Happy Birthday, Senator Obama! Special Greetings From Across The Pond
Today you are 47 years old, just 10 years older than the age my son, Andre, will be in 10 days time. It's a very poignant month, for that particular reason. As I am a passionate fan of yours, I thought I would put some personal thoughts into words on your special day.
You are a Leo, a true Lion in your manner, your leadership qualities and your behaviour, just like my son. In many ways you both share so much: resilience, driving ambition, determination, great talent, unending creativity, a feistyness for what you believe in, a truly winning smile, a charisma that draws people in, not to mention the ladies, in particular, handsome looks, a carefree air and, above all, an unquenching desire to be who you want to be, to live by your own rules, to do things differently and to impact on your world in a big way.
The similarities between you are so stark, some of them are quite uncanny. However, there are big differences too. My son, being British, will never make it to be president of the United States, though he could reach untold heights in Britain. If he were political minded, who knows, he could even be the first Black Prime Minister! But currently, technology calls him as he makes his own impact in Japan, calmly and efficiently scaling the heights in his own field with a persistence, a passion and unyielding self belief which is so akin to your own.
This is a special year for you, Senator, one that has already seen you immortalised in the history books, whether you achieve your ambition or not. This could truly be the greatest year of your life, this 47th year, one that your parents could not even have dreamt of in 1961 when you were born. In fact, I remember 1961 as the year our world slowly began to change in an awful lot of ways, to give way barely 5 years later to flower power, free love and a dramatic shift in how we viewed the world and wanted to live it. It is not so surprising that you have continued that shift because the world of your childhood would have been so much different from barely 10 years before that.
Just a little reminder of what a few well known people were doing at 47 years old: Admiral Nelson won the Battle of Trafalgar, but is killed, sadly; Samuel Smiles published his Self-Help book in 1859; Emmeline Pankhurst organises the first disturbances in support of women's suffrage; Cecil B DeMille produced The Ten Commandments; Marlon Brando was playing his mega role as The Godfather; Brigham Young leads the Mormons in a great trek across North America to Utah; James Watt gives the definition of horsepower in 1783; Humphrey Bogart starred in The Big Sleep and Arthur Sullivan (with W S Gilbert) wrote the music for The Gondoliers. But you could eclipse them all at 47 years old by becoming one of the youngest presidents of the USA, as well as its first Black postholder.
Whether you actually make that top spot or not, it will not make any difference. You would have inspired a lot of people across the world with your audacious hope and belief, your pride in trying rather than just talking and your determination to prove it can be done. To show them that life truly begins at 47!
Congratulations on your 47th birthday, Senator Obama. A Very Happy Birthday to You From The UK!
I hope you have the most amazing year and all your wishes come true.
CHEERS to you in celebration. Here's hoping you reach many many more. :o)
Now that we have covered all the key points worth noting about the man who will be President, to match the increasingly paranoid reaction of his critics, perhaps we might now have some serious issues to debate?
Sorry Barack, this pains me to say it, but I have to vote for Paris Hilton instead!
I hate to do this to my presidential intended, especially one so deserving of the office and all that, and after all that campaigning too, but I have to switch my allegiance to Paris Hilton for president, and with her having chosen sweet little Rihanna for Vice President too. What a team they will be, particularly for galvanising the men to join them in governing effectively in the White House. The men would be so busy being goggle eyed at the ladies, they could both get some very tricky policies through without a murmur!
Paris is eminently qualified, according to her latest advertisement. Her brief but dramatic advert shows that:
a. She has an energy plan, which is more than John McCain has.
. She is pretty articulate and sweet with it too.
c. She tells it like it is and does not mince her words with niceties (calling her rivals "bi*ches").
d. She can look beautiful (which is more than McCain ever can!)
e. She is quite ready to lead (Boy, I can see LOTS of men itching to follow her in her swimsuit all the way to Capitol Hill!)
In fact, I think Paris and Barack would make a wonderful pair in the White House as they are both supposed to be 'celebrities', they both have that and elusive X factor and we are obviously in the celebrity age. i could also campaign for them both at the same time. Saves lots of angst on my part having to choose! (This is getting more exciting by the minute!)
And why did I switch my strong allegiance so quickly, despite the hand wringing?
Because Paris is indeed very hot, as she says, and us hot ladies have to stick together when the chips are down!
Kudos to President Paris, I say!
(PS..Her advert has been seen over 2 million times in a few hours already!)
Who is Barack Obama? This great little scrapbook fills in some gaps!
There are lots of questions about Barack Obama and, perhaps because he did not come from a known political family, it is easy to be sceptical of his roots, and deny him a past, a history and a place in his community. This little scrapbook of photos and clear timeline gives a fascinating insight into the man himself, his family and his influences. My brief impression is that he sure takes after his mother in setting the trend and thinking independently.
Why CHANGE is difficult to understand and accept, even by Obama's supporters
It is fascinating watching the anxiety building up around Barack Obama as we approach Denver, especially relating to the actions of John McCain's opposition. Obama's supporters tend to fret and worry about everything that they believe might damage their man or sink his hopes. Can you believe they are even making a fuss that CNN deliberately portrayed McCain to be taller than Obama? So what? Jeeps. And how does that help Obama? How does focusing on the actions of the opposition, whinging and whining, and fretting about possible consequences actually help to get Obama into the White House? It's not negativity and worry that achieve results. It's belief and positive actions.
The problem might lie with this word "change" and how it is perceived. People are still perceiving the desire for 'change' as 'business as usual'. But one cannot use old mindsets to bring about change because change has no prior evidence, no precedence and no history. It is new, untried and bottomless. It needs a lot of belief, faith, action and, above all, determination to bring it into being. One cannot appreciate change while still doing things the same old way, like feeling down at every McCain cheating or questionable debate, losing heart with every slanderous book or watching the opposition intently for every tiny movement. If Obama supporters are busy watching McCain, they have no hope in hell of winning because that is a negative act which does not build anything. It simply destroys hopes and dreams by giving a false perspective of the reality. When we eat ourselves up with the actions of others we get sucked into their way of doing things and we lose total sight of our goal.
Change is a scary thing. It is about going into the unknown, leaving our little comfort zones and heading into rough uncharted seas. But worrying, fretting, accusing and watching the opposition won't give us change either. It will merely keep us hanging perilously on to the shore to be beaten even more by the very people we fear. Most of all it demonstrates our lack of faith and belief in the man we claim to trust and the change we yearn for.
All the supporters who are busy noting what McCain is doing have temporarily forgotten that if they are only focusing on the bad deeds of the opposition they are not being positive either. More crucial, neither are they using the precious time to do what is necessary for Obama. Instead they would have been eaten up with the politics of conflict and attrition, the same old politics of yesteryear, which leaves little room for anything else. Worst still, they take the focus off Obama and keep it on McCain, expanding the oxygen of publicity for him and keeping him in the spotlight. How does that help their man?
Keeping a positive focus When we go for a job interview we do not sit and talk about how much better or worse the other candidates are; we won't watch what they are doing or focus on their dirty tricks. We simply emphasise our strengths and why we are BEST for the job and leave it to the interviewers. An election is no different. We really cannot convince the diehards by focusing upon them. Among every 100 voters, 20% will adore Barack, 20% will like him but need convincing, 20% will not be committed to either side and are open to persuasion; 20% will not be convinced that Barack is the man, though a few could be persuaded and 20% will hate his guts. Trying to change that last 40% is futile. Best to work on the middle 40% by emphasising Barack's great points and why change is necessary. Supporters can only persuade the doubters by keeping a positive focus on Obama and spreading his name and good intentions as often as possible. Every time they worry about McCain it's a moment lost where they are NOT promoting Obama. By allowing the old mindsets to take over, supporters are simply paralysed by fear.
If you honestly believe that any shenanigans by McCain will stop Obama, now is the time to stop supporting him too, because your lack of faith will simply bury him through your negative actions. He has enough on his plate without his supporters keeping the focus on McCain through their own fears and insecurities. Always remember the maxim: Criticise in private and praise in public. It means when you spot something by the opposition you don't like, you quietly fire off an email, spending as little time on it as possible, while you find something positive about your man Barack to promote, very LOUDLY. In this way, you will never lose the focus or take your eyes off the goal. Support Barack Obama in a POSITIVE way. Do as much as you can to send him on his journey (like donating, promoting his strengths and vision etc) and leave his camp to do the political hatchet work. Then watch the outcome.
As this Obama supporter wisely said:
C'mon, people. You have to stay mindful of "Change." That also means, that unlike the old ways of doing things, we will also not be moved by the same old crap they've always done to win. A true leader is not impressed by what losers do to try catching him. He's so far out ahead he can't see the mess behind him.
Winners don't complain about the losers attempts to stop them during the race. Instead, they focus on holding up the trophy, and wiping champagne out of their eyes afterwards.
Amen to that!!
Barack Obama with the Veterans: Is this an awesome speech or wot? (HOT NEWS!!)
Today Barack Obama spoke to Veterans of Foreign Wars in Orlando, Fla., and it was astounding. If anyone doubted this man's ability to lead America, his personal convictions, his capacity to do the job, his clear and unequivocal view of what has to be done to help America back to a sense of balance and prosperity, this speech certainly dispels such doubt. Listening to him intently, one cannot help but believe one is actually in the presence of the real president. The authority and conviction in his voice are unmistakeable.
The mark of a true leader is how they treat their rivals and here Obama is amazingly generous to McCain and his service to the country, while setting out the compelling economic reasons why the war in Iraq has to end sooner rather than later. But the most abiding comment has to be this one:
"One of the things we have to change in this country is the idea that people can't disagree without challenging each other's character or their patriotism....I will let no one question my love of this country. I love America and so does John McCain."
One House Obama is Trying to Prevent McCain From Owning: Great Rebuttal on John McCain's Houses
This must have been the quickest advert made in history! One minute, John McCain cannot remember how many houses he owns while being questioned in an interview on Politico, and the next minute the Obama Team has an advert attacking that poor memory, reminding him of just how many he and his wife own, and their value. Neat!
But seriously, if McCain does not even remember what's happening in his own life, how can he manage the affairs of the greatest Western country in the world? How can we have a presidential candidate who is so out of tune with the people he is trying to represent that he cannot even empathise with them in their hour of need in a terrible economical slump? He cannot remember his own houses and how much they are worth, especially when so many people have lost their own. It makes him sound so superficial, it is almost unreal.
But what a great advert this is, with a very powerful and simple message. That's the kind of factual and down to earth fight back Obama needs. Not negative ones.
Enjoy!
An amazing video song to kick off Barack's weekend!
This celebrity song - American Prayer is simply inspiring. It sounds beautiful and is very apt. Do have a listen.
The young are fully in tune with Obama's message but this song reminds us where we're all coming from and just how much we have to celebrate in the present. Great performances too. Perfect for the Convention.
Enjoy!
One Simple Reason Why Biden May Not Be So Right For Vice President
Since the VP announcement, there has been lots of rejoicing and back-slapping at the right choice being made. Though one does not wish to pour cold water on all the good feelings, there is a little fly in the ointment. On the face of it, Joe Biden has a lot of the qualifications and experience to balance the inexperience of Barack Obama. However, that is not enough when it comes to teams. Leadership teams work best together when they are singing from the same hymn sheet, when they believe in one another and are prepared to defend each other, in good times and bad. They have to take public accountability of their actions, even if they disagree in private.
That has not been the history of Joe Biden's perspective on Obama. He has been liberal in his put down of Obama's capacity to be president and has not been backward in slagging his perspectives on foreign policy. That is a gift for the opposition, the prospect of using the uncharitable words of Barack's own VP as a stick to beat him with. One does not start off a partnership with such a huge handicap and then expect to get the respect of those who are looking for real leadership. That discrepancy will always leave a doubt as to the real motive for this union.
In this Guardian bio of Biden, he is quoted as having denounced Obama's 'poor foreign policy judgement' and saying that Barack is 'not ready to be president'. If Barack is not yet ready, why would Joe think it an honour to be on his ticket, or even want to join him on it? Unless ambition and the status of being VP trump genuine feelings every time? The president should have the public respect of his/her vice president, as a natural starting point. That should be non-negotiable. Joe Biden's derogatory comments about Obama does not suggest such respect, and would actually point to major disagreements down the line. Most important, they question Biden's own suitability, ability and, above all, integrity, for being Obama's running mate.
At the heart of leadership are three words: CREDIBILITY, which then leads to RESPECT, which then enables AUTHORITY and validates such leadership claims. The Obama-Biden partnership already lacks some credibility because of the VPs stinging comments about the potential president. Will the partnership overcome this handicap, and the opposition's inevitable bashing, to gain the respect of the public and thus the authority it needs to convince them to vote in November?
Only time will tell on this one, but Biden has a lot of work to do now to EARN that VP status. The first important thing in his acceptance speech is to ensure there is no public doubt about his feelings on Barack's suitability for the highest office and the rightness of their team. He has to be crystal clear that his boss is ready for the job at hand and that he won't be secretly hoping to be pulling the strings sometime after the election.
What about this hip new slogan for the Obama-Biden team?
I was just thinking that, in view of the new partnership between Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the slogan should really be changed to make it a more inclusive one; so that Joe can really feel part of the whole package. Obviously, "Change we can believe in" says it all, but it really applies only to Barack and his intentions. Something a little more zippy is now required, especially when Biden is not really about change, and his presence and potential on the team have to be acknowledged.
So, with the help of another supporter, who suggested just calling them 'O and Joe', I thought of something more motivational. I felt 'O and Joe' really said nothing about the two men's political potential to do great things as a forward thinking team. That was just two names, which could apply to any old Joes out there. It really said very little.
My suggestion, hopefully, would have more impact, but be equally simple, and here it is:
Change and Grow with O and Joe.
Thus, it wouldn't just be about change (Barack), but getting the necessary experience through continued growth (Biden). That would be a very good marriage of concepts.
Applause, please! I won't be modest. :o)
But maybe you think you could do better? Go for it! :o)
Is UNITY the easiest and cheapest word in the American political vocabulary?
It is very fashionable to desire unity in a party, especially when it begins to look remarkably fractious. It is also the easiest word to say as part of wishful thinking because most of us dislike conflict and simply yearn for a quiet life instead. But unity comes out of two main elements: sincerity - genuinely ditching the past to concentrate on both the present and the potential for the future, and forgiveness - to pave the way for a better understanding and appreciation of all parties working together. With no forgiveness, it is very difficult to move on to get that sought-after bonding.
Two days after her great speech in Denver, the one almost everyone thought was a unifying moment, the one many thought did the job to heal the wounds and support Barack Obama, in the cold light of a new day that speech is found wanting, because the two main elements of getting unity are absent. Hillary said some supportive things, yes, but there were many others she did not say which she could easily have said to show that sincerity and one of them should have related to Barack's potential.
As Christopher Hitchens points out in his thought-provoking little piece for the Mirror, Hillary said quite a few negative things about Obama during the campaign, especially regarding his lack of readiness to take command, which many people would not have forgotten. Yet she "certainly decided not to utter a word - a word - about Obama's readiness to assume the burden of commander-in-chief." It means that there is no sincerity there at all. She still holds to her view, her possible trump card for the future, when she stands against Obama again. Perhaps quietly lying in wait to say "I told you so"?
Yet an emphasis on his potential to do the job, for many people, would have been the most important sign that they are both on the same team now, unified and ready to run together for the benefit of the Democrats. Acknowledging that, for now, at least, he is the man of the moment, as ready as can be to assume command. Her acknowledgement of his suitability would have retracted what she said during the campaign.
Everyone says things about one another when they are rivals, especially when they are playing for such high stakes. But being rivals in the same party carries a different kind of responsibility than being on opposite sides of the political fence. The responsibility to always remember that you and your colleague are on the same side, with the same party values and, most important, that the two of you will have to support each other at the end, regardless of who gets the nomination.
Without that sincerity regarding Barack Obama's true potential, there is obviously no forgiveness, either, on her part. Whatever the Democrats are hoping to have over the next few weeks until the election, unity, sadly won't be part of it, because the deep animosity and anger felt by her supporters for her defeat is really being repressed by superficial gloss hiding the wounds beneath.
As Hitchens concludes:
But the most honest line of the whole speech was her accidentally truthful assertion that "John McCain is my friend".
Yes, indeed he is, and if he should beat Barack Obama for the Presidency he is the even-better friend of the never-ending campaign to keep the Clinton cult alive.
With the opposition nominee affirmed proudly as 'her friend', on a night when she should have been denouncing him as a public enemy, in true unity with Obama, that truly says it all.
Four Main Reasons Why Barack Obama is Now on His Way to The White House
It must have been the most awesome sight standing at a podium trying to take in the exciting and enthusiastic presence of over 80,000 people who were there just for you, who were shouting your name continuously and who believed that you were the man of the moment and of the White House. I cannot even begin to imagine what Barack Obama must have felt trying to take in that incredible sea of joyous faces, shouting voices and moving bodies who wanted to share the moment with him, but he dealt with it like a seasoned veteran, as if that happened to him all the time and, most amazingly, as if he were the real president. The man commanded such curiosity, incredulity and respect, even his rivals were watching from prime seats.
I said some months ago that Barack Obama was destined for the White House simply because when it is your moment, nothing on earth can stop you. Naturally, not a lot of politicos agreed with me, quoting precedence and their experience! But he had 'winner' and 'leader' stamped all over him from the moment he made his first speech in 2004. And he has not disappointed at all, despite the negative adverts, the inexperienced charge, the allusions to his colour and the cynicism from the political pundits who thought they knew better.
After that amazing speech at the DNC where he clearly left John McCain standing, it is time for the diehard critics to realise that this man is quite different from what has gone before him. Just like Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela and all those 'chosen ones', every now and then someone simply emerges from the crowd to galvanise and inspire, yet the reasons for that are never quite clear. It happens so regularly as to be a distinct pattern. There is always one who stands head and shoulders above the crowd and it seems that just for 2008, perhaps the next four years, or even the next eight years, it will be Barack Obama. That is reason No. 1. It is his moment, as the gods have ordained, and no one can rob him of it.
Leadership has a clear circle of development and authenticity. It starts with vision, moves on to credibility which then gains respect which then finally provides the authority to actually bring that vision to life. Barack Obama might have struggled with his credibility at the beginning but the man is clearly a leader of the highest order. He certainly earned his respect on August 28th and now has the mandate to bring his particular vision of change into being. Even his usual critics in the media were fulsome with their praises of how persuasive and inspiring he was. How many of us could stand in front of such a demanding audience, not to mention over 35 millions watching nationwide, and delivered in the calm, assured and electric way he did, full of confidence and self belief? I cannot think of one person at this moment. Not one. And that's reason No. 2.
The dire need for fresh ideas Third, and most compelling, America needs that change, It is not just about one man running for president. It is about America standing on the verge of a tremendous moment in history, giving back the authority to its presidency that is now in a hole. A moment that can help America to make a huge difference to itself and the rest of the world as a leader worth its salt again. A country that knows where it's going; what its main principles are and one where respect, the rule of law and human dignity are paramount. Barack Obama wants the opportunity to bring that time back into being and eloquently laid out his stall for all to hear. As he said in the speech:
Because if you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. I think any further scare tactics will seem really stale from now on.
And as he continued..
Our government should work for us, not against us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence, but for every American who's willing to work.
That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.
Amen to that.
Finally, the Internet has changed elections forever. It has made the biggest impact on these elections, building up Obama's political base from nowhere to exceed 2 million supporters. That just defies belief. One notices the true power of that support base if every person were to donate the maximum allowed to Obama. He would get in well over $5 billion dollars for his campaign. How awesome is that? No matter who wins this election, and everyone likes to be on the winning side, the Internet would have played a decisive role in it. I predict even more empty seats for McCain as people scramble on to the Obama bandwagon as though they have always believed in him! But that's the effect of winners: they motivate, inspire and make the impossible seems possible.
Sadly, with the appointment of the highly inappropriate Sarah Palin, the Republicans have shown how little they care for America, how cheap the presidency has become, and how much just winning the election matters to them. But, in quite an unexpected and unintentional way, they may have just cemented Obama's irreversible path to the White House.
