Happy Holiday Season

There is so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. I hope that you are and your family are doing well this Holiday season.

Please keep all that affected by the terrorist attacks in Mumbai India. in your daily prayers.

God bless.

Great Newsweek article by Allison Samuels

I have to say I love a sista who tells it like it T-I-S. Such is the case with Allison Samuels and her wonderful cover story on Michelle Obama this week. The article talks about the new first lady to be and what she means to many black women in the United States. One of the subjects the article mentions that you will not see from a white reporter is the darker hue of Mrs. Obama’s skin and what it means to those sistas who are not light bright dam near white, which is always seems to be the standard of beauty in the United States. I applaud Ms. Samuels on this article, check out the link.

Check me out on NPR today: News and Notes.

Check me out on NPR News and Notes with fellow bloggers Shaun King of Shaun in the City and Harry Allen of Media Assassin.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97410377

Forgiveness....a good lesson!

Over the last few weeks since President-Elect Barack Obama was elected, we have heard a great deal about the book Team of Rivals by Doris Kearnes Goodwin. This book which was published in 2006 and has been cited by Barack Obama as one of the cabinet models he studying in forming his own cabinet. Ms. Goodwin’s book depicts the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln and how Mr. Lincoln put former rivals in his cabinet. Among Lincoln’s rivals were William Seward a celebrated senator from New York who at one time was certain to receive the Republican nomination in 1860, however a certain young Illinois congressmen who came out of nowhere beat him and became the Republican nominee (sound familiar?) Mr. Seward went on to serve as Lincoln’s Secretary of State, and although they argued on various issues Mr. Seward became Lincoln’s closet ally in his administration.

Therefore it is not surprising that Mr. Obama chose Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State. One of the great attributes of a great leader s is to bring people in his/her inner circle who will challenge conventional wisdom and not be a yes person. Mrs. Clinton will definitely bring this when she and Mr. Obama sit down and talk about foreign policy. But the most important lesson in this appointment is the ability of Barack Obama to forgive his former rivals. I loved the fact that when he meet with the Republican nominee John McCain this week the talking point that came out of the meeting was “we are going to work together to get our country back on track.”


Can the church say AMEN!!!!!!”
.
But back to Mrs. Clinton, over the course of the primary Mrs. Clinton attacked Mr. Obama on every front, to include defending the experience of John McCain over Mr. Obama’s. On one campaign stop Mrs. Clinton said “ I have experience, John McCain has experience Mr. Obama has a speech he gave four years ago. OUCH! But Mr. Obama has decided to let bygones be bygones and appoint her to one of the most powerful positions in the world. Mrs Clinton has not been the only one forgiven but Mr. Obama has said that Joe Lieberman should continue to be the Chairmen of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Mr. Lieberman chose during this election season to not only abandon the Democratic party but traveled miles around the country and campaigned for Mr. McCain over Mr. Obama. Now, most ruthless politicians would have thrown Mr. Lieberman under a bus but not Mr. Obama he has forgiven yet again and is allowing his former arch nemesis to keep his powerful chairmanship.

Here is the lesson, this country is in a crisis, not just economically, but physically, and emotionally. Mr. Obama understands more than anyone that in order to get the county back on track you must have the best people both in your corner and on your side. Enough with the partisanship , enough with the back door fighting, and enough with keeping enemies. Let’s make the country as good as its promise!


That my friends is real change we can believe in.

Hate is an ugly thing!

Please read the following article by Mr. Jesse Washington, it is about the hate crime that have occurred since the election of Barack Obama. While part of me is not surprised the other part is sickened by these events. Part of the reason many of these people love this county is the opportunity that it provide to a variety of people from all walks of life, which is what President Elect Obama's story is all about. Do these people only want white people to be President? Do they feel that an educated black man should not run? When they see that the county is going to be better after the eight years that Mr. Obama will serve I wonder will that make them believers.

Jesse Washington/AP's supposed "outbreak of racial anger" after Obama win

Jesse Washington of the Associate Press provides another example of Obama supporters continuing to play the race card after the election and by so doing shows that Obama's method of winning hasn't actually done much about race relations. The article is an example of the MSM and friends basically just keeping one race in line as was done in the past with another race (link ).

Crosses burning. Children chanting, "Assassinate Obama." Racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars.

Yes, there definitely has been an outbreak of isolated incidents involving those who have no real power. Washington can only find one physical attack, but there's definitely been a distinct trend of a very small number of completely isolated incidents. Like this incident he mentions:

Four North Carolina State University students admitted writing anti-Obama comments in a tunnel designated for free expression.

According to this , what they wrote could be "borderline threats". But, don't worry. From the same link: The university painted over all the tunnel's messages Wednesday because officials felt the disparaging comments were "going over the edge of what was acceptable," [a university police officer] said.

We're also informed that there was a "glow of racial progress and harmony that bloomed after the election of Democrat Barack Obama". Oddly, I don't recall much of a glow after his surrogates - now including Washington - constantly tried to portray Obama's opponents as racists. In fact, I don't think anyone who doesn't work for or serve as a surrogate for Obama (including the MSM) could locate such a glow. In other words, Washington just invented it.

From California to Maine, police have documented a range of incidents, including vandalism, threats and at least one physical attack. There have been "hundreds" of incidents since the election, many more than usual, said Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate crimes.

Washington later points out that Potok is white, which isn't really material. What is material is that Potok and friends are far-left grievance mongers who in effect make their money from hate: without "hate" - whether real, mischaracterized, or just hyped - the SPLC wouldn't be in business. Potok also isn't honest when it comes to statistics .

UPDATE: A trend has been spotted! This time, it's of left-wing hack reporters continuing to play the race card after the election. The second instance of the trend is "After Obama's win, white backlash festers in US" by Patrik Jonsson of The Christian Science Monitor (link ). It's basically the same article as Washington's, right down to relying on Potok of the SPLC.

I know I'ts crazy but I miss the election!

I know I am probably the only person in America
who feels this way but I miss the election. I miss
the polls, the debates and stump speeches.
However, I do know that 2012 is right around
the corner and we will be right back in the thick
of things again.

Did Oprah Know?????????

This picture was taken at Oprah’s Legend’s Ball May 22, 2006, over two years ago. I remember when the picture was taken and many people questioned Michelle Obama being in this picture. Funny how time changes everything. It is as if Oprah knew that Michelle would be the First Lady one day. Well this picture takes on a whole different meaning now and Michelle really is a legend. WAY TO GO OPRAH!!!!!!!!!!!

Is this a just a coincidence? Look at the events that will happen next year.

You could not have wrtten a better story!!!!!!!

200th anniversary of the birth of President Lincoln

http://www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial


http://www.mlkmemorial.org/


Naacp

http://www.naacp.org/events/centennial/index.htm

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE!!!!!!!!

I found this pic on Andrew Sullivan's blog The Daily Dish. I love it.

My dream ..... and the new President

People have asked me for the last two days, two questions, how do I feel about Barack Obama becoming our nation’s first African American President and did I ever think I would see this day. It is hard to answer those questions without telling my journey. When my brothers and I were growing up we were taught to have a love for God, pride in our family, our race and our country. We were taught to have a pride in our African roots long before the mini-series “Roots” came on television and we were taken to Black plays, museums, and basically anything that was about uplifting the race. I cannot remember ever going to school on Martin Luther King’s birthday, even before it was a holiday and black literature and art was always around the house. At the same time I was taught to pledge allegiance to the flag, stand when the National Anthem was played and taught that if I prayed and worked hard in this country I could be anything I wanted to be. I am not sure when but sometime between the ages of 11& 13 I decided I wanted to be President of the United states and to be quite honest I never thought I could not be. When I told my parents of my Oval office aspirations I was never told it was something I could not do I was just told to work hard, and do well school. I truly believe that my parents thought that I could be anything I wanted to be if I set my mind to it.

When I graduated from Elementary school in 1981 I was technically the Valedictorian of my twenty eight member class. I received the Kiwanis Scholarship Award (the first black in our district area), gave the graduation speech for our class and was voted by my classmates “ Most likely to succeed.” For our graduation presentation, which was attended by our family friends each student had to give a short speech on what he or she wanted to be when they grew up. I can remember what some of my classmates said that day, some wanted to be writers, professional sports players, and a couple wanted to be doctors or lawyers. Some aspirations were applauded and I can even remember the women cheering when one of the girls stated she wanted to be the first woman to play in the NBA. I was last one to speak and of course I my wish was to be President of the United States. After my career declaration the crowd of the mostly white audience laughed out loud, it was not a “oh that’s cute” laugh but it was the kind of laugh that people give a comedian after a good joke, and it was the kind of laugh that said “you are kidding right. that could never happen”.

I have not thought about that night in a very long time, that is until Tuesday night when the President elect gave his acceptance speech. Of course because of the choices I made I could never be President of the United States but growing up I never thought I could not, and in a different time with different choices and discipline I believe that I could have been. The truth is in my youth I DID think I would see this day because I dared to dream that somehow it would be me. But that dream will never be and now I will live it through Mr. Obama.

When The President-Elect decided to run for President I was in his corner from day one and never thought about voting for anyone else. I spent time on his campaign, went to the convention and tried to convince naysayers who at that time where many. I have listened to him, praised him when I thought he was right and criticized him when I thought he was wrong. The only time I felt his election was in trouble was during the Rev Wright episode. On a personal note I belonged to Rev. Wright’s church for a few years, and a great deal of family both on my Mother and Father’s side still belong to this church, and I will never forgive the press on how they treated this brilliant man, they owe him an apology. As much as I love Rev. Wright I questioned if Obama’s campaign could survive it, and told my brother if Obama could survive it, he would be the next President.

When many people express how they feel about this historic moment they mention King, Evers, Emmett Till, John Lewis and others. But my thoughts go back to the Africans who made that nightmare of a journey from the shores of Africa to America. These people were shackled, laid on top of each other in their own filth and by force taken to the unknown, and although an estimated 100 million died in the Middle Passage the ones that survived arrived in America to a nightmare that took a civil war to end. And even with all of that an African man from Kenya decided to come on his own accord to that same America and have a child with a white woman from Kansas and conceive a child that would one day be President.

I am in awe of this moment at this particular time and as I have told my family and friends it is a moment that could only come through the blood, sacrifice and dedication of many human beings and also by the blessing of God. But if you think you cried on Tuesday just wait until you see President Obama stand in front of the Capital put his hand on the Bible that Michelle will hold and those cute little girls by his side and take the oath of office, it will truly be a sight to behold. Who know Clarence Thomas may be the justice that administers the oath of office……….because we know that even now miracles still happen.

The New President is Mr. Obama.

After an historic run President-elect Obama has done what many said would never happen. I will blog more about this later because I am so emotional but I am so happy and proud to be an American it means so much right now. God bless America and may God bless President Obama and his family.

Michelle closes the case!!!

I have not blogged because I have been attempting to help Mr. Obama become the nation’s 44th President. There is so much I could say about this historic race. However I am going to let the candidates wife make his case.

See below.


Guest Commentary: The Final Push for Real Change in America
Date: Monday, November 3, 2008


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Election Day is almost here. Tomorrow, millions of Americans will head into voting booths across the country and cast their votes. And I can’t wait to be one of them.

For the past 21 months, I’ve traveled to every corner of the country, talking about my husband’s plans for our future and encouraging folks to give him their vote. On Tuesday, I get to follow my own advice and cast my ballot for Barack Obama. And I’ll have our daughters, Malia and Sasha, with me. Because voting for Barack will be one of the proudest moments of my life — not only because I love him, but also because I believe so deeply in his vision for our nation, and I know with my whole heart that he will be an extraordinary president.

Many of you are still undecided about which candidate deserves your support. Maybe you’re not convinced that voting is worth it, or that your voice really matters. It does. Voting is a powerful way to build a better country and a better future for our children, step by step. So this election, please take this opportunity to make your voice heard.

The issues at stake in this election touch all of us. Like how we’re going to address this economic crisis and help middle-class families get back on their feet. Whether we’ll finally fix our broken health care system. How we’ll make sure our kids get the education they deserve and the opportunity to pursue their dreams. These aren’t just political issues. This is personal — to you and to me.

And I can tell you that it’s personal to Barack. He’s faced these issues his entire life.

Barack was raised by a young single mom who worked hard to put herself through school while raising two kids, often worrying about how she would pay the bills. Thanks to her strength and determination, Barack got an excellent education, which made all the difference in his life. But Barack’s mother was taken from us far too soon. She died of cancer when she was just 53. And Barack will never forget her final months, as she lay in her hospital bed, fighting with the insurance company over whether they’d cover her treatment.

So he understands the struggle of working families. He knows the power of education to transform lives and create opportunities. And he’s felt firsthand the heartbreak caused by a failing health care system. These are the experiences he carries in his heart every day.

That’s why he’s such an extraordinary husband and father — always finding time for our girls and our family, even during the busiest, most stressful moments of this campaign. And that’s why I believe he is the president our country needs so badly right now.

We have an important choice to make in this election. And I know there are still voters out there who are making up their minds about the candidates. In case you’re not sure of Barack’s priorities and positions on the issues, here is some information that may help you.

Barack is the only candidate in this race with an economic plan built around the middle class. He’ll give a tax cut to 95 percent of all working Americans, and he’ll stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas — and start rewarding companies that create jobs here at home. Barack is the only candidate with a health care plan that will cover all Americans and cut costs for families.

He’s the only candidate with a long-term energy plan that looks beyond quick fixes and makes real investments in renewable energy, so we can end our dependence on foreign oil and create millions of new jobs here at home.

He’s the only candidate with a comprehensive plan to invest in schools and early childhood education, and to make college affordable, so that no students have to give up their dreams of going to college because their families can’t afford it.

And Barack is the only candidate in this race with a plan to bring our troops home from Iraq responsibly, so we can rebuild our military and start investing the $10 billion we’re spending each month in Iraq here at home instead.

These are Barack’s positions. These are his values. If they’re yours as well, I urge you to give him your vote.

But no matter which candidate gets your support, I urge every American to participate in this election. Make sure you vote Tuesday. And help other folks in your lives get to the polls as well. The lines may be long, but don’t let that stop you. It’s never been more important that all of us make our voices heard.

And if we do that—if we cast our votes, and help others do the same—that we can start building that better future for all our kids. And we can finally bring the change we need to the country we love.

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Michelle Obama is the wife of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee for president.