IT’S BARACK!!!!!

Thank you America.  You have, with this election, restored the small flickering faith I had in the American people.  Even a cynic like me now can start to believe that anything is possible in America.

LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT…

BECAUSE IT DOES.

..or a Day of Wrecking America?

At this point, barring any election fraud by Republicans, I am convinced that Barack Obama will be elected president of the
United States. However, as I have noted in my previous post, I think the Neo-Cons, who want to turn this country into Fascist state, will try anything to maintain their tight grip on power.  They are already trying to prevent people from voting in many places. In Ohio, despite the ruling by the Supreme Court, the highest court in the nation, the Bush administration has asked to intervene in a case where up to 200, 000 voters may be prevented from voting because of a late challenge by the Ohio Republican Party. In states like West Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri and Texas there are reports of votes flipping from Obama to McCain on electronic voting machines.

So the question is, how will November 5th, 2008 will be remembered? Will it be remembered as a day when the long US national nightmare ended with the departure of the Bush administration or when another one began with riots and blood in the streets?  Will it be a day that brings jubilation or a day that brings a revolution? Although the corporate media is keeping a tight lid on the topic, there are indications that it could get ugly on November 5th. Just read this story  from ”The Hill” about how police departments around the country are beefing up their forces preparing for possible riots whether Obama wins or loses. Putting the subtle racist attitde and insult to black people aside, I think this action has a larger goal. Could it be that the Neo-Cons have already made the plan for the election theft and are anticipating a strong reaction from the people?  When was the last time that something like this was ever done in the United States?  Never.  Are they getting ready for a deliberate confrontation so Bush can declare a national emergency and suspend the Constitution?  Will this be the way how they will ’save the king’?

With that rosy scenario, let me leave you with a little poem about another 5th of November, the year 1605 to be exact. Those of you who have seen the movie V for Vendetta will recognize this poem. Have they already named their Guy Fawkes , in Barack Obama?

Enjoy!

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

the Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent to blow up King and Parliament.

Three score barrels were laid below to prove old England’s overthrow;

By God’s mercy he was catch’d with a dark lantern and lighted match.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

Hip hip hoorah!

A penny loaf to feed the Pope

A farthing o’ cheese to choke him.

A pint of beer to rinse it down.

A faggot of sticks to burn him.

Burn him in a tub of tar.

Burn him like a blazing star.

Burn his body from his head.

Then we’ll say ol’ Pope is dead.

Hip hip hoorah!

Hip hip hoorah hoorah!

More Election Notes

The McCain-Ethiopia connection

For those of you Ethiopians who are not happy with Meles and his administration, and are considering voting for McCain, this is for you. If you have followed the election closely, you may have heard that McCain’s “Straight Talk Express” is filled with special interest lobbyists from various corporations, interest groups and even countries. Yes, countries. Did you know that one of McCain’s senior advisors, Frank Donatelli, is lobbyist for McGuire Woods Consulting firm which represented Meles’ EPRDF in 2005, the very same year Meles stole the election, to provide “government relations and related public communications services to assist and work with Ethiopia in Washington, D.C., in promoting and strengthening Ethiopia’s relations with the United States” ? Look at the exhibit.

Something to think about before casting your vote for another 4 years of Bush like support from the US to the dictator Meles.

Be careful Obama supporters

Apparently, supporting Barack Obama can be a dangerous choice. Did you hear about the London man who got shot for wearing an Obama T-shirt? What the … It would have been funny, if it wasn’t so sad and serious. This is what this poison called racism and prejudice can do to a person. The man is not even in the United States where he can vote for Obama!

The Barracuda Lady effect

This is a very important election for our children and also shoring up our economy and we should also, it has to be about job creation too, and not fear free trade like a monster, but ultimately reducing the federal budget there in Washington and also.

Oops, I apologize. I had a Sarah Palin moment there for a second.

So, how about that “Maverick-ette” Sara Palin? It looks like people are getting to know her. Unfortunately for her, the more they hear her talk, the more they realize that she is just an empty dress…an expensive one from Neiman Marcus. Have you seen some of her interviews? People are sadly comparing her to Lauren Caitlin Upton the former Ms Teen South Carolina , the poor girl who gave that jumbled answer to a question about Iraq during the Ms Teen USA pageant. Actually that is not really fair…. to Ms Teen S Carolina !! At least she was caught off guard by the question. Anyways, the best and sobering commentary I have heard to date on Mrs Palin’s nomination is by Deepak Chopra, the famed Indian medical doctor who has written several books and articles about spirituality, self awareness and meditation. Here is the article.

And finally, a personal commentary about John McCain. Not that anyone who follows the character today’s Republicans doesn’t know it, but in the last few months John McCain has shown us who he really is. A liar, a coward, and a dishonorable man who tries to disguise himself as a straight talking ‘maverick’. Just like many of these Neo-Cons, he is willing to sell his soul to fulfill a personal life long ambition of becoming president. Yes, McCain is one of the original Neo-Cons who signed on to the PNAC early on. In fact, he was the choice by the Neo-Con leaders to be president in 2000 until G W Bush and Karl Rove came in and ran one of the dirtiest primaries ever smearing not only him, but his family.

What is so heroic and courageous about dropping bombs on innocent civilian men, women and children from 20, 000 feet? What is so honorable about going out with a beer heiress while your wife is in the hospital after a devastating automobile accident that left her disfigured? What is so ‘maverick-ish’ about cozying up with the same group that smeared you and your family a few years ago just for a chance to be president? What is so honest about lying though through your teeth, with no shame, about your opponents records and character even after you have been proven wrong and dishonest? Let’s face it, John McCain is not who he claims he is. Here is the real John McCain.

Countdown to November 4th

Only two more weeks until Nov 4^th. Things are moving at a lighting speed and it is hard to keep up. Below are some comments, observations and predictions on the election.

First, let me make a bold prediction. Now that it looks like Obama has all but wrapped this election up, I predict that the Neo-Cons, in a last attempt to cling to power, will create some kind of a national emergency, before Nov 4th election day, or January 20th, inauguration day. What do I base this on? Well, a couple of things.

Bush’s November surprise?

First, the Bush Administration has quietly signed several ‘Presidential Directives’ in the last 8 years, among which is , Directive 51 The National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, which basically suspends the US Constitution and the US government.

Here are some of the things that the Directive can do.

The National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive (National Security Presidential Directive NSPD-51/Homeland Security Presidential Directive HSPD-20, sometimes called simply “Executive Directive 51″ for short), signed by United States President George W. Bush on May 4, 2007, is a Presidential Directive which specifies the procedures for continuity of the federal government in the event of a “catastrophic emergency”. Such an emergency is construed as “any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions.

The directive specifies that, following such an emergency, an “Enduring Constitutional Government”, comprising “a cooperative effort among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government,” coordinated by the President of the United States, will take the place of the nation’s regular government, presumably without the oversight of Congress.

The interesting phrase here is “any incident, regardless of location “. Curious, isn’t it? Why would Bush sign all these laws, if he is not intending to use them?

Second, did you also know that, as of Oct 1^st , for 12 months US combat troops, in a move that would effectively end the, Posse Comitatus Act of 1878,are now in charge of patrolling the streets in the United States? Their stated mission is the form of crowd control they practiced in Iraq, subduing “unruly individuals,”.

Are things starting to fall in place for you? Sounds like the Bush administration is lining its ducks in place.

Do Republicans like democracy?

I am sure you have probably heard of this much ado about nothing regarding ACORN, the community grassroots organization which played a huge part in registering minority voters for this election. So now ACORN is accused of voter fraud, to the point where, according to Grampy McCain “destroying the fabrics of Democracy”. The truth is, this is an old tactic by Republicans to keep poor folks from voting, since traditionally, minority voters support a Democratic candidate. Republicans do not want everyone to vote. You want proof? Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Paul Weyrich. Weyrich is a Republican activist and commentator who co-founded the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank and “The Moral Majority”, the evangelical Christian lobbying organization with the late Jerry Falwell. Weyrich has worked closely with Ronald Reagan’s and both Bush’s presidential campaigns. So, how does Paul Weyrich feel about representative democracy in America? Here is what he said at a church gathering in 1980.

“Now many of our Christians have what I call the goo-goo syndrome — good government. They want everybody to vote. I don’t want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of people, they never have been from the beginning of our country and they are not now. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down.

Watch the video.

That’s right, all of you goo-goo syndrome suffering persons going ga-ga over this thing called democracy! What are you trying to pull here?

The Audacity of the ‘Barracuda Lady’

Balls!  said the queen, if I had them I’d be king!

Do you get the feeling that is what Sarah “the Barracuda” Palin (as she likes to call herself), the Republican vice presidential nominee, is saying to herself these days?  Can you believe this woman and the stuff that is coming out of her mouth?  It’s like they wound up and let loose the meanest Barbie on the shelf!   Not to sound like a misogynist, but there is something unseemly about a shrill - shrieking woman who screams at the top of her lungs with a manufactured “tough gal” act in a mean and nasty way.  It feels like it goes against all the wonderful instinctive qualities a woman has like her gracefulness, her compassion, and that gentle woman’s touch.   

But to hear the Republicans speak of her, you’d think Sojourner Truth was reincarnated.  Forget the fact that the woman barely qualified and hung on as mayor of Wasilla, the Meth capital of Alaska, where she almost got recalled, or even the fact that she thinks she has plenty of foreign policy experience and knowledge only because she can see Russia from Alaska, or her declaration that the occupation in Iraq is a ‘task from God’ or her urging Alaskans to pray for pipelines to be laid in the state and the many outrageous statements she made as an elected official.   

But the most appalling thing Mrs Palin said was her belittling of Barack Obama’s record as a community organizer and by extension all community organizers, and the way she did it during her RNC speech.  It had to be embarrassing even to some of her supporters.

“I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities,” she said in her shrill voice.

No Mrs Palin, community service is an art as much as it is politics. It’s about helping others, who are less fortunate. It is about sacrificing your time, your energy, and sometimes risking your life and become a voice to so the many people who have been disenfranchised.  It’s about going into some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in
America and talking to people one on one – without police escort like your days as mayor of that little hamlet you were a mayor of.  Major cities like the South side of Chicago, South Central LA, South East Washington DC and Harlem.   No, it’s not the same as sharing cookies and apple juice at your local PTA meeting with your friends and exchanging moose stew recipes later on.  It’s facing a forgotten and rightfully angry community and keeping that delicate balance between outrage and hope by teaching them about empowerment. Of course, you wouldn’t know the meaning of any of that, coming from a sheltered and protected life in that corner of the country. So, I don’t expect you to volunteer for community works in the south side of Chicago soon any time soon. 

I’d like to see you spend a day at in one of those neighborhoods talking to folks and finding out what their pressing issues are.  You say that’s not fair?  Well, don’t you think part of the responsibility of the office of the Vice President entails the ability to talk to all kinds of people anywhere in the country, including minorities?  At least Obama has proven that he has the ability to reach and connect with all types of people, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native America, African – you name it. You want proof?  How do18 million votes sound to you? That is a hell of a lot more than the 651 votes you received to become mayor and the 114, 000 you got to be governor of Alaska.  Of course, you would not last an hour in any of those neighborhoods.

But you know what might be good for you and might help you adjust that cocky and galling attitude of yours?  How about spending a couple of hours with Michelle Obama and her to kids in a room?   No no, nothing rough or intimidating, although you can use some of that too, but just talking to them, heart to heart. You can bring your kids too if you want.  I bet you will come out a different person with perhaps a better disposition and a more pleasant voice too.  Have you met the Obama women by the way? They really are a nice family.  Not that you would know what family manner is if it jumped and bit you on your you know what, but you will be surprised how well mannered and smart they are for an “uppity” family, like one of your surrogates called them.  So, in the slight chance that you might become Vice President, you can use some of that manner in your office.

 Barack Hussein Obama - The Presumptive Democratic Nominee

Barack Obama finally stood alone as the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for the presidency of the United States.  There is nothing more I can add to what has already been said by many about the historical significance of this moment, except that the US is one more step closer to maybe saving itself.

“I’ve just watched him on television, and as a family we are very happy. Really, it is something that is a trendsetter,” the politician’s uncle, Said Obama, told The Associated Press from the port city of Kisumu in western Kenya.

In Mexico City, hairdresser Susan Mendoza’s eyes lit up when she learned Obama had clinched the nomination. “Bush was for the elite. Obama is of the people,” she said.

Michael Cox, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, said Obama’s win “has sent out a lot of positive signals around the world.” “He has a very appealing persona — elegant, fluent, strings lots of sentences together into paragraphs,” Cox said. “But in terms of (his) actual policies towards the Middle East, Iraq, Iran, China, Europe — actually, we don’t know.”

The German government’s coordinator on U.S. relations, Karsten Voigt, said many Germans “find (Obama’s) mixture of Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy very attractive.”

Jean-Marc Damier a 39-year-old man from the Paris suburbs who works in marketing, said Obama’s relative lack of experience could be an asset. “The candidate’s freshness can only do good, because the way things have been done before created a mess,” he said.

The Times of London, which proclaimed in a headline that “Obama waits on the threshold of history,” said in an editorial that Obama’s campaign “has rekindled America’s faith in its prodigious powers of reinvention — and the world’s admiration for America.”

Ngo Van Hung, a Vietnamese real-estate salesman, said Obama “seems to be a peace lover. He would have a better understanding of how to treat people of different nationalities and different countries.”

Jorge Serguera, a 70-year-old retiree in Havana, said he thought that, if elected, Obama would work to loosen Washington’s nearly 50-year-old trade embargo against Cuba. Obama is “a thinking man of ethics and ideals,” he said. “Bush’s leaving will let Cuba rest a bit after eight years.”

Of course, understandably, there were some skeptics as well.  

“The upcoming president, whether he is black or white, would have the same policy,” said Tarek Abdullah, an Egyptian store vendor. “Their Middle East policy and their policies towards Muslims in general will always be the same.” 

Read the full story here.

In the mean time, what has Obama been up to since he clinched the nomination?  Well, a couple of things that stand out are:

First - he has pledged not to accept any donations from lobbyists and PAC’s (Political Action Committees).  This is one step forward in taking money out of politics.   

Second - in what some reporters described as a very dramatic moment, Barack Obama apparently ” talked ” to Joe Lieberman in private, the former Democrat now Independent Senator, about his criticism of Obama’s Israel policy. 

This is a scene right out of 48 Hours.  The only thing missing was the cowboy hat and the toothpick. Look out Washington, there’s a new Sheriff in town, and his name is not Reggie Hammond; it’s Barack Obama!  I love it!

 

 

A new “March on Washington” is about to begin - a march not quite like the one which took place in 1963 , but a new kind of march.  And this one is being led by Barack Obama, a bright charismatic young Senator, who seems to have re-captured the hopes, dreams and optimism of the American people. Most importantly, he has managed to bring out what is decent and good about Americans.  He has inspired millions to see beyond race, color, religion, gender and political party for the good of the country emerging as a uniting figure in a time when political vitriol has paralyzed Washington.  Barack Obama has become a phenomenon, a leader to a new kind of “American Revolution”.

Obama’s ascendance to the status of presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party and a favorite to win it all in November, according to several polls, is as improbable as his own biography.  A ’black’ man born on the island of Hawaii to a Kenyan Muslim man and a white woman from Kansas… Kansas! (As a personal note of clarification, I am using the word black in quotes in this article when referecncing Barack Obama, with keen awareness of the “one-drop rule” regarding race in America. As a young man, he traveled overseas to Indonesia and lived with his Indonesian stepfather. After returning to the US, he studied at Occidental College in California before transferring to New York’s Columbia University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science specializing in international relations in 1983.  After graduating from college, he moved to Chicago where he became a community organizer before enrolling at Harvard University’s Law School.  At Harvard, he became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, which is a journal of legal scholarship. In 1996, he became a State Senator in Illinois, which served as his launching pad for his political career. In a somewhat of a surprise, in 2004 he became a United States Senator from the state of Illinois beating the Republican Alan Keyes.  Even Hemmingway himself couldn’t have come up with a character as fascinating as this one.  Move over Tiger Woods, there is a new ’black’ star with a more colorful past ready to fill more meaningful holes in the lives of millions of Americans.
 
Martin Luther King, referencing John Donne, once said, “No man is an island entire of himself, every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”  But perhaps it is a man born on an island, with almost every piece of the continents in him, as a part of the whole, who just might be able to get us closer to Dr King’s dream, if not fulfill it.  A man representing the two extremes of America’s “stained original sin of slavery”, as Obama himself put it, a Kansas white and an Africa black with all the colors in between. 

Obama’s message is a simple one, “Yes We Can”. Three simple words made of only eight letters, yet very potent filled with hope, optimism and a belief in the original promise of America.  In his speeches, he has repeatedly reminded people that they themselves are the ones who are in charge of their own government. By doing this, he has given voice to the people who, for a long time, felt like their voices were not being heard by the powers in Washington.  He has been able to tap into that part of the people’s desire to get involved in their government by promising to bring them on board; a concept as old and as original as the Republic, but forgotten throughout the years because of the failure of leadership.  In the process, he has managed to galvanize people from all walks of life - black, white, brown, young, old, rich, poor, Democrat, Republican, and Independent.  
 
He has run a masterful campaign shattering several conventional wisdom theories about political elections in the US.  First, he has refused to resort to the old style of attack and destroy politics refusing to be dragged into the slimy and nasty side of presidential campaigning despite his opponents’ attempt to do so.  He has proven to the so called experts that focusing on the issues can actually bring positive results.  Second, he has proven that big money contribution and big money influence from lobbyists and corporations is no longer the way to getting elected to any office.  With an average contribution of just over $100, Obama’s campaign has used the internet as an incredible cash machine to finance his campaign by millions of Americans who are hungry for change. And finally, his campaign has shattered record after record for a primary, whether it is registering new voters or attending his rallies and speeches. What is even more astonishing about Obama’s campaign is that he is on the verge of derailing the mighty Clintons’ political machine in a relatively short period of time which is a rather stunning achievement.  He has all but clinched the nomination by beating Hillary Clinton in almost every meaningful category and often by stunningly large margins.  His campaign is already being recommended as a case study by CEO’s of leading US companies as a model on leadership. 
 
Ed Charles, a former baseball player in the 1950’s and 60’s, once said that a black baseball player had to be twice as good as his white counter part in order to be recognized as star and earn the same amount of money as the white player.  In that context, what Obama has done in the much more difficult field of politics is hard to believe.  His ability to remain calm under pressure, be it from the dirty tactics of the Clintons, who by the way, as of late, have shown their true color, (pun intended), or from the corporate media that is determined to derail his campaign, is a testament to his qualification to hold any office including the presidency. As a ‘black’ presidential candidate in the US, Barack Obama is well aware of the monumental risk he is putting himself and his family in by running for president.  And to have the courage to still proceed with his mission is a testament to his desire to bring true change to the country.  Someone once said that the true definition of courage is to know that you are scared but to go anyway. Barack Obama has shown his courage by running for president anyway. 
 
The presidential campaign terrain is no place for the faint of heart - especially for a man of color. But, with the grace and agility of a Michael Jordan, the intelligence and oratory skills of a Martin Luther King, the smoothness and charisma of a Mohammed Ali, the strength and  resiliency of a Jim Brown, and the courage and passion of a Malcolm X, Barack Obama has emerged as the leader for the new generation of Americans.
 
But aside from all the glamour and the excitement, the hope and dream, what does a Barack Obama presidency mean to America and the rest of the world?   To start with, it would be like a breath of fresh air to have a family of color in the White House after all these years of white Anglo-Saxon male dominated presidency.  It would send several messages to the rest of the word. First, it is still possible for anyone to achieve the highest of ambitions, as long as the person stays true to his/her belief and does not give up on the dream. It would mean that there is still a chance for anyone to achieve America’s original promise even against the smallest of odds.  Second, it would send a signal to the rest of the world especially in regions where ethnic and religious conflicts are rampant like the Middle East, Africa and Asia - places where the US needs to improve its image.
 
Domestically, it would mean a fresh new start in mending the race relation that has plagued this country for centuries. Of course it does not mean that Barack Obama will solve race issues in America over night, but it would at least start the conversation about race and in addition, prove that a man or woman of color is just as qualified to hold the highest office in the country. Imagine, a ‘black’ president of the United States in the White House! I can just hear the outrage and the smear from the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and ‘FIX News’, such as “Barack Obama has a secret plan to paint The White House black and call it “The Black House”.
 
How about Obama’s policies? Although he is predictably being labeled an extreme left wing liberal by the Republicans, Barack Obama is no flaming liberal. He has a long way from earning that label.  He is a moderate with a voting record slightly to the left of many Democrats in the Senate.  However, at times during his campaign, he has shown that he has the propensity to be lean far to the left on many issues. Yes, he will disappoint his supporters at times and we should be prepared for that reality. But his ability to bring different people together for a common goal, should allow him to move the country forward in the right direction. When a leader is able to bring people together in such record numbers and have them believe in his or her ideology, that leader can accomplish a great deal of his agenda.
 
So, here we are in the year two thousand and eight, early in the new millennium, at the doorsteps of history, with a young ‘black’ man leading the way to a new march on Washington. A march, which perhaps can be viewed as a redemption, if only partial - a fulfillment to the original one;  partial in that the possibility of a bi-racial ‘black’ man to a position of presidency of the United States can hardly be proof that racism has been eradicated from the country, but it is a big step forward in fulfilling that original promise. 

The Circus

OK, it’s about time I started a discussion on the 2008 US presidential race. Actually, I am overdue. So, this is the first installment of a series of articles on this topic. So hang on and enjoy the ride. It is going to be a rough ride between now and November.
 

After watching last night’s “debate” in Philadelphia , which can actually be called “The Ambush at Philly”, I couldn’t help wonder if there wasn’t some kind of conspiracy to keep Obama from becoming president.  I tell ya, there was no brotherly love coming from the city of “The Brotherly Love” - Philadelphia .  There was a lotta hatin’ coming from George ‘Judas’ Stephanopoulos, Charles ‘I am Walter Cronkite damn it’ Gibson and ABC against Sen. Obama.  It was 4 against 1, and one of them (John McCain) wasn’t even there and had a fabulous night by his proxies.  Oh, and by the way Georgie boy, how does it feel to be a water carrier for the right wing tool like Sean Hannity? Hell of a reporter you are, Georgie boy! 
   

It is obvious Mrs Clinton is using the ‘scorched earth’ tactic or in Amharic, ‘ene kemotku serdo ayibkel’ tactics.  She knows she has no chance of winning the nomination, so what she is doing is making sure that Obama doesn’t win the presidency by practically siding with the Republicans and destroying his chances.  So, how does that benefit her? Well, that sets up the stage for 2012 since McCain has already made it clear that he is going to be a one term president.  Yes, that’s how the Clintons play politics.  They can be even dirtier than the Republicans.  They have shown that to the world throughout this campaign.

So, the question is, where is the Democratic Party? Why aren’t they stopping this assault on a brutha?  What are they waiting for?  Why aren’t the so called ‘Super Delegates’ coming out and saying ‘enough is enough’ and cast their votes for Obama, who has proven to be the much better candidate than Republican-lite Hillary Clinton?  What are they waiting for - a signal from Super Man himself?  Seriously, this is getting ugly. They know the math does not add up for Hillary and poll after poll shows that Democrats prefer Obama over her.  Is there some kind of conspiracy here against brother Obama?  It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? I will have more to say about this whole mess soon. 

Chereka