To President-elect Barack Obama - From Citizen Berryhill

Dear Mr. President-elect Obama,

With out a doubt, your history making ascension to the highest office in the land has brought, and continues to bring, unexplainable pride to millions of people of color, not just in America... but around the globe. People are rooting for you, as they want you to be a good President.

But on the other hand... there are also millions of others who do not like you, respect you, or want to see you confirmed as the 44th President of these United States. Please understand that for some in that category, it's personal. But there are many, who have not accepted your position, operating out of fear because there remain 'questions' about your life that have not been thoroughly answered.

I am writing this open letter to you today on behalf of both sides. Mr. President-elect, surely you know that there is a 'tempest in the teapot' brewing regarding the vault version of your birth certificate. And, only you, Sir, can bring closure to this issue.

For months now across bloggersville, and... now the issue is surfacing in main line media outlets as well, American citizens–– yes, the ones who voted for you... and the ones who did not–– are 'bewildered' that you feel the need to pay money (in the midst of a recession) to three major law firms to make sure that the American people, who you wish to serve, cannot have access to your birth records in Hawaii or your college transcripts. Speculation is running rampant that you received aid as a foreign student. So, instead of relishing in your victory, those who supported you are having to confront these allegations daily...without documentation or ammunition to counter the claims.

Americans believe you when you say you 'love this country'. However, to allow this birth certificate brouhaha to reach the Supreme Court on December 5, causes many to question your love for the country you want to lead. Why would you allow this issue to proceed to the Supreme Court, knowing the national scab has not fully healed from the Bush vs Gore election which was decided at the SCOTUS level? Unfortunately, Mr. President-elect, whichever decision is handed down by the Justices, will not make this issue go away. And, quite frankly, a Constitutional crisis may be imminent... which could further divide an already divided nation.

I know this birth certificate issue may seem trivial in the scheme of things: National Security briefings, world threats, picking a cabinet, an economic crisis looming large... but to many of our fellow Americans, 'nothing' is more important than the Constitution of the United States. Consequently, you Sir, are the only one who can bring closure to the issue at this juncture.

So, please Mr. Obama... for the sake of all the people who supported and voted for you... and, also to quiet (once, and for all) the skeptics, naysayers, and people who already deem your presidency 'illegitimate', do like Senator John McCain did, and present your birth certificate to the American people today.

Our prayer is that you will do the right thing, put an end to this nonsense... so America can come together and tackle the real issues that face this country.

God bless you. And, God bless America!

Vivian Berryhill, Citizen

Media Types, Get Out of the Tank... Do Your Jobs!

Bloggers Rock! With the recent death of NBC's Tim Russert, it is becoming more evident with each passing day that main stream media news––and especially these unprofessionally biased newscasters–– are becoming irrelevant. And if they don't watch out... they too will be relics of yesterday. Without a doubt, bloggers have taken their spots, as these bloggers have stepped up to the plate and eclipsed main line media to dominate the new airwaves: CYBERSPACE!

Needless to say that the custom has been: bloggers break a story in the 'virtual' political discourse arena, and the news media guys and gals are being forced to follow-up on the story–– after it has become yesterday's news. Is it risky to give green lights to these thousands of untrained journalists/bloggers? Maybe. But it's the internet news junkies who continue to set the tone and drive the vetting process of this 2008 Presidential election's information train. This trend began early on in this election cycle when the decision makers at CNN, MSNBC, Fox, et. al, turned a blind eye to their station's talking heads, and allowed them to abdicate their journalistic duties.

And what are their duties? To investigate and report to the American public factual information on the candidates... be it negative or positive...to assist the voters in choosing which candidate best meets the challenges of this crucial moment in history. Instead, these pundits, who too often out-talk their guests, offer conjecture, and spend priceless interview time spinning the story to champion their particular candidates talking points... blew it.

It is widely reported that Obama says McCain has gotten a free pass from the media... while McCain says that Obama's misspeaks go totally ignored by the media. And, sad as it may be... both camps are dead on!!

Today's media types would do themselves well if they would "get out of the tank for their respective candidates"–– particularly while on camera... and just do their jobs.

To quote one of the highest insult/compliments recently received from a respondent to this blog: "I read your blog each time you post. One day I think you are for McCain, the next time I think you must be supporting Obama. It is hard for me to tell because you attack them both the same."

That is what true journalism is all about. And that my friend, says I'm doing my job. Bloggers Rock!

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