"Because in America ... no one is above the law"

Glenn Greenwald, in an update to a post, gives us this:
In accepting Chris Dodd's endorsement today, Barack Obama said, in part:

We know it's time to time to restore our Constitution and the rule of law. This is an issue that was at the heart of Senator Dodd's candidacy, and I share his passion for restoring the balance between the security we demand and the civil liberties that we cherish. . . .

I've been proud to stand with Senator Dodd in his fight against retroactive immunity for the telecommunications industry. Secrecy and special interests must not trump accountability. We must show our citizens -- and set an example to the world -- that laws cannot be ignored when it is inconvenient. Because in America -- no one is above the law. . ..

It's time to give our intelligence and law enforcement agencies the tools they need to track down and take out terrorists, while ensuring that their actions are subject to vigorous oversight that protects our freedom. So let me be perfectly clear: I have taught the Constitution, I understand the Constitution, and I will obey the Constitution when I am President of the United States.

--the BB

Here's a little quiz for you

Somalia

Kenya
Hawaii
Indonesia
Illinois

Where was Barack Obama born?

a. Somalia

b. Kenya

c. Hawaii

d. Indonesia

e. Illinois

Now, here is a sub-quiz:

1. I had to look this up online

2. I knew the answer for certain

3. I just took a guess

4. I have no flipping clue

5. I had a pretty good idea but now I'm not so sure.


So, how did you do?

Here's the answer:

Barack Obama was born on August 4th, 1961, in Hawaii to Barack Obama, Sr. and Ann Dunham.
From his Senate web site. Wikipedia specifies that it was Honolulu, where his parents met and where he spent most of his childhood. His father was born in Kenya. He lived for a while in Jakarta, Indonesia (ages 6-10) with his mother and Indonesian stepfather. He is a Senator from Illinois. A photo taken of him in native garb while visiting Somalia (something politicians do now and again) is currently being re-circulated with the implication that he is "from there" (i.e., a non-American nation, and a Muslim one at that, one where American troops have been killed).

Let's review our geography, folks. Honolulu, Hawaii, is in the United States. Try to wrap your minds around that one. I remember when it was admitted as a state, so if you are a geezer this may still seem like something new, but it happened in 1959, two years before Obama was born.

OK. Are we all clear now? Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., was born in the United States. He has lived abroad, something I think would be extremely desirable in a president, given the appalling ignorance of the world around us demonstrated by the current destructive twit.

Now, here is a quote from Democratic Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a Clinton supporter, talking with Pat Buchanan:

JONES: Understand this: The Clinton campaign does not condone people putting out pictures that they seem to believe are inappropriate. But let me say this: I have no shame or no problem with people looking at Barack Obama in his native clothing, in the clothing of his country.

[Emphasis mine]

I am not making this up:



WTF is this woman on about? Is she that ill-informed? Or that mendacious? I would expect one huge fecking apology out of her, on the assumption that she has a shred of decency.

In conclusion: Now you know. You can do your part to stop misinformation.

--the BB

¡Sí! se puede.

Obama en Tejas.



--the BB

¡Sí! se puede

I saw this on Daily Kos this morning. Creative, powerful, well done. Markos said: "If anything cool like this comes out from Clinton supporters, I'll happily post it as well -- kos."



I want more political ads like this. You can do ads with more substance but make them speak to the hearts of Americans and inspire us to be our best. Do not appeal to our worst.

This is a challenge for all candidates of all parties.

Mad props to the Obama creatives.
--the BB

Let's savor this moment

Barack Obama gives his victory speech in Des Moines.



A moving account of the excitement and the anxiety is provided by LowerManhattanite over at the Group News Blog (whence I obtained the video above).

UPDATE:
You may read the text of the speech over at Truthout.
--the BB