By Mary MacElveen
January 31, 2009
Like most mornings, I sip my coffee and devour my Newsday, but upon reading this one article, Advocates seek college funds for prisoners, well I nearly spit it out in total disbelief. I would like to remind these advocates of our current economic crisis in which law abiding citizens are finding it harder and harder to send their children onto college. Some cannot even afford to go. Some must seek work if they can find a job.
What about the laid off workers in NY State who must say to their child, “Sorry, we just cannot afford to send you onto college.” Imagine their anger in reading this one article that some politicians would rather help prisoners than their own children. This is simply maddening if you ask me.
I was always brought up thinking that prison was a place for punishment. Yes, in more prosperous times, we did think of rehabilitating these prisoners so they would become productive members of society. But, can we afford to spend millions on these programs at this point? The sound response should be, no we cannot.
In past articles, I have cited how food pantries were going bare and being used by people working two jobs in order to make it. I think they could use those millions instead of prisoners in order to survive.
Newsday reported, "The Correctional Association of New York, a watchdog agency that pushes for legislative and policy reform in the state correctional system, released a report today extolling the merits of educated prisoners, saying college courses have long-term benefits that can be realized quickly." What I would say to this watch-dog group is that the stimulus bill has not even reached Pres. Obama's desk since it will be discussed and voted on in the senate and any benefits either short or long term must go to those presently unemployed to jumpstart this economy first.
This watch-dog organization even had the gall as to say that this "money should be dedicated despite the economy." Instead of issuing a 23 page report, what they should do is say that to the millions who have lost their jobs and the tens of thousands who the president cited lost their jobs this past week. The sum they are seeking is between $5 million and $10 million dollars. While a low sum as opposed to the billions handed out to banking institutions, still the unemployed must come first.
New York City's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg has called for, "huge job cuts in New York City, and remedies to help stop the fiscal bloodletting may range from thousands of layoffs to service cuts to a sales-tax increase," To even think of funding college programs for prisoners is insane at this moment in time.
This is where those who are calling for these programs to educate prisoners must think of those who are law abiding citizens whose needs must come first and foremost by our elected officials here in NY State.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
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Friday, January 30, 2009
Rod Blagojevich: Who will be the next to be tried by the media?
By Mary MacElveen
January 30, 2009
With the removal of now former Gov. Rod Blagojevich from power as was done by the Illinois State Senate yesterday, do not expect a cheer coming from me. One must wonder how many of those who ousted him from power are nervous today that they too can be drawn into any future legal proceeding against them. Will they as well be tried in the media as former Gov. Blagojevich was? I wonder how many went home afterwards to pour themselves a good-stiff-drink.
Decades before the Internet and 24/7 cable news, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Hugo Black cited in 1941, “Legal trials are not like elections, to be won through the use of the meeting-hall, the radio, and the newspaper.”1 In the last decade, it seems as though Justice Black’s fear that legal battles would be waged in the media has come to fruition.2 The public’s interest in high-profile criminal cases has grown dramatically over the last decade, increasing the difficulty of finding impartial decisionmakers.3 Because such a highly publicized atmosphere surrounds potential jurors, these triers of fact may be influenced as to the guilt or innocence of a high-profile defendant before the trial even begins.”
To those within the mainstream media who pre-judged his guilt; exactly how is he supposed to get twelve jurors to decide his guilt or innocence when you decided it for them? Call me finicky, but I believe in the rule of law where a person is tried within a court of law and not in the court of public opinion. Journalists can opine, but opining is supposition and not facts based on the evidence. It is supposed to be where said facts in evidence are challenged by the defendant’s attorney. By spouting their opinions, it is tantamount to them taking the stand without having sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Even as I have written several columns on Blagojevich cannot opine if he is innocent or guilty because I have not seen the facts in evidence or have witnessed it challenged by his lawyers. So, if I am going to opine anything, he is still presumed innocent under the law.
To those who defend the Guantánamo detainees: What would you say if I said they were already guilty? The law must be driving some nuts right now as some look protect their rights, but not a former governor’s rights?
Case in point to prove how the media influences any trial proceeding is when the Church of Scientology asked that a case against them be moved to a different venue.
In reading this article, pay close attention to this item, "This week, it took the unusual step of asking the court to move a civil trial out of this area because, it says, potential Pinellas jurors have been prejudiced by negative media coverage."
Like the derogatory names used by the media in referring to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, also cited in this article, "The community prejudice has been fueled by an ongoing barrage of negative media comments, principally by the St. Petersburg Times and the local television stations, including publication of inflammatory and unethical public statements by Kennan Dandar."
While this is all water under the bridge, I do opine that these state legislators should have waited for any indictment handed down by the U.S. Attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald and not a moment sooner. Indictments are handed down by grand-jurors who are the first decision makers in any legal proceeding with the ultimate ones being the jurors who at the end hear the case.
I too was upset with the former governor as he barnstormed the media pleading his case, but do feel he needed to since those in power were launching their case against him. Without a trial in the near future prosecuted by Fitzgerald, what was he supposed to do? Just stand there and take it on the chin by these state legislators who were not hearing his side? Did they in fact want to hear his side since many I suppose have their own political agendas? If political agendas were their motive, then shame on them.
As the mainstream media lynched him in the court of public opinion what they failed to present were the meritorious acts of this former governor. Since we are speaking of the court of public opinion where corporations are now demonized, it was the former governor who proposed a Tax Fairness Plan. This plan, "would shift the tax burden away from individuals, who have been carrying an increasing share of the burden over the past thirty years, to large businesses, which have paid little to no income tax." As we face a global economic meltdown, to his detractors, I strongly suggest that you read of this plan which was proposed by the former governor two years ago.
As President Barack Obama reminds parent’s of their responsibility when it comes to their children spending huge chunks of their time online or in front of computer games, it was former Governor Rod Blagojevich who chose to go up against this multi-billion dollar industry. This industry produces some of the most violent and sexually explicit games that our children are being exposed to. The next time there is a school shooting at the hands of a teenager, keep that in mind.
In the end, I wish former Gov. Blagojevich my best wishes since I am not cheering his removal from office today. I am also waiting for who the next person to be tried by the media instead of in a court of law. Good luck, Mr. Blagojevich in finding impartial jurors since the media already tried you.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
In addendum to this article, as one clicks on the link to read the former Governor Blagojevich’s Tax Fairness Plan, you will see listed as the governor, Gov. Pat Quinn. This was not Quinn’s proposed legislation, but that of former Governor Rod Blagojevich.
January 30, 2009
With the removal of now former Gov. Rod Blagojevich from power as was done by the Illinois State Senate yesterday, do not expect a cheer coming from me. One must wonder how many of those who ousted him from power are nervous today that they too can be drawn into any future legal proceeding against them. Will they as well be tried in the media as former Gov. Blagojevich was? I wonder how many went home afterwards to pour themselves a good-stiff-drink.
Decades before the Internet and 24/7 cable news, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Hugo Black cited in 1941, “Legal trials are not like elections, to be won through the use of the meeting-hall, the radio, and the newspaper.”1 In the last decade, it seems as though Justice Black’s fear that legal battles would be waged in the media has come to fruition.2 The public’s interest in high-profile criminal cases has grown dramatically over the last decade, increasing the difficulty of finding impartial decisionmakers.3 Because such a highly publicized atmosphere surrounds potential jurors, these triers of fact may be influenced as to the guilt or innocence of a high-profile defendant before the trial even begins.”
To those within the mainstream media who pre-judged his guilt; exactly how is he supposed to get twelve jurors to decide his guilt or innocence when you decided it for them? Call me finicky, but I believe in the rule of law where a person is tried within a court of law and not in the court of public opinion. Journalists can opine, but opining is supposition and not facts based on the evidence. It is supposed to be where said facts in evidence are challenged by the defendant’s attorney. By spouting their opinions, it is tantamount to them taking the stand without having sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Even as I have written several columns on Blagojevich cannot opine if he is innocent or guilty because I have not seen the facts in evidence or have witnessed it challenged by his lawyers. So, if I am going to opine anything, he is still presumed innocent under the law.
To those who defend the Guantánamo detainees: What would you say if I said they were already guilty? The law must be driving some nuts right now as some look protect their rights, but not a former governor’s rights?
Case in point to prove how the media influences any trial proceeding is when the Church of Scientology asked that a case against them be moved to a different venue.
In reading this article, pay close attention to this item, "This week, it took the unusual step of asking the court to move a civil trial out of this area because, it says, potential Pinellas jurors have been prejudiced by negative media coverage."
Like the derogatory names used by the media in referring to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, also cited in this article, "The community prejudice has been fueled by an ongoing barrage of negative media comments, principally by the St. Petersburg Times and the local television stations, including publication of inflammatory and unethical public statements by Kennan Dandar."
While this is all water under the bridge, I do opine that these state legislators should have waited for any indictment handed down by the U.S. Attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald and not a moment sooner. Indictments are handed down by grand-jurors who are the first decision makers in any legal proceeding with the ultimate ones being the jurors who at the end hear the case.
I too was upset with the former governor as he barnstormed the media pleading his case, but do feel he needed to since those in power were launching their case against him. Without a trial in the near future prosecuted by Fitzgerald, what was he supposed to do? Just stand there and take it on the chin by these state legislators who were not hearing his side? Did they in fact want to hear his side since many I suppose have their own political agendas? If political agendas were their motive, then shame on them.
As the mainstream media lynched him in the court of public opinion what they failed to present were the meritorious acts of this former governor. Since we are speaking of the court of public opinion where corporations are now demonized, it was the former governor who proposed a Tax Fairness Plan. This plan, "would shift the tax burden away from individuals, who have been carrying an increasing share of the burden over the past thirty years, to large businesses, which have paid little to no income tax." As we face a global economic meltdown, to his detractors, I strongly suggest that you read of this plan which was proposed by the former governor two years ago.
As President Barack Obama reminds parent’s of their responsibility when it comes to their children spending huge chunks of their time online or in front of computer games, it was former Governor Rod Blagojevich who chose to go up against this multi-billion dollar industry. This industry produces some of the most violent and sexually explicit games that our children are being exposed to. The next time there is a school shooting at the hands of a teenager, keep that in mind.
In the end, I wish former Gov. Blagojevich my best wishes since I am not cheering his removal from office today. I am also waiting for who the next person to be tried by the media instead of in a court of law. Good luck, Mr. Blagojevich in finding impartial jurors since the media already tried you.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
In addendum to this article, as one clicks on the link to read the former Governor Blagojevich’s Tax Fairness Plan, you will see listed as the governor, Gov. Pat Quinn. This was not Quinn’s proposed legislation, but that of former Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Republicans failed at listening to the personal and shame on them!
By Mary MacElveen
January 29, 2009
In his Inauguration Speech, President Barack Obama directed these very words to the Muslim world, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” As far as I am concerned, this statement equally applies to the Republican Party since not one of their House members voted yes to the stimulus bill which passed by the Democratic majority.
To his credit, President Barack Obama kept his promise to reach across the aisle to the Republicans and what did they do, they slapped his hand. Some would rather kiss the ring of Rush Limbaugh than do what is right for the citizens of this country.
Some Republican members threw a hissy-fit as they came before the cameras yesterday citing they wanted their voices heard. Not remembering that for a majority of the Bush years, they had their say and what was the end result? Millions of jobs lost where tens of thousands were lost this past week.
In reading an op-ed column in today’s Newsday, Carolyn Gusoff formerly of WNBC news in New York relayed her story to those willing to read it of her new-found-status in a growing club of sorts called the unemployed.
As we all know, with work comes a sense of dignity and pride in what we as Americans do. It is where one is able to have a conversation with another of what we do for a living. So, I was struck when she had this to say, “I am unemployed.” She goes onto say, “There - I said it… It sounds embarrassing - something you wouldn't want to shout out in a crowd. And it's something, after two decades of quite gainful employment, that I never imagined would happen to me.”
We often think those in the media are not representative of we the people, but here a former news reporter and a good one at that chronicled her feelings and I do suspect, many do see themselves in her shoes.
The reason for her job loss is at the hands of the Internet where people do not want to wait for the news and the advertising base is being lost to these local news departments. As with print news, the local news is one that I rely upon to see what is happening in my world. It is getting harder and harder to know what is happening within one’s own community.
In fact, I did touch upon this subject in a column, Cable News: I long for the days of “We now resume normal broadcasting”
Getting back to Guoff’s powerful commentary, somehow this one item written by her stood out and I do suspect that the millions who have lost their jobs could easily identify with "And what do you do?" leaves me at a loss. "I am, I was, I ... um ... and what do you do?" As I said, with a job comes a person's identity and how we show ourselves to the world, how we move within it and for millions, it is lost. Yet, these Republicans who failed at voting for this one bill simply do not get it.
In a prior piece, I wrote a similarity between the world we inherited after 9/11 to these stark and dark economic times. Directly after 9/11 both parties did come together to show a sign of strength not only to the American people, but the world in the name of patriotism. Gusoff's words spoke to the very heart of it as she listened to President Obama's speech in which she wrote, "As I watched him usher in a season of change across the nation, I hung on every word. Because for me, like so many other Americans right now, hoping he succeeds is not just patriotic, it's personal." In these bleak economic times, the Republicans by not supporting this one bill are failing the American people.
As the Republican members gathered in a mob-mentality to show themselves flexing their political muscle, what they failed to do was to listen to the individual voices of those who have lost their jobs. They failed at listening to the personal and for that, I say, shame on them!
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
January 29, 2009
In his Inauguration Speech, President Barack Obama directed these very words to the Muslim world, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” As far as I am concerned, this statement equally applies to the Republican Party since not one of their House members voted yes to the stimulus bill which passed by the Democratic majority.
To his credit, President Barack Obama kept his promise to reach across the aisle to the Republicans and what did they do, they slapped his hand. Some would rather kiss the ring of Rush Limbaugh than do what is right for the citizens of this country.
Some Republican members threw a hissy-fit as they came before the cameras yesterday citing they wanted their voices heard. Not remembering that for a majority of the Bush years, they had their say and what was the end result? Millions of jobs lost where tens of thousands were lost this past week.
In reading an op-ed column in today’s Newsday, Carolyn Gusoff formerly of WNBC news in New York relayed her story to those willing to read it of her new-found-status in a growing club of sorts called the unemployed.
As we all know, with work comes a sense of dignity and pride in what we as Americans do. It is where one is able to have a conversation with another of what we do for a living. So, I was struck when she had this to say, “I am unemployed.” She goes onto say, “There - I said it… It sounds embarrassing - something you wouldn't want to shout out in a crowd. And it's something, after two decades of quite gainful employment, that I never imagined would happen to me.”
We often think those in the media are not representative of we the people, but here a former news reporter and a good one at that chronicled her feelings and I do suspect, many do see themselves in her shoes.
The reason for her job loss is at the hands of the Internet where people do not want to wait for the news and the advertising base is being lost to these local news departments. As with print news, the local news is one that I rely upon to see what is happening in my world. It is getting harder and harder to know what is happening within one’s own community.
In fact, I did touch upon this subject in a column, Cable News: I long for the days of “We now resume normal broadcasting”
Getting back to Guoff’s powerful commentary, somehow this one item written by her stood out and I do suspect that the millions who have lost their jobs could easily identify with "And what do you do?" leaves me at a loss. "I am, I was, I ... um ... and what do you do?" As I said, with a job comes a person's identity and how we show ourselves to the world, how we move within it and for millions, it is lost. Yet, these Republicans who failed at voting for this one bill simply do not get it.
In a prior piece, I wrote a similarity between the world we inherited after 9/11 to these stark and dark economic times. Directly after 9/11 both parties did come together to show a sign of strength not only to the American people, but the world in the name of patriotism. Gusoff's words spoke to the very heart of it as she listened to President Obama's speech in which she wrote, "As I watched him usher in a season of change across the nation, I hung on every word. Because for me, like so many other Americans right now, hoping he succeeds is not just patriotic, it's personal." In these bleak economic times, the Republicans by not supporting this one bill are failing the American people.
As the Republican members gathered in a mob-mentality to show themselves flexing their political muscle, what they failed to do was to listen to the individual voices of those who have lost their jobs. They failed at listening to the personal and for that, I say, shame on them!
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
GOP complain about the stimulus package: How much has the Iraq War cost we the people so far?
By Mary MacElveen
January 27, 2009
As President Barack Obama made his way to The Hill on Tuesday to meet with House and Senate Republicans to gain their support for the $825 billion dollar stimulus bill, it was met by all of them with the frost that remains days after Pres. Obama was sworn in. In the spirit of bipartisanship that Pres. Obama is trying to instill in Washington, the Republicans would have none of that. I would first like to add, weren’t they listening to the American voters on November 4th, 2008 as they swept Pres. Obama into office with a greater amount of Democrats in both houses of congress? Wasn’t that a clear signal to all of them, their leadership in D.C. was a failure? I guess they were still wearing the ear-muffs they wore on Inauguration Day.
In the first six years of the former Bush administration, the GOP was in power of both the executive and legislative branches and they expected Democrats to capitulate to their will all in the name of patriotism. America is staring down a different yet still devastating threat today that cannot be seen and it is up to the GOP to rise to the occasion to show how patriotic they really are in the face of this crisis which has equally imperiled the American people.
I would say that this economic threat is far more devastating than Al Qaeda, since it tentacles reach from sea to shining sea. I would also love to remind the GOP that former President Bush lied to the American people as to why we invaded Iraq. Yet the GOP expected not only congress, but the American people to fall for that hook, line and sinker.
As people have lost their jobs, and have continued to lose their jobs along with that are the health benefits they had and their ability to put food on the table as well as keep a roof over their head. This economic threat does not reside in terror cells, but in corporations that are no longer able to sustain the ability to employ these workers or states which are no longer able to meet their citizens needs. It was reported on Tuesday in The L.A. Times, “The budget deficit is $40 billion and growing. The state is so short of cash that, within days, it may issue IOUs, rather than checks, to pay its bills. The Legislature, bitterly divided, seems unable to agree on a way out. The governor warns of "financial Armageddon."
Yet, the GOP squawk at the amount it will take to get America working again in order to rebuild this economy, but no squawking took place when it came to the price tag of the Iraq War. To me, the Iraq War was the ultimate earmark and it did not get as much in-depth discussion of it and its price tag by former Pres. Bush, the congress and the media.
Since I chose California to prove the dire straights they are in economically, so far this war in Iraq has cost the American tax payer as a whole, over $591 billion dollars and counting by the second. Listed below is what the State of California could have used their portion of the funds for.
Taxpayers in California will pay $83.1 billion for total Iraq war spending approved to date. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:
34,208,306 People with Health Care for One Year
OR
148,087,070 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year
OR
1,484,827 Public Safety Officers for One year
OR
1,174,122 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year
OR
12,490,710 Scholarships for University Students for One Year
OR
248,783 Affordable Housing Units
OR
31,068,375 Children with Health Care for One Year
OR
9,941,768 Head Start Places for Children for One Year
OR
1,193,726 Elementary School Teachers for One Year
OR
1,049,740 Port Container Inspectors for One year
If I were Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, I would have an up-close meeting with these House and Senate Republicans and no using that phrase, “I’ll be back”, but stay there until they listened to reason as his state is in fiscal chaos. Without the Iraq War, they would have been in the black.
Oh and last but not least as the Republicans haggle over the cost of that family planning portion of the bill which was taken out, let me remind my readers that all of us as tax payers paid for an American Embassy to be built in Baghdad which cost over $500 million dollars. Yet, another earmark and of no use to we the people as we face this economic firestorm.
To the Republicans on the Hill, just how are you the conservators of the people’s tax dollars? I just do not see it since no example has been proven to we the people.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
January 27, 2009
As President Barack Obama made his way to The Hill on Tuesday to meet with House and Senate Republicans to gain their support for the $825 billion dollar stimulus bill, it was met by all of them with the frost that remains days after Pres. Obama was sworn in. In the spirit of bipartisanship that Pres. Obama is trying to instill in Washington, the Republicans would have none of that. I would first like to add, weren’t they listening to the American voters on November 4th, 2008 as they swept Pres. Obama into office with a greater amount of Democrats in both houses of congress? Wasn’t that a clear signal to all of them, their leadership in D.C. was a failure? I guess they were still wearing the ear-muffs they wore on Inauguration Day.
In the first six years of the former Bush administration, the GOP was in power of both the executive and legislative branches and they expected Democrats to capitulate to their will all in the name of patriotism. America is staring down a different yet still devastating threat today that cannot be seen and it is up to the GOP to rise to the occasion to show how patriotic they really are in the face of this crisis which has equally imperiled the American people.
I would say that this economic threat is far more devastating than Al Qaeda, since it tentacles reach from sea to shining sea. I would also love to remind the GOP that former President Bush lied to the American people as to why we invaded Iraq. Yet the GOP expected not only congress, but the American people to fall for that hook, line and sinker.
As people have lost their jobs, and have continued to lose their jobs along with that are the health benefits they had and their ability to put food on the table as well as keep a roof over their head. This economic threat does not reside in terror cells, but in corporations that are no longer able to sustain the ability to employ these workers or states which are no longer able to meet their citizens needs. It was reported on Tuesday in The L.A. Times, “The budget deficit is $40 billion and growing. The state is so short of cash that, within days, it may issue IOUs, rather than checks, to pay its bills. The Legislature, bitterly divided, seems unable to agree on a way out. The governor warns of "financial Armageddon."
Yet, the GOP squawk at the amount it will take to get America working again in order to rebuild this economy, but no squawking took place when it came to the price tag of the Iraq War. To me, the Iraq War was the ultimate earmark and it did not get as much in-depth discussion of it and its price tag by former Pres. Bush, the congress and the media.
Since I chose California to prove the dire straights they are in economically, so far this war in Iraq has cost the American tax payer as a whole, over $591 billion dollars and counting by the second. Listed below is what the State of California could have used their portion of the funds for.
Taxpayers in California will pay $83.1 billion for total Iraq war spending approved to date. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:
34,208,306 People with Health Care for One Year
OR
148,087,070 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year
OR
1,484,827 Public Safety Officers for One year
OR
1,174,122 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year
OR
12,490,710 Scholarships for University Students for One Year
OR
248,783 Affordable Housing Units
OR
31,068,375 Children with Health Care for One Year
OR
9,941,768 Head Start Places for Children for One Year
OR
1,193,726 Elementary School Teachers for One Year
OR
1,049,740 Port Container Inspectors for One year
If I were Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, I would have an up-close meeting with these House and Senate Republicans and no using that phrase, “I’ll be back”, but stay there until they listened to reason as his state is in fiscal chaos. Without the Iraq War, they would have been in the black.
Oh and last but not least as the Republicans haggle over the cost of that family planning portion of the bill which was taken out, let me remind my readers that all of us as tax payers paid for an American Embassy to be built in Baghdad which cost over $500 million dollars. Yet, another earmark and of no use to we the people as we face this economic firestorm.
To the Republicans on the Hill, just how are you the conservators of the people’s tax dollars? I just do not see it since no example has been proven to we the people.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
Monday, January 26, 2009
To Gov. Rod Blagojevich: Americans have their own problems and do not need to hear yours
By Mary MacElveen
January 26, 2009
As the lone voice out here who has written column-after-column in support of the embattled governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, I must say at this point, he is looking pathetic. To me, a strong elected official faces the music so to speak by participating in it to show his or her constituents’ the lynch-mob that he or she believes it to be and not running from it. That to me his actions signify cowardice.
Governor Blagojevich and I will not use any pseudo-names for him like others have within the media has chosen to air his grievances with this process on shows such as ABC’s “Good Morning America, “The View” and CNN’s, “Larry King Live” He is quoted as saying, "I'm here in New York because I can't get a fair hearing in Illinois, the state Senate in Illinois," he went onto say, “They've decided, with rules that are fixed, that don't allow me as a governor the right to be able to bring in witnesses to prove that I've done nothing wrong." Allow me to say to this governor, that not all get the choice whether or not to face their music. I do not know what sympathetic ear you may have here in New York, but New Yorkers are known to be tough and the harshest of critics to boot. Try selling your story to anyone from Brooklyn or the Bronx and see how far it gets you. I am from Long Island and right now, my teeny-tiny violin played with my thumb and forefinger are playing right now for you.
There was a man who the system was stacked against and his name is Marty Tankleff where he was accused of killing his parents, was tried for it and ultimately convicted. I know it is a far different case, but still, he sat there during that trial and heard a case that was stacked against him. He showed to many what true character was all about. He even took an unjust punishment by going to prison for most of his adult life. People fought for his release for years and years and were ever faithful to his cause. At the end, he was let out of prison when it was decided the proceedings were stacked against him. He is now a free man. I was one of those ever faithful who stood beside this courageous man and cheered when he was released from prison. While he lost so much, namely his parents, what he gained was the respect of those who did stand by him year-after-year. Ultimately it was decided by the Suffolk County, D.A. not to retry this case and now he is forever free.
At this point, I can no longer stand in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich as he runs from these proceedings trying to garner whatever support he thinks he has by pleading his case on the shows mentioned above. Life isn’t always fair, Governor Blagojevich, but one must show it so by looking it square in the face instead of running with one’s tail between their legs.
I want to remind this governor of whom he is speaking to: They may be viewers who are huddled around those sets who have lost their jobs, their homes and are truly frightened of their futures. They are the ones who gain any sympathy from me. They have no one to air their grievances with as you think you have the right to, governor.
The economic deck was stacked against the workers at Caterpillar who announced today that 20,000 jobs will be cut. Do they have any place to run? Home Depot announced today that 7,000 people will lose their jobs today and the same question should be asked: Do they have any place to run?
As President Barack Obama, the Senate and House try and stave off a complete fiscal meltdown here in the United States, it was announced today that the government of Iceland “collapsed Monday, leaving the island nation in political turmoil amid a financial crisis that has pummeled its economy and required an international bailout to keep the country afloat.” You are but one person, governor as millions upon millions are facing such hardships.
In reading an AP article, the bile rose as I read, “He said that when he was arrested on federal corruption charges, he took solace from thinking of other jailed leaders — Nelson Mandela, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi.” Do not even go there, Governor Blagojevich. You do not measure up to those leaders who went through such suffering for years and years and where one namely, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was ultimately assassinated.
Lastly, to Governor Rod Blagojevich, go back to Illinois and face the music as any real man or elected leader would do. If you feel the system is corrupt do so from within and not from outside. Americans have their own set of problems to deal with and they do not include yours.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
January 26, 2009
As the lone voice out here who has written column-after-column in support of the embattled governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, I must say at this point, he is looking pathetic. To me, a strong elected official faces the music so to speak by participating in it to show his or her constituents’ the lynch-mob that he or she believes it to be and not running from it. That to me his actions signify cowardice.
Governor Blagojevich and I will not use any pseudo-names for him like others have within the media has chosen to air his grievances with this process on shows such as ABC’s “Good Morning America, “The View” and CNN’s, “Larry King Live” He is quoted as saying, "I'm here in New York because I can't get a fair hearing in Illinois, the state Senate in Illinois," he went onto say, “They've decided, with rules that are fixed, that don't allow me as a governor the right to be able to bring in witnesses to prove that I've done nothing wrong." Allow me to say to this governor, that not all get the choice whether or not to face their music. I do not know what sympathetic ear you may have here in New York, but New Yorkers are known to be tough and the harshest of critics to boot. Try selling your story to anyone from Brooklyn or the Bronx and see how far it gets you. I am from Long Island and right now, my teeny-tiny violin played with my thumb and forefinger are playing right now for you.
There was a man who the system was stacked against and his name is Marty Tankleff where he was accused of killing his parents, was tried for it and ultimately convicted. I know it is a far different case, but still, he sat there during that trial and heard a case that was stacked against him. He showed to many what true character was all about. He even took an unjust punishment by going to prison for most of his adult life. People fought for his release for years and years and were ever faithful to his cause. At the end, he was let out of prison when it was decided the proceedings were stacked against him. He is now a free man. I was one of those ever faithful who stood beside this courageous man and cheered when he was released from prison. While he lost so much, namely his parents, what he gained was the respect of those who did stand by him year-after-year. Ultimately it was decided by the Suffolk County, D.A. not to retry this case and now he is forever free.
At this point, I can no longer stand in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich as he runs from these proceedings trying to garner whatever support he thinks he has by pleading his case on the shows mentioned above. Life isn’t always fair, Governor Blagojevich, but one must show it so by looking it square in the face instead of running with one’s tail between their legs.
I want to remind this governor of whom he is speaking to: They may be viewers who are huddled around those sets who have lost their jobs, their homes and are truly frightened of their futures. They are the ones who gain any sympathy from me. They have no one to air their grievances with as you think you have the right to, governor.
The economic deck was stacked against the workers at Caterpillar who announced today that 20,000 jobs will be cut. Do they have any place to run? Home Depot announced today that 7,000 people will lose their jobs today and the same question should be asked: Do they have any place to run?
As President Barack Obama, the Senate and House try and stave off a complete fiscal meltdown here in the United States, it was announced today that the government of Iceland “collapsed Monday, leaving the island nation in political turmoil amid a financial crisis that has pummeled its economy and required an international bailout to keep the country afloat.” You are but one person, governor as millions upon millions are facing such hardships.
In reading an AP article, the bile rose as I read, “He said that when he was arrested on federal corruption charges, he took solace from thinking of other jailed leaders — Nelson Mandela, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi.” Do not even go there, Governor Blagojevich. You do not measure up to those leaders who went through such suffering for years and years and where one namely, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was ultimately assassinated.
Lastly, to Governor Rod Blagojevich, go back to Illinois and face the music as any real man or elected leader would do. If you feel the system is corrupt do so from within and not from outside. Americans have their own set of problems to deal with and they do not include yours.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
To Senators McCain and Cornyn: President Barack Obama was correct in saying, “I won!”
By Mary MacElveen
January 26, 2009
Now that the inaugural ceremonies are over with where 1.8 million braved the cold to be a part of history to see President Barack Obama sworn in as this country’s 44th President of the United States, what is left is the cold and some ‘rivals’ showing their true colors. The rivals I speak of are the obstructionists in Senator John McCain and Senator John Cornyn.
As many opined that Senator John McCain would be President Barack Obama’s Republican go-to-guy in the senate where President Obama hosted a dinner in his honor the night before being sworn in, he must remember this is the man who ran against him. President Barack Obama must remember this quote coming from then GOP candidate, Senator John McCain, “This is not change we can believe in.” One can say there are many things stated in a campaign and at the end the victor may forget in a state of amnesia remarks such as that. But, we who monitor campaigns and their messages must revisit them to remind the victor who they ran against.
After the momentous election of President Barack Obama, we witnessed him surround himself with people of opposing views where Doris Kearns-Goodwin’s book “A Team of Rivals” became a best seller. While it may be good for the governance of we the people, the message directed at Republicans is that the ultimate decision lies with the Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama. I would like to remind President Barack Obama that instead of McCain being said go-to-guy, he was and is his rival first and foremost.
Why am I zeroing in on McCain? On Fox News Sunday which aired yesterday, McCain said this of the Obama stimulus plan, “The plan was written by the Democratic majority in the House, primarily, and so, yeah, I think there has to be major rewrite," He went onto say, “I am opposed to most of the provisions in the bill; as it stands now, I would not support it." It was reported last week of Obama where he cited in a meeting between House and Senate Republicans and Democrats, “I won!” and that is what he must take away from all of this. It was President Barack Obama who placed his hand on that ‘Lincoln Bible’ and not John McCain.
It was reported that 58% of those who voted for McCain supported President Obama as he neared Inauguration Day and if he is looking for bipartisan support, reach out to those voters instead of people like McCain. To his credit, President Obama has as he gave his first Saturday morning chat both on radio and the Internet. These are the ones who matter most and President Obama must call upon them to contact their elected officials to support of his plan. Ask them to light up the switch boards as was done during the immigration reform vote which went down in flames. In fact, the senate switch board crashed with so many voters calling into their respective senators.
In his call where he stated he would not support President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan, all I would say is to remember that Senator John McCain was caught up in the Keating-Five scandal. That is what we must remember as it was brought up in the campaign. At the very heart of this economic meltdown is greed and at one time, McCain was the picture of greed.
Now we come to obstructionists’ like Senator John Cornyn who are making noise concerning Eric Holder who is President Obama’s pick to fill the Attorney General spot and remind him too, “I won!” Cornyn and others are fearful he may launch investigations into those who committed torture where Holder even stated that water boarding is torture which is a war crime under the Geneva Convention. To them, I say, let the chips fall where they may. If any of them are fearful of investigations, perhaps the lesson to be learned is, acts such as water boarding should never have taken place to begin with.
My message to the Republican Party is that elections do matter, they do have consequences and at the end the Democrats did win. You witnessed how many of your elected officials and candidates got picked off one-by-one and this is where the people spoke in great numbers. President Barack Obama’s victory was not a fifty-fifty split, but where he won a decisive victory. Just look at how many red-states flipped to blue and there in lies a resounding message to all of you. This was not only the success of the fifty-state strategy, but a signal of disgust and anger towards Republicans.
What continues to be lost as one reads any business section are jobs and those losing their homes and they are the ones who matter most. Those suffering from these events are Democrats, Republicans, Independents and non-voters alike.
It is time for these Republicans to get on board, lose whatever selfish pride they may have and get to work on behalf of we the people who handed your party a resounding defeat. After all, our memories are as long as an elephant and we do remember how devastating the Bush administration was along with the Republican Party who led this country with such brute force during the first six years of it. By forgetting all of that, the symbol of your party is not one of an elephant, but of those three monkeys who hold their hands over their mouths, ears and eyes. The reason is, that we were forced to speak no evil, hear no evil and see no evil when it came to your party.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net Print Article
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January 26, 2009
Now that the inaugural ceremonies are over with where 1.8 million braved the cold to be a part of history to see President Barack Obama sworn in as this country’s 44th President of the United States, what is left is the cold and some ‘rivals’ showing their true colors. The rivals I speak of are the obstructionists in Senator John McCain and Senator John Cornyn.
As many opined that Senator John McCain would be President Barack Obama’s Republican go-to-guy in the senate where President Obama hosted a dinner in his honor the night before being sworn in, he must remember this is the man who ran against him. President Barack Obama must remember this quote coming from then GOP candidate, Senator John McCain, “This is not change we can believe in.” One can say there are many things stated in a campaign and at the end the victor may forget in a state of amnesia remarks such as that. But, we who monitor campaigns and their messages must revisit them to remind the victor who they ran against.
After the momentous election of President Barack Obama, we witnessed him surround himself with people of opposing views where Doris Kearns-Goodwin’s book “A Team of Rivals” became a best seller. While it may be good for the governance of we the people, the message directed at Republicans is that the ultimate decision lies with the Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama. I would like to remind President Barack Obama that instead of McCain being said go-to-guy, he was and is his rival first and foremost.
Why am I zeroing in on McCain? On Fox News Sunday which aired yesterday, McCain said this of the Obama stimulus plan, “The plan was written by the Democratic majority in the House, primarily, and so, yeah, I think there has to be major rewrite," He went onto say, “I am opposed to most of the provisions in the bill; as it stands now, I would not support it." It was reported last week of Obama where he cited in a meeting between House and Senate Republicans and Democrats, “I won!” and that is what he must take away from all of this. It was President Barack Obama who placed his hand on that ‘Lincoln Bible’ and not John McCain.
It was reported that 58% of those who voted for McCain supported President Obama as he neared Inauguration Day and if he is looking for bipartisan support, reach out to those voters instead of people like McCain. To his credit, President Obama has as he gave his first Saturday morning chat both on radio and the Internet. These are the ones who matter most and President Obama must call upon them to contact their elected officials to support of his plan. Ask them to light up the switch boards as was done during the immigration reform vote which went down in flames. In fact, the senate switch board crashed with so many voters calling into their respective senators.
In his call where he stated he would not support President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan, all I would say is to remember that Senator John McCain was caught up in the Keating-Five scandal. That is what we must remember as it was brought up in the campaign. At the very heart of this economic meltdown is greed and at one time, McCain was the picture of greed.
Now we come to obstructionists’ like Senator John Cornyn who are making noise concerning Eric Holder who is President Obama’s pick to fill the Attorney General spot and remind him too, “I won!” Cornyn and others are fearful he may launch investigations into those who committed torture where Holder even stated that water boarding is torture which is a war crime under the Geneva Convention. To them, I say, let the chips fall where they may. If any of them are fearful of investigations, perhaps the lesson to be learned is, acts such as water boarding should never have taken place to begin with.
My message to the Republican Party is that elections do matter, they do have consequences and at the end the Democrats did win. You witnessed how many of your elected officials and candidates got picked off one-by-one and this is where the people spoke in great numbers. President Barack Obama’s victory was not a fifty-fifty split, but where he won a decisive victory. Just look at how many red-states flipped to blue and there in lies a resounding message to all of you. This was not only the success of the fifty-state strategy, but a signal of disgust and anger towards Republicans.
What continues to be lost as one reads any business section are jobs and those losing their homes and they are the ones who matter most. Those suffering from these events are Democrats, Republicans, Independents and non-voters alike.
It is time for these Republicans to get on board, lose whatever selfish pride they may have and get to work on behalf of we the people who handed your party a resounding defeat. After all, our memories are as long as an elephant and we do remember how devastating the Bush administration was along with the Republican Party who led this country with such brute force during the first six years of it. By forgetting all of that, the symbol of your party is not one of an elephant, but of those three monkeys who hold their hands over their mouths, ears and eyes. The reason is, that we were forced to speak no evil, hear no evil and see no evil when it came to your party.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net Print Article
-->
Friday, January 23, 2009
John McCain is a true patriot unlike Rush Limbaugh
By Mary MacElveen
January 23, 2009
On his web site, radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh states of the new Obama administration, “I hope he fails”, which I will get to in a moment. But, it is this quote that I must confront head on, “They didn't give Bush a chance in 2000. Before he was inaugurated the search-and-destroy mission had begun.” First, I would love for him to clarify who “they” are. Liberals? People who voted for former Vice President Al Gore?
As an American, I can say that I did give him a chance having voted for former Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 presidential campaign. When our now former President, George W. Bush was sworn in on January 20th, 2001 I did get behind him. Yes, I did write my own pieces concerning that election, but realized George W. Bush would be our president for four years.
I stated my peace concerning that contested election which every American has the right to do using the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I cherish that amendment and will defend Limbaugh’s right to use that amendment as well even if I despise the very thing he is opining. If Limbaugh reads this piece which I highly doubt, I have never taken part in any boycott of you or others like you and that is truly the American way. Our soldiers throughout history have died on the battlefield in protection of our freedoms and one of them being the freedom of expression, to assemble and freedom of the press.
Now I would love to address his opinion where he states of the new Obama administration, “I hope he fails”. If he has cited that others did not give Bush a chance, isn’t it up to him to at least give President Barack Obama a chance? This is where I find the hypocrisy coming from him. It is he who should live up to his own words as he chides others.
Let us take a look at both elections. In the 2000 presidential election, then candidate Gov. George W. Bush through his lawyers went to the Supreme Court to stop the recount in Florida. One phrase within the Bush V. Gore decision was that “No irreparable harm should come to George W. Bush” I do opine that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of few and the one. Those who cast their votes in that election were more important than George W. Bush and yet the Supreme Court in that Bush V. Gore decision decided they were not. Our soldiers also have spilt blood on many a battlefield protecting our right to cast our votes and more importantly, have them counted.
In this past presidential election, it was a swift and decisive victory for President Barack Obama where the outcome came early in the night with no recounts needed. There was nothing to contest, only dismay and anger coming from those who abhorred its outcome.
As Senator John McCain gave his concession speech one can hear such dismay and anger coming from his supporters. At that moment in time, it was John McCain who realized that elections do matter especially their outcomes as he comforted his supporters and gave them a new charge to get behind then, President-elect Barack Obama.
Contained within his speech were words of a true patriot when he said, "These are difficult times for our country and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges that face us." That is what being an American is all about. Coming together for a common good even if you disagree with a contender’s agenda or the direction in which he wishes to take this great country of ours.
If there are any words that should be listened to by those who did not vote for President Barack Obama are these cited in that same concession speech given by John McCain, “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.”
This is still a dangerous world where millions are not prospering and they put their trust and faith in our new president. For Rush Limbaugh to even state, he hopes that President Obama fails is not the American way. In times of crisis such as September 11th, 2001, we as a country came together behind our new president and in this economic fire storm, even those who did not support or support President Barack Obama must do the same and give him the same chance.
I would suggest to Rush Limbaugh to truly live up to the words of our Pledge of Allegiance which states: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Yes, one can dissent in this great country of ours as many have done under former President Bush, but many did give him a chance. It was former President Bush who broke the sacred trust with Americans as he lied this nation into a war. A war that President Barack Obama must deal with now. To even state that he hopes he fails, well isn’t that playing into the hands of those who seek to destroy this country?
During this past presidential campaign, I was a critic of Senator John McCain, but have come to realize that it is he who is a true patriot as he has chosen to back President Barack Obama in words and in deeds. Something that Rush Limbaugh will never understand.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
January 23, 2009
On his web site, radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh states of the new Obama administration, “I hope he fails”, which I will get to in a moment. But, it is this quote that I must confront head on, “They didn't give Bush a chance in 2000. Before he was inaugurated the search-and-destroy mission had begun.” First, I would love for him to clarify who “they” are. Liberals? People who voted for former Vice President Al Gore?
As an American, I can say that I did give him a chance having voted for former Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 presidential campaign. When our now former President, George W. Bush was sworn in on January 20th, 2001 I did get behind him. Yes, I did write my own pieces concerning that election, but realized George W. Bush would be our president for four years.
I stated my peace concerning that contested election which every American has the right to do using the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I cherish that amendment and will defend Limbaugh’s right to use that amendment as well even if I despise the very thing he is opining. If Limbaugh reads this piece which I highly doubt, I have never taken part in any boycott of you or others like you and that is truly the American way. Our soldiers throughout history have died on the battlefield in protection of our freedoms and one of them being the freedom of expression, to assemble and freedom of the press.
Now I would love to address his opinion where he states of the new Obama administration, “I hope he fails”. If he has cited that others did not give Bush a chance, isn’t it up to him to at least give President Barack Obama a chance? This is where I find the hypocrisy coming from him. It is he who should live up to his own words as he chides others.
Let us take a look at both elections. In the 2000 presidential election, then candidate Gov. George W. Bush through his lawyers went to the Supreme Court to stop the recount in Florida. One phrase within the Bush V. Gore decision was that “No irreparable harm should come to George W. Bush” I do opine that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of few and the one. Those who cast their votes in that election were more important than George W. Bush and yet the Supreme Court in that Bush V. Gore decision decided they were not. Our soldiers also have spilt blood on many a battlefield protecting our right to cast our votes and more importantly, have them counted.
In this past presidential election, it was a swift and decisive victory for President Barack Obama where the outcome came early in the night with no recounts needed. There was nothing to contest, only dismay and anger coming from those who abhorred its outcome.
As Senator John McCain gave his concession speech one can hear such dismay and anger coming from his supporters. At that moment in time, it was John McCain who realized that elections do matter especially their outcomes as he comforted his supporters and gave them a new charge to get behind then, President-elect Barack Obama.
Contained within his speech were words of a true patriot when he said, "These are difficult times for our country and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges that face us." That is what being an American is all about. Coming together for a common good even if you disagree with a contender’s agenda or the direction in which he wishes to take this great country of ours.
If there are any words that should be listened to by those who did not vote for President Barack Obama are these cited in that same concession speech given by John McCain, “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.”
This is still a dangerous world where millions are not prospering and they put their trust and faith in our new president. For Rush Limbaugh to even state, he hopes that President Obama fails is not the American way. In times of crisis such as September 11th, 2001, we as a country came together behind our new president and in this economic fire storm, even those who did not support or support President Barack Obama must do the same and give him the same chance.
I would suggest to Rush Limbaugh to truly live up to the words of our Pledge of Allegiance which states: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Yes, one can dissent in this great country of ours as many have done under former President Bush, but many did give him a chance. It was former President Bush who broke the sacred trust with Americans as he lied this nation into a war. A war that President Barack Obama must deal with now. To even state that he hopes he fails, well isn’t that playing into the hands of those who seek to destroy this country?
During this past presidential campaign, I was a critic of Senator John McCain, but have come to realize that it is he who is a true patriot as he has chosen to back President Barack Obama in words and in deeds. Something that Rush Limbaugh will never understand.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
‘Fix News’, Chris Wallace questions if President Obama is our president
By Mary MacElveen
January 21, 2009
I just had to fire off this brief piece after writing my previous piece in which President Barack Obama indicted Bush in his inaugural address. But, as I watched the coverage on MSNBC yesterday, I was wondering how Fox News or as Keith Olbermann refers to it as ‘Fix News’ was taking it all in. This time however, I just did not care how they reported so I did not flip to their channel.
Well true to form, they are sounding like conspiracy nuts as one views this YouTube.com feed, where Chris Wallace questions whether or not President Barack Obama is truly our president.
According to Talking Points Memo, they write, “Strangely, Wallace, though he seemed to be posing his remarks in jest, didn't seem to understand that by the time Obama took his garbled oath, he'd already been the president for 4 minutes, as the 20th Amendment to the Constitution specifies, oath or no oath. True, the Constitution states that those who would be president must also repeat the oath, which Obama clearly had memorized, but then Roberts directed Obama to repeat his exact words, and those words weren't quite right. But Wallace is certainly right that there will be more than a few disgruntled Americans--let's call them Oathers--who, fresh from failing to convince the Supreme Court that Obama's birth certificate is a forgery, are looking for a new way to say "No, he can't!"
Will ‘Fix News’ spontaneously combust during these next four years with a President Barack Obama to deal with? Will they become conspiracy nuts who will claim over-and-over that President Obama is not our president? Well, Wallace, many did question whether Bush was our president these eight long years as the Supremes decided who our president would be.
To ‘Fix News’ my advice to you is this, deal with it, get over it, this is your new reality, time to move on and any other statement you have issued to we the people during these eight long years. We have a new president and his name is President Barack Hussein Obama. Oh how sweet the revenge here especially when served cold.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
January 21, 2009
I just had to fire off this brief piece after writing my previous piece in which President Barack Obama indicted Bush in his inaugural address. But, as I watched the coverage on MSNBC yesterday, I was wondering how Fox News or as Keith Olbermann refers to it as ‘Fix News’ was taking it all in. This time however, I just did not care how they reported so I did not flip to their channel.
Well true to form, they are sounding like conspiracy nuts as one views this YouTube.com feed, where Chris Wallace questions whether or not President Barack Obama is truly our president.
According to Talking Points Memo, they write, “Strangely, Wallace, though he seemed to be posing his remarks in jest, didn't seem to understand that by the time Obama took his garbled oath, he'd already been the president for 4 minutes, as the 20th Amendment to the Constitution specifies, oath or no oath. True, the Constitution states that those who would be president must also repeat the oath, which Obama clearly had memorized, but then Roberts directed Obama to repeat his exact words, and those words weren't quite right. But Wallace is certainly right that there will be more than a few disgruntled Americans--let's call them Oathers--who, fresh from failing to convince the Supreme Court that Obama's birth certificate is a forgery, are looking for a new way to say "No, he can't!"
Will ‘Fix News’ spontaneously combust during these next four years with a President Barack Obama to deal with? Will they become conspiracy nuts who will claim over-and-over that President Obama is not our president? Well, Wallace, many did question whether Bush was our president these eight long years as the Supremes decided who our president would be.
To ‘Fix News’ my advice to you is this, deal with it, get over it, this is your new reality, time to move on and any other statement you have issued to we the people during these eight long years. We have a new president and his name is President Barack Hussein Obama. Oh how sweet the revenge here especially when served cold.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
President Barack Obama indicted Bush swiftly in his inaugural address
By Mary MacElveen
January 21, 2009
Words cannot adequately describe waking up today knowing we have a new president. At first today felt like just another day where our president was George W. Bush. But, he is gone, gone, gone and it still seems surreal to me. It is hard for me to contextualize a country not being led by Bush and Cheney, but here we are with a new reality and to borrow an ad tag-line from McDonalds, “I’m lovin’ it.”
After watching both President Barack Hussein Obama and Vice President Joseph Robinette Biden sworn into their respective offices, it was at that moment in time where Bush became the past whose actions will be felt for years to come.
Even our new president, Barack Obama indicted Bush swiftly in his inaugural address, so that history will have that on record. While I do opine that Bush did not care one bit of what our new president was saying, he had to just sit there and take it on the chin in front of the 1.8 million gathered and the billions who viewed it from close and afar.
As both former President Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney were dismissed from duty and seeing Bush take off on Executive One which is only called Marine One when the current and sitting president is aboard, this was the moment so many were waiting for including yours truly.
I kept saying to myself, “Bush is gone” over and over. How is it that after eight long and arduous years one cannot even wrap their brain around the day he is dismissed constitutionally? While eight years seems like a brief moment in time if compared with all human history, for many it dragged on. Even saying former President Bush with the emphasis on former will take time getting used to.
Even as the festivities of this new day started, it was announced almost immediately the new Obama administration halted all regulations put forth by Bush until they could be reviewed.
According to Reuters the regulations include "carrying of concealed weapons in some national parks and prohibiting medical facilities from receiving federal money for discriminating against doctors and nurses who refuse to assist with abortions or dispense contraceptives based on religious grounds."
Another significant act coming from the Obama administration was calling for a halt to the prosecutions currently taking place in Guantanamo Bay.
CNN reported, "in the interest of justice and at the direction of the president of the United States." It seeks a delay in proceedings until May 20.”
Granted, many of those currently being detained such as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed are actual threats against this nation, we as a country should abide by the Constitution. While some think the closing of Guantanamo Bay can take place instantaneously, in reality it cannot. President Obama and his administration face many complexities and this is where patience by those calling for the closing of this camp should give the new administration some breathing room.
The above actions taken by this new administration are important and they do send a powerful signal to we the people that the Bush years are finally over with.
If ever there were a sign we have embarked on a new journey was seeing a vibrant new president in Barack Obama juxtaposed to the image of our former Vice President Dick Cheney in a wheel chair. While his injuries were caused by moving boxes, just seeing him in that wheel chair, he looked broken and frail.
Now the real work begins as the AP reported that President Obama entered the Oval Office today to meet with his economic advisors as well as his military advisors.
While we as a country have been battered by former Pres. Bush, "The Associated Press-Knowledge Networks survey found that by a 3-1 margin, people feel more optimistic about the country's future now that Obama has been inaugurated, including 30 percent of Republicans."
As of now, Senator Hillary Clinton has yet to be confirmed as our incoming Secretary of State and Tim Geithner is set for his confirmation hearings today. It is extremely important for the senate to confirm these two appointments made by President Obama. He will need all of the tools available to him to help jump start the economy and to quell the hot-spots overseas. When we the people voted for President Obama in a land-slide victory, we should have little patience with the senate in dragging out these confirmations.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net Print Article
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January 21, 2009
Words cannot adequately describe waking up today knowing we have a new president. At first today felt like just another day where our president was George W. Bush. But, he is gone, gone, gone and it still seems surreal to me. It is hard for me to contextualize a country not being led by Bush and Cheney, but here we are with a new reality and to borrow an ad tag-line from McDonalds, “I’m lovin’ it.”
After watching both President Barack Hussein Obama and Vice President Joseph Robinette Biden sworn into their respective offices, it was at that moment in time where Bush became the past whose actions will be felt for years to come.
Even our new president, Barack Obama indicted Bush swiftly in his inaugural address, so that history will have that on record. While I do opine that Bush did not care one bit of what our new president was saying, he had to just sit there and take it on the chin in front of the 1.8 million gathered and the billions who viewed it from close and afar.
As both former President Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney were dismissed from duty and seeing Bush take off on Executive One which is only called Marine One when the current and sitting president is aboard, this was the moment so many were waiting for including yours truly.
I kept saying to myself, “Bush is gone” over and over. How is it that after eight long and arduous years one cannot even wrap their brain around the day he is dismissed constitutionally? While eight years seems like a brief moment in time if compared with all human history, for many it dragged on. Even saying former President Bush with the emphasis on former will take time getting used to.
Even as the festivities of this new day started, it was announced almost immediately the new Obama administration halted all regulations put forth by Bush until they could be reviewed.
According to Reuters the regulations include "carrying of concealed weapons in some national parks and prohibiting medical facilities from receiving federal money for discriminating against doctors and nurses who refuse to assist with abortions or dispense contraceptives based on religious grounds."
Another significant act coming from the Obama administration was calling for a halt to the prosecutions currently taking place in Guantanamo Bay.
CNN reported, "in the interest of justice and at the direction of the president of the United States." It seeks a delay in proceedings until May 20.”
Granted, many of those currently being detained such as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed are actual threats against this nation, we as a country should abide by the Constitution. While some think the closing of Guantanamo Bay can take place instantaneously, in reality it cannot. President Obama and his administration face many complexities and this is where patience by those calling for the closing of this camp should give the new administration some breathing room.
The above actions taken by this new administration are important and they do send a powerful signal to we the people that the Bush years are finally over with.
If ever there were a sign we have embarked on a new journey was seeing a vibrant new president in Barack Obama juxtaposed to the image of our former Vice President Dick Cheney in a wheel chair. While his injuries were caused by moving boxes, just seeing him in that wheel chair, he looked broken and frail.
Now the real work begins as the AP reported that President Obama entered the Oval Office today to meet with his economic advisors as well as his military advisors.
While we as a country have been battered by former Pres. Bush, "The Associated Press-Knowledge Networks survey found that by a 3-1 margin, people feel more optimistic about the country's future now that Obama has been inaugurated, including 30 percent of Republicans."
As of now, Senator Hillary Clinton has yet to be confirmed as our incoming Secretary of State and Tim Geithner is set for his confirmation hearings today. It is extremely important for the senate to confirm these two appointments made by President Obama. He will need all of the tools available to him to help jump start the economy and to quell the hot-spots overseas. When we the people voted for President Obama in a land-slide victory, we should have little patience with the senate in dragging out these confirmations.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net Print Article
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Monday, January 19, 2009
Barack Obama and Joe Biden: As we the people await the orderly transfer of power
By Mary MacElveen
January 19, 2009
Here we are, America, the last full day of the Bush presidency and one day away from welcoming our new president, President-elect Barack Obama and his second in command, Vice President-elect Joe Biden to lead this fractured nation which is still the United States of America.
On this day, which is the celebration of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. who died tragically and taken well before his time, it is my belief he is smiling down from the heavens above fully knowing that America finally got it. His “I Have a Dream” speech came to fruition. As a child seeing the civil rights struggle beamed into my living room which often became violent, never, never did I think I would see this day that an African-American would rise to the highest office in this land. That is not only a testament to Barack Obama, but to we the people.
I am almost at a loss for words in how I am feeling now since these last eight years have been long and arduous, but especially arduous for those whose cries went unheard by President Bush.
As President Bush sought to isolate this nation by pulling out of treaties and his go it alone strategy when it came to the Iraq War, this last day, it is President Bush who is isolated as polling numbers are the lowest in modern-day history and where Pres.-elect Obama comes in with higher approval ratings which are higher than the late President Ronald Reagan.
As we all know, the Vice President-elect takes his oath of office first, which states, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” And while “says that the Vice President and other government officers should take an oath upholding the Constitution. It does not specify the form of that oath.”
For a brief moment in time, our president will be President Bush and the vice president will be, Vice President Biden. I have always found that to be fascinating for some reason. On the campaign trail, Biden often laid out the case as a prosecutorial figure why we should not elect Senator John McCain often tying him to President Bush, yet in that brief time, he is his second in command. Try wrapping your brain around that one.
Like millions of Americans and billions from around the world, we await with baited breath for Pres.-elect Obama to take the oath of office as he is sworn in using the ‘Lincoln Bible’. As he recites these words, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God” Those gathered not only in Washington, D.C., from coast-to-coast here in America and those who live in all corners of the world will finally come to realize that the Bush presidency is over.
In reciting that oath, it is not only a constitutional transfer of power from one president to another, but a mystical one as well. You cannot actually see the power of the presidency transferring from President George W. Bush to President-elect Barack Obama, but the power transfers right before our eyes. We are witnessing history right before us. In just a blink of an eye, we look to a new president for leadership. In the blink of an eye, our military leaders and the forces that they command answer to a new Commander in Chief and the mantle of the presidency rests squarely on his shoulders. That leader will then be known as President Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States. A new chapter then begins in our American history.
Normally the mantle of the presidency, would weigh heavily upon the new president, but in this case especially what awaits our new president, that mantle will most likely weigh several tons.
As we live out this last day of the Bush presidency, one must wonder what President Bush’s take on the hundreds of thousands so far who have come to Washington, D.C. to bear witness to this transfer of power. Are these the masses he lost as he chose to wage war on an innocent people, namely the Iraqi people? I have seen people interviewed coming from all corners of this planet who are truly mesmerized by President-elect Obama and could they be welcoming us back into the world community? I would hazard a guess that they are. Are these thousands upon thousands gathered representatives of those who were affected by Hurricane Katrina as President Bush turned his back on them as well?
Even as I type this, one cannot conceive of a new president, but here we are on the cusp of a new day. Right after our new president recites the oath of office, his staff will immediately descend on the White House to take charge under his command to start working to undo these past eight years.
Some things will be easier than others to turn back and our new president has asked for our patience and that we must do. Many can opine on how to do it, but we are not there in the Oval Office and it is not we who will bear the responsibility in any decision making process. We elected this man as our president in a clear and decisive victory.
While some presidents in the past had to rely heavily on speech writers since they may not have had the gift of prose, this new president does having written two books, Dreams of My Father in which he won a Grammy Award for and the Audacity of Hope. Between events in which we have seen President-elect Obama he has been working on his speech in the days leading up to the inauguration and we will await his charge and message to a thirsty nation.
Other speakers and a poet will speak to usher in our new chapter and we also await to hear their messages as well. Some may not agree with who he picked to speak to we the people, but still their words are now a part of our American tapestry.
Some reports have stated that our new president, President Barack Obama will escort then former President Bush to Andrews Air Force base to begin his new life as citizen Bush and what he takes with him are the lowest approval ratings in modern U.S. history. One wonders if the media will follow him on his trip back to Texas and split the coverage as they did when former President Clinton left office, but I am of the opinion they will not. In listening to those within the main stream media, one gets a sense that they too are all too ready to see citizen Bush fly off into the midday sun.
As I began this journey eight years ago in writing op-ed pieces, I do have to thank President Bush for inspiring me to follow his presidency and the repercussions coming from his administration. President Bush also taught me to care about the direction of this country, not because I agreed with him, but because I disagreed with the majority of his actions. He has given me so much to write about. In fact there were many things to write of and I was hard pressed at times to pick the stories that mattered most to me and ones I felt would resonate with my readers. As we all move forward I will continue to chronicle this new president.
How I choose to write of his actions is an unknown at this moment in time, but I will continue on. I am certain there will be times when I do not agree with him, but for now I am thrilled that he won. In these past few days as I have been watching the coverage of this historic inauguration, I cannot help but contemplate how it would have been covered if Senator John McCain won. How many would have come to Washington, D.C. and how would it have been covered by the mainstream media and those in the alternate media. That will forever be a true mystery.
In closing, I want to welcome our new president, vice president, and the people who will make up their administration by wishing them all God’s speed and the wind at their backs. They will all most certainly need it.
You may reach the author at this email address, xmjmac@optonline.net
January 19, 2009
Here we are, America, the last full day of the Bush presidency and one day away from welcoming our new president, President-elect Barack Obama and his second in command, Vice President-elect Joe Biden to lead this fractured nation which is still the United States of America.
On this day, which is the celebration of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. who died tragically and taken well before his time, it is my belief he is smiling down from the heavens above fully knowing that America finally got it. His “I Have a Dream” speech came to fruition. As a child seeing the civil rights struggle beamed into my living room which often became violent, never, never did I think I would see this day that an African-American would rise to the highest office in this land. That is not only a testament to Barack Obama, but to we the people.
I am almost at a loss for words in how I am feeling now since these last eight years have been long and arduous, but especially arduous for those whose cries went unheard by President Bush.
As President Bush sought to isolate this nation by pulling out of treaties and his go it alone strategy when it came to the Iraq War, this last day, it is President Bush who is isolated as polling numbers are the lowest in modern-day history and where Pres.-elect Obama comes in with higher approval ratings which are higher than the late President Ronald Reagan.
As we all know, the Vice President-elect takes his oath of office first, which states, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” And while “says that the Vice President and other government officers should take an oath upholding the Constitution. It does not specify the form of that oath.”
For a brief moment in time, our president will be President Bush and the vice president will be, Vice President Biden. I have always found that to be fascinating for some reason. On the campaign trail, Biden often laid out the case as a prosecutorial figure why we should not elect Senator John McCain often tying him to President Bush, yet in that brief time, he is his second in command. Try wrapping your brain around that one.
Like millions of Americans and billions from around the world, we await with baited breath for Pres.-elect Obama to take the oath of office as he is sworn in using the ‘Lincoln Bible’. As he recites these words, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God” Those gathered not only in Washington, D.C., from coast-to-coast here in America and those who live in all corners of the world will finally come to realize that the Bush presidency is over.
In reciting that oath, it is not only a constitutional transfer of power from one president to another, but a mystical one as well. You cannot actually see the power of the presidency transferring from President George W. Bush to President-elect Barack Obama, but the power transfers right before our eyes. We are witnessing history right before us. In just a blink of an eye, we look to a new president for leadership. In the blink of an eye, our military leaders and the forces that they command answer to a new Commander in Chief and the mantle of the presidency rests squarely on his shoulders. That leader will then be known as President Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States. A new chapter then begins in our American history.
Normally the mantle of the presidency, would weigh heavily upon the new president, but in this case especially what awaits our new president, that mantle will most likely weigh several tons.
As we live out this last day of the Bush presidency, one must wonder what President Bush’s take on the hundreds of thousands so far who have come to Washington, D.C. to bear witness to this transfer of power. Are these the masses he lost as he chose to wage war on an innocent people, namely the Iraqi people? I have seen people interviewed coming from all corners of this planet who are truly mesmerized by President-elect Obama and could they be welcoming us back into the world community? I would hazard a guess that they are. Are these thousands upon thousands gathered representatives of those who were affected by Hurricane Katrina as President Bush turned his back on them as well?
Even as I type this, one cannot conceive of a new president, but here we are on the cusp of a new day. Right after our new president recites the oath of office, his staff will immediately descend on the White House to take charge under his command to start working to undo these past eight years.
Some things will be easier than others to turn back and our new president has asked for our patience and that we must do. Many can opine on how to do it, but we are not there in the Oval Office and it is not we who will bear the responsibility in any decision making process. We elected this man as our president in a clear and decisive victory.
While some presidents in the past had to rely heavily on speech writers since they may not have had the gift of prose, this new president does having written two books, Dreams of My Father in which he won a Grammy Award for and the Audacity of Hope. Between events in which we have seen President-elect Obama he has been working on his speech in the days leading up to the inauguration and we will await his charge and message to a thirsty nation.
Other speakers and a poet will speak to usher in our new chapter and we also await to hear their messages as well. Some may not agree with who he picked to speak to we the people, but still their words are now a part of our American tapestry.
Some reports have stated that our new president, President Barack Obama will escort then former President Bush to Andrews Air Force base to begin his new life as citizen Bush and what he takes with him are the lowest approval ratings in modern U.S. history. One wonders if the media will follow him on his trip back to Texas and split the coverage as they did when former President Clinton left office, but I am of the opinion they will not. In listening to those within the main stream media, one gets a sense that they too are all too ready to see citizen Bush fly off into the midday sun.
As I began this journey eight years ago in writing op-ed pieces, I do have to thank President Bush for inspiring me to follow his presidency and the repercussions coming from his administration. President Bush also taught me to care about the direction of this country, not because I agreed with him, but because I disagreed with the majority of his actions. He has given me so much to write about. In fact there were many things to write of and I was hard pressed at times to pick the stories that mattered most to me and ones I felt would resonate with my readers. As we all move forward I will continue to chronicle this new president.
How I choose to write of his actions is an unknown at this moment in time, but I will continue on. I am certain there will be times when I do not agree with him, but for now I am thrilled that he won. In these past few days as I have been watching the coverage of this historic inauguration, I cannot help but contemplate how it would have been covered if Senator John McCain won. How many would have come to Washington, D.C. and how would it have been covered by the mainstream media and those in the alternate media. That will forever be a true mystery.
In closing, I want to welcome our new president, vice president, and the people who will make up their administration by wishing them all God’s speed and the wind at their backs. They will all most certainly need it.
You may reach the author at this email address, xmjmac@optonline.net
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