Cleveland Ohio Live blogging

NEW YORK – February 22, 2008 – MSNBC will telecast a debate between Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama Tuesday, Feb. 26, live from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, 9-10:30 p.m. ET. "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams will moderate the debate, joined by "Meet the Press" moderator and NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert.

This is the final debate between Sens. Obama and Clinton before the crucial March 4 primaries in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont.

See Ohio Debate here

NAACP Leadership 500 Summit

Save the date to get the money to register early.



For more information click here.

The New Black is a Rich Raced White Woman?

According to Tina Fey, during a Saturday Night Live skit, hard core professional raced white women are the new black.

Fey suggest that raced white women such as hard working Hillary Clinton are taking a backseat to African-Americans like Obama. Fey is suggesting that raced white women will find themselves behind Latinos, if Texas and Ohio does not get behind Hillary.

It was just a comedy skit, right? Right!

TF: I don’t think so. I did the same thing when I was younger. I never sat down and watched the evening news. I’d get all my current events from Letterman or SNL. You can get some good information that way. If you watch The Daily Show all the time, you’ll have a basic understanding of what’s happening in the world. Besides, I think a lot of young people don’t just watch comedy shows to stay informed. They also want to be guided on how they’re supposed to feel. I guess that’s what we do, to some extent. We have a liberal bias, obviously, and that’s very much the tone of Update. But then again, a lot of Young Republicans watch the show, and I don’t think we’re converting anybody’s political views. I don’t know, I have very mixed feelings about it. I loved Will Ferrell’s Bush impersonation, but sometimes I wonder if it might’ve helped Bush win the election. As much as we were making fun of Bush’s stupidity, Will also managed to make him seem almost charming and sweet. I would have voted for him. Who doesn’t adore a lovable loser? And that’s not the way to pick your leaders

Joe Louis-theman-the brownbomber-a real knockout

Century of Civil Rights 1909-2009



In honor of Black History Month, the NAACP Communications Department encourages you to tune in to HBO Sports' special film....

[Joe Louis] was the grandson of slaves who became one of the greatest boxers in history. Legendary heavyweight Joe Louis, the "Bronx Bomber," was America's first true cross-over athlete. This special film chronicles his life, shows his far-reaching impact on segregated America and popularity with both black and white fans, and reveals how even though he served as an iconic figure in WWII, the government and IRS betrayed him and drove him into a desperate state at the end of his boxing career and life. Interviews include his son, Joe Barrow Jr., Jimmy Carter, Maya Angelou, Jerry Lewis, Pete and Louis Marciano, and others. For more information, please visit:


www.hbo.com/events/joelouis/index.html

NAACP-The young shall lead the way

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 20, 2008

Contact: Richard J. McIntire

(410) 580-5787

rmcintire@naacpnet.org



UNPRECEDENTED CONSORTIUM UNITES AROUND 4TH ANNUAL

‘FILM YOUR ISSUE’ GLOBAL COMPETITION

More than 25 million American Young Adults Urged to Participate in Online Campaign



USA TODAY, The United Nations, The Associated Press, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the NAACP, the Humane Society of the United States, MTV, YouTube, MySpace, The American Film Institute and a roster of American leaders, led by Walter Cronkite and Tom Brokaw, have joined forces to engage young adults ages 14 to 24 in promoting social issues using the power of the Internet.



In its 4th year, Film Your Issue – FYI, has grown into a global internet-based competition inviting more than 25 million high school and college students in the U.S. alone to engage in fostering contemporary issues by creating and uploading two-minute short films on issues that impact their generation. In addition to taking the pulse of young adults on issues, FYI encourages young people to add their voice to the public dialogue, and underscores how individual voices can influence public debate.



“The internet has become one of the most potent platforms of social change, social activism and raising consciousness,” said HeathCliff Rothman, founder and president of FYI - FILM YOUR ISSUE. “With the rapidly evolving technology which puts filmmaking capabilities into the hands of young people, this competition brings those elements – the internet, social activism and user-generated-content -- together dynamically. We are excited as we begin the 4th round that this unprecedented consortium of organizations has joined with us to encourage the next generation of leaders, and provide a global platform for pressing social issues.”



Starting Feb. 15, participants could begin uploading their work on multiple participating platforms including MTV, YouTube and AFI Screen Nation, after registering at www.filmyourissue.com. Select entries will be highlighted on MySpace TV and distributed by The Associated Press to its 1,800 U.S. media outlets. The submission deadline is April 14, 2008.



Winners are selected by an illustrious VIP Jury, by the public, and by participating cause organizations. FYI 2008’s VIP Jury is headed by legendary news anchors and authors Walter Cronkite and Tom Brokaw, and includes NAACP Vice Chair Roslyn M. Brock, MySpace Founder Tom Anderson, MTV President Christina Norman, CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer, NBC Anchor Brian Williams, Best Buy Vice-Chairman Brad Anderson, HBO Host Bill Maher, USA TODAY Publisher Craig Moon, USA TODAY Founder Al Neuharth, Weinstein Company Co-founder Harvey Weinstein and others. Public voting will occur on MTV’s website.



Prizes to 10 winning films include internships at USA TODAY, the United Nations, P.O.V. and the Humane Society and a $5,000 cash prize from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Strong American Schools. Winning films will be broadcast on Starz, and a finalist profiled on MTV News. In addition, FYI presents two additional annual awards: The Walter Cronkite Civic Engagement Leadership Award to an academic institution, and The Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award, to an individual.



Winners from past competitions have gone on to work in major Hollywood production companies, been invited to present their film on Capitol Hill, and recently co-produced the Sundance Grand Jury Award winner. Entries from past rounds have come from all points across the U.S., as well as Iran, the Philippines, Russia, Hong Kong, Israel, the U.K., Argentina and elsewhere. .



Partners for the 2008 FYI competition are: USA TODAY, The Associated Press, the United Nations, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MTV, MySpace, YouTube, NAACP, the Humane Society of the United States, The American Film Institute Silverdocs and AFI Screen Nation, Natural Resources Defense Council, PBS award-winning documentary series P.O.V., Starz, The Human Rights Campaign, ASCAP and The International Documentary Association. Academic partners are: The Association of American Colleges and Universities, The National Association of Student Councils, The American Association of College Professors and The University Film and Video Association.



Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its more than half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitors of equal opportunity in the public and private sectors

Fort Wayne Backward countrified Negroes-in the dumbest city in the United States

Sometimes the soul gets tired. So tired, of backward non progressive black folks. Black Folks who seek the raced white media to do its dirty work. Kevin Leininger is one of the those raced white media folks. Kevin Leininger, writes this about the leader of the local NAACP.

But Leininger's article is truly not about he perseverance of the Pastor Latham or the local NAACP. If you read between the lines, and watch you'll see the same comments from the same backward countrifed Negroes. These folks don't care about black folks, (stealing a line from Kanye West ) and as members they should not be speaking against Pastor Latham nor the principles of the NAACP in public.

Come on people, air your true grievances toward the State Director or Regional Director, Barbara Bolling. But Leininger, did not go there to get a quote, because she probably would have told him this. Especially, since some of the folks who was quoted in the article have been trained on the protocol established by the National NAACP. There is a higher mission for the NAACP beyond kissing raced white behinds that these countrified folks enjoy doing.

You see the countrified Negroes have no power beyond getting comments that are negative into print. Folks like Leininger, local raced white media, who enjoy writing about the disarray within the local African-American community. Leininger thinks his writing is so subtle when it is so racially blatant. And these countrified Negroes to justify their Tomming behavior pretend that they are looking out for the best interest of the whole African-American community. They are not.

These folks have their own private agenda or should I say their own non-profits or personal businesses. Oh you did not want me to got there, but I did.

Because, Leininger, did not do his investigative reporting to get the read story. The real story, Leinginer just wanted some selective quotes to tell the same old tired story that's been told over and over and over and over again. Hey Leininger, NAACP has a banquet coming up, where Leininger will receive an award.

Police Chief YORK, says its best, that the Pastor, will keep on praying for you. The Pastor must be prayer for a whole lot of folks that is kicking him while he's down.

This is 2008, a new beginning. Can't we as countrified Negroes move beyond our lack of knowledge and more toward a community of collective works. Raced white America is waiting on you to do something besides begging for their money to support your organization to support your household.

Next time, Kevin, please write a story worth writing about dealing with the NAACP, talk about the banquet. Parkview has decided to partnership with the local NAACP in spite of the negative things that so-called office holders and members had said about the organization. Parkview understand these folks have hidden agendas, and that the NAACP represents a much bigger picture than small minded people, that's why its a NATIONAL ORGANIZATION. An organization too important for small minded local folks to mess up.

Organizations that support the mission of the historical reason and purpose for the NAACP, and where few of the folks, like Leininger and those who he quotes offer little support to uphold the local organization. Rolling up your sleeves folks, the NAACP is more important than the backbiting and insecurities of the folks who complain more than have compassion for the needs of the people. Somebody sign them up for a crash course with the Obama camp, and get them from being stuck on stupid.

In closing, Stealing words from the dethroned negative queen, Hillary Clinton, SHAME ON YOU, ALL of you Countrified Negroes, including Kevin Leininger.

Kontrell Tyler Presents....Dreamgirls at IPFW

Rev Michael Latham
2008 Pettie Anthony Award of Excellence
Civic Engagement









Ms. Diane Rogers
2008 Pettie Anthony Award of Excellence
Arts









Mr. Thomas Morgan
2008 Pettie Anthony Award of Excellence
Entrepreneurship









Ms. Alana Oatts
2008 Pettie Anthony Award of Excellence
Education

Hillary is fired up

Hillary is on her last leg, and she is going after Obama with a fiery over the Health Care Plan. Hillary hopes to take Texas and Ohio to stay in the race. But, the real Hillary showing up, it a little too late.

We knew Hillary was not the kind and gentle woman so easy moved to tears. Hillary angered has risen to the surface after the beating she received during the Texas debate. Also, the fact that Hillary's attempt to paint Obama as a scholar that plagiarizes backfired.

Hillary race baiting did not work so she is now going after character assassination. Hillary joins Tavis Smiley, who questions Obama not attending the Black State of the Union Conference. However, Obama sent a letter to Smiley letting him know that he was in the race of a lifetime for AFrican-American achievement. Nevertheless, Obama, offered up Michelle,(his rock) and Smiley just like HIllary tried to shoot his efforts down, by rejecting MIchelle appearance.


However, Smiley got what he wanted, Hillary to attend his media event, and Hillary got what she needed, an African-American audience that she did not have to share with Obama fans.

Smiley should be using his vehicle to promote Obama or risk being placed in the same league as Fox Broadcasting in trying to place this young leader in a negative light. Can we say boycotting the selling of Smiley next book!!

Somebody tell Smiley, that Hillary is a big girl and she can fight her own battle without using another AFrican-American male to do her Tomming for her.

DLGF says no to Peter (Fort Wayne City Council) attempt to rob Paul (Allen County Taxpayers)

Yes appears that the Department of Local Government Finance has said no to City Council in going back to rob Allen city taxpayers AGAIN. "The Department of Local Government Finance denied the city’s request to increase property taxes by $3.7 million this year, partly because the City Council voted not to take the increase last fall.

“It appears to be a double-cross on taxpayers, who, for months, have been promised a tax cut,” said Cheryl Musgrave, Department of Local Government Finance commissioner." according to a local newspaper article.

That's right City Council robbed the taxpayers when they froze the levy at the 2008 rate. But neither Tim Pape or Mitch Harper , the two lawyers are talking about that. Instead the two talking heads are playing the good cop bad cop game,

“The very fact Fort Wayne took the unusual step of freezing its 2008 levy at the 2007 level to provide property tax relief is evidence city officials knew the property tax environment in Indiana had changed,” according to the ruling.

Councilman Tim Pape, D-5th, criticized the governor, saying if the city is forced to cut essential services, he will tell concerned residents to take it up with the state. He said Daniels is “trying to play hero” by cutting property tax bills at the expense of local government services. He also said this appeared to be more of a political decision than a legal ruling.

“Her statement that we double-crossed shows all the motivation and intent from the governor why he denied this,” Pape said.

Councilman Mitch Harper, R-4th, was one of two council members to vote against the levy increase this month. He was pleased with the state’s ruling, noting he had raised similar concerns about the proposal last month.

“I think it’s a clear victory for beleaguered property taxpayers,” he said.

One blames the governor for the stealing of taxpayers dollars and the the other one suggest that at least he fought to protect the local taxpayers.

NOT, its the local officials who are hurting the property owners.


If either one of these lawyers wanted to do something for the taxpayers they would have sued in the taxpayers behalf for the overpricing of Allen County property by assessing officials.

Has that happened yet? If not both are blowing hot air.....

Obama tell it like it is

Show some love-Obama in the house

Once Again.....It's Obama

Obama has something to smile about picking up his 9th and 10th consecutive win. Has the fat lady sung and Hillary is not listening or will Obama's fans have to wait until March 4, 2008 to declare Obama the Democratic choice for President?

IPFW Gospel Celebration

Nothing But The Truth

Tracy Williams, Michael Grier and Contrell White

Donate to Obama

Bloggers I need you to donate to Obama campaign. We can not afford to wait four more years. Take Action now !! Tell a Friend ! Just do it, donate today.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid900881681/bclid900480414/bctid1417300924

Indiana Superdelegates

Indiana has 11 or 12 superdelegates but whose counting? me. So far Obama has one superdelegate from Indiana:

Cordelia Lewis-Burks, the vice chairwoman of the state Democratic party is a Obama supporter.

So far, five superdelegates are committed to Clinton, one is for Obama, and the rest are undeclared:

Bayh has endorses Clinton but will say flowery things about Obama to stay in good grace with the Democratic African-American voters in the great State of Indiana. And the African-Americans voters of Indiana will not demand more.sigh.

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh Endorses Clinton
Bayh Will Serve As National Campaign Co-Chair
The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Indiana Senator Evan Bayh and named him a national Campaign Co-Chair.

"Hillary Clinton is a seasoned, experienced leader who will be ready to lead this country on Day One," Bayh said. "She will run the kind of campaign and administration that will appeal to all corners of America, emphasizing national security and middle class economic progress."

Sens. Bayh and Clinton are members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and have traveled together to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and met with the Presidents of those countries.

First elected to the Senate in 1998, Sen. Bayh has earned a reputation as a bipartisan problem solver, committed to strengthening our national security, growing small businesses to create new jobs and encouraging responsible fatherhood.


Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker,Phoebe Crane, DNC Member
Bob Pastrick, DNC Member, Joe Andrews,

Indiana Democratic Leaders Endorse Clinton
The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsements of Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker and 16 other leading party officials.

“Indiana is ready for change, and Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver it,” Parker said.

“Hillary is uniquely qualified to hit the ground running on her first day in office and begin tackling the challenges we face at home and abroad,” said Democratic National Committee Member Phoebe Crane.

“Hillary’s impressive record of working across the aisle to get things done is the kind of consensus-building leadership we need to provide quality, affordable health care for every American and move our nation towards energy independence,” said Democratic National Committee Member Bob Pastrick.

“I am grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received in Indiana,” Clinton said. “With the help of these local leaders, we’ll take our message of change across the state and this nation.”

INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS ENDORSING HILLARY TODAY:


Dan Parker, Chairman, Indiana Democratic Party

Dora May Abel, Indiana Democratic Party Deputy Chair
Linda Buzinec, Indiana Democratic Party Treasurer
Butch Morgan, 2nd District Chair
Michelle Livinghouse, 2nd District Vice Chair
Steve Haines, 3rd District Chair
Marjorie Warnick, 3rd District Vice Chair
Jeff Fites, 4th District Chair
J.D. Lux, 5th District Chair
Jan Ellis, 5th District Vice Chair
Tom O’Donnell, 7th District Vice Chair
Anthony Long, 8th District Chair
Mary Lou Terrell, 8th District Vice Chair
Kevin Murray, Indiana Democratic Party Parliamentarian
Marty Titsworth Chandler, Indiana Democratic Party Legal Counsel

All Eyes on Me-Mr. Thomas that is

Thomas came into the world weighing 7lb 14 ozs




Thomas is 18 days old and now weighs 10lb and 140zs. More on Thomas later

President Bush supports the Olympics in China

Tommie Smith John Carlos, and Peter Norman, Mexico Olympics 1968



While President Geogre Bush, Jr and wife plan to take a six day tour of Africa, President Bush supports the Olympics being held in China.

"The trip -- Bush's second to the continent and his wife's fifth -- will largely focus on the United States' aid programs, which include initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and poverty," according to CNN."

So what is President Bush, Jr. up to now, I am thinking. First, the nooses now Africa after some soul music.



Well, it seems that Steven Spielberg has resigned as an advisor in the upcoming Olympics in Beijing, China, his "conscience would not allow him to continue working as an adviser to the event, " according to CNN.



The article continues, [t]he director's decision was part of growing criticism against China, targeting everything from its food safety to diplomatic policies abroad. Officials have repeatedly argued that the Olympics is a sporting event and should not be "politicized."

And guess what, President Bush had to say about Speilberg's decision,
"U.S. President Bush said Thursday that although he was concerned about the slow pace of international action in the Darfur region of Sudan, it wouldn't stop him from attending the Olympics."

I sure hope Kanye West does not hear about Bush's attitude. And to add fuel to the fire, Beijing Olympic Committee had this to say, according to CNN, "Linking the Darfur issue to the Olympic Games will not help to resolve this issue and is not in line with the Olympic Spirit that separates sports from politics," BOCOG said.

Now Prince Charles says he won't be attending the Olympics in China, but the British athletes who will be attending have been gagged on speaking out on China policies.


You would think that sports were more important than people. "Fighting between government-backed militia and rebels in Darfur has killed more than 200,000 people and left an estimated 2.5 million displaced since 2003," according to CNN.

Well, maybe business over human rights, "Sports is too important. It is too important to use it as a political instrument," said Milan Zver, the sports minister of Slovenia, which holds the EU presidency, according to CNN.


So, President Bush, Jr. trip to Africa is not just an humanitarian trip but could be a ploy to deflect from the fact that Bush, Jr. and family plan on not boycotting China's Olympic!!

Shame on Bush !! Kanye, Kanye.. call Dr. Tommie Smith and Dr. John Carlos.

Silence is not golden,.

What matters-Candidate of the people-Obama08

Franz Fanon and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr wrote about the dilemma of having to choose whether one is black or just a citizen of your country. What does it matter your skin color? This age old question is relevant even today as Senator Barack Obama attempts to become President of the United States of America.


Photo: Gerald People

Critics wants to know, how say you Obama? Black, African, African-American, HalfAfrican, or bi-racial? The answer it seems will determine if Obama will get a nod from African-American voters or not. Earl Ofari Hutchinson writes

in the eyes of many blacks, Obama departs from past black presidential contenders such as Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun, and Messrs. Jackson and Sharpton. They were readily identifiable, urban-bred, African-Americans who spoke out boldly on civil rights, poverty, and economic injustice. On the other hand, the racially mixed, Harvard-trained Obama, as the so-called postracial candidate, has soft-pedaled these issues. It's no accident that his appeal among whites seems stronger so far than among blacks.

Hutchinson, a darker hue African-American subtlely suggest that Obama is not a chocolate favored brother who understands what it means to live in a predominately African-American poor community. Obama has lived in a more isolated and protected world because of his raced white mother and grandparents and therefore he is unable to connect to the issues that are destroying black communities.

If true, Obama is not the first contender for Presidency that was of the fairer hue.
Colin Powell, the four star general, was thinking about running for President, and the color or race issue was not a big deal. Why? It's something about this first time out Senator Obama that has the well-established brothers in an uproar.

There is something beyond Obama blackness. Obama had no problem claiming backness.

Obama was not afraid of offending his mother from Kansas, when he identfied himself as being black. Unlike, Tiger Woods who was given the same question and decided to combine his father and mother ethnic background and not offend either parent. Nevertheless, America will still defined him black based on the fact that at least one of his parents was dark in complexion. So Obama claimed his blackness quickly.

Too quickly as he charmed America with blackness.

Obama has charmed raced whites folks, no protests, no marches, no dues paid.

It is that no dues paid by this educated, handsome charming Obama, that has old guard African-Americans in leadership in conference about Obama staying power among the powerbrokers. Obama is too young and the young die early in this game of dues paid. So, old guard leadership decides to hex Obama with the the Martin Luther King, Jr. hex.

Dr. King,Jr. like, Obama was deemed too young for a leadership role in taking his people to the promise land according to old guard ,established African-American leadership way of thinking. So, it is not his lack if blackness that will be their excuse for not supporting the well educated and handsome Obama. The brutal truth is that Obama is too new on the political scene, too untested, too politically nice, too liberal, and most of all, he's an African-American. To blacks even for the well-established old guards, Obama is too black to seriously have a real shot at the White House.

It's a nice way of saying, the old guard does not trust Obama. Pointing out his blackness, is a way of saying they don't believe Obama will stay true to the old guard way of being black by paying dues , keeping them around, if the people elect him to that seat. The old guard has no use for Obama because he is too black. It was Senator Joseph Biden who defined Obama blackness as non-traditional, by stating, he is storybook black. Not quite mainstream, but clean enough, not dirty black, but mixed with raced white to be considered even nice looking.

Clean enough blackness..

Shirley Chisholm experienced similar skepticismof her blackness in her bid for the white house. Shirley was too black because not only was she a first generation black American. And Chisholm, was a black female which made her definitely not part of the old guard leadership style or way of thinking.

Black leadership did not believe she was the right one, labeled an outsider, as well as not a "he". Chisholm had to go it alone,

I stand before you today as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency of the United States. I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women's movement of this country, although I am equally proud of that. I am not the candidate of any political bosses or special interests. I am the candidate of the people.

Chisholm did not wait on old guard leadership approval, she knew she was too black. Obama only knew he was black, not too black.

The old guard have no use for Obama because he is black, he thinks like a black, he is not quite mainstream, taking their lead from Joseph Biden. With all the limelight on Obama, old guard leadearship are worried that corporate America may not be willing to meet their demands. And Obama just may not take them along on his ride because they are not black enough. These old guards feel safe with Hilliary Clinton. Clinton will have to be black enough for these old school blacks and their connection to her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

So Obama does a Chisholm. Obama takes his campaign to the people..to the street. It is here, the grass root folks who believe that Obama is rooted in the essence of what it means to be a black in America. It's in his walk. Watch Obama movement, he lets you know, it is an outsider that can mingle with the insiders without missing a step in his stroll walk. It's a style of blackness in that walk, a coolness, a level head under pressure. Other African-Americans will not vote for Obama because he is black. Obama has not embraced these African-Americans to map out their benefits in voting for him. Obama has not internalized their way of compliance with mainstream politics. Obama is too black in his identity still, for them to jeopardize their connections to raced white power.

But Chisholm said it best,

The next time a woman runs, or a black, or a Jew or anyone from a group that the country is ‘not ready' to elect to its highest office, I believe that he or she will be taken seriously from the start… I ran because somebody had to do it first. In this country, everybody is supposed to be able to run for President, but that has never really been true.

That's the same message Obama gives to this little boy (in the picture below) in Alexandria, Virginia, when his momma asks who shall I vote for?

photo: Gerald People

Get your Praise on--IPFW Gospel Celebration

IPFW News Release: Fort Wayne, Feb. 4, 2008) -- Choirs and musical groups will gather Sunday, Feb. 17, for the fourth annual Gospel Celebration. The concert, which is part of the Black History Month celebration, will be at 5 p.m. in the Indiana University—Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) Walb Student Union Ballroom.

It is free and open to the public.

The celebration will feature local choirs and musical groups and a guest choir, Music for Soul, from Indianapolis. Personalities from Fort Wayne's new gospel radio station, WQSW-LP 100.5 The Voice, will serve as emcees. Dancers will also perform and vendors will be on hand. The event is sponsored by the IPFW Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

For more information, contact Christopher W. Riley, coordinator of student success and multicultural programs, 260-481-6847, rileyc@ipfw.edu.

How Long? Not Long..John Lewis

John Lewis has switched. Lewis has heard the voices of the people and now suppots Barack Obama instead of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Lewis, a foot soldier of the civil right movement, could not avoid the freedom train of change.

According to the New York Times:

“In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit,” said Mr. Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who endorsed Mrs. Clinton last fall. “Something is happening in America and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.”


Welcome aboard the freedom train:

The freedom train is coming, can't you hear the whistle blowing
Its time get your ticket and get on board
Its time for all the people to take this freedom ride
Get it together and work for freedom side by side

I'm gonna ride on the freedom train
I ain't gonna live this way again
I'm gonna get on the freedom train
from this day on I'll be a free man (yes I will I'll be a free man)

Seem like the times are changing people
The trains waiting at the station
go on up to the mountain top and get on board
Were gonna ride on through the valley
Under the clear blue sky
Everybody's gonna stand up proud with their heads held high

I'm gonna ride on the freedom train
I ain't gonna live this way again
I'm gonna get on the freedom train
from this day on I'll be a free man (yes I will I'll be a free man)

Keep on moving, Cast your vote
Tell 'em where to get off ,Keep on Going
We're gonna see the mountains, Keep on going
Gotta get your ticket,The Freedom Train

A Valentine Day Massacre: GunMan injured 16 on Northern Illinois University

On December 10, 2007, Anita Cochran of the United States Department of Justice was headed toward Fort Wayne, Indiana. Cochran was to meet with the Fort Wayne-Allen County NAACP #3049 and various community leaders. Cochran was scheduled to address community leaders about a racial note that was found at Heritage Junior-Senior High School. The note found at Heritage contained threatening words aimed at African-Americans students wrote AAIW:

On November 12, 2007 two students at Heritage Junior-Senior High School allegedly found notes in their lockers, with the following message: “Hunting deer or/hunting niggers/we’re getting drunk/and pulling triggers/ Welcome to Monroeville. The poorly scribbled hate note included a directive: “to move them north” and “2 bars 13 stars fuck you niggers the south is ours!”

Update: 7:45 p.m. 5 dead.

During her travel by plane to offer her service to assist the community with the racial tension, Cochran received word of a similar racial note found at an Illinois University. Unlike Heritage Junior-Senior High School in Fort Wayne, the University was shut down for a day. According to Reuters on December 10, 2007:

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Northern Illinois University was closed on Monday after the school received an anonymous threat, including a racial slur, that referenced the Virginia Tech shootings in April, according to a university statement.

NIU said in a statement on its Web site that the threat was scrawled on a restroom wall in a residence hall. The note warned that "things will change most hastily" in the final days of the current semester.

The DeKalb, Illinois, university on Sunday notified students, faculty and staff through postings on the school Web site, e-mail, voicemail, fliers and news media

The note found scrawled on the bathroom wall on December 8, 2007, according to MSNBC "The black ink on the stall read, "Tell those n------ to go home," and "ME/OUT … Die Sem Burr 10th … Hmz Sdn Cr," which officials reportedly believed was a reference to Dec. 10 and "Holmes Student Center."

But a day of closing was not enough to prevent the threat. According to MSNBC

Northern Illinois University was shut down for a day in December after graffiti were scrawled on a restroom wall warning of a shooting on campus. A spokesman said the warning, which was discovered Dec. 10, made reference to massacre of 33 people last year at Virginia Tech University, but he said it could not be immediately determined whether the threat was related to Thursday’s shootings

However, the Virginia Tech University shooting bordered on students bullying rather than the growing incidents of racial intolerance that are occuring on Universities and schools. The note’s message of domestic terrorism was viewed as a direct threat to harm African-American students. Especially with the increasing sighting of hanging nooses, violence from numerous students’ rage shooting occurring on school campuses, safety was the immediate concerns for all students at Heritage, according to AAIW

The shooting was the fourth at a U.S. school within a week.

School administration attempts at silencing racial conflicts create silent killing fields. According to Comcast.net It was as if the gunman knew who he wanted to shoot in a situation that would appear chaotic to others really was a planned execution by the gunman.


Update: CNN reports four other dead and killer kills himself.

Watch video interview.

Numbers to call:

Northern Illinois University has set up the following numbers for relatives of NIU students to call for information:
— 815-753 1573
— 815-753-6143
— 815-753-1574
— 815-753-1575
— 815-753-9564

Update: 6 dead

Strong Wind and Freezing Rain Obama Voters went to the Polls

CNNPolitics. The wind of change was joined by freezing rain, but Obama prevailed. The polls in Maryland was extended and hour and half beyond the 8:00 p.m. closing to accomodate voters battling traffic because of the weather.

A Maryland judge ordered polls in the state to remain open an extra 90 minutes because of extreme weather that hindered some voters from reaching their polling places. Maryland polls closed at 9:30 p.m. instead 8 p.m. Watch voters brave the weather to vote »

High winds and freezing rain caused traffic tie-ups in the central part of the state, portions of which were under an ice storm warning.

"It's really hard for people to get anywhere, so we are giving everybody a little extra time to get to the polls," said Ross Goldstein, spokesman for the Maryland Elections Board.

Drivers on Interstate 95 between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., told CNN there were dozens of cars on the sides of the road because of the ice.

Obama in Wisconsin

From Obama Website after Potomac victories: Today, the change we seek swept through the Chesapeake and over the Potomac.

We won the state of Maryland. We won the Commonwealth of Virginia. And though we won in Washington D.C., this movement won’t stop until there’s change in Washington. And tonight, we’re on our way.

But we know how much farther we have to go read more click here

NAACP denies email supporting Obama as a hoax

Baltimoresun.com reports: The NAACP denounced as a hoax yesterday an e-mail purportedly written by the head of the civil rights group titled: "Your Ten Reasons to Choose Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton."

"I did not write the '10 reasons' and have not and will not support or oppose any candidate or party for president," Julian Bond, chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said in a statement. He also said the group "is studiously nonpartisan and does not engage in partisan politics."

Richard McIntire, a spokesman for the Baltimore-based civil rights group, said he learned of the e-mail yesterday. He said it was not known who disseminated the e-mail or when it was first sent.

Sweet Victory-Maryland and D. C. Obama Wins!

David Espo of WASHINGTON writes: "Barack Obama has won the Democratic presidential primary in the District of Columbia, adding it to victories in Maryland and Virginia. That makes it eight straight triumphs for him since Super Tuesday over Hillary Rodham Clinton."

CNN Projects Obama Wins Virginia

Obama Wins Virginia's Democratic Primary
By DAVID ESPO

"Barack Obama has won Virginia's Democratic primary, defeating Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama is also hoping to capture first place in Tuesday's Democratic primaries in Maryland and the District of Columbia."

Obama challenges Clinton with 62 percent. Obama will have to wait on Maryland and Washington voters who have been granted longer hours to vote due to the weather, polls closing at 9:30 p.m.

Some folks working for Hillary Clinton are not taking the sound defeat so well. According to Suzanne Goldenberg and Ewen MacAskill of guardian.co.uk, The crushing defeats for Clinton brought new signs of disarray within her camp including the resignation of her deputy campaign manager, Michael Henry. As the results came in, her campaign worked the telephones in an effort to reassure donors that she remained a viable candidate.

Who is Obama's running mate?

At the Obama rally in Alexandria, Obama opened the floor to questions. Obama only answered four questions, one from a young lady in a green sweater, a young man from the Ivory Coast, a young woman who was undecided, and a young male teacher.

Of course, I had my hand in the air, I wanted to know what qualities would he look for in his running mate? I did not get a chance to ask the question. However it appears that Obama is charmed by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. Does this mean that Obama will forego selecting a woman as his running mate.

If Obama support comes from women, it makes sense that his running mate will be a female. Otherwise, why are women voting for him, if he is support to be an agent of change surely he would not select a male.

What say you?

Superdelegates matters, Obama now, We can't Wait four more years,

This post comes from BlackPerspective. net.Yobachi breaks down the voting process for the Democrats nominee:

"If you’ve been following the news for the last week, by now you should know about “superdelegates”. I first wrote about them back in early January after the New Hampshire primary, and how in that case they gave Obama an actual win when he and Clinton tied in voter delegates.

But let’s recap so that everyone understands what we’re talking about. Determining the party’s nominee is not decided by the overall popular vote from the primaries. State by state delegates are assigned to each candidate depending on percentage of votes, and this is decided based on congressional district for the democrats as far as I understand it.

To become the Democratic nominee you have to win 2025 delegates. But, on top of the delegates that are earned from voting in the primaries and caucuses, there is this group of people called super delegates. Super delegates are simply individuals who are party officials who are handed a delegate that is equal to the delegates earned in the voting. These folks include Congressmen, ex-presidents, some governors and mayors, and simple state party officials.

For example, in New Hampshire, 8 out to the 30 delegates were super delegates. That means 8 individual people made up 26% of the total vote by themselves. That’s right, it’s rigged.

Right now Hillary Clinton has a total delegate count of 1,148, with Obama closing fast, up to 1,121 after sweeping 4 primaries and caucuses this weekend. Clinton receives 924 from primary and caucus votes or what are called “pledged delegates”, and the other 224 are from super delegates. Obama takes 986 of his votes from pledged delegates and 135 from super delegates. So Barack Obama has to date actually won the voting and earned more delegates from the voters; yet, Hillary Clinton is in the lead!

THEY’RE STEALING THE ELECTION Y’ALL, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

Hillary is receiving support from 63 percent of the super delegates to Barack’s 37 percent. That’s an almost 2 to 1 split. If you take away the super delegates Barack would lead by 62 delegates, but because of the entrenched party machine folks favoring Hillary, she instead leads by 27. That’s an almost 90 point turn around.

It’s really simple here. Hillary Clinton is the entrenched party candidate. She’s worked for Congress since the 1970s; her husband was head of the Democratic Leadership Council; then they were in the white house for 8 years; now she’s been a Senator for 8 years.

The whole apparatus of the Democratic Party has loyalties to them. They’ve raised money for these folks to win, campaigned for them successfully; made back room deals with them for years, even decades. And the Clinton business interest can be a luring attraction to these folks who want to make big money on the side. Plus the Clintons are known for selling ambassadorships, cabinet positions, and even the Lincoln bedroom in the White House to their allies and friends. And these slick ass politicians who are the super delegates, these party bosses want part of that action.

The political bosses have the fix in. This is how it’s going to go. Obama is going to win the majority of delegates tonight, and may even sweep like he did this weekend, catapulting him further ahead in the pledged delegate count of the voters. Obama will win the voter delegates and be right on the cusp of the nomination; except, the party bosses will support Hillary, putting her over the top. The Democratic political machine will hand the election to Clinton in defiance of the voters and will of the party rank and file. They will steal this election from the voters the same way these same people complain about republicans stealing elections.

And if some how that doesn’t quite work, the folks that run the party will then seat the Florida and Michigan delegates that Clinton won overwhelming because Obama didn’t campaign there as agreed, due to those two states violating the Democratic National Committee rules on when they hold their primaries. That will give Clinton a net gain to put her over the top if it is close.

Either way, the Democratic Party Machine has politricks to make sure their patron gets elected.

The voters of the democratic primary and party members must demand that super delegates suspend their role, and not cast votes at the convention; letting the will of the people stand. For the voters to vote one way, then to have the party machine come behind them and hand the nomination to someone else is undemocratic. The people should not stand for this. Call the DNC and call on the Super Delegates to pledge to refrain from stealing this election!
If you still need help understanding the whole delegate thing, CNN has a graphic and more explanation.

Letter requesting volunteers to those who attended the Alexandria rally

Friends, [that would include me]

First of all, thank you so much for joining us at Senator Obama's rally yesterday in Alexandria

We are in the final hours of the campaign here in Virginia. We NEED your help tomorrow (and tonight!) to make sure Senator Obama sweeps Northern Virginia and the whole state.

Many of you have volunteered with the campaign before, and have assignments for tonight and for election day. So, if someone from the campaign has already given you marching orders, go with those.

For the rest of you, it's all hands on deck time. Our main office location is 6066 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church. We need volunteers TONIGHT (we go until 9 PM) and TOMORROW (Election Day) All day (9 AM - 7 PM). Any time you can give us is a big help. We need folks on the phones, knocking on doors, and helping with office work. Drop by the office and lend a hand!


Rallies are great, but this is the stuff that wins elections!


Best,


Yohannes Abraham
Obama for America, Virginia
(515) 418 2702
www.VA.BarackObama.com
YAbraham@barackobama.com

Auction of Nearly 300 Indiana foreclosed homes

Streetinsider.com reports: INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Combine plummeting home prices, with mushrooming inventory and low interest rates and you have all the ingredients for a buyer's market. With the cards stacked in their favor, buyers are in relentless pursuit of the perfect home at the perfect price and discovering foreclosed real estate auctions can deliver both.


Hudson & Marshall, America's most experienced foreclosed real estate auction firm, will auction nearly 300 bank-owned homes in various cities throughout Indiana February 18-24. Over 100 homes will be auctioned in Indianapolis on February 24. The homes are owned by national lenders and are vacant. Winning bidders will be required to make a cash or check deposit of $2500 or 5% of the total sales price, whichever is greater

Montagano!

Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters and Michael Montagano, who is challenging 3rd District Congressman Mark Souder, spoke with members of the Fort Wayne-Allen County NAACP #3049 at the branch monthly meeting. The branch hold their meetings on the second Monday of every month.

Montagano for Congress

Through Snow, Sleet, Rain or Hail, I will not fail. Montagano on the Campaign Trail.

Mike and Bethany Montagano

Mike Montagano, candidate for U.S. Congress, Third District of Indiana.

Michelle Obama -What Obama achieves it does not matter

Michelle Obama stated in Bethesda, Md, it was one year ago today Barack Obama announced he was going to be the next president. Obama stood on the steps of the Illinois statehouse in Springfried. Michelle stated that nobody was going to show up because the temperature was sub temperature. But, she found out like many folks are discovering she was wrong about the Obama appeal more than 16,000 folks showed up.

Here are some other things they got wrong about Obama campaign:

1. Could not raise the money

2. No Organization to compete with political dinosaurs

3. Iowa was a caucus-you need to spend time on the ground/no chance of winning

4. National Poll had him losing delegates but there was only a 2 point difference

5. South Carolina did not matter because he was support to win but Obama won by 28 points.

conclusion: Pundits sometimes get things wrong, or they don't know what they are talking about or all alone the people knew---Obama was like the little choo-choo, yes I can, I know I can.

Wind of Change is blowing in VIrginia calling for Obama

Mason Simms

Maryland for Barack Obama source

The email blasts went out that a ticket only event would take place in Alexandria, Virginia. I did not get the email! Over 3000 red tickets were gone by the time I discovered that the tickets were being given out, and by 6:00 p.m. I did not have a ghost of a chance of getting a ticket.

I decided that I would at camp out early on Sunday, to at least be a part of the Obama phenomenon. I talked two new comrades, Gerald and Fred, to take part in this moment of Obama fever. Fred was a little reluctant. I think it was because he had exprienced my driving skills and he did not have a lot of faith in me driving him on I-495. Nevertheless, I talked the two into going, and it was only after I got Fred on the road that I revealed we did not have tickets.

But I believed, we could get ticket based on the conversation that I had with one of the Obama campaigners. Fred was a skeptic, as I told him we are going to get in. I wanted to leave by 8:30 a.m. but the fact that I had to wait on Fred, we did not get to T.C. Williams High School until about 10:00 a.m. This made me worry about our chances of getting inside to see Obama.

There were about 100 folks already standing in line. So much for being the first folks there. Now, I had to get my beg on. As I asked campaign workers if there were extra tickets. No, No extra tickets. So the next step was to get the message into the crowd that this woman was in line looking for a ticket to get in.

Maggie would come to my rescue with a red ticket. .
I gave Maggie a big hug. But, I had two comradres with me, it would not be fair to go in without them. I still needed two more tickets.

John who was standing in front of me tells me that his wife and 2 children would be joining him and if his children would not need tickets to get in, he would give us his two tickets. Cool, we were almost in, until one of the campaigners came out to announce that no one would be able to get in without a ticket, including children!

It was at this point that Cassandra came forward with two tickets. Me, Cassandra, Gerald
Cassandra stated the tickets were orginally for her parents, but they would not be attending. By the time the announcer was ready to kick out of line Fred, we had our three red tickets. Now we are ready to go in when the doors open at 12:30 p.m.Monica FikesMekayla and Mom

John gave me a little background about the school as we wait to go in.

John, informed me that T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia was the topic of a movie called "Remember the Titans", starring Denzel Washinton about a school that was desegregated.Noah Belkhayat,Anna Moeser, Christopher Wong, me and Zack Neurohr

Interesting. John had been to other Obama events and was very helpful.


The doors opens and we have to pass through a metal detector. Fred is traveling with a cane. After they checked Fred's cane for a hidden sword, Fred is ushered in and gets a front row seat! Of course Gerald and I do not know this until after the event, because we were trying to get though the metal detector when Fred received special treatment.

Yes, this is the same Fred who was reluctant to attend the event!


Anyway, I decide I do not want to sit in the benchers and I finally get one of the campaign workers to allow me to sit on the floor. I get to sit right behind the VIP section. This means I will not get a chance to touch Obama, but I would get an upfront and eye contact view. It will have to do.

I am in the room, even if I did not get into the press room..Alex Lorman and M.E. Sprengelmeyer

Michelle Obama Speaks in Bethesda, Maryland

Please join Michelle Obama at a 'Stand for Change' Rally at Chevy Chase High School, where she'll talk about why Barack is the one candidate in this election who can bring about change we can believe in.

Stand for Change Rally with Michelle Obama

Chevy Chase High School
4301 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD

Monday, February 11, 2008
Doors Open: 5:00 p.m.
Program Begins: 5:30 p.m.

[Update February 13, 2008;Note this is an email message: A reader states the name of the school is Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School]

Projected Winner in Maine.......Obama!!

Obama is on the move toward change

Barack Obama wins big. Obama is slowly cutting into Hillary lead. According to David Espo -WASHINGTON - "Sen. Barack Obama swept the Louisiana primary and caucuses in Nebraska and Washington state Saturday night, slicing into Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's slender delegate lead in their historic race for the Democratic presidential nomination."

It is possible that Obama will take the lead after Tuesday primary, as he courts Republicans defectors.

Obama Wins Nebraska and Washington State. Yes We Can!!!! and Louisiana and U. S. Virgin Islands

Holy Hip-Hop-The Truth

Doug Wilder endorses Obama

From the Wall Street Journal by Doug Wilder: I believe Mr. Obama can make Virginia competitive for Democrats in November. And I believe he is the right person for president and for our times, because he embodies the spirit of hope and renewal of our quintessential American faith that we can, and must, do better.

… Democrats now have an opportunity to carry Virginia. The progress that Mr. Obama promises is not aimed at any particular group of Americans. It's a new freedom for all Americans, a freedom to dream again and to believe that we are not stuck in the past.

… We have always been a questioning nation, and it is our challenge to seek answers. Mr. Obama is a forceful voice on the American scene who will be our agent for meaningful change -- a voice committed to carry our nation to greater heights and to heal the divisions within our country. Unlike any other candidate, he inspires so many people of every description to step up and say: Yes, we can.

Mr. Wilder, a former governor of Virginia, is the mayor of Richmond, Va.