With greater vocal support from those passionate about the “change” Obama promises, ‘yes we can’ was proven on Saturday when Obama swept Clinton at the caucuses in Nebraska, Louisiana and Washington State.
Although the Primary elections in these states have yet to take place, the Caucuses tell all, promising a huge advantage in the race for nomination.
While Clinton may still have a strong footing, her more traditional democratic support hurt her active support in the Caucuses, which call for supporters to actively attend and voice their vote. In Washington State’s Key Area, Obama spoke to an overflowing crowd of over 18,000 who didn’t care about comfortable seating or conventional dinner rallies. They just wanted a real life glimpse of the man they support as the future leader of this nation, and to hear the words of promise and new beginnings. Not reflecting a fair and accurate support rate, Clinton spoke in an empty venue holding less than 5,000.
Being an absentee voter myself, I could not participate in the Washington State Caucus. While I will be casting my vote, my support will be insignificant in a state that chooses delegates based solely from caucus support.
The results of the primary election will far from reflect the deep gorge between these two candidates at their caucuses, yet whether fair or not, the actual votes in this “democratic” system will mean nothing.
And although Obama’s victories were extremely strong, Clinton will still walk away with a sizable support of delegates. The Associated Press estimates that Obama won 69 delegates while Clinton won 40 over the weekend.
As the long hard battle for the finish line continues, neither of these candidates are showing any sign of predictable victory, leaving us to wonder…while Obama and his supporters have shown that ‘yes we can,’ the question is if we will.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Race, a major factor in the race
This Blog was written Jan 25, 2008 -- Sorry for the delay in posting
As Monday marked a historic tribute to one of the most influential black Americans and his battle for racial justice in the United States, another influential black American battles for the racial vote and the justice he calls for in the United States.
On the day of celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. the three leading Democratic candidates stood in unity and exchanged a few brief cordial words in Columbia, South Carolina before battling to reveal the truth of their voice in the Congressional Black Caucus Institute debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and ultimately win the South Carolina primary election on Saturday Jan. 26.
Democratic officials estimate that African-American voters could comprise more than 60 percent of the primary voters in South Carolina. With African-American candidate Barrack Obama up against South Carolina native John Edwards, race will be a major factor in this race especially.
Barack Obama, who if elected would be the first African-American President of the United States, lead a march through the few city blocks leading to the state capitol where he was joined by Hilary Clinton and Edwards to make brief remarks on the impact of MLK and his battle for civil rights even today.
“Everyday, our politics fuels and exploits this kind of division across all races and regions, across gender and party,” Obama said. “So let us say that on this day of all days, each of us carries with us the task of changing our hearts and minds. The division, the stereotypes, the scape-goating, the ease with which we blame our plight on others—all of this distracts us from the common challenges we face—war and poverty; injustice and inequality…It is the poison that we must purge from our politics; the wall that we must tear down before the hour grows too late.”
Yet encouraging words of tribute faded quickly into bitter attacks during the debate, especially between the would be first woman and the would be first African-American president. The South Carolina Primary will be essential as the race continues to be a close one. So far in the democratic contest, Clinton has won the New Hampshire, Nevada and Michigan primaries. Obama has won Iowa and taken second to Clinton in New Hampshire and Nevada, while Edwards finished second in Iowa but has not won any state primary elections.
As Monday marked a historic tribute to one of the most influential black Americans and his battle for racial justice in the United States, another influential black American battles for the racial vote and the justice he calls for in the United States.
On the day of celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. the three leading Democratic candidates stood in unity and exchanged a few brief cordial words in Columbia, South Carolina before battling to reveal the truth of their voice in the Congressional Black Caucus Institute debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and ultimately win the South Carolina primary election on Saturday Jan. 26.
Democratic officials estimate that African-American voters could comprise more than 60 percent of the primary voters in South Carolina. With African-American candidate Barrack Obama up against South Carolina native John Edwards, race will be a major factor in this race especially.
Barack Obama, who if elected would be the first African-American President of the United States, lead a march through the few city blocks leading to the state capitol where he was joined by Hilary Clinton and Edwards to make brief remarks on the impact of MLK and his battle for civil rights even today.
“Everyday, our politics fuels and exploits this kind of division across all races and regions, across gender and party,” Obama said. “So let us say that on this day of all days, each of us carries with us the task of changing our hearts and minds. The division, the stereotypes, the scape-goating, the ease with which we blame our plight on others—all of this distracts us from the common challenges we face—war and poverty; injustice and inequality…It is the poison that we must purge from our politics; the wall that we must tear down before the hour grows too late.”
Yet encouraging words of tribute faded quickly into bitter attacks during the debate, especially between the would be first woman and the would be first African-American president. The South Carolina Primary will be essential as the race continues to be a close one. So far in the democratic contest, Clinton has won the New Hampshire, Nevada and Michigan primaries. Obama has won Iowa and taken second to Clinton in New Hampshire and Nevada, while Edwards finished second in Iowa but has not won any state primary elections.
Running the 2008 Presidential Election Race
This Blog was written Jan 18, 2008 -- Sorry for the delay in posting
The gun has been fired, the candidates are off, as three front running democrats and six republicans battle for their respective parties nomination and one step closer to victory. Initial leading democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and republican candidate John McCain took back the lead with victories in the New Hampshire Primaries last Tuesday, Jan 8. Both candidates were strongly silenced in the Iowa Caucasus, Clinton taking third to democratic winner Barack Obama and McCain taking sixth to republican winner Mike Huckabee. Both candidates were favored as likely party nominations from early election polls are now being called the “come back kids” after a rocky start. Then, Jan. 5 gave republican Mitt Romney a powerful step as he closed in on the lead with a victory in the Wyoming Primary election for Republicans only.
Major political changes are the promise of every candidate. With heated opposition across party lines and within them, the success of the unconventional “religious republican” Huckabee and the politically “young” Obama in Iowa was greatly attributed to an increase in youth involvement calling for change. With no assumed leaders, the race will be close and every vote will count. Feb. 5 marks the California primary election. The most important thing you can do is register to vote and be a part of the youth taking a voice in this election season.
Iowa Caucasus Results (top three candidates):
Democrats: Republicans:
Obama 38% Huckabee 34%
Edwards 30% Romney 25%
Clinton 29% Thompson 13%
New Hampshire Primary Results (top three candidates):
Democrats: Republicans:
Clinton 39% McCain 37%
Obama 36% Romney 32%
Edwards 17% Huckabee 11%
Wyoming Republican Primary Results (top three candidates):
Republican:
Romney 67%
Thompson 25%
Hunter 8%
The gun has been fired, the candidates are off, as three front running democrats and six republicans battle for their respective parties nomination and one step closer to victory. Initial leading democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and republican candidate John McCain took back the lead with victories in the New Hampshire Primaries last Tuesday, Jan 8. Both candidates were strongly silenced in the Iowa Caucasus, Clinton taking third to democratic winner Barack Obama and McCain taking sixth to republican winner Mike Huckabee. Both candidates were favored as likely party nominations from early election polls are now being called the “come back kids” after a rocky start. Then, Jan. 5 gave republican Mitt Romney a powerful step as he closed in on the lead with a victory in the Wyoming Primary election for Republicans only.
Major political changes are the promise of every candidate. With heated opposition across party lines and within them, the success of the unconventional “religious republican” Huckabee and the politically “young” Obama in Iowa was greatly attributed to an increase in youth involvement calling for change. With no assumed leaders, the race will be close and every vote will count. Feb. 5 marks the California primary election. The most important thing you can do is register to vote and be a part of the youth taking a voice in this election season.
Iowa Caucasus Results (top three candidates):
Democrats: Republicans:
Obama 38% Huckabee 34%
Edwards 30% Romney 25%
Clinton 29% Thompson 13%
New Hampshire Primary Results (top three candidates):
Democrats: Republicans:
Clinton 39% McCain 37%
Obama 36% Romney 32%
Edwards 17% Huckabee 11%
Wyoming Republican Primary Results (top three candidates):
Republican:
Romney 67%
Thompson 25%
Hunter 8%
Primary Election Schedule
Following the coarse of eight democrats, 11 republicans and 29 candidates of four other independent parties as they sprint for the finish line and proclaim victory as 44th President of the United States.
Febuary:
1-Maine (R)
5-Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho (D), Illinois, Kansas (D), Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico (D), New York, N Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah
9-Lousiana, Kansas (R)
10-Maine (D)
12-DC, Maryland, Virgina
19-Hawaii (D), Washington State, Wisconsin
March:
4-Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont
8-Wyoming (D)
11-Mississippi
April:
22-Pennsylvania
May:
6-Indiana, N Carolina
13-Nebraska, W Virgina
20-Kentucky, Oregon
27-Isaho (R)
June:
3-Montana, New Mexico ®, S Dakota
August:
25-29: Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado
September:
1-4: Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
**Source: National Association for Secretary of States**
Febuary:
1-Maine (R)
5-Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho (D), Illinois, Kansas (D), Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico (D), New York, N Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah
9-Lousiana, Kansas (R)
10-Maine (D)
12-DC, Maryland, Virgina
19-Hawaii (D), Washington State, Wisconsin
March:
4-Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont
8-Wyoming (D)
11-Mississippi
April:
22-Pennsylvania
May:
6-Indiana, N Carolina
13-Nebraska, W Virgina
20-Kentucky, Oregon
27-Isaho (R)
June:
3-Montana, New Mexico ®, S Dakota
August:
25-29: Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado
September:
1-4: Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
**Source: National Association for Secretary of States**
Sunday, December 2, 2007
World AIDS Day
More than 33 million people worldwide have HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS, according to the United Nations. That includes 2.5 million children younger than 15. More than two million people have died of AIDS, just this year. That includes 330,000 children. And over 25 million have been lost to the disease in its short history of existence.
It is a common cause. Especially among the global socially conscious. And despite the scope of the crisis and the deadly extent of the disease, it is a epidemic that does have tangible solutions—solutions that Saturday Dec. 1, of every year, attempts to address, as World AIDS Day.
In America, the typical regimen for an HIV patient was about $1,140 in 2004, and this is not for the most effective treatment. Those outside developed nations don’t have access to these treatments or the funds for them. While tangible help and solutions, such as medical supplies and treatment, are available and necessary for those suffering with AIDS, most will never receive any. The only way to combat this epidemic is to halt its spread to those who remain healthy.
Unfortunately most of those at risk do not have access to information about how to prevent infection.
The 2007 World AIDS Day theme was leadership. In the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “Today still 70 percent of infected people don’t have access to life saving therapies. Many still face stigma, economic deprivation and rejection because of their infection. Many still don’t have access to basic information or simple interventions that will reduce risk. This is not the time for complacency nor apathy. It is the time for compassionate leadership that recognizes that the voicesless are often those who suffer most—who can they turn to if their leaders do not listen and heed their cries?”
Bush has called for an additional $15 million from congress toward expanding the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Other leaders throughout the world are also involved.
While it may seem like a problem for Africa alone, Over one million people in the United States live with the same deadly disease. It will take everyone, joining the cause and taking a leadership role to slowdown the spread of AIDS and end the excessive deaths of innocent people. We already have enough of relentless murders inflicted by ourselves—without the help of the HIV/AIDS disease.
While World AIDS Day attempts to raise attention to the importance of each and every persons roll in combating AIDS, it is one day throughout the whole year when we stop to think about the implications of this epidemic. In order to really effectively change the future for all those at risk, we must start living everyday as World AIDS Day.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
An illegal sanctuary
McCain and Romney battle over their devilish pride
At the CNN YouTube Republican candidate debates on Wednesday, front-runner Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney battled it out over who has held the “holiest” sanctuary for illegal immigrants, Giuliani’s city of New York or Romney’s own back yard, dueling over the right to a self proclaimed devilish approach to immigrant control. Even Anderson Cooper couldn’t control the shots fired back and forth over the heads of the thousands who reside in the United States illegally.
Yet as Giuliani and Romney seemed to be content with redundant accusations of shepherding the flocks, it took candidate John McCain to remind them that these are humans they are talking about, not dumb sheep.
"We must recognize these are God's children as well," McCain said. "They need our love and compassion, and I want to ensure that I will enforce the borders first. But we won't demagogue it."
Mike Huckabee also defended his position on respecting those illegally residing in the US, especially their children and his support for allowing these children to be eligible to apply for college scholarships.
Both McCain and Huckabee have been criticized by the GOP for their “soft” approach to immigration policies.
Romney proved his concern to appeal to the mainstream inhuman approach to illegal immigrants by responding, "Are we going to say kids who are here illegally are going to get a special deal?" Romney asked.
Huckabee objected, saying that scholarships would be based on merit, as for all applicants. "We are a better country than to punish children for what their parents did," he said
Hopefully we are also a better country than to vote for candidates who punish the parents for wanting a better life for their children. While the issue of illegal immigration must be addressed, the issue is one of helping these people to become safe, secure, and capable of providing for their families, legally in the United States or in an improved economic condition back at home.
At the CNN YouTube Republican candidate debates on Wednesday, front-runner Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney battled it out over who has held the “holiest” sanctuary for illegal immigrants, Giuliani’s city of New York or Romney’s own back yard, dueling over the right to a self proclaimed devilish approach to immigrant control. Even Anderson Cooper couldn’t control the shots fired back and forth over the heads of the thousands who reside in the United States illegally.
Yet as Giuliani and Romney seemed to be content with redundant accusations of shepherding the flocks, it took candidate John McCain to remind them that these are humans they are talking about, not dumb sheep.
"We must recognize these are God's children as well," McCain said. "They need our love and compassion, and I want to ensure that I will enforce the borders first. But we won't demagogue it."
Mike Huckabee also defended his position on respecting those illegally residing in the US, especially their children and his support for allowing these children to be eligible to apply for college scholarships.
Both McCain and Huckabee have been criticized by the GOP for their “soft” approach to immigration policies.
Romney proved his concern to appeal to the mainstream inhuman approach to illegal immigrants by responding, "Are we going to say kids who are here illegally are going to get a special deal?" Romney asked.
Huckabee objected, saying that scholarships would be based on merit, as for all applicants. "We are a better country than to punish children for what their parents did," he said
Hopefully we are also a better country than to vote for candidates who punish the parents for wanting a better life for their children. While the issue of illegal immigration must be addressed, the issue is one of helping these people to become safe, secure, and capable of providing for their families, legally in the United States or in an improved economic condition back at home.
Death Penalty? What would Jesus do?
In response to a question from Tyler Overman on the CNN YouTube debate, Republican Candidate Mike Huckabee was confronted with his position, as a Christian, on the death penalty – an interesting question for all followers of Christ.
“You know, one of the toughest challenges that I ever faced as a governor was carrying out the death penalty. I did it more than any other governor ever had to do it in my state. As I look on this stage, I'm pretty sure that I'm the only person on this stage that's ever had to actually do it.
“Let me tell you, it was the toughest decision I ever made as a human-being. I read every page of every document of every case that ever came before me, because it was the one decision that came to my desk that, once I made it, was irrevocable.
“Every other decision, somebody else could go back and overturn, could fix if it was a mistake. That was one that was irrevocable.
“I believe there is a place for a death penalty. Some crimes are so heinous, so horrible that the only response that we, as a civilized nation, have for a most uncivil action is not only to try to deter that person from ever committing that crime again, but also as a warning to others that some crimes truly are beyond any other capacity for us to fix.
(Applause)
“Now, having said that, there are those who say, "How can you be pro-life and believe in the death penalty?"
“Because there's a real difference between the process of adjudication, where a person is deemed guilty after a thorough judicial process and is put to death by all of us, as citizens, under a law, as opposed to an individual making a decision to terminate a life that has never been deemed guilty because the life never was given a chance to even exist.”
But when faced with the question again, Huckabee’s response needs no further commentary, What would Jesus do? Would Jesus support the death penalty?
Huckabee’s response? Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office. That's what Jesus would do.
Amen!
“You know, one of the toughest challenges that I ever faced as a governor was carrying out the death penalty. I did it more than any other governor ever had to do it in my state. As I look on this stage, I'm pretty sure that I'm the only person on this stage that's ever had to actually do it.
“Let me tell you, it was the toughest decision I ever made as a human-being. I read every page of every document of every case that ever came before me, because it was the one decision that came to my desk that, once I made it, was irrevocable.
“Every other decision, somebody else could go back and overturn, could fix if it was a mistake. That was one that was irrevocable.
“I believe there is a place for a death penalty. Some crimes are so heinous, so horrible that the only response that we, as a civilized nation, have for a most uncivil action is not only to try to deter that person from ever committing that crime again, but also as a warning to others that some crimes truly are beyond any other capacity for us to fix.
(Applause)
“Now, having said that, there are those who say, "How can you be pro-life and believe in the death penalty?"
“Because there's a real difference between the process of adjudication, where a person is deemed guilty after a thorough judicial process and is put to death by all of us, as citizens, under a law, as opposed to an individual making a decision to terminate a life that has never been deemed guilty because the life never was given a chance to even exist.”
But when faced with the question again, Huckabee’s response needs no further commentary, What would Jesus do? Would Jesus support the death penalty?
Huckabee’s response? Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office. That's what Jesus would do.
Amen!
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