Senator Barack Obama

[La Loba]

I am not sure whose been watching the Democratic Convention, I haven't watched any of it, BUT I happened to catch the video on Senator Obama, and I liked what he had to say, a very inclusive message and one that sparked hope for me, this young 42 year old whose Mother is White and Father is Kenyan. For me, there wasn't a ounce of hatred in his speech.

[/quote]Obama's father was a member of Kenya's Luo tribe, born on the shores of Lake Victoria. He met Obama's mother, who was white, when both were students at the University of Hawaii.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/...in632210.shtml [/quote]





For me, I found his speech to be very inclusive, full of diversity, which is something I take to heart and that is treating all people with respect for their cultural makeup regardless of where they are from, b/c we are a rich nation full of rich cultures and that for me is what makes the world go round.




The surname however, ugh, a little too close for some I'm sure. But, putting all political hatred and party lines aside, I'd like to know what some thought about his speech?

I know I for one have placed some distance in between me and what's on the boob tube simply b/c I am sick and tired of the bashing and division that is currently being created between both parties, and some people in general who simply have just gone overboard here with this up and coming election -- I hate what I am seeing and hearing. I've not made my mind up which way I will be voting. This is indeed a tough decision here. However, I am all for ushering in more young hopefuls like Senator Obama and that young representative from Tennessee, Congressman Harold Ford. There is hope after all...

Here's his speech, but the video is very powerful...

On behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, land of Lincoln, let me express my deepest gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let's face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely.

My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant to the British.

But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place, America, that stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before.

While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas.

Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor my grandfather signed up for duty, joined Patton's army and marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised their baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the GI Bill, bought a house through FHA, and moved west, all the way to Hawaii, in search of opportunity.

And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter, a common dream, born of two continents.

My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed," believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success.

They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren't rich, because in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential.

They're both passed away now. And yet, I know that, on this night, they look down on me with pride.

And I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents' dreams live on in my two precious daughters.

I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on Earth, is my story even possible.

Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night and know they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted -- or at least, most of the time.

This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers and the promise of future generations.

And fellow Americans -- Democrats, Republicans, Independents -- I say to you tonight: we have more work to do. More work to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that's moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour. More to do for the father I met who was losing his job and choking back tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits that he counted on. More to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn't have the money to go to college.

Now don't get me wrong. The people I meet in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks, they don't expect government to solve all their problems. They know they have to work hard to get ahead and they want to.

Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don't want their tax money wasted by a welfare agency or the Pentagon.

Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can't teach our kids to learn. They know that parents have to parent, that children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. They know those things.

People don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.

In this election, we offer that choice. Our party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. And that man is John Kerry.

John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and service, because they've defined his life. From his heroic service in Vietnam to his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he has devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we've seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. His values and his record affirm what is best in us.

John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. So instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he'll offer them to companies creating jobs here at home.

John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves.

John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields.

John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us.

And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option sometimes, but it should never be the first option.

You know, a while back, I met a young man named Shamus at the VFW Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid, 6-2 or 6-3, clear eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he'd joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week.

And as I listened to him explain why he'd enlisted, his absolute faith in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all that any of us might hope for in a child. But then I asked myself: Are we serving Shamus as well as he was serving us?

I thought of the 900 men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, who will not be returning to their hometowns. I thought of families I had met who were struggling to get by without a loved one's full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or nerves shattered, but who still lacked long-term health benefits because they were reservists.

When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.

Now let me be clear. Let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated.

John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure.

John Kerry believes in America. And he knows that it's not enough for just some of us to prosper. For alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga. A belief that we are all connected as one people.

If there's a child on the South Side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child.

If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for their prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandparent.

If there's an Arab-American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties.

It is that fundamental belief -- it is that fundamental belief -- I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper -- that makes this country work.

It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus unum." Out of many, one.

Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes.

Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America.

There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America -- there is the United States of America.

The pundits, the pundits like to slice and dice our country into red states and blue states; red states for Republicans, blue states for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states.

We coach Little League in the blue states and have gay friends in the red states.

There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it.

We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope?

John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope. I'm not talking about blind optimism here-the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don't talk about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it.

That's not what I'm talking [about]. I'm talking about something more substantial. It's the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a mill worker's son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too.

Hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty, the audacity of hope.

In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation; a belief in things not seen; a belief that there are better days ahead.

I believe we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity.

I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair.

I believe that we have a righteous wind at our backs, and that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices and meet the challenges that face us.

America, tonight, if you feel the same energy that I do, if you feel the same urgency that I do, if you feel the same passion that I do, if you feel the same hopefulness that I do, if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as president. And John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president. And this country will reclaim its promise. And out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.

Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. Thank you.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/27/dems.obama.transcript/index.html

[odannyboy]

He is a superb speaker, has alot of charisma, and has rocketed to the top of the Democratic party. He represents hope for many people, and I'm glad he is from my home state. Of course, the Republicans cannot even find anyone to run against him. Basically, whoever volunteers is going to be decisively beaten. Not a real enthusiastic prospect.

[BrianK]

After reading that speech I feel depressed not hopeful. I didn’t know that America somehow was no longer the land of opportunity. There is a ray of hope though in the speech. Regaining lost jobs as promised sure sounds good.

The promise of $7.00 an hour or an 8 hr work day $56.00 a day jobs is going to change for the better per the “hope” promised. Jobs will be created is the “hope” promised.

I “hope” those Mexicans working for $1.69 an hour or working for 33 hours to equal one days pay of $56.00 don’t move here to take those jobs. Even worse would be Chinese workers making 69 cents an hour or working 81 hours to equal that one day pay of the lowly $56.00 don’t invade us for the new better paying jobs.

No sweat we will outdo those countries with technology. 1st. we have to “hope” those 50,000 students here from India don’t learn to much & go back to start up companies that can successfully compete in advancing technology. Personally I applaud the gov. of India for seeking to improve the economics of their country. The people there are willing to travel to & learn from a source that can provide opportunity they don't expect the gov. to do it for them. While "hope" & hopeful " are words used over & over the underlying expectation here is for gov. to make jobs & make employers pay high wages. You have to read carefully to see how that is the subtle message presented in the democratic platform.

Pure economics tells me that “hope” & the return of good high paying jobs as promised as part of the democratic platform that Obama articulated is really one defined in the old saying. “If it sounds to good to be true; it probably is”. Reality sucks, but facing reality & dealing with it as the world economy churns forward will take more than hollow promises of “hope"

[La Loba]

BrianK, his speech had the direct opposite affect on me. A chill actually went up my spill b/c he was talking my talk on diversity and oneness. So, when I tell you I had stopped watching all this political mess, for the second time around -- I have. When I thought it was safe to get back in the waters of cable news, I ran out again.

I'm amongst the 10% undecided though I'm a registered Democrat. I haven't voted as such for years now and may not vote this coming year unless I see some real, note worthy actions put forth by both candiates and I'm speaking walking the walk that they both are talking. Remember, Bush was as green as they get coming into office as president. So saying he has four years under his belt over Kerry doesn't get it for me -- not at all!


My fleshly dilemmas with both Bush & Kerry...

I like Bush though I didn't vote for him, and would love to see him move Cheney, Rumsfeld & Rice off his ticket and out of his cabinet. Why b/c they represent some of the reasons why Bush has had to come out an apologize for various acts with this war. I like his stance on preserving the union of marriage between man and woman. This doesn't say I hate those who believe and live the lifestyle of homosexuality. Bush has a down home boy touch about him that I like regardless of how he got in office which was wrong, I like him and I have put aside my dislikes and anger about how he came to be President.

Kerry, hmmm, knowing that he and Bush, their families come from the same stomping grounds, hmmm, I just haven't put my finger on it yet, but there is something unsettling here. As far as his wife's business, well I hope what I am hearing isn't true about her outsourcing and who she supports financially. If that be the case, and I have expressed my concerns in writing to Kerry as well as my concerns to Bush, that we need to clean up our own back yard first before we help others or even case the first stone at against their the opponent.

If Kerry sincerely means what he says about dealing with those businesses outsourcing jobs, then let them take the first step in bringing back jobs to American by their actions. Yes, Teresa Heinz-Kerry needs to set & be the example. Yes, I wanna see action!

I wanna see what Senator Obama talked about in his speech this week -- come to pass, and everyone put the bashing and hatred and division aside and work together to clean up our own back yards first. So the Senator's speech gave me some hope for the future. We need more young people like him taking the reigns over in the government and doing and being what they say they are with the hopes that they don't get caught up in the comfort of politics. There's politics and then there's effective, salt-n-light politics. THAT is when they represent the WE the people who puts them in office!


Sorry for the long rant. I'm pretty strong about things and my beliefs!

[Snowden]

To me, this young man is a model to be followed by all people of color - any color; black, white, red, yellow, or mixtures of these. I could easily support what he says - until he starts talking about Kerry. He lost me there.

John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and service, because they've defined his life. From his heroic service in Vietnam to his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he has devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we've seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. His values and his record affirm what is best in us.

It seems that two men who served with Kerry still see something good about that service. The rest have combined to write a book which will be out in August, telling what they believe about him. NewsMax has it. In the two decades Kerry was in the the Senate - and still receives pay despite campaigning for a higher office - he has voted against all the things I consider valuable. He voted for abortion, against military weapons, military protective equipment, anything military including increased pay and medical coverage. Or so I've read in the papers.

John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. So instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he'll offer them to companies creating jobs here at home.

Is there anything in his voting record to support this belief? I'm asking - I don't know. Frankly, I'm inclined to doubt it. Heinz does have a good many overseas plants and jobs, but he has nothing to do with Heinz other than the widow he married. He divorced his first wife and married this one - without asking the Catholic Church for the annulment it requires. So much for his "faith," by the way. If one is a Catholic, he should respect it or go to a more comfortable denomination. Even the Orthodox allow remarriage after a divorce; Rome does not.

John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves.

Again, I would like to know in what way he has indicated this. Has he spoken of it or voted for anything like it. Has he been busy writing up a bill that would give all Americans free medical care of the best doctors and hospitals available? I hope not, really. Only his wife could afford to pay the taxes needed for that kind of coverage for the average America. And she watches her pennies to the extent of giving trick or treat kids small foil encased samples of Heinz ketchup.

John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields.

I don't know if he believes in it, but at least he benefits from food instead of oil, so far as we know.

John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us.

I hope so - but I just can't believe it. So far he hasn't shown a tendency to be faithful to any one thing other than money. Especially rich women.

And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option sometimes, but it should never be the first option.

Most of us believe this - certainly Mr. Obama seems to. I like this young man, but I believe he's trusting someone who cannot be trusted. I hope he's right and I'm wrong, because at this point Zogby is predicting a victory for John Kerry. His tort lawyer running mate, who went from rags to riches by suing doctors and making their insurance and our medical care so costly, seems afraid to run for a second Senate term in North Carolina. He didn't have their support in the primaries, if I remember correctly - doesn't that tell us something?

I hope we see a lot of Mr. Obama; he's the type of politician who is, himself, an honest man I believe. Maybe the innocence in himself is why he trusts Kerry so much. Time will tell.


War should never be a first option - unless it is so obviously the only option. We're fighting Islam, which has slowly crawled over the face of the earth and gained sufficient strength for the fanatics to believe now is the time to answer the demand it has to rule the world. Most of this crawl has been done without any real notice.

[BrianK]

La Loba

The call for diversity works for anyone that believes that everyone has something to offer. Having worked for a company that includes diversity as a key element of their operational philosophy I know for a fact it works. Employees both salaried & union either accept the guidelines or look for work elsewhere. That is the message that is upheld & enforced.

It feels good & sounds good to promote the ideals but accomplishing the goal universally in America leaves a lot to be desired. Since the 60’s it’s been an ongoing both party platform staple, eventually it will happen. I don’t think it will happen because of political pressure or law I think it will happen because inter racial marriage & the efforts by organizations like the ACLU to change the moral value of our way of life. I’m not saying that diversity is immoral I’m saying change will come about because society as a whole is changing & that change won’t be mandated by laws.

I cited as part of the democratic platform the jobs & wage promise. Since jobs are a hot issue & much of what takes place on our domestic front relates to employment what are your thoughts on America’s ability to be competitive in the world market. Will our wages price us out or is the promise of higher wages & 12 million good paying new jobs possible?

A quick aside to this particular section. I heard on the News that John Kerry would have immediately adopted the recommendations of the 9/11 commission. Pres. Bush wanted to take time to review.Anyone want to comment on which makes more sense?

As for being president & having experience I view that as an ever changing on the job type of position. The best way to succeed then is to have the top advisors in their field as cabinet members. It works backwards from those people on down. There will be successes & failures along the way; humans aren't omnisient. Part of deciding about the upcomming election. Are the present advisors adapting to changing conditions as we fight the WOT? Who would replace those advisors & what wiould they do? I haven't heard that as part of any democratic strategy for winning the WOT. I know what is in place now & agree with most of the strategy.