Tag-Archive for » Barack Obama «

A Wild Week for Obama

Nobel Prize

Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize (Obama: Nobel Peace Prize is ‘call to action’ [CNN], I was really, really shocked when I read this, especially as I read over the time-frame that this had to have happened – the first 12 days of his taking office. I think that this might have been a little bit premature of them, but I also find it a powerful and telling message of how much the change that Obama is the impetus for, and how much it is really, really needed not only for the United States as a country, but for the world to have faith in us as a a beacon of freedom and progress again.

Obama is powerful speaker and he is bringing that change to us that is sorely needed. He is moving in wonderful directions correcting problems that our country has had for a very long time, and just putting out a mandate of ‘solve it’ where congress and the senate are working together to make it happen. This is such a wonderful thing. Hopefully, they will not screw it up too much. =)

Obama Speaks at the Human Rights Campaign

His message was powerful and affirming. For a while gay rights activists (such as me) have been not quite so sure where Obama has stood on the gay rights issue, but as of October 10th we shall no longer have any doubts. Our President is against discrimination and hate crimes and shall work tirelessly towards the passing of the Matthew Shepard Act, and the repealing of the the Defense of Marriage Act and the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell act too. This is a wonderful day that can have us looking forward to the end of discrimination, prejudice, and bigotry in the laws of our great country.

Now that is change I can believe in.

HRC Speech – Part 1

HRC Speech – Part 2

HRC Speech – Part 3

Conservative Christian Vitriol with Reverend Manning

I started writing this post one third of the way through his vitriol laden rant fully expecting not much was going to change by the end, and nothing did change.I did watch the whole thing before finishing this post.

The Louisiana Gun: The Manning Bar (on YouTube as well) with Reverend Dr. James David Manning (author of the Oblation Hour) speaks out against Obama and claims that white people are going to riot because they are tired of being pushed around. *shakes head* I was not aware I was about to revolt? Perhaps I did not get his script? *shrug*

I just had this video forwarded to me and it is really disappointing to hear how such influential people can be so lost and bigoted (calling Obama a man-lover, homosexual, half-breed, Muslim, illegal alien, usurper). I fully expect these words, especially from a man of his background (conservative Christian Southern preacher), but it is still sad to hear.

Dr. Manning’s words were vacuous at best, and he is attempting naught but fear mongering and fomenting unrest and rebellion (where there is none) via sensationally and emotionally charged words, which is a southern preacher’s talent. Move the congregation with fear and emotion; reason and dignity be damned.

Dr Manning claims matter-of-factly that his view is the state of things with nary a hint of evidence evidence or reasoning. He incorrectly assumes that everyone in America is his version of Christianity (Southern and Conservative), when in-fact, we all are not, and I am pretty sure the fact that Obama was elected shows this clearly as well.

Obama made no illusion of trying to cater to the Southern Conservative Christians (even though he seems to be leaning that way a bit) as Republicans are want to do with their platforms. The Republicans are currently struggling with this and trying to  reinvent themselves to stay current and not lose themselves in the morass of uber-conservatism, which is obviously not the direction that American socio-cultural values are headed. Gay marriage anyone?

He is just a conservative southern Christian rallying against a liberal president using the traditional conservative vitriol in an attempt to maintain the status quo. Social progress is the bane of conservative religion because change means that they need to change to remain relevant; if they have to do that then they were not “correct” to begin with. They will have to change as a religion or die out as a religion and lose face in the process

In our increasingly progressive and aware society, uber-conservative and controlling religions are fighting tooth and nail to hold on to their stagnant social values to maintain face as well as to maintain control of their flock. Without that the sheep may become disillusioned and wander off to greener and potentially more enlightened pastures.

His speech appears to be an attempt to appeal to the homophobic conservative Christian African American by attempting add credence to his views by saying the that  white people felt that way too. His racist and bigoted words do not stop there. He calls Obama a homosexual to try to cement his lack of a real case. =(

These uber-conservative Christians are a huge part of what is wrong with America today and it saddens me to the core. Let us please have a moment of silence for Dr. Manning and may God have mercy on his soul.

Swearing in of Barack Obama

I went to the local sports bar, Monks, across the street from my work with two female co-workers at about 10:50 (10:50am), about 10 minutes prior to the swearing in so we could witness this historic moment. We took a slightly extended lunch to make sure we could see it to the finish. We were all excited. All three of us were excited knowing that the next four or so years were going to herald in a new age of hope, prosperity, and most of all, change.

As Aretha Franklin was singing one of my co-workers started to cry a little and she said I am just so proud to be an American. It has been a long time since I have been able to feel this way.. That is a sentiment that I think many of us can relate to. The last eight years have been trying times.

It was amazing to see the footage of all of the people that gathered there, and at other places around the United States, and around the world, just to be apart of this moment and to be able to say that they were there. I was amazed and the ocean of humanity that lay out before this moment. I envied them… all of them there in Washington D.C.. I wish I could have been there to have my own pictures to show my children when they would be old enough to understand. I wish I could have been there to talk to the people that gathered, to feel the positive, optimistic energy, and to bathe in it.

I think that this is something that we all could have benefited from… to get carried away and infused with hope and optimism that can have us taking that extra moment to make a difference in someone else’s life… to be the very herald and beacon for that which we hold and hope for our own futures, now that change has come.

Obama’s speech was poignant and telling to his future foreign policies. He spoke in his well metered and tempo’ed voice…moving, powerful, and en-heartening. I look forward to that which shall come from his term in office.

That same co-worker was now happy to be able to be proud to be an American again just forward a link saying Best Website update EVER!!!. Her link is a link to WhiteHouse.gov which shows that, amongst the other stories there, that Obama has taken office.

WhiteHouse.gov page that shows that Barack Obama has taken office

WhiteHouse.gov page that shows that Barack Obama has taken office

Promote Esperanto as the International Language

Go to White House 2 to show your support for Esperanto as the international language. Email all of your Esperanto peeps and have them take a whack at it too.

Wiki Sites Advising Obama’s Administration To Be…

Here are two wiki based sites that are allowing people to vote for their support on topics that the new administration should make priority. Have your voice be heard and maybe they will listen.

Obama’s Change Website

Obama has unleashed Change.gov to outline his plan for transition as well for his future presidency. Check out what the future has in store for you.

2008 Presidential Election Comments

President

We are present and have been involved in a very historic and monumental moment in the history of the United States. The first black president has been elected. I am quite happy that Obama has won. I am looking forward to the changes he will bring.

Congress and Senate

I am a bit concerned at the overwhelming majority that the Democratic Party has in the Senate and Congress. So concerned that I almost voted Republican. If I had known more about those candidates I just might have I am worried that With A Democrat President and House and Congress that they will just steam-roll legislation through without any real opposition. All branches flush with vigor and power that Obama and the election has brought may bring about similar mistakes as Bush and post 9/11 legislation brought.

California’s Proposition 8

One last thought I am rather surprised that California’s Proposition 8 passed which instituted a State Constitutional ban on Gay marriage. With California being one of the most liberal and progressive states in the union, and Google and Apple in support of the ban as well, I fully expected this to be beaten down like a red-headed step child.

Heres to hoping that this administration will do well and correct our current oversights and not allow high emotions of recent victory spoil the process.

My Presidential Vote….

Well, presidential voting season is coming up and I think I know who I will be voting for. I have not really been following the polls or speeches or anything. I will try to do that more towards voting time.

I am more liberal than most and I would really like to see a strong centrist candidate or libertarian candidate step up, but alas the world is quiet. I will most likely vote for Barack Obama this season. We need a change and I think with Hillary Clinton in the wings being tempered by Barack that great things can come of it. So I hope….