"I Can't Believe It"

Last night in front of an estimated 85,000 people at Denver's Invesco Field, Senator Barack Obama gave the speech of a lifetime as he became the first African American Democratic Nominee for President of the United States.

Obama covered all of the bases that should put to rest any questions regarding his qualifications to be President. Now the question that needs to be answered is whether America is ready for the ultimate in change, and ready to turn the White House into the symbolic "Black House." There are 67 days to the election, which seems like an eternity, but the sprint will be fast and furious.

Rush Limbaugh indicated yesterday, that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright clips will begin playing anew in October, so there will be challenges that Obama will face, but after last night I now believe that he can, and will be able to close the deal.

While I'm listening to my new favorite song, T Pain's "I Can't Believe It," there's a line that says, "She hit the main stage and made the people say yeah, yeah, yeah." Well, for me, Barack Obama, made me say, yeah, yeah, yeah. I just pray that the rest of America was listening.

Happy B-Day MJ

Still my favorite performer, Michael Jackson turns 50 today. MJ, I hope you're in the lab trying to create another hit. Just need one more great song from you. Happy Birthday.

It's Time

Barack Obama, tonight you have the opportunity to galvanize the entire world with your mantra of "Change." The stage is set for you to tell us how you will positively impact all Americans. While we know that you represent all people, we need to specifically know that you'll have the backs of African Americans if we help elect you President of the United States.

African Americans are so elated with what you've accomplished, it's time for you to return the favor to us. So I have a few questions for you:

What will you do to improve inner city schools?

Do you have a plan to combat crime?

What about the alarmingly high HIV rates amongst our people. What's your plan to combat HIV?

Barack, It's time for you to close the deal with all people, but yes you do owe a debt to African Americans. We'll give you an IOU for right now, and, good luck with your speech tonight.

A Redemptive Bill Cllinton

Bill Clinton gave a rousing speech last night, formally passing the torch to Democratic Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama. Clinton's ringing endorsement of Obama should hopefully put an end to the apparent divisiveness that has lingered since the end of the primary season.

Say anything you want about Bill Clinton, but he's not a fool. Barack Obama will win the presidency on his own merits by convincing America, not just black people, that he has the capability of doing the job. Last night, Bill Clinton, like his wife Hillary, was just doing what he had to do for the sake of party unity. The bottom line is that 4 years of John McCain would probably drive all of us over a cliff, and Bill Clinton is well aware of that possibility.

Hillary Did What She Had To Do

Hillary Clinton closed down the evening's festivities at the Democratic National Convention with a speech that stressed party unity, and her support for Barack Obama last night. She did what she had to do.

Watching the CNN feed, I was more interested in the facial expressions of Michelle Obama, Sen. Joe Biden and Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton will be speaking tonight, and with his very lukewarm support of Bararack Obama, it should be interesting theatre.

Famed Bassist and Former N.B.A. Player Wayman Tisdale Has Part of Right Leg Amputated Due To Cancer

Wayman Tisdale announced on his website that on Monday he had his lower right leg amputated in an effort to battle cancer. Tisdale is 44 years old.

R.I.P. Kevin Duckworth

Two time N.B.A. All Star and former Portland Trail Blazers' basketball player, Kevin Duckworth, died Monday night while preparing for a free basketball clinic on the Oregon Coast area. Duckworth was 44 years old. Prayers go out to the family, and all families in our country who have lost loved ones during the month.

R.I.P. Andre Young Jr.

Famed Music Producer, Andre Young Sr., better know has Dr. Dre lost his son Andre Young Jr. over the weekend when his mother found him unresponsive when she tried to awaken him. Andre Young Jr. was 20 years old.

It's a parents worst nightmare to have to bury a child. Heartfelt prayers go out to Dr. Dre and his family during their time of immense grieving.

Tavis Still Has Concerns About Obama

Jenice Armstrong of the Philadelphia Daily News caught up with Tavis Smiley while he was in Philly last week. Tavis was in town promoting his upcoming traveling-museum exhibit about the African-American experience.

Tavis, who encountered a major backlash in the black community for openly criticizing Sen. Barack Obama for not attending his State of the Black Union Summit, calls Obama a friend, but still has concerns as illustrated by the following comments from the article:

"I'm concerned that the expectations are high," he explained, before giving an example of a homeowner whose property is facing foreclosure in January. "After the 21st, after his inauguration, you're still going to lose your house."
"I understand the love that black people have [for Obama], I get that," he told me.
But Smiley then referred to some of Obama's well-publicized policy reversals: "I think the way you make the president a good president is when you make them accountable."

Tavis is on the money in his critique of Obama. Whether he's elected or not will not keep that home out of foreclosure on January 21st, and he's not the savior of all black people. Obama, and his wife Michelle, however, are role models of what we can become as a people.

Bill Clinton Indirectly Attacking Obama Again

Former President Bill Clinton is apparently still on the warpath against Senator Barack Obama, as he made the following comments off the record today according to TheHill.com:

He said: "Suppose for example you're a voter. And you've got candidate X and candidate Y. Candidate X agrees with you on everything, but you don't think that person can deliver on anything. Candidate Y disagrees with you on half the issues, but you believe that on the other half, the candidate will be able to deliver. For whom would you vote?"
Then, perhaps mindful of how his off-the-cuff remarks might be taken, Clinton added after a pause: "This has nothing to do with what's going on now."

I assume that in Bill Clinton's mind, Barack Obama is Candidate X. Clinton, who will be addressing the Democratic convention tomorrow evening, obviously doesn't think Obama can deliver on his promises, and he's not even hiding his displeasure about the prospects. Although I may not agree with him, I personally have no problem with Bill Clinton voicing his opinion. Despite his transgressions, he still one of the best Presidents we've ever had in this country.

Can Hillary Mend Fences Tonight

Senator Hillary Clinton, will be headlining the the Democratic Convention tonight with a speech that will be intended to unify the Democratic Party. Bitter feelings obviously still linger between the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton factions of the party. Hillary did receive over 18 million votes, and I'm still convinced that if the primaries could have been extended an additional month that she would be delivering the keynote address on Thursday night instead of Senator Barack Obama. She has tremendous clout in the party and she knows it, but she also wants to see a Democrat in the White House, and does not want to alienate the African American wing of the Democratic party.

Hillary Clinton will do he due diligence and promote party unity tonight. She has to for the sake of her legacy.

Michelle's Coming Out Party

Michelle Obama did the legacy of her father proud last night when she closed out the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Obama, who was introduced by her brother, Craig Robinson, spoke admirably about her late father, Fraser, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, but despite the handicap, still went to work everyday, even though he had to awaken a little earlier to prepare himself. She also spoke about how at one point her father had to use 2 canes just to move across the room tho give her mother a kiss. Lastly she talked about thinking about her father everyday, as she plays the role as wife to Barack Obama, and mother to her two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Michelle Obama, was the epitome of beauty, class and intelligence last night. She showed America that a black woman can rise from working class Chicago, and through hard work and determination secure degrees from 2 different Ivy League Colleges. Republican pundits can say all they want about Michelle Obama, but at this point it's purely hate, because they're not used to seeing someone of her caliber on the national stage.

Watching Mrs. Obama last night made me forget that her husband is running for the highest political office in the nation. To me it was her "Coming Out Party" as a national figure and a role model of what is possible for all African Americans. Thank you, Michelle Obama, for making us proud.

Michelle Obama Headline Speaker Tonight

Michelle Obama, who has been chastised by many Republican Pundits, will have a chance tonight to define herself when she gives the headline speech tonight during the opening of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Michelle Obama's story is every bit as captivating as her husband's, and I will be watching intently as she displays her supreme confidence in being a "black woman' to the American Public. Being from Chicago and raised in a true working class household, Michelle has shown what can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance. Every black woman, rich or poor should be watching tonight. I have a feeling we're about to be captivated, and I can't wait for it.

Clinton Supporter Accuses Emil Jones of Caller Her An "Uncle Tom"

Chicago political consultant and Hillary Clinton supporter, Delmarie Jones, is accusing Illinois Senate President, Emil Jones of calling her an "Uncle Tom" according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Jones, has denied using the slur, but 2 witnesses claimed to have witnessed the exchange, which is detailed below:

Cobb said the confrontation started when she and Jones, who is also African-American, were talking about an earlier conversation they had at the Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago. "One day, you'll be on the right side," Cobb said Jones told her. She told him she was on the right side. She said Jones pointed at his Obama hat and said, "No, this is the right side," she said.

"Then he came up behind me. He said 'Thirty-five thousand people went to Springfield [to support Obama on Saturday],'" she said. "I said, 'Then 35,000 people drank the Kool-Aid.,' He said, 'Barack is a clean-cut guy. He never liked gutter politics, that's why the Clintons did so-and-so. ...' I said, 'I don't want to get into this. So I went over to the elevator, and he said, 'Uncle Tom!' Then he grabbed me and hugged me and started laughing. I said, 'What did you say?' I turned to Freddrenna Lyle, and I said, 'What did he say?' She wouldn't say anything, That's when I said some bad things to him."

I wrote about about Emil Jones yesterday, and he is Barack Obama's mentor. He's retiring in the fall, and it would be sad to see his legacy tarnished by unnecessary taunts to a political rival.

Obama's Biracial Heritage Opens Up Dialogue For Others

The Washington Post profiles Will Jawando, a legislative assistant to Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. Jawando's mother is white and from Kansas, while his father, who is black was born in Africa. Jawando's story is very similar to Barack Obama's in terms of him searching for his true identity in a country where "race matters." Jawando actually worked for the Illinois Senator for a short period of time from 2006 through 2007.

An interesting read on a biracial male, who identifies himself as black navigating through two worlds.

A Restored Kobe Leads The "Redeem" Team To Victory

The indomitable one, Kobe "Bean" Bryant, helped the United States Basketball Team to Olympic Gold today, scoring 20 points in a 118-107 victory over Spain. Dwyane Wade led the team in scoring with 27 points.

I've been wanting to write about Kobe's petulance and selfishness for months, but Kobe's whole persona seemed to go through a major transformation during the 2 week Olympic period. Gone was the selfish Kobe who openly criticized teammates and team officials. In Beijing, Kobe basked in the adulation that he received, and was actually a very good teammate. If there was any doubt whether Kobe could overcome the Colorado debacle, and regain his standing as a role model throughout the world, the 2008 Olympics proved that Kobe can persevere and overcome many obstacles.

It would be very easy to view the the transformation of Kobe "Bean" Bryant in very casual terms considering that he's a multi millionaire with basketball talent that only a handful of people are blessed with in abundance. However, when I compare Kobe's Colorado situation with how Michael Vick's dogfighting fiasco turned out, Kobe's handled everything in a forthright way despite his forays into selfishness, and his reputation has recovered. I hope Vick will use Kobe's recovery as an example of career and life transformation.

Senate President Emil Jones Reflects On A Young Barack Obama

Emil Jones, the retiring President of the Illinois Senate reflects on his early meetings with Barack Obama in a article published in the Chicago Sun-Times. Jones was instrumental in guiding Obama's meteoric rise through the Chicago political landscape. He first met Obama as a 25 year old community organizer who would bring Chicago residents by his office to discuss issues as far ranging as education reform and community development.

Obama actually tapped Emil Jones to lead the beginning of his campaign to become U.S. Senator, and as we know the rest is history. Obama has had to distance himself from some of his Chicago relationships due to various controversies, but if Obama is successful in becoming the next president, he will owe an immense debt to Senate President Jones.