A Hymn for Barack Obama by Carpe

A recent German visitor to my blog has written a song and crafted a video that I found to be inspiring. It pleases me to share it with my readers. Thanks for your creation, Carpe. Warm greetings from the U.S.

Nastiness and Denial Will Likely Lose Robin Hayes His Seat in NC

Robin Hayes' comments earlier this week were dumb, especially after having heard Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann's equally crazy-sounding idea to investigate Congress members for suspected anti-Americanism. Hayes' comment that "liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God" seemed to be a perfect grassroots fundraising opportunity for Hayes' opponent Larry Kissell and A-plus fodder for MSNBC's Keith Olbermann's "Worst Person the the World" designation.

A Salisbury Post editorial said this regarding the misguiding attitude forwarded by the Hayes comment:

We have polarized ourselves into paralysis at the very time we need wise action the most. Liberals, conservatives and moderates will have to work together to surmount the formidable challenges that stand before this country. God help us all.

Adding fuel to his own fire, Hayes publically denied that he'd really meant what he said when he said what he said.

Then, unbelievable and insulting to anyone with a lick of sense, he publically averred that he hadn't denied anything at all.




Hayes has been caught, like a deer in the headlights of the American vehicle, claiming the tires on the vehicle are not moving the vehicle on the same course as the steering wheel - - and the vehicle moves ahead, crushing him just the same.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Larry Kissell will win this race for a Congressional seat in NC-08 on November 4th.



~ Jude

Joe Biden Speaks at UNC Charlotte Rally

I took some photos at a Joe Biden rally at UNCC in Charlotte, N.C. yesterday.

Joe Biden said, "There is not one fundamental economic issue, not one fundamental economic issue, on which John McCain has taken issue with George Bush." He continued, "If it walks like a duck, if it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck! John McCain and Sarah Palin are quacking like George Bush!"

Senator Biden said, "Great presidents have always turned dire circumstances into real opportunities...and I believe that Barack Obama will be a great, unifying president."

"For too many people the American dream is literally receding
before their eyes."

This young fellow is from Japan. He attended the rally in support of American citizens and the change he thinks they so badly need.

Here's Senator Biden with an enthusiastic crowd after having given his speech.

Signs frame the speaker who promises the kind of change that the Obama/Biden audience seeks. Senator Biden said, "I’ve never seen a time when so many Americans have been knocked down with so little help from their government to get back up. So, folks, now we’ve got to commit. It’s time. It’s time together as Democrats, Republicans, Independents to get up as a nation. America is ready to get up, you’re ready to get up, I’m ready, Barack Obama is ready. Ladies and gentlemen it’s our time, it’s America’s time, so let’s get up! Let’s get up and unite this nation and to be the nation we can be."

Biden with the attentive crowd behind him

(All photos above are by Jude Nagurney Camwell)
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These photos were taken by others:



Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress [NC District 9] Harry Taylor and Mel Watt watching Senator Biden


A shot of the crowd in which I am included.

James Taylor Sings in Charlotte for Obama

"I feel the spirit of change and a new beginning. After a long, long winter, it feels wonderful." ~ James Taylor

James Taylor (with wife Kim on background vocals) singing "You Can Close Your Eyes" in Charlotte NC
Concert for Change, Ovens Auditorium
October 19 2008

"There is an awakening spirit in the nation and we have a real leader that is inspiring us to love our country again. I'm so excited that North Carolina can embody the change that America needs." ~ James Taylor

From the Boston Globe - For Obama, How Sweet It Is

James Taylor yesterday played the first of five shows he'll do for Barack Obama in North Carolina. Sweet Baby James called the election the most important in years. "The last time I felt [this] was Bobby Kennedy's campaign in 1968, and it's a wonderful thing to feel and be a part of," said Taylor, who grew up in North Carolina but calls the Berkshires home these days. "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the bluest of the blue states and that's just fine with me. But it's wonderful to come to an area, my old home state, to feel the change taking place. This is an exciting place to be." Taylor's wife, Kim, joined him (above) for the encore, "You Can Close Your Eyes."

Salisbury Post - Taylor played greatest hits from early in his career in a 50-minute concert. Sunday's playlist included "You've Got a Friend," "Something in the Way She Moves," "Fire and Rain" and "Carolina in My Mind." [..] Taylor's newest CD is "Covers," released Sept. 30. He included just one song from that album, "Wichita Lineman," the hit made popular by Glenn Campbell way back in 1968.

Daily Kos - James Taylor 4 Barack (with Pictures and Video)

The Troubador Tribune has video and setlist

Noonan: Palin's Failin'

WSJ:
[..] it's unclear whether she is Bushian or Reaganite. She doesn't think aloud.
She just . . . says things.

[..] In the end the Palin candidacy is a symptom and expression of a new vulgarization in American politics. It's no good, not for conservatism and not for the country. And yes, it is a mark against John McCain, against his judgment and idealism.

- Peggy Noonan
Palin's Failin', WSJ, Declarations, Oct 17, 2008

Censure Rep. Michele Bachmann

Censure Michele Bachmann
Source: www.censurebachmann.com

There's a call out there today for Congress to censure Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann after she called her fellow members anti-American during an interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews.

Katrina vanden Heuvel responded:

Bachmann seems to be drunk on division and forced suspicion at a time when sobriety and a calming quality in leadership is required. This stark reminder of a very dark chapter of American history should give pause to every person who cares about the future of America. We can only get where we need to go if we go there together. What Bachmann is doing is contrived...it's damaging to our social fabric....it's evil. I find it hard to believe that she's engaging in this sort of pubic behavior with all we face as a troubled people. After seeing her determined behavior in a recent interview with a seemingly disbelieving Chris Matthews, I realize that people in her district need to think twice about re-electing a person who embraces such admitted hatred and disrespect for fellow citizens and Congress members!

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The Republicans have lifted the lid off their rightwing id
by Michael Tomasky
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
My favorite quote from this Michael Tomasky/Guardian column:

"[Michele] Bachmann is just an idiot.
She wouldn't know Edmund Burke from Billie Burke."