Last night our president delivered his first official state of the union address: he was brilliant. Years from now speech instructors will be playing tapes of his speeches for their students; in fact; it’s probably happening already on many college campuses. Years from now books will be written compiling many of his speeches; some given even before he became one of the most historic of all our presidents. From here on in Barack Obama will be the standard by which great speakers are measured. He is undoubtedly one of the best public speakers ever (especially from a prepared script).

A funny thing happened on the way to the presidency though that bears noting. It was when he appeared before the congressional black caucus (at his request) to inform them that he was contemplating a run for the presidency. A significant number of black electeds thought the idea laughable. This is a fact. More than a few of them actually laughed at him and his idea. I mean that literally. Many others scoffed and others still were quite dismissive. They all know who they are.  read more »

(Note: Cross-posted on my website.)

In the hours leading up to President Obama’s formal announcement of his plan for how to deal with Afghanistan, I have decided that it is possible that he could convince me that his escalation of American involvement in that civil war is a good idea. Possible – but highly unlikely.

I understand the need to stop Al Qaeda from attacking us again, and the desire to establish stable, American-friendly governments in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The problem is that the area known as Afghanistan has never had a stable, American-friendly government; even though we helped put the Taliban in power in 1995 they didn’t like us very much. And while Pakistan is a nuclear power, so the need for at least a responsible government is even more urgent, it need not be American-friendly, so long as they have no desire to use their nuclear weapons against us.  read more »

After 16 continuous years of Republican mayors in New York City, you would think that there would be an urgency amongst democrats (nationwide) to get rid of this present pompous and arrogant mayor Michael Bloomberg: well you could have fooled me. After watching President Barack Obama (and surely his political director /Patrick Gaspard too) insult the democrat’s nominee William (Billy) Thompson, with what must be described as the worst half-assed endorsement ever given to a mayoral candidate for a major political party, I am demanding an explanation from the White House.

What the hell is going on?

The democrat’s primary took place on Tuesday 15th September, 2009; there were exactly seven weeks to the general election; you can’t tell me that in those seven weeks the White House did not schedule a few campaign appearances with the nominee (Billy Thompson) for Barack and Michelle Obama, Joe Biden and his wife, the Clintons, et al.

Who dropped this ball?  read more »

What’s the fuss?

Do tell me what’s happening?

All this talk from right-wing republicans about whether or not Barack Obama deserved to win the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize comes from spiteful and resentful perches. Always remember that there are very few people who possess the moral courage to support another’s success without envy. Republicans have demonstrated this with full regal display, ever since the day the announcement was made, that Obama had won the internationally prestigious and coveted Nobel Peace Prize: and attendant award(s).  read more »

Here is what Barack Obama has to say about winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and I think it is amazingly humble and intelligent:

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.  read more »