❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
WITH THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN COURT COLOR and even the headband and wristbands are color coordinated with the tennis balls
Round 2 Australia Open 2009
Rafael Nadal d Roko Karanusic : 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
Pictures of Rafael Nadal in Round 2 with Roko Karanusic match January 22, (in Australia) 2009 Photo credits: Cameron Spencer, Scott Barbour and Rick Stevens ~all of whom are Getty Images photographers Link to pictures and photo captions with credits attributed: Australian Open Day 4
Uncle Tony and Rafa in Training Session in Melbourne
.................................................. Barack Obama spoke to an audience of 84,000 at Invesco Field - Mile High Stadium, on August 28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado Uploaded by BarackObamadotcom The entire Speech in print form can be found barackobama.com
That promise is our greatest inheritance. It’s a promise I make to my daughters when I tuck them in at night, and a promise that you make to yours – a promise that has led immigrants to cross oceans and pioneers to travel west; a promise that led workers to picket lines, and women to reach for the ballot.
And it is that promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln’s Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.
The men and women who gathered there could’ve heard many things. They could’ve heard words of anger and discord. They could’ve been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred.
But what the people heard instead – people of every creed and color, from every walk of life – is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one.
“We cannot walk alone,” the preacher cried. “And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise – that American promise – and in the words of Scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.
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...We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don’t tell me that Democrats won’t defend this country. Don’t tell me that Democrats won’t keep us safe. The Bush-McCain foreign policy has squandered the legacy that generations of Americans -- Democrats and Republicans – have built, and we are here to restore that legacy.
As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harm’s way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home.
I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression. I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate change and disease. And I will restore our moral standing, so that America is once again that last, best hope for all who are called to the cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, and who yearn for a better future.
These are the policies I will pursue. And in the weeks ahead, I look forward to debating them with John McCain.
But what I will not do is suggest that the Senator takes his positions for political purposes. Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other’s character and patriotism.
The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America.
So I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first.
America, our work will not be easy. The challenges we face require tough choices, and Democrats as well as Republicans will need to cast off the worn-out ideas and politics of the past. For part of what has been lost these past eight years can’t just be measured by lost wages or bigger trade deficits. What has also been lost is our sense of common purpose – our sense of higher purpose. And that’s what we have to restore...
This is only a small portion of the speech given by Barack Obama
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) accepts his party's presidential nomination in Denver's Invesco Field on the final day of the DNC 2008 Convention. Other featured speakers tonight include fmr. V.P. Al Gore, Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) and others. Obama Puts Final Touches on Speech DNC Chair Dean | MLK Tribute
Whenever I have volunteered here in Rhode Island or New Hampshire, the young people in their teens and early twenties have inspired me in seeing their involvement in this campaign. They are taking the lead in helping elect Barack Obama. This was the first time I have ever volunteered in an campaign. I am one of those people who has donated in $25 increments. I feel more a part of my government by acting, not standing by.
Not only have I witnessed young people come together in Barack's campaign, but people my age (older). No age group, no ethnic group, no religious group has not been involved.
It is a We The People government. And unless we get involved we will lose what we thought we had.
Thursday, August 28 2008: Change You Can Believe In
REVISED Thursday @ 2 PM
Time shown as local – Denver, Colorado MST
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (LOCAL) Live Performance (before gavel) Yonder Mountain String Band Jeff Austin, Adam Aijala, Ben Kaufmann, Dave Johnston
American Voices Program Remarks John Kuniholm - Wounded Iraq veteran – North Carolina Wes Moore – A Rhodes Scholar from New York, former White House Fellow and veteran Nathaniel Flick – Baltimore best-selling author of “One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine” John Estrada – From Orlando, Florida, the highest ranking enlisted Marine for four years
Voter Registration Presentation
Remarks The Honorable Luis Gutierrez Member of the US House of Representatives, Illinois
David Plouffe Obama Campaign Manager
Ray Rivera Obama State Director, Colorado
The Honorable Jan Schakowsky Member of the US House of Representatives, Illinois
Call to Order The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Permanent Chair, Democratic National Convention Member and Speaker of the US House of Representatives, California
Invocation Rabbi David Saperstein Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism – Washington, DC
Presentation of Colors Disabled American Veterans
Pledge of Allegiance Shawn Johnson US Olympic Gymnast
National Anthem Jennifer Hudson Academy award-winning singer and Broadway performer
Remarks Elbra Wedgeworth President/Chair, Denver Host Committee Reading of Resolutions Democratic National Committee Vice-Chairs Mark Brewer The Honorable Linda Chavez-Thompson The Honorable Mike Honda The Honorable Lottie Shackelford Susan Turnbull Remarks Honorable Bill Ritter, Jr. Governor of Colorado
The Honorable Ed Perlmutter Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado The Honorable John Salazar Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado
The Honorable Diana DeGette Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (LOCAL) Video & Remarks The Honorable Howard Dean Former Governor of Vermont Chair of the Democratic Party
Barack Obama and John Lewis
Video & Remarks: Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Honorable John Lewis Member of the US House of Representatives, Georgia Rev. Bernice King Daughter of the late Dr. King Martin Luther King, III Oldest son of the late Dr. King
Live Performance will.i.am Accompanied by John Legend (piano), Agape Choir, and band Remarks Ray Rivera Obama State Director, Colorado
Live Performance Sheryl Crow Singer/songwriter
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (LOCAL) Remarks The Honorable Mark Udall Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado
The Honorable Tim Kaine Governor of Virginia
The Honorable Bill Richardson Governor of New Mexico
Live Performance Stevie Wonder Singer/songwriter
Remarks The Honorable Al Gore Former Vice President of the United States 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (LOCAL) Live Performance Michael McDonald Singer/songwriter
Remarks Susan Eisenhower Granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Retired Generals Tribute Air Force Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration (Ret) Accompanied by additional generals
American Voices Program Roy Gross – Michigan Teamster car transport driver affected by decline in car manufacturing Monica Early – New to campaigning, this Akron mother & grandmother is an Obama volunteer Janet Lynn Monacco – Struggling small business owner from Melbourne, FL with health issues Teresa Asenap – Albuquerque, New Mexico public school worker concerned about economy Pamela Cash-Roper – Unemployed nurse and lifelong Republican from North Carolina Barney Smith – Marion, Indiana plant worker - lost job of 30 yrs when plant moved to China
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (LOCAL) Introduction of Barack Obama Video The Honorable Richard Durbin US Senator, Illinois
Remarks SENATOR BARACK OBAMA DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Benediction Pastor Joel Hunter Senior Pastor of Northland in Central Florida
Adjournment The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Permanent Chair, Democratic National Convention Click on the article to enlarge.
Tonight while the Democratic National Convention was on television, tears welled up in my eyes. I noticed New Hampshire cast all of their votes for Barack Obama. That was meaningful for me especially since I volunteered for a week the week prior to their primary day. Florida and Michigan - states of much commentary by the political pundits - cast their votes. And having a blog-friend who is there from Idaho, I was happy to be watching just when the Idaho delegates were pictured on my television screen. Watching the New Mexico and Illinois delegates yield to the state of New York, so that Hillary Clinton would be the one to put Barack Obama over the number to officially nominate Barack for the candidacy of the President was impressive.
A historical moment for the United States of America in more than one way.
Photos of segregation in the USA are from our history. And racism still exists today. But today, we also took a step never taken before.
....................................................... Hillary Clinton moves to nominate Barack Obama by acclamation. Uploaded by NCDem
A previous first lady who ran for President put our first African-American on the ticket with her voice.
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This moment is very personal for me. And I cannot imagine how meaningful it is for African-American children who see this happening in their young lives.
This is one of the pictures I found on the internet of myself at the New Hampshire Primary Party. Source
The Obamas and Bidens
Barack Obama on the right and Michelle Obama on the left
Biden goes after McCain as he joins the ticket
By Alex Johnson
Reporter
MSNBC
Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware set the stage for Sen. Barack Obama’s historic address as the Democratic presidential nominee by launching a heated attack Wednesday night tying Sen. John McCain to the Bush White House and telling voters they had the power to change the country’s direction.
On the night the Democratic National Convention made Obama the first African-American ever nominated by a major party, delegates erupted in thunderous cheers when Obama joined Biden at the conclusion of his speech accepting the No. 2 spot on the ticket.
“At the start of this campaign, we had a very simple idea: Change does not start from the top down. It starts from the bottom up,” Obama said, looking forward to his own acceptance speech Thursday night before as many as 75,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver.
I CERTAINLY HOPE BARACK OBAMA WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT
FINALLY A PRESIDENT IN MY ADULT LIFE THAT I REALLY COULD BE PROUD OF
Obama - Biden Democratic Ticket
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............................................... August 25, 2008 Michelle Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado Michelle Obama's text of her speech
Caroline Kennedy took the stage and told the crowd that she had never found a person who inspired her in the same way that her father inspired so many Americans -- until Barack Obama.
She then introduced her "Uncle Teddy" and a short video tribute to the legendary Senator played on the big screen... ...............................................
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When Senator Kennedy strode onto the stage, dignified and energetic as ever, the entire crowd stood and erupted in continuous applause. Teddy spoke eloquently about the issues that he has championed throughout his life, most notably his dream of health care for every single American.
"There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass through we will reach our destination," said Senator Kennedy. "The hope shall rise again, and the dream lives on."
Here are some photos and video from this extraordinary event...
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Senator Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy spoke at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
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Michelle Obama Arrives in Denver
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............................................... A few minutes of Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, introducing his sister at the Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 25, 2008.
Senator Barack Obama has the most user friendly website.
Photo above was of August 23, 2008 in Springfield, Illinois
I RESPECT THE YOUNG ADULT GENERATION WHO SUPPORTS BARACK OBAMA
Barack Obama reaching out
Dear People of Conscience,I am forwarding this email that is below to you. I admit it is a plea to ask you to consider voting for Barack Obama. But I believe this is a moment in time that requires us to act with courage, outside the box and with the hope that WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. If you will go to the link you will see the speech that Barack delivered to us who were there in Nashua New Hampshire, January 8, 2008 put to music. Yes, I was there at Nashua South High School gym in New Hampshire. Here is the actual speech from that night: Barack Obama speaks New Hampshire Primary NightHere is a picture of me at the New Hampshire Primary Party night taken by the Reuters photographer and sent around the world:Caption to picture given online:
Barack Obama supporter Sandra Hammel (C), reacts to televised results at Obama's New Hampshire primary night rally in Nashua, New Hampshire, January 8, 2008.
Irish TV interviewed me that night and asked me why I support Barack Obama. And knowing brevity was important I stated one reason: Other candidates say "I can do this and I can do that for you" but Barack Obama asks us to step up and get engaged in our government. He of course will lead, but we will no longer be dismissed and not listened to. He wants our participation."
Truth and integrity are critical to me. No more lies. For this reason, my personal choice is Barack Obama.
I respect your possible difference of opinion. But I also believe that we need to come together in this nation for the good of our families, our nation and our world. And I believe Barack has unique gifts to speak to the world on this very important need to heal.
Tuesday’s vote and the few weeks that follow may literally change our country and the world forever, and I am doing everything I can to make a difference. Please help.
It has been said that someone like Barack only comes along once in a generation. There are many good people of all political persuasion who have tried to fundamentally change the direction of our country, but I don’t know of anyone who has lifted up the hopes and dreams of this country like Barack is doing.
This is our time.
We need a pragmatic visionary. A down to earth leader who knows what it is like to struggle through school on scholarships and loans and to survive.
We need a leader who understands the world and knows that if the world hates America less, we will be safer.
Barack Obama embodies the American dream and the greatness of our country.I could go on and on, but I will leave you with this.Please watch this: http://www.dipdive.com/
Please forward this email or one of your own to everyone in your address book, no matter what political persuasion or whether you think that person is interested in politics. This is beyond Democrat or Republican. This is beyond “politics.”
If nothing else, please watch this video. It is 4:44 minutes and may compel you to do whatever you can to change this country and the world: http://www.dipdive.com/
This is our time. This is our moment.Please believe, and seize the moment.
Jeffrey M. Padwa Rhode Island Finance Co-ChairObama for America
I would like to add this although I have said it surely on a previous post. In New Hampshire, the age differences of those of us that came together to work as volunteers for Barack Obama was wide. I am near Hillary Clinton's age. The two running the canvas were two young women who were 18 and 22 respectively. One who put off college to work on this campaign of Barack Obama and the other who put off graduate school for the same reason. They worked until 2:00 a.m. and started all over working at 6:00 a.m. every day. They were always soft spoken, thoroughly prepared and structured, diligent and committed to Barack Obama and their belief that Barack is the one to lead us into a transcending politics of our future.
I so respect the young people involved in Barack's campaign. I so love seeing the variety of ethnicity, age and regions that are brought together by this one candidate.
If you haven't heard Barack in person, you are missing the magical experience. If you haven't listened beyond the pundits, the accusations who are running against him or have never met him, then you have an inaccurate idea of who he is. You have to listen to Barack longer than 30 to 60 seconds. He actually is more experienced than you know. He is just as intelligent as Hillary if not more. He transcends your average and tired politician because he dares to say why can't we have more than what the government has so far been to us.
Here is just one of many bits of information on Barack's website:
Obama has appeal to Latinos
To the Editor
Those watching Univision, the Spanish-language network, at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9, witnessed a historic event. This was the first time that a Spanish-language network sponsored a presidential debate.
Having observed Latino politics in Iowa for the last 14 years, this event represents the increasing potency of the Latino vote.
However, not all candidates are taking advantage of this opportunity, and some are philosophically against it. On the Democratic side, all the major candidates were present.
But Republicans did not have such a forum on Univision because only Sen. John McCain was willing to participate in a similar event. This signals a reversal from the strategy of George W. Bush when he was a candidate.
In 2000, I thought that George Bush had the most effective outreach to Latinos in Iowa. He had a full-time staff person devoted to Latino issues and building a Latino base in Iowa. That may not be enough for Latinos like myself to vote for him, but that effort does carry weight with many Latino voters.
Bush, after all, won 48 percent of the Latino vote when he last ran for governor in Texas. I am not sure any Republican candidate can even approach this sort of support in this election from Latinos nationwide.
This year, the most vigorous outreach to Latinos I have witnessed is that of Sen. Barack Obama. He has a full-time staff person, Joan Kato, devoted to building a Latino network of supporters. Sen. Obama's Latino advisory committee includes powerful voices in the Latino community in Iowa.
Although the total proportion of Latino voters in Iowa is still small, one cannot evade the fact that Latinos now outnumber farmers in Iowa. No one will be able to ignore the Latino vote in this election cycle, especially in key states, such as California, Florida, and Texas.
In the present election cycle, Latinos in Iowa may make a difference in a close race in some areas with high Latino populations (e.g., Muscatine, Denison, Storm Lake, Perry, Marshalltown) if voting registration drives are successful.
Although the presidential forum focused a lot on immigration issues, I support Sen. Obama because, in addition to having sensible plans on many Latino issues, he was against the Iraq War from the start.
Opposition to the Iraq war showed me that Sen. Obama's wisdom and courage was more potent than all of the experience of those seasoned politicians who voted for this costly and unwise human disaster that disproportionately affects the lives of the poor and the marginalized in this country and in Iraq.
Like many Latinos, I am interested in a candidate who makes an effort to reach out to Latinos. But that is just the first step. At the end of the race, I will vote for the candidate who addresses all the major aspects of my life as an American and as a citizen of an increasingly dangerous world. Sen. Obama is that candidate.
Picture of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton at the Los Angeles Presidential candidates debate January 31, 2008. ........................................................................... ........................................................................... Barack Obama TV Ad with Caroline Kennedy
The two Democratic candidates for President at the last debate before the Super Tuesday Primary and caucus day , which will happen February 5, 2008.
I hesitated to include these four pictures. I couldn't believe the amount of time given to the one picture posted to the point of saturation, which is the fourth one of this sequence. Round tables were dicing and slicing what this picture meant. I would like to say this much: it is ridiculous to concentrate this much energy and time on the possibilities of what this picture meant. Meant? ~ Well, not really. The assumption was that it could only mean something regarding "to shake or not to shake". Seriously, folks. Does it matter? Truly. There have been important and relative character actions during this campaign. But to discuss for 30 to 60 minutes with panels of pundits about one Senator/ Presidential candidate and another Senator/ Presidential candidate and what was behind whatever is being implied in the fourth picture is pretty much useless energy and attention. Do you see anyone else in these pictures even paying attention to Hillary (other than Ted, one woman and someone I don't recognize)? Look at the others' attention and direction of their eyes. Were the others snubbing Hillary? Hillary says she put her hand out to Barack. It doesn't prove it in these four pictures. I think once again Hillary tried to use what divisiveness was being thrown about and framed it for her best interest and not based in truth. Hillary has lied before. And to me this is just one more example of Hillary adding fuel to a fire which at best is deceptive. Deception is a form of lying. I've had enough of lying with Bush. New York Times Blog
What I am looking for in the Presidential candidate: Integrity. Operates from truth and not just when it is convenient. Someone who doesn't parse positions and decisions, but is straight-forward. Not pretentious. Doesn't lie. Intelligent. Knowledge that our security is based on the respect from other free nations and peoples and not just our military power. Issues. Addresses the poor. A candidate who calls on us to be a part of our "We the People" democracy and listens to us over the corporate lobbyists. Follows the Constitution. We are not free until we are all considered as important.
OBAMAFORAMERICA
The Time is NOW
........................................................................................................................................ A focus group of independent voters watch the democratic debate. Barack Obama on Poverty
Obama drew more than 10,000 people to his speech at the University of Denver. They packed a hockey arena and crammed into two overflow rooms and still were lined up outside to get in. Colorado is a caucus state, one of 22 to hold nominating contests Tuesday, and is one of a handful of states where the Obama campaign is predicting victory. Clinton has the advantage in several others, while several are still up for grabs. From cbs4denver
As president, Barack Obama will implement a 21st century economic agenda to help ensure that America can compete in a global economy, and ensure the middle class is thriving and growing. He will increase investments in infrastructure, energy independence, education, and research and development; modernize and simplify our tax code so it provides greater opportunity and relief to more Americans; and implement trade policies that benefit American workers and increase the export of American goods.
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
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Khartoum, Sudan Stop Genocide Time
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Spain Time
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Melbourne Time
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Hawaii Time
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RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
Double Click on Videos to Enlarge
Darfur - The Abandoned Genocide - a video by Sandra Hammel
Want to help? Call 1~800~GENOCIDE
"May I Suggest" by Susan Werner
Satchita - Playing for Change
Stand By Me ~ Playing for Change
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Genocide is not only a word,
it is crying of the whole human race.
There is nothing redeeming about being silent
when speaking up is the humane thing to do.
The honor and integrity of the human race is at stake.
Pictures of Rafael Nadal in Round 2
Uncle Tony and Rafa in Training Session in Melbourne
