“Will the two candidates be able to put their egos aside and work together for the good of all?”
With last night's decisive win of the Democratic presidential nomination, and after a record-breaking 16-month campaign which truly could have swung in either direction, Barack Obama will now lead his party in its bid for the White House. With eye-crossingly vexing talk of delegates and superdelegates (thankfully) subsiding, speculation is mounting about whether or not Clinton will become Obama's running mate, and seek the office of vice president.
From this blogger's perspective, it seems a pretty logical choice and one with the most promise for a Democratic win later this year. Not only would an Obama/Clinton ticket bring together the charisma and energy of Obama with the political savvy (and dare I say "experience…") of Clinton, it would also draw from the expertise of that other Clinton, who won two presidential bids himself.
Perhaps most importantly, though, a joined force of Obama and Clinton would give the Democratic Party the unity it needs, mending the rifts that have formed among its members in the long, grueling, and dirty months of campaigning.
The big question, it seems, after the barbs and angry words from both camps, is will the two candidates be able to put their egos aside and work together for the good of all?
According to the Dan Balz's Washington Postcampaign diary, Clinton is ready to give it a shot. Balz quotes BET founder and Clinton supporter Robert Johnson as saying, after a Tuesday phone call with the New York senator, "She said if asked to do this, she must accept because she believes that it is in the best interest of the party that the party come together and win in November."
If this is correct, and there's no reason to doubt that it is, Clinton is ready to put her energies into the coming campaign, and Americans can look forward to a truly great presidency in 2008.
More news out of Zimbabwe suggests that Robert Mugabe is planning to stay in office—by crude means. Reports from across the globe have stated that the Mugabe regime is preventing scores of NGO groups from providing aid and relief to the massive numbers of men, women and children in need of basic necessities like water, food and medicine.
The reports also state that human rights lawyers are leaving the country in great numbers for fear of being killed. Intimidation and death threats are cited as key reasons for leaving.
The Mugabe regime has also cut off the NGOs from providing food to its people, and is forcing its citizens to support the Mugabe regime so that they can remain in power. Scores of orphaned children, AIDS patients and civilians are at risk of dying from lack of proper care in the country.
This information comes just several weeks after the 2008 presidential elections which were held in the country last month. The results of the race between incumbent Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai mandate a runoff election, which is set to take place on June 27th.
Government officials in Zimbabwe have accused non-government organizations of supporting the opposition party and sending out information against Mugabe. The country is also facing severe economic strain and is in need of any assistance it can receive.
Will Mugabe step down from office should he lose the June 27 runoff? Will Tsvangirai be able to help put the country on a more stable, economically sound path?
“Always dignified, always eloquent, Poitier's characters were some of the first to show black people in film as more than servants or savages or thugs.”
This week's guest, Mr. Sidney Poitier, is a man who has made enormous contributions to the advancement of African Americans in his long and distinguished career. When talking about actors, especially black actors, it's hard to name anyone who has even come close to the number of groundbreaking films Poitier has made. Always dignified, always eloquent, always impeccable in manners, bearing and speech, his characters were some of the first to show black people in film as more than servants or savages or thugs.
In movies like In the Heat of the Night and A Raisin in the Sun, he is no less than electric on screen in his portrayal of young black Americans fighting against the tremendous forces of racism and conservatism that sought to keep African Americans oppressed. In his 1967 role as Dr. John Wade Prentice in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, he encapsulates what he represented to a generation of Americans, and still does: hope—for change, for enlightenment, for a better world for his children. The film gives us cause to consider exactly how far we've come in the last forty years, from a time where the idea of a mixed-race child becoming president was almost preposterous, to now, when there's a very good chance that's who our next president will be.
This scene from the film, in which Poitier and Spencer Tracy discuss the young doctor's plans, is dated, if only by the frankness with which issues of race are discussed. But it is a proud reminder of just what Poitier, and those he inspired, have accomplished.
The primaries are finally over, but the race has only just begun. Clinton may have thrown in the towel for the presidential contest on Saturday, but it does not appear that she is any less focused on securing a place in the White House. But after such a contentious primary contest, how could Obama chose the woman who questioned his judgment over and over again? And even if he did extend the offer, would Clinton actually accept it?
Opinions on an Obama/Clinton ticket are across the board. New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel told the Wall Street Journalthat he believed that Clinton would serve as an excellent running mate, "...I think it is an absolutely unbeatable ticket," he said, "and I think it would be terrific for the country."
Not everyone shares such enthusiasm for this supposed "dream ticket." Ordinary people writing to their local papers seem to ardently disagree with the match. One person wrote in the The Arizona Republic that "...picking Clinton as Barack Obama's vice president would be the worst thing he could do. It would represent a betrayal of his entire campaign... The Clintons represent all the old back-room politics and cigar-smoke-filled rooms to make deals. She is the antithesis of change..."
In Allentown, PA, another ordinary voter wrote in his local paper that "[e]ven though both belong to the same party and share similar views on many topics, they have been opponents and have verbally attacked each other on many occasions." He explained, "A president must appoint a vice president whom he fully trusts...Considering this, Sen. Clinton should not be considered for the vice president position."
It seems like the political establishment desires an Obama/Clinton ticket more than people who have the power to elect them. What do you think? Would Clinton make a good VP for Obama?
Hello, “Young Voices” readers. I'm joining the site as a guest blogger, so let me introduce myself. I'm a journalist with an eye/ear/heart for African American issues who likes to pester important and/or busy people about current political and social affairs. I look forward to getting your thoughts on my first post. So sit up straight and check it out.
Sen. Jim Webb, D-VA, had a conversation with Tavis last week about his new book A Time to Fight: Reclaiming a Fair and Just America. In their discussion, Sen. Webb and Tavis tackled some crucial social issues including the G.I. bill that Sen. Webb co-authored and the fact that America is on its way to creating a permanent underclass. (Check out the conversation here.)
But what really knocked my socks off was the discussion of what Sen. Webb called the U.S. “incarceration culture.” Sen. Webb, who held a hearing last year on America's rising incarceration rate, called the increase “a real national crisis.”
To which I thought: Crisis?! We're already dealing with a health care crisis, a mortgage crisis, an energy crisis and a global food crisis. Now we have an incarceration crisis?
It turns out that “more than one in every 100 adults is now confined in an American jail or prison” (with African Americans and Hispanics faring the worst).
Numbers released this month show that 2.3 million people are in prison or jail in the United States—an all-time high. Add to that the people who are on probation or parole and the number jumps to 7 million in the criminal justice system, costing Americans $45 billion.
In fact, the land of the free and the home of the brave leads the world in locking folks up. Even China, which has four times the U.S. national population, incarcerates fewer people (1.5 million inmates). Russia rounds out the top three with 890,000 people behind bars.
Some people argue, "It is what it is." As Scott Thorpe of the California District Attorneys Association told the Washington Post, if people commit a crime and create “a danger to the public, you can't look at it as wrong.”
I hear you. But I'm just saying! One in every 100 adults sounds like a lot of people. Which made me wonder: What's up with America?
Sentencing Project Executive Director Marc Mauer told me the problem is that the United States “has come to view the criminal justice system as a primary response to a set of complicated social and economic problems” without addressing the fundamental problems of racism and concentrated poverty.
And Justice Policy Institute Research Associate Amanda Petteruti said that America's “knee-jerk reaction” to crime is “a very short-term, shortsighted reaction” that leaves no room for long-term solutions.
Mauer used phrases like “politically motivated.” Petteruti said words like “huge travesty.”
And get this. They both said that mass incarceration does not improve public safety.
They offered these solutions: reconsider incarceration policies for nonviolent crimes stemming from drug abuse, mental illness, lack of education and jobs; rethink our one-size-fits-all sentencing policies; reevaluate the war on drugs; come up with a long-term plan that invests more in education, employment, housing and substance abuse treatment.
The alternative is grim, according to Mauer. He said, “If current trends continue, 1 of every 3 Black males born today can expect to do time in prison in his lifetime.”
“For being a campaign about change, this sounds like nothing more but the same old, same old.”
That's it, I'm taking public transportation!
The average cost of gasoline in the United States has hit an all time high—$4.08 a gallon. Our leaders turned to the production of ethanol to deal with the rising cost of fuel. As a result, the world has experienced extreme rises in food prices for everyone, and starvation for those in the third world and developing nations.
The good news is that at least one of our presidential candidates has acknowledged the problems caused by the Energy Bills of 2005 and 2007. More importantly, he is coming up with new solutions.
John McCain believes that we need to put an end to government-mandated ethanol production, and would rather look to clean coal, solar, wind and nuclear power for American energy. He has pledged $2 billion annually to advance clean coal technologies and, if elected, plans to erect 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030. McCain claims that our current gas crisis is largely due to the laws and regulations dealing with the oils futures markets, which he pledges to reform.
Barack Obama, on the other hand, is a proud supporter of the production of ethanol, the same ethanol that is proving problematic for all the reasons stated above. If elected, his plan is to expand ethanol production, both corn-based and cellulosic, using federal funds. In fact, he wants to mandate biofuel use with a renewable fuel standards plan, calling for 36 billion gallons of ethanol fuel to be included in the fuel supply by 2022. Since one bushel of corn only makes about 2.8 gallons of fuel, that's a lot of food, and a lot of hungry children.
For being a campaign about change, this sounds like nothing more but the same old, same old. As the worldwide food shortage continues, we just can't afford to "stay the course" with ethanol.
“Hiring profit-motivated companies to fight wars makes as much sense as hiring profit-motivated companies to run prisons or high schools or hospitals.”
Scahill asserts that the North Carolina-based company, which has been deployed around the world, most notably in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. following hurricane Katrina and in the oil-rich Caspian region of Azerbaijan, is a considerable threat to the democratic process. He lists example after example of shady business practices, including recruiting soldiers from countries with terrible human rights records and refusing to release reports of its State Department-funded activities to Congress. He calls Blackwater a “shadow army.”
Since the release of his book in 2007, Scahill has gone on record many times about the threat he considers the company to pose, both in its lack of accountability and its subversion of political process. “What you have is a revolving door,” Scahill said in a video on The Nation's Web site. “Blackwater and other companies benefit the Bush administration, and in turn the Bush administration and its Republican allies in Congress have shielded these military contractors from any effective oversight, any effective accountability, any effective legal system. Their operations are shrouded in secrecy and people in Congress find it almost impossible to get information about Blackwater.”
Operating in a war zone without accountability is a dangerous proposition, and one that could have serious effects on the U.S. forces there. Through the aggressive, Wild West tactics that Blackwater's agents have become noted for, they continue to obstruct the reconciliation process in Iraq. Meanwhile, American soldiers making a fraction of what these private contractors earn, are becoming demoralized, and many of them are “going Blackwater” themselves. Already stretched thin in Iraq, this is something our military cannot abide.
If the idea of a thousands-strong private military available to the highest bidder isn't scary enough, consider the profile of Blackwater's founder, Erik Prince. The billionaire and former Navy Seal is an outspoken right-wing zealot, with strong ties to the Republican Party. He worked for the administration of George H.W. Bush, but complained that they weren't conservative enough for him. Prince also donated $80,000 to support George W. Bush's 2000 campaign for president.
The reasons why Blackwater has become so successful (according to Scahill, they have recently built headquarters at several new locations across the country) are pretty clear. The Bush cadre's enthusiasm for outsourcing federal services to for-profit corporations, coupled with Prince's longstanding ties to the religious right and the Republican Party made his outfit a perfect choice to carry out missions in Iraq that the demoralized and under-equipped U.S. military couldn't.
Hiring profit-motivated companies to fight wars makes as much sense as hiring profit-motivated companies to run prisons or high schools or hospitals. In theory, the market would force contractors to do the best job possible to keep their contracts, competition keeping standards high. But we all know it rarely works out that way, and Blackwater's continually unwholesome conduct stands as testament to that.
A few no-bid contracts and a few billion tax dollars later, here we are. Blackwater is currently under investigation by a Washington federal grand jury for the deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians, as well as gun smuggling charges. They remain the largest security contractor in Iraq, and continue to defy congressional efforts to examine their operations.
“While biofuels might have a place in weaning us gas-guzzling Americans off Saudi crude, they are far from a solution to our energy problems.”
When my fellow blogger Rose pointed out recently that Barack Obama is an ardent supporter of biofuels, it came as something of a surprise. Then I read a story in The New York Times on Obama's ties to the ethanol industry, suggesting that his support for the alternative energy source was based more on lobbyists' dollars than on environmental prudence. So much for change, I thought.
Taking a closer look at Obama's campaign platform, however, I decided the candidate's yen for ethanol maybe wasn't as bad as our conservative friends would have us believe. Obama supports cellulosic ethanol, which turns the woody stalks of plants like sugarcane and switchgrass into burnable ethanol fuel. This is significantly more efficient that ethanol made by corn (which isn't efficient at all, most agree) and given that the ingredients can grow in just about any kind of soil, with minimal fertilization, its effect on rising food prices would be negligible. I was breathing a little easier now, with the knowledge that Obama wasn't planning to deprive the world's starving children of staple crops, but I was still concerned.
Obama's ties to the ethanol industry, particularly in corn belt states like Iowa and Illinois, are troubling. While biofuels might have a place in weaning us gas-guzzling Americans off Saudi crude, they are far from a solution to our energy problems, and corn-based biofuel, which uses as much energy to create as it provides, is an environmental nightmare. Like his opponent John McCain, Obama supports clean coal power and alternate sources like wind, solar and biomass, but the fact that they happen to be at the bottom of his list seems significant.
In the coming months it will become crucial to take Obama to task for his ties to industry, and hold him to his promises of changing the way policy is made in Washington. Supporting alternative fuels is one thing, but backing corn-based ethanol and the people who seek government subsidies for it is another entirely.
President George W. Bush signs bipartisan GI Bill into law.
The president recently signed into law a bill that gives Americans the actual help they need.
Talks about expanding the GI bill have been going on for some time and even became the subject of debate between respective Democratic and Republican presidential nominees Barack Obama and John McCain.
The provisions in the bill will allow among other things, monies necessary to provide relief from floods occurring earlier this year, full scholarship dollars for veterans and troops serving in the military at least three years, and monies to extend military operations in the Middle East.
Partisan politics aside, it finally seems as though Republicans and Democrats came together to do something good for the country. It takes me back to the day following September 11 when the members of Congress came together and sung “God Bless America”.
Our troops have sacrificed their lives, their family, tears and blood for our liberties. They should absolutely have this provision. It's the least we as Americans can do to thank them for their courageous service.
Sec. of State Rice vigorously discusses possible actions the UN could impose as a result of the fraudulent election taking place in Zimbabwe today.
By now, many of you know about the troubling crisis in Zimbabwe. I've written a couple of posts on it and have kept abreast of the situation for a while.
In short, Robert Mugabe the president of Zimbabwe continues to be a tyrant to the country. After years of oppressive leadership, elections were held this year for president. When the elections were held, a runoff had to take place, but the ruling Mugabe party kept oppressing its citizens and injecting fear tactics to influence the election in their favor.
Mugabe's opponent, Morgan Tsvangirai, fearing for his supporter'slives, decided he would forfeit his chances of bringing reform and order back to this country by stepping out of the race.
One example of the tactics used by the Mugabe regime has been to actually kick out non government organizations from the country. Theses are groups of organizations who feed the hungry, give vaccines to children, and help in the day-to-day lives of men and women living in Zimbabwe. The regime is brutal and violent, and killings have already taken place to secure a dictatorship in the country.
The Queen of England recently stripped him of his knighthood and Nelson Mandela recently came out and spoke ill of him publicly about his leadership.
U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has spoken out against the atrocities occurring in Zimbabwe and is working with the UN to find a solution, but so far no traction towards a viable solution seems to have been found.
In situations like this, it's hard not to feel powerless. It will take strong political will and a host of people truly dedicated to solving this crisis to make something happen. My greatest concern at the moment is that we don't seem to have enough will and dedication to solve it.
Are there any suggestions out there to help solve this crisis?
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's wife Michelle seems to be under attack for comments she made some time ago about her pride in this country with respect to her husband as a nominee. Her comments, coupled with voter's relative newness to Obama, have left lingering questions in the minds of potential voters about who she is.
Magazine covers of the couple together along with guest appearances of Obama on The View have been used to introduce her to an audience that may not be too familiar with the Chicago native.
The true question on my mind is whether or not the scrutiny Michelle Obama's comments received is unwarranted, or should people continue to probe and find out more about this potential first lady of the United States?
My thought on the matter: I'm all for purposeful scrutiny through meaningful analysis. It is a mark of sound propriety and good judgment. However, when you begin to assess someone based upon a theory, any attempt to prove a point rings hollow and demeans one's arguments. So don't attack someone simply for political gain. It's bad politics.
During an election cycle that has already been venomous, a time when our country is at war, gas prices are soaring, and families are struggling to get by, the last thing we need right now in a presidential election are lies. Michael Bloomberg seeks to end just that.
The New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg spoke to an audience of Jewish voters on Friday, making sure people understood who Barack Obama is and is not.
Mr. Bloomberg strongly believes that there have been strong efforts of a whisper campaign that's intended to cast doubt in the minds of potential voters that Obama, who is a Christian, is in fact a Muslim.
Seen as a noble effort by some, others speculate as to whether Independent Bloomberg is looking to make a bid for himself as a potential running mate for either Democratic or Republican presidential nominee.
Whenever asked about the matter, Mayor Bloomberg has said he is not; but political pundits everywhere are keeping their eyes peeled to see what happens next.
Future aspirations aside for Mr. Bloomberg, I think that it's important that in this election season with so much at stake that we not get caught up in smear tactics and bold-faced lies.
After a year and a half of blogging on Young Voices, it's time for me to toss in the towel. Starting in just a few days, I'll begin a new career working on the formulation and implementation of the federal budget, something we can all agree needs all the help it can get!
It's an exciting time in Washington, D.C. With the crisp November air just around the corner, I will have the unique opportunities both to finish the work of the Bush administration and to help put in motion the plan of our next Commander-in-Chief, Republican or Democrat.
I have enjoyed the opportunity to be part of such a smart, talented and witty team of writers on this blog. Even more so, I have enjoyed engaging you, the public, on topics as far reaching as immigration reform and global warming. I have appreciated your comments and participation and will never forget your candor.
From this one young voice to many voices, both old and young, I hope you stay engaged in world events and politics, because, as the great President Ronald Reagan once put it, "We need you, we need your youth, your strength, and your idealism, to help us make right what is wrong.”
Veteran journalist and moderator of "Meet the Press" Tim Russert passed away June 13, 2008.
You could hear the words every week, “If it's Sunday, it's Meet The Press.” For this week of June 15, 2008 however, it wouldn't quite be the familiar face and friend saying it from the other end of the TV camera.
Friday marked a sad day for many in the news community. Veteran journalist, beloved husband, devoted father, author, and TV friend Tim Russert passed away at the age of 58.
Mr. Russert was the moderator of NBC's Meet the Press, the longest running television show in America. He collapsed while at work on Friday, and was later pronounced dead that afternoon. He worked the same way he pursued life, with vigor and great love. He was a trusted friend, mentor and source of encouragement to many.
In his most recent work, he covered one of the most interesting political seasons of our nation, interviewing every candidate for the United States presidency of 2008.
He leaves behind scores of adoring viewers, loving colleagues and fellow journalists, heartbroken family members, and a profession he truly loved with all of his heart. NBC colleagues and fellow journalists truly loved him.
I was and still am a huge admirer of Tim Russert. His work personified excellence, and he was truly a gifted man at his craft. He was one of the men I most wanted to meet in this business, and I know the profession is better off for him having served in it.
Tim Russert will be surely missed and not easily forgotten.
“Dr. John, the perennial booster of the Crescent City, is as devoted to his hometown as ever.”
It's all too easy for those of us who don't live near the gulf coast, or have friends and family there, to forget about the massive challenges still facing the region. Nearly three years after Katrina, New Orleans is still struggling to rebuild itself, and its residents are still dealing with the bureaucratic, environmental and human consequences of the disaster.
In today's New York Times, a story about legendary New Orleans bluesmusician Dr. John cuts to the heart of the matter, painting a grim picture of a proud, but struggling city. Dr. John's newest album is called "City That Care Forgot," and features the iconic bluesman alongside Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, and his band, The Lower 911. The album is made up of songs that tell the true story of New Orleans in 2008, a place where people are still struggling to get back what they once had, and meeting plenty of resistance along the way.
It's a reminder that Dr. John, the perennial booster of the Crescent City, is as devoted to his hometown as ever. More than that, though, it reminds us that New Orleans still exists and still needs all the help it can get.
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