At an Obama rally at Columbus Circle, New York City. Sat, Feb 2, 2008. (Tadias Magazine photo)
Tadias Editorial
Editorial
Published: February 4th, 2008
New York (Tadias) – This year Ethiopian Americans will participate in one of the most exciting and consequential elections in decades. Both candidates would make dynamic presidents. And, if elected, will make history. We have no difficulty in selecting which one of two will eventually become a more powerful historical figure. We strongly endorse Senator Barack Obama.
The senator from Illinois distinguishes himself by appealing to basic human decency. He transcends false divisions rooted on race, language, gender, region and religion. His public service record in Chicago, his time as a civil rights lawyer, his years as constitutional law professor, and his Senate experience all prove that Obama is a seasoned candidate who can bring about much needed change in American politics. Senator Obama has demonstrated passion and dedication on issues that are important to Ethiopian Americans, such as immigration, education and health care.
Senator Obama is a son of an immigrant. His father was born and raised in Kenya. Obama’s father travelled to the United States on a scholarship to pursue his education at the University of Hawaii. It was there where Obama’s parents met. Obama’s father eventually went to Harvard, where he received his Ph.D. and later returned to Kenya, where he worked as a government economist until he died in a car crash in 1982. Obama travelled with his mother from Hawaii to Indonesia and lived in both California and New York before working in low-income communities in Chicago, Illinois.
A Columbia and Harvard alum who graduated as President of the prestigious Harvard Law Review, his credentials can match or surpass any other American president. But Obama’s asset is his vision, his courage, and his integrity. His words touch every heart – the MTV generation rallies for him as much as do those who lived in the Kennedy era. Last night’s Superbowl Champs, NY Giants, have decided to skip the traditional festivities in Disneyland, officially endorse Barack Obama and plan to attend Obama’s speech today in New Jersey. He is leading across borders echoing MLK’s words: “Unity is the great need of the hour.”
There is a bit of each and every one of us in Obama. His story is our story. We believe that an Obama presidency will instantly reverse the public relations damage done by the current administration and defuse anti-American passion around the world. We encourage Ethiopian Americans to vote for Senator Barack Obama.
It is only appropriate to close this endorsement with Obama’s own words as he addressed the people of South Carolina who gave him a historical landslide victory:
“And as we leave this state with a new wind at our backs, and take this journey across the country we love with the message we’ve carried from the plains of Iowa to the hills of New Hampshire; from the Nevada desert to the South Carolina coast; the same message we had when we were up and when we were down – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope; and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people in three simple words:
“Yes. We. Can.”
—–
Related:
Ethiopian Americans May Swing the Vote in Virginia (TADIAS)
I am glad you guys are supporting obama but lets also be a bit real. I think he is the best candidate out there now, but lets not make him out to be super human.
You could have of the negative things to his candidacy.
after all since this is an official endorsement like that of the NY times… you could have started this as ALthough he is in expereinced Obama transcends division thus blah blah
Fantastic! Yes, we can.
I have posted this on the previous story, but don’t mind repeating it. Obama is my inspiration! This is not only about electing the first black president. It is about electing someone who is the most qualified presidential candidate. His educational background in political science and international relations, his constitutional law teaching experience, his public service record, and his Senate experience all show that Obama is the most seasoned candidate who can bring about much needed change in American politics.
Obama has succeeded in bringing to the voting booths what has been said to be the largest group of young first-time voters in history. His optimistic speeches have washed away the paralysis, cynicism, and apathy of voters and his clear stance on the issues: better education, universal health care, environmental friendly energy bills, ending the war in Iraq, closing down Guantanamo, and building a better foreign policy face to the world all show that in this defining moment we are the ones who have to step up to the challenges of the 21st century by voting for those who best represent the interests of our generation. We are generation hope. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for!
“Yes We Can!”
“Si Se Puede!”
“Enchilalen”
and ofcourse he reminds us of MLK’s words still relevant today: “The time is always right to do right”
Dear Nolawi,
I missed your post earlier. What?
“real”?
“negative things to his candidacy”?
“ALthough he is in expereinced Obama transcends division thus blah blah”
What?
Can you expand? What are the negatives?
Job is done ! I am proud of your support for Obama. But I am voting for Sen. Hilary Clinton becuase I believe she is better than him.
Tina, what I am saying is when someone endorses someone they explain why.
I see. Are you sure you know what you’re talking about, Nolawi?
“explain why” (what is this?)
Did we read the same endorsement? I think Tadias’ is by far the best endorsement of any publication for Obama. FYI, the New York Times endorsed Hillary, not Obama.
We’ve got long ways to go to free ourselves from mental slavery.
Keep it up, Tadias! Keep it up!
Obama is fine. One thing is for sure- he is better than Hillary Clinton. What bothers me about him is his extreme leftist position on almost all issues- he was rated the most liberal senator in the year 2007 by the trend of his vote in the senate. For some reason, I don’t trust these leftists that keep on endorsing him. The moveon.org endorsement highlighted my fear. If someone got the support of Bay Area and Boston liberals and is endoresed by moveon.org, he has got to have very high liberal potentials- and that scares me. And Tina, add the NY times and the San Francisco Chronicle endorsement to the list :-). I am still supporting him though; I want him not only to win the primaries but also to be the next president of the US and the point person of the free world.
Let me be clear- I support Obama not because of his approach to the issues but because he is black. If that is going to make me a racist, I don’t care… If he was not going to be the first black president in the US when/if elected, and if the election was only about the issues that face the world/US at the moment (Economy, Immigration, Same-sex marriage, Abortion, and Radical Islam/Terrorism…), my ideal candidate would have been governor Mike Huckabee (REVEREND Huckabee, might I say).
So, I agree with Tina… Keep it up, Tadias. And thanks for supporting a Black candidate.
Take Care!
you touch my heart. God sees your job.
Tadias, thank you for endorsing Senator Obama. He has a great credential. He is energetic, inspiring and unifying. None of the candidates on both sides match these qualities of Senator Obama. Many have raised the question of experience as a shortcoming of the senator. The incumbent president did not bring match experience when he won the presidency. I do not believe that President Bush is now inspiring and unifying. The question is does the senator have the leadership quality to surround himself with capable individuals to carry on the immense responsibility he is getting ready to take. This can be answered in the affirmative by looking at the campaign machinery he has behind him. The new generation of American is behind him. The multitude of Americans with good will to their country and the whole world are behind senator Obama. The senator is really what America should be. Senator Clinton may say she is experienced. However, her claim to experience is much what she banks on ex-president Clinton’s experience. The fact of the matter is the young senator has demonstrated that he is a great public servant and has a lot of promise.
When we as Ethiopians endorse or support a candidate we have to look at the outcome we are expecting. Who among the candidates is likely to show a greater concern for the change we desire in our own country or Africa in general. Senator Obama is in a sense one of us. Look at your kids in your own house. Supporting senator Obama is like routing for one of your own son or daughter. I do not want to be more sentimental. I just think how my life would change if Hillary Clinton or John McCain wins the presidency. I can not imagine much after watching the current administration all these years. By voting for senator Obama I can at least say I made a statement. I voted for change! I voted for progress! I voted for my son who someday in the far future may go for this chance to serve his country. Imagine a son of an Ethiopian immigrant running for the highest office in the US. Wouldn’t you love to stand behind him? For Hope ! Change ! Progress.
Dear Tatalis,
Sorry for using your last name, I just like the way it sounds. You should brand it:-)
Really? I thought both major Bay Area papers (The San Francisco Chronicle & the San Jose Mercury News) endorsed Obama? Am I wrong?
By the way, thank you, Tadias, for giving us this wonderful forum to discuss and learn from each other on this important issue from our own perspective! We don’t say it enough, but big thank you!
Tina, FYI, the name Aris Tatalis can not be branded because it is already taken. ArisTatalis, if you may, is the Amharic version of Aristotle, the Greek philosopher.
Wow, how romantic!
Okay, let’s get back to the topic on hand: Tadias Magazine’s endorsement of Senator Barack Obama.
Why would someone want to vote for a candidate because of religion, gender or race ? That doesn’t show that they are good or bad. However, if you don’t vote for Obama only because he is black, then you are racist and if you don’t vote for Clinton only because she is a woman, you are sexist. It would be an insult to my intelligence to suggest that I’d vote for either of them because of their gender or color. I have to see what they are going to bring to the table.
Some people base their vote on an ideological laundry list hoping that Obama will help race issues because he is Black. Other people vote for or against a candidate because of emotional attachment to a single issue — he’s good looking,he is black, she is a woman, gun control, abortion rights, opposition to war.
I have no doubt that the race for presidential election nomination will be fascinating and possibly historic event if a women or black candidate is elected. As blacks and as women we’ve had the long but ultimately unsuccessful Equal Rights Amendment battle.
Well, many people vote on feeling. I think we should vote for a fair and honest president !!!
Dear Tina,
I am so glad that TADIAS endorsed Sen. Barack Obama. Me too would like to support his campaign in every way possible. It is a very crucial issue for any body who can think clearly because this dicision we make now has a very big impact on our life (in near future ), on our children’s life for those it seems impossible to reach the highest level of adminstration (because this is “ye baed hager” but in actual case it is not for the kids who are born and raised here), AND above all on the fate of our MOTHER LAND, ETHIOPIA.
SELAM KE HULACHUH GAR YIHUN!
Indeed it is a historical election. Since both of them are running neck and neck, super delegates will play the most important role of deciding who will be the Democratic Nominee.
How do they determine who is the Nominee?
The first test is electability ( both Obama and Hillary have passed that test). The second test is who will unite the party (Obama has passed the test with flying colors ). Thirdly, whose supporters will be available on Nov 08 .( those who contribute money are dedicated supporters. So please donate at least $25, instead of one person donating $100 , four people donating $25 each counts more because it is a guarantee of four voters). And finally, who will galvanize the other party against us ? Clinton might be a danger, since independents can’t stand her vote for the War and Republicans hate the Clintons.
Please donate to Obama to show you believe in him http://www.barackobama.com
Good Job, Tadias! No buts no ifs just good job!
You joined the ranks of major newspapers The Oakland Tribune (which by the way bought out the San Jose Mercury News sometime ago now…) and the L.A. Times!
Fervent supporter of Obama!
Tina,
You are right. Both the newspapers you mentioned endorsed Obama. In my earlier post, this part was erronous: “And Tina, add the NY times and the San Francisco Chronicle endorsement to the list”… I meant to say the LA TIMES- not NY times (NY times ofcourse endoresed Hillary). My point being, an endorsement from a liberal Newspaper as LA times, that last endoresed in 1972, shows that he is very liberal.
About the screen name, as Tewodros Said, it means Aristotle in Amharic.
I second your appreaciation to Tadias for giving us the access to discuss like this. It it wasn’t too much to ask, I would ask the magazine to set up a permanent forum where we can discuss more.
Ke’Misgana gar,
Aris Tatalis
Dear Aris Tatalis,
That’s cool
You arouse my intellectual curiosity 
Wonder what Socrates is called in Amharic? It would be fun to find out.
As to the “liberal” issue, the conservatives have fired the first shot at Senator John McCain, basically calling him a “liberal”. Did you hear Rush Limbaugh? I am soory, but I can’t stomach much of his views. But since your alternative choice is Reverend Huckabee, I took the liberty of assuming that, you might, occasionally, tune in to Rush Limbaugh
Yes, I add my enthusiastic voice to the Tadias Discussion Club!
Much love and respect!
Tina
Oh yeah, I have an idea. Why don’t the conservatives form their own party? You know, like, The Conservative Party?
Tinachin :),
Being a Huckabee guy is not necessarily a good reason to listen to Rush Limbaugh. The other day he said that if Huckabee or McCain get elected, the Republican Party would be destroyed. Your ‘liberal assumption’ was not in vain, though- Yes, I do listen to Rush. In fact, he used to be my hero. Kemir Tina, he is a man of ideas and principles (not to mention that he was a Nobel Peace Prize nominee along with Al Gore). Though most of his arguments are somewhat trenchant, he is undeniably influential and unquestionably smart.
Don’t shoot now. I have more to tell about him. I don’t like him anymore and here is why…
You remember the time Oprah organized a fund-raising party for Obama back in September? She hired an Ethiopian Chef for the party. Well, the next day, it was the opening of Mr. Limbaugh’s show. He went like, “An Ethiopiannn Chef? You have got to be kidding me? I didn’t know that they have food in Ethiopia?” minamin minamin… And he went on making stupid points in his usual way. Well, that was totally uncalled for. So Mr. Limbaugh is not my favorite anymore, Sean Hannity and Bill O’rielly are. I know that you are saying “alsheshum zor alu”…
Socrates? Honestly I don’t know. But I know that Plato has one- I just can’t recall it now. I will try to remember. J
Aris Tatalis!
Tadias
Ethiopians for Obama, a group of enthusiastic Ethiopian supporters of Barack Obama, are planning to volunteer throughout the weekend. Our main aim is to reach undecided voters to let them know about Barack Obama’s positions and to let everyone know that the primaries for DC/VA/MD are being held on Tuesday February 12th.
We are planning on meeting up at 400 N. Washington Street (Route 29), Falls Church, VA on Saturday February 9th, at 9:00 AM.
We are also going to be doing intensive outreach to the Ethiopian community on Saturday and Sunday. Please come join us as we start to make change happen. For further information, call us at 703.798.5230
Thanks,
Teddy Fikre
Teddy,
Good luck with your weekend activities in DC & VA. I volunteered for Obama in New York myself, and it was well worth it. However, I do wish we had started much earlier to affect people who did not register to vote or those who wanted to change parties (many independents said they wanted to). As Hillary drums up her “health care change” rhetoric to get elected, she must not realize that some of us remember the past. She had 8 years and billions of dollars to fail at this during her husband’s administration. Does anyone remember the “health care reform” of the 90′s?
Tizita
Thank you for the well wishes. You are right, there is nothing as fulfilling as volunteering for a cause you believe in. I drove to New Hampshire to canvass, knocking on the doors of complete strangers–it was such an inspiring moment to know that I contributed to a movement that was joined by millions of others.
As far as the timing, all we can do in life is to play with the hand that we are dealt. I have been talking to Ethiopians all around the Washington DC area, and I can only tell you how refreshing it is to hear the enthusiasm and energy that Ethiopians have towards Obama.
To quote Obama:
“If one room can change a room, then one voice can change a city, if one voice can change a city, then one voice can change a state, if one voice can change a state, then one voice can change a country, and if one voice can change a country, then one voice can change the world!”
Ethiopians, even if our voices are limited, we too can change the world!
Dear Ethiopian Americans,
This a letter of appeal to all of you Ethiopian-Americans who live in Wasngton DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas who still have the opportunity to participate and make a difference in the Democratic Primary election.
I know most of us young folks vote, and, if statistics are right, we will be voting for Barack Obama! But, you can also be an instrument of change by motivating your fellow Ethiopian-American men and women who are not regular readers of Tadias. I am saying this because almost all of my relatives who can vote are not voting. I made a few phone calls and found out to that some of those who have lived here for long time are not voting either. I am very disappointed.
Please, please call your parents, friends, and relatives and tell them to vote–preferably Obama!! We have the opportunity to vote in this free country. Why don’t we participate in the electoral process which will not only affect us, but also affect the future of our children?!
We need to support Obama who can relate to us for so many reasons. Please vote, please donate, and please volunteer and be a part of the movement. We are America and we can’t just sit back and be passive about our future.
It is important that you vote and, just as importantly, pick up the phone right and call your friend and family. Please forward my appeal to ten of your friends. On Election Day help whoever you can to get to the polls.
Thank you and I hope you will all make a difference!
Bizu
I can’t help but wonder why CNN is counting the results the way they are. Right now they are saying Obama lags behind Clinton by 27 deligates. The truth is he is ahead by 60 deligates (and I calculated this from their own site too). They want us to believe that they predict the number of super deligates that will go to Clinton and to Obama. But they have no real count of how the super deligets will vote, and it might not come to that anyway. Moreover, it is interesting how they are gradually infusing these projected super deligate counts into the total numbers as the votes come in. It makes it look like they are counting the pledged deligates. My big question is why?
For all those who are interested in taking part in the Barack Obama movement, and specifically helping to reach Ethiopians and convincing them to vote for Barack Obama in the upcoming Potomac Primary and in the other states like Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania that have not voted yet, please email me at theodorefikre@yahoo.com Also, please join “Ethiopians for Obama” by signing up at barackobama.com and then joining “Ethiopians for Obama” under the group tab.
YES WE CAN!
First of all, sorry for going on a tangent but I want to give my sincere apologies to Mercury News for running my mouth in a previous posting without doing my homework. Not only did it endorse Obama but it’s a pretty good paper at covering Ethiopian-American related news.
That said, are there any Bay Area Obama supporters who’d like to get together and make phone calls to the DC Area and more?
I came in late in the volunteering aspect of this campaign. But I gladly learned it’s never too late, not even for those who didn’t vote for him! If you’ve had a change of heart and have started to believe, you can still either volunteer or make a donation or both. You can donate as little as $25 (I did that a few days ago after Super Tuesday which was not so “super,” when I got a little tip from someone’s posting right here on this blog.) If you can afford to do more than $25, ask someone to donate and you will match their donation. Think of it as investing in your future because that is what it really is.
I talk about a change of heart because someone who very early voted for Clinton in an absentee ballot said “if I had known (what he was about… after really listening to one of Obama’s speeches) I would have voted for him.”
This is not about being in the winnin or losing camp but about continuing to believe or even more important starting to believe. We have to believe that he will win the primaries and the general election. We have to believe that he will do so well in his first four years in office that we have no choice but reelect him for a second term.
There is something big happening in America beyond race, age, gender,… that no one to my knowledge has pointed a finger to, though I’ll give it a shot: the core, most inner human values are creating a chain across states and Obama is the link. Personally, I refuse to stand by the sidelines and watch it pass and be oblivious to it! So, please don’t let the chain break and it’s okay to vote from your heart.
I urge you in the remaining states for primaries to vote for Obama and make our votes count.
Yes, we can!
Hi Hanna,
I am a volunteer at the Obama HQ in Oakland. I also organized a rally in San Francisco. I am working the phone-bank and I can tell you for a fact we need your support. I am also planning to raise money for Obama among the Ethiopian community in the Bay Area. Please feel free to contact me at
fushk@yahoo.com
I would be glad to talk to you about what we can do to help out. I love your attitude and keep it up, ya ger lig!
bizu
I am a volunteer at the Barac Obama HQ in Oakland. I found out today they are looking for volunteers in OH and TX area. Please if you or anyone you know can help out in dedicating their time please contact me or contact the Obama HQ in your area.
fushk@yahoo.com
All,
The Northern CA Headquarters in Oakland is still open!
We are scheduled to remain open through the end of February to make phone calls to voters in Texas, Ohio, and other critical states. The turnout thus far has been amazing – last week, we made thousands of calls to help secure Barack’s landslide victory in Washington State. We want to make sure that this engine keeps-a-rollin’!
Please call us if you are planning to come to the Oakland office (510-268-1008). We open daily at 9AM and we close between 7PM and 9PM, depending on the time zone of the states we are calling (this week we’re calling Hawaii, so we’ll be open to 9pm). Bring your cell phone and charger!
If you cannot come to the office, please send an e-mail to: bradforobama@gmail.com and we can set you up to make calls from home (using Build The Hope, our online calling tool.)
Make sure you spread the word – let people know that this is a great opportunity to stay involved with the campaign for those of us who can’t travel too much.
Cheers,
The Oakland Obama Team
Obama for America
Oakland Office, 436 14th St (cross street is Broadway), Floor 3
located near Downtown Oakland/12th Street BART station and AC Transit
The Brother is doomed! There is no way that this country will elect a Black Man to take over the White House! This being the realty, we are entertained by political pundits to believe otherwise. For all the chat and the hype, this nation is still awash with folks who judge others by the color of their skin and not by the content of their wisdom. There lies the truth!
Above all, there is nothing but trouble for the Nation every time a democrat ascends to power. Their competency is minimal and their ideology untested. One can’t call the Democratic party Socialist nor Democratic. They always tune to their pollsters to gauge the temper of the masses. They are no good bastards. At least, we know what we are dealing with when we enter ‘give and take’ with the Republicans. Baraka ain’t going anywhere, let us be ralistic! I lived in this country when the Media hyped Jackson. I will still be here for some time and I know, deep in my hearts, most white folks dread to put a Black Man at the Helm. It won’t happen in 2008, and yeah, neither in 2020. Mark my words! Let us not hang our rope on the falling star, aka, Obama!
Ayeeee…some folks are so negative.
Zak, your comments border on the ridiculous. No further comment.
Dear Aris Tatalis:
Sorry, tefaw…being swamped. Got your last post…everything is cool.
I mean Zak’s comments want me to screammmmmm.
Can anyone help me expand on the ridiculous part. I owe you.
Yichalal!
I think Obama represents what we have dreamt about for the longest time. When Tony Morrison made the comment about how Clinton is the first black president, she continued by commenting that she doesn’t expect to see an actual black president in her grandchildren’s time. Here we are, in her own life time, not just dreaming about a black president but seeing a potential black person win enough support to really become president. The Jesse Jackson’s of the world may have run as a “black” presidential candidate running to influence the outcome of a vote or a nominee, however, Obama is running as someone who happens to be black with a real chance of winning.
Greetings All and of course I thank Tadias for endorsing President Obama
as well as all those using their time and energy to show support for him.
So many are negative and seem to get joy out of sharing their pessimistic view. Don’t worry, these are the commmoners (no offense just the truth) and real change has never come from anyone stuck in the box or saying the common things! We dare to believe in the possibility. There are so many cases in history that we can look at and know the naysayers ended up saying “I don’t believe it, you mean we’re FREE!” BECAUSE of those that said “Yes we can!”
Keep your optimism as long as you are willing to do your part in this work. It doesn’t stop at the polls. As one wise old man told me “WHen people say something isn’t happening it’s because they aren’t doing anything!”
so to all of us that are willing to MAKE something happen instead of standing on the sidelines preaching about what isn’t happening please keep in mind you are following a legacy of greatness!
Obama has already created a powerful change, I see it especially in those that matter most, our CHILDREN. They are so excited about him, it has already changed the way they see themselves in this world. That is where real change begins so we are off to a great start!
GOD BLESS US ALL!
Who is ridiculous? I am sure you live in a fantasy World, Tina. Why don’t you tune to the Right Wing Radio and listen to folks like Rush Limaugh, Levin and others.
I am afraid the Republicans are financing Obama so tht they will play the ‘ Race Card’ which plays well amongst the working class Whites. Time will tell who is right and who was hallucinating. Name calling, per se, aint the right thing to do in such ‘esteemed’ forum.
I wish he had a chance, but I say no way! Wanna put some $ where your mouth is sis? I will wedger a cool grand! Any takers?
On a brighter note, I admire the Senator for his voracious stamina. If only stamina was the only factor in the whole equation!
Hillary hopes you have forgotten. Have you????
Hillary Clinton has been telling America that she is the most qualified
candidate for president based on her “record,” which she says includes
her eight years in the White House as First Lady – or “co-president” –
and her seven years in the Senate. Here is a reminder of what that
record includes:
1. As First Lady, Hillary assumed authority over healthcare reform, a
process that cost the taxpayers over $13 million. She told both Bill
Bradley and Pat Moynihan, key votes needed to pass her legislation, that
she would “demonize” anyone who opposed it. But it was opposed; she
couldn’t even get it to a vote in a Congress controlled by her own
party. (And in the next election, her party lost control of both the
House and Senate.
2. Hillary assumed authority over selecting a female attorney general.
Her first two recommendations (Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood) were forced to
withdraw their names from consideration, and then she chose Janet Reno.
Janet Reno has since been described by Bill himself as “my worst mistake.”
3. Hillary recommended Lani Guanier to head the Civil Rights Commission.
When Guanier’s radical views became known, she had to withdraw her name.
4. Hillary recommended her former law partners, Web Hubbell, Vince
Foster, and William Kennedy for positions in the Justice Department,
White House staff, and the Treasury, respectively. Hubbell was later
imprisoned; Foster “committed suicide,” and Kennedy was forced to resign.
5. Hillary also recommended a close friend of the Clintons, Craig
Livingstone, for the position of director of White House security. When
Livingstone was investigated for the improper access of up to 900 FBI
files of Clinton enemies (Filegate) and the widespread use of drugs by
the White House staff, both Hillary and her husband denied knowing him.
(FBI agent Dennis Sculimbrene confirmed in a Senate Judiciary Committee
in 1996 both the drug use and Hillary’s involvement in hiring
Livingstone. After that, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office,
after serving seven presidents for over 30 years.)
6. In order to open “slots” in the White House for her friends, the
Harry Thomasons (to whom millions of dollars in travel contracts could
be awarded), Hillary had the entire staff of the White House Travel
Office fired; they were reported to the FBI for “gross mismanagement”
and their reputations ruined. After a 30-month investigation, only one,
Billy Dale, was charged with a crime – mixing personal money with White
House funds when he cashed checks. The jury acquitted him in less than
two hours.
7. Another of Hillary’s assumed duties was directing the “bimbo eruption
squad” and scandal defense; urging her husband not to settle the Paula
Jones lawsuit; refusing to release the Whitewater documents, which led
to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor after $80 million
of taxpayer money was spent. Starr’s investigation led to Monica
Lewinsky, which led to Bill lying about and later admitting his affairs.
—- Then they had to settle with Paula Jones after all.
—- And Bill lost his law license for lying to the grand jury.
—- And Bill was impeached by the House.
—- And Hillary almost got herself indicted for perjury and obstruction
of justice (she avoided it mostly because she repeated, “I do not
recall,” “I have no recollection,” and “I don’t know” 56 times under oath).
8. Hillary accepted the traditional First Lady’s role of decorator of
the White House at Christmas, but in a unique Hillary way. In 1994, for
example, the First Lady’s Tree in the Blue Room (the focal point each
year) was decorated with drug paraphernalia, sex toys, and pornographic
ornaments, all personally approved by Hillary as the invited artists’
depictions of the theme, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
- Hillary wrote “It Takes a Village,” demonstrating her Socialist viewpoint.
- Hillary decided to seek election to the Senate in a state she had
never lived in. Her husband pardoned FALN terrorists in order to get
Latino support and the New Square Hassidim to get Jewish support.
Hillary also had Bill pardon her brother’s clients, for a small fee, to
get financial support.
- Then Hillary left the White House, but later had to return $200,000 in
White House furniture, china, and artwork she had stolen.
- In the campaign for the Senate, Hillary played the “woman card” by
portraying her opponent (Lazio) as a bully picking on her.
- Hillary’s husband further protected her by asking the National
Archives to withhold from the public until 2012 many records of their
time in the White House, including much of Hillary’s correspondence and
her calendars. (There are ongoing lawsuits to force the release of those
records.)
- As the junior Senator from New York, Hillary has passed no major
legislation. She has deferred to the senior Senator (Schumer) to tend to
the needs of New Yorkers, even on the hot issue of medical problems of
workers involved in the cleanup of Ground Zero after 9/11.
- Hillary’s one notable vote, supporting the plan to invade Iraq, she
has since disavowed.
Quite a resume, isn’t it? Sounds more like an organized crime family.
Make sure America remembers.
Hillary hopes you have forgotten. Have you????
Press Release…Press Release…Press Release…Press Release…Press Release
Ethiopians for Obama will be volunteering in Columbus Ohio to deliver a victory for Barack Obama in Ohio’s primary which is being held on March 4th. Ethiopians in Virginia, DC, Maryland, New York, Minnesota, and every corner of the United States are encouraged to join us in Ethiopia to make change happen.
For those living in the DC metro area, we will be meeting up in DC on Friday February 29th in the afternoon and then forming a caravan on our way to Columbus Ohio. For those who live in other cities, email me and I will send you the hotel we will be staying at.
The plan is to arrive Friday evening in Columbus Ohio and volunteer through the weekend. There is a large Ethiopian community in Columbus, so we will also have a chance to reach out to the Ethiopian community to spread Barack Obama’s message of hope and change.
There are hundred’s of Ethiopians who are volunteering and working for the Barack Obama campaign to ensure Obama’s election. Obama’s experience in bringing people together, passing sweeping Ethics Reform Act, standing up for the rights of hard working folks, and ensuring Universal Health Care coverage are messages that resonate with Ethiopians and all Americans.
Join us in our effort to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States. If you are interested in joining Ethiopians for Obama on our journey to Ohio, email me at theodorefikre@yahoo.com Please include the city that you live in so that I could include additional information for those who live in the DC/MD/VA area.
Zak,
I would like to downgrade your comments from “ridiculous” to “misguided”. I am reminded of the beauty of democracy and your absolute right to express your opinion, even if it is both “ridiculous” and “misguided”!
Now that we have agreed to disagree, I would also like to bring to your attention the following news item from the NY Times, which in my opinion, decisively refutes your argument:
“Senator Barack Obama decisively beat Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Wisconsin primary and the Hawaii caucuses on Tuesday night, accelerating his momentum ahead of crucial primaries in Ohio and Texas and cutting into Mrs. Clinton’s support among women and union members.”
Here you have it, Zak!!
Your screammmmming: “There is no way that this country will elect a Black Man to take over the White House!”
is out the window!
Yichalal
“We can never defeat a colonial power”
“We can never reach the moon”
“We can never fly amongst the birds”
“We can never discover new continents”
“We can never scale Mount Everest”
“We can never overcome racism”
“We can never sieze the American dream”
Zak, the answer to these statements, and the myopic statement you spout is…
YES WE CAN!!!
YOu can choose pessimism, I choose HOPE!!
You know if Obama had lost the last 10 states and Hillary had won them, the Dem. party would be asking him to get out of the race so they could focus on McCain, so how come no one is asking her to drop out???
Its obvious Obama is what Americans are looking for. So why doesn’t she graciously withdraw so the Dem. party can go forward? Any fight she brings, its a loose for dem’s and gain for republicans.
Thank you Tadias for the forum which helped me get together with like-minded and energetic people in my area, namely Bizu, a tireless and dedicated volunteer in this campaign and connect with others long-distance like Teddy who made the Potomac and other winnings happen in huge margins.
Thank you to all Obama supporters on this blog for further enlightening me and help me reaffirm my position. Sorry for sounding like I just won the Oscar or something but we have to be grateful for every day that we see change and for everyone who is making a difference in all our lives.
As for Zak, I have the feeling you are not for real. But, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt because you do represent a point of view that is out there, in a more or less mild form than yours, which needs to be addressed. It’s called the Conspiracy Theory, I know it when I see one, I’ve been such a theorist for the most part of my adolescent life well into adulthood.
I’ve tried to see how this theory would work in this election and I see at least three problems with it.
The basic tenet, or I should say myth is, as Zak puts it “The Rep are financing Obama so that they will play the ‘race card’…”
1)Not the slighest show of coherence within the Republican Party: let alone to finance a movement of such a large scale, it has not been able to solidiy around a clear winner in its own nomination process which was expected to happen by now, unlike supposedly Democrats. Reps are grappling with having to choose between a not-so-conservative candidate with a scandal looming over his head (which by the way I don’t buy, even if it means scoring points for us, and see it as yet another distraction – to use Obama’s words – away from real issues) and another candidate (who for some reason makes me think I’ve seen him in a scene of a Jerry Lewis’ movie…) who just won’t go away (kina like Clinton, I’m with you on that Emaelaf!) and fortunately for them, a candidate like Obama, who can save the day.
2)Why would the Republicans go through all this trouble of financing Obama’s campaign, when they can play the “race card” right now by financing Clinton’s campaign and still be assured to get the presidential seat in November?
3)No clear lines. The typical conspiracy theory reference was very often used in this election when it came to voting for Obama: the term “they.”
2 examples:
“I will vote for him but I know he won’t win because “they” will not allow that to happen.” (by the way, this is worse that not voting for him at all. Would you apply for a job knowing you’re not gonna get it? You do something, you gotta put all you have behind it! Right?)
“I won’t vote for him because “they” are not going to elect him.” These are the Zaks who don’t know how to handle the smallest power bestowed upon them – the power to vote.
In this election, I have yet to see a clear “they” I can’t find it along racial, gender, religion, class or even party lines.
So, yes Zak, I will put my $ where my mouth is …
and no, it will not be on a bet with you to foresee who is gonna win or lose, you can do that with a fortune teller…
but yes, I will bet you that I’ll commit to a few hours a day on doing my part to support Obama’s campaign…
You said: “Time will tell who is right and who was hallucinating…” that will all depend on what being “right” is… Once you have figured that out you will agree with me that time is already telling…
There are some things and moments no one can never take away from people. We’ve changed and grown and have seen what is possible in just a matter of weeks… Too bad for you, Zak, that you won’t be able to take away anything from all of this once the dust settles.
By the way, as for the hyped-about debate tonite, I don’t think is going to change much for either campaign, it will help CNN’s TV ratings though. It’s funny how Hillary criticizes Obama’s campaign for using “good words and not good work” yet she’s the one asking for yet another battle of “words” which has not done much to “work” for her. I’d hate to be her speechwriter. She is asking for more action than words… like what? Punching someone in the nose during a debate? Somebody enlighten me on this… Zak?
Thank you so much for your wisdom, Hanna! You are a god send, sis. Keep up the good work and show tham “yes we can”.
Clinton’s attempt to go negative seemed a little out of place and time. She was loudly booed when she defended her campaign’s plagiarism allegations. But of course, as expected, some suggest, she “let go with a line that seemed far too cute for the moment.”
And here is the line she used: “If the candidacy is going to be about words, it should be your own words,” she said. “It’s not change you can believe in, it’s change you can Xerox.”
I didn’t think that was cute at all. I don’t think there is anything cute about it. But then, boom, there was her “moment”. As one blogger said, “Almost wistful … acknowledging reality… but forcefully asserting her humanity … extremely, seemingly, genuine.”).
“I am honoured to be here with Barack Obama. I am absolutely honoured. Whatever happens, we’re going to be fine,” she said. “I just hope we can say the same thing about the American people and that’s what this election should be about.”
Here is the problem with that line, that John Edwards had used almost the identical words in a mid-December debate. Here is what he said: “All of us are going to be just fine no matter what happens in this election. But what’s at stake is whether America is going to be fine,” Edwards said during a December debate in Iowa.
Obama called it “silly season in politics”. Here is what he said: “The notion that I had plagiarized from somebody who was one of my national co-chairs, who gave me the line and suggested that I use it, I think, is silly, and … you know, this is where we start getting into silly season, in politics, and I think people start getting discouraged about it.”
As another blog pointed out, “It is safe to say that the overhyped plagiarism issue is officially dead, since both Obama and Clinton have now been nabbed for phrase-swiping.”
Obama has become the symbol for change that many people are rallying around especially young voters. The turn out for these elections and Obama’s rallies are unprecedented for a campaign that still has about 9 months to go.
Ralph Nader ( Why wont this idiot just go away!!!!) . But the worest comes, he could chip away at voters who would vote for Hillary but Obama is riding such a huge political wave right now and Nader’s involvement just won’t change that and I think Ralph Nader knows this.
I believe this is Ralph Nader’s attempt to get democrats to vote Obama. They don’t want to loose like they did in 2004 and so Nader’s involvement forces democrats to ask themselves “which candidate is in the best position to beat John McCain in November”. In this regard I think Ralph Nader’s involvement is a positive thing for the Obama camp and a very bad thing for the Clinton camp. Any Idea?
Come and be a part of a historical moment, as Barack Obama continues his probable and inspirational journey towards the White House. Barack Obama supporters in the DC metro area are cordially invited to view the results of the Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, and Vermont primaries at the President’s Bar (appropriately named) located in the luxurious Renaissance Hotel in Washington DC .
Details:
Place: Presidents Bar @ Renaissance Hotel
Location: 999 9th St. NW
Washington , DC 20001
Phone #: 202.898.9000
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The Presidents Bar has over 20 flat screen HD televisions located throughout the bar. Audio will be piped in throughout the bar with the Presidents Bar premium sound system. Everyone will be able to view and hear the results of the primaries as they come in.
Although there are plenty of seats available through the expansive bar, turnout for this event is expected to be high, so please RSVP to ensure entry. Pease RSVP at:
This event is hosted by Ethiopians for Obama and Omegas for Obama. We will be collecting a voluntary $20.00 donation for the Barack Obama campaign.
Thank you Tina for the compliment! And right back acha ya for your lively and “anjet yemiaris” postings! And really I feel we are all tapping into a collective wisdom. And, I might add, Senator Obama is bringing the best out of each and every one of us… and maybe the worst out of some?… Speaking of… Where is Zak?
Quote of the day “ My heart votes for Obama and my hand votes for …..”
So, told ya so! A man of few words, zak is back. The only regret is Obama could have pulled it against the NY Senator had he been a little more suave. His naivete made him pay dearly! He tried to take the ‘higher ground’, but we know it all tht Politics is a dirty biz! Nice try Obama!
Yes, Politics is a dirty biz…that is what “change” is all about. To take the ‘higher ground’. The change we seek is not going to come easily, but it will come!!!
Heartfelt congratulations to Senator Clinton! She had a good day and she deserved it!!! Today is her day to bask in the headlines.
Tomorrow, however, the media and we will all be back to hard math….Senator Obama still leads in delegate counts….
(USA Today): On his way here for another election night vigil, Barack Obama said he’s ready to fight for votes in Wyoming and Mississippi and relishes the prospect of a campaign that will “just make us stronger.”
He telephoned John McCain to congratulate him on locking up the Republican presidential nomination. Obama told supporters here that he’s looking forward to a fall campaign in which he and McCain will “offer two very different visions” to the nation.
… “We started at 20 points behind in Texas and Ohio, and we closed the gap,” Obama told reporters on his campaign plane, as he flew here hours before the polls closed. “Just remember where we are and where we have been.”
… Obama said he plans to head soon to Wyoming, where voters will go to the polls Saturday. He said he’s convinced a prolonged battle won’t damage the Democratic nominee’s chances against McCain. “It’s good preparation. It’s like training camp,” he said.
(The Washington Post): As Sen. Barack Obama wrapped up a brief speech to his supporters, who had huddled outside for two hours on a chilly night here, chief strategist David Axelrod sought to set the record straight about what appeared to be a good night for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“When you’ve lost 12 in a row, any good news qualifies as a comeback,” Axelrod said of Clinton’s claim of resurgence. “The reality is, though, they promised to cut our delegate lead, and I don’t think that’s going to happen tonight. They set a test for themselves, which was to wipe out our lead in delegates in the Ohio and Texas primaries. I don’t know if they’re going to reduce our lead at all, and we may actually add to it by the end of the night.”
(The Associated Press): Barack Obama cut into every part of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s base of supporters, including women, older voters and the working-class, to claim a deciding victory Tuesday in Vermont’s primary.
He also won overwhelmingly among voters who thought the Iraq war was the most important issue facing the country, a key factor in Vermont, according to exit polls conducted for the AP and television networks.
… Although it was a Democratic primary, self-described Democrats made up only slightly more than half of voters. Independents accounted for most of the rest, and they broke even more strongly for Obama.
… More than half of voters said the ability to bring about needed change was the most important quality in a candidate, and they largely supported Obama.
(The New York Post): Barack Obama would handily beat John McCain in a head-to-head match-up, according to a compilation of poll results, while Hillary Rodham Clinton would lose to the likely GOP nominee.
Obama would collect 252 Electoral College votes to McCain’s 216 if the general election were held today, according to the analysis based on recent polls.
Obama leads McCain in 20 states, many of them large enough to offset McCain victories in states with smaller populations.
… Against Clinton, McCain would go on a 39-state romp and hold 282 Electoral College votes to Clinton’s 172. Six states are too close to call in that match-up.
Even if she managed to win all of those close states, she could not make up her 110-vote deficit.
… In terms of the popular vote, McCain holds a 6-point edge over Clinton in a nationwide poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg News…. other polls show Obama with a significant lead.
Nice, Tina! Thank you.
Zak, just to point out a little inconsistency for the record. Here is what you told us so: “I am afraid the Republicans are financing Obama so tht they will play the ‘ Race Card’” By that, didn’t you inadvertently admit that you expect Obama to win the nomination by way of Republican financing (so you say.) Can you explain what you mean by “I told you so” which is a little misplaced?… Oh! but then again, you are “a man of few words”… I don’t want to trouble you too much!
Am I hearing a change in tone? Something about you experiencing “regret” and wanting to give a little tip to Obama about being “suave”? So, you do care? Well, hey, that’s better than nothing. It’s a start! Next thing to do would be to go all the way and give in to your good nature, your better half (or quarter… whatever the case is.) It’s not easy, it’s gonna require a psychological overhaul. But you have time till November to work on yourself. And please, do remain “a man of few words” until you’re fully and truly in touch with your better self. Once you see the light, I wanna hear plenty from you, less of your inconsistent and unfounded predictions and more of what you really want to see happen, who you want to see running the country and your wallet…
If you are rooting for McCain just ’cause you are a Republican, I’ve got news for you. McCain won the nomination by default. There is no good candidate who can repair your party’s image that was so damaged by Bush and his administration that you guys had to resort to McCain. And, if he always has to add “conservative” in front of “Republican,” each time he refers to himself, you know he’s begging for a key support he’s lacking.
As for all you Hillarians, I’ve got news for you too. Did you see how she was able to rally mostly the “undecided” against Obama using the fear tactic, just like Bush did, when he rallied some 70% of the population for a war which nearly 4,000 deaths (only counting Americans) and $600 billion (again only condsidering the U.S. $$ costs) later was finally deemed unpopular. What does that tell you about how she’s prepared to run the country? As a replica of the Bush administration, if you ask me. She appeals to the “undecided” because she’s as volatile as the group is.
This is a group that can sway from one end to another in a split of a second. They are quick to get excited and they are quick to give up. These are the kind of people that let images, perceptions, prejudices and insecurities dictate their wants. Whatever happened to gut feeling?
I’m sorry to say this but even among recently enlisted Obama supporters, there are some who are willing to support him only as long as they think he’s winning. That defies the whole meaning and purpose of support. If you support a candidate, and you believe that candidate is good for the country and your household, you stick with him through thick and thin! What we experienced after Texas and Ohio, is more than anything else, what I’d like to call a “loss in expectations.” People took it as an actual loss and started to back down, get discouraged and insecure and all that. Yet, as Tina pointed out: “Tomorrow, however, the media and we will all be back to hard math….Senator Obama still leads in delegate counts…” and now everybody is excited again. But notice that the numbers didn’t show anything different before the Tuesday primaries/caucuses, right after or today. The only difference is that the media changed Obama’s lead from sub hed to headline news. But, what I want to say is that not let the media tell you how you should feel about the results. Even, if there are actual losses don’t get discouraged, a little grief about them is in order, but going all the way and killing your hope is not.
I’d like to end this with Michelle Obama’s statement about how her husband is the underdog until he get the seat in the White House (sorry don’t have her exact quote). It’s not going to be easy fighting evil, outside or within (Zak), and nothing should be taken for granted.
“As for all you Hillarians, I’ve got news for you too. Did you see how she was able to rally mostly the “undecided” against Obama using the fear tactic…”
But it’s okay for him to use the same ad in the exact same way the very next day because he’s the black man who nobody dare criticize.
Shameful, hypocritical racists… LOL!
When you don’t have a strong argument, resort to name-calling!
Way to go, Steve!
The facts speak for themselves. Your issue, not mine
That wasn’t so hard, was it? You can be civil. You tried to bring me down to your level, instead you are up here with me…
Welcome! Now, we can talk!
Let’s pretend that facts are of value to you for a minute.
Didn’t you have to rewrite or copy/paste my line just to make your point (a weak one at that!)? Well, that’s exactly what the Obama campaign did, they replayed the same ad so we know what he’s responding to.
Hillary said in so many words: “In this scenario, you are not ready.”
Obama said: “In this same scenario you are talking about, you bet I am ready!”
She came up with the idea to trigger fear, there is no denying that! By the time, the 2nd ad ran, some were already shaking!
And, add to that publishing his photo wearing another country’s traditional outfit to imply he is Muslim, trying another fear and hate tactic.
Anything else?
Remember no name calling, try to keep it civil.
I find it amazing how this blog’s mood swing follows the tone of the campaign. When dirt fly around the media, then people get angry (on both sides), and resort to name calling.
Thank god the air has cleared. Obama gave the race speech. I have to admit I cried. I can’t really describe why I could not control my tears, but I couldn’t. If you have not watched it, I think you should. Not necessarily to vote for Obama, but just out of intellectual curiosity. You will not be disappointed. I have always loved and respected Senator Obama, but the speech deepened my admiration and utmost respect for his intellect and leadership. The man never fails to rise to the occasion. He took one of the most divisive and dangerous attacks on his campaign and turned it around into a positive and healing and inspirational issue for the American people to tackle. This is leadership at its best.
Is he black enough? Is he white enough? Is he black and white enough? Is he American enough? Is he Christian enough?
Folks, give the man a break. Give him a chance. Judge him only on his character and intellect, and you got yourself a President that will distinguish himself in History.
Hanna, I am with you, sis!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8464923602139974671&pr=goog-sl
Dinner with Barack?
Make a donation in any amount between now and 11:59 pm EDT on Monday, March 31st, and you could join Barack and three other supporters for an intimate dinner for five.
https://donate.barackobama.com/dinner
Please participate….i just did!
Please pass the above link to everyone you know. America should rememeber who the Clintons are!
Friends,
Do Billionaires Own the Democratic Party?
I don’t know if you saw this, but 20 big Clinton donors tried to bully
Nancy Pelosi for saying that superdelegates should let the voters decide
who becomes the Democratic nominee. This is the worst kind of insider
politics, and it has to stop.
You and I and everyone who has ever given money or time to a progressive
candidate make up the backbone of this party.
We need to send a strong signal that we, the small donors, will back
Democratic leaders with the courage to stand up for Democracy in the
Democratic party. Please join me and sign this statement today.
http://pol.moveon.org/democracy/?r_by=-9116758-sSv8E0&rc=mailto
Thanks!
I just want to invite you and your friends to join us
http://www.nationforchange.com/
Nation for Change Rally
WhenSat Apr 19 12pm – Sat Apr 19 4pm
WheremapFrank Ogawa Plaza, 14th and Broadway, Oakland, Ca
Created ByObama For America – Oakland HQ – External Calendar
DescriptionA Nationwide rally of Obama supporters, united for change, in support of PA
Please pass it you bay area friends and family.
I hope you can make it.
Cheers
Bizu
Honesty pays, but it doesn’t seem to pay enough to suit some people.
– F.M. Hubbard
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http://darinmcleanjg.easyjournal.com
Hey my peoples…Right now is not the time to doubt instead lets take some action like our sister bizu…Or simply play your role and vote for something or someone. History has already been made and lets not forget it! The first ever elected Democratic nominee for President of the United States of America has been chosen and happens to be African- American.
And just like any other minority (non-white male), it takes time to get to certain levels, and positions, in life, sometimes gernerations…Why can’t white America at this time, acccept a black candidate for the nominee and even President, why not now? Its now or perhaps probrobly never in my book! Look at Jackie Robinson the first black to go pro in baseball, (people thought it would never happen, but not Jackie)! Did you know there was a negro league baseball team called “The Ethiopain Clowns”. Ironic, isn’t it? Black America even knew about us then, decades before we really started immigrating to this nation. See how it all relates, though. What about our own runners who were the first to bring gold not only home to our beloved Ethiopia but the African continent as a whole from the world olympics….There is a first time for everything including president.
For all you haters. Lets get rid of this backward mentality and put the Jesse Jackson era behind us. Anyway, Jesse does not have, half the finess, education, or experience as Obama has, neither does the other guy. Becareful, this is the same mentality which continues to keep us held down as a Third World Nation back home, most countries on our our continent, and even other black nations around the world!
There is always a new time, a new year, a new era, and some kind of change comes along with this, hopefully positive. Whom so better to do it then President Barack Obama. Besides I feel Democrats represent us here in America and our best interest as a whole and people much beter than Republicans ever could and will for that matter. Even if your doing well, you still have family here and abroad.
Have you heard this brother speak? Do you even know his background? As Ethiopians in America we can relate very well, believe it or not, (at least a little more than the other guy and lady). Isn’t Kenya alot closer to Ethiopia then lets say Europe last time I checked it was. Listen and take a look at the republicans than compare them to the Democrats, I’m sure sooner or later you will get my drift. If this country picks the rebulicans again…Oh help us all! So please god bless America with Obama. The question, and the answer, has finally arrived. Peace-Out. One.