❧❧❧ 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 ❧❧❧
"...Therefore was a single human being created: to teach you that to destroy a single human soul is equivalent to destroying an entire world; and to sustain a single human soul is equivalent to sustaining an entire world." Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5
SOME OF MY OLDER BLOG POSTS' LINKS that I particularly like
When justice isn't our compass we get a world with man-made pain. When justice isn't protected we get a world confused and deluded. When justice isn't the most important value, we get politicians with license to violate our basic human rights.
Habeas Corpus is non-negotiable. We get the politicians we order.
I think it will be the "developing" world who teaches the "developed" world priorities and the way toward the justice we only afford ourselves in our dreaming.
.................................................. 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.
………………………………………. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rs9sinZJ_4&watch_response The Show Must Go On Bush Don’t Take the USA into War with Iran. Bush took us and Iraqis into war with Iraq and that was a colossal mistake and continues as an on-going disaster. ……………………………………….
………………………………………. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY2BviiUDsw Senator Barack Obama makes his opening statements to the the audience at the NAACP Democratic Candidate Forum in Detroit, MI ……………………………………….
………………………………………. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyHJZxNm-Cg Barack Obama on Iran Barack Obama says that George Bush and Dick Cheney must hear from the American people: "You don't have our support, and you don't have our authorization for another war" in Iran.
I plan to vote for Barack Obama for President. I look at the Republican Presidential candidates and I am worried. It is a puzzle to me that most of the Republican candidates think they have the ability to lead the Divided States of America. Mike Huckabee is likable but his specific stands don’t fit my values. Is this the best the Repbulicans can come up with for Presidential candidates?
The whole world has had to endure his blundering. I hope this time we end up with a mind that isn’t hibernating the whole time he or she is President. I hope this time we get better than we deserve. It is so painful to have a President with poor judgment and who lies.
I sincerely hope the youngest people who can vote this time will take the time and effort to exercise their democratic right and vote and vote smart. We need a thinking person as a President. Not just someone who wears a suit well.
Please, vote. And vote smart. Don’t leave it up only to those who voted in the last two presidential elections. We all have a stake in what the next President’s legacy will be. The legacy of Bush is sad, dismal and a President who does not respect democracy or our Constitution. He is not a person of substance. We need someone willing to lead with sights on building a stronger American through something more than military means.
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.
