WHOOOOOOOOOOIEEEEE!
Someone said it......”the only game we can’t win...is the one we don’t play!’
WE PLAYIN’ POLITICS BAY BEE!
Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I will go back to masquerading as a responsible adult.....
Watching history unfold in real time has got to be the ultimate high. Whether or not it’s good or bad, it’s a gas. I always remember what I was doing when that moment happens. The time just freezes forever in my mind.
Last night was one of those nights. Barack Obama, a black man, clinched the democratic nomination for president of the United States. I will always remember last night, because I never believed it would happen in my lifetime.
It remains to be seen if he will become president. Feels like he will, but you never know until the final votes are counted, and we’ve still got 22 weeks to go before that happens.
Last night, as Obama was embracing his destiny, John McCain was seeking to find his relevance. It is ironic that he chose as his slogan, a phrase that does little to define himself but does point a beacon at his opponent.
“A Leader we can believe in..” I saw that phrase and at first thought I had tuned into the wrong speech.
It’s going to take more than just reciting the buzz words...economy, health care, security, Iraq. There has to be some substance behind the words. I have problems with a man seeking the presidency who has already said he doesn’t understand the economy. McCain says the “hundred years in Iraq” was a misquote...is that true of the “I don’t understand the economy,” statement, too. And what about women's issues?
Belief is what America is clamoring for. We need heroes again. Larger than life people who don’t seem to be only in the game for themselves. People who have the ability to see between the lines and are versatile enough to create or attempt to create something for all of us.
Which brings me to Hillary Clinton. Let me be honest. She ticked me off last night. Instead of being magnanimous in defeat, she chose to be petty. She chose to play the spurned woman...”not tonight, honey, I’ve got a headache..” Please! What the hell are emails from other pissed off white women going to do?
Yes, the media mistreated her. Any woman who plays games with the old boys, in any male dominated arena, gets manhandled...verbally and physically. All women who have dared to challenge men on what they consider their turf gets abused. Doesn’t make any difference what level, blue collar, white collar..any industry. Been there, done that.Get over it. Hillary knew going in that it was going to happen.
Clinton lost the nomination because of a badly run campaign, her inability to control her husband, and the arrogance in assuming that she had the undivided support of the black community.
Last night showed me again that she was out for herself, and for Bill, giving him an unofficial third term in office. I want the good times back, too, but not with Bill. Not after the stuff coming out of his mouth the past year and a half.
The current administration has spent the past eight years scaring us into submission. I’m ready for an administration that presents us with a different message and a look into the future.
One last thing...I’ve been saving a bottle of Bordeaux , a 1955 Chateau La Fleur Pomerol, for my 60th birthday in a couple of years. But if Obama wins the White House, I will drink it in November on election night.
If you’re in town, drop by....I will be happy to share. So let the celebration begin.
6.01.2008
1968
This is the week that Bobby Kennedy was killed back in 1968. I was 17. My pending graduation from high school should have been the highlight of that year for me. But I remember going to bed elated that Kennedy was winning in the California primary, only to awake to news of his death. I was devastated, again.
I was still reeling from the death of Martin Luther King, only a couple of months before.
I was devastated, emotionally with this latest blow, but also angry, very, angry.
The morning after Martin was killed, I erupted in history class after one of my classmates stated matter of factly, that she didn’t understand what all the fuss was about...he was just a troublemaker, she said. I was the only black in the class, one of just four in the graduating class...the only female.
I exploded, lashed out at my white classmates and stormed out of the room. I was mad and didn’t care what they thought. I hated every one of them. I was not tossed out of school. I was not suspended. Instead, my teacher, a white man, let it be. He found me where I had gone to stew and just let me talk. And after I vented, he never mentioned it again. My classmates quickly forgot, too. We just steered clear of anything dealing with civil rights. Since black history wasn’t a part of the curriculum when I was in school, it wasn’t too hard to ignore.
But me, I stayed angry. Hell, I’m still angry. I guess you could say I woke up...really woke up. I am truly surprised, but as I write these words, I can still taste the bitterness through the tears in 2008. Funny, you think you put things behind you, but it seems the door on that closet never really locks, and the memories come spilling out at the least bit of incentive.
The anniversary of RFK’s death pushed the door open again. He was more than a shadow of his big brother. He was new hope for the people. I still believed in government and non corrupt politicians, at that time. Maybe Camelot was still alive with Bobby. But it wasn’t meant to be. Fresh off his victory, he was gunned down in a kitchen by Sirhan, Sirhan who is serving time for the killing, or by the security guard, if you believe conspiracy theories.
Teddy became the man, but then, he screwed up at Chappaquidick and it seemed that Camelot was finally buried for good. I went from devastated, to angry to cynical. My innocence was gone. But I guess that is what growing up really is.
1968 was the year I grew up. I graduated high school, entered college and proclaimed my civil rights radicalism, amidst the deaths of my heroes. A part of me died with them. But a better me goes on. Rest in peace, RFK, MLK, and 1968.
I was still reeling from the death of Martin Luther King, only a couple of months before.
I was devastated, emotionally with this latest blow, but also angry, very, angry.
The morning after Martin was killed, I erupted in history class after one of my classmates stated matter of factly, that she didn’t understand what all the fuss was about...he was just a troublemaker, she said. I was the only black in the class, one of just four in the graduating class...the only female.
I exploded, lashed out at my white classmates and stormed out of the room. I was mad and didn’t care what they thought. I hated every one of them. I was not tossed out of school. I was not suspended. Instead, my teacher, a white man, let it be. He found me where I had gone to stew and just let me talk. And after I vented, he never mentioned it again. My classmates quickly forgot, too. We just steered clear of anything dealing with civil rights. Since black history wasn’t a part of the curriculum when I was in school, it wasn’t too hard to ignore.
But me, I stayed angry. Hell, I’m still angry. I guess you could say I woke up...really woke up. I am truly surprised, but as I write these words, I can still taste the bitterness through the tears in 2008. Funny, you think you put things behind you, but it seems the door on that closet never really locks, and the memories come spilling out at the least bit of incentive.
The anniversary of RFK’s death pushed the door open again. He was more than a shadow of his big brother. He was new hope for the people. I still believed in government and non corrupt politicians, at that time. Maybe Camelot was still alive with Bobby. But it wasn’t meant to be. Fresh off his victory, he was gunned down in a kitchen by Sirhan, Sirhan who is serving time for the killing, or by the security guard, if you believe conspiracy theories.
Teddy became the man, but then, he screwed up at Chappaquidick and it seemed that Camelot was finally buried for good. I went from devastated, to angry to cynical. My innocence was gone. But I guess that is what growing up really is.
1968 was the year I grew up. I graduated high school, entered college and proclaimed my civil rights radicalism, amidst the deaths of my heroes. A part of me died with them. But a better me goes on. Rest in peace, RFK, MLK, and 1968.
5.28.2008
Throwing Stones
Did ya hear what former press secretary Scott McClellan said about the Bush Administration in his soon to be released book? The mainstream media hype machine is working overtime today, quoting this latest tome by a Bush insider, who is now speaking out about the last eight hellacious years of pseudo government.
I haven’t read the book yet. But it supposedly takes dead aim at Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and Scooter Libby. He also allegedly takes some pot shots at Condi, too.
According to McClellan, if the hype is to be believed, Dubya’s boys lied about Iraq and tried to ignore Katrina, rather than deal with the problems head on. Anyone who’s been alive these past eight years already knows this. Tell us something we don’t know.
Why should Scott be surprised that Bush and company embraced propaganda and lies rather than the truth? This is after all the party that coined the phrase "welfare queen and gave us Willie Horton."
What I do know is that McClellan didn’t quit his post as minister of propaganda..he was pushed out. Guess that cushy pay check was too much to walk away from strictly on moral grounds.
-0-
Black Elephants
I read a commentary today on The Daily Voice, a blog edited by Keith Boykin, someone that I hold in very high regard. The commentary was written by Yvonne Davis the former head of African Americans for Bush. I started laughing as soon as I got to her first sentence.
She was asking the question of what black members of the party of Lincoln are supposed to do, now that Bush is leaving office and John McCain is not as welcoming as Dubya was. I don’t know....celebrate, maybe...break out the forties and glocks and shoot into the air?!
Davis continues with the question, what are the “black dots” at the GOP convention to do? Support Obama, now that it looks like McCain is not willing to buy black votes by appointing African Americans to powerless points within his administration, should it come to be. According to Davis, McCain’s campaign is going all out to win Hispanics while totally ignoring blacks, very unlike the Bush campaign led by Karl Rove and company. After all, Bush did put Condi at the State Department and attempted to use Colin Powell as a shield until he quit.
She speculates that black elephants will quietly defect to the democratic side or just stay home on election day.
I speculate that the sista is just looking for a job. She could give a damn about public service, which is what the government really is. Ms. Davis just wants to get paid.
The terms I used....black dots and black elephants...were her terms...not mine. I found her commentary highly offensive in referencing our people.
She needs to understand that the party of Lincoln may have called itself the Republican Party...but it has nothing except name in common with the GOP of today.
I haven’t read the book yet. But it supposedly takes dead aim at Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and Scooter Libby. He also allegedly takes some pot shots at Condi, too.
According to McClellan, if the hype is to be believed, Dubya’s boys lied about Iraq and tried to ignore Katrina, rather than deal with the problems head on. Anyone who’s been alive these past eight years already knows this. Tell us something we don’t know.
Why should Scott be surprised that Bush and company embraced propaganda and lies rather than the truth? This is after all the party that coined the phrase "welfare queen and gave us Willie Horton."
What I do know is that McClellan didn’t quit his post as minister of propaganda..he was pushed out. Guess that cushy pay check was too much to walk away from strictly on moral grounds.
-0-
Black Elephants
I read a commentary today on The Daily Voice, a blog edited by Keith Boykin, someone that I hold in very high regard. The commentary was written by Yvonne Davis the former head of African Americans for Bush. I started laughing as soon as I got to her first sentence.
She was asking the question of what black members of the party of Lincoln are supposed to do, now that Bush is leaving office and John McCain is not as welcoming as Dubya was. I don’t know....celebrate, maybe...break out the forties and glocks and shoot into the air?!
Davis continues with the question, what are the “black dots” at the GOP convention to do? Support Obama, now that it looks like McCain is not willing to buy black votes by appointing African Americans to powerless points within his administration, should it come to be. According to Davis, McCain’s campaign is going all out to win Hispanics while totally ignoring blacks, very unlike the Bush campaign led by Karl Rove and company. After all, Bush did put Condi at the State Department and attempted to use Colin Powell as a shield until he quit.
She speculates that black elephants will quietly defect to the democratic side or just stay home on election day.
I speculate that the sista is just looking for a job. She could give a damn about public service, which is what the government really is. Ms. Davis just wants to get paid.
The terms I used....black dots and black elephants...were her terms...not mine. I found her commentary highly offensive in referencing our people.
She needs to understand that the party of Lincoln may have called itself the Republican Party...but it has nothing except name in common with the GOP of today.
5.26.2008
Gender Based Politics
The other night, I listened to an interview of some woman who is apparently part of a new political group, made up of women who intend to vote for John McCain, if Hillary doesn’t get the nomination from the Democratic party.
She cited gender bias by Democrats, as well as male chauvinism, as her main reasons for going GOP. She included Obama in the good ole boys club because of some of his remarks, directed at Hillary. The fact that he is male doesn’t help matters either.
I have said repeatedly since this campaign season opened a thousand years ago, that I was initially a Hillary supporter. I am exhilarated by the idea of having a woman in the White House. Because God knows we can’t screw it up any worse then men have done for the past several hundred years.
However, I think a person with a different point of view, a different way of looking at things is what this country needs to get it back on track, because we are very much off track and out of sync with the rest of the universe. We need our karma back.
I said in earlier writings, unfortunately, I don’t think Hillary is the one. Her votes in congress for the past several years have been status quo.....nothing new earth shaking or direction changing. I would venture to say that if Obama were not in the race, the Democratic primaries would have mirrored in looks and sound, the GOP. We would be hard pressed to tell the difference and three million new voters would not have stepped forward to participate in the primaries.
No one talked about change until Obama did. No one excited young people until Obama. No one included Gay and Lesbians in the main stream conversation, until he did. I think the only reason that main stream gays, read that main stream white gays, support Hillary is because the boys can’t look past her Diva-ness. Obama said there should be an end to “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the military. If I recall correctly, “don’t ask, don’t tell,” was a Bill Clinton thing. Did Hillary speak out against that, during or after the White House? Is she talking about it now? Or is she still settling for cheap shots?
When was the last time you saw 73,000 people turn up for a rally for a presidential candidate? It happened this past Sunday, in Oregon, for Obama.
But back to these women who intend to vote for McCain if Hillary is denied the nomination. I want you to really understand where I’m coming from. At one point in 2000, I actually considered voting for John McCain because he seemed to be a new type of republican. Shortly after I made that decision, he started pandering to the extreme right wing of his party and echoing Dubya. Soured my stomach and drove me screaming back to the democrats. As bad as the democrats are, there is at least some hope within the party, that a person like me, female, black and lesbian, can count for something.
Voting for McCain is like cutting off your nose to spite your face, to use an old cliche. McCain’s votes in Congress are 100% anti female. If he should make it to the White House, he will probably appoint the next Supreme Court Justice who would probably then vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. And we could still use and amendment guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, since women still make 75-cents for every man made dollar. Won’t happen if McCain gets into office. This White House, this GOP and yes, John McCain have gone out of their way to deny women’s rights on every front, not just the absolute, inalienable right to choose.
Based on policy alone, I can’t understand how women could even consider voting GOP in November. Yeah, I wanted Hillary, too. I want a woman in the White House. But this is not the time. It is apparently Obama’s time. And I’m okay with that.
Obama is the not answer by any stretch of the imagination. He is only the beginning. Intelligent women can’t help but see that.
She cited gender bias by Democrats, as well as male chauvinism, as her main reasons for going GOP. She included Obama in the good ole boys club because of some of his remarks, directed at Hillary. The fact that he is male doesn’t help matters either.
I have said repeatedly since this campaign season opened a thousand years ago, that I was initially a Hillary supporter. I am exhilarated by the idea of having a woman in the White House. Because God knows we can’t screw it up any worse then men have done for the past several hundred years.
However, I think a person with a different point of view, a different way of looking at things is what this country needs to get it back on track, because we are very much off track and out of sync with the rest of the universe. We need our karma back.
I said in earlier writings, unfortunately, I don’t think Hillary is the one. Her votes in congress for the past several years have been status quo.....nothing new earth shaking or direction changing. I would venture to say that if Obama were not in the race, the Democratic primaries would have mirrored in looks and sound, the GOP. We would be hard pressed to tell the difference and three million new voters would not have stepped forward to participate in the primaries.
No one talked about change until Obama did. No one excited young people until Obama. No one included Gay and Lesbians in the main stream conversation, until he did. I think the only reason that main stream gays, read that main stream white gays, support Hillary is because the boys can’t look past her Diva-ness. Obama said there should be an end to “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the military. If I recall correctly, “don’t ask, don’t tell,” was a Bill Clinton thing. Did Hillary speak out against that, during or after the White House? Is she talking about it now? Or is she still settling for cheap shots?
When was the last time you saw 73,000 people turn up for a rally for a presidential candidate? It happened this past Sunday, in Oregon, for Obama.
But back to these women who intend to vote for McCain if Hillary is denied the nomination. I want you to really understand where I’m coming from. At one point in 2000, I actually considered voting for John McCain because he seemed to be a new type of republican. Shortly after I made that decision, he started pandering to the extreme right wing of his party and echoing Dubya. Soured my stomach and drove me screaming back to the democrats. As bad as the democrats are, there is at least some hope within the party, that a person like me, female, black and lesbian, can count for something.
Voting for McCain is like cutting off your nose to spite your face, to use an old cliche. McCain’s votes in Congress are 100% anti female. If he should make it to the White House, he will probably appoint the next Supreme Court Justice who would probably then vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. And we could still use and amendment guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, since women still make 75-cents for every man made dollar. Won’t happen if McCain gets into office. This White House, this GOP and yes, John McCain have gone out of their way to deny women’s rights on every front, not just the absolute, inalienable right to choose.
Based on policy alone, I can’t understand how women could even consider voting GOP in November. Yeah, I wanted Hillary, too. I want a woman in the White House. But this is not the time. It is apparently Obama’s time. And I’m okay with that.
Obama is the not answer by any stretch of the imagination. He is only the beginning. Intelligent women can’t help but see that.
5.11.2008
Straight Talk Expressed
Hillary’s latest argument for claiming the nomination for president is that white people, poor and blue collar white people, that is, simply won’t vote for a black man. The latest poll numbers seem to bear this out.
She is playing the race card in a last desperate act this late in the campaign season. But is she a racist for saying this? No, she is not. She is a realist. Probably more real than any other white person, alleged pundit or news person talking about this campaign.
I agree with her to a point....I am very pessimistic about how white people are going to vote in the general election in November. Saturday Night Live alluded to this in their opening skit last night. It was nervously funny...everyone laughed, but nervously, like what was said was hitting home.
But I think, unlike Mrs. Clinton, that Barack Obama has earned the chance to find out. He has run the better campaign. He has won the primaries, caucuses and hearts of the party faithful and those others who have turned out to vote in the run up to November.
His message is more positive. It is different from what has been seeping out of that cesspool called Washington, for the past eight years.
Hell, Obama’s message is even different from what the Clinton’s gave us during their eight year run. They made us feel good, but they didn’t fix anything and in some cases, they made it worse.
Personally, I think a different kind of president would send a message to congress that it is time to think about the American People, not just lining their individual pockets. I would love to just drop a bomb on Capital Hill and start from scratch.
Bush could not have accomplished any of his wrong/illegal policies and programs if congress had not caved in to him. Congress was set up to prevent any occurrence or possibility of an imperial presidency. This Congress has obviously chosen not to read or uphold the Constitution.
This congress has been nothing more than a rubber stamp for policy that has literally gutted America.
We are not as strong, we are not as well off or safe, we are not as rich, we are not as independent and we are not as respected as in the past.
I want us as a nation to start thinking about what is good for us, rather than what is good for the rest of the world.
We need to return jobs to America. Our greatest minds are finding their way to Singapore and China or other ports in Asia along with the blue collar jobs that are being outsourced so corporate America can have bigger profit margins. Our government is borrowing heavily from China and Japan to prop up the faltering American dollar.
Bush’s idea of an economic move was to beg...BEG Saudi Arabia to help us get more oil. Does that sound like the act of a true superpower to you?
And speaking of superpowers....hasn’t Russia reinvented itself? Or is everyone paying too much attention to the fiasco in Iraq to have noticed? I thought Condi was fluent in Russian as well as an expert in eastern block affairs.
We need to rebuild our infrastructure....make our public transportation systems better and user friendly as a means of weaning us off foreign oil.
We need to rebuild our public schools. Johnny can’t read, can’t write, doesn’t know history, science or mathematics.
We need to stop propping up countries who then turn around and bite us in the ass. Since World War I, losing to us was the best way to get your country rebuilt. Iraq is just the latest example of this.
More than a new president, we need a new direction. One where America works again for it’s people. America can no longer afford to be the playground for old assed neocons who are comfortable standing by while their corporate buddies rape and pillage this country.
The people who have so far voted for Obama realize this. I hope that those who have yet to cast a vote, will listen to the winds of change and take a stand, for what is still the greatest country on the face of this earth.
She is playing the race card in a last desperate act this late in the campaign season. But is she a racist for saying this? No, she is not. She is a realist. Probably more real than any other white person, alleged pundit or news person talking about this campaign.
I agree with her to a point....I am very pessimistic about how white people are going to vote in the general election in November. Saturday Night Live alluded to this in their opening skit last night. It was nervously funny...everyone laughed, but nervously, like what was said was hitting home.
But I think, unlike Mrs. Clinton, that Barack Obama has earned the chance to find out. He has run the better campaign. He has won the primaries, caucuses and hearts of the party faithful and those others who have turned out to vote in the run up to November.
His message is more positive. It is different from what has been seeping out of that cesspool called Washington, for the past eight years.
Hell, Obama’s message is even different from what the Clinton’s gave us during their eight year run. They made us feel good, but they didn’t fix anything and in some cases, they made it worse.
Personally, I think a different kind of president would send a message to congress that it is time to think about the American People, not just lining their individual pockets. I would love to just drop a bomb on Capital Hill and start from scratch.
Bush could not have accomplished any of his wrong/illegal policies and programs if congress had not caved in to him. Congress was set up to prevent any occurrence or possibility of an imperial presidency. This Congress has obviously chosen not to read or uphold the Constitution.
This congress has been nothing more than a rubber stamp for policy that has literally gutted America.
We are not as strong, we are not as well off or safe, we are not as rich, we are not as independent and we are not as respected as in the past.
I want us as a nation to start thinking about what is good for us, rather than what is good for the rest of the world.
We need to return jobs to America. Our greatest minds are finding their way to Singapore and China or other ports in Asia along with the blue collar jobs that are being outsourced so corporate America can have bigger profit margins. Our government is borrowing heavily from China and Japan to prop up the faltering American dollar.
Bush’s idea of an economic move was to beg...BEG Saudi Arabia to help us get more oil. Does that sound like the act of a true superpower to you?
And speaking of superpowers....hasn’t Russia reinvented itself? Or is everyone paying too much attention to the fiasco in Iraq to have noticed? I thought Condi was fluent in Russian as well as an expert in eastern block affairs.
We need to rebuild our infrastructure....make our public transportation systems better and user friendly as a means of weaning us off foreign oil.
We need to rebuild our public schools. Johnny can’t read, can’t write, doesn’t know history, science or mathematics.
We need to stop propping up countries who then turn around and bite us in the ass. Since World War I, losing to us was the best way to get your country rebuilt. Iraq is just the latest example of this.
More than a new president, we need a new direction. One where America works again for it’s people. America can no longer afford to be the playground for old assed neocons who are comfortable standing by while their corporate buddies rape and pillage this country.
The people who have so far voted for Obama realize this. I hope that those who have yet to cast a vote, will listen to the winds of change and take a stand, for what is still the greatest country on the face of this earth.
4.28.2008
Jeremiah
I’ve been trying to tune out the rhetoric of this never ending campaign. I’ve made up my mind and am ready to cast my vote and get on with my life. When last I checked in, Hillary was, and continues to sound desperate. Barack seems to be bending whichever way the political wind blows. He must try and please everybody in order to get elected. And as we all know, you just can’t please everybody.
The campaign has gotten ugly, very ugly, and my feeling is that it will only get worse.
This current trend toward debaseness(is that a word?), has revealed how utterly power hungry are the Clintons. They seem willing to try anything to bring down Obama and regain the White House.
And then there is the Reverend Jeremiah Wright...
I’ve heard the sound bites...for those of you who don’t know...a sound bite is a piece of something...usually 15-30 seconds long....used on news shows to tell the viewer a little about the person involved in the story being presented. Sound bites were typically used to add life to a story....to cut down on what is called the “talking head” syndrome....meaning someone is sitting there, or standing there, reading at you...
Sound bites can be good when used correctly. However, they can also be used to paint slander or libel the person portrayed...When I worked as a news reporter, we were very, very careful about what we used and how we used it.
As I said, I’ve heard the sound bites pulled from the sermons of the Jeremiah Wright, and being a former investigative reporter, I went back and found the whole sermon, or sermons....After listening to the entire speech...heck...after listening to just the paragraph from which the sound bite was taken...The American News media owes Reverend Wright an apology, period.
I will even go so far as to say that Obama needs to apologize, too. I realize he was covering his ass and while he did distance himself from Wright, he did not sever his friendship. But he did play the game and continues to call Rev. Wright’s speeches unwholesome and un-American. Obama should apologize.
It’s been said that Oprah stopped going to Rev. Wright’s church because she felt uncomfortable with his teachings. I don’t know if this is true. But I will say that if Oprah is uncomfortable with what he said, then maybe she needs to look at why she is uncomfortable. Is money more important than the truth? I’m just asking.
Because after listening to ALL of the sermons of the Righteous Reverend Jeremiah Wright, I have to say...He didn’t lie. He spoke truth and as we all know...
America cannot handle the truth when it comes to itself and it’s actions against non white, non protestant peoples.
If you don’t like this statement, then go back and read our white washed history...from the time of Native Americans to present day Iraq, Palestine, Africa.
Compare it to how we, as a country behaved against Panama, Granada, Haiti, Cuba.
Why do we as a country value, save and listen to ex patriot Cubans while watching Haitian boat people drown by double digits attempting to reach alleged freedom here in this country?
This is what Rev. Wright, the former Marine talks about in his sermons. Then he segues into the need for black on black self help. He echoes Bill Cosby and a few others. Maybe he is not as tactful as the others. He was, after all talking within the tribe, not mindful of outside ears, but sometimes the truth hurts, no matter how you say it.
Understand, Obama is about to have the house dropped on him, not the kitchen sink and the charge is apparently being led by the Clintons....He, who is hungry for his return to the ultimate history making spotlight....She...because for the first time a woman really can become the ultimate CEO.....
But the White House was not set up for a two headed monarchy. It was set up for one person with a little help from his friends.
King George is on the way out for the second time...We don’t need a two headed replacement, or a near senile court jester who doesn’t understand the economy, anything else beyond threats and retaliation for those who disagree with us.
The campaign has gotten ugly, very ugly, and my feeling is that it will only get worse.
This current trend toward debaseness(is that a word?), has revealed how utterly power hungry are the Clintons. They seem willing to try anything to bring down Obama and regain the White House.
And then there is the Reverend Jeremiah Wright...
I’ve heard the sound bites...for those of you who don’t know...a sound bite is a piece of something...usually 15-30 seconds long....used on news shows to tell the viewer a little about the person involved in the story being presented. Sound bites were typically used to add life to a story....to cut down on what is called the “talking head” syndrome....meaning someone is sitting there, or standing there, reading at you...
Sound bites can be good when used correctly. However, they can also be used to paint slander or libel the person portrayed...When I worked as a news reporter, we were very, very careful about what we used and how we used it.
As I said, I’ve heard the sound bites pulled from the sermons of the Jeremiah Wright, and being a former investigative reporter, I went back and found the whole sermon, or sermons....After listening to the entire speech...heck...after listening to just the paragraph from which the sound bite was taken...The American News media owes Reverend Wright an apology, period.
I will even go so far as to say that Obama needs to apologize, too. I realize he was covering his ass and while he did distance himself from Wright, he did not sever his friendship. But he did play the game and continues to call Rev. Wright’s speeches unwholesome and un-American. Obama should apologize.
It’s been said that Oprah stopped going to Rev. Wright’s church because she felt uncomfortable with his teachings. I don’t know if this is true. But I will say that if Oprah is uncomfortable with what he said, then maybe she needs to look at why she is uncomfortable. Is money more important than the truth? I’m just asking.
Because after listening to ALL of the sermons of the Righteous Reverend Jeremiah Wright, I have to say...He didn’t lie. He spoke truth and as we all know...
America cannot handle the truth when it comes to itself and it’s actions against non white, non protestant peoples.
If you don’t like this statement, then go back and read our white washed history...from the time of Native Americans to present day Iraq, Palestine, Africa.
Compare it to how we, as a country behaved against Panama, Granada, Haiti, Cuba.
Why do we as a country value, save and listen to ex patriot Cubans while watching Haitian boat people drown by double digits attempting to reach alleged freedom here in this country?
This is what Rev. Wright, the former Marine talks about in his sermons. Then he segues into the need for black on black self help. He echoes Bill Cosby and a few others. Maybe he is not as tactful as the others. He was, after all talking within the tribe, not mindful of outside ears, but sometimes the truth hurts, no matter how you say it.
Understand, Obama is about to have the house dropped on him, not the kitchen sink and the charge is apparently being led by the Clintons....He, who is hungry for his return to the ultimate history making spotlight....She...because for the first time a woman really can become the ultimate CEO.....
But the White House was not set up for a two headed monarchy. It was set up for one person with a little help from his friends.
King George is on the way out for the second time...We don’t need a two headed replacement, or a near senile court jester who doesn’t understand the economy, anything else beyond threats and retaliation for those who disagree with us.
4.13.2008
Elitist..........bull!
Elitist?!
How the hell can a dyed blonde, rich white former first lady of the United States of America, twist her mouth up to call a self made black man, wannabe presidential candidate, an elitist?
That just does not compute in any form or fashion. It's like white people accusing blacks of being racist....We didn't create the game....But they get mad at us when we play it...especially when we play it better than they do....
This is Hillary's way of saying Obama is simply not black enough.
Give me a break, please.....
How the hell can a dyed blonde, rich white former first lady of the United States of America, twist her mouth up to call a self made black man, wannabe presidential candidate, an elitist?
That just does not compute in any form or fashion. It's like white people accusing blacks of being racist....We didn't create the game....But they get mad at us when we play it...especially when we play it better than they do....
This is Hillary's way of saying Obama is simply not black enough.
Give me a break, please.....
4.07.2008
Monday Moments....
There are some movies that play on television that I never miss, no matter what. I can recite the lines of these movies, word for word in my sleep. Charlton Heston figures in two of these movies, Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments. I watch them religiously and have for as long as I’ve had a TV set. Heston also starred in two other movies that I watch over and over.....Planet of the Apes and The Omega Man. I read the Pierre Boule book before the movie came out. The Omega Man captured my attention because it also starred the late great Rosalind Cash. Besides being a Sci Fi movie it was also an interracial love story between Rosalind and Charlton. But I didn’t know there was a love scene in it until I rented the movie and watched it unedited. TV versions apparently felt that black-white love was too much for G rated TV at the time. The Omega Man was recently released as I Am Legend starring Will Smith, without the interracial love story.
More than his acting career, Heston was known as the president of the NRA. I don’t know if anyone was ever able to pry his gun from his “cold dead hands” but he stood up for what he believed and I don’t fault him for that. For those of us who can remember, Heston also stood behind Dr. Martin Luther King during the March on Washington in 1963. He was a complex man. Not just an actor. He seemed to actually be the man he played on film...honest, forthright and honorable.
Rest in Peace, Mr Heston...
**********
Chocolate-wrapped GOP
I don’t care how you dress it up... a pig is still a pig....putting Condoleeza on the GOP presidential ticket as VP to McCain won’t make any difference. And it’s an insult to think that it will sway black people simply because of the woman’s skin color. She is still part of a failed administration that doesn’t give a damn about blacks or poor whites.
She was part of the lie that put us in Iraq. She has been all but invisible in trying to deal with that situation. Dubya has her riding herd on Palestine, no less.
The sooner we get done with anything Bush, the better off we will be, chocolate wrapped or not.
More than his acting career, Heston was known as the president of the NRA. I don’t know if anyone was ever able to pry his gun from his “cold dead hands” but he stood up for what he believed and I don’t fault him for that. For those of us who can remember, Heston also stood behind Dr. Martin Luther King during the March on Washington in 1963. He was a complex man. Not just an actor. He seemed to actually be the man he played on film...honest, forthright and honorable.
Rest in Peace, Mr Heston...
**********
Chocolate-wrapped GOP
I don’t care how you dress it up... a pig is still a pig....putting Condoleeza on the GOP presidential ticket as VP to McCain won’t make any difference. And it’s an insult to think that it will sway black people simply because of the woman’s skin color. She is still part of a failed administration that doesn’t give a damn about blacks or poor whites.
She was part of the lie that put us in Iraq. She has been all but invisible in trying to deal with that situation. Dubya has her riding herd on Palestine, no less.
The sooner we get done with anything Bush, the better off we will be, chocolate wrapped or not.
3.30.2008
Real Change....How About.....
All this hollering about whether or not Hillary should quit the race is just plain ludicrous. If the race were currently between two white guys instead of a black guy and a woman, nobody would be demanding that anyone drop out in favor of the other. It would be a duel to the death or at least until the final vote at the convention. Any man who would give in prior to the final outcome, would be termed a "quitter," or a coward with no stomach for battle, deemed totally unfit to be commander in chief of the United States of America.
The premature calls for surrender are just more examples of the chauvinism, and the mysogynistic tendencies directed at the Clinton. Afterall, she's a woman, she can't handle this battle. She's not fit to be general, so the thinking goes.
I hope she ignores them. It shows her gumption and determination.
Although, I feel that some folks will also use this extended competition as another excuse to justify their vote for McCain or to fuel their calls for Al Gore to jump into the fray.
Despite his oscar, Gore is still very establishment...the very thing that everyone says they're tired of...
If we want real change..if everyone is already tired of Hillary or Barack, then maybe we need to resurrect Dennis Kucinich...
The premature calls for surrender are just more examples of the chauvinism, and the mysogynistic tendencies directed at the Clinton. Afterall, she's a woman, she can't handle this battle. She's not fit to be general, so the thinking goes.
I hope she ignores them. It shows her gumption and determination.
Although, I feel that some folks will also use this extended competition as another excuse to justify their vote for McCain or to fuel their calls for Al Gore to jump into the fray.
Despite his oscar, Gore is still very establishment...the very thing that everyone says they're tired of...
If we want real change..if everyone is already tired of Hillary or Barack, then maybe we need to resurrect Dennis Kucinich...
3.17.2008
Redux...More Peripheral B. S.
Been listening to all the stuff about Obama's preacher and how Barack should disavow his pastor for all of the so called racist/separatist things he allegedly has been saying.
Well, I think Barack should do that when Dubya and the rest of em disavow, Pat Robertson, and all the rest of the pseudo christians who keep appearing on FOX news.
It's all just more of the same, we have to be twice as good, twice as squeeky clean, twice as pius, twice as everything in order to be seen as good enough by white folks.
It seems as though they want us to forget that it was just yesterday that some of us had to step off the side walk to let a white man pass, or be lynched for being in the wrong neighborhood after dark.
I'm all for putting the past behind us. We will never move forward as a people until that racist stuff of the past is put in the past. But I take issue when it's not really a case of forgive me and let's all of us do better, but more a situation of don't upset the white folks cause they are feeling good about themselves and their support for the black guy.
White folks, like it or not, still need to apologize, no reparations needed...just say I'm sorry...I can forgive you, but the knowledge of the past will follow me to my grave.
Just because you support Obama doesn't make you any less of a racist, necessarily. It is the beginning of change, not the place where we will ultimately end up.
Obama is the man because he is willing to go against the status quo. We should follow him for that reason alone. Again, if you check out his record, you will see that he does indeed walk the walk.
His campaign shows that he is a major strategist, and is simply beating Hillary at her own game.
The more I see Hil-Billery on the campaign trail the more uncomfortable I get about her leading this country. I really don't think she can control her hubby.
I let it pass about Barack becoming her vice president...but actually...that was an insult...flat out...
Well, I think Barack should do that when Dubya and the rest of em disavow, Pat Robertson, and all the rest of the pseudo christians who keep appearing on FOX news.
It's all just more of the same, we have to be twice as good, twice as squeeky clean, twice as pius, twice as everything in order to be seen as good enough by white folks.
It seems as though they want us to forget that it was just yesterday that some of us had to step off the side walk to let a white man pass, or be lynched for being in the wrong neighborhood after dark.
I'm all for putting the past behind us. We will never move forward as a people until that racist stuff of the past is put in the past. But I take issue when it's not really a case of forgive me and let's all of us do better, but more a situation of don't upset the white folks cause they are feeling good about themselves and their support for the black guy.
White folks, like it or not, still need to apologize, no reparations needed...just say I'm sorry...I can forgive you, but the knowledge of the past will follow me to my grave.
Just because you support Obama doesn't make you any less of a racist, necessarily. It is the beginning of change, not the place where we will ultimately end up.
Obama is the man because he is willing to go against the status quo. We should follow him for that reason alone. Again, if you check out his record, you will see that he does indeed walk the walk.
His campaign shows that he is a major strategist, and is simply beating Hillary at her own game.
The more I see Hil-Billery on the campaign trail the more uncomfortable I get about her leading this country. I really don't think she can control her hubby.
I let it pass about Barack becoming her vice president...but actually...that was an insult...flat out...
3.05.2008
No Pain, No Gain
Hillary takes three out of four and she still can't win. She realizes it too. Today for the first time I heard her imply that she might be willing to be vice president to Barack's president.
I still think the nomination is his, but it seems the democratic powers that be are still scheming against him and trying to make our girl number one.
My own personal opinion is that Barack will have a better chance against McCain than Hillary.
McCain is making ready to place put us in World War III. He hasn't learned yet that guns don't solve anything.
Oh well, on to Pennsylvania.
I still think the nomination is his, but it seems the democratic powers that be are still scheming against him and trying to make our girl number one.
My own personal opinion is that Barack will have a better chance against McCain than Hillary.
McCain is making ready to place put us in World War III. He hasn't learned yet that guns don't solve anything.
Oh well, on to Pennsylvania.
2.25.2008
Peripheral B***S***, and Other Monday Morning Crap
Hillary....first rule of thumb in any competition....don’t let your opponent see you sweat...you’re sounding pretty shrill, girl....you’re sounding like someone who’s losing..now take a deep breath....and let’s get back to the issues..
**
B.O. haters please...get a life....who gives damn if Obama doesn’t place his hand over his heart during the Star Spangled Banner....In my life time we were taught to put palm over chest for the pledge of allegiance and to stand at attention for the national anthem...saluting was for the armed forces, period....I don’t recall Obama being former military...do you?
And I am so sick of white people trying to tell black people how to feel about being an American. We’ve spent most of our lives fighting second class citizenship, racism, segregation, sexism...yet despite the constant and consistent slap downs that come at us no matter what we achieve...you want us to hide our feelings and always play the happy Negro in public so you can feel good about yourselves and say ....”wow, we’re really making progress, aren’t we!” ....And in case you decide to take issue with my making this a race issue....I don’t see or hear black folks taking issue with Michelle Obama’s comments...Even black republican puppets are staying away from this one...ya’ll need to check yourselves...
And let’s be honest....all of you engaged in this extraneous crap know you never intended to vote for him anyway.....you don’t need excuses.....just stand up and say it...Despite all the work of the Bush/Cheney cabal...this really is America....you do have the right to disagree...
**
Ralph...I’m okay with you running for president...you can run as many times as you want..you are after all, an American...But if you really, really cared about America...more than you care about Ralph Nader...then maybe you’d forego this latest foray into politics and work from the background....In your interview today you came off more decrepit than McCain...Why not tuck your ego and allow the kids to do it...Be Gandolf...Let Obama be Aragorn...
**
Johnny Mc....doesn’t matter who you select as VP....you’re in trouble..the NYT story was not only about women, it was about your ethics and apparent connections to big business type bad guys....or have you forgotten Charlie and the savings and loan debacle...smells like a problem..
**
Huckleberry...you still in the race? Hmmmmmmmmm...
**
Condi sighting...she’s in South Korea for the inauguration of the new president...guess she had to choose between South Korea and Cuba which installed baby brother Raul in the top spot...Fidel is not dead, he’s just moved over into a consulting spot....The best way to kill that dictatorship is to lift the embargo...
**
One last thought....the secret concentration/detainment camps are still being built, thanks to the workings of the Bush/Cheney cabal and their minions in congress....KBR is busily at work building places to house those of us who speak too loudly...It’s all a part of home land security, even animal rights activists have been relabeled as domestic terrorists.....code named ENDGAME....came about in 1999... two laws passed quietly....check it out...
**
B.O. haters please...get a life....who gives damn if Obama doesn’t place his hand over his heart during the Star Spangled Banner....In my life time we were taught to put palm over chest for the pledge of allegiance and to stand at attention for the national anthem...saluting was for the armed forces, period....I don’t recall Obama being former military...do you?
And I am so sick of white people trying to tell black people how to feel about being an American. We’ve spent most of our lives fighting second class citizenship, racism, segregation, sexism...yet despite the constant and consistent slap downs that come at us no matter what we achieve...you want us to hide our feelings and always play the happy Negro in public so you can feel good about yourselves and say ....”wow, we’re really making progress, aren’t we!” ....And in case you decide to take issue with my making this a race issue....I don’t see or hear black folks taking issue with Michelle Obama’s comments...Even black republican puppets are staying away from this one...ya’ll need to check yourselves...
And let’s be honest....all of you engaged in this extraneous crap know you never intended to vote for him anyway.....you don’t need excuses.....just stand up and say it...Despite all the work of the Bush/Cheney cabal...this really is America....you do have the right to disagree...
**
Ralph...I’m okay with you running for president...you can run as many times as you want..you are after all, an American...But if you really, really cared about America...more than you care about Ralph Nader...then maybe you’d forego this latest foray into politics and work from the background....In your interview today you came off more decrepit than McCain...Why not tuck your ego and allow the kids to do it...Be Gandolf...Let Obama be Aragorn...
**
Johnny Mc....doesn’t matter who you select as VP....you’re in trouble..the NYT story was not only about women, it was about your ethics and apparent connections to big business type bad guys....or have you forgotten Charlie and the savings and loan debacle...smells like a problem..
**
Huckleberry...you still in the race? Hmmmmmmmmm...
**
Condi sighting...she’s in South Korea for the inauguration of the new president...guess she had to choose between South Korea and Cuba which installed baby brother Raul in the top spot...Fidel is not dead, he’s just moved over into a consulting spot....The best way to kill that dictatorship is to lift the embargo...
**
One last thought....the secret concentration/detainment camps are still being built, thanks to the workings of the Bush/Cheney cabal and their minions in congress....KBR is busily at work building places to house those of us who speak too loudly...It’s all a part of home land security, even animal rights activists have been relabeled as domestic terrorists.....code named ENDGAME....came about in 1999... two laws passed quietly....check it out...
2.22.2008
Working Man- Obama Bills and Resolutions
As listed in the Library of Congress Record (first page).....
1. S.CON.RES.5 : A concurrent resolution honoring the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry and the first and only African-American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/31/2007) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 1/31/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2. S.CON.RES.25 : A concurrent resolution condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/29/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 6/26/2007 Held at the desk.
3. S.CON.RES.44 : A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued honoring Rosa Louise McCauley Parks.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/12/2007) Cosponsors (22)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/19/2007 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
4. S.CON.RES.46 : A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/17/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 9/17/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
5. S.RES.133 : A resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/28/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
6. S.RES.268 : A resolution designating July 12, 2007, as "National Summer Learning Day".
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 7/13/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
7. S.RES.383 : A resolution honoring and recognizing the achievements of Carl Stokes, the first African-American mayor of a major American city, in the 40th year since his election as Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/15/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/15/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
8. S.J.RES.23 : A joint resolution clarifying that the use of force against Iran is not authorized by the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq, any resolution previously adopted, or any other provision of law.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/1/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 11/1/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
9. S.114 : A bill to authorize resources for a grant program for local educational agencies to create innovation districts.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
10. S.115 : A bill to suspend royalty relief, to repeal certain provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal certain tax incentives for the oil and gas industry.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
11. S.116 : A bill to authorize resources to provide students with opportunities for summer learning through summer learning grants.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
12. S.117 : A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (15)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
13. S.133 : A bill to promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
14. S.433 : A bill to state United States policy for Iraq, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/30/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
15. S.453 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/31/2007) Cosponsors (20)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Senate Reports: 110-191
Latest Major Action: 10/4/2007 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 411.
16. S.674 : A bill to require accountability and enhanced congressional oversight for personnel performing private security functions under Federal contracts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/16/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/16/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
17. S.692 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/27/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/27/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
18. S.713 : A bill to ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering from injuries.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/28/2007) Cosponsors (34)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/28/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
19. S.737 : A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 in order to measure, compare, and improve the quality of voter access to polls and voter services in the administration of Federal elections in the States.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/1/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 3/1/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
20. S.767 : A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/6/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
21. S.768 : A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/6/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
22. S.795 : A bill to assist aliens who have been lawfully admitted in becoming citizens of the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/7/2007) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/7/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
23. S.823 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to facilitating the development of microbicides for preventing transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/8/2007) Cosponsors (18)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/8/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
24. S.906 : A bill to prohibit the sale, distribution, transfer, and export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/15/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 3/15/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
25. S.976 : A bill to secure the promise of personalized medicine for all Americans by expanding and accelerating genomics research and initiatives to improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis, increase the safety of drugs, and identify novel treatments.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/23/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/23/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
26. S.1067 : A bill to require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/29/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
27. S.1068 : A bill to promote healthy communities.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/29/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
28. S.1084 : A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/10/2007) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
29. S.1151 : A bill to provide incentives to the auto industry to accelerate efforts to develop more energy-efficient vehicles to lessen dependence on oil.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/18/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 4/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
30. S.1181 : A bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide shareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/20/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
31. S.1222 : A bill to stop mortgage transactions which operate to promote fraud, risk, abuse, and under-development, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/25/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
32. S.1271 : A bill to provide for a comprehensive national research effort on the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and their families.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/2/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/2/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
33. S.1306 : A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify certain children's products containing lead to be banned hazardous substances.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/3/2007) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 5/3/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
34. S.1324 : A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuel sold in the United States.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/7/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
35. S.1389 : A bill to authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a Climate Change Education Program.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/14/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
36. S.1430 : A bill to authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/17/2007) Cosponsors (26)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/17/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
37. S.1513 : A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grant programs to enhance the access of low-income African-American students to higher education.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/24/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 5/24/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
38. S.1574 : A bill to establish Teaching Residency Programs for preparation and induction of teachers.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/7/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 6/7/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
39. S.1713 : A bill to provide for the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Rosa Parks.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/27/2007) Cosponsors (27)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/13/2007 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
40. S.1790 : A bill to make grants to carry out activities to prevent the incidence of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among teens in racial or ethnic minority or immigrant communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/16/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 7/16/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
41. S.1811 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to assess and reduce the levels of lead found in child-occupied facilities in the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/18/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
42. S.1817 : A bill to ensure proper administration of the discharge of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/19/2007) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
43. S.1818 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to phase out the use of mercury in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/19/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
44. S.1824 : A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative under the Medicare program to assess and report on health care quality in hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/19/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
45. S.1873 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish demonstration programs on regionalized systems for emergency care, to support emergency medicine research, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
46. S.1885 : A bill to provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/26/2007) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 7/26/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
47. S.1977 : A bill to provide for sustained United States leadership in a cooperative global effort to prevent nuclear terrorism, reduce global nuclear arsenals, stop the spread of nuclear weapons and related material and technology, and support the responsible and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 8/2/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
48. S.1989 : A bill to provide a mechanism for the determination on the merits of the claims of claimants who met the class criteria in a civil action relating to racial discrimination by the Department of Agriculture but who were denied that determination.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 8/3/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 8/3/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
49. S.2030 : A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require reporting relating to bundled contributions made by persons other than registered lobbyists.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/6/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 9/6/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
50. S.2044 : A bill to provide procedures for the proper classification of employees and independent contractors, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/12/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 9/12/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
51. S.2066 : A bill to establish nutrition and physical education standards for schools.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/18/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Latest Major Action: 9/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
52. S.2111 : A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools to increase implementation of early intervention services, particularly school-wide positive behavior supports.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/27/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 9/27/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
53. S.2132 : A bill to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of children's products that contain lead, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/3/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 10/3/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
54. S.2147 : A bill to require accountability for contractors and contract personnel under Federal contracts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/4/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 10/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
55. S.2202 : A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to increase the renewable content of gasoline, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/18/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 10/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
56. S.2224 : A bill to require a licensee to notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the State and county in which a facility is located, whenever there is an unplanned release of radioactive substances.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/24/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 10/24/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
57. S.2227 : A bill to provide grants to States to ensure that all students in the middle grades are taught an academically rigorous curriculum with effective supports so that students complete the middle grades prepared for success in high school and postsecondary endeavors, to improve State and district policies and programs relating to the academic achievement of students in the middle grades, to develop and implement effective middle school models for struggling students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/24/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 10/24/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
58. S.2330 : A bill to authorize a pilot program within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development with the goal of preventing at-risk veterans and veteran families from falling into homelessness, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/8/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
59. S.2347 : A bill to restore and protect access to discount drug prices for university-based and safety-net clinics.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/13/2007) Cosponsors (31)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 11/13/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
60. S.2392 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain a public website through which individuals may find a complete database of available scholarships, fellowships, and other programs of financial assistance in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/16/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 11/16/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
61. S.2428 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain a public website through which individuals may find a complete database of available scholarships, fellowships, and other programs of financial assistance in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/6/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 12/6/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
62. S.2433 : A bill to require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/7/2007) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 2/13/2008 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
63. S.2519 : A bill to prohibit the awarding of a contract or grant in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has no seriously delinquent tax debts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/19/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 12/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
64. S.AMDT.41 to S.1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/11/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 1/18/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 41 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
65. S.AMDT.55 to S.1 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/12/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 1/12/2007 Senate amendment submitted
66. S.AMDT.58 to S.1 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/12/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 1/12/2007 Senate amendment submitted
67. S.AMDT.188 to H.R.2 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/24/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2007 Senate amendment submitted
68. S.AMDT.338 to S.4 To require consideration of high-risk qualifying criteria in allocating funds under the State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/5/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2007 Motion to table amendment SA 338 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 58 - 41. Record Vote Number: 62.
69. S.AMDT.524 to S.CON.RES.21 To provide $100 million for the Summer Term Education Program supporting summer learning opportunities for low-income students in the early grades to lessen summer learning losses that contribute to the achievement gaps separating low-income students from their middle-class peers.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/21/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 524 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
70. S.AMDT.586 to S.CON.RES.21 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/22/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Latest Major Action: 3/22/2007 Senate amendment submitted
71. S.AMDT.599 to S.CON.RES.21 To add $200 million for Function 270 (Energy) for the demonstration and monitoring of carbon capture and sequestration technology by the Department of Energy.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/22/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Latest Major Action: 3/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 599 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
72. S.AMDT.664 to H.R.1591 To appropriate an additional $58,000,000 for Defense Health Program for additional mental health and related personnel, an additional $10,000,000 for operation and maintenance for each of the military departments for improved physical disability evaluations of members of the Armed Forces, and an additional $15,000,000 for Defense Health Program for women's mental health services.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/27/2007) Cosponsors (12)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Proposed amendment SA 664 withdrawn in Senate.
73. S.AMDT.684 to H.R.1591 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/27/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Latest Major Action: 3/27/2007 Senate amendment submitted
74. S.AMDT.809 to H.R.1591 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/28/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2007 Senate amendment submitted
75. S.AMDT.810 to H.R.1591 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/28/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2007 Senate amendment submitted
76. S.AMDT.905 to S.761 To require the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education to establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/23/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 905 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
77. S.AMDT.907 to S.761 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/23/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2007 Senate amendment submitted
78. S.AMDT.923 to S.761 To expand the pipeline of individuals entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to support United States innovation and competitiveness.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/24/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 923 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
79. S.AMDT.924 to S.761 To establish summer term education programs.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/24/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 924 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
80. S.AMDT.1041 to S.1082 To improve the safety and efficacy of genetic tests.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/3/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1041 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
81. S.AMDT.1045 to S.1082 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/7/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2007 Senate amendment submitted
82. S.AMDT.1130 to H.R.1495 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/15/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2007 Senate amendment submitted
83. S.AMDT.1185 to S.1348 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/23/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/23/2007 Senate amendment submitted
84. S.AMDT.1202 to S.1348 To provide a date on which the authority of the section relating to the increasing of American competitiveness through a merit-based evaluation system for immigrants shall be terminated.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/24/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 6/6/2007 Senate amendment not agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1202 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 42 - 55. Record Vote Number: 200.
85. S.AMDT.1243 to S.1348 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/24/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 5/24/2007 Senate amendment submitted
86. S.AMDT.1444 to S.1348 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/6/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 6/6/2007 Senate amendment submitted
87. S.AMDT.1558 to H.R.6 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/13/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/13/2007 Senate amendment submitted
88. S.AMDT.1579 to H.R.6 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/14/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2007 Senate amendment submitted
89. S.AMDT.1735 to H.R.6 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/20/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/20/2007 Senate amendment submitted
90. S.AMDT.1840 to H.R.6 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/21/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/21/2007 Senate amendment submitted
91. S.AMDT.2084 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
92. S.AMDT.2085 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
93. S.AMDT.2086 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (12)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
94. S.AMDT.2104 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
95. S.AMDT.2106 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
96. S.AMDT.2149 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/12/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/12/2007 Senate amendment submitted
97. S.AMDT.2464 to H.R.2638 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2007 Senate amendment submitted
98. S.AMDT.2473 to H.R.2638 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2007 Senate amendment submitted
99. S.AMDT.2519 to H.R.2638 To provide that one of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5 million or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee owes no past due Federal tax liability.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/26/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 7/26/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2519 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
100. S.AMDT.2588 to H.R.976 To provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/31/2007) Cosponsors (8)
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2588 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
1. S.CON.RES.5 : A concurrent resolution honoring the life of Percy Lavon Julian, a pioneer in the field of organic chemistry and the first and only African-American chemist to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/31/2007) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 1/31/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2. S.CON.RES.25 : A concurrent resolution condemning the recent violent actions of the Government of Zimbabwe against peaceful opposition party activists and members of civil society.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/29/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 6/26/2007 Held at the desk.
3. S.CON.RES.44 : A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued honoring Rosa Louise McCauley Parks.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/12/2007) Cosponsors (22)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/19/2007 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
4. S.CON.RES.46 : A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/17/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 9/17/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
5. S.RES.133 : A resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/28/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
6. S.RES.268 : A resolution designating July 12, 2007, as "National Summer Learning Day".
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 7/13/2007 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
7. S.RES.383 : A resolution honoring and recognizing the achievements of Carl Stokes, the first African-American mayor of a major American city, in the 40th year since his election as Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/15/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 11/15/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
8. S.J.RES.23 : A joint resolution clarifying that the use of force against Iran is not authorized by the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq, any resolution previously adopted, or any other provision of law.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/1/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 11/1/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
9. S.114 : A bill to authorize resources for a grant program for local educational agencies to create innovation districts.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
10. S.115 : A bill to suspend royalty relief, to repeal certain provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal certain tax incentives for the oil and gas industry.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
11. S.116 : A bill to authorize resources to provide students with opportunities for summer learning through summer learning grants.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
12. S.117 : A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for members of the Armed Forces, veterans of the Global War on Terrorism, and other veterans, to require reports on the effects of the Global War on Terrorism, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (15)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
13. S.133 : A bill to promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
14. S.433 : A bill to state United States policy for Iraq, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/30/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
15. S.453 : A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/31/2007) Cosponsors (20)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Senate Reports: 110-191
Latest Major Action: 10/4/2007 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 411.
16. S.674 : A bill to require accountability and enhanced congressional oversight for personnel performing private security functions under Federal contracts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/16/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/16/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
17. S.692 : A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/27/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans' Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/27/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
18. S.713 : A bill to ensure dignity in care for members of the Armed Forces recovering from injuries.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 2/28/2007) Cosponsors (34)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 2/28/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
19. S.737 : A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 in order to measure, compare, and improve the quality of voter access to polls and voter services in the administration of Federal elections in the States.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/1/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 3/1/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
20. S.767 : A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/6/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
21. S.768 : A bill to increase fuel economy standards for automobiles and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/6/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
22. S.795 : A bill to assist aliens who have been lawfully admitted in becoming citizens of the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/7/2007) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 3/7/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
23. S.823 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to facilitating the development of microbicides for preventing transmission of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/8/2007) Cosponsors (18)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/8/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
24. S.906 : A bill to prohibit the sale, distribution, transfer, and export of elemental mercury, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/15/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 3/15/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
25. S.976 : A bill to secure the promise of personalized medicine for all Americans by expanding and accelerating genomics research and initiatives to improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis, increase the safety of drugs, and identify novel treatments.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/23/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/23/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
26. S.1067 : A bill to require Federal agencies to support health impact assessments and take other actions to improve health and the environmental quality of communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/29/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
27. S.1068 : A bill to promote healthy communities.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/29/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
28. S.1084 : A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/10/2007) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
29. S.1151 : A bill to provide incentives to the auto industry to accelerate efforts to develop more energy-efficient vehicles to lessen dependence on oil.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/18/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 4/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
30. S.1181 : A bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide shareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/20/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
31. S.1222 : A bill to stop mortgage transactions which operate to promote fraud, risk, abuse, and under-development, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/25/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
32. S.1271 : A bill to provide for a comprehensive national research effort on the physical and mental health and other readjustment needs of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and their families.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/2/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/2/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
33. S.1306 : A bill to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify certain children's products containing lead to be banned hazardous substances.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/3/2007) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 5/3/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
34. S.1324 : A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuel sold in the United States.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/7/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
35. S.1389 : A bill to authorize the National Science Foundation to establish a Climate Change Education Program.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/14/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
36. S.1430 : A bill to authorize State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/17/2007) Cosponsors (26)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/17/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
37. S.1513 : A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grant programs to enhance the access of low-income African-American students to higher education.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/24/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 5/24/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
38. S.1574 : A bill to establish Teaching Residency Programs for preparation and induction of teachers.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/7/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 6/7/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
39. S.1713 : A bill to provide for the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp in honor of Rosa Parks.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/27/2007) Cosponsors (27)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/13/2007 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
40. S.1790 : A bill to make grants to carry out activities to prevent the incidence of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among teens in racial or ethnic minority or immigrant communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/16/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 7/16/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
41. S.1811 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to assess and reduce the levels of lead found in child-occupied facilities in the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/18/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 7/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
42. S.1817 : A bill to ensure proper administration of the discharge of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/19/2007) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
43. S.1818 : A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to phase out the use of mercury in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/19/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
44. S.1824 : A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative under the Medicare program to assess and report on health care quality in hospitals.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/19/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
45. S.1873 : A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish demonstration programs on regionalized systems for emergency care, to support emergency medicine research, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
46. S.1885 : A bill to provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/26/2007) Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 7/26/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
47. S.1977 : A bill to provide for sustained United States leadership in a cooperative global effort to prevent nuclear terrorism, reduce global nuclear arsenals, stop the spread of nuclear weapons and related material and technology, and support the responsible and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 8/2/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
48. S.1989 : A bill to provide a mechanism for the determination on the merits of the claims of claimants who met the class criteria in a civil action relating to racial discrimination by the Department of Agriculture but who were denied that determination.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 8/3/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 8/3/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
49. S.2030 : A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require reporting relating to bundled contributions made by persons other than registered lobbyists.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/6/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Rules and Administration
Latest Major Action: 9/6/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
50. S.2044 : A bill to provide procedures for the proper classification of employees and independent contractors, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/12/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 9/12/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
51. S.2066 : A bill to establish nutrition and physical education standards for schools.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/18/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Latest Major Action: 9/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
52. S.2111 : A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools to increase implementation of early intervention services, particularly school-wide positive behavior supports.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 9/27/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 9/27/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
53. S.2132 : A bill to prohibit the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of children's products that contain lead, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/3/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Major Action: 10/3/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
54. S.2147 : A bill to require accountability for contractors and contract personnel under Federal contracts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/4/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 10/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
55. S.2202 : A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to increase the renewable content of gasoline, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/18/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 10/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
56. S.2224 : A bill to require a licensee to notify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the State and county in which a facility is located, whenever there is an unplanned release of radioactive substances.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/24/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Environment and Public Works
Latest Major Action: 10/24/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
57. S.2227 : A bill to provide grants to States to ensure that all students in the middle grades are taught an academically rigorous curriculum with effective supports so that students complete the middle grades prepared for success in high school and postsecondary endeavors, to improve State and district policies and programs relating to the academic achievement of students in the middle grades, to develop and implement effective middle school models for struggling students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 10/24/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 10/24/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
58. S.2330 : A bill to authorize a pilot program within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development with the goal of preventing at-risk veterans and veteran families from falling into homelessness, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/8/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
59. S.2347 : A bill to restore and protect access to discount drug prices for university-based and safety-net clinics.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/13/2007) Cosponsors (31)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 11/13/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
60. S.2392 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain a public website through which individuals may find a complete database of available scholarships, fellowships, and other programs of financial assistance in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 11/16/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 11/16/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
61. S.2428 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain a public website through which individuals may find a complete database of available scholarships, fellowships, and other programs of financial assistance in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/6/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 12/6/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
62. S.2433 : A bill to require the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the United States foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, who live on less than $1 per day.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/7/2007) Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 2/13/2008 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
63. S.2519 : A bill to prohibit the awarding of a contract or grant in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has no seriously delinquent tax debts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 12/19/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 12/19/2007 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
64. S.AMDT.41 to S.1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/11/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 1/18/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 41 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
65. S.AMDT.55 to S.1 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/12/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 1/12/2007 Senate amendment submitted
66. S.AMDT.58 to S.1 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/12/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 1/12/2007 Senate amendment submitted
67. S.AMDT.188 to H.R.2 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 1/24/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2007 Senate amendment submitted
68. S.AMDT.338 to S.4 To require consideration of high-risk qualifying criteria in allocating funds under the State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/5/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2007 Motion to table amendment SA 338 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 58 - 41. Record Vote Number: 62.
69. S.AMDT.524 to S.CON.RES.21 To provide $100 million for the Summer Term Education Program supporting summer learning opportunities for low-income students in the early grades to lessen summer learning losses that contribute to the achievement gaps separating low-income students from their middle-class peers.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/21/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 524 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
70. S.AMDT.586 to S.CON.RES.21 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/22/2007) Cosponsors (6)
Latest Major Action: 3/22/2007 Senate amendment submitted
71. S.AMDT.599 to S.CON.RES.21 To add $200 million for Function 270 (Energy) for the demonstration and monitoring of carbon capture and sequestration technology by the Department of Energy.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/22/2007) Cosponsors (4)
Latest Major Action: 3/23/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 599 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
72. S.AMDT.664 to H.R.1591 To appropriate an additional $58,000,000 for Defense Health Program for additional mental health and related personnel, an additional $10,000,000 for operation and maintenance for each of the military departments for improved physical disability evaluations of members of the Armed Forces, and an additional $15,000,000 for Defense Health Program for women's mental health services.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/27/2007) Cosponsors (12)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Proposed amendment SA 664 withdrawn in Senate.
73. S.AMDT.684 to H.R.1591 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/27/2007) Cosponsors (7)
Latest Major Action: 3/27/2007 Senate amendment submitted
74. S.AMDT.809 to H.R.1591 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/28/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2007 Senate amendment submitted
75. S.AMDT.810 to H.R.1591 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 3/28/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 3/28/2007 Senate amendment submitted
76. S.AMDT.905 to S.761 To require the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education to establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/23/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 905 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
77. S.AMDT.907 to S.761 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/23/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2007 Senate amendment submitted
78. S.AMDT.923 to S.761 To expand the pipeline of individuals entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to support United States innovation and competitiveness.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/24/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 923 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
79. S.AMDT.924 to S.761 To establish summer term education programs.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 4/24/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 924 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
80. S.AMDT.1041 to S.1082 To improve the safety and efficacy of genetic tests.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/3/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1041 as modified agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
81. S.AMDT.1045 to S.1082 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/7/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2007 Senate amendment submitted
82. S.AMDT.1130 to H.R.1495 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/15/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2007 Senate amendment submitted
83. S.AMDT.1185 to S.1348 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/23/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/23/2007 Senate amendment submitted
84. S.AMDT.1202 to S.1348 To provide a date on which the authority of the section relating to the increasing of American competitiveness through a merit-based evaluation system for immigrants shall be terminated.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/24/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 6/6/2007 Senate amendment not agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 1202 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 42 - 55. Record Vote Number: 200.
85. S.AMDT.1243 to S.1348 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 5/24/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 5/24/2007 Senate amendment submitted
86. S.AMDT.1444 to S.1348 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/6/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 6/6/2007 Senate amendment submitted
87. S.AMDT.1558 to H.R.6 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/13/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/13/2007 Senate amendment submitted
88. S.AMDT.1579 to H.R.6 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/14/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2007 Senate amendment submitted
89. S.AMDT.1735 to H.R.6 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/20/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/20/2007 Senate amendment submitted
90. S.AMDT.1840 to H.R.6 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 6/21/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/21/2007 Senate amendment submitted
91. S.AMDT.2084 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
92. S.AMDT.2085 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
93. S.AMDT.2086 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (12)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
94. S.AMDT.2104 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
95. S.AMDT.2106 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/11/2007) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007 Senate amendment submitted
96. S.AMDT.2149 to H.R.1585 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/12/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/12/2007 Senate amendment submitted
97. S.AMDT.2464 to H.R.2638 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2007 Senate amendment submitted
98. S.AMDT.2473 to H.R.2638 Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/25/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2007 Senate amendment submitted
99. S.AMDT.2519 to H.R.2638 To provide that one of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5 million or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee owes no past due Federal tax liability.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/26/2007) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 7/26/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2519 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
100. S.AMDT.2588 to H.R.976 To provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty.
Sponsor: Sen Obama, Barack [IL] (introduced 7/31/2007) Cosponsors (8)
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2007 Senate amendment agreed to. Status: Amendment SA 2588 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
2.19.2008
New Jack City Politics
Like the only female gangster in the gang said to the landlord......”step aside gran pa!”
That’s exactly what McCain needs to do...step aside. Speaking after his victory in Wisconsin, McCain talked of reclaiming the “moral credibility” for this nation. Reclaim it from who? The one who trashed our nation’s moral credibility in the first place is a member of the GOP, still currently housed in the White House.
And what moral credibility is he reclaiming? The credibility stolen in the election of 2000? Or the credibility lost in the secret concentration camps that we operate around the world or down in Cuba, named Gitmo? Maybe he was talking about the credibility washed away during the secret water torture sessions, that thumbed our nose at the geneva convention. Or better yet, maybe he was alluding to FISA and its illegal wiretaps.
Nah, he must have been talking about the suspension of habeas corpus or the groundwork laid down secretly last year for the implementation of martial law, if we the citizens of America decide to protest too loudly. Yeah, that’s the ticket. He wants to restore our civil liberties to pre Dubya days.
I mean, give me a break, you can’t change a system that you obviously don’t believe is broken. Over and over the American people seem to be saying that the system needs to be changed, but McCain apparently doesn’t have his hearing aid turned on. He still campaigning like it’s 1999. McCain is coming across like Dubya lite or Bush junior, take your pick.
He spent 15 minutes talking about the alleged war on terror and 5 minutes talking about everything else, meaning health care, oil prices and the economy.
I hate quoting Bill Clinton, but Bill did say “it’s the economy, stupid!” It really is. It’s not rocket science. Trickle down economics has not worked in the past eight years. It’s not going to work if given another four. This nation needs help. It needs vision and creativity coming from the top spot. The White House needs to re-assume it place as a position of power, rather than Yale frat house west.
McCain was right about one thing...He is the old guy in the race. He’s been on Capitol Hill a long time...way too long. There comes a time when you have to look forward at what can be, instead of backward at what was. McCain’s moment is over.
“Bang, bang, baby.....step aside gran pa..!”
That’s exactly what McCain needs to do...step aside. Speaking after his victory in Wisconsin, McCain talked of reclaiming the “moral credibility” for this nation. Reclaim it from who? The one who trashed our nation’s moral credibility in the first place is a member of the GOP, still currently housed in the White House.
And what moral credibility is he reclaiming? The credibility stolen in the election of 2000? Or the credibility lost in the secret concentration camps that we operate around the world or down in Cuba, named Gitmo? Maybe he was talking about the credibility washed away during the secret water torture sessions, that thumbed our nose at the geneva convention. Or better yet, maybe he was alluding to FISA and its illegal wiretaps.
Nah, he must have been talking about the suspension of habeas corpus or the groundwork laid down secretly last year for the implementation of martial law, if we the citizens of America decide to protest too loudly. Yeah, that’s the ticket. He wants to restore our civil liberties to pre Dubya days.
I mean, give me a break, you can’t change a system that you obviously don’t believe is broken. Over and over the American people seem to be saying that the system needs to be changed, but McCain apparently doesn’t have his hearing aid turned on. He still campaigning like it’s 1999. McCain is coming across like Dubya lite or Bush junior, take your pick.
He spent 15 minutes talking about the alleged war on terror and 5 minutes talking about everything else, meaning health care, oil prices and the economy.
I hate quoting Bill Clinton, but Bill did say “it’s the economy, stupid!” It really is. It’s not rocket science. Trickle down economics has not worked in the past eight years. It’s not going to work if given another four. This nation needs help. It needs vision and creativity coming from the top spot. The White House needs to re-assume it place as a position of power, rather than Yale frat house west.
McCain was right about one thing...He is the old guy in the race. He’s been on Capitol Hill a long time...way too long. There comes a time when you have to look forward at what can be, instead of backward at what was. McCain’s moment is over.
“Bang, bang, baby.....step aside gran pa..!”
2.15.2008
Happy Negroes, Unhappy Slaves
I had an interesting conversation with a man, recently. I don’t even know his name, but I talk to him every weekend while we’re both engaging in our favored Saturday pastime. I don’t think he knows my name either. Our names aren’t important. What draws us together and keeps us talking is the current political season and our shared love of history.
Seems his family, way back when, were slave owners. From my picture at the top of this column, you can rightfully discern that my people were slaves. He has papers to prove that his family owned “my” people. The papers list their names, how much they were purchased for, etc, etc. But he said his family never mistreated their coloreds. His family was good to its Negroes because mistreating your slave was like whipping a prized race horse...you simply didn’t do it if you wanted it to win races. In other words, if you wanted your fields plowed and your cotton harvested, you treated your slaves like people.
This was his analogy. For this reason, he told me, the historical image of the unhappy darkie and the murderous slave master during slave times was a myth....never happened. Most blacks, he said didn’t leave their masters when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Most Negroes, he said were happy in their circumstances. His family and their black chattel was proof of this.
Now, I agree with him to a point. There were blacks who stayed in their homes after emancipation. There were numbers of blacks who didn’t go north at the first opportunity.
My own family which originated in slave owning Kentucky is an example of this. Some of us bear the name of our owner, still live on the property, and today even attend the national reunion for everyone with the surname. Family story says they stayed because grandpa was the son of master. They certainly look alike in the old pictures that we have.
But, by the same token, many of my ancestors left Kentucky. They went north at the first opportunity looking for a better life. They chose freedom. That’s why I was born in free Ohio. Nearly all of my ancestors originated somewhere down south...Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina primarily.
Should we stay on the plantation with the devil we know...or should we leave, move north to make our way into the wilderness, not knowing what awaits except that whatever awaits will be our own choice, not one delineated by master.
This dilemma has always divided us. It played out during our vocal struggle for civil rights. Do we march with Martin or throw bombs with the black panthers. Do we leave with Marcus Garvey or simply separate ourselves with Malcolm.
Safe versus Free. Known versus unknown.
Today, do we back the Clintons because we have always backed the Clintons. Or do we back Barack Obama.
The known has worked to a point. Yes, I’m sure there were happy coloreds on the plantation sometimes. But I know there were many others who took a beating and longed for the day they could call the shots for themselves, if they survived long enough.
There were many of us who marched with Martin. There are many of us who still sing “we shall overcome someday” and still believe that all we have to do is wait for it to happen.
Yet, there were still others of us who believed that the Black Panthers had a point.....that Marcus Garvey’s back to Africa movement was a tantalizing scenario...that Malcolm’s demands for equality by any means necessary is still worth savoring.
The Clintons may feel black, talk black and empathize black...but the fact remains that they are an entrenched part of the establishment. They want us to continue marching and singing old anthems along with the grizzled followers of the dream, asking their permission for our freedom. They want us to be happy with what they give us. They point to their happy house Negroes in an attempt to convince us that they ultimately have our best interests at heart.
But there is another truth operating here....even house Negroes didn’t like master....they just didn’t have a taste for adventure. They would rather stay with what they know rather than try the unknown. They would rather stay in the pseudo comfort of the plantation. It’s easier.
We are at another turning point in our history. Do we stay...or do we go.....Do we follow the north star with Harriet Tubman.....or do we go to bed because early tomorrow morning we have to wash master’s laundry.
Safe versus Free...Known versus Unknown
Happy Negro...Unhappy slave
Seems his family, way back when, were slave owners. From my picture at the top of this column, you can rightfully discern that my people were slaves. He has papers to prove that his family owned “my” people. The papers list their names, how much they were purchased for, etc, etc. But he said his family never mistreated their coloreds. His family was good to its Negroes because mistreating your slave was like whipping a prized race horse...you simply didn’t do it if you wanted it to win races. In other words, if you wanted your fields plowed and your cotton harvested, you treated your slaves like people.
This was his analogy. For this reason, he told me, the historical image of the unhappy darkie and the murderous slave master during slave times was a myth....never happened. Most blacks, he said didn’t leave their masters when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Most Negroes, he said were happy in their circumstances. His family and their black chattel was proof of this.
Now, I agree with him to a point. There were blacks who stayed in their homes after emancipation. There were numbers of blacks who didn’t go north at the first opportunity.
My own family which originated in slave owning Kentucky is an example of this. Some of us bear the name of our owner, still live on the property, and today even attend the national reunion for everyone with the surname. Family story says they stayed because grandpa was the son of master. They certainly look alike in the old pictures that we have.
But, by the same token, many of my ancestors left Kentucky. They went north at the first opportunity looking for a better life. They chose freedom. That’s why I was born in free Ohio. Nearly all of my ancestors originated somewhere down south...Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina primarily.
Should we stay on the plantation with the devil we know...or should we leave, move north to make our way into the wilderness, not knowing what awaits except that whatever awaits will be our own choice, not one delineated by master.
This dilemma has always divided us. It played out during our vocal struggle for civil rights. Do we march with Martin or throw bombs with the black panthers. Do we leave with Marcus Garvey or simply separate ourselves with Malcolm.
Safe versus Free. Known versus unknown.
Today, do we back the Clintons because we have always backed the Clintons. Or do we back Barack Obama.
The known has worked to a point. Yes, I’m sure there were happy coloreds on the plantation sometimes. But I know there were many others who took a beating and longed for the day they could call the shots for themselves, if they survived long enough.
There were many of us who marched with Martin. There are many of us who still sing “we shall overcome someday” and still believe that all we have to do is wait for it to happen.
Yet, there were still others of us who believed that the Black Panthers had a point.....that Marcus Garvey’s back to Africa movement was a tantalizing scenario...that Malcolm’s demands for equality by any means necessary is still worth savoring.
The Clintons may feel black, talk black and empathize black...but the fact remains that they are an entrenched part of the establishment. They want us to continue marching and singing old anthems along with the grizzled followers of the dream, asking their permission for our freedom. They want us to be happy with what they give us. They point to their happy house Negroes in an attempt to convince us that they ultimately have our best interests at heart.
But there is another truth operating here....even house Negroes didn’t like master....they just didn’t have a taste for adventure. They would rather stay with what they know rather than try the unknown. They would rather stay in the pseudo comfort of the plantation. It’s easier.
We are at another turning point in our history. Do we stay...or do we go.....Do we follow the north star with Harriet Tubman.....or do we go to bed because early tomorrow morning we have to wash master’s laundry.
Safe versus Free...Known versus Unknown
Happy Negro...Unhappy slave
2.13.2008
Big Wheel Keeps on Turning...
Since when did Tina Turner become the Queen of Soul? I love her, but there is only one Queen, one Diva...the rest are Princesses and or Divettes...c’mon now....
********
Seven years after the fact, the government is going to try terrorists for taking down the world trade centers. Six have been indicted and will be subject to secret trials, just as they were tortured secretly. They will also be subject to the death penalty if convicted. My main problem among many with this scenario is that I don’t recall hearing Osama Bin Laden’s name among those charged and I don’t think any of those charged are Saudi Arabians who had ties with Iraq. I’m having a problem with the alleged facts in this case, as well as with the timing of this situation. The politics of fear...will it change the outcome of the election in November, or has it run its course?
********
The History Channel says the anthrax scare was an inside job...as in originated with native grown terrorists...not middle eastern terrorists.....so native....they were probably government workers...working undercover....Are we surprised....no...Wish I could live another 100 years so that I could find out who really blew up the trade center towers....
******
The more I listen to John McCain, the more I’m sure the guy is entering the first, or maybe even the second stages of dementia. Does he really think folks are going to put him in the White House so that he can keep us in Iraq for the next 100 years, if necessary?
He is having trouble putting away his GOP opponent Mike Huckabee. How does he think he is going to handle the cultural juggernaut that the Democrats are planning to throw at him in the general election.
I feel it’s going to be Obama, but even Hillary would be a force to reckon with for the old guy from Arizona. MSM hasn’t figured this out yet...They still think it’s a matter of experience.
His speeches are painful to listen to and especially to watch. I give him all of his due respect. He is an American hero. But the days of electing a hero to lead the country just because he can fly a plane and drop bombs on indigent people, are over. I didn’t like Ike and I don’t care for McCain.
McCain has no vision, no creativity and certainly no flexibility to handle a job as daunting as president.
His selection of vice president will speak volumes...will it be Joe Lieberman, the used to be democrat, or will it be Reverend Mike, the man who wants to marry religion to government, thereby creating a western union that would rival any dreamed up by the jihadist suicide bombers of the middle east.
The talk show propelled Huckabee still thinks he is the answer. He needs to turn off the TV and radio, open his window and listen to the whispers of the street. Drumbeat don’t lie....
******
Speaking of drumbeat....I would hope that the democratic super delegates are paying attention to the people.....a back room deal that hands the nomination to the wrong candidate is going to tear the party apart.
The Democrats are great at snatching defeat from the hands of victory....they’ve already screwed up their mandate in congress that was given them in 2006. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid suck at leadership on Capitol Hill. All they’ve done is cave in to Dubya, on just about everything. I’m really, really tired of professional politicians doing what they think is “right” for me. We need term limits and a ban on lobbyists in Washington.
******
Who gives a damn about millionaire ball players who choose to take steroids and growth hormone? And why is anyone surprised that John Rocker has admitted to steroid use? He was obviously in roid rage when he shot his mouth off, way back when he was pitching. Give Clemens the cell next to Marion Jones and move on to Barry Bonds..
******
And where will you be on June 21, 2008? Ron Paul supporters want you in Washington for a march on the White House. I would guess that all two or three Paul supporters will be there. I wonder if he is going to announce it in his newsletter?
.
********
Seven years after the fact, the government is going to try terrorists for taking down the world trade centers. Six have been indicted and will be subject to secret trials, just as they were tortured secretly. They will also be subject to the death penalty if convicted. My main problem among many with this scenario is that I don’t recall hearing Osama Bin Laden’s name among those charged and I don’t think any of those charged are Saudi Arabians who had ties with Iraq. I’m having a problem with the alleged facts in this case, as well as with the timing of this situation. The politics of fear...will it change the outcome of the election in November, or has it run its course?
********
The History Channel says the anthrax scare was an inside job...as in originated with native grown terrorists...not middle eastern terrorists.....so native....they were probably government workers...working undercover....Are we surprised....no...Wish I could live another 100 years so that I could find out who really blew up the trade center towers....
******
The more I listen to John McCain, the more I’m sure the guy is entering the first, or maybe even the second stages of dementia. Does he really think folks are going to put him in the White House so that he can keep us in Iraq for the next 100 years, if necessary?
He is having trouble putting away his GOP opponent Mike Huckabee. How does he think he is going to handle the cultural juggernaut that the Democrats are planning to throw at him in the general election.
I feel it’s going to be Obama, but even Hillary would be a force to reckon with for the old guy from Arizona. MSM hasn’t figured this out yet...They still think it’s a matter of experience.
His speeches are painful to listen to and especially to watch. I give him all of his due respect. He is an American hero. But the days of electing a hero to lead the country just because he can fly a plane and drop bombs on indigent people, are over. I didn’t like Ike and I don’t care for McCain.
McCain has no vision, no creativity and certainly no flexibility to handle a job as daunting as president.
His selection of vice president will speak volumes...will it be Joe Lieberman, the used to be democrat, or will it be Reverend Mike, the man who wants to marry religion to government, thereby creating a western union that would rival any dreamed up by the jihadist suicide bombers of the middle east.
The talk show propelled Huckabee still thinks he is the answer. He needs to turn off the TV and radio, open his window and listen to the whispers of the street. Drumbeat don’t lie....
******
Speaking of drumbeat....I would hope that the democratic super delegates are paying attention to the people.....a back room deal that hands the nomination to the wrong candidate is going to tear the party apart.
The Democrats are great at snatching defeat from the hands of victory....they’ve already screwed up their mandate in congress that was given them in 2006. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid suck at leadership on Capitol Hill. All they’ve done is cave in to Dubya, on just about everything. I’m really, really tired of professional politicians doing what they think is “right” for me. We need term limits and a ban on lobbyists in Washington.
******
Who gives a damn about millionaire ball players who choose to take steroids and growth hormone? And why is anyone surprised that John Rocker has admitted to steroid use? He was obviously in roid rage when he shot his mouth off, way back when he was pitching. Give Clemens the cell next to Marion Jones and move on to Barry Bonds..
******
And where will you be on June 21, 2008? Ron Paul supporters want you in Washington for a march on the White House. I would guess that all two or three Paul supporters will be there. I wonder if he is going to announce it in his newsletter?
.
2.07.2008
Falling on His Sword
Mitt's gone...
That leaves John with the nomination and Mike playing for second fiddle.
I wonder what the GOP is going to do....party members don't trust McCain..Rush doesn't like McCain...Laura doesn't like McCain....Ann says she's voting for Hilary...What are they going to do?....
Guess that leaves Huckabuck with the nomination....
UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....maybe not...aligning the constitution with the bible even offended the log cabin republicans...and the fact that Huckabee is a creationist is also a big problem...
I think we will see Romney again in 2012...He's young enough....He's rich enough...and gosh darnit...he thinks we like him!
That leaves John with the nomination and Mike playing for second fiddle.
I wonder what the GOP is going to do....party members don't trust McCain..Rush doesn't like McCain...Laura doesn't like McCain....Ann says she's voting for Hilary...What are they going to do?....
Guess that leaves Huckabuck with the nomination....
UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....maybe not...aligning the constitution with the bible even offended the log cabin republicans...and the fact that Huckabee is a creationist is also a big problem...
I think we will see Romney again in 2012...He's young enough....He's rich enough...and gosh darnit...he thinks we like him!
2.05.2008
It's Time
If given the chance I will vote for Barack Obama because....
I am not happy with the status quo, compassionate conservatism is a myth and an oxymoron...
I don't believe in trickle down economics or that Ronnie Raygun was our best president..
I was totally against going into Iraq, I am totally against staying there any longer than we have to as a military presence...so John McCain's continued warmongering takes him off the table for me, as well as his own admission that he doesn't understand the economy. ..I would venture to guess that diplomacy escapes him as well...
Hillary, has some great ideas and is a wonderful asset...I just don't feel or see her vision...I want to be excited about America again
Mitt Romney is not likeable...He says what he thinks we want to hear, that smacks of dishonesty...He practices a religion that didn't recognize me or my ancestors as human and he campaigns like we don't exist, now....
Mike Huckabee is a homophobe, despite his guitar playing and religious credentials..He wants to change the constitution to reflect God's word...which god..which bible...
Ron Paul is a racist..despite what he says, his name is the one on the banner of his newsletters...just like my name is on the top of this blog....I can't deny these words...neither can he deny his content.....
I believe we need massive change in Washington, within our government...
I believe we need term limits...line item veto, and a ban on lobbyists and special interest groups as anything other than silent spectators on Capitol Hill..I think we need public funds financing our political campaigns..
I believe that Barack Obama represents the revolution that we need..
I feel the hope....I see the vision....
No, he does not have all the answers....no one person does..But I see in him the creative capacity to make things work...better than they've been working for the past several years...
I see in him the statesman, the dreamer, the guy who can take lemons and make lemonade and be comfortable enough to drink it spiked with a little vodka.....
Barack also reminds me of someone else....Her name was Barbara Jordan...She, too lives in Barack...I hear her when he speaks...And that means more to me than even the endorsement of Caroline Kennedy...
I am not happy with the status quo, compassionate conservatism is a myth and an oxymoron...
I don't believe in trickle down economics or that Ronnie Raygun was our best president..
I was totally against going into Iraq, I am totally against staying there any longer than we have to as a military presence...so John McCain's continued warmongering takes him off the table for me, as well as his own admission that he doesn't understand the economy. ..I would venture to guess that diplomacy escapes him as well...
Hillary, has some great ideas and is a wonderful asset...I just don't feel or see her vision...I want to be excited about America again
Mitt Romney is not likeable...He says what he thinks we want to hear, that smacks of dishonesty...He practices a religion that didn't recognize me or my ancestors as human and he campaigns like we don't exist, now....
Mike Huckabee is a homophobe, despite his guitar playing and religious credentials..He wants to change the constitution to reflect God's word...which god..which bible...
Ron Paul is a racist..despite what he says, his name is the one on the banner of his newsletters...just like my name is on the top of this blog....I can't deny these words...neither can he deny his content.....
I believe we need massive change in Washington, within our government...
I believe we need term limits...line item veto, and a ban on lobbyists and special interest groups as anything other than silent spectators on Capitol Hill..I think we need public funds financing our political campaigns..
I believe that Barack Obama represents the revolution that we need..
I feel the hope....I see the vision....
No, he does not have all the answers....no one person does..But I see in him the creative capacity to make things work...better than they've been working for the past several years...
I see in him the statesman, the dreamer, the guy who can take lemons and make lemonade and be comfortable enough to drink it spiked with a little vodka.....
Barack also reminds me of someone else....Her name was Barbara Jordan...She, too lives in Barack...I hear her when he speaks...And that means more to me than even the endorsement of Caroline Kennedy...
2.04.2008
Signs of the Apocalypse
Well, I guess I won’t be traveling to Mississippi anytime soon. Seems some well intentioned politician has authored a bill making it illegal to serve fat people in restaurants. And since my once well-toned runner’s butt long ago slid toward middle aged couch potato spread, I would assume that I have just lost my right to be served in Mississippi eating establishments.
I can't remember the last time I saw an ad that said "travel Mississippi." Does this fool think that laws like this will increase tourism?
*****
Another political genius...this one in West Virginia wants to teach guns and how to shoot guns, in public schools. Apparently the demand for hunting licenses is down, and the nut job behind this proposed law figures that the way to increase demand is to teach ten year olds how to handle weapons during gym class.
The pol does have safety in mind. The kids would only handle guns that were disabled. Isn't this the same state that wants concealed carry for college students?
******
Hillary said Sunday she might be willing to garnish the wages of those who refuse to buy health care coverage. Speaking to ABC news, Clinton said that garnishment was just one of several methods that she would possibly use to reach universal health care for America. She said garnishment would be applied only to workers who could afford health care but refused to buy it.
That should go over like a lead balloon...Can you say President Obama..
******
Maria Shriver endorsed Obama on Sunday..On Friday, her husband, the governor of California, endorsed McCain. Wouldn’t you just love to be a fly on the wall when these two talk politics?
******
Fears of recession have driven oil prices down to below 90-dollars a barrel...so why is gasoline still upwards of three dollars a gallon in my state?
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Dubya has proposed a 3-trillion dollar budget to fund the status quo...gee, I didn’t know he could count that high...
I can't remember the last time I saw an ad that said "travel Mississippi." Does this fool think that laws like this will increase tourism?
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Another political genius...this one in West Virginia wants to teach guns and how to shoot guns, in public schools. Apparently the demand for hunting licenses is down, and the nut job behind this proposed law figures that the way to increase demand is to teach ten year olds how to handle weapons during gym class.
The pol does have safety in mind. The kids would only handle guns that were disabled. Isn't this the same state that wants concealed carry for college students?
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Hillary said Sunday she might be willing to garnish the wages of those who refuse to buy health care coverage. Speaking to ABC news, Clinton said that garnishment was just one of several methods that she would possibly use to reach universal health care for America. She said garnishment would be applied only to workers who could afford health care but refused to buy it.
That should go over like a lead balloon...Can you say President Obama..
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Maria Shriver endorsed Obama on Sunday..On Friday, her husband, the governor of California, endorsed McCain. Wouldn’t you just love to be a fly on the wall when these two talk politics?
******
Fears of recession have driven oil prices down to below 90-dollars a barrel...so why is gasoline still upwards of three dollars a gallon in my state?
******
Dubya has proposed a 3-trillion dollar budget to fund the status quo...gee, I didn’t know he could count that high...
2.01.2008
Do You Believe in Miracles?!
Last night I sat through a history making debate for the democratic nomination for president of the United States. Today I wake up to a statement from, well..I’ll be nice and just use her name....Ann Coulter.
During a chat on FOX news, last night, the GOP’s Paris Hilton, said she would vote for Hillary for president if the choice came down to Hillary versus John McCain in the general election come November.
I will believe it when I see it. Coulter claimed to be serious, stating that Hillary is more conservative than McCain.
Hmmmmmmmmm...I thought maybe she was trying to close ranks with other females and convince us she really is one us...instead of an anorexic fembot....Time will tell.
Considering the stuff that comes out of her mouth it’s going to take more than a vote for a democrat to change my mind about her. She still comes up third on my list of those I consider “walking wastes of oxygen” behind Rush and Bill _______, insert your own preferred last name. I can think of several stupid people named Bill, these days....
But back to the debate....
Like many watching, I was seeing my dream ticket in action.
Obama/Hillary...Hillary/Obama...I don’t think it’s gonna happen... Way too much ego in play and it gives the GOP too much to unify against....A black man and white woman...I can see the head hunting party forming now...All those good ole boys and their women standing behind them urging them on...screaming for blood....
Who ever makes it to the nomination and White House is making history. So, too, should the cabinet selected by the new prez.
I’ve been pondering who I would like to see serve at the pleasure of the president......
Secretary of State........Madeleine Albright or someone she’s mentored
Secretary of Defense........Colin Powell
Secretary of EPA.........Al Gore
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development....John Edwards
Secretary of Education.......Johnnetta Cole
Secretary of Treasury..........Mitt Romney
Secretary of Commerce...........Roxanne Qualls
Secretary of Health & Human Services...Bill Richardson
Secretary of Labor..............Eleanor Holmes Norton
Secretary of Veteran Affairs.......John McCain or some other vet who’s been there..
Secretary of Energy....Dennis Kucinich
Secretary of Transportation.....an engineer with vision and imagination
Secretary of Homeland Security..........abolish this position revamp, strengthen and streamline the departments under this division
Attorney General.........Ruth Bader Ginsberg
National Security Advisor.....Dubya’s Dad.....George Herbert Walker Bush
Ambassador to the United Nations....Bill Clinton
Special Envoy to the World..........Jimmy Carter...Americans may not like him, but the world does...and if ever we needed a return to goodwill...it’s now....
During a chat on FOX news, last night, the GOP’s Paris Hilton, said she would vote for Hillary for president if the choice came down to Hillary versus John McCain in the general election come November.
I will believe it when I see it. Coulter claimed to be serious, stating that Hillary is more conservative than McCain.
Hmmmmmmmmm...I thought maybe she was trying to close ranks with other females and convince us she really is one us...instead of an anorexic fembot....Time will tell.
Considering the stuff that comes out of her mouth it’s going to take more than a vote for a democrat to change my mind about her. She still comes up third on my list of those I consider “walking wastes of oxygen” behind Rush and Bill _______, insert your own preferred last name. I can think of several stupid people named Bill, these days....
But back to the debate....
Like many watching, I was seeing my dream ticket in action.
Obama/Hillary...Hillary/Obama...I don’t think it’s gonna happen... Way too much ego in play and it gives the GOP too much to unify against....A black man and white woman...I can see the head hunting party forming now...All those good ole boys and their women standing behind them urging them on...screaming for blood....
Who ever makes it to the nomination and White House is making history. So, too, should the cabinet selected by the new prez.
I’ve been pondering who I would like to see serve at the pleasure of the president......
Secretary of State........Madeleine Albright or someone she’s mentored
Secretary of Defense........Colin Powell
Secretary of EPA.........Al Gore
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development....John Edwards
Secretary of Education.......Johnnetta Cole
Secretary of Treasury..........Mitt Romney
Secretary of Commerce...........Roxanne Qualls
Secretary of Health & Human Services...Bill Richardson
Secretary of Labor..............Eleanor Holmes Norton
Secretary of Veteran Affairs.......John McCain or some other vet who’s been there..
Secretary of Energy....Dennis Kucinich
Secretary of Transportation.....an engineer with vision and imagination
Secretary of Homeland Security..........abolish this position revamp, strengthen and streamline the departments under this division
Attorney General.........Ruth Bader Ginsberg
National Security Advisor.....Dubya’s Dad.....George Herbert Walker Bush
Ambassador to the United Nations....Bill Clinton
Special Envoy to the World..........Jimmy Carter...Americans may not like him, but the world does...and if ever we needed a return to goodwill...it’s now....
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