10th April 2008 | Category: News, Politics
His campaign people say no way. Street money is an old tradition in Philadelphia where candidates pay money to the local bosses for their help on the day of election.
How much money we are talking about here? It would cost Obama about half a million. That is not really a big sum considering how much money is spent this election cycle. But the question is of principle. Obama always projected himself as a candidate for the change, someone who does not believe in the old ways of doing business. Come to Philadelphia, a city of old traditions, where the local Democratic bosses are getting the money for decades from all gubernatorial, mayoral, and presidential candidates. It is not just Philadelphia. Street money is common in big cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and Los Angeles. For the local bosses it is not a matter of principle but about respect for the traditions. Some worry that if Obama does not pay up he may lose more than a few voters to Clinton in Philadelphia, and that might ruin his chance of winning the state. But outside the city, people who are inspired by the message of change are wondering whether Obama can put his money where his mouth is. Or in this case, not put his money.
It is hard to tell what Obama would do. But for sure, Clinton would be too eager to pay the extra money for a few more votes.
8th April 2008 | Category: News, Politics
One wouldn’t think so, right? But 13 year old Melanie Bowers got beaten up at the school for taking an anti-illegal immigration sign as a part of a class assignment.
It happened in Athens Middle School in Texas on Friday. As a part of her eighth grade class project on political activism, Melanie took a poster that read: “If you love our nation, stop illegal immigration.” Anyone in their right mind would consider it as an acceptable and surely allowable statement for the project. But when she reached school she was attacked by 20 or more students at the hallway. The mob of students tore her poster apart and she left with scratches and swollen jaw. Only three Hispanic students were suspended for the incident. In the school district, one in three students is Hispanic and one in two is white. Besides the suspensions, superintendent Hayes did not take any other step since he believes illegal-immigration “is much more than illegal now. It just becomes sinister and evil.”
Does that mean we just stand there helpless and watch a kid get beaten up in school? Forget about the right to freedom of speech, when did standing against something illegal became a bad thing?
8th April 2008 | Category: News, Politics
Yes, the secret is out. Finally, Barack Obama came clean about the women in his life in his newly released 30s video.
So there is Obama’s half siter Maya Soetoro-Ng, his white grandmother Madelyn Dunham, and his wife Michelle Obama. And of course, his two daughters Malia Ann and Natasha were there as well, but as extras without a speaking part. This time Obama is a family man who “listens so well.” Which lady in their right mind won’t like him? But the great listener routine does not seem to be enough when it comes to women vote. Maybe he needs to talk a little and convince them why they should vote for him. His wife says they “talk all the time.” That may be part of the problem. He needs to spare some time talking to the other American women too, not spend all the time talking to his wife only. At least until the election is over. The grandma says “it’s given him a lot of depth and a broadness of view.” This is the same person who is afraid of black man and use racial stereotypes. Not very deep and broad, is it? Unless her fear is deep and her generalizations are broad.
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