Palin's photo needs some more touching up. This obviously was altered by the liberal media. How dare you put up a photo where she doesn't resemble Jessica Simpson perfect skin!
I voted. Now back to work. Later on I'll be out and about at various election night happenings reporting for KHUM and the Journal. We'll have up to the minute results and a live comment thingy built into NorthCoastJournal.com Check it out and join the conversation.
How about that? No sooner than the voting was finally underway and Bill Ayers surfaces from the Hyde Park underground for...."spontaneous" simultaneous interviews with the Washington Post and The New Yorker...no doubt part of the rehabilitation effort necessary to enable the Obama confidante open access to the White House.
When I have to lay people off, the first ones to go will be ones with Obama stickers on their cars. They wanted it. They voted for it. They will understand.
Well,the best I can say is,at least McCain didn't win.Don't think much of Obama,but 4 more years of Bush and his administrations acts of terrorism,domestic and foreign.And I certainly expect that Obama will fervently push for a war in Pakistan,and reinstitute the draft.......but after seeing some enthusiastic about Obama voters that I saw,I do feel that a movement of peace and prosperity is much,much,much more likely to gain ground with Obama than McCain.Not holding my breath though.Both Eureka and Arcata sent a big message to the military last night,thanks to the voters who aided in that,now the anti-war movement has something significant to look at,and to proceed forward with.People are increasingly becoming sick and tired of war and violence,and getting rid of a President and an administration which essentially aided terrorists in the murders of 3,000+ people on 9/11,for the sole purpose of a crusade on Muslims,while enriching some friends,is astep in the right direction.There is hope,but Obama will need to be pushed to make it happen.Sorry Ralph,I tried.
You know what I liked about last night -- besides the fact that Obama won -- John McCain gave a great, gracious speech, straight from the heart. What did he say? He said Obama "will be my president," which is something some of you don't seem to be accepting.
Here's more of what he said:
"I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
"Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.
"It is natural. It's natural, tonight, to feel some disappointment. But tomorrow, we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again."
***
Now I know that the right-wingnut bloggonauts are not going to let up on their attacks, and Rose, I suspect you won't either. Even though you sometimes seem to echo the sentiments of the extreme edge of negativity, I know you well enough to think that you can move beyond the bitterness and pettiness.
I'll let John McCain conclude:
"Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama — whether they supported me or Senator Obama.
"I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
first, I don't smoke, so I'll pass on the cigarette.
re: "the most corrupt group of people that has ever held power in this country"?
It will be hard to top the last administration, who lied to the American people to start a war that's now bankrupting us, who stole our civil liberties and legitimized torture, who erased regulations so that their big money supporters could run rampant and get rich at the expense of our sons and daughters (who will pay the price in more ways than one). This was an administration that denied the reality of man's role in climate change for no other reason than to allow continued pollution that makes money for more of their supporters -- and that's just the tip of the melting iceberg. It will take a long time to sort out all the wrong that's been done in the last eight years.
We're living in an age when corruption runs rampant and the corrupt rule the world.
Is that going to change overnight? Of course not. But the sun's gonna shine in my back door one day...
Let me be the first to say it Bob -screw you. How dare you on one hand recognize the graciousness of a truly fine American and in the other accuse those that supported him of being right wing nutcases that are not going to let up the attacks. That this is the only time you have seen McCain for the truly great American that he is, gracious, courageous and honorable just shows how close minded and small you are. I supported this man even though he was not of my party because I saw across party lines to a man of honor and integrity. One who would not lie to get into office and would stand up against others in his party to do what was correct. Why I didn’t support Obama who was of my party was because I saw him to be an opportunist who would say or do anything for power.
I detested Bush when he was first elected and now. However, let me remind you that in every single election I can remember, including and especially the won that put that jerk George W into office, the attacks never ceased after the election. What, do you really think that those who believe that they saw through Obama will just roll over and say uncle. That didn’t happen in 2000 or 2004 with Bush and I don’t believe it will happen in 2008. It is part of the animal. Get used to it, this is what you and others have created. Absolute divisiveness. And I am not talking about divisiveness between parties but within parties. Evidently, you haven’t paid attention to PUMA.
Bob. You lost me when you said you would put me in a re-education camp. You, a journalist, working for an "alternative weekly," who should be the champion for free speech and a diversity of opinions.
I don't know you, and I don't know much about PUMA, so I don't really know where you're coming from, but I don't have any problem with people who supported McCain. That simple fact does not make someone a wingnut.
The truth is we live in a time when everybody and his brother has a blog, when freedom of speech means license to make things up, to distort half-truths, to beat the drum of whatever righteous cause you believe in.
Having looked at some of what's being generated by dittoheads who only get their news from Michael Savage and Rush, I may be jumping to conclusions, but there are a lot of scary folks out there -- and yes, they're on both sides.
I'm sure you are a perfectly rational person, who is wondering why the majority of the country did not see things the way you do yesterday. The point I was trying to make is this: It's time to get over the anger and recriminations and get about the business of fixing what's wrong with America. Vilifying the guy who just got elected by a majority of Americans is not going to make the world a better place.
And Rose, I said it before, but I'll repeat it. I was pulling your leg.
I found it bizarre that you posted that clip from some FBI mole that seems to infer that Obama wants to institute some sort of Red Chinese-style revolutionary reform in America where some are forced into re-location and re-education camps and other are sent to the gas chambers. That is so absolutely ludicrous it's laughable.
The guy was a mole with the Weather Underground. He was talking about their plans, what they were like.
Why do you always jump to that means people are saying Obama was a terrorist?
You're a journalist, Bob - you ought to be able to differentiate that they are talking about what KIND of People Obama's FRIENDS the Ayres/Dohrns WERE/are.
That is still a fact. Until the history is cleansed, it is there for you to see - but you can't.
And you weren't pulling my leg - you were mad and that's where you went. It is telling. The ever so tolerant left.
Are we talking about the ever so tolerant left here, Rose? Really! Take a sedative. Or sit cross-legged in the middle of your living room, close your eyes and attempt to find your inner peace. Slow your heart rate. Take slow deep breaths. Picture a mountain meadow carpeted in a riot of blooms. Smell their wild perfume on an early morning breeze. Feel the warmth of the sun on your upturned face and let that warmth slowly penetrate deeper and deeper. It is peaceful here. There is tolerance on your left. There is tolerance on your right. Look and see Steven Lewis as he leads a thousand gnostic environmental communitarians repairing roads and replanting clearcuts. They are paid from revenue created by taxing corporations that extract natural resources. Look again as Stephen feeds this multitude from his never empty basket. This is a time for healing and celebration.
This is one of those moments in history when it is worth pausing to reflect on the basic facts:
An American with the name Barack Hussein Obama, the son of a white woman and a black man he barely knew, raised by his grandparents far outside the stream of American power and wealth, has been elected the 44th president of the United States.
Showing extraordinary focus and quiet certainty, Mr. Obama swept away one political presumption after another to defeat first Hillary Clinton, who wanted to be president so badly that she lost her bearings, and then John McCain, who forsook his principles for a campaign built on anger and fear.
His triumph was decisive and sweeping, because he saw what is wrong with this country: the utter failure of government to protect its citizens. He offered a government that does not try to solve every problem but will do those things beyond the power of individual citizens: to regulate the economy fairly, keep the air clean and the food safe, ensure that the sick have access to health care, and educate children to compete in a globalized world.
Mr. Obama spoke candidly of the failure of Republican economic policies that promised to lift all Americans but left so many millions far behind. He committed himself to ending a bloody and pointless war. He promised to restore Americans’ civil liberties and their tattered reputation around the world.
With a message of hope and competence, he drew in legions of voters who had been disengaged and voiceless. The scenes Tuesday night of young men and women, black and white, weeping and cheering in Chicago and New York and in Atlanta’s storied Ebenezer Baptist Church were powerful and deeply moving.
Mr. Obama inherits a terrible legacy. The nation is embroiled in two wars — one of necessity in Afghanistan and one of folly in Iraq. Mr. Obama’s challenge will be to manage an orderly withdrawal from Iraq without igniting new conflicts so the Pentagon can focus its resources on the real front in the war on terror, Afghanistan.
The campaign began with the war as its central focus. By Election Day, Americans were deeply anguished about their futures and the government’s failure to prevent an economic collapse fed by greed and an orgy of deregulation. Mr. Obama will have to move quickly to impose control, coherence, transparency and fairness on the Bush administration’s jumbled bailout plan.
His administration will also have to identify all of the ways that Americans’ basic rights and fundamental values have been violated and rein that dark work back in. Climate change is a global threat, and after years of denial and inaction, this country must take the lead on addressing it. The nation must develop new, cleaner energy technologies, to reduce greenhouse gases and its dependence on foreign oil.
Mr. Obama also will have to rally sensible people to come up with immigration reform consistent with the values of a nation built by immigrants and refugees.
There are many other urgent problems that must be addressed. Tens of millions of Americans lack health insurance, including some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens — children of the working poor. Other Americans can barely pay for their insurance or are in danger of losing it along with their jobs. They must be protected.
Mr. Obama will now need the support of all Americans. Mr. McCain made an elegant concession speech Tuesday night in which he called on his followers not just to honor the vote, but to stand behind Mr. Obama. After a nasty, dispiriting campaign, he seemed on that stage to be the senator we long respected for his service to this country and his willingness to compromise.
That is a start. The nation’s many challenges are beyond the reach of any one man, or any one political party.
re: "the people who gave you the subprime mortgage"
From a 2002 speech by President Bush:
"I set an ambitious goal. It's one that I believe we can achieve. It's a clear goal, that by the end of this decade we'll increase the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million families. (Applause.)"
"Homeownership is also an important part of our economic vitality. If -- when we meet this project, this goal, according to our Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, we will have added an additional $256 billion to the economy by encouraging 5.5 million new home owners in America; the activity -- the economic activity stimulated with the additional purchasers, the additional buyers, the additional demand will be upwards of $256 billion. And that's important because it will help people find work."
"And, of course, one of the larger obstacles to minority homeownership is financing, is the ability to have their dream financed. Right now, we have a program that all of you are familiar with, maybe our fellow Americans are, and that's what they call a Section 8 housing program, that provides billions of dollars in vouchers to help low-income Americans with their rent. It encourages leasing. We think it's important that we use those vouchers, that federal money to help low-income Americans go from being somebody who leases to somebody who owns; that we use the Section 8 program to not only help with down payment, but to help with continuing monthly mortgage payments after they're into their new home. It is a -- it is a way to help us meet this dream of 5.5 million additional families owning their home."
"Last June, I issued a challenge to everyone involved in the housing industry to help increase the number of minority families to be home owners. And what I'm talking about, I'm talking about your bankers and your brokers and developers, as well as members of faith-based community and community programs. And the response to the home owners challenge has been very strong and very gratifying. Twenty-two public and private partners have signed up to help meet our national goal. Partners in the mortgage finance industry are encouraging homeownership by purchasing more loans made by banks to African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities."
"Freddie Mae -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- I see the heads who are here; I want to thank you all for coming -- (laughter) -- have committed to provide more money for lenders. They've committed to help meet the shortage of capital available for minority home buyers. Fannie Mae recently announced a $50 million program to develop 600 homes for the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Franklin, I appreciate that commitment. They also announced $12.7 million investment in a condominium project in Harlem. It's the beginnings of a series of initiatives to help meet the goal of 5.5 million families. Franklin told me at the meeting where we kicked this office, he said, I promise you we will help, and he has, like many others in this room have done. Freddie Mac recently began 25 initiatives around the country to dismantle barriers and create greater opportunities for homeownership. One of the programs is designed to help deserving families who have bad credit histories to qualify for homeownership loans. Freddie Mac is also working with the Department of Defense to promote construction and financing for housing for men and women in the military."
A FOLLOW-UP IN A WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE FOR THE 2004 ELECTION:
Expanding Homeownership. The President believes that homeownership is the cornerstone of America's vibrant communities and benefits individual families by building stability and long-term financial security. In June 2002, President Bush issued America's Homeownership Challenge to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to encourage them to join the effort to close the gap that exists between the homeownership rates of minorities and non-minorities. The President also announced the goal of increasing the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million families before the end of the decade. Under his leadership, the overall U.S. homeownership rate in the second quarter of 2004 was at an all time high of 69.2 percent. Minority homeownership set a new record of 51 percent in the second quarter, up 0.2 percentage point from the first quarter and up 2.1 percentage points from a year ago. President Bush's initiative to dismantle the barriers to homeownership includes: American Dream Downpayment Initiative, which provides down payment assistance to approximately 40,000 low-income families; Affordable Housing. The President has proposed the Single-Family Affordable Housing Tax Credit, which would increase the supply of affordable homes; Helping Families Help Themselves. The President has proposed increasing support for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunities Program; and Simplifying Homebuying and Increasing Education. The President and HUD want to empower homebuyers by simplifying the home buying process so consumers can better understand and benefit from cost savings."
Toledo Ohio police given riot gear
ReplyDeletePalin's photo needs some more touching up. This obviously was altered by the liberal media. How dare you put up a photo where she doesn't resemble Jessica Simpson perfect skin!
ReplyDeleteI voted. Now back to work. Later on I'll be out and about at various election night happenings reporting for KHUM and the Journal. We'll have up to the minute results and a live comment thingy built into NorthCoastJournal.com Check it out and join the conversation.
ReplyDeleteVoted.....done with this thing.
ReplyDelete*spit*
Oops....Hi Rose!
Yes on prop 8 elderly couple seriously injured
ReplyDeletedown goes Pennsylvania
ReplyDeletedown goes Ohio
ReplyDeletedown goes New Mexico
ReplyDeletedown goes Iowa
ReplyDeletedown goes Virginia
ReplyDeleteHow about that? No sooner than the voting was finally underway and Bill Ayers surfaces from the Hyde Park underground for...."spontaneous" simultaneous interviews with the Washington Post and The New Yorker...no doubt part of the rehabilitation effort necessary to enable the Obama confidante open access to the White House.
ReplyDeletefox declares Obama wins election
ReplyDeleteIs Rose going to go on hiatus on election night just like she did last June?
ReplyDeleteAtleast we're winning in Eureka
ReplyDeleteWhen I have to lay people off, the first ones to go will be ones with Obama stickers on their cars. They wanted it. They voted for it. They will understand.
ReplyDeleteWho would ever want to work for a bigot like you 10:20
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, America, you just put the people who gave you the subprime mortgage into absolute power.
ReplyDeleteWas it good for you? Good. Because now you're pregnant - with triplets. And you have to keep the babies.
Good luck.
Just keep chewing on those sour grapes - the vinegar in them is good for you.
ReplyDeleteDred
Dred - that ain't sour grapes. It is called reality.
ReplyDeleteWell,the best I can say is,at least McCain didn't win.Don't think much of Obama,but 4 more years of Bush and his administrations acts of terrorism,domestic and foreign.And I certainly expect that Obama will fervently push for a war in Pakistan,and reinstitute the draft.......but after seeing some enthusiastic about Obama voters that I saw,I do feel that a movement of peace and prosperity is much,much,much more likely to gain ground with Obama than McCain.Not holding my breath though.Both Eureka and Arcata sent a big message to the military last night,thanks to the voters who aided in that,now the anti-war movement has something significant to look at,and to proceed forward with.People are increasingly becoming sick and tired of war and violence,and getting rid of a President and an administration which essentially aided terrorists in the murders of 3,000+ people on 9/11,for the sole purpose of a crusade on Muslims,while enriching some friends,is astep in the right direction.There is hope,but Obama will need to be pushed to make it happen.Sorry Ralph,I tried.
ReplyDeleteSrEsquan......you are truly a Nut.
ReplyDeleteYou know what I liked about last night -- besides the fact that Obama won -- John McCain gave a great, gracious speech, straight from the heart. What did he say? He said Obama "will be my president," which is something some of you don't seem to be accepting.
ReplyDeleteHere's more of what he said:
"I urge all Americans ... I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
"Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.
"It is natural. It's natural, tonight, to feel some disappointment. But tomorrow, we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again."
***
Now I know that the right-wingnut bloggonauts are not going to let up on their attacks, and Rose, I suspect you won't either. Even though you sometimes seem to echo the sentiments of the extreme edge of negativity, I know you well enough to think that you can move beyond the bitterness and pettiness.
I'll let John McCain conclude:
"Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama — whether they supported me or Senator Obama.
"I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
"Americans never quit. We never surrender.
"We never hide from history. We make history."
Did you notice, Bob? The sky did not magically turn blue this morning.
ReplyDeleteAll your hopes and dreams now rest upon the most corrupt group of people that has ever held power in this country.
Enjoy the cigarette.
first, I don't smoke, so I'll pass on the cigarette.
ReplyDeletere: "the most corrupt group of people that has ever held power in this country"?
It will be hard to top the last administration, who lied to the American people to start a war that's now bankrupting us, who stole our civil liberties and legitimized torture, who erased regulations so that their big money supporters could run rampant and get rich at the expense of our sons and daughters (who will pay the price in more ways than one). This was an administration that denied the reality of man's role in climate change for no other reason than to allow continued pollution that makes money for more of their supporters -- and that's just the tip of the melting iceberg. It will take a long time to sort out all the wrong that's been done in the last eight years.
We're living in an age when corruption runs rampant and the corrupt rule the world.
Is that going to change overnight? Of course not. But the sun's gonna shine in my back door one day...
Let me be the first to say it Bob -screw you. How dare you on one hand recognize the graciousness of a truly fine American and in the other accuse those that supported him of being right wing nutcases that are not going to let up the attacks. That this is the only time you have seen McCain for the truly great American that he is, gracious, courageous and honorable just shows how close minded and small you are. I supported this man even though he was not of my party because I saw across party lines to a man of honor and integrity. One who would not lie to get into office and would stand up against others in his party to do what was correct. Why I didn’t support Obama who was of my party was because I saw him to be an opportunist who would say or do anything for power.
ReplyDeleteI detested Bush when he was first elected and now. However, let me remind you that in every single election I can remember, including and especially the won that put that jerk George W into office, the attacks never ceased after the election. What, do you really think that those who believe that they saw through Obama will just roll over and say uncle. That didn’t happen in 2000 or 2004 with Bush and I don’t believe it will happen in 2008. It is part of the animal. Get used to it, this is what you and others have created. Absolute divisiveness. And I am not talking about divisiveness between parties but within parties. Evidently, you haven’t paid attention to PUMA.
Bob. You lost me when you said you would put me in a re-education camp. You, a journalist, working for an "alternative weekly," who should be the champion for free speech and a diversity of opinions.
ReplyDeleteThat's a mindset I cannot support in any regard.
Anon PUMA person,
ReplyDeleteI don't know you, and I don't know much about PUMA, so I don't really know where you're coming from, but I don't have any problem with people who supported McCain. That simple fact does not make someone a wingnut.
The truth is we live in a time when everybody and his brother has a blog, when freedom of speech means license to make things up, to distort half-truths, to beat the drum of whatever righteous cause you believe in.
Having looked at some of what's being generated by dittoheads who only get their news from Michael Savage and Rush, I may be jumping to conclusions, but there are a lot of scary folks out there -- and yes, they're on both sides.
I'm sure you are a perfectly rational person, who is wondering why the majority of the country did not see things the way you do yesterday. The point I was trying to make is this: It's time to get over the anger and recriminations and get about the business of fixing what's wrong with America. Vilifying the guy who just got elected by a majority of Americans is not going to make the world a better place.
And Rose, I said it before, but I'll repeat it. I was pulling your leg.
I found it bizarre that you posted that clip from some FBI mole that seems to infer that Obama wants to institute some sort of Red Chinese-style revolutionary reform in America where some are forced into re-location and re-education camps and other are sent to the gas chambers. That is so absolutely ludicrous it's laughable.
What are you talking about Bob?
ReplyDeleteThe guy was a mole with the Weather Underground. He was talking about their plans, what they were like.
Why do you always jump to that means people are saying Obama was a terrorist?
You're a journalist, Bob - you ought to be able to differentiate that they are talking about what KIND of People Obama's FRIENDS the Ayres/Dohrns WERE/are.
That is still a fact. Until the history is cleansed, it is there for you to see - but you can't.
And you weren't pulling my leg - you were mad and that's where you went. It is telling. The ever so tolerant left.
You are far more paranoid than I ever imagined.
ReplyDeleteAre we talking about the ever so tolerant left here, Rose? Really! Take a sedative. Or sit cross-legged in the middle of your living room, close your eyes and attempt to find your inner peace. Slow your heart rate. Take slow deep breaths. Picture a mountain meadow carpeted in a riot of blooms. Smell their wild perfume on an early morning breeze. Feel the warmth of the sun on your upturned face and let that warmth slowly penetrate deeper and deeper. It is peaceful here. There is tolerance on your left. There is tolerance on your right. Look and see Steven Lewis as he leads a thousand gnostic environmental communitarians repairing roads and replanting clearcuts. They are paid from revenue created by taxing corporations that extract natural resources. Look again as Stephen feeds this multitude from his never empty basket. This is a time for healing and celebration.
ReplyDeleteDred
The Next President
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those moments in history when it is worth pausing to reflect on the basic facts:
An American with the name Barack Hussein Obama, the son of a white woman and a black man he barely knew, raised by his grandparents far outside the stream of American power and wealth, has been elected the 44th president of the United States.
Showing extraordinary focus and quiet certainty, Mr. Obama swept away one political presumption after another to defeat first Hillary Clinton, who wanted to be president so badly that she lost her bearings, and then John McCain, who forsook his principles for a campaign built on anger and fear.
His triumph was decisive and sweeping, because he saw what is wrong with this country: the utter failure of government to protect its citizens. He offered a government that does not try to solve every problem but will do those things beyond the power of individual citizens: to regulate the economy fairly, keep the air clean and the food safe, ensure that the sick have access to health care, and educate children to compete in a globalized world.
Mr. Obama spoke candidly of the failure of Republican economic policies that promised to lift all Americans but left so many millions far behind. He committed himself to ending a bloody and pointless war. He promised to restore Americans’ civil liberties and their tattered reputation around the world.
With a message of hope and competence, he drew in legions of voters who had been disengaged and voiceless. The scenes Tuesday night of young men and women, black and white, weeping and cheering in Chicago and New York and in Atlanta’s storied Ebenezer Baptist Church were powerful and deeply moving.
Mr. Obama inherits a terrible legacy. The nation is embroiled in two wars — one of necessity in Afghanistan and one of folly in Iraq. Mr. Obama’s challenge will be to manage an orderly withdrawal from Iraq without igniting new conflicts so the Pentagon can focus its resources on the real front in the war on terror, Afghanistan.
The campaign began with the war as its central focus. By Election Day, Americans were deeply anguished about their futures and the government’s failure to prevent an economic collapse fed by greed and an orgy of deregulation. Mr. Obama will have to move quickly to impose control, coherence, transparency and fairness on the Bush administration’s jumbled bailout plan.
His administration will also have to identify all of the ways that Americans’ basic rights and fundamental values have been violated and rein that dark work back in. Climate change is a global threat, and after years of denial and inaction, this country must take the lead on addressing it. The nation must develop new, cleaner energy technologies, to reduce greenhouse gases and its dependence on foreign oil.
Mr. Obama also will have to rally sensible people to come up with immigration reform consistent with the values of a nation built by immigrants and refugees.
There are many other urgent problems that must be addressed. Tens of millions of Americans lack health insurance, including some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens — children of the working poor. Other Americans can barely pay for their insurance or are in danger of losing it along with their jobs. They must be protected.
Mr. Obama will now need the support of all Americans. Mr. McCain made an elegant concession speech Tuesday night in which he called on his followers not just to honor the vote, but to stand behind Mr. Obama. After a nasty, dispiriting campaign, he seemed on that stage to be the senator we long respected for his service to this country and his willingness to compromise.
That is a start. The nation’s many challenges are beyond the reach of any one man, or any one political party.
from today's New York Times
Rose, keep up the good work. And please keep Bobbie to no more than 3 short paragraphs.
ReplyDeletere: "the people who gave you the subprime mortgage"
ReplyDeleteFrom a 2002 speech by President Bush:
"I set an ambitious goal. It's one that I believe we can achieve. It's a clear goal, that by the end of this decade we'll increase the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million families. (Applause.)"
"Homeownership is also an important part of our economic vitality. If -- when we meet this project, this goal, according to our Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, we will have added an additional $256 billion to the economy by encouraging 5.5 million new home owners in America; the activity -- the economic activity stimulated with the additional purchasers, the additional buyers, the additional demand will be upwards of $256 billion. And that's important because it will help people find work."
"And, of course, one of the larger obstacles to minority homeownership is financing, is the ability to have their dream financed. Right now, we have a program that all of you are familiar with, maybe our fellow Americans are, and that's what they call a Section 8 housing program, that provides billions of dollars in vouchers to help low-income Americans with their rent. It encourages leasing. We think it's important that we use those vouchers, that federal money to help low-income Americans go from being somebody who leases to somebody who owns; that we use the Section 8 program to not only help with down payment, but to help with continuing monthly mortgage payments after they're into their new home. It is a -- it is a way to help us meet this dream of 5.5 million additional families owning their home."
"Last June, I issued a challenge to everyone involved in the housing industry to help increase the number of minority families to be home owners. And what I'm talking about, I'm talking about your bankers and your brokers and developers, as well as members of faith-based community and community programs. And the response to the home owners challenge has been very strong and very gratifying. Twenty-two public and private partners have signed up to help meet our national goal. Partners in the mortgage finance industry are encouraging homeownership by purchasing more loans made by banks to African Americans, Hispanics and other minorities."
"Freddie Mae -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- I see the heads who are here; I want to thank you all for coming -- (laughter) -- have committed to provide more money for lenders. They've committed to help meet the shortage of capital available for minority home buyers. Fannie Mae recently announced a $50 million program to develop 600 homes for the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Franklin, I appreciate that commitment. They also announced $12.7 million investment in a condominium project in Harlem. It's the beginnings of a series of initiatives to help meet the goal of 5.5 million families. Franklin told me at the meeting where we kicked this office, he said, I promise you we will help, and he has, like many others in this room have done. Freddie Mac recently began 25 initiatives around the country to dismantle barriers and create greater opportunities for homeownership. One of the programs is designed to help deserving families who have bad credit histories to qualify for homeownership loans. Freddie Mac is also working with the Department of Defense to promote construction and financing for housing for men and women in the military."
A FOLLOW-UP IN A WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE FOR THE 2004 ELECTION:
Expanding Homeownership. The President believes that homeownership is the cornerstone of America's vibrant communities and benefits individual families by building stability and long-term financial security. In June 2002, President Bush issued America's Homeownership Challenge to the real estate and mortgage finance industries to encourage them to join the effort to close the gap that exists between the homeownership rates of minorities and non-minorities. The President also announced the goal of increasing the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million families before the end of the decade. Under his leadership, the overall U.S. homeownership rate in the second quarter of 2004 was at an all time high of 69.2 percent. Minority homeownership set a new record of 51 percent in the second quarter, up 0.2 percentage point from the first quarter and up 2.1 percentage points from a year ago. President Bush's initiative to dismantle the barriers to homeownership includes:
American Dream Downpayment Initiative, which provides down payment assistance to approximately 40,000 low-income families;
Affordable Housing. The President has proposed the Single-Family Affordable Housing Tax Credit, which would increase the supply of affordable homes;
Helping Families Help Themselves. The President has proposed increasing support for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunities Program; and
Simplifying Homebuying and Increasing Education. The President and HUD want to empower homebuyers by simplifying the home buying process so consumers can better understand and benefit from cost savings."
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ReplyDeleteThis thread makes me want to watch "The Exorcist". Somehow I think a greater intervention is called for.
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