Change in Progress

If I were President the Official White House Candy Would Be...

So I guess to spur a few interesting blog posts, and since I have not posted anything since August clearly I need the help - Typepad posted the Question of the Day:

Reagan had bowls full of jelly beans; Obama, M&M's. If you were elected President, what would you choose as the official White House candy.    Submitted by Slice of Pink.

  After careful consideration, my choice would be, Jelly Belly candies!  With 50 offical flavors you could create endless combinations.  Now my personal favorite combos would feature fruity flavors like Very Cherry, Berry Blue, Raspberry & Wild Blackberry.

However, since I would have a Democratic Adminstration, I would naturaly be inclusive! LOL!! So, other bowls would maybe include a blend of Cappuccino, Chocolate Pudding and French Vanilla maybe?

 

Back to the question at hand...if you were president what type of candy would be in your candy bowl?

 

Crossdaily.com Crosses the Line on Healthcare Reform

I received a vile email against "Obamacare" from Crossdaily.com, who I thought was jut a resouce for Christian clipart.  I signed up for the service years ago while looking for content for the newsletter at my church.  Although I rarely looked at it in recent years, I had no idea they had crossed over into sharing their political views with me. 

After immediately unsubscribing, I used their contact us section on the website to send this message:

After being a subscriber for so many years I cannot remember when I signed up, I unsubbed today. First I agreed to accept emails regarding your products --- not your political agenda. I discuss politicals with hundreds daily and had no idea you wanted to join the party.

Your email was filled with fear mongering against the healthcare system.  You did not add any intelligent dialogue to the discussion.  Unfortunately you are allowing your emotionally buttons to be pushed by insurance companies.

As a supporter of President Barack Obama I am also deeply offended by the overtones of your email.  Did I overlook the email you sent out in anger when we learned there were no weapons of mass destruction?  Where was your moral outrage after that disclosure and the lives of thousands of American soliders lost in a war based on a lie.

By the way do you have healthcare insurance, maybe provided to you by CrossDaily - paid for with purchases of your customers --- then you probably already pay for the abortions of others through your premiums.  Wise up. 

Personally I am not pro choice, but I will not allow that to be used as a roadblock to providing insurance to nearly 50 million.  Do you really see that as God's will --- you belive His love and anger on behalf of the unborn child overshadows his concern about those living?

Do you or a family member have Medicare or Veteran Benefits as my parents did?  Then you are familar with govt insurance.

It really saddens me that readers who trust you will be so misinformed. I hope they will allow God, and not your manulipation to lead them.

I hope that you find other service providers lying about healthcare reform, you will speak out and let them know ---- you do not have to wait until a date in November to "vote."  You can do it anyday of the week with your $$$.

Change Coming in Local Media

I cannot say enough how proud I am of Shawn Williams, the founder of DallasSouthBlog.  Not only is he making regular appearances on WFAA, CNN and editorals in the Dallas Morning News - now he is launching an online newspaper, Dallas South News.  I "met" Shawn online during the 2008 Election season because he would host live chats during the debates and as these were my pre-Twitter days, I was in political geek heavan.   Shawn first gained national attention as a result of his Jena 6 commentary.

The news release issued today shows how well though out the plan is, and includes an impressive roster of supporters for this nonprofit media organization. As headlines are filled with the news that African American mainstay media such as Johnson's Ebony & Jet, are struggling, DallasSouth is instead following others in a new path to redefine media:  nonprofit support through foundations.

As the headlines are filled with doom and gloom for the newspaper business across the country, NPR has not suffered as hard as their for-profit rivals.  As more and more journalists, who love what they do, are being laid off, they are taking matters into their own hands. After all, they tried joining the blogging/twitting world and while it may have gained more fans, it did not add much money apparently.

Huffington Post launched an Investigative Reporting branch and ProPublicA was recently created.

The professional journalists argue that noble and good intention though some bloggers may be, they do not have the training, understanding and when necessary the backing needed to tackle investigative journalism.  Think about it can a blogger stand up to the pressure of City Hall or Federal Government offical attempting to smear or even arrest someone to kill a scandal in the making?

Poynter Online has an excellent article on the nonprofit route these media warriors are taking. As someone who depends on NPR, I still caution we will have to be careful.  Many of these private foundations are investing in media because of their concern of what will happen if the Fourth Estate is not healthy in America.  However, we must be realistic and keep a cautious eye on who is investing and why.

In the meantime, congrads to Shawn Williams, the founding Editor of Dallas South News. While they finalize their plans for launch, if you are not reading DallasSouthBlog now, what are you waiting for?

PRESS RELEASE:

DALLAS NONPROFIT NEWSPAPER OPENS NEWSROOM AND HIRES LOCAL WRITER/BLOGGER TO SERVE AS EDITOR

Former Dallas Morning News Exec and Current Fort Worth Star-Telegram Editor part of Board

Dallas, TX - The Board of Directors for Dallas South News announced its progress towards launching a new nonprofit online newspaper. The organization  recently opened their newsroom at the Southside on Lamar in the historic Sears Building. The board held its first meeting on June 27th.
 
Dallas South News will utilize professional journalists, citizen journalists, bloggers, and volunteers to cover issues that are relevant to residents of Southern Dallas. 

The board also announced the hiring of Shawn P. Williams to serve as editor of the newspaper.  Williams has published the critically acclaimed blog, Dallas South, for the past three years, and is a frequent guest columnist for the Dallas Morning News.

“Dallas South News provides a unique opportunity for the residents of Dallas,” Williams says.  “As legacy media outlets continue to evolve, the nonprofit model empowers citizen journalists to help fill the void left by budget cuts and staff reductions,”   he says.  

The Dallas South News’ Board of Directors contains a variety of experience including members of both traditional and new media; including, Evelyn Henry Miller, a financial executive whose most recent role was as executive vice president for The Dallas Morning News, A.H. Belo’s flagship newspaper.

Also on the Dallas South News Board of Directors is veteran journalist Bob Ray Sanders.  Sanders currently serves as Associate Editor and Senior Columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  Sanders also worked many years in public broadcasting at KERA-TV Channel 13, the Dallas/Fort Worth PBS affiliate.

Other board members include blogger and Central Dallas Ministries Education Director Janet Morrison; Marcia Page, President and CEO of the Foundation for Community Empowerment; Paul Stafford, Former Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Board of Directors; and Jeff West, former Executive Director of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

Dallas South News has registered with the State of Texas, and is currently awaiting a 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.  The launch of the website is planned for early August of this year.

Spike Lee Talks About Michael Jackson with Katie Couric

A week ago today the world was stunned by the loss of Michael Jackson.  Thanks to Black Box Office this afternoon I found the conversation below between CBS Katie Couric and the legendary Spike Lee.  As usual I think Spike really captures the feelings - of admiration and conflict - of the African American community regarding Michael Jackson.

In particular, I agree with his point that how ever annoyed we may have felt by our perceived rejection of our culture or identity; or no matter what we felt about his legal problems and eccentric actions - those things are in the past now.  Not simply because we are caught up in the emotion of the moment, but because when we look back at his career, you simply cannot help but to give the man his due. 

For me, the Michael I loved was they cute guy on Soul Train on Saturdays.  I was mesmerized by his dancing ability and as a little girl would try so hard to come close to that fluidity and hippness.  Given I can't walk gracefully, you can imagine how that went. LOL - but that was OK I could just enjoy watcing Michael.

I am likely one of the very very few who liked Michael's music when he went solo, but never was overwhelmed by his stardom then. I bought the cassette tape because you could not escape his music but it was not a favorite.  In fact, when he came to Dallas in either 1987 or 1988 I was scheduled to work the will call booth for the then Rainbow Ticketmaster and offered the opportunity to a co-worker because I just had no burning desire to see him in person. 

A part of my distancing from Michael even then probably closely relates to what Spike talks about at the end of the interview with Katie --- when you become such a superstar that people faint at the touch of your hand --- I wonder how does that change the person. 

Watch CBS Videos Online

Obama Urges Passage of Cap-and-Trade Bill Headed to Senate

President Barack Obama says the Energy law would not pose "untendable" problems for industries in response to criticism of the cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions proposals.  He tied passage of the bill to helping the country through the current financial crisis.  Obama referenced California energy policies during the late 70s energy crisis. According to the president they were able to make needed reforms and have sustained growth. 

President Obama pointed out "Light bulbs may not seem sexy" but 70% of our energy goes toward lighting our homes and business. Could result in enough savings to light our homes for ten months. And in the sweep around his own front door philosophy, they will change light bulbs at the White House.

We can remain the world's leading importer of oil, or become the world's exporter of green energy according to the president. The nation that leads the world in this area will be the world's leading economy. Stronger, cleaner more prosperous future is what he believes we will have with passage of the bill.

Some such as the Dallas Morning News are reporting passage in the Senate is highly unlikely.  With healthcare reform, Michael Jackson, Iran rebellion on the minds of his supporters, it will be interesting to see if the pubic will push the Senate on this legislation.  Also this is not an easy topic for the general topic to grasp and given the economic crisis it could be easy for big business to push hard the message that it will cost more jobs.

Photo credit:  Getty Images

Pete Souza Behind the Scenes Photos of Obama

Dear Mr. President,

Given you are doing a lot of heavy lifting with the economic crisis, world peace and health care reform - may I suggest you let someone else move the couch?  I'm just saying.....

President Obama tells Secretary Ray LaHood, "look if ya gonna roll with me, you got to look right son!" as he straigthens his tie.

Hey Reggie, go deep!

two seconds left on the clock, Obama luanches the ball toward the basket.....

"now what did Tiger tell me to do?"  

 

"So, then Mr. President, Rush said you are...."

Obama Attends D-Day Event in France

U.S. President Barack Obama (C), Britain's Prince Charles (2nd L), British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (R), Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper (3rd R) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) walk during the 65th anniversary of D-Day while at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France

 President Barack Obama (C) salutes as he arrives at Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery for a ceremony to mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day June 6, 2009

Is it just me or does Prince Charles look a litte sad.  I suspect it is because despite all of his bright and shiny medals, he realizes that even if his mother ever gives up the throne, he will never be King of the World, as President Obama appears to be?

Obamas Do Paris Part 2

President Barack Obama on the heels of a remarkable speech earlier this week to reach out to the Middle East community was joined in Europe by First Lady Michelle Obama.  From the wonderful website Obama Pics Daily, I found these lovely photos:

No doubt, Paris loves our President.

President Obama gives thoughtful response as usual.  Yeah let that sink in, a POTUS that thinks before he speaks.

They do not seem like just international allies but appear to really like each other.  I applaud both First Ladies for not being drawn into the media firestorm and seeming to enjoy the company of each other.

 Is President Obama teaching France's President Nicolas Sarkozy the secret brotherhood handshake.  Can we really trust President Obama with top secret info if he is going to sell all the home boys out like this.  LOL

Well folks who won the dueling white dress fashionista First Lady faceoff today in Paris?

A Penny for Obama's Thoughts

OK so the official cutline for this AP photo of President Obama reads:

"President Barack Obama takes off a gift of a gold necklace called the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit, the country's highest honor, for safekeeping after it was given to him by Saudi King Abdullah at the start of their bilateral meeting at the King's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 3, 2009."

However look at this picture and tell me what do you think Presidet Obama was thinking.  My thoughts are:

Ain't this some bull! I wasn't elected President of the Nation of Hip Hop.

Was he expecting Mr. T? I pity the fool....

Naw, you really shouldn't have.

Somebody call Timothy, find out how much gold is selling for today.  We might be able to save a GM dealership in Motown.
    Umm, never to early to plan for Christmas. Let's see I can give Michelle the sunflower looking thing, she loves those bigger than the sun flower thingys, broach for her mama with teh palm tree looking piece and matching necklace and braceletts. Wrap it up and stick it in one of those 50 closets, until Christmas Eve - I'm good.  Reggie, handle that for me.

This is for all my hommie's....

Michelle Obama Takes A Bite Out of the Big Apple

First Lady Michelle Obama spent a rather busy Tuesday in New York City. 

Her day began on what she declared one of her favorite events since her husband, President Barack Obama took office in January.  She taped an appearance on "Sesame Street" with Big Bird and the loveable Elmo. [no word on if the First Lady was allowed to tickle Elmo]

Later in the day when she spoke to employees of the United States Mission to the United Nations, the First Lady joked, "I never thought I'd be on Sesame Street with Elmo and Big Bird, and I was thrilled. I'm still thrilled. I'm on a high. I think it's probably the best thing I've done so far in the White House."

The First Lady was introduced by the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice (Getty Images)

Mrs. Obama's visit to the UN was the 10th governmental agency she has visited on her meet and greet tour. "From what I'm seeing in my agency visits, people are ready and willing to sacrifice and roll up their sleeves," she said. "Your work links the world to America and American ideals that are beacons of hope for millions of people."

First Lady Obama's NYC visit was culiminated with her keynote speech at Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People event.  Wearing a full length black gown, beads and hair looking very glam with a sleek, swept bang, Ms. Obama made news by announcing President Obama's budget next year will include $50 million to help expand nonprofit programs across the country to promote national service. (AP Photo)

As someone laid off last week from a non-profit, I know personally there are many organizations that provide great service to the community and nationally that are truly suffering hardship during this economic downturn.