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May 31 Party seats Florida, Michigan delegationsWASHINGTON - Democratic party officials said a
committee agreed Saturday on a compromise to seat Michigan and Florida
delegates with half-votes after Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton
failed to get enough support to force their positions through. The deal was reached after committee members met privately for more than three hours, trying to hammer out a deal, and announced in a raucous hearing that reflected deep divisions within the party. The sticking point was Michigan, where Obama's name was not on the ballot. Clinton's
camp insisted Obama shouldn't get any pledged delegates in Michigan
since he chose not to put his name on the ballot, and she should get 73
pledged delegates with 55 uncommitted. Obama's team insisted the only
fair solution was to split the pledged delegates in half between the
two campaigns, with 64 each. The committee agreed on a compromise offered
by the Michigan Democratic Party that would split the difference,
allowing Clinton to take 69 delegates and Obama 59. Each delegate would
get half a vote at the convention in Denver this summer, according to
the deal. They also agreed to seat the Florida delegation based on the outcome of the January primary, with 105 pledged delegates for Clinton and 67 for Obama, but with each delegate getting half a vote as a penalty. The resolution increased the number of delegates needed to clinch the nomination to 2,118, leaving Obama 66 delegates short but still within striking distance after the three final primaries are held in the next three days. Obama picked up a total of 32 delegates in Michigan, including superdelegates who have already committed, and 36 in Florida. Clinton picked up 38 in Michigan, including superdelegates, and 56.5 in Florida. Obama's total increased to 2,052, and Clinton had 1,877.5, according to The Associated Press calculations. 'Party of inclusion' Tina Fluornoy, who led Clinton's efforts to seat both states' delegations with full voting power, said she was disappointed by the outcome but knew the Clinton position had "no chance" of passing the committee. "I understand the rules. ... I can tell you one thing that has driven these rules was being a party of inclusion," Fluornoy said. "I wish my colleagues will vote differently." The committee unanimously approved a measure supported by the Obama campaign that sat the delegates according to Clinton's winning vote in the Florida contest, but penalized the delegation by allowing each only half a vote. "We just blew the election!" a woman in the audience shouted. The crowd was divided between cheering Obama supporters and booing Clinton supporters. "This isn't unity! Count all the votes!" another audience member yelled. Alice Huffman, a Clinton supporter on the committee, explained that the compromise was the next best thing to full seating. "We will leave here more united than we came," she said. Some audience members heckled her in response. "Lipstick on a pig!" one shouted. I saw the meeting on C-Span and CNN. I must say that Clinton Supporters are a disgrace! Protesters was disruptive in the meeting hall as well as outside. If the reports are true, many of the Clinton
supporters present are passing out slanderous flyers telling horrible lies about Senator Obama. These flyers are
calling him an adulterer and a murderer. One protester was passing out flyers saying that HE had sex with Obama. There was one picket sign that says that "What Howard Dean is doing now at the DNC is worse than Slavery"... now how in the HELL is 2 states being penalized for breaking DNC rules the same as slavery?! Clinton supporters have a deep hatred for Senator Obama... And for NO REASON! They don't realize that they are being manipulated by the Clintons to delegitimize Obama and destroy the Democratic Party.
May 29 Michelle Obama in Phoenix: "Fear Is a Useless Emotion"I found this entry in Daily Kos. I was deeply touched by it and wanted to share it with you.  Michelle Obama in Phoenix: "Fear Is a Useless Emotion"by dawntThu May 29, 2008 at 09:13:18 AM PDTCross-posted at HuffingtonPost. Tuesday, George Bush and Michelle Obama each traversed McCain's home state of Arizona to raise money for the presidential election. Bush headlined fundraisers for John McCain in Phoenix, and Michelle Obama headlined fundraisers for her husband in Tuscon and Phoenix. Even in Arizona, the heart of McCain country, President Bush and Senator McCain were unable to draw enough supporters to fill the reception/banquet room they had rented at the downtown convention center. The two part Bush-McCain event was combined into a single event in a more intimate setting in a private home. Local News reported that the McCain campaign was worried that the hoards of protesters picketing his fundraiser would outnumber his guests. Wednesday, Bush and McCain held a similar fundraiser in Utah that was also moved to a smaller location due to lack of interest. While the president and Arizona's sitting senator had dismal showings at the McCain fundraisers, Michelle Obama filled a large banquet room just around the corner from McCain's originally planned location in Phoenix, Arizona (McCain's home town). Many of the Obama donors drove by the Bush-McCain protesters in Phoenix on their way to the Obama fundraiser. According to local news, hundreds more also gathered in the suburb of Mesa to protest a campaign stop made by Bush and McCain at a local business. I had heard that the Phoenix protesters would have a bed with McCain and Bush dolls, but I was unable to see it as I drove by. My husband says they showed it during the local news. When I arrived at the Obama fundraiser, it was clear that this was not the typical swanky crowd seen at high dollar fundraisers. Michelle Obama drew an unusually diverse crowd for a political fundraiser -- every race, class, age, gender, and ethnicity was present. It was no surprise that more women than men attended. Michelle Obama is well liked and admired by Democratic women. Some friends who have been unsure of Barack have a fondness for Michelle. When I told a long time Republican friend that I would be attending a fundraiser headlined by Michelle Obama, she said, "Tell her my vote for Barack in November is really for her." Michelle began by talking about the beginning of Obama's political career. She has told this story many times. In the beginning of his political career, she was an unwilling participant. She draws a picture of herself a typical cynical American. She was unsure that she wanted to make the personal sacrifices that candidates' spouses must make. She indicates that she was, at first, unable to believe in the possibility of political change. Most of all, she was unsure that she wanted her children to bear the burden of political parentage. She held up her index finger and declared, "I am a mother first and foremost," her point punctuated by loud, enthusiastic applause. This story has been a constant in a stump speech that she has honed and changed for months. She explains that whenever she thought of her vision for a better America, she thought of her husband's dedication, intelligence, and ability. She seems introspective, remembering the moment of her own realization. With a wide smile, she says,
The audience laughs. Then she pivots, gently shaking a finger, reminding the audience,
She explained that she did not believe that people would stand outside in the bitter cold to hear a man named Barack Obama announce his candidacy for president, but 16,000 people did show up on that bitterly cold day in Springfield, Illinois. She reminded us that 16,000 people stood outside in the freezing cold because they believed in Barack Obama's vision for America, a vision of hope and change, a vision of a better America. She reminded the audience, as she often does, that she is not supposed to be here. She was raised on the South Side of Chicago in a working class family. She was not supposed to go to Princeton. She was certainly not supposed to go to Prince and Harvard. It is beyond a statistical oddity, she says, that she could be the First Lady. She talked about her family -- her parents, her children, the vision for America shared by the Obama campaign, the crowd interrupting throughout, punctuating each point with enthusiastic applause. After a rousing ovation, she took questions from the audience. The first person Michelle Obama called on said that she had a comment not a question. She wanted Michelle to know that many of the campaign volunteers will also become active participants in the American democracy after Obama is in office. They will continue to campaign for change long after the presidential campaign has ended. Michelle Obama took this opportunity to thank the supporters who have volunteered. She talked for a moment about what it means to give back to the country, how important it is that America has a participatory democracy. Another questioner started off by saying that she had been disappointed in Barack. Michelle smiled at the audience and said, "Uh oh," as nervous laughter rolled through the audience, everyone wondering what the question would be. Then, Michelle Obama focused on the questioner, looking her in the eye and listening, letting her know that her concerns matter. The questioner explained that she is the wife of a prominent member of the community. She asked if we could count on Michelle "to reign Barack back in" whenever necessary. Michelle said,
She added,
She reminded the audience that when we expect perfection in our leaders, we will always be disappointed. She talked about Obama's role as a father and husband -- taking out the garbage, doing household chores, how important it is that he set a good example for their children. She said,
She went on to talk about how she also does not like being the news. She does not like seeing herself in a headline. She said she was on a candidates' spouses panel last October with Elizabeth Edwards who said,
Emphatically, Michelle Obama remarked,
She smiled knowingly, and grim laughter filled the room. She called on another supporter, whose voice quivered and broke with barely contained emotion as she explained how important it is to her, personally, that Barack Obama be elected. How important it is to her, personally, that our country change its course. She was on the verge of tears as she explained that she just returned from Oregon where she campaigned for Obama and attended the 75,000-person rally by the river. She had noticed, she said, that the Secret Service had increased security dramatically for Barack Obama's rallies since the Phoenix rally in January. The room collectively gasped and murmured, some aghast that these fears were being spoken aloud directly to Barack Obama's beloved wife. Some nodded, concern and fear clear on their faces. Others shifted on their feet, displaying a range of emotions -- concern, discomfort with the topic, indignation -- it is not often that such topics are broached in polite company. Pulling herself together, the supporter asked,
and then her voice caught and broke as a sob rose up from her chest. She paused for a moment to quell her emotion, to find her voice again.
...another sob broke up her words...
She cried unabashedly after finally getting out her words. The room that had been electrified with positive energy throughout the evening suddenly became still and quiet, all eyes focused on Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama's eyes, though, were focused on that concerned supporter. She paused, allowing the clearly distraught supporter to pull herself together. It seemed like several minutes went by, as we all waited, wondering how she would answer this highly personal and evocative question. Probably only 30 seconds went by, but it seemed like several minutes. Finally, she said simply, firmly,
She paused, then talked for a moment about what this means, personally, to her.
She held the microphone with one hand, the other curved inward over her heart as she talked. Her tenor and body language was clear. Michelle Obama was talking as a mother. She was introspective and intimate, looking the questioner in the eyes as if they are the only two in the room.
The room remained still and quiet. Imagine having that talk with your children. Then, she paused, gathering herself, pulling herself up, seeming to grow even taller, Michelle, the campaigning wife returns. She says,
Her eyes roved the audience, and she implored,
In that moment, Michelle Obama's voice displayed a mixture of emotions. She was talking as a mother of two young girls who need their father. She was talking as a wife, whose love for her husband is plain to see in her eyes. She was talking as a compassionate human being who believes that kind of talk is inappropriate and unacceptable about any political candidate, not just about her husband, not just about the father of her children -- about any politician. What Michelle Obama says next was powerful. It would have brought the crowd to its feet if the crowd weren't already standing. She reminded us what we are fighting for, and why it is important to forge ahead with no fear,
There you go. If the Obamas are not afraid of what might happen, we shouldn't be. Let's bring Barack and his family up before God in prayer. Also, ask God to help release our fears. Rockefellers Seek Change at Exxon Neva Rockefeller Goodwin and Peter O’Neill, descendants of John D. Rockefeller, are among those who want Exxon to shift priorities. Published: May 27, 2008
HOUSTON — The Rockefeller Family built one of the great American fortunes by supplying the nation with oil. Now history has come full circle: some family members say it is time to start moving beyond the oil age. The family members have thrown their support behind a shareholder rebellion that is ruffling feathers at Exxon Mobil, the giant oil company descended from John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Trust. Three of the resolutions, to be voted on at the company’s shareholder meeting on Wednesday, are considered unlikely to pass, even with Rockefeller family support. The resolutions ask Exxon to take the threat of global warming more seriously and look for alternatives to spewing greenhouse gases into the air. One resolution would urge the company to study the impact of global warming on poor countries, another would encourage Exxon to reduce its emissions and a third would encourage it to do more research on renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines. A fourth resolution, which the Rockefellers are most united in supporting, is considered more likely to pass. It would strip Rex W. Tillerson of his position as chairman of Exxon’s board, forcing the company to separate that job from the chief executive’s job. A shareholder vote in favor of that idea would be a rebuke of Mr. Tillerson, who is widely perceived as more resistant than other oil chieftains to investing in alternative energy. The Rockefeller's say they are not trying to embarrass Mr. Tillerson, also Exxon’s chief executive, but think it is time for the company to spend more of its funds helping the nation chart a new energy future. “Exxon Mobil needs to reconnect with the forward-looking and entrepreneurial vision of my great-grandfather,” Neva Rockefeller Goodwin, a Tufts University economist, said in a statement to reporters. “The truth is that Exxon Mobil is profiting in the short term from investments and decisions made many years ago, and by focusing on a narrow path that ignores the rapidly shifting energy landscape around the world,” she added. The resolution on Exxon’s chairmanship was offered for several years before the Rockefellers became publicly involved and last year was supported by 40 percent of shareholders who voted. Royal Dutch Shell and BP already separate the positions of chairman and chief executive, as do many other companies. “You need a board asking the tough questions,” Peter O’Neill, a private equity investor and great-great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller, said in an interview. “We expect the company to figure out how in this changing world to adjust.” Kenneth P. Cohen, vice president for public affairs at Exxon, said the shareholders pushing the resolutions were “starting from a false premise.” He added that the company was already concerned about “how to provide the world the energy it needs while at the same time reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.” Fifteen members of the family are sponsoring or co-sponsoring the four resolutions, but it appears that some have much more solid support in the sprawling family than others. Mr. O’Neill said that 73 out of 78 adult descendants of John D. Rockefeller were supporting the family effort to divide the chief executive and chairman positions. The goal of that resolution is to improve the management of the company, which could strengthen its environmental policies and improve more traditional pursuits like exploring more aggressively for new oil reserves. David Rockefeller, retired chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank and patriarch of the family, issued a statement saying, “I support my family’s efforts to sharpen Exxon Mobil’s focus on the environmental crisis facing all of us.”
The Rockefeller family has always been identified with oil and the
legacy of Standard Oil, but for several generations, it has also been
active in environmental causes and acquiring land for preservation.
John D. Rockefeller’s grandsons devoted themselves to conservation
issues, and Rockefeller charitable organizations have long promoted
efforts to fight pollution. Tell me, what do you think of the Rockefeller's decision to move from oil to other sources of energy? I'm very skeptical. May 22 The Battle for Control Of The Democratic Party"It's an unprecedented seizure of control that has built him, over the course of a year, the most powerful field organization and the largest financial network in American politics, leaving many existing structures -- traditional party organizations in many states, the Clintons' long-nurtured national network -- in the dust."
The Party Leader This is about the "Old Establishment" (Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), Top-Bottom Politics, the Clintons) vs. the "New Establishment" The grassroots-generated political movement (Obama, Howard Dean, Bottom-Top Politics). The real danger, which scares me, is that the old establishment will successfully sabotage Senator Obama in the General Election in order to save itself, even if it means that the country will have to go through 4 more years of Bush politics. The notion of a true grassroots-generated political movement--in which decision-making governance is dispersed to the people or citizens, threatens to diminish the need for old-school, top-bottom political structures. There are many in the "Old Establishment" who may suddenly find themselves obsolete, and they're not happy about it. There is no mystery as to why Senator Obama have captured the support of so many people, while his opponents struggle to make an impact. It's unfortunate that the "Old Establishment" can't or won't realize the power of what Obama, along with Dean is building and embrace it I guess they love power more than Democracy or people. Question is, exactly, what lengths will they go through to destroy it. A Reason To Go Vegetarian
Any doubt about steroids in the meat supply? New Spike Lee Movie Although Clint didn’t have any black soldiers in his two World War II epics, Spike is set to release his own later this year, called the Miracle at St. Anna. It tells the story of a group of African American soldiers who get stuck in a Tuscan village in World War II. From left to right in the picture above (minus the little boy), the film stars Omar Benson Miller, Michael Ealy, Derek Luke, and Laz Alonso. A quick note on Ealy. If you want to see some truly splendid acting, check the first season of Sleeper Cell. Ealy plays an FBI agent who is undercover in a sleeper cell in LA. He was nominated for an Emmy for this role as well. While in Cannes, Spike mentioned that Clint Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima did not feature any African-American soldiers. He said that some black vets were kinda upset with that. Well thank goodness for Spike. Our stories by our people. I love Spike Lee. He makes movies about the black experience that most directors, black and white ignore. I wish Spike would make a movie about the Afro-Germans and the African American Soldiers who were imprisoned in concentration camps during the Holocaust. That will stir up a lot of controversy from the Jewish, who think they hold a monopoly on pain and suffering. I know that people will learn that the Holocaust was not all about the Jewish, it was about "racial purity". Everyone suffered, blacks, non Jews, Germany's mentally and physically disabled and the Jewish, who unfortunately, took the full brunt of Hitler's Hatred. May 20 Senator Kennedy Has Malignant Brain Tumor By Kathleen Hunter
Congressional Quarterly Tuesday 20 May 2008 Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., hospitalized Saturday after suffering a seizure at his home on Cape Cod, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Kennedy, 76, has been undergoing tests at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston since he suffered the seizure May 17. "Some of the tests we had performed were inconclusive, particularly in light of the fact that the senator had severe narrowing of the left carotid artery and underwent surgery just 6 months ago," said a statement issued by Dr. Lee Schwamm, vice chairman of the neurology department at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dr. Larry Ronan, Kennedy's primary care physician. "However, preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe. The usual course of treatment includes combinations of various forms of radiation and chemotherapy," the statement said. The doctors said that decisions on specific treatment for Kennedy would "be determined after further testing and analysis." Kennedy will remain at Mass General for several more days for the additional testing, they said. "He remains in good spirits and full of energy." The news of Kennedy's diagnosis rocked his colleagues, leaving many close to tears. Tributes, prayers and wishes for recovery poured in. President Bush said in a statement, "Laura and I are concerned to learn of our friend Senator Kennedy's diagnosis. Ted Kennedy is a man of tremendous courage, remarkable strength, and powerful spirit. Our thoughts are with Senator Kennedy and his family during this difficult period. We join our fellow Americans in praying for his full recovery." It was unclear Tuesday how advanced Kennedy's tumor was or whether doctors would be able to operate to remove it. Malignant gliomas are the most common form of primary brain tumors, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. The median survival rate for patients diagnosed with moderately severe forms of malignant gliomas is three to five years; for those with aggressive forms, the median survival rate is less than a year. According to the Society of Neuroscience, the parietal lobe is in the middle of the brain, and plays a role in sensory processes, attention, and language. Read the rest of the article here.
BARACK BLACK EAGLE speaks at the Crow Agency, Montana US Democratic presidential candidate and US Senator Barack Obama, (D-IL), talks to Carl Venne, chairman of the Crow tribe, at a campaign rally in Crow Agency, Montana May 19, 2008. Venne presented gifts to Obama for his children and wife. REUTERS/Rick Wilking May 19, 2008 6:39 PM ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Traveling though Montana on Monday, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., made his first stop as a presidential candidate to an Indian reservation - and got a little more than expected. Obama was adopted as an honorary member into the family within the Crow tribe that inhabited the reservation - who gave the presidential candidate a new name and new parents. "Awe Kooda bilaxpak Kuuxshish" was the honorary name given to Obama meaning, "one who helps people throughout the land." Obama was escorted out to the stage in Crow Agency, Montana arm-in-arm between his adopted parents: Sunny and Mary Black Eagle. Obama thanked his honorary new parents – for giving him another name to tack on to the list, "I like my new name Barack Black Eagle. I mean that's a good name." The Crow tribe does adoption ceremonies for special dignitaries who visit the reservation. The Black Eagle family was chosen to adopt Obama because there are one of only five living generations on the reservation. With life expectancy so low, it is sign of great fortune and honor to have several generations living in the family. Senator Obama, speaking for only 12 minutes told the Native American crowd of nearly 2,000 that he knows what it's like to be an outsider - that his struggles being an African American, are similar to theirs. "I was growing up in Hawaii at the time and where I was growing up there weren't a lot of black families and so sometimes I was looked at as sort of an outsider and so I know what it’s like to be on the outside. I know what it's like to not always have been respected or to have been ignored and I know what it's like to struggle and that’s how I think many of you understand what's happened here on the reservation, that that a lot of times you have been forgotten just like African-Americans have been forgotten or other groups in this country have been forgotten." Obama promised the crowd that as president he would have regular meetings at the White House with tribal leaders and appoint an American Indian policy advisor. Obama’s
transition into the Crow extended family was not without a few hiccups.
While greeting the crowd at the onset, Obama mistakenly mispronounced
the name of their land. Obama was given two necklaces made by the members of the tribe. The necklaces, Obama was told, were to be a gift for his wives. "I
only have one wife," Obama said laughing, "So, you know when he was
talking about the gifts to my wives, I want to make sure, I don't want
to get in trouble when I get home. I can have new parents but no new
wives." Here are some pictures of the event:   May 18 75,000 ATTEND OBAMA RALLY IN PORTLAND!
Here's more pics from the event:
May 14 Breaking: Edwards To Endorse Obama Tonight ABC News' Kate Snow, Raelyn Johnson and Rick Klein Report: Former Sen. John Edwards is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidacy Wednesday evening, in a dramatic attempt by the Obama campaign to answer concerns regarding Obama's appeal to working-class voters, several senior Democratic sources tell ABC News. Edwards, who ran for president on a platform of eradicating poverty, plans to appear alongside Obama in Grand Rapids, Mich., Wednesday evening. The event comes one day after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton defeated Obama by 41 points in the West Virginia primary, and Edwards' endorsement will give Obama a key establishment stamp of approval as he attempts to close out the nominating process. Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, have remained studiously neutral since the Edwards campaign came to a close Jan. 30. Edwards on Sunday called Obama "the likely nominee," but made clear that his statement reflected a judgment about the state of the race, not necessarily a personal preference. The possibility of an Edwards endorsement has been the subject of intense speculation for months; only former vice president Al Gore's endorsement was more coveted by Obama and Clinton. Edwards and his wife had publicly praised Clinton's healthcare plan, but Edwards' anti-corporate message seemed a better fit for Obama's outsider campaign. A source close to the Clinton campaign said the Edwards camp gave the Clinton folks a head's up. "Clearly it's upsetting" the source tells ABC. "He brings the workers" to Obama. Related Articles: The Case For Edwards As Running Mate John Edwards Will Endorse Barack Obama What in the hell took him so long? He waited until the primary got wrapped up and a nominee is chosen to decide who he's going to endorse. Edwards come across as a genuinely nice person and I like his platform of eradicating poverty [or] cutting poverty in half in 10 years and he is also popular with the white working class but I think he's all in it for himself and his agenda. Do you think that John Edwards will be the best choice for Vice President? Also, will he be able to help Obama bring the Democratic Party together by the General Election? Personally, I think that Obama can make a better choice. What do you think? May 13 Breaking: Hillary Loses Her First Pledged Delegate!This is a stunning development. After losing several superdelegates, Senator Clinton has lost her first pledged (or as Clinton called it back in march, "automatic") delegate. Probably the first of many more to come. Clinton hinted at going after Obama's pledged delegates back in March. It just goes to show that when you try to score an edge at someone else's expense it'll come back to bite you on the ass. May 11 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOTHER'S ARE THE SWEETEST.
Our mother is the sweetest and She's not only beautiful Her love is like the rush of life, And makes the meadows turn to flower She is at once the sea and shore, ~Nick Gordon~ May 09 Clinton Rejects Michigan Compromise!!! Clinton Rejects Latest Michigan Delegate PlanWhen will Michigan and Florida get it? Clinton DOSEN'T CARE ABOUT THE VOTERS. She never did. All she wants is a talking point and to stir up a lot of distraction that will help to keep her in the race. It gives her something to talk about, and for her to reject a perfectly fair proposal for a state that she won uncontested and illegitimately, only serves to remind us that it's not about the voters - it's about her. May 01 Priest Bests O’Reilly Producer in Ambush Interview about Rev. Jeremiah Wright (Must See)This must-see video, which was posted at The BRAD BLOG, is a bit long but worth it. If you’re not familiar with Bill O’Reilly’s show on Fox News, you may not know that he sends a producer out a camera crew to ambush people in the news by asking them questions phrased to play into
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