Long drawn out process causes alot of expense and stress.
May I suggest this as the new democratic process?
Just picture the CNN results splashed across the screen on voting day:
"McCain gets served....Obama president!!!"
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Posts
43 minutes ago
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A night for the ages...
Reflecting back at last night and this morning, Ashley's account is an example of an experience that was repeated by MILLIONS across the entire planet. I can't help but think back to last night. Elise setting the Tivo to record the entire CNN election broadcast....padded by 3 hours to boot. Walking with Elise and Bella to the local public high school to vote. Bella going into the booth with Elise and letting her actually pull the lever, as if Bella was voting for her own dreams and possibilites.
Rushing back to catch up with CNN and seeing the results come in slowly at a crawl. Oh the suspense!!! Seeing McCain lead in early results for Virginia, a key state to Obama winning...and having a little bit of worry but calming myself down as it was only 5% of returns counted so far for the state. Seeing all the blue states go for Obama that were going to go for him. Then logging on to order some Pappa John's pizza (election day special large with 3 toppings for $11.04 - the date) and seeing flash on the MSN home page that PA went for Obama. YES! A serious dent in McCain's chances!
Munching on our pizza, seeing all the typical red states colored yellow because it's too close to call. Now that's what I'm talking about! All Obama needed was one....just one of the big ones and it was over. Florida, he's up. Virginia is now tied. North Carolina he's barely up. Then Wolf Blitzer announces with CNN's dramatic music: "We can now project that Barack Obama will carry the state of Ohio...". That's it! It's over! There's no way McCain can win now! Even John King and his magic wall detail the obvious. The grim look on Alex Castellanos face. The suppressed joy on Roland Martin's face. Is this really happening????? Then we both nod off from itis. It's a long while still until the west coast results come in. I doze off seeing "207" down in the corner for Barack Obama. Maybe I am dreaming?
A shake from Elise and I open my eyes to see "291" down in the corner. "HE DID IT! HE DID IT!" I sat quietly listening to David Gergen's reaction to the history being made. Shots of the crowd in Grant Park, Chicago waiting for Obama are shown. People hugging, jumping, screaming, crying.... I am NOT dreaming this! Shots of Times Square, Harlem, Pennsylvania Avenue in DC....people everywhere bursting into celebration as if it's New Year's Eve. Seeing both men and women wiping their eyes, one women physically on her knees sobbing. Jesse Jackson in the crowd, his face glistening with tears, his eyes red. Oh man, I start to feel it coming on. Phew! Deep breaths, deep breaths!
A nice speech by the REAL John McCain, not the angry neocon that was impersonating him. Then they cut to Chicago. And I'll never forget the announcer: "Ladies and Gentlemen.....The First Family!" Bam, the dam breaks and tears start coming up. This IS real. He WILL be President. Yes we DID. The pan shots of the crowd, deep as the eye can see. His two beautiful daughters. His lovely wife...OUR First Lady. Joe Biden, his wife and family. What a great sight to behold. Random car drives down the street blowing it's horn outside. LOL! Pride is felt inside me like nothing I've felt before.
Then his speech. It's like the most beautiful music to my ears. Ingesting every sentence, every word. How we are all Americans. How this election was about us. How there is nothing we can't solve. "Yes we can." He weaves into his speech parts of MLK's vision. That we may not get there in a year. Maybe not even in a single term. "But I promise you....together, we'll get there." A more perfect union. An America that takes care of all her citizens. Then he talks about the 106 year old woman from Atlanta. The tale he tells of everything that she had been through and witnessed is so powerful. That it would end with her casting her vote for Barack Obama. And that here he is on stage, the 44th President of the United States.
Finally he ends his speech in a way that hits you deep down: "This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - 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:
Yes We Can."
I still hold it in. That is until I see splashed across the screen in all it's high-definition glory with his picture:
"Barack Obama: Elected President."
I sit back and let it go. Yes we can, America. Yes we did.
Rushing back to catch up with CNN and seeing the results come in slowly at a crawl. Oh the suspense!!! Seeing McCain lead in early results for Virginia, a key state to Obama winning...and having a little bit of worry but calming myself down as it was only 5% of returns counted so far for the state. Seeing all the blue states go for Obama that were going to go for him. Then logging on to order some Pappa John's pizza (election day special large with 3 toppings for $11.04 - the date) and seeing flash on the MSN home page that PA went for Obama. YES! A serious dent in McCain's chances!
Munching on our pizza, seeing all the typical red states colored yellow because it's too close to call. Now that's what I'm talking about! All Obama needed was one....just one of the big ones and it was over. Florida, he's up. Virginia is now tied. North Carolina he's barely up. Then Wolf Blitzer announces with CNN's dramatic music: "We can now project that Barack Obama will carry the state of Ohio...". That's it! It's over! There's no way McCain can win now! Even John King and his magic wall detail the obvious. The grim look on Alex Castellanos face. The suppressed joy on Roland Martin's face. Is this really happening????? Then we both nod off from itis. It's a long while still until the west coast results come in. I doze off seeing "207" down in the corner for Barack Obama. Maybe I am dreaming?
A shake from Elise and I open my eyes to see "291" down in the corner. "HE DID IT! HE DID IT!" I sat quietly listening to David Gergen's reaction to the history being made. Shots of the crowd in Grant Park, Chicago waiting for Obama are shown. People hugging, jumping, screaming, crying.... I am NOT dreaming this! Shots of Times Square, Harlem, Pennsylvania Avenue in DC....people everywhere bursting into celebration as if it's New Year's Eve. Seeing both men and women wiping their eyes, one women physically on her knees sobbing. Jesse Jackson in the crowd, his face glistening with tears, his eyes red. Oh man, I start to feel it coming on. Phew! Deep breaths, deep breaths!
A nice speech by the REAL John McCain, not the angry neocon that was impersonating him. Then they cut to Chicago. And I'll never forget the announcer: "Ladies and Gentlemen.....The First Family!" Bam, the dam breaks and tears start coming up. This IS real. He WILL be President. Yes we DID. The pan shots of the crowd, deep as the eye can see. His two beautiful daughters. His lovely wife...OUR First Lady. Joe Biden, his wife and family. What a great sight to behold. Random car drives down the street blowing it's horn outside. LOL! Pride is felt inside me like nothing I've felt before.
Then his speech. It's like the most beautiful music to my ears. Ingesting every sentence, every word. How we are all Americans. How this election was about us. How there is nothing we can't solve. "Yes we can." He weaves into his speech parts of MLK's vision. That we may not get there in a year. Maybe not even in a single term. "But I promise you....together, we'll get there." A more perfect union. An America that takes care of all her citizens. Then he talks about the 106 year old woman from Atlanta. The tale he tells of everything that she had been through and witnessed is so powerful. That it would end with her casting her vote for Barack Obama. And that here he is on stage, the 44th President of the United States.
Finally he ends his speech in a way that hits you deep down: "This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - 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:
Yes We Can."
I still hold it in. That is until I see splashed across the screen in all it's high-definition glory with his picture:
"Barack Obama: Elected President."
I sit back and let it go. Yes we can, America. Yes we did.
I am Barack Obama!
Hey All,
Yesterday was surprisingly one of the greatest days of my life. I didn't realize I was a sucker for this kind of thing but I am! I figured it out when I had to force myself to stop bouncing in my chair at work long enough to draw the picture. Don't get me wrong, I'm still wary, this could be a big old ploy to distract us from some real evil being done to some poor country somewhere. And I'm scared too : I wish they wouldn't put those children on that stage! It only takes one wacko sniper... But nevertheless. I feel good. I really do!
To quote my friend's four year old girl " I am Barack Obaaama, I am Barack Obaaaama!"
For those who don't visit facebook please read Ashley's words below. (I hope you don't mind Ashley, I couldn't help it girl!)
Janine.
Ashley's beautiful take on Nov 4th 2008
November 4th, 2008--An Election to Remember
Share
Today at 5:11am
I'm not much of a writer and you guys may disagree with me all entirely, or may not even care, but those who I am sharing this with are important to me so I felt really compelled to give a brief take on my experience on November 4th, 2008. Hands down, today was one of the happiest days of my life. In an instant, my whole perception about my past, my present, and future changed--and changed for the better. It was not just the fact that someone I agreed with politically was elected into office; it was that a black man who I agreed with politically was elected into office. Someone sent me a very simple text today that was so plain, yet so powerful; "Rosa sat so Martin could stand. Martin stood so Obama could run. Obama ran so your children could fly." Run he did, and fly we will. What was even more spectacular about today is the fact that I was blessed to be at the most prominent HBCU in the nation to celebrate. On that rainy evening, we screamed, we laughed, we hugged and we cried. There wasn't a sad face to be found. Everyone, including myself, was making multiple phone calls to parents, friends, loved ones--any one they could get ahold of. We ran around campus, danced in the streets (literally), and shouted till we were horse.We were all dazzled over having just watched history be made right in front of our very eyes. I felt a sense of pride as I stood on the hallowed grounds of Howard University and thought of all those accomplished black men and women who walked this campus for decades in persuit of a good education to better themselves, their people, and their community. I am stunned when I think about where we have reached. It was a very moving experience to be among such a strong people and to feel that sense of accomplishment and commrodary. Barack Obama is a shining light, and I truly believe, in my heart, that with our support and sense of togetherness as a country, it can only get better from here. It won't be easy, it will take time, and he WILL make mistakes. But for the first time I feel so passionately about and I strongly believe in the new leader of our country. He has restored hope in blacks, whites, asians, hispanics and everyone else, nationally and globally. I mean, let's keep it real here, how often in history do people like that come along? The whole world was rooting for him. I put my faith in Barack Obama. God bless him, and God bless this country.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Presidential campaigns vs. potato chips
From Yahoo! News:
The Center for Responsive Politics calculates that, by Election Day, $2.4 billion will have been spent on presidential campaigns in the two-year election cycle that began in January 2007, and an additional $2.9 billion will have been spent on 435 House and 35 Senate contests. This $5.3 billion is a billion less than Americans will spend this year on potato chips.
*Another interesting fact: the potato chip was invented in Saratoga Springs in 1853 by an African American/Native American man named George Crum.
The Center for Responsive Politics calculates that, by Election Day, $2.4 billion will have been spent on presidential campaigns in the two-year election cycle that began in January 2007, and an additional $2.9 billion will have been spent on 435 House and 35 Senate contests. This $5.3 billion is a billion less than Americans will spend this year on potato chips.
*Another interesting fact: the potato chip was invented in Saratoga Springs in 1853 by an African American/Native American man named George Crum.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Why I'm voting for Barack Obama....
To answer Janine's question about why I'm voting for Obama, There are dozens and dozens of reasons. But I'll break it down into two general reasons....
First, he is a new breed of politician. Every speech he gives always redirects back onto the voter. Citizens. The country. And our place and responsibility in the world. He always talks about the greater good, looking after one another, and living a life of hope and optimism over fear and division. He constantly says that we are all in this together and that if we unite and work together, there is nothing we can't solve. Who doesn't like a message like that from their leader? He doesn't obsess with questioning McCain's character. Obama himself has been called a socialist, a celebrity, a Muslim, a terrorist, a baby-killer, Marxist, unpatriotic, an elitist, a radical, too black, naive...you name it, he's been called it. But his demeanor and the way he deals with it all...as if he's been called the N-word too many times in his life to be bothered anymore....it just gives me great confidence in the belief that he is truly a once-in-a-lifetime type of leader. He was born to lead, in a very selfless way as evidenced by his first job out of college as a community organizer rather then a big time, big money lawyer. True enough you have to go to the previous generation's MLK and Kennedy to find another leader of such caliber. Were he white I would still be excited to vote for him based simply on his message and the tone of his campaign. But he is not. And that is what truly brings a sense of pride to my vote in a way I cannot even describe.
I can't even begin to imagine the impact he will have on young folks, especially black kids, when they see him repeatedly for the next 4-8 years addressing the nation. Proving day after day that anything is possible and anybody can be President. Giving kids hope and ambition with every press conference he gives. Showing that racism indeed can be defeated. Displaying an image that black men are not all criminals. That we can possess intellect. That we can possess responsibility. That we can be good fathers and raise a beautiful family. Having a black woman, that for all too long have been at the very bottom of the totem poll in terms of rights (behind black men and white women) now representing the most powerful nation on earth as First Lady with class, strength and elegance. And seeing the future of my daughter Isabella in the faces of his two young daughters as they play on the South Lawn of the White House. Knowing that Bella will grow up always understanding that anybody (including herself) could be anything they want to be, including President. She will never know the feeling of thinking you'd never see a black person in the White House. These images that I imagine as I wait to see if Obama is indeed the 44th President of the United States tomorrow cement my belief that he will be an extraordinary leader of this generation, this country and of the world in a way that I never could have imagined 2 years ago much less envisioned during my lifetime. And that is why I am casting my vote for Barack Obama.
I can't even begin to imagine the impact he will have on young folks, especially black kids, when they see him repeatedly for the next 4-8 years addressing the nation. Proving day after day that anything is possible and anybody can be President. Giving kids hope and ambition with every press conference he gives. Showing that racism indeed can be defeated. Displaying an image that black men are not all criminals. That we can possess intellect. That we can possess responsibility. That we can be good fathers and raise a beautiful family. Having a black woman, that for all too long have been at the very bottom of the totem poll in terms of rights (behind black men and white women) now representing the most powerful nation on earth as First Lady with class, strength and elegance. And seeing the future of my daughter Isabella in the faces of his two young daughters as they play on the South Lawn of the White House. Knowing that Bella will grow up always understanding that anybody (including herself) could be anything they want to be, including President. She will never know the feeling of thinking you'd never see a black person in the White House. These images that I imagine as I wait to see if Obama is indeed the 44th President of the United States tomorrow cement my belief that he will be an extraordinary leader of this generation, this country and of the world in a way that I never could have imagined 2 years ago much less envisioned during my lifetime. And that is why I am casting my vote for Barack Obama.
Excellent Obama interview on MTV...
This is just one of the many, many reasons why I'm voting for Obama. The thoughtfulness and directness that he answers each question. The fact that he can relate to the questions in a way McCain could never relate (i.e racial profiling, paying off his and Michelle's student loans, discrimination based on looks, etc) shows that he's far more in touch with the vast majority of people in this country, especially young people who are the future of this country. He can cite examples and speak in a simple way that most anybody with half a brain can understand. Even his response to sagging pants is direct and common sense.
The fact that McCain declined MTV for a similar interview and a chance to speak to young voters right before they vote speaks for itself.
You can read it here in text or watch the video.
Just a note - the video is unavailable outside the US for copyright reasons
The fact that McCain declined MTV for a similar interview and a chance to speak to young voters right before they vote speaks for itself.
You can read it here in text or watch the video.
Just a note - the video is unavailable outside the US for copyright reasons
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Top 25 fastest production cars
Some serious metal. I consider myself a car guy but aside from the Atom and the Bugatti, I was struggling to recognize any of the top 10!!
Car guys and gals.....enjoy.
Car guys and gals.....enjoy.
Ariel Atom
Chris was the first person I heard speak about this car. Face distorting speed???!!! Watch this to see and I will be accepting donations to purchase one.
Fox Attacks Obama...just like they did Kerry....
Lately Fox News has been making me very mad. If you conduct business in a fair and balanced way - especially as a legit news organization, then why do you have to keep reminding me? Its a rhetorical question but I will answer it anyway. BECAUSE YOU ARE NEITHER FAIR NOR BALANCED!!!!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Electronic Voting Machines.
Excuse my rant but seeing this video gives me a whole lot of confidence that my vote will be counted…..for the wrong person!
What's truly funny is he defends that the machine doesn't pick McCain if you vote for Obama. Okay, fine….but it still picks somebody else!!!! And why in the world would an electronic machine need to be "recalibrated"? I mean if I move my PC from one desk to another, it doesn't need "recalibrating".
And the ultimate confidence killer? After….yes AFTER….he recalibrates the machine and votes straight Republican…..it picks Nader for president! What poor excuse for a programmer came up with these pieces of faulty craptastic equipment? This kind of stuff just makes absolutely no sense when I have a $250 iPod playing EXACTLY what song I pick when I click on it out of a library of 5000 songs.
This kind of BS just kills me!
What's truly funny is he defends that the machine doesn't pick McCain if you vote for Obama. Okay, fine….but it still picks somebody else!!!! And why in the world would an electronic machine need to be "recalibrated"? I mean if I move my PC from one desk to another, it doesn't need "recalibrating".
And the ultimate confidence killer? After….yes AFTER….he recalibrates the machine and votes straight Republican…..it picks Nader for president! What poor excuse for a programmer came up with these pieces of faulty craptastic equipment? This kind of stuff just makes absolutely no sense when I have a $250 iPod playing EXACTLY what song I pick when I click on it out of a library of 5000 songs.
This kind of BS just kills me!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
How much can I save?
Use this handy little calculator to find out how much you would save under an Obama tax plan. You can also click here to see how Obama's "socialist" tax plan compares to McCain's plan that favors the rich.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Any Barack Supporters out there?
Hey!
Anyone with kids or a bit of free time or both who supports Obama should check this website out.http://www.build-o-bama.blogspot.com/
It lets you download a template for Barack paper dolls! Mom, I know you used to be heavily into paper dolls perhaps it might be worth a look?
In 100 words or less who's voting for who and why?
Anyone with kids or a bit of free time or both who supports Obama should check this website out.http://www.build-o-bama.blogspot.com/
It lets you download a template for Barack paper dolls! Mom, I know you used to be heavily into paper dolls perhaps it might be worth a look?
and...A task for my American family:
In 100 words or less who's voting for who and why?
This is how they roll in India....
Okay. Now I've seen some crazy things done on a motorcycle but this takes the cake BY FAR! At first you won't realize what it is you're seeing.... until the car starts to pass the motorcycle. Jay, have you or any of your Suzuki co-workers seen this before? This guy has some big ones for real.
Palin as President
For those of you who have not seen this yet, it has got to be one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time! There's so much stuff to click on and see her response, sometimes you have to click multiple times to get all the different responses.
- First, click here to go to the web page.
- Move your cursor around to point at different things.
- As you pass over things, either they will automatically animate or the cursor arrow will change to a finger indicating you can click on it.
- There are MANY things to click on but here's some easy, funny ones:
- Try clicking on the 3 windows....then waiting to see who walks by outside.
- Try clicking on the two side panels on the front of the desk.
- Try clicking on the door on the left....many times.
- Try clicking on the globe on the left by the door.....many times.
- Try clicking on the red phone AFTER you've opened the window shades.
- Try clicking on the computer screen behind her and reading all the stuff that scrolls on it.
Apparently they keep adding stuff until Election day. So explore and enjoy!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Plantains - An excerpt from The Trinidad Guardian
Marie Antoinette is reputed to have said:
“Let them eat cake.”
Now Patos and Arnie are saying:
“Let dem eat plantain.”
Brilliant .......Bring on “de 20 / 20 Vision” and pass de word ..... ahm, sorry, de plantain...
...
Wednesday 8th October, 2008
Plantain to replace parboiled rice—Piggott
RICHARD LORD Agriculture Minister Arnold Piggott says the amount of parboiled rice used in this country is to be reduced and replaced by plantain. Piggott announced this during his contribution to Monday’s Senate debate on the 2008/2009 national budget. He outlined the Government’s plan to increase food production and reduce the importation of certain food items. Piggott said the current “level of dependency on imported food is, at this time, at an unacceptable level.” Dealing with the importation of parboiled rice, Piggott said: “We are proposing that some of that be replaced with plantain and that would target 6,080 tonnes on 1,216 acres of land. Wheat, we are targeting replacement by cassava and mixed crops and we are looking at increasing the tonnage there on 1,010 acres of land.” Piggott said locally produced sweet potato was to replace the imported Irish potato. Piggott said T&T imported more than nine per cent of staples and more than eight per cent of legumes it consumed. “This pattern must be changed,” he stressed. He slammed critics who say the mega farms have not been established to date. He said: “It must be appreciated that these are capital projects, which involved a medium term type of cycle before they can begin to bear significant fruit.” He added: “Preparation of land for commercial activities in agriculture cannot produce immediate results... indeed a lot of work has been done in preparing these farms to prospective investors.” Piggott said the Government was close to establishing a system of crop insurance for farmers. And he said each family in the country must move to plant at least two fruit trees in their backyards. On high food prices, Piggott said it was caused by “unnecessarily long supply chains for local produce, very unreasonable mark-ups, an inadequate production and marketing information systems.”
“Let them eat cake.”
Now Patos and Arnie are saying:
“Let dem eat plantain.”
Brilliant .......Bring on “de 20 / 20 Vision” and pass de word ..... ahm, sorry, de plantain...
...
Wednesday 8th October, 2008
Plantain to replace parboiled rice—Piggott
RICHARD LORD Agriculture Minister Arnold Piggott says the amount of parboiled rice used in this country is to be reduced and replaced by plantain. Piggott announced this during his contribution to Monday’s Senate debate on the 2008/2009 national budget. He outlined the Government’s plan to increase food production and reduce the importation of certain food items. Piggott said the current “level of dependency on imported food is, at this time, at an unacceptable level.” Dealing with the importation of parboiled rice, Piggott said: “We are proposing that some of that be replaced with plantain and that would target 6,080 tonnes on 1,216 acres of land. Wheat, we are targeting replacement by cassava and mixed crops and we are looking at increasing the tonnage there on 1,010 acres of land.” Piggott said locally produced sweet potato was to replace the imported Irish potato. Piggott said T&T imported more than nine per cent of staples and more than eight per cent of legumes it consumed. “This pattern must be changed,” he stressed. He slammed critics who say the mega farms have not been established to date. He said: “It must be appreciated that these are capital projects, which involved a medium term type of cycle before they can begin to bear significant fruit.” He added: “Preparation of land for commercial activities in agriculture cannot produce immediate results... indeed a lot of work has been done in preparing these farms to prospective investors.” Piggott said the Government was close to establishing a system of crop insurance for farmers. And he said each family in the country must move to plant at least two fruit trees in their backyards. On high food prices, Piggott said it was caused by “unnecessarily long supply chains for local produce, very unreasonable mark-ups, an inadequate production and marketing information systems.”
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