Queen May Have Needed A Hug From Michelle

The chatter surrounding the hug Michelle Obama gave to Queen Elizabeth during her recent visit to Buckingham Palace seems much ado about nothing. Granted, hundreds of years of established protocol was breached by the now-infamous 'touch'... but it may have taken a woman of African descent finally being invited to the palace to debunk that age old 'don't touch the Queen' tradition.

The Queen didn't seem to mind, as it was she who reached out first and touched Michelle. As a matter of fact, the Queen, who far too often appears void of emotion... may have needed a hug from the touchy feely, 1st Lady Michelle to help her reconnect to every day people!

So, bloggers and international press corp members move on from here. Go sister-girl Michelle.

Michelle Obama Plants Garden At White House

All Americans need to take notice and do as First Lady Obama has done: PLANT YOURSELF A GARDEN!!!

The White House garden is aimed to be a symbolic confrontation to childhood obesity, a fast-growing health concern in the US where many are increasingly exasperated by the overwhelming presence of fast food restaurants.

How impressive. You go Michelle...

Partying At The White House Posing Problems for President

If it were any other time in America's history, headlines such as: "Obama kicks up White House entertaining"... "President Hosts Super Bowl Party At White House"... "White House Party's ROCK!" would not be so offensive. But with President Obama constantly reminding the American people how dire the economic forecast is and will be for the next several years, and the stock market falling like a rock... and with people losing homes and jobs in record numbers each month–– and quite angry about it to boot... this may 'NOT' be the best time for hosting weekly parties at the White House.

While over 60% of Americans want this president to succeed... HE has to want to succeed as well. People believed President Obama when he asked John-Q-Public to rethink the gas-guzzling SUVs they drive, and to turn the thermostats in their homes down to 70 degrees as part of a unified national sacrifice. Many Americans jumped on Obama's bandwagon when he lambasted President Bush as "clueless" for his answer to the financial crises by telling people to "go shopping".

Where is that Obama––the one who pledged to sacrifice his presidential perks along with the rest of us for purpose of country?

Across bloggersville, persons who supported Obama and those who did not, are voicing strong dislike and distrust because President Obama appears to be "fiddling while Rome is burning". These are difficult times and, unless the Obamas are paying for these parties out of his monthly salary or his 'own' money... the American people want the President to stop with these parties already! He looks hypocritical. The message he is telegraphing to voters is: 'do as I say... not as I do'.

When the economy gets better and money is flowing back in breadbasket America so that tax payers can also party like it's 1999...then Obama too can party with Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind and Fire all night long if he wants. But until then...continuing to party at the White House will pose real problems for the President!

Berryhill Salutes Obama: 44th President of the U.S.A.

President Barack H. Obama, Jr., being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America, ushers in a new and unprecedented era for this country. Duly elected as the first man of African-American descent to ascend to the most powerful office in the land, President Obama stands on the shoulders of many Black pioneers who died in the struggle in anticipation of a day such as this.

Growing up in the racially charged 70's, where the mantras of the day were: "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud"; "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", "Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothin'... Open the Door and I'll Get it Myself"... it is with deep pride that I, the great-great-great-graddaughter of slaves can see someone, who looks like me, actually in charge of the city where a 'free black man' named Benjamin Banneker, was instrumental in the construction of the city.

President Obama's success is essential! If he succeeds, all Americans, rather they identify as Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Green Party, can take pride in a unified nation. If Obama is allowed to fulfill his term in this office, there is a great possibility that he can help bridge the mistrust and misconceptions held by many in both the Black and white communities against each other.

And, African-Americans, while proud and unashamedly claiming ownership of Obama, Michelle, and his two beautiful daughters, must remember that he does not belong to the Black race only. He will be the president of all Americans, and in his quest to be successful, he knows he must govern accordingly. But he will need our help!

Help him by praying for him every day that he will surround himself with God-fearing advisors. Take time to find out the fax numbers and email addresses of your local Congressmen and Senators that you can show support of legislation that empowers your neighborhood, and let your voice be heard on policies that will not benefit you or your community. And lastly, we must carry ourselves as African Kings and Queens, committed to fulfilling the dream of Rev. Martin Luther King... and be steadfast in our goal of becoming self-reliant, disciplined and financially independent... just as our ancestors before us taught us.

This is a new day, and together, with our sleeves rolled up and head held high, we can make this country great again.

God Bless President Obama... and God Bless the U.S.A!

The Obamas Open the Way For African Americans

by Princella Smith - Guest blogger; Washington, DC

Bill Cosby portrayed it: an upper middle-class, successfully educated African-American family. Dr. King dreamed of it, spoke of it, and gave his life for it. Slaves and then civil rights activists were jailed, beaten, and died for it: for the day when not only would a person of color be allowed into the White House but would run the White House.

It’s been a long time coming, but the American minority has officially reached the highest American ceiling, and that’s a testament to the maturity of this country.

I say this as someone who disagrees with Obama ideologically. I believe in the notion that less is more when it comes to government. I believe in individual responsibility and ownership. I believe that more funding to schools will not replace the need for school reform and teacher accountability. I believe that people should be allowed to invest in their own individual social security accounts and that any extra money in the account can be left to family members at death. I believe in a comprehensive energy plan that includes drilling for American resources while developing alternative forms of energy. My official trek into politics was jumpstarted by Republicans. I have held true to most of party’s ideals, BUT I AM American enough to see the patriotism in celebrating the history of this moment.

An Obama Presidency doesn’t mean that bigotry is over. For as long as there is diversity in America, there will be prejudice, racism, and ignorance. No longer do we have to wonder: “Is it really true that I can be anything I want to be?” My grandmother says that her first reaction to seeing “President-Elect Barack Obama” on the screen was to remember about 37 years ago when my father was 11 years old. She was waiting with him for my grandfather to arrive from work, and as my grandfather approached them, he had to stop, stoop over, and wipe the dirt from a white man’s shoes before he got into his car. My grandmother took her hand, and turned my then 11 year-old father’s head away so that he would not see his father have to wipe dirt from the white man’s shoes. “That’s what I thought about when I saw ‘President-Elect Barack Obama’ on my television screen,” she said.

The difference today is that African Americans, now more than ever, must follow through on King’s dream. Before Obama’s election, to many, those words were empty because there had been no evidence that America would take a step as huge as electing a person of color to the most powerful position in the entire world, but they did.

And so, my dear African-American brothers and sisters: for each one of you who live in poverty; for each one of you who are surrounded on a vast island of depraved neighborhoods and less than adequate school systems; for each one of you who look for miles but cannot see an example of an educated successful African-American couple with a stable family, just turn on your television, pick up a book, read a magazine, check a newspaper or click on the internet, and realize that THERE IS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT with an African-American wife... occupying the White House.

You don’t have to pattern your life after President-elect and Michelle Obama’s, but Obama’s election is an example of what you can have in life if you work hard, discover your personal abilities, and capitalize on them. Men... pull your pants up, tuck your shirts in, and walk upright. Exercise restraint and sexual responsibility. Do not support entertainment that degrades you, your culture, or black women. Cease use of the “N” word. Saying that it “empowers” you is ignorant and shows your lack of knowledge on the origin of the word’s usage.

No doubt, you will face discrimination in your lives. When people say the phrase: “Well now, they have no excuses”, I want to ask them: “So, you thought this entire time that when minorities—particularly African-Americans—have expressed frustration with discrimination that it was just whining??” Clearly, those people just don’t get it. However, Obama’s election should always serve as a testament to ALL Americans that no matter how much discrimination presents itself as a hurdle in the race of life, you can still get to the finish line in America. We live in a great country.

So, aim. Make your own waves, and aim at the highest goals. Surely one of them, you will achieve.

Princella Smith is a political activist. During the day, she is the Chief Advocate at American Solutions, a non-partisan political organization founded by former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.

The 44th President of the United States: Barack H. Obama

History has been made in the election of the 44th President of the United States of America: Barack Hussein Obama, a Black man. This fete is especially noteworthy as it was in 1865 that slavery officially ended in this nation. And now, 143 years later, an African American man will take the reins as the leader of the most powerful country in the free world.

Regardless of political persuasions, Republican or Democrat, the night of November 4, 2008 ushers in a new era of pride for people of color everywhere. Black Americans can stand tall, head held high, because once and for all the door to equality has been kicked opened, allowing Black men, women, boys and girls to take their rightful place at the table of prosperity and recognition.

Around the world, the symbolism of an Obama-win is meaningful and will be viewed for years to come as most significant. Without a doubt, an Obama presidency finally elevates brown men from all the nations in South America, throughout the mid-East, and within the rich continent of Africa, to their rightful places of power and respect––par with their European brothers and sisters.

President Obama’s message of change will now be actualized.

As he now moves toward the monumental job of governing and delivering on his campaign promises… particularly ending the unpopular war in Iraq and bringing the troops home… the stakes for Obama are high and the preverbal honeymoon between him and the nation may be short-lived.

But, the nation has spoken… and the world is celebrating. Best wishes and congratulations to the new President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama!

McCain, Obama! You Call Yourselves World Leaders?

The road to the White House is increasingly being littered with carcases of what we Americans once held sacred in this country: women, children and disabled people. Where did civil decency in this country go? What happened to America's value system which included a respect and a safe-zone for the innocent and those who can't fight back for themselves?

This 2008 Presidential election cycle will indeed go down in history as the nastiest, most vile and negative in American history. And... if we don't pull it back NOW, and left unchecked, this negative, acerbic, acidulous climate––which is being fueled on the Internet and by biased main stream media pundits–– will result in a volatile environment which could rent this country in two at the conclusion of this race.

Just recently, in what some on the right are calling a 'direct' swipe at pitbull lipstick-wearing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin... Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama verbalized this crass, less-than-presidential remark during a stop in Virginia:

"You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig".

Name calling... insulting, degradative remarks... and crude public attacks are beneath the dignity of both of these national campaigners. And hurling attacks, especially on the wives and children of candidates has really gone too far, and has no place in decent, civil public discourse. Regardless of what one thinks about the views and positions of Obama or McCain or Palin or Biden... what public good does it serve to refer to Michelle Obama as the "N" word, Cindy McCain as the "B" word... or the most contemptible of all: circulating the most dastardly jokes about 5-month old Trig Palin, the Downs Syndrome baby of Governor Sarah Palin? What kind of nation are we becoming where ridicule of women, babies and children is acceptable and promoted?

It is the responsibility of the candidates to keep out of the gutter, and stay above the fray. Likewise, the voting public must exercise respect for themselves and this country, and stop circulating–– via emails––those unsubstantiated, uncorroborated and blantly false tales from unprofessional individuals on both sides.

Presidential candidates McCain and Obama need to remember that one of them will eventually have to govern and lead all Americans after this election is over. And trying to lead angry folks will make for a steep hill to climb. McCain, Obama... act like the world leaders you hope to be, and get back to debating issues!

*****2008 DNC CONVENTION: HILLARY, THE NEW HARRIET*****

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton used her moment at the 2008 Democratic Convention to transpose herself into a modern day freedom fighter, Harriet Tubman. Hillary is now the new Harriet.

Speaking on the 88th anniversary of Women's right to vote, Clinton, whose biggest applause came with those code words to her supporters to "Never Give Up"... she left the door wide-open for her comeback in 2012. The shrewd politician that she is, Clinton rendered the bare minimum "rah-rah" vote-Obama-in- November. She mentioned Obama's name only ten times during her speech, and that mostly as an after thought–– tagging his name on at the end of a sentence where she championed her accomplishments, and basically challenged him to do what she has done.

An odd moment in Clinton's presentation was her reference to, and tepid assault on war hero, "friend" and "colleague" John McCain. It was unusual that she never once refuted her statements which are being used in the popular McCain 3am ads, that Senator Obama is not ready to be Commander-in-Chief. That she didn't pull that claim back... knowing that millions would be tuned in to hear her speech, leaves those words hanging in the air and offers further authenticity to the McCain campaign!

But, overall, this was one of the best speeches Hillary has delivered in her career. It will be remembered for what 'was' and what 'wasn't' said...

*****2008 DNC CONVENTION MICHELLE OBAMA*****

Michelle Obama delivered a dynamic opening night speech... setting a clear, "we are family" tone for the 2008 Democratic Convention. The wife of presumptive presidential nominee, Barack Obama, did what she needed to do, which was to reintroduce herself and, in her own style and words, present who she is to the American public.

After having endured a rough and bumpy start in the media the past few months, Michelle Obama spoke of their family's down home roots, her deep love for her children, and her admiration and love for her husband during her fiery keynote address in Denver.

Giving a hat tip to Senator Hillary Clinton and making a forthright effort to appease the 18 million people who voted for her husband's chief rival, Mrs. Obama said:

"I stand here today at the crosscurrents of that history - knowing that my piece of the American Dream is a blessing hard won by those who came before me. People like Hillary Clinton, who put those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, so that our daughters - and sons - can dream a little bigger and aim a little higher."

All in all, Michelle Obama demonstrated that she is one tough sister-girl, who will not waver, become weak-in-the-knees or bow at crunch time!

According to Christine Warnke, a Washington, DC attorney and superdelegate to the convention:

"Michelle electrified this place. You could see on the faces of many of the women in the arena that she was connecting with them, as quite a few were moved to tears. Michelle was charismatic, yet graceful. And her overall presence was powerful. She came off extremely well. I think, if given the chance to serve as America's First Lady, she will work tirelessly to break that stained glass ceiling for minorities and for women".

Is An Obama/Clinton Head-Fake In the Making?

The long, drawn-out process to select the Democratic nominee for the office of President of the United States of America will finally conclude next week in Denver. This 4-day gathering brings together all of the party faithful, Super Delegates, and many national, state, and local level Democratic elected officials under one big tent. At the conclusion of this 2008 Covention, presumptive nominee, Senator Barack Obama, is expected to walk away as the big kahuna. (Note the keyword "expected". Because as long as there is breath in Hillary Clinton's body, she still has a possibility to snatch this nomination right from under him, or be on the ticket as V.P.)

In this political year, where nothing seems to be what it is––Up is now down; Black is white; the best candidate is painted as the worst and vice versa–– conspiracy theories abound. And claims that there is a dead rat somewhere in the mix, are rampantly circulating.

Take for instance the unusual and unexplained 'ceremonial' roll call vote Obama is granting Hillary Cinton on the night he is to accept his party's nomination. Unless she is the selected V.P. on this year's ticket... ceding that much ground to her and Bill is not justified.

Then, supposedly after this non-binding first round vote call is complete, Clinton in turn is expected to play nice, and keep her word and cast any and all her delegates from this play-acting vote, back to Obama? Everybody leaves unified, happy and ready to rumble! That is either the biggest hoax or... to quote Bill Clinton, a big "fairy tale."

Coming off a disastrous non-debate at Saddleback Church against Republican nominee John McCain, lackluster performances at recent town hall/campaign rallies, and a continual drop in his poll numbers since mid-March–– where McCain is up by 5 points today... Obama must choose that someone who can bring back excitement to his campaign. And, none of the current Veeps leaked to the media as being on Obama's short list: Kaine, Biden, Bayh or Sebelius, have the necessary 'juice' to aid in a victory for the Democratic team in November. Obama, who didn't get where he is by being naive or stupid, has probably known from day one that Hillary goes on the ticket, or he loses in the Fall.

Was that the game plan all along? Presidential contender Ralph Nader, who has long been dubbed a political spoiler, may have been telegraphing the "planned" Democratic ruse in the following news release:

"Obama may dislike Hillary, but will conclude he has no choice but to get over it if he hopes to leave next week’s convention in Denver with a unified party and a decent shot against John McCain in the fall: The polls show 25 percent of her supporters have not gotten on board.”

Chiming in to echo Nader's claim, is longtime Clinton loyalist and choice supporter, Lynn Forester/Lady de Rothschild, who was quoted in an international newspaper as saying:

"My loyalty is to the Democrats winning. Barack Obama is going to have a serious problem getting elected, for good reason. The party needs to face the fact that without Hillary Clinton on the ticket, the Democrats will probably lose.”

So, if the Obama/Clinton strategy from the onset was to play out this enemy/adversary or "good cop, bad cop" drama all the way to the end... only to come together, display a huge show of unity at the convention, and leave Denver as a cohesive team... that would be a brilliant, well-executed strategy. Then, the Denver speaking line-up would begin to actually make sense: spotlight on Michelle Obama on Monday, Hillary on Tuesday, Bill Clinton on Wednesday, and Obama on Thursday. Talk about the 2008 Presidential/Vice Presidential team on display right before our very eyes each night! All that's left is to drop the Red, White and Blue balloons.

If this has been the strategy for the Democrats to win back the White House, it would be the biggest bamboozlement, in-your-face to the Republican party in modern history–– and would catch the GOP totally off-guard. Or, as Dan Gerstein, a Democratic consultant from New York so aptly phrased it:

“If he [Obama] determines that Hillary after all is the best choice to help him to win and to govern, they are capable of pulling off what would be the greatest head fake in American political history.”

Bill Clinton Is Still a Slick-'un!

As they say here in the South... "watch that Bill Clinton... he is a slick-'un"! How best was this phrase demonstrated than during his recent interview on ABC news... where his comments continue to generate incessant rumors at the grass root level, regarding Senator Obama's constitutional qualifications for the office of President. Clinton, the masterful dean and inventor of message innuendo said, when asked by ABC correspondent Snow about Obama being completely qualified to be President:

"The Constitution sets qualifications for the president, and then the people decide who they think would be the better president".

Why didn't #42 just state a resounding "Yes, he is" ... or a conclusive "No, he's not", when asked that question? Surely Bill Clinton understands that this statement would further fuel the constant, nagging drag on Obama––and subsequent tanking poll numbers of Obama––because of the junior Senator from Illinois' refusal to produce his original, signed, certified birth certificate. Was President Clinton signaling a hidden meaning in his "... Constitution sets qualifications for the president..." remark that he has also bought into the wide-spread notion that Obama is hiding something by not being transparent and revealing his birth records?

While it's true the former president is busy championing his cause in Africa... but is he, or his aides, aware that he fed right into "web chatter"? Did he not know that bloggersville is abuzz with these 'daily' and 'hourly' conspiratorial posts:

Was Obama born in the US... Does he have dual citizenship in Indonesia and US... Was he legally adopted by his Indonesian step-father whereby his legal name on his birth certificate is Barry Soerto... Was his mama legally married to his daddy at birth... Or was he born illegitimate (as Michelle O hinted a few weeks back)... Is he part Arab by nationality... Was he listed as Muslim by religion...?

Clinton had to know that these are "real time" questions that dominate cyberspace–– and cyberspace is where this year's electorates are getting their information and forming their opinions for the General Election. It also should be noted that presumptive GOP nominee, John McCain, whose qualifications for the presidency were also questioned early-on in the contest, presented his original birth certificate to the media, and received an official ruling that his birth in the Panama Canal does not disqualify his run for the highest office in the land.

For sure... the shrewdness of Clinton's now-famous 'Constitution/qualification' remark did not help an already-wary-public put to rest these Obama birth certificate rumors. As a matter of fact, by virtue of his authority... he gave futher credence to them. Well, if this birth-certificate-'Constitution/qualification' issue is not sorted out before the Democratic Convention in two weeks, Obama can believe that the Republicans (who won't let the birth certificate issue go uncontested... nor let it hang like an overcast cloud) will mop the 50-State map up with him every day until he produces it, then, move on to the main blood bath through November 4th.