Yes he can.

"If we set the precedent of limiting the First Amendment, in order to protect the sensibilities
of those who are offended by flag burning, what will we say the next time someone is offended
by some other minority view, or by some other person's exercise of the freedom the Constitution
is supposed to protect?" - Senator Edward M. Kennedy, constituent letter 1997 (link)

The quote reminds me of one of the many reasons I was not a fan of Hillary, even before
the election. For those who aren't aware, she supported a law making flag burning a criminal
 offense. Many believed she did so merely for political gain.  

I agree. 

 In fact, I'd like to hear her answer Senator Kennedy's hypothetical question . . .
for that matter. 

Although it seemed she might be, she ain’t.

It really won’t.

We all hate writing them, but mine are heartfelt. Here are mine for an Obama presidency.

First and foremost thank you George W. Bush.  Without you things could not have gotten so horrible that a mixed race man with a dark-skinned wife could become President.

Thank you Hillary Clinton for beginning to run a racially tinged campaign that awakened the black vote to the fact that Bill Clinton was not really the first black President (or if he was he was a self-hating black President). Had you not done so you would have split the black vote with Obama, and might have been President now.

Thank you Bill Clinton for being crazy, and reminding us that despite your many talents, you have some serious ego issues that will affect you to the point that you attempt to play into black people’s doubts and fears.  Also thank you for reminding us that you’re not really black, and that even if you were, you still need to earn our vote.  Extra points for calling Obama’s campaign a fairy tale.

Thank you Jesse Jackson for making such an ass of yourself that you furthered the narrative of a new racial construct and helped make Obama’s campaign possible.

Thank you Jeremiah Wright for being so juvenile, petty, and pathetic, that you drove Obama so far as to completely cut-off ties with you.  This complete break dulled attacks of association relying on your past relationship. Thanks my man.  Oh yeah, and extra points for forcing my man Obama to give one amazing speech on race – which also helped him win the presidency.

Thank you to those who ran campaigns across the nation based on the politics of fear.  Your error in believing that fear triumphs over hope allowed as to teach you otherwise, and in doing so win a major landslide victory that will help Obama’s future agenda.

And I almost forgot, thank you Sarah Palin, for tempting John McCain to pick you, and then sucking so abslutely totally and utterly.

And my biggest thank you to John McCain for 1) picking Sarah Palin and 2) discarding his beliefs and morals to run on an extreme right platform that was ten times less effective than his 2000 campaign approach would have been.

There are so many people to sarcastically thank. I’ll have a list of genuine thank yous later on.

So tonight, let us ask ourselves — if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. – President-Elect Barack Obama acceptance speech, November 4, 2008

My favorite part of the entire speech (at 6:55). It asks a question which makes you fundamentally ponder the meaning and purpose of your existence, the existence of your children, and there children’s children.

That is what Obama has done to perfection. Took a page from Muhammad Ali.

Now we just need that knockout.

Fugees and A Tribe Called Quest accompanying music video:

I love this track.

It’s kind of amazing how watching Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation, and reading the lyrics, makes you think of the Obama campaign message

Watch the video, get motivated, and join Obama’s rhythm nation of hope.

Janet reminds us that hope can be sexy.

With music by our side
To break the color lines
Lets work together
To improve our way of life
Join voices in protest
To social injustice
A generation full of courage
Come forth with me
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers we can get it right
One time
We are a part of the rhythm nation

This is the test
No struggle no progress
Lend a hand to help
Your brother do his best
Things are getting worse
We have to make them better
Its time to give a damn
Lets work together come on

People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life
We are a part of the rhythm nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers we can get it right

One time
We are a part of the rhythm nation

(link)

Canvassing yesterday in south Philly was amazing. In contrast to my my trip to a more suburban part of Penn. targeted at swing voters, this trip was geared directly at making sure Obama supporters go to the polls.

We were sent to a low-income black community with how to vote materials, and a list of important things to remind voters about election day.

There is so much support for Obama in these communities it is unbelievable. Moreover, there is so much pride in him as a candidate. Obama will win Pennsylvania if they keep canvassing and applying resources to these communities.

Little kids biked by asking us for Obama buttons, and every single person we spoke with was either for Obama, or ENTHUSIASTICALLY for Obama.

What a way to spend the day.

At the campaign headquarters they specifically said that canvassing is more helpful than phone banking, although both are helpful. So if you can this weekend or election day, canvass in a swing state (although don’t forget to vote)! If you can’t canvass then phone bank. If you can’t do either donate.

Folks, if you’re for Obama GET OUT THERE AND DO SOMETHING.

I promise you you will not regret it!