed. According to the jail guards this Muslim unit is the most peaceful they have ever seen in any prison anywhere and they ask to be allowed to work here.

I agree that those guilty of terrorism should be prosecuted, but innocent people should not be targeted. Locking us down in this dirty, old, cold, leaking building and prohibiting us from hugging our children and restricting our calls to them will never bring peace to this country or make this nation safer.

To the American people:

I have been singled out, isolated and discriminated against because of my race and religion. I am being held here in detention against my will for crimes that I never committed. I am not a terrorist and I should not be treated like one.

The AUSA succeeded in getting a verdict against me from the jurors in December, 2006, with the help of the media glamorization of the "war on terror." I have been convicted of guilt by association; of making the FBI angry and vengeful by refusing both to work for them abroad in an undercover capacity and to testify against members of the Sikh religion using their fabricated statements; and of being a Muslim and native of Pakistan.

Isn’t it time that all humans are equal? Isn’t it time that everyone is free to choose his faith? Are human rights protected by law? We hear this, but we would like to see it – especially in this country called the United States of America that claims itself across the world as a champion of human rights.

This article was edited for publication in the hardcopy edition of The IO. The full-length version is posted online at The IO website under the Nov., 2008 update. You can correspond with Awan by writing to:

Khalid Awan, #50959-054, Federal Correctional Inst., PO Box 33, Terre Haute, IN 47808

(With thanks to Anne Wilder Chamberlain for her dedication and persistence in helping to tell Awan’s important story).

http://khalidawancanadian.today.com/ http://www.awankhalid.com/

A real story of Canadian prisoner Khalid Awan in USA since 9/11 ,He is facing a false,fabricated case.

Arifmuhammad — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:57:09 EST

The U.S. terror war as seen through the eyes of a prisoner

Background

October 2001

Charge #2

Appeal to Canada

Family threatened

Another federal agent told me that if I did not cooperate, they would turn me over to the Indian government, an enemy of Pakistan, which would treat me as an enemy.

February 17, 2006: Interrogation…and bribe

I said, "But they are human beings! If they did something wrong and I knew about it, I would be more than happy to help the law, but you are asking me about something which I know nothing about."

Third charge March 16, 2006

August to December, 2006: administrative detention

October 2006

This time, in the bill of particulars/indictment, AUSA Farazani included the names of the following participants as co-conspirators in this "conspiracy."

Sikh Background (a little history)

Paramjit Singh Panjwar (PMJ)

The government sent me to FCI Terre Haute Prison in Indiana, a "medium" prison with the exception of one isolated unit, called the "Guantanamo Bay on American Soil,"—Unit D, the "dog unit."

To the American people:

Khalid Awan, #50959-054, Federal Correctional Inst., PO Box 33, Terre Haute, IN 47808

(With thanks to Anne Wilder Chamberlain for her dedication and persistence in helping to tell Awan’s important story).

HowWeChange

Steven Kelly — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:04:26 EST

http://howwechange.proboards.com/

I am currently the founder of HowWeChange Forum. This forum was created to track Obama's progress in his promise for change. I have assembled the Forum in a manner that is not Biased nor competitive, but more of a discussion forum to allow you to speak your mind about his Ideal of change and start groups to help change our growing country. You can establish groups that add onto exsisting groups; Like efforts to help end Breast Cancer, or Donating to your school or charity etc. So if you want to keep track of change and/or create and help with change please visit HowWeChange Forums.

-Steven Kelly

Organizing for America - Yes We Can (Change our Destiny)

Steve Sulkin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:23:32 EST

My pro-bono organization can help millions want to work tirelessly for Organizing America. Pre inaugural, when I would say that, it was hard to distinguish my altruism from people who wanted to glom on to the presidency for self-aggrandizing. Distancing myself from them took effort. Now that the inaugural is over I hope my mission to help America will be more noticed.

Here’s background and what my pro-bono organization can do to help:

When I was in Grant Park and saw all the “Yes We Did” signs, I was concerned that the passion of involvement that existed during the election would fade to something much less post inaugural, when our world needs us.

I was so committed to not allowing that to happen, that I stepped down as CEO of my small, but successful family owned video production company in Chicago and created a pro-bono organization called "Yes We Can (Change our Destiny).”

Its simple mission is to “keep the passion of civic involvement alive.” I knew the administration would create structure for our involvement. But the President will be extremely distracted and will need us to proactively and independently work for change.

But we as human beings need rallying cries and inspiration to move us emotionally to want to get off our couch and work for our world.

My entire life I’ve created effective video that made my clients rich. I figure it’s about time I use my talents to help America. When I released our first 5-minute video days prior to the inaugural it became the #1 non-profit video on YouTube, 125,000 views in a couple of days, inspiring so many to keep the movement going. It was played at inaugural balls, covered by ABC, NBC and the papers. But it can inspire millions of people if the video was simply out there in a bigger way (such as on Organizing America’s website, on USAService.org. etc.).

I give this video (broadcast quality HD master tapes), free, to your organization, to the world, just for the asking. As President Obama said, we can “put our hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.” In other words, “Yes We Can (Change our Destiny).”

I’m confident you’ll be inspired. Please watch.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4srDYEPoqo

Contact me for the tapes if you desire them and /or my help

Steve.Sulkin@mbmproducdtions.com

224.588.0800 (cell)

FDR was our radio president, JFK was our television president and Barack Obama will be our Internet President.

Alphonso from Pinetop, AZ — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:30:31 EST

Quietly at noon yesterday, as the world was fixated on the televised inauguration of Barack Obama, some obscure IT managers flipped a switch (metaphorically) and transferred Change.gov to Whitehouse.gov... While the inauguration spectacle was inspiring and the speech lived up to its promise, Whitehouse.gov is the herald of bigger changes. Government is entering the Internet age and Barack Obama is our first Internet president.

What does that mean?

Each medium has a unique signature (McCluhan would say it’s “message”); a set of characteristics that have a more profound influence on society than the content that flows through it. Television, for example is a capital-intensive broadcast medium requiring a passive viewer. These “pacifying” characteristics are one reason why Al Gore spent time during the Web 2.0 Summit to decry television’s corrosive effect on the democratic process.

Our democracy was constructed well before television (much less the Internet) in an era when the dominant technologies were the printing press and the horse-drawn carriage (Placement of district courts was based on a half-day’s horse and buggy ride to provide each citizen access to court services and the interregnum between presidential transitions took months in order to allow distant presidents to prepare and make the journey to Washington). These technologies invested themselves into every construct of our government.

So how do we re-imagine democracy in the age of networks, where the dominant metaphor is the hyperlink, and the printing press has yielded to the blog; where productivity (open source and crowdsourcing) and decision-making (idea exchanges, prediction markets, online voting etc.) has marked a shift in power from the core to the edge? We are at least a decade away from the answers. Here are a few general principles for democratic government to better serve us in the age of networks.

My opinion page on Barack's victory...

Lance from Ashburn, VA — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:57:25 EST

http://www.lancereviews.homestead.com/Obama_My_Opinion.html

What A Scare!

Joe Ribamar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:09:49 EST

Yesterday,on innagural luncheon,Edward M.Kennedy,76,a senior senator of Massachussetts(Since 1962)and Robert C.Byrd,91,the most senior senator on senate,former Majority/Minority Leader and Whip and Incumbent president pro-tempore,suffered a collapse on U.S Capitol.

Well...we know all about the curse of kennedy family and his tragedys,The assassination of JFK(By Lee Harvey Oswald :Not Comproved),The assassination of RFK(By Sirhan Sirhan),the incident involving Ted and Mary Jo Kopeckne on Hyannis Port,the case of his son(who lose members of body),what happens with John-John in July,16 of 99´.

Robert Byrd too,is the older,trade more preocupation.

Well,lets pray to God to nothing kill our president,Barack Obama,neither our V.P,Joe Biden.

So,you can talk about what your waiting to obama governorship,and talk about our dear Hillary Clinton,who acept a few minutes the office of Secretary of State

Don´t Shame,you can talk all here,say what you think about my blog

Thank You!

José(Joe)Ribamar

On January,21th

The Change You Wish To See

Tilisha.G — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:37:23 EST

Wow. Change has indeed come to America. Whether it is because of a people's belief in a man, or his words, remains to be seen. The important thing is that change HAS come. And it is not the political change that is important. What's important is the change in people's perceptions of themselves, and what they are able to do, that is important. A change in people's perceptions of the world around them. A change that has come about solely because of one man's powerful use of words. He has succeeded in getting an entire generation to care about things that their parents saw no point to. He has lifted the stain of political apathy that has for many years tarnished the American flag.

Whether he was driven by passion, purpose, people, or a need to create a world in which he could fit in, the point is, he got there. Yes, he has a mammoth task ahead. Yes, he may not achieve all his objectives in his term. Yes, he may disappoint at times, as all humans do. But i believe in his belief. And I thank God that he sent this awe-inspiring man to free minds from their own prison. To free hearts from circumstantial cynicism. And to inspire a generation across nations.

Barak Obama: Takes oath as US President

Peter from Detroit, MI — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:32:37 EST

At last the historic moment has come. Barack Obama took oath as 44th US President at Washington on January 20, 2009. He is the first Afro-American President of USA.

Barack Obama is a good speaker and he has proved himself to be a good politician through his speeches.

While taking oath, Barack Obama placed his right hand on Abraham Lincoln's Bible on Tuesday and stirringly affirmed: "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will execute the office President of the United States faithfully".

In front of millions of people and former Presidents, Barack Hussein Obama promised to free America from the grip of its profound economic troubles and steer away from wars in two distant lands.

Joe Biden was sworn in the 47th Vice-President. He took his oath of office from Associate Justice John Paul Stevens.
In his first address to the nation as its new leader, Barack Obama said, "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met".

Speaking to a massive crowd, Barack Obama recalled the words of George Washington, America’s first President, enjoining Americans against faint-heartedness "in this winter of our hardship".

Embrace Change

Dee & Harvey — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:56:31 EST

Embrace the Unexpected “I’m Dr. Shrum and I’m a think-oholic.” It started innocently enough. I’d think, just a little, at parties to loosen up. Inevitably, though, one thought led to another. Soon, I was more than just a social thinker. I began to think alone, “To relax,” I told myself, but I knew it wasn’t true. Thinking became more and more important to me. Eventually, I was thinking all the time. Things began to sour at home. One evening I’d turned off the TV and asked my wife about the meaning of life. She spent that night at her mother’s house. I began to think on the job. I knew that thinking and employment don’t mix but I couldn’t stop myself. I avoided friends at lunchtime so I could read Thoreau and Kafka. I’d return to the office dizzy and confused, asking, “What is it exactly we are doing here?” One day the boss called me into his office. He said, “Listen, I like you, and it hurts me to say this: Quit your thinking or find another job!” I went home early that day. “Honey,” I said, “I’ve been thinking.” “I know,” she said, “I want a divorce!” “But Honey,” I said, “it’s not that serious.” “It is serious,” she said, her lower lip aquiver. “You think as much as college professors and college professors don’t make any money. So if you keep on thinking, we won’t have any money!” “That’s a faulty syllogism,” I said impatiently. She exploded into tears of rage and frustration. I was in no mood to deal with the emotional drama. “I’m going to the library,” I snarled as I stomped out the door. I was in the mood for some Nietzsche. I roared into the parking lot with NPR on the radio and ran up to the big glass doors. They didn’t open! The library was closed. To this day, I believe that a Higher Power was looking out for me that afternoon. Leaning on the unfeeling glass, whimpering for Zarathustra, I spotted a poster. “Friend” it began. “Is heavy thinking ruining your life?” You probably recognize that line. It’s from the standard Thinkers Anonymous poster. That is why I am what I am today: a recovering thinker. I never miss a TA meeting. At meetings we watch non-educational videos. The video playing last week was “Independence Day.” Then we share about how we avoided thinking the previous week watching soaps. I still have my old job and things are much better at home. Life just seems easier, somehow now that I’ve stopped thinking. I’m definitely on the road to a complete recovery. Life is good! * Life teaches us to embrace the unexpected. Embracing the unexpected represents a perfect paradox, an apparent contradiction that is nonetheless true. Life teaches us that we generally discover our potential meaning and purpose on the path we take to avoid it. Embracing the unexpected occurs in looking back upon our life and seeing how all of our life experiences have prepared us or instructed us for the fullest fruition of our meaning potential and purpose, sometimes painfully. Ernest Hemingway noted that “The world eventually breaks everybody, but afterward many become stronger at the broken places.” It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread and broken bread to give strength. Human beings are helped not through our brilliant logic or persuasive speech, but through the sharing of our struggles, failures, disappointments, and loses and how we have overcome tragedy and trauma. It may be the case of one beggar who has found bread showing other beggars where they can find bread, too or a fellow ex-felon positively mentoring another to do the right thing even when nobody is looking. If there were an x-ray capable of giving us a picture of the human spirit, we would find that we all show evidence of emotional and psychic fractures through feelings of inadequacy, frustration, failure, or the scars of abuse, blasted hopes, unrealized dreams, and losses we cannot recapture or forget. Hemingway talks not only of our common vulnerability to being broken; he reminds us too that we can later become strong at the broken places. Where trouble and suffering are concerned, we have the power not only to confront and endure them; we can use them constructively and creatively. Pain is the gift that nobody wants. Life teaches us to embrace the unexpected when we lose a loved one; when we experience a divorce; when we lose our freedom because of choices; when we lose all that we worked for during our life – a job, a home, savings and investments. Everything that happens to us, every person who comes along in our lives, every success, failure, betrayal or loyalty is meant not to debilitate us but to empower us. When tragedy strikes in our lives, it is not what we did, but about what we are called to be. Experience is not what happens to us, but what we do with that which happens to us. Surviving childhood hunger, we advocate for starving children around the world. Left out, we become more conscious of including others. Neglected, we become more self-sufficient. A traumatic childhood helps us to become more compassionate toward others. Wounded by life, we become stronger at the broken places. In suffering, we discover our inner resources and feel the grief that gives us depth and character, and open our heart to compassion. We were never a mistake; we are survivors of cruelties, hardships and traumas. If things were always fair, we would have no motivation to recognize and handle the shadow in ourselves and others in creative, compassionate and positive ways. Everyone and every event in the drama of our life is part of the metaphor of our journey. The issue from an old relationship may be how much we needed to learn. Most of us keep meeting partners who show us exactly where our work is. The wounds are openings into our missing life. Often, the only way a lost piece of ourselves or of our history comes back to us is through another person. People and events come along that help us move toward our potential meaning. The only mistake we make is hanging on to people too long or too briefly. Sometimes an emotional wound becomes the threshold to our mission in life or to the unfolding of our talents. Sometimes it is a physical trauma or disability. Helen Keller is a moving example of this. Her own hardships and disabilities became precisely what it took for her to find her destiny of service to others. John Milton wrote the classic Paradise Lost 16 years after he had become blind. Beethoven wrote his greatest music, including five symphonies during his later years after becoming deaf. Sometimes it is an educational or societal label. Most of you are aware of one of America’s leading motivational speakers, Les Brown. Born in poverty, he entered school as a bored and unmotivated student. He was mistakenly declared “educable mentally retarded” (EMR) in the fourth grade. A teacher stimulated his hunger to learn and his passion for self-improvement which enabled him to rise above even those who labeled him. He became a community activist and served three terms in the Ohio State Legislature and became chairman of its Human Resources Committee. Today, Les Brown conducts seminars and motivational training for Fortune 500 companies as well as inspirational seminars for those who want to improve their lives and their relationships. Another example is Mary Groda who was labeled as a retarded, incorrigible child, and sentenced to two years in a reformatory as an adolescent. Yet she went on to achieve a GED certificate, to complete medical school and to practice medicine. Nobody rises to low expectations. Always embrace the unexpected that has produced President-elect Barack Obama. Always embrace the unexpected and treat others as they can and ought to be, regardless of the negative direction in which they are moving. The art of teaching others is the art of assisting them in discovering their meaning potential, not as a sage on the stage, but as a guide on their side. But the responsibility for discovering our meaning potential and purpose lies equally with each of us as we embrace the unexpected. It is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. The greatest of human tragedies is to be distracted from our purpose and to lose our power to activate our meaning potential because of years of addiction to drugs, alcohol or relationships that are toxic, abusive, unworkable or depleting. Our greatest potential meaning can thereby fade away, and no one will do anything to halt the dissolution. The world will stand by as we throw away our potential meaning and purpose. Only in letting go do we begin the journey toward gaining control. Only in letting go are we able to move on. Only in letting go are we able to achieve our meaning potential by creating a work or by doing a deed; by experiencing something or encountering someone; and most importantly in facing a fate we cannot change, rising above ourselves, growing beyond ourselves, and by so doing changing ourselves, thus turning a personal tragedy into a triumph. To let go means to embrace experimental, creative and attitudinal values, and in the process, to achieve goals once thought unthinkable and unachievable. We congratulate you all today on a beginning of lifetime learning and embracing the unexpected. When one of you succeeds, all of us succeed. May the road of professional and higher education always rise up to meet you. * Anonymous** Dr. H. Shrum, EdD: Keynote Presentation at 11/05/08 Folsom State Prison, Greystone Adult School Graduation

Barack Obama, Inauguration As President of the United States

Jill 4 Obama — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:29:07 EST

President Barack Obama is inaugurated as President of the United States of America!

Hope fills the hearts of everyone watching.

Peace remains foremost in the minds and hearts of Americans and People around the world.

Change is coming to our U.S. Government, banks, corporations, businesses, and People.

Amazing grace has uplifted the spirits of People everywhere.

Responsibility is awakened again for our Nation to be an example of Goodness in the World.

We all have a part in determining our personal happiness and a responsibility to others.

We, as a nation, are blessed and united with this new First Family, the Obama Family.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Malia and Sasha are the greatest example of a happy, responsible family that we could ever hope for.

We, all together with the Obamas, make History, each of us and all of us Together!

Vision for Change

William Flynn — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:13:48 EST

Though not the equivalent of a Democrat by political conviction, I could not help but be captivated by Obama's sincerity in his post election speech. The most inspiring speech of anyone alive or dead I can recall. The words that encompassed his vision for America and the world, that one simple phrase expressed his Government's theme for the future and focused attention on the fact that with the will to do so, anything is possible, because "Yes we can"

Democrats and Republicans in Congress and outside it, must now recognize the personal mandate that Barack Obama has been handed. The new President will need a constructive opposition rather than obstructive, which benefits no-one, except perhaps forcing an undeserved change of Government.

What next for the USA, a native American President? We Australians should learn a great deal from the socio/political change being brought about by this political Messiah. Perhaps we might get around to electing our first indigenous Prime-Minister, we have a least one or two who might qualify!

Good luck President Obama, to you and your country. The eyes of the world are upon you.

Sacred Cow Tipping - Who Defines Value?

Rheanni — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:44:04 EST

The further we go on our journey and the more Sacred Cows that get tipped, the easier it is to see the real agenda of those who want to stay in control.

Creating and maintaining conflict of any kind is the name of the game for them. They are helped by the fact that so many contracts have been built into the very fabric of society. Nevertheless, we will persevere in tipping those Cows that interfere with our forward progress, particularly those that fuel conflict. Conflicts get a lot of fuel from the Sacred Cow of superiority:

"Strictly enforce a moral and economic code that reinforces the power of the Status Quo."

Mundane

pissedoff — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:40:33 EST

1-19-09

The day before...

the day before history changes

the day before my vote starts to count

Went on a long walk this morning with my dog, cold and foggy in the Carolina sun.

Thought about all the election and presidents I've seen come and go throughout my life;

Still in diapers when Kennedy was taken, angry college student when Reagan hailed the start of

"morning in America". Demonstrated at my university when he visited. Felt good, felt proud.

Dragged away by JROTC students; the police did nothing. still one of the best memories of college I have.

Walked back to the house, looked through the net; "what does Careers.com have for me today?"

Need to find a niche fast, running out of time, just like America is running out of time.

So, mundane 1-19, knowing that when I wake up on 1-20, no one will walk on water; no one will turn my water to wine.

Tomorrow will come and go, extraordinary power will change hands, great celebrations will occur all around the world; my electric bill will still be due.

"Change we can count on" will begin its harsh test.