Best Dance of the Night!

Obama's Speech at the Inauguration

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

Congratulations America!

It’s here! The day has come that I and many Americans have been waiting for ~ The Inauguration of President Barack Obama! Congratulations to all who have voted for this momentous event for America! Congratulations to all who thought this day would never come! Congratulations to those of you who thought from the beginning that this could happen! Congratulations to those of you who didn’t want this to happen, after all, he’s your president too! Congratulations to all children who thought that they would never be President, because after today, you know you too, can dream!

Bush's Farewell Address

Just in case, like me, you had something more important to do than watch this. Here is the speech that Bush gave last night as his "Farewell Address." Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah - ahhh you get the point...

Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your president. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence — a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation.

Five days from now, the world will witness the vitality of American democracy. In a tradition dating back to our founding, the presidency will pass to a successor chosen by you, the American people. Standing on the steps of the Capitol will be a man whose history reflects the enduring promise of our land. This is a moment of hope and pride for our whole nation. And I join all Americans in offering best wishes to President-elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two beautiful girls.

Tonight I am filled with gratitude — to Vice President Cheney and members of my administration; to Laura, who brought joy to this house and love to my life; to our wonderful daughters, Barbara and Jenna; to my parents, whose examples have provided strength for a lifetime. And above all, I thank the American people for the trust you have given me. I thank you for the prayers that have lifted my spirits. And I thank you for the countless acts of courage, generosity and grace that I have witnessed these past eight years.

This evening, my thoughts return to the first night I addressed you from this house — September the 11th, 2001. That morning, terrorists took nearly 3,000 lives in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. I remember standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center three days later, surrounded by rescuers who had been working around the clock. I remember talking to brave souls who charged through smoke-filled corridors at the Pentagon, and to husbands and wives whose loved ones became heroes aboard Flight 93. I remember Arlene Howard, who gave me her fallen son's police shield as a reminder of all that was lost. And I still carry his badge.

As the years passed, most Americans were able to return to life much as it had been before 9/11. But I never did. Every morning, I received a briefing on the threats to our nation. I vowed to do everything in my power to keep us safe.

Over the past seven years, a new Department of Homeland Security has been created. The military, the intelligence community and the FBI have been transformed. Our nation is equipped with new tools to monitor the terrorists' movements, freeze their finances and break up their plots. And with strong allies at our side, we have taken the fight to the terrorists and those who support them. Afghanistan has gone from a nation where the Taliban harbored al-Qaida and stoned women in the streets to a young democracy that is fighting terror and encouraging girls to go to school. Iraq has gone from a brutal dictatorship and a sworn enemy of America to an Arab democracy at the heart of the Middle East and a friend of the United States.

There is legitimate debate about many of these decisions. But there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil. This is a tribute to those who toil night and day to keep us safe — law enforcement officers, intelligence analysts, homeland security and diplomatic personnel, and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.

Our nation is blessed to have citizens who volunteer to defend us in this time of danger. I have cherished meeting these selfless patriots and their families. And America owes you a debt of gratitude. And to all our men and women in uniform listening tonight: There has been no higher honor than serving as your commander in chief.

The battles waged by our troops are part of a broader struggle between two dramatically different systems. Under one, a small band of fanatics demands total obedience to an oppressive ideology, condemns women to subservience and marks unbelievers for murder. The other system is based on the conviction that freedom is the universal gift of Almighty God, and that liberty and justice light the path to peace.

This is the belief that gave birth to our nation. And in the long run, advancing this belief is the only practical way to protect our citizens. When people live in freedom, they do not willingly choose leaders who pursue campaigns of terror. When people have hope in the future, they will not cede their lives to violence and extremism. So around the world, America is promoting human liberty, human rights and human dignity. We're standing with dissidents and young democracies, providing AIDS medicine to dying patients — to bring dying patients back to life, and sparing mothers and babies from malaria. And this great republic born alone in liberty is leading the world toward a new age when freedom belongs to all nations.

For eight years, we've also strived to expand opportunity and hope here at home. Across our country, students are rising to meet higher standards in public schools. A new Medicare prescription drug benefit is bringing peace of mind to seniors and the disabled. Every taxpayer pays lower income taxes. The addicted and suffering are finding new hope through faith-based programs. Vulnerable human life is better protected. Funding for our veterans has nearly doubled. America's air and water and lands are measurably cleaner. And the federal bench includes wise new members like Justice Sam Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts.

When challenges to our prosperity emerged, we rose to meet them. Facing the prospect of a financial collapse, we took decisive measures to safeguard our economy. These are very tough times for hardworking families, but the toll would be far worse if we had not acted. All Americans are in this together. And together, with determination and hard work, we will restore our economy to the path of growth. We will show the world once again the resilience of America's free enterprise system.

Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks. There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I've always acted with the best interests of our country in mind. I have followed my conscience and done what I thought was right. You may not agree with some of the tough decisions I have made. But I hope you can agree that I was willing to make the tough decisions.

The decades ahead will bring more hard choices for our country, and there are some guiding principles that should shape our course.

While our nation is safer than it was seven years ago, the gravest threat to our people remains another terrorist attack. Our enemies are patient, and determined to strike again. America did nothing to seek or deserve this conflict. But we have been given solemn responsibilities, and we must meet them. We must resist complacency. We must keep our resolve. And we must never let down our guard.

At the same time, we must continue to engage the world with confidence and clear purpose. In the face of threats from abroad, it can be tempting to seek comfort by turning inward. But we must reject isolationism and its companion, protectionism. Retreating behind our borders would only invite danger. In the 21st century, security and prosperity at home depend on the expansion of liberty abroad. If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be led.

As we address these challenges — and others we cannot foresee tonight — America must maintain our moral clarity. I've often spoken to you about good and evil, and this has made some uncomfortable. But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two of them there can be no compromise. Murdering the innocent to advance an ideology is wrong every time, everywhere. Freeing people from oppression and despair is eternally right. This nation must continue to speak out for justice and truth. We must always be willing to act in their defense — and to advance the cause of peace.

President Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." As I leave the house he occupied two centuries ago, I share that optimism. America is a young country, full of vitality, constantly growing and renewing itself. And even in the toughest times, we lift our eyes to the broad horizon ahead.

I have confidence in the promise of America because I know the character of our people. This is a nation that inspires immigrants to risk everything for the dream of freedom. This is a nation where citizens show calm in times of danger and compassion in the face of suffering. We see examples of America's character all around us. And Laura and I have invited some of them to join us in the White House this evening.

We see America's character in Dr. Tony Rehcasner, a principal who opened a new charter school from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. We see it in Julio Medina, a former inmate who leads a faith-based program to help prisoners returning to society. We've seen it in Staff Sgt. Aubrey McDade, who charged into an ambush in Iraq and rescued three of his fellow Marines.

We see America's character in Bill Krissoff — a surgeon from California. His son, Nathan — a Marine — gave his life in Iraq. When I met Dr. Krissoff and his family, he delivered some surprising news: He told me he wanted to join the Navy Medical Corps in honor of his son. This good man was 60 years old — 18 years above the age limit. But his petition for a waiver was granted, and for the past year he has trained in battlefield medicine. Lieutenant Commander Krissoff could not be here tonight, because he will soon deploy to Iraq, where he will help save America's wounded warriors — and uphold the legacy of his fallen son.

In citizens like these, we see the best of our country — resilient and hopeful, caring and strong. These virtues give me an unshakable faith in America. We have faced danger and trial, and there's more ahead. But with the courage of our people and confidence in our ideals, this great nation will never tire, never falter, and never fail.

It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve as your president. There have been good days and tough days. But every day I have been inspired by the greatness of our country, and uplifted by the goodness of our people. I have been blessed to represent this nation we love. And I will always be honored to carry a title that means more to me than any other — citizen of the United States of America.

And so, my fellow Americans, for the final time: Good night. May God bless this house and our next president. And may God bless you and our wonderful country. Thank you.

C.H.A.N.G.E.??

As much as I love the idea of having a black President, I don’t want people to think that all prayers will be answered right off the back, if at all. He can only do what he can do. We will have the same problems we always have had and maybe more will come to the forefront. It’s amazing to me how many people believe that racism will be erased because of his presidency. I see just the opposite happening.

More than ever, racial jokes, comments, and conversations have been pushed more and more and are said openly whereas before, they were said, but done so quietly. The racial conversations being out in the open isn’t always a bad thing. More often then not, these need to occur. But it’s the bashing that I’m talking about here.

Of course, I’m fully aware that whites voted for him just as blacks did to place him in office, but I also am aware of what is said around me too. C.H.A.N.G.E. ~ what Obama stood for throughout his campaign, stood for so many things for some Americans, but some others still uttered: Can’t Help A Nigger Get Elected. Maybe things truly don’t change…

I have advocated during this campaign more than I ever had before. I watched every debate, watched when Oprah endorsed him even prior to him announcing that he would run. I had my heart set on Obama winning! My family, my kids watched with me, just as excited as I was. At the end of one of the debates, my oldest daughter says to me, “Mom, I hope he doesn’t win.” I was crushed and couldn’t understand why she would say such a thing. So I had to ask her, “Why?” She then replied, “Cuz, someone is going to kill him! If they don’t, they will try.” I sat for a minute and then said, “I’m scared too. I hope they don’t.” I had secretly been thinking the same thing the whole time, but never voiced it. It’s not like several well known black men who had very strong views and spoke publicly about those views haven’t been murdered. Hell, even those who aren’t famous get killed in the streets and in their homes everyday! How else was I to answer her? I’m also aware that each group of people, black, white and every group in-between have lost someone in a murder, but I’m not focusing on that at this time.

Inauguration day is just around the corner! I can’t wait! But at the same time, I’m nervous as hell for them and will remain so from now on...

Nah, nah, nah, nah, HEY< HEY< HEY, GOODBYE!

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Bush for how he dealt with 9/11,” Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Sheri Shephard said “People would respect Bush more if he admitted that he made a mistake on how Katrina was handled.”

Dealt with 9/11? How did he deal with 9/11, by going to war with people who had nothing to do with it? For claiming that people had bombs of mass destruction, uses it as an excuse when in fact they didn’t? Yes, 9/11 happened on Bush’s watch and he had no control over that happening, but damn it, it did! And ever since, we have been in a war costing the country billions and billions of dollars a month!

And Katrina, don’t even get me started on how bad that was handled! Bush didn’t even land during his initial helicopter ride over New Orleans. His first speech from there didn’t occur until WEEKS after the incident. People had to wait for at least 4 days to get food and water delivered to them. The work to rebuild the city of New Orleans by the government hasn’t really even started yet; it still looks like a third world country down there. The work that has been done there has been completed mostly by the residents. Yes, the rebuilding of the levee system has begun, but little else – such as schools, police and fire stations. Unfortunately, 705 people are still reported as missing and 275,000 homes were lost. Thousands of people are still living in trailers. 1,836 people died in this horrible storm. Bush claims in his speech on Monday that the government WAS NOT slow in reacting to the storm because they pulled off 30,000 from rooftops. That did not begin until 4 days AFTER the storm hit! If that’s not slow then I don’t know what is! He still can not own up to his mistakes now, 3 years later… 80 percent of New Orleans was under water, 80 percent!

If we can come up with $700 billion to bail out the banks and the auto industry, what about the economy of New Orleans? These people who are being bailed out have caused their own situations, not the people of New Orleans and Mississippi who were hurt in a natural disaster! Shouldn’t something be done to help these people?

Ann Coulter on The View

If there ever came a time that I would meet someone behind a restaurant, grease my face with Vaseline and put my hair in a ponytail to give someone a serious beat down, it would be with Ann Coulter! The things that this "lady" has the nerve to say just sent hate chills up my spine! How could she say the things that she does? The attitude that Whoopi, Barbara, Joy, Sherri even Elizabeth give her are justified. I wish there was a phone number that could be given during the show so that she would have to answer questions from the audience who are sitting there listening to her view. Yes, she has the right to have her opinions, I just disagree with everything that she says. She has no children, yet comments on people who do, namely single mothers. She also comments on mixed (black and white)Halle Berry and Obama etc. who identify themselves as black. Watch the video and let me know what you think!

My Little Lady

The oldest of my children turn 15 today! You don’t realize how old you are until your children hit their milestone birthdays such as teenager, Sweet 16, 18, 21 and so on… She isn’t hitting a milestone age, but she might as well be! I remember when she was just a baby (a good baby too)! Those years have come and gone and it’s amazing to look at her and see what a wonderful lady she has grown up to be! She learned things so easily – potty trained, to tie her shoes, to ride her bike, to swim… What can I say, I was and am blessed!

Conglomeration

I haven’t been able to write here since 2008, so let me first say “Happy New Year” to all of you reading this!

Let me first start out by sending my condolences to both Dr. Dre and John Travolta for the loss of their sons. Dr. Dre’s son died about 4 months ago, but the autopsy just came back with his death being ruled as a drug overdose. I’m sure that wasn’t the best news to hear for that family and also causes them to mourn the loss all over again. John Travolta’s son died in his arms last week after hitting his head in the bathroom from falling down from having a seizure. My thoughts are with both of these families.

Roland Burris being chosen as the new Illinois Senator by Governor Rod Blagojevich is something else I wanted to discuss. My feelings are all over the place on this move. I know that with Obama leaving the seat that he was the only black Senator, however, is Burris a good choice for the seat? I know that Blagojevich has not been convicted of a crime as of yet, but should he still be able to appoint someone to that position? His choice on who should have the seat has been tainted from jump and unfortunately Burris will bear the brunt of a lot of criticism just by being chosen by Blagojevich. No, it’s not fair, but that is how things are. Burris being 71 is also a little scary but with the remainder of the term only being 2 years that makes me feel a little better about things. I know Blagojevich was trying to keep the seat “black,” but I don’t think that is right either. Should he place someone in the seat JUST BECAUSE he’s black? For all I know Burris could be a great choice, however the manner in which he attained the seat bothers me.

Obama is planning on meeting with legislators today to push for his stimulus package for individuals and businesses. This one will be different from those that we are used to – “The Check”. The way he is interested in doing it is increase the amount of money that working people bring home in your check instead, like a payroll tax credit. For working couples it will be $1000 and for individuals $500. He is also considering a tax break for businesses who reported a loss in 2008. He also would like to establish a new credit for those businesses that create jobs or who avoid layoffs.

I know I’ve mentioned a lot of things here this time. Let me know what you think!

Football! What a sport!

What do people see in the Dallas Cowboys that they don’t see in any other team? What is it that mesmerizes people so? Also, every team has cheerleaders, but why are the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders more talked about than any other teams? It was the same way back in the day about the Laker Girls. The Los Angeles Lakers were good, but at that time the Chicago Bulls were better and they STILL didn’t care about their cheerleaders… I say, Who cares???

Yes, there are a couple of players on there who deserve honorable mention, none of which will get any here (haha) but I just don’t get it! I hear a lot that I should rep the state in which I live, I feel the opposite, I rep the state from which I came and that is Tennessee – the Tennessee Titans have been and will be my team. I was born in Memphis and therefore, THEY will get the love from me. (By the way, I like the Houston Texans – just for argument sake.) Of course they aren’t my only teams, but they are the ones who I will bring up here.

Poor Lions! They had NO ROAR at all! They went out like some suckas this season! Frankly, I’m shocked how well the Dolphins have played and the Browns too for that matter. But 0-16, WOW!

My wild card picks are: Vikings, Falcons, Ravens and Colts! Let’s see how well I do!

Line in the Cement

Love… How do you cut if off for someone that you’ve felt for so long? How do you tell yourself that it’s over and that there is no turning back? The ultimate line has been crossed, so no matter how sad you feel, you KNOW that you can no longer allow this to continue. This isn’t a line in the sand, it’s a line in the cement and the feelings you had at that instant, must be a reminder that there is NO turning back.

There are moments when the sadness turns to anger and you know its okay to feel this way. You were hurt and this is a way your body has learned or is trying to cope. Allow these feelings; you deserve to AND it’s okay to feel this way.

Time, in this circumstance, is your friend instead of your enemy like you are so used to feeling. Do not rush yourself into thinking that the faster you get over this hurt and betrayal, the better. Instead, allow yourself to hurt. This way, you truly get all the emotion out and can truly overcome the situation.

With all that being said, why is it easier to give advice than to take it yourself?

Solace in Family and Friends

Isn’t it interesting how things could be going one way and you think everything is everything, then the next minute, your life gets flipped upside down. It’s hard to swallow when you’ve been taken aback – slapped in the face with harsh reality. At this time, this is when your will and strength are being tested. You must stay strong and allow yourself to take care of you.

If you are like me, you are used to taking care of everyone else and you are left to deal with the leftovers for yourself. Sometimes, you have to come first and quite frankly, there is nothing wrong with that. Even when your world is upside down, you still have you – no matter what.

When things are going terrible and you can’t focus on anything else, you will notice what solace you can find in your friends and family. Those special friends and family members that you know you can call no matter what and they will be there for you. These people are very important to you anyway, but at a terrible time, they can be what pull you out and who keep you strong. These people are reminders of how important you must be to them for them to stand by you no matter what. To these people that I have in my life, I say thank you and I love you and I need you now more than ever.

Rick Warren to Speak at the Invocation

Rick Warren has been asked by President Elect Obama to speak at his invocation. He has said that this is going to be the most inclusive inauguration ever. Obama says, “Americans can learn to agree to disagree without becoming disagreeable”. Many people state that Rick Warren’s comments have been ignorant regarding gays, marriage, and AIDS. Others say that Obama is reaching out to those that have a different view point than the majority, trying to include everyone. He has two preachers one FOR gay rights and one AGAINIST gay rights speaking at the inauguration.

About two years ago, Warren invited Obama to speak at his church knowing full well that he disagreed with his views. Obama says of his choices for the inauguration, “During the course of the entire inaugural festivities, there will be a wide range of viewpoints that will be presented and that's how it should be,'' Obama said. He said “the majesty of the country is that we are diverse, noisy and opinionated and that's the spirit in which we have put together what I think will be a terrific inauguration. And that's hopefully going to be a spirit that carries over into my administration." “I commend President-elect Barack Obama for his courage to willingly take enormous heat from his base by inviting someone like me, with whom he doesn't agree on every issue, to offer the invocation at his historic inaugural ceremony,'' Warren said.

Obama can have whoever he chooses to speak on his day and I would assume that he has put a great deal of thought into these choices before asking these people to join him on his day. Do I have to be happy with his choices? No, as they say “You can’t make everyone happy all the time”. So why even try? If you can live with the choices that you make, then fine with me. However, when you are in the public eye, you must be ready for any flack that may come your way because of your choices. Yes, Warren has said plenty of things that have people against him, but so has Obama, and I’m sure both you and I have done things that someone isn’t happy about. Obama is including everyone in this, people who agree with him and those who don’t. What’s more American than that?

What are your thoughts?

Billey Joe Johnson, RIP

Billey Joe Johnson of Benndale Mississippi died of a gunshot wound to the head on Monday. He was one of the top high school football players in the country. He had been pulled over by an officer. As the officer returned to his vehicle to call in the stop, he heard a gunshot and glass shattering. As he looked up from his car, Billey falls to the floor with the 12 gauge shotgun lying on the top of him. There was a small wound behind his ear. On that day, he was to appear for an awards ceremony to celebrate his football career. The night before this happened, he texted his coach on what to wear to the event, so he had obviously planned on attending the event. Watch this video and give your thoughts.

If Billey were to shot himself in the head with a shotgun, wouldn’t you think that the wound would be larger that they are stating in the video? I don’t know, the whole situation sounds iffy to me.

Caroline Kennedy, Senator?

Does she deserve to run for the Senator of New York even though she has minimal, if any, experience? Does her family name and what they have done in government count for her because she belongs to that family? She has raised millions of dollars for schools but does that count for experience to be a Senator? Yes, she endorsed Obama while he was running for President, but so did I. Can I run?

Shoe Artillery

I think there has been a time or two that most of us wanted to throw a shoe at Bush, but somehow this Iraqi reporter, Muntadar al-Zaidi, has managed to do it! I’m so embarrassed for Bush but his response to the incident was great - "I don't know what the guy said, but I saw his sole," he joked.

Apparently, this is what Muntadar said, "This is a farewell kiss, you dog! This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

Watch the video and let me know what you think!

Trust in You

Once it’s gone; to get it back is a hard fight

One that is all uphill, one with no end in sight

The terrain is rough, steep and hard to climb

Takes love and a lot of time

If the love is there, the fight is worth the risk

Once the love is gone though, it’s easier to quit

Things worthwhile are hard to deal with

You have to be willing to put your all into it

If not, this too will end

Feelings not quick to mend

Go on to someone new

I’ll work on me, you work on you

Choices

CHOICES can be a scary thing, but it can also be GREAT if you make the right ones. What makes them scary is that once your choice is made oftentimes you can’t take it back. If the wrong choice is picked then the product of the choice can be catastrophic. Ownership of the choice made, especially if it’s a bad one, is also important. It won’t change anything but it does show maturity.

When you decide to share your life with someone, bring someone into your world, the choices you make are even MORE important because then they affect more than just you. Your partner in life is also affected. See, once you bring that person into your life, you are no longer just responsible for you - hence the word “share” used earlier. Those everyday choices that were easy to make when you were alone are easy because you were only responsible for YOU.

Sometimes all you have is yourself. YOU are all YOU got. There are people here and everywhere who will swear up and down that they will be there for you through thick and thin, but the only person looking back at you in the mirror is you. The decisions you make are ones that you will have to live with, being good ones or bad; which is why the daily choices we make are so important. Every choice has an outcome – every cause has an effect that is sure to come. Your choice may not involve you, but it is an affecting someone, somewhere.

If you have children, they are the only ones, besides you, who truly depend on you for their ENTIRE well being. Some people take care of their parents and other loved ones, but your children came into this world with nothing other than the two of you who put them here on this Earth. They should be protected, guarded, and taken care of until the day they can do it for themselves - even beyond then, if need be.

O.J. Sentenced!!

OJ Simpson has just been sentenced to a MINIMUM 15 year sentence for leading an armed confrontation last year in Vegas over sports memorabilia. He has been charged with kidnapping and robbery. The judge makes mention that this case is totally separate from the murders in the early 90’s but some feel as though he is being punished now for those crimes that he may have “gotten away with”. I’m sure the Goldman’s are happy with this outcome although I’m sure they were hoping for a longer sentence.

Auto Bailout

You know, hearing about this auto bailout is starting to get to me. Why are these companies going to the government for these large sums of money to help them out? Why is that okay? I knew that after the $700 Billion bailout was passed through Congress that companies were going to begin coming out of the wood work. Can they use the $25 billion out of this money? Not that it makes it any better. Dana Perino has said that we need to conserve that money and to use it for its intended purpose “…stabilizing and strengthening our financial system." I guess this doesn’t qualify as stabilizing/strengthening our financial system. Okay… If that’s not enough, GM executives say the $25 billion loan money would come with enough strings attached to it that they are not sure it can be used to solve their cash crisis. So, WHAT DO YOU WANT THEN?!

I do understand that if “The Big Three” (GM, Ford and Chrysler) go under that there will be approximately 2.5 million people will become unemployed if these business go under. However, while all of this is going on, I hear about the COO and CEO’s of these companies’s arriving in Washington in their privately owned jets instead of flying commercial like the rest of us struggling Americans. They are the reason we are in this mess to begin with. It was their bad business decisions and uncompetitive labor agreements which began this mess. Many people claim that the bailout will only postpone the inevitable anyway. Someone said that, “Failure of one of the companies is necessary if the economy is to work properly.” Their problems are their own doing, but now the rest of America has to save them. Where do they think this money is going to come from?

Well, and then think about this – if a bailout doesn’t happen then bankruptcy certainly will. What will happen if these companies go bankrupt?

1. Buyers would be unwilling to buy from a bankrupt automaker because of fears about resale value and warranties.

2. The company, along with credit analysts, has also questioned whether it could get financing to reorganize while in bankruptcy.

3. If GM were unable to pay its bills, it could be forced to liquidate and sell off assets rather than reorganize. And if it can't pay its creditors, auto parts suppliers would suffer and many would likely fail.

4. Still, bankruptcy would be tough. It would mean shedding numerous brands and probably thousands of dealerships, and entail closing plants and laying off tens of thousands of hourly workers.

5. 2.5 million jobs

6. Spending by auto company employees who lose their jobs would hurt stores and other businesses in cities where plants are located.

The advocates of a bailout insist that the risk of failure is too great - that even the best case scenario for bankruptcy would be too great a shock to the struggling U.S. economy. The critics say a bailout would be throwing good money after bad - something the government can't afford to do after already promising close to a trillion dollars for other bailouts.

So, what is the answer? What should be done?

Vise

When things become too tough for you to deal with, what do you turn to? Which vise calls you – cigarettes, food, and alcohol? There are so many (none of them good) that the choices are countless. Why don’t we ever turn to each other to solve our problems? Why is that so hard to do? The vice isn’t the problem that you are running away from. So often the vice ends up to be the problem if it’s turned to too often.

We have so much control in our lives over things we choose to control, but for some reason our minds take a back seat when it comes to controlling the urge to pick up that cigarette or eat that Zinger. (I love the chocolate ones! By the way, why do they put 3 in a pack and then say a serving is 1 – help me out Dolly Madison!)

Anywho – what is your vise?

Plaxico and a Gun

I’ve been waiting to post something about Plaxico Burress. You know, it’s crazy when we think of how these famous people make some DUMB mistakes. We somehow forget that these are PEOPLE. The mistakes they make in the public eye are just like the mistakes “regular” people make everyday. But somehow we are shocked at the mishaps the rich people make. WHY? Their circumstances put them in a situation which made their pockets fatter than the normal person, but they are no different besides that than you and I.

How many times have you heard that someone was shot in your own city at a club? Weekly? If you watch the news regularly, like I do, then it’s a “nightly” occurrence. I do agree that the moves these people make aren’t the brightest, the smartest, however, neither are the moves that us regular folk make every day either.

People are saying that he shouldn’t have taken that gun in with him – that someone could’ve gotten hurt. Well someone did get hurt and it was the one who took it in there. That IS a rare occurrence. It’s usually someone else, not the owner of the gun. Yes, I agree – a club is nowhere for a gun to be. If he didn’t feel safe there, then he shouldn’t have gone. Yes, he needs to protect himself from people wanting to hurt him, but is a gun the answer?

I’ve heard “Guns don’t kill people. Stupid people with guns kill people.” I’m not arguing the gun position here. If you own a fire arm, good for you! This day and age, the world is a dangerous place. We should all be protected and not have to worry about being hurt by anyone. My argument is taking the gun into the club - wasn’t the smartest thing to do. After all, don’t you go into the club to have a good time? How was he able to get in the place with a gun anyway? Was he not patted down? (Maybe because he’s a famous person, they didn’t see a need to search him?)

Anyway, holla at me!

Obama for CHANGE?

I was talking to one of my friends the other day and she stated that with all the talk of Obama saying that he is for change during his candidacy, he sure is hiring all the people from prior administrations – in particular the Clinton Administration. SO, the question becomes “If he is truly for change, how and why would he hire all people who have worked in administrations before, without bringing in any “new” people?”

I brought up the fact that people were using his experience (or lack there of) against him during the time when he was running for the presidency. So now, that he chooses to hire people with experience, he is now being criticized for that. I tell ya, he can’t win for loosing!

No matter who he hires for his cabinet, he is still the “change” that most of us have been waiting for! Yes, he is a black man; we can obviously see that, however that is not the only thing that he brings to the table. That is definitely a change that we all are NOT used to seeing living in that address. No matter who he has advising him, his decision will be his. Just because someone tells you to do something doesn’t mean you have too or that you will. Someone’s advice is only that – advice. Someone’s opinion remains their opinion. However, my decision is my decision. People can try to influence it all they want.

The last 8 years have been difficult, yes we know. And hopefully the next 4, hopefully 8 – we can dream can’t we) will be different. The best president that we’ve had so far, in my opinion, has been Bill Clinton. If his Administration can bring back to the economy and to all of us what they did in their time, then it can’t be anything more than a plus, right?

The article below is taken from “Clinton Presidency: Historic Economic Growth” {http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/Accomplishments/eightyears-03.html} Read for yourself what he’s done for this country, hopefully Obama will do the same.

The Clinton Presidency: Historic Economic Growth

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In 1993, President Clinton and Vice President Gore launched their economic strategy: (1) establishing fiscal discipline, eliminating the budget deficit, keeping interest rates low, and spurring private-sector investment; (2) investing in people through education, training, science, and research; and (3) opening foreign markets so American workers can compete abroad. After eight years, the results of President Clinton’s economic leadership are clear. Record budget deficits have become record surpluses, 22 million new jobs have been created, unemployment and core inflation are at their lowest levels in more than 30 years, and America is in the midst of the longest economic expansion in our history.

President Clinton’s Record on the Economy: In 1992, 10 million Americans were unemployed, the country faced record deficits, and poverty and welfare rolls were growing. Family incomes were losing ground to inflation and jobs were being created at the slowest rate since the Great Depression. Today, America enjoys what may be the strongest economy ever.

• Strong Economic Growth: Since President Clinton and Vice President Gore took office, economic growth has averaged 4.0 percent per year, compared to average growth of 2.8 percent during the Reagan-Bush years. The economy has grown for 116 consecutive months, the most in history.

• Most New Jobs Ever Created Under a Single Administration: The economy has created more than 22.5 million jobs in less than eight years—the most jobs ever created under a single administration, and more than were created in the previous 12 years. Of the total new jobs, 20.7 million, or 92 percent, are in the private sector.

• Median Family Income Up $6,000 since 1993: Economic gains have been made across the spectrum as family incomes increased for all Americans. Since 1993, real median family income has increased by $6,338, from $42,612 in 1993 to $48,950 in 1999 (in 1999 dollars).

• Unemployment at Its Lowest Level in More than 30 Years: Overall unemployment has dropped to the lowest level in more than 30 years, down from 6.9 percent in 1993 to just 4.0 percent in November 2000. The unemployment rate has been below 5 percent for 40 consecutive months. Unemployment for African Americans has fallen from 14.2 percent in 1992 to 7.3 percent in October 2000, the lowest rate on record. Unemployment for Hispanics has fallen from 11.8 percent in October 1992 to 5.0 percent in October 2000, also the lowest rate on record.

• Lowest Inflation since the 1960s: Inflation is at the lowest rate since the Kennedy Administration, averaging 2.5 percent, and it is down from 4.7 percent during the previous administration.

• Highest Homeownership Rate on Record: The homeownership rate reached 67.7 percent for the third quarter of 2000, the highest rate on record. In contrast, the homeownership rate fell from 65.6 percent in the first quarter of 1981 to 63.7 percent in the first quarter of 1993.

• 7 Million Fewer Americans Living in Poverty: The poverty rate has declined from 15.1 percent in 1993 to 11.8 percent last year, the largest six-year drop in poverty in nearly 30 years. There are now 7 million fewer people in poverty than there were in 1993.

President Clinton’s Record on Fiscal Discipline: Between 1981 and 1992, the national debt held by the public quadrupled. The annual budget deficit grew to $290 billion in 1992, the largest ever, and was projected to grow to more than $455 billion by Fiscal Year (FY) 2000. As a result of the tough and sometimes unpopular choices made by President Clinton, and major deficit reduction legislation passed in 1993 and 1997, we have seen eight consecutive years of fiscal improvement for the first time in America’s history.

• Largest Surplus Ever: The surplus in FY 2000 is $237 billion—the third consecutive surplus and the largest surplus ever.

• Largest Three-Year Debt Pay-Down Ever: Between 1998-2000, the publicly held debt was reduced by $363 billion—the largest three-year pay-down in American history. Under Presidents Reagan and Bush, the debt held by the public quadrupled. Under the Clinton-Gore budget, we are on track to pay off the entire publicly held debt on a net basis by 2009.

• Lower Federal Government Spending: After increasing under the previous two administrations, federal government spending as a share of the economy has been cut from 22.2 percent in 1992 to 18 percent in 2000—the lowest level since 1966.

• Reduced Interest Payments on the Debt: In 1993, the net interest payments on the debt held by the public were projected to grow to $348 billion in FY 2000. In 2000, interest payments on the debt were $125 billion lower than projected.

• Americans Benefit from Reduced Debt: Because of fiscal discipline and deficit and debt reduction, it is estimated that a family with a home mortgage of $100,000 might expect to save roughly $2,000 per year in mortgage payments, like a large tax cut.

• Double Digit Growth in Private Investment in Equipment and Software: Lower debt will help maintain strong economic growth and fuel private investments. With government no longer draining resources out of capital markets, private investment in equipment and software averaged 13.3 percent annual growth since 1993, compared to 4.7 percent during 1981 to 1992.

To Establish Fiscal Discipline, President Clinton:

• Enacted the 1993 Deficit Reduction Plan without a Single Republican Vote. Prior to 1993, the debate over fiscal policy often revolved around a false choice between public investment and deficit reduction. The 1993 deficit reduction plan showed that deficit and debt reductions could be accomplished in a progressive way by slashing the deficit in half and making important investments in our future, including education, health care, and science and technology research. The plan included more than $500 billion in deficit reduction. It also cut taxes for 15 million of the hardest-pressed Americans by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit; created the Direct Student Loan Program; created the first nine Empowerment Zones and first 95 Enterprise Communities; and passed tax cuts for small businesses and research and development.

• Negotiated the Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997. In his 1997 State of the Union address, President Clinton announced his plan to balance the budget for the first time in 27 years. Later that year, he signed the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, a major bipartisan agreement to eliminate the national budget deficit, create the conditions for economic growth, and invest in the education and health of our people. It provided middle-class tax relief with a $500 per child tax credit and the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits for college. It also created the Children’s Health Insurance Program to serve up to 5 million children and made landmark investments in education initiatives including educational technology, charter schools, Head Start, and Pell Grants. Finally, it added 20 more Empowerment Zones and 20 more rural Enterprise Communities, included the President’s plan to revitalize the District of Columbia, and continued welfare reform though $3 billion in new resources to move welfare recipients to private-sector jobs.

• Dedicated the Surplus to Save Social Security and Reduce the National Debt. In his 1998 and 1999 State of the Union addresses, President Clinton called on the nation to save the surplus until the solvency of Social Security is assured. He also repeatedly vetoed large Republican tax cut bills that would have jeopardized our nation’s fiscal discipline. The President’s actions led to a bipartisan consensus on saving the surplus and paying down the debt.

Extended Medicare Solvency from 1999 to 2025.

When President Clinton took office, Medicare was expected to become insolvent in 1999, then only six years away. The 1993 deficit reduction act dedicated some of the taxes paid by Social Security beneficiaries to the Medicare Trust Fund and extended the life of Medicare by three years to 2002. Thanks to additional provisions to combat waste, fraud and abuse and bipartisan cooperation in the 1997 balanced budget agreement, Medicare is now expected to remain solvent until 2025.

President Clinton’s Record on Trade and Globalization: In 1992, 10 million Americans were unemployed, new job creation was slow, and wages were stagnant. Other nations’ high trade barriers limited the ability of American businesses and farmers to sell their goods abroad and hampered economic recovery. Our trade policies failed to reflect our values by failing to take into account the responsibility to protect our environment, eliminate child labor and sweatshops, and protect the rights of workers around the world. But today:

• 300 Trade Agreements: President Clinton has opened markets for U.S. exports abroad and created American jobs through nearly 300 free and fair trade agreements.

• The Most U.S. Exports Ever. Between 1992 and 2000, U.S. exports of goods and services grew by 74 percent, or nearly $500 billion, to top $1 trillion for the first time.

• 1.4 Million More Jobs due to Exports: Jobs supported by American exports grew by 1.4 million between 1994 and 1998, with jobs supported by exports paying about 13 percent to 16 percent above the U.S. national average. Jobs related to goods exports pay, on average, 13 to 16 percent higher than other jobs.

• Lowest Inflation since the 1960s: Inflation is at the lowest rate since the Kennedy Administration, in part because global competition has kept prices low. It has averaged 2.5 percent under this Administration, down from 4.6 percent during the previous administration.

To Create Trade Opportunities and Expand the Benefits of Globalization, President Clinton:

• Won Ratification of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993, creating the world’s largest free trade zone of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. U.S. exports to Mexico grew 109 percent from 1993 to 1999, while exports to the rest of the world grew by 49 percent.

• Won Approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China. In 2000, Congress ratified permanent normal trade relations with China. The agreement will integrate China into the world economy through entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), open Chinese market to U.S. exports, slash Chinese tariffs, and protect American workers and companies against dumping.

• Successfully Completed the Uruguay Round. The 1994 Uruguay Round transformed the world trading system, opening markets in a wide range of industries, enabling the U.S. to enforce agreements more effectively, and applying the rules for the first time to all WTO members (now 138 in total).

• Fought for the First-Ever African and the Caribbean Basin Trade Bills. The African Growth and Opportunity Act of 2000 will support increased trade and investment between the United States and Africa, strengthen African economies and democratic governments, and increase partnerships to counter terrorism, crime, environmental degradation and disease. The legislation will also create incentives for the countries of sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean Basin to continue reforming their economies.

• Promoted Trade Opportunities for High Technology. The Clinton Administration completed series of trade agreements on technology, including the WTO’s commitment to duty-free cyberspace, keeping the Internet free of trade barriers, in 1998; the global WTO agreements on Financial Services and Basic Telecommunications in 1997; the global WTO agreement on Information Technology in 1996; and a series of bilateral agreements on intellectual property, high-tech products, services and other sectors. These efforts are the building blocks of the New Economy.

• Secured Historic Debt Relief. In March 1999, President Clinton presented a plan to a U.S.-Africa Summit in Washington that became the basis for the G-7 agreement in Cologne, Germany (known as the Cologne Debt Initiative). The plan would triple the amount of debt relief available for poor countries, reducing their debt by about 70 percent ($90 billion), in return for firm commitments to channel the benefits into improving the lives of all their people. In September 1999, the President announced that the U.S. would unilaterally exceed the terms of the G-7 initiative and entirely cancel the $5.7 billion in U.S. government debt owed by qualifying countries. In November 2000, President Clinton won $435 million from Congress for U.S. participation in the Cologne Initiative.

• Dramatically Expanded U.S. Efforts to Fight Child Labor and Expand Basic Education. In June 1999, the President traveled to the International Labor Organization (ILO) conference in Geneva, Switzerland, to urge adoption of an historic international convention banning the worst forms of child labor. He won $30 million for ILO enforcement of child labor laws and is fighting for a new initiative to promote basic education in areas of the world where child labor is widespread. In 2000, at U.S. urging, the G-8 countries endorsed the goal of universal basic education. President Clinton brought other issues to the forefront of the international economic agenda, including incorporating labor and environmental considerations in the work of major international economic institutions, increasing U.S. support for global efforts to fight HIV-AIDS and infectious diseases, and closing the digital divide.

• Defused International Economic Crises. In 1995, after Congress refused to act, President Clinton made $20 billion in emergency loans to Mexico to stabilize the country’s financial markets. Mexico repaid the loans in full, with interest, three years ahead of schedule. Following the Asian and Russian financial crises in 1997 and 1998, the Clinton-Gore Administration led a global effort to re-capitalize the International Monetary Fund to allow it to more effectively deal with these problems. President Clinton also insisted that the G-7 develop a set of measures to restore confidence in the world financial system.

• Promoted U.S. Competitiveness. The Clinton-Gore Administration has made key investments in education and training for American workers and research and development. It has also maintained federal fiscal discipline, helping to reduce interest rates, encourage private-sector investment, and keep productivity high. President Clinton’s Record on Rewarding Work: In 1992, unemployment reached 7.5 percent, the highest level in eight years. Unemployment and poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanics were alarming: unemployment reached 14.2 percent for African Americans and 11.8 percent for Hispanics, and poverty rates for both groups were nearly 30 percent. But today:

• Higher Incomes at All Levels: After years of stagnant income growth among average and lower-income families, all income brackets have experienced double-digit income growth since 1993. The bottom 20 percent saw the largest income growth at 16.3 percent.

• Lowest Poverty Rate in 20 Years: Since Congress passed President Clinton’s Economic Plan in 1993, the poverty rate declined from 15.1 percent to 11.8 percent last year, the largest six-year drop in poverty in nearly 30 years. There are now 7 million fewer people in poverty than there were in 1993. The child poverty rate has declined more than 25 percent, the poverty rate for single mothers is the lowest ever, the African American and elderly poverty rates dropped to their lowest level on record, and the Hispanic poverty rate dropped to its lowest level since 1979.

• Lowest Poverty Rate for Single Mothers on Record: Under President Clinton, the poverty rate for families with single mothers has fallen from 46.1 percent in 1993 to 35.7 percent in 1999, the lowest level on record. Between 1980 and 1992, an additional 2.1 million households headed by single women were pushed into poverty.

• Smallest Welfare Rolls Since 1969: Under the Clinton-Gore Administration, the welfare rolls have dropped dramatically and are now the lowest since 1969. Between January 1993 and September of 1999, the number of welfare recipients dropped by 7.5 million (a 53 percent decline) to 6.6 million. In comparison, between 1981-1992, the number of welfare recipients increased by 2.5 million (a 22 percent increase) to 13.6 million people.

To Help All Americans Benefit from Prosperity, President Clinton:

• Ended Welfare as We Knew It. In 1996, President Clinton signed legislation requiring welfare recipients to work, limiting the time they can stay on welfare, and providing child care and health care to help them begin work. It also enacted tough new child support enforcement measures proposed by the President. In 1997, President Clinton won the welfare-to-work tax credit to encourage employers to hire long-term welfare recipients and $3 billion in additional resources to help communities move long-term welfare recipients into lasting, unsubsidized jobs.

• Rewarded Work by Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. In 1993, President Clinton succeeded in winning passage of an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, giving a tax cut to 15 million of the hardest-pressed American workers. In 1999, the EITC lifted 4.1 million people out of poverty, nearly double the number lifted out of poverty by the EITC in 1993.

• Created Empowerment Zones. The 1993 Clinton-Gore economic plan created nine Empowerment Zones and 95 Enterprise Communities to spur local community planning and economic growth in distressed communities through tax incentives and federal investment. The President won expansions of the program in 1994, 1997, and again in 2000. To date, the 31 Empowerment Zones and 95 Enterprise Communities have leveraged over $10 billion in new private sector investment, creating thousands of new jobs for local residents.

• Created Community Development Financial Institutions. In September 1994, the President signed legislation creating the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, a Clinton campaign proposal to support specialized financial institutions serving often-overlooked customers and communities. The Fund has certified over 400 CDFIs. It has provided over $427 million to match investments in CDFIs and to encourage traditional financial institutions to increase their lending, investment and services in under-served markets.

• Strengthened the Community Reinvestment Act. In 1995, the Administration updated the Community Reinvestment Act regulations to focus on banks’ actual service delivery, rather than on compliance efforts. From 1993 to 1998, lenders subject to the law increased mortgage lending to low- and moderate-income families by 80 percent—more than twice the rate they increased mortgage lending to other income groups.

• Encouraged Investment in America’s New Markets. In 1999, the President went on two historic "New Markets" trips to highlight the continuing need to bring investment to impoverished inner cities, rural communities and Native American tribal lands. In 2000, the President and Congress worked together to pass this bipartisan initiative to stimulate new private capital investments in economically distressed communities and build network of private investment institutions to funnel credit, equity and technical assistance to businesses in America’s new markets.

• Raised the Minimum Wage. In 1996, President Clinton and Vice President Gore fought for and won a 90-cent per hour increase in the minimum wage, helping 10 million workers.

• Helped People with Disabilities Work. In 1999, President Clinton insisted that Congress pass the Work Incentives Improvement Act as a condition of the budget agreement. This bipartisan law allows people with disabilities to maintain their Medicare or Medicaid coverage when they work.

To Capitalize on the Information Technology Revolution, President Clinton and Vice President Gore Have:

• Modernized Financial Services Laws. In 1993, the laws that governed America’s financial service sector were antiquated and anti-competitive. The Clinton-Gore Administration fought to modernize those laws to increase competition in traditional banking, insurance, and securities industries to give consumers and small businesses more choices and lower costs. In 1994, the Clinton-Gore Administration broke another decades-old logjam by allowing banks to branch across state lines in the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. President Clinton fought for and won financial modernization legislation, signing the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act in November 1999.

• Reformed Telecommunications. In 1996, President Clinton signed legislation to open up competition between local telephone companies, long distance providers and cable companies. The law also requires the use of new V-chip technology to give families greater control over which television programming comes into their homes.

• Created the E-Rate. With the leadership of Vice President Gore, the Telecommunications Act contained the E-Rate initiative, which provides low-cost Internet connections for schools, libraries, rural health clinics and hospitals. More than 80 percent of America’s public schools have benefited from the E-rate, which has helped connect 30 million children and up to 47,000 schools and libraries to the Internet. The percentage of public schools connected to the Internet has increased from 35 percent in 1994 to 95 percent in 1999. The percentage of classrooms connected to the Internet has increased from 3 percent in 1994 to 63 percent in 1999.

• Increased Resources for Educational Technology by Over 3,000 Percent. President Clinton and Vice President Gore increased our investment in educational technology by over 3,000 percent, from $23 million in FY 1994 to $769 million in FY 2000, including training over 600,000 new teachers to use technology effectively in the classroom.

• Paved the Way for Electronic Commerce. President Clinton fought to eliminate legal barriers to using electronic technology to form and sign contracts, collect and store documents, and send and receive notices and disclosures, while ensuring that consumers on-line have the same protections that they have in the paper world. He signed the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act on June 30, 2000.

• Creating Market Opportunities for Technology Firms. The Clinton-Gore Administration adopted a market-led approach on e-commerce, making spectrum available for digital wireless, and reforming Cold War export controls.

• Worked to Close the Digital Divide. Since 1992, the President and Vice President have tripled funding for Community Technology Centers, which provide access to computers and the Internet to low-income urban and rural neighborhoods. President Clinton also challenged the private sector to develop new business models for low-cost computers and Internet access to make universal access at home affordable for all Americans. The Technology Literacy Challenge Fund has provided $1 billion in federal resources to help schools work with businesses and community organizations to put modern computers, high-quality educational software, and affordable connections to the Internet in every classroom. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 created a temporary tax deduction for donations of computers to elementary and secondary schools.

• Forged Trade Agreements on High Technology. The Clinton Administration completed series of trade agreements on technology, including the WTO’s commitment to duty-free cyberspace, keeping the Internet free of trade barriers, in 1998; the global WTO agreements on Financial Services and Basic Telecommunications in 1997; the global WTO agreement on Information Technology in 1996; and a series of bilateral agreements on intellectual property, high-tech products, services and other sectors; all soon to be capped by the opening of a major networked economy initiative.

President Clinton’s Record on Investing in Americans:

• More Americans Are Enrolling in College: 66 percent of 1998 high school graduates enrolled in college or trade school the next fall, compared to 60 percent in 1990.

• More High School Students Are Preparing for College: The percentage of high school graduates who have taken four years of English and three years each of math, science, and social studies increased from 38 percent to 55 percent between 1990 and 1998. Research shows that high-quality academics in high school is key to college success.

• More Americans Are Earning College Degrees: Over 32 percent of 25- to 29-year-old high school graduates had earned at least a bachelor’s degree in 1999, up from 27 percent in 1990. In particular, white and African American women have seen their college opportunities grow.

• Americans Are Becoming Lifelong Learners: 50 percent of adults participated in formal learning in the year prior to a 1999 survey, up from 38 percent in 1991.

To Provide Americans with More, Higher-Quality Education and Training, President Clinton:

• Created the College Tax Credits, the Largest Single Investment in Higher Education since the G.I. Bill. A $1,500 tax credit for the first two years of college, the Hope Scholarship will pay for nearly all of a typical community college’s tuition and fees. The $1,000 Lifetime Learning Tax Credit reimburses families for 20 percent of their tuition and fees (up to $5,000 per family) for college, graduate study, or job training. Starting in 2003, the credit will reimburse families for 20 percent of their costs up to $10,000, for a maximum value of $2,000. This year, 10 million American families will save over $7 billion through the college tax credits.

• Doubled Student Financial Aid. Students will receive over $50 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study aid this year, up from $25 billion in 1993. President Clinton has consistently supported budget increases for Pell Grants; this year, over 3.8 million needy students receive a Pell Grant scholarship of up to $3,300, a $1,000 larger maximum grant than in 1993. The President won another increase for Pell Grants in the FY 2001 budget, bringing the maximum grant to $3,750. The President also won increases in work-study funding to help one million students pay for college.

• Created Direct Student Loans and Reduced Interest Rates. In the Student Loan Reform Act of 1993, President Clinton won the Direct Student Loan program to improve customer service and compete with guaranteed lenders. It has saved taxpayers over $4 billion so far by eliminating lender subsidies. President Clinton also fought to reduce interest rates and fees in the Student Loan Reform Act of 1993 and the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. As a result, students can expect to pay $1,300 less in interest and fees for the average $10,000 loan than they would have in 1992. The student loan default rate is now 6.9 percent, down from 22.4 percent eight years ago.

• Created New Paths to College through GEAR UP, AmeriCorps, and TRIO. President Clinton won the new GEAR UP initiative in the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 which is already helping 700,000 low-income middle school students prepare for college. Over 150,000 Americans have earned money for college while serving their communities through President Clinton’s AmeriCorps program, a campaign promise enacted in 1993. To help disadvantaged youth prepare for and succeed in college, the TRIO programs have grown by $342 million over the past eight years.

• Strengthened Elementary and Secondary Education. In 1994, President Clinton reformed federal education initiatives in the Improving America’s Schools Act and the Goals 2000 Act. The President’s new approach was grounded in the principles that all of America’s students should meet high academic standards and the federal government should make new investments to help them meet those standards. The President has also fought to hire 100,000 teachers, promote educational technology, support charter schools, build K-16 partnerships, and focus on early reading through America Reads.

• Passed the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. In 1992, President Clinton and Vice President Gore proposed to streamline and bring greater accountability to our nation's job training system. In 1998, they won legislation to meet the needs of both America’s workers and businesses by encouraging local control of training and employment programs; helping customers locate assistance through one-stop centers; and empower adults to receive the training they need.

The Clinton Record on Reducing Taxes for Working Families:

• Lowest Federal Income Tax Burden in 35 Years: Federal income taxes as a percentage of income for the typical American family have dropped to their lowest level in 35 years.

• Higher Incomes even after Taxes and Inflation: Real after-tax incomes have grown for Americans at all income levels, much faster than they did prior to the Clinton-Gore Administration. Real after-tax incomes grew by an average of 2.6 percent per year for the lower-income half of taxpayers between 1993 and 1997, while growing by an average of 1.0 percent between 1981 and 1993.

To Cut Taxes for Working Americans, President Clinton:

• Expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit. In 1993, President Clinton succeeded in expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, giving a tax cut to 15 million of the hardest-pressed American workers. In 1999, the EITC lifted 4.1 million people out of poverty, nearly double the number lifted out of poverty by the EITC in 1993.

• Created the $500 per Child Tax Credit. In 1997, President Clinton secured a $500 per child tax credit for 27 million families with children under 17, including 13 million children from families with incomes below $30,000.

• Won the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit. President Clinton proposed tax credits for college tuition in 1996 and signed them into law in 1997 as part of the balanced budget agreement. The Hope Scholarship provides a tax credit of up to $1,500 for tuition and fees for the first two years of college, roughly equal to the cost of the average community college. It will save American families $4.9 billion this year.

• Won the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. Also enacted in 1997, the Lifetime Learning tax credit provides a 20 percent tax credit on $5,000 of tuition and fees (to be raised to $10,000 in 2003) for college and graduate students and adults taking job training. It will reduce the cost of college and job training for American families by $2.4 billion this year.

• Established Education IRAs. The 1997 balanced budget agreement also created Education IRAs. For each child under age 18, families may now deposit $500 per year into an Education IRA in the child's name. Earnings in the Education IRA accumulate tax-free and no taxes will be due upon withdrawal if the money is used to pay for college. The law also allowed taxpayers to withdraw funds from a traditional IRA without penalty to pay for higher education for themselves or their spouse, child, or even grandchild.

• Created Empowerment Zones. President Clinton created Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities in 1993 and expanded them in 1994, 1997 and again in 2000 to spur economic growth in distressed communities through tax incentives and federal investment. To date, the 31 Empowerment Zones and 95 Enterprise Communities have leveraged over $10 billion in new private sector investment, creating thousands of new jobs for local residents.

• Simplified Pension Rules. In 1996, President Clinton signed the SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) plan into law, simplifying and expanding retirement plan coverage for small businesses.

• Simplified Tax Laws and Protected Taxpayer Rights. President Clinton signed the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to simplify the tax laws and enhance taxpayers’ rights. The law has saved families and businesses millions of hours be simplifying and reducing paperwork, such as allowing a tax exclusion for income from the sale of a home.

• Closed Tax Loopholes. To ensure that all taxpayers pay their fair share, the Clinton Administration addressed the use and proliferation of corporate tax shelters by proposing several remedies to curb the growth of such shelters by increasing disclosure of sheltering activities, increasing and strengthening the substantial understatement penalty, codifying the judicially-created economic substance doctrine, and providing consequences to all parties involved in an abusive sheltering transaction.

World AIDS Day 2008

There are many of us who have known someone who has passed on due to AIDS. Today marks the 20 anniversary of “WORLD AIDS DAY”.

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

Leadership is the theme for World AIDS Day 2007 and 2008, promoted with the campaigning slogan, “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” Leadership encourages leaders at all levels to stop AIDS. Building on the 2006 theme of accountability, leadership highlights the discrepancy between the commitments that have been made to halt the spread of AIDS, and actions taken to follow them through. Leadership empowers everyone – individuals, organisations, governments – to lead in the response to AIDS.

 At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS.

 In 2006, 35,314 new cases of HIV/AIDS in adults, adolescents, and children were diagnosed in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting. CDC has developed a new and innovative system designed to estimate the number of new HIV infections (or incidence) for the United States in a given year. Using this new technology, CDC estimates that 56,300 new HIV infections occurred in the United States in 2006.

 In 2006, almost three quarters of HIV/AIDS diagnoses among adolescents and adults were for males.

 Although blacks, or African Americans, made up only 13% of the population in the 33 states, they accounted for almost half of the estimated number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses made during 2006.

 In 2006, persons aged 25–34 and persons aged 35–44 accounted for the largest proportions of newly diagnosed HIV/ AIDS cases.

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.