Inauguration Day!

Inauguration Day has finally arrived! I would like to give a shout out to the new first family and wish them all the best in the next 4 years. It has been a rough couple of years for Barack Obama. His background has been exposed, he was accused of not being a citizen of the United States, being a terrorist, and just plain scandalized. I am so proud of the fact that he and his wife Michelle were able to maintain their grace under a hail storm of fire. These folks have shown a class and style that is incomparable.

I have only one more thing to say about our new Commander-in-Chief. His name is Barack Hussein Obama, not Messiah, Jehovah, Jesus, Allah or The Holy Ghost! The mess this country is in was not made in 4 years and more than likely will not be resolved in one presidential term. Let us stand behind our President, give him the support he will need as he begins this difficult and challenging journey, and wish him Godspeed.

Obama: Reasons He Ran For The Presidency

As you know I haven't been blogging much lately. My schedule is crazy and I just don't have as much time as I use to. Believe me I am trying to remedy this :-) Sometimes you run across something that you just want to share. Isaw this article and I thought it was worth blogging about because it talks about a brighter future for children and ultimately a better society in general. This is an open letter from Obama to his girls. Click here to read the letter in its entirety.

Celebrate The Inauguration!

On January 20, Barack Obama will be sworn in as president. I received an email from MOVE ON (an organization of which I am a member) and they have developed this cool inaugural t-shirt that all Obama supporters should be wearing on January 20. 2009. Even if we all cannot be in Washington DC physically on this auspicious day, we can be there in spirit and support our president elect.

Barack Obama has said many times that he can't deliver universal health care or a sweeping clean energy policy on his own. We all need to do our part.

MOVE ON has launched a campaign called "Real Voices for Change" to make Obama's progressive mandate impossible to ignore. We're organizing grassroots events. We're putting together a major ad campaign. And MOVE ON members are already out gathering messages of support from their neighbors.

We're going to make sure the voice of the people speaks louder than the HMO lobbyists and oil companies and purchasing this t-shirt will accomplish this goal. To get a t-shirt click here.

The First Black Inaugural

Someone on AOL Black Voices posted a fantasy about the First Black Inaugural, supposing what would transpire if those who have passed on were guests at this prestigious and historic event. Of course Reverend Doctor King and his wife Coretta, along with EL-Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X) and Betty Shabazz. What about Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks? How proud would individuals who fought the good fight be to know that the impossible is now conceivable and we have our first African American President Elect? I know I never envisioned anyone looking like Barack Hussein Obama ever residing in the White House in my lifetime and I am so glad I lived to see it. How I wish my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who have gone before me could be at that inaugural. To read the article in its entirety Click Here.

When asked what I am thankful for this year at Thanksgiving, President Obama will be at the top of the list! One of my adolescent clients asked me if I had a crush on Obama because he appears on my blog so much and the answer is yes! I know he only has eyes for Michelle and that's cool ;-) Please join me in wishing him and his family love and peace in these changing times.

Obama Wins!

Barack Obama has accomplished what was thought to be the impossible and become the 44th and first African American President. This historic triumph transcended race. McCain called his former rival to concede defeat — and the end of his own 10-year quest for the White House. "The American people have spoken, and spoken clearly," McCain told disappointed supporters in Arizona. A friend of mine informed me that some people will be jumping off of buildings tomorrow.

As the 44th president, Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan. The popular vote was close, but not the count in the Electoral College, where it mattered most.

Let's take this time to congratulate President elect Barack Obama and join me in wishing him a prosperous four years. Let the confetti fly!

Obama's Grandmother Passes Two Days Before Presidential Election

It is indeed a sad day. Barack Obama's grandmother, who raised the presidential candidate for much of the life has died, Obama announced Monday, one day before the election. Madelyn Payne Dunham was 86. Obama announced the news from the campaign trail in Charlotte, N.C. The joint statement with his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng said Dunham died late Sunday at her Honolulu apartment after a battle with cancer.

"She's gone home," Obama said as tens of thousands of rowdy supporters at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte grew silent in an evening drizzle. And she died peacefully in her sleep with my sister at her side. And so there is great joy as well as tears. I'm not going to talk about it too long because it is hard for me to talk about."

You Can Vote However You Like!

Next week we will find out if the sun is going to shine on November 05th. In the meantime the students at Ron Clark came up with this little ditty "You Can Vote However You Like", which uses the melody of T I's number one song "You Can Have Whatever You Like". I thought this was too cute and proves that everyone is thinking about this election, even those who will not be voting for many years to come.

The students who perform the song are on the school's debate team and the song is a a debate of sort, illuminating the pros and cons of each candidate. I am providing the lyrics of the song, along with a video of the children performing the song. Feel free to join in and sing along!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

(McCain supporters)
McCain's the best candidate
With Palin as his running mate
They'll fight for gun rights, pro life,
The conservative right
Our future is bright
Better economy in site
And all the world will feel our military might

(Obama supporters)
But McCain and Bush are real close right
They vote alike and keep it tight
Obama's new, he's younger too
The Middle Class he will help you
He'll bring a change, he's got the brains
McCain and Bush are just the same
You are to blame, Iraq's a shame
Four more years would be insane

Lower your Taxes - you know Obama Won't
PROTECT THE LOWER CLASS - You know McCain won't!
Have enough experience - you know that they don't
STOP GLOBAL WARMING - you know that you won't

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA
Stick with McCain and you're going to have some drama
We need it
HE'LL BRING IT
He'll be it
YOU'LL SEE IT
We'll do it
GET TO IT
Let's move it
DO IT!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

I'm talking big pipe lines, and low gas prices
Below $2.00 that would be nice

But to do it right we gotta start today
Finding renewable ways that are here to stay

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA,
Stick wit McCain you gone have some drama
MORE WAR IN IRAQ
Iran he will attack
CAN'T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK
We gotta vote Barack!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

He Crossed The Line

I received this letter from James Rucker at Colorofchange.org

Dear Pamella,

Over the last week and a half, supporters at McCain/Palin rallies have yelled "kill him," "terrorist," "traitor!" and "off with his head!" about Obama. At Wednesday night's presidential debate, John McCain refused to denounce those outbursts or take any responsibility for the violent, hateful atmosphere he's helped create. Instead, he attacked civil rights hero John Lewis for calling him out on it, and tried to cast McCain/Palin supporters as victims of a smear.
Either John McCain doesn't understand the dangerous words coming out of some of his loudest supporters' mouths, or he doesn't care.

As the leader of his campaign, he has a responsibility to condemn and control hateful speech, especially direct threats on a presidential candidate. We need to show that Americans of all races won't stand for this. When enough of us stand together, we can force the mainstream media to amplify our message. Please join us: you can watch a video from Brave New Films about the atmosphere at McCain rallies, sign our open letter calling out McCain and Palin, and ask your friends and family to do the same, here:

McCain-Palin rallies have started to look more like mob scenes than political events. The candidates keep asking "who is the real Barack Obama?" (a question that also kicks off almost every McCain television ad). In response, supporters have yelled "terrorist!" and "traitor!" And the venom goes beyond Obama--one McCain/Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at a Black member of a news crew, saying "sit down, boy." The outbursts at McCain/Palin events have crossed the line into direct threats and suggestions of violence. Last week, at the mention of Obama's name, a McCain supporter yelled "kill him!"prompting a secret service investigation. A few days later, someone shouted "off with his head!"

In the face of all of this, McCain and Palin haven't stopped for five seconds to denounce these violent outbursts. In fact they've tried to defend them and their fear-mongering smear tactics continue. McCain and Palin are going down a dangerous path. Watching some of their supporters being interviewed shows the kind of fear their campaign is stoking and exploiting. McCain and Palin are clearly in the driver's seat. They've personally made it a point to use "terrorist" and "Obama" in the same sentence; their surrogates have repeatedly referred to Obama by his middle-name; and they keep pushing the discredited guilt-by-association smears that have long been debunked.

All of it plays on false rumors spread by email: that Obama is Muslim (a myth designed to tap into anti-Muslim bigotry); that he is anti-American; and that he's somehow connected with terrorists. The strategy works and is powerful because it plays into the suspicions some White Americans have about Blacks: about our true allegiances and our trustworthiness. In the end, it makes Obama's race a disadvantage without appearing overtly racist.

A unified response

As Americans of all stripes, we've seen how Barack Obama's historic candidacy has moved our friends and family to have a more honest conversation about race in this country. It's inspired a lot of people to step out of their comfort zone and confront racism in their own communities, with their friends, neighbors, and families. Now we have McCain, at a time of crisis in this country, pandering to one of the worst instincts in America. His campaign is playing to the kind of suspicion, hatred and fear that brings out the worst in us all, which history shows can lead to horrible consequences.

We can fight back

In the final days of this campaign, we can't let a desperate John McCain and Sarah Palin drag us down. If enough of us act, we can create a powerful story in the media about Black people and our allies of all races standing together against race-baiting and fear-mongering coming from theMcCain/Palin campaign. But it will take a lot of us speaking in unison. Will you sign an open letter to McCain and Palin, telling them who you are and why you won't let them move our country backward? We'll publish the letter and make sure John McCain is forced to respond.

Thanks and Peace,

James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org PAC team October 17th, 2008

I watched some of the footage from one of these rallies and I became mad enough to chew bricks. McCain and Palin, as well as their supporters are running scared. Now they think they can bully Obama supporters into submission. I am so damn tired of hearing that Obama is a Muslim. If he is, so what! I could give less than a damn about his religious affiliations. I want to know what he is going to do about the economy, health care, and ending this atrocious war. I am signing this damn letter!

Obama Hustle

I thought I would mark my return to the blogging scene with something kind of light. A friend sent me this email featuring Obama supporters doing a hustle (line dance) named after the man himself. Let me explain something about the people in the southern region of Michigan, which includes Flint, Lansing, Saginaw, etc. They never met a hustle they didn't like. I visited one summer and went out to a club and counted 16 different hustles in one night!

I found this video humorous and thought my best friend would also. He had the nerve to act like he was offended, stating, "the last thing Obama needs is a bunch black folks naming a dance after him". He goes on to say how these people need to get lives and jobs (now I am offended). I saw Obama and Michelle dancing on "Ellen", I wonder if he would be offended to have his name associated with this dance.

Darlene Stewart of Detroit brings you the Obama Hustle, created by Crystal Smith and performed by Seniors United of the Grenadier Lounge. This hustle was created by and for seniors, but it's definitely hot and a great dance for people of all ages. When Obama wins, will you be doing this hustle? Anyhow I will let you be the judge. Is this offensive to you or just fun?

You Be The Judge

I was visiting the blog of this nut case, oops, McCain supporter and found this beautiful piece of propaganda. I am not going to even say anything about this clip, other than it is the most bizarre misinformation I have probably ever heard in my life. Is it me or has this gentleman lost his mind? You be the judge. Leave your comments, I am interested in your opinions.

Clinton Gives Obama Full Support

Hillary Clinton asked that those who backed her presidential bid now vote for Obama. After days of backstage dissatisfaction among both her supporters and his, no one knew exactly what to expect. Obama didn't just beat a strong and popular candidate; he snatched the reins from the party's old guard and ticked off a former president, Bill Clinton, in the process. People might have wondered if Hillary Clinton was preparing to launch her 2012 campaign when the Pepsi Center filled with thousands of cardboard placards emblazoned with her website address. After all, history holds plenty of examples of also-rans who achieved far less than Clinton did this year - her 18 million primary votes essentially tied Obama over a grueling six-month race-yet refused to close ranks behind their party's winner.

Clinton cleared up all doubts in a matter of seconds: "I am here as a proud mother," she declared, "a proud Democrat, a proud senator from New York, a proud American-and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.' At that the crowd of some 15,000 people, which had greeted Clinton with a solid four-minute wall of noise, erupted again, waving all those white "Hillary" signs in an enormous cloud. But perhaps the most striking benediction she delivered to her former foe was to hand him - maybe as a loan or maybe forever - the mantle of 1990s peace and prosperity that she had hoped to wear as her own. "As I recall, we did it before with President Clinton and the Democrats," she said to a new round of cheers. "And President Obama and the Democrats will do it again."

Bill Clinton watched the speech from box seats high above the convention floor, flanked by the widow of Arkansas Democratic chairman Bill Gwatney, killed recently by a disgruntled former employee, and the son of the late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio. When the speech ended, the former president wiped tears from his eyes, mouthed the words, "great speech," and let out a long sigh.

Clinton did her part to unify the Democrat party, criticizing McCain politics, stating that “McCain promises more of the past. America has never been afraid of the future and we shouldn't start now." She also praised Michelle Obama and the Obama’s running mate Joe Biden and his wife. I personally feel that Hillary Clinton did herself proud last night.

Notable Quotable - Spike Lee

"In life, sometimes you have your moment. You have your window that lies upon you and then it leaves. This is not Jesse's time right now. This is Barack Obama's time, and I think he's having a problem with that."

-- Filmmaker Spike Lee commenting on civil rights activist Jesse Jackson's incendiary comments on presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Please respond to the Poll on the left.

Jessie Jackson Calls for Obama's Balls!

After the infamous “Hymie Town” comments it seems that Reverend Jessie Jackson would learn to choose his words more wisely. His latest foopah came in the form of what is being referred to as a "careless whisper" berating presidential candidate Barack Obama, who Jackson accused of “talking down” to Black people. “I want to cut his nuts off” was the statement Jackson was overheard saying while waiting to be interviewed by the FOX Network.

He issued an apology, but it was too little, far too late. Why do these media figures think they can get away with saying the most outlandish things and then think that a simple "I'm sorry" will suffice in erasing the offense. Even Jackson's son, Jessie Jackson Jr., who is also a National Chair for Obama's campaign, admonished his father's derogatory declaration in this statement:

"Rev. Jackson is my dad and I'll always love him. He should know how hard that I've worked for the last year and a half as a national co-chair of Barack Obama's presidential campaign. So, I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself".

Or as "The Machine" Levine would say, "If you can't think on your feet you oughta keep your mouth shut". My sentiments exactly!

At Last!

Hillary Rodham Clinton closed out her astonishing presidential run and pledged her full support to Barack Obama, asking her supporters to unite behind rival Barack Obama at a speech in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. "I ask of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me," she told a cheering crowd. What do I say to this latest development in the saga of the Democrats campaign for the presidency? It’s about time! She should have conceded before now, but better late than never.

I hope her endorsement repairs some of the damage caused during the process. I actually was beginning to think that this day would never come. The Senator stated as recently as Tuesday that she the strongest candidate was forthright and convincing as she gave Obama an unqualified endorsement and pivoted from her role as determined foe to absolute ally. This is an important step because although she was not able to secure the nomination, she made tremendous strides for politics in general and women in particular.

Senator Clinton went on to add that she was suspending her campaign and congratulated Senator Obama on the victory and praised him on the extraordinary race he ran in her 28-minute address. Senator Clinton placed herself solidly behind her Senate colleague from Illinois, a political sensation and the first black to secure a presidential nomination.

For Clinton and her supporters, it was a poignant moment, the end of an amazing run that began with an air of inevitability and certain victory. About 18 million people voted for her, making her bid for the presidency the closest a woman has come to capturing a nomination. She was quoted today as saying that "although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it has about 18 million cracks in it and the light is shining through like never before," she said.

Her speech repeatedly returned to addressing what the milestone of a woman running for president has represented for women. Her support among women was a solid bloc of her voting coalition. She noted that she'd received the support of women who were 80 and 90 years old, born before women could even vote. She acknowledged the unprecedented success of Obama's candidacy, as well by saying.
"Children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States," she said.

Obama secured the 2,118 delegates needed to clinch the nomination Tuesday after primaries in South Dakota and Montana. In deciding to suspend her campaign, Senator Clinton kept some options open. She will retain her delegates to the nominating convention this summer and she can continue to raise money. It also means she could reopen her campaign if circumstances change before the Denver convention, but gave no indication that was her intention.

Pissed Off Clinton Supporter

Malcolm from Pop Culture Dish emailed me this video clip of a disgruntled female Democrat, thinking I might interested and he was right. I thought when the Democratic Party finally selected the nominee, all the Democrats would get behind the nominee, forget their differences, and forge ahead in an effort to win in November. It has become apparent that this is not going to happen, in fact the pundits within the party are still going after Senator Obama full forced. I cannot remember a more cutthroat campaign within the party and I am not wondering whether in the final analysis this is all going to boil down to an issue of black and white. Senators Obama and Clinton's political platforms are not that much different and He has said he is more than willing to confer with Senator Clinton and that her support will be invaluable to him on the road to the White House.

I really do not think that the Democrats have sold us out as the woman in the video implies.
What I do believe is that she voices the sentiments of more than a few Democrats, and that McCain will not only get her vote, but the votes of other party jumpers who are not willing to embrace change. On a less than serious note, her ranting reminds me of someone who has been drinking A LOT! But you know what they say, "A drunk speaks a sober mind". What do you think about her opinion on the upcoming election? Is her gripe valid or is her ramblings merely sour grapes?

Obama Seals The Deal!

Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, becoming the first black candidate to lead a major party into a campaign for the White House. Vanquished rival Hillary Rodham Clinton swiftly signaled an interest in joining the ticket as running mate.
Obama arranged a victory celebration at the site of this summer's Republican National Convention — an in-your-face gesture to Sen. John McCain, who will be his opponent in the race to become the nation's 44th president. The 46-year-old Obama outlasted Clinton in a historic campaign that sparked record turnouts in primary after primary, yet exposed deep racial and gender divisions within the party. In a campaign of surprises, Clinton's comments about joining the ticket rated high.

According to one participant in an afternoon conference call among Clinton and members of the New York congressional delegation, Rep. Lydia Velasquez said she believed the best way for Obama to win over Hispanics and members of other key voting blocs would be to take the former first lady as his running mate. "I am open to it," Clinton replied, if it would help the party's prospects in November, said the participant, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the call was a private matter.

Obama sealed his victory based on public declarations from delegates as well as from an additional 18 who had confirmed their intentions to the AP. The count also included five delegates Obama was guaranteed as long as he gained 15 percent of the vote in South Dakota and Montana later in the day. It takes 2,118 delegates to clinch the nomination.

Obama and Rev. Wright

Amidst the inflammatory remarks spouted by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, presidential candidate Barack Obama has been forced to address the issue of race for the first time. In a sermon in 2003 Rev. Wright stated that “instead of singing ‘God Bless America’ Black people should a song essentially saying ‘God Damn America”. Standing in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia Obama admitted that “race still matters”. Now it might not have been the most politically correct thing to say, but truth is truth and the fact is color matters in America and there are vast racial disparities still exist in this country.

Of course progress has been made and no one is challenging that fact, however African Americans, other minorities, and the poor continually come out on the short end economically, educationally, and dare I say politically. Obama used this teachable moment to contextualize the anger and resentments on both sides of the racial divide. "But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality."

While Obama condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright, he refused to disown him. He simply stated that if we walk away and retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, education, or the need to find good jobs for every American. I do not know if Rev. Wright’s comments will hurt Senator Obama’s political aspirations in the long run, only time will tell. You got to love a man who is eloquent and able to think on his feet.

KKK endorses Obama

My aunt in Florida sent me this headline and I had to share it because it is so absurd. White Christian Supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan has endorsed Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States of America. I wonder if Barack will accept the endorsement and/or the money?

Speaking from his Kentucky office in Dawson Springs, the Imperial Wizard exclaimed that anything or anyone is better than having that "crazy ass bitch" as President. This is the first time in Klan history that any member of the KKK has ever publicly supported an African American candidate for the presidency. KKK lodges all over America have been gathering and holding rallies supporting the black presidential candidate.

Grand Turk Cletus Monroe has also been very vocal about the election and has donated thousands of dollars to Obama's election fund. "The boy's gonna do it. My Klan group has donated up to $250,000 to the Obama fund. Anything is better than Hillary Clinton. Hell I'll even adopt a black kid from Africa before I vote for Hillary."

"A few years back we were lynching negroes. Now we're gonna vote for one to be president of the US of motherfu**ing A, damn it! Anyone or anything is better than Hillary Clinton - anything!!" Placards for Barack Obama have been put up around the Klan's Headquarters and the KKK have announced a television ad campaign to support the African American candidate.

This is actually one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard in my life.

Obama Wins Iowa!

Obama entered the Iowa 20 points behind both Clinton and Edwards, but when the dust settled he had handily won the Iowa primary, with Edwards coming in second and Clinton a close third. I am surprised because I never expected Senator Clinton to come in third place. The Iowa results make it very interesting for candidates entering the New Hampshire primary. Iowa might be considered Senator Obama’s neck of the woods because of its close proximity to Illinois. If this is true, then one might consider New Hampshire to be Clinton friendly.

Obama deserves to celebrate because this is a huge step in relationship to the distance African Americans have gone in past presidential bids. I actually had my doubts that he could pull it off due to his racial heritage, but it seems that people are looking for change and they are willing to set aside their differences in order to achieve this change. Savor your victory Senator Obama, job well done! Below is the victory speech from last night.

Clinton Versus Obama

As a black woman, I find myself facing quite a conundrum (I love that word) with regards to the upcoming presidential election. I, as many other people, have two candidates in the race, but alas I can only vote for one. I am trying desperately to weigh the issues rather than letting my heart guide me.

I have always been a Hillary Clinton supporter since her days as the first lady. She is an advocate for socialized health care and children’s rights, but she is middle of the road on issues of abortion. She is progressive without illusions and believes that government should play a more prominent role in providing for the needs of the people.

The crux of candidate Obama’s campaign is rooted in universal health care. As you might have deciphered I am pretty big on every citizen in American be provided with adequate medical care in spite of their financial situation. Obama is also in favor of getting our people out of the Middle East, something that is very important to many Americans.

I am not a political analyst (and I don’t portray one on TV), I just feel that after the last eight years we need to return the government to the people and I think these two candidates offer the most promise for the future of this country. With that said, I still don’t have a clue about what I am going to do next November.