10 posts tagged “obama”
Well, well, well, my good people of the ROCO congregation. It's been a while since I've heard the mighty collective voice ring out, so say it loud and say it proud...
ROCO!!
And now that the good Reverend MiamiShyner can see all of you in the back row due to the wonder of contacts, I expect to see you more often. Not just on holidays! You know who you are! :-P
Let's suppose that you are a Congresswoman. (Ileana Ros-Lethtinen) And your constituents are of an area where radio folk like to play pranks.(Miami) What do you do when someone calls you claiming to be a soon-to-be high-ranking official? (Barack Obama) Well, of course, you HANG UP ON HIM! Ha! Gotta love that one.
Wisdom has just been passed along to me. This message of sure genius is as follows:
Bacon = Meat candy
Mmmm, bacon.
This is my last lazy ROCO Friday because I got clearance to do light cardio...and to buy naughty bits from Vickie's. Life is good.
Tomorrow is Cirque day finally! But no, I'm not excited or anything. And I'm totally not already thinking about the next show that's coming in May and when I'll be able to afford to buy those tickets. Nope, not thinking about that at all.
Well, my good people, I know that no one likes when the preacher goes on for too long, so let me close the sermon and move to the back so that I can shake hands and kiss babies (with gloves and a mask..I don't want your cooties).
I'm glad that you could join me and I look forward to seeing you next week. Let the congregation say ROCO!
And remember, there is no confession for doing bad in this church, only for not living life full-out, balls to the wall. Go out and spread the word!
The correct term for our new President is Halfrican American. Thank you.
Maybe even at your local paper. Yeah, we got a couple. One from the Herald in Miami and one from the Tribune in Chicago.
We'll put them away and we just joked about being on Antiques Roadshow in another 50 years or so with these bad boys.
Just thought I'd share in case anyone else might want to pick one up.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics — you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to — it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington — it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you — we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers — in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House — a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends ... though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn — I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world — our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down — we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security — we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright — tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America — that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing — Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves — if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time — to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth — that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
-Barack Obama, election night, November 4/5, 2008
Well kids, do you really expect me to post anything coherent here? I've got about 3 or 4 websites open, torturing myself, plus the television on watching the coverage. I'm sure that there is no way I would sleep, possibly not even with an Ambien at this point.
Someone said sticker envy?
That beauty is a full THREE INCHES in diameter!
I love that sticker.
In watching all this madness, it makes me happy to see that Pennsylvania is probably going to go to Obama. Florida probably too.
Seriously though, I got nothing. I'm burnt. All I can say is that I hope to get some sleep tonight and I hope to be extremely happy tomorrow.
Peace, love and hair grease my peoples.
There are not many things about which I am highly emotional. I cried at the passing of my father, my grandparents, my favorite uncle. On a rare occasion, I will become so angry that I cry. Today, I cry for a woman that I never met, never knew. Madelyn Dunham, who fought the good fight, who tried to beat the monster, at least long enough to see her grandson take the ultimate step and make history. For her, I cry. I cry her tears of pride to see Barack Obama go so far. I cry a nation's tears of hope for a better tomorrow. I cry my grandmother's tears of joy to see a Black man nearly ready to step into the White House when she lived through times when she could not vote as a woman, nor as a African American. I cry my daughter's tears, who, with the grace of God, has many more years on this planet where, while there are so many good people, there are still so many bad. I cry my own tears of anticipation, of joy, of love for a man I have never met but has the promise of so much.
YES, WE CAN!
The world is waiting for you, President Obama. It is waiting for you to once again make the United States a shining beacon in rough seas. The world stage awaits you with open arms as they are ready for change as well.
Hope is not just a catchphrase.
If you read this blog, if you know me at all, you will know that this evening my beloved, the Pittsbugh Steelers are playing the Washington Redskins. I bleed black and gold. Always.
But tonight, an interesting fact has been presented. When the Washington Redskins play at home the night before an election and lose, the candidate that won the popular vote lost the election. 17 of 17 times. So, because I have hope, because I want need change, I will unwillingly root for these Redskins because football is but a game and there will be another next week, but this vote, this Presidency could be a once in a lifetime thing for many and there is no opportunity next week to redeem itself next week.
PLEASE VOTE!
My recent problem which is getting worse is that I no longer know when I am hungry. I eat at work at specific times, but not because I'm hungry. On weekends, I just kind of forget to eat. The only way I realize that I'm probably hungry is the nasty headache and a bit of an upset stomach. I don't know if this is a symptom of something, but I'm trying not to let WebMD rule my life.
Last night I told Kiddo before bed that we would be going to Denny's this morning for breakfast so to be ready to go at 10. At 8:30 I woke up to a viciously pounding headache along with a good bit of nausea. I trucked off to the bathroom and noticed that her door was cracked and the light and TV were on. I knocked and peeked in to find her sitting on the floor, fully dressed, watching TV. She looked at me slightly confused (since I was still in my bathrobe) and all I could say was "Forgot to turn your clock back, huh?" The look was priceless.
We ended up leaving a little earlier than 10 because I really needed to get some food in me. Over to Denny's we went, since we all know that I hate IHOP. It was about a 15 minute wait, which I can deal with. Every time we've gone in there, the same guy is at the host stand taking names and getting asses in seats. Today, he was MIA. Insert train wreck here.
We finally got a seat and watched 4 different waitresses walk past us and not a one said a word to us. I'm hungry and therefore pretty annoyed. After 5 minutes, I was past annoyed. We agreed that if we didn't have someone at least speaking to us in the next 5, we were gonna give up the fight. Right then, I also called Sergio's, the most rockin' Cuban restaurant EVER! They just don't speak a lot of English. Someone picked up and I tried to ask them how long the wait was. I got put on hold as I could hear the girl who answered the phone yelling "ENGLISH!!" Not funny then, very funny now. Someone finally came on and I asked how long for a table of three. He said that he had three people on the list right now and he would put me on but I had to PROMISE that I would be there in five minutes. I told him we'd be there in three.
Still never having seen a waitress to get as much as some silverware or a glass of water, we walked out. I have never done that before in my life. Sergio's in only a few blocks away from Denny's and Kiddo and I got out while Lovey parked the car. We had barely walked in the place when they were calling us for our table. Less than 2 minutes and we had water. Another minute and we had silverware. We had barely finished looking at the menu when our waitress was there to take our order. Oh how I love you cafe con leche. Less than 2 minutes and we had our coffee. I am not exaggerating when I say it was less than 5 minutes before we had all of our food. That's right. In less time than it took to get seated an aggravated at Denny's, we had been seated, served, and were almost finished eating.
Btw, if you're ever in Miami and you go to Sergio's (and I suggest it), be aware that when they say you're getting two scrambled eggs, you're really getting somewhere in the neighborhood of five. All full of cheese with a side of bacon and the hugest piece of toasty, buttery Cuban bread ever. Artery clogging? Yes, Delicious and well worth it? Hell yes.
My boys don't play till tomorrow so I went to do a little shopping today. Hi Macy's. I love when the things I want are 40% off and on top of that you let me use my coupon for another 30% off. I think I got 4 tops and 2 skirts for about a C-note.
Lovey's aunt made some delicioso chicken with onions and peppers. I love peppers. I can't wait to eat it. Sometimes I think she's trying to fatten me up since they're always telling me (and Lovey) that I'm too skinny. Ah well. I don't have that badonkadonk butt, but I can deal with that. :-)
Oh yeah, last thing. Today was the last day of early voting. On my way to the mall, I drove by the place we voted. The line was wrapped all the way around the library. I'm thinking it had to have been at least a five hour wait. People are serious about some voting down here! I think I'm gonna need to do some volunteering in these last couple of days.
That's all I've got for you today...as if I didn't ramble enough. I hope that you've all enjoyed your weekend. See you again tomorrow for more misadventures of the house of Shyne. MWAH!
*What would Dan Rooney do?
Word to the herd!
Er, um, good morning to the congregation. It's your Reverend MiamiShyner, checking in with you and making sure that you're still spreading the word of ROCO. Own it people, own it! Here are a few rambles for you:
- With Tropical Storm Hanna possibly coming our way, but possibly making a turn to the south, I informed Kiddo that she may get to experience her first hurricane. Her response: "on my BIRTHDAY WEEKEND?!?!' Ha.
- Speaking of Kiddo, I may have previously mentioned that she has the worst posture on earth. I tell her to stop slouching all of the time, but to no real avail. Why am I telling you this? Because....
- Last night in the shower (because that's where all important conversations take place), I was telling Lovey that the Wii Fit checks your center of balance. Here I thought that I was standing up straight all this time, but it turns out that I lean back (Fat Joe) and put most of my weight on my heels rather than distributing evenly. Lovey said that he's known that about me forever and so I asked him why he never said anything. He said that he's told me on many occasions, of which I remember none. Now I must make a conscious effort to distribute. I wondered aloud what it might look like if Kiddo got on. Lovey said that the screen might say something like this:
- ERROR! ERROR!
- We are meany bo-beanies.
- MommaShyner's in town, yo! We're going out to lunch today and we're gonna go whoop ass at the bingo hall tomorrow night. I luuuurve me some MommaShyner.
- Last night was the first time that I listened to an Obama speech. It was late (for me) so I may have missed some parts due to dozing off. Things that I did catch that I liked:
- Eight is ENOUGH!
- This election is not about me, it's about you!
- Huh, you know, there were other things, but they've just escaped me.
- McCain chose the Governor of Alaska as a running mate. I really don't follow politics so I know nothing about this woman. My unpolitical, uneducated, off the cuff response is that she is the choice because she is a woman and he wants to do something unprecedented to keep up with Obama. JUST. MY. OPINION. Don't freak out over it. Kthxbai!
- MommaShyner and I discussed our (hopefully irrational) fears that there will be way too many assassination attempts while watching the final of Shear Genius. I completely disagree with their choice for the winner, even though she's from Miami Beach. Then again, what do I know about ya'll's hair? I personally don't do anything with mine outside of washing and some occasional moisturizing.
- The last few days have been rough on my right knee. I am slightly worried that I will eventually have to do something about it. This knee was injured many, many moons ago and never got any treatment. It's acting up again. I am trying to tell myself that it does not hurt. That works a lot so I think that the pain is mostly in my head.
I suppose that I've chewed your virtual ear for long enough now. Wishing you all the ROCO-iest of long weekends. Spread the word, spread the love.
Pennsylvania. Land of the Amish. Next door to some serious rednecks. (WV) Not a huge Republican state that I'm aware of. With their choices being what they are, they are leaning towards Hillary. But, that's not to say that the younger generation isn't putting in its two cents for Obama. Neither here nor there.
Today, in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette there were some great quotes taken from random folks on the street. Here's a little insight into how PA rolls.
"A couple blocks east, at Jimmy's Quick Lunch, Hillary Clinton's the favorite of many regulars. 'I like her backup man,' said retired machinist Ronald Duser, referring to former President Bill Clinton. 'And her family's from Scranton. She seems to be an honest person, just like my wife.' Of Obama, Duser said: 'I'm not crazy about voting for a colored guy, but that's not why I don't support Obama. I'm not prejudiced. I just like Hillary.' A couple tables over, Jean Fetterman, a foster grandparent, said of Clinton: 'Oh, I love her. She's a very intelligent person, and she has her husband who went through this.' She scoffs at the idea of voting for Obama: 'I don't want to be a Muslim!' She looks dubious when told Obama is Christian. 'Then why did he go see what's-his-name over in Iraq, that Lama?'"
So Obama visited ... a llama? The Dalai Lama? Osama? The Roller-rama? A bull from Bramah? Wagamama?
Sometimes people have mashed potatoes for brains and there's nothing you can do about it.
"And he didn't go to Iraq, either. Let's get this straight once and for all: that one time when he went to visit the llama, he wore the traditional garb of Suriname. He did it only because llamas, like illegal Mexicans, are from South America. Any politician, colored or regular, would have done the same. (Sigh.) But there you have it - this is now Clinton's base."
My home state. Gawd bless 'em.
