|
|
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU, BARACK AND JOE!
YES WE DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WELCOME TO A BETTER WORLD!!!! In celebration, here's Aaron Copeland's "Fanfare for the Common Man": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u1X1f3Nxy8 *** And, of course, the President's Marine Band playing "Hail to the Chief": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC837oh98_Y *** Love and Hugs to All, Cleo  -- "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke "I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams." From "He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven", W.B. Yeats
|
Posts:
2,135
Registered:
11/18/06
|
|
(1858 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Oct 1, 2009 1:34 AM
|
|
bump
|
|
|
Posts:
6,087
Registered:
9/14/06
|
|
(1857 of 1858)
Barack's Homage to Ted Kennedy Sent Yesterday via E-Mail
Aug 27, 2009 12:56 PM
|
For those of you who didn't receive this yourselves, here's Barack's homage to Ted Kennedy sent yesterday to those on his e-mail list:
"Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.
For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.
His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me.
In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.
I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.
His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives.
For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.
Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama"
C.
|
|
|
Posts:
4,231
Registered:
1/15/06
|
|
(1856 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 5:32 PM
|
> > Dan,
> > That was beautiful.
> > Thanks for sharing.
>
> Well thank you, polargirl3. You are likewise a
> pleasure to read.
>
> It's those bipolar girls out there I try to
> avoid!
 I agree, Dan.
|
|
|
Posts:
2,135
Registered:
11/18/06
|
|
(1855 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 5:15 PM
|
> Dan,
> That was beautiful.
> Thanks for sharing.
Well thank you, polargirl3. You are likewise a pleasure to read.
It's those bipolar girls out there I try to avoid!
|
|
|
Posts:
2,135
Registered:
11/18/06
|
|
(1854 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 5:04 PM
|
> I like your idea best, Jared. For more than one
> reason.
Don't get me wrong, Wicky, I like Jared's idea best for every reason, save the one.
|
|
|
Posts:
4,231
Registered:
1/15/06
|
|
(1853 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 4:56 PM
|
> > I hope they do rename the bill after Kennedy
> and
> > rally around. It might be the only thing that
> could
> > get it thru without any major cuts or
> revisions.
> > Fitting too since he said it was his life's work
> and
> > the greatest thing he had ever done.
>
> So true, Jared.
>
> Looking at the other side of the coin, should the
> cancerous forces of "no" manage to destroy his life's
> work, I'll take comfort in knowing he was spared the
> tragedy of seeing it happen.
I like your idea best, Jared. For more than one reason.
|
|
|
Posts:
2,135
Registered:
11/18/06
|
|
(1852 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 4:41 PM
|
> I hope they do rename the bill after Kennedy and
> rally around. It might be the only thing that could
> get it thru without any major cuts or revisions.
> Fitting too since he said it was his life's work and
> the greatest thing he had ever done.
So true, Jared.
Looking at the other side of the coin, should the cancerous forces of "no" manage to destroy his life's work, I'll take comfort in knowing he was spared the tragedy of seeing it happen.
|
|
|
Posts:
2,696
Registered:
6/29/09
|
|
(1851 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 4:35 PM
|
|
I hope they do rename the bill after Kennedy and rally around. It might be the only thing that could get it thru without any major cuts or revisions. Fitting too since he said it was his life's work and the greatest thing he had ever done.
|
|
|
Posts:
244
Registered:
6/7/09
|
|
(1850 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 3:46 PM
|
Dan,
That was beautiful.
Thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
Posts:
6,087
Registered:
9/14/06
|
|
(1849 of 1858)
Sen. R. Byrd: Name Health Insurance Reform Bill for Ted Kennedy
Aug 26, 2009 3:24 PM
|
And, as this sorrowful news begins to sink in, there's word that Senator Robert Byrd of W. Va. has recommended in a statement about the passing of his friend that the health insurance reform legislation be named for Ted Kennedy:
Byrd: Rename health care bill for Kennedy
By Ben Smith
Politico
August 26, 2009
Ailing Senator Robert Byrd, one of only two to have served longer than Kennedy, suggests in an emotional statement renaming the pending health care legislation for the late Massachusetts Senator:
BYRD STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF LONG-TIME
FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE SENATOR TED KENNEDY
"Washington, DC ? Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., issued the following statement upon learning of the passing of his dear friend Senator Ted Kennedy:
?I had hoped and prayed that this day would never come. My heart and soul weeps at the lost of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend, Ted Kennedy.?
?Senator Kennedy and I both witnessed too many wars in our lives, and believed too strongly in the Constitution of the United States to allow us to go blindly into war. That is why we stood side by side in the Senate against the war in Iraq.?
?Neither years of age nor years of political combat, nor his illness, diminished the idealism and energy of this talented, imaginative, and intelligent man. And that is the kind of Senator Ted Kennedy was. Throughout his career, Senator Kennedy believed in a simple premise: that our society's greatness lies in its ability and willingness to provide for its less fortunate members.
Whether striving to increase the minimum wage, ensuring that all children have medical insurance, or securing better access to higher education, Senator Kennedy always showed that he cares deeply for those whose needs exceed their political clout. Unbowed by personal setbacks or by the terrible sorrows that have fallen upon his family, his spirit continued to soar, and he continued to work as hard as ever to make his dreams a reality.?
?In his honor and as a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling and have a civilized debate on health care reform which I hope, when legislation has been signed into law, will bear his name for his commitment to insuring the health of every American.?
?God bless his wife Vicki, his family, and the institution that he served so ably, which will never be the same without his voice of eloquence and reason. And God bless you Ted. I love you and will miss you terribly.?
?In my autobiography I wrote that during a visit to West Virginia in 1968 to help dedicate the ?Robert F. Kennedy Youth Center? in Morgantown, ?Senator Kennedy?s voice quivered with emotion as he talked of his late brothers and their love for West Virginia. ?These hills, these people, and this state have had a very special meaning for my family. Our lives have been tightly intertwined with yours.??
?I am sure the people of the great state of West Virginia join me in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the Kennedy family at this moment of deep sorrow.?
Here's the link:
Politico 8/26/09: Robert Byrd: Name Health Care Bill for Ted Kennedy
RIP Teddy.
C.
|
|
|
Posts:
6,087
Registered:
9/14/06
|
|
(1848 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 3:16 PM
|
Very nice, Dan and thank you for placing those words in here.
When I think of Teddy's early trials and criticism he still receives among the wingnuttian right, I'm reminded of how the Brits forgave John Profumo for the disgrace incurred in a 60's scandal that rocked a world consumed by the Red Menace and Red Scare.
Following the scandal, Profumo spent the remainder of his life involved in charity work that helped to restore his reputation and earned him the prestigious CBE (Commander of the British Empire) award in 1975.
And so it must be with Ted Kennedy. He has earned his redemption through tireless work on behalf of the rest of us and has truly earned a peaceful rest.
C.
|
|
|
Posts:
2,135
Registered:
11/18/06
|
|
(1847 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 2:59 PM
|
Ted Kennedy and Forgiveness
Clearly Ted Kennedy has earned his place in history.
I shudder to think how painful it must have been to eschew his loyalty to the Clintons to back Obama in the election, but he did. And he did it because he felt it was the right thing to do.
This is the type of issue I sometimes find myself wrestling with. Choosing "them" when "us" has been the norm can't be an easy decision for anyone to make.
But when it comes to forgiveness and redemption, there is so much in the Ted Kennedy story to point up the importance of forgiveness, and the fact that, given the chance, people really are capable of redeeming themselves.
Those who showed compassion to this good man and elected him and re-elected time and time again, despite his foibles, were rewarded with a lifetime of representation by a man who worked tirelessly to support the best interests of the common man.
So many of the things he did were "small" things, things that wouldn't get him a lot of votes, like reducing the voting age, or equality for female athletes, "macro" things where support from his colleagues was hard to come by, because it wouldn't translate into a big deal with the electorate. He did these things because they were right, and he knew if he didn't do them, no one else would.
It is my hope that people who should forgive, but aren't inclined to, take heed of his story.
Likewise I hope people given an opportunity for redemption in their lives draw strength from his example.
Rest in peace, my Lion.
--
Edited by daniel9696 at 08/26/2009 12:02 PM PDT
|
|
|
Posts:
1,776
Registered:
6/23/08
|
|
(1846 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 2:49 PM
|
It's sad really. When the wheels start falling off. When the rhetoric is exposed for the propoganda it is.... Seems the democratic party is facing the prospect, badly. Turns out, they're simply imploding from within.
Democratic operatives attacking their own campaign offices....
Where will it stop?
|
|
|
Posts:
1,776
Registered:
6/23/08
|
|
(1845 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 2:39 PM
|
|
It's certainly possible that Jon Stewart's show delivers a certain agenda filled perspective, kind of like Glen Beck, or the HuffPo, etc. It's not news, it's entertainment. They may talk about issues, but they do so with only a passing wink and a nod to what journalism really is, and not this ranting editorial that spews forth from them. Stewart is not differnt. He's as guilty of slanting editorial as the rest. Simply because some "believe" the opinion, shouldn't be implied that it's the "truth".
|
|
|
Posts:
2,135
Registered:
11/18/06
|
|
(1844 of 1858)
Re: Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States
Aug 26, 2009 2:20 PM
|
> > Last I looked, he was a
> comediene...
> > Truthyness?
> I thought Stewart was a man.
Gender change! Truthiness in action!
I think Jon Stewart is the man!
And the sad thing is you'll get more truth in a single Daily Show than in a week of Glen Beck, where all you'll get is "Truthiness."
|
|
|
|
|
