Obama Don't Care

Candidate: Change you can believe in
President: "You must create the change
that you want to see"

Obama earned the term: "Deporter-in-Chief," which makes him arguably just as toxic as Trump on immigration. True, he had more social skills, swagger and looked charismatic while screwing his base. You know, the people who trusted him when he said he would "change the mindset that got us into Iraq."

His actions were very ugly and consequences are long-term and devastating for the U.S. and the world.

The Patriot Act reauthorized. Guantanamo Bay still open. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was the worst -  allows for unbridled surveillance/warrantless wiretapping. It essentially guts the Bill of Rights.


The bait and switch: Offers may be subject to change without notice

Obama made deals with pharmaceuticals in secret, while promising transparency during his campaign.

He could have passed single-payer in his first year when he had the house and senate votes, but didn't. He also chose to use Republican Mitt Romney's healthcare plan (RomneyCare),  originally think-thought by conservatives at The American Enterprise Institute and The Heritage Foundation.

This line is a catch-all for all occasions when people want you to keep your campaign promises - call it ObamaDontCare: "Leaders will not take risks if the people do not push them to take some risks."

A rare moment: Barack Obama

swims against the tide.

He was bought and paid for: Wikileaks revealed his cabinet was picked by execs at Citigroup.

He was just as warmongering as his predecessors and started more wars and preemptive invasions (Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen...). He went along with France invading the Ivory Coast to install Nicolas Sarkozy's pal and former IMF deputy manager, Alassane Ouattara. The colonizer propaganda from his State Department Spokesperson was thick. Imagine, Russia invading to install Al Gore as president instead of George W. Bush during the whole Florida hanging chads thing.

Rather, Bush was installed by his dad's pals on the Supreme Court and the angry yuppies in khakis or Brooks Brother Riot. Some called it a coup - just sayin'.

He continued the UN occupation of Haiti...(more on that below). He lectured Africa about blaming the West for their failings, while literally kissing ass in Europe and Asia.

Destroyed Libya by humanitarian bombing it to hell and causing the horribly graphic video rape murder of Muammar Gaddafi (to Hillary's delight). It opened the African migrant floodgate to Europe (as Gaddafi predicted).  Libya became a depraved, chaotic haven for sex traffickers and slave markets. The news was good for the banksters though: the first thing the savvy "rebels" did before the first NATO bombs had even fallen was to create a Central Bank - so thousands died and are suffering for it, a win for them. The globalist moneymen were not having that African currency or gold standard Gaddafi was advocating... free market means slavery to the bank cartels - read the small print!

Obama hired warmonger Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State (top diplomatic post *giggles*). He assigned the Bubba's to run Haiti Relief (worth repeating: Henry Kissinger wasn't available?).

On his one visit to Haiti, Bush proceeded to shake hands with a Haitian in the crowd and wipe it on Bill Clinton's shirt -- aptly signifying his contempt for Haiti and his racist nature in one fluid move captured by the cameras. HillBilly ran Haiti as their personal piggy-bank and continued the destructive USAID/NGOs/sweatshop/privatization death plan.

Militarization - done: NGOs are a "force multipliers" for us, Colin Powell

Rigging elections - check: "You do nice elections," said Hillary Clinton's shyster lawyer Cheryl Mills

Stealing resources - caching! Recruit Hollywood to attend the opening of sweatshop on land stolen from the locals (yeah, we know there's gold in them thar hills), the usual pay-to-play schemes and their Shady Foundation.

Obama was on board all the way and corrupt himself. Look, he got his reward with giant speaking fees/engagements at the end of his tenure as president. The perks included a sorjourn on billionaire Richard Branson of Virgin airline's luxury yacht. The Obamas chilled with George Clooney and spent quality time with that famous couple: Oprah and Gayle on David Geffen's yacht - gangsta!

Let's be clear, Obama was more able to further the insidious recolonization of Africa using AFRICOM and enlisting DC's "strongmen." The U.S. oligarchs got further with him as the face of imperialism, then they could of with a Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, or a George W. Bush and his jerky dance moves.

Obama never fought to end the Iraq mindset, not at all; he refused to prosecute George W. Bush and his cynical cabal of war criminals.

Joe Biden & Barack Obama share a laugh.

"Many fine people who continue to display 

the Confederate flag as a symbol."
–Joe Biden

Finally, Barack Obama gave us Joe Biden. A man who is not only in cognitive decline, but the psychopath who drafted the crime bill when he was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He was particularly proud of his three-strikes law.

Joe Biden engages in racist dog whistles now, but there was a time when he would more blatantly express his prejudices. Biden worked closely with his friend, the infamous segregationist Strom Thurmond. He eulogized Thurmond at his memorial.

Biden worked with another Southern Senator and friend named James Eastland on putting through anti-busing legislation.

Does U.S. House Majority Whip. Jim Clyburn, who endorsed Biden for president (helping him win in the South Carolina primaries), remember the time Joe Biden called state-mandated school integration, “the most racist concept you can come up with?"

That time Joe Biden praised a speech Senator Howell Heflin made on the Senate floor, saying: “I, too, heard that speech and, for the public listening to this, the Senator made a very moving and eloquent speech, as a son of the Confederacy, acknowledging that it was time to change and yield to a position that Senator Carol Moseley-Braun raised on the Senate floor, not granting a Federal charter to an organization made up of many fine people who continue to display the Confederate flag as a symbol.”

Biden represented a misogynistic boys club when he headed the Anita Hill portion of the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearing. He appeared to be a mentor and supporter of Thomas and intent on making Anita Hill out to be a liar. Thomas has called himself a "radical." Is it because he is an angry bitter man (watch his 60 minutes interview) who wants no one to benefit from a hand up; like he himself likely did many times due to the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement?

Can we all agree that Thomas and Barack Obama, being the articulate and presentable Black guys fortunate enough to have had the benefit of Joe Biden's wise counsel and friendship, should sit down together at a soda fountain summit to discuss the merits of Biden having one discernible policy stance?

Listen to Joe Biden on the "predators" who don't deserve a second chance. The ones "born out of wedlock", "without parents"..."We have an obligation to cordon them off as a society."

USAID is Meant to Cripple & Destroy Countries

The Shelters That Clinton Built: Structurally unsafe and
formaldehyde laced, the "hurricane-proof" classroom trailers
installed by the Clinton Foundation in Haiti came from the
same company being sued for sickening Hurricane Katrina
victims. Warren Buffet's company was paid $1 million;
same amount he donated to HRC's campaign.

"USAID Go Home" is a 1996 article on the Third World Traveler website (still relevant today) and what a number of countries, such as Russia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Eritrea... have said to US spooks masquerading as aid in their country. False aid some folks call it. In Haiti it is a major issue (see here, here and here).

The headlines say its the end of foreign aid as we know it... "President Donald Trump’s vow to put “America first” includes a plan to drastically cut assistance to developing countries and merge the State Department with USAID, according to an internal budget document and sources.

The administration’s March budget proposal vowed to slash aid to developing countries by over one-third..."

This is Orwellian doublespeak of course, because the plan has always been to "put America first."

Donald Trump is reiterating what USAID and Hillary Clinton (see below) have both been caught candidly admitting:

"The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has spent more than $1.5 billion in Haiti, explains its goal as “furthering America’s interests.” In a more candid assessment, contained in a document now over a decade-old and no longer publicly available, USAID explained that “the principal beneficiary of America’s foreign assistance programs has always been the United States.”
"Is USAID Helping Haiti to Recover, or US Contractors to Make Millions?"
by Jake Johnston | The Nation, January 21, 2015

America first is the plan. It's working just as it was designed to. What do you have to add to that Candidate Clinton?

“I believe that together we can make America great again,”
             –William Jefferson Clinton in his 1991 presidential announcement speech.

.. and America is not great. You don't get an "A" for originality, because Ronald Reagan used it as his campaign slogan (perhaps foreshadowing Iran-Contra, Grenada war(!), the delayed AIDS response debacle, scapegoating Black women as welfare moms, tax hikes...).

Evidently, American presidents have a major problem with other countries acting in THEIR national interest though (Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Iran, Somalia, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, ... this could go on for a while). One could argue that Saudi Arabia and America have a lot in common, seeing as how they both like a good decapitation strategy.

The Red Cross bought them tainted water during a UN initiated cholera epidemic.

A woman explains that the Red Cross recently visited the
camp to give vaccinations. Al Jazeera video exposing the
Red Cross' real mission in Haiti. It wasn't to help the people
with what they really needed to stay healthy: clean
drinking water. As the UN cholera infestation spread, the Red
Cross delivered unpurified water that made the people sick.

USAID being stripped of funds would be wonderful news for the impoverished global south. It would necessitate the immediate building of sound infrastructure and hopefully speed development; were it true. Alas, this is not the desire of the deep state establishment and Donald Trump has done a number of 180's in his stands so far; no withdrawal from Afghanistan being one. As campaign rhetoric is often just that; this is to be expected. A note to whoever may be planning a "decapitation" (Kathy Griffin, Brad Sherman... ), had you thought maybe President Donald Trump is actually not the right head?

UN/USAID/World Bank are the three-headed hydra monster representing the corporatocracy in Haiti. What a headache to be aided to death by these thieving aid agencies? They do the exact opposite of what they are supposed to do, which is end the need for their services. The old saying goes: "teach a man to fish", but these poverty pimps only take away the ability of a country to produce enough food to feed its people and replace it with a cycle of aid dependency.

When there is an end to this type of headline: "Canada Buys a "Lead" Role On Haiti Recovery Team;" we can look forward to a world where the miserable business of impoverishing a people is not profitable to foreign governments, who come to speculate and bid on men, women and children's sad existence as pawns in a global game of unbridled greed in the name of vulture capitalism.

"Aid is meant to cripple people. Governments in Africa are not allowed to write their own programs." – Isaias Afwerke, Eritrean President

"It's hard enough for today's citizens to figure out what our western governments are really doing in the world, so just imagine being a target of their policies overseas. When programmes branded as "aid" can cause serious harm, and their failures are blamed on the would-be recipients, confusion is sure to ensue... In this light, the aims of Washington or London can be as inscrutable to a vulnerable, crisis-racked country as the intentions of a half-seen cat are to a mouse."
– Disaster aid: how US charity begins at home by Jonathan Katz
On the third anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, it's time to question the US's helping hand

"NGOs who are such a force multiplier for us and such an important part of our combat team." – Colin Luther Powell (former US Secretary of State and War criminal who presented false evidence of WMDs to UN to start Iraq invasion/destruction)/Counterpunch

USAID is a poverty pimping US government secret service operation to uphold corporatist "interests."

"In Latin America, USAID has long earned a reputation of an organization whose offices are, in fact, intelligence centers scheming to undermine legitimate governments in a number of the continent's countries. The truth that USAID hosts CIA and US Defense Intelligence Agency operatives is not deeply hidden, as those seem to have played a role in every Latin American coup, providing financial, technical, and ideological support to respective oppositions. USAID also typically seeks engagement with the local armed forces and law-enforcement agencies, recruiting within them agents ready to lend a hand to the opposition when the opportunity arises." – End to USAID Spying Looms in Latin America by Nil NIKANDROV | 26.09.2012

The goal is for local government to lose control of vital public services, agriculture, electricity, water, construction, manufacturing, telecommunications... anything that will may have the ability to put money into the local economy and empower that country's leadership is sucked away, thus making them dependent on the predator economies of the global north and their pimps.

Chemonics, a leading USAID recipient of multi-million dollar contracts in Haiti. After the Haiti earthquake USAID gave Chemonics the lead role in one example: a "cash for work" program in Fort National. Chemonics (CEPR: Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Watch) they played a large part (as did William Jefferson* Clinton) in Haiti's loss of its food security:

Chemonics is a subsidiary of ERLY Industries, which is also the parent company of American Rice Inc. American Rice was perhaps the largest benefactor of the influx of "Miami rice" in the 80s and 90s in Haiti, wiping out thousands of Haitian farmers who could not compete with the cheaper, subsidized imported rice. American Rice Inc. officials were found to have paid bribes in 1998-1999 to custom officials in order to avoid import tariffs (already by then some of the lowest in the hemisphere due to IMF and World Bank policies). Chemonics has close ties to USAID, and relies on government contracts for over 90% of its revenue.

More on Chemonics at CEPR:
"... But Chemonics, whose contract with USAID explicitly states that decisions about what programs to fund “will be based upon US foreign policy interests in consultation” with the State Department, worked to further USAID’s objectives of “counter[ing] the destabilizing effects” and the “growing discontent” with the pace of reconstruction. They ran PR for the new industrial park, installing benches and flower planters in nearby areas to “project a positive image.” An audit later noted that the flowers soon died “from lack of care,” while the mayor decried the lack of community involvement. But business was good for Chemonics, whose CEO at the time received a $2.5 million bonus."

In Haiti, the US orchestrated two coups against the democratically elected government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide forcing their neoliberal agenda of privatization of all public industries and services. They bring in their poverty pimps to provide services that the "failed" Haitian government is unable to... no matter that they targeted that government with sanctions, boycotts, opposition groups, thugs, assassins... whatever means necessary to bring about the so-called "failure" of "socialism." Is it socialism, communism or a dictatorship when they destroy a country... they are interchangeable terms used by these fascist; a distraction from their role in destroying a country; bringing war, chaos and death, while promising that capitalist predators, central banks, foreign control will bring back order. Ezili Dantò calls this neoliberal nazi raid and plunder technique "playing arsonist and firemen."

They actually have reached their goal when a country can be declared a "failed state"... if there wasn't anything to fix, there wouldn't be any money to be made and they're influence would be negligible.

"Helpfully, powerful leaders now and again stop to explain their motivations. One such moment came in a speech given in October 2011 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Addressing an audience of wealthy New Yorkers, she laid out a vision of what the US is trying to accomplish in the world; it was

"The question should always be "how will this
affect our economic growth?"

very telling for those trying to understand foreign aid – and its younger, hipper cousin, investment.

Clinton told the audience: "Our problems have never respected dividing lines between global economics and international diplomacy. And neither can our solutions." That is why, she explained, she has put "economic statecraft" at the heart of the US foreign policy agenda. Clinton further defined how the US can use "the forces and tools of global economics" to bolster American "diplomacy and presence" abroad and to strengthen the economy at home. She argued that America should "put economics at the center" of its foreign policy. In foreign relations, the question should always be "how will this affect our economic growth?"

A superpower such as the US would, of course, always consider its domestic interests, especially economic ones, when it acts abroad."
– Disaster aid: how US charity begins at home by Jonathan Katz
On the third anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, it's time to question the US's helping hand

They project their destructive naked greed for power and control on their victims. Venezuela is going through a stage of globalist terror that happened in Haiti in 1990 and again in 2004. Haiti is a proving ground for most terror tactics before they go global south, with the help of the corporatist media and their millionaire news anchor stenographers.

Ezili Dantò: Barack Obama and Bill Clinton did not “build Haiti back
better.” Where did the money go? Haiti recovery was about US land
grabbing, privatization of Haiti assets, militarizing Haiti police,
amending Haiti Constitution to better dominate and tightening
the occupation further with Martelly puppet government

Unfortunately, during these interventions, occupations, US intelligence financed death squad (FRAPH) cleansing of political opposition, bio-terrorism (UN cholera, USAID vaccines/"birth-control"/expired medicines... ); some have even found convincing evidence of weather manipulation and earthquake's from either frakking or HARPP (Venezuela and Russia both say the 2010 Haiti earthquake was man-made).

To make sure their control is not threatened the US has controlled every election since the coups in order to assure that real democracy did not have a ghost of a chance. The Empire's usual storm troopers - the Haitian (drug cartel) army were disbanded by surprise presidential winner Aristide after he was elected by a landslide over the US' (former World Bank executive) candidate – Marc Bazin)

Turns out, Hillary Clinton was a great strategic choice by Barack Obama for his Secretary of State given her experience in rigging elections.

“I do not think we should have pushed for an election in the Palestinian territories. I think that was a big mistake... and if we were going to push for an election, then we should have made sure that we did something to determine who was going to win.”
                         – Hillary Rodham Clinton (2006 interview with The Jewish Press)

Obama named Bill Clinton the UN "special envoy" to Haiti in 2009 and and after the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, Clinton was teamed with George W. Bush to form the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund because of all the special things he'd done for Haiti... i.e. "free trade reforms", destroying rice production to boost subsidized Arkansas rice farmers, mass starvation resulting from Haiti's inability to feed its people... good times.

Nothing much is changing, but if the Trump administration were to actually put an end to USAID's immense reach in countries like Haiti, it could end the unrelenting, cold, and calculated cycle of misery, impoverishment and underdevelopment. Withdrawing aid could impact Haiti in a very positive way and just maybe it could make America seem kinda nice again.

Reactions to the news of defunding of aid:
Chemonics Responds to Devex Article
It looks like the end of foreign aid as we know it is coming

Election charade masks U.S. war against Haiti

In the South American nation of Chile, last week President Obama delivered a fantasyland narrative on America’s benign intentions towards its southern neighbors, including an obscene claim that the recent elections in Haiti are proof of a U.S. commitment to democracy in the region.

The truth, of course, is that the United States snuffed out democracy in Haiti in 2004, when it deposed, kidnapped and exiled democratically-elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Over U.S. objections

Aristide returned to Haiti only days ago over the most strenuous objections of the United States. These sham elections, in which only 22 percent of eligible voters participated in the first round in November, were stage-managed by the United States to provide the form, but absolutely none of the substance, of democracy.

The elections excluded Haiti’s most popular political party: Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas. The result was the exact opposite of democracy: the two U.S.-approved presidential candidates are both closely connected to former dictator Jean Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, who returned to Haiti in January with the obvious blessing of the United States.

Obama’s version of democracy has produced the most grotesque spectacle imaginable: The most popular person in Haiti, Aristide, and his supporters are treated as political outlaws, while the presidency is guaranteed to go to an associate of the most hated man in Haiti, "Baby Doc" Duvalier. No democratic system could possibly result in such a travesty.

Barack Obama has no right to put the words Haiti and "democracy" in the same sentence. His fairytale of U.S. beneficence in the America’s or anywhere else in the world is an insult to humanity’s intelligence and fools no one outside an ignorant and self-possessed audience in the United States.

It is as if he were taunting the Haitian people, whose rightfully elected president was stolen from them by force of arms by George W. Bush. Barack Obama has made himself a full accomplice in the crime.

READ MORE at Black Agenda Report

Obama's Wars: Is the U.S. a Failed State?

Bob Woodward has a new book out called "Obama's Wars." It's a fitting title that the Commander-in-Chief has earned. Obama did a Bush immitation recently, when he declared "mission accomplished" in Iraq. The announcement eclipsed the fact that there are 50,000 military personnel in Iraq as well as countless mercenaries. To underscore Obama's war credentials in his speech he praised his predeccessor Bush, the "War President."

During his presidential campaign Obama talked about the fact that Iraq was a "stupid" war, inferring that the war in Afghanistan was warranted. Really? What war isn't stupid? Who profits from war? Not the people expected to fight these wars, nor the people who are attacked – in Iraq's case, without legitimate provocation. The only beneficiaries are the corporations – war profiteers and mercenaries .

The American public is bombarded by a mainstream media which supports and glorifies war. The young are brainwashed to believe that war is necessary and as exciting as a video game. It was the American war hero, General George S. Patton who claimed, "Americans love to fight."

The reality is that Obama is conducting a "war" against the poor, against the people of Afghanistan who have been the victims of decades of war and depravation. The American ruling class has a beef with the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and the mythical Osama Bin Laden (who the U.S. says masterminded the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, but has offered no concrete evidence to substantiate the claim), but engages in collective punishment of Afghan civilians (a Geneva Conventions war crime). Meanwhile, these "terrorist" and boogymen are of their own making.

Additionally, the U.S. is overtly and covertly carrying on wars against Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Honduras, the Democratic Republic of the Congo... the entire developing world really.

Obama is tacitly supporting an ongoing war against the poor devastated people of Haiti. In Haiti the U.S. supported and financed back-to-back coups in 1991 and 2004 against the first freely and fairly elected democratic government of Haiti -- that of Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Indicative of the continuing assault on Haiti is the fact that Bush the younger was one of Obama's picks as an agent of "relief" efforts in Haiti. Bush Jr. and Bush Sr. both were head of the U.S. administrations which supported the coups.

The other pick for Haiti "relief" is Bill Clinton, who waged a covert war on Haiti when he was in office. His administration gave huge subsidies to his Arkansas farmers and destroyed Haiti's food security and the livelihood of thousands of local rice farmers.

It was a crippling strike that was probably just as deadly as the bombing of the Sudan (aspirin factory), the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan (Bill Clinton is a war criminal)... during his administration, since 2 out of 3 Haitians were farmers.

Clinton recently "apologized." However, in his new position as co-head of reconstruction efforts, he has not made a visible difference in alleviating the suffering of the victims of the quake. Some say that Clinton's position is akin to a Viceroy in this neo-colonial feudal system fostered in Haiti by the U.S.

Recently Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan) announced that Bill Clinton will be stepping down from his position as co-chair of the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission (IHRC). Conyers shared the news at the recent 40th Annual Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference held in DC.

There is a rumor circulating that the Congressional Black Caucus will replace President Clinton. It's from the frying pan into the fire, given the scandals plaguing the CBC – with no less than four of its members under investigation or scrutiny for corruption. Last year ex-Congressman William Jefferson got 13 years for accepting "cold cash" for his influence. In March of this year even Congressman Conyer's wife was sentenced to three years in prison on bribery charges. Evidently, many CBC members are in office to help themselves, not their constituents.

The U.S. has been exploiting and oppressing poor nations – violating its own "democratic principles" and the human rights of the people of other countries for so long... it's fair to ask: will there be any accountability or justice for those who are suffering so much under the weight of the U.S.' inhumane "neoliberal" policies? Maybe there will be a comeuppance. MLK said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

If Obama is being "boxed into war" and "thwarted" in his efforts to scale back or end the wars by General Petraeus and key Pentagon officials, it surely is a sign that the military industrial complex is out of control.

The American people are sick of war, but the military is defying the will of the people by prolonging/conducting these illegal "wars." The thing is that the American public turns a blind eye to the other fascist anti-democratic operations the U.S. carries out all over the world.

The fear that accompanies the drumbeat of war is accompanied by a nutty, and often satirically cynical attack on people of the Muslim faith. The atmosphere of frenzied hate and hysteria is very disturbing. It was sad to see the bewilderment of a Muslim cab driver who was beaten by a racist rider. The escalation of violence, arson and discrimination and religious intolerance against Muslims is unprecedented.

The U.S. is degenerating into a "banana republic" when the demagoguery, hate, rage and racism of some in the Tea Party towards the President of the United States and the government pushes the envelop to the point of inciting sedition and armed insurrection.

Hopefully, the Tea Party remains a fringe. The majority of the U.S. population believes in the rule-of-law and respectful discourse. However, there is a fight for the soul of America being waged.

Is an age of repression inevitable? Some are fighting the climate of fear and hate, but the vast majority are not conscious of the fix they're in, with so many of their rights being taken away by the Patriot Act, illegal wiretapping, covert surveillance and illegal searches...etc.

Just this week the New York Times reported that the Obama administration is seeking to expand the government's ability to conduct invasive surveillance online.

A wake up call is due to come soon – when the American people will get a taste of the bitter feeling of helplessness felt by a vast majority of the developing world who have been the victims of U.S. imperialism. Of course, anti-war activist who came out in huge numbers in the lead up to the war in Iraq already have a taste of what empire looks like, given the way the Bush administration went to war in Iraq in spite of the polls which showed most people in America and the world opposed the war.

After the two successive coups in Haiti, thousands died. Some poor souls had their corpses desecrated and left on the streets to be eaten by dogs. Political activist went into hiding and even now the ones who escaped indefinite detention, no longer feel free to claim their political voice back or demonstrate for their human rights. The wave of repression brought on by the actions of the U.S. France and Canada has had a lasting effect on the Haitian psyche and body politic that will take generations to overcome.

In the U.S. the military industrial complex are flexing their muscles and feeling their oaths. They see themselves to be as powerful, if not more powerful than the elected "Commander-in-Chief."


Eisenhower warned about the "unwarranted influence" of the military; that it would threaten the "very structure of our society."

Wouldn't it be ironic and perhaps inevitable, if the so-called "banana republic" meme that the U.S. press and public has branded developing countries with in the past were to come to pass in the U.S.? These oppressive regimes were more often then not encouraged and supported by the U.S. government (because military dictatorships are so much more amenable to Western influence (corruption, assassination threats) then "socialist" democracies).

In his book "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" John Perkins details how the U.S. "convinces" countries that are strategically important to the U.S. to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development and how they make sure that the lucrative projects are contracted to U.S. corporations.

Militarism is one of the main reasons for the pain and suffering around the world. The governments of the poorest of the poor in developing countries buy up arms from the U.S. and others at the expense of feeding their desperately poor populations or building infrastructure.

The U.S.' military adventures are largely to blame for the failed economy. One could correctly say that the U.S. is a "failed state."

The Pentagon and military brass such as General Petraeus do not respond to public opinion or Executive pressure. Evidently they don't believe in the very democratic principles they portray as the goal for the destruction of Afghanistan and Iraq.

The recent revelations about the "killing for sport" of innocent Afghan civilians by five U.S. military-men are horrific and shocking in nature. The hypocrites at the Pentagon have proven that they are fascists, particularly in light of the destruction of thousands of copies of the memoirs of an Army officer. The Pentagon destroyed the books in order to "safeguard state secrets." On September 20 they destroyed about 9,500 copies of Army Reserve Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer's memoir "Operation Dark Heart."

"DoD decided to purchase copies of the first printing because they contained information which could cause damage to national security,"

-- Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. April Cunningham said.

Support a Tea Party, Vote Republican

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"

--Alice in Wonderland

The Republican party is sending out robo calls urging people to vote Republican this November. The Republicans are in a bit of a tussle with the Tea Party for "conservative" hearts and minds. The Republican Party is a very divided party right now.

Tea Party endorsed candidate Sharron Angle of Nevada, who won the Republican primary, will face Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in November. This is the race that the Democratic leader claims he wanted. Democrats are reportedly ecstatic that the right-wing of the Republican party has won so many primaries. Analyst think the Tea Party wins could mean GOP losses in November. The Tea Party hasn't shown yet that it can broaden its appeal to a larger constituency.

In an effort to do just that, the Angle campaign has made robo calls to states as far away as Seattle, Washington. How many billionaires live in Seattle? The so-called "real conservatives" of the Tea Party "movement" are reportedly bankrolled by billionaires.

If these calls don't have the desired effect, next a letter from Sharon Angle's campaign will arrive to ask the Republican household to find their checkbook right now.

"Not only is this the #1 race in America this year, it is nothing less than a referendum on the far left policies of Barack Obama and Harry Reid. Defeating Reid would be a knockdown blow to Obama. It is a blow I can --- and will -- deliver!. Defeating Reid will spell doom for Obama's agenda!"

Sharron Angle has some extreme views. She thinks that citizens should "use arms against Congress"... does that sound illegal to anyone? The Tea Party is noted for this kind of inflammatory language. Would a black candidate running for the Senate get away with inciting violence against the U.S. government? Would that same black still be in a Senate race. No way!

Angle's interpretation of the Second Amendments (the right of the people to carry and bear arms) is characteristic of the rhetoric of anti-government groups, whose ranks have "caught fire" since the election of Barack Obama according to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). Angle herself is associated with two such groups: the Independent American Party and Oath Keepers.

The Tea Party is berserk. Some real screwballs... Christine O'Donnell is the new darling of the Tea Party. She just won a primary in Delaware against Republican moderate Mike Castle. O'Donnell has some major issues. Watch out Sarah Palin, she'll steal the limelight!

Remember that old Betty Davis movie "All About Eve?" O'Donnell is the ingenue, Eve. Eve is out to replace the movie star, Margo (Sarah Palin). Eve is Margo's understudy, so she knows how to play the role to perfection. Christine O'Donnell has every Sarah Palin move figured out, right down to paying her personal expenses with campaign money.

An advocacy group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has called on the Delaware U.S. Attorney's Office and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to investigate O'Donnell for conversion, tax evasion and false statements.

This is slightly off topic, but speaking of creeps and bigots... Luther Campbell, a controversial figure in the music industry, when his group 2 Live Crew performed offensive and sexually explicit material (by mid-90s Campbell declared bankruptcy), has taken "crayon to paper " to protest the building of a community center and mosque in New York near the site of the 9/11 attacks. Luther is popping a blood vessel over the plan:

"What they really want to do is celebrate the martyrdom of terrorists who blew up the World Trade Center. Screw that. Anybody who is involved with putting that mosque next to Ground Zero should be investigated…"

It's a point-of-view that resonates with some mosque opponents. In retrospect, they've gained an appreciation for the rap group's song, "pop that couchie" and are "down with Luke."

Back to Christine O'Donnell... her hair style, glasses, her facial expressions are a dead ringer for Palin. Republican strategist and Fox News contributor Carl Rove wavers between harsh criticism and support of O'Donnell. His attacks have forced her to address the "unfactual" nature of the charges. O'Donnell will also be spending considerable time "refudiating" her past... "that's right, it's a regular epidumbic."

For the Tea Party, stimulating the economy is a sin and for Christine O'Donnell that means saying no to self-gratification. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel feels that his "basic human rights" are being threatened.

One positive is that O'Donnell has given up witchcraft. Witchcraft was just a phase she dabbled in while in high school. Again, strange synergy with Sarah Palin and her Kenyan witch doctor. Palin credits Pastor Muthee with helping her win the Alaska governorship.

Newt Gingrich should look into this. How is Sarah Palin's Kenyan association affecting her commitment to colonial domination?

The election of Barack Obama is bringing all the worse racist elements out of the closet. Newt Gingrich feels quite comfortable in this free-for-all pseudo "patriotic" racist atmosphere advancing intellectually bankrupt theories about how Obama's "Kenyan, anti-colonial worldview" makes him unfit to be president. Mr. Gingrich conveniently forgets that the American founding fathers waged an anti-colonial war called the American Revolution.

If there's blood in your urine, it's election season in America again folks. And this time it's a real circus, with clowns and all!

Will the strategy adopted by the Republican party of pandering to and appealing to the lowest reptilian brain impulses of the American people pay off for them in November?

Newt Gingrich is betting on it. In his opinion, Barack Obama is a Nazi-Commie and "a threat to our way of life."

Michael Steele, what do you think about this GOP party leader's blatant race-baiting and isn't he pandering to the birthers?

"No, I don't. I don't see that stretch. I know some folks out there want to, but I don't see that. I know Newt. I know that's not his mindset on that. He's talking about a worldview that comes from a different part, whether it's Europe, the African continent," says the man who single-handily took the "hip" out of hip-hop.

If it wasn't for America, where would the rest of the world get their entertainment?

Funny or Dead: Prez Says "Grow Some Balls" Obama

"Barack Obama gets a surprise visit in the night from ex-Presidents Bush Sr., Bush Jr., Clinton, Ford, Reagan and Carter to get a few pointers about the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and why it's so important."

Will Farrell, Dana Carvey and Dan Akroyd in Funny or Die's Presidential Reunion video.

Obama goes to bed with concerns about consumer protection. Michelle's advice as she reads Oprah's O Magazine: "Go to bed, Honey. You're heart will tell you what to do."

What is this video getting at you ask? Basically, wake up Obama, your presidency is sinking unless you establish the Consumer Finance Protection Agency and get it through Congress.

Presidents dead and alive, reunite in an all-star SNL skit we would all want to see if SNL was still the hot star minting commodity it was in the 80s and 90s. The video stars Jim Carrey as Ronald Reagan, Will Farrell as Bush Jr., Darrell Hammond as William Jefferson Clinton, Dana Carvey as Bush Sr., Dan Akroyd as Jimmy Carter, Chevy Chase as Gerald Ford, Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph are Barack and Michelle Obama. Directed by Ron Howard, the comedians of SNL past and present still have a dream.

The Obama character's dream is reminiscent of "A Christmas Carol," but differs in that it is a pep talk rather than a nightmarish scenario. Ebenezer Scrooge's ghosts of the past and the present were ever more scary. This Funny or Die video incapsulates for us the nightmare that has been American leadership over the years. Moving forward a precipice beckons if Main Street does not get more support. Government came to the aid of the Banksters and failing auto giants but so far no real relief for average folks.

The lines from Jim Carrey's Ronald Reagan (spot on portrayal!) most tickled my funny bone: "Well, I'm dead, but I'm going to be a guest on Dancing with the Stars" or "Grow some balls [Obama]" or "I went against Tip O'Neil with nothing but a psychic oracle and these pendulous balls." Instant classic!

Obama, all the presidential funny men affirm: "we messed everything up royally," but "Tag you're it" and "Grow some nuts for the Gipper."

Jimmy Carter was the exception, as the video points out. He warned about the stew the U.S. would be in if there wasn't an effort to conserve energy and do the hard and unpopular things. Of course Reagan came into power and removed the solar panels that Carter had installed on the White House. Ballsy act, but dead wrong.

The Democrats are showing "signs of life." The good news is that there was a forum for open debate about healthcare with the President (the summit on healthcare) and since bipartisanship is not something that interests the Republicans, the Democrats have said they will pass healthcare reform with a simple majority or the reconciliation process that will bypass the Party of no's filibusters.

As a vocal critic of president Obama, I have to give him credit when it's due. Yesterday, Obama made it clear that he'd drawn a line and reached a point where he was moving forward with his health care plan, with or without the Republican party.

This is a decisive, strong leadership move. It's coming late, but better late than never.

Now 35 Democratic Senators support passing a Public Option through reconciliation. Democracy for America has the list. You can become a citizen co-sponsor.

Visit the Funny or Die website for a couple of good laugh.
Funny or Die's Presidential Reunion
"Barack Obama gets a surprise visit in the night from ex-Presidents Bush Sr., Bush Jr., Clinton, Ford, Reagan and Carter to get a few pointers about the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and why it's so important."

When you're done laughing, hold Congress accountable for protecting us consumers and visit this website: The Main Street Brigade is all about protecting the consumer. And that's no laughing matter.

Dissenting Dems Are Threatening to Obstruct Obama

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Dissenting Democrats will follow the leadership of the House Republicans... "who happen to be the political laughing stock of the country."

Evan Bayh, Blanche Lincoln and Tom Carper and a group of 15-20 "bleu dog" democrats are aligning as a loose coalition and threatening to obstruct the President's agenda. These Democratic "moderates" plan to focus on deficit reduction and fiscal responsibility -- familiar refrains from the Republican's failed policies.

CONSERVADEM Evan Bayh On the "Spending" Bill:



To paraphrase Rachel: Now you are finding your voice,
your dissent, your bravery!

____________

UPDATE

The Republicans always increase the debt faster than Democratic Presidents.

____________

Obama's plan cuts taxes for 95% of working Americans

The media has been obsessing about President Obama's plan to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans—from 35% to 39.6%—even asking if that makes him a socialist.

But do you know what tax rate the wealthiest Americans paid on the top portion of their earnings at the end of Ronald Reagan's first term? 50%.

Under Richard Nixon? 70%. Under Dwight Eisenhower? 91%!

Obama is proposing a top rate lower than Reagan's first term, lower than Nixon's, lower than Eisenhower's, and lower than FDR's when he pulled us out of the Great Depression. More.

Republicans don't represent "conservative values."

Obama: Don't Blame it on the West

At his inaugural address yesterday President Obama's rhetoric was reminiscent of his predecessor Mr. Bush; "We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you," he said.

The arrogance and hypocrisy of the statement is discouraging. President Obama continued, "To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West -- know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."

I wonder when the "West" will accept some of the blame for the ill will that it has garnered for its actions in the global south and in the Middle East. When will the "West" admit to the lies, the disinformation, the interventions, the invasions, the slaughter of innocents, the empire building... when will the "West" realize that the size of its military industrial complex will not guarantee that its towers will be safe and its people secure? Only a "new era of diplomacy" can.

Sure President Obama had some positive things to say, as when he addressed "the Muslim world" with words of reconciliation and hope; "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect."

Perhaps the new U.S. president refers to the unholy terror visited on the Palestinian people of Gaza these past four weeks... maybe the "West" will seek a "new way" that will not involve the unleashing of one of the world's most lethal military and its arsenal of weapons (equipped and supported by its protector, the U.S.) on a hapless civilian population (shades of Iraq's bombardment, which also included cluster bombs, white phosphorus and depleted uranium)? The slaughter of over 1300 people, most of them women and children has not brought Israel any closer to winning the "respect" of the world nor as it cowered or defeated the will of Palestinians.

It is probably a dream to hope that the outgoing Bush administration will be held accountable for its crimes against humanity. That is not what the new U.S. president was implying when he said, "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." One can only hope that the Republicans in the U.S. legislature will not obstruct the new administration in its efforts to create new jobs and bring in a new era of a green economy that is less dependent on oil and carbon bi-products.

Obama said, "America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words." Unfortunately, timeless words will not address the United States' "hardships." Perhaps the new U.S. president should visit the question; Why has the U.S. met with such hardship of late? What about the senseless war in Iraq and the planned escalation in Afghanistan, the loss of manufacturing jobs through neo-liberal policies, the stagnant wages, the unregulated greed and corruption... ?

What about accountability? The truth shall set you free... then a reconciliation can take place that will see that U.S. and international laws are respected and upheld for future generations.

The speech was a stern "call to action" for U.S. citizens; as well as recriminations and a holding out of an "olive branch" to "the Muslims" (wonder if any of those are left in Palestine?)... but what would have carried it to the next level would have been if it held less hypocrisy, more truth and most importantly more soul and corny as it sounds... more LOVE. Where is the love?

The good Reverend Joseph Lowery spoke of love. He said in his benediction, "And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance." The narrow scope of his focus is unfortunate because his concluding remarks made clear that he was referring to people within the confines of the U.S. borders.

"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right."

Rest in peace and love Dr. Martin Luther King--who's January 15th birthday was celebrated on Monday, January 19, a day before the swearing in of President Barack Obama. Would that President Obama had paid tribute to Dr. King by quoting from his speech entitled "Beyond Vietnam -- A Time to Break Silence."

"This I believe to be the privilege and the burden of all of us who deem ourselves bound by allegiances and loyalties which are broader and deeper than nationalism and which go beyond our nation's self-defined goals and positions. We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation and for those it calls "enemy," for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers."

It is encouraging for the world that even though the U.S.'s new "Commander and Chief" was not forthcoming with the love, his supporters, be they U.S. born or internationally bred, were. They have warmly embraced the new "leader of the free world" and wish him the best. Hopefully, with their love, support and civic involvement -- "a change is gonna come."

Don't Wake Me, I'm Still Dreaming

I always had my doubts about any real change in Washington. A review of the chosen and expected appointments by President-Elect Obama; there is not much hope and little change:

Joe Biden – Vice President
A major facilitator of the "war" in Iraq who proposed partitioning Iraq into three areas based on ethnicity and religion. Biden has served for decades as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and bears major responsible for failed U.S. foreign policy stances.

Timothy Geithner – Treasury Secretary
News of this appoint spurred a surge in the market on Friday, but it is not encouraging that Mr. Geithner was International Monetary Fund Director in its Policy Development & Review Department. The IMF's globalization agenda and debt and dependency policies have devastated the global south and contributed to the global economic crisis. Also, Geithner worked for Kissinger and Associates, Henry Kissinger's firm. In my opinion, Mr. Kissinger is a war criminal who ordered the "secret" carpet bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

Peter Orszag – Director of the White House Office of Budget and Management
Mr. Orszag was a Senior Fellow and Deputy Director of Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution.

"Initially centrist, the Institution took its first step rightwards during the depression, in response to the New Deal. In the 1960s, it was linked to the conservative wing of the Democratic party, backing Keynsian economics. From the mid-70s it cemented a close relationship with the Republican party. Since the 1990s it has taken steps further towards the right in parallel with the increasing influence of right-wing think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation."

Sourcewatch

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton– Secretary of State
She voted to give authorization for the war to GWB. She deserves condemnation for her lies about coming under "sniper fire" on tarmac while in Bosnia. Since becoming NY's Junior Senator, she has threatened to "obliterate" Iran. She was a hawk during the tenure of Bill Clinton and encouraged him to bomb Serbia.

Eric Holder – Attorney General
Obama's fellow alumni of Columbia University (BA 1973 in American History, Obama BA 1983 in Political Science), Mr. Holder represented the Chiquita Corp.

"In 2004, Holder helped negotiate an agreement with the Justice Department for Chiquita Brands International in a case that involved Chiquita's payment of "protection money" to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, a group on the U.S. government's list of terrorist organizations. In the agreement, Chiquita's officials pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $25 million. Holder represents Chiquita in the civil action that grew out of this criminal case."

Wikipedia

Patrick Gaspard rumored to be next White House Political Officer. Gaspard was the political director on Obama's presidential campaign and associate personnel director for the White House transition team, making the 41-year-old Haitian-American a powerful contact for anyone seeking a job in the new administration. Patrick Gaspard – White House political director Cautiously hopeful because Mr. Gaspard is a Haitian-American who was until recently the political director of 1199 United Healthcare Workers East (SEIU). He is a veteran campaigner who worked on the Jesse Jackson campaign and former NY Major David Dinkins. He is slated ascend to this influential post which most recently was held by "Bush's Brain" Carl Rove. The AP reports that "Officials said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson had emerged as a likely pick as commerce secretary, although he had hoped to be secretary of state." Gov. Richardson also took a pro-war in Iraq position. Another Clintonian appointee, Richardson outed a scientist as a China operative who was later proven innocent. "Richardson publicly named Wen Ho Lee, a scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, as a target in an espionage investigation. Lee was accused of passing nuclear secrets to the Chinese government. Lee was later cleared of those charges and won a settlement against the U.S. government." This is Change? - by Jeremy Scahill Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota as secretary of health and human services. "...worked extensively on the use-of-force authorizations for the attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which Daschle supported. From 1996 to 1999, McDonough was a professional staff member of the House International Relations Committee during the debate over the bombing of Yugoslavia. More recently, he was at the Center for American Progress working under John Podesta, Clinton's former chief of staff and the current head of the Obama transition." This is Change? - by Jeremy Scahill

Janet Napolitano, likely to be named as Sec. of the Homeland Security Dept. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, likely to be named as secretary of the Homeland Security Department. Impressed by Napolitano who was named by Time Magazine as one of the five best Governors in the U.S. She served as an attorney for Anita Hill. As a U.S. Attorney and Attorney General of Arizona she investigate the Oklahoma City bombings and she focused on consumer protection issues and improving law enforcement.

I also have these observations about the stances that Obama has taken during his campaign and about the people he has chosen as policy advisors;

1. He has threatened to "capture and kill" Osama Bin Laden... what no due process from the constitution law professor? Last time I checked extra-judicial killing is illegal. This pragmatist's use of such loaded language which seems aimed at stoking the fears and passions of the American people is discouraging. How's that any different from Bush, who used almost identical inflammatory language?


2. Obama wants to send more troops to Afghanistan where they will unavoidably kill more innocents like the Afghan wedding party bombed this month. These poor people had nothing to do with 9-11. Also, he has proposed expanding the "war" into Pakistan without regard to Pakistani sovereignty (more of Bush doctrine and actions).


3. He has allowed the telecoms to slide; he voted to grant them immunity for their illegal wiretapping of the American people.


4. He panders to the Israeli lobby. He does not propose to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people or hold Israel accountable for illegal land grabs and oppression of the so-called "minorities". The Palestinians are prisoners in their own country; non-citizens who have no political power; who's democratically elected representatives are targeted by the Israeli gov't for extra-judicial assassination. His very first appointment; Rahm Emmanuel is an Israeli with rumored Zionist ties.


5. His advisors are from the ranks of the Clintonians and neo-cons, and have a history of carrying on America's imperialistic agenda, they include -- Hillary Rodam Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Rahm Emanuel... more here.

I wish President-Elect Barack Obama much success and take some consolation from a statement attributed to Obama by Mr. Gaspard:

In an interview with the New Yorker magazine this week, Gaspard related an instantly famous remark Obama made during his job interview with the president-elect.

After noting that he appreciated opinionated advisers, Obama told Gaspard: "I think that I'm a better speechwriter than my speechwriters. I know more about policies on any particular issue than my policy directors. And I'll tell you right now that I'm gonna think I'm a better political director than my political director."

Guardian, UK

Further reading:
This Is Change? 20 Hawks, Clintonites and Neocons to Watch for in Obama's White House.
by Jeremy Scahill

Obama is the Rage

Ralph Nader in effect called Barack Obama an "Uncle Tom". Nader said that it was Obama's choice so far to be an Uncle Tom to the giant corporations. Ralph was a bad boy. He should apologize immediately.

But if he doesn't, so what? It's Ralph's thing to "rage against the machine." He's an activist gadfly for consumer protection. No one should expect Nader to give that up; though he should be more circumspect and respectful to President-Elect Obama. Obama has not even stepped into the oval office or sworn on the bible to uphold the constitution, unlike Bush, who should be the target of Nader's vitriol because of the full mess he's made of this country. Nader has lost control of his facial muscles and twitches and squints throughout the whole interview. I hope he gets it together. I want to still have some respect for him.

But the fact is, Barack Obama has suddenly become as establishment as you can get, and it stands to reason that many people will align against him. Who knows, if he continues to do the things that Nader outlined (he is a politician!), I might get in that long line.

I don't think Obama is going to be too offended--he will just brush off racial attacks by people like Nader, Berlusconi and that racist Austrian pundit or any others that have the balls to speak their bigoted, prejudicial or racist ideology--it's not acceptable to do so and it's progress that they will get plenty of criticism (even from unexpected quarters!)... IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T HEAR FROM, THAT LET THEIR HATE SPEAK OUT THROUGH THE BARREL OF A GUN OR OTHER WEAPON WHO ARE DEADLY.

I don't know if this rumor is rooted in truth (see the links below; it's true), but I heard a caller to WBAI's Hugh Hamilton show voice the concern that many White people went out and brought guns after Obama won the Democratic nomination and even more armed themselves when Obama won the presidency. It is ironic that many of the guns purchased will most likely not protect or secure these folks, but may end up facilitating domestic violence, crime or a tragic accident.

Of course FOX "twilight zone" NEWS would jump on Ralph Nader for this – you know "Divisiveness R' US" is their unofficial motto. Surely, these propagandist, racist, ignorant buffoons have said much, much worst against Barack Obama in particular and Black people in general. I'm certainly not buying the bridge they are trying to sell with their feigned outrage over Ralph's misguided remarks.

On a positive note, the Obama administration is set to recognize science... first thing will be to reverse the Bush policy on prohibiting stem cell research. Yeah!

I can't find it, but I also wanted to put up a chart from the new change.gov website that was displayed on Keith Obermann that has all the branches of the government listed UNDER the constitution. Hey, that's CHANGE I CAN BELIEVE IN!

By the way; can Bush pardon himself?


Obama Countdown
created by James Miller

Further Reading:
On Concerns Over Gun Control, Gun Sales Are Up
"Sales of handguns, rifles and ammunition have surged in the last week, according to gun store owners around the nation..."

Gun sales up in N.C. after Obama win

Guns Sales are up ten billion percent

Gun Sales Up Before Election

Obama election prompts surge in US gun sales

Sarah Palin blamed by the US Secret Service over death threats against Barack Obama

I Don't Know this America, But I'm most happy to meet it

Two American moments, which one will we extend and sustain? "I know the America on the left. I am so glad to meet the America on the right. I will never forget November 4, 2008." – Ezili Dantò by Marguerite "Ezili Dantò" Laurent Haitian Perspectives November 5, 2008 I grew up with the picture on the left. That's the America that lynched Black soldiers in their uniforms after World War II. It's the America I was taught. It's the America unfortunately I've lived through. It's the America that killed the Dreamer. Yes, I grew up with the picture on the left. I know that America. But yesterday, on November 4, 2008, I was most happy to actually meet the America that chose to make the picture on the right its new dawn.... Honestly, as someone raised in post-Civil Rights America, I don't know this America. I didn't think it was possible. I am most happy to meet this America and I am most thankful for President-elect Barack Obama's unyielding audacity of hope. Most happy to have taken part in it because he envisioned what could be. I am glad to meet this America of new possibilities, this America of November 4, 2008. I want to be part of this America where I don't feel an outsider to Officialdom because I work for human rights, workers rights, reciprocal trade, respect for Haitian democracy and constitutional rule. I hope that that America won't again turn away from this hope for the poor and disenfranchised all over this planet, and go back to promoting the special interests of the corporate elites, valuing profit over people. Senator Barack Obama's victory has introduced me to the possibility of that America. That's a stunning feat. I hope all of us rise up to meet this America we all took a glimpse of on November 4th. Change would truly have come if we actually ACT to extend the November 4th values and broad, inter-generational coalition, across the races, transcending political party, class and creeds that was forged to elect Barack Obama. And extend it each and everyday of our lives. I didn't believe it existed or could be pulled forth in my lifetime. That I've lived to see it, to know it's there and not just the ephemeral dream; that I have lived to see a Black man, this man of integrity and enormous vision and competence, this son of an African, with an aunt who is still an "illegal alien" about to call home, a White House built by the forced labor of African captives, that this America exists and was pulled forth for the world to see, makes me more thankful than I can say. I pour libation for all the Ancestors who did not live to see that the color line has been crossed. I weep for all the American lives and Iraqi lives in Iraq and elsewhere around the world that paid the ultimate price for this day to come so simply. I pray the children in the Congo will benefit from this new day. I hope this means Haitian lives will also be more valued and a new US-Haiti partnership is on the horizon. I pray that a new dawn of American leadership is at hand and hope that President Barack Obama will work with us as we've outlined in "What Haitian Americans are Asking of the New US President." Four years ago, part of HLLN mission, as articulated in Campaign Six was to help to elect a President that would not extend the tyranny and disenfranchisement of the Black masses that Bush Regime change brought to Haiti in February 2004. We hope to retire that campaign now and have a working relationship with this new Congress and this new President. Yes we can - Wi nou kapab. I thank and am so deeply grateful to all those who worked to get out the vote and so blessed to meet this America I don't know but want to get to know, sustain, belong to and have a relationship with. It's been a long time coming... Ezili Dantò Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network (See Background Essay)