Good morning!

I finally watched Obama’s speech a few days ago. Today’s write from Think Progress touches on some of Obama’s thoughts:

How to Grow the Economy From the Middle Class Out

“This growing inequality isn’t just morally wrong; it’s bad economics. When middle-class families have less to spend, businesses have fewer customers. When wealth concentrates at the very top, it can inflate unstable bubbles that threaten the economy. When the rungs on the ladder of opportunity grow farther apart, it undermines the very essence of this country.”

– President Barack Obama, July 24, 2013

Yesterday, President Obama kicked off a series of economic speeches focusing on why we need to grow the economy from the middle out by investing in the middle class. He made the case that a thriving middle class is the cause, not the consequence of growth.

Economists agree that rebuilding a thriving middle class will help us rebuild a thriving economy. But to grow the economy from the middle class out means investing in education, infrastructure, energy, and innovation and putting in place policies that provide health security, retirement security, and ladders of opportunity for those living in poverty.

“Repealing Obamacare and cutting spending is not an economic plan.  It’s not.”

–President Barack Obama, July 24, 2013

The progressive plan to grow the economy from the middle class out stands in marked contrast to the failed and even dangerous “trickle down” tax cut and draconian austerity spending plans championed by conservatives. Conservatives want to cut even more from education, medical research and infrastructure in order to give even more tax cuts to the rich and huge corporations in the hopes that it trickles down to the rest of us.

Trickle-Down Policies Have Been a Failure

A capitalist economy resembles the game of monopoly – when one person has all the money, the game is over. If the middle class can’t afford to buy what businesses are selling, the economy breaks down. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what has been happening for the better part of the last few decades. As inequality has grown, economic growth has slowed, and the vast majority of Americans have been squeezed or left behind.

Key facts:

• Income inequality in the United States is actually higher than at any other time in modern history since the Great Depression.
• Between 1979 and 2007, the richest top 1% of American households saw their income nearly triple, while middle class incomes remained largely stagnant by comparison.
• The average CEO has gotten a raise of nearly 40% since 2009, but the average American earns less than he or she did in 1999.
• Despite enacting taxes cuts for the rich and for corporations, both Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush saw slower economic growth and job growth during their presidency than President Clinton, who raised taxes in 1993.
• The years following the Bush tax cuts were the worst for job creation since the government began keeping records and the worst for business investment since World War II.
• About 62% of the wealth recovered during this recovery has come in the form of higher stock prices, which overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest Americans but has done little for the middle class and almost nothing for those living in poverty.

A Commitment to Growing the Economy from the Middle Out

Opportunities for upward mobility in America have gotten harder to find over the past 30 years.  That’s a betrayal of the American idea.  And that’s why we have to do a lot more to give every American the chance to work their way into the middle class.

- President Barack Obama, July 24, 2013

Instead of wasting time on dozens of votes to take away health care from millions of Americans or threats to shut down the government unless we agree to more failed trickle-down, austerity policies, progressives are committed to policies that will grow the economy from the middle class out.

Middle-Out Economics in Two Sentences: The wealthy are not the job creators. The real job creators are the middle class consumers who buy what businesses large and small are selling.

Middle-Out economics is about growing the economy from the middle class out, not from the top down – a conservative approach that has failed. Progressives are focused on putting the policies in place that will bring this idea – and our economy – to life.

Policies to grow the economy from the middle class out:

• Investments in growing the middle class: Investing in education, infrastructure, energy, and innovation boosts the economy today and helps create the job creators and strong middle class that will fuel economic growth tomorrow.
• Everyone paying their fair share: Tax cuts for the wealthy and huge corporations don’t grow the economy. If the wealthy aren’t paying their fair share, we simply cannot afford to make the investments in the middle we need to in order to grow the economy.
• Minimum wage: Nobody who works full time in America should have to live in poverty. Raising the minimum wage will lift people out of poverty and create more consumers to help fuel the economy.
• Health security:  Millions of Americans will soon have access to quality, affordable health care for the first time and the 85 percent of Americans who already have health insurance are seeing new benefits and better coverage as a result of Obamacare.
• Retirement security:  We need to strengthen both Social Security and our private retirement system so middle-class Americans can afford to retire and live with dignity, a promise beyond the reach of too many.
• Affordable housing:  The housing market is recovering, but we need to implement additional policies and reforms to help those who are still underwater and the millions who can’t get a loan to buy a home today.

A lot more policies to strengthen and grow the middle class are outlined in a recent Center for American Progress paper you can check out HERE.

*******

Readers: The click over is interesting too. What are your thoughts? Blog me.

Social Butterfly: Sounds like you’re enjoying yourself. I wish I could’ve had some fun with you at the Cubbyhole!

Peace out.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

This is not good news for so many reasons and they are all listed here in this write. If you remember we discussed quite some time ago that the governorship controls the polls. And when you have a republican governor controlling a conservative state, one that racially discriminates, this is the kind of Bill that you can expect. If this passes you can forget having a fair voting system in NC – the poor, elderly, and OTWs can kiss their vote goodbye, that is if they ever make it to the voting booth.

Here’s the write:

North Carolina On Cusp Of Passing Worst Voter Suppression Bill In The Nation

BY SCOTT KEYES ON JULY 23, 2013 AT 12:00 PM

 

(Credit: AP)

Voting in North Carolina may soon change, much in the same way a wrecking ball changes a building.The highly-conservative North Carolina legislature just released a new voter suppression bill that would enact not just voter ID, but a host of other new initiatives designed to make it more difficult to vote. A significant roadblock to the legislation was removed last month when the Supreme Court guttedthe Voting Rights Act, making it easier for states with a history of racial discrimination like North Carolina to enact new voter suppression laws.

The Senate will consider substituted language for HB 589 on Tuesday afternoon. Among the dozens of changes, these are the most onerous for North Carolina voters:

• Implementing a strict voter ID requirement that bars citizens who don’t have a proper photo ID from casting a ballot.
• Eliminating same-day voter registration, which allowed residents to register at the polls.
• Cutting early voting by a full week.
• Increasing the influence of money in elections by raising the maximum campaign contribution to $5,000 and increasing the limit every two years.
• Making it easier for voter suppression groups like True The Vote to challenge any voter who they think may be ineligible by requiring that challengers simply be registered in the same county, rather than precinct, of those they challenge.
• Vastly increasing the number of “poll observers” and increasing what they’re permitted to do. In 2012, ThinkProgresscaught the Romney campaign training such poll observers using highly misleading information.
• Only permitting citizens to vote in their specific precinct, rather than casting a ballot in any nearby ward or election district. This can lead to widespread confusion, particularly in urban areas where many precincts can often be housed in the same building.
• Barring young adults from pre-registering as 16- and 17-year-olds, which is permitted by current law, and repealing a state directive that high schools conduct voter registration drivesin order to boost turnout among young voters.
• Prohibiting some types of paid voter registration drives, which tend to register poor and minority citizens.
• Dismantling three state public financing programs, including the landmark program that funded judicial elections.
• Weakening disclosure requirements for outside spending groups.
• Preventing counties from extending polling hours in the event of long lines or other extraordinary circumstances and making it more difficult for them to accommodate elderly or disabled voters with satellite polling sites at nursing homes, for instance.

Each of these changes, on their own, would be a significant step away from increasing voting rights. Taken together, this is the voter suppression magnum opus.

Republicans currently hold strong majorities in both legislative houses and control the governorship, leaving Democrats with little recourse to block HB 589. In the last few weeks, Republicans have passed conservative legislation on a range of issues, from a major anti-choice bill to tax cuts for the rich paid for by the poor.

If passed, HB 589 will almost certainly have a disastrous impact on voting in North Carolina. As Ari Berman notes, 56 percent of North Carolinians voted early in 2012, including a disproportionate number of minorities. In addition, more than 155,000 voters registered to vote at the polls last year. And with 10 percent of North Carolinians — 613,000 people, a third of whom are black and half of whom are registered Democrats — lacking photo ID, it doesn’t take Encyclopedia Brown to figure out which party will be helped by HB 589.

In December, the Center for American Progress released a reportdetailing 11 specific pieces of legislation state lawmakers could enact to strengthen voting rights. This North Carolina bill is what you would get if you looked at that report, then did the exact opposite.

********

Readers: And the recent is the Governor of NC Pat McCrory,  ‘admits’ he doesn’t know enough about the voter suppression bill he is about to sign. I would say he ‘claims’ he doesn’t know… I’m sure he knows exactly what he is about to sign. He is one like many who spout that same-day registration concerns him because of the “possibility for abuse.” The only abuse going on is the repubs abusing the system by gerrymandering the votes.

Thoughts? Blog me. 

Happy Monday Everyone!!

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

Okay, I am Big “L”, little “a”…” this morning. I wanted to post something uplifting and cheerful for a Saturday but all my reading leads me to something not so pleasant. What’s a girl to do?

LeTa0: Nice to see you so active on my blog. And thanks for supporting my blog by sharing with the Huff Post readers that I don’t censor here. Although sometimes reading an uncensored blog where my readers spew hatred for people because of the color of their skin, can get to me. And then I remember, ah yes, it is just the tiny dicked white boys speaking out. No need to pay attention or respond to the white discharge. :)

Although I would love to hear what a newbie like you would say to them. Me? I’ve given my two plenty of times. I’m not in the mood this morning.  The blog is open to you and to anyone else who has words to share on whatever.

Blog this BABE.

Oh…before I head out to enjoy this beautiful day, I guess I need to post something for today. How silly of me; I almost forgot.

So…speaking of little dicks and white discharge, here’s something I found. It isn’t exactly the kind of “pleasing to the senses” that I was searching for this morning but it definitely speaks to them, and made me crack-up….so what the hell, it is weekend – Perfect for a little Saturday satire.

This is super hilarious – one of the best I’ve seen. Enjoy!

John Oliver Destroys Anthony Weiner In Hilarious Daily Show Video

John Oliver continues to impress as John Stewart’s temporary replacement on The Daily Show as seen in this new hilarious video from last night in which Oliver tackles the latest Anthony Weiner sex scandal.

Anthony Weiner, AKA Carlos Danger has has now had his political aspirations soiled twice after sending naked pictures of himself to other women.

As John Oliver notes, when Weiner got busted the first time, he showed some sort of regret for his actions. In this case, however, Weiner seems more interested in letting everyone know he predicted that this would happen than anything else.

Oliver’s analysis on the Weiner scandal continues in this second video.

As The Daily Show is famous for, Oliver picks plenty of fun at Weiner’s expense, but also gives some great food for thought regarding Weiner’s continued run for mayor. Weiner promised after the first scandal that events like these would never happen again. Earlier this year, Weiner publically claimed he was a changed man. He lied, and John Oliver is not ready to let Weiner get away with the act again.

John Oliver has done an amazing job filling John Stewart’s role as head of The Daily Show. Has he impressed you as much as he’s impressed us?

********

My answer is “Yes.”

Peace & Love and Laughter…we could certainly use more in this world. 

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

From Political Ticker: 

Cummings: ‘I cross the street’ when white women walk toward me

Readers: I can’t imagine being a person and feeling the need to act like Cummings does. How sad that one feels that way. It really says to me that we need to have so much compassion for others, and to walk in the shoes of others to truly understand what it is like to live as another human being…whether they are a different race or gender than ourselves. It is when we can do this, and are willing to do this,  that we can become more compassionate and understanding of the challenges and plight of others.

Io9:  Your comment has been on my mind. From what I know about the lives of aliens, from what has been told here, I can understand how difficult that would be. Human life seems to last for just a blip compared to the lives of aliens. I HOPE you’re well.

Zarita: I really enjoyed reading your comment, and hearing about your sister Sonja and Costa Del Azahar. It sounds simply beautiful! Thank you for the invitation to visit. I would love to one day. I was so sorry to hear about the train crash in Spain. What a horrible accident. My condolences go out to the families who lost their loved ones. Thanks for being a loyal reader. Hugs to you and Sonja.

Zen Lill: Thanks for posting that video of the young girl. I was so taken by her. What a smart child, articulating so well the disgusting behavior of adults toward children. I HOPE for her safety and that her message spreads far and wide.

Social Butterfly: Thank you. And thanks for posting the write on GMOs. I signed. This is so important.

Zalika: Your point as been made before. It was true then and it is still true today.

Ellen: Obama has to pick his battles. And, with the repubs in control, he has to make very tough decisions. What is the lesser of two evils? I HOPE this is a lesson that just because Obama is president doesn’t mean we get to rest on our laurels. The midterm elections are once again going to be VERY IMPORTANT.

Nyika: Now that is the kind of attitude I like to hear from a strong, capable woman. Good for you and your daughter. You know you have my love and support.

Baako: Thanks to you and the other males for caring and for being a loving brother toward your sisters. I wish all brothers and fathers would protect their sisters and mothers like you have done. You are a wonderful example that I HOPE inspires others. My best to you and your family.

Mike, TM: Very interesting. I think you know that answer. My guess is yes. Perhaps someone knows something and will share. I HOPE all is well with you.

Peace & Love…

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

From the WSJ way back in 2008, 2 days before Barack Obama was elected President for his first term.

I don’t know if you remember that day, but just thinking about it…thinking about where I was, watching the election with friends…it was such a memorable moment. I was so elated for him and for our country. I was so optimistic (and naive) that great changes would happen easily (Boy, was I naive!) and quickly (Yeah right), and that our country would be forever changed. (Yes!)

The latter has definitely happened. Great changes (Yay!) have occurred because of Obama and his and our hard work. I am so grateful for president Obama.

And...racism and bigotry has reared its ugly head more than I could ever have imagined.

What a country.

Anyway, here’s today’s write:

Before He Was President, Mistaken for a Waiter: a 2003 Obama Meeting

By Susan Davis

Katherine Rosman reports on her encounter with President-elect Barack Obama.

On a warm weekday evening in 2003, a group that can fairly be described as representative of the media elite gathered at one if its favored venues: the garden behind the Manhattan apartment of journalists Tina Brown and Harold Evans.

The occasion was the publication of “The Clinton Wars,” by Sidney Blumenthal, a former aide to President Bill Clinton. Editors from the New Yorker and the New York Times were in attendance along with media figures like Steven Brill and Rolling Stone co-founder Jann Wenner. The guests mingled and sipped wine. Even Clinton showed up, instantly becoming the epicenter of attention.

I had not been invited but attended the event as the “plus one” of political columnistEric Alterman, who wrote about the party in The Guardian on Thursday. At the time, I was a freelance journalist not yet employed by The Wall Street Journal. Eager for an opportunity to find a good story or meet an editor who might give me work, I accepted Alterman’s invitation to join him at an event littered with literati.

Once there, though, I felt awkward and out of place.

Standing by myself I noticed, on the periphery of the party, a man looking as awkward and out-of-place as I felt. I approached him and introduced myself. He was an Illinois state senator who was running for the U.S. Senate. He was African American, one of a few black people in attendance.

We spoke at length about his campaign. He was charismatic in a quiet, solemn way. I told him I wanted to pitch a profile of him to a national magazine. (The magazine later rejected my proposal.)

The following year I watched as he gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, and then won his Senate seat that fall. On Tuesday, Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States.

But what I will always remember is as I was leaving that party in 2003, I was approached by another guest, an established author. He asked about the man I had been talking to. Sheepishly he told me he didn’t know that Obama was a guest at the party, and had asked him to fetch him a drink. In less than six years, Obama has gone from being mistaken for a waiter among the New York media elite, to the president-elect.

What a country.

*****

Readers: Did I say how nice it was to be back writing here again? If I didn’t, please let me say it now. “I am deeelighted to be here with all of you!” Blog this BABE.

Kevin: So true. I also get tired of people saying there is no racism “because a black man got elected president.”

Vivian: You are so right. And not just in this instance, but there have been so many other horrific things that have been said and done with respect to our president that would never have happened, nor would the public put up with, if he were white.

पद्म: Unbelievable. And probably very common coming from the mouths of racists.

LeTa0: Nicely stated. Makes sense to me. With respect to the video you posted – thank you. What a moving commentary from Don Lemon. I cannot imagine being a mother living in such fear for her son. I cannot imagine having to endure a life like so many black men have to on a daily basis because of the strong racism in this country. I have heard similar stories but they are only one incident in someone’s life. The reality is, is that it happens more often than we know or want to admit that it happens. I think more of these life stories need to be told. People need to understand that this is prevalent in America, and to do something. For some reason this has really hit home for me.

Peace & Love…

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"