Promises, promises

My last post spoke about Obama's broken promise #1. That is, no lobbyist will work in his White House. Well, it looks like I am not the only one to have noticed this, the mainstream media is slowly starting to write more and more about this broken promise. I've collected a sampling of commentary from the likes of CNN to New York Times. And just to show that I'm not at a loss when it comes to humour, I've included a song for those who are interested in serenading Barack.

In Transition, Ties to Lobbying

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama has imposed stricter conflict-of-interest restrictions on his White House transition team than any president before him. But a list of transition team members that his office made public on Friday includes a complicated tangle of ties to private influence-seekers......................

Now The Hard Part
Can Obama Keep His Promises On Ethics And Transparency?

Having pledged that lobbyists and moneyed interests would take a back seat in his administration, President-elect Barack Obama is already discovering how tough such promises are to keep.

At least a half-dozen of Obama's new transition team leaders were among the top fundraisers who "bundled" cash for him on the campaign trail. Four of them pulled in $500,000 or more as Obama bundlers -- Don Beyer, a former Virginia lieutenant governor who owns five automobile dealerships; Julius Genachowski, co-founder and managing director of Rock Creek Ventures; Donald Gips, vice president at the technology firm Level 3 Communications; and Thomas J. Perrelli, managing partner of Jenner & Block's Washington office...........................

Broken promise #1

During the primaries and general election Barack Obama tapped into the cynicism that the general public held toward lobbyist. He used that cynicism to throughly spank Hillary Clinton and John McCain. He was so successful at it that John McCain found himself having to release staff members from his campaign because they had, in the past, worked as, or were currently working as lobbyist. Barack Obama went one step further, by stating lobbyist "won't find a job in my White House,". I would go as far as to say the lobbyist issue was one of his top 5 themes to Americans. So, breaking this promise would be a big issue, and thus meet my standard as broken promises.

Well if you mosey on over to the website Obama's transition team put together to layout their agenda for change you will notice a statement that Obama has issued, back tracking on his promise not to hire lobbyist for his White House.

Obama Transition Announces Rules for Lobbyists in Transition

After reading his newly modified position on lobbyist it sort of makes his statement, "I have done more to take on lobbyists than any other candidate in this race. I don't take a dime of their money, and when I am president, they won't find a job in my White House.", seem like empty rhetoric doesn't it?

In hindsight, could Hillary Clinton and John McCain have been right when they stated that lobbyist represented real people? No, because they are evil right? Just kidding. Or was I and countless millions of other Americans duped by Obama's rhetoric?


Thank you YouTube.com for keeping them honest

We all remember Hillary's smack down,


and Obama's "It's Over" campaign ad, hitting John McCain where it hurts.

but I must not have been paying close attention or I would have noticed what Tim Russert's line of questioning was eluding to.


I guess one possible verdict is that, as a lawyer Barack Obama feels that any promise made to the public can be skirted around with legalese.

The bottom line is that the verdict is still out as to whether Barack Obama is the change candidate that we've all been waiting for, who will take back Washington D.C from special interest and return it to the people, or whether he and is political team were just better politicians than his opponents. It is far too early to tell, but one things for sure, the broken promises will not escape me e.g mounting filibuster on F.I.S.A bill.

One note of clarification, politics aside, I have much admiration for the Obama's. I think they are well grounded, they deeply care for people and their plights, and are not caught up in the trappings of success. These qualities will be the bedrock that are necessary to deliver the promises they've made to the American public. At this point in time I find myself in eternal admiration of them. I believe that one can compartmentalize ones personal take of a candidate, from the critique that is necessary to keep these individuals honest, reminding them to live up to the commitments they've made to the public. Let us never be accused of uttering the words "my leader, right or wrong"

c'est un nouveau jour

Guilty as charged :-)

A lot has happened today, yet I'm speechless. I'm not sure what I'm going to talk about today, and if you want to know why check out the following video from ONN.


Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

This is Democracy

Welcome back America

The global community welcomes you back America

Three simple words

Yes we did

lasts, firsts, and beginnings

Obama 55% vs McCain 44%

I can't believe this day has finally come folks. This has been a presidential run of historic proportions. This is a day of lasts,hopefully a day of at least one first, and a day of beginnings.

last

• Last Daily USA Today/Gallup poll - Obama 55%, McCain 44%.
• Last set of Rallies.
• Last time we'll have to hear the phrase "my friends".
• Last commercial buys with William Ayers.
• Last commercial buys in North Carolina implying Senatorial Candidate Kay Hagan Pals around with Atheist.
• Last of Sarah Palin
• Last of Joe the Plummer
  

first

• First African American President of the United States of America.

beginnings

• African American boys and girls, and other minority groups, including women, can truly dream without limits.
• America is welcomed back into the Global Community.
• We can begin to be proud of our nation once again. This is something that has been hard for many Americans to voice over the last 8 years.
• The innocent are released and those presumed to be guilty can get due processes.
• The beginning of the restoration of the Constitution of America.

What a Journey people

It is my feeling that Barack Obama will win tomorrow (November 4th, 2008), and in turn America and the world wins, but if he doesn't there are still victories to be tallied. And in defeat there are still lessons to be learned. We have watched a nation emerge from being in constant fear and embrace hope once again. That is a victory. We've watched mothers and fathers once again become optimistic about their children's future. That is a victory. And finally, we see what comes out of good people standing up and insisting that they will be silent no more, that is the lesson. Hardwork, grassroots efforts and organization can stand up to big corporate interest, and wrestle back the vision we have for our nation.

We Have a Lot of Work to Do

I've spoken to many, who admitted to me that they didn't take a look at Obama until he gave this speech after his defeat in the New Hampshire primary. In defeat there is victory.

Yes We can

Can you stand the Rain

On Wednesday November the 5th, I want everyone to look out their window because, as we all know, after a storm as severe as the one we've had for the last 8 years, there must be a rainbow.



For those who need a little help envisioning the rainbow

Pause for the Cause

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow Lyrics

'Look what happened at my house'

I came across this post today. I think it is important to link to it for everyone who does not already know what is really at stake here. It's a simple question, going forward, what type of country do you want to live in? One of hate, intolerance, and selflessness, or love, tolerance, and charity, because if you haven't been paying attention out there, over the last 8 years it has gotten really scary. What do I mean by that? Well if you are African American, Jewish American, and homosexual, you have always known what it means to be scared and intimidated, but let me welcome to the fold, Arab Americans, Atheists, Mexican Americans, and those who believe in giving to the less fortunate amongst us. Please check out the original post below, as my words cannot do justice to the individuals personal testimony (photo diary).

This is what was done last night to the Obama sign in my front yard. Last night was Halloween. So what do you think? Halloween prank or hate crime?














How about both. I'll explain below.


Look what happened at my house (A photo diary)

CNN's deported me :-)

Today I found out that I've been deported to South Carolina from North Carolina, no thanks to CNN. No really see for yourself.

Just for the record the U.S has the following

* Raleigh, Illinois
* Raleigh, Mississippi
* Raleigh, North Dakota
* Raleigh County, West Virginia
* Raleigh Court, Roanoke, Virginia
* Raleigh, North Carolina (home sweet home)

but we don't have a Raleigh, South Carolina.


















CNN really needs to invest in better interns. Looks like they noticed their gaffe and quickly corrected themselves, not before I was able to get a screen capture though.

Sarah Palin Gets Punked !!

Sarah Palin is pranked by a Canadian radio show. They lead her to believe that she's talking to the French president Nicolas Sarkozy. This is incredible. I wonder why her people thought a vice presidential candidate would receive a phone call from a head-of-state. This prank call reminds me of her interview with Charlie Gibson of ABC, on occassion the pranker posses questions that she doesn't have a clue about, but instead of asking for clarification, she attempts to fake her why through it.

Well listen for yourself. Don't know how long this will remain up.

Jesus vs John McCain 2008

What if John McCain ran against Jesus in the current US presidential election? What would that be like? I know what many of you are already thinking, "didn't McCain already do that, some years ago?", but I won't go there. In today's political climate with all the attacks on Community Organizing, Charity, and one's Associations, could Jesus ever stand a change of being elected by the Right Wing Christian Conservatives, who love him?

Let this video be food for thought.

As you vote, please remember this

Don't vote !!! Please don't vote.

Okay folks, 6 days left before election day and I want to remind you, no, I want to beg you, please don't vote. I know I'm sounding crazy right now, but watch the video below and you'll understand.

Solution to disappearing Barack Obama signs

After Shannon Bennett's Barack Obama sign was stolen from her lawn, she got out the paint cans and got to work. The results are incredible. See for yourself. Also check out the response of her republican neighbor. This is what I call civility.

The problem with profiling

What must it be like to be an African American for a day? This question has been asked repeatedly throughout the centuries. The question haunted one particular individual to the point he sacrificed his life in order to determine the answer. If you are intrigued pick up the classic book 'Black Like Me'

If you must know and can't spend the time nor the funds to find out than reference the quote below.

“.....I saw a couple that had been escorted out and they were confused as well, and the girl was crying, so I said ‘Why are you crying? and she said ‘I already voted for McCain, I’m a Republican, and they said we had to leave because we didn’t look right,’” Elborno said. “They were handpicking these people and they had nothing to go off of, besides the way the people looked........”


What is evident in the article below is that the campaign was using appearance to assess patriotism. I suspect those discriminated against, such as Lara Elborno, would find it very difficult to live beyond a day in the shoes of an African American. Imagine, getting kicked out of an establishment merely because you have a certain look, or being shot at first and asked questions later.

Well the problem with profiling is a simple and obvious one, a thief, a terrorist, and a murderer don't posses a certain look. The 9/11 hijackers played on our stereotype of what a terrorist looked like and tricked us to lower our guards, by dawning western garbs, and sporting cropped hair and a close shave. Our vision of a terrorist, had us looking out for individuals dressed as Ali Baba and the forty thieves, while the "IBM employees" slipped right through security.

Well it seems John McCain's campaign is still susceptible to these old notions of judging a book by it's cover. You see, according to the article below ,his campaign had police officers escort individuals who didn't have the right look, away from his rally. What his campaign didn't know, because they allowed prejudice to be their guide, was that the individuals he had escorted out where supporters who had already early voted for him. I guess if I were them I'd be crying too. Come to think about it this is perhaps a case of the chicken coming home to roost.

Pre-emptive Ejection
Audience members removed at McCain rally in Cedar Falls

You can vote however you like

Compliments of Ron Clark Academy and CNN

Okay, I know for many the previous video was a downer, but I've found a video that shows the limitless possibilities, that exist in kids when they are surrounded by positive individuals in a positive environment.

Racism du Jour

Okay, this video is another disturbing example of the party of intolerance (aka GOP, aka Republicans). I am particularly struck by what I saw 7 seconds into the video, no, not the usuall adults with their many mosaic displays of racism, but the children. A child equating Barack Obama to a monkey. Boy do the kids learn quick !! It's been often remarked, but they are truly like sponges. In another part of the video, 1:10m into it, you can hear one child, scream out "the world is coming to an end because of you people". All I can assume from that statement is that if you vote for an African American, and are for progressive thinking, and tolerance in a heterogeneous society, you have just started the time bomb that will spell the destruction of man.

Summary of Financial Crisis

I hope after watching this we will stop blaming the 5% of mortgage owners who have or are on the verge of defaulting on their loans, for bringing down all the world markets. Don't get me wrong, they can be blamed for some things, e.g spending more than what they take in, banks writing off bad loans, but someone in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles, or Washington, DC is not responsible for Iceland or the Ukraine being on the verge of bankruptcy. More menacing and larger forces are to be blamed for that. Now that I've got your attention, please read on.

The blame lies with our representatives in Congress, both democrats and republicans, but to a larger extent republicans, who have called for tax cuts for the rich, while leaving the middle class to shoulder the burden of paying for a budget that has ballooned from a $455 billion deficit to close to $1 trillion. The blame goes to these congressmen who continue to call for further deregulation so the rich can make more money than they can ever hope to spend in a hundred life times. Honorable mention of course goes to those democrats who knew better but went along anyways, because of the good times of the late 1990's.

Financial Shadow Markets


Watch CBS Videos Online


Financial Weapons of Mass Destruction


Watch CBS Videos Online

Matt Damon puts the smack down on Sarah Palin

This one is old but I wanted to put it on the record. I thought his comments were outrageously hilarious, but the movie trailer that was produced as a consequence of his statements were even more funny. See for yourself.

Matt Damon's comments


Sarah Palin - Hockey Mom Movie Trailier

Final week of 2008 US Presidential Campaign

Well it is October 28th, 2008 and according to my calculations there are only 7 days left until the final votes are cast. Will it be Senator Barack Obama or Senator John McCain for president? All polls seem to indicate Barack Obama by a landslide. If you are into polling then see for yourself. There are several sights you can follow.

This is a very popular sight, I think they get approximately 1m hits a day.
www.electoral-vote.com


Also another good won. I prefer www.electoral-vote.com though, since the blogger gives a pretty good summary of the news of the day.
www.fivethirtyeight.com

In the Beginning...

Okay, I've decided to jump into the blogosphere. Not sure what I'll be blogging about yet, but I hope it'll be interesting to others, probably a combination of politics and personal observations. I fancy myself as a kind of people watcher so I'll feature this in my blog as well. Also, I'll spice it up with things going on in my personal life, such as drama, career, and family, etc..

Finally, I'm not the greatest when it comes to writing, and like most I usually get a severe case of writers block. I truly have a lot of respect for those who can put out a 500 page volume work, no let me correct that, 2 pages or more volume work on anything, I consider this a feet of mammoth proportions, so be forewarned that the entries might be far and few in between in the beginning.

C'est la fin

L'homme noir

I'm going to test out the video linking feature of the blog. I thought I'd begin by posting a clip of the man I most admire speaking on the circumstance of the black man in the new world.