On a cold winter morning on January 28, 2008, I watched as then Senator Barack Obama listened to Senator Ted Kennedy endorse him for the Democratic nominee for President of the US at American University. I had almost decided to go to work that day. But the history major in me knew this was history in the making. And I had to be there. As I arrived at American University on that day, I realized that the auditorium was already filled to capacity. As I arrived at the campus, I met another woman along the way en route. She and I would not be deterred on our mission. We were rewarded for our tenacity. We were able to see and hear Senator Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, then Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Barack Obama. We proudly shared the moment together. And we have remained connected since that special day. What we saw and experienced that day seems like light years ago—much longer than 4 years. We saw the Kennedys and their Camelot mystique embrace then Senator Barack Obama over the … [Read more...] about A Look Back 4 Years on Ted Kennedy’s Endorsement of Barack Obama
Archives for January 2012
Gabby Giffords to Step Down
In an move that many expected might happen, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords announced via video tape that she will step down from Congress. She plans to continue her fight to get better and improve, following last year's horrific shooting. Neither her husband, Mark, or anyone in her staff office will seek her seat. Giffords will return to Washington this week to attend President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, marking one of her final acts as a member of Congress. She will also meet privately in Tucson with constituents who were attending the meet-and-greet at a Safeway supermarket where the shooting occurred. The Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer must set a special election within 80-90 days following her resignation. Giffords is set to resign this week. She will always be known for her strength and steadfast and immovable faith to heal and get better. She says she is getting better. Her spirits are high. And she will return. I hope so. Here is the transcript of the … [Read more...] about Gabby Giffords to Step Down
MLK, Jr. I Have a Dream Speech
On Aug. 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial: "I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a DREAM today! I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of 'interposition' and 'nullification' -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a DREAM today!" http://bit.ly/Ar7tYq … [Read more...] about MLK, Jr. I Have a Dream Speech
The President Strikes Back at GOP During Recess
2012 ushered in a new President Obama who cast caution to the wind and threw away his attempts at conciliation efforts with the GOP as he made 3 recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) and named Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Board . Cordray is the former Attorney General for Ohio. Republicans had effectively blocked Cordray’s appointment after failing to block the establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Board in 2010. The President drew the praise of progressives and all who support working Americans’ rights and consumer rights. The Consumer Financial Protection Board’s aim is to protect citizens from Wall Street banks and lenders attacks on them. The NLRB is the agency that is responsible for holding corporations responsible and protects the safety, health and rights in the workplace. Without the NLRB working efficiently, employers can fire and deny employees earned benefits and fair wages. Since January 1, … [Read more...] about The President Strikes Back at GOP During Recess
New Reports DC Councilman Harry Thomas, JR Set to Resign
Breaking new reports from WUSA 9, WTOP, the Washington Post and others report that Ward 5 DC Councilman Harry Thomas, JR is set to resign and plead guilty to felony charges of stealing over $300,000 set aside for youth baseball to use on lavish gifts, trips, car and a motorcycle for himself. If true, this is a classic case of a get rich quick scheme of rob the poor to help make himself rich. If proven true, Thomas will likely find out that he is facing serious jail time for his get rich quick scheme gone awry. The charges are no doubt felony theft and/or IRS- failing to report income. In an ironic twist, Thomas still owed over $17,000 on his student loans and was in trouble over the arrears for his school loans. Presumably, he didn’t want to use any of his newly acquired ill- gotten funds to pay his student loan debt. And in an even more ironic twist, one of the baseball teams set to receive the youth funds was his team named “Team Thomas”. How appropriate a name for a team … [Read more...] about New Reports DC Councilman Harry Thomas, JR Set to Resign
Top Legal Stories of 2011
The top legal stories of 2011 range from murders, political corruptions, sex abuse, rape and missing persons. Here are the top ones and those with honorable mention: 1. Casey Anthony- Who could forget the not guilty verdict of Casey Anthony in the death of her 2 year old daughter Casey Anthony? In a Washington Times article, I discuss why the not guilty verdict was anticipated by me. Casey Anthony Verdict: Unpalatable But Correct explores the reasons why the verdict was an appropriate legal one despite contrary popular public opinion. The prosecution learned a valuable lesson--overcharging and lack of evidence results in not guilty verdicts. 2. Conrad Murray- The manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray for the death of Michael Jackson was a contrast to the Casey Anthony trial. The prosecution did not overcharge and methodically set out to prove that Conrad Murray's actions of giving Jackson doses of Propofol- a powerful anesthetic, resulted in his death. Murray was appropriately … [Read more...] about Top Legal Stories of 2011